Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How an Iowa City teen earned a major symphony solo spotlight

Spotted on the Iowa City calendar: Customer Choice

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Hello Iowa City! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How an Iowa City teen earned a major symphony solo spotlight
  • Iowa City remembers ‘Smiley,’ a beloved campus and sports superfan
  • How a parking ramp encounter led to new theft charges

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: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 47 and low of 34 degrees.
  • Saturday: Areas of fog in the morning, temps: high: 53, low: 37.
  • Sunday: A couple of showers, with a high of 42 and low of 11 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Young musicians earn recognition from QC Symphony Orchestra (ourquadcities.com) — Iowa City cellist Keira Cromwell, 16, has earned the Grand Prize in the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles Concerto Competition and will solo with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in April 2026. She also recently received the Iowa City Music Study Club Scholarship and trains at the Iowa City Fencing Center, balancing top-level music and athletic achievements.
   

2. Iowa City loses beloved ‘Smiley,' celebrates his generous spirit (thegazette.com) — A beloved Iowa City fixture known as “Smiley,” longtime University of Iowa food service worker Gary Lee Bloore, has died at 79, prompting an outpouring of memories from residents and Hawkeye fans. After decades living, working, and cheering at games in Iowa City, he became a familiar, friendly face across town and at Clear Creek Amana events, remembered for his kindness and unwavering support.
   

3. Transient with history of shoplifting convictions arrested again for same offense (1630kcjj.com) — A woman described as transient was arrested after University of Iowa Police reportedly found her smoking marijuana in the Old Capitol Town Center parking ramp in downtown Iowa City. She was wanted in connection with an earlier theft of vodka from the Waterfront Hy-Vee. With prior shoplifting convictions in Johnson and Linn counties, she now faces new theft and drug charges carrying significant prison time.
   

4. Iowa City woman accused of using stolen credit card last summer (1630kcjj.com) — An Iowa City woman has been arrested after police say she used a stolen credit card for nearly $1,000 in purchases at the downtown Iowa City Target in August. The 40-year-old, previously fined for a false 9-1-1 report, now faces a felony-level credit card charge carrying up to two years in jail.
   

5. Georgia man arrested early Christmas morning for creating a disturbance with police outside downtown Iowa City bar (1630kcjj.com) — Police say a man visiting from Georgia was arrested outside The Dublin Underground in downtown Iowa City early Christmas morning after allegedly arguing with officers, showing signs of intoxication, and briefly trying to run. Officers report finding a prescription bottle not in his name and measuring his breath alcohol at .08%. He faces multiple misdemeanor charges that could bring more than a year in jail.
   

📸 Around Iowa City

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hello Neighbors!
    The Clark Street Luminaria Display will be on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31, beginning at 5pm and continuing into the late hours. Stroll or… (Nextdoor Longfellow)
  • Merry Christmas all!
    Just a reminder to compost your food waste! This would be a half a bag of trash if IC didn't have compost carts!! If you live in IC City limits and… (Nextdoor Twain)
  • Target posted a job opening for On-Demand: Guest Advocate (Cashier), General Merchandise, Fulfillment (T3374) in Iowa City. Apply here.
  • Starbucks posted a job opening for shift supervisor - Store# 02855, IOWA CITY-BURLINGTON & CLINTON 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 guess I’m out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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