A public meeting has been scheduled to discuss ideas and collect public input for the Hickory Hill Park Master Plan. The meeting will be held Sunday, March 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert Street.

Park elements to be considered include park programming, wayfinding and signage, bridge and trail improvements and park access. A brief formal presentation will occur at 1:30 p.m. with informal public input sessions before and after the presentation. The public is invited to stop by at their convenience. Need a reminder? Join the...

The First Avenue Grade Separation Project, which has been broken into five phases, is currently in phase three. Crews are working on bridge abutments, driving pile and setting forms. A mild winter is helping get work back on schedule after some delays. Watch the video to find out more. For more information on the First Avenue Grade Separation Project, visit www.icgov.org/firstavenueproject .

Late Handouts for the March 1, 2016 City Council meeting are available at http://www.icgov.org/councildocs .

Picture this: A school-aged child enters a room at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center with a book in hand, takes a seat on a comfy floor cushion, and begins to read aloud -- to a cat. It’s all part of a new program the shelter has implemented called “Read to the Paw.”

According to Animal Services Supervisor Liz Ford, the program offers numerous benefits. The cats are soothed and socialized by the young reader’s voice, and students are able to strengthen their reading skills and build confidence by reading out loud in front of a non-judgmental audience. Plus, having the...