Good morning, Cedar Rapids.

Cedar Rapids wedding planner Shayla Smith of Pretty Little Vows launched A Pretty Little Christmas to help at least five local families by raising between $3,000 and $3,500 for gifts and household essentials this Christmas — community members can nominate families or donate online.

Construction of a 15-foot levee is underway in Time Check along O Avenue to protect residents, with excavating set to finish this year — followed by paving.

The project will renew the area and create green space after years of neglect.

City officials say a ribbon cutting for the final segment of the CeMar Trail is set for Oct.

30 at noon near Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The new trail, linking Uptown Marion with Downtown Cedar Rapids, will offer a safer, accessible route for walkers and bikers.

Iron Lotus Tattoo & Body Piercing moved from Lindale Mall to 5303 N Park Pl NE in Cedar Rapids.

The shop opened Monday, Oct. 19 after receiving a 60-day notice when the mall owner sold the wing.

First Light Cafe opened on Friday, Oct.

16 near Blairs Ferry Rd NE and Edgewood Rd NE, serving breakfast and lunch daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reviewers praise its culturally diverse menu featuring treats like Dubai chocolate crepes — an exciting addition to the local food scene.

Google hosted a meeting Thursday near Palo in Linn County where officials answered questions about a planned data center that will break ground early next year, use 10-14 million gallons of water a day, and complete by 2031 while the company covers upgrades and property taxes.

A report found inflation in Iowa rose 0.6% in September compared to the same month last year, which is double the 0.3% national increase.

Rising fuel prices led to a 9.1% jump that month and have pushed household spending over $1500 higher than in 2020.

Iowa’s Duane Arnold Energy Center will restart by early 2029 after NextEra Energy and Google sign a deal to supply carbon-free power for data centers (residential rates remain unaffected), contributing to meeting rising energy demand.

The Iowa Department of Education is awarding over $8.5 million in grants to nine charter schools, including Horizon Science Academy in Cedar Rapids, to help new programs start or expand current ones.

The funds come from a competitive federal grant that will boost educational options for local families.

Linn County announced eight winning snowplow names chosen from over 200 submissions, including Dolly Plowton and PlowingForDake – a tribute honoring Adam Dake from the Secondary Road Department.

The names will appear on county snowplows and be tracked through the new Track-a-Plow system.

Drivers on Fifth Avenue SE and Seventh Street SE will face detours starting Monday as crews replace a water valve in southeast Cedar Rapids—a project that will close northbound Seventh Street SE at the intersection while leaving southbound open and is expected to last about one week.

The Protect Our Care Bus Tour (Care Force One) stopped Thursday in Cedar Rapids to discuss rising health costs ahead of November's midterms.

The tour (40 stops so far) will visit Davenport and Des Moines later today.