After reviewing the actions of two Cedar Rapids police officers who shot a suspect during a traffic stop on July 30, Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks has concluded the officers acted “to avoid injury or risk to their lives and [the shooting] was reasonable under Iowa law.” Officer Blair Klostermann and Officer Matt Jenatscheck fired […]
Cedar Rapids News
Posted inEastern Iowa Community/News
New cooling center for downtown Cedar Rapids announced, as library remains closed after fire
The main branch of the Cedar Rapids Public Library normally serves as the city’s downtown cooling center during hot weather such as Iowa has been experiencing, but the building has been closed since a fire last week. CRPL announced a replacement cooling center will open at the downtown shelter run by the community service nonprofit […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
Downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library remains closed following fire
The downtown location of the Cedar Rapids Public Library is closed following a fire on Wednesday afternoon. The fire broke out in a light fixture and was extinguished quickly, according to a statement posted on the library’s site. “The initial estimates of time it will take to reopen are still being gathered,” the library said […]
Posted inCommunity/News
HobbyTown in Cedar Rapids is closing
After six years selling everything from jigsaw puzzles to rockets and radio-controlled planes, HobbyTown in Cedar Rapids is going out of business. In a news release, owners Niels and Musette Christensen cited the increasing cost of rent and inflation as reasons why they were closing. The couple opened the store in December 2016, in the […]
Posted inEastern Iowa Community/News
Man drives his truck into protesters marching for abortion rights in Cedar Rapids
A man drove his pickup truck into protesters crossing a street in Cedar Rapids on Friday night. This happened at the end of a march in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision overruling Roe v. Wade and eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion, as protesters who had gathered for a rally and march […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market is (slightly) changing its location
Four weeks after launching its 2022 season, the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market is making a slight alteration to its location. Instead of the layout it’s been using since opening on May 28 — 2nd Avenue SE, 3rd Avenue SE and 4th Avenue SE between 2nd Street SE and 5th Street SE — the market […]
Posted inElection Coverage
Early voting continues with weekend hours at the auditor’s office and satellite locations in Johnson County
Early voting in the Tuesday, June 7 primary ends at 5 p.m. on Monday, but this weekend the auditors’ offices in both Johnson County and Linn County will be open for people wanting to cast an early ballot. In Johnson County, early voters can exercise their franchise at either the auditor’s office in the county’s […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
A library card could earn you a free pass to museums, gardens and more in cities across Iowa
Library cards have always allowed you to read about other people’s experiences for free, and now they can help have your own experiences. Also for free. Adults with active library cards from the Iowa City Public Library (ICPL), the Cedar Rapids Public Library (CRPL) and the Des Moines Public Library (DMPL) — as well as […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
As leaders debate action, gun reform advocates will don orange and demonstrate in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Saturday
Iowa City and Cedar Rapids will both have Wear Orange events on Saturday to mark National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The Iowa City event in Wetherby Park (2400 Taylor Dr) begins at 2 p.m., and will include “speakers, kids’ activities, and a peace walk affirming commitment to a future free from gun violence,” according to […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids’ chance for a casino will be blocked by surprise amendment to gambling bill
Cedar Rapids’ latest attempt to add a downtown casino encountered an unexpected problem on Monday, when the Iowa Legislature approved a bill with an amendment that prohibits the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) from issuing any new casino licenses before June 30, 2024. “This is incredibly unfair,” Cedar Rapids Democrat Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt said. […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
Early voting in the June 7 primary has begun
Early voting for the June 7 primary election began on Wednesday, as county auditors started mailing out absentee ballots requested by voters, and opened their offices for in-person early voting. Democratic and Republican candidates will be the only ones on the primary ballot, because those two parties are the only ones that have major party […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Save CR Heritage marks its 10th anniversary amid efforts to preserve old school buildings
In October 2011, Cedar Rapids’ oldest church, the People’s Church Unitarian Universalist, was demolished. It was built in 1875 and became the first building listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the city to be razed without sustaining damage from fire or natural disaster. Today, the location is an office building, housing Morgan […]
