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 More than 20 Coralville residents are without a home after a fire tore through their apartment building on Wednesday afternoon The fire started in a 12-unit building near 927 Boston Way The Coralville Fire Department said 12 people were inside the building when the fire started and "were able to get out safely under their own power." Several pets could not be rescued and died in the blaze United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties said the fire department deemed the building uninhabitable and residents were informed that all personal belongings in the building were unsalvageable More: How a $2M Junior Achievement partnership with Iowa City CSD will boost career readiness Johnson County's Emergency Management Agency United Way and the Red Cross are helping the residents The Coralville Fire Department said the fire has been ruled as "accidental," but the specific cause remains under investigation United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties President and CEO Jennifer Banta said in a release that residents were housed in a local hotel on Wednesday and Thursday using funding from the organization's Disaster Response Fund Hotels are preferred to common areas for residents because they provide "a safer and more dignified space for families as they begin the recovery process," Banta said The property management company that owns the damaged building is working with United Way the Red Cross and the county Emergency Management Agency who was not named in the United Way release is expected to have alternative housing options available for residents "as early as" Friday More: Court orders Washington Co. dog breeder to pay $35K for 'inhumane and unsafe' dog care Two firefighters were seen at local hospitals for "minor" injuries sustained from falling sheetrock Coralville Fire Chief Orey Schweitzer told the Press-Citizen None of the 12 residents who were in the building at the time were injured A litany of local fire departments assisted in extinguishing the fire Firefighters remained on the scene until 11:45 p.m Schweitzer said the Coralville Fire Department visited the building again Thursday morning to ensure that there was no additional fire risk Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X Home / News / Government & Politics / Local Government There is no definitive timeline for the plan The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread The Gather Iowa Project by Dallas-based Rael Development Corporation proposed a mix of residential bicycle and pedestrian access mixed into the development in the southeast area along the Coralville strip had been of development interest due to its highly visible location and proximity to the University of Iowa Coralville City Manager Kelly Hayworth previously told The Gazette that development on the site had been difficult because of the area’s location on a flood plain as well as replacing other infrastructure such as streets Throughout the planning period there have been concerns about access to affordable housing and displacing existing businesses in the development district The city and the development team were working together to identify potential options such as reserving a number of housing units for affordable housing increasing housing density or using other city-owned land “The conversation is headed in the right direction,” Mayor Meghann Foster said at an earlier city council meeting “I'm grateful that we have someone that's willing to engage in the creative problem solving with this.” the Coralville City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the developer’s master plan and preliminary plat for the project and now includes fours lots to be developed simultaneously as opposed to the previous five The plan for two lots — 0.66 and 0.79 acres in size — will include one-story buildings for retail and restaurants facing Second Street to allow for maximum visibility and pedestrian access a 4.37-acre lot will hold a 295-unit six-story multifamily residential building with a pool and courtyard A five-story parking garage will accompany the residential building Development plans also include a 34-unit multifamily residential building on a 1.49-acre lot The specifics on the affordability efforts are still being finalized has been changed from a mixed-use building with residential options That project was not included in the vote or the review process but was included to ensure a future development would have adequate parking has had discussions with city staff and the development team about potential relocation options or other programs for existing businesses in the area and may be involved in those efforts The economic development agency supports the development as it falls within the organization’s strategic investment districts “The proposed development is positioned to transform this under utilized area into a dynamic hub with a diverse range of housing options and commercial opportunities while honoring the diversity of the surrounding area,” Mackenzie DeRoo senior director of advocacy at Greater Iowa City Inc. Now that the initial platting has been approved the development team will work toward detailed building design and landscaping final designs will go back to the city council for approval There is no definitive timeline for when construction could begin on the project 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 — Coralville homes can expect an extra trash collection on Friday or Monday The city is making stops at curbs for free and crews are collecting trash and smaller items in carts Crews will also pick up an additional tagged bag on top of the closed lid crews will stop by for the additional pickup on Monday The city will only empty trash carts for this extra collection Regular collections will still happen on scheduled days where recycling and yard waste will also be picked up contact the Streets and Solid Waste Department at 319-248-1740 More: UI grad students rally against funding cuts, demand 'academic freedom' in Iowa City Local franchisees Aricka and Michael Hilton opened their first Iowa location in Dubuque in 2022 The couple was introduced to Crumbl while living in Utah Co-founders Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley teamed up “on a quest to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookie." In the eight years since, Crumbl has expanded to include more than 1,000 bakeries making it the fastest-growing cookie company in the U.S. More: 4 must-see weekend events in Iowa City include The Iowa Disability Film Festival, live music The Hilton's love for cookies and making people happy inspired them to open a second store in Coralville and the joy and happiness it brought," Michael Hilton said We saw people experience joy from these cookies It became more than just a business; we fell in love with it.” What to expect at CrumblCrumbl specializes in 5.5-ounce cookies using familiar ingredients such as sugar Crumbl considers the cookies "out of code." Each cookie is about the size of your palm and the bakery has an open kitchen so customers can watch the baking process The store also offers mini desserts and chilled cookie varieties More: University of Iowa, Iowa State bands unite for historic concert at Chicago Symphony Center “(One of my favorites) is Boston Cream Pie and I've been to Boston and had a Boston Cream Pie but this cookie is better,” Michael Hilton said The baked offerings come in single servings or packaged in pink boxes filled with four Each cookie is frosted and topped as they're ordered from an iPad screen in-store They can also be ordered online for pickup they need to be prepared that they're going to be tasting one of the best cookies in the world,” said Dylan Posada Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X CORALVILLE — The Coralville City Council has unanimously approved the fiscal 2026 city budget that slightly decreases the property tax rate but increases utility charges and other fees Coralville’s general fund budget will increase roughly 2.7 percent up from about $33.18 million to about $34.49 million “...(G)eneral fund expansions reflect other costs necessary to provide services in a growing community and include things like three new police vehicles and equipment new parking ticket software and license plate read system (and) access for future fire vehicle replacement,” Ann Hester The city is creating a full-time English language learning instructor position at the public library and budgeting for an increase in costs of library materials The property tax levy is set to decrease to $14.527 per $1,000 of taxable valuation Coralville homeowners still will see an increase in their residential property tax bills due to the state raising the residential rollback rate from 46.34 to 47.43 percent That means property tax rates will be applied to a larger portion of a property’s value institute a $50,000 homestead exemption for all homeowners and have the state pick up some education costs now supported by local property taxes “...We're facing a lot of unknowns coming out of Des Moines that's going to affect every municipality in the future That's something that we have to keep in our radar But I guess a lot of things in the future are unknown,” said City Council member Rich Vogelzang City water rates are set to increase for the fourth straight year for both residential and commercial customers Residential rates will increase from $8.29 per month each additional 100 cubic feet of water will cost $2.25 The city has also approved a 2 percent utility franchise fee The fees are expected to generate between $325,00 and $350,000 in revenue to be put toward general fund expenditures Annual yard waste sticker fees are set to increase from $25 to $40 and yard waste bag fees will increase from $1 to $1.50 Overnight and continuous parking rates in the city’s north ramp and south lot will increase from $8 to $10 each time the monthly park and ride fee will increase from $50 to $55 Get a weekly roundup of Johnson County news by signing up for my Johnson County Update newsletter FILE - The Coralville City Council has approved its budget for Fiscal Year 2026 which includes a small cut to the city’s property tax levy and continued funding for infrastructure and capital projects Iowa — The Coralville City Council has approved its budget for Fiscal Year 2026 The balanced budget goes into effect July 1 following a public hearing and council vote on April 22 City officials say the budget is designed to maintain essential services and support long-term financial stability—all while keeping tax rates relatively steady The city’s property tax levy will drop slightly to $14.52739 per $1,000 of taxable value But homeowners could still see their city property tax bill go up due to an increase in the state’s residential rollback rate That change could mean about $15 more annually per $100,000 of assessed home value Commercial and industrial property owners are expected to see about a $22 increase on the first $150,000 of value To help fund city services and reduce reliance on property taxes the city plans to double its utility franchise fee from 1% to 2% That fee — charged on gas and electric bills — is expected to bring in an additional $325,000 to $350,000 annually The increase is allowed under Coralville’s franchise agreements with MidAmerican Energy and Linn County REC The budget also includes the final phase of previously approved water rate hikes residential customers will pay $8.75 per month for the first 200 cubic feet of water The General Fund is projected to bring in about $34.5 million with 41% of that revenue coming from property taxes Most of the money will go toward parks and recreation Two public hearings were held at City Hall ahead of the budget’s approval—one on March 25 to review the property tax levy and another on April 22 to present the full budget The city is required to file the final budget with the state and county by April 30 CORALVILLE, Iowa — Families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of music, creativity, and community connection at PLAYing in the Park, a new outdoor festival taking place Saturday, May 3, at North Ridge Park. Hosted by The Iowa Children’s Museum in partnership with the Coralville Public Library and Coralville Parks and Recreation, the free event will run from noon to 3 p.m., with a pre-show play session beginning at 11:45 a.m. The festival will feature live music from local performers, hands-on activities for children, interactive art, and a celebration of early literacy through the unveiling of a permanent Book Walk installation in the park. Live performances include appearances by Blake Shaw, Kevin Burt, The Swampland Jewels, and multiple showcases by the Young Footliters youth theater group. The schedule is designed to keep families engaged throughout the afternoon. Attendees can expect a range of playful and creative experiences led by The Iowa Children’s Museum and community partners, including crafts, mascot visits—featuring the museum’s Pete the Turtle—and a stop by the Coralville Public Library’s Book Bike. The event also marks the debut of a new public art project for children, created by the museum to inspire outdoor learning and exploration. North Ridge Park is located at 2250 Holiday Road in Coralville. Parking is available at the Community of Christ Church next to the park or in the Coral Ridge Mall lot near Best Buy. A paved trail connects the mall lot directly to the park. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Community rallies around displaced families after Coralville apartment building fireby Lauren Avenatti CORALVILLE, Iowa — Almost two dozen people have been displaced from their homes after a fire at an apartment building in Coralville on Boston Way Wednesday afternoon. Now, the community is banding together to support those who have been affected. “I didn't think I would have a home. My heart breaks for them," Mady Hanson, a resident of the complex, said. Mady Hanson, who has lived in the complex on Boston Way for four years, was home when the fire started around 4 p.m. Wednesday. “All of a sudden, I heard screams, I smelled smoke, and I looked over here, and this entire side was engulfed in flames," Hanson said. "I grabbed the cats, ran out here, got into my car, and I actually had to drive through the flames to get out of here." The damages are estimated to be around $1 million. As for the tenants who lost their homes, United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties are coordinating with the families to support them through their 'Community Organizations Active in Disaster' (COAD) leadership. “The immediate response after the disaster was to get folks into hotel rooms and United Way’s disaster response fund is covering the first 48 hours of those hotel stays, so that folks have a safe, secure, private place that they can go to after the disaster," United Way President and CEO Jennifer Banta said. The fire was so devastating that none of the affected residents' belongings are salvageable from their apartments. United Way is working with other local organizations to provide both short and long-term assistance to those families and replace what was lost. “An extra outfit, a toothbrush can be a really comforting item when you’ve just learned that you have lost everything," United Way Director of Community Impact & Engagement Emily Meister said. As for Mady, her apartment did suffer damage. Now she's looking at the next steps that she will be taking. “For me, personally, I’ll be filing a claim with my insurance, following up with that, working with my leasing company, and I’ve offered if anybody needs any help, please reach out. There is support. Boston Way is a family, so we all look out for each other," Hanson said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. CORALVILLE, Iowa — Police in Coralville responded to an unusual scene Saturday morning when two miniature horses were spotted roaming the soccer fields at the youth sports park on Dempster Drive. Officers spent about 45 minutes trying to corral the loose animals. With no immediate sign of their owner, help came from Colony Acres Family Farm, which provided a trailer and temporary shelter for the horses. The horses, named Buttercup and Butterscotch, were later confirmed to belong to Forever Green. The farm said the pair had escaped but were safely returned. The Coralville Police Department thanked a Dempster Drive homeowner for allowing officers to use their backyard as a temporary holding area and expressed appreciation to Colony Acres for stepping in to assist. GoFundMe's launched for Coralville residents as fire devastates homes and belongingsby Lauren Avenatti CORALVILLE, Iowa — Days after a destructive fire tore through an apartment complex in Coralville family members and friends have launched online fundraisers to help those impacted begin to rebuild The fire broke out on April 9 and quickly rendered parts of the building uninhabitable and pet owners - all now leaning on community support to recover from the losses Help Rebuild Sophia’s Life After Fire Tragedy she was the last to evacuate the building after noticing flames outside her window and alerting neighbors Her family has started a fundraiser to help her recover from the trauma and financial burden of the fire Donate to Sophia’s GoFundMe Help Gloria Rebuild After Devastating Fire Gloria was living on the top floor of the apartment building where the roof is now exposed to the elements Her family says everything inside her unit was destroyed A GoFundMe has been created to help her begin anew Donate to Gloria’s GoFundMe Support Leah's Recovery from Apartment Fire Leah lost everything while at work during the fire Her best friend Kimberly started a GoFundMe to help Leah and her boyfriend recover as none of their belongings were salvageable Donate to Leah’s GoFundMe If any other victims are in need of any help/have a GoFundMe fishes the candy out of his eggs after the Coralville Community Easter Egg Hunt April 19 sort their eggs after the Coralville Community Easter Egg Hunt April 19 Iowa — Flames and smoke could be seen coming from a multi-family apartment building near the Coral Ridge Mall Wednesday evening We now know several pets did not survive that fire The cause of the fire is currently under investigation Crews got the call to the fire on Boston Way just after 4 p.m and had things under control within an hour According to a press release from Corville Fire Department Wednesday evening investigators believe the fire started on a deck They believe about a dozen people were home at the time but they got out safely themselves Authorities say around 22 people were displaced by the fire and damages are estimated to be around $1 million Iowa's News Now saw the fire on its WeatherFirst Skycam around 4:45 p.m showed the apartment complex on fire Wednesday evening This is at least the third major fire at Boston Way in the last decade Home / News / Fires CORALVILLE — Several pets were lost and 22 people were displaced by a Wednesday afternoon fire that charred a multifamily apartment building just south of the Coral Ridge Mall The first call about flames at the 927 Boston Way complex came in at 4:09 Wednesday A dozen people who were home at the time were evacuated from the apartment building and one attached to it according to the Coralville Fire Department “Everyone was able to get out safely under their own power,” according to Chief Orey Schwitzer “several pets were unable to be rescued.” The 22 people displaced by the fire — which levied heavy damage estimated at about $1 million — are being helped by Johnson County Emergency Management “Firefighters remain on the scene completing the investigation,” Schwitzer said Thursday “The cause of the fire is ruled to be accidental but is still under investigation.” Initial reports were that it started on a deck who said firefighters had the flames subdued within an hour and had cleared the scene Wednesday before 7 p.m neighbors gathered and comforted residents — including one tenant whose puppy had been trapped inside Although firefighters did find the pet and attempted to resuscitate it “The owner of the dog showed up like halfway through the fire trucks being here,” said Cloud Clavijo who was among those evacuated from the complex “It was crazy watching all of the firemen go in searching for the dog that people rumored was in there.” “they did six minutes of CPR inside and then another 10 out here.” Clavijo said she’d been home all day — on her day off — and had woken up around 10 a.m “It smelled like smoke all day,” she said “I figured someone was having a little grill out So I didn't think much of it until I started hearing screaming a couple hours later.” she saw the entire side of the attached building in flames “There was a car underneath the balconies Clavijo said she was rounding up her cats when law enforcement came running in ordering everyone to evacuate She made it out safely with her three cats and phone Once firefighters were on scene working toward containment Clavijo said she worried less about it spreading to her unit also lives nearby and walked over Wednesday to watch the containment efforts She too wasn’t as worried about it spreading to her place as she was about those directly affected and their losses I hope everyone’s OK’,” she said “And at this point I’m more thinking where can I donate all my Goodwill goods?” Assisting at the scene Wednesday were fire departments from North Liberty Also on scene were the Johnson County Ambulance Services Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com including Iowa’s public universities More than 200 workers at a local Costco have unveiled plans to unionize Employees at the Coralville Costco along Heartland Drive are poised to unionize with Teamsters 238 citing a fight to win back "dignity and respect" amid "years of declining workplace conditions." Flyers titled "Hold Costco Accountable" were distributed outside the Englert Theatre on Feb The flyers say Costco has spread "anti-union propaganda" and violated worker's rights by "blocking the distribution of pro-union materials in break rooms," which prompted the Teamsters to file a charge against Costco management in Coralville "Costco should respect their employees' rights under federal law to organize with their coworkers," Teamsters 238 Secretary-Treasurer Jesse Case said in a statement "When good companies like Costco violate workers' rights it comes across as petty and unnecessary." The Iowa City Press-Citizen filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the National Labor Relations Board for the Teamsters' filing Specifics about the charging document were not immediately available Monday afternoon More: Bernie Sanders says Iowa Democratic Party has 'itself to blame' for losing Iowa Caucuses A letter to Costco employees posted on the Teamsters 238 website warned that company management may engage in group or one-on-one meetings will "likely distribute anti-union literature," and may replace managers "While employers love to play nice during a union organizing drive and bribe employees with promises and pizza parties they always revert to the same old way of doing business once the organizing drive is over." Teamsters 238 represents thousands of workers across Iowa as part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters a nationwide union that represents millions of workers in the state a union head and VA nurse and a local Costco employee Sandy Burkey took the stage in front of the capacity crowd at the Englert with emotion She has worked at Costco for a "long time" and is the local produce supervisor but compared when she started working there We used to be more than just numbers to the company," Burkey said "And it's time that we remind Costco that we are the company." More: Bernie Sanders slams Donald Trump, Elon Musk in 'Fighting Oligarchy' stop in Iowa City The address prompted cheers and claps from the packed theatre Burkey also urged community members not to boycott the store say 'hi' and help provide courage to continue fighting for unionization and we need the courage to keep going," Burkey said "And we're asking you to join our community coalition for worker's rights We're asking you to follow us and help us join the other 18,000 Costco Teamsters." also voiced support for Costco employees unionizing in the district he represents "Workers in Coralville and across Iowa deserve the freedom to organize without interference from management," Wahls said "Costco's actions undermine the fundamental rights of its employees I stand with these workers and the growing coalition fighting to ensure their voices are heard." Coralville has adopted a master plan for a new The city is eyeing a large open space near the still-under-construction University of Iowa Hospital in North Liberty Coralville's Parks and Recreation Department developed the plan with a community-led committee The group set three goals they hope to achieve with the new park They want to strike a balance between pedestrian access and preservation and provide easy access to the trail system to avoid congestion. The committee wants to develop trails that the community can use to "pause, reflect, and learn from designated educational moments," according to the planning presentation Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud presented the plan to the Coralville City Council She said the park will feature three different trails: One hard path for biking and walking a natural surface path intended for walking and a mountain biking trail The park would begin just north of Clear Creek Amana's newly-constructed East Ridge Elementary a short walk or bike ride from the University of Iowa's Research Park The UI's North Liberty medical campus would be within view of the proposed nature center at the northeast corner of the park More: Vote for the next Iowa City Press-Citizen Student of the Week A 2021 fen conservation plan is already in progress on the western portion of the West Land Use property Fens are wetlands that "rely on groundwater input and require thousands of years to develop and cannot easily be restored once destroyed," according to the U.S. Forest Service The park has one large and one small fen and is also home to two marshes All four areas will be easily viewable from the new trails dotted with various opportunities to learn about the plants and animals that call the area home The pathways will also be narrowly separated from areas the city intends to preserve would be raised above the edge of the fen area More: Miller-Meeks calls for renewable energy reform during Iowa solar farm visit The conservation and development of the park will come at a $9.41 million price tag according to the master plan's cost estimate Seven shelters and several thousand feet of trail development will cost a little more than $4 million The cost of building the nature center and improving the parking lot will be about $2.9 million and the site preparation and conservation efforts will cost about $757,000 A 15% contingency was also added to the final price tag for any construction-related snags The estimated $300,000 cost of extending Jones Boulevard for easier access to the nature center was not factored in but it is expected to be done in the coming years The park master plan sets the stage for park development The project will be completed in phases as grant money and other revenue streams open up Hawkeye alum planning to bring a new restaurant to the building (Editor’s note: This story was updated 4/29/25 to correct the name of the LLC now involved in the project.) CORALVILLE — The Coralville City Council is set to consider approving tax incentives next month for the renovation of the former Iowa River Power Restaurant after Old Gold & Black LLC announced plans last fall to bring a restaurant back to the vacant building would offer rebates for any additional tax revenue the property would bring in after the renovation for the next 10 years The renovations are set to be complete sometime in 2027 City Attorney Kevin Olson said the building brings in about $86,000 a year in property taxes at its current assessed value the city would rebate any property taxes over that amount “ … (T)his is different from most of our agreements This sets the base that the city will continue to collect versus what we would normally do and they would get anything above our base amount that we collect ” City Administrator Kelly Hayworth said Tuesday at a City Council meeting The building, 501 First Ave. in Coralville, was home to the Iowa River Power Restaurant for 46 years until its abrupt closure in November 2023 when restaurant owner Danise Petsel received an unexpected eviction notice The building will be undergoing historic renovations with plans to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places Some of the planned preservation efforts include restoring the original glass open front of the building and replacing windows A public hearing on the development is set for May 13 at the city’s regularly scheduled council meeting Old Gold & Black LLC purchased the building for about $3 million, according to the Corridor Business Journal is the founder of Athletico Physical Therapy which has over 900 locations around the country “The future restaurant is more than just a business endeavor It’s about honoring the past and giving back to a community that means the world to us,” Kaufman said in a statement last year “We want to create a space that feels like home celebrate and connect over great food.” More details about the restaurant will become available after a restaurant partner has been determined The Iowa River Power Restaurant first opened in 1977 after the property changed hands between the city of Coralville and local entrepreneurs a couple times between 1971 and 1976 Danise and David Petsel bought Iowa River Power and Flannigan’s in December 2002. Flannigan’s closed in December 2022 after at least 20 years in business Elijah Decious of The Gazette contributed to this report It's been a busy year in the Iowa City corridor with several new businesses popping up around town From inventive nightlife experiences to first-in-Iowa franchises and highly-anticipated local joints here is what arrived in Iowa City in 2024: the Des Moines metro-owned chain of customizable energy drinks The Johnson County establishment takes a slightly different approach from the other six locations Hyper customers can order in person through the drive-thru or the walk-up window the Iowa City store will only have in-person ordering and pickup More: Hyper Energy Bar to open in Iowa City in November Chicken Salad Chick near Texas Roadhouse and Buffalo Wild Wings Franchisees Pat and Melissa Ingle are operating Iowa's first location The restaurant boasts several varieties of chicken salad Contact: 319-625-2001 More: Chicken Salad Chick opens new Coralville location — its first in Iowa. Find out more: Paper Crane Ramen Shop and Cocktail Lounge opened in the Iowa City northside neighborhood in October the brainchild of Sam and Riene Gelman of The Webster and chef Edwin Lee The establishment is home to a full-service dining area on one side A cocktail lounge catering to the "adult crowd with refined tastes" is on the other Contact: papercraneic.com More: The owners of nationally recognized The Webster plan to open a ramen shop and cocktail lounge Dodge Street Coffeehouse, a fan favorite that closed in the summer, reopened at the South District Market in October anchored by many of the same menu offerings including lattes The shop offers drive-up pickup instead of a drive-thru to accommodate people on the go More: After closing in June, Dodge Street Coffeehouse is planning to reopen at the S. District Market Watermill Kitchen + Bar is one of the newest restaurants in Coralville's Iowa River Landing the final phase of the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center's multi-million-dollar renovation The menu features elevated Midwest classics like meatloaf and half-roasted chicken alongside standout dishes such as Chilean sea bass and braised short ribs Contact: 319-887-5018 or watermillkitchen.com More: Coralville’s Watermill Kitchen + Bar offers modern Midwestern cuisine with a taste of home Aether Social Club joins Ramen Belly in the Peninsula Neighborhood as a breakfast and lunch destination that take an inventive spin on the classics Aether Social Club also features lighter plates like salads Contact: 319-519-6222 or @aethersocialclub The country-themed bar is owned and operated by Iowa Ave which also owns establishments like Camp and Scout's Honor Giddy Up is an inventive nightlife experience that boasts many interactive elements along with a canning ring and a Bullshooter dart board Giddy Up is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 p.m Contact: @giddyupiowacity More: The Press-Citizen's favorite Thanksgiving traditions, from food and reasons to be thankful Located in the former Tru Coffee location, Kindred Coffee opened on June 19 The café is focused on a plant-powered menu and locally-sourced ingredients aimed at cultivating community in Iowa City Co-owners Molly Kirby and Connor Jenkins started as a mobile street food operation in 2022 They served up vegetarian breakfast items at local events later adding a mobile espresso bar before opening up the brick-and-mortar location this summer Contact: @kindredcoffee The Box is a modern sports lounge in the downtown corridor that opened at the old Mosley's location on Feb The establishment features a modern and intimate atmosphere with a uniquely curated menu that includes Turkish dishes Contact: 319-351-4647 or @theboxic525 More: The story behind the Iowa Farm Sanctuary, which gave PHill the water buffalo his new home Previously known as Joystick Comedy Arcade this bustling nightlife spot is anchored by live stand-up comedy and supported by traditional arcade games like Mortal Kombat shifted focus to highlight both comedy and live music The spot offers an array of programming that blends comedy and live entertainment from open mics to karaoke nights and even drag performances Alley Cat is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 p.m Contact: @alleycatiowacity More: Joystick Arcade toasts to a new era as Alley Cat, a multi-genre entertainment venue One of the most recent additions to the Iowa City nightlife is the country-themed bar Tequila Cowgirl which opened at the former Bardot location at 347 S The bar is owned by Spectrum Hospitality Group which also operates Studio 13 and Alley Cat The bar boasts special weekly and daily specials and is open from 6 p.m most weeknights and opens earlier in the day on weekends Contact: @tequilacowgirlic Chipotle is now serving burritos and tacos at 3260 Redhawk Street in Coralville The well-known fast food joint is part of a larger development project that brought in Dunkin The new Chipotle features a 'Chipotlane' pickup window and a drive-thru style order pickup method More: Chipotle opens its doors in Coralville, featuring 'Chipotlane' pick up window Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers opened in Iowa City's Old Capitol Mall on Aug. 27. The popular chicken joint known for its famous dipping sauce replaced the old Panera Bread at 201 S serving up a variety of chicken finger combos which always come with the franchise's iconic Cane's sauce and Texas toast More: Raising Cane's downtown Iowa City location opens Tuesday Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen reporters Susan Stapleton and Ryan Hansen contributed to this article Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X What started as hot dog carts simply marked as 'halal' has expanded to an internationally recognized brand The Halal Guys is bringing its fast casual Middle Eastern fare to Iowa with the opening of its first Iowa location on Saturday with dozens of grand opening perks hope that The Halal Guys will fill a gap in the Iowa City dining scene The Halal Guys will conjure up platters of gyro meat and falafel over rice and sandwiches wrapped in pita bread All the menu offerings meet halal standards and also offer a catering menu in addition to the dine-in and carry-out More: This popular Iowa City pizza restaurant is closing its Highway 1 location to open downtown Halal is an Arabic word meaning 'allowed' or 'lawful,' which adheres to Islamic law, as defined in the Koran. For food to be halal, animals must be slaughtered through a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe. The animals also must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter, according to the BBC. "It's the cleanest way to put down an animal for the people to eat and the whole process is done in the cleanest and least painful way for an animal," Ahamed said The fast-casual restaurant got its start in 1990 when Abdelbaset Elsayed and Ahmed Elsaka immigrated to New York City from Egypt and opened a food cart but when they realized that Muslim taxi drivers would buy halal food they switched to the platters and sandwiches that made them famous the restaurant started opening brick-and-mortar locations and franchising It now has more than 100 locations across North America and Asia More: Check out these 5 things to do in Iowa City as winter officially arrives The four owners of the new Coralville shop grew up in Iowa City and graduated from Iowa City West High School They each attended the University of Iowa as well The childhood friends frequented The Halal Guys in Chicago and Manhattan inspiring them to bring the international brand to Iowa They wanted to give back to a community that helped raise a group of immigrants and we are so indebted to Iowa City; it built us up and embraced us and we were given opportunities that we wouldn't have had back in Sudan,” Siddig said “It’s not just about food; it’s about celebrating the community that nourished us We’re proud to bring The Halal Guys to Iowa City and share something special with the place we call home.” The owners hope that the restaurant will fill a gap in the Iowa City and Coralville dining scene by serving as not only another Mediterranean restaurant but also a quick spot for people on the go and we all got together talking about what Iowa City needs that is not already here "(Iowa City has) Mediterranean restaurants but one thing we don't have is quick service Coralville's Halal Guys offering a variety of prizes on opening dayThe Halal Guys will officially open at 11 a.m The owners plan to open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day There will be plenty of ways for customers to win prizes on Christmas Day The first 100 guests will get a free small platter Every customer who visits the Coralville The Halal Guys location will be entered into a prize pool for an Apple Watch More: From the Iowa Caucuses to Caitlin Clark: Here are the Press-Citizen's most read stories of 2024 “(We want to encourage people to come out) since most Iowans do not recognize the brand and because it is winter,” Ahamed said The Halal Guys will open Sunday to Tuesday from 10:30 a.m Des Moines Register reporter Susan Stapleton contributed to this article A popular southern fast-casual restaurant is now open in Coralville Chicken Salad Chick opened at 2510 Corridor Way Operated by franchisees Pat and Melissa Ingle it will be the chain's first Iowa location The Coralville location and one in Chicago are currently the northernmost as it pushes into the Midwest Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday More: From Refocus Film Festival to the Iowa City Book Festival, here are 5 things to do in Iowa City Chicken Salad Chick's menu includes several varieties of chicken salad The restaurant's offerings also include pimento cheese spreads a variety of soups and dessert options like cookies Larger takeout containers of the chicken salad creations More: Iowa City schools weigh cellphone ban, limited-use policy to replace differing rules various specials will be offered for those purchasing Chick Meals 19 will receive a Chicken Salad Chick 40-ounce tumbler The People's March is coming to Coralville Community members will gather at the Coralville Library for a singing circle and march on Saturday in a show of solidarity with the nationwide People's March on Washington but we march for the same cause: to defend our rights and our future," the Coralville protest site says The Coralville event will begin at 9:30 a.m Nearly 70 people have indicated they will be attending as of Tuesday morning "If you believe that decisions about your body should remain yours not a privilege for the wealthy; if you believe in the power of free speech and protest to sustain democracy; or if you want an economy that works for the people who power it—then this march is for you," the site says More: Board of Regents asked by lawmakers to reject University of Iowa's proposed new school More: Iowa City Press-Citizen transitioning to postal delivery Local march is part of national movementThe Coralville march is one of three in the state of Iowa. The other two are scheduled to take place in Dubuque and Burlington on Saturday morning, according to the People's March site The nationwide release says tens of thousands will gather across the country "to show the strength of a feminist-led progressive movement its communities and networks – and to stand up for reproductive freedoms and our future – just days before the inauguration of Donald Trump." A litany of groups were mentioned as "March partners," including "Abortion Access Now" and "Time to Act" coalitions consisting of the Women's March the National Organization for Women and many more More than 125 local gatherings are planned across the country on Saturday On Feb. 26, the three-time NCAA champion for the Hawkeyes will face Japan's Masanosuke Ono in an exhibition match at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The match was announced as a part of a "FloWrestling Night in America" event Ono won a Senior-level World championship at 61 kilograms in October 2024 and he was also a U20 World champion in 2024 Lee lost to Japan's Rei Higuchi in the 57-kilogram finals of the Olympics Now he will now get a chance to wrestle against another Japanese star in Ono announced the match on the Flowrestling Radio Live podcast Announced in the days after the initial release fellow teammate Austin Desanto will face former NCAA Champion Seth Gross in a match DeSanto is a four-time NCAA All-American and gave Lee his only loss during his high school career Carr will wrestle at the FloWrestling Night in America event He'll face 2024 Olympic silver medalist Daichi Takatani of Japan at 76 kg The match is promoted by FloWrestling as a preliminary event for a full card of wrestling with a matchups for Iowa high schoolers in Don Bosco's Hayden Schwab Iowa City West's Alexander Pierce and Bettendorf's LIncoln Jipp set to kick off the night as well Here is the full card on matchups set for Feb This story was updated to to add new information Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23. CORALVILLE, Iowa — Acclaimed singer-songwriter, Phil Vassar will headline the 2025 Coralville 4thFest concert at S.T The free outdoor concert will feature Chapel Hart as the opening act Phil Vassar will take the stage at 8:00 pm Phil Vassar has been a prominent figure in country music for over 25 years Known for his hit songs like “Carlene,” “Six-Pack Summer,” and “Just Another Day in Paradise,” Vassar has made a significant mark on both the country music charts and songwriting community His songwriting credits include hits for major artists such as Tim McGraw making him a well-respected figure in Nashville including two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year titles now part of his “25 Years of Paradise” tour offer fans the chance to hear both his most well-known songs and newer material His ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with catchy melodies has made him a favorite across country music and beyond The group consists of sisters Danica and Devynn Hart and their cousin Trea Swindle Chapel Hart gained national recognition after their appearance on America’s Got Talent where they earned the second-ever "Group Golden Buzzer." Chapel Hart has built a strong reputation in the country music industry They’ve performed at the Grand Ole Opry multiple times garnered praise from country music legends like Dolly Parton and Darius Rucker including being inducted into CMT's Next Women of Country in 2021 Their blend of traditional country and modern influences has helped them gain a loyal following and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show This concert is part of Coralville’s annual 4thFest celebration which includes a variety of events like a parade Click HERE for more details Nolan Petersen, co-owner of Diversions Tabletop Game Lounge joined Iowa’s News Now to talk about their brand-new home for tabletop gaming — opening soon in Coralville will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday Guests can explore a game library packed with nearly 400 board and even a private gaming room available to book Diversions has built a reputation for casual inclusive pop-up events at local favorites like The Green House and Press Coffee After a successful crowdfunding campaign in early 2024 Petersen and co-owner Sean Finn found a permanent home in Coralville bicycles and cars will be rerouted around a portion of 5th Street a high-traffic thoroughfare just north of the Coralville strip along Highway 6 The five-phase, three-year reconstruction project will cost about $5 million and includes roadway repairs and new water mains between 12th and 20th Avenue The entire project is expected to be completed by spring 2026 More: A $5 million, 5-phase project in Coralville could impact traffic near Hy-Vee. Here's what to know: More: Iowa City metro growth still strong, latest census estimate shows The first two phases were completed without disruption of nearby pedestrian traffic The city cited "a necessary shift of a temporary access drive serving adjacent residential properties" as a reason for a detour during phase three The pedestrian detour will make use of sidewalks on either side of the construction as well as a north-south walking path that slinks in front of the strip mall that houses La Mexicana City Engineer Scott Larson said in a release that the detour is expected to continue through May Home / News / Crime & Courts She faced 10 years in prison after Olin woman killed herself A Coralville woman accused of encouraging a Olin woman to kill herself in 2021 — even talking her through details of the plan — will not be prosecuted for 12 months as long as she complies with special conditions Jennifer Marie Williams was charged in November 2024 in Jones County District Court with assisting suicide Assistant Jones County Attorney Sara Smith filed an application to defer prosecution for Williams with special conditions until March 9 Williams must obtain a mental health evaluation and follow any recommended treatment She also cannot have any new offenses within the 12-month period A deferred prosecution for a serious felony offense — such as this Class C felony — seems to be a rare resolution Smith said there are many factors considered in a plea agreement decision that are “case specific.” She said she couldn’t speak for other prosecutors in the office but this is something she has “rarely” used in the cases she handles “After a full evaluation of all of the circumstances surrounding this case the nature of the defendant’s circumstances what would be required to sustain a conviction for this rarely used criminal charge and the lack of applicable alternative lesser-included offenses it was determined that the terms as reached in the agreement would best further the interests of justice,” Smith told The Gazette on Monday Assistant Linn County Attorney Jordan Schier said deferred prosecutions usually are filed for traffic or simple misdemeanors He didn’t know of any filed in Linn County for serious felonies also waived her speedy trial rights under Iowa law until November 2024 — in filing a charge in this case was due to discussions of possibly putting the case before a grand jury and exploring the logistics of how that might happen The Jones County Attorney’s Office had ongoing conversations with the Jones County Sheriff’s Office over the course of the investigation regarding the “viability of pursuing the charge it was decided to proceed by filing the complaint.” called 911 to report her friend hanged herself at her Olin home The manner of death was ruled a suicide by hanging A deputy said when he went outside the house he told her he was sorry for the loss of her friend but Williams “just shrugged her shoulders” and didn’t appear sad Williams told the deputy she had a lengthy conversation with the woman the night before on social media asked the woman to “talk about some things first,” telling her “this was not a good idea unless she had things worked out I want to make sure we get everything done right so you can rest easy.” In between making plans how to carry out the suicide Williams made jokes and other inappropriate remarks Williams allowed the deputy to view and take photos of messages between the two women authorities obtained a search warrant for all the messages Williams “walked” her through her possible plan knowing the woman was having suicidal thoughts Williams told her to “Let me be the one who finds you Investigators said there were no messages telling the woman not to kill herself Williams started having this conversation with the woman about 1 p.m Video surveillance showed Williams arrived at the woman’s house about 4:27 a.m Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com Reporter covering state and federal courts. Subscribe to the Public Safety newsletter Home / Business News Store will be doubling in size when it moves this summer are spending their weekends and weekdays ensuring local teens and brides find just the right dress for their special occasion is especially busy for the he mother-daughter duo who owns Jocelyn Taylor Bridal and Prom in Coralville classic and modern wedding dresses from top designers who offer uniqueness and high quality,” said Steenblock “Our wedding dresses range in style from clean and simple to all out lace and sparkle And we have a curated collection that covers all styles The duo focuses on offering the highest of customer service possible to each customer who walks in the door with a motto that “Every Body Deserves Beautiful.” “We bring unique and one-of-a-kind design details to the area when it comes to prom dresses,” said Hoyle “We also register the prom dress to the school the girl attends so the same dress in the same color is not worn on more than one girl at a school.” It's this attention to detail that is part of what sets the shop apart “We only do one bride at a time in our boutique to ensure a private and personalized experience to each bride that walks through our doors,” Steenblock said “We are also the only boutique that offers mothers dresses We run our appointments in a way that is easy and relaxed for not only the bride but also her loved ones she brings Let us do the work and lifting and take a relaxing seat in our living room atmosphere.” Steenblock added that they have crafted a process and experience that is smooth for the bride and easily helps her narrow down the options and ultimately find the perfect dress She said she and her daughter desire to not just run a retail business but to be the light in a world full of darkness positively impacting all who enter through their doors and making connections that last a lifetime “We place a high importance on being relational with our customers.” they get to be a part of some special moments “We love watching brides truly see themselves as a bride for the first time,” said Steenblock “We often know it is their dress before they even say yes We pay so much attention to facial expressions and body language; we have seen the dresses many times so we find it so important to pay attention to the little details and point those out because they can oftentimes go unnoticed by others.” “We love seeing girls light up when they feel like their most confident self in their perfect prom dress,” said Hoyle noting that they carry sizes 00 through 24 which is not always typical for a dress shop “Seeing them leave with a beaming smile instead of the look of defeat they come into the store with is something we will never get over.” It certainly hasn’t gotten old in the five years since they started the bridal boutique in Coralville “We opened in September of 2019 after Jocelyn truly discovered her love and passion for all things bridal and fashion,” said Steenblock so we say it truly is in her blood to be doing what she is doing She has always had a compassion for others wanting to uplift women and girls to feel like their most beautiful and confident selves.” Her career in the bridal and prom dress world has been the perfect fit Steenblock said she remembers her drawing sketches of wedding and formal dresses in elementary school and even a mock drawing of her own store when she was young “Jocelyn and her friends would play at recess where she owned a store and its name was Jocelyn Taylor she knew it had to be Jocelyn Taylor Bridal and Prom,” said Steenblock noting that they have those old drawings on display in the store Steenblock had worked previously for 25 years in health care — with mammography as her primary focus — but was ready for a change when her daughter knew she was ready to dive into opening the shop “I jumped on board and have really fallen in love with helping women and girls find their perfect dress for all occasions,” she said “And my past work experience not only taught me vital skills in customer service but also taught me compassion for women in the most stressful and emotional circumstances I truly believe my ability to connect with women combined with Jocelyn’s passion to impact the lives of young ladies creates a dynamic duo.” but Steenblock and Hoyle get excited by it “Balance is definitely a little bit more difficult during busy season but we always find a way,” Hoyle said “No day is the same for sure and week from week can be very different We try to keep the same routine when it comes to daily business things knowing the weekend is our busiest days.” While Steenblock and Hoyle are the only full-time employees they do have some additional help during the prom season in particular there won’t be much time for rest for Steenblock and Hoyle as they get read to move the store to a whole new location The business is relocating to 2345 Landon Rd Website: https://jocelyntaylorbridalandprom.com/ “We are excited to have more room to grow and reach more customers,” said Hoyle “Our store will be double the size and one you just have to see in person We have created this new store to be a city-like feel right here in North Liberty.” She said they will have a grand entrance for brides inviting them into a personalized and private bridal experience in a bright and serene area “Our dresses will get to be nicely displayed in a way that is easier to see all their beautiful details with a private and unique area for each bride to celebrate after she has her say yes moment,” said Steenblock She noted they will have a dedicated room for mothers to give them their own unique experience The prom room will be fashion forward with teenage girls in mind “Doubling our dressing rooms to 10 instead of 5 a runway for girls to show their dress off on and a whole wall of mirrors it will be the perfect place for all the selfies.” It has been a year and a half long planning process as they developed the new store “We are so excited to serve the corridor area in a new and exciting way,” said Hoyle And they are confident their teamwork will get them through “We work very well together which we are so grateful for,” said Steenblock our thought process is pretty much the same We know what the other is thinking and often finish each other's sentences We have had many compliments and comments from our customers about how well we work together We work as a team doing appointments together knowing each other's strengths which brings our customers security in knowing they will be well cared for.” Know a business that should be considered for a “My Biz” feature? Let us know by emailing zack.kucharski@thegazette.com Iowa — A Johnson County man is facing charges related to the overdose death of a 21-year-old from Coralville Jerome Smith is charged with delivery of a controlled substance causing death and tampering with a witness Smith has addresses listed on court documents in Solon and Coralville Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman said in a release Smith sold the man four pills of fentanyl for $60 on Oct Toxicology reports say the man died of acutefentanyl intoxication Zimmerman says the drug charge is a class C felony usually punishable by 10 years in prison but a 2023 law that gives enhanced penalties for causing another person's death he could end up facing a mandatory sentence three times that of 30 years Online court documents say Smith repeatedly threatened a witness in the case Tampering with a witness is a class D felony in Iowa Smith is being held on$185,000 bond on all charges Zimmerman's office provided the following information on substance abuse below: Iowa — A Coralville woman is now charged with encouraging another woman’s suicide in 2021 Jennifer Williams is facing accusations of knowingly encouraging her friend Authorities say Williams used Snapchat messages to incite Walshire who was found dead in her basement on December 29 Williams exchanged disturbing messages with Walshire the night before her death in which she appeared to encourage the act The messages showed Williams offering advice on methods of suicide and making light of the situation Walshire was discovered deceased in her home in Olin after hanging herself Authorities ruled the cause of death a suicide Williams allegedly knew of Walshire's suicidal thoughts and encouraged the act through the messages I'm used to it.” Williams also made comments about the logistics of Walshire's suicide discussing the rope's strength and funeral arrangements Surveillance footage showed Williams arriving at Walshire’s home early that morning staying in her car for several hours before entering the house and calling 911 at 9:01 a.m She told dispatchers that her friend had hung herself in the basement Williams has been charged with encouraging suicide with authorities alleging that she knowingly incited Walshire’s death IA — A water main break in Coralville has forced the closure of four schools in the Iowa City Community School District and Northwest Middle School will remain closed The district confirmed that all other schools outside the affected area will continue with classes as scheduled The Coralville Water Department staff were alerted to an issue in the water system south of Interstate 80 They say they were able to quickly identify and address the break before it could become more widespread The city says that since water pressure remained stable Coralville Water & The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Further updates on the status of the water main and reopening of these schools will be provided as more information becomes available Iowa (Iowa's News Now) — A Coralville woman charged with assisting suicide will avoid prosecution for 12 months if she follows the court's orders Jennifer Williams is accused of encouraging Brianne Walshire to take her own life in 2021 and guiding her through the plan Prosecutors have now deferred judgement on the case until March 2026 Williams must undergo a mental health evaluation According to court documents, Williams discussed the suicide plan with Walshire, made inappropriate jokes and later called 911 after finding her dead Walshire was was found in Olin after hanging herself Cedar Rapids schools hosts meetings about College and Careers Pathways The Coralville City Council is moving toward construction of a new recreation center — instead of renovating and adding onto the current center. The council made its decision after being presented with two options as part of a master plan adopted in August. The new build plan is estimated to cost $50-55.4 million The space would be 109,700 square feet and include three gymnasiums a spa and three pools: a competition pool with spectator seating a leisure pool and a recreation and community lap pool cardio and fitness rooms also would be available in the facility A funding source for the project has not been finalized The city in February announced plans to partner with the Iowa City Community School District to create a new recreation center and indoor competition pool to replace the 50-year-old existing facility The new build concept will create an entirely new recreation center to the east of the existing facility in ST Morrison Park The plan is to have the existing center stay open throughout construction of the new building It would then be demolished once construction is complete which would have renovated and added on to the current facility had an estimated price tag of $52-$56.2 million Coralville and the school district worked with Iowa City area architects Neumann Monson Development of the master plan cost around $150,000 with the city paying $90,000 and the school district paying $60,000 Earlier this year the city put out a survey asking for feedback on amenities residents want to see in the new building The survey also asked how often residents use the center and whether they participate in rec center programming Three informational meetings this week are open to families of current eighth-graders in the Cedar Rapids Community School District to learn more about a new College and Career Pathways program launching next fall The district is transitioning to a new College and Career Pathways program — beginning with Freshman Academies — that will “enhance students’ opportunities to engage in college and career readiness curriculum while developing transferable skills for the workforce military or college,” according to a news release from the district These pathways will provide students with a “supportive focused learning environment” where they can earn college credit or industry-recognized certifications These informational meetings are designed for middle school students parents and guardians whose children will be directly impacted by these changes but anyone is welcome to attend and learn about the College and Career Pathways Model The meetings will include information about the Freshman Academies how this approach prepares students for success Current 9-12th grade students will continue on their existing academic structure Johnson County is beginning its budgeting process for fiscal year 2026 and is planning a series of meetings that are open to the public coordinating with other county elected officials and department heads Department-specific meetings will wrap up in February There will be two public hearings — one at 5:30 p.m The board will discuss the budget at a work session at 9 a.m and will vote on it at the formal meeting which begins at 9 a.m County budgets must be filed with the State of Iowa by April 30 All budget work sessions are in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. All budget work sessions will be livestreamed via the Johnson County website and Zoom. Check the website to confirm the schedule and view meeting agendas at bit.ly/jocomeeting The full schedule of Fiscal Year 2026 budget meetings is available at johnsoncountyiowa.gov/finance/budget-documents The Linn County Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications for the fiscal year 2025 Witwer Trust Grant Program Eligible nonprofit organizations in Linn County may apply for grant funding for projects that benefit Linn County residents Find the online application, eligibility requirements, and a list of frequently asked questions at LinnCountyIowa.gov/Witwer Funding for the competitive grant program comes from a trust established by Weaver Witwer a prominent Cedar Rapids grocer and landowner who died in 1979 The trust provides $80,000 annually for this grant program Iowa City announced that the recycling containers previously located at South Riverside Recycling Center in Iowa City have been permanently moved to the new Sturgis Ferry Park Recycling Center The new location is approximately one-half mile south of the existing location on South Riverside Drive on the same side of the street Materials accepted will remain the same: flattened cardboard These recycling services are available to all service area residents living within Johnson County For more information on recycling, visit icgov.org/recycle Nearly $416,000 in 50 percent cost-share grants were recently awarded to 138 Iowa rural fire departments to help their efforts to protect Iowans and their property from wildfires The grants offer valuable funding assistance for wildfire suppression personal protective and communications equipment The following Eastern Iowa fire departments will receive 2024 Volunteer Fire Assistance grants: Amana The grants are made possible through Iowa DNR Forestry Forest Service — State and Private Forestry Fire departments are required to submit Wildland Fire Reports when they respond to wildland fires or provide assistance to a prescribed or controlled wildland fire The reports are compiled locally and nationally and are reported to Congress The Iowa Libraries Adventure Pass program will be suspended indefinitely beginning Dec 31 due to the discontinuation of the program’s reservation software The adventure pass program allows cardholders at participating libraries across the state access to attractions such as the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids Reiman Gardens in Ames and the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines for free The suspension of the program will affect all participating libraries across the state Program administrators are in the process of finding a new system to continue the service “as soon as possible.” Any reservations already made for dates in 2025 will be honored pass users are encouraged to print out any passes for 2025 by Dec 31 as staff will not have access to print them The Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County is offering $2.9 million in funding to nonprofits and government agencies to support affordable housing access The trust fund is offering funding for the creation or rehabilitation of rental units owner-occupied and emergency or transitional housing in Johnson County The housing would be for individuals under 80 percent of the area median income Anyone interested in applying can visit www.htfjc.org or call 319-358-0212 Applications for potential projects are due Jan A minimum of $386,000 is reserved for housing projects within North Liberty Mercer Aquatic Park’s Scanlon Gym is undergoing a resurfacing project The project is expected to be completed by Dec The gym will be closed for the duration of the project Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies Grace King and Sara Konrad Baranowski contributed Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCORALVILLE Iowa (KCRG) - Coralville police said 55-year-old Stacy Lynn Riley has been found and is safe Coralville police are asking for help in their search for a missing woman Police said 55-year-old Stacy Lynn Riley was last seen Thursday morning near Glen Oaks Ridge a black coat and she was carrying a black backpack Anyone who has seen her should call Coralville police at (319) 248-1800