Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How new data center rules could reshape Johnson County’s water and land

Be sure to catch Project GREEN Second Sunday Garden Forum 2026 on the Iowa City Patch calendar

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What's up Iowa City! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How new data center rules could reshape Johnson County’s water and land
  • Which 2025 Hawkeye moments made this year’s collegiate highlight reel?
  • Why a broken Iowa City storefront window led to a felony charge

Also on today's calendar: Project GREEN Second Sunday Garden Forum 2026.

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

Today's riddle: I quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 30 and low of 20 degrees.
  • Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 33, low: 18. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Sunday: A thick cloud cover, with a high of 35 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Johnson County looks toward future beyond data center moratorium (thegazette.com) — Johnson County officials in Iowa City are reworking zoning rules for data centers before a one-year moratorium on new projects in unincorporated areas expires Nov. 8. They’re weighing stricter limits on water use, facility size, noise, and NDAs, plus whether special-use permits and broader transparency rules should govern future proposals that could affect local resources and tax base.
   

2. 2025 Year In Review: Top collegiate stories (wcfcourier.com) — Iowa City sports fans will recognize several big 2025 moments here, from Caitlin Clark’s jersey retirement at Carver-Hawkeye Arena to Hawkeye football and men’s basketball games played in town. The roundup also checks in on Iowa State, UNI, Wartburg and Northern Iowa wrestling, offering a broad look back at the state’s biggest collegiate sports storylines.
   

3. Cedar Rapids man facing Iowa City vandalism charge claims he fell through window after being 'spooked' (1630kcjj.com) — Iowa City police say a Cedar Rapids man is charged with second-degree criminal mischief after a window was broken at the former Varsity Cleaners site on South Gilbert Street, now housing Wright House of Fashion and the Iowa City Community Fridge. Workers reported hearing a crash and seeing him by the damaged window, while he claimed he was “spooked” and fell through, with damage estimated at $2,000.
   

4. Suspect in Iowa City record tampering case given deferred judgment (1630kcjj.com) — A case involving alleged record tampering tied to Iowa City has ended with deferred judgments for both the primary suspect and an accomplice, avoiding lengthy potential prison time. Prosecutors said forged subcontractor lien documents were used in a Solon home construction project, where homeowners paid in full believing more than $116,000 had gone to subcontractors.
   

📸 Around Iowa City

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This package was delivered to 946 Spring Ridge Dr which was the wrong address.
    It should be 936 Springridge Dr. If you received this package or know this person could you please ask them to return it to 936. It was snowboots… (Nextdoor Modern Manor)
  • New year of Savings
    At 1012 S. Gilbert Ct (corner of Kirkwood Ave and Gilbert Ct.) Sat. Jan. 3, 2026 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sun. Jan. 4, 2026 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sat. Jan… (Nextdoor Twain)
  • University of Iowa posted a job opening for Coding Representative - Coding Denial Follow-Up Team (CDFT) - Physician Hospital Accounts Receivable Management (PHARM) - Patient Financial Services (PFS) in Iowa City. Apply here.
  • Insomnia Cookies posted a job opening for Shift Leader 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 just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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