From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
The heat wave is hitting just in time for children returning to school. With the heat only expected to get worse as the week goes on, Iowa districts that have buildings without AC are looking for ways to keep their students and staff cool. Districts, including Tipton, Linn-Mar and Waterloo, are releasing early due to the heat.
There are about 30 cooling centers across Linn County alone that are open to people who want to escape the dangerous temperatures. In Cedar Rapids, locations include the public library, Lindale Mall and Salvation Army. Dubuque is also using its public library as a cooling center, as well as the ice arena and the multicultural family center. The full list of cooling centers may be found on kcrg.com.
Pet owners in the second largest city in Iowa, Cedar Rapids, no longer have access to 24-hour emergency vet care because of a shortage of veterinary specialists willing to provide round-the-clock services in emergencies. Blue Pearl Animal Hospital was the only 24-hour emergency vet clinic in Cedar Rapids, but it has reduced hours due to the veterinarian shortage. A non-profit says it’s on the front line of this problem, and is hoping veterinarians in Cedar Rapids will come together and try to come up with a solution. Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids is a non-profit that provides medical treatment, but for homeless animals. Recently, the non-profit’s been getting calls from pet owners who are experiencing an animal emergency, especially now that Blue Pearl is no longer open 24/7.
Cedar Rapids inspectors say there are no structural problems with a building that had bricks fall from its façade early Saturday morning during the Downtown Farmers Market. A masonry contractor Monday was on site to further investigate the Granby Building on Third Avenue SE. The city’s building services director tells TV9 the bricks fell from a decorative part of the building. The sidewalk in the area remains closed until repairs are complete.
