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 […]
Cedar Rapids School District Chief of St...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Directors has appointed a new board secretary to replace Ryan Rydstrom, who had served in that role, as well as chief of staff, for less than two years. Rydstrom, who was employed by the school district in both positions since April 2023, is […]
Mansion with storied past listed for sal...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — One of the last-standing mansions in a neighborhood once lined with grand homes has been listed for sale. Most recently known as the Moniker 86 Social Club, the mansion, at 821 Third Ave. SE, is listed for sale for $385,000. See interior photos on Zillow According to the Cedar Rapids Assessor’s […]
Winter Gardening Fair to feature more th...
Registration is filling fast for the 2025 Winter Gardening Fair, hosted by the Linn County Master Gardeners. The annual event is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at the Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center, 1770 Boyson Road, Hiawatha. See photos from the 2024 Winter Gardening Fair Registrants can choose six […]
Garden forum highlights how to create a ...
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Project GREEN’s Garden Forums are underway this winter, with the February forum highlighting micro-prairie landscapes. The free presentation will be 2-4 p.m. Feb. 9, 2025, at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St. The presentation will also stream live on Iowa City Public Library’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thelibrarychannel. Read more […]
Architect tells Cedar Rapids School Boar...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education was given an update on plans to upgrade Harrison Elementary School, as well as new schools at the Hoover and Van Buren Elementary sites at its last meeting. “We’re very excited about how it’s coming together,” Robin Randall of Legat Architects said […]
Eastern Iowa Arts Academy prepares to re...
Note: The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy has set an open house for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2025, at the former Arthur Elementary School, 2630 B Ave. NE. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Leaders of the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy had been searching for a place to consolidate and grow their music classes and other offerings, […]