On Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, shortly after the conclusion of the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission meeting, an Iowa City Police officer noticed Commission chair Mohamed Traore in the lobby of City Hall, 410 E. Washington St. At that time, the officer knew Traore to have an active warrant for his arrest related to a 2019 second offense operating while intoxicated charge. Through the warrant, the court authorized and directed any law enforcement officer to take Traore into custody.

After speaking with Traore and confirming the validity of the warrant, Traore was taken to the...

The Iowa City Police Department and Johnson County Attorney's Office continue their investigation into the Oct. 17, 2021, incident in which a driver was found to be suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. The investigation has found the following:

At approximately 6:30 p.m., Oct. 17, Philip Olson, 69, of Iowa City, discharged a .22 caliber air rifle at a squirrel from his home adjacent to Highway 6 in Iowa City. The air rifle was fired south toward Highway 6. On Oct. 20, Olson, who had heard about the incident, presented himself to the Iowa City Police Department and...

Update: The Iowa River Trail is now open. The previously closed portion of the trail that spanned from Highway 6 south to McCollister Boulevard was damaged from heavy rains and the failure of a stormwater structure under the trail which undermined a large portion of the trail.

Original news release: July 12, 2021

Iowa River Trail is closed south of Highway 6 as recent heavy rains have washed out areas under the trail. The trail will remain closed until repairs can be made.

Closure signage is placed south of Highway 6 where the...

The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies. Each vacancy is a full term that starts January 1, 2022, and runs through December 31, 2024. Service is on a volunteer basis. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Duties of the Commission involve educating the public on civil and human rights, including planning programs and activities to eliminate unlawful discrimination. The Commission also makes recommendations to the City Council for Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant funding, as well as for additional local...