Gazette Daily News Briefing, July 5
This is John McGlothlen with the Gazette digital news desk and I'm here with your update for Monday, July 5th.
Today’s weather in the Cedar Rapids area will be sunny, with a high near 92. Winds will be from the southwest, 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Then tonight, we’re expecting it to be partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Authorities are investigating the deaths of two individuals discovered in a car Friday night at the Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area north of Palo. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, a park ranger discovered the bodies -- described only as a male and female --- about 10:45 p.m. Friday when staff was conducting routine patrols of the park. The car was parked in the first parking lot on the north side of the dam, which closes at 10:30 p.m. The Iowa DNR said in a news release that “authorities believe this is an isolated incident and do not believe the public is in any danger.” The state park remained open. Officials from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, which is investigating, declined to comment Saturday. Officials did not say how the two died.
Four people were hospitalized after a raft overturned Saturday on a ride at Adventureland Park. Six people were on a raft on the Raging River when the accident happened around 7:30 p.m. KCCI-TV reported that three were transported in critical condition, and one was hospitalized. Adventureland officials said in a Facebook post that the ride had been inspected on Friday and was found to be in sound working order. It will remain closed for a thorough inspection. The Raging River, which first opened in 1983, had just reopened for the season.
Construction will begin tomorrow on the Edgewood & Ellis intersection in northwest Cedar Rapids. Improvements will include patching and milling the pavement, asphalt overlay and minor work to the storm sewer. Edgewood Road will remain open to traffic but will be reduced to one lane during construction, which is expect to last into the fall. Turn restrictions will be in place at the intersection. A temporary traffic signal will operate on Edgewood Road, south of the construction zone, at River Bluffs Drive. In 2017, the Iowa Department of Transportation reported that Edgewood Road was second-busiest street in Cedar Rapids. Collins Road was No. 1.
