What's up Waterloo

06/19/2026

06/17/2026

Be safe out there!

BICYCLE & ELECTRIC SCOOTER RULES IN WATERLOO – QUICK GUIDE

• Follow the same traffic laws as cars unless the rule clearly doesn’t apply to bikes/scooters.

• Lights required at night or in low visibility:
- White light on the front (300 ft visibility)
- Red light or reflector on the back (300 ft visibility)

• Never grab onto or attach your bike/scooter to a moving vehicle.

• Keep your bike or scooter under control and able to stop safely.

• Where to ride:
- Ride with traffic on the right side unless passing, turning left, avoiding hazards, or in special lanes.
- Shoulders and bike lanes are allowed.
- Sidewalk riding allowed except downtown (Central Business District) or where signs prohibit it.
- If riding on a sidewalk in a residential area, you must ride in a careful and prudent manner.

• Traffic signals:
- Obey all signs and lights.
- If a red light doesn’t change after 2 minutes, you may carefully proceed after yielding.

• Hand signals:
- Left turn: left arm straight out
- Right turn: left arm up
- Stop/slow: left arm down

• Passing others:
- Pass on the left unless in a bike lane or multi lane road.
- Give an audible warning before passing (like “on your left”).

• Crosswalks:
- Yield to pedestrians and other riders.

• Parking:
- Don’t block sidewalks or pedestrian paths.

• Parents are responsible for fines for riders under 18.

Click this link to read the city ordinance on bicycles and scooters: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/waterlooia/latest/waterloo_ia/0-0-0-4240

Stay safe and ride smart, Waterloo!

06/17/2026

Save the date! Join the NAACP of Black Hawk County for the 31st Annual Juneteenth Celebration later this month. Check out the flyer below for all the details on when and where the festivities will take place.

06/15/2026

Come celebrate with us before you set off your own personal fireworks at the annual Red, White and Loo event on Friday, July 3rd at the RiverLoop Amphitheater. Check out Main Street Waterloo's website at https://www.mainstreetwaterloo.org/fireworks to see the entertainment lineup and how to volunteer and a list of our great sponsors!

UPDATE: A reminder that the use of fireworks are:
Friday, July 3rd, 9 am to 10 pm
Saturday, July 4, 9 am to 11 pm

To report a violation, please call the Non-Emergency number at 319-291-2515.

06/11/2026

That’s leadership!

Waterloo school leaders forgo raises for another year

06/04/2026

06/02/2026

Go vote!

Iowa voters will head to the polls for the primary elections, with in-person voting beginning at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

05/30/2026

Vote!

The Black Hawk County Election Office will be open TODAY - Saturday, May 30 - from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This gives you extra time to:
✅ Vote early in person.
✅ Turn in your Absentee Ballot if you've already received one in the mail.

Whatever your election needs, come see us during our extended hours at:
📍Black Hawk County Courthouse
316 E. 5th Street, 2nd Floor, Waterloo

05/24/2026

Thank you Mr. Jones! That’s dedication right there! Best wishes to you on your retirement! 👏🏼

Join us next Friday as we help to celebrate Rudy Jones' retirement from the Community Development Office. Rudy started in 1987 and was almost here for 39 years!

05/23/2026

Friday Loo is more than just a concert , it’s a full downtown summer experience ☀️

Grab dinner from local food trucks, enjoy an ice-cold beer, and explore community vendors and local organizations helping activate the space all evening long 🍔🍦🍺

PLUS stop by Community Choice Credit Union right across the street as they celebrate their grand opening with family activities, helpful info, raffle entries, giveaways, and more 🎉🚗

Music is the soundtrack for the night, but the whole downtown experience is what makes Friday Loo such a summer favorite 💛