Plea deal accepted in Doss case
A Le Mars man accused of pointing a loaded gun at three police officers has accepted a plea deal.
44-year-old Brandyn Scott Doss entered guilty pleas to five of the seven counts he faced, including assault on persons in certain occupations while displaying a deadly weapon, going armed with intent, first-degree harassment, assault while displaying a deadly weapon, and false imprisonment. The court dismissed counts one and two as part of the deal, with sentencing now set for Monday, May 18th at 1:30pm in Plymouth County District Court. His trial date was previously set to start tomorrow morning.
Police were called to a residence on Second Ave NW in the early hours of December 14th, following up on a report of an argument between two men. According to the police report and court documents, Doss answered the door pointing a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun at three officers, and was arrested after the officers told Doss to put the gun down. Doss reportedly told officers they would be shot if they didn’t have a warrant or invitation.
Prior to the officers’ arrival, Doss allegedly pointed the gun at another man in the residence for nearly 4 minutes and had previously threatened to kill two family members via text message.
Doss will remain the Plymouth County Jail on $25,000 bond.
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Sleep in Heavenly Peace to hold Bed Build in Le Mars
The local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is looking for volunteers for a Bed Build event in Le Mars on Saturday, March 28th.
No experience is necessary to participate in constructing the beds. A core team member will help guide volunteers through the build process. Volunteers will learn a step of the process and complete it over and over again as the group works together to make complete beds. Completed beds will be delivered to Le Mars area children that are in need of a new bed.
Those interested in volunteering can register now at volunteer.shpbeds.org for two shifts on March 28th: from 9-11am, and from 1-3pm. Both shifts will take place at the Le Mars Chevrolet & GMC.
Founded in 2012, Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a volunteer-driven, nationwide non-profit organization that builds beds for children who need them. According to their website, the Sioux City chapter has delivered over 3,300 beds since the chapter’s founding.
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Bill would raise highway ‘default’ speed limit from 55 to 60
A move to raise the speed limit to 60 on Iowa highways where the posted speed is 55 has passed another hurdle in the statehouse. The bill cleared the Iowa Senate in March of last year and a House subcommittee advanced it last Wednesday. Representative Megan Jones of Sioux Rapids says there’s a lot of interest among House Republicans in passing a bill to hike the speed limit.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety is registered on the legislature’s website as undecided on the bill, but Josie Wagler — the department’s legislative liaison — suggested a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety could be a warning sign.
The number of traffic deaths in Iowa last year was the lowest in a century. Representative Jones, who is chair of the House Transportation Committee, says it seems like Iowans are doing the right things when it comes to highway safety.
The State Police Officers Council opposes increasing the speed limit on Iowa highways. The speed limits on the interstates that run through Iowa were raised to 70 in 2005.
(Story via Radio Iowa)
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