Hills After years of discussion, Hills voters have approved a bond to build a new fire station and city hall. Residents approved the $5.1 million bond last Tuesday with 68.4% support, exceeding the 60% needed to pass. The measure received 349 yes votes and 161 no votes.... more

Des Moines Democrat Rob Sand defeated Republican businessman Zach Lahn in the Nov. 3 general election and will become Iowa’s first Democratic governor since Chet Culver, who left office 15 years ago. Lahn carried Washington County by fewer than 400 votes, according to unofficial results... more

Do you have a story to tell about an act of kindness, memorable holiday experience, or family tradition that you would enjoy sharing with the community? If so, please share it with us at The News! We're working on our Holiday Guide coming out in November, and our theme is "Stories of the Season: Celebrating Giving, Kindness and Community." We would love to include your story! Please email your submission to JJ at News@thenews-ia.com -- photos are welcome as well! Deadline is Friday, November 13... more

IOWA CITY Johnson County voters slammed the door Tuesday on a proposed new jail that would cost nearly $100 million. Needing a 60% approval rate on Election Day for a $94.5 million … more

IOWA CITY A request by Johnson County Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz to look into helping the Iowa City School District through a financial crisis was not supported by the rest of the board in a work … more

ELECTION DAY When: Tuesday, Nov. 3 Voting hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Sharon Center United Methodist Church, Lone Tree American Legion, Hills Community Center, and a number of other … more

IOWA CITY One of the biggest Johnson County elections in years is happening Tuesday. In addition to a $94.5 million bond referendum on a new jail and sheriff’s office, the election will … more

Lone Tree Scott Powers, 52, of Lone Tree, who was arrested back in July in connection with the death of his 76-year-old father, Richard Powers, is now scheduled to stand trial on Tuesday, July 27, 2027... more

Certain races in Washington County will be taking place such as District 3 (Riverside, Ainsworth, Crawfordsville, Brighton and Coppock), District 5 (Ward 2 and 3 in Washington), and the state representative for District 92 (Washington and parts of Johnson County)... more

Washington - Candidates for Washington County supervisor Districts 3 and 5 and Iowa House District 92 gathered in Washington last Thursday for a candidate forum. Seated at tables, the candidates answered questions from moderator Michelle Redlinger, director of the Washington Chamber of Commerce. Participants included District 3 incumbent Republican Marcus Fedler and Democratic challenger JoAnn Whitmore; District 5 Republican Lynette Iles and Democrat Brendan DeLong; and House District 92 incumbent Republican Heather Hora and Democratic challenger Brittany Erickson... more

Hills The city of Hills is looking to build a new fire station and provide more space for its city offices. The fire station is more than 50 years old, and the city offices are around the same age. During an information session Wednesday, Oct. 14, city officials pointed out that Hills has not built a public office building in more than 50 years. Officials emphasized the need for new facilities as the existing buildings age and become more expensive to repair. Discussions about addressing those needs began well before this year... more

IOWA CITY When early voting for this fall’s mid-term elections began Oct. 14, more than 1,600 showed up in one day to vote at Johnson County’s campus in Iowa City. “We were very … more

IOWA CITY As the November election draws closer, 10 Johnson County supervisors and another three county elected officials are stumping for votes. Sheriff Brad Kunkel is instead stumping for … more

IOWA CITY A moratorium on the construction of data centers in Johnson County may be headed for an extension into 2027. The Board of Supervisors will vote next week on a nine-month extension … more

Lone Tree Johnson County is considering a pilot program to expand housing in six smaller cities: Lone Tree, Hills, Oxford, Shueyville, Solon and Swisher. During the most recent Lone Tree City Council meeting, representatives discussed the proposed program and how it could help the community... more

The trial of Scott Powers, a Lone Tree man charged with killing his 76-year-old father, Richard Powers, has been postponed until July 2027. His trial was originally scheduled for Jan. 19, 2027... more

IOWA CITY Johnson County has about $1.1 million remaining from its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation of $29.5 million, and the Board of Supervisors, previously promising that every … more

Iowa’s wildlife faces environmental threats including habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and degradation, according to Meredith Roemerman, deputy director of Burr Oak Land Trust. Roemerman spoke at the September 30 Kalona Rotary meeting, sharing information about the organization, its conservation efforts and the environmental challenges facing the state... more

A trial date has been set for a Kalona resident charged with sexual abuse on July 8. The trial is scheduled for January 5 in Johnson County.Delwyn Borntrager, 22, of Kalona, was arrested on July 8 after a warrant was issued for his arrest... more

IOWA CITY A fall budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2027 was approved by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors following a public hearing held Sept. 17. The amendment adds more than $13 … more