Izabela Zaluska

After years of service — in the U.S. Navy, as an assistant Johnson County attorney and always as a community volunteer — Scott Finlayson is taking on a new role as Johnson County’s next treasurer.

Local governments in Eastern Iowa — and throughout the country — were given a “historic” opportunity to invest in their communities through the American Rescue Plan Act. Here’s how the cities of Coralville and North Liberty plan to spend their dollars.

The city of North Liberty is negotiating with the property owner to acquire the nearly 45 acres of land for a community park on the side’s northwest side.

ChildServe is doubling the size of its location in Coralville and opening its first satellite location in Hiawatha. This is a “proactive approach to investing in the children of Iowa,” ChildServe CEO Teri Wahlig said in a statement.

The application is available online, or a paper copy can be picked up at Iowa City Hall. The deadline to apply is Jan. 3.

The Iowa City Area Development Group and Iowa City Area Business Partnership will merge in an effort to have greater impact together and provide a unified voice for local businesses in the area. The coming months will focus on transition and design work.

The council decided on Tuesday to have applications due Jan. 3 with the selection made at the Jan. 10 council meeting. Iowa City residents can petition for a special election.

What improvements or renovations would you like to see at the Iowa City Senior Center? Is the current location the most ideal? The Senior Center is looking for answers to these questions and more through a short survey and community input sessions.

The Iowa City Council at its Tuesday meeting will discuss how to move forward with filling a vacancy after council member Janice Weiner was elected to represent Iowa Senate District 45.

Supervisor Jon Green received the most votes, followed by V Fixmer-Oraiz, founder and CEO of Astig Planning.

The Iowa Finance Authority awarded nearly $1 million in federal housing tax credits to the NEX senior housing development project at 4643 Herbert Hoover Highway. Construction is anticipated to start next year.

New app aims to help drivers make informed decisions for safe travel during construction and winter seasons.

Drivers traveling south on Interstate 380 who intend to go east or west on Interstate 80 will have to navigate a new ramp and exit that’s opening Thursday. The change is part of a massive reconstruction of the I-380 and I-80 interchange.

Kendel Thompson, 20, was booked in the Johnson County Jail on Tuesday just before noon. He is is facing charges of willful injury and participating in a riot after a fight started inside Iowa City’s H-Bar last month and continued outside.

The Iowa City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution opposing proposed gun rights amendment and urging residents to vote “no” on the Nov. 8 ballot question.