With city facilities closed until at least April 10, 2020, to help prevent exposure opportunities for COVID-19, the Hearst Center for the Arts, Cedar Falls Public Library, Cedar Falls Fitness and Recreation Center and Cedar Falls Public Safety has continued to find new ways to bring great activities to our community!

 The Cedar Falls Public Library is now presenting live storytime streaming from their Facebook page Monday-Friday beginning at 10:30 AM. Residents can also find fun, interactive questions and games on their page as well. The library is also continuing to provide online features for residents such as their ebooks and audiobooks via the Overdrive or the Libby App and access to free music with a library card. Visit cedarfallslibrary.org and follow them on Facebook to learn more and stay updated!

The Hearst Center for the Arts is also exploring new ways to bring great works of art to the city. This year, their annual Cedar Falls Student Exhibition is now currently available to view online at https://www.thehearst.org/cedar-falls-student-art-2020/. This online exhibition features works by students from the elementary and secondary schools in Cedar Falls. The emerging talent of young artists provides an impressive and diverse exhibition with works in all media including ceramics, jewelry, photography, printmaking, and painting! You can also follow the Hearst on Facebook for fun arts and crafts video from staff featuring DIY activities, perfect for the whole family.



The Cedar Falls Recreation and Fitness Center is offering home workout ideas on theirFacebok page as well to help get their members engaged as well.

Cedar Falls Public Safety is helping local elementary students enjoy a special birthday celebration even as schools remain closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Beginning April 1 through June 1, the Public Safety team is encouraging families with children 12 and under to contact them to set up a birthday drive-by of the fire truck and police cruiser. Public Safety personnel will be practicing social distancing during the rides by remaining in the vehicles and encouraging all individuals who may be watching to continue to follow CDC guidelines by putting six feet between them and their neighbors.

To request a drive-by birthday party, contact Cedar Falls Public Safety on Facebook through Messenger @cedarfallspublicsafety.  Please include the date of the birthday in the message and a phone number. Public Safety asks that the day requested for the drive-by birthday be within five days of the child’s actual birthday.  Scheduling is contingent on emergency calls, work, and training.

As we work through this time as a community, we can’t thank city staff enough from ALL of our departments for their dedication and commitment to Cedar Falls and its people. To stay updated on city announcements and find national and state resources regarding the virus, visit www.cedarfalls.com/prepare. 

Keeping our city streets cleared during the winter is an important and difficult job, so we want to thank our Cedar Falls Snowfighters for everything they do! The hard work and dedication of our Public Works road crews are a key component to keeping our community moving. Learn more about their job and how they work tirelessly to keep us safe!

How many lane miles does the road crew team plow?
There are approximately 500 lane miles that are plowed throughout the City  

How are streets prioritized for order of plowing?
Arterial roads are 1st priority. Collector streets that direct traffic to the main arterials are 2nd priority. Residential streets are plowed once all priority 1 and 2 streets are complete. Residential streets are typically plowed upon receiving 3” of accumulation and depending on current weather conditions and forecast.

How many routes do they have?
There are 15 areas and one auxiliary route Some routes have 2 trucks assigned

How many snowplow operators and snowplow trucks does the city operate?
22 truck plows, 2 motor graders and 4 end loaders with plow and wing attachments.

How long does it take to plow the entire City?
A typical full plow event can be completed in 8- 10 hours, depending on conditions.

If you see snowplows on the street, make sure to give them space so they can work. If you have any questions about snow removal or would like more information, please contact public works at (319) 273-8629. 

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it’s an exciting time full of family, friends, and (of course) food! In all the gobbles of fun and activity, however, it can be easy to become distracted, particularly while cooking.

Did You Know?

Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment.

Stay Safe

Kids love being involved with holiday preparations and it is important to take precautions during this busy time, especially in the kitchen.

To help your family enjoy the festivities safely, here are some tips from Cedar Falls Public Safety:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. Explain to your children that the stove is hot and also that it will remain hot for a period of time, even after it is turned off. Always keep kids 3 feet away from stoves.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don't trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children - up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

To help your little turkeys enjoy the holiday and avoid potential dangers, have activities that keep the kids out of the kitchen. Games, puzzles, and books can help provide needed distractions. Additionally, Thanksgiving decoration arts and crafts can be a great way for them to be included in the preparations, while staying clear of dangerous appliances. If your child enjoys helping make dinner, provide them with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen and always have an adult help with the task.

We hope you and your family have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!