City of Cedar Rapids Transit is suspending its fixed-route transit service, effective Wednesday, as an additional measure to limit the spread of COVID-19. “Suspending a service like transit is a […]
coronavirus
Posted inCommunity/News, COVID-19
Linn County Supervisors approve paid leave for county employees due to COVID-19
The Linn County Board of Supervisors passed temporary employment policies for the county’s workers on Monday, including paid leave, as a result of COVID-19. The temporary policy also ensures “the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Public Library is closed, but offering services and storytime online
The Iowa City Public Library will not be answering its phones as staff begin working remotely in an effort to help limit the spread of COVID-19, the library explained in […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa’s prisons and jails make for ‘a perfect storm for outbreaks of COVID-19’
As Iowans — and people around the country — are grappling with changes to their daily lives, jails and prisons are facing their own challenges keeping staff and inmates safe. […]
Posted inLetters
Open letter to UI Dean of Students: Guarantee a passing grade to all students
By Tarweeh Osman, Iowa City Dear Dean of Students, Firstly, I would like to commend the University of Iowa and the office of the Dean of Students for the steps […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Transportation Department announces changes for parking ramps, bus service
Parking will be free in Iowa City’s parking ramps during the COVID-19 emergency, the Iowa City Department of Transportation announced on Monday. But that doesn’t mean the department is encouraging […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds suspends foreclosures, says state is being ‘proactive’ in supplying medical needs, as UIHC asks the public for donations of protective gear
Gov. Reynolds suspended all foreclosures on residential, commercial and agricultural properties on Sunday. The suspension, which lasts through April 16, was included in a new State Public Health Emergency Declaration. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
COVID-19 now confirmed in Linn County, total number of cases in Iowa rises to 68
Linn County Public Health Director Pramod Dwivedi got directly to the point at the beginning of the department’s Saturday morning press conference. “Linn County Public Health was notified of the first laboratory-diagnosed case of COVID-19,” he said.
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa has an ‘unprecedented number’ of unemployment claims and another new case of COVID-19, but testing remains limited
“We are seeing an unprecedented number of claims,” Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend said when asked about unemployment in Iowa at Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Friday afternoon press conference on COVID-19. “It’s pretty staggering to see the number of claims that we’re receiving,” Townsend said.
Posted inCommunity/News
Coralville waives bus fares, closes city hall
Like Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Coralville is waiving bus fares for the duration of COVID-19 emergency, the city’s transit department announced on Thursday. Coralville Transit is also asking riders to change how they get on and off the buses to help with social distancing.
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Community School District announces pick-up locations for student lunches during the school shutdown
The Iowa City Community School District has announced the locations where students can pick-up free lunches while schools are closed. The meal distribution program begins on Monday, March 23. “The District will provide a number of meals based on the number of children in the car ages 1-18,” according to ICCSD.
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Reynolds suspends most evictions in Iowa, cancels property tax deadline
On Friday morning, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an additional State Public Health Emergency Declaration, which will temporarily stop most evictions in Iowa. The suspension of evictions applies to all rental properties, including those in manufactured home communities or mobile home parks. The change took effect as soon as the governor signed the declaration, and is scheduled to last until 11:59 p.m. on April 16.
