Cousins Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins go missing from Evansdale in July, and despite efforts of law enforcement and volunteers, are not found until December, when their bodies are discovered by hunters in the Seven Bridges Wildlife Area in Bremer County. STORIES FROM THE YEAR: Dec. 30 — Iowa town seeks closure in girl’s memorial [...]

The worst drought since 1988 hits Iowa, causing crops to shrivel and rivers to fall to historic low levels. Winter months’ temperatures are mild, as consecutive days without measurable snow in Cedar Rapids neared an all-time record by mid-December. STORIES FROM THE YEAR: Nov. 24 — Iowa farmers will be ‘living rainfall to rainfall’ Nov. [...]

Map: 2012 Iowa visits by Obama, Biden, Romney and Ryan (Click icons for video and details) [HTML1]   Presidential and vice-presidential candidates criss-cross Iowa, a swing state, setting campaign spending records. President Obama wins the state and nation, earning a second term.   STORIES FROM THE YEAR: Dec. 9 — Political independent expenditure rules under [...]

Quaker Oats workers known as “The Shipping 20” won a $241 million Powerball jackpot in June, and a couple in Bondurant won a $202.1 million jackpot in October. STORIES FROM THE YEAR: Oct. 10 — Iowa has another $1 million lottery prize winner Oct. 4 — Bondurant attorney, clinic assistant named winners of Powerball jackpot [...]

Two Decorah bald eagles were found dead by electrocution at the base of power poles: D12 near the hatchery nest in July, and D14 near Rockford in November. STORIES FROM THE YEAR: Dec. 24 — Decorah eagle home for the holidays Nov. 27 — Second Decorah eagle electrocuted on power pole Nov. 3 — Decorah [...]

Voters reject a 10-year extension of the 1 percent local-option sales tax to pay for flood protection in Cedar Rapids. STORIES FROM THE YEAR: Dec. 23 — Flood protection in Cedar Rapids remains top priority Sept. 28 — Local-option tax support group donates extra funds to flood-recovery agencies July 1 — Gazette investigation: Many Linn [...]

Russell Wasendorf Sr., former CEO and President of Peregrine Financial Group, was charged with making false statements regarding a $200 million fraud scheme as the company collapsed. STORIES FROM THE YEAR: Dec. 5 — Crowds arrive for auction at failed Cedar Falls brokerage headquarters Nov. 28 — Russell Wasendorf’s son cancels lawsuit against U.S. Bank [...]

The Paramount Theatre reopened in October after a $35 million renovation following the June 2008 flood that sent floodwaters coursing through the building, including 8 to 10 feet of water in the main floor auditorium. STORIES FROM THE YEAR: Oct. 28 — Paramount’s grand reopening celebrates recovery from flood Oct. 28 — From backstage to [...]

Declining enrollment leads to the closing of Polk and Monroe elementary schools and boundary changes. STORIES FROM THE YEAR: Oct. 28 — To keep the doors open, Cedar Rapids school system learns to do more with less May 28 — Emails shed light on process leading to Cedar Rapids school closings April 10 — Some [...]

The opening of the NewBo City Market on Oct. 27 at 1100 Third St. SE attracts hundreds more weekly visitors to the New Bohemia Arts and Entertainment District, the city’s emerging arts area. The facility, located at 12th Avenue and Third Street SE, is now home to about 25 permanent vendors and several seasonal vendors. [...]