Q: Why do all the canned apple sauce have little rings around the jar? It makes it so hard to get everything out of the jar.
A: An article from foodie website Mashed says food jars with ridges are to strengthen the container to prevent it from bursting or being damaged. During processing, the design of the containers can also help when the product undergoes extreme temperatures when hot contents are poured in. Ridges across the middle of the can help to expand and contract so temperature shifts do not damage the container.
Q: What is Sally Struthers, who played Rob Reiner’s wife in “All in the Family,” currently doing or is she still living?
A: Sally Struthers is alive and 78 years old. She most recently played a role in the Netflix series “A Man on the Inside,” which starred Ted Danson, in 2024.
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Q: I’m wondering when the city of Waterloo is going to resurface Eastern Avenue from Baltimore to West 11th, especially Randolph to West 11th.
A: Easton Avenue from Randolph Street to Hammond Avenue is scheduled for an overlay in 2027, according to Waterloo City Engineer Jamie Knutson.
Q: When was Waterloo citizen Buzz Anderson born?
A: He was born in 1941 and is 84 years old.
Q: There are several of us that are attempting to get on Speaker Pat Grassley’s Facebook page but it appears we can’t and that he is blocking people. I was wondering why as a speaker and a public representative for our area he is blocking people on Facebook?
A: We reached out to state Rep. Pat Grassley’s office and here is the response we received from Melissa Saitz, the communications director for the Iowa House Republicans: “This is inaccurate. The Speaker's page doesn't block anyone. I'm not sure what 'attempting to get on' the Facebook page means, but his page doesn't block anyone or delete comments. They are welcome to message the Speaker's page like (The Courier) did and explain what issue they are having and I'll see if I can provide any explanation. But their accusation is false.”
Q: Did Matt Dillon ever kiss Miss Kitty Russell on the show “Gunsmoke”?
A: No, they never kissed. A 1964 article from The Fort Lauderdale News interviewed Amanda Blake, who played Kitty, who said a romance would take the marshal away from his duties and the Old West storyline.
Q: Could you tell us the difference between a charter school and a private school, and do both those schools get Iowa tax money for their tuition?
A: A charter school is a tuition-free, public school, but is run by organizations or independent boards rather than an elected school board. These schools can have unique “themes” or teaching methods and receive five-year charters, similar to a license, from the state. However, a charter school must attract students and produce positive results within those five years or risk losing its charter. Private schools are run independently but charge tuition. Both these school types can receive tax money if students use education savings accounts. The accounts provide families with the same per-pupil dollar amount a public school district would receive for a student. For the 2025-26 school year, that number is $7,988 per student.
Q: Why does The Courier not publish the names of students from New Hampton or Charles City who make the dean’s list at UNI?
A: This was an oversight on our part. We will include these students, as well as other area students, on these lists in the future.
Q: What is the process to be taken to impeach a president?
A: First, the House of Representatives must bring impeachment charges against the president. If the House adopts the charges by a simple majority vote, or 50% plus 1, the president has been impeached. This would take 218 votes. The Senate would then hold a trial presided over by the U.S. Supreme Court chief justice – John G. Roberts. If the president is found guilty, he is removed from office and will never be able to hold elected office again. If he is found not guilty, he may continue to serve. The House has impeached presidents four times – Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump twice. However, all of them were acquitted by the Senate.
Q: Is Glynis Johns from Mary Poppins still alive at 101?
A: No, she died at the age of 100 on Jan. 4, 2024.
Call (319) 291-1550 to leave a voicemail or email newsroom@wcfcourier.com with your question.
See photos of Dillard's, Crossroads Mall demolition in Waterloo
A crew was demolishing the former Dillard's department store at the Crossroads Mall on Jan. 30, 2026, in Waterloo. Later, in the early March, crews were demolishing other parts of the mall. Tearing down the mall is a step in preparing the site for new development. Demolition of the mall is expected to be completed in 240 days.
A crew demolishes the former Dillard's department store at the Crossroads Mall on Friday in Waterloo. Demolition of the mall is expected to be completed in 240 days.
