Test of Johnson County Emergency Notification System to take place Friday, Sept. 25

Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 4:30pm
Communications

The Johnson County Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC) and the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will conduct a test of the Johnson County Emergency Notification System (JCENS) on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.

Johnson County uses the JCENS high-speed telephone emergency notification services for mass public safety notices such as lost persons, amber alerts or emergency evacuations or other priority messages during times of crisis. The JCENS system gives officials the ability to deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone notification and information messages to...

A new City of Iowa City bus is shown.

AM & PM Eastside Loop routes to resume service effective Monday, Sept. 28, 2020

Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 4:00pm
Contact: 
Curtis Brenton
Transit

Effective on Monday, September 28, 2020, Iowa City Transit will resume operating the AM and PM Eastside Loop routes for the 2020-2021 academic year. As a reminder, a face covering that covers the nose and mouth must be worn in order to ride Iowa City Transit buses.

The AM Eastside Loop route will begin service at 7:35 a.m. at the Sycamore Mall (stop 7135) each morning when school is in session. The AM Eastside Loop will arrive at Southeast Junior High School at approximately 7:38 a.m., Iowa City High School at approximately 7:44 a.m., Regina Education Center at approximately 7:47 a...

A fire pit is shown.

Outdoor Fire Pit 101: Enjoying a fire pit safely and legally

Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 2:30pm
Contact: 
Brian Greer
Fire Department

Who doesn’t enjoy a good backyard fire pit on a cool evening? The Iowa City Fire Department has tips on how you can enjoy the outdoors with your own fire pit safely and legally.

Iowa City fire pit regulations Fire pits must be a specific measurement. Fire pits must be at least four inches in depth and must be surrounded on the outside, above ground, by a non-combustible material. They cannot exceed three feet in diameter. The pile of wood for the fire must not exceed two feet in height. Make sure you are only burning natural firewood or commercial logs in...
Graphic for City Council Listening Post on Sept. 29, 2020.

Fourth City Council Listening Post on improving community policing focuses on victims of abuse and outreach efforts

Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 12:30pm
Contact: 
Kellie Fruehling
City Clerk

Members of the Iowa City City Council will hold a Listening Post on community policing at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at Wetherby Park, 2400 Taylor Drive, on the east side of the park by the community gardens.

City Council members Laura Bergus, Mayor Pro Tem Mazahir Salih, and Mayor Bruce Teague will be in attendance.

The listening post will focus on community policing and how police work with victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and child abuse. Victim outreach will also be discussed.

Service providers from the Domestic Violence Intervention Program, the...

New ordinance prohibits feeding of deer in City limits

Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 11:15am
Contact: 
Chris Whitmore
Animal Shelter

The feeding of deer within the City of Iowa City has been banned following a newly-passed ordinance.

The ordinance was approved at the Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, City Council meeting and published in the Press-Citizen on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020.

The feeding of deer has been banned for numerous reasons, including that fed deer are more likely to starve, can transmit chronic wasting disease, are more likely to be found in residential areas, and contribute to vehicle collisions.

The complete ordinance...

Graphic for City Council Listening Post at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020.

Third Council Listening Post on improving community policing focuses on University of Iowa students

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - 11:45am
Contact: 
Kellie Fruehling
City Clerk

Members of the Iowa City City Council will hold a Listening Post on community policing at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Hubbard Park.

City Council members Pauline Taylor, Mayor Bruce Teague, and Janice Weiner will be in attendance.

The listening post will focus on partnering with University of Iowa Student Government (UISG) to DISCUSS student issues related to community policing.

What is community policing and how can I provide input?

Community Policing is a philosophy that seeks to address the root causes of crime, works to reduce fear of social disorder,...

A collage of DIY projects made in Iowa City.

Winners announced in the 2020 Rummage ReDux Challenge

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 11:00am
Contact: 
Marcia Bollinger
Neighborhood Outreach

Rummage ReDux (pronounced "re-ducks" and meaning to revive, bring back, transform) is the City's annual do-it-yourself competition held as part of the annual Rummage in the Ramp resale event. Rummage ReDux encourages residents to take used pieces of furniture or other items they own, revive or redux it themselves with creativity, and then potentially win cash prizes for their work.

This year, as with many other events, Rummage in the Ramp was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, and Rummage Redux went virtual with a more flexible format that allowed for online submissions. Five...

A police badge

Update on suspicious death investigation

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 8:30am
Police

Update: On Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at approximately 8:35 p.m., emergency responders were called to 86 Aniston Street in Iowa City by concerned family members who observed through a window of the residence Latoya Smith laying on the bathroom floor.

Upon entry into the locked residence, Iowa City Police discovered the deceased bodies of Latoya Smith and Floyd Rush. The subsequent investigation determined that Rush shot Smith several times with a handgun before turning the handgun on himself. Both Smith and Rush died of their injuries caused by the handgun at...

Video Update: Face Covering Order Extended, Trail Maps, and Council Listening Posts

Monday, September 21, 2020 - 7:45am
Communications
Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs and events. Topics this week include an extension of the face covering order, how to explore new tails around town, and an upcoming listening post with City Council members. Click the image below to watch. Iowa City Update: Face Covering Order Extended Face Covering Order Extended

Watch to learn about the extension of the face...

Financial assistance still available to qualified households impacted by pandemic

Friday, September 18, 2020 - 3:30pm
Neighborhood and Development Services

The City recently received additional Community Development Block Grant-CV (CDBG-CV) funds through the Iowa Economic Development Authority to assist in its response to the pandemic. This funding provides an additional $390,000 in assistance to help Iowa City households secure housing and prevent homelessness through CommUnity Crisis Services.

Funds are available to provide rent, mortgage, and/or utility assistance to those financially impacted by COVID. Since the pandemic began, the City has allocated over $748,000 to our area partners, including CommUnity Crisis Services, Shelter...

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