Law enforcement agencies in Johnson and Linn counties are again partnering with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for this year’s nationwide Take Back Day. Individuals with expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs can use the agency’s online search tool to locate a collection site near them. All sites will be open from 10 a.m. to […]
Cedar Rapids News
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids City Council advances plans to create a citizen review board
The Cedar Rapids City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday that brings the city another step closer to creating a citizen review board for the city’s police department. The resolution directs city staff to create an ordinance based on the recommendations developed by city staff. The ordinance is expected to be drafted and presented […]
Posted inCommunity/News
City of Cedar Rapids shares how residents can get involved in its climate action plan
The city of Cedar Rapids is organizing opportunities for residents to get informed and involved with the city’s ongoing climate action efforts. The public engagement process will kick off on Thursday and wrap up in December, according to Eric Holthaus, the city’s sustainability coordinator. The process includes virtual presentations, a community survey and details on […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Drive-through voting sites add weekend hours, new satellite voting locations open
As early voting for the Nov. 3 election continues, the drive-through voting sites for Johnson County and Linn County are adding weekend hours, and both counties are opening new satellite voting locations. The drive-through voting site in Johnson County at the parking ramp north of the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building in Iowa […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Derecho recovery will cost Cedar Rapids at least $60 million
The derecho that hit Cedar Rapids on Aug. 10 caused $60 million to $80 million worth of damage, according to the city. Overall, the August derecho caused $7.5 billion worth of damage, according to estimates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Washington Post reported that no thunderstorm or tornado has caused “as much […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Amy Friedl Stoner returns to Theatre Cedar Rapids for a virtual performance
It was about eight months since Amy Friedl Stoner last performed on stage. This is the longest the cabaret artist has ever gone without audiences enjoying her work — but that’s soon about to change. Theatre Cedar Rapids is hosting Stoner for a virtual cabaret performance that will be streamed on Oct. 23 and 24. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Derecho recovery: Cedar Rapids to begin tree replanting with an Arbor Day event in October
The city of Cedar Rapids announced three events in the coming weeks aimed at replacing its lost tree canopy. The city lost about 65 percent of its trees after the Aug. 10 derecho. The first is an Arbor Day celebration on Friday at Cedar River Academy at Taylor Elementary. The celebration is usually in April […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Satellite locations for early voting open this week
Early voting in the Nov. 3 election got off to a fast start last week, with 14,389 people casting ballots in Johnson County and 5,580 voting early in Linn County. Those totals reflect both in-person early voting, as well as absentee ballots returned by mail or deposited in the drop boxes set up by the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Survey shows Cedar Rapids residents support creating a citizen review board for the CRPD
Slightly more than half of Cedar Rapids residents who responded to the city’s survey believe a citizen review board would have a positive impact on the community. The Cedar Rapids City Council heard from city staff on Tuesday about the survey results and next steps, including a resolution with recommendations that will come before council […]
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Advocates for Social Justice offering free Uber rides to the polls for Linn County voters
The grassroots group Advocates for Social Justice is trying to make it easier for people to vote in the upcoming general election. The group is offering free Uber rides for Linn County voters and is organizing various events near polling places. Early voting in Iowa began on Monday. County auditors began mailing out absentee ballots […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Where to go and what you need to vote early in Johnson and Linn County
Early voting began in Iowa on Monday, with county auditors starting to mail out requested absentee ballots and early in-person voting sites opening. “We have almost 30,000 requests for absentee ballots,” Johnson County Auditor Travis Weipert said during an appearance last week on Iowa City’s Community Connection. “We’re going to mail those out through the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Mount Mercy University adjusts to fall semester shaped by the derecho, COVID-19 and its president resigning
Students and faculty at Mount Mercy University (MMU) in Cedar Rapids are adjusting to a new normal this fall semester. When students began their semester in early September — whether that was through online or hybrid instruction — the campus was already dealing the impacts of the Aug. 10 derecho and the COVID-19 pandemic. Two […]
