COGGON, Iowa (KCRG) – The Hawkeye Area Council Boy Scouts of America sold Camp Waubeek for $1 million at an auction on Thursday. A judge ruled that the national Boy Scouts of America would pay almost $2.5 billion in compensation to more than 84,000 sexual abuse survivors. Each council across the United States will help the national organization pay back that figure. The Hawkeye Area Council’s portion to pay back is $446,000. Camp Waubeek was sold to cover the debt obligation. It’s a 97-acre piece of land just south of Camp Wakonda, the main camp. Camp Wakonda will not be affected by the sale.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A bill advancing in the Iowa legislature would put restrictions on traffic cameras and require cities to get a permit to use or install them. The bill requires cities to apply for a permit from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) if they want to install traffic cameras. The DOT would then look at proposed locations to see if they’re needed to address safety issues. Last week, the Marion City Council approved an ordinance that changes city code to allow for traffic cameras. The police department is looking at two particular intersections of concern – Highways 13 and 151 as well as Highway 100 and East Post Road. They are also considering buying a mobile speed camera that can be used anywhere. Marion’s police chief says they need traffic cameras because of a lack of staff, with almost half of the shifts on duty operating with minimal officers. Fines in Marion would start at 5 miles per hour over the limit, though the proposed state bill would raise that minimum to more than 10 over. Cedar Rapids would have to lower its minimum fine of $75 to $50. The proposed bill would also require 10% of revenue from traffic cameras to go to the state.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – An American doctor who lived in Sudan but traveled to work with Mercy Iowa City several times a year was killed during ongoing violence in the country. Leaders with Mercy Iowa City confirmed Dr. Bushra Sulieman’s death on Thursday. “Dr. Sulieman was a well-respected gastroenterologist, surgeon, and colleague and he will be greatly missed,” Mercy Iowa City President and CEO Tom Clancy said in a press release. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family and will keep them in our prayers.” Dr. Sulieman practiced at Mercy Iowa City’s Gastroenterology Clinic and performed surgery at Mercy Iowa City Hospital since February 2021. ABC News reports he was stabbed to death while taking his father to dialysis. They also report he was in Sudan with his wife and two of his four children, caring for his parents and teaching medicine.
ALTOONA, Iowa (KTIV) – Adventureland in Altoona, Iowa says it will implement new security procedures for the 2023 season. The park from now on there will be a chaperone policy. The policy states guests 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult (someone 21 or older) to enter the park after 4 p.m. The entrance policy also requires guests to pass through the park’s weapons detection system at the front gate. And people entering Adventureland will only be allowed one bag per guest. The bag can have a maximum size of 15″ x 15″ x 15″. Adventureland officially opens for the 2023 season Saturday, May 6. It will be open on weekends in May, but starting June 1 the park is open daily.
