CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A person has been displaced after a fire at a mixed use building in Cedar Rapids early Tuesday morning. City officials said it happened at about 3:43 a.m. at 821 3rd Avenue SE. The building, formerly the Moniker 86 Social Club, housed a bar and restaurant and an apartment unit on the upper level. The restaurant and bar have been closed since the derecho. In a press release, officials said a paramedic from Area Ambulance Service saw the fire at the while returning from another incident. They called the fire department and alerted the occupant of the apartment. Firefighters said they found a large fire in the roof above the attached garage. The fire had extended to the attic space above the bar. Crews quickly knocked down the fire and removed smoke from the building. The garage sustained heavy fire damage to its roof, and there was smoke damage throughout the building. No injuries were reported in this incident. The fire remains under investigation.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Costs related to fireworks are up around 35%, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association. The trade group blames the increase in costs on the rising prices for supplies, shipping, insurance and labor. Sheila Greenlee, who is a manager at Cornellier Fireworks in Marion, said it’s becoming more common to see multiple families purchasing fireworks for their own party. She said those customers are creating an increase in sales because they also sometimes use those fireworks before July 4th. She also said the prices for fireworks at her stand are more expensive by a few dollars. Greenlee said the increase came from higher shipping prices from China.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Coralville Police Officer died while on duty Sunday from what officials called a medical issue. The Johnson County Emergency Management Agency posted condolences on Sunday for Coralville Police Sgt. John Williams. The agency did not give any other details and the Coralville Police Department has not released any details of Sgt. Williams’ death. A LinkedIn page for Williams says he worked for Coralville police for more than 28 years, joining the force in 1994. He currently worked as a patrol shift supervisor and field training officer and supervisor.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – A 20-year-old man is dead after a single-vehicle accident occurred in Dubuque on July 3rd. Police responded to a report of an accident involving a motorcycle on Carter Rd. just south of W. 32nd St at approximately 3:47 pm on Sunday. The victim was transported to the UnityPoint Finley Hospital where he reportedly died. The accident remains under investigation.
