The Cedar Rapids Civil Service Commission heard nearly 21 hours of testimony over two days as it considers the appeal filed by fired Cedar Rapids police officer Lucas Jones. The testimony, beginning Tuesday, centered around what happened during a traffic stop on Oct. 30, 2016. The Cedar Rapids Police Department said Jones lied about turning […]
Cedar Rapids
Posted inCommunity/News
Derecho recovery: Boxes of free, fresh produce available in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
People impacted by the Aug. 10 derecho can pick up fresh produce, dairy and frozen meat at a drive-through event on Saturday. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and run through 3 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 50 Edgewood Rd NW, in Cedar Rapids. Individuals driving up should enter the parking lot from […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Green skies, red lightning, hurricane winds: Getting caught in the storm in Cedar Rapids
I am Midwestern, and that means when I hear tornado sirens my instinct is to walk out to my back porch and stare at the sky. Every single one of my neighbors does it, too. I look forward to storm season. I watch Twister at least once a year. I love that feeling when the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘Every area of our city has seen destruction’: Local and state leaders call on Gov. Reynolds to deploy National Guard to Cedar Rapids to help with storm damage
Every area of Cedar Rapids has seen destruction from the derecho that swept through Iowa on Monday, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said. The destruction is more extensive than what the city experienced in the floods of 2008 and 2016, he added. “This is a greater impact than we’ve ever seen in this community,” Pomeranz said […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Judge rejects legal challenge to Cargill’s Cedar Rapids rail yard plans
A district court judge ruled on Friday that the Cedar Rapids City Council’s decision to amend the city’s future land use map last November for Cargill’s rail yard “was supported by substantial evidence” and acted in accordance with statutes. Sixth District Court Judge Mary Chiccelly denied the petition filed by State Sen. Rob Hogg and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids will pay up to $1.2 million to settle lawsuit over traffic cameras
The city of Cedar Rapids will pay up to $1.2 million as part of a class action lawsuit settlement that received final approval on Thursday by a state district court judge. The lawsuit challenged the methods the city used to collect unpaid traffic camera fines. Under the terms of the settlement, the city will issue […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market will be drive-through for the rest of the season
The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market market kicked off its 15th season this month with two drive-through markets. When the plans were announced in May, the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance said they will “continue to evaluate options and make decisions based on public health guidelines for the remainder of the 2020 market season.” That […]
Posted inCOVID-19
CR City Councilmember Ashley Vanorny is hosting weekly webinars to connect with constituents, provide information about COVID-19
Cedar Rapids City Councilmember Ashley Vanorny had been considering for some time doing a podcast or webinar series as an additional way to connect with her District 5 constituents. The COVID-19 pandemic was the “catalyst” for Vanorny to start her COVID-19 Conversations webinars. “I realized that I needed to have an opportunity to communicate differently […]
Posted inCommunity/News, COVID-19
‘I need him alive’: Eastern Iowa advocates, families call for the release of men detained by ICE in Linn County jail over concerns of COVID-19
Immigrant rights advocates in eastern Iowa are calling for the release of three Guatemalan men who were detained by immigration officials on March 4 in Cedar Rapids and Marion. During a press conference in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday afternoon, members of the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) and the Iowa City Catholic Worker […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Businesses are faced with a tough decision as restrictions are relaxed in Linn County
After Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signed her most recent public health proclamation on Wednesday, certain Linn County businesses are faced with the decision on whether or not to reopen. As part of the proclamation, tanning salons, medical spas, campgrounds and drive-in movie theaters may reopen statewide. Dental procedures can resume, and golf course clubhouses can reopen […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Residents in southwest Cedar Rapids told to boil water before drinking (Updated)
Update: On Saturday, May 9, the boil advisory was lifted, following tests that confirmed water in the area is safe for consumption. Residents living in certain parts of southwest Cedar Rapids are being asked to boil water before drinking it following a rupture in a water main. Water in other parts of the city […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Test Iowa site opening in Cedar Rapids on Thursday
Test Iowa is coming to Cedar Rapids earlier than expected. Originally, a soft opening was planned for May 11 and May 12, with full operations following that, but the timeline has been moved up. Test Iowa’s Cedar Rapids location will instead have a soft opening on Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8. The site […]
