CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Cedar Rapids Fire Department says a home has minor damage following a fire early Friday morning. It happened just before 3:30 a.m. along Tomahawk Trail SE. The department says firefighters arrived to find a fire burning on the exterior of the home. A pickup truck in the driveway was also on fire. Crews were able to get the fire before it could spread to the home’s interior, but there was some smoke and heat damage inside the house. Two adults, a child and two pets were home at the time, but goT out unharmed.
DELAWARE COUNTY Iowa (KCRG) – The Delaware County Attorney has cleared a deputy’s actions in shooting the man suspected of killing a Monticello Fareway worker back in November. 48-year-old Aaron McAtee had been outside a Fareway store where he worked when he was shot in what investigators say appears to be a random act of violence. McAtee was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Police said they later found the suspect, identified as Nathan Russell, in Hopkinton. An officer shot Russell while trying to take him into custody when he failed to comply. Russell was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of his gunshot injuries. Delaware County Deputy Matt Menard was then placed on incident leave, pending the continued investigation. On December 28th, the Delaware County attorney released his legal opinion regarding Menard’s decision to shoot Russell, saying the decision was both “reasonable” and “justified.” Russell is still awaiting trial for charges of Murder in the First Degree, Going Armed with Intent, and Felon in possession of a Firearm.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – On November 16, 2023, police responded to a report that a man had sexually abused both a 12-year-old and 17-year-old victim. Following an investigation, officials concluded that both victims had been sexually abused during multiple incidents for over a year and a half long period. Both victims had been manipulated throughout that time into not reporting the abuse. Officials arrested 44-year-old Todd Stratton on December 21st, 2023. He was charged with Sexual Abuse – 3rd Degree, Incest, and Indecent Contact With a Child.
SIDNEY, Iowa (KCRG) – An 18-year-old student at Sidney High School in Fremont County has been arrested after she allegedly had a “hit list” against individuals in the school district and the community. Officials say Kaelyn Surrell had sent the list to at least one individual via Snapchat and that the list included “people she had bad encounters with where she has a motive to carry out harming them.” They say she had wished to cause arson incidents towards the individuals and that, as a Fire Cadet with the Shenandoah Fire Department, had the “potential knowledge to carry out the act.” Surrell was taken into custody on Tuesday and was charged with seven felony counts of threats of terrorism.
