Gazette Daily News Podcast, April 7

The temperature will drop Thursday, but the chance for snow remains slight. According to the National Weather Service it will be cloudy with a high of 42 degrees in the Cedar Rapids area. It will be windy, with wind gusts as high as 35 mph. The overall chance of precipitation is 90 percent for the day. Most of the rain is projected to fall between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., but there will be a chance for rain all day, and a chance for snow in the early morning on Thursday and Friday.

Hancher has itself a new director.

Andre Perry, former executive director of the Englert Theatre, will lead Hancher Auditorium into a new era and new business model as the University of Iowa continues phasing out $1.5 million in annual support by 2024 from one of the state’s leading arts presenters.

Hiring Perry for the job comes after Chuck Swanson, longtime Hancher director, announced in February that he would be retiring this summer. Hancher has been Swanson’s passion project, connecting people from national and international stardom to UI students, staff, the community, state and region. In announcing his move, Swanson said it’s time to bring in “fresh eyes” to chart Hancher’s future as it moves to a self-sustaining model.

Perry will begin his new role May 16 as executive director of Hancher Auditorium and the Office of Performing Arts and Engagement at the UI. His position will carry the title of “Chuck Swanson Hancher Executive Director.”

Two Cedar Rapids men are accused of stealing about $150,000 in gold and silver from the adoptive father of one of the men.

Donnell Johnquille Carter, 20, and Jacob Lee Mossman, 18, are each charged with one count of first-degree theft in Linn County.

Mossman already pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree burglary in Grundy County and was sentenced Tuesday to two to five years of probation, with the possibility a 10-year-prison sentence if he fails to follow the conditions of the probation.

Mossman’s adoptive father reported on Jan. 14 that someone had broken into his house in Grundy County between Jan. 9 and Jan. 14 and about $150,000 worth of gold and silver was missing from a safe, according to a criminal complaint filed in Grundy County.

There was evidence of forced entry on a door, but no evidence of force on the safe. The man told police he believed that only he and his spouse knew the code to the safe.

On Jan. 24, Cedar Rapids police contacted the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office to say they had arrested Mossman after a traffic stop. While searching the car and a residence shared by Mossman and Carter, Cedar Rapids police found about $50,000 worth of gold and silver, as well as a handgun that also belonged to Mossman’s adoptive father. The handgun had been stolen out of a separate safe in the house, and the man did not know it was missing until police found it and called to ask if it was his.

Iowa will use $100 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to launch Destination Iowa, an investment in “transformational, shovel-ready attractions.”

Cities, counties, nonprofits and other organizations can apply for Destination Iowa grants from four funds: economically significant development, outdoor recreation, tourism attraction, and creative place-making.

Over the past two years, Iowa saw a record number of Iowans and out-of-state travelers use outdoor amenities such as state and county parks and recreational bike trails.

However, the hospitality industry in Iowa experienced a 46.1 percent decrease in employment and there was an overall 29 percent decline in visitor spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Destination Iowa aims to invest in new attractions to raise Iowa’s profile, welcome out-of-state travelers, and increase visitor spending while accelerating tourism’s recovery, according to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Support for this news update was provided by New Pioneer Food Co-op. Celebrating 50 years as Eastern Iowa’s destination for locally and responsibly sourced groceries with stores in Iowa City, Coralville and Cedar Rapids; and you can order online through Co-op Cart at newpi.coop.