Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which three Iowa City favorites are closing their doors this month?

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

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Thursday January 8th Patch AM
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Cheers Iowa City! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which three Iowa City favorites are closing their doors this month?
  • What Iowa City’s renewed mayoral team plans to tackle next
  • Could Iowa City schools soon ban student phones all day?

Also on today's calendar: Project GREEN Second Sunday Garden Forum 2026 and 2 more events.

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

Today's riddle: After dinner, my parents asked if I could clear the table. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: Cloudy with afternoon rain, with a high of 49 and low of 35 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 44, low: 30.
  • Saturday: Colder; morning snow, 1-2", with a high of 33 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. These 3 Iowa City businesses are planning to close. What to know (press-citizen.com) — Three familiar Iowa City spots—CIELO boutique, Cortado Mediterranean Café, and the Highway 1 GameStop—are all set to close in January, reshaping local shopping and coffee routines. Each business has announced specific final days and hours, along with farewell messages and, in CIELO’s case, a major in-store discount before shutting its doors.
   

2. Bruce Teague continues as Iowa City mayor; Megan Alter as pro tem (kwwl.com) — Iowa City’s council has voted to keep Bruce Teague as mayor and Megan Alter as mayor pro tem through January 2028, reaffirming the city’s current leadership. In separate 4–3 votes, council members backed their focus on housing, public safety, mental health, and clearer priorities for residents. Both leaders emphasize collaboration, transparency, and respect across differing viewpoints on the council.
   

3. Iowa City CSD considering full cell phone ban. What to know (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Iowa City Community School District leaders are weighing a full “bell-to-bell” ban on student cell phone use, expanding the current partial restrictions in middle and high schools. With violations still common despite fewer infractions overall, board members will continue discussions at their Jan. 13 meeting, and any change could significantly affect daily routines for nearly 8,000 secondary students.
   

4. Univ. of Iowa students practice life-saving skills through realistic medical simulations (kcrg.com) — In Iowa City, University of Iowa physician assistant students are sharpening life‑saving skills inside a high‑tech mobile simulation lab parked at the main hospital campus. Using lifelike mannequins that can mimic real emergencies, instructors give students realistic practice before clinical rotations and the spring semester begin later this month.
   

5. Alaska to Iowa: Layla Hays' impact on the court after unusual recruiting journey (kcrg.com) — Iowa City hoops fans are getting to know freshman center Layla Hays, who’s already logging key minutes for the Hawkeyes after relocating from Wasilla, Alaska. She describes the big jump from dominating undersized high school opponents to battling similarly tall teammates and Big Ten competition, and how Iowa coaches discovered her at a Chicago showcase.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Good morning my lovelies!
    I currently have garage FULL of furniture, decorations, blankets, toys, clothes. Whatever you need, I got it! I don’t have time to do a garage sale… (Nextdoor Twain)
  • Just a word of advice: if you see emergency lights flying up behind you, please do your best to get out of the way by pulling over on the right hand side of the road if possible.
    On hwy 6 I just saw two squad cars come flying up the highway lights and sirens blaring, and most people pulled over to the right hand side of the… (Nextdoor Eastside)
  • University of Iowa posted a job opening for Custodian II in Iowa City. Apply here.
  • Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member 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 needed a running start, but I made it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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