CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – One person was taken to the hospital, and another person was taken into custody after a stabbing incident in Cedar Rapids on Monday afternoon. Cedar Rapids police said they were called to the 300 block of Edgewood Road at around 1:30 p.m. When officers arrived, they said they found one injured person, who was then taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police have not identified the person that was taken into custody. The incident remains under investigation. No additional details have been released at this time.
NORWAY, Iowa (KCRG) – Law enforcement made an arrest early Monday morning in Benton County after hours of trying to get the surrender of a person who allegedly fired gunshots. In a news release on Monday, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said officials were called to a home in the 400 block of Lehnen Street in Norway, Iowa. Deputies said they confirmed gunshots had been fired inside the home at around 9:26 a.m. on Sunday. They were then able to call the homeowner, identified as Nathan Varese. Deputies said they tried to negotiate a surrender throughout the evening hours on Sunday. By around 2:30 a.m. on Monday, deputies and an FBI Omaha SWAT team conducted a search warrant, during which Varese surrendered. Varese is facing the following charges: Possession of Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, Disorderly Conduct – Loud Raucous Noise, Interfere with Officials Acts, Armed with a Firearm, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Reckless Use of Firearm. The incident remains under investigation.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Linn County’s committee of officers has voted to declare its intent to fill Ben Rogers’ seat on the Linn County Board of Supervisors by appointment over a special election. The committee — which is made of up Auditor Todd Taylor, Recorder Carolyn Siebrecht, and Treasurer Brent Oleson — voted 3-0 in favor of appointment during a meeting Friday. Ben Rogers announced his resignation February 17 to take a new position with UnityPoint Health -St. Luke’s Foundation. Rogers represents District 2, which covers parts of Cedar Rapids. His resignation will become effective April 1. His seat cannot be filled until after his resignation becomes effect and his seat is officially open. Electors in District 2 have the right to file a petition requiring the vacancy be filled by special election. Petitions can be filed after the date of publication of the declaration of intent, which will be published in the Gazette on February 26. The petition must be filed with the Auditor’s Office by March 12 at 5 p.m. If a petition meeting the requirements is received within the 14 days after publication of the declaration of intent, a special election shall be called. Linn County’s committee of officers will meet March 13 to discuss next steps in the process.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – Lawyers for a former Des Moines Register pollster J. Ann Selzer have filed a motion are asking for a federal judge to drop President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against her. The suit stems from an inaccurate poll The Register published days before the general election. Trump claims the poll was an effort to “influence the outcome of the 2024 election.” Selzer’s lawyers argue Trump is trying to create a new First Amendment exemption for what he calls “fake news.” The motion also claims the lawsuit misunderstands the definition of “fraud.” A judge has not set a hearing date on the motion.
