Iowa’s fall foliage landscape will take on a decidedly different look in parts of the state hit by the Aug. 10 hurricane-strength derecho. Cedar Rapids, for example, lost an estimated 65 percent of its tree canopy in the storm, with winds up to 140 mph that uprooted century-old trees, twisted off treetops, bent tree trunks […]
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Tag: Iowa
DNR bypasses health, climate concerns to...
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources overlooked concerns from nearly a dozen respondents in renewing a five-year air quality operating permit for the University of Iowa. “The system is rigged,” said Massimo Paciotto Biggers, a City High student and a leader of the Iowa City Climate Strikers, after learning of the permit renewal. “No one […]
Cedar Rapids mayor issues mask mandate a...
Even as a White House task force recommends a mask mandate for the state as coronavirus cases surge in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds remains among the last holdouts, but on Wednesday, Sept. 2, Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart issued his own proclamation for Iowa’s second largest city. “New positive cases of the virus continue at […]
“Marking Time” traces history of drum &
The following is an excerpt from the preface of the recently released book, “Marking Time: A History of Drum & Bugle Corps in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.” In 2015, a drum corps reunion years in the making exceeded my expectations when alumni of some of the earliest Cedar Rapids corps attended. Bill Severa, William Dale and […]
Gov. Reynolds “strongly encourages” face
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has yet to implement a face mask mandate as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, but ordered bars to close in six counties as of 5 p.m. Aug. 27, 2020. The governor’s proclamation, announced at a press conference, “strongly encourages” all Iowans ages 2 and older to wear a face covering in […]
Saving survivors: How to care for trees ...
In the course of one hour, Cedar Rapids lost half of its tree canopy in the Aug. 10, 2020, derecho, with an estimated 75 percent of street and park trees sustaining at least some form of damage from the hurricane-force straightline winds. Similar scenarios played out in neighboring Marion and other communities across the state. […]
First child death from COVID-19 confirme...
The Iowa Department of Public Health confirmed Iowa’s first death of a child from COVID-19. Few details were provided, other than the child was under the age of 5 and had “significant underlying health conditions.” The death, reported Aug. 23, 2020, happened in June. The case investigation was completed Aug. 6 by the State Medical […]
Humanitarian crisis continues in wake of...
CEDAR RAPIDS — Pacifique Mushishi survived refugee camps in the Congo and has been living a similar existence since the Aug. 10 derecho hit Iowa with winds estimated at 140 mph. The Cedar Terrace apartment complex where he had been living in southwest Cedar Rapids was decimated in the hurricane-force storm, and while he and […]
Trump makes brief stop in storm-ravaged ...
Note: The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation created a disaster fund for derecho recovery. If you can, please donate at: www.gcrcf.org CEDAR RAPIDS — A small crowd of both Trump supporters and protesters never saw a glimpse of him Aug. 18 at the Eastern Iowa Airport. Air Force One touched down at the airport about […]
Iowa’s slow road to recovery after derec
UPDATED 6:45 p.m. Aug. 17 and Aug. 19, 2020, with National Weather Service information and Aug. 17, with a statement from congresswoman Abby Finkenauer regarding Trump’s failure to approve federal disaster declaration for individual assistance. Iowans still waiting for assistance a full week after a devastating derecho tore through the state can’t be blamed for […]