An investigation into the execution-style shooting of several dogs May 12th in Fremont County, has led to the arrest of two people, charged with animal abuse. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Department reports their office received a call at around 1-a.m. May 12th, with regard to the shooting of several dogs that had allegedly been chasing livestock. During their investigation, deputies learned the dogs did not chase the livestock, and over the next several days, learned the animals had been shot execution-style. Each of the dogs suffered from a single gunshot wound.

Deputies were able to determine 65-year old Orrie Covert, Jr., and 30-year old Amber Sharp, both of Tabor, were responsible for the shooting of four dogs. Evidence was gathered, and a search warrant carried out at a residence on Tuesday (May 21st) resulted in the confiscation of numerous illegal wild game animals. Covert, Jr. and Sharp were arrested on four counts each of animal abuse. They were being held in the Fremont County Jail on $8,000 bond, each.

Numerous charges are still pending as a result of the search warrant, and through the Iowa DNR. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by officers with the Sidney and Tabor Police Departments, and Iowa Department of Natural Resouces.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man suspected of abducting two girls near an Iowa bus stop committed suicide. Forty-two-year-old Michael Klunder was found dead Monday night at a rural property northeast of Dayton. Federal, state and local law enforcement are searching by air, land and water for 15-year-old Kathlynn Shepard. She and a 12-year-old girl were taken near a bus stop in Dayton, about 60 miles north of Des Moines, on Monday after accepting a ride from a stranger. The younger girl escaped.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials blame an outbreak of norovirus for sickening dozens of students at a Sioux City elementary school. The local Health Department says lab results show the virus caused more than 40 students and three staff members at Bryant Elementary to become ill last Thursday. Another 33 students reported being sick Friday. Norovirus is a common food-borne pathogen. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) — Rescuers called to the scene of a train derailment found the engineer and conductor atop one of the derailed locomotives in an area surrounded by rising floodwaters. No one was injured in the late Monday derailment of the Canadian Pacific train. Workers were safely rescued. A railroad spokesman says the derailment was caused by a washed-out rail line.

CHICAGO (AP) — An Iowa letter carrier has been sentenced to 37 years in prison for sending dud pipe bombs with threatening letters signed “The Bishop.” U.S. District Judge Robert Dow issued the sentence yesterday, saying John Tomkins “engaged in a reign of terror.”

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials are blaming an outbreak of norovirus for an illness that sickened dozens of students at a Sioux City elementary school. The Sioux City Journal reports that Siouxland District Health Department announced Tuesday that lab results show the virus caused more than 40 students and three staff members at Bryant Elementary School to become ill on Thursday. Another 33 students reported being sick Friday.

Norovirus is a common food-borne pathogen with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea. Health department Deputy Director Tyler Brock says it’s unclear where the illness originated or if it was contracted at the school.