Marissa Payne

Nicole Andrew and her kids moved back into their home just 2 weeks ago after it was destroyed in the 2020 derecho. She’s among a number of property owners whose efforts to swiftly fix homes for various reasons stalled in the 2 years after the disaster.

About $800,000 remains for qualifying residents of single-family homes and mobile homes that sustained damage in the August 2020 derecho. As funds dwindle likely by the end of the year, officials urged anyone who may be in need to apply with urgency.

“I feel good knowing that so many people love me,” said Freda Long, whose historic Black-owned business needs exterior wall repairs. A GoFundMe seeks to raise money to help pay to fix the beloved community space in the Oakhill Jackson neighborhood.

“It’s not logical to assume that five SROs will be able to do the work of seven,” the police chief said. City officials say changes account for the workload 5 instead of 7 SROs can handle after the school district removed them from middle schools.

Cedar Rapids school board president David Tominsky said the school board is not considering changing their decision on a contract for school resource officers after the mayor offered for the city to fund an additional two officers for middle schools.

The city of Cedar Rapids hopes to receive a $50 million boost for flood protection under a bill that passed the U.S. Senate Thursday.

Though two residents appealed plans to build 89 single-family houses east of Cargill’s contentious rail yard site in a new Kestrel Heights subdivision, the Cedar Rapids City Council unanimously allowed the developer to proceed with construction plans

The opening of the new $3.5 million, 3,500-square-foot Ellis Golf Course Clubhouse replaces the one that was destroyed in the 2020 derecho. It includes public event rental space.

The IEDA board gave final approval to awarding Cedar Rapids $9 million to boost development in Cedar Rapids’ urban core, funding new recreational amenities and infrastructure that will support the area’s growth.

Democratic gubernatorial challenger Deidre DeJear said lagging poll numbers are a “barometer,” but don’t capture how Iowans feel about the state’s direction under Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.

NEWSTRACK | CATCHING UP ON AN EARLIER STORY: Cedar Rapids crews have ground thousands more tree stumps left in the derecho’s wake, while hundreds more trees have been planted this year as part of the 10-year ReLeaf reforestation plan.

As Cedar Rapids saw an uptick in fireworks vendors this year after a new state law eased restrictions on sales, some city officials are looking for options to alleviate the burden of handling fireworks reports on public safety personnel.

The city is paring down its application for a share of Destination Iowa tourism funds from $27 million to $8.4 million to enhance outdoor recreation around the greenway along the Cedar River in Czech Village and NewBo

“Wearing a mask should be a personal decision, not a government mandate,” said U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represents the city in Congress. The city’s mandate encompasses only its public buildings.

Jim Miller’s departure comes as the Cedar Rapids arts organization waits for the IRS to reinstate its 501(c)(3) status after it was revoked last year, before Miller came on board.