(Radio Iowa) — Authorities have arrested a man on multiple charges connected to a February 4th fire that heavily damaged a Waterloo bowling alley. Officials believe 29-year-old Kevin Cruz Soliveras was one of several people who forced their way into Maple Lanes Bowling Center and set the fire after stealing money from vending machines, video games and an ATM. Police say an overnight maintenance worker was also robbed of his wallet.

Cruz is charged with first-degree arson, second-degree robbery and second-degree burglary. He’s also facing charges linked to other recent crimes in Waterloo, including a March 5th robbery and fire at the popular Wishbone Restaurant and Bar and the attempted robbery of an armored car outside a bank on March 11th, when one suspect was shot and killed.

DES MOINES – A barn in Ogden, a courthouse in Decorah, a tiny cemetery chapel in Avoca and a sprawling military base on the south side of Des Moines – these are just four of the 14 historic preservation projects that were honored in a virtual ceremony Thursday during the annual Preserve Iowa Summit. Chris Kramer, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, which oversees the State Historic Preservation Office, says “These outstanding properties give communities a unique sense of pride and place. The adaptive reuse of these iconic buildings is a creative and economic way to revitalize an entire neighborhood.” The IDCA is co-hosting this year’s summit with the City of Dubuque.

The state office presented four awards, for projects that were completed July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019. The nonprofit group Preservation Iowa presented 10 additional awards. Preservation Iowa President Bruce Perry said “It’s thrilling to see owners, architects, contractors and communities work together not only to save Iowa’s historic treasures but to make them focal points to attract new investment into Iowa communities. Preservation is a unique way of using our collective history to prepare for Iowa’s bright future.”

Graceland Cemetery Chapel, Avoca

Among the winners of the “Preservation at its best” awards, was:

Graceland Cemetery Chapel, Avoca
Best Rural Preservation Project
Members of the Newton-Avoca Historical Society teamed up with the City of Avoca to save a tiny octagonal chapel in the local cemetery. Built around 1875, the 320-square-foot chapel now has a refurbished chimney, restored arched windows and new cedar shingles that pay tribute to the original design.

The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Friday), reports 316 additional, positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 21,022. The number of deaths since Thursday, increased by 10, to a total of 589.  Out of the 179, 808 Iowans tested for the virus, 158,391 proved to be Negative. And, 12, 436 people have recovered from the virus. RMCC data show 299 are hospitalized with COVID-19, 102 are in an ICU, 23 were admitted over the past 24-hours, and 62 were on ventilators. The IDPH said also, the number of Long-Term Care (LTC) facility outbreaks went back down to 40. At those facilities, 1,535 patients/staff have tested positive for the virus, 768 have recovered, and 294 have died.

Here are the latest numbers for Cass and surrounding counties [the number of positive COVID-19 cases, and the (number who have recovered)]:

• Cass 12 (10)
• Adair 9 (6)
• Adams 7 (4)
• Guthrie 54 (30)
• Montgomery 10 (6)
• Pottawattamie 317 (193)
• Shelby 37 (33).

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday, 39-year old Kathleen Ann Beckmann turned herself-in to the Sheriff’s Office in Council Bluffs, late Wednesday morning. Beckmann was wanted on warrants out of both Pottawattamie and Muscatine Counties, along with a non-extraditable warrant from State of Illinois.  Beckman was transported to the Pott. County Jail.

In addition, three inmates at the Pott. County Jail were presented with additional arrest warrants before being turned over to Corrections Staff. And, two men held in other jails, were transported to Pott. County to face separate charges in the County.

Creston Police arrested a Red Oak man Thursday morning. 52-year old Jeffrey John Lusk was arrested at a residence in the 800 block of Birch St., in Creston, on a charge of Failure to Appear on a prior charge, of Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree. Lusk was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 cash only bond.