WASHINGTON, DC (IRN) – An Iowan convicted in one of the state’s most heinous mass murders will be put to death in January, the Justice Department said Thursday. The government is resuming executions for the first time since 2003. Dustin Lee Honken, 51, was running a methamphetamine operation when, in 1993, he committed the execution-style slayings of two associates, one of their girlfriends and her daughters, ages 10 and 6. The victims’ bodies were not found until 2000, when Johnson drew a map for a jailhouse informant that led authorities to their shallow graves near Mason City. ROLAND (IRN) – A middle school counselor has been accused of trying to solicit an inappropriate relationship with a student on social media, according to KCCI-TV. The Roland-Story Community School District said Michael Oleson Jr. is no longer working at the middle school. He denies any attempt to have a romantic relationship. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – A man is facing charges after he allegedly kidnapped a 16-year-old in Cedar Falls and tried to force her into a home and sexually assault her. KCRG-TV reports the girl escaped with minor injuries. Police say Saul Santos Vasquez-Martinez, 43, was booked on second-degree kidnapping and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. Vasquez-Martinez told police he was in the country illegally. ICE officials have been contacted. AGENCY, IA (IRN) – Two runaway teenage girls were found safe in Ottumwa Wednesday night. KTVO-TV reports family members say both teens have been returned to their group home in Agency. RHODE ISLAND (IRN) – A Des Moines man is facing multiple charges in Rhode Island after he was stopped by private security outside Taylor Swift’s home Friday. WHO-TV reports 32-year-old David Liddle told security that he knew Swift and was coming to visit her. He was carrying a baseball bat and a backpack filled with 30 lock picks and rubber gloves. Swift’s security says they were aware of Liddle and that he was on a watch list of people who possibly posed a threat to the pop star.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa State Fair is just 15 days away and a swine flu outbreak is changing how animals are inspected before the fair. The flu in China has prompted the state veterinarian to require inspections of animals seven days before the State Fair, instead of the usual 30 days. The Iowa Department of Agriculture says the additional requirements are designed to promote biosecurity and animal health. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Two eastern Iowa teachers are dead after drowning in a pool in Davenport, according to WHO-TV. Officers were called to a backyard pool in east Davenport around 9 p.m. Monday. Police say the men are not related and both died of accidental drowning. The incident is under investigation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Two children were pepper-sprayed by Des Moines police after allegedly shoplifting at a QuickTrip convenience store. KCCI-TV reports the boys, ages 8 and 9, were holding butcher knives after shoplifting at a convenience store. Police say the pepper spray was the safest way to subdue the boys. Both were taken to the hospital and will be OK. INDIANOLA, IA (IRN) – Two people were hospitalized after a crash during RAGBRAI Tuesday in Indianola. The crash happened at the bottom of a steep hill. Police say a 22-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man crashed into each other as they were coming down at high speeds. Both were airlifted from the scene to Des Moines hospitals. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – The Waterloo Police Foundation met 36 elementary and middle school students on Tuesday to help them shop for school supplies. KCRG-TV reports the “Cops, Kids, and Cool for School” event helps families who may not be able to afford the long list of items kids need for school. The event is part of an effort to help kids get excited to start the school year. Lieutenant Corbin Payne said it’s also a good opportunity to build positive relationships in their community, and he loves seeing the smiles on the kid’s faces.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man was arrested early Tuesday morning after police say he threatened to light a fire at the U.S. Post Office on 2nd Avenue. WHO-TV reports Carlos Saldana, 27, showed up at the post office’s bay doors shortly after midnight, holding a gasoline can in his hand. Employees confronted him and Saldana opened the gas can and ordered them to stay back, threatening as if he would light the gas on fire. Saldana left the building and poured gasoline around in the parking lot and ran away. Police officers found him a few blocks away and were able to arrest him. FAIRFAX, IA (IRN) – An accident involving an overturned lawnmower in Linn County resulted in the death of a juvenile, according to KCRG-TV. He was attempting to mow a ditch when it rolled, trapping him underneath. He was pronounced dead at the scene. LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Emergency crews were called to Palisades-Kepler State Park for a report of a possible drowning on Saturday. KWWL-TV reports the man was swimming near the dam when he went underwater and didn’t resurface. The search continues. This marks the second possible drowning this month at the park. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa House Democrats have called for an investigation after a statement made by Former Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven. Foxhoven made a statement that said Gov. Kim Reynolds’ staff asked him to do something illegal. Foxhoven alleged he said he wouldn’t do it, so they fired him. The governor’s spokesperson says, “We have no idea what the former director is referring to.” House Speaker and Republican Linda Upmeyer say she won’t investigate. DYSART, IA (IRN) – A Main Street oddity is attracting tourists from all over the country to Tama County, according to KCCI-TV. The “Dysart Gorge,” painted by Mary Snyder Behrens, is an illusion that makes it appear as if the cars around it are about to fall into a bottomless pit.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man has been freed from prison after serving only five years of a 15-year sentence. KCCI-TV reports Scotty Parks is a convicted habitual domestic abuser. In 2009, Parks beat his victim for hours in her home. He knocked her unconscious, left bruises and tore out chunks of her hair. The victim says “He beat me for 4 1/2 hours using his hands, knees and feet…he knocked me unconscious twice — the first time, through strangulation.” His sentence was shortened due to good behavior in prison. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – At least four Iowa children have died in the past 18 months at day care centers that had been warned about caring for too many children. The Des Moines Register reports that criminal charges have been filed in two of the deaths, and prosecutors are considering charges in a third case. The state has 4,300 regulated day care centers, but home daycares are not regulated. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Two Cedar Rapids police officers went to the hospital after fighting with someone they were trying to arrest downtown on Sunday. KCRG-TV reports it’s not clear what led to the fight. The officers have been treated and released from the hospital. RATHBUN, IA (IRN) – A dock at Rathbun Lake was swept away during the storm on Saturday, according to KCCI-TV. People on the dock during the storm were thrown into the water. Witnesses say the dock floated away and ran into another dock, allowing people to jump to safety. After the storm passed the dock was found on the other side of the lake. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Twenty-six-year-old Ian Pfeiffer died when he was struck by a train in downtown Des Moines shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday. WHO-TV reports witnesses say Pfeiffer walked around the lowered traffic signal arms and attempted to jump onto the train while it was moving. Friends say it wasn’t a suicide attempt. They describe Pfeiffer as a fun, colorful soul. From his art, love of music, or just the way he could lift up anyone’s spirits, they say Pfeiffer treated friends like family.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – One man is dead after an incident involving a train in Des Moines Friday night. KCCI-TV reports the 26-year-old male had serious traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses claim he had walked around the traffic signal arms that were lowered. NORTH LIBERTY, IA (IRN) – An eastern Iowa man has been charged after he threatened to shoot people in his home, including children, as well as police officers. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that 54-year-old Alan Dale Rieken was arrested Thursday evening at his home. Police say he told others there, “I’m going to shoot some cops and then you.” MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A house explosion in Mason City was caused by a leaking gas pipe in the basement that was ignited by the pilot light of the furnace. KIMT-TV reports he explosion caused items stored in the basement to start on fire. No injuries were reported. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – After severe thunderstorms rolled through central Iowa, many trees and electrical wires were down. At least one home was destroyed in Des Moines. Damage is still being assessed.