CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – On Wednesday, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) and the Linn County Gaming Association (LCGA) announced their intent to jointly apply for a gaming license with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC). Last year, the Cedar Rapids City Council approved an option-to-purchase agreement for an upcoming casino that will be built located along the west side of the Cedar River between Kingston Village and Time Check Park. Under that agreement, P2E would pay $165,000 to purchase the property where it will build ‘Cedar Crossing’ — a gaming, live performance, and cultural arts complex. Linn County voters approved the option to build a casino in November 2021 after the state commission rejected proposals for a casino in Linn County in 2014 and 2017. However, the Iowa General Assembly passed legislation in 2022 that would not allow new casinos to be licensed by the state until July 2024. According to P2E, ‘Cedar Crossing’ would contribute 8% of its annual gaming revenue to local nonprofits, even though the state mandates that casinos donate only 3%. The next IRGC meeting is July 8 at Prairie Meadows in Altoona.
LINN COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The National Weather Service has listed Tuesday evening’s tornado, which touched down in a field approximately 2 miles north of Ely, as an EF0. The tornado reportedly caused some crop damage and lifted some loose asphalt as it moved very slowly to the southeast. Max winds were estimated to be around 85 mph. Officials say the path width was estimated around 50 yards and the tornado was on the ground for 10 to 15 minutes.
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (KCRG) – Police say they arrested a teen in connection to a fatal shooting case that happened at a Marshalltown bar earlier this month. Police are still looking for 18-year-old Victor Antonio Delgadillo, of Marshalltown, who is wanted for first degree murder and harassment in the shooting. Authorities said it happened at around 1:20 a.m. on June 1 at the Center Street Station bar, at 19 North Center Street. First responders found 41-year-old Ramon Alexis Feliciano Nieves, of Marshalltown, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a medical facility, where he later died. Law enforcement identified Delgadillo as the shooter. He is still at large. Late Tuesday night, Marshalltown police arrested a 15-year-old male in connection to the investigation. The juvenile is charged with Accessory after the Fact and Possession with intent to deliver.
NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A North Liberty woman who reportedly got cold feet just before meeting someone she met through a dating app was arrested after police said she falsely reported the man was threatening to assault her, leading to the man being detained for over an hour. In a criminal complaint, police said 18-year-old Sumaya Thomas called 911 just after midnight on June 16 to report that her abusive ex-boyfriend was texting her, threatening to hit, punch, kick and stab her. She also allegedly reported that she was pregnant with the man’s baby. However, officers found the man leaving the scene. He reportedly told officers he had only just met Thomas about a week ago on a dating app. They then changed from talking via the app to exchanging text messages. The man showed police the text conversation, which officers said corroborated his story. When officers interviews Thomas, they said she reported having known the man for two years and that she was pregnant with his baby, and that he had been abusive to her and wouldn’t leave her alone. After a third interview, police said Thomas admitted to making the false reports because she got cold feet before meeting him and no longer wanted to. During the interview, Thomas reportedly told police she didn’t think officers would help, so she made up the events. The man was detained for more than an hour due to the false accusations. Thomas is charged with two counts of False Report of Indictable Offense to Public Entity, and one count of False Report – 911 call.
