CEDAR RAPIDS — Rick Martin couldn’t celebrate his 75th birthday at his favorite hangout, but plans to make up for that when the Red Lion Lounge opens this Thursday, May 28. “I’m tickled to death,” said the Navy veteran, who served two tours in Vietnam. “We have a lot of good friends down here that […]
Casinos, amusement parks, live music per...
Iowans will be allowed to go to casinos, racetracks, amphitheatres, amusement parks, bowling alleys, outdoor playgrounds and more beginning June 1, as Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced further lifting of restrictions that had been in place to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Venues will be limited to 50 percent capacity and smoking […]
Honoring Iowa’s deceased service members
While some Americans think of Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer, the holiday serves as a day of remembrance for all who have died serving in the American armed forces. Originally called Decoration Day, the solemn occasion began after the Civil War to honor Union and Confederate soldiers who had died. This entire […]
Traditional flower of Memorial Day flour...
By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan What started as a hobby has grown into something much more for Mary and Brian Grimm. “I’d call it an addiction,” Mary said of the couple’s 700 different varieties of peonies planted at their acreage in rural Lamont, in northeastern Iowa. When they relocated from Strawberry Point in 2011, the Grimms […]
Historic Brucemore garden inspires partn...
Two Cedar Rapids nonprofits have joined forces to provide fresh produce to help people in need. Volunteers with Feed Iowa First will prepare, plant, tend and harvest a specialty garden on the grounds of Brucemore, a National Trust for Historic Preservation property at 2160 Linden Drive, SE. Produce will be distributed through Feed Iowa First […]
Iowa surpasses 400 deaths from COVID-19 ...
UPDATED May 22, 2020, with letter from Linn County Public Health regarding Test Iowa results. Iowa reached another dark milestone in the coronavirus pandemic, surpassing 400 deaths from COVID-19 and seeing the deadliest day so far in the state. While no longer reporting daily updates, the state’s coronavirus “dashboard,” which provides real-time data, shows 22 […]
Iowa campground amenities to open for Me...
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced that movie theaters, zoos, museums, wedding venues and aquatic centers that had remained closed to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus will be allowed to reopen this Friday, May, 22, and bars can reopen as of May 28. “The virus is in our communities and we have to […]
Iowa surpasses 15,000 confirmed cases of...
In just over two months, more than 15,000 Iowans have tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus. With a new coronavirus “dashboard” that shows aggregate test results in real time and the state discontinuing daily updates on case numbers, Iowans will no longer find straightforward daily statistics on the pandemic, […]
Two children being treated in Eastern Io...
UPDATED with comments from the hospital treating the two patients. By Cindy Hadish Two children in Eastern Iowa suspected of having multisystem inflammatory syndrome related to the novel coronavirus are in stable condition, state epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Pedati said. During Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ press conference on Monday, May 18, Pedati said the Iowa Department […]
Cedar Rapids to resume free bus service;...
The city of Cedar Rapids announced that bus service will resume as of May 18, 2020, but due to health concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, municipal pools will stay closed for the summer. Fares will not be collected on the buses and passengers will be required to wear face coverings. At the same time, city […]