As the year, and the decade, come to a close, take a look back at some of the Homegrown highlights of 2019. Click on the links to learn what happened behind the headlines: One of the first stories of the year turned out to be one of the most read, after a shot fired at […]
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Month: December 2019
Vandals damage lodge at Palisades-Kepler...
One Grinch or more was at work in Linn County, just before Christmas. Staff of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources discovered the Palisades-Kepler State Park lodge was vandalized sometime in the overnight hours of Sunday, December 23, 2019. Learn more about the incident in rural Mount Vernon from the Iowa DNR: Staff discovered several […]
Cedar Rapids City Council legacy: sacrif...
By Cindy Hadish CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mayor Brad Hart wished everyone “happy holidays” at the end of a 3-hour City Council meeting. Hart might have an easier time achieving that than the residents of the Rompot/Prairie Park Fishery neighborhood, where the council had just approved rezoning to allow ag giant Cargill to build a […]
City leaders hear message touting value ...
CEDAR RAPIDS — Urban dwellers who live near green spaces are less likely to die early, according to a new study; one of several presented at the Trees Forever “Our Woodland Legacy” Symposium. The forum, on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, comes coincidentally just days before the Cedar Rapids City Council is scheduled to vote on […]
Iowa deer hunter shot and house damaged ...
An Iowa hunter was injured and a house was struck in western Iowa as the shotgun deer season opened in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is still investigating which hunter in the party shot the victim, who was transported to a hospital. Related: Shot fired at deer hits Iowan cleaning her kitchen Learn […]
Iowan charged with shooting six trumpete...
An anonymous tip led authorities to a man shooting trumpeter swans at a marsh in central Iowa. Although a conservation officer arrived at the scene, it wasn’t before six of the swans were killed, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Related: Trumpeter swans back from brink of extinction Learn more from the Iowa […]
Photos: Bernie Sanders rally in Cedar Ra...
CEDAR RAPIDS — Bernie Sanders has attracted larger crowds in Iowa’s second-largest city, but the supporters who flocked to see him on Saturday, Dec. 7, appeared to hang onto the presidential hopeful’s every word. A gathering estimated at 350 people heard the Vermont senator speak for about 40 minutes in the gymnasium of Harding Middle […]
Czech Village celebrates Christmas tradi...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A Czech celebration known as Svatý Mikuláš was particularly timely this year in Czech Village. The tradition, known in the U.S. as St. Nicholas Day, is celebrated in the Czech Republic on Dec. 6, which coincided perfectly with the Friday night the Czech Village Association annually holds its festivities. Related: Learn […]
One council member votes for nature in C...
CEDAR RAPIDS — Residents of a southeast Cedar Rapids neighborhood once again pleaded their case to halt Cargill’s proposal to build an industrial railyard next door to their homes and a nature corridor. More: Neighbors say truth on their side About 25 people spoke during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, with […]
Piecing together a faux Bohemian kroj
Buying a kroj wasn’t on my radar when I visited the Czech Republic several years ago. The traditional folk costumes, with elaborate designs worn in years past for weddings and other celebrations, are now uncommon in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, outside of dance troupes or folk festivals. Being involved in Czech-American organizations, we’re occasionally […]