Linn County commercial and industrial property has been re-appraised for the first time in nearly 30 years, boosting some property tax assessments. Overall, the value of commercial and industrial property in the county increased 17.23 percent, from $718,534,433 to $842,358,000, Chief Deputy Assessor Dave Ellis said. Ellis said 64 percent of the increase was due [...]
The parents of a 14-year-old Clear Creek Amana High School student killed in a car accident near Tiffin in October are suing the 18-year-old driver of the car she was in and the owner of that vehicle. According to the lawsuit filed Friday in Johnson County District Court, Zachary Swenka is at fault for the [...]
A slight majority of those polled are against the use of cameras to enforce Iowa traffic laws. The latest Iowa Poll by The Des Moines Register says 50 percent favored a ban on red-light cameras, compared with 46 percent who oppose a ban. And 51 percent of those polled favored a ban on traffic-enforcement cameras [...]
Legislators say they have struck a deal to increase this years spending on the states prison system to avoid layoffs of guards. Key lawmakers of both parties say the agreement calls for spending $7.5 million extra on prisons. That splits the difference between the $6.5 million approved by the House, controlled by Republicans, and the [...]
The board of directors of Goodwill of the Heartland is planning a national search for a new president and chief executive officer following the resignation last week of Jeff Nock, who assumed leadership of the nonprofit organization in May 2008. Nock, previously assistant vice president, marketing and product development for ACT In Iowa City, succeeded [...]
So, what are you planning to do on tonight for Fat Tuesday in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area? If you haven’t decided then here are 34 drink specials we’ve found to help you plan. http://hooplanow.com/2012/02/21/33-drink-specials-to-celebrate-fat-tuesday/
Interstate Power and Light Co.s tentative plan to build a $700 million natural gas combined cycle power plant is looking less and less tentative. Alliant Energy terminated plans to build a $1.5 billion coal-burning power plant in Marshalltown in January 2010. The project had been approved by the Iowa Utilities Board, but with some big [...]
In the ego-driven culture of politics, a new star has emerged who repeatedly and humbly has spurned calls to join the presidential mix. Shes got the goods to be a potential front-runner: personable but professional; smart but modest; and influential but not power-hungry. And thanks to a splashy TV ad blitz, shes a [...]
Police said three women accused an Iowa City man of trying to offer them money in exchange for sex acts Sunday. LeRoy D. Clark, 31, of 428 Southgate Ave., has been charged with prostitution, according to a criminal complaint filed in Linn County District Court. Clark is accused of soliciting the women in the 1500 [...]
Police were waiting when a Cedar Rapids teenager allegedly went to a post office to pick up a package of marijuana. Kyle J. Cole, 19, of 202 66th Ave. SW, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and a drug tax stamp violation. He is accused of having about [...]
A judge will now decide the fate of a Waterloo man accused of killing his roommate and then setting their house on fire. Attorneys submitted Glen Jacksons case for a decision on Tuesday morning as his bench trial began. The 51-year-old Waterloo man waived his right to a jury trial. The Black Hawk County Attorney said the judge would [...]
A police chase that started when an officer noticed a car going about 60 mph through downtown Lisbon ended with a crash Friday night, authorities said. Spencer D. Mullett, 19, of 417 Second Ave. NW in Mount Vernon, has been charged with attempting to elude, operating while intoxicated and drug possession. No one was hurt [...]
Another egg has shown up in the nest of a famous northeast Iowa eagle family. The egg was laid Monday night. The first egg was seen Friday night. The nest sits in a tree at the Decorah Fish Hatchery. The eagles have gained international attention because of an Internet cam set up by the Raptor [...]
Some Dyersville residents want the City Council to forgo support of the proposed baseball and softball project that would be built at the “Field of Dreams” movie site. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that about a dozen people spoke up at the council meeting Monday night, asking the council to help them protect the city [...]
Vandals struck a northwest Cedar Rapids neighborhood Monday for the third day in a row. And this time, their derogatory graffiti is a little harder to get rid of for one family. The vandals are targeting homes in the Stoney Point neighborhood. Police have responded to at least four calls there in the past [...]
CEDAR RAPIDS — Scott Bleuer’s 9 a.m. Tuesday class at Roosevelt Middle School is smaller than most with only four students, but they’re a unique group of kids. Ilke Senturk, originally from Turkey, is drawing on the interactive whiteboard, matching up words to related pictures, while Diana Bonilla of Mexico, Noela Mbata of the [...]
Health officials suspect a norovirus outbreak is behind dozens of students getting sick in the Independence school district in northeast Iowa. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier says Superintendent Jean Peterson says 30 students were sent home last Thursday and another 20 on Friday. There was no school on Monday because of the Presidents Day holiday. Amy [...]
Firefighters worked quickly to put out a garage fire in Marion late Monday. The fire started just before 9 p.m. at the garage at 3053 Stone Creek Court. Firefighters brought the fire under control in 20 minutes. The fire destroyed a sport-utility vehicle inside the garage. No one was injured in the fire, but responders [...]
Looking for a mid-week night out or a chance to get together with friends and do something fun? We’ve found 92 events happening during the week that could be a place to start. We’ve highlighted a few below. http://hooplanow.com/2012/02/21/looking-for-a-night-out-this-week/
CEDAR RAPIDS — Work is about to begin to turn two acres of empty lots where demolished homes once stood into a series of urban gardens. The Matthew 25 non-profit group plans an urban garden complex as the first step of what’s called the Ellis Urban Village. It’s located along F Avenue and Fourth [...]
CEDAR RAPIDS — A new “Star Wars” lunchbox is in 6-year-old John Maloy’s future, but the space enthusiast’s lunchtime excitement Monday centered around a closer-to-home initiative to benefit planet Earth. “Reduce, reuse, recycle,” the Garfield Elementary School kindergartner recited after dropping his milk carton and plastics in recycling bins in the school cafeteria. “It [...]
DES MOINES — A Senate subcommittee on Monday approved a bill designed to legalize online poker in Iowa and bring it under state regulation, despite warnings from opponents that computer-based gaming is highly addictive and likely would usher in full-blown online gambling. “This is just the beginning,” said Danny Carroll, a former state lawmaker and [...]
The recent increase in gas prices is likely to continue through spring, but the demand isnt there to keep prices in record territory for long. “Well peak out about $4 sometime prior to Memorial Day, most likely, unless theres some anomaly as far as a political or economic or environmental issue,” said Gail Weinholzer, spokeswoman [...]
RIVERSIDE — Images of children running through geysers and fountains on a public splash pad in the heart of Riverside are fading in the minds of some residents — at least for this summer. But other community members aren’t ready to give up on the idea yet. “Riverside residents get to the city council meeting [...]
Its a new year and a new ballot, but the arguments for and against a one-cent local option sales tax extension remain the same. Supporters say its the only path to flood protection. Opponents argue there are too many questions to confidently cast a ballot. Last year, the measure asked for a 20-year extension of [...]
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A woman arrested last month in Texas has agreed to plead guilty to perjury for lying to a federal grand jury during a criminal investigation of a corrupt Iowa tax preparer, court records show. Records show Denise Brown — whose age and hometown were not available — signed a plea [...]
DES MOINES — The 2012 legislative session’s compressed schedule means time will likely run out this week on a number of issues that lack adequate support to move forward. Members of the split-control Legislature agreed to move up by one week the initial deadline for most bills to get approved by a House or Senate [...]
Work is under way on reforming Iowas education system. The House Education Committee took up the issue on Monday, with majority Republicans focusing on testing 11th graders and Democrats looking at literacy efforts for elementary students. Committee Chairman Greg Forristall, a Republican from Macedonia, says Republicans will modify Gov. Terry Branstads proposal to give all [...]
CEDAR RAPIDS — Sometime in May visitors to Kirkwood Community College may witness students jumping out of a wind turbine and rapidly coming down a rope more than 400 feet to the ground. The emergency controlled descent training will be part of the graduation for students enrolled in the college’s two-year solar and wind turbine [...]
The career path of a U.S. attorney and nominee for federal judge could have taken a much different course if she had followed her early passions for music and journalism. When Stephanie Rose told her parents she was going into law, they were surprised at first. She was the girl who sang and danced, played [...]
Despite a new leader at the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and signs that more complaints are being taken seriously, leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People continue to have concerns the state agency finds no merit in far too many complaints. According to an NAACP analysis, the rights commission has found [...]
New information was released Monday in the case of an Iowa City mother who turned herself in Friday on child endangerment charges after doctors discovered her 22-month-old child had a blood-alcohol level of .097. The 45-pound child had a level that was over the .08 level for an adult to be found guilty of driving [...]
Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday his proposed overhaul of Iowas property tax system is drawing bipartisan opposition as he tries to move it through the Legislature, but that he is optimistic his effort will prevail. The governor said hes negotiating with the Republicans running the House and the Democrats running the Senate and is willing [...]
The University of Iowa Community Credit Union is set to begin construction on its first branch in Marion. The full-service branch will be located at the northwest corner of Highway 100 and East Post Road in Marion. Jim Kelly, vice president of marketing for the credit union, said the branch will be completed during the [...]
IOWA CITY — Christine Rohret’s front yard is of the average sort: home to a few trees, shrubs — and now, a library. Rohret is steward to Iowa’s first Little Free Library, a small structure that looks a bit like an oversized birdhouse. The miniature barn holds 25 to 30 books and opened to the [...]
A judge has ordered the operators of a popular pornographic website to pay $4 million to an Iowa-based adult film company for copyright infringement. U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett entered the judgment last week against Mark and Mina Faragalla of Beaumont, Calif., who operate PornVisit.com. He ordered them to pay damages to Norwood, Iowa-based Fraserside [...]
Iowa State Universitys new president will get the chance to name his own no. 2 administrator, after the schools provost announced plans to step down. Elizabeth “Betsy” Hoffman announced to campus Monday she will leave her position by the end of the year or sooner if she finds another job or her replacement can start [...]
UPDATE: Firefighters worked for hours to extinguish an overnight farm fire. Crews from Swisher and Fairfax arrived to the Stepanek farm at 6106 Linn Johnson Rd. around 2:30 a.m. Flames were coming from an old hog shed and a sheep barn. Farm owners said they heard a pop just after 2 a.m. and went outside [...]
Charges are pending after a car slammed into a northeast Cedar Rapids house early Saturday morning. Police said the eastbound driver, Lindsey Paul, 22, of Marion, was coming down a steep hill around 3:15 a.m. when she lost control and collided with a house at 159 Brentwood Dr. NE. Firefighters had to pull Paul and [...]
A 20-year-old man wearing only underwear has been arrested at building that houses the Polk County prosecutors office in Des Moines. Joseph Edwards, of Waukee, was arrested early Sunday morning. Officers suspect Edwards broke into the downtown building and damaged items on several floors. Police say shoes and blood were found inside the building. Edwards [...]
A majority of those who responded in a recent poll said they favored legislative efforts to cut commercial property taxes. The Des Moines Registers latest Iowa Poll says 28 percent of those polled opposed the idea. Seventy percent of Republicans who were polled favored the cuts. Among Democrats, 47 percent favored the cuts, compared with [...]
WEST BRANCH — Two women with the support of a community have raised $36,000 toward a veterans memorial in West Branch. They’re optimistic they’ll get the $29,000 more needed for completion by Veterans Day in November, but not without help. “I’m confident that we’ll have enough money by that time … but we need to [...]
You’d think you’d find a ready-made fan club for flood protection at Larry McKinnon’s barbershop. After all, the strip of blue tape 10 feet off the floor marks the high-water point when the Cedar River ripped through McKinnon’s small business at 1601 Ellis Blvd. NW in June 2008. Although the afternoon lineup of regulars [...]
CEDAR RAPIDS — The city is considering its options for redeveloping buyout properties, even those inside the 100-year flood plain. A new city map details a list of 1,383 properties — most residential, with about 200 commercial — that the city has or could choose to acquire through the flood-recovery buyout program. To date, the [...]
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers are unsure whether to support or oppose a proposed increase in the fuel tax. The tax, which stands at 21 cents a gallon, was last raised in 1989. A Senate panel has approved a 10-cent-per-gallon increase and a House panel has backed an 8 cent increase. Its a [...]
DECORAH, Iowa (AP) — The online world is flocking again to see the newest egg laid by a famous northeast Iowa eagle family. The renowned Decorah Eagle family welcomed the egg into the world Friday night. The feathered family has gained international attention because of an internet nest-cam set up by the Raptor Resource Project. [...]
IOWA CITY — In a case closely watched by civil rights activists, an Iowa judge will soon decide whether to grant thousands of black employees and job applicants monetary damages for state government hiring practices that they say have disadvantaged them. Experts say the case is the largest class-action lawsuit of its kind against an [...]
CEDAR RAPIDS — The Freedom Festival, which last year experienced its largest turnout in 6 years, is hoping to build on that momentum during this summer’s events. Organizers say the festival, which will run from June 21-July 4, will have more to offer, with perhaps the biggest addition being a second location to spend the [...]
CEDAR RAPIDS — More chickens may be finding homes in Cedar Rapids backyards this spring. On Saturday afternoon, more than 40 people gathered at the Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, to attend a workshop about how to raise chickens under a 19-month-old city ordinance. Attendees were eligible to receive certificates at the [...]
DES MOINES — Some House Republicans say they have grown frustrated with efforts to change the direction of the Iowa Board of Regents, making it more focused on reducing higher education spending. Eleven GOP lawmakers co-sponsored a bill that would tie university presidents’ pay to tuition increases, and they have been vocal in their criticism [...]
Brecken Michael Woolsey was born sleeping Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at St. Luke?s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa. The Rev. Bobby Dickerson will officiate at the service. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the [...]
Jane Ann March, 57, of Mount Vernon, formerly of Dyersville, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at her home in Mount Vernon, after a sudden illness.Friends and relatives of Jane may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville.Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at The [...]
Helen Dundon, 83, of Coralville, formerly of Hills, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at the Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Coralville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Burial will be at the St. Stansilaus Cemetery, near Hills, [...]
EVELYN H KNOTT ETCHINGHAM Dec. 24, 1919 ? Jan. 30, 2012 Known by those who loved her as ?Evie?, was born in Parlin, N.J., and passed away peacefully at her most recent residence in Peoria, Ariz. In the 1940s Evie met her husband, Gilbert, in New York City. Gilbert preceded her in death 32 years [...]
Barbara Jean Hansel, 62, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center in West Branch. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made [...]
Steven Dale Ostrom, 68, of McFarland, Wis., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at his home. He was born on July 11, 1943, in Grinnell, Iowa, the son of Bruce and Kathryn Ostrom. Steven served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was an avid traveler, huge Iowa Hawkeyes fan and most importantly, enjoyed time with [...]
Mary Louise Campbell, 99, formerly of Center Point, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at the East Towne Care Center, Independence, from a short illness related to her age. Services: 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Center Point. Family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the [...]
Malinda (Heiderscheit) Maiers, 94, of Garnavillo, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at the Guttenberg Care Center. She was born the daughter of Nicholas and Emma (Meyers) Heiderscheit on Feb. 12, 1918, in Holy Cross Iowa. Malinda received her education from St. Mary?s School in Guttenberg. On Oct. 3, 1945, Malinda married Leonard Maiers at St. [...]
Rita Kay Barron, 75, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at Mercy Iowa City. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Ed of Millersburg; her three childrenm Steve Rathjen of Williamsburg, Sharon (Bruce) Rowe of Dubuque, and Susan (Joe) Brause of Gilbert; eight grandchildren, Andrew Gabriel, Amanda Finnegan, Shannon (Steven) Rathjen, Amy (Jeremy) Kaiser, [...]
Linda Ann Alcock, 65, of Iowa City, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at the Iowa City Care and Rehab Center. Private family services are being planned through Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City. A complete obituary and online condolences may be viewed on the web at www.gayandciha.com. Published in The Gazette [...]
Arnold K. Hanson, 95, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at St. Luke?s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Memorial Services: 1:30 p.m. March 4, 2012, Rock Creek Lutheran Church, rural Osage, by Pastor Torens. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion, is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include three children, Donald (Jo) Hanson of Center Point, [...]
Clarence ?Butch? Richard White Jr., 59, of Williamsburg, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at his home in Williamsburg from complications of cancer. Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg. Pastor Kirk Statler will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Williamsburg. Visitation [...]
The Rev. James D. Maxwell II, 95, passed into the presence of His Lord at 5:10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at Maranatha Manor in Sebring, Fla., after a brief illness. When he was 14, the same year his mother died, James accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior under the ministry of Ezra Temple, an [...]
Joan L. Simmen, 84, a longtime resident of Central City, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at St. Luke?s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, following a lingering illness. Services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Central City, by the Rev. Vicki Engelmann. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. [...]
Brecken Michael Woolsey was born sleeping Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at St. Luke?s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa. Published in The Gazette Feb. 21, 2012.
Minnie L. Tomas, 90, of Oxford, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at the Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Oxford United Methodist Church, where Minnie had been a longtime member. Burial will follow at the Oxford Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 [...]
Malinda (Heiderscheit) Maiers, 94, of Guttenberg, formerly of Garnavillo, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012. Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Garnavillo. Published in The Gazette Feb. 21, 2012.
Norma I. Emerson, 94, of Janesville, Wis., formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at the Rock Haven Nursing Home in Janesville after an extended illness. Services at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home where friends may call after noon Thursday. Burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Survivors include [...]
Funeral services for Joan Louise Reinhardt, 72, of Tipton, who died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, in Willow Gardens Nursing Home, Marion, will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton, with Pastor Paul Frederiksen officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will [...]
Edith Benita Paulson, 92, of Harpers Ferry, formerly of Clermont, passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at Thornton Manor in Lansing, Iowa. Edith is survived by her children, Marilyn Ann Paulson of Cedar Rapids, Richard (Peggy) Paulson of Stewartville, Minn., George (Candy) Paulson of Springville, Roberta (Mark) Galchutt of Clemmons, N.C., and Sonja (Rev. David) [...]
Mary Ann Harris, 75, of Iowa City, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at the Iowa City Rehabilitation and Health Care Center from complications of brain surgery. Funeral services in conjunction with Rebekah Lodge Memorial services will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. [...]
Beulah Mae Welch Darrow, 91, of Monticello, formerly of Maquoketa, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. Carson & Son Funeral and Cremation Services, Maquoketa. Published in The Gazette Feb. 21, 2012.
Angeline A. Holst, 95, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at the Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart, with burial to follow at the Dysart Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Overton Funeral Home in [...]
R.J. ?Bob? Janssen, 70, of Tiffin, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Mercy Iowa City under the compassionate care of the Hospice Medical Staff and having been surrounded by his loving and supportive family and so many friends. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in [...]
Terrance ?Terry? James Mahoney, 65, of Davenport, formerly of Tipton, died of an apparent heart attack on Saturday morning, Feb. 18, 2012, in Mercy Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton, followed by cremation. Military rites will be performed at the funeral home by [...]
Terrence “Terry” James Mahoney, 65, of Davenport, formerly of Tipton, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. Fry Funeral Home, Tipton. Published Feb. 20, 2012 in The Gazette
