Residents look to expand authority of Iowa City Community Police Review Board
Clinton Garlock, News Reporter
September 22, 2020
During Monday’s annual Iowa City Community Police Review Board forum, community members had the chance to ask questions, give suggestions, and recount their perceptions of Iowa City’s police department and the effectiveness of its oversight review board. While some commenters conveyed their...
North Dodge Hy-vee recycling drop off center moving to Riverside Drive
Morgan Ungs, News Reporter
September 17, 2020
The Iowa City Recycling Center will move to a city-owned location on Sept. 21, causing mixed community feelings about the change in distance. The center, previously located on Dodge Street and owned by Hy-Vee, will move 3.3. miles to 12001 S. Riverside Drive as Hy-Vee plans another use for the l...
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...
Iowa City extends mask mandate until November
Rachel Schilke, News Editor
September 14, 2020
The mask mandate for Iowa City has been extended into mid-November, almost two months longer than the original end date.Violation of the order is punishable by a simple misdemeanor. In a press release from the City of Iowa City on Monday, Mayor Bruce Teague extended the order on Monday until N...
Community member suggests creation of committee to continue supporting cyclists in Iowa City
Brian Grace, News Reporter
September 8, 2020
Iowa City resident Bob Oppliger is advocating for the creation of a bike advocacy committee for Iowa City to more effectively represent the interests of all ranges of cyclists in future city development and policymaking. Oppliger is a member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson Count...
City to contract with outside firm for investigation into June 3 tear gas incident
Caleb McCullough, Politics Editor
September 2, 2020
Iowa City will contract with an outside firm for an investigation into the events of June 3, when Iowa State Patrol and Iowa City Police Department officers used tear gas and flash-bangs on peaceful protesters. The city will also release a two-hour video including body camera footage from two di...
City Council holds off on taser purchase amid protests against police funding
Rachel Schilke, News Editor
September 2, 2020
The purchase of new tasers for the Iowa City Police Department, deferred at the last Iowa City City Council meeting, was deferred indefinitely as the council awaits an inventory of ICPD military-grade equipment, with community members calling the potential purchase of tasers as a show of “bad faithâ€...
IFR organizers encourage protesters to demand action from officials at third night of protests
Josie Fischels and Claire Benson
August 31, 2020
Part of a four-night protest streak to apply pressure to local government officials, Iowa City protesters marched for the third consecutive night ahead of Tuesday’s city council meeting. Protesters have gathered for the past three nights to apply pressure on the council, as well as to march ...
IC Police Chief candidates speak at community forum to address concerns
Clinton Garlock, News Reporter
August 25, 2020
In the midst of protests calling for reformation of the Iowa City Police department, the Iowa City city government is currently in the process of selecting a new Chief of Police after former Chief Jody Matherly retired earlier this year. The recruitment and selection process, which is detailed on the Iowa C...
Violation of Johnson County mask mandate to be punishable by simple misdemeanor
Caleb McCullough, Summer Editor
August 5, 2020
Johnson County’s mask mandate is set to become enforceable and will be punishable by a simple misdemeanor. Johnson County’s Board of Supervisors signaled in a work session Wednesday that they would vote to pass the Board of Health’s updated resolution that makes the mandate enforceable. ...
Johnson County Board of Supervisors repeals gun ban in public buildings
Caleb McCullough, Summer Editor
July 23, 2020
Guns are allowed in county buildings in Johnson County for the first time in nine years. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors reluctantly rolled back a 2011 policy prohibiting firearms in public buildings in order to comply with state law on Thursday. The state legislature in June passed House File 25...
Iowa one of few states sharing drivers license data with U.S. Census Bureau
Mary Hartel, News Reporter
July 21, 2020
Iowa is one of four states currently in an agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau to share driver’s license and identification information. While the Iowa Department of Transportation said the data will be used for statistical purposes only, advocacy groups throughout the state said the agreement could d...