Sycamore Mall Searching for Local Loan: Iowa City Daily News Links, Dec. 4

The birds sound so happy outside.

On to the Links!

Mitchell Schmidt of the Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the Sycamore Mall in Iowa City is trying to secure a new loan from a local bank to remain operational.

Hayley Bruce writes for the Gazette that the University of Iowa is going to rebuild and reutilize the Hawkeye Court apartments.

Vanessa Miller of the Gazette writes about the death of a former Johnson County Sheriff.

That was fast. David DeWitte of the Gazette writes that a new Hampton Inn on Sturgis Corner Drive was built in a potentially record 131 days.

Jens Krogstad of the Des Moines Register reports that alcohol-related arrests are up at Iowa State and down for the University of Iowa.

Scott Dochterman of the Gazette writes that the competition for minutes is fierce on the University of Iowa men's basketball team.

A study published in a law review suggested changes to add some diversity to the Iowa Supreme Court. (Associated Press)

Andy Brodie, one of the cofounders of Iowa City FilmScene writes a letter to the Press-Citizen arguing that downtown Iowa City needs a place for films to be watched downtown, possibly at a certain spot at Gilbert and College Street.

Another guest writer argues that Iowa needs to leverage its ties to the international marketplace.

This article has Terry Branstad and "secret hideaway" in the lede sentence. Not quite as exciting as it sounds, but it would have been a fun tour. (Des Moines Register)

Speaking of Gov. Branstad, he argues that the state's healthy surplus in Iowa offers opportunities for commercial property tax reform.

Daily Links Excerpt of the Day

A man who managed to become known throughout the community as both a “workaholic” and a “real family man” died Sunday night, eight years after retiring from his post as Johnson County sheriff.

Robert “Bob” Carpenter, 70, died at Mercy Hospital. He amassed nearly 40 years of service to the community through the Sheriff’s Office, including 15 years at the helm.

“Bob was very passionate about what he did … He was a workaholic,” said sheriff’s Lt. Kevin Kinney. “He was a strong leader. In a lot of aspects, he led by example.”

Daily Links Featured Directory Listing of the Day: Sycamore Mall