Cargill is one vote away from being able to build a 200-car rail yard next to the Rompot neighborhood after an almost unanimous Cedar Rapids City Council approved the rezoning measure during its second reading on Tuesday. Cargill employees and Rompot residents filled the council chambers for the noontime meeting. Approximately 25 people spoke on
Cedar Rapids
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Cedar Rapids City Council backs Cargill’s plans for a rail yard in Rompot neighborhood, despite opposition from residents
The Cedar Rapids City Council unanimously approved amending the city’s future land use map and rezoning the land near the Rompot neighborhood and Prairie Park Fishery, bringing Cargill one step closer to realizing its plan to build a 200-car railyard.
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Emergency winter overflow shelter in Cedar Rapids opens on Friday
With bitterly cold weather starting early this fall, Linn County made it a priority to open an overflow shelter for people experiencing homelessness “as soon as we possibly could,” said Ashley Balius, community outreach and assistance director for Linn County Community Services.
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Cranksgiving returns to Cedar Rapids this Sunday
Cedar Rapidians should bundle up if they want to participate in this year’s Cranksgiving — a cycling scavenger hunt and food drive that benefits a local food pantry. Cyclists will be given a manifest on Sunday, Nov. 17 with a list of items (totaling around $20) that need to be purchased from specific stores in the area. The items must then be
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Iowa Supreme Court ruling on Coe College’s Grant Wood paintings costs school’s endowment more than $5 million
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled last week that Coe College in Cedar Rapids can’t include their seven Grant Wood paintings among the college’s assets, which lowered the value of Coe’s endowment fund by $5.4 million. The seven paintings — “The Fruits of Iowa” — were originally a mural that businessman Eugene Eppley commissioned Wood to
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Open house seeks public input on fate of First and First West, and will provide update on west side flood control in Cedar Rapids
After accepting a casino just isn’t in the cards for First and First West, the city of Cedar Rapids is seeking public input on what to do with the downtown site. An open house on Tuesday, Nov. 12 will allow people a chance to speak out on what they would like to see on vacant land. The event will also feature information about the upcoming flood control projects on the west side of Cedar Rapids.
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New report shows economic impact of immigrants in Linn County
Immigrants in Linn County are making crucial contributions, from creating jobs to boosting the local economy, according to findings published last week by New American Economy (NAE). Using data collected from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey, the report dives into contributions immigrants have made to the city’s economy.
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Linn County library laggards can do good and pay off their fines this month by donating food items
The public libraries in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Marion are accepting donations for nonperishable food items. For each item donated until Nov. 30, individuals will have $1 taken off of their fines for overdue materials. Those who have no fines but want to participate are also welcome to donate food items.
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Cedar Rapids City Council candidate Jorel Robinson discusses gun violence, traffic cameras and decriminalizing marijuana
Jorel Robinson, a productivity specialist at GoDaddy, is seeking an at-large seat on the Cedar Rapids City Council. Robinson is a co-founder of the Big Bang Foundation. He said the group started as a way for him and his friends to travel and perform music, but they wanted to do something more, so the group turned its focus to connecting with young people of color to help raise the awareness of those young people of their own abilities and empower them.
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Cedar Rapids City Council candidate Patrick Loeffler talks about bringing his experience as a business owner and union leader to city government
Patrick Loeffler, a labor union leader and small business owner, said he’s running for the Cedar Rapids City Council to help others. It’s the same reason he and his wife, Kymm, opened Corner Store Apothecary & More, he explained. The Czech Village store, which opened in February 2017, sells CBD oil and hemp-based products. Loeffler has intractable epilepsy and uses CBD oil to control his seizure activity.
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Cedar Rapids City Council candidate Ann Poe discusses economic development, flood protection and the importance of listening to the community
Ann Poe is running for her third term on the Cedar Rapids City Council. The at-large councilmember said it was her experience as a community liaison for the Rebuild Iowa Office following the 2008 floods that first inspired her to run for city council eight years ago.
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Seven presidential candidates will address issues facing people with disabilities at a forum in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Disability rights activists have been working hard to make sure the 2020 presidential candidates address issues of importance to Americans with disabilities, and on Saturday, seven of the Democrats in the race will participate in a forum at 2019 Accessibility, Inclusion, and Outreach Conference in Cedar Rapids.
