Gazette Daily News Briefing, December 25
Merry Christmas and Holiday Day Off For Those Who Celebrate
This is Stephen Schmidt from the Gazette Digital News Desk, and I’m here with your update for December 25, 2023.
According to the National Weather Service there will be an almost certain chance for rain for much of Christmas Monday, with the chance for rain gradually dropping after 5 p.m. The wind also could be a problem with an east wind of 15 to 20 mph, gusting as high as 30 mph. The temperature should peak at 54 degrees, with a low dropping down to 31 degrees.
For holiday travelers, the rain hitting us on Monday is projected to gradually head northeast. As of early Monday morning, most flights with delays appear to be flights coming out of west coast destinations and crossing this large front currently creeping its way through the country’s midsection.
As you gather around your Christmas tree this morning you will feel comfort in knowing that a judge has ruled that a 13th century English legal document does not set legal precedent for stealing trees in Iowa.
According to reporting from the Iowa Capitol Dispatch, last week District Court Judge Derek Johnson denied the request of a new trial for 41-year-old Jason Levant Ferguson, who last month was found guilty by a jury of felony theft and 50 timber violations.
Court records show Ferguson admitted to cutting down and taking dozens of trees from the Stoddard Wildlife Management Area near Rolfe in northwest Iowa over the course of more than a year.
After the jury’s verdict last month, Ferguson asked for a new trial for a variety of reasons, including his alleged protection by the Charter of the Forest, which was first issued by King Henry III at the age of 10 in the year 1217.
Ferguson’s attorney, Kevin Fors of Harcourt, argued that provisions of the charter became part of the United States’ common law when it declared independence from England.
Judge Johnson, however, was not convinced, according to reporting from the Dispatch.
“The court finds that the English common law rights enumerated by the Charter of the Forest of 1217 do not apply to this case,” wrote Judge Johnson. “The Charter of the Forest explicitly applied only to the forests of England, and the laws of the United States have meaningfully and deliberately deviated from the rights granted under the charter.”
The University of Iowa announced this month it is increasing staffing and expanding boundaries for its “Nite Ride” service, which provides students and staff with free rides in the areas in and around the university between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Nite Ride uses a small bus to transport several people to their desired destinations in turn. Or for a $1 fee, Nite Ride offers direct rides in smaller vehicles.
The program previously has been staffed by part-time student security officers, but the university will now have one full-time security officer dedicated to driving for Nite Ride. Campus Safety also has created a new adopt-a-weekend program in which student organizations can sign up to staff the program with their members for a weekend.
Have a great Christmas. And, thank you, as always, for making us a part of your daily routine.
