Gazette Daily News Briefing, July 22
This is Stephen Schmidt from the Gazette digital news desk and I’m here with your update for Friday, July 22.
A chance for rain will return for much of Friday. According to the National Weather Service there will be a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Then, after 8 p.m. there will be a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Otherwise, there will be cloudy skies that gradually become sunny during the day. There will be a high near 88 degrees, and a low of around 70 degrees.
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance has addressed a farmers market vendor who was selling crafts with the logo of an anti-government militia group.
The Economic Alliance, which manages the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market, said in a Thursday news release that it received complaints from concerned citizens about a July 16 vendor who sold crafts displaying the logo of the Three Percenters, a far-right anti-government militia group. The Economic Alliance did not name the vendor, but noted they were “a popular and longtime” merchant at the market who makes and sells hundreds of different craft products. The merchant agreed tos stop selling the merchandise.
Members of the Three Percenter groups often signal their affiliation by holding up three fingers in the “OK” sign.
Members of the Three Percenters have been accused of, arrested or indicted for participating in the U.S. Capitol insurrection last year, the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 and other acts of domestic terrorism, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
A Linn County jury convicted a Cedar Rapids man this week for beating and robbing an older Coggon couple and forcing his way into their home by impersonating a police officer.
Brandon William Lee, 33, was found guilty Tuesday following a weeklong trial of two counts each of first-degree robbery and willful injury, and one count each of first-degree theft and impersonating a public official. He faces up to 77 years in prison.
Lee came to the Coggon home of Joseph Henderson, 73, and Sandra Henderson, 72, about 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9, and identified himself as a police officer and displayed a badge, according to testimony.
Once inside the home, Lee repeatedly assaulted the couple, while demanding they take him to their safe. Lee stole more than $50,000 from the safe.
Joseph Henderson died a few months after the assault, which wasn’t the cause of his death, according to a medical examiner. He had been diagnosed with cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Linn and Black Hawk counties will receive $3.5 million of federal American Rescue Plan funds allocated by the state to finish paving the last 16 miles of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail that runs between Evansdale and Hiawatha.
Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office announced the Destination Iowa grant funding Thursday, with the trail project being one of three to receive funds in this round of allocations. Applications for projects in Cedar Rapids and Marion are still awaiting word on their fate.
Once completed, the Cedar Valley Nature Trail will have a paved 52 miles. The trail also links other well-known trails in Eastern Iowa, including the CeMar, Grant Wood and Highway 100 trails in the Cedar Rapids and Marion areas. Those using the trail can also make their way down through Johnson County.
