Editor’s Note: Since the writing of this article, the seriousness of the threat of COVID-19 in Iowa—and the world at large—has continued to escalate. There are now 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, which is likely to rise, and mass closings of businesses and public spaces have taken place. The CDC is recommending self-isolation […]
Community/News
Posted inCommunity/News
A local DJ tests positive for COVID-19; Johnson and Linn county officials respond differently
County government buildings in Johnson County will be closed to the general public starting on Wednesday, and they will remained closed through March 31, according to a press release from the county. “We’re just changing our business model,” Dave Wilson, director of the county’s Emergency Management Agency, said at press conference on Tuesday afternoon. “Government’s […]
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Eight schools around Cedar Rapids will have breakfast and lunch available for students to pick up
The Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) is implementing a nutrition plan starting on Monday, March 23, Superintendent Noreen Bush said. Students will be able to pick up two free meals at eight schools around the city. Students 18 years old or younger can pick up breakfast and lunch meals from 10:30 a.m. to 1 […]
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Iowa City closing City Hall, the landfill and other buildings
Iowa City is closing its City Hall to the general public starting Wednesday, City Manager Geoff Fruinn said in press release on Tuesday afternoon. The move is designed to help limit the spread of COVID-19. “The City remains focused on ensuring the continuity of critical operations: the police and fire departments, providing clean water, sewer […]
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Linn County announces building closures
Linn County announced on Tuesday afternoon it’s closing most of its facilities to the general public “in an effort to limit public interactions and gathering” during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a press release from the county, normal services will still be available from each department, but the public will need to contact the department […]
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Gov. Reynolds declares immediate closure of restaurants, fitness centers, theaters, casinos and more
At her late Monday afternoon press conference, Gov. Kim Reynolds was still insisting it was too soon for her to take major actions to stem the spead of COVID-19 in Iowa, despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control that public gatherings should be limited to 10 people, and states with community spread of the […]
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Coronavirus tests CommUnity’s crisis services in an already difficult season for nonprofits
In the 50 years since it was founded, CommUnity Crisis Services and Foodbank has never faced a challenge like the COVID-19 pandemic. But the challenges it has faced in the past, and still does on a daily basis, have helped it prepare for the major disruptions COVID-19 will likely bring. The flood of 2008 forced […]
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Cedar Rapids wants restaurants and bars to close for St. Patrick’s Day to limit spread of COVID-19
The City of Cedar Rapids is asking all bars and restaurants to close tomorrow for St. Patrick’s Day to prevent people from gathering in large crowds, in which the risk of spreading coronavirus is higher. Normal St. Patrick’s Day activities would cause a “public safety hazard,” city manager Jeff Pomeranz said during a press conference […]
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Gov. Reynolds confirms ‘substantial community spread’ of COVID-19, will not order business closures (yet)
During a late Monday afternoon press conference on COVID-19, Gov. Kim Reynolds said it was too soon for the state to impose restrictions on large public gatherings or on public spaces such as bars or restaurants, even though she acknowledged “substantial community spread [of COVID-19 in Iowa] was confirmed.” The governor said she would prefer […]
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Marion Etch A Sketch artist sees unlimited potential in a 60-year-old toy
Tim Gallenbeck bought an Etch A Sketch for 99 cents at a thrift store in 2013. He hoped his daughters would play with it, but found himself using it more than them. In December of that year, Gallenbeck made a Christmas scene on the Etch A Sketch, posted it on Facebook and didn’t think much […]
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Iowa City and Cedar Rapids schools are closing in response to COVID-19
The Iowa City Community School District announced on Monday morning it will be closing its schools until April 13, in order to help limit the spread of coronavius. In an email to parents and district staff, Director of Community Relations Kristin Pedersen said the district made its decisions following the advice Gov. Kim Reynolds offered on Sunday night.
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National Security Council warns about text messages with COVID-19 disinformation
Shortly before midnight on Sunday night, the National Security Council tweeted a warning about disinformation being circulated by text messages that falsely claims a national quarantine is being imposed because of COVID-19. Text message rumors of a national #quarantine are FAKE. There is no national lockdown. @CDCgov has and will continue to post the latest […]
