The Iowa Department of Public Health on Tuesday confirmed two cases of the India variant of COVID-19 in Iowa. Health officials say they’re still learning about the characteristics of the variant, was first detected in India, but said it was not designated as a “variant of concern,” because there is currently no evidence of increased transmissibility or severe disease associated with it. Both cases are tied to adults in Jefferson County.
We now know the identity of the pilot who died in a Sunday afternoon plane crash in rural Tiffin. 73-year-old Dale Bieber of Coralville was the pilot and sole occupant of the single-engine aircraft which came down near the Greencastle Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
The University of Northern Iowa has announced its fourth candidate in the search for a new UNI Provost…she’s Dr. Brenda Bass, currently the Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Northern Iowa. She will interview remotely with faculty, staff, students and other members of the campus community today and tomorrow. She will be the final candidate to interview.
A home located in the Five Season mobile home park in Cedar Falls is a total loss after an overnight fire. Cedar Falls Fire and Rescue officials say it happened just after 3 o’clock early Tuesday morning. No one was home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A man has been arrested in connection with a burglary last year where left blood at the scene of the crime. 47-year-old Curtis Carr was booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail this week on charges of second-degree burglary and criminal mischief. The incident dates back to June of 2020 when Carr and another person entered a business in the 500 block of Highway 18 E. Court documents say the two gained access to the locked office by cutting a hole in the wall between the office and the bathroom. While committing the burglary, Carr injured himself and left blood evidence at the scene. He’s now being held on $12,000 bail.
The NRA state-affiliate Iowa Firearms Coalition is calling on lawmakers to make Iowa a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State.” Organization president Dave Funk said this would prohibit state agencies and local governments from enforcing new federal gun rules. The President announced six executive orders last month to restrict guns. Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation designating Nebraska as a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State” early last month. Funk says he has confidence the Iowa legislature will act on this during its remaining days. We’ll talk with Iowa Firearms Coalition board member Richard Rogers Thursday morning in the 9 o’clock hour of KXEL Live & Local.
Students in Cedar Rapids will be able to receive free breakfasts and lunches throughout the summer thanks to funding from the USDA. The Cedar Rapids Community School District announced on Tuesday it is participating in the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program, which will provide meals to all children age 18 and under. The grab and go meals will be available Monday through Friday from June 7, 2021, through August 13, 2021, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., at Grant Elementary, Johnson STEM Academy, Pierce Elementary, Roosevelt Middle School, Grant Wood Elementary, Truman Elementary, and Viola Gibson Elementary. There is no charge for the meals.
The 80/35 Music Festival won’t happen in 2021, but another one-day music festival will debut later this summer in Des Moines. The Des Moines Music Coalition announced the change of plans on Tuesday morning. DMMC says it is postponing the traditional 80/35 Music Festival scheduled for July in downtown Des Moines for the second straight year “out of an abundance of caution” due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic…but they say the 80/35 Music Festival will return in 2022. At the same time, DMMC announced the new Riverview Music Festival to be held on Saturday of Labor Day weekend at The Rivieria, the newly renovated performance space at Riverview Park.
Police are investigating a shooting that injured a woman in Dubuque early Tuesday morning. Officers said they were called to a residence in the 2900 block of Brunswick Street around 3 a.m. Law enforcement found a 31-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her left shoulder in the rear of the residence. The woman was first taken to a Dubuque hospital and later airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Officials said her injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening. Investigation is ongoing.
