Iowa City In Focus: Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan, Tree Inventory, Washington St. Update, and City Council goals for 2017

Tuesday, January 3, 2017 - 5:25pm
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Iowa City In Focus brings the people, places, and projects of Iowa City into clear view. This monthly video program aims to highlight topical events and subjects through in-depth storytelling. Here’s what you’ll find in this month’s episode:

Promoting environmental sustainability was identified as a priority by City Council as part of its Strategic Plan . A major objective of setting a goal for greenhouse gas reduction has now been put in...

Iowa City Update: TV and Computer Monitor Ban, Minimum Wage Increase, 2017 Budget, and Inclusion Training

Saturday, December 31, 2016 - 11:56am
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

A new year comes with some new rules. Beginning January 3rd, people will no longer be able to throw away computer monitors or televisions at the Iowa City Landfill. The City has offered recycling of those electronics since 2003, but hadn’t enacted a ban at the landfill until now. The electronics contain many hazardous and toxic chemicals, which is why the ban was put in place. The move is expected to keep 340 to 360 tons of electronic waste out of the landfill...

Iowa City Police announce new hires

Thursday, December 29, 2016 - 12:41pm
Contact: 
Scott Gaarde
Communications

On Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, Iowa City Police Department Acting Police Chief Bill Campbell swore in Isaac Hoffman, Aaron Mitchell, Anthony Owens, and Trai Bunch as Officers during a ceremony at Emma J. Harvat Hall.

Officer Hoffmann, 25, originally from Manchester is a 2013 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with B.A. degree in criminology. Prior to attending UNI, Officer Hoffmann served in the U.S. Army assigned to the 82nd Airborne division while achieving the rank of Sergeant. Officer Hoffmann has been assigned badge #14.

Officer Mitchell, 23, originally from New...

ICPL Announces Second Sunday Garden Forum Lineup

Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - 1:29pm
Iowa City Public Library

For 25 years, the Iowa City Public Library and Project GREEN have partnered to host the Second Sunday Garden Forum series. This winter’s forums will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on January 8, February 12, and March 5.

Ed Lyon, author of “Growing the Midwest Garden,” will present Midwest Gardening: Possibilities Beyond the Prairie on January 8. Lyon became director of Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University in 2015. Before moving to Iowa, he was the director of Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison, Wis. and had positions at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Ill., Olbrich Botanical...

Iowa City Update: Holiday Light and Tree Recycling, New Year's Eve Events for Kids

Monday, December 26, 2016 - 9:41am
Contact: 
Jack Brooks
Communications

Even though the holidays are a busy time of the year, the Iowa City Recycling Center is making it easy to be environmentally conscious. As you are taking down your holiday decorations, make sure you don’t throw away any lights that don’t work or that you won’t be using any longer. Teaming up with area businesses, the City has set up several drop-off locations to recycle your lights. The program will run through January 9th. Click here for a complete list of drop-off sites.

The City of Iowa City is also offering a curbside...

Pedestrians to reroute on Dubuque Street for sewer work

Thursday, December 22, 2016 - 4:57pm
Contact: 
Melissa Clow
Part of Iowa City Gateway Project by Public Works

Pedestrians will encounter an expanded detour on Dubuque Street beginning Friday, Dec. 23, 2016 as work continues on the Iowa City Gateway Project .

People will be detoured across the Park Road Bridge to the Hancher Pedestrian Bridge as crews begin excavating the southbound lanes of Dubuque Street so they can install deep sanitary sewer as it crosses Dubuque Street to connect with existing sewer near the Iowa River. Pedestrians need to reroute to make room for equipment and construction. People can expect the detour to last...

Iowa City Police Department says scams targeting Seniors have hit the area – avoid being swindled by being aware

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 - 2:15pm
Police

According to Crime Prevention Officer Ashten Hayes, the Iowa City Police Department is receiving numerous calls regarding scams aimed at the elderly, especially those in nursing homes.

Financial exploitation is defined by Iowa Statute as “the act or process of taking unfair advantage of an individual or taking assets or resources for your own profit or gain. This includes the use of undue influence, harassment, duress, deception or false representation”.

The following are examples of current scams in our community:

Grandchild in Distress – You receive...

Television and computer monitor ban goes into effect Jan. 3 at Iowa City Landfill

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 - 10:53am
Contact: 
Jennifer Jordan
Landfill and Recycling Center

Beginning Jan. 3, 2017, the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center will start to enforce a landfill ban on computer monitors and televisions. The City Council recently passed a resolution enacting the ban to reduce the amount of hazardous and toxic substances in the landfill and decrease future environmental liability. Currently, around 375 tons of monitors and televisions are deposited in the landfill each year.

Computer monitors and televisions found in incoming waste loads on and after Jan. 3 will be treated similarly to appliances, tires and other banned items: Drivers will be...

Retirement reception planned for Fire Department Deputy Chief Roger Jensen

Tuesday, December 20, 2016 - 1:22pm
Contact: 
John Grier
Fire Department

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The public is invited to a retirement reception next Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, for Deputy Chief Roger Jensen, a 30-year veteran of the City of Iowa City Fire Department. The event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the conference room of Fire Station 1 at 410 E. Washington Street. Attendees are asked to enter the building via the north door, adjacent to the alley.

Deputy Chief Jensen has...

Equity and inclusion training available to local businesses

Tuesday, December 20, 2016 - 10:16am
Contact: 
Stefanie Bowers
Equity and Human Rights

The Iowa City (I.C.) Better Bridges Institute is offering a free one-and-a-half day education event for business owners and managers to learn about diversity and enhance strategies to create more inclusive environments. The program will be held Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in meeting rooms B & C of the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn Street.

Day 1:

Participants will spend the first day in an award-winning leadership training module from the National Coalition...

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