Update: As expected, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 2296 into law. It was one of 21 bills the governor approved on Thursday, April 16, according to a news release from the governor’s office. The Iowa Senate gave final approval on Tuesday to a bill banning cities and counties from issuing local IDs to residents. HF […]
Johnson County
Posted inCommunity/News
A stolen Pride flag was restored and a proclamation challenged this Trans Day of Visibility in Johnson County
Speaking to the crowd gathered at College Green Park in downtown Iowa City for the Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) rally on Tuesday, Katie Freeman began by talking about the sounds — shouts, chants, angry and despairing screams — they heard in protests inside the Iowa State Capitol last year as Republican lawmakers voted to […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘People are hungry — starving — for principled leadership’: Jon Green on his decision not to honor Charlie Kirk in Johnson County
At the beginning of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors work session on Wednesday, Board Chair Jon Green noted that it was Constitution Day, the annual national commemoration of the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1789 by the members of the convention that drafted it. The work session was also happening one […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘Relatively minor’ and decreasing: Supervisors receive report on the status of Johnson County’s main groundwater source
The title of the report presented to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors during its work session on Wednesday was very technical: “Simulation of Groundwater Flow in the Silurian Aquifer, Eastern Iowa (2020–2045).” That was appropriate given the complex nature of its subject matter. But the report’s ultimate message about the groundwater supply much of […]
Posted inStatewide
Bill shuts Iowa’s largest counties out of economic development funds for three years
Iowa’s four most populous counties would not be able to access state economic development programs and their funds for three years under a bill advanced Wednesday by an Iowa House subcommittee. The legislation, HSB 310, would impose a three-year moratorium, from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, on all programs administered by the Iowa […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Early voting in the Iowa City Council special election starts on Wednesday
Early voting in the March 4 special election to fill the open seat on the Iowa City Council in District C starts on Wednesday. There will be two candidates on the ballot: Oliver Weilein and Ross Nusser. Weilein won a landslide victory in the Feb. 4 primary, receiving 69 percent of the vote. Nusser finished […]
Posted inCommunity/News
On the back of the ballot, Johnson County voters have a chance to continue funding conservation work
It’s understandable that the first choice on ballots in this year’s election — president and vice president — has gotten the most attention, but the last choice on the ballot is also important for Johnson County residents. On the back of the ballot, along with the judges up for a retention vote and beneath the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Johnson County Auditor Travis Weipert resigns for health reasons
After almost 12 years in office, Johnson County Auditor Travis Weipert resigned last week, citing health reasons. “I am grateful to the people of Johnson County for the privilege of serving my community and am incredibly proud of what my office and my amazing staff have done to improve access to voting in Johnson County,” […]
Posted inCommunity/News
After its first year providing crisis services, the GuideLink Center assesses its accomplishments and obstacles
During its first year, the GuideLink Center, a facility that provides care for mental health and substance use disorders, has helped over 1,000 people, said Executive Director Abbey Ferenzi. The center offers 24/7 services, including rapid assessment, triage and crisis stabilization, medically monitored withdrawal and a sobering unit. “GuideLink Center was designed to fill the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Only 19% of the state’s 5-11 year-olds fully vaccinated against COVID; Iowa Republicans advance bill to ban vaccine requirement in schools and childcare centers
The number of new cases of COVID-19 in the Iowa Department of Health’s weekly update declined for the second week in a row, possibly indicating the surge driven by the spread of the Omicron variant in the state is now receding. According to IDPH, there were 22,730 newly confirmed cases of the virus over the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Janet Lyness will not run for reelection as Johnson County Attorney
Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness announced on Monday she will not seek reelection this year. “Representing the people of Johnson County as County Attorney has been an honor and a privilege,” Lyness said in a written statement. “I am proud of the work my office has done and the programs we have developed while I […]
Posted inCommunity/News
COVID-19: Iowa surpasses 8,000 deaths; Gov. Reynolds says Iowa is ‘better off’ because of her policies
Johnson County Public Health suspended its routine case investigation and contact tracing for newly reported cases of COVID-19 because the ongoing surge in virus spread has overwhelmed its ability to conduct those investigations and tracing in an effective manner. “During the past week, there has been a 250% increase in cases from the previous week,” […]
