From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
A pilot program to address homelessness is gaining traction in Cedar Rapids. The Landlord and Tenant Success Initiative is starting its second year of offering financial incentives to both landlords and tenants to bring stability to those with leases. Landlords get a $1,000 incentive and tenants receive $100 for each quarterly goal they meet. The incentives are fully funded through a $100,000 donation from the Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust.
The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors is responding after one board member was arrested Wednesday in Waterloo. Supervisor Christopher Schwartz is facing two counts of third degree sexual abuse. In a statement, the board said it acknowledges the arrest and is waiting for the legal process to determine the facts. Despite the charges, there may be no clear path to remove him as a county supervisor. Black Hawk County code does not have an option to impeach or remove a county supervisor from office. However, state law gives the county attorney the option to ask a judge for a removal hearing, but only for a specific reason–and being charged with a crime isn’t one of them.
Crews broke ground on a new elementary school in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. The new school will replace Hoover Elementary. The new school will be right next to Hoover Elementary School. This is along the 400 block of Johnson Avenue Northwest. This is part of a plan from the district to demolish Hoover and Van Buren Elementary Schools and build replacement schools nearby. The new schools are aimed to address increasing enrollment and community growth.
Cedar Rapids Schools also celebrated Lily Sebastian yesterday. She will be this week’s Kid Captain for the Hawkeyes. She was born prematurely, and weighed just over two pounds. She’s also overcome a rare birth defect that prevented her abdominal wall from forming. To celebrate her achievements, Wilson Middle School hosted a parade through the halls, led by Lily and accompanied by football players and the Jefferson High School drumline.
