IOWA CITY, Iowa — Heirloom tomatoes — non-hybrid varieties passed down through generations — are the focus of an annual event hosted by the Johnson County Master Gardeners. The 10th Annual Taste of Heirloom Tomatoes takes place from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at the Plum Grove Historical Home, 1030 Carroll St., Iowa City. […]
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Year: 2025
New Czech Village roundhouse taking shap...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — To longtime market-goers, nothing will replace the Riverside Roundhouse, but construction is underway on a new “roundhouse” where homes once stood along Czech Village. The city held a ceremonial groundbreaking last week for the LightLine Loop, a $13.84 million project that includes the roundhouse, a festival street, pedestrian promenade, gateway signage, […]
Cedar Rapids School Board has fourth new...
UPDATED Aug. 26, 2025 with comments from School District spokeswoman Heather Butterfield. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education has appointed a new board secretary, the fourth person in that position this year. Jillian Schulte, who previously served as Director of Magnet Programming for the district, was sworn in […]
Crowds flock to Market After Dark in Ced...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Lower temperatures and less humidity added to the equation for a picture-perfect night during a popular free event in downtown Cedar Rapids. Market After Dark celebrated its 10th anniversary of the open-air event, which typically draws crowds of 30,000 to 50,000 people. See photos from last year’s Market After Dark More […]
Iowans rally in Iowa City to save state’
IOWA CITY, Iowa — A crowd of Iowans passionate about the state’s history gathered Aug. 23, 2025, to protest the closing of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s research center in Iowa City. Nearly 200 people listened to speakers inside the Iowa City Public Library for more than two hours before marching several blocks to […]
Brucemore throws birthday party for Gran...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — One hundred years ago, Irene Douglas noted in her check register the payment of $182 for her daughter Barbara’s sleeping porch. That August 1925 payment was to artist Grant Wood, just five years before his iconic “American Gothic” painting was completed at his Cedar Rapids studio. Brucemore hosted a birthday party […]
Hoover Elementary neighbors brace for ne...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Neighbors living next to Hoover Elementary pleaded to both the Cedar Rapids School Board and City Council this week to resolve their concerns about plans for a new school. The neighbors asked for a better location for a bus access road, planned to be built just feet from their backyards, and […]
Photos: Czech Iowans at the Wilber, Nebr...
WILBER, Nebraska — Wilber’s claim to the title of Czech Capital of the USA is on full display during the eastern Nebraska town’s annual Czech Festival. While Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is home to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and hosts a number of Czech festivals, the entire town of Wilber embraces Czech […]
Popular neighborhood cornerstone celebra...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — One of the most popular attractions in the Mound View neighborhood in northeast Cedar Rapids is celebrating a milestone. Dairy Queen, 501 16th St. NE, marks its 70th year on Aug. 1, 2025, having opened at its current location in 1955. “It’s nostalgia,” owner Karla Sibert said of not only the […]
Cedar Rapids man forced to remove front ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Butterflies and other pollinators frequented the marigolds, sunflowers, cosmos, dill and zinnias at their peak in Will Hatchel’s front yard, alongside numerous goldfinch, Iowa’s state bird. But no longer. Hatchel, who meticulously tended his front yard sanctuary for four years, was forced to cut down the plants this week after an […]