The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office is saying Iowa law does not allow county auditors to use drop boxes for absentee ballots, but Linn County is pushing back. Kevin Hall, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Paul Pate, told the Des Moines Register that “auditors do not have authority to establish a ballot drop box […]
Linn County
Posted inCOVID-19
Reynolds: Bars in Johnson and Linn County must shut down due to COVID-19 spike
Downtown Iowa City bars that saw dozens of college-age patrons line up outside their doors just days ago must close up by 5 p.m. this Thursday, by order of the governor. In a new proclamation of disaster emergency Gov. Kim Reynolds signed on Thursday morning, the state is requiring “bars, taverns, wineries, breweries, distilleries, night […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Disaster Unemployment Assistance now available for Linn County workers
Individuals who are unable to work or were temporarily laid off in Linn County due to the Aug. 10 derecho may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). DUA is part of the major disaster declaration President Donald Trump approved on Aug. 17. Trump OKed federal assistance for Linn County on Aug. 20 but aid […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Linn County EBT recipients able to use waivers on hot foods
Individuals in Linn County who receive food assistance can use the waivers to purchase hot foods through Sept. 21. The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the temporary rule change on Monday. The presidential disaster proclamation issued after the Aug. 10 derecho allows federal programs to “alter or change their rules as communities recover […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Derecho recovery: Curfew lifted in Cedar Rapids, cooling centers and splash pads open as temperatures climb
The overnight curfew in Cedar Rapids has been lifted, Fire Chief Greg Smith announced during the city’s Monday press conference. The city had imposed a curfew immediately after the Aug. 10 derecho due to widespread power outages caused by the storm. Smith said the curfew is no longer needed because power has been restored to […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Matthew 25 offering free repairs for eligible homes damaged by derecho
Matthew 25 is offering to perform free repairs on homes damaged by the Aug. 10 derecho. The Cedar Rapids nonprofit began accepting applications for the program on Sunday. Initial projects will be selected by Friday, Aug. 28. The application can be found online. To be eligible, applicants must: • Own their home • Have damage […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Majority of Linn County regains power two weeks after derecho; recycling pick-up resumes
Two weeks after a derecho swept through the state, the majority of Linn County residents have their power back. A total of 1,359 — 1.2 percent — are without power in the county, as of Monday at 10 a.m. When the derecho hit on Aug. 10, nearly 100,000 Linn County residents’ homes went dark. Another […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Derecho recovery: Where to pick up hot meals and donate supplies in Linn County
The Linn County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), working in partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids and Operation BBQ, has announced locations where residents can find hot meals through the beginning of next week. On Friday and Saturday, 500 hot lunches will be available at each of these locations from noon to 2 p.m., and […]
Posted inCOVID-19
President Trump approves federal aid for Linn County, but 26 other counties are still under review
On Thursday night, Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office announced President Trump had partially approved her request for federal aid for individuals and businesses affected by the Aug. 10 derecho. On Monday, the president approved the Public Assistance part of Reynolds’ major disaster declaration request. FEMA Public Assistance provides federal aid for the repair of public infrastructure […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids changes curfew hours and relocates a Neighborhood Resource Center; Red Cross shelter in Palo closes
As storm clean-up continues throughout Linn County, Cedar Rapids announced changes to both its nightly curfew and to one of its Neighborhood Resource Centers on Tuesday. The closure of the pod food distribution centers and one of the emergency shelters set up by the American Red Cross in Linn County were also announced. Cedar Rapids’ […]
Posted inCommunity/News
About 40 percent of Linn County residents are still without power; Cedar Rapids prohibiting outdoor fires
A week after a derecho wreaked havoc on Iowa, almost 40 percent of Linn County residents are still without electricity. Linn County was one of the areas in the state hit hardest by the storm. A total of 41,104 customers — 36.7 percent — are without power in the county, as of Monday at noon. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Shelter, internet and tree debris disposal locations announced in Cedar Rapids
Additional resources for Cedar Rapids residents who need shelter, internet access or to dispose of tree debris have been announced. The Linn County Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross and the city of Cedar Rapids opened a shelter at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 50 2nd Avenue Bridge. The shelter opened at 8 p.m. on Friday. “Individuals […]
