Local Government

Trees Forever has planted 30 trees along Grande Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids to raise epilepsy awareness in honor of Joe Drahos, who died last August of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. “People look at them now and think of Joe,” his mother said.

Members of Iowa’s Racing and Gaming Commission on Thursday said they were surprised and disappointed by the last-minute legislative moratorium on new casinos in Iowa.

The city of Cedar Rapids will host Resident Appreciation Day at the downtown Farmers’ Market on Saturday, with a T-shirt giveaway while supplies last and other activities.

The “ambitious” $3.5 million direct assistance program funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars had almost 2,600 Johnson County residents apply. Next steps include giving applicants time to fix errors and developing a timeline for $1,400 checks to be sent out to those who are selected.

The 10-year ReLeaf Cedar Rapids plan to replenish trees downed in the derecho was adopted three months ago. Here’s what’s happened since and how you can help sustain replanting efforts.

F.W. Kent Park in eastern Johnson County has seen a record number of visitors during the pandemic. With the park’s increased use, the county is investing $3.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to replace the campground shower house and wastewater system, which will also have a positive impact on water quality in the lake.

When a two-year state moratorium on new casinos ends, local casino backers envision a complex with bars, restaurants and entertainment at the former Cooper’s Mill site. Here’s what’s in the Cedar Crossing proposal, shared exclusively with The Gazette.

The Cedar Rapids City Council this week approved tax incentives for two new warehouses in the southwest quadrant for Hy-Vee and Worley Warehousing.

Seven years after the city paid $1.67 million to buy a chunk of the then-privately-owned Marion Airport, a new city manager and a new City Council majority plan to spend the next year determining what the fate of the facility will be.

The state ethics board issued a reprimand and civil penalty of $200 each to former Cedar Rapids mayoral candidate Amara Andrews and Linn County Democrats chair Bret Nilles for a campaign mailer advocating against then-candidate Tiffany O’Donnell.

With the Country Club’s expansion receiving the OK from five voting City Council members, questions remain over whether the city should tighten language in its ethics policy guiding how the part-time elected officials declare conflicts of interest

The Coralville City Council is moving forward with filling a council vacancy by appointment, and is now accepting applications from interested residents.