MARION, Iowa — After sustaining damage in Iowa’s 2020 hurricane-strength derecho, the historic Methodist Church in Marion was written off by most. Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly was not one of them. “Everyone was resigned to the fact that it was going to be demolished,” AbouAssaly said. “It was keeping me up at night, but I […]
Award honors visionaries in Czech Villag...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Two entrepreneurs and leaders in Czech Village and New Bohemia received special recognition April 20, at an awards luncheon at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. Don Barrigar and Mary Kay Novak McGrath were named the 2022 recipients of the Robert Chadima Visionary Award. The award is presented annually […]
EcoFest set to return to NewBo City Mark...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — After cancelling in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and going virtual in 2021, the popular Earth Day celebration known as EcoFest is scheduled to return on Saturday, April 23, 2022. The event will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE. See photos of […]
Cedar Rapids Donutland to fill hole as f...
CEDAR RAPIDS — The long-anticipated reopening of the Donutland in southwest Cedar Rapids is almost close enough to taste. With a previous target of late March or early April 2022, the opening of the site, at 2606 Williams Blvd. SW, is now predicted for late April. See final photos of Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids […]
Easter Showcase plans return to Noelridg...
CEDAR RAPIDS — Following a two-year hiatus, the popular Easter Showcase is scheduled to return to the Noelridge Greenhouse on Saturday, April 16, and Sunday, April 17, 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event — where visitors can view tropical plants, cacti, seedlings and other plants that grow in the greenhouse — was not […]
Final Photos: Longtime Iowa business pre...
CEDAR RAPIDS — A mainstay of Cedar Rapids is winding down its retail furniture division after nearly 85 years in business. Phelan’s Interiors, 728 Third Ave. SE, began its final retail sale on Friday, April 1, 2022. Related: Smulekoff’s closes after 125 years “Due to the shift in residential trends and the presiding uncertainty of […]
Iowans plead guilty in large-scale poach...
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced the conclusion of a year-round poaching case on March 29, 2022. Five northwest Iowa men pleaded guilty to numerous wildlife violations, the DNR noted. Read on for more from the DNR: Ida Grove, Iowa — An investigation that began as a turkey poaching case last fall has concluded […]
Gardening tradition: Good Friday potato ...
Planting potatoes on Good Friday isn’t always feasible, but for 2022, it might make sense. Good Friday falls relatively late this year, on April 15, so while the soil temperature may not be prime when the Holy Day hits in March or early April, the soil might make it above 45 degrees Fahrenheit by mid-April […]
Linn County Master Gardeners and Prairie...
HIAWATHA — Community members will have room to grow their own food through a new initiative between Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center and Linn County Master Gardeners. The new Green Community Gardens will feature 30 garden plots to rent at Prairiewoods, along with gardening education. “We really hope that people who live in apartments that don’t […]
Photos: St. Patrick’s Day parade returns
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Temperatures that stayed below freezing kept the massive crowds of the past at bay, but sunshine reigned as the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade made its return to downtown Cedar Rapids. Nearly 70 entries rolled through the traditional parade route along Second and Third Avenues SE on Saturday, March 12, 2022, […]