Home / Curious Iowa Hundreds of new multifamily units expected to come online in downtown Cedar Rapids over next few years The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread CEDAR RAPIDS – If home is where the heart is then the ongoing increase in residential development means that the heartbeat of downtown Cedar Rapids is steadily growing stronger Hundreds of new downtown multi-family units have come online since 2020 as area developers look to meet the growing demand for rental housing across all price points and hundreds more will be added in the next few years With so many units opening up in such a short time some of The Gazette’s readers are wondering: What’s the demand for these types of projects Seeking answers, several wrote to Curious Iowa, a series from The Gazette that answers readers’ questions about our state and how it works we take a look at some recent and upcoming downtown housing projects who’s behind them and who they will ultimately serve Downtown housing has been a priority for community leaders and area developers for years — particularly since the 2008 flood swept through and destroyed a significant portion of housing on the northwest side the city has commissioned an annual housing report from Maxfield Research and Consulting to provide a snapshot of the market and offer projections on how many and what kinds of housing might be needed to keep pace with population growth and other demographic changes “It’s a way to track how the housing market is doing overall,” said Bill Micheel Cedar Rapids’ economic and development services director “Developers use it in a similar way to track trends over time It's one data point for decision making” around what projects to pursue Per the most recent Maxfield report, Cedar Rapids’ downtown core was home to approximately 19,257 people across 8,231 households in 2024 That’s an increase of nearly 13.6 percent in population since 2010 and a 19.5 percent increase in the number of households The discrepancy between population and household growth can be explained by the recorded decrease in average household size The downtown population was disproportionately bolstered by a rise in rental tenants between 2010 and 2024 when compared to the surrounding area While city- and county-wide rental rates declined somewhat during that time downtown rental rates increased slightly to 44 percent of all households the data outlines a tough market for those seeking rental housing the citywide rental vacancy rate in 2024 was around 1.5 percent — well below the 5 percent recommended for adequate choice Vacancy rates specific to the downtown core were not listed Given that pressure and an anticipated increase in the city’s overall population the report outlines demand for up to 3,046 general occupancy rental units to be added citywide between 2024 and 2030 There are several multifamily projects underway or nearing construction in the downtown core backed by a mix of local and regional developers looking to capitalize on the growing demand for downtown rentals Emerson also is working to convert the former Dragon building into a mixed-use building to include both residential and commercial space He credited a voracious appetite for downtown housing among potential tenants as the drive behind both projects I’ve got 300 (rental) units downtown right now and we have zero vacancies,” said Emerson “Every project that we’ve done has filled up probably in about a month or two after opening.” absorption of those new units has been mixed with some being absorbed into the market very rapidly and others taking longer to lease The 2025 report — expected this fall — will offer more detailed insight into the uptake of those units Like Emerson’s Guaranty Bank project many downtown housing projects involve the redevelopment of an old commercial building into new residential units Options abound for such development in Cedar Rapids particularly given the post-COVID decline in demand for downtown office space Community Development Director Jennifer Pratt said the city has worked to make such redevelopments more accessible for developers through the application of form-based zoning Such zoning focuses more on the physical characteristics of the development rather than mandating the specific land use to give developers the flexibility to meet modern demands while maintaining a cohesive urban footprint “We focus on the exterior of the building and make sure it fits in the context of the broader area … If there’s a huge demand for commercial space we want those buildings to be able to do that we’re seeing the opposite” where people want more residential “We want to make sure there are no barriers to let the market provide for whatever the demand is.” acknowledged that the influx of new units could lead some to question whether the necessary demand exists to fill all the downtown developments but he overall expressed optimism that the projects will find success High Properties recently purchased and remodeled a multifamily building at 1113 Sixth St the building offers a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments in the bustling New Bohemian neighborhood High said the demand is high enough that some tenants are signing leases on the apartments before the remodeling is even complete in an effort to preemptively snag one of the revamped units He anticipated other downtown projects can expect the same enthusiasm even if it takes a little longer to see tenants trickle in you’re going to have little spells where a bunch of units come online and maybe it takes a little bit of time to absorb them,” he said “That doesn’t mean the demand is not there because the demand is absolutely there to live in downtown Cedar Rapids.” That demand was echoed in projections from the Maxfield report which outlined a continued need for investment in the downtown rental market demand is particularly high for young professionals and older adults — a point both High and Emerson echoed with anecdotal evidence Early career professionals tend to enjoy the flexibility of a rental near the bustling city center while an increasing number of older adults are turning to downtown apartments as a means to downsize as they age Both tend to enjoy the units’ proximity to downtown retail districts “The walkability and the energy of downtown is one thing that is really nice for a lot of people,” Emerson said hang out somewhere a few blocks away and then walk right back home.” High concurred and outlined what he sees as the positive correlation between the availability of housing and the health of the downtown district overall The addition of downtown housing provides extra foot traffic in the area and directly contributes to the success of those downtown retailers having a strong downtown retail and commercial market makes the area more attractive to potential tenants “We need more people living down there walking down there and just bringing more activity” to the downtown area cool restaurants and different things to do … but you need the people there to make that happen.” Tell us what to investigate next by submitting your own question to Curious Iowa Linn County Government Reporter for The Gazette The Gazette has been informing Iowans with in-depth local news coverage and insightful analysis for over 140 years independent journalism with a subscription today © 2025 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved IOWA (IOWA'S NEWS NOW) — A Cedar Rapids man is facing charges after deputies say he was drunk and put his young daughter at risk near the water at Coralville Reservoir 26-year-old Devin Cariens Hook got into a fight with several people at the reservoir including the mother of his 4-year-old daughter Deputies say the situation started when Cariens Hook was seen holding the child over the edge of a floating dock told authorities that Cariens Hook admitted over the phone he was afraid he might drop the child in the water they said Cariens Hook smelled like alcohol and showed signs of being drunk but a portable alcohol sensor nearby picked up an alcohol level of .129 Cariens Hook was arrested and taken to jail He’s charged with public intoxication and child endangerment Home / Sports / Minor League Sports Catcher-first baseman is hitting .351 with more walks than strikeouts for C.R. CEDAR RAPIDS - When you are on a minor league baseball team jacked with prospects and only get to play roughly every other day or every third day at the start of the season internally or outwardly complain and moan about your situation Or you make the most of the playing time you do get and force the manager to put you into the lineup on a regular basis. Nate Baez has done the latter The catcher-first baseman has been a most-days fixture for the Cedar Rapids Kernels the past couple of weeks because he has continued to put good at-bat after good at-bat together Baez went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs in C.R.’s 9-1 win Sunday afternoon over South Bend at Veterans Memorial Stadium The 23-year-old from Arizona State has a gaudy .351 batting average in 16 games The Kernels have played 26 and have a 17-9 record “I’m just going out there and trying to have as much fun as possible,” Baez said just going up there with a clear mind and just trying to put the ball in play Just not trying to think too much there.” Baez played just once in the Kernels’ season-opening three-game series at Wisconsin and just three of six games in their second series against Beloit He sat out the first game of the ensuing series at Peoria but had four hits the next night and three hits two nights after that Baez reached base in all five games he played in this six-game South Bend series has two home runs and 11 RBIs this season and a really good walk-to-strikeout ratio of 11 walks and eight Ks There are those aforementioned prospects like Kaelen Culpepper Danny DeAndrade and Khadim Diaw who are going to get their at-bats Baez is in the other group of guys who rotate around picking up whatever ABs are left over “There’s a lot of stuff when it comes to (lineups) that I can’t control,” Baez said Baez hit .239 in 82 games last season for the Kernels even though his numbers weren’t monstrous and wants to continue that modus operandi this season “He’s definitely making a lot out of his opportunity,” said Kernels Manager Brian Meyer “He’s a guy who obviously was here last year Sometimes you see guys like that mature a little bit kind of catch up to where they were behind He’s just putting together quality at-bats every single time He’s finding some holes with the swings that he is taking And he’s not off on a lot of the pitches that he’s getting out on Baez apparently has become one of the leaders on this Kernels ballclub He pulls for others when he’s not playing “Just always try and get better and better and better,” he said I really did feel like I got better every day “Even if it’s just being a good teammate in the dugout I just want to do whatever I can to help this team win.” The Kernels won five games in this series and head to the road for a week at Fort Wayne Prep Sports & Minor League Sports Reporter. Get the Sports Newsletter IA - In six games played this week at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids there was scoring in each game on either side in the 1st inning who dropped Sunday’s game against the Kernels by a final of 9-1 IA - In six games played this week at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids who dropped Sunday’s game against the Kernels by a final of 9-1 scored first in three of those games to get things started the Kernels take five of six games away from the Cubs this week with a home series coming up on Tuesday night at Four Winds Field against the Fort Wayne TinCaps South Bend got off to a roaring start against Cedar Rapids right-hander Jeremy Lee who retired the first two in the game that he faced allowed a double to Jefferson Rojas in the 1st with two down and then an RBI single up the middle from Carter Trice It was a 1-0 Cubs lead before the Kernels took their first swings of the game former Minnesota Twins first-round pick Kaelen Culpepper tied the game on a solo home run in the bottom off the 3rd a lead-off walk to Danny De Andrade proved to be costly Kevin Maitan provided the eventual game winning RBI with a double whacked up the left field line to make it 2-1 Cedar Rapids would burst the game open with a five-run 5th inning and then two more in the 8th to coast to victory The five runs in the 5th came on six singles 9 of the 11 hits for the Kernels for only singles At the plate from a South Bend perspective the Cubs did not draw a walk in a game for the first time this season Reggie Preciado found his way on a couple times though Trice also finished off his game with a pair of knocks right-hander Vince Reilly was credited with a third of an inning needing only one pitch to get the final out of the 7th frame and will hope to get back on track on Tuesday night when the TinCaps come to town Game one of the series on Tuesday will begin at 6:05 PM with an ‘Education Day’ game set between the in-state rivals at 11:05 AM on Wednesday Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August The winner of the 2020 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses will return to the state next week to speak at a forum about veterans' issues Transportation Secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg will headline an in-person town hall May 13 in Cedar Rapids focused on Republican President Donald Trump's handling of veterans' issues The town hall is being hosted by VoteVets Action Fund as part of a broader effort to drive national conversations about veterans issues and the effects of federal workforce and spending cuts overseen by billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency “The town hall will be an opportunity for veterans military families and community members to come together to discuss the recent wave of policy decisions that have negatively impacted Americans including threats to veterans’ health care the nation’s economic stability and the democratic principles that veterans swore to defend,” according to a news advisory “Attendees will hear directly from Buttigieg and fellow veterans on how the administration’s actions have hurt the veteran community and how veteran-led civic leadership can help push back.” This event is scheduled to take place from 5:30-7 p.m Specific location and arrival instructions will be sent the day before Individuals can sign up to attend the town hall at https://bit.ly/3GDSw3H The May town hall would be Buttigieg’s first public in-person event since leaving the Biden administration in January Buttigieg stopped in Cedar Rapids as transportation secretary in May of 2023 where he toured The Eastern Iowa Airport to highlight federal investments he said will make for a better passenger experience and support job growth He also stopped in Dubuque to see how the city was using federal infrastructure funding to remove an at-grade crossing and build a railroad overpass in the city While no longer expected to lead off the presidential nominating process for Democrats after the national party reshaped their presidential nominating calendar and stripped Iowa of its first-in-the-nation status Buttigieg’s return to Iowa has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about whether he’s eyeing another presidential run The veteran and former mayor of South Bend narrowly won Iowa's 2020 Democratic presidential caucuses after a long delay in releasing the results The Associated Press declined to declare an Iowa caucus winner over concerns about whether the results reported by the party were accurate 3 caucuses were beset by technical glitches that led inconsistencies in the numbers and no clear winner The first openly gay major presidential candidate Buttigieg ended his presidential campaign the following month after failing to build a broad coalition of voters and a poor performance in the South Carolina primary He would go on to serve in Democratic President Joe Biden's administration as transportation secretary leading to speculation he’s looking to mount a possible second presidential bid He also has been making the rounds on the podcast circuit and TV news interviews As transport secretary in the Biden administration he became a regular on Fox News to speak on behalf of Democratic former Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign and to extend the party’s message and agenda to conservative Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter we examine how Pete Buttigieg held up in the Atlanta debate and ask if Americans are ready for the first gay pr… Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Iowa — Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell presented Slovak Ambassador to the U.S Radovan Javorík a Key to the City of Cedar Rapids "It signifies a door that is always open and that he will always have a place here in Cedar Rapids and in the hearts of those who treasure our shared heritage," O'Donnell added Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCEDAR RAPIDS Iowa (KCRG) -A beautiful May week is in the forecast with highs reaching the 60s and 70s with little to no precipitation Even though seasonal temperatures are in the forecast for Monday warmer temperatures are expected for the remainder of the workweek Highs will be in the 70s starting on Tuesday and continuing through the upcoming weekend with only one or two showers possible on Wednesday Iowa (KCRG) - As the Cedar Rapids School District moves to reduce staff it says it was able to avoid letting go any certified teachers The announcement Friday comes after the district announced in March that it planned to reduce six percent of its staff positions due to declining enrollment and budget constraints the district cited a $12 million budget deficit following “reductions in state funding and the expiration of federal relief funds,” and an enrollment decline of nearly 3,000 students over the past two decades the district says the 60 teachers it had designated to cut have been reassigned to other open positions in the district instead The district is still reviewing what to do with support staff positions that were set to be eliminated. It’s already cut jobs at its central office “We recognize that change brings adjustment and I want to sincerely thank our teachers and administrators for their trust we did not lose a single program or service and we didn’t lose the heart of our schools—our people.” Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the jobs cut in other areas of the district while avoiding directly terminating any certified teachers Iowa (KCRG) -Highs over the next several days will be in the 60s and 70s This afternoon we’ll have a partly cloudy to mostly sunny sky with highs rising into the upper 60s and low 70s lows will drop into the 40s with a mostly clear sky We’ll be seasonal on Monday with highs in the mid to upper 60s with a partly cloudy sky The 70s return and stick around Tuesday and all the way into next weekend little to no precipitation is in the forecast this week with only a slight chance of some showers on Saturday aching sadness and ever abiding love that the Erb family announces the … The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication aching sadness and ever abiding love that the Erb family announces the passing of its patriarch the savvy mastermind behind Erb's Business Machines an avid golfer who once scored a hole-in-one and the ultimate risk taker on mountainside trails he spent his youth in Des Moines; Louisville His family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1961 when his parents purchased a Remington Rand branch sales office which would later evolve into Erb’s Business Machines Larry graduated from Washington High School and attended the University of Iowa After a few years in the Twin Cities working for Sperry Univac he returned to Cedar Rapids and joined the family business at a commiseration party for a failed fundraiser for the Cedar Rapids Zoo he took over as President of Erb’s Business Machines and expanded the business from selling office equipment to becoming a technology solutions provider for companies and educational and government institutions Larry and Marsha enjoyed wintering in Scottsdale where they could be found exploring backroads and rockhounding throughout the southwest in their red Jeep Larry volunteered with the Cedar Rapids Jaycees and the All-Iowa Fair Board He was a longstanding member of the Rotary Club and also Elmcrest Country Club where he served as President (2009-2010) he volunteered as a mentor with SCORE and as a trail steward for the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy He also enjoyed the camaraderie of the Corvair Biking Society Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years Marsha Lynn Axmear Erb of Cedar Rapids; his daughters Erin Erb Jensen of Iowa City and Christina Erb of Lafayette David Jensen and David LoVullo; and his treasured grandchildren Eliza and Willem Jensen and Zoey and Salvator "Torrey" LoVullo her daughters and their families and his brother David (Marilyn) Erb and their children and grandchildren his daughter Catherine Lynn Erb and his brother-in-law A funeral service will be held at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories on Thursday Memorial donations may be made in Larry’s name to the Indian Creek Nature Center The family would like to extend their appreciation to the Meth-Wick Woodlands staff for the loving care and compassion they provided to Larry over the past two years he was well known for his level-headedness during difficult times his earnest interest in his daughters’ lives and his megawatt smile that would light up his whole face at the sight of his wife Online condolences may be made to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries Home / News / Education / Higher Ed University of Iowa unsure yet what new ER will mean for long wait times on the main campus hospital in Iowa City NORTH LIBERTY — University of Iowa Health Care for years has bemoaned its cramped emergency department and limited bed capacity — creating long wait times, lengthy ER stays and higher-than-average rates of would-be patients who leave without being seen dozens of patients received care through the North Liberty campus’ 18,400-square-foot ER — among the thousands seen in the new hospital’s orthopedics clinics “This number is expected to increase as we enter the summer months,” UIHC spokesman Taylor Vessel said of traffic through the new ER — a 14-room Level-4 trauma center outfitted with state-of-the-art X-ray Being a Level-4 trauma center — as opposed to Level 1 like the main campus ER and Level 3 like its Downtown ER formerly Mercy Iowa City — means North Liberty’s ER has fewer trauma-care resources and might need to transfer some patients to Iowa City “All levels have the expertise and trained staff to stabilize trauma patients prior to transfer to higher levels of care if needed,” according to a UIHC question-and-answer synopsis on the new campus “The main difference between Level 3 and Level 4 is the presence of an on-call general surgeon at a Level-3 trauma center.” “The best emergency department is the nearest one,” officials said highlighting a prime and strategic strength of the new hospital “Given the growing population in North Liberty and Tiffin the emergency department at the North Liberty campus will increase access for these communities (as well as Coralville and surrounding areas) and provide emergency medicine closer to home,” UIHC officials said The most recent Board of Regents report on UIHC emergency room use showed wait times on the rise — up 40 percent from 2018 to 2022 — with the average length of an ER stay swelling from under 4.5 hours to as high as seven the average number of patients who were boarding in the ER overnight waiting on an inpatient bed swelled to 35 a day typical ER wait time on the main campus can top three hours — with the average percent of patients who leave without being seen hovering at 4 percent the North Liberty ER on most days at most times showed single-digit-minute waits That’s similar to times for the UIHC Downtown ER “With less than a week of operational data it’s too soon to determine what sort of impact the new (emergency department) has had on wait times at UI Health Care’s two other hospitals,” Vessel said But UIHC does expect more than 10,000 patients to come through its North Liberty ER this first year — potentially absorbing some of the system’s 54,110 total ER visits in 2024 And the new campus’ ER patients will amount to just a fraction of the total traffic through that hospital — which boasts 36 inpatient beds with room to add 12 more; 84 exam rooms; 12 operating rooms with room to add four; two procedure rooms; one retail pharmacy with a 24-hour drive-through; and a large physical therapy and rehab gym visible to passersby behind a large glass wall imprinted with a Tiger Hawk The campus offers a walk-in clinic for same-day acute orthopedic injuries a gift shop and dedicated space for teaching It also has free patient parking and sweeping natural light “One of the cool things about this space is when you look into the exam rooms they all have windows and natural light that comes in which is not the norm in emergency departments,” UIHC Associate Chief Nursing Officer Emily Ward told reporters during a tour of the ER “And we see that throughout the entire building — a lot of natural light in the patient care spaces.” Suspended by stainless steel cables above the heads of visitors entering the main atrium of the new hospital is a 27-foot-tall sculpture inspired by the anatomy of a single stem of big bluestem prairie grass — native to the hospital’s site — and informed by the “porous nature and growth of cancellous bone,” according to university officials Its artist — Seattle-based John Grade — used all Alaskan yellow cedar wood for the piece which was brought in as four sections and assembled on site these clinics that physical therapy down there at the end walk-in injury clinics — all of these things allow us to expand our care to a wider range of population,” Larry Marsh chair of the UI Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation said during a recent ribbon-cutting for the facility “is really challenging when you're in the basement of a tertiary care center” — where the department previously was — “with the parking and the challenges for patients — not just us.” “We call that the lower level,” UI Health Care Chief Executive Officer Bradley Haws joked during the ribbon-cutting about Marsh’s “basement” reference and often we would have trash cans gathering rain and other things that were leaking and occasional floods there we still have more people that want to occupy the space that Dr Marsh and his department are vacating.” Although the university hasn’t shared publicly its plans for the former orthopedics home on the main campus its state application to build in North Liberty aired intentions to create space for 65 to 80 more inpatient beds there “Operational plans are underway for the former orthopedics space,” Vessel told The Gazette “Those plans will be presented to the Board of Regents in the near future.” UIHC’s push to expand “to a wider range of population” was among the controversial aspects of the project when it first went before the State Health Facilities Council in early 2020 — and was denied a certificate of need to build applicants must show that less-costly alternatives aren’t available or practical; existing facilities are being used appropriately; alternatives like sharing arrangements have been considered and implemented to the extent possible; and patients will have serious problems getting care without the proposed facility “The letters and testimony established a lack of collaboration by the UIHC with local providers that excess capacity exists at current facilities that the UIHC is proposing to conduct procedures that could be provided by the community-based hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in the area and a substantial concern about the future viability of existing facilities if the UIHC is allowed to build the hospital,” according to the council’s written decision at the time “UIHC plans to hire 535 staff for the new hospital.” “Noted by the opposition during testimony were concerns that the UIHC would actively recruit staff from Mercy Iowa City and other providers in the area.” Mercy Iowa City, two years after the university eventually got the go-ahead to build in North Liberty, filed for bankruptcy following years of financial troubles. The university acquired it in a bankruptcy auction for $28 million Following the state’s initial North Liberty-project denial in 2021, UIHC resubmitted an application stripping any reference to orthopedics and focusing on its ability to treat the sickest of the sick “The requested construction and modernization to UIHC’s institutional health facility at Forevergreen Road will accomplish UIHC’s goal of serving unmet tertiary transfer demand,” according to the revised application “UIHC acknowledges that there are available beds in the state of Iowa Not all of these beds have the personnel and technology to serve patients that need tertiary care and that is where UIHC’s lack of infrastructure to meet that need seriously harms patients.” Conceding some of its tertiary-care expansion would happen on the main campus UIHC in its application said “modernization cannot occur unless UIHC is able to decant some of its services to Forevergreen Road.” In a recent online frequently-asked-questions on the new campus “More Iowans need our care and expertise — particularly in orthopedics and emergency medicine.” “Patients also welcome the opportunity to get a prescription filled and/or have imaging done without needing to drive/park/navigate at the university campus they want greater access and greater convenience.” UI Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations Rod Lehnertz called the increase a “worst-case” scenario and hoped to return to the board with a “revised downward budget.” “We brought this building in on time and under budget.” “The total cost of the project has not been finalized but leaders expect it to be under budget.” Staffing — and how the university planned to do it in North Liberty — was among the questions state councilors asked UIHC officials during the 2021 application process Officials said about 1,000 employees will work in North Liberty — including orthopedics faculty “While we do not anticipate many direct impacts on staffing levels at our other campuses certain areas may look a little different as we move certain orthopedic services to the North Liberty campus,” UIHC said in its FAQ UIHC as of Friday had 73 open North Liberty-campus positions its jobs website listed more than 800 open health care related jobs including more than 500 nursing or nurse-related roles In addition to the North Liberty site, the university is pursuing an 842,000-gross-square-foot inpatient tower on its main campus slated to cost more than $1 billion That tower would be nearly double the 469,000-square-foot North Liberty hospital and be two-thirds bigger than the 507,000-square-foot Stead Family Children’s Hospital officials noted in their North Liberty FAQ “The 60-acre North Liberty campus allows for future building expansion.” Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com including Iowa’s public universities Home / News Iowa City native Christine Scheetz becomes director of TRAILS IOWA CITY — Iowa City native Christine Scheetz is at the helm of Johnson County-based TRAIL one of the only nonprofits in Iowa dedicated to helping older adults age in place The nonprofit — which stands for Tools and Resources for Active Independent Living — puts on social and educational events and connects volunteers with older adults to help with things such as transportation Scheetz previously served on TRAIL’s board of directors and as chief executive officer of United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties Scheetz said her background in public health and the nonprofit space as well as her existing involvement in TRAIL made it an easy decision to get involved as its executive director Scheetz oversees a variety of nonprofit functions from administration to fundraising to policy development and working with volunteers and the board of directors “I had done all of those things in previous roles that I've had but also because I just knew that was kind of what the organization needed at this point and I were really honored that they selected me to their next executive director,” an Iowa City native and University of Iowa graduate developed a passion for aging health services while working in Indiana with an organization called Ground Game Health Ground Game Health “was affiliated with an area agent and that just really helped me make a shift from kind of bit more of a generalist in health and human services to really focusing on the aging population and there was no turning back from there,” Scheetz said Scheetz has a master’s degree in public health from Drake University and has served in various public health roles within the UI Health Care system and throughout the state “TRAIL allows older adults to remain very independent in their lives but with a lot of support around them and maintaining and increasing lifelong learning There are many different outlets to learn and grow to keep your mind really active but then also really tangible support such as help around the house,” Scheetz said TRAIL has two staff members in Scheetz and member and volunteer service coordinator Jessica Hahn The nonprofit has two levels of membership: A full-service membership costs $720 a year for single individuals and allows access to volunteer assistance and TRAIL’s social and educational events which cost $140 a year for single individuals allow access to all TRAIL events and limited access to TRAIL volunteer services she wants to expand the reach of TRAIL services while keeping that growth sustainable “We talk a lot about balanced growth for TRAIL and that means that we can't grow membership more quickly than we can grow our volunteer base or vice versa … we always look at those things as going hand-in-hand and making those decisions jointly so that they support each other and we're not developing faster in one area than in the other,” Scheetz said TRAIL has 250 members across membership levels 60 members also serve as volunteers for events and services Scheetz said the nonprofit can receive well over 100 requests for volunteer assistance a month Scheetz said some of the most common requests are for transportation But the nonprofit always is looking for feedback from members on what other services could be added TRAIL also is looking into expanding options for membership assistance The nonprofit has 30 memberships that are fully sponsored or allow for a sliding scale payment through donations TRAIL will be able to add 14 more discounted memberships through a grant from the Community Foundation of Johnson County Get a weekly roundup of Johnson County news by signing up for my Johnson County Update newsletter Home / News / Crime & Courts Judge says Carlos Garcia ‘hasn’t taken much responsibility or shown remorse’ CEDAR RAPIDS — A judge Friday sentenced a Cedar Rapids man who was intoxicated when he drove off an embankment and crashed into a motorcyclist on Interstate 380 Carlos Adail Garcia was convicted in March by a Linn County jury for homicide by vehicle and disarming a police officer both felonies; operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and possession of a controlled substance-cocaine both serious misdemeanors; and interference with official acts Sixth Judicial District Judge Chad Kepros said running the homicide by vehicle and disarming a police officer convictions consecutively was appropriate because Garcia “hasn’t taken much responsibility or shown remorse.” He also noted Garcia’s attempt to disarm a police officer after the crash put everybody’s safety at risk and it’s a serious offense Assistant Linn County Attorney Ryan Decker recommended the 30 years because Garcia “ended Jeffrey Lankford’s life and Garcia has “earned every day of the sentence.” Garcia drove his Buick Enclave into the motorcycle and his blood alcohol level was over the legal limit of 0.08 percent Garcia’s blood alcohol level was 0.187 percent more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent when blood was drawn hours later at the hospital investigators extrapolated Garcia’s BAC at the time of crash which would have been between 0.21 to 0.25 then picked up another possession of marijuana charge “after killing someone He didn’t take it seriously.” Garcia told probation officers that his alcohol and substance abuse use wasn’t a problem and Garcia said the crash was due to his “diabetic episode,” Decker noted said he apologizes for “everything that happened and takes full responsibility.” but Lankford’s family did attend the hearing 2022 and as he started to take the Highway 30 east ramp striking broadside into a motorcycle driven by Lankford Lankford was on the inside lane as he was ejected from his cycle upon impact Linn County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Daubs Daubs said Lankford had no signs of life — he wasn’t breathing and his eyes were open and fixed showed graphic footage of Lankford’s body on the barrier He placed a blanket over the body out of respect while waiting for paramedics and investigators A medical examiner testified Lankford died from blunt force trauma compound fracture to his right lower leg and other internal injuries as a result of the crash He told police someone struck his Enclave at the top of the ramp and forced him off the road and down the embankment but investigators found no evidence of Garcia’s claims Garcia didn’t testify or have any witnesses during trial An investigator testified Garcia struck the motorcycle and caused the crash Garcia’s Enclave ended up parallel against the median cables Witnesses also testified they saw the Enclave coming down the embankment then directly striking the motorcycle Debra Saunders testified she saw the Enclave coming down the grassy embankment The driver was going “fast” and coming toward her vehicle She braked to slow down because she didn’t know if he was going to stop The Enclave crossed onto the highway “horizontally very fast,” Saunders said She didn’t see the crash because it happened so quickly but she “heard it.” She stopped and called 911 Police said Garcia had signs of intoxication but refused to take sobriety tests at the scene Police said they found plastic bags with cocaine in a mint container in his pocket Garcia made it difficult for Brooke Hughes to draw blood after police obtained a search warrant for it Hughes testified three hospital security officers and three police officers held Garcia down while Hughes got the sample She said Garcia was struggling with them but she got the sample and turned it over to investigators Garcia also disarmed an officer of his baton Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com Reporter covering state and federal courts. Subscribe to the Public Safety newsletter we are expecting a quiet week with the chance for a few showers Lows overnight fall into the mid 40s with light winds and mostly clear skies that become partly cloudy by Monday morning Monday and Tuesday will feature similar weather with partly cloudy skies both days and light winds The biggest difference will be with high temperatures We reach the mid to upper 60s Monday afternoon then climb into the low to mid 70s for Tuesday Overnight lows range from the upper 40s Monday night to low 50s Tuesday night Our best chance for seeing any rain this week is expected to arrive on Wednesday scattered showers could pass through eastern Iowa but impacts are expected to be minimal this activity We then remain quiet and dry for the end of the work week with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s and lows in the mid 40s to low 50s but gradually warming temperatures are in the forecast It’s a mild Saturday morning in Eastern Iowa with temperatures in the 40s We’ll have a cloudy sky through the day with a few breaks in the clouds possible in the late afternoon One or two showers can’t be ruled out today Highs this afternoon will reach the upper 50s and low 60s Lows will cool into the 30s and 40s tonight with clearing skies Sunday will be more seasonal with highs reaching the 60s and low 70s with a partly cloudy sky This week’s forecast looks mild with highs in the 60s on Monday The only chance for precipitation we’re watching is a slight chance for showers on Wednesday Iowa (KCRG) - The weather remains quiet for the next several days Mostly clear skies and light winds allow temperatures to cool efficiently overnight as lows fall into the upper 30s and low 40s you might want to cover or bring inside frost-sensitive plants as a precaution Although frost is not expected in most places a few isolated patches could develop in low-lying areas where cold air has a tendency to pool and collect overnight Sunday will begin with a mostly sunny morning and the storm system that is stalled out over the Ohio River Valley will send a few clouds our way as the day progresses This gives us a partly cloudy afternoon and evening as highs reach the upper 60s and low 70s Skies gradually become mostly clear late Sunday night as lows fall into the mid 40s The beginning of next week will feature a continuation of quiet and dry conditions Highs are in the upper 60s and low 70s on Monday then warm into the low to mid 70s by Tuesday as overnight lows fall into the upper 40s and low 50s We are monitoring the chance for showers on Wednesday but any rain that falls is expected to be scattered and light Home / Sports / Iowa Hawkeyes Sports / Iowa Basketball Former Iowa star did not play in Saturday’s exhibition opener due to an injury to her left leg For the first time her six seasons as a collegiate/professional basketball player Caitlin Clark has missed a game due to injury On the day before her much-awaited game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena Clark was scratched from the Indiana Fever’s preseason opener at home against the Washington Mystics Clark is dealing with an injury to her left leg Clark initially was listed as questionable but was announced as out just before the game started The Fever face the Brazil National Team at 3 p.m Clark was the WNBA Rookie of the Year last season playing in all 40 regular-season games and both playoff games She played in all 139 of Iowa’s games during her collegiate career Fever beat reporter for the Indianapolis Star said Friday that Clark “(had) been practicing as normal throughout the week “She participated in the portion of practice open to the media Friday afternoon competing in the half-court shot contest and getting some extra shots up after practice She did wear sweatpants during Friday's practice so it's unknown if she was wearing a brace or any protection on her leg.” IOWA CITY — Aliyah Boston sees a change in Caitlin Clark “The biggest difference in Caitlin .. it’s her strength,” Boston said Wednesday about her Indiana Fever teammate Boston and the Fever will make their long-awaited appearance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday The WNBA team will face the Brazil National Team The exhibition game has long been sold out “My biggest focus of the offseason was to get stronger,” said Clark who led Iowa to the NCAA tournament final in 2023 and 2024 “It’s going to help both offensively and defensively I shouldn’t get as tired during a game.” Only five players remain on the roster from last year’s team that went 20-20 — including 9-5 after the Olympics break — and reached the WNBA playoffs for the first time in seven years Indiana native Stephanie White has returned home to coach the Fever; she spent the past two seasons head coach of the Connecticut Sun trying to figure out my new teammates and figure out a new system,” Clark said “There’s so much personality on this team That’s what fans are going to love about us We’re going to have a lot of fun playing basketball.” In her Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024 She shot 41.7 percent from the floor (34.4 percent from 3-point range) and 90.6 percent from the line “Caitlin loves to play such a fast-paced game,” Boston said and it helps my mindset at where I need to be (on the floor).” Sunday marks their second exhibition in two days; they host the Washington Mystics at noon Saturday before flying to Iowa Clark transitioned immediately from the college game to the pros she was able to rest (and strengthen) her body somewhat for seven months “The rest aspect got my body where it needed to be and that was super important,” she said Being on the 18th green on Sunday at the Masters was one of the coolest things ever.” High School Sports Reporter. Get the Sports Newsletter this weekend is still looking good for spending some time outside We are dry overnight with partly cloudy skies and lows in the low to mid 40s The disturbance that brought us rain on Friday is expected to slide off to our east and stall out across the Ohio River valley this weekend into early next week This will keep clouds in the area this the weekend with mostly cloudy skies on Saturday and partly cloudy skies on Sunday Although a stray sprinkle cannot be ruled out on Saturday the bulk of the rain associated with this stalled out system is expected to remain to our east Clouds keep us cooler on Saturday as highs reach the low 60s but a little more sun on Sunday allows our high temperatures to climb into the upper 60s The stalled out system that keeps cloudy this weekend will meander to the east for the start of next week This will allow us to enjoy sunnier conditions and warmer conditions as a result but climb into the 70s by Tuesday as overnight lows fall into the upper 40s and 50s we will be watching for another chance for showers but these will be light and scattered as temperatures remain mild Iowa — A four-hour standoff with Cedar Rapids police ends with one man arrested and facing several charges of Cedar Rapids was acting erratically Sunday morning at the intersection of 1st Avenue and 13th Street West when he made violent threats and then retreated Authorities say Davis spent the next four hours in a home and garage in the 1300 block of Burch Avenue Northwest until the standoff ended Davis is facing domestic assault with a weapon *two counts of interference with official acts with a weapon *Editor's Note: Cedar Rapids Police Department updated its list of charges against Davis Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Community School District says it has successfully reassigned all 60 certified teachers impacted by its staffing realignment for the 2025–26 school year the district identified 76 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions as surplus due to enrollment trends and budget constraints The district reassigned 60 certified teachers while following its long-standing agreement with the Cedar Rapids Education Association (CREA) The district worked proactively to place affected teachers in new roles across different grade levels All impacted teachers will continue serving students within the district The realignment is part of CRCSD’s broader strategy to ensure long-term sustainability while enhancing student services Earlier this year, CRCSD said staffing adjustments were needed due to enrollment declines, describing the move as “right-sizing,” and that it hoped to avoid layoffs. In May, the district eliminated 27 positions at its Educational Leadership and Support Center. CRCSD thanked teachers, school leaders, union partners, and staff for their collaborative efforts and said it remains committed to keeping resources focused on student success. We recently switched our login system from requiring display names to email addresses in order to log in You must use your email address instead of your display name in order to log in Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats You need to be a member in order to leave a comment Sign up for a new account in our community Recreation Services Superintendent with Cedar Rapids joined Iowa's News Now to discuss the opening of Old MacDonald's Farm for the 2025 season for the "Chalk the Farm" Celebration in Bever Park The event is open to people of all ages to help decorate the farm’s sidewalks with creative chalk art and visitors are encouraged to make their mark as part of this festive opening day tradition Admission is free, but a minimum donation of $1 is appreciated. To learn more about Old MacDonald's Farm, click here. Home / News / Government & Politics / Local Government Cedar Rapids reminds ‘Low Mow May’ participants to follow city limits The Linn County Mental Health Access Center is working to partner with area law enforcement to strengthen the social safety net for individuals recently released from the Linn County Jail Director Erin Foster recently told Linn County Supervisors that the center has worked with the jail to more directly support recently released inmates who are at risk of suicide inmates at risk of suicide at the time of their release were taken to area emergency rooms for evaluation and treatment Foster said the new Linn County Jail Release Connection program allows people to instead visit the mental health access center for a smoother less institutional appointment and evaluation process walk-in Mental Health Access Center offers a slew of mental health and substance abuse crisis services for all at 501 13th St Foster said the new collaboration was a result of ongoing conversations with area law enforcement and other emergency response professionals on how to best use and advertise those resources “We’re always constantly thinking ‘Who else “The options for what we can do to help people here are really big and broad.” The city of Cedar Rapids is cautioning area participants in “Low Mow May” to mind the upcoming enforcement of the city’s noxious weeds and tall grass ordinance The ordinance requires grass to be kept under 12 inches in height and disallows grass clippings from being dispersed onto sidewalks and streets the ordinance does not ban residents from participating in “Low Mow” or “No Mow” May — a national movement that encourages people to refrain or reduce mowing during May to provide ample food and habitat for pollinators Enforcement of the ordinance began May 1 and will continue through Oct A proposed wetlands restoration project near Morgan Creek Park can move forward thanks to a land donation from the Cedar Rapids Community School District The School Board last week approved the donation of the roughly 7-acre parcel of district-owned land adjacent to the park The land is part of a larger district-owned plot purchased in 2011 for potential development that has been used for farming and the 7-acre parcel has issues related to runoff and erosion The district approved the land donation on the basis that Linn County Conservation would cover the cost of the roughly $500,000 project — which recently received a $177,000 boost in state grant funding. The wetlands restoration effort will reduce erosion and improve water quality near Morgan Creek Park by filtering and slowing the flow of water and sediment that otherwise would rush into the waterway The site also will act as a habitat for fish and a walking trail will loop a portion of the new wetland Linn County Conservation intends to finalize design plants this summer and begin construction in late 2025 or early 2026 Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell is set to host the annual State of the City address next week The annual address will take place from 11 a.m May 14 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cedar Rapids Convention Center and O’Donnell’s address will begin at noon Her address will cover notable city projects and programs from the past year The in-person event is ticketed, and registration is required. Tickets cost $55 each and can be bought online at CityofCR.com/SOTC reserved seats are available upon request by emailing communications@cedar-rapids.org The address also will be livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page, and a recording will be made available at the conclusion of the event Marion’s oldest playground is getting a new look Crews are set to begin work next month on playground improvements at Ascension Park The project will replace the existing play structure — the oldest in the Marion parks catalog The new playground will feature a structure for children ages 2-5 and another structure for those ages 5-12 It also will shift the play area closer to the parking lot and additional walkways will be added to improve access and the new playground is expected to open in July Teachers in the Cedar Rapids Community School District will see a 3 percent base wage increase for the 2025-26 school year a figure the Cedar Rapids school board approved last month The 3 percent increase comes in an agreement between the Cedar Rapids Education Association — which represents teachers in the district — and school officials This is year two of the two-year agreement The total estimated cost of all salaries for 2025-2026 will be $87.9 million The total cost of all salaries and benefits for teachers in the Cedar Rapids Community School District will be $103 million This includes the cost to the district for the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System and the Federal Insurance Contributions Act — or FICA Because of a slight increase in enrollment the College Community School District will see about $1.13 million in new money next fiscal year The district saw an increase in certified enrollment of about 38 student this year There are about 5,500 students in K-12 in the district The district’s overall expenditures are increasing to $148.5 million largely because of construction of a YMCA and salary increases This is about a $17.5 million increase in expenditures from the current fiscal year The district’s overall expenditures include the district’s general fund 80 percent of which goes to pay staff salaries and benefits The district broke ground on the YMCA in October 2024 The completed facility will bring a pool and wellness facility in the district A $43 million bond referendum was approved by voters to construct the facility The district’s property tax rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year will be $16.60 per $1,000 of taxable valuation remaining the same from the current fiscal year The owner of a $200,000 home would pay about $1,575 a year in school property taxes an increase of about $36 for the year because of changes to the state’s rollback percentage Iowa City Public Library Director Elsworth Carman is stepping down from the role effective May 19 Carman has accepted a job as executive director at the Oak Park Public Library in Illinois Carman has served in the role at ICPL since January 2019 “It has been a privilege to serve as the director of the Iowa City Public Library,” Carman said in a news release with an exceptional staff whose dedication and creativity make it a vital part of our community I’ve also been continually inspired by our engaged community and the curious passionate patrons who make this work so rewarding and joyful I am proud of the ways we have reduced barriers to service and worked to make the Library a welcoming The library’s board of trustees has named Anne Mangano The library is hosting a public celebration for Carman May 7 at 11 a.m in the gallery on the library’s first floor The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is now holding its meetings in room 301 in the county’s Health and Human Services Building Members of the public can enter the building on the north side, near the flagpole. Meetings of the Board of Supervisors also are livestreamed. were honored with 2025 Governor’s Arts awards The awards are selected by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Arts council that recognizes organizations and individuals who have made contributions to art throughout Iowa “These awardees exemplify the passion creativity and leadership that drive Iowa’s arts community forward,” said David Schmitz inspires our communities and ensures that the arts continue to thrive for future generations.” Arts Share was awarded the Arts Learning Award The program has provided arts education to 10,000 K-12 students and 4,000 community members in the past two years FilmScene was honored with the Film and Media award in recognition of the theater’s annual film festival and educational programming Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies Home / Photos and Videos The tradition started during the COVID pandemic as a way for families of students to thank teachers Photojournalist covering everything from sports to breaking news for The Gazette. View our Photos and Videos page Photos and Videos May IA - The Cedar Rapids offense went off for nine runs on eleven hits to complement standout performances from Jeremy Lee and Spencer Bengard on the mound in a 9-1 victory over South Bend Sunday afternoon Carter Trice singled up the middle to bring home Rojas and put the Cubs on top 1-0 But that would be all the offense the Cubs could muster against starter Jeremy Lee The right-hander went five one-run innings striking out four en route to his second win of the season Kaelen Culppeper launched a no-doubt home run to left field to tie the game at 1-1 In the Cedar Rapids half of the fourth inning Kevin Maitan lined a two-out double into the left field corner to plate De Andrade and jump Cedar Rapids ahead 2-1 then Kaelen Culpepper lined a base hit to center Brandon Winokur rocketed a single to bring home Culpepper to make it 4-1 Khadim Diaw singled into center to score DeBarge upping the Kernels' edge to 5-1 Nate Baez smashed a base hit for two RBI to pad the lead to 7-1 Khadim Diaw and Nate Baez led off the inning with a pair of singles Jose Salas lined a double into right-center field scoring them both to extend the Kernels' lead to 9-1 Spencer Bengard came back out in the top of the ninth to retire the side in order striking out two in a dominant performance Cedar Rapids goes to 17-9 on the season and takes the series against South Bend 5-1 The Kernels will hit the road and open up a six-game set in Beloit on Tuesday night The mother of the Cedar Rapids Kernels catcher-outfielder played softball at Yale while his father is working to help kids in his native West African country get introduced to and involved in baseball CEDAR RAPIDS - As he stands on the concourse at Veterans Memorial Stadium Isma Diaw looks out at the field and spots his son Khadim Diaw is the starting catcher this night for the Cedar Rapids Kernels He’s in his first full season of professional baseball and this is the first time Isma has seen him play as a pro “It makes you feel that all of the work that was put into it is showing up,” he said “I’m very glad for him because he is very focused All to the point where I question myself ‘Is that really my son?’” Khadim Diaw was a third-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in last July’s MLB Draft out of Loyola Marymount University He never had a Division I college scholarship offer in high school But this isn’t just about a walk-on college player who made good It’s not just about a guy who has the ability to catch one night and play center field or right field the next “KD is a really good athlete,” Kernels Manager Brian Meyer said “You can put him anywhere defensively he could probably go play shortstop.” “I like them all,” Khadim Diaw said “I think being able to play all three positions should help me out There’s not too many guys who can do that I’m just trying to be as good at each individually as possible.” The defensive versatility and rags-to-riches background aside the main part of this story is about the first player of Senegalese descent to be a major league draft pick Someone who hopes he can be a baseball role model for kids in the West African country Whose father is working hard to grow the sport in his native land “It’s early in the process,” Khadim Diaw said “He’s mostly just trying to figure out a way to create infrastructure so the kids over there can play baseball This is just the primary beginnings of it.” Khadim Diaw was born in New Jersey and grew up idolizing Derek Jeter He was a high-level soccer player as a youngster and has a namesake who is a well-known international player from Senegal Some of the reason for that might be Khadim’s mom, Dr. Suzanne Scheld, who was a softball letterwinner at Yale University in the 1980s She is department chair of anthropology at Cal State-Northridge “He has seen what mom has accomplished in life Isma Diaw has spent 30 years in the United States as a post-graduate student and product engineer professional He fairly recently began his own consulting company one that has him splitting time here and in his hometown of Dakar Those international ties have allowed him the opportunity to make slow-but-sure progress on his goal of introducing full-fledged baseball to the country. Senegal has a national program for Baseball5 which is a new “street” version of the sport players using their bare hand to hit a small rubber ball onto the field which is about 70 square feet and can be of any composition: dirt There are no pitchers and no gloves or bats are used That’s a start toward getting youths introduced to the real thing, which is where Isma Diaw comes in. He and others, including the U.S. Embassy in Senegal, worked to get a license for an official Little League Baseball program in the country a 19-year-old playing in low-Class A for the Bradenton Pirates There has been only one African player ever in the major leagues: Gift Ngoepe an outfielder from South Africa who played 28 games in 2017 with Pittsburgh and 13 games the following season with the Toronto Blue Jays “We’re just kind of taking baby steps with this,” Isma Diaw said “We are trying to secure some land right now.” and would house a complex with four fields three for baseball and another for softball There would be four official baseball programs in Senegal: tee ball for 5 and 6-year olds and regular baseball for 7 and 8-year olds 9 to 15-year-olds and for those older than 15 Diaw said a new government regime has emphasized teaching English to children in schools and the country’s baseball program would help do that as well “We plan on having housing,” Isma Diaw said “We want to see if we can eventually create a program where we can have kids here (in the United States) training kids over there in Senegal Perhaps some day Khadim Diaw can be one of those trainers He and his younger brother Assane have visited the country a handful of times he can be a poster boy for baseball in Senegal you can actually do this,” Isma Diaw said it definitely would be impactful to bring baseball to Senegal,” Khadim Diaw said Iowa (KCRG) - Pete Buttigieg will hold a town hall in downtown Cedar Rapids this month According to a Facebook event the town hall will serve as a meeting place for Iowans to discuss recent policy and its impacts on the American people Buttigieg will talk about the effects of the Trump-Vance administration and how their “actions have made Americans less prosperous and less free” The event is slated for May 13 at 5:30 p.m Location details are not available at this time Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will headline a town hall in Cedar Rapids focused on Republican President Donald Trump's handling of veterans' issues The event is scheduled for May 13 in Cedar Rapids. It was first reported by CNN The town hall is being hosted by VoteVets Action Fund and is part of a broader effort by the group to drive national conversations about veterans issues The group confirmed the event to the Des Moines Register "The town hall will be an opportunity for veterans including threats to veterans' health care and the democratic principles that veterans swore to defend," according to a news release Buttigieg is deeply familiar with Iowa after running for president and campaigning extensively in the state ahead of the Democrats' 2020 Iowa Caucuses But he ended his campaign after failing to gain traction and later served in President Joe Biden's administration as transportation secretary He recently passed on running for U.S. Senate in Michigan fueling speculation that he could be eyeing another presidential run in 2028 Buttigieg has been making the rounds on the television and podcast circuit And CNN reports this will be his first public in-person event since leaving his cabinet post in January Following the 2020 Iowa caucuses, which were marred by delayed results and faulty technology, the Democratic National Committee stripped Iowa of its first-in-the-nation status. And in 2024, South Carolina headed off the presidential nominating process for Democrats It no longer is expected to lead off of the presidential primary process for Democrats but political activity in the state still raises eyebrows and could further fuel speculation about Buttigieg's ambitions heading into 2028 Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244 once a presidential candidate that finished with the most delegates in the 2020 Iowa Caucuses is hosting a town hall in Cedar Rapids later this month A Facebook event says the town hall will be at 5:30 on Tuesday The event is advertised to take place in downtown Cedar Rapids but does not include an exact location it says the town hall will be an opportunity for Iowans "including Veterans and military families" to discuss recent policy decisions hurting the country "Hear directly from Pete Buttigieg on how the Trump-Vance administration’s actions have made Americans less prosperous and less free - and how we all have a role to play in building a better future," the event says Buttigieg performed well in the Iowa Caucuses back in 2020 The Associated Press and other outlets never declared a winner due to a delay in results and an error with the mobile app used for the caucus voting Indiana Mayor withdrew in the 2020 race after South Carolina and endorsed eventual president Joe Biden Buttigieg then served in the Biden Administration as U.S $14.9M Alliant Energy LightLine bridge will connect NewBo and Czech Village CEDAR RAPIDS — For those waiting with bated breath for the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Cedar River the groundbreaking ceremony held Tuesday was akin to the release of a long-held sigh the Alliant Energy LightLine bridge is more than a decade in the making Nearly 100 people squeezed into Mount Trashmore’s 948 building Tuesday to celebrate its impending construction we finally did it,” ConnectCR board President Mike McGrath told the crowd “This won’t just be another bridge It will be an iconic destination for our city — one that will attract walkers bikers and tourists … and shine a light on our community.” The LightLine project will connect the historic NewBo and Czech Village districts by replacing an old railroad bridge washed out by the 2008 flood the bridge will be open to pedestrians and cyclists The project’s namesake feature comes in the form of a 165-foot LED-lit tower equipped with internal and external lighting features the bridge will be part of Cedar Rapids’ segment of the American Discovery Trail and the Great American Rail-Trail While Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony largely was ceremonial, actual construction will begin soon on the roughly $14.9 million project in hopes of opening the bridge on early 2027 The City Council voted in December to award a bid for its construction the bridge will be maintained by the city of Cedar Rapids The bridge will be funded through a mix of private donations The city contributed about $5.9 million to the overall project Alliant Energy contributed $1 million to ConnectCR earning the company a shoutout in the bridge’s official title “The Alliant Energy LightLine bridge is a game changer for our city,” said City Manager Jeff Pomeranz “It’s a strong example of the importance of public-private partnerships and ConnectCR will be one of the largest (such partnerships) in city history.” The broader ConnectCR project also will include enhancements to recreation around Cedar Lake just north of downtown including a new trail on the east side of the lake but board member Steve Sovern said the idea for the pedestrian bridge began in 2014 when the nonprofit was brainstorming ways to further enhance connectivity in Cedar Rapids The damaged remains of the old railroad bridge presented both a spark of creativity and a “sleeping giant of opportunity,” Sovern said and the idea for a pedestrian-focused river crossing was officially born Sovern said the project is meant to honor the city’s past and present by connecting city residents and visitors for generations to come The bridge will be bookended by parklike features on both sides that will have plaques outlining local history Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said she hopes those details and others included across the project’s unique features will help all area visitors and residents connect with the history and significance of the LightLine bridge “I’ve always believed that a bridge is never just a bridge,” O’Donnell said of movement and of progress that tells us even when there are things that divide us … we can always bring something that brings us back together.” Joined Iowa's News Now to discuss the Mom's Night Out event at SpareTime in Cedar Rapids No reservations are needed, and it is first-come, first-served. For more information on the event, click here to visit their website Economic development director says city ‘well positioned’ for the future CEDAR RAPIDS — After nearly two decades at the forefront of Cedar Rapids’ economic development Neumann has served the last nine years as executive director of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance — rounding out a broader 19-year career in economic and community development He first served as the downtown district director before the district merged with the Economic Development Group and the Chamber of Commerce to create the alliance in 2012 serves roughly 1,200 members to promote economic and workforce development in and around the Cedar Rapids area The search is now on for Neumann’s replacement and a new executive director could be selected as soon as this summer Neumann said he believes the city is well-situated to reach new heights under his successor “This is the greatest job in the world we probably have something to do with it,” Neumann told The Gazette … We do all the things that others think just happens.” Q: How did you get into economic development A group of downtown leaders were looking for a new leader for the downtown district and they had kind of struck out with some of the more traditional candidates They struck up a conversation with me that I think neither side really expected but ultimately led me in January of 2007 to going to work for the downtown district another five as executive vice president (at the Economic Alliance) and then the last nine as executive director Even as I moved into broader economic and community development roles my heart has always been in downtown where I started MedQ and Uptown Marion: (Those kinds of districts) are really something that distinctly identifies the nature of a community Q: Is there one moment that sticks out most from your time working in economic development A: Well of course there’s the community milestone of the 2008 flood I’d been in the job for 18 months at the time and we get what — at the time — was the fifth-worst natural disaster in U.S Nothing we were doing was relevant anymore and we really became community redevelopers I certainly remember my teammates and the other people in the downtown district working through this calamitous thing together and I think we have lifetime bonds because we worked through that It did take a few months of just debris piles and that sense of despair but a few months after that (we) started to recognize the silver lining of that disaster was that we were going to get opportunities to completely remake a community All of that you see today — the new downtown library the new federal courthouse and the new approach to riverfront development There’s a long list of stuff … but that’s what I remember most Q: Are there other projects or events that left an impression on you traditional things that I’ve had the honor to run one lap of the relay race on I got handed the baton on things like the Downtown Farmers Market the Leadership for Five Seasons program and our young professional program Those are things that have existed long before I was here that I got to nurture and champion these last 19 years … That’s a real strength of Cedar Rapids — that we have some foundational programs that have been around for a long long time and that have had a really major impact on the community Q: What are some other strengths you think are unique to Cedar Rapids A: Certainly the private sector strength of this community is powerful We’ve seen that in the support of the Economic Alliance that comes from our private sector and the development and business community The other thing that is special and important about Cedar Rapids is its manufacturing and agribusiness base Very few communities have the transportation and utility infrastructure to support manufacturing the way we do I think that mindset where other communities kind of turned their back on manufacturing Now we’ve got a society that’s sort of trending back in that direction where you hear a lot of federal policy discussion about making things here (in the United States) Cedar Rapids is positioned to be at the center of that kind of economic growth because that’s where we’ve always been Q: You’ve worked in economic development for almost 20 years A: Nineteen years is a long time in this industry I’m the longest serving executive in this role since 1966 in Cedar Rapids … and one of the longest serving across the state of Iowa I just felt like because our team is so strong right now our board is so strong and membership is in a great place … that it was an ideal time to pass the baton on to the next person I never wanted to (leave) when things weren’t good and we’re on such a winning streak as a community and an organization right now that it felt like the time was right Q: Looking back on your time in economic development how is Cedar Rapids situated differently now than when you began this work A: When you’ve been at something for 19 years … a lot can change more things to do and more attractions for young workers But still — and this is a cliche — the more things change We’re still in an industrial manufacturing hardworking community that with an economy that — while it’s diversified some — still has its foundational base in those private sector businesses that are really the bedrock of what we are as an economy but I’m very concerned about the hostility in public discourse right now Great solutions can come out of discussions with people who have a different perspective than you do and civil debate and people working collaboratively toward those solutions is really critical We seem to have lost that art — certainly in politics but even in more general community discussions I’m just very concerned about that hostility and that undertone or divisiveness … That’s mostly endemic at the federal level but I see that even at the local level and I think we need to do better Q: What’s next once you leave the Economic Alliance I intend to stay here until I can hand the keys to my successor but it does look like the board is on track to have somebody here by midsummer My mind and my heart is very open to what comes next — potentially even something very very different than what I’ve done before I’m intentionally not aggressively seeking something right now because I’d love the opportunity to unplug and reenergize a little bit Where I do ultimately plug back in professionally is yet to be determined … but there’s zero chance that I’m leaving this community The petting zoo welcomes visitors of all ages CEDAR RAPIDS — Old MacDonald’s Farm at Bever Park will open for the season Monday with a “Chalk the Farm” event in southeast Cedar Rapids which has been in operation for more than 100 years features a variety of farm animals and North American waterfowl and offers hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages Guests of all ages are invited to decorate the farm’s sidewalks with chalk art throughout the day which is operated by the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department The farm will be open daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through the summer and into the fall. It is located in Bever Park, 2700 Bever Ave. SE. For more information about Old MacDonald’s Farm, visit CityofCR.com/OldMacDonaldsFarm Home / News / Government & Politics / State Government Nonprofit leader Ramirez bested Republican challenger Bernie Hayes to replace former Rep CEDAR RAPIDS — Democrat Angel Ramirez will represent southeast Cedar Rapids in the Statehouse after winning Tuesday’s House District 78 special election a nonprofit leader and Cedar Rapids community organizer received 2,742 votes — or 79 percent — to replace former Democratic lawmaker Sami Scheetz who resigned April 1 with a year and a half left in his term She bested Republican challenger Bernie Hayes a retired systems engineer who received 721 votes and she will now serve the remainder of Scheetz’s unexpired term as the first Latina woman recorded to have been elected to the Iowa House Democrats remain in the minority in the Iowa House The chamber is made up of 33 Democrats and 67 Republicans Approximately 17.4 percent of voters registered in District 78 participated in Tuesday’s special election Ramirez moved to Cedar Rapids to attend Coe College as a first-generation college student and received degrees in political science and social and criminal justice a nonprofit fellowship program for emerging leaders in the Cedar Rapids area She also serves as board president for equity-advocacy group Advocates for Social Justice and works as a peace facilitator at the Kids First Law Center to bring restorative justice practices to the Cedar Rapids Community School District She previously told The Gazette she was seeking elected office to reduce costs for working Iowans increase state support for Iowa’s public schools and bolster protections for marginalized communities “Our campaign has really been about joy hope and progress,” Ramirez told The Gazette shortly after her victory announcement and I will continue to do so (at the statehouse) because I believe in our community and I know that we can build a better future together.” Ramirez received endorsements from several local leaders including Scheetz She also saw support from area labor organizations including the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Hawkeye Area Labor Council and the Iowa State Education Association Scheetz resigned April 1 to assume a role on the Linn County Board of Supervisors Potential replacements had until April 15 to file for candidacy and early in-person absentee voting began April 21 Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart opined in a written statement that Ramirez's fit with the district hard work and the support of Democratic organizers in Linn County made the landslide win possible “I’d like to thank Ramirez for her readiness to represent her constituents and to stand up for the rights and prosperity of all Iowans,” Hart wrote “The scale of our victory tonight shows that as long as Democrats run candidates who understand and fight for their communities we can win elections across the state.” Masked robber was identified after police saw his sinister clown tattoo CEDAR RAPIDS — A Marion man who was identified as a suspect by a sinister clown tattoo on his leg pleaded guilty and was sentenced Thursday for a lesser charge in the armed robbery of a convenience store last May Jamey Lee Heil originally charged with first-degree robbery made an Alford plea to second-degree robbery he didn’t admit guilty but admitted the prosecution had sufficient evidence for a conviction Heil admitted to intentionally robbing the Kum & Go at 1203 Blairs Ferry Rd in Marion and putting the clerk in “immediate fear of injury” on May 25 Sixth Judicial District Senior Judge Patrick Grady sentenced Heil to up to 10 years in prison Heil must serve a mandatory five years before being eligible for parole Heil declined to comment during sentencing The victim didn’t submit a victim impact statement and didn’t attend the hearing black-and-white hat with a “Pennywise” logo — a character from a Stephen King horror novel — and a dark hooded sweatshirt but said the robber told her to “pop the register” and pulled up his sweatshirt to display a black pistol in his waistband Surveillance video showed the suspect pulling out a black pistol using his left hand and holding the gun close to his body as he demanded money He had a visible tattoo on his right hand and both legs and appeared to be between 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-8 with a slim build and a beard Another surveillance camera from a business behind the convenience store showed the suspect wearing the same mask and Pennywise logo hat as he entered the south parking lot of the store in a blue Ford Explorer just before the robbery He was wearing shorts to reveal the clown tattoo on his left leg running back to the Explorer and he was carrying a 12-pack of beer — the same brand that’s captured on store surveillance video Investigators found the Explorer was registered to a woman who had photos of Heil on her social media account Some of the photos of him showed the clown tattoo and others on his legs Officers also obtained a search warrant of his home where police found more items he used in the robbery police said following his arrest last year When Heil talked with police about the robbery “I made a huge mistake,” according to the criminal complaint Dozens of lawyers reaffirmed their Iowa Lawyer’s Oath in front of the Linn County Courthouse judges and some community members showed up Thursday to support judicial independence and Iowa constitutions and the rule of law during National Law Day of Action on the steps of the Linn County Courthouse The lawyers also reaffirmed their Iowa Lawyer’s Oath a pledge they take after passing the bar exam and starting to practice law Iowa Supreme Court Associate Justice Dana Oxley administered the oath to the lawyers in attendance Iowa State Bar Association President Melvin Shaw said the event prompted him to consider what it means to be an attorney He said he was “proud” to be able to reaffirm his oath and uphold the Constitution and democracy “maintain respect due to the courts and my colleagues perform to the upmost of my abilities and education faithfully and ethically discharge the duties required of Iowa lawyers.” They also swear to be “zealous” advocates for their clients and strive to represent the legal profession as “one of justice said he was “honored to come out and reaffirm his oath I think an independent judiciary is more important than ever We just don’t serve clients but also the justice system as well He said they all went to law school for the same reason to “help people and support our system of justice I just see this as a small way to continue to do that.” said she attended to support the Constitution “It needs a huge hug right now and let it know that we are here and we respect it It’s national Law Day — everybody should be here.” a Cedar Rapids lawyer and University of Iowa College of Law associate professor said he thought it was important to renew and “remember our commitment to the rule of law guiding this country I think lawyers need to take opportunities to come together and remember their unique role in safeguarding our system.” said she wanted to support her dad and others in the legal profession “I also brought my kids because it’s something we’ve taken for granted,” Anderson said “I wanted my kids to see that this is important We need to fight for this because things are changing quickly and we can’t take it for granted I believe in the law and I believe there are a lot of good people in the community.” Cedar Rapids City Attorney Vanessa Chavez said Law Day is one of her favorite programs “Law Day is such an important part of what we do as a legal community,” Chavez said “It’s about our contributions to the community The 6th Judicial District lawyers and Linn County Bar Association annually celebrate Law Day, but this year they joined the National Law Day of Action to promote judicial independence and independence of the legal profession We're here for you 24 hours 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All rights reserved | Web Application by Informatics, Inc. | Pay OnlineEC2AMAZ-JURNIGD Moville Post 303 Futures and Swisher Post 671 compete in hopes of advancing to … Home / Sports MARION — With practices set to begin Monday for the Iowa prep baseball season a select group of players have gotten a jump-start on their preparation Moville Post 303 Futures and Swisher Post 671 — will compete in the American Legion Baseball state tournament in hopes of advancing to the regional tournament in August at Fargo “It’s just going out there and playing with my friends,” said Swisher third baseman/right fielder Michael Day seeing live pitching and playing with some of my high school teammates Getting to know them even more before the season starts Getting to know who their playing styles are.” American Legion Baseball — a national youth baseball program started by the nation’s largest veterans organization to provide lessons in sportsmanship and citizenship with an emphasis on loyalty courage and physical fitness — has been played by more than 10 million young people since its beginning and is celebrating its 100th year in 2025 “We have been doing this since 2019 and it has kind of evolved,” Swisher Manager Andy Volz said “We were just some Prairie kids at first doing some stuff to get ready for the season We started having some success and Legion baseball in the past has always been groups of kids and last year was the first year we did it that way.” the Swisher team includes students from Cedar Rapids Kennedy Dubuque County has players from the four Dubuque high schools while the Moville squad consists of a variety of players from northwest Iowa high schools Marion — which exclusively consists of Linn-Mar players — will host the state tournament at Linn-Mar High School Dubuque County and Moville will tussle at 12:30 and the winners will meet at 3 for a spot in the regional tournament All four teams advanced to the state tournament by winning one of last month’s area tournaments across Iowa “A lot of us are really excited,” said Swisher catcher/first baseman Shraden Lechtenberg “We saw what we could do in the area tournament to get to state Some of us have been on the team from last year and the experience of regionals A lot of the guys are really excited for the chance to go.” Both Day and Lechtenberg are playing for a third American Legion state title in a row The pair were not only on the regional-qualifying Swisher team from last season but two years ago they helped Swisher win its regional and advance to the American Legion World Series in Shelby “All 15 guys can definitely go out there and compete where a couple of years ago we had some holes everybody is all in to make another run at it.”