The Cedar Rapids City Council unanimously approved plans for a mini-golf course that would give families a fun outdoor activity to do next year while also increasing the city’s revenue. The city’s four golf courses — Ellis, Gardner, Twin Pines and Jones — have lost $1.54 million in the past six years. On average, it’s […]
Izabela Zaluska
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa to strengthen enforcement of social distancing at bars and restaurants, as 582 more Iowans test positive for COVID-19
Social distancing and other mitigation measures at Iowa bars, restaurants and other food establishments will have stronger enforcement from the state starting this week. The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA), along with the Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD), will issue infractions for businesses not complying, according to a news release. Iowa businesses — including […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids schools will send the district’s Return to Learn plan to families on Friday
An updated version of the Cedar Rapids Community School District’s (CRCSD) Return to Learn plan was shared during the Board of Education’s special meeting on Tuesday. The final version of the plan will be made public on Friday. The updated draft and additional details come after the district received feedback from staff and families through […]
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City of Cedar Rapids shares how public can get involved in creation of a citizen review board
City staff shared information during Tuesday’s Cedar Rapids City Council meeting about the 90-day process to create a citizen review board, including how the public can get involved, goals of the process and next steps. But residents who spoke after the presentation during the meeting’s public comment period raised concerns about how the work is […]
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Judge rejects legal challenge to Cargill’s Cedar Rapids rail yard plans
A district court judge ruled on Friday that the Cedar Rapids City Council’s decision to amend the city’s future land use map last November for Cargill’s rail yard “was supported by substantial evidence” and acted in accordance with statutes. Sixth District Court Judge Mary Chiccelly denied the petition filed by State Sen. Rob Hogg and […]
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Advocates for Social Justice outline 11 recommendations for a citizens review board in Cedar Rapids
The Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) have published their research and recommendations for what a citizens review board should look like in Cedar Rapids and what should be kept in mind as it’s being established. The 18-page “Citizens Review Board Research Brief” discusses ASJ’s 11 recommendations, as well as how race needs to be “at […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Appeal hearing scheduled for fired Cedar Rapids Police officer Lucas Jones
The Cedar Rapids Civil Service Commission met virtually on Thursday to discuss details of the appeal hearing for former Cedar Rapids Police Officer Lucas Jones. A tentative date was set in August but decisions still need to be made on how and where the hearing will be held due to concerns about COVID-19. The Cedar […]
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First inmate at Linn County jail tests positive for COVID-19 (Updated)
A person being held in the Linn County Correctional Center has tested positive for COVID-19, the Sheriff’s Department announced on Thursday. The individual has been in custody at the jail since July 15 on a hold order from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Department, the individual […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Public libraries in Cedar Rapids and Marion begin limited reopenings
People will be able to reserve a computer for an hour at the Cedar Rapids Public Library starting Monday. Both guests and members will have to schedule an appointment in advance to use a computer, and the library is limiting individuals to one appointment per day. CRPL said it has increased cleaning, added protective barriers […]
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CRCSD decides on hybrid plan for high schools and electronic devices for all
Cedar Rapids students will all receive electronic devices for the upcoming school year, Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) officials shared during the district’s Return to Learn town hall on Monday morning. Nearly 100 people tuned in through Zoom, and some attended in-person, to hear more about what CRCSD is planning for the fall. District […]
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COVID-19: Iowa nearing 39,000 confirmed cases while Linn and Johnson counties continue to see daily double-digit increases
The Iowa Department of Public Health reported another 343 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iowa from 10 a.m. on Sunday to 10 a.m. on Monday. This brings the total number of cases in the state to 38,907. The statewide positivity rate — the percentage of people being tested who were confirmed as having COVID-19 — […]
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‘We will not be silenced’: Protesters in Cedar Rapids march to City Hall and leave messages for elected officials (Updated)
“It’s time we get into some ‘good trouble’ … and this is good trouble today,” Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) member Jorel Robinson said at the start of Saturday’s protest in Cedar Rapids. Robinson was referencing the words of John Lewis, a civil rights leader and Georgia congressman who died on Friday. “We’ve come here […]
