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.
The move comes in response to the Pay Our Military Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last week to keep paychecks coming to the armed forces during the federal government shutdown.
The move comes in response to the Pay Our Military Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last week to keep paychecks coming to the armed forces during the federal government shutdown.
The move comes in response to the Pay Our Military Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last week to keep paychecks coming to the armed forces during the federal government shutdown.
The move comes in response to the Pay Our Military Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last week to keep paychecks coming to the armed forces during the federal government shutdown.
The move comes in response to the Pay Our Military Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last week to keep paychecks coming to the armed forces during the federal government shutdown.
The move comes in response to the Pay Our Military Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last week to keep paychecks coming to the armed forces during the federal government shutdown.
Black Hawk County Sheriff Deputies responded to the area of University Avenue and Viking Road on a report of a single vehicle rollover accident just before 3 a.m. Monday.
In Iowa the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has closed seven national wildlife refuges and one wetland management district totaling more than 110,000 acres of land.
In Iowa the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has closed seven national wildlife refuges and one wetland management district totaling more than 110,000 acres of land.
Black Hawk County Sheriff's deputies responded to a two vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of East Gresham and Schenk Roads in Black Hawk County at approximately 3:15 p.m. Saturday.
The following information was provided by the Johnston Police. It does not indicate a conviction.
The following information was provided by the Johnston Police. It does not indicate a conviction.
The following information was provided by the Cedar Falls Police. It does not indicate a conviction.
The following information was provided by the Cedar Falls Police. It does not indicate a conviction.
The district came in at number 14 among large employers, trailing its 2012 finish at number 10.
The following information was provided by the police. It does not indicate a conviction.
The following information was provided by the police. It does not indicate a conviction.
The following information was provided by the police. It does not indicate a conviction.
The following information was provided by the police. It does not indicate a conviction.
The Quakerdale Discovery Network is a new direction for the organization, which has been serving at-risk youth in the Cedar Valley for over 30 years.
