CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Linn County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance that places a pause on any new applications for utility-scale solar projects. The board said the moratorium on accepting rezoning applications will expire after three months, but can be extended by the board for no more than 12 months. The county’s Planning and Development Department is also expected to create a Renewable Energy Review Committee to look into specific areas of the renewable energy code like setbacks and screenings. The committee will start meeting in November. The county is accepting applications for residents interested in serving on the voluntary review committees. Solar projects that have already been approved will be allowed to continue.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa City man charged with killing his wife over the couple’s finances took a plea deal Wednesday. Roy Browning Junior was set to go to trial in less than a month. Authorities said he stabbed and killed his wife, JoEllen in April of 2019. The couple had been married 42 years. Browning was charged with first-degree murder in his wife’s death. Instead of that first-degree murder charge, Wednesday, Browning pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree murder. With this plea comes a lesser sentence of 50 years instead of a mandatory life sentence. Back in 2019, court documents show the couple was dealing with financial struggles in the weeks leading up to JoEllen’s murder. Investigators said Roy was lying to his wife about their finances. They said she discovered it and set up a meeting with their financial institution, but she was found dead the day of her meeting. Browning’s sentencing will take place on December 2nd. The 70-year-old must serve 70% of that sentence before he’s eligible for parole.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – After 21 years, Gary Slater has announced he is retiring as the Iowa State Fair CEO and Fair Manager. “It has been an honor of a lifetime to lead the Iowa State Fair as its CEO and Manager for more than twenty years,” said Slater. “I am very proud that the Iowa State Fair is in a strong position to succeed. Our team has worked hard to complete several successful capital improvements, we have enhanced attractions resulting in improved Fairgoer experiences, and attendance records have been shattered. Most importantly, the Iowa State Fair enjoys financial stability and has returned to pre-pandemic revenue levels. I make this announcement because the time is right and the Fair is in a good place. Without question, it will be difficult for me to step away from the Fair and the people I love, but I am looking forward to enjoying more quality time with my family.” Slater has also overseen improvements and renovations to the Susan Knapp Amphitheater and Mid-American Stages, the Elwell Family Food Center and Elwell Family Park, the Jacobson Exhibition Center, the Animal Learning Center and Little Hands on the Farm, Pioneer Hall, Grandfather’s Barn, Expo Hill, Youth Inn, 4-H Building and Gates 13 & 15, and the Grandstand. The Iowa State Fair Board will now begin the process for finding a suitable replacement.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Cedar Rapids police are warning people about a known scam artist. Police said the scammer is targeting churches for their charitable nature, and that the scammer has struck multiple times, asking for financial help, then he skips town. “It goes like this… A man approaches staff at a local church seeking help to reunite his family (typically in Vietnam) by either bringing them here or going to get them,” police wrote in a post on the department’s Facebook page. “He has pages of official-looking documentation and just needs to raise the funds for airfare, governmental fees or some other reasonable-sounding financial need. The deal is – this is all fake, a shameless play on churches’ charitable nature.” Police urge church leaders or other charitable organizations to call them immediately at 319-286-5491, if anyone approaches with a similar-sounding request. Investigators continue to search for the suspect involved in the scam to help the churches and/or organizations that have already been scammed.
