Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How 183 new affordable units could reshape Iowa City’s west side

And on the Iowa City Patch calendar - Customer Choice

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Wednesday December 24th Patch AM
Wednesday December 24th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello again Iowa City! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How 183 new affordable units could reshape Iowa City’s west side
  • What Iowa City’s Highlander Hotel bankruptcy means for guests and neighbors
  • How an Iowa City case added decades to this man’s sentence

Also on today's calendar: Customer Choice.

Find out what's happening in Iowa Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Iowa Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon mist, with a high of 41 and low of 35 degrees.
  • Thursday: Cloudy most of the time, temps: high: 44, low: 39.
  • Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 49 and low of 35 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Affordable housing complex planned for Iowa City's west side (thegazette.com) — A 183‑unit income-restricted housing complex is planned for 204 W. Benton Street on Iowa City’s west side, with construction starting in 2026 and opening expected in 2028. All units will be affordable for households around 60 percent of area median income, adding much-needed options for families and workers near downtown, transit, and the future Roosevelt school redevelopment.
   

2. Highlander Hotel in Iowa City files for bankruptcy over unpaid loans (press-citizen.com) — A well-known Iowa City hotel, The Highlander, has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy while planning to stay open and reorganize its debts. The filing involves several major creditors, including Johnson County and state and federal agencies, after lawsuits over millions in unpaid loans. The hotel’s current ownership aims to keep operating as it works through the court-supervised process.
   

3. North Liberty man already serving over 100 years for sexual assault faces additional 25 years (1630kcjj.com) — An Iowa City woman was among the victims of a North Liberty man who has now received additional prison time for a series of violent crimes across Eastern Iowa. Already serving lengthy sentences for assaults in Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Johnson County, he pleaded guilty in Linn County to kidnapping, robbery, and attempted sexual assault in a 2023 Center Point attack.
   

4. Iowa City man charged with indecent exposure after lengthy public masturbation session (1630kcjj.com) — An Iowa City resident has been charged with multiple counts of indecent exposure after staff and cameras at a local winter shelter reportedly documented prolonged inappropriate behavior earlier this month. Police obtained a warrant days later and arrested the man Monday. He now faces potential jail time if convicted on all charges.
   

5. Season of giving: Iowa's Tavion Banks uses NIL money to donate cleats to kids in his hometown (ourquadcities.com) — Iowa City fans are getting to know basketball standout Tavion Banks, whose path to Carver-Hawkeye Arena began in Kansas City and now includes using his NIL earnings to buy cleats for kids back home. His story highlights the connection between his life in Iowa City and his commitment to giving back beyond the court.
   

📸 Around Iowa City

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Tom Lehrer, who departed this mortal coil for parts unknown, left this lovely jazzy holiday tune (and thanks to Deborah Silver and the Count Basie Orchestra) extolling the virtues of spending Hanukkah at the tail end of Route 66):
    https://youtu.be/tCDJCVBgxPE?si=ERrgIZL2q0oxx0dh (Nextdoor Creekside)
  • Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Iowa City. Apply here.
  • Planet Fitness, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Representative in Iowa City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Iowa City here.

Ok Iowa City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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