CRIME & SAFETY
Clear Lake man accused of assault, death threat is sentenced
MASON CITY, Iowa – A case involving a knife and a death threat has been pleaded down to a misdemeanor. Jonathan Wayne Coolidge, 36 of Clear Lake, had been charged with going armed with intent, assault with a dangerous weapon, and person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons. Coolidge was...
North Iowa man arrested for using a Taser to torment his girlfriend
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa – A North Iowa man is arrested for domestic assault and threatening someone with a Taser. Benjamin Scott Mehmen, 28 of Britt, was booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail Thursday on four counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and one count of domestic abuse assault. Mehmen is being held without bail.
Police say man who went to use Iowa library’s phone had guns, meth
Authorities say a man who went to the Forest City Public Library to use the library’s phone to call police now faces gun and drug-related charges. Forest City’s police chief says the man told library staff he’d had a fight with his roommate and needed to call police. A library employee asked the man to wait outside while she called police and, when officers arrived, they found the man was carrying a long gun wrapped in some jackets, a loaded handgun and ammunition as well as some meth in his backpack. Forest City’s police chief says it appears the man didn’t intend to use the guns and may have stuffed all his possessions in the backpack after the argument with his roommate.
Multiple train cars derail in Mason City yard, no injuries or hazardous spills reported
Several train cars derailed Wednesday night in a Mason City train yard. CBS affiliate KIMT reports emergency responders reported to the seen around 10:12 pm. Firefighters say they arrived at the Union Pacific train yard near 19th Street SW and South Pierce Avenue to find several train cars on their side.
Not guilty plea entered over standoff in Swaledale
MASON CITY, Iowa – A man arrested after a standoff with law enforcement in Swaledale is pleading not guilty. John Randell Jackson, 43 of Swaledale, is charged with attempting to disarm a peace officer of a dangerous weapon. His trial is scheduled to begin on July 2 in Cerro Gordo County District Court.
Forest City couple sentenced for selling oxycodone
GARNER, Iowa – Two people have been sentenced for selling oxycodone pills in Hancock County. Bert Alan Maharas, 62 of Forest City, and Jodi Lynn Maharas, 63 of Forest city, pleaded guilty to conspiracy with intent to deliver oxycodone. Court documents state they sold the addictive painkiller to a car accident victim in June 2023.
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