Izabela Zaluska

The council weighed its two options — holding a special election and appointment — during a work session after Tuesday night’s formal meeting, ultimately agreeing on moving forward with appointment to fill the vacancy sooner.

The commission, after months of work, approved an updated facilitator proposal with the same out-of-state firm but this time working with local partners. The proposal has a larger budget and includes more community input.

Anthony Sivanthaphanith, 37, is accused of using the funds on personal transactions, which were not authorized.

Democrat Jon Green of Lone Tree was elected last June in a special election to fill the seat vacated by former supervisor Janelle Rettig. He has experience in journalism and information technology, as well as experience serving as Lone Tree mayor.

The forums will be held in person and streamed online. Early voting begins May 18.

Officials are holding application clinics to help eligible Johnson County residents apply for the one-time $1,400 check.

As workforce and other national challenges continue to impact airports, airport director Marty Lenss said it’s time to redefine travel, as well as work to address workforce retention and recruitment.

Seth Zimmermann of Solon, a Democrat, said he is seeking election as a county supervisor because he wants to involve all the county’s residents in COVID-19 recovery, support local businesses and protect the environment.

Jill Dodds, who has been on Coralville City Council since 2012, has resigned from the Coralville City Council after being asked to leave by the mayor amid child sex abuse allegations against her husband.

The nature activities and book drive on Saturday — which is also independent bookstore day — will take place at Sidekick Coffee & Books, 1310 1/2 Melrose Ave. The event is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Former Iowa City Mayor Jim Throgmorton published a book last month giving readers an inside look at his time on the Iowa City Council, efforts accomplished and lessons learned.

Public transit agencies in Eastern Iowa are seeing their ridership numbers slowly increase but challenges remain. Agencies are grappling with workforce challenges and how to best meet the needs of riders.

Redmond Jones II comes to Iowa City with more than two decades of experience in local government, including work on police community relations, economic development, neighborhood services and sustainability.

The city will use pandemic aid, supplemented with local funds, for a voluntary relocation program intended to help residents of the mobile home park find safer and more stable housing before the park closes, as is widely anticipated.

Johnson County’s direct assistance program will launch Monday at noon. Iowa City is contributing $1.5 million in pandemic relief dollars, bringing the program’s total to $3.5 million.