New study looks at developing solar energy across Iowa City
Brian Grace, News Reporter
October 21, 2020
The Johnson Clean Energy District is exploring opportunities to develop solar energy infrastructure throughout Iowa City’s industrial, commercial, and residential areas in a new study following a failed proposal to implement utility-scale solar panels at Waterworks Prairie Park in April. The objec...
Iowa City to consider eliminating fares for public transit
Brian Grace, News Reporter
October 20, 2020
Various changes could be coming to Iowa City’s public transit system, including an elimination of bus fares, extension of weeknight bus services to midnight, and implementation of Sunday service as a part of the city’s goal to double public transit ridership in a decade. Iowa City City Counc...
President Elect of NAMI Johnson County suggests community education meeting in collaboration with Iowa City
Brian Grace, News Reporter
October 12, 2020
President Elect of National Alliance of Mental Illness Johnson County Leslie Carpenter has volunteered to partner with Iowa City City Council in hosting a public educational meeting with invites to several community departments to increase collaboration among local, state, and federal governing bodie...
Dustin Liston appointed Iowa City Police Chief unanimously by city council
Brian Grace, News Reporter
October 7, 2020
Dustin Liston, a University of Iowa alum and former El Paso Police Department lieutenant, was appointed the new Iowa City Police Chief in a unanimous vote by city council Tuesday night. Liston will begin his role as Chief of Police on January 11, 2021. City Manager Geoff Fruin said Liston’s 22 ye...
Iowa City reaffirms homeowners association is responsible for stormwater management
Brian Grace, News Reporter
October 6, 2020
Although the City of Iowa City has reaffirmed its position that the city is not responsible for maintenance of the stormwater management facility located in the Olde Towne Village subdivision, it continues to receive complaints from residents about the system that the appearance of the wetland is an...
Student government partners with city council for listening post on community policing
Natalie Dunlap, News Reporter
September 26, 2020
Members of the Iowa City City Council hosted a listening post focused on community policing, collaborating with the University of Iowa Undergraduate Student Government on Saturday in Hubbard Park. There were roughly 20 attendants, including Mayor Bruce Teague and City Councilors Janice Weiner a...
Iowa City Deer Friends file petition asking for stay of upcoming deer bow hunt
Brian Grace, News Reporter
September 26, 2020
The Iowa City Deer Friends are taking legal action against the City of Iowa City, filing a petition on Thursday asking for a stay of the upcoming fall bowhunt meant to cull deer as a part of Iowa City’s deer management plan, which would begin on Oct. 1 and end on Jan. 10. The petition argue...
Local disability support groups, ICPD working to implement de-escalation procedures
Rachel Schilke, News Editor
September 23, 2020
Local disability support organizations and Iowa City Police Department officers are working closely together to implement de-escalation processes for police who respond to residents with special needs in crises. During the second of six Iowa City community listening posts, members from Access 2 Ind...
City Manager seeks approval for new Iowa City police chief
Rachel Schilke, News Editor
September 17, 2020
Iowa City City Manager Geoff Fruin has recommended El Paso Police Department Lieutenant Dustin Liston as Iowa City’s next police chief, pending approval from the city council. In a memo sent to the city council on Thursday, Fruin said he is asking the city council to approve his appointment of Dusti...
City Council holds public forum to discuss mental health resources
Lauren White, Politics Reporter
September 16, 2020
The Iowa City City Council — joined by the Iowa Freedom Riders, Prelude Iowa, and CommUnity in Iowa City — held a public forum on Wednesday to discuss mental-health and addiction services, as well as restructuring the police department. Citizens gathered in Mercer Park to share concerns regar...
Iowa City City Council passes resolution to create Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Brian Grace and Rachel Schilke
September 16, 2020
Iowa City will create a Truth and Reconciliation Commission after weeks of discussion and revisions, despite vocal opposition from Mayor Pro Tem Mazahir Salih, who said “black voices were not being heard” and reflected in the commission’s approved resolution. The Iowa City City Council voted 6-1 to pass the r...
City Council closer to creating commission addressing racial injustice in Iowa City
Brian Grace, News Reporter
September 14, 2020
The Iowa City City Council may reach an agreement to create a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address past and future systemic racial inequalities in Iowa City at Tuesday night’s meeting. Creating the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was something the council committed to in a 17-poi...