Drowning tragedy hits Johnson County family in lake accident
Kwizera Dieu donne Kwizera, 10, drowned after his paddleboat incident at a lake in Johnson County. Parents unaware he’d joined friends at the lake while he was supposed to be at school to practice baseball. The boy’s death was confirmed by authorities after one friend attempted a rescue. Crisis counselors aided about 30 to 40 mourners at the family home, as relatives and neighbors reflected on the loss and urged daily caution.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnson County
Kwizera
Muhimpundu
Heaven
College
Kirundi
Dieudonne
Counties say it's impossible to regulate private lakes
Johnson and Linn counties say they cannot require fences or regulate private lakes and ponds on private property. Rick Dvorak notes no prior suggestions of such fencing in his 85 years on the job. A private lake near Swisher where a Cedar Rapids teen drowned is likened to Coralville Lake, used at residents’ own risk. Linn County officials say they have no rules for farm ponds or small streams, making regulation impractical.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bobby Ratliff
KCRG
Gazette
Johnson and Linn
Rick Dvorak
Johnson County
Swisher
Dieudonne Kwizera
Cedar Rapids
Coralville Lake
Dvorak
Steve van Note
Linn County
Planning and Development Department
Restraints Compliance Gaps Found in Iowa Towns
A US survey observed over 3,000 children in 36 Iowa towns from October to December 2005. Results show 84 percent of toddlers aged 2 through 5 restrained, 25 percent of youths aged 6 through 10 unrestrained, and 23 percent of 2 to 5 year olds restrained only by seat belts. Officials say boosters and car seats markedly reduce fatal crash risk.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lundell
Iowa
Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau
Safe Kids Iowa promotes child restraint use across towns
The report notes high restraint compliance in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, with Mount Ayr and Corydon showing lower rates. It details survey methods, ages of children observed, and attitudes toward seat belts and booster seats, including a nurse's view on safety over law.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lundell
Iowa City
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Mount Ayr
Corydon
Warner
Jacob
Kristie
Emerald ash borer fears grow in Iowa as bans spread
Iowa foresters warn the emerald ash borer poses a major threat with no current control. While Iowa has not yet seen the pest, officials discuss rapid removal rules near infested trees, past overplanting of ashes, and possible spread via nursery stock from Michigan.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ohio
Iowa
Faaborg
United States
Michigan
Indiana
Ontario
Canada
Maryland
Cedar Rapids
Federal Forest Service
Wisconsin
South Dakota
Fanborg
Judge upholds use of child interview in Bentley case
Dillard overturned a 2005 ruling by Judge Koehler allowing the Jetseta interview as evidence, noting the interview was not law enforcement and could be challenged as admissible. Prosecutors may seek Iowa appellate review before trials set for July 10 and August 14 in Clarke County. A play therapist may testify that Jetseta disclosed abuse, as she had no law enforcement ties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jetseta
Bentley
Dillard
Thomas Koehler
Iowa Court of Appeals
Iowa Supreme Court
News Tip Lines for The Gazette Reporters
The Gazette requests readers contact the news tip line with any news tips or information. Cedar Rapids callers dial 398-8254, Iowa City residents use 339-3155, and the general line is 1-800-397-8212 for prompts and follow up.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
Cedar Rapids
Iowa City
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ntanyungu
Africa
Christoph
Trappe
Gazettecommunications. Com
Shartler Ntanyungu
Regina Muhimpundu
Burundi
State
Gtsb
Cindy
Hadish
Gazettecommunications.com
Rick.smith
Gazette Communications.com
Jetseta Gage
Nick Maybanks
Dorothy
Desouzaguedes
Iowa Eye Center
1St Ave
Iowa-Eye.com
Cedar Falls
Black Hawk Village
McClain
Davenport
Village Shopping
W. Kimberly Rd
Saltzman Building
Town & Country
First Ave
Pepperwood Place
Broadway
NOR
Tuesdaymorning
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!