The Iowa-Nebraska NAACP and the Iowa Police Chiefs Association (IPCA) announced the creation of a new statewide task force to work on improving relations between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. “It is undeniable that now is the time for improving law enforcement and community relationships. Those relationships are authenticated by transparent practices […]
Community/News
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Farmers Market will remain drive-through only for 2020 as COVID-19 cases sharply increase in Johnson County
The Iowa City Farmers Market will not add in-person shopping on July 4, as the city had previously planned, the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department announced on Wednesday. “The difficult decision to cancel the in-person market was made due to recent increases in confirmed coronavirus cases in Johnson County,” the department said in a […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Big Grove Brewery, ice skating rink and movie theater are part of a new planned development in downtown Cedar Rapids
A public ice skating rink, family fun center, third Big Grove Brewery location and outdoor gathering area — those are just some of the attractions that could be coming to First and First West in downtown Cedar Rapids. During a virtual Cedar Rapids City Council meeting on Tuesday, councilmembers approved a resolution that authorizes City […]
Posted inDear Kiki
Dear Kiki: Am I a jerk for not joining my boyfriend at the protests?
Questions about love and sex in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area can be submitted to dearkiki@littlevillagemag.com, or anonymously using this form. Questions may be edited for clarity and length, and may appear either in print or online. Dear Kiki, I’m a white female, and my boyfriend is black. This is my first time in an […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Planned Parenthood and ACLU of Iowa file a lawsuit challenging new abortion restriction passed by Iowa lawmakers
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the ACLU of Iowa filed a lawsuit seeking to stop a new restriction on abortion passed by the Iowa legislature earlier this month. A bill fast-tracked by Republican leaders in the legislature and passed only hours after it was introduced would mandate a 24-hour waiting period by requiring a […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Supervisor Stacey Walker on defunding the police, marijuana laws and becoming a ‘radioactive’ politician
Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker told a crowd of more than 2,000 at Greene Square Park in downtown Cedar Rapids on June 6 to “understand the largeness of this moment” and that they are “part of a movement — a part of living history.” The protest in Cedar Rapids against police violence and racism was […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa Freedom Riders protest in Washington, where Gov. Reynolds was reportedly staying the night
After the Iowa Freedom Riders’ success in getting the Iowa City Council to address their city-level demands last week, IFR turned their attention to their state-level demands and Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday. Following a march in Iowa City, which attracted more than 150 people, a group of approximately 50 protesters drove to Washington, Iowa, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids announces road closures, other actions ahead of possible river flooding (Updated)
Update: The National Weather Service updated the Cedar River’s projected crest to just under 17 feet. On Tuesday afternoon, the city posted a list of 11 park and trail closures that will go into effect on Wednesday. Otis Road SE west of Indian Creek in Linn County was added as a future road closure. The […]
Posted inCommunity/News
University of Iowa suspends ticket sales for 2020 football season as it tries to figure out how social distancing will work at Kinnick
The University of Iowa Athletics Department said on Monday that it “has paused ticket sales for the 2020 football season.” “Only individuals who have renewed season tickets and completed per-seat contributions by June 30 will be included in potential Kinnick Stadium seating plans,” according to a UI Athletics press release. The department said the pause […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘Spread Love Not Viruses’ campaign is raising money for the COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund
In a time of uncertainty due to a global pandemic, Jen Neumann wanted to find a way to bring some positivity to the Cedar Rapids community. She also wasn’t sure what impact COVID-19 would have on her business de Novo, a marketing agency in Cedar Rapids, and wanted a project for her team. An idea […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Road closure allows Northside restaurants to take to the streets
This summer, Iowa City is home to two pedestrian malls. In an effort to encourage social distancing and outdoor dining as businesses reopen, the city has closed a small stretch of North Linn Street — from Hamburg Inn to the Market Street intersection — to traffic, allowing restaurants to expand their patios into the road. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Two more long-term care facilities in Linn County with COVID-19 outbreaks are now considered recovered
Two more long-term care facilities in Linn County have recovered from outbreaks of COVID-19, Linn County Public Health announced on Friday. Living Center West and ManorCare Health Services, both in Cedar Rapids, have had no new cases for two consecutive incubation periods, or 28 days. Living Center West had 81 residents and staff test positive […]
