From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
A man is in custody today, more than two years after a mass shooting that killed two people in Waterloo. 23-year-old Willie Saffold, Jr. is facing two counts of first degree murder. Police say he shot and killed Dacarious Burkett and Takeya Hogan-Camp outside a club on West 4th Street in Waterloo in September of 2020. Saffold is in jail this morning, being held on a $1.2 million cash bond.
Police have arrested two teens accused in a shooting in northwest Cedar Rapids more than a month ago. Police responded to the shooting in the 1600 block of F Avenue Northwest around 11:45 on the morning of February 18. Now 15-year-old Dante Irvin and 16-year-old Tramontez Lockett are charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, and going armed with intent in the killing of 16-year-old Michael McCune.
Linn-Mar Schools say it will follow a newly signed law requiring students to use bathrooms and locker rooms of their birth gender. That conflicts with a policy at Linn-Mar schools that’s also facing a court challenge. As part of its statement, Linn-Mar says, “The building administrator will evaluate the request and will, to the extent reasonable, offer alternative arrangements consistent with the new Iowa law.”
Cedar Rapids Schools also say they are preparing to follow the new law. But it says the District knows “a students’ ability to use the restroom is a basic need and the District will ensure it is met in a manner that is least restrictive and least disruptive to our students’ access to their education.”
The Freedom Festival announced all of the events that will be part of its three week celebration around Independence Day in Cedar Rapids. There will be more than 20 events. These include the Freedom Festival Parade and fireworks. Events from past festivals are coming back–like Balloon Glow, the children’s parade and movies at the ballpark. The Freedom Festival is celebrating 40 years.
