The Cedar Rapids City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to settle a class action lawsuit that challenged the methods the city used to collect unpaid traffic camera fines. The lawsuit was filed in January 2018, a month after the city sent 221,000 notices to people with unpaid traffic camera citations, telling them to pay up or the outstanding amount would be sent to the Iowa Department of Administrative Service’s offset program for collection.
Cedar Rapids
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Cedar Rapids City Council approves rezoning proposal for Cargill’s 12-track, 200-car rail yard next to Rompot neighborhood
The Cedar Rapids City Council voted for a final time in support of rezoning land next to the Rompot neighborhood and Prairie Park Fishery, giving Cargil the necessary approval to build their 12-track, 200-car rail yard. Cargill has been trying to get a rail yard for almost two years, with plans shifting back and forth between the city-owned property south of Stewart Road and the “farm property” on Otis Road.
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Boston Fish is gone, but its legacy will swim on in Cedar Rapids
In April, people were disappointed to learn Boston Fish, a staple of the Cedar Rapids restaurant scene for 77 years, was closing, after its building was sold and the new owners decided to do something different. A month later, things changed. Boston Fish manager Lenore Zoll announced the new owners had changed their minds, and wanted to
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Three Linn County libraries to eliminate fines for overdue materials
The public libraries in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Marion are moving forward with the elimination of fines for overdue materials in an effort to better support and serve the community. The policy change has been approved by the boards of trustees of all three libraries. Cedar Rapids Public Library (CRPL) director Dara Schmidt said the next step is
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‘I’m still terrified for my future’: Cedar Rapids climate protesters want solutions on local, national level
Chants of “Green New Deal,” “this is what democracy looks like,” and “fossil fuels have got to go” filled the streets of Cedar Rapids on Friday night, as part of climate strikes organized around the country on Dec. 6. It was an emotional night for many, as marchers shared the reasons why they’re striking and the need for accelerated action to combat climate change. Around 120 people attended
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Take a break from presidential candidates this weekend to enjoy holiday events in Cedar Rapids
The holidays are coming early to Cedar Rapids. Get into the holiday spirit this weekend, and enjoy hot chocolate, shopping, Christmas trees and even a chance to tell Santa Claus all about your wish list (if you’re on the nice list, that is).
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Linn County Board of Supervisors declares a climate crisis ahead of Friday’s national climate strikes
The Linn County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution on Wednesday declaring a climate crisis in light of increased drought and heatwaves, decrease in the bird population and flooding throughout Iowa. The action by the supervisors occurred just days before people around the country — including in Cedar Rapids — prepare for the next
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Cargill’s plan for a 200-car rail yard takes another step forward, as the Cedar Rapids City Council approves rezoning for a second time
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
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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
