Recent Articles

Cricket Hollow Zoo is facing another legal challenge from the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) over alleged mistreatment of animals remaining at its rural Manchester "animal park."

The roadside zoo was forced to give up its endangers lemurs and lions after a federal court ruling a year ago, and now ALDF has filed suit against zoo owners Pam and Tom Sellner in Iowa District Court alleging "persistent neglect of its animals," and "flagrant disregard for federal and state animal protection laws. . ."

A Bettendorf sport complex developer is seeking to rezone land adjacent to the facility – and currently owned by the city – for commercial and multi-family residential uses.

Kevin Koellner, one of the developers of the sports complex, obtained approval to rezone the land from the city's planning and zoning commission at the group's Aug. 15 meeting. Commissioners apparently were unaware the city purchased the land in August 2017 from the developers for $600,000 (or $60,000 per acre).

The sreets, sewers, stormwater detention and walkways being built as part of the new I-80 and Middle Road sports complex are now expected to cost over $4.6 million, $760,000 more than the city's initial commitment outlined in the development agreement with BettPlex LLC, owner of the TBK Bank Sports Complex.

Most of the cost overruns beyond the $3.87 million cap are likely to be picked up by taxpayers, according to a cost summary provided by the city to bettendorf.com.