Gazette Daily News Briefing, August 19 and August 20
Welcome to the weekend!
This is Stephen Colbert from the Gazette Digital News Desk, and I’m here with your update for Saturday, August 19th, and Sunday, August 20th, 2023.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures on Saturday will be sunny, with a high near 92, cooling to a low around 71 Saturday evening.
Sunday will be sunny and hot with a high of 98. Sunday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Education savings accounts a ‘catalyst’ for new private schools, according to an administrator
It’s likely more private schools will be opening in Iowa in the coming years, a private school administrator said Friday.
The education savings accounts program passed by Republican lawmakers and Gov. Kim Reynolds this year created an opportunity for new private schools to start up across the state, Josh Bowar, the head of Sioux Center Christian School and the interim outreach coordinator for the Iowa Association of Christian Schools, said during the taping of this weekend’s episode of “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS.
He said his organization has been in touch with at least 20 groups who are looking to open new Christian schools in the coming years because education savings accounts — valued at $7,600 per student for the coming school year — have increased the potential for the schools to attract students.
More than 18,000 Iowa students were approved for the coming school year for the savings accounts to attend private school. About 60 percent of those students already attend private school, while about 40 percent are coming from public schools.
Cedar Rapids man sentenced for role in Jan. 6 insurrection
A Cedar Rapids man was sentenced Friday to 30 months in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Leo Christopher Kelly, 37, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., on seven offenses, including obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and six misdemeanors.
According to court documents and evidence presented during Kelly’s May trial, Kelly was one of the few rioters who breached the Senate Chamber. While there, Kelly ascended the Senate Dais, leafed through sensitive documents and took photos of them, the DOJ reported.
Judge Royce C. Lamberth sentenced Kelly to 30 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. Kelly must pay $7,000 in restitution and fines.
In the 31 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Marion traffic cameras now working at 2 intersections
Traffic cameras at two intersections in Marion have been installed and officially went live Friday for a 30-day warning period, according to a news release from the city of Marion.
The cameras are at the intersection of Highway 100 and East Post Road and the intersection of Highways 13 and 151.
The original goal was to have them up and running by July 1, but the city hit a delay with permitting on signage for the cameras, according to the police department.
Drivers caught on camera going more than 11 mph over the speed limit or running a red light will receive a warning in the mail for the first 30 days the cameras are live.
After that, violations will result in a citation mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Have a good weekend, everyone.
