From Iowa’s News Now:
IOWA CITY, Iowa — A bankruptcy court approved the sale of Mercy Iowa City to the University of Iowa Monday morning. The university said in a news release that all Mercy Iowa City employees in good standing will be offered employment with UI Health Care; community providers not employed by UI Health Care may continue to practice at the facility under an open medical staff model; planning for the organizations to officially join as one in early 2024, in the meantime, there will be no immediate changes for patients, employees, or physicians. The court recently reopened auction for Mercy Iowa City’s assets, after initially agreeing to sell them to Preston Hollow Community Capital. Preston Hollow invested $41 million into the hospital in 2018 and says it has an outstanding balance of $62 million. Shortly after their bid won, there was disagreement over how operating losses would be funded after December 1 of this year. The university initially offered to buy the assets for $20 million but upped the final offer to $28 million.
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague says he is not supporting his colleague Councilor Laura Bergus in Tuesday’s election, calling her the “anti-police candidate.” Instead, he is going to vote for his other colleague, Councilor Pauline Taylor. Bergus is an at-large councilor on the board running for the District A seat, currently held by Taylor, who is running for reelection. Teague cites a 2021 opinion Bergus wrote in the Gazette advocating for police reform. Bergus also attempted shift $1.6 million from the police department for community outreach and crime prevention.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa —Two semi tractor-trailers collided on Highway 30 Monday; one material-hauler and one farm livestock hauler were involved, and both rolled on their sides. Police say the livestock hauler was carrying 470 small pigs, which appear to have remained in the trailer. One semi driver was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa City Police responded to a reported armed robbery in the area of Washington and Dubuque Streets just before midnight on Saturday. A University of Iowa Hawk Alert was issued related to the incident. But according to the ICPD, they found no evidence of the reported crime. This incident remains under investigation.
