Law enforcement agencies in Johnson and Linn counties are again partnering with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for this year’s nationwide Take Back Day. Individuals with expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs can use the agency’s online search tool to locate a collection site near them. All sites will be open from 10 a.m. to […]
Izabela Zaluska
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids City Council advances plans to create a citizen review board
The Cedar Rapids City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday that brings the city another step closer to creating a citizen review board for the city’s police department. The resolution directs city staff to create an ordinance based on the recommendations developed by city staff. The ordinance is expected to be drafted and presented […]
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City of Cedar Rapids shares how residents can get involved in its climate action plan
The city of Cedar Rapids is organizing opportunities for residents to get informed and involved with the city’s ongoing climate action efforts. The public engagement process will kick off on Thursday and wrap up in December, according to Eric Holthaus, the city’s sustainability coordinator. The process includes virtual presentations, a community survey and details on […]
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Derecho recovery will cost Cedar Rapids at least $60 million
The derecho that hit Cedar Rapids on Aug. 10 caused $60 million to $80 million worth of damage, according to the city. Overall, the August derecho caused $7.5 billion worth of damage, according to estimates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Washington Post reported that no thunderstorm or tornado has caused “as much […]
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Derecho recovery: Cedar Rapids to begin tree replanting with an Arbor Day event in October
The city of Cedar Rapids announced three events in the coming weeks aimed at replacing its lost tree canopy. The city lost about 65 percent of its trees after the Aug. 10 derecho. The first is an Arbor Day celebration on Friday at Cedar River Academy at Taylor Elementary. The celebration is usually in April […]
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Iowans have through Thursday to complete the 2020 Census
Iowans who have not completed the 2020 census have limited time to submit their responses to ensure they’re counted. The Supreme Court approved a request on Tuesday that allows the Trump administration to move forward with ending the census earlier than planned. The new deadline is Thursday, Oct. 15, at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii time. (For […]
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‘We’re doing whatever we can to help the voter’: Iowa county auditors discuss early voting, concerns about the mail and preparing for a record turnout
A record number of Iowans — nearly a quarter of the state’s population — have requested absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 election, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Secretary of State Paul Pate announced last Friday there had been 703,768 request forms submitted by voters across the state. The previous record of 693,000 […]
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Survey shows Cedar Rapids residents support creating a citizen review board for the CRPD
Slightly more than half of Cedar Rapids residents who responded to the city’s survey believe a citizen review board would have a positive impact on the community. The Cedar Rapids City Council heard from city staff on Tuesday about the survey results and next steps, including a resolution with recommendations that will come before council […]
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‘Nothing is real until it happens’: Stacey Walker on being a ‘foot soldier’ for racial justice reform
A month out from the 2020 Witching Hour festival, presenter Stacey Walker isn’t exactly sure what he will say to attendees. But that’s not for lack of something to say. “As a Black man, as an elected official, as a person who has been involved in racial justice politics for my entire life, I know […]
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Advocates for Social Justice offering free Uber rides to the polls for Linn County voters
The grassroots group Advocates for Social Justice is trying to make it easier for people to vote in the upcoming general election. The group is offering free Uber rides for Linn County voters and is organizing various events near polling places. Early voting in Iowa began on Monday. County auditors began mailing out absentee ballots […]
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Linn County renames park to honor memory of Meskwaki artist and women’s rights advocate
The Linn County Conservation Board has changed the name of the county’s largest park to Wanatee Park to honor the memory of Jean Adeline Morgan Wanatee, an artist and advocate for the rights of Native Americans and women. The park located in Marion was formerly known as Squaw Creek Park. Although there is some debate […]
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Lucas Jones claims he didn’t lie, just ‘misremembered’ events, as he appeals his firing by CRPD
The Cedar Rapids Civil Service Commission heard nearly 21 hours of testimony over two days as it considers the appeal filed by fired Cedar Rapids police officer Lucas Jones. The testimony, beginning Tuesday, centered around what happened during a traffic stop on Oct. 30, 2016. The Cedar Rapids Police Department said Jones lied about turning […]
