It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Ushers Ferry Historic Village gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Cedar Rapids, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Morgan Creek Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Cobble Hill or visit Brucemore, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Cedar Rapids, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Cedar Rapids, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Cedar Rapids, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KWWL) -- A new group is launching an effort to stop casino expansion in Iowa. The group named "Iowans For Common Sense" have started a petition calling for a moratorium on new casino developments in the state.The newly-formed group claims that 66% of Iowans oppose casino expansion in the state.Q Casino & Resort President and CEO Alex Dixon responded in saying, "We have been doing what has been asked of us and that's to reinvest in our facilities to have a competitive landscape where we can...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KWWL) -- A new group is launching an effort to stop casino expansion in Iowa. The group named "Iowans For Common Sense" have started a petition calling for a moratorium on new casino developments in the state.
The newly-formed group claims that 66% of Iowans oppose casino expansion in the state.
Q Casino & Resort President and CEO Alex Dixon responded in saying, "We have been doing what has been asked of us and that's to reinvest in our facilities to have a competitive landscape where we can welcome Iowans and people throughout the region to our property into our development."
Dixon is a key member of the "Iowans For Common Sense" movement. The group is pushing to reinstate a moratorium on new casino expansions in Iowa.
Dixon added, "We literally fund 10% of the City of Dubuque government. 10 percent. So that's a very significant number and so any impact to our top line revenues would impact our nonprofit folks that we are able to contribute directly to the city of Dubuque."
One proposed expansion the group is watching is the Cedar Crossing Casino in Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will decide whether to approve it in February next year.
The Linn County Gaming Association presented a study claiming it would only affect Dubuque's revenue by 3-5%. However, Dixon disagrees.
Dixon said, "We know that we compete for gamers in this Cedar Rapids market, period. We know what we see and so whether you're here at the Q Casino & Resort or at Diamond Jo, we know how many people come into our doors every day from throughout the region."
Dixon says if the Cedar Crossing Casino is approved, he hopes the commission will consider tax relief for existing casinos.
He said, "If it's approved, I would hope that whether it be the legislature would take a look at the tax rate that is being established for casinos and so it's very simple math. If you have a market and then you add more, you can hopefully maybe reduce the price that you tax the current casinos that operate."
Dixon says he hopes this sends a message to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, as well as state legislators about casino expansion.
On Tuesday, the President of the Cedar Rapids Development Group, Johnathan Swain responded to the movement from "Iowans For Common Sense," calling them a non-credible reflection of public opinion.
"The Iowans for Common Sense poll is not a credible reflection of public opinion – it was conducted not by a grassroots organization, but coordinated by an individual with personal ties to one of the state’s leading competitors and funded with $500,000 by Dan Kehl and Elite Gaming. This poll appears to be a thinly veiled attempt from a group more interested in eliminating potential competition than amplifying the voices of Linn County residents.
Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center enjoys strong, long-standing community support: With two separate voter referendums in 2013 and 2021 overwhelmingly approved by Linn County residents, the people of Cedar Rapids have made it clear they want this development. The project also has widespread support from local government officials and community organizations, including endorsements from the City of Cedar Rapids, Linn County, and other community leaders – any claim that suggests otherwise is uninformed and misleading.
Our commitment extends far beyond gaming; we’re dedicated to fostering economic growth, creating more than 350 local jobs, and supporting community development through our proposal, which includes an 8% charitable contribution to our Qualified Sponsoring Organization (QSO). This contribution percentage is the highest in the state and is projected to equate to more than $6 million annually, providing a significant boost to local nonprofits and community initiatives in Linn and surrounding counties.
Cedar Crossing is an entertainment project that will drive growth and long-term success for the community – a partnership with the city and county that promises a better future fitting for the residents who have clearly stated their support."
The skies over Iowa have been quite the place to see some stellar sites as of late. The Lights of the North have visited Iowa, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) flew by recently and you can read about those heavenly events in our Recent Iowa flybys. Tonight if you look into the Iowa sky you could see some very cool stuff.What...
The skies over Iowa have been quite the place to see some stellar sites as of late. The Lights of the North have visited Iowa, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) flew by recently and you can read about those heavenly events in our Recent Iowa flybys. Tonight if you look into the Iowa sky you could see some very cool stuff.
What is viewable tonight in the Iowa sky?
Monday night, get ready for a cosmic light show because the North Taurid meteor shower is peaking! That means you might catch some bright streaks zipping across the sky—perfect for anyone who loves stargazing, or anyone who just wants to pretend they’re starring in their own sci-fi movie.
So where do these meteors come from? NPR Reports thousands of years ago, a giant comet had a serious breakup (we’re talking big space drama here). The leftover debris from that cosmic split-up is what causes the Taurid meteor showers. The South Taurids come from the biggest chunk of the broken comet, Comet Encke.
Meanwhile, the North Taurids are leftovers from asteroid 2004TG10. So, when you see one of these meteors, you’re literally watching dust and rock from a space breakup that happened about 10,000 years ago. It’s like space history happening right before your eyes—how wild is that?
Want to catch the Taurid meteor shower? It’s pretty easy—Take your head and tilt it in the upward position. Not too high now, don't get some kind of neck injury. The meteors will be visible across the U.S., as long as the weather plays nice (clouds, you’ve been warned). The best way to spot them is with your naked eye—no fancy gear is needed.
The American Meteor Society says to catch the North and South Taurids, aim your gaze toward the zodiac constellation Taurus. That’s where the meteors will originate, but you don’t have to pinpoint it exactly—just find a dark spot with a good view of the sky.
The moon will be 79% full, so it’ll be bright enough to add some sparkle, but not so bright that it’ll hide the meteors. For the best show, hang out until after midnight when the sky is darker, and the meteors will be easier to spot, So, grab a blanket, kick back, and enjoy the cosmic fireworks!
Just in case, Earthsky shows you how to locate Taurus, by using the three stars of Orion's belt, then extend the line they form upwards and west until you reach Aldebaran, the brightest star in Taurus.
The Food Network show 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' hasn't made very many stops in Iowa, so we wanted to give them a few ideas for their next visit! Our list contains diners, hole-in-the-walls, small town staples, places that have stood the test of time, and restaurants that just have that perfect dive-y vibe. Most of our picks come from the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City areas, but we did include a few favorites that are a bit of a drive! Here are some of the places we'd love to see on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' someday:
A collection of photos taken during trips to Wickiup Hill Learning Center in Toddville, IA.
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.In the early 1900s, Cedar Rapids was connected to Marion, Iowa City, Waterloo and Mount Vernon via an electric streetcar system. Trolley lines once ran down the center of city streets, though you wouldn’t be able to tell today.Lin Kemp and Carolyn Stephenson, both of Cedar Rapids, remember these lines.“I grew up after that era when many of the rails were still embedded in some city streets, however all ... have now ...
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
In the early 1900s, Cedar Rapids was connected to Marion, Iowa City, Waterloo and Mount Vernon via an electric streetcar system. Trolley lines once ran down the center of city streets, though you wouldn’t be able to tell today.
Lin Kemp and Carolyn Stephenson, both of Cedar Rapids, remember these lines.
“I grew up after that era when many of the rails were still embedded in some city streets, however all ... have now been either removed or covered over,” Kemp told The Gazette.
Stephenson told The Gazette the trolley line ran on the boundary of the acreage where she grew up, just east of Bertram.
Both readers separately wrote to Curious Iowa — a Gazette series that answers readers’ questions about our state, its people and culture — wanting to know more about the line that ran between Mount Vernon and Cedar Rapids.
To find out more about this historic trolley line, we consulted historians, history books, newspaper archives and maps.
An electric streetcar or trolley is a rail vehicle that’s propelled by an electric motor that gets its power from an overhead wire. Trolleys were a popular and early form of public transportation. Unlike horse-drawn streetcars, trolleys did not require feeding, grooming, and stabling horses who would leave feces and urine on the streets.
In the 1880s, the Cedar Rapids City Council gave Stephen Dows and Isaac Smith approval to establish and operate a streetcar system. Dows and Smith founded Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway and Light Company. The company has been known by many names through the years — as you’ll read in this story — but it was the root of today’s companies Travero and Alliant Energy.
In 1891, the first streetcars began operating in Cedar Rapids and in 1892, trolleys began taking regular trips to Marion. This provided affordable transportation for commuters and shoppers.
In 1903, a 27-mile-long trolley line was built to connect Cedar Rapids to Iowa City. The line built as a feeder for the interurban line in 1900 was the longest electric line to exist in the country at that time, according to Sutherland Dows of the Iowa Railway and Light company.
A decade later, the company extended a line to Mount Vernon after pressure from local merchants.
The year 1914 was a big one for electric streetcar travel. Regular interurban service to Mount Vernon started in January. That line was extended to Lisbon after Main Street was paved and rails were laid throughout downtown. Plus, that year the Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Northern Interurban extended service to Cedar Rapids. Combined, the WCF&N and CRANDIC made up the second largest interurban route in Iowa.
Records of the stops on the Mount Vernon line list the following: Cedar Rapids, Bever, Trachta, Indian Creek, Berry, Bertram, Palisades, Smyths, Cornellton, Mount Vernon and Lisbon.
Some of these names might sound confusing, transportation enthusiast and former Gazette Editorial Fellow Austin Wu said, because they refer to areas, not towns. Berry refers to Berry Road, for example.
“Sometimes they weren’t like official stops, but sometimes there’s a thing called flag stops where you could tell the conductor to stop there if you needed to,” Wu added. “but if no one raised their hand, the train was just going to go past.”
Mary Evans of the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission said that the Palisades stop refers to the Upper Palisades. This was a popular stop for those looking for entertainment. The Cedar Springs Hotel was a two mile walk from there and people would dance and eat until it was time to go home. Those who drank too much could spend the night at the hotel.
According to “It Took All of Us, 100 Years of Iowa Electric Light and Power Company,” the line ran from Third Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids to Blake Boulevard and then Forest Drive. From Forest Drive, it went to Sinclair Avenue SE to what is now Indian Road SE to the edge of Bever Park. Then it followed the company highline to Mount Vernon Road, crossed Mount Vernon Road near the old Rosedale School and followed the highline to Mount Vernon.
If you look at the Linn County Assessor’s website, you can see sections of land marked “Old Trolley Corridor,” which can provide helpful context.
The Mount Vernon line made travel simple for college students attending Cornell College, Coe College and the University of Iowa. At times, extra cars were added to accommodate those traveling to football games.
Tom Peffer, President of Linn County Trails Association, wrote in the 2020 Annual Trails Report that the trolley line and power lines ran through the towns of Broad Acres, Urbandale, and Gardendale, which “faded into history” along with Cornellton after the line was officially abandoned in 1928.
The CRANDIC’s original mission was to extend its interurban line to the Mississippi River. Unfortunately, the newly built Lincoln Highway followed a similar path. The rise in automobile use led to many cities across the United States abandoning their trolley lines.
In 1927, the CR & IC Railway stopped operating its route to Mount Vernon. This came after the railway and City of Cedar Rapids had a dispute as a result of the city levying an assessment of $150K on the railway for paving improvements on Blake Boulevard.
On March 31, 1928, The Gazette reported that railway was given the authority to abandon and tear up the Lisbon interurban line from Lisbon to Cedar Rapids. In the years that followed, the interurban’s tracks were either removed or covered with pitch and asphalt. The wire and poles were removed.
The entire 100-foot-wide right of way has been used and maintained by Alliant Energy as a utility corridor for power lines, but the company has abandoned the portion of the right of way that went from Mount Vernon to Lisbon.
Today, CRANDIC streetcars can be found in rail museums across the country. Last year, the Cedar Rapids City Council adopted a Downtown Vision Plan that proposes expanding modes of transportation, including a trolley system.
That’s the goal. In 2000, Alliant Energy sold its interest in the portion of the utility corridor from Indian Road SE to 34th Street SE to the City of Cedar Rapids. This runs through Bever Park. The city intends to construct a recreational trail from Bever Park to East Post Road to Rosedale Road.
In 2017, Alliant Energy approached Linn County about purchasing the company’s interest in the corridor. In 2019, an agreement was reached through which Linn County would purchase Alliant’s interest in the utility corridor from Rosedale Road to the western edge of Mount Vernon, and Cedar Rapids would buy the section from 34th Street SE to Rosedale Road. Both purchases were subject to a utility maintenance easement. In 2021, Quit Claim Deeds from Alliant Energy to both the City of Cedar Rapids and Linn County were recorded.
The goal is for Linn County’s section of the old trolley corridor to become a 13-mile interurban trail, connecting Coe College with Cornell College and intersecting the Sac and Fox Trail.
“The Interurban Trail will eventually connect Cedar Rapids, Bertram, and Mount Vernon, not with a trolley line, but with a safe, beautiful, graded, walking, jogging and biking recreational trail.” Peffer said. “Once completed, it will fulfill the vision of those men and women who, even prior to WWI, realized the importance of connecting Cedar Rapids with Mount Vernon.”
Where does the project sit today? It’s awaiting funding, said Ryan Schlader of Linn County Conservation.
“The Board does envision this as a future recreational trail corridor, but it is definitely a long-term project with no specific timeline, with funding and infrastructure challenges to meet along the way,” Schlader said. “Because of the proven health and economic benefits that recreational trails provide, Linn County Conservation continues to have a strong interest in furthering our network of multiuse recreational trails to increase connections between communities and existing trails and parks and within the region.”
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Free meals, services among the offeringsThe Gazette Why you can trust The Gazette The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.Veterans Day, on Monday, is a day set aside to honor the men and women who have served our country. To show appreciation, many local businesses and organizations are offering...
Free meals, services among the offerings
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Veterans Day, on Monday, is a day set aside to honor the men and women who have served our country. To show appreciation, many local businesses and organizations are offering special deals, free meals and events.
Here's a roundup:
Six thousand small American flags in the shape of a block “I” will be set up on the west lawn of the Pentacrest on the University of Iowa campus. Community members are invited to assist the Veterans Association at Iowa and the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in setting up the display, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
A free breakfast buffet for veterans and their spouses will be offered Sunday, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the Solon American Legion Auxiliary Post 460, 222 E. Main St. The cost for non-veterans is $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 to 12.
A free pancake breakfast, with eggs and sausage, will be offered all military members and their families from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at Metro Harley-Davidson Suzuki Can-Am, 2415 Westdale Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids. Non-military can eat with a free-will donation.
Hy-Vee is celebrating 25 years of its free Veterans Day Breakfast, offered to active-duty military and veterans. This year’s breakfast will be 6 to 10 a.m. Monday at all Hy-Vee locations. Active-duty military and veterans also can receive a 15 percent discount on grocery purchases throughout the day.
Fareway is offering a 15 percent in-store discount in honor of Veterans Day to all veterans, retired or active duty, including reservists and National Guard members.
Big Grove Brewery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Solon will offer a complimentary meal from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to veterans, active duty service members and Gold Star family members. In addition, an American Red Cross blood drive will be offered from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids location.
A free breakfast buffet for veterans will be offered 7 to 10 a.m. Monday at 350 First in Cedar Rapids. In addition, 25 percent will be offered to veterans for lunches and dinners on Monday.
A free luncheon will be offered veterans and their families at Club 76 The Lodge, 2349 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, North Liberty, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.
A free pork loin Sunday brunch will be offered veterans at the Iowa City Elks Lodge 590, 637 Foster Rd., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A free Veterans Day lunch buffet at Robert’s Buffet at Riverside Casino from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. A flag ceremony by the Riverside VFW Post 6414 will take place outside the casino’s main entrance at 10:15 a.m.
A free buffet will be offered veterans on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Sally’s on Broadway in Springville.
Veterans and active duty military can get a free drink of their choice on Monday at Stillwater Coffee Co, 1275 N. Center Point Rd., Hiawatha.
Veterans can get a free meal at The Pedaler’s Fork, 2010 Sylvia Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.
A free hot beef sandwich will be offered veterans at Whiskey River Grill, 2882 Palo Marsh Rd. in Palo, on Monday from 11 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
A free pulled pork lunch for veterans will be offered at Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery. 350 Commercial Dr.., Walford on Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A free Veterans Day breakfast will be offered Monday at the VFW Post 3949, Iowa City from 7 a.m. to noon
Among the restaurants in the Corridor offering free food to veterans are:
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.The Gazette’s roundup of Friday, Nov. 8 Iowa high school football playoff quarterfinal games with statewide scores and complete area coverage.Winners advance to next week’s state semifinal games at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.Rankings listed are via ...
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The Gazette’s roundup of Friday, Nov. 8 Iowa high school football playoff quarterfinal games with statewide scores and complete area coverage.
Winners advance to next week’s state semifinal games at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
Rankings listed are via The Gazette poll.
No. 1 West Des Moines Dowling 14, No. 2 Ankeny Centennial 10
No. 3 West Des Moines Valley 38, No. 4 Johnston 35
No. 5 Iowa City Liberty 21, No. 8 Ankeny 13
In just its seventh season as a varsity football program, Liberty advanced to the state semifinals for the first time after dispatching traditional playoff heavyweight Ankeny.
With the Lightning clinging to a 14-7 lead, senior defensive back Dallas Miller stepped in front of an Ankeny receiver at the sideline, intercepted a pass and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown with 1:58 to go.
Miller also had a hand in Liberty’s 14-7 halftime advantage when — on fourth down and goal to go — he took an inside handoff from quarterback Reece Rettig, sprinted along the line and then pitched to trailing tailback Sutton Koller for a 4-yard touchdown.
With the score tied 7-7 and less than two minutes until halftime, the Liberty offense stayed on the field for a fourth down and 19 yards to go at the Ankeny 27-yard line. Rettig dropped back to pass and heaved the ball into the end zone, where Collin Decker made a competitive play for the go-ahead touchdown.
“We have just got so much to prove still,” Decker said. “We haven’t won anything yet. Everybody was underestimating us at the beginning of the season. … There were rankings where we were last in our district. We just look at that every day and go back to work.”
» Read the game story from Gazette correspondent Douglas Miles
No. 9 Southeast Polk 42, Iowa City West 15
Three-time defending state champion Southeast Polk scored on its first four possessions to take a 28-0 first-half lead and book a return trip to the UNI-Dome.
Drew Thompson ran for four touchdowns, including back-to-back scores in the first half that were of opposite styles. He burst through a moving pile containing almost every player on the field for a 22-yard score in the second quarter, then bounced to the outside for an untouched 30-yard TD early in the third. Landon Vander Werff and quarterback Holden Hansen also scored touchdowns on the ground for the ninth-ranked Rams.
West scored at the end of both halves. Jack Wallace threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Mason Woods late in the first half and Butali Butali ran for a 10-yard TD.
No. 5 Pella 19, No. 3 Gilbert 14
No. 4 Lewis Central 32, No. 6 Adel ADM 25
No. 7 North Scott 28, No. 2 Decorah 24
Chase Smith connected with Kye Smith for a 25-yard touchdown with 29 seconds left to give the Lancers the win.
“I checked into a fade,” Chase Smith said. “He’s 6-6 going against a corner that’s 6-foot. I’m going to take that matchup every day.”
Seventh-ranked North Scott (9-2) returns to the 4A semifinals for the second time in three seasons after knocking No. 2 Decorah (10-1) out of the postseason for a second consecutive year.
North Scott led this one only for the final 29 seconds.
The Vikings got 237 yards rushing, including 132 and two touchdowns from junior quarterback Tanner Caddell.
Chase Smith, meanwhile, ended up completing 24 of 33 passes for 351 yards and three TDs: the winner and completions of 53 and 50 yards to Carson Lage. The senior wide receiver caught 13 passes for 207 yards in the game.
» Read the game story from The Gazette’s Jeff Johnson
No. 1 North Polk 35, No. 9 Cedar Rapids Xavier 14
For the second straight season, North Polk hosted Cedar Rapids Xavier with a state semifinal berth on the line. Just like last year, the Comets will be chartering back to the UNI-Dome and ending the Saints’ season.
But this time wasn’t as close. Top-ranked North Polk rushed for more than 300 yards and forced four turnovers.
Xavier Coach Duane Schulte said the game was indicative of the season. The Saints demonstrated resilience, battling to score two touchdowns in the final minutes.
“Everybody stuck with it,” Schulte said. “Battled until the end. They never gave up.
“Give credit to North Polk. That’s a really good football. Well coached and tough.”
North Polk quarterback Nathan Feldmann rushed for 146 yards on 17 carries and passed for 52 more yards.
» Read the game story from The Gazette’s K.J. Pilcher
No. 1 Sergeant Bluff-Luton 53, No. 10 Nevada 21
No. 3 Humboldt 35, No. 9 Solon 3
The Wildcats held the Spartans out of the end zone and forced six turnovers in a lopsided Class 3A quarterfinal win.
This one started slow for both teams. After the Spartan defense, led by Kyler Jensen’s three consecutive tackles (two for loss) forced a three-and-out on the Wildcats’ first possession, the Spartans drove 50 yards to the Humboldt 19 before their drive stalled. Ryan Locke put the Spartans up 3-0 with a 36-yard field goal.
That would be the only score for the Spartans on the night. After a scoreless remainder of the first quarter, the Wildcats passing game heated up.
Eddie Johnson led the Spartans (8-3) offensively with 79 yard rushing and 55 yards receiving. On defense, Kyler Jensen and Oliver Owens were in on 15 tackles each.
No. 1 Dubuque Wahlert 24, No. 8 Independence 7
Tom Scherr ran for two touchdowns and Will Welbes rushed for another as the top-ranked Golden Eagles improved to 11-0.
The Mustangs’ EJ Miller completed 20 of 28 passes for 154 yards, five to Zeke Symonds for 70 yards.
— Tim O’Neill, Dubuque Telegraph-Herald
No. 4 Mount Vernon 31, No. 6 Algona 28
A 7-yard touchdown pass from Kellen Haverback to Michael Ryan with 1:38 left — and a 2-point conversion for the same duo — lifted Mount Vernon to a come-from-behind win at Algona.
A 29-yard TD pass from Haverback to Cole Thurn with 2:41 left in the third gave the Mustangs a 23-22 lead after being down 22-0 in the first half.
Haverback completed 14 of 24 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Cooper Hird rushed for 109 yards and Ryan caught six passes for 114 yards two touchdowns.
— Dave Ryan
No. 1 West Lyon 49, No. 5 Carroll Kuemper 14
No. 2 Monroe PCM 41, No. 10 Mid-Prairie 0
A tight, defensive struggle turned into a fourth-quarter runaway for second-ranked PCM.
Mid-Prairie trailed 14-0 at halftime after failing to convert on fourth-and-goal from the 7.
PCM’s lead was still 14-0 after three quarters, but a barrage of Mustang scores in the fourth put the game away. PCM quarterback Gavin VanGorp had three touchdown runs.
— Andy Krutsinger
No. 3 Spirit Lake 42, No. 6 North Fayette Valley 13
Caden Landt threw four touchdown passes, three to Dylan Stecker, as the Indians rolled at home.
NFV turned the ball over five times, but Lincoln Aeschilman rushed for 117 yards.
— Darin Svenson
No. 4 Van Meter 31, No. 9 Anamosa 0
Anamosa’s Austin Scranton rushed for 168 yards on 25 carries, but the Raiders were shut out for the first time this season.
The Bulldogs took advantage of four Anamosa turnovers and led 7-0 after one quarter and 24-0 at the half.
Anamosa quarterback Vince Diers completed 16 of 32 passes for 110 yards, hooking up with Adam Brophy eight times for 51 yards and Nate Fischer four times for 31 yards.
— Daryl Schepanski
No. 1 Grundy Center 35, Sumner-Fredericksburg 6
No. 2 Dike-New Hartford 36, No. 3 South Hardin 19
No. 6 Hinton 37, Underwood 15
No. 7 Wilton 21, No. 8 Iowa City Regina 14
For the first time in program history, Wilton is headed to the state semifinals.
The Beavers (10-1) were powered by Owen Hassell’s 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
The win snapped a 14-game losing streak against the Regals dating back to 2008.
Trailing 14-7, Hassell sprinted in for a 14-yard score with 2:18 on the clock. Wilton went for the lead, but Regina’s defense stuffed quarterback Drew Keith’s 2-point conversion attempt at the line of scrimmage.
Down one, the Beavers recovered a perfectly placed onside kick at Regina’s 49.
On the eighth play of Wilton’s final drive, Hassell found paydirt from 10 yards out for the game-winning score.
» Read the game story from Gazette correspondent Ryan Pleggenkuhle
No. 1 West Hancock 44, Woodbury Central 15
No. 5 Tri-Center 47, No. 2 Guthrie Center ACGC 20
No. 3 Saint Ansgar 44, No. 7 Maquoketa Valley 13
Saint Ansgar quarterback Jayce Schwiesow threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 102 and another score as the Saints rolled at home.
Saint Ansgar rushed for 249 yards, including 164 in the first half as it built a 30-7 halftime advantage.
Rogan Heidt had a 14-yard touchdown run for Maquoketa Valley. Trevor Grimm threw a 57-yard TD pass to Eli Dougherty in the third quarter but the Saints’ Connor Mullenbach returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown to swiftly end any hopes of a comeback.
No. 10 Madrid 27, No. 4 Lisbon 14
Madrid’s Preston Wicker rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns and threw for another score.
“Last year, we got to the (UNI-)Dome for the first time since, I think, 2011,” he said. “I don’t know if we were satisfied with that, but we got beat bad (by West Hancock in the semifinals).
“Just because we won tonight, that doesn’t mean everything’s good. We still have two games to win.”
Wicker carried the ball 30 times Friday, and pushed his season yardage total to 1,753.
Madrid led 13-7 at halftime despite three turnovers.
Lisbon closed a memorable season at 10-1. Tiernan Boots rushed for 126 yards, but the Lions turned it over three times.
» Read the game story from The Gazette’s Jeff Linder
No. 4 Lenox 62, Montezuma 20
No. 2 Algona Garrigan 51, No. 8 Edgewood-Colesburg 36
No. 6 Gladbrook-Reinbeck 34, No. 3 Don Bosco 33 (2OT)
No. 1 Remsen St. Mary’s 61, No. 5 Audubon 20
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