Coralville Courier

Information Sought in Homicide Investigation; Reward Offered by Linn County Crime Stoppers

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The Cedar Rapids Police Department is asking for anyone with information about the homicide that occurred on Saturday evening to contact investigators.  Police responded to a shooting incident at 383 17^th Street SE on Saturday at 8:24 p.m. and arrived on scene to find two victims who had sustained gunshot wounds. 

Kenneth Lamont Everett, DOB/11-02-1983, age 33, died as the result of his injuries at a local hospital.  Gabriel Chantel Thomas, DOB/10-31-1987, age 29, is continuing to recover from non-life threatening gunshot wounds.

Police determined that multiple shots were fired from outside of the residence, through a window, and struck the victims while they were inside a bedroom in the house.

“Information is critical so that investigators can find the suspect or suspects involved in the murder of Kenneth Everett.  This incident happened in the early evening in a densely populated area.  Anyone with information about individuals or vehicles in the neighborhood, or who have heard information about who may be accountable for this homicide are encouraged to contact police.  We need the public’s help on this case,” said Chief of Police Wayne Jerman.

Linn County Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $2,500 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this murder.  The reward is being matched by an anonymous donor because the crime occurred in the Wellington Heights neighborhood.  Therefore, the total reward from Linn County Crime Stoppers is up to $5,000.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Cedar Rapids Police Department at (319) 286-5491 or Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME (272-7463) or text CRIMES (274637) and in the message/subject, type 5227 and your tip.  You can continue to trade information with an investigator.  Text STOP to opt out at any time.  Please reference case #2017-14911.

Disclaimer:  Any arrest information included above is based on the legal conclusion that, as with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Sac & Fox Trail from Wilder Drive SE to Sun Valley Park Closed

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Effective Monday, September 25, a segment of the Sac & Fox Trail from Wilder Drive SE to Sun Valley Park will be closed for culvert replacement and flood mitigation maintenance. Work is expected to take two (2) weeks weather permitting. Pedestrian traffic should follow posted detour or seek alternate route.

Road Construction - S Clinton Street

IOWA CITY, IA. --  Weather permitting, from 7:00 a.m until 3:30 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2017, lanes of traffic will be shifted on Clinton Street to accommodate the placement of a crane to repair a building façade sign in the area. 

Motorists are to take note of this lane shift and allow extra travel time as delays may occur.  As always, caution should be exercised when driving through all construction areas.

For updated information on road construction in Iowa City, www.icgov.org/travelalerts. 

Road Construction - Orchard Court

IOWA CITY, IA -- Weather permitting, beginning on Monday, September 25, 2017, Orchard Court will be reduced to one lane alternating of traffic north of Benton Street.  This lane reduction is to accommodate the installation of water and sewer services to a building in the area.  It is anticipated that normal traffic will resume on Saturday, September 30th. 

Motorists are to take note of this lane reduction and allow extra travel time as delays may occur.  As always, caution should be exercised when driving through all construction areas.

For updated information on road construction in Iowa City, www.icgov.org/travelalerts. 

Help set vision and goals to improve Gilbert Street during public workshop

The community is invited to attend a public workshop that will discuss potential improvements to Gilbert Street, between McCollister Boulevard and Market Street. 

The meeting will happen from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, at City Hall inside Emma Harvat Hall, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City. 

The workshop will be an opportunity for the community to learn about current conditions in the area, as well as projected future use of this busy street. Input at the workshop will help set the vision and goals for short and long-term improvements, which could include intersection modifications, a 4-lane to 3-lane conversion or other related enhancements.  

Consultants have been reviewing and collecting data in the Gilbert Street corridor over the past few months. The goal of their work is to recommend improvements for traffic safety and to increase the bikeability and walkability of the area, while supporting the development visions articulated in the Riverfront Crossings and Downtown Master Plans. 

For more information, contact Transportation Planner Kent Ralston at kent-ralston@iowa-city.org or call 319-356-5253.

Artists invited to apply to create an installation for City Hall

The Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee is taking applications from artists and other creative groups interested in designing artwork for the City Hall lobby.  

Portions of City Hall were recently renovated to meet accessibility guidelines established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), provide updated wayfinding signs, and make aesthetic improvements, including lighting, flooring and accents in the front lobby. As an extension of the remodel, the City has appropriated fund to create and install artwork. 

The Public Art Advisory Committee is focusing first on a large, 16’X10’, wall located by the lobby stairwell. This area is highly visible to the public and used by many. The lobby is also the entrance to the Iowa City Police Department and is accessible 24/7.

The Committee has issued a Request for Qualifications for those interested in working with the committee on the design and possibly extending the project into other areas of City Hall.

---

---

Four finalists will have the opportunity to develop concepts and will receive a stipend of $250. The total budget for the completed and installed piece is $9,000.

To learn more and apply online, visit www.icgov.org/publicart. Applications are due by 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27, 2017.

The Public Art Advisory Committee will review applications and conduct interview during its meeting at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2 at City Hall, 410 E. Washington St., and will be notified of the selection outcome on Friday, Nov. 3.

The final project must be completed by Saturday, June 30, 2018.

For more information, contact Public Art Program Coordinator Marcia Bollinger at 319-356-5237 or marcia-bollinger@iowa-city.org.

Downtown hydrants to be flushed next week

Fire hydrants in the Downtown Iowa City area will undergo eight hours of flushing and maintenance next week.

From 11 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 28 through 7 a.m., Friday, Sept. 29, crews will be flushing hydrants to remove a thin film of rust that may be present in cast iron water pipes. This rust can cause fixtures to clog, or tap water to discolor if allowed to build up over time. Staff will also make any necessary repairs to hydrants.

Businesses, homeowners and tenants in the Downtown area are reminded that if rusty-colored water comes from their taps during this time, they should run their water until it clears. They may also want to avoid doing laundry while flushing is underway to avoid any discoloration.

For more information, contact the Water Division at 319-356-5166.

Road Construction - York Place

Weather permitting, beginning on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, York Place, just west of Notting Hill Lane, will be reduced to one lane of alternating traffic to facilitate pavement repair work in the area.  Beginning on Monday, September 25th, York Place will be closed between Red Hill Lane and Notting Hill Lane to facilitate additional pavement repairs. It is anticipated the work will be completed and normal traffic will resume on Friday, September 29th. 

Motorists are to take note of this construction and to seek another route during this time period. As always, caution should be exercised when traveling through all construction areas. 

For updated information on road construction in Iowa City, visit the City of Iowa City's website at www.icgov.org/travelalerts

Survey being mailed to more than 2,000 Iowa City households

Some residents will receive survey information in the mail over the next few weeks.

The City of Iowa City is working with the National Research Center to conduct a scientific survey used to gather resident opinion on a variety of community issues.

The survey will be mailed to 2,200 households that were randomly selected by the National Research Center from the United States Postal Service mailing list. Postcards announcing the survey will be sent to the selected households on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, followed by the actual survey on September 26 and October 3. Postage paid envelopes will be included, in addition to instructions to complete the survey online for those who prefer it.

Instructions will be distributed in English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and French. A Spanish version of the survey will be made available online. Residents who speak other languages will need to come to City Hall, 410 E. Washington St., and complete the survey with the assistance of City staff and Language Line services.

Residents who receive the survey are asked to complete and return it as soon as possible.

This National Research Center survey has been used by more than 350 jurisdictions in 44 states. 

For more information, contact Assistant to the City Manager Simon Andrew at simon-andrew@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5010. 

Video Update: Bicycle Count, Monarch Festival and Arts and Craft Bazaar

Iowa City Update is a weekly video featuring City of Iowa City projects, programs and events. Topics this week include collecting bike data, the Monarch Festival and more. Click the image below to watch Iowa City Update.

---

---

Youth Bicycle Count

Watch to learn why City officials are counting the number of bikes at our schools and how that data will be used as part of the Bicycle Master Plan.

Iowa City Monarch Festival

Discover how you can help this beautiful butterfly thrive in our community during an afternoon of demonstrations, games and family fun.

Arts and Crafts Bazaar

Show your creativity while helping support the Iowa City Public Library by donating handmade items to be sold at during the fundraiser.