Gazette Daily News Podcast: Friday, May 3, 2024

– Boy charged with firing gun at Hiawatha police officers

– Belle Plaine gets $500K to boost water retention amid drought

– 'School of Rock’ ready to roll through Theatre Cedar Rapids

Episode Transcript

Coming up, a boy is charged with firing a gun at Hiawatha police officers

And later, Belle Plaine is using a new $500K grant to restore a wetland around wells

Plus, "School of Rock“ is opening at Theatre Cedar Rapids

Welcome to the Friday, May 3 edition of the Gazette Daily News Podcast. This podcast gives quick bites from the latest headlines coming out of The Gazette newsroom. I’m Bailey Cichon.

A boy was arrested Thursday on charges he fired a gun toward Hiawatha police officers. At 6:38 a.m., the officers were called for a report of a young man with a gun in the Big 10 Mart convenience store located at 1225 Boyson Road. According to a news release from Hiawatha police, uniformed officers arrived at 6:42 a.m. and immediately were shot at by a juvenile male. He fired at least twice from behind cover before he surrendered and was taken into custody. No injuries were reported. The minor was taken to the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center and was charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, third-degree burglary, third-degree theft, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and carrying weapons by a prohibited person. The age and identity of the minor have not been released.

Next, Belle Plaine has received $500,000 in state grants to aid water retention. The city is at the center of Iowa’s ongoing drought, which has left city wells about 14 feet lower than they should be. Belle Plaine will use the grants to rebuild a wetland that will capture and retain rainfall to recharge the aquifer. Additionally, the city is seeking funding for upgrades to its water treatment system. The most recent grant Belle Plaine was awarded was $250,000 from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The agency will provide up to 50 percent of the cost for 14 projects statewide for a total of $3.6 million. That funding comes from federal pandemic relief money and the state’s Water Quality Initiative. Last November, Belle Plaine received $250,000 from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to rebuild wetlands.

Belle Plaine City Administrator Steve Beck said the wetland will have many functions. Quote “It will have aquatic plant life, which will aid in the removal of nutrients. Then it will create a zone of saturation and it will also be a filtration site, as the water percolates down through plant roots, sand, aggregate, rock and soil it will cleanse the water until it gets down into the aquifer, where it will be held in storage.” end quote.

Beck said the wetland is just one component of Belle Plaine’s Strategic Drought Resiliency Program. Other elements will include water treatment for the city’s deep well, water storage tank restoration and upgrades to electrical systems and telecommunications.

Read the full story by Erin Jordan at the link in this episode’s description or at thegazette.com.

Looking for something to do this weekend in Cedar Rapids? Specifically something that... rocks? Theatre Cedar Rapids is putting on the musical “School of Rock” which is based on the 2003 hit movie starring Jack Black. Our entertainment reporter Diana Nollen writes, the show is quote “loaded with kids who can shred a guitar and slap a bass with the best of them” end quote.

Follow the link in this episode’s description to read Diana’s interview with actor Ethan Glenn. Glenn plays Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who pretends to be his roommate in order to score a substitute teaching job at a prestigious prep school so he can make rent.

The show runs today through May 26. Tickets run from $25 to $61. Find more information at theatrecr.org.

Now let’s take a look at the weather in Cedar Rapids. Today will be sunny. Anticipate a high of 72 degrees and a low of 47 degrees. Saturday, expect rain and high of 66 degrees.

Thank you for listening to the Gazette Daily News Podcast. Stay updated with the latest Eastern Iowa news at thegazette.com. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com