Courier reporter Holly Hudson Hill’s favorite stories of 2024
By HOLLY HUDSON HILL – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa (TNS)
Each December, Courier reporters look back at their favorite stories of the past year. We ask them to pick their favorites: not necessarily the biggest stories of the year, just the ones they found most interesting.
Some are heart-warming. Some are amusing. Some are wistful. We hope you find all of the articles collected here to be interesting.
Cedar Fall High School 1
The new Cedar Falls High School building on West 27th Street opened to students in August.
Classes start at new Cedar Falls High School
After countless discussions, years of planning and millions of dollars raised, the new Cedar Falls High School opened to students and staff in August.
The 300,000-square-foot, $112 million building sits on 70 acres on West 27th Street, near the University of Northern Iowa campus.
Much of the project, designed by Invision Architecture of Waterloo, was financed by a $69.9 million bond issue that voters approved in June 2019. The remainder is subsidized with revenues from a 1% sales tax for schools.
“It’s a safe and secure building,” said Principal Jason Wedgbury. “The community spaces, such as the gymnasium and the auditorium, are just inside the front door. And it’s climate controlled. There won’t be any more early outs because of the heat.”
The building is a combination of large open spaces with metal, concrete and wood accents. Natural light floods in through large windows. Pops of red and black, the school colors, are evident throughout.
Principal talks about new Cedar Falls High School
Principal talks about new Cedar Falls High School
The gymnasium includes a 12,777-square-foot competition gym and a 6,030-square-foot auxiliary gym, which contain three tournament basketball courts and a competition basketball court or four volleyball courts.
The Community Natatorium and the Scheel’s Tiger Performance Center are currently in the works and should be complete by the start of the 2025-26 school year.
The old school at 1015 Division St., which is about 70 years old, was purchased by Waterloo Christian School for $2.8 million. The sale closed Dec. 13. Because of the move, the private school will change its name to Cedar Ridge Christian School.
All-In 6
All-In Grocers held its grand opening on Oct. 3, 2023. It was the first grocery store in downtown Waterloo in nearly 50 years.
All-In Grocers closes, audit requested
A month after announcing All-In Grocers, 221 Franklin St. in Waterloo, would temporarily close in August, owner Rodney Anderson posted on social media that the downtown store will remain closed as the business is sold.
The store was approved for development in August 2017 by the Waterloo City Council. The city gave Anderson nearly $2 million in incentives over the years, including an initial $400,000 grant, property tax rebates and land. He was later given an additional $500,000 economic development grant. Along with $900,000 in grants and 80% tax rebates for 10 years, the city also spent about $550,000 acquiring two lots near the project site. Those costs were applied to the city’s tax increment financing district.
In addition to public funding and incentives, Anderson made $1 million in personal payments for fees and investment and also received $7 million in loans.
In total, the project was a $10.2 million investment for him.
The city called for an audit of the grocery store after multiple calls and concerns from residents.
sherwood
Carrie Sherwood holds a photo of her late husband, firefighter Brad Sherwood.
Firefighter’s widow pushes for policy changes
Cedar Falls firefighter Brad Sherwood died at home Feb. 23. His death was ruled accidental and duty related.
A week later his wife, Carrie, daughter, Maddie, and son, Carter, were dropped from the city’s health insurance.
Brad Sherwood had been a Cedar Falls firefighter for 27 years. He started as a volunteer in 1997 and became full-time in 2001. He made captain in 2009. He was named Fire Officer of the Year in 2015. He was the last remaining professional firefighter with the department.
Just weeks after his death, Carrie contacted city officials and met with Mayor Danny Laudick and City Administrator Ron Gaines, trying to get help with her situation.
She has contacted other similar-sized cities and their human resources departments. She has spent hours scouring the internet, and she has been in touch with city of Waterloo staff.
Waterloo changed its policy following the 1981 deaths of police officers Michael Hoing and Wayne Rice who were shot and killed by James “T-Bone” Taylor when they responded to a noise complaint.
She emailed all seven Cedar Falls City Council members individually; Hannah Crisman was the only member to respond.
Frustrated, Carrie addressed the council at its regular meeting May 20.
“My husband died due to his service to the city of Cedar Falls, but the city kicked us off of our health insurance one week after Brad died. One week,” she said.
“Why would no one think this doesn’t feel right, this doesn’t seem right?”
Prompted by Carrie Sherwood, council members unanimously approved changes to the city’s health insurance benefits, extending coverage for dependents of eligible peace officers and firefighters.
(c)2024 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)
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