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Investigation of suspicious package at City Hall ends safely following evacuation and street closures

Thursday, November 5, 2020 - 1:30pm
Police

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at approximately 2:49 p.m., an adult man approached the front desk at the Iowa City Police Department and placed a full backpack that had been padlocked shut in front of the police window. The man would not respond to the employee at the desk and left the building. Due to the suspicious nature of the item and the man’s behavior, City Hall was evacuated and the Johnson County Metro Bomb Squad was called in to assess the situation.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that the backpack contained a large amount of paperwork. The man who left the...

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to Iowa Small Businesses

Thursday, November 5, 2020 - 12:00pm
Communications

Small nonfarm businesses in eight Iowa counties are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the derecho in the following primary county that occurred August. 10, 2020.

Primary county: Iowa.

Neighboring counties: Benton, Johnson , Keokuk, Linn, Poweshiek, Tama and Washington.

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers...

Free community Wi-Fi service available in Chauncey Swan and Riverfront Crossings Parks

Thursday, November 5, 2020 - 9:30am
Contact: 
Ashley Monroe
City Manager's Office

Iowa City recently partnered with ImOn Communications to provide free Wi-Fi in two City parks – Riverfront Crossings and Chauncey Swan parks. Coverage at the Chauncey Swan location will include the parking ramp, where the City hosts the popular annual Farmers Market.

“Not only will this new Wi-Fi location provide another safe place for Iowa City residents to access the Internet during the pandemic,” stated Ashley Monroe, Assistant City Manager, “it will also be a great addition to the parks and the Farmers Market when we are able to gather there again safely.”

ImOn’s Wi-Fi...

Mark your calendars for the annual Iowa City Holiday Market

Thursday, November 5, 2020 - 9:00am
Contact: 
Tammy Neumann
Communications

This year, the Iowa City Holiday Market will be held one day only, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert Street.

Attendees can expect many of the same holiday vendors as in the past, but some changes will be made this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer shoppers will be allowed into the recreation center at a time to help limit capacity. The market layout will be reconfigured with fewer vendors to allow for more space and social distancing. Additionally, temperature screenings and face coverings will be...

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ICPD seeks public comment as accreditation process begins

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 - 3:45pm
Contact: 
Doug Hart
Police

The Iowa City Police Department is seeking public comment as part of its recertification process through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).

This voluntary-based accreditation is an important process for the Iowa City Police Department, as the review helps to keep its policies current with best practices from across the United States. This will be the department’s sixth reaccreditation, with the initial award occurring in 2002, and places the department among one of only 10 law enforcement agencies in Iowa to earn the distinction. Only four...

CIty Hall closed after suspicious package found near Gilbert, Washington streets

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 - 3:30pm
Police

Update: At roughly 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, the suspicious package had been identified. City Hall and the surrounding areas were returned to normal with no immediate threat in the area.

At 3:18 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, the University of Iowa issued a Hawk Alert stating a suspicious package in area of Gilbert and Washington streets had been located.

City Hall has been closed because of the package. The City asks residents to avoid the area as police agencies respond. Multiple roads have been closed around the area.

A graphic promoting an internship with the Office of Equity and Human Rights.

Winter/Spring internship available at Office of Equity and Human Rights

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 - 3:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The Office of Equity & Human Rights is hiring for a winter/spring student intern. The tentative duration is from December 2020 through June 1, 2021. Applicant must work 25 hours per week during variable daytime hours Monday through Friday. The wage is $13.25 per hour. Application deadline: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. Visit www.icgov.org/jobs to apply online.

Examples of duties: Under direct supervision, assists in creating materials to promote awareness of the City’s racial equity, social justice and fair housing choice initiatives. Assists...

CommUnity Crisis Services opens new Iowa City Food Bank Location

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 - 9:30am

CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank is excited to announce the opening of its second Food Bank, located in the Pepperwood Plaza in the South District of Iowa City. The new food bank, located at 1045 Highway 6 East, will open at noon on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, and will provide a larger area to shop.

Hours of operation Monday: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday: Noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Thursday: 9:30am to 4:30 p.m. Friday: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank...

Office of Equity & Human Rights issues memo on websites as places of public accommodation

Monday, November 2, 2020 - 3:15pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The City's Office of Equity and Human Rights has written a memo to provide guidance to Iowa City business owners regarding website accessibility as it relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you have questions regarding topics addressed in this memorandum or your rights and responsibilities in general, please call the office at 319-356-5015 or 319-356-5022.

Learn more about this subject by reading the full memo .

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Iowa City Police respond to shots fired on Taylor Drive

Monday, November 2, 2020 - 2:15pm
Police

On Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at approximately 9:44 p.m., Iowa City Police responded to multiple 911 reports of shots fired in the 2100 block of Taylor Drive. Officers located several witnesses who corroborated the reports of shots fired. Witnesses also reported that a dark-colored sedan was seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed, heading westbound on U.S. Highway 6 from Taylor Drive immediately following the incident. No injuries were reported to police and no suspect description is available at this time.

How you can help

This incident is being actively investigated by the...

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