CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Officials have identified the two victims in the fatal collision on Iowa Highway 13 Sunday. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office and several other agencies responded to Highway 13 at the Blaine’s Crossing Road intersection around 1 p.m. Investigators say a Chevrolet Cruze was traveling westbound on Blaine’s Crossing Road and failed to yield upon entering Highway 13. A Nissan Rogue was traveling northbound and struck the Cruze broadside, pushing both cars into the center median where they came to rest. Two occupants of the Chevrolet Cruze were pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials have identified the victims as 77-year-old Carol Mart of Cedar Rapids and 65-year-old Charles Layton of Cedar Rapids. The driver and sole occupant of the Nissan Rogue was unharmed.
ALTOONA, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission met Monday afternoon for the first time since a moratorium on new gaming licenses expired. Two groups, P2E and the Linn County Gaming Association, announced plans last month to file a joint application to bring a casino to Cedar Rapids. The city of Cedar Rapids has already set aside land along the west side of the Cedar River for what would be called the “Cedar Crossings Casino.” There have been multiple attempts to bring a casino to the city, but Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said she believes this is the best shot yet. The mayor said Monday’s meeting is just another step in the process of getting a gaming license. It’s a process that’s proven to be a journey for casino supporters. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission previously rejected applications in 2014 and again in 2017. In 2021, voters passed a referendum approving a casino in Linn County. Less than a year later, Governor Kim Reynolds signed the two-year moratorium on new gaming licenses. That moratorium is now in the past, and Mayor O’Donnell says local leaders have had time to examine plans for a casino more closely. If approved, they say eight-percent of gaming revenue would go back to the community. That’s more than the three-percent required by the state. The Commission will also meet next month in Riverside.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Last Friday, Cedar Rapids firefighters responded to a fire here at the former Diamond V plant on G Ave NW in Cedar Rapids. In the process, a firefighter was seriously injured. Monday morning, another fire broke out at the same place, and now Cedar Rapids’ Fire Chief says they’re hoping changes are made to the building’s security. Dispatch received the initial call for a fire inside the vacant building just after 6 a.m. last Friday and just before 8 a.m. on Monday. Firefighters entered the building and learned there could be people inside. As for the source of the fires, Cedar Rapids Fire Chief Greg Smith says they believe both were caused by human activity, though it’s unknown who was inside and what exactly they were doing. He says homeless people have been known to camp inside the building, but the city placarded the building last month, making it so people aren’t supposed to be inside. But it’s likely this won’t be the last time someone finds their way inside. As for the injured firefighter, his identity is still not known publicly, but he suffered serious injuries from the fall. Though, he is currently recovering and is expected to survive.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – One of the three people charged in connection to a deadly shooting in Cedar Rapids in January 2022 pleaded guilty to reduced charges, avoiding a trial that was supposed to start on Tuesday. A date for a sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 6, 2024. Pierra Baugh pleaded guilty to charges of Robbery in the 2nd Degree, Theft in the 1st Degree, Conspiracy to Commit a Nonforcible Felony, and Accessory after the Fact. Baugh allegedly conspired with Kazius Childress to rob Cordal Lewis, and participated in that robbery. In a criminal complaint, law enforcement said Baugh was seen on video surveillance robbing Cordal Lewis while Childress assaulted him and then shot and killed him in the 300 block of 31st Drive Southeast on January 27, 2022. Court documents say Baugh tried to avoid Childress’ arrest by telling police she didn’t know who killed Lewis. Childress was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Davenport in May 2022. He entered a plea of guilty to the shooting and was sentenced to 50 years in prison in April this year. Childress is also accused of killing Kavon Johnson. A trial for that will take place in September. A third suspect connected to this case is Qiuinyana Jones, who is accused of driving the getaway car.
