Iowans lost an estimated $20 million in annual benefits from urban tree canopy damaged by the hurricane-strength derecho in August 2020, according to the results of a recently completed survey conducted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Findings were included in a report, available online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/forestry/DerechoReport.pdf, which estimated nearly 4.5 million trees were […]
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Author: Cindy
Residents push back on Kwik Star proposa...
(UPDATE Sept. 15, 2021: Residents have started a petition drive to urge city commissioners to deny Kwik Star’s conditional use permit and posted an event invitation to the Oct. 7, 2021, City Planning Commission meeting at 3 p.m.) CEDAR RAPIDS – Residents and others concerned about a proposed Kwik Star next to a residential neighborhood […]
Iowa gardener forced to remove sunflower...
UPDATE Sept. 7, 2021: Roy Hesemann, utilities director for the city of Cedar Rapids, said due to the Labor Day holiday, the property had not yet been inspected, but was expected to be done this week. In an email, Hesemann said “City Code does not determine which plant varieties are allowed to be planted in […]
New program at NewBo City Market reduces...
By Cindy Hadish/for the Corridor Business Journal As a Black woman entrepreneur, Ashlee-Symonne Mooney felt her skills were underestimated at times, but a new program helped validate her business acumen. The Hatchery, an entrepreneurial development program that formally launched in January 2021, expands the NewBo City Market’s business incubator by reducing barriers to entry and […]
Students face construction zone as new C...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Students at the new West Willow Elementary will start school Monday, Aug. 23, without a cafeteria, gymnasium or even a playground. The school, which replaced the former Coolidge Elementary School, 6225 First Ave. NW, is the first in a series of new buildings the Cedar Rapids Community School District has planned. […]
Czech Village Blues returns after one-ye...
After canceling last year’s Czech Village Blues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival is returning on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. The Linn County Blues Society will hold the fourth Czech Village Blues in the green space south of the Czech Village neighborhood in Cedar Rapids, near C Street and Bowling Street SW. Gates open […]
COVID-19 hospitalizations spike as Iowa ...
A late-night posting of Iowa’s COVID-19 hospitalization data shows numbers skyrocketing just as the state’s biggest event of the year kicks off. The Iowa State Fair, which runs Aug. 12-22, 2021, has attracted more than 1 million visitors in recent years, with the exception of 2020, when it was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. […]
Cedar Rapids and Swisher residents plead...
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported a 6-month-long weapons and poaching investigation in Linn and Johnson counties has concluded. Related: Four Iowans convicted in yearlong poaching case The DNR issued the following on Aug. 10, 2021: Iowa Conservation Officers concluded a six-month-long investigation into felony weapons charges and wildlife poaching violations involving a deer […]
Delayed blooms offer surprise
Surprise lilies, also known as naked ladies and several other names, are typically incredibly consistent. If you see them in one person’s garden, like clockwork, you’ll see them all over town. This year has been an anomaly, with the first flowers spotted around July 24, 2021, but then none — at least of any noticeable […]
Derecho anniversary focuses on recovery ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Survivors of Iowa’s devastating derecho windstorm on Aug. 10, 2020, can join together to mark recovery efforts during a community-wide event in Cedar Rapids. The nonprofit Together We Achieve is hosting a Derecho Anniversary Festival from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at Greene Square in downtown Cedar Rapids. See photos […]