The Cedar Rapids Public Library (CRPL) will bring a variety of technology to neighborhood parks around the city this summer using its new mobile technology van. CRPL’s programming manager Kevin Delecki told Little Village the technology van is the backbone of a broader initiative exposing the community to different technologies that can help them in […]
Cedar Rapids News
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds signs bill making it illegal for schools to require face masks, further eroding authority of local governments
It is now illegal for schools in Iowa to require students or staff to wear face masks, even though the CDC recommends mask use in schools, because of a bill signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday morning. HF 847 also strips cities and counties of their authority to create mask mandates that […]
Posted inCommunity/News, COVID-19
More than a year after closing their buildings to the public, Linn County and Cedar Rapids prepare to re-open doors
The City of Cedar Rapids and Linn County governments are preparing to re-open their facilities to the public after more than a year of being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Linn County Board of Supervisors voted on Wednesday to open county buildings to the public on Monday, June 7. County buildings have been […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market returning this summer with in-person season
The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market is returning this summer for its 16th season with an in-person market featuring nearly 100 local vendors selling fresh produce, cinnamon rolls, honey, flowers and other goods. Like many in-person events last year, the downtown farmers market had to adjust its operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Mayor Brad Hart again modifies mask mandate in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart has further eased the mask mandate in Cedar Rapids to align with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC announced on Thursday that fully vaccinated individuals can stop wearing their masks indoors. This guidance comes two weeks after the CDC issued recommendations that relaxed […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Linn County Attorney: Fatal shooting of suspect by CRPD officer was justified
The Linn County Attorney’s Office has determined that Cedar Rapids Police Officer Kyzer Moore was legally justified when he fatally shot Arnell States in February while responding to a stabbing incident. County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden said he came to that conclusion after reviewing the report prepared by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Three-year study of traffic stops by CRPD will look for disparities in enforcement
A three-year review of traffic stop data in Cedar Rapids is expected to begin in the coming months, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz told the Cedar Rapids City Council at the end of Tuesday’s meeting. An independent academic research team will review unanalyzed traffic stop data from 2021, 2022 and 2023. The analysis will look at […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids mayoral candidates face questions on systemic racism in policing and increasing equity at forum
The three candidates vying to be mayor of Cedar Rapids participated in a forum on Saturday evening that focused on improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the city. The forum, organized by the African American Professions of the Iowa Corridor, and was held at Sinclair Auditorium on the Coe College campus. Individuals were able to […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids high schools holding vaccine clinics this week for students 16 and older
Cedar Rapids high school students who are 16 years or older have the opportunity to get vaccinated this week during school-day hours at their high school. The Cedar Rapids Community School District, in partnership with Linn County Public Health, will hold COVID-19 vaccination clinics at Kennedy, Jefferson, Washington and Metro high schools. The two-dose Pfizer […]
Posted inCommunity/News
City of Cedar Rapids paid $619,000 to defend former officer Lucas Jones
The City of Cedar Rapids paid $619,000 to defend former Cedar Rapids police officer Lucas Jones against the civil lawsuit filed by Jerime Mitchell and his wife Bracken, the Associated Press reported on Thursday. The city incurred $688,000 in legal expenses during the lawsuit, including the $619,000 paid to Lynch Dallas law firm that represented […]
Posted inCommunity/News, Election Coverage
Linn County mayors urge residents to vote ‘yes’ to extending local option sales tax
Linn County mayors and other officials are asking voters to extend the local option sales tax used to fund street repair and construction, in addition to other infrastructure projects. Voters in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins and Fairfax should expect to see the referendum on the ballot this November. A majority of residents in the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids bike share program is returning on Friday, with a new addition to the fleet coming later this month
The Cedar Rapids bike share program is returning this year with electric scooters, electric-assist bikes and a new addition to the fleet. The bikes and scooters are expected to begin arriving by Friday, according to a news release. A few weeks after that, about 100 sit-down scooters will be added as a new option to […]
