From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
One person has died and three others suffered minor injuries after an apartment fire Tuesday afternoon near the intersection of 19th Street and A Avenue in Cedar Rapids. Witnesses say they saw people trapped on the second and third floors. Some were climbing out of windows to escape. The fire broke out on the third floor. Three people were treated for smoke and fire-related injuries. Firefighters say the fire was accidental and say apartments did suffer heavy smoke and water damage.
Covenant Family Solutions is expanding its services in Eastern Iowa. It will open a new mental health clinic in Iowa City this week. It’s one of four new clinics Covenant is opening this year. It also has facilities in Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Marion, Cedar Falls and Dubuque. The organization provides weekly sessions for patients with therapy and medication management.
The Regis and LaSalle Catholic Middle Schools are consolidating under a new governance for Catholic schools in the Cedar Rapids area. All Catholic schools in the Cedar Rapids metro will join together as a single corporation, representing Xavier Catholic Schools starting in July. St. Joseph’s School in Marion will remain a pre-kindergarten through 8th grade building for at least 5 years. Then the system needs will be reassessed. Work will begin immediately to find and create a new Xavier Catholic Schools school board.
Dubuque County childcare centers will now have an opportunity to support more staff and parents with a new grant. The grant, which is funded by the State of Iowa as well as private investments from local businesses, will enhance recruitment and retention of childcare staff. The money will specifically increase starting pay for new hires plus a $1,000 new childcare professional attraction bonus. Over the last several years, Dubuque County’s childcare workforce has decreased by 23 percent. The money will also provide bonuses to retain childcare workers who are already on the job.
