Gazette Daily News Podcast: January 27 and 28, 2024

– Cedar Rapids police identify homicide victim

– Willis Dady Homeless Services opens new supportive apartment building in Cedar Rapids

– 'Inspiring Big Dreams': Capital campaign launches to build westside library in Cedar Rapids

– Ring will no longer allow police to request doorbell camera footage from users

– Jeff Parker bringing innovative sounds to Hancher's Strauss Hall

Episode Transcript

Welcome to the Weekend Edition of The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast. This podcast gives quick bites from the latest headlines coming out of The Gazette newsroom. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Up first, a Cedar Rapids homicide victim has been identified.

And later, supportive apartment housing arrives for people experiencing homelessness.

Cedar Rapids Police have identified the first person killed in a homicide this year. 29-year-old Anthony Fitts of Cedar Rapids was found outside an apartment building at 1258 15th St. SE Wednesday evening. First responders treated Fitts at the scene and took him to a hospital where he died. Police did not describe the nature of the injuries but said the death was a homicide. Police have not announced any suspects or an arrest in this case.

Willis Dady Homeless Services is opening permanent supportive housing for clients who experience chronic homelessness. The $3.4 million investment is a renovation of 1952 Chandler Pump Company building. There are 13 furnished units and one-bedroom and two-bedroom options are available.The building is adjacent to Willis Dady’s Day Center at 800 First Ave. NW. Rent is thirty percent of a client’s income, no matter what they make. The apartments will also have on-site case management and regular meetings to help clients reach long-term goals. The building also offers free on-site laundry, mailboxes, kitchens and bathrooms. The apartments were originally slated to open in 2021 but the project was delayed by the pandemic and derecho.

Willis Dady Board of Directors Vice President Amy Reasner said quote, “Our vision is to empower clients to break the cycle of homelessness and become self-sufficient. That is a vision, and this is a strategy to get there.” end quote.

You can find the full story at the link in this episode’s description or at the gazette dot com.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation launched its “Inspiring Big Dreams” capital campaign Thursday which seeks to raise $10 million to build a new library. The new library would replace a building that was previously a Target store at 3750 Williams Blvd. SW. This is within walking distance of the current Ladd Library which is a leased space that opened in 2013. More than 100,000 people visit the Ladd Library ever year. With the expansion, the library expects that number to grow to 300,000 annual visitors. Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library announced a $250,000 donation. This money was raised through donations and the sale of $1 and $2 books over the years. The project will cost less than $25 million. So far, the City of Cedar Rapids has allocated $6 million. The Linn County Board of Supervisors has allocated $4 million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funds. The land for the new library was purchased using a $2 million estate gift to the Library Foundation in 2020. The library plans to break ground this fall and anticipates opening in late 2026. The plans for the 40 thousand square-foot facility include study rooms, a conference room and conference center available for public use, outdoor reading courtyards and more children’s learning areas.

Next, the Amazon-owned company Ring will no longer allow police to request doorbell camera footage from users. The “Request for Assistance” tool within Ring’s Neighbors app will be discontinued. The feature allows public safety agencies to request and receive video captured by doorbell cameras.

The company did not provide a reason for the change but the feature has drawn criticism from privacy watchdogs over Ring’s relationship with police departments. In 2021, Ring changed its policy to make police requests publicly visible within the Neighbors app. The latest change will go into effect this week. Law enforcement agencies can still access videos using a search warrant and Ring maintains the right to share footage without user consent in limited circumstances.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, jazz guitarist Jeff Parker and his ensemble The New Breed will be performing at Hancher Saturday night. Parker incorporates elements of hip-hop, funk and R&B into his jazz ensemble. Tickets are available online at Hancher Auditorium’s website. Jeff Parker and The New Breed will play shows at 7pm and 9pm.

Next, let’s take a look at today’s weather in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Saturday will be cloudy with a high of 34 and low of 30. Sunday will maintain that status quo. Anticipate cloudy skies and a high of 35. Temperatures are expected to drop to a low of 28. Finally, Monday will be partly cloudy. Expect a high of 35.

Thank you for listening to the weekend edition of The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast. Stay up to date with the latest news from Eastern Iowa at the gazette dot com. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com