Starting next week, the federal government will begin distributing free COVID-19 rapid tests through a new website, covidtests.gov. The site will launch on Wednesday, Jan. 19, and “tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering,” according to a written statement published by the White House on Friday. The tests are free and so is […]
Cedar Rapids News
Posted inCommunity/News
‘A loaded gun in every aisle’: Hy-Vee is introducing a new retail security team
The shoulder patches say, “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle,” but the police-style uniforms, complete with belts with holstered taser and possibly handguns, may send a very different message as Hy-Vee deploys a new retail security team in its stores. The West Des Moines-based supermarket chain will begin introducing its own security force “as part […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Goodbye 2021: A brief look back at moments from a long year
Like 2020, this year was dominated by COVID-19 and bad decisions by state officials regarding the pandemic. Like last year, 2021 ends without the Iowa Department of Public Health hiring a full-time director, but now it is also lacking a medical director and state epidemiologist. Also like 2020, the year comes to end with the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids schools will allow volunteers and visitors in buildings during class hours again, starting in January
Volunteers will once again be allowed in the buildings of the Cedar Rapids Community School District during school hours starting on Monday, Jan. 3, the district announced on Friday. Volunteers and most visitors had been banned from the school buildings while classes were in session, as part of the district’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts. The prohibition […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Theatre Cedar Rapids installs coil system to enhance sound for patrons with hearing aids
Theatre Cedar Rapids expanded their accessibility options recently with the installation of a hearing induction loop in their auditorium. Hearing induction loops are a type of assistive hearing device that uses a copper wire installed around the perimeter of the auditorium to beam magnetic signals directly to patrons’ hearing aids. The installation was made possible […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Tiffany O’Donnell wins landslide victory in race for Cedar Rapids mayor
Tiffany O’Donnell won a landslide victory in the runoff election for mayor of Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, becoming the third woman elected mayor of Cedar Rapids. O’Donnell, CEO of the nonprofit Women Lead Change and a former news anchor at CBS 2/Fox 28 in Cedar Rapids, received 13,479 votes, which was 68 percent of the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
How to vote in Cedar Rapids’ mayoral runoff election Tuesday
Polls will open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday for the runoff election for mayor of Cedar Rapids. The mayor’s race will be the only contest on the ballot, and the only choices listed with be the two candidates who received the highest totals in the Nov. 2 election, Amara Andrews and Tiffany O’Donnell. Since neither […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Winner beware: New Jersey company seeking to sell “Best of the CRANDIC” plaques unaffiliated with Little Village
Since 2018, Little Village has given out annual Best of the CRANDIC awards to Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area residents, organizations and businesses chosen by LV readers as the best in a variety of categories. And even before the public announcement of this year’s winners, Little Village received confirmation the annual tradition is now firmly established, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Early voting is now underway in the runoff election for Cedar Rapids mayor
In-person early voting in the Nov. 30 runoff election for mayor of Cedar Rapids is now underway, with the race narrowed from the original four candidates to Amara Andrews and Tiffany O’Donnell. Voters will be able to cast an absentee ballot at the Linn County Auditor’s Office in the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cranksgiving, the cycling scavenger hunt that supports local food banks, returns to Iowa City and Cedar Rapids
Cranksgiving is returning to both Iowa City and Cedar Rapids this year, and though its name might sound like a holiday dinner with your QAnon-curious relatives, it’s actually a good thing. Cranksgiving is a combination bike race, scavenger hunt and food drive that benefits local nonprofits. Cyclists are given a manifest listing specific items and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Breanna Oxley will run for Linn County Board of Supervisors instead of Iowa Senate
Breanna Oxley, who launched a campaign in June for the Cedar Rapids-based Iowa Senate seat soon to be vacated by Rob Hogg, announced on Friday she will run for the Linn County Board of Supervisors instead. “After much encouragement and many calls, I decided that I will be running for Linn County Supervisor!” Oxley said […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Stacey Walker will not run for reelection to the Linn County Board of Supervisors
Stacey Walker announced on Wednesday he has decided not to run for reelection to the Linn County Board of Supervisors. “At this point in my life, it is time for me to make space for new leaders, and to pursue other opportunities,” Walker, who currently serves as chair of the board, said in a written […]
