English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Cedar Rapids, IA

Class 5A No. 8 Lightning do fine offensively without one of their top injured players

Jeff Johnson

The The Gazette uses Instaread for audio versions of our articles. Note that text-to-speech may cause some pronunciation errors.

CEDAR RAPIDS — There was no Sutton Koller around for Iowa City Liberty’s football game Friday night against Cedar Rapids Washington at Kingston Stadium.

The Lightning’s leading touchdown scorer is banged up and was held out of competition here.

That just gave some other guys an opportunity to show what they can do. Like Dallas Miller, the explosive receiver who had two touchdown catches in Liberty’s well-earned 27-22 victory.

Like Collin Decker, who’s a big target at 6-foot-3. He had a TD catch.

Like Jordan Schroeder, who took over Koller’s spot in the lineup as a back-receiver combo. He also caught a touchdown.

“We’ve got guys on the outside that can really play,” Liberty Coach Scott Chandler said. “We haven’t had the opportunity to get them the ball as much as I’d like to. They made a few plays tonight. I’d like them to be involved more. The more guys we have that can make plays, the tougher we are to defend.”

Quarterback Reece Rettig completed 20 of 30 passes for 251 yards and four scores as Class 5A seventh-ranked Liberty improved to 5-1. Running back Owen Drapeaux didn’t get into the end zone, but caught a couple of passes and rushed for 108 yards as the Lightning overcame a 16-14 halftime deficit to a team from Washington (2-4) that continues to show growth under first-year head coach Eric Addy.

“I just think we came out slow,” said Drapeaux. “The second half, we had to get our stuff together. The offense had to get moving. The defense was doing good, we just got put in bad positions. But the offense, in the second half, did what we’ve been doing all year.”

“I think tonight early on, we didn’t execute,” Chandler said. “We had plays there to be made. And, honestly, there were plays there to be made in the second half that we didn’t make, too. So we’re just going to have to go back and put our nose to the grindstone. I don’t know any other way than to get back to work. That’s what we’ll do.”

Washington scored first on a safety, when an errant center snap from Liberty 4 got away from Rettig and bounced out of the end zone. Miller’s first touchdown catch (a 22-yarder) put Liberty up, 7-2, but Wash quarterback Grady McGuire connected with wideout Fidel Tiah for a 57-yard TD pass down the sideline on the final play of the first quarter.

Tiah literally stole the ball away from a Liberty cornerback, who had been called for pass interference. He then picked off a Rettig pass on Liberty’s ensuing possession and returned it deep into Lightning territory, setting up running back Alex Taylor’s 4-yard TD run for a 16-7 Wash lead.

Liberty was able to drive for a significant late second-quarter score, when Decker went up over a defender and hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Rettig over the middle. Miller’s short catch over the middle turned into a 38-yard touchdown late in the third quarter as Liberty took its first lead of 20-16.

Schroeder’s touchdown catch created separation. Washington did get a TD back late, as Brock Davis (playing in a cast because of a broken finger) ran in from 8 yards out with 46.7 seconds left.

The two-point conversion pass failed, Liberty recovered Wash’s onside kick attempt, and that was that. The Lightning crushed the Warriors last season, 60-10, with this game proving how far Washington has come this season.

“We have become a competitive football team quicker than I’m sure most people thought,” Addy said. “Now it’s about winning these types of games.”

Quarterback McGuire threw for 123 yards and rushed for 56 for Washington, which gets Iowa City West next week.

Iowa City Liberty 27, Cedar Rapids Washington 22

(At Kingston Stadium)

Iowa City Liberty 7 7 6 7-27

C.R. Washington 9 7 0 6-22

Team Statistics

First Downs - Liberty 22, Washington 10. Rushes-Yards - Liberty 31-112, Washington 33-122. Passing - Liberty 20-30-1-251, Washington 8-15-1-123. Total Yards - Liberty 363, Washington 245. Penalties-Yards - Liberty 4-50, Washington 7-70. Punts-Average - Liberty 1-34.0, Washington 6-40.0. Fumbles-Lost - Liberty 2-0, Washington 0-0.

Individual Statistics

Liberty - Rushing: Owen Drapeaux 18-108, Reece Rettig 5-14, Brody Beaver 2-5, Charles Roberts 2-(minus) 2, Team 3-(minus) 13. Passing: Reece Rettig 20-30-1-251. Receiving: Dallas Miller 6-103, Collin Decker 6-76, Landon Bell 3-40, Owen Drapeaux 2-22, Jordan Schroeder 1-10.

Washington - Rushing: Grady McGuire 13-56, Alex Taylor 9-25, Will Barnes 3-15, Brock Davis 1-8, Trey Iranzi 1-7, Nicholas Riley 2-7, Terriyon Montgomery 4-4. Passing: Grady McGuire 8-15-1-123. Receiving: Fidel Tiah 2-72, Terriyon Montgomery 1-12, Alex Taylor 1-10, Javion Seals 1-9, Nicholas Riley 1-7, Trey Iranzi 1-3.

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com

It's been awhile since we've had a A&W location in the Corridor, but it has officially returned! A&W is now open in the food court at Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville! The official announcement from the mall reads:

"We're excited to announce the opening of A&W All American Food at Coral Ridge Mall! The food is amazing, the staff is exceptional...and you may recognize the owners, the Patel family! They previously owned and operated Orange Julius/Karmelkorn for 25 years! So if you're looking for dinner tonight or a great place to eat this weekend swing in and visit the A&W team...don't forget to say Hi to Atul and Sandy!"

A&W is known for its fresh-made root beer, Coney dogs, classic burgers, onion rings, milkshakes, and cheese curds, all of which are available at the Coral Ridge Mall location! It's open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday & Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can check out the official menu at the location HERE.

A&W has several other Eastern Iowa locations, but the one at Coral Ridge Mall is the only one in the Corridor. Other cities with A&W restaurants include Burlington, Davenport, Dubuque, Mt. Pleasant, and Sigourney. You can check out all the Iowa A&Ws HERE.

Want to keep up to date with the latest in local and music news? Download our app! It's completely free and not only will you be the first to know about breaking news, but we'll also keep you updated on concerts and other events coming to the area. You'll also have exclusive opportunities to win tickets. What are you waiting for? Get the free app today.

New Restaurants That Have Opened in Eastern Iowa in 2024

There are awesome new eateries to try here in the Corridor and beyond! Here are the restaurants that have opened in 2024:

Gallery Credit: Courtlin

Public input part of Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s Nov. 20 site visit

Tom Barton

Why you can trust The Gazette

The The Gazette uses Instaread for audio versions of our articles. Note that text-to-speech may cause some pronunciation errors.

BETTENDORF — Iowa’s gambling regulators had few questions Thursday as local officials presented plans for a proposed $275 million Cedar Rapids casino, saying they need more time to delve into the several hundred page application and intend to ask more questions during a site visit next month.

“So there's a lot of homework that we have to do to work through all that,” Iowa Racing and Gaming Commissioner Alan Ostergren said.

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, a national gaming operator and developer with casinos in Dubuque, Sioux City and Northwood, and the Linn County Gaming Association jointly presented their gaming license application for the proposed Cedar Crossing & Entertainment Center at the commission’s regular meeting, held at the Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf.

The proposed $275 million development would be built on the former Cooper’s Mill site, on Cedar Rapids’ northwest side, and feature a casino with 700 slot machines and 22 table games, plus a group of restaurants, bars, 1,500-seat entertainment venue, an arts and cultural center and a STEM lab for families.

The state commission has twice rejected proposals — in 2014 and 2017 — to bring a casino to Cedar Rapids. At the time, commissioners cited concerns that a new facility would cannibalize revenues from other Iowa casinos and dilute, rather than increase, the state’s gambling market. The state later implemented a two-year moratorium on new gaming licenses that expired July 1.

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment board member Jonathan Swain pointed to a study conducted by Convergence Strategy Group for the operator, which suggests that Cedar Crossing would bring in over $80 million in new revenue to the state annually. The study also predicts that Riverside Casino & Golf Resort in Riverside would see an 11.6 percent revenue hit from the new casino, while Isle Waterloo and Dubuque casinos would see 5.8 percent and 3.6 percent reductions, respectively.

The forecasts are derived from an analysis of cellphone data that, without identifying customers, tracks ZIP codes of visitors to each casino property in the region.

Overall, nearly 26 percent of revenue generated by a Cedar Rapids casino is anticipated to come from existing Iowa operators. Supporters argued that’s significantly less than what was projected when the state granted licenses for Grand Falls Casino Resort in Larchwood and Wild Rose Hotel & Casino in Jefferson, and outweighed by the overall gaming revenue benefit.

Swain, too, argued significant changes have occurred in Iowa’s gaming industry, including population growth and increased gaming revenues.

Population growth in Linn and Johnson counties have brought 41,000 more people to the region over the past decade, Swain said. The Iowa gaming industry has also grown significantly, with record revenues and profitability reaching over $2 billion in 2023 from $1.5 billion in 2017.

“This growth represents unmet demand not met by current casino operators, making Cedar Cross more relevant and needed,” Swain told commissioners.

Iowa also has seen growing competition from neighboring states. A Cedar Rapids casino, Swain said, could help Iowa offset losses to Illinois and Nebraska.

“Nebraska and Illinois are investing billions of dollars in new gaming facilities, with some of that growth driven by Iowa companies investing in those markets — the same companies that have long opposed this project,” Swain said.

Suzanne Leckert, cofounder of Convergence Strategy Group, said previous studies overestimated the impact a Cedar Rapids casino would have on existing casinos, as they were limited by the data available. Leckert asserts utilizing historical and current cellphone tracking provides more accurate data that shows “Cedar Rapids is underserved and underpenetrated.”

Commission Chair Daryl Olsen asked about the gaming participation rates included in the CSG study generated from the cellphone tracking date, saying “it’s something I’ve never seen before.”

Leckert said it’s a mathematical calculation of the percentage of a population that participates in gaming and how often they gamble in a year.

“And so what I was representing to you was from the calibration that we arrived at with the mobile phone tracking data that showed us very clearly that the Cedar Rapids market, the population in that market, doesn't participate in casino gaming at near the rates of other markets that do have a (casino),” she said.

Leckert, too, argued that existing casinos in the region would be “resilient and competitive, and perhaps erasing any losses in future years.”

Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said the proposal would deliver on a promise to voters who overwhelmingly said that they wanted the same opportunity others in Iowa have been granted to create a vibrant destination, ensuring Cedar Rapids will thrive as a hub for entertainment, culture and community engagement.

In 2013 and 2021, Linn County residents passed public referendums authorizing gaming in the county. The 2021 vote permanently authorizes gaming in the county.

O'Donnell also highlighted the project's backing by more than 60 local investors, including small business owners, community leaders and nonprofits.

“They recognize this isn't just about gaming, it is about growth opportunities and the revitalization of our community,” O’Donnell said.

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment and the Linn County Gaming Association have previously committed to distributing 8 percent of net adjusted gross revenue to nonprofit organizations, or about $6.3 million annually — more than twice the state-mandated minimum. O'Donnell said that’s in addition to $1.8 million annually for a community betterment fund established by the city to assist with initiatives and projects that support the growth of city amenities.

“It will also mean $500,000 in gaming tax revenue for Cedar Rapids. We will realize a minimum of $50 million assessment of land that has been off the tax rolls since our devastating floods of 2008 that submerged more than 10 square miles of our city under water,” O’Donnell said. “Cedar Crossing will breathe new life into an area that has long deserved its moment.”

The Convergence Strategy Group study anticipates a Cedar Rapids casino would draw 1.1 million visitors annually. The project also includes flood control measures and is projected to create more than 1,000 construction jobs during its development and 300 full-time positions on site and 224 more in the community.

“The construction phase will generate $303 million in additional spending for the state of Iowa, and will result in $102 million in wage earnings,” Leckert said.

O’Donnell said the influx of tourists “will be a tremendous opportunity” for local restaurants, hotels and businesses, “creating a ripple effect of economic prosperity.”

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in August selected two vendors to complete its own market study analyses on the potential impacts of a new casino in Cedar Rapids. Commission Administrator Tina Eick said those studies are due at the end of December and will be publicly presented at the commission’s July meeting.

The public also will have opportunities to give input on the proposed new casino during a site visit next month to Cedar Rapids. The commission has scheduled a Cedar Crossing site visit Nov. 20 that will follow a public comment meeting at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center.

The commission expects to vote on granting a license at its Feb. 6 meeting.

Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com

Home / News

Members voted ‘overwhelmingly’ Tuesday to strike after contract expired at midnight

Tom Barton

Why you can trust The Gazette

The The Gazette uses Instaread for audio versions of our articles. Note that text-to-speech may cause some pronunciation errors.

CEDAR RAPIDS — Roughly 100 workers at Cargill’s corn milling plant in Cedar Rapids went on strike Tuesday after being unable to reach an agreement on a new contract.

The three-year contract between Cargill — a corn milling and soybean processor — and unionized workers with Teamsters Local 238 expired at midnight Tuesday.

Union members met Tuesday afternoon and voted “overwhelmingly” to strike after rejecting Cargill's final offer, which fell short of their demand for a roughly $3 hourly increase over a three-year contract, said Scott Punteney, business agent for Teamsters Local 238.

The union argues that the plant's wages are significantly behind industry standards, with workers earning less per hour than other local plants.

Cargill, one of the largest privately owned companies in the world by revenue, last month reported annual revenue fell to $160 billion, a nearly 10 percent drop from the previous year. This was the first time the company's revenue had declined since 2019, and the largest drop in a decade. The decline was due to low commodity prices and a global glut of agricultural production, according to the company.

Cargill Chief Executive Officer Brian Sikes wrote in a letter to stakeholders that “the marketplace our people navigated this year was extremely challenging.”

“As we look to the future, our teams are sharply focused on achieving greater efficiency and profitability across our businesses while driving growth and greater value for our customers and communities around the world,” Sikes wrote.

Despite Cargill's reported 10 percent drop in annual revenues, Teamsters members said they believe the company's profits still warrant a fair wage increase. The union has support from local Democratic legislators and a strike fund to help workers during the strike.

Cargill has not publicly stated its operational plans during the strike.

The company, in a statement, said it “proposed a fair and competitive package for our employees and are disappointed that we could not come to an agreement with the Union at this time.”

Cargill said it is “willing and ready to meet with the union at their request,” and that company officials “remain optimistic that an agreement can be reached in the near future.”

“In the interim, we continue the supply of high-quality products to our customers,” the company’s statement reads.

The Minnesota-based crop trader and food maker employs more than 160,000 people in 70 countries, and has facilities in Cedar Rapids and elsewhere in Iowa.

After two and a half weeks of negotiations, Punteney said the union received Cargill’s “last, best, final offer.” He said the union was seeking a roughly $3 hourly increase over a three-year contract, but Cargill's offer was significantly lower. He said he was unable to provide specific figures at that moment on Tuesday.

Punteney said Cargill's plant is behind other local plants in wages, including other Cargill facilities, ADM and Quaker Oats, with workers feeling the impact of inflation.

Despite a good relationship with Cargill over the years, Punteney said the company was unwilling to make a fair market adjustment for this group of workers, as it has done with other contracts negotiated by the Teamsters at other facilities.

“You know, these guys worked their butts off through the pandemic” and their wages have fallen behind with inflation, he said. “So it's their time to get a little piece of that pie back. And that's what they want, is just a little piece of the pie back. They don't want everything, but we want a fair offer. … For whatever reason, Cargill was unwilling to do that for this group. And it's surprising to me."

Jesse Case, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 238 in Iowa, criticized Cargill for pushing workers around with small wage increases and emphasized the union's determination to fight for fair wages and workers' rights, emphasizing that they will stay on strike as long as necessary.

“Cargill is the largest privately held company in the world and they’re pushing around nickels like it’s going to hurt the family billionaires,” Case sadi. “It’s the workers that put those billions in the pockets of the Cargill cartel, and we’ll stay on the picket line until our members receive a fair wage.”

Punteney said the union is ready to return to the negotiating table any time Cargill is willing to discuss a fair agreement.

“We want resolution. We don't want conflict. We want resolution,” Punteney said. “But when you push us into a corner, we're not going to just take it. We've got to stand up for ourselves."

Asked about the impact of previous strikes in the state, such as those at John Deere and Ingredion in Cedar Rapids, on the union’s current actions, Punteney said workers are generally more emboldened, not just because of recent strikes, but due to the broader movement of workers demanding better treatment.

About 45,000 dockworkers went on strike Tuesday for the first time in decades at 36 U.S. ports from Maine to Texas over wages and the use of automation.

Organized labor enjoys rising public support and has had a string of recent victories in other industries, in addition to the backing of the pro-union administration of President Joe Biden.

Punteney stressed the union will not back down until a fair agreement is reached, and is determined to fight for fair wages and benefits.

“Cargill is offering Local 238 members wages that are so low it’s creating recruitment and retention issues,” he said in a follow up news release sent Wednesday. “Cargill can end this strike immediately by stepping up, respecting its workers, and giving them the dignity and fair compensation they’ve earned.”

While the union has a strike fund, strike pay is not a full paycheck, he added.

Joe Kirchhoff, chief steward for the Cedar Rapids facility, said workers are asking for a raise that keeps up with the rising cost of living and the rest of the industry.

Among those workers who manned the picket line Tuesday night in front of the Cargill plant gate was 36-year-old Tyler Hilleshiem of Cedar Rapids.

A refinery operator who has worked with Cargill for 10-plus years, Hilleshiem said members are striking for better pay and respect, feeling undervalued compared to other local businesses and companies like General Mills.

He cited high turnover rates and long hours as issues, and reiterated the union is not asking for the best pay and benefits, but rather for comparable compensation to other local businesses.

He also argued that despite tight market conditions the company remains profitable, and that some of the company's profits should be shared with the workers who contribute to the company's success.

Hilleshiem said the strike pay he’ll receive from the union is “just enough to get by the skin of your teeth.”

“But the only thing that hurts big companies is when their pocketbook starts to hurt,” he said. “And, you know, they're the largest privately owned company in the world. They don't make the profits that they make without us.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com

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How gas prices have changed in Cedar Rapids in the last week

Drivers will find prices at the gas pump are slightly lower than last month, on average, but conflict in the Middle East and hurricane activity in the Gulf of Mexico could change the situation quickly in the weeks ahead.

Oil prices surged late last week on the news of Israel's intent to launch a retaliatory strike on Iran, just the latest in a series of escalatory actions taken by the nation to assert its power in the region since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas one year ago. Israel, which carried out strikes against northern Gaza and southern Lebanon over the weekend, is reportedly considering striking Iran's oil production facilities. Iran accounts for 3% of the world's oil supply.

Also, this year's busy hurricane season forecasted by weather experts continues to unfold. Hurricane Milton is expected to strengthen into a Category 5 hurricane before making landfall in part of the same region still reeling from Helene's destruction in the last few weeks.

The U.S. is producing more oil than any country at any time in history, and some analysts believe the U.S. has enough inventory to withstand any shocks to supply.

Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Cedar Rapids, IA metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of October 7.

Cedar Rapids by the numbers- Gas current price: $2.97--- Iowa average: $2.95- Week change: -$0.05 (-1.7%)- Year change: -$0.50 (-14.3%)- Historical expensive gas price: $4.77 (6/16/22)

- Diesel current price: $3.43- Week change: $0.00 (0.0%)- Year change: -$0.92 (-21.1%)- Historical expensive diesel price: $11.19 (6/28/15)

Metros with the most expensive gas#1. Lihue (Kauai), HI: $5.23#2. Napa, CA: $5.00#3. Santa Rosa, CA: $5.00

Metros with the least expensive gas#1. Catoosa-Dade-Walker, GA: $2.53#2. Henderson, KY: $2.54#3. Dalton, GA: $2.57

This story features writing by Dom DiFurio and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 371 metros.

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