Human services campus good opportunity for city

Action by the Waterloo City Council on Monday officially cleared the way to develop a human services campus in the former Rath Packing Co. area.

Nov 19, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (1) Comments

November a time to give thanks

By MARY ANN BURK

To Americans, November is arguably one of the most important months of the year as we celebrate Thanksgiving and our nation's beginnings. Between those two meaningful occasions is a third event that is equally American in spirit and equally deserving of attention, albeit less universally …

Nov 19, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Keep college curriculum out of K-12

By FRED ABRAHAM

Gov. Chet Culver has said that a goal of his is to have every high school student earn a year of college credit by the time they graduate from high school. I think it's a bad idea. I do understand the governor's thinking. He wants to try and find a way to save both state money and private…

Nov 15, 2009 | 6:00 am | (3) Comments

A solution to global warming

By DENNIS CLAYSON

Because it is currently impossible to discern reality from fiction, I am required to inform you that the following is satire.

Nov 15, 2009 | 6:00 am | (56) Comments

COLUMN: Somebody needs to chase off this bully

By JIM OFFNER, jim.offner@wcfcourier.com

Double-digit unemployment blew across the country with the fury of an autumn tempest and the cruelty of a fist-waving schoolyard bully.

Nov 15, 2009 | 6:00 am | (12) Comments

COLUMN: Commercial lender CIT's bankruptcy won't affect area business

By JIM OFFNER, Courier Business Editor

Probably unnoticed among the flurry of bad business news of late is the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of commercial lender CIT Group Inc. a week ago.

Nov 08, 2009 | 10:30 am | (0) Comments

Human services campus good opportunity for city

Action by the Waterloo City Council on Monday officially cleared the way to develop a human services campus in the former Rath Packing Co. area.

Nov 19, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (1) Comments

Jim Glaza's vision was inspiring

Jim Glaza was physically blind, but he was a man of vision.

Nov 18, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Country View report is welcome news

The 2009 fiscal year report on the Country View care center is a confirmation of sorts for the decision by Black Hawk County to run the facility in-house.

Nov 17, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Memorial can be important reminder

On Nov. 10, 1959, a young Southern preacher came to Waterloo. He was unaccustomed to the cold, the community and the culture. But he was not given the cold shoulder.

Nov 16, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Downtown work worth the wait

Downtown and riverfront projects tied to $7.3 million in Vision Iowa funding have been coming along slower than initially anticipated. However, we still believe they will be worth the wait.

Nov 15, 2009 | 6:00 am | (2) Comments

Another November act of terror

Another November tragedy has been perpetrated in the United States by an apparent radical extremist.

Nov 13, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (2) Comments

AFSCME plan a positive step

Asking workers to vote for a measure that will result in five mandatory unpaid days off is not an easy task.

Nov 12, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Take time to honor veterans

This holiday is intended to thank veterans for their service and to acknowledge that their contributions to national security are appreciated.

Nov 11, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (1) Comments

Iowans paying for film fiasco

Iowa's experiment with providing tax credits to lure filmmakers to the state continues to be an embarrassing fiasco.

Nov 10, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Avoid knee-jerk reactions in Fort Hood tragedy

American soldiers have enough to worry about, with possible deployments that include separations from family and a placement in harm's way.

Nov 09, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (32) Comments

All candidates deserve thanks

After the 2009 municipal election, the good news is that we saw heavier voting numbers from the previous election in 2007.

Nov 08, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Hawks: Good, lucky and fun?

The origin of the phrase "Any publicity is good publicity," is not perfectly clear, although it is often attributed to the king of self promotion, P.T. Barnum, of circus fame.

Nov 06, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Buyouts end a special story

Finally, the city of Waterloo is able to begin its flood buyout process after getting the go-ahead from federal and state agencies.

Nov 05, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Unite to solve budget crisis

Gov. Chet Culver is in an unenviable position, attempting to address a state revenue shortage while a slew of potential gubernatorial candidates take aim at him and the state's condition.

Nov 04, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (1) Comments

'Ironmen' deserve answer

Local and national politicians are scurrying to compensate a Waterloo-headquartered Iowa Army National Guard battalion - before sending them off to war again.

Nov 03, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Exercise your right to vote

It is municipal election time. The good news during this cycle is two-fold. We have some good competition in our mayoral and city council races - and there have been plenty of opportunities to gather information on these candidates.

Nov 02, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Vote to renew penny tax

The changing seasons of Iowa are harsh to our city streets. The inevitable freezing and thawing nibbles away, creating cracks and potholes. The buckling of pavement can easily lead to automobile damage, or worse, if left unchecked.

Nov 01, 2009 | 6:00 am | (0) Comments

Food bank need is great

Sunday's announcement by the Northeast Iowa Food Bank that the organization is halfway to reaching its fundraising goal is cause for hope.

Oct 30, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments

Culver, directors set example

Gov. Chet Culver's decision to cut his own pay, in the midst of his across-the-board state cuts of 10 percent, was the only decision available if he expects state workers to voluntarily reduce their salaries. He's also asked state department directors to voluntarily reduce their pay by 10…

Oct 28, 2009 | 12:00 pm | (0) Comments