The heartbroken father of Melody Hoffman, who was murdered in February 2024, told her killer, 19-year-old Dakota Van Patten, that he doesn’t deserve to be called human. He is a “monster,” who will be forgotten.
LIVE NOW: Festival of Trees event and tree auction live now Learn More
The Gazette’s annual Festival of Trees will return Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the former Younkers space at Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids. It will feature live performers, cookie decorating, holiday vendors, visits with Santa, and dozens of trees.
Moys Food From the Streets, a longtime food truck, is moving indoors with a casual but curated concept unique to the Cedar Rapids scene.
The heartbroken father of Melody Hoffman, who was murdered in February 2024, told her killer, 19-year-old Dakota Van Patten, that he doesn’t deserve to be called human. He is a “monster,” who will be forgotten.