Thursday Morning Read: Storms belt northeast Iowa, downtown Solon’s makeover, warrant issued in cabdriver’s murder

TODAY'S WEATHER — Hot and muggy, chance of storms late. High 93, low 74.

STORMS BELT NORTHEAST IOWA — Strong storms tore through northeast Iowa on Wednesday, leaving behind damage across the region. McGregor, in Clayton County on the Wisconsin border, was among the hardest hit areas. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/news/powerful-storms-rip-through-ne-iowa-damaging-spillville-mcgregor-and-other-towns/

DOWNTOWN SOLON'S MAKEOVER — There was a time in recent history that Sam Lensing remembers downtown Solon with some empty spaces and closed buildings. But since Lensing took over Sam's Main Street Market in 2005, he said there's been some 'nip and tuck' to the Main Street area in the Johnson County town of roughly 2,500 people. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/solon-continues-dramatic-downtown-changes-with-developments-public-survey/

WARRANT ISSUED IN CABDRIVER'S MURDER — Iowa City police have issued an arrest warrant for Curtis C. Jones, the person of interest in the death of 46-year-old cabdriver Ricky Lillie, who was found dead in his taxi in the early morning hours of July 28. Jones, 41, of Mount Pleasant, faces one count of first-degree murder, a felony punishable by life in prison. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/news/arrest-warrant-issued-for-suspect-in-iowa-city-cabdriver-death/

BIG UPSET FOR LINN-MAR — Midway through the prep baseball season, Linn-Mar Coach Chad Lechner stood before his team and announced he was retiring at season's end. Thanks to a gritty performance from his Lions, Lechner's 15-year tenure will conclude at the state tournament. Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-prep-sports/linn-mar-baseball-authors-victorious-underdog-tale-in-6-2-substate-final-win-over-no-4-iowa-city-hi/

QUOTABLE — 'If the Senate's policies and procedures had been followed, this $2.2 million verdict could have been avoided and taxpayers wouldn't have to pay the bill for the inappropriate actions of Republican senators and staff.' Iowa Senate Democratic Minority Leader Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids, regarding a sexual harassment case filed by a former Senate Republican caucus aide who sued the state and others for sexual harassment