UPDATE March 11, 2021: The ReLeaf website has launched at https://confluence.mysocialpinpoint.com/releaf-cedar-rapids CEDAR RAPIDS — Seven months after a hurricane-strength windstorm devastated huge swaths of Iowa, the city of Cedar Rapids remains on a long road to recovery. Nearly 200 people took part Tuesday, March 9, in ReLeaf Cedar Rapids, a virtual public meeting, to learn […]
Iowa seniors await help for COVID-19 vac...
UPDATE March 8, 2021: Linn County Public Health detailed its changes to COVID-19 vaccine allocation and distribution strategies, effective March 14, 2021. Find more from Linn County Public Health, at end. Jeanne White remembers the smallpox scars that left the mark of the oftentimes deadly disease on her grandfather for much of his life. “Half […]
Old calendar factory in Washington, Iowa...
By Cindy Hadish WASHINGTON, Iowa — The former McCleery Calendar Factory building — a company that went from one of the country’s largest manufacturers of religious calendars to becoming exclusive producers of Hugh Hefner’s line of Playboy calendars — could soon see a new chapter. A group of investors has purchased the two-story brick building […]
Iowa anticipates arrival of newly author...
(UPDATE March 1, 2021: Iowa will hit a milestone this week, with the Iowa Department of Public Health reporting the state will receive more than 100,000 vaccine doses: 27,830 through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership and 91,100 in its regular state allocation, including 25,600 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. See the full announcement, […]
Nature Center launches online plant sale...
CEDAR RAPIDS — The Indian Creek Nature Center is modifying two of its popular spring events due to the coronavirus pandemic. Beginning today, Feb. 8, 2021, the Spring Plant & Art Sale has begun, with online pre-sales of native perennials, grasses, shrubs, trees and ground cover. The presale will remain open until noon Feb. 24. […]
Family’s pet dog is first animal to test
A Cedar Rapids family’s pet boxer has become the first non-human case of COVID-19 in Iowa. Steve Shriver said their 3 1/2-year-old dog, Eden, is recuperating as of Feb. 4, 2021, after being treated with antibiotics. “She is almost fully recovered,” Shriver said, noting that his family has already recovered from COVID-19. “The dog still […]
State bypasses schools’ request; excess
Leftover COVID-19 vaccine will go to Walgreens and CVS stores for distribution in select Iowa counties, rather than to educators, as several Iowa school districts had requested. A one-time allotment of 64,000 doses, remaining from the Long-Term Care Pharmacy Partnership program, will be available for Iowans ages 65 and up, beginning Feb. 3, 2021. Visit […]
Four Iowans convicted in yearlong poachi...
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported the results of a yearlong investigation on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, that resulted in the convictions of four Iowans, involving numerous wildlife violations. Learn more from the DNR: A routine inspection of local taxidermy operations in Buchanan and Linn counties began a yearlong investigation into poaching activity and […]
Coronavirus deaths jump in Iowa to highe...
Iowa is nearing 5,000 deaths from COVID-19 and has surpassed its previous single-day coronavirus death toll record, with 250 deaths reported on Jan. 31, 2021. Because of the method the state uses to track deaths, not all of the patients died within 24 hours, but the number reflects the highest reported in a single day. […]
Vaccine available, but “don’t call us, w
UPDATE Jan. 27, 2021: The state hit another grim milestone, with a total of 4,500 Iowans reported having died of coronavirus since March 2020. Linn County Public Health announced that residents age 65 and older can receive COVID-19 vaccine beginning today, Jan. 26, 2021. Iowa’s vaccine rollout for Phase 1B, which includes Iowans age 65 […]