From the Associated Press (11:20 a.m.):
HAZLETON, Iowa (AP) – An investigation continues after an eastern Iowa accident that killed two people. The accident happened Monday afternoon near Hazleton in Buchanan County. The Iowa State Patrol said a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by 40-year-old Nicholas Johnson of Oelwein apparently crossed the center line and struck a 2006 Toyota Sienna driven by 70-year-old John Friend of Davenport. Friend and Johnson died in the accident, and a third person was flown by air ambulance to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A third vehicle was struck by debris from the crash.
TRAER, Iowa (AP) – Authorities in Tama County say a $17,000 reward is now being offered to help solve a deadly shooting in June. KCCI-TV reports that the killing of 42-year-old Ryan Cooper remains unsolved. He was found shot to death inside his home in the small town of Traer. An autopsy determined the death was caused by violence. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tama County Sheriff’s Office.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Dozens of Iowa National Guard members are being deployed to help resettle Afghan refugees. The Sioux City Journal reported Tuesday that about 30 members of the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City are being deployed. About 35 others are from the 132nd Wing in Des Moines. The Iowa members will be assigned to an undisclosed location in the U.S. to assist with Operation Allies Welcome, an effort to bring U.S. citizens home from Afghanistan and to resettle vulnerable Afghan refugees. The Iowa National Guard said guard members will deploy for roughly 60 to 90 days starting next month.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa City police are investigating after officers found a 20-year-old man with a gunshot wound after a traffic crash. Police said they were called to a crash Sunday evening on Highway 6. A car had left the road and run into a median near an intersection. The man is in critical condition after being taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. No further information has been released.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A 40-year-old Sioux City man has been convicted of two counts of attempted murder after he ran over another man on a motorcycle. A Monona County jury found Jayme Powell guilty of attempted murder and other charges Friday. Authorities arrested Powell on Dec. 27 after he fired shots at a vehicle and then ran over Richard Polack, who was on a motorcycle, on southbound Interstate 29 near Whiting, Iowa. Prosecutors said Powell fled the scene and later stole two pickup trucks before he was arrested in Sioux City. Police said Powell and Polack, of Sioux City, had been in a fight before the confrontation on the interstate.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An agency will release a second attempt at redrawing Iowa’s congressional and legislative district lines this week. The response from Republicans could make clear whether they intend to stick with the state’s nonpartisan process or opt for a more partisan approach that favors GOP candidates. The once-a-decade process allows that if legislators reject two maps drawn by the Legislative Services Agency, lawmakers can create any map they want as long as it abides by a host of rules. Republicans hold majorities in both legislative chambers as well as the governorship, so the GOP would have complete control of that process. Republican leaders have declined to say they won’t amend the third set.
