Local Editor, Cedar Falls
Patch Email: alison.gowans@patch.com
Facebook.com/CedarFallsPatch
Twitter.com/CedarFallsPatch
Phone: 319-850-3474
I'm a born and raised resident of this town.
After graduating from Cedar Falls High School, I studied journalism and international studies at the University of Iowa and spent some time as a reporting intern at The Gazette in Cedar Rapids. After a brief stint in Minneapolis, I took off for the Peace Corps.
Two years as a community health education volunteer in Swaziland, a tiny country in Southern Africa, broadened my horizons and my perspective. But I missed home - the green summers, vibrant fall leaves and the promise of spring after a long winter. (Not so much the winter itself.)
I missed the people of this place, family and friends and neighbors. It was time to come home, and what better way to reintegrate into my community than through Patch? So here I am, wondering what the next few years will bring.
Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
Politics
The current acerbic political climate disheartens me. At this point I'm less concerned with parties and labels than with intent and ideas. If someone can convince me they have the country's best interests at heart and of the merit of their policies, they'll probably have my vote. I'm a registered Independent.
Religion
I believe in God. I'm still working out the details of what that belief entails and probably will be for the rest of my life.
Three seats are up for grabs in the Sept. 10 Cedar Falls School Board election. Learn about the candidates and make an informed vote.
This week's featured home: 1627 Valley High Drive, Cedar Falls, IA.
The event featured everything from booths representing local churches to local bands like Dylan Sires & Neighbors and Minitallica to the burlesque troop Sissy's Circus, which wrapped up the evening to the delight of the cheering crowd.
The following information was provided by the Cedar Falls Police. It does not indicate a conviction.
The Taylor Morris Glow Stick 5K, organized by Cedar Falls veteran Taylor Morris, his girlfriend Danielle Kelly and their friends, aimed to pay forward the great level of support Morris has received from the Cedar Valley.
The following information was provided by the Cedar Falls Police. It does not indicate a conviction.
Baby, it's hot outside.
Police said Larry Spiegel, 57, was killed when his Toyota Corolla collided with a Ford Pickup being driven by Joshua Peter, 24, of Gladbrook at the intersection of Gibson Road and Eagle Road south of Waterloo.
Cedar Falls Police said the accident happened around 7 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Ford Road and Lone Tree Road.
On May 7, police were called to Lawson Elementary School in Johnston shortly before noon after an 8-year-old boy brought a gun to school.
Movie reviews and movie times for Johnston, including, "Jobs," "Elysium," and "We're The Millers." Let Patch help you decide what you're going to see this weekend.
Movie reviews and movie times for Cedar Falls, including, "Jobs," "Elysium," and "We're The Millers." Let Patch help you decide what you're going to see this weekend.
Michael Quinn, 70, the assistant director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, reportedly violated Iowa’s anti-discrimination and violence-free workplace policies.
An accident south of Cedar Falls Wednesday sent two women to the hospital.
A charge does not indicate a conviction.
Shawn McGuire, 14, won first place in the Kid Chef Great American SPAM Championship at the Iowa State Fair with his SPAM Saucy Meatball Sliders.
Three seats are up for grabs in the Sept. 10 Cedar Falls School Board election. Learn about the candidates and make an informed vote.
CFU’s annual showcase of ways you can save energy, save money and save the earth is Saturday.
The district purchased a tablet computer for each student to use.
