A police badge

Stay sober or get pulled over this holiday season

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 - 12:30pm

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with the law enforcement community nationwide during the 2021 Holiday Season Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign, which runs from Dec. 15, 2021, through Jan. 1, 2022. NHTSA and the Iowa City Police Department are working tirelessly to spread the word about the dangers of drunk driving and to remind all drivers: If you plan to drink alcohol, plan ahead for a sober ride home. These expanded efforts to protect against impaired driving will be conducted...

A COVID-19 saliva test kit is shown.

Free COVID-19 testing kits available at City Hall

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 - 10:15am
Contact: 
Shannon McMahon
Communications

During the long, holiday weekend of Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, free COVID-19 test kits will be available at the Iowa City Police Department, while supplies last.

The front lobby information desk at Iowa City Hall, 410 E. Washington St., has free COVID-19 testing kits available to the public on a weekly basis.

These testing kits will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The kits are supplied to the City by Johnson County Public Health and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Testing kits will...

A police badge

Iowa City Police conduct alcohol compliance checks

Monday, December 13, 2021 - 2:30pm
Contact: 
Paul Batcheller

The Iowa City Police Department conducted alcohol sales law compliance checks on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 33 businesses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. Working with plainclothes officers, underage persons entered these businesses and attempted to illegally purchase alcoholic beverages. Twenty-four businesses refused to sell alcohol to the underage buyers.

The businesses that passed the compliance checks were:

DeliMart – 206 E. Benton St. Tobacco Outlet – 923 S. Riverside Drive Kum & Go – 955 Mormon Trek Blvd. DeliMart – 2510 Mormon Trek Blvd. Fast Break – 2580 Naples Ave...

Video Update: Winter Break Tips, New Library Streaming Service, and more

Monday, December 13, 2021 - 7:00am
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs, and events. Topics this week include how to prepare if you’re leaving town over winter break, a new streaming service offered through the Iowa City Public Library, and much more. Select the image below to watch Iowa City Update .

Iowa City Update: Winter Break Tips Winter Break Tips

Before heading out of town, make sure to follow these...

Firefighter Michael Scaffinger and Deputy Fire Chief Eric Nurnberg

Iowa City Fire Department welcomes new firefighter

Friday, December 10, 2021 - 2:15pm
Contact: 
Lee Hermiston

The Iowa City Fire Department welcomed new Firefighter Micheal Scaffinger during a badge-pinning ceremony at Fire Station 4 on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.

Scaffinger, a United States Army veteran, is from Coralville and a graduate of West High School and Kirkwood Community College. Scaffinger was hired on Nov. 1, 2021, and has completed the department's six-week orientation.

Scaffinger's certifications include Firefighter I and II, Hazmat Ops, and EMT/NREMT. Scaffinger is also a member of Swisher Monroe Township Volunteer Fire Department.

Scaffinger is assigned to Shift...

A graphic that reads Quarterly Investment Report.

Fiscal Year 2022 First Quarter Investment Report released

Friday, December 10, 2021 - 1:15pm
Finance

Iowa City’s quarterly investment report for the Fiscal Year 2022 first quarter, which provides information on the City’s investments, is now available online.

This report is required by the City Council’s Investment Policy.

For more information on the report, contact Finance Director Dennis Bockenstedt at 319-356-5053, or at dennis-bockenstedt@iowa-city.org .

Iowa City Fire Department responds to structure fire

Friday, December 10, 2021 - 1:15pm
Contact: 
Lee Hermiston

The Iowa City Fire Department responded to a house fire at 1111 Saint Clement St. at 12:39 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10.

The first unit arrived on scene less than three minutes after being dispatched. Responding firefighters encountered heavy smoke upon arrival. Fire damage was contained to the kitchen of the residence and brought under control within 10 minutes of arrival.

One civilian was transported to an area hospital by the Johnson County Ambulance Service. No firefighter injuries were reported.

Damage to the residence is estimated at $15,000. The cause of the fire is...

A picture of a car with snow on it has text that reads 'prepare for a snow emergency by moving your car off the street.'

What to do before leaving town for winter

Friday, December 10, 2021 - 8:00am
Contact: 
Shannon McMahon
Communications

Like most years, many residents will be leaving Iowa City over the winter holidays. If you're leaving town for an extended period, be sure your vehicle and home are in order before you leave. Avoid expensive fines and inconvenient issues by taking these four steps:

1. Move your car off the street

Vehicles parked on the street must be moved every 48-hours to avoid a citation. If you plan to be out of town for more than two days, move your vehicle off the street. Vehicles that do not move face ticketing and towing at the owner’s expense.

If a major snowstorm hits while you...

I map of temporary trail closure.

Temporary closures south of Highway 6 on Iowa River Trail

Thursday, December 9, 2021 - 3:00pm
Contact: 
Tyler Baird
Parks and Recreation

Temporary closures on the Iowa River Trail will start Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, as the CRANDIC Railroad completes work on the truss bridge.

The trail will be closed intermittently on Mondays through Saturdays while crews are on site. The trail will be open on Sundays and during times outside the CRANDIC Railroad work schedule.

Signage will be placed near Napoleon Park alerting trail users of the closure. Iowa City trail users should follow the detour on South Gilbert Street.

Longfellow Nature Trail streambank work to begin Dec. 13

Thursday, December 9, 2021 - 2:45pm
Contact: 
Ben Clark

Weather permitting, a streambank stabilization project along the Longfellow Nature Trail will begin on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. It is anticipated that the project will continue throughout the winter months, as weather conditions allow.

Work will involve removing hazardous trees and hanging branches along the streambank, in addition to placing riprap (a protective, rocky material) on severely-eroded sections of the creek to prevent further erosion.

Although brief closures may occur, it is anticipated that the nature trail will remain open throughout the project.

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