Half of Johnson County Snow Plows Out of Commission Due to Monday Fire: Iowa City Daily News Links, March 27

I hereby declare is Spring. Go out and frolick in these above zero temperatures.

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On to the Links!

Optimus Prime has had better days (see picture at link) The fire at the Johnson County Secondary Roads may cost $700,000 to replace due to damage to trucks, disabling around half of the county's fleet of snow plows.

Adam Sullivan of the Iowa City Press-Citizen has a profile on a City High English teacher who was honored with a teaching award from ICEA.

Lee Hermiston covered a meeting of the Coalition Against the Shadow who oppose the Chauncey high-rise project. The members seem fairly confident that they can stop or alter the project by appealing to rezoning logic for the plot of land when it is tied to the city's comprehensive plan.

Summer of the Arts announced their entertainment lineup yesterday. (Iowa City Press-Citizen)

The Iowa Senate Democrats passed their own version of education reform that will have to be reconciled with the Iowa House's version. (Des Moines Register)

Tara Bannow of the Press-Citizen writes that Iowa Regent Craig Lang feels good about being reappointed despite his rejection by the senate.

The bottle bill debate has returned to the Iowa Legislature. (Des Moines Register)

School safety legislation requiring background checks for certain positions that already passed the Iowa Senate has made it to the Iowa House floor for debate. (Des Moines Register) 

Live action Shrek with high school actors eh? We shall see. (Press-Citizen)

Daily Links Excerpt of the Day:

About half of Johnson County’s fleet of snowplows are out of commission, including three trucks that are likely a total loss and could cost upwards of $700,000 to replace, after a Monday fire at the Secondary Roads Department’s main garage.

The final damage costs, however, are expected to be significantly higher once the large facility and five other trucks indirectly affected by the heat and smoke are assessed in the coming days.

No one was hurt Monday when firefighters from across the county battled the blaze at 4810 Melrose Ave. on the western edge of Iowa City. The facility, which dates to 1968 and has underwent several expansions, houses a truck garage, maintenance shops and offices, Johnson County Engineer Greg Parker said.

Featured Directory Link of the Day: Molly's Cupcakes