More Johnson County communities are contracting with the Cedar Valley Humane Society for their animal shelter needs. Tiffin is now using the Cedar Rapids-based shelter, and Solon also will be served by the nonprofit organization starting July 1, according to a news release. Shueyville is reviewing a contract proposal, said Bob Citrullo, executive director...
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DES MOINES – The Iowa House voted 96-0 Monday to place new reporting and transparency requirements on cities and counties that use tax increment financing (TIF). Proponents said the changes heading to Gov. Terry Branstad’s desk for his consideration are designed to curb some TIF abuses without limiting an important economic development tool used...
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The F.W. Kent Park beach in Johnson County will open for the season on May 26. Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. No lifeguards are provided. Cans, bottles, food and alcohol are prohibited. For more information, call (319) 645-2315.
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IOWA CITY – Residents of several Johnson County towns can no longer  take animals to the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center. The services shut off for them include include drop-off of stray or unwanted pets and assistance for sick or injured wild animals, according to a news release. Iowa City is in...
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The Iowa Interstate Railroad’s route across the state is the one best suited for new passenger rail service between Chicago and Omaha, a study has determined. “The preliminary  findings have been that (Iowa Interstate) is the route we want to move into,” said Amanda Martin, policy coordinator for the Iowa Department of Transportation’s rail...
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The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board voted Friday to investigate a complaint filed against Johnson County Auditor Tom Slockett. With the 5-0 vote, Megan Tooker, the board’s executive director and legal counsel, said she hopes to have the investigation complete in a couple of weeks. The board asked for an expedited inquiry because...
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UPDATED with revisions throughout at 4:15 p.m. A former Johnson County deputy auditor who resigned Monday is the person who filed a formal complaint Wednesday with the state against county Auditor Tom Slockett. Megan Tooker, executive director and legal counsel at the Iowa Ethics and Campaign and Disclosure Board, released the complaint Thursday. The...
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Several Eastern Iowa groups are among more than 100 community-based child abuse prevention programs receiving $1.3 million in grants from the Iowa Department of Human Services. “These grants are designed to meet specific needs as identified by people on the front lines of child protection,” said Wendy Rickman, administrator of the Adult, Child and...
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A formal complaint against Johnson County Auditor Tom Slockett was filed Wednesday with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. Megan Tooker, the board’s executive director and legal counsel, declined to publicly release the complaint, discuss it in detail or say who filed it. The agenda for the board’s April 27th meeting in Des...
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UPDATED 4:50 p.m. to clarify it is not a government organization New members of a Johnson County organization that preserves natural areas for public use can see their contributions doubled this month. Current members of Johnson County Heritage Trust have pledged about $12,500 to be used as matching funds for contributions made by people...
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