WASHINGTON, Iowa (KCRG) – The Washington Community School District may go to a 4-day school week, but not until the 2025-2026 school year at the earliest. At its March 13, 2024, board meeting, Superintendent Willie Stone recommended that the board not move forward with the 4-day school week proposal for the next school year (2024-2025). Stone argued that the school should gather more information and make a “better-informed decision” for the 2025-2026 year. This decision comes as more schools are considering such a move. Officials say moving schools to a 4-day school week may help attract and retain more teachers to their districts.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – One of the two victims pulled from a burning home in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday has died. In an update on Wednesday, police said 78-year-old Frederick Slagenweit, of Cedar Rapids, died at the hospital on Tuesday after being removed from the home. The fire happened at a single-story home in the 1200 block of N Street Southwest. Police were able to pull one of the victims out of the home and firefighters rescued the other victim. The victim rescued by police was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. He is reportedly still recovering. Two officers were also temporarily sent to the hospital for evaluation after responding to the fire. Both were able to return to work later that day. Battalion Chief Matt Woerner told KCRG-TV9 that crews were unsure if the house had working smoke detectors. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
SPRINGVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – Firefighters were called to a detached garage fire in the 100 block of High Avenue in Springville early Wednesday morning. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office said crews were called to the fire just after 5 a.m. The fire also damaged a boat next to the garage and caused some fire damage to another, nearby detached garage as well. No one was hurt in this incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – The Mississippi man charged with a hate crime for destroying a Satanic Temple display at the Iowa Capitol is asking for his case to be thrown out. Michael Cassidy argues that the Satanic Temple of Iowa is not a real religion. He also argues that the hate crime charge violates his first amendment rights. Cassidy is accused of destroying the display in the statehouse over the holidays. The Satanic Temple, which does not actually worship Satan, says it was meant to symbolize freedom of religion. Prosecutors say they’ve offered Cassidy a deal that would involve him pleading guilty to 5th degree criminal mischief. He has so far not accepted. His trial is set for May.
