The waiver of building department permit fees for derecho-damaged structures and temporary housing agreements for those displaced after the derecho all expire on the one-year anniversary of the storm, next Tuesday. The waiver has been for unincorporated areas in Linn County and the cities of Alburnett, Bertram, Center Point, Ely, Lisbon, Mount Vernon, and Springville, for the repair and reconstruction of structures damaged during the August 10, 2020 storm. The fees waived include flood plain development permits, building permits (including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits) and zoning verifications. Permits acquired prior to Tuesday to repair derecho damaged structures will receive a one-year extension at no additional charge. All required permits are still necessary in the repair or reconstruction of buildings and other structures damaged by the storm. Linn County is simply waiving the fee for the required permits to assist residents impacted.
The Iowa Irish Fest app has officially launched. It’s available for download on both Apple and Android devices. The app includes a schedule which can be personalized to the user’s interests, a map of the grounds, frequently asked questions, social media links, a link to purchase tickets, points of interest, an exclusive photo challenge, and more. In addition, all users who take an in-app survey through the “Enter to Win” tab will be eligible to win an Iowa Irish Fest prize basket. Tickets can be purchased at IowaIrishFest.com. All children 15 and younger are free with adult admission. This year’s event will take place from Friday through Sunday in the Lincoln Park area of downtown Waterloo.
The badly decomposed body of woman has been found in a Council Bluffs city park in western Iowa. Police there said the discovery was made late Tuesday morning in Fairmont Park. Police said they had no information about how the woman died and did not give her identity. Her death is being investigated as suspicious, and an autopsy was expected to be performed Wednesday.
The Iowa State Fair starts one week from today and officials say they’ll follow safety precautions. They are asking people to stay home if they are sick, experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have been recently exposed to COVID-19. Additional hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be available at the fairgrounds, and restrooms and so-called “high touch” areas will be cleaned regularly. Officials ask people to practice distancing when possible. No capacity limits are in place for buildings or other locations. While masks are recommended indoors, they are not a requirement. Officials say the fair will continue to monitor the situation and update information as needed as opening day approaches. The Iowa State Fair runs from August 12-22.
A Cerro Gordo County man has been arrested and charged with writing bad checks for lottery tickets. 41-year-old Joey Henry Allen of Clear Lake is facing charges of third-degree theft as well as six counts of theft of lottery tickets. Law enforcement officials say Allen wrote six different checks to Ventura Mart in Ventura to buy $958.11 worth of lottery tickets on July 18 and 19. He’s accused of knowing there was no money in his account to cover those checks. Criminal complaints were filed against Allen on July 31 and he was arrested in Clear Lake on Tuesday of this week, initially held on $32,000 bond.
The annual Cedar Falls Doggie Dip will be held on August 23rd from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Falls Aquatic Center. Dogs must be licensed and accompanied by one to three owners. Admission is $5.00 per dog and additional owners are $4.00 each. Season swim passes are not honored for this event. An adult must be present with the family and dog. All those entering the aquatic center should be prepared to get wet.
