The Iowa Brewers Guild is holding a virtual beer festival to support brewery staff who have been impacted by the shutdown of taprooms and brewpubs. J. Wilson, the guild’s minister of beer, is inviting beer lovers to virtually attend the Socially Distant Beer Festival from 2–6 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, by buying a ticket […]
COVID-19
Posted inCommunity/News
Another Linn County resident tests positive for COVID-19; Cedar Rapids closes its playgrounds
On Wednesday morning, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 21 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, including six in Johnson County and one in Linn County. The new cases bring the state’s total number of Iowans who have tested positive for the disease to 145. The new case in Linn County means […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Disorganized chaos
By Gwendolyn Sterling, Cedar Rapids Re: My last published letter. I pop in on Facebook every now and then and noticed the only initial Facebook comments on my letter were from self-proclaimed yoga/meditation practitioners. They read a piece that largely dealt with the coronavirus and our collective need to stay vigilant on all issues during […]
Posted inCommunity/News
The first Iowan dies from COVID-19; officials admit they don’t know how many ICU beds the state has
At the beginning of her Tuesday afternoon press conference on the state’s response to COVID-19, Gov. Kim Reynolds talked about what a good job her administration has done keeping her constituents up to date on the latest developments with the disease. “I made a commitment to do my part to keep Iowans informed,” she said […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: Landlords should put the community first
By Trajan Wells, lifelong resident of Iowa City, student at University of Iowa To the response to an open letter for waiving rent, “Letter to the editor: Landlords can’t afford to waive rent,” where Mr. Harmon presents a case of his tenants destroying property with no accountability, I feel for your situation and urge you […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘This question is on everyone’s mind’: Linn County, Cedar Rapids officials weigh issuing a local shelter-in-place order
Gov. Kim Reynolds has repeatedly said the state is not ready to issue a shelter-in-place, even though the governors of neighboring states like Illinois and Wisconsin have issued such orders. “At this point we are not in a place where we would order a shelter-in-place or a stay-at-home,” Reynolds said during her Monday press conference […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa Auditor Rob Sand launches effort to help restaurants hurt COVID-19 and workers who lost their jobs
Iowa Auditor Rob Sand launched an online effort to help both the state’s beleaguered restaurants and those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19. “Local restaurants need customers. Unemployed Iowans need support. You need the feeling of knowing you helped both with one gift,” is how Sand explained the Help Iowans initiative he launched […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Council moves its meetings online in response to COVID-19
Because of the spread of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, the Iowa City Council is moving to online meetings, starting with its Tuesday, March 24, work session and formal session. The public will still be able to watch the council session in real-time and participate in the meetings. People can watch both council sessions on City Channel 4, the city’s YouTube page and the city’s Facebook page.
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds announces assistance for small businesses hurt by COVID-19, as Iowa reaches 105 confirmed cases
Gov. Kim Reynolds announced new assistance for the state’s small businesses during her Monday afternoon press conference on the state’s response to COVID-19. “All the necessary actions we’ve taken at the state level [to limit the spread of the disease] have come with consequences for Iowans, including our small businesses,” the governor said. Those actions […]
Posted inCommunity/News, COVID-19
Cedar Rapids Transit will suspend services starting Wednesday
City of Cedar Rapids Transit is suspending its fixed-route transit service, effective Wednesday, as an additional measure to limit the spread of COVID-19. “Suspending a service like transit is a very difficult decision for a city and for a community, but it’s one we must make in order to help prevent a possible spike in […]
Posted inCommunity/News, COVID-19
Linn County Supervisors approve paid leave for county employees due to COVID-19
The Linn County Board of Supervisors passed temporary employment policies for the county’s workers on Monday, including paid leave, as a result of COVID-19. The temporary policy also ensures “the continuity of Linn County government services.” Most county buildings have closed to the public, but people can contact Linn County departments by phone or email. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Public Library is closed, but offering services and storytime online
The Iowa City Public Library will not be answering its phones as staff begin working remotely in an effort to help limit the spread of COVID-19, the library explained in a press release on Monday. People will still be able to contact the library with questions via online chat. The chat will be live 10 […]
