ANAMOSA, Iowa (KCRG) – On December 7, 2023, a police officer for the City of Anamosa was dispatched to the Anamosa State Penitentiary for a report that an impaired person was trying to drive away. Officials say the warden of the prison advised the responding officer that the prison dentist, 58-year-old Payman Bayati, appeared to be intoxicated according to the nursing staff. Bayati had just performed a root canal on a patient. Bayati had reportedly been questioned by the warden and was informed that he was done working at the prison. Officials say he walked out of the building and reportedly attempted to drive away before the warden and deputy warden stopped him. The responding officer reported Bayati having slurred speech and smelling heavily of alcohol. In Bayati’s vehicle they found an empty flask that smelled of alcohol. Bayati had a reported blood alcohol content of .158. He was charged with public intoxication.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation is launching a capital campaign to raise funds for a new library on the City’s west side. The ‘Inspiring Big Dreams’ campaign hopes to raise $10 million to establish a new permanent library that would replace Ladd Library, which is a rented space. The project would reportedly cost less than $25 million. The City of Cedar Rapids has allocated $6 million in ARPA funds to go to the project already. The Linn County Board of Supervisors has already allocated $4 million, as well. Officials say the foundation has already secured land for the project near the corner of Edgewood Boulevard and 20th Avenue SW, which is within walking distance of the current Ladd Library. The site will be developed by the City to include a new city park. Officials have already begun the design process for both. The library plans to break ground this fall and officially open in late 2026.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Two people were arrested, and a third was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound after an incident in Cedar Rapids late Thursday night. Police said a witness reported a shooting at about 11:20 p.m. in the 100 block of Kirkwood Court SW, and then a vehicle left the area just before officers arrived. Investigators said they found evidence of a shooting at the scene and were able to find the suspect vehicle based on the witness’s description. Officers said three people were in the vehicle, and one of them had a gunshot wound to the leg. That person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The other two people in the vehicle were identified by officials as 25-year-old Derek Morrison and 27-year-old Cordell Burress. Morrison faces charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Failure to Affix Drug Tax Stamp, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Burress faces charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (marijuana), Traffic Charge (speed restrictions), and Driving while License Under Suspension. Police are still investigating this incident.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa City police arrested a woman after they say threats were made toward Mercy Hospital on Thursday. Police said they arrested 47-year-old Stephanie Robinson, of Iowa City, in connection with the threat. Robinson faces one count of Threat of Terrorism. Police said they were called about the alleged threat at around 8:43 a.m. on Thursday. Investigators said Robinson made threats over the phone to a specific Mercy Hospital clinic. A criminal complaint says Robinson was allegedly angry during the four-minute phone call, and that she threatened to “shoot up the clinic and kill Mercy staff.” Mercy Iowa City temporarily locked down their facilities in response to the threat, in accordance with their protocols. After police located Robinson, officers said she admitted to making the call, but denied making the threats.
