CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank’s Project Holiday has helped families experiencing food insecurity enjoy a home-cooked holiday meal for 35 years. It provided traditional entrees and sides to almost 1,500 families last year, and this year has eliminated the need to register in advance to receive a meal in order to reach as many […]
Eastern Iowa Community/News
Posted inEastern Iowa
Man who drove his truck into abortion rights protesters in Cedar Rapids wants assault charge dismissed and trial moved out of Linn County
The man who drove his pickup truck into protesters crossing a street in Cedar Rapids in June pleaded not guilty to both crimes with which he has been charged. Several weeks after the incident, David Huston of Swisher was charged with Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon and Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Eastern Iowa’s queer softball league has had a home run of a year
It’s been a promising year for the Lambda Softball Association of Eastern Iowa (LSA). After a two-year process, LSA and Iowa City became the 48th member of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA). To become a member city, LSA had to meet with the NAGAAA board of directors and delegates from each member […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Council now accepting applications to fill its upcoming vacancy
Iowa City is now accepting applications for the upcoming vacancy on the city council that will happen when at-large member Janice Weiner steps down at the beginning of next year. Weiner submitted her resignation after winning election to the Iowa Senate in a landslide victory in this month’s general election. The resignation takes effect on […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Willie Ray’s Q Shack is starting Thanksgiving early by giving away free meals on Tuesday
Willie Fairley became nationally famous for his generosity and barbecue following the August 2020 derecho. In the aftermath, he fed his fellow Cedar Rapidians who found themselves without power, and some cases, suddenly without a home. Since then, Fairley has continued his charitable work, as his Cedar Rapids drive-thru restaurant, Willie Ray’s Q Shack, has […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Letter to the editor: The Iowa City Council’s vote to approve the rec master plan was misinformed
By Amy B. Kretkowski, Iowa City On Oct. 18, four members of the City Council (Alter, Bergus, Harmsen and Weiner) approved the Recreation Facilities and Programs Master Plan — despite the absence of details, cost information, and a vision that is consistent with overwhelming public feedback in opposition to the proposed “repurposing” of the Robert […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
Mazahir Salih is stepping down as executive director of the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa
Mazahir Salih announced on Monday that she is stepping down as executive director of the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa (CWJ). “It has been an honor to serve in this role, and it has also taken a toll on me and my family. It’s time for me to step away and focus on […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City roller derby athletes show new batch of beginners how to roll (and fall)
It’s the second day of 101 Bootcamp. There are seven new recruits for the Old Capitol City Roller Derby (OCCRD) team. Tart of Darkness #323, Cara Delaney, straps on her knee pads and elbow pads, her wrist guards and mouth guards, followed by her skates and helmet. She glides around Scanlon Gymnasium comfortably, easy as […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
CCAN asks for donations to repair damaged RV so they can continue distributing winter clothes
A year after hitting the road for the first time, the Corridor Community Action Network’s (CCAN) free mobile clothing closet has run into a problem. The CCAN-Clothes Cruise’s RV was being stocked with warm clothes donated by the community Thursday morning by CCAN Director Mandi Nichols, who “stopped by the mobile closet to drop off […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Election 2022: Johnson County remains a Democratic stronghold, as Republicans sweep to victories statewide
Johnson County remained a bright spot for Iowa Democrats on Tuesday, even as Republicans dominated Election Day statewide. Every Democrat in a statewide race carried the county by a large margin, even as they were defeated by Republicans. The only possible exception to that pattern is the Auditor of State race, which was still too […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Unhoused as a teen, Tracy Belle now rehabilitates Iowa birds, coyotes, raccoons and more through her nonprofit, Wildthunder W.A.R.S.
When pets get sick or injured, they go to the vet. But what happens to wildlife like owls, coyotes and deer when their lives hang in the balance? Tracy Belle, director and founder of Wildthunder Wildlife & Animal Rehabilitation and Sanctuary (W.A.R.S.) comes to their rescue, alongside her team of generous volunteers. From baby raccoons […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Why three longtime downtown Iowa City business owners decided to make a change in 2022
Yotopia marks its 11th anniversary this year at the Clinton Street entrance of the Iowa City Ped Mall. The locally owned shop serves frozen yogurt sourced from the Country View Dairy in Hawkeye, Iowa, non-dairy vegan desserts and full-fat options “for those who want a more decadent indulgence,” as Veronica Tessler, owner of Yotopia, told […]
