This week’s snowstorm brought to an abrupt end the city’s new, extended fall leaf pickup season that featured a new fleet of leaf vacuum trucks. City officials, who in recent years had talked about scrapping the entire leaf pickup exercise, had only high praise on Thursday for the leaf pickup program using the new trucks. City officials [...] Full Story »
The city of Cedar Rapids’ new leaf vacuuming program saved the city $57,000 in labor costs this fall, city officials said today. Here’s the news release from the city: This year the City of Cedar Rapids took steps to streamline the Fall Leaf Collection Program. The Solid Waste and Recycling Division purchased ten single-operator leaf vacuum trucks, [...] Full Story »
However, Grassley said Wednesday he doesn’t plan to speak out on the issue or appeal to Ugandan parliamentarians as an Iowa gay-rights group has demanded in a Web-based petition. Full Story »
Officials say a man involved in a four-hour standoff with police in New Albin in northeast Iowa died of an apparent prescription drug overdose. Allamakee County sheriff Deputy Clark Melick says 51-year-old James Valentine, of Lansing, told authorities after he surrendered Tuesday night that he had taken about 100 pills. He was taken to a Waukon [...] Full Story »
An Iowa mom-to-be is expected to be fine after a snowplow-escort to the hospital during this week’s blizzard. Twenty-three-year-old Sierra Van Ersvelde, of Grinnell, is pregnant with her second child. She started having contractions Tuesday night. They were so strong she couldn’t stand up. Full Story »
Johnson County authorities are trying to locate the owner of a pickup found upside down in a creek near Walford this morning. Rescue crews rushed to the accident scene on Johnson-Iowa Road, about a mile south of Walford, around 7:20 a.m. but did not find anyone inside or around the vehicle. Full Story »
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa mom-to-be is expected to be fine after a snowplow-escort to the hospital during this week's blizzard. Twenty-three-year-old Sierra Van Ersvelde, of Grinnell, is pregnant with her second child. She started having contractions Tuesday night. Full Story »
NEW ALBIN, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a man involved in a four-hour standoff with police in New Albin in northeast Iowa died of an apparent prescription drug overdose. Full Story »
Luther H. Smith, a Tuskegee Airman who later worked as an aerospace engineer, has died in suburban Philadelphia. He was 89. Smith's family says he died Wednesday morning at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Full Story »
CEDAR RAPIDS - A few thousand people are currently without power in Linn County. Nancy Craig with Alliant Energy says around 1,350 customers in Southeast Cedar Rapids are without power. The problem is believed to be weather related. A crew is searching for the cause of the outage or downed line now. Full Story »
A list of area cancellations due to winter weather. Full Story »
University of Iowa classes will resume as scheduled today, Thursday, Dec. 10. Full Story »
Armed with snow blowers and shovels, local residents dug themselves out after the first snowstorm of the season dropped about 7 inches of white stuff on the area. Full Story »
The Iowa City School District has canceled classes for the second consecutive day due to continuing inclement weather. Full Story »
By late afternoon Wednesday, nearly 100 Iowa City motorists received a reminder about the city’s snow ordinance, courtesy of a tow truck and a ticket. Full Story »
WATERLOO - It wasn't the economy that cut into retail revenuesWednesday; it was a painful bite of winter. Full Story »
CEDAR FALLS - Residents are reminded that no one is to leave avehicle parked or abandoned on any "Emergency Snow Route" duringthe time that a snow emergency has been declared. Full Story »
WATERLOO --- The City of Waterloo Waste Management ServicesDepartment would like to notify customers that garbage collectionfor today has been canceled due to the snow and forecasted highwinds. Thursday routes will be rescheduled for Monday, Dec. 14. Thecity asks that residents remove any garbage cans by the curb todayto allow the snowplows to effectively clear the streets withoutdamaging the ... Full Story »
CEDAR FALLS --- The city of Cedar Falls Public Works Departmenthas moved Wednesday's garbage pickup to Friday this week due to theweather. Full Story »
CEDAR FALLS --- Normal class schedules resume today at theUniversity of Northern Iowa. Full Story »
Associated Press - December 10, 2009 11:44 AM ET YALE, Iowa (AP) - Authorities say a man found on the ground next to his pickup truck in the central Iowa town of Yale during this week's... Full Story »
Associated Press - December 10, 2009 11:34 AM ET BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - A deadly, windy storm that has tortured a wide swath of the country for days is threatening to drop up a foot of snow on... Full Story »
Associated Press - December 10, 2009 10:54 AM ET RADNOR, Pa. (AP) - Luther H. Smith, a Tuskegee Airman who later worked as an aerospace engineer, has died in suburban Philadelphia. Full Story »
A big winter storm is nearing the end of its cross-country trek. But it's not through delivering misery to those in its path. Full Story »
With the heavy snow blanketing Iowa, police report they are dealing with more than weather-related traffic mishaps. Full Story »
The blizzard that was predicted for Washington County Tuesday night lived up to expectations. Roughly 10 inches of snowfall was recorded Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, to go along with wind gusts as high as 50 mph. The inclement weather forced the closure of several area schools and prevented the Washington minibus from operating at all. A tow ban was also issued for Wednesday because ... Full Story »
The draft county zoning ordinance will be discussed during the Washington County Board of Supervisors next regular session on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Board Chairman Jim Miksch directed County Auditor Bill Fredrick to put the draft on next week’s agenda during the board meeting Tuesday morning. Full Story »
During a blizzard such as the one that’s been hitting the area for about the last 18 hours, law enforcement personnel have one piece of advice for people who want to drive somewhere — don’t. When people have to, law enforcement advises extreme caution. Full Story »
Washington Schools Superintendent David Sextro announced this morning that the regular school board meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. this evening has been postponed until 7 p.m. next Wednesday, Dec. 16. Full Story »
The Christmas season is a time for family members to come together and enjoy each other’s company. That is, unless you’re stuck in the Black Forest of Germany trying to dodge bullets and survive the frigid cold. That was what Christmas time was in 1944 for World War II veteran George Grove, now a resident of the United Presbyterian Home in Washington. Full Story »
HAWKEYE – The city council Monday discussed hiring a part-time police officer on an as needed basis. Council person Angie Weidemann said she agrees with the purchase of a used police car for $1,400. “We’ve got a car, now what are we doing?” she asked. Full Story »
ELGIN – MSA city planners told the city council Monday, Community Development Block Grant funds have yet to be released so work on the project can begin. Full Story »
RANDALIA- After a week of investigation four residents of a rural Randalia farm home were arrested on drug charges. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a farm home on M Avenue. They discovered a methamphetamine production lab, with assistance from the Oelwein Police Department and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), four people were taken into custody. Full Story »
WEST UNION –After 35 years spent in conservation, Jerry Muff, District Conservationist for the NRCS will be retiring Jan. 2, 2010. Full Story »
Nearly everyone is on Facebook. Young or old, you are there. Businesses, fan clubs, even cities now have their own Facebook pages. Full Story »
The Kalona City Council Monday night, December 7, received updates on a variety of city projects and set a public hearing on a rezoning request. Full Story »
James Graham said he and others in the loosely-knit group, Free County, are out to inform fellow Washington County residents about the downside to proposed rural zoning. Full Story »
Kalona Historical Society (KHS) Executive Director Steve Reif announced this week the launching of a "Membership Drive" to help preserve Kalona's history and the Kalona Historical Village. Full Story »
Aaron Shumaker, Wellman Public Works director, at the townÕs Jordan aquifer well. KalonaÕs wells are in the 60-80 foot range, and draw water from the sand and gravel deposits along the river. Full Story »
For those of you who do not know my background, I was born here and lived here for the first decade of my life. I have been back from time to time, both to visit and to live. Full Story »
Mayor vetoes DeVoe Street project After long and careful thought I have decided to Veto Resolution 2009 Y and 2009 CC. My reasons are the cost justification, financially irresponsible, project cost with probably cost over runs and Community not receptive to the expense or plan. Full Story »
The United Presbyterian Church in Lone Tree finally 'officially' received their new pastor this past Sunday, November 15, 2009, when Pastor Susan Barnes was installed as their new spiritual leader. Full Story »
VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors met last Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the courthouse in Vinton. According to board minutes, the board accepted the resignation of Doris Trefz from the sheriff’s department due to retirement. Full Story »
Benco Manufacturing in Belle Plaine has been certified by the U.S. Department of Labor for retraining benefits under the Trade Act of 2009 (Petition #71819). If you were laid off during the time period of July 20, 2008, through the current date, you are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (Trade Act benefits). Full Story »
The Belle Plaine City Council wanted input on a proposed ordinance regarding rental property. Monday night they received it. Full Story »
The attorney for murder suspect Jessica Dayton has begun the process of attempting to move the trial out of Iowa County. Douglas Eichholz, Dayton’s attorney, filed a motion Nov. 23 to disseminate a juror questionnaire to potential jurors in Iowa County. Full Story »
Iowans learned last week that Iowa Telecom, based in Newton, will be sold to an Arkansas company. Iowa Telecom officials announced on Tuesday, Nov. 24, that they plan to sell the company to Windstream Corporation for $1.1 billion. Full Story »
A tree is reflected in a rain puddle in the German city of Stuttgart. AFP/DDP/Sascha Schuermann
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