Who controls the clocks on the new Cedar Falls roundabout? Your Call the Courier questions

Q: How long is the Burger King on Ansborough going to be closed? Was there a lot of damage?

A: We are unsure when the restaurant will reopen after last Saturday’s fire. No one answered our call. Waterloo Fire Rescue said the blaze started in the exhaust hood and made its way into the ductwork.

Q: I’m wondering if they are going to redo the intersection going into Central High School for students. It’s a stop sign now.

A: As part of the construction of the new Waterloo United High School, the entire section of Katoski Drive will be reconstructed with four roundabouts. From spring to fall, Katoski Drive from Greenhill Road to the current school entrance at Downing Avenue will be closed. Roundabouts will be installed at Katoski Drive/Greenhill Road and Katoski Drive/Downing Avenue. In 2027, a new roundabout south of the current entrance will be created, as well as a roundabout at Katoski Drive/Hunting Road. In 2028, the remaining part of Huntington Road west of that road’s school entrance will be reconstructed.

Q: Is actress Joanna Pettet still alive?

A: Yes. She is 83.

Q: Just wondering where Trump was born, if his parents are alive and if he has any siblings.

A: President Donald Trump was born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York. His father, Fred, died in 1999 at the age of 93 and his mother, Mary Anne, died in 2000 at the age of 88. Trump has four siblings – Maryanne Trump Barry, Fred Trump Jr., Elizabeth Trump Grau and Robert Trump. Elizabeth is his only living sibling.

Q: What is the purpose of the new road they’re building north of Janesville just off of Highway 218?

A: The Iowa Department of Transportation is moving the highway a little bit westward and building a new interchange at 260th Street in Janesville. This is to accommodate increasing car traffic and increase traffic safety at the intersection.

Q: How much money does the state give for each student that goes to a public or private school? Does the public school get the same amount of money for each student attending the public school?  

A: For the current school year, districts get $7,988 in per-pupil spending. This money used to just go to public schools, but a state law signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2023 now allows for families to open education savings accounts for students attending private schools. This means that per-pupil money can be given to students for them to spend on tuition, fees and other qualified education expenses. While the per-pupil dollars make up the largest share of state funding for public schools, they do receive other money from the state. For example, some additional funding is given on a per-pupil basis for students in programs like English language learners or special education. So, public schools do get more money for some students based on a range of factors. 

Q: Who handles the clocks on the mini-campanile at the roundabout at the intersection of Main Street and Seerley Boulevard? The clockface that faces West Seerley Boulevard is like two hours and 45 minutes behind the other three faces. In other words, when it’s noon, the west-facing clock shows 9:15 a.m. Does someone need to inform the city of Cedar Falls or UNI?

A: The city of Cedar Falls would typically be in charge, but since there is still construction work going on, the contractor is responsible. The city said it has notified the construction team to fix the clock.

Q: I would like to know if the Cedar Falls Community Center on Sixth and Main was remodeled or if it was completely taken down and rebuilt. I was arguing with somebody because I said that it was remodeled.

A: You were right. The community center has had some updates but was not torn down and replaced.

Call (319) 291-1550 to leave a voicemail or email newsroom@wcfcourier.com with your question.