Marissa Payne

A project that will transform the Central Plaza at City Square Park in the heart of Uptown Marion got a $100,001 boost Wednesday with federal COVID-19 relief funds award by the Linn County Board of Supervisors.

The City Council on Tuesday advanced a modified expansion project at the Cedar Rapids Country Club. Pending final approval, a temporary inflatable ‘bubble’ will be used in cold weather months.

The city is scaling back its membership with the C.R. Metro Economic Alliance after the mayor initiated a conversation around how to better target funding given to the organization and about the entities’ relationship as economic development partners.

The school board set in motion a process to ask voters in November to pass a $220 million bond referendum to support the Cedar Rapids Community School District’s facility master plan. The board adopted ballot language, so now a volunteer committee will organize to rally support.

As climate change worsens, transit-dependent residents are among the most vulnerable to the elements — extreme heat, bone-chilling cold and everything in between. Here’s how Cedar Rapids and Iowa City are looking to make their transportation networks more accessible.

This voter guide includes information about seats on the city councils in Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and Tiffin, as well as information about how to run for office and how to make sure you’re ready to vote come November.

This voter guide includes information on seats on the city councils in Cedar Rapids and Marion, as well as how to make sure you’re ready to vote come November.

The Cedar Rapids City Council on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to a project to reconstruct the roadways on 10th Street SE, Eighth Avenue SE and Mount Vernon Road SE to create a roundabout at the high-traffic intersection near McKinley STEAM Academy, Mercy Medical Center and other businesses.

City officials are evaluating the city’s membership with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. “Do we need more from the Economic Alliance or do we need less?” Mayor O’Donnell said in delaying a vote on the member fee.

Kiley Miller has resigned from his role as president and chief executive officer of nonprofit Marion-based Trees Forever after more than two years in the role.

Monica Vernon of Cedar Rapids announced Thursday she is stepping down as executive director of The District: Czech Village and New Bohemia to spend more time with her family. But she will continue as administrator of the self-taxing district that pays for improvements in the district.

“He’ll always be an example here of the right way to serve,” Linn County Treasurer Brent Oleson said. “He didn’t run for any personal (reason) to promote himself. When you hear the words ‘public servant’ … he embodies ‘servant.’ ”

Former President Donald Trump was in Cedar Rapids Tuesday to tape a town hall with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. Following the taping at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in downtown Cedar Rapids, Trump spoke to a monthly meeting of the Linn County Republican Party, where he told supporters, “If you say something about an election, they want to put you in jail for the rest of your life.”

Grappling with fiscal uncertainty after state law changes, Linn County supervisors warned department heads that they shouldn’t expect to receive surplus funds in future budgets any time soon and encouraged them to cut spending where possible.

The city of Cedar Rapids invites people to volunteer to become “Tree Buds” as part of ReLeaf Cedar Rapids. These volunteers can help water trees recently planted in city rights of way.