CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Jim McVeigh spends most of his days in the same building where he operated a grocery store for more than 25 years, but his time lately has been spent preparing for the next tenant. Save-A-Lot, 1625 J St. SW, closed in December 2024, and in the coming months, a new business […]
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Year: 2025
Convent designed by acclaimed architect ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Clearing the way for “green space,” a mid-Century convent designed by acclaimed Cedar Rapids architect Leo Peiffer has been demolished. The Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission placed a 30-day hold on the demolition permit for the 1960s convent in October 2024, but the hold expired in November, and the building — […]
Massive turnout for U.S. Sen. Bernie San...
IOWA CITY, Iowa — An estimated 800 people packed inside the 700-seat Englert Theatre to hear Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour Saturday morning, while easily four times that number didn’t make it inside the Iowa City venue. In below-freezing temperatures, a line queued blocks from the theater at East Washington Street, […]
Cedar Rapids plans to remove Czech Villa...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — As the city of Cedar Rapids moves forward with plans to make major changes to the Czech Village area, some pieces of its past will be removed. Sidewalk tiles, advertising former Czech Village businesses and organizations, will be removed from a pedestrian walkway next to the former Sykora Bakery, 73 16th […]
Chapman Fun World spotlighted in new boo...
Note: Justin Beahm will have a book signing at Half Price Books, 1400 Twixt Town Rd NE, Marion, from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Filmmaker and writer Justin Beahm remembers racing to the spaceball cages as soon as his parents paid admission at Chapman Fun World during his youth. “It […]
Photos: Winter Gardening Fair 2025
HIAWATHA, Iowa — Hundreds of gardeners dreamed of spring as the Linn County Master Gardeners hosted the 2025 Winter Gardening Fair. The annual event, on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at the Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center in Hiawatha, featured more than 80 sessions and hands-on workshops, led by Master Gardeners, local professionals and ISU Extension […]
Cedar Rapids Schools survey omits cost b...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Community School District’s survey, hitting mailboxes this week to garner feedback on the district’s proposed bond referendum, includes one glaring omission. While nearly half of the bond costs would go toward a new school outside of Cedar Rapids city limits, the survey’s list of projects disregards those details. […]
Former Safari Lounge in Cedar Rapids und...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Two experienced restaurateurs are planning their latest venture in the former Chappy’s Safari Lounge building in southwest Cedar Rapids. Jimmy and Ally Ramirez hope to open Buchonas sports bar, 229 16th Ave. SW, sometime in March 2025. Built in 1966, the spot was the longtime home of Safari Lounge and later […]
Cedar Rapids casino opening date, other ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Casino supporters plan a New Year’s Eve celebration to mark the opening of the forthcoming Cedar Crossing Casino on Dec. 31, 2026. The date was announced during a groundbreaking ceremony for the new casino on Feb. 7, 2025, attended by nearly 100 guests and onlookers. “This has been a vision for […]
Cedar Rapids casino backers hit the jack...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission has voted to grant a gaming license for a new casino in Cedar Rapids. Commission members voted 4-1 at their Feb. 6, 2025, meeting at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Altoona, Iowa, to award the license to joint applicants Cedar Rapids Development Group and […]