A graphic for Implicit Bias training.

Advanced Implicit Bias training available to area businesses

Thursday, October 8, 2020 - 12:00pm
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

An advanced program is being offered by the Office of Equity and Human Rights to broaden understanding on the topic of bias to positively inform future behavior.

Implicit Bias 201 will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the event will be held virtually through Zoom, with pre-registration required.

The program presenter is Thomas Newkirk, who is a specialist in both implicit bias and in breaking down barriers that prevent us from taking that next step.

About the program

Implicit bias is the primary cause of differences in...

A cat and a dog are shown in Halloween costumes.

Enjoy a safe, fun, and Earth-friendly Halloween

Thursday, October 8, 2020 - 10:00am
Contact: 
Jane Wilch
Resource Management

This coming Halloween may be unlike past years due to COVID-19, but there are still plenty of ways to have a safe, spooky, and Earth-friendly holiday.

Iowa City's recycling coordinator Jane Wilch has a Jack-o'-lantern filled with fun ideas on how to have a green Halloween this year.

Durable, reusable, recyclable Halloween decorations

Choose decorations that you can use year after year. For recyclable decorations, look for plastics that are #1-5 or #7, as #6 and unlabeled plastics are not recyclable. Avoid metallic or glitter-coated decorations, as these cannot be recycled....

A graphic for the Iowa City leaf vacuum program.

City announces 2020 Leaf Vacuum Program information

Thursday, October 8, 2020 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Toni Davis
Streets and traffic engineering

The Iowa City Streets Division is preparing to begin this year's curbside leaf vacuum service. The first day of the program is Monday, Oct. 19, 2020.

Printed maps are available in City utility bills and at the Streets Division office at 3800 Napoleon Lane. Maps are also available online at www.icgov.org/leafvacuum . Here are a few tips to help make the process go smoothly and efficiently for everyone:

Scheduling The Leaf Vacuum Program will begin Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 in Zones #1 & #2, and will proceed in numerical order,...

Community Connection: Root for Trees program provides financial incentive to plant trees

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - 7:45pm
Contact: 
Bruce Teague
Communications
Community Connection: Root forTrees

Community Connection is a video series that highlights the different people and organizations in our community to discuss the issues that are important to our residents. In this episode, Mayor Bruce Teague speaks with Assistant City Manager Ashley Monroe and Recreation Superintendent Brad Barker to discuss the new Root for Trees discount program. Learn...

Graphic for Halloween Drive-In on Oct. 30, 2020.

Enjoy the Halloween season with a drive-in movie experience at Mercer Park

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - 3:30pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Parks and Recreation

Load up the car and step back in time at Halloween at the Drive-In, presented by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department, on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. This nostalgic experience will offer residents a free and socially distanced, family Halloween-themed outing that is sure to entertain.

A double feature of Halloween movies will be presented, with the first showing aimed at a younger audience. Gates will open at 6 p.m. for the 6:30 p.m. showing of “Hotel Transylvania.” Later, “Goosebumps” will follow with gates opening at 8:05 p.m. for the 8:35 p.m. showing.

The drive-in...

Indigenous People's Day graphic.

Mayor declares October 12, 2020, as Indigenous Peoples' Day

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague has proclaimed Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, as Indigenous Peoples' Day in Iowa City.

A growing number of local governments have recognized that, as our understanding of history changes, so must our commemorative events. In the proclamation signed at the Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, City Council meeting, Mayor Teague encouraged schools to include the teaching of Indigenous Peoples' history in its curriculum and encouraged businesses, organizations, and institutions to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Learn more about...

A police badge

Iowa City Police respond to shots fired

Tuesday, October 6, 2020 - 10:30am
Contact: 
Paul Batcheller
Police

On Oct. 5, 2020, at approximately 9:34 p.m., Iowa City Police responded to the area of Mormon Trek Boulevard and Walden Road in Iowa City for several reports of shots fired. One unoccupied vehicle parked in the area of Clearwater Court and Bittersweet Court was damaged by gunfire and several shell casings from a handgun were found nearby. Officers did not receive any reports of anyone injured by the gunfire, however at least one vehicle was damaged as a result. There is no suspect information, and no additional information will be released at this time.

This incident is being...

Graphic for Fire Prevention Week,

Fire Department takes part in Fire Prevention Week

Monday, October 5, 2020 - 4:45pm
Fire Department

The Iowa City Fire Department is taking part in Fire Prevention Week, running Sunday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 10, 2020.

This years campaign is "Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen." The ICFD will work to educate everyone about the simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves, and those around them, safe in the kitchen.

Cooking is the no. 1 cause of house fires and fire-related injuries, with unattended cooking being the leading cause of fires in the kitchen. Some tips on how to prevent kitchen fires include:

Stay in the kitchen when you are frying...

Traffic Alert – Bloomington Street

Monday, October 5, 2020 - 3:45pm
Engineering

Weather permitting, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, Bloomington Street will be closed to westbound traffic between Linn and Dubuque streets. It is anticipated that normal traffic will resume by the end of the day on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.

Also, beginning on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, Bloomington Street will be closed to eastbound traffic between Linn and Dubuque streets. It is anticipated that normal traffic will resume by the end of the day on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020.

These lane reductions are necessary to facilitate pavement repairs in connection with the 2020 Asphalt Resurfacing...

Root for trees logo.

Iowa City offers new Root for Trees program to provide cost-friendly tree planting

Monday, October 5, 2020 - 3:00pm
Contact: 
Brad Barker
Parks and Recreation

Iowa City is introducing a new “Root for Trees” program, offering vouchers subsidizing the cost of trees planted on residential properties. Root for Tree Vouchers, obtained from the City via simple application, are valid for 50% of the cost of retail purchase price of one tree, up to $125 (a $250 tree). Vouchers for an additional discount off retail price are available for income-eligible households. The Root for Trees program runs from October 15, 2020, to May 15, 2021, while funding and supplies last.

Learn how you can participate

Iowa City residents who would like to plant a...

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