It’s been called a texting ban, but the new law impacting Iowa drivers and their phones goes beyond just texting. As of July 1, drivers are prohibited from viewing “images visible on the screen of a hand-held electronic communication device” including texts, instant messages, emails, games or websites. Viewing GPS information, as well as emergency traffic and weather alerts is still permitted.
Iowa City News
Posted inCommunity/News
Listening post at the library to discuss school seclusion rooms, accessibility on Saturday
Iowa City Community School Board Member Phil Hemingway will be holding a listening post in Meeting Room A at the Iowa City Public Library on Saturday, July 8, from noon to 3 p.m. The session will focus on two high profile issues: the use of seclusion rooms and how the district is complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Posted inCommunity/News
New fees and regulations kick in for Iowa City recycling and landfill items
New fees to recycle certain items at the Iowa City Landfill and East Side Recycling Center kicked in July 1, as well as requirements for securing loads before heading to the landfill.
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City fireworks complaints: a lot of noise, but little else
On Wednesday, Iowa City announced the city police department received 406 complaints about fireworks between June 1 and July 5, a massive increase from the 32 complaint calls the ICPD logged during the same period last year. But how many citations were actually issued?
Posted inCommunity/News
Where and when can you use fireworks this Fourth of July?
There’s good news for Cedar Rapids residents who enjoy explosions. There will be an extra hour during which they can set off fireworks this weekend. Iowa City residents will have to venture a little farther to get their thrills.
Posted inCommunity/News
Construction coming to two Iowa City parks
Two construction projects are planned for Iowa City parks: one to renovate the cabins in City Park, and another to replace a shelter and restrooms in Happy Hollow Park.
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City group works to decrease health disparities in low-income neighborhoods
Asthma and other health issues are disproportionately high in Iowa City’s low-income neighborhoods, an issue the city is working to address through an ongoing grant project.
Posted inCommunity/News, Features
Iowa City’s Sudanese community navigates Trump’s travel ban rhetoric
Hanadi Elshazali will always remember what it felt like to go to work on Nov. 9, 2016 — the day after the country elected Donald Trump as its 45th president. She’ll remember the chaotic silence as she entered her office at the Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center of Johnson County, the muffled whispers that made her […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Botchway kicks off city council campaign focused on affordable housing, mental health and economic development
Kingsley Botchway kicked off his campaign for reelection to his at-large Iowa City Council seat with an event at Big Grove Brewery and Taproom last Friday. As people gathered in the game room to talk about issues, play ping-pong and share a meal, Botchway discussed three issues he plans to focus on if re-elected: affordable housing, mental health and economic development, including supporting small businesses.
Posted inCommunity/News
Johnson County and Iowa City say they’ll honor the Paris Agreement
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Thursday, June 8 committing to honor the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change from which President Donald Trump recently withdrew the United States. The City of Iowa City passed a similar resolution Tuesday, June 6.
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City area works to cut back on pesticides
Iowa City’s efforts to cut back on spraying pesticides on public lands and school grounds have been recognized by Good Neighbor Iowa, a statewide project through the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education that promotes pesticide-free lawn maintenance.
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Council rezones Northside property despite concerns about building height, senior housing
Following news during the Tuesday Iowa City Council meeting that designated senior housing would no longer be possible at a planned multi-use building on the corner of Linn and Market streets, city council members nearly denied rezoning the plot. The council ultimately approved the change in a 4 to 3 vote, with Rockne Cole, Pauline Taylor and John Thomas voting no. Mayor Jim Throgmorton changed his previous vote from no to yes, tipping the balance in favor of approval.
