A Harlan woman who died January 13th when her vehicle crossed the median of Interstate 80 and was hit broadside by a semi near Avoca, was apparently texting her boyfriend just moments before the crash. Investigators with the Iowa State Patrol say texting and driving was likely the major contributing factor in a crash that killed 22-year-old Nikki Johnston.

The woman’s family told authorities she had texted her boyfriend at 12:53 p.m., asking him what she wore on their first date. Minutes later, her boyfriend texted her a picture from their first date. Johnston received that text at the same time as the first 911 call from the scene of the crash near Avoca. That call came from the driver of a vehicle which was directly behind Johnston.

Investigators said Johnston lost control of her car and went through a grass median before a semi-truck heading east broadsided her at about 70 mph.Johnston died on impact. Family members said she was on her way to work at Tac Air in Omaha at the time of the crash.Her phone was found intact.Investigators said they conducted several tests and ruled out a mechanical malfunction as an explanation for the crash. They said texting was likely the major contributing factor.

Johnston’s family told Omaha television station KETV, they don’t want to believe texting caused the crash that killed their oldest daughter, and they think there’s more to the crash than distracted driving.

Officials with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) say 88 dogs living in deplorable conditions were removed from a property near Kiron, in Sac County, Wednesday.

Cocker Spaniel w/matted hair before being treated (Courtesy ARL)

 The conditions caused the dogs, most of which were Cocker Spaniels, to suffer from severely matted hair and other health problems. The animals have since been moved to ARL shelters in Des Moines, Carroll, Boone, Cedar Rapids and Sioux City.

Officials say six of the dogs may be pregnant. A total of 18 will remain with the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines to undergo veterinary care and grooming, officials said. Once healthy, the dogs will be put up for adoption. League officials say donations of money and dry dog and puppy food will help cover veterinary expenses.

Same dog, after hair trimmed and cleaned up (Courtesy ARL of IA)

Authorities in Harrison County have been called to investigate an alleged incident involving a teenaged girl and the principal of the West Harrison High School, in Mondamin. Sheriff Patrick Sears said school officials called his office after a  freshman at the high school accused her principal of pulling her pants down to her knees in front of fellow students. School officials are not talking about the Friday afternoon incident.

According to the Omaha World-Herald, the incident involved 15-year old Callie Merriman,  who plays guard on the girls basketball team, and Principal Mike Loftin, who coaches the varsity squad. Merriman told the paper the team was about to board a bus for a game when the incident allegedly took place. The teen was wearing warm-up pants but had forgotten her shorts at home that day. She said she went home to grab them, but they were still in her purse. Merriman and some teammates were leaving the girls locker room, and she says when she came out, she was standing by the boys locker room, the coach was talking, and she said – quote – “I guess he meant it as a joke and just yanked at my warm-up pants.” The girl says she screamed she wasn’t wearing any pants underneath the warmups, which went down to her knees. She said she immediately went to the ground try to hide her underwear and pulled her pants back up. On the bus after the incident, Merriman said Loftin apologized repeatedly and offered to buy her candy.

Superintendent Joel Foster would not comment and declined to say whether Loftin was still employed or had been suspended, describing the incident as a personnel matter. He did tell The World-Herald that Loftin had worked for the district for about a year and a half. The district’s website indicates Loftin is principal of grades 7-12. Merriman said Loftin has not been seen at the school since the incident. Loftin reportedly told an Omaha television station school officials suspended him pending while an investigation into the alleged incident is being conducted by the sheriff’s office. He said the allegations were blown out of proportion.

No charges have been filed.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A 29-year-old Iowa man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Omaha after making a deal with prosecutors.    Online court records say Justin Reinders, of Persia, Iowa, made the plea Tuesday in Douglas County, NE.,  District Court. He’d been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Milton Jackson.  Police say Reinders shot Jackson, of Omaha, on Jan. 6th, 2011,  at a lubrication business on the city’s west side.  Reinders also pleaded guilty to a felony firearms charge.  Reinders faces 25 or more years in prison when he’s sentenced on April 4th. The other murder charge carries either the death penalty or mandatory life in prison.