Coralville Courier

Find what you're looking for in the Corridor!

Whether you're a lifelong resident of the Corridor area, a University of Iowa student, or just visiting the area, you've come to the right place if you're looking for information about lodging, dining, activities, finding a good mechanic, a lawyer and otherwise in the Metro area! Looking for a refreshing dinner experience? Find a restaurant that intrigues you in Metro Pursuit. Have some relatives coming into town and need some entertaining ideas? Find some in Metro Pursuit. Need to move? Find a house or apartment to your liking in Metro Pursuit. Serving the entire Corridor and the metro areas of Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, Riverside, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Marion and surrounding communities!

Traffic Alert - Burlington Street and Clinton Street

IOWA CITY -- Weather permitting, beginning on Monday, January 27, 2020, eastbound traffic on Burlington Street will be reduced to one lane between Capitol Street and Dubuque Street.  In addition, northbound traffic on Clinton Street will be reduced to one lane between Court Street and Burlington Street.  These lane reductions will facilitate curb and gutter repair work in the area.  It is anticipated that normal traffic will resume by the end of the day on Tuesday, January 28^th.

Motorists are to take note of this work and allow extra travel time as delays may occur.  As always, caution should be exercised when driving through all construction areas.

For updated information on road construction in Iowa City, visit www.icgov.org/travelalerts. 

Today's Weather Outlook for the Corridor

Today's weather forecast and a four day outlook.  Check this page for the latest weather reports in the corridor area.  Up-to-date weather conditions for the Iowa City area are observed at the Iowa City, Iowa City Municipal Airport, IA.  For weather conditions specific to other cities outside the corridor area, just type in your zip code below.

Type in your zip code for your weatherecast

 

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Downtown towing begins at 2 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2020, for snow removal - Iowa City

Crews will remove snow in Downtown Iowa City overnight Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, beginning at 2 a.m. Vehicles parked in tow-away zones will be removed. Towing will impact Prentiss Street to Market Street, Madison Street to Gilbert Street, as well as N. Clinton Street from Market Street to Church Street. The parking in these areas are metered spots, which do not permit parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Follow all posted parking signs to prevent your vehicle from being towed. Vehicles can be moved to a Downtown Parking ramp, or to on-street parking spaces outside of the area. Be sure to follow all posted signs. If your vehicle is towed, contact the Iowa City Police Department at 319-356-5275. Do not call 911.

News – City of North Liberty - January 24, 2020

North Liberty is a growing, thriving and young community. Proud to be a family-friendly small town in the heart of Iowa.

Excerpts: Help Prevent Melting Snow from Flooding Streets

Snow following above-freezing temperatures following snow. Welcome to winter in the Midwest. The rapid-fire weather changes could lead to streets flooding if storm drains aren't cleared as snow melts (and rain comes). Residents can help by clearing out storm drains near their homes so melting snow and rain can make it into our storm water…

The post Help Prevent Melting Snow from Flooding Streets appeared first on City of North Liberty.

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Food Review: Pierre Signatures Angus Cheeseburger - Bachelor on the Cheap

By Mike Thayer

With a busy work and play schedule in mind, I've been buying groceries with convenience foods on the shopping list rather than buying ingredients to cook with as of late.  The weather has played a role in the switch to my grocery buying routine too, I don't do a lot of grilling during the winter months.  This week's grocery run was no different and in searching for a convenient lunch item, I picked up a box of Pierre Signatures Angus Cheeseburgers. 

Here's the description on the box:  Premium Flame Broiled Angus Beef Steak with American Cheese on a Sesame Seed Bun.

 

Read the full review at www.bacheloronthecheap.com

New Large Print Children’s Book Collection Available at the Iowa City Public Library

The Iowa City Public Library is pleased to announce a collection of large print children’s books is now available for check out. Made possible through a generous grant from the Pilot Club of Iowa City, the collection contains over 120 fiction and nonfiction titles, including Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jason Reynold’s Ghost and Louise Erdrich’s The Birchback House.

Including large print books in the Library’s children’s collection provides more options for our youngest patrons to engage with books. Research shows children with visual challenges, learning differences or difficulties and reading comprehension challenges can benefit from large print texts.

Large Print Children’s Books and more are available in the Ellen Buchanan Children’s Room at the Iowa City Public Library. Large Print Children’s Books check out for three weeks and no fines are assessed on materials in this collection.

For more information, please call the Library at 319-356-5200 or visit our website at icpl.org/ask.

City to require radon testing for all rental single family detached and duplex properties beginning July 1

Starting July 1, 2020, The City of Iowa City will begin working with property owners and managers to verify all single family detached and duplex rental properties are tested for hazardous radon levels as a step towards improved public health.

Radon is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced from the decay of radium in the soil. It is odorless, tasteless, and typically moves through cracks and other openings in the foundation of a structure. 

The average indoor radon concentration in Iowa is more than six times the national average. Blue Cross/Blue Shield estimates that 400 deaths per-year in Iowa are caused by radon-induced lung cancer, approximately the same number of Iowans who die in traffic accidents each year.

It will take two years to complete the inspection cycle for all single family detached and duplex rental properties in Iowa City. After July 1, 2020, all single family detached and duplex units that become rentals will need to come into compliance with the regulation, as part of the rental inspection process.

To ensure valid testing and confidence in the results, radon testing for these properties will be required to be done by a State licensed, third-party inspector.

Rental properties showing a radon hazard above the federal EPA hazard exposure level of 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) will be required to conduct radon mitigation. Radon mitigation systems for rental units in Iowa City will be required to be installed by a Radon Mitigation Specialist certified by the State of Iowa.

Most rental units will be required to retest for hazardous radon levels every eight years, to ensure continued functionality of the system. Units with bedrooms in the basement will be required to retest these levels every four years.

While not required by the Iowa Housing Code, owner occupied properties are also encouraged to have their properties checked to eliminate exposure to hazardous radon levels.

Does Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan ever stop lying, spinning, misinforming?

By Mike Thayer

Here's Rod Sullivan, from his blog Sullivan's Salvos....  Oh, and beware, his blog site is insecure, literally, it's not internet safe, and Rod isn't 'safe' in his facts either.  This guy misinforms you on a weekly basis!  Don't you deserve better?

*Still Wanting His Own Facts!

         I mentioned last week that a Solon-area farmer has been hitting me with a bunch of discredited right-wing talking points. Well, he won’t quit that easily.

His argument is once again that taxes in Johnson County are the highest in Iowa. No. Not even close. The Johnson County Rural levy ranks 47 out of Iowa’s 99 counties. 

He points out that Johnson County property owners on average pay the highest dollar amount in taxes. That is easy to explain. Their property is worth more.

One needs to look at tax rates. He pays more in taxes than I do. Does that mean taxes in rural Solon are higher than they are in Iowa City? No. It means he owns more property. Higher property values = higher taxes. That is just common sense. The one thing we can control is the RATE. And our rate is nowhere near the highest.

It is such a load of BS that people are out there regularly spreading this type of misinformation. 

The misinformation is ALL YOU Sullivan!

The guy is SUCH a lying, spinning, misinforming piece of crap!  And I put his blog piece in pink because the guy is a pinko commie in the way he thinks.  HE knows how to run your life better than you do.

About those taxes

Here's the truth folks, from a credible source and note that Sulivan DID NOT post a source to back his claim, that's his M.O., he makes wild claims, or states someone/something has been discredited but he provides NO proof, NO evidence, NO direct testimony....  kind of like the democrat impeachment hearings....

Johnson County collects the highest property tax in Iowa, levying an average of $2,526.00 (1.43% of median home value) yearly in property taxes, while Pocahontas County has the lowest property tax in the state, collecting an average tax of $561.00 (1% of median home value) per year.

The median property tax in Johnson County, Iowa is $2,526 per year for a home worth the median value of $177,000. Johnson County collects, on average, 1.43% of a property's assessed fair market value as property tax.

Johnson County has one of the highest median property taxes in the United States, and is ranked 272nd of the 3143 counties in order of median property taxes.

The average yearly property tax paid by Johnson County residents amounts to about 3.38% of their yearly income. Johnson County is ranked 420th of the 3143 counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.

Source:  http://www.tax-rates.org/iowa/johnson_county_property_tax

And here's a supporting source, a calculator to see just how high Johnson County taxes are, type in your zip code:    https://smartasset.com/taxes/iowa-property-tax-calculator#dNpydQiBEe

And here's the dirty little trick Sullivan played, he focuses on the RURAL levy in spewing his The Johnson County Rural levy ranks 47 out of Iowa’s 99 counties statement.  He manipulates that to make his BOGUS Johnson County isn't the highest taxed argument.   

The TRUTH is, rural levies are only PART of the tax formula. 

From the Legislative Services Agency:

B. County Levies

A county is permitted by statute to impose two primary, or basic, levies. The rural services levy is imposed only against property located in the unincorporated areas of the county and is deposited in the rural services fund to pay for those services provided primarily to the residents of the unincorporated areas of the county.3

Rod Sullivan only wrote about taxes affecting the unincorporated areas of Johnson County with his rural focus, a.k.a. misdirection, the other primary levy he INTENTIONALLY left out is the city levy.  Last time I checked, Johnson County had cities in it.  Never mind all the OTHER LEVIES that are assessed in Johnson County via property taxes. 

The argument issued by the Solon area farmer, that Johnson County property taxes are the highest in the state is VALID.

Rod 'Pinocchio' Sullivan, a.k.a. bullshitter, continues to lie to the people he 'represents' at every given 'opportunity'....  Why re-elect a complete liar?  His nose is ever-growing.

Current fast food and fast casual promotional meal deals - Bachelor on the Cheap

By Mike Thayer

Here's a short list of the fast food and fast casual meal deals currently going on.  Sadly, only 1 out of the 10 "limited time" offers on this list is the promotion of a new menu item.  Only Taco Bell is offering something new with an asterisk* to try!  Otherwise, all deals are for existing menu items suffering from slow sales or the "bringing back" of old promotions in lieu of introducing a new product.  It's like the fast food/fast casual kingdom isn't interested in being innovative in 2020.

Here's the list in alphabetical order and remember that caveat, available at participating locations for a limited time:

Burger King: The #2 burger chain (sales, U.S) has brought back the 5-for-$4 Deal.  You can get a bacon cheeseburger, four-piece order of chicken nuggets, a cookie, a 16 ounce soft drink, and value sized fries - all that for $4 (plus tax of course). 

Dairy Queen: America's favorite soft serve ice cream chain has brought back the popular $6 Meal Deal, which features a 1/3 Double with Cheese, OR a 3-piece order of Chicken Strips, regular fries, a 21 ounce drink and a sundae.  The $6 Meal Deal is available all day, nationwide, but of course - only for a limited time.

Hardee’s: Normally not one to offer "Meal Deals" the likes of Burger King or McDonald's, Hardee's is offering their version of a Mix and Match deal with a 2 for $5 menu that includes the choices of its Roast Beef Sandwich, Double Cheeseburger, Hot Ham ‘N’ Cheese, and Bacon Cheddar Double Cheeseburger in the deal.

IHOP:  Announcing the return of the Pancake Special, you can get free all-you-can-eat pancakes when you order any breakfast combo until March 1.  The free pancakes come two at a time.

KFC:  The #2 chicken chain (sales, U.S.) is offering its Famous Bowls, layered with KFC's creamy mashed potatoes, sweet corn and bite-sized chunks of crispy chicken, drizzled with home-style gravy and then topped with a blend of three shredded cheeses.  All that for just $3.  You can get the classic Famous Bowl or go for the Nashville Hot sauce option.  

McDonald's:  The 2 for $5 is another repeat promo.  You can get two iconic McDonald's items such as a Big Mac and a 10-piece McNugget, or a Filet-O-Fish and a Quarter Pounder with cheese - and pay just $5. 

Pizza Hut: Living up to their tag line of "No One Out Pizzas the Hut," the former #1 pizza joint (sales, U.S.) launched a $10 Meat Lover’s Pizza value deal, which is 30% off the usual price.  Pizza Hut, now the #2 pizza joint, lost its crown to Domino's.  I still don't understand that one, Domino's pizza sucks.

Ruby Tuesday: Back for a "limited time," the $7.99 fajitas special.  Choose from Veggie, Chicken and Shrimp Fajitas.  And here's where the upsell comes in.... You can round out your meal with the Endless Garden Bar for an additional $3.99 and/or add an individual side of Chips & Queso for another $1.99. 

Subway: Calling it the Fresh Values Promotion, Subway is offering the Oven Roasted Chicken and the Veggie Delite sandwiches for just $2.99.  That's cheap and probably driving franchise owners crazy.  They lost money with the $5 foot long deal.

Taco Bell:  Calling the deal Happier Hour, buy a regular freeze or medium drink for $1 and get a Doritos Locos Tacos for $1.  Happier Hour runs from 2pm to 5pm local time, every day. Also available for just $1 are the new* Double Stacked Tacos, with the flavor options of Nacho Crunch, Chipotle Cheddar and Reaper Ranch.  Double Stacked Tacos with the aforementioned flavors were introduced on December 22, 2019.  But the Double Stacked Taco is actually not a new concept.  The Double Stacked Taco (minus the Nacho Crunch, Chipotle Cheddar or Reaper Ranch flavors) was first introduced by Taco Bell in 2016, but for.....  yes, you guessed it....  a limited time and has been missing from the menu since, well, 'til now.

$pend Wisely My Friends.....

For more food, drink, product and service reviews, go to www.bacheloronthecheap.com

No. 19 Iowa holds off No. 24 Rutgers, 85-80

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Steve Pikiell thought his team did a good job on Iowa center Luka Garza.

Then the Rutgers coach looked at the box score.

Garza had 28 points and 13 rebounds as No. 19 Iowa held on in the closing seconds to beat No. 24 Rutgers 85-80 on Wednesday night.

via www.espn.com