Alison Gowans, Patch Staff
- Cedar Falls, IA
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.
Posting Activity
Cedar Falls|News|
Man Who Disappeared in Cedar River Identified; Search Continues for Third Day
Authorities said the man had been tubing with friends in the Cedar River Sunday when the tube flipped over.
Marion, IA|News|
Prostitution, Drug Distribution Charges: Marion Police Blotter
The following information was provided by the Marion police. It does not indicate a conviction.
Cedar Falls|News|
Hot, Hot, Humid, Sticky, Hot: This Week in Cedar Falls Weather
Say goodbye to that beautiful perfect weather of last week, the Dog Days of Summer are upon us.
Marion, IA|News|
Disorderly House and Drunk Driving: Marion Police Blotter
The following information was provided by the Marion police. It does not indicate a conviction.
Marion, IA|News|
Be a Dog Trainer, Sales Person or Child Care Director: Iowa Jobs in Marion and Cedar Rapids
Job hunting in Marion and the Cedar Rapids metro or simply curious about who's hiring? Check out a few job openings here.
Cedar Falls|News|
Cedar Falls House of the Week: Custom Home Theater and Multiple Fireplaces for $645,000
This week's featured home: 2908 Pendleton Drive in Cedar Falls.
Cedar Falls|News|
Promise Keepers
Cedar Falls|News|
Search Continues for Person Who Disappeared While Tubing in Cedar River Sunday
A search continues Monday for a person witnesses said fell in the Cedar River while intertubing Sunday.
Cedar Falls|News|
Friendship, Community Spirit Overwhelm Tragedy on 1-Year Anniversary of Evansdale Abduction
"We can't really say it enough," said Heather Collins, whose daughter Elizabeth Collins and niece Lyric Cook-Morrissey were abducted a year ago. "As hard as it was, just to have everybody around us - basically, everybody is our friend."
Cedar Falls|News|
Possession of Marijuana and Drunk Driving: Cedar Falls Police Blotter
The following information was provided by the Cedar Falls police. It does not indicate a conviction.
Waukee, IA|News|
Movie Reviews: 'Pacific Rim', 'Grown-Ups 2', 'The Heat' and More
Movie reviews and movie times for Waukee, including "White House Down," "Monsters University" and "World War Z". Let Patch help you decide what you're going to see this weekend.
Ames, IA|News|
Movie Reviews: 'Pacific Rim', 'Grown-Ups 2', 'The Heat' and More
Movie reviews and movie times for Ames, including "White House Down," "Monsters University" and "World War Z". Let Patch help you decide what you're going to see this weekend.
Ankeny, IA|News|
Movie Reviews: 'Pacific Rim', 'Grown-Ups 2', 'The Heat' and More
Movie reviews and movie times for Ankeny, including "White House Down," "Monsters University" and "World War Z". Let Patch help you decide what you're going to see this weekend.
Marion, IA|News|
Movie Reviews: 'Pacific Rim', 'Grown-Ups 2', 'The Heat' and More
Movie reviews and movie times for theaters in and around Marion, including "White House Down," "Monsters University" and "World War Z". Let Patch help you decide what you're going to see this weekend.
Cedar Falls|News|
Movie Reviews: 'Pacific Rim', 'Grown-Ups 2', 'The Heat' and More
Movie reviews and movie times for Cedar Falls, including "White House Down," "Monsters University" and "World War Z". Let Patch help you decide what you're going to see this weekend.
Cedar Falls|News|
Culver's Location Planned for Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls|News|
Community Update
Cedar Falls|News|
After Vetoing UNI Building Funds, Gov. Branstad Explains His Reasons
Public university building projects would have a stronger chance of getting state funding if officials can show that the building has a positive economic impact for Iowa, Gov. Terry Branstad said in an IowaWatch interview.
Cedar Falls|News|
Parasite That Can Cause 57 Days of Diarrhea Arrives in Black Hawk County
Iowa Public Health officials are searching for the cause of a statewide Cyclospora outbreak, an illness that carries symptoms that include weeks of severe diarrhea.