QCA.news - Quad Cities news and view from both sides of the river

Cook review: 'The Mummy' is wrapped up in gore ... and little else

Don't confuse "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" with a movie that stars Brendan Fraser. Although there's another film coming out in that franchise that stars Fraser, this isn't it. Neither is this a reboot of the 1932 "The Mummy," the classic horror film starring Boris Karloff that's part of the Universal Studios monster franchise. Lee Cronin [...]

Former Northwest Bank & Trust office towers sold

Tower Trust & Investment Company and Centennial Tax & Accounting will continue to be full-floor tenants of the NorthPark tower, officials said.

Bettendorf approves budget, tax increases prioritize public safety, city leaders say

The City of Bettendorf finalized their budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Niabi Zoo opens for the season, new exhibits coming later this summer

High 70-degree weather and sunshine made for the perfect opening day at Niabi Zoo, bringing back the life of the zoo. "We go through this every year, and we're all excited every time we open and see families out again," said Lee Jackson, the director of the zoo. Some families took advantage of the day [...]

Illinois House unveils new version of Bears’ megaprojects bill

Facing the specter of losing the Chicago Bears to Indiana, the Illinois House unveiled a new version of property tax legislation that the team says is a prerequisite for building a new domed stadium in suburban Arlington Heights.

Virginia voters OK a Democratic effort to redraw the state's congressional map

Virginia voters have delivered a significant win to Democrats, as the party aims to pick up four more U.S. House seats in the state.

Davenport man gets probation after guilty plea in drug trafficking case

A Scott County judge suspended prison time for a Davenport man in a drug trafficking case. Here’s what led to the decision.

Our Quad Cities News earns two state journalism awards

Our Quad Cities News earned two awards at the Illinois News Broadcasters Association Best of Broadcast Awards Saturday at the Holiday Inn, Champaign. The station won first place for digital presence, for which it received the Crystal Mic Award; and second place in best station competition.

Family fears worst as search efforts continue for missing Oquawka man

Search efforts started Tuesday afternoon in Oquawka for a missing man.

Niabi Zoo officially opens for 2026 season with daily ostrich egg hunt

The 40-acre Coal Valley zoo is officially open for the 2026 season. There are renovations, expansions, added amenities and more to check out while appreciating the 200 species of animals.

Rock Island schools look to expand weapon detection systems

After a weapon was found inside a student’s backpack at Rock Island High School, district leaders say their detection system worked as intended — and now they are looking to expand it.

1 person hospitalized after being rescued from flood-related vehicle crash in Barstow

Deputies with the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office said a vehicle left the roadway around Barstow Road and 200th Street North due to flooding.

NWS Quad Cities breaks severe weather warning record

A record number of severe weather warnings in the Quad Cities this spring may sound alarming, but meteorologists say improved technology and storm behavior are key.

QCA college commuters impacted by rising gas prices

Like many, college students in the Quad Cities who drive to campus are feeling the pinch from higher gas prices. Our Quad Cities spoke with a few students dealing with the challenge. The area is home to a handful of colleges and universities, and commuting to classes is an option for many local students choose. [...]

Illinois bill would prevent 'forever chemicals' in wastewater

A bill introduced in Illinois would prevent manufacturers from dumping 'forever chemicals' in wastewater. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made and do not break down in the body.House Bill 2516 would require all wastewater treatment facilities to sample the water coming in and going out for PFAS periodically. Industrial plants would have to test [...]

Key leverage could make difference in saving Rock Island Arsenal jobs, lawmakers say

The Rock Island Arsenal once again faces potential job cuts, but lawmakers hope a key piece of leverage will work in their favor

QC Construction Hike for Hope will support suicide prevention

The Iowa Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has announced that registration is open for the first Quad Cities Construction Hike for Hope on Friday, June 6, in the Quad Cities area, according to a news release. The event is presented by Russell Construction. This inaugural event brings together construction professionals, industry leaders, and families to [...]

Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges

The Justice Department alleges that the SPLC improperly raised millions of dollars to pay informants to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan and other extremist groups.

Quad City students explore trade careers at 2nd annual fair

The Quad Cities Builders and Remodelers Association puts on the fair to give students some hands-on experience to help them choose a career.

'A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' | Macomb mayor meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican

Mayor Mike Inman was one of about thirty Central Illinois mayors who made the trip to the Vatican. Here's what he said to the Pope, including a connection to WIU.

Bettendorf Public Library holding tours for National Library Week

Staff members will walk attendees through library operations, offer behind-the-scenes access and more.

Macomb mayor meets Pope Leo

Macomb Mayor Mike Inman went to the Vatican and met Pope Leo.

4th Street two-way conversion nears in downtown Davenport following 3rd Street changes

With the next phase approaching just one block away, some downtown business owners say they have already seen benefits from the 3rd Street switch.

Rock Island County Sheriff's office responds to flood-related vehicle rescue Tuesday

A motorist near Barstow Road was rescued by first responders due to roadway flooding.

National real estate investment firm acquires historic QCA office towers

Two prominent and historic office tower properties in the Quad Cities have been acquired by a national real estate investment firm, marking a significant transaction in the regional commercial market, a news release says. The properties, formerly owned by the Slavens family and long-time home to the former Northwest Bank & Trust, now Time Bank, [...]

Death Notice: Verna Henning

A funeral service for Verna June Henning, 101, of Walcott, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Bentley Funeral Home, Durant. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Walcott Cemetery. Mrs. Henning died Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Wheatland Manor. Memorials may be made to the Walcott Fire Department. Online condolences may be made at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com. A full obituary will appear in the April 29 edition of The NSP. 

Man killed in Sunday Bettendorf house fire identified

Bettendorf Fire and Police responded to a house fire on the 300 block of Bellevue Avenue around 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Millions of borrowers face 90-day deadline as SAVE plan ends

The Trump Administration has made major changes to the Biden-era SAVE plan. Here's what borrowers need to know ahead of a new deadline later this year.

Changes coming to student loan 'SAVE' plans

Jennifer Finetti with ScholarshipOwl joined The Current to discuss what borrowers need to know.

Mandatory flu vaccines end for service members

Hegseth called the flu shot requirement part of “absurd, overreaching mandates that only weaken our warfighting capabilities.”

Duckworth, Durbin, Grassley and Sorensen seek answers from Army on Arsenal reassignments

In a letter to Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, the group is asking why the Army decided to execute a workforce shift so quickly and how reassignment decisions were made.

1 person hospitalized after being rescued from flood-related vehicle crash in Barstow

Deputies with the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office said a vehicle left the roadway around Barstow Road and 200th Street North due to flooding.

Bettendorf to approve budget, expected tax increases to come

A public hearing will be held beginning at 7 p.m. at Bettendorf City Hall.

Crews rescue driver trapped in flood water

Crews responded at 2 p.m. to the area of Barstow Road and 200th Street North, according to a media release.

Susan Lanning honored by Girl Scouts for volunteer work

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (GSEIWI) honored volunteers for their outstanding service within the organization on April 18. Honorees were recognized for making sure all girls have a place to thrive through the Girl Scout Movement. Throughout April, Volunteer Appreciation Month, the organization has highlighted volunteers who give local Girl Scouts the opportunity to gain new experiences, develop new skills, [...]

Driver rescued from flooded Rock Island County road

The Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Barstow Road and 200th Street North to assist a motorist whose vehicle had left the roadway because of flooding about 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, according to a news release. First responders found the driver unable to safely exit the vehicle because of high [...]

Morrison water tower to undergo interior tank maintenance

The Morrison municipal water tower will be temporarily taken out of service starting May 1.

Putnam 1867 Society raising funds for new Triceratops exhibit

The Putnam Museum and Science Center is launching its premier donor circle, the Putnam 1867 Society, at an exclusive cocktail reception, “Raise the Dinosaur,” at the Putnam Museum and Science Center, on the Lardner Balcony, on Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m.  This milestone event invites supporters to invest in the preservation, restoration and future installation of a full-scale Triceratops, currently [...]

North Scott Press — April 22, 2026

Matt Corman, May 3

A Boston-born hip-hop artist and entrepreneur widely celebrated for his hit single "Word to the Wise," Matt Corman headlines a May 3 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the 31-year-old thus far amassing more than 200 million streams for his repertoire that boasts more than 200 songs to date.

Mount Carroll police warn of scam seeking donations

Mount Carroll police are warning residents of a scam attempting to obtain donations for the police department.

A new city hall for Eldridge?

The City of Eldridge has been in its current city hall since 1987. Then, the town of approximately 4,000 residents was served by a city administrator, a full-time city clerk and deputy, a billing clerk, and four or five police officers. While the city’s current home, located at 305 N. Third St., served it well for decades, as the population boomed, city staff and the police department have also grown.  Though attempts have been made to maximize the existing space, city staff say they have outgrown the 3,600-square foot building. But do residents feel the same way? The city is hoping to answer that question by June. At Monday’s meeting, the city council voted to approve a Community Survey Proposal in an amount not to exceed $10,400. The survey will be conducted by Community Perceptions of Slinger, Wis. Recognizing that any proposal to build a new city hall will require a bond referendum, city officials are hoping to gauge public interest. The survey, which is expected to go out next month, will provide information on the city’s case for a new municipal building. Residents will then be asked if they would support a referendum. City administrator Nevada Lemke said Community Perceptions will analyze the results of the survey and provide feedback to the city as to whether it should proceed or not. She said there is a threshold the survey will have to meet before the city moves forward. “If we are at or above that threshold, it’s a good indicator that we can move forward and go out and do more community education about the project and getting more input from the community and moving forward,” she said. “If we are under that threshold, it would be a good indicator that we are not ready to bring this project forward yet. We’re trying to get a good gauge of where that community support is from the very basic project details to move forward.” On Monday, mayor Scott Campbell explained to the rest of the council that he, Lemke, assistant city administrator Jeff Martens and council member Jeff Ashcraft met with representatives from Bettendorf last month to discuss that city’s recent successful $28 million bond referendum to construct a new police station. Campbell said one of the suggestions Bettendorf officials had was the community survey, conducted by a third-party, so as to provide the city with unbiased results. Bettendorf also used Community Perceptions for its survey. “I think we should do it,” said council member Brian Dockery. “It will give us a taste of reality and what the community is thinking. Because, long-term, to accomplish any of this, that’s going to have to go to the people for a bond referendum. So, I think we at least need to get the litmus test out there before we spend any more money.” Ashcraft said it would be a “very simple, very objective survey” if Eldridge followed the same model as Bettendorf. “That will really give us something that really does take the temperature of the community. I think without it, we’re throwing darts with a blindfold on.” Council member Adrian Blackwell said it was important to get as much feedback as possible from the community. Even if the feedback was negative, he felt it could still inform the city’s decisions moving forward. “Maybe take that negativity, turn it into a positive, and see what modifications we need to do to get this passed through and get the trust of our community as we move forward and present something that people can buy into, knowing the need for it.” Blackwell reminded the council of the last, unsuccessful, attempt to fund a new city hall. That election was held in 2014. “We all know the need. There was a need when we first did it. People just didn’t agree on how it was going to be funded.” Survey will have one big question On Friday, Campbell told The NSP that city officials expect the survey will go out in the middle of May. While there will be a few demographic questions, there’s really only one thing city officials want to know for sure. “This survey is just going to ask the question, ‘Would you support a bond referendum for a new public works, police station and city hall?’ It’s basically a yes or no thing,” said Campbell. As Blackwell pointed out Monday, the city’s last attempt to fund a new municipal building failed in 2014. But the issue never really went away. Campbell said the latest push has been in the works since 2023, just before he was elected to the council. Lemke said this also included finding land for a new public works facility, as the current facility at the corner of East LeClaire Road and First Street does not have room for future growth. The city eventually bought land along South 1st Street, across from the Regional Innovation Center, for this purpose. Campbell said for the last four or five months, city officials have been working strategically to plan their approach to a new municipal building, which included the discussions with Bettendorf. That city’s referendum on constructing a new $28 million police department passed in November with 74% support. He said the information they received from Bettendorf officials, including mayor Bob Gallagher, city administrator Decker Ploehn, assistant city administrator Jeff Reiter, community engagement manager Angie Sharp and finance director Jason Schadt was crucial. “I really appreciate the time they’ve given us, not only on this issue, but on other issues we’ve dealt with, they’ve been helpful, too,” said Campbell. “It’s nice to talk to someone who’s been through it, and they have a tried and true plan, and so we’re just trying to follow that plan,” added Lemke. When the survey goes out, it will include additional information about costs and location. Residents will have two or three weeks to fill out and return the survey, and Community Perceptions will analyze the results. “The survey will be structured to provide the challenges and the proposed solution, but it will be fairly general,” said Lemke. If the survey comes back and meets the threshold of support, there will be additional meetings and open houses for the public to get more information before the city moves forward with a bond referendum. Lemke said the city hopes to have the results of the survey in June. Campbell said the argument the city made for a new city hall in 2014 still holds, and the problems may even be worse now as the staff and city have grown. Lemke said utility administrative manager Sadie Wagner’s desk is basically in a hallway right now. “The city moved here in 1987, and we were a town of maybe 4,000 people. And now we’re a town of 7,000 and we’re still in the same cramped quarters,” said Campbell.    

Council rejects community center proposals

The City of Eldridge received three requests for proposals (RFP) on the Eldridge Community Center. On Monday, the city council voted to reject all three and move forward with alternative options. City administrator Nevada Lemke, together with assistant city administrator Jeff Martens and council members Ryan Iossi and Brian Dockery met April 8 to review the RFPs. Each member of the review committee used a standard scoring rubric on a scale of 0-100. Prior to the review, the committee agreed that any proposer that scored 70 or above would be offered an interview to further discuss the proposal. The three proposals included: • Hometown Arena, an LLC owned by Bridget Kramer and jointly operated by Bridget and Keith Kramer. Lemke said the proposal was well-organized and included all the required components laid out in the RFP. The proposed lease terms were based on net profit, at a rate of 5% of the monthly net profit. However, no minimum lease payment was proposed to account for the risk of 0% profit in any given month. The proposal received an average overall evaluation score of 66.5. • Keystone Early Learning Academy, an LLC based out of Virginia that operates an early learning and daycare center focused on children under the age of 3. The proposal, which was submitted by CEO/founder Suzanne Potts and regional director Misty Tucker, offered a “unique approach with an alternative revenue source, operating as a daycare during the day and a skatepark and event center in the evenings and on weekends.” The proposed lease terms were $1,500 per month for the first year and $2,000-$2,500 the second year. Lemke said nothing was included indicating the minimum insurance requirements would be met as outlined in the RFP. The proposal received an average overall evaluation score of 55. • Friends of the ECC & Skatepark, a non-profit proposal submitted by director at-large and interim coordinator James Retterer. Lemke said the submission was incomplete and “lacked a defined/demonstrated financial plan, proof of ability to obtain required insurance, identified individuals to manage and operate the facility, and included no proposed lease terms.” The proposal also relied heavily on the city for guidance and support in all aspects of management and operations of the facility. The proposal received an average overall evaluation score of 9. The Friends of the ECC proposal was the only one to indicate it would continue to operate in some capacity as a civic organization. As it would operate with a public purpose or as a “true community center,” the Friends proposal was the only one that would qualify for a reduced lease term or lease payments. Lemke’s memo on the RFPs suggested that the minimum lease payment needed to cover property taxes and insurance and not put the burden on Eldridge taxpayers would be $2,511 per month. The other two proposals would collect revenue as private organizations performing business-like activities and therefore would be charged the market lease rate. Lemke’s memo said the current market lease rate for an 18,800-square foot commercial property currently ranges from $9,400-$18,800 per month. The property would also no longer be exempt from property taxes, which are estimated between $22,000-$25,000 annually. “The two proposals that were considered as complete were both operating as LLCs and did not offer activities that would be considered civic/governmental in nature. Based on the proposed lease terms in each of the proposals the evaluation committee determined that neither proposal would be a viable option for a successful and sustainable lease agreement without the City offering a substantially discounted rate which would create an unfair benefit to a private business that is competing with other businesses in the community,” read Lemke’s memo. “Taking all of that into consideration, there weren’t any proposals that were going to be able to meet the terms that we would have to require under the circumstances,” Lemke said during Monday’s meeting. “The bottom line is, the city council voted to close it because we were subsidizing it too much,” said Dockery. “All three proposals, we would have probably been subsidizing it more. So, I think the only fair thing to do is to liquidate the asset and use those funds for other projects. I’d like to keep it open, however, council voted for it not to be on the taxpayers’ backs. And none of those proposals allowed that to happen. So, that’s why our recommendation was to turn down all three applications.” Iossi agreed. “The additional burden, especially if you don’t have it designed as a community center, you’re paying full taxes on it … I was hopeful that something could come through that could possibly keep it open. While I was never a fan of being a long-term landlord, we quickly found out that we were not allowed to have a lease or purchase option in the original RFP. And I understand the reasons why. But I think somebody coming in and trying to lease it under the conditions that we have, it was just going to be really tough to do, and that’s kind of put us where we’re at.” Council member Jeff Ashcraft said the situation was unfortunate, “but I think that this process has shown that it’s a very tough arena to operate something like this long-term and make a profit.” He and council member Scott La Plante agreed with Dockery that it would be best at this point to try to sell the building. Council member Adrian Blackwell said he hoped, although he realized the city could not make this a requirement, that if the building was sold it could be reopened as a similar entertainment facility. He said he understood why the proposals were rejected but asked if there were any modifications the applicants could make that could help get them closer to the city’s requirements. Lemke said the city would probably have to reopen the RFP process in that case. She said the review committee had considered, prior to making its recommendation, holding some interviews to see if modifications could be made. “But the difference between what the proposal terms were to where we would have to be under State of Iowa code was very, very far. It would be very difficult to meet those terms.” Blackwell said he was reassured by the process the city undertook to evaluate the RFPs. “At least we tried.” “I think it’s also worth noting, too, that this does not shut the door or close the book on the Eldridge Community Center and Skatepark,” said Iossi. “I think there were still interested parties that would have rather purchased it, buying it as an asset, and then they have their own time and money to do whatever improvements they want and operate it however they want.” “The good news is, what that feedback gave us is, we have a marketable property,” said Ashcraft. Speaking outside of the public comment period, Bridget Kramer said “one of the things that killed us on this is insurance.” She said her LLC would have been paying approximately $76,000 annually just for insurance. “That made it very, very difficult to propose.” Ashcraft said, “The insurance landscape in the state of Iowa right now is awful. Awful from a property, awful from a personal injury, awful from a casualty standpoint … Unfortunately, that’s not something a municipality has much control over, if any, at all. I’m very sorry that’s what you ran into.” “And I think it’s probably going to get a little bit worse,” added Iossi. Next steps “So, as far as the next step, I think I’m hearing that putting it on the market is the next thing,” said mayor Scott Campbell, after the council voted to reject the proposals. Ashcraft said, since the council already has a fair appraisal on the property, the city should make moves to get the property listed as soon as possible. Campbell said the next step would be for the council to pass a resolution of intent to sell, which could be done as soon as the May 4 meeting. A public hearing can also be set, including public comment, as soon as the May 18 meeting. More details will be forthcoming. Iossi also asked if the city could reach out to at least two property development companies and get a market analysis done on the property, “because we all know that appraisals and market value sales don’t always line up.” Dockery also asked if it might be possible to have a discussion about whether the entire ECC property would be sold together, or if it would be an option to have the north parking lot sold separately for future development. He said that wouldn’t preclude someone from buying the whole property, but rather create more options going forward. Campbell said it was also imperative to get public input as to how any proceeds from the sale of the ECC could be utilized. Some priorities that are coming up include public facilities, the Sheridan Meadows pond, additional sidewalks, and the possibility of additional funds depending on what the fire department decides to do. “Those are just things we’ve talked about internally as a council, and there are probably other ideas out there as well. So, we just need to make sure that our residents are heard in this process, because we’re talking about a substantial amount of money.”   

Instead of civil war, a naked mole rat colony changed queens peacefully

These matriarchal rodents often have bloody succession wars to replace their queen. But in a colony in California, Queen Tere ceded the throne to her daughter, Arwen, without violence.

Long Grove water improvements total $3.1M

A new water treatment plant and restored water tower will cost Long Grove a combined $3.1 million. The city council accepted joint bids April 14. Bruce Builders of Eldridge will construct the water treatment plant for $2,828,000. O&J Coatings of Hurst, Tex. will refurbish the water tower for $288,000. Those bids land a combined $6–700 million above estimates, engineer Jason McKenzie told the council. “I called Bill Bruce Builders and talked to them, and asked them if there was anything that was that made the bids go higher than anticipated,” McKenzie said. “He just said that over the last few years, these type of projects have been going up quite a bit.” “He didn't see anything like as far as in the plans or specs, that caused him to increase his bid for risk or anything like that,” he added. He recommended against rebidding the project. McKenzie noted that both projects had a competitive bid process. Long Grove received seven bids on their water tower and six bids on their treatment plant. Funding water improvements One third of water improvements costs, totaling about $1 million, will rest on general obligation debt, the council decided last week. The council had initially hoped to pay for water improvements exclusively with a low-interest state revolving fund loan backed by water utility revenues. But they decided a $3 million sum would overburden water rates, especially for single and fixed income homes. The $1 million general obligation bond will be serviced by a $1.39 increase in Long Grove property taxes for the fiscal year beginning in July 2027. “This is a temporary rate increase that helps keep the base rate low for your lower-end [water] users, your single income, your fixed income houses in Long Grove,” City Clerk Rose Guyer explained. “Putting it on the property taxes does kind of equalize that difference.” Guyer also noted that while the city could easily adjust its tax levy, it would be “difficult to go back down” to previous utility rates. Water rates will rise to a base rate of $50, and $9.50 per additional thousand gallons, to service the $2 million SRF loan. “If I can get rid of my iron curtain at my house, it's going to save me about $35 a month, and maybe closer to $45 a month,” Ulrich said, referring to the home filter that removes iron from Long Grove’s high-mineral water. “So I'm still going to come out way ahead.” Long Grove will hold a required public hearing on water rate increases May 12. Loussaert promoted Long Grove council will promote Public Works Assistant Nathan Loussaert to replace retiring Public Works Director Tony Saladino. Saladino endorsed Loussaert as his replacement. “Just having him here for the year and a half… to me is a big benefit than somebody just coming off the street, not knowing anything,” Saladino said. “Every town is different, every wastewater is different, water treatment.” Councilwoman Nancy Herrin echoed his support. “[Loussaert] has worked in the city and is knowledgeable about Long Grove and its processes and procedures, and that's something that you can't get when you go outside,” she said. Councilman Chad Ulrich praised Loussaert’s preparedness and independence. “Tony was out of town in our last snowstorm. Nathan stepped up and took care of it and did a great job handling it in Tony’s absence,” he said. “Tony wasn't around to tell him what to do, to look over her shoulder, to give him guidance. Nathan just took the initiative and took care of it.” “He’s a go-getter,” Mayor Mike Limberg agreed. Saladino will retire at the end of the fiscal year, June 30. In March, the council briefly discussed opening the role of Public Works Director to outside applications. Councilwoman Amy Shannon stressed that the city council should draft a formal job description before Loussaert assumes the job in July. “How do you replace someone when you don't have benchmarks to hire that new person by?” Shannon asked. “That's my concern… We want a transparent process.” Limberg said public works director was the last city position lacking a written job description. Ulrich and councilman Ryan Christensen, who comprise the city hiring committee, will draft a job description and recommend a starting salary to the council. Other news In other business, Long Grove heard no public comments during their annual budget hearing.

Ed White bids Brenda Hamann farewell

Beloved Ed White crossing guard Brenda Nelson Hamann shepherded her last students across 5th Street and LeClaire road Friday. The community poured out to support her with signs, cheers and demands that passing cars honk their horns in celebration. “For over a decade, she has been a constant, caring presence,” the Eldridge Police Department wrote on Facebook. “Rain, snow, or sunshine she was there making sure our children made it safely to and from school each day.”

Eldridge fire department update

By the end of this week, the City of Eldridge should know the path forward chosen by the Eldridge Fire Department. Following a meeting between city officials and members of the fire department on April 8, the EFD representatives shared that their intent was to call a special meeting with department members to share information and discuss next steps. “Ultimately, they would want the membership to vote on whether to continue as an independent organization, with the terms that we presented to them, or turn the fire department over to the city and become a municipal department,” mayor Scott Campbell told the council during Monday’s meeting. The fire department met on April 16, with the members agreeing to meet again last night (Tuesday) to vote. Campbell said representatives from the EFD would contact the city with the results of the vote. “So, we should know this week what their intentions are and what path they’re going to take – whether they will remain independent with the funding structure that we propose, or whether they’re going to turn things over to us. And then that’s going to start a whole other discussion, how we move down the road,” Campbell told the council.

Schneckloth purchased personal items with city funds, judge finds

The fire chief for the City of Eldridge, fired last year from his job as a city mechanic for the misuse of public funds, is not entitled to unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled. State records indicate Keith Schneckloth worked for the City of Eldridge for 11 years, from December 2014 until his firing in December 2025, most recently as a city mechanic who reported to Public Works Director Tony Rupe. In addition, Schneckloth served as the chief of the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Department until his resignation from that post in December 2025. In recent weeks, Schneckloth rejoined the department as its chief, Mayor Scott Campbell said Friday. The state records indicate that on Oct. 10, 2025, city officials received a report from a local body shop regarding the unsafe condition of the tires on a city police car, prompting city officials to review invoices from the auto-parts retailer NAPA. In doing so, they found an $87 invoice for parts purchased for a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe — a vehicle the city did not own. The purchase was coded to a Ford F350 that belongs to the city streets department. The purchase showed up as an expense to the streets department on invoices viewed by the city council.    The Chevy Tahoe was driven daily by Schneckloth and belonged to the fire department, which is a separate entity from the city. After finding that invoice, city officials reviewed all NAPA invoices filed during the previous year. During that review, they allegedly discovered personal purchases that were made with cash and by check and concluded Schneckloth had purchased personal items for himself and others totaling $1,042. Separately, the city found a February 2025 invoice for a specific tractor the city has never owned, with the purchase made and approved by Schneckloth. As part of its review, the city also concluded that the comingling of his personal NAPA account and the city’s NAPA account had allowed Schneckloth to avoid being charged sales tax due to the city’s tax-exempt status. On Nov. 17, 2025, city officials interviewed Schneckloth about the NAPA auto parts invoices. According to the city, Schneckloth explained that he had deliberately purchased the questioned parts but had mistakenly billed those purchases to the city by accidentally selecting the wrong payor from a menu of options. The city said it performed additional investigative work and concluded there was no validity to Schneckloth’s explanation. By that time, the city had already discovered issues with the hours Schneckloth claimed to be working. Schneckloth’s timecard indicated he was working on Oct. 1, 2025, but the city claimed he was at his personal residence during the hours he claimed to be working. On Dec. 10, 2025, the city fired Schneckloth from his job as a city mechanic. Around the same time, Schneckloth also resigned his position as the chief of the fire department, although he has since resumed that position. After his firing, Schneckloth applied for unemployment benefits, which the city challenged, leading to a recent hearing before Administrative Law Judge Brooke Axiotis. “Schneckloth utilized the city NAPA account to purchase items for the city, himself, the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Department and farming — and had been doing so since he was hired as the city mechanic in 2014,” Axiotis stated in her ruling. “Purchasing items for a personal vehicle utilizing city funds is theft from the employer … This misconduct is substantial and disqualifying. Benefits are denied.” Court records indicate no criminal charges were filed in the matter. While Axiotis’ decision references billings that date back 11 years to Schneckloth’s hiring, Campbell said it was his understanding the city may have only looked back at a year’s worth of billings. Campbell added that while the fire department is currently separate from the city, Schneckloth’s continued presence as fire chief could pose an issue at some point given the city’s ongoing discussions about bringing the department under municipal control. “It only presents issues for us if we decide to take over (the department),” Campbell said. “From our standpoint, as a fired city employee he is not a viable candidate to be fire chief.” The Iowa Capital Dispatch was not able to reach Schneckloth for comment. City worker charged in previous theft Schneckloth is not the first Eldridge city worker to be accused of misusing public funds. In 2024, former Eldridge Electric & Water Utility Board member Jacob Rowe was criminally charged with unauthorized use of a credit card, second-degree felony theft, unauthorized computer access to confidential records, tampering with records, and conspiracy to commit an aggravated misdemeanor. According to police records, Rowe was ordered to turn in all city equipment when he was placed on leave in March, but he retained possession and control of utility records and other information. He allegedly modified a document entitled “clothing allowance” and then modified or deleted files from a city-owned computer, disabled various operating systems, deleted email communications on his city-owned email account and deleted work-related text messages. According to police, the unauthorized use of city money included $900 in clothing purchases. Police records state that an internal affairs investigation confirmed Rowe had submitted an expense reimbursement request for a purchase made at Dillard’s from the store’s “pajamas and robes” department. The investigation reportedly confirmed that the purchase was for men’s underwear. The theft charge was tied to two city-owned laptop computers, a separate hard drive and an iPad, all allegedly in Rowe’s possession and worth an estimated $2,800. As part of a plea deal with Scott County prosecutors, all of the charges against Rowe, except for misdemeanor fifth-degree theft charge, were dismissed. After pleading guilty to the theft charge, Rowe was fined $105. Court records show the city had sought $3,115 in restitution from Rowe. The court ultimately ordered Rowe to pay $342 in restitution. Following publication of this story on Iowa Capital Dispatch, Eldridge city administrator Nevada Lemke contacted The NSP with a clarification regarding the invoice for the F350. Lemke’s clarification has been added to this story.

Dixon clerk resigns after troubled tenure

Meghan Ganzer has resigned as city clerk of Dixon following a troubled two-year tenure.  Ganzer submitted her resignation April 8, after she met with the council in closed session for a performance review. Mayor Steve Laughlin said he could not comment on performance concerns discussed in closed session “She chose to resign,” he told The North Scott Press. “It wasn’t forced, that was her choice.” Residents of Dixon called for the city to fire Ganzer in November, after she swore at residents and prematurely left an October council meeting. “If it was another job, she'd be fired on the spot,” one resident said. An independent financial report on Dixon last month raised further concerns. Several transactions lacked receipts and bank reconciliations had not been reviewed by members of the council, auditors found. The council named Amy Flynn interim clerk on April 13. Flynn is a two-time member of Dixon City Council but has no experience as a city clerk, she told The NSP. “I wanted to help out so our city government operations didn’t come to a ground halt,” she said. “I am temporary.” The council set pay for Flynn at the same rate as Ganzer April 15. City Hall did not respond to a follow-up question about that rate.  

Figge hosts North Scott art

Congratulations to the North Scott students whose artwork was selected to represent their elementary school in the 2026 North Scott Young Artists at the Figge Gallery in Davenport! Their work was on display from April 4-12, with a district student artist recognition on Sunday, April 12. Thanks to the hard work, dedication and collaboration of the North Scott artists, NS Elementary Arts Department (Annie Engelmann, Sarah Graham and Elise Ward) and The Figge Gallery curators, North Scott had 80 students' artwork on display! Way to go Lancer Artists! Alan Shepard Ryker Reese, Ashton Thiering, Macara Varner, Jemma Ayers, Allie Johnson, Kaia Gall, Olive Ganzer, Kate Drumm, Reagan Coon, Calvin Ellis, Violet Kieler, Cambry Ewert, Jameson Potter, Ranita Barron, Logan Schade, Emersyn Martinek. Ed White Aeres Buchholz, Evelyn Peppers, Gemma Peters, Carter Chenoweth, Ainsley Smith, Raelynn Moore, Thalia Hollis, Kamdin Thiede, Ellie Bower, Ainsley Henzen, Annie Scott, Maverick Foust, Cole Berryman, Charlie Cobie, Kennedy Arthur. John Glenn Alice White, Maggie Nichols, Kate Burda, Haylee Kraklio, Payton Benthin, Parker Parsons, Oliver Hearn, Veralee Simmons, Brennan Roloff. Neil Armstrong Emily Shaak, Ryan Linnenbrink and Hunter Kruse, Karlie Johnson, Kaden Edge, Emma Barth, James Elmshaeuser, Jamison Wagner, Milo Yager, Alejandro Sagovia, Jace Knisley, Kiersten Shadbolt, Olive Bergmann, Mason Tailey, Aliese Wilson, Taylor Bernal, Adam Clark, Lilly Haynes, Axel Friedrich, Sullivan Moore-Matulis, Beatrix Flack. Virgil Grissom Hayes Phares, Emery Pillerd, Addie Prior, Cael Cater, Jaxsen Kirby, Andrew Stephens, Hailey Carter, Olivia Klavon, Will Engler, Payton Smith, Elijan Kellenberger, Ellie Morthland, Dorthy Rosenberger, Gemma Holst, Saylor Phares, Madison Davies.      

Florida AG launches criminal investigation into ChatGPT over FSU shooting

Florida's attorney general is launching a criminal investigation into the alleged role of ChatGPT in a mass shooting at Florida State University last year.

Illinois, Iowa lawmakers raise concerns over Rock Island Arsenal workforce changes

Lawmakers from Illinois and Iowa are raising concerns about workforce changes at Rock Island Arsenal, citing uncertainty and potential impacts.

Support Big Brothers Big Sisters with Lancer Productions

Each year during the spring musical, Lancer Productions teams up with a community organization for an outreach opportunity. This year, with “The Addams Family,” LP is working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley. Lancer Productions will be offering BOGO tickets for young people and their mentors. “This partnership was exciting for many reasons,” said Leni Grap, volunteer recruitment and engagement coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley. “We are looking forward to connecting further with the North Scott community and the opportunity for our matches and Littles to be connected with the arts. ‘The Addams Family,’ specifically, is all about the importance of family, belonging, and showing up for one another — values that are at the very core of Big Brothers Big Sisters.” BBBS-MV serves Scott and Rock Island counties and works to provide mentorship opportunities for youth. “Our main way to get involved is by becoming a Big in one of our mentor programs. The relationships our Bigs build with their Littles have a lasting impact, from improved confidence to simply having someone to enjoy new experiences with,” said Grap. Mentorship opportunities can be long-term relationships, but individuals and organizations can also sign up for BBBS-MV’s Big for a Day programs, which include having lunch and activities with students at area schools. But there are many other ways BBBS-MV accepts support. The organization is always accepting financial contributions, and during the month of April, it will be working with Alter Metals to host a can drive. Cans and other scrap metal can be dropped off at BBBS-MV’s Davenport location at 3247 E. 35th St. Ct., from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Every dollar raised will be matched by Alter Metal. The organization is also collecting donations for its 14th annual Golf Outing, scheduled for June 22. In addition to financial contributions, BBBS-MV also accepts new and gently used board games and also has an Amazon Wish List for supplies. The annual Plant Sale is also scheduled for May 8-9 in the parking lot of Time Bank, 100 E. Kimberly Road in Davenport. Retail hours are from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. “Our Plant Sale is our longest-running fundraiser; 37 years and going strong! It’s a once-a-year event with a wonderful selection of annual plants,” said Grap. Items for sale include hanging baskets, potted plants, and other individual flowers, such as delphiniums, geraniums, zinnias and marigolds. Grap said the plant sale is also looking for volunteers, and individuals can sign up to help at plantsale.org. BBBS-MV will have a table set up in the lobby of the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium during performances of “The Addams Family” with more information about how individuals and organizations can volunteer. Additional information is also available at bbbs-mv.org. Mentors interested in BOGO tickets may contact Grap directly at mgrap@bbbs-mv.org.          

'Addams' is frightfully delightful

It never ceases to amaze me how Lancer Productions takes my already high expectations and super-exceeds them every single time. So too it is with this year’s production of “The Addams Family.” This was another show that I wasn’t super familiar with when it was announced, so I spent some time with the soundtrack over the summer. I quickly realized it was going to be a fun show, and I knew Lancer Productions already had some great kids coming up for this year. Plus, director Ashley Becher and musical director Bobby Becher have already turned out some crowd pleasers over the last few years. So, I had no reason not to be really excited about this production. It was clear when I was there on April 9 to take promo photos that the show was really going to be a sight to see. Aside from the usual tech week hiccups, the cast was in a good place, and the technical aspects were starting to hum along nicely. Still, seeing it all finally come together on Saturday night was a dazzling experience. This show is gorgeous and incredibly dynamic. Right from the jump, it’s a scenic delight. The set, designed by Josh Tipsword, is dramatic and moody, while still being quite functional. And the paint crew, which included Emma Zrostlik, Haidyn Koberg, Mya Kelsey and Parker Herrington, worked overtime to bring it from the white walls I saw on April 9 to the spooky, kooky finished product. Even the proscenium gets into the act, with its lighted windows adding to the Addams home. Speaking of the lighting, it’s absolutely beautiful, and lighting designer Hannah Nelson and her assistant, Kallen Rohlf, created some delightful effects. Between the lighting and the sound, designed by Kora Thiessen, there’s a lot of cues to keep track of and call, and stage manager Madi Brus and her assistant Alliana Ray, kept this show moving smoothly. Also gorgeous are the makeup and costumes. While LP got an assist from Circa ’21 on some of the costumes and set pieces, costume and wig designer Renae Mohr headed up a student team that included Emma Reif, Eva Wyatt and Charli Conner, as well as Sophia Frahm, Eleanor White, Charlotte Mendenhall, Natalie Yanke and Ally Sosnowski. The students spent hours creating individual makeup designs for the ghostly ancestors and the Addamses, including old age looks for Grandma and the harsh lines for Lurch. How about that cast It’s hard for me to remember an actor with a better senior season than Brayden Serrano, having played three absolutely iconic roles this year. But he was completely born to play Gomez. Brayden elevates every scene he’s in, with unflagging energy, and is devastatingly charismatic. And be sure to have your tissues ready, because he’ll break your heart during “Happy/Sad.” Much of the tension in the show centers on the relationship between mother and daughter, as Morticia chafes at her daughter Wednesday growing up. Charlotte Madden brings Certified Baddie energy to Morticia, while Natalie Sierk’s glorious, huge voice and deadpan mien highlight Wednesday’s struggle to bridge the gap between her family and her boyfriend, Lucas. Grady Kirst is also perfectly charming as the kooky Uncle Fester. The voice work is spot on, and he makes a lot of great character choices that give Fester depth, rather than just strictly being silly. He also gets a solo that’s just lovely, during “The Moon and Me.” The Addams family is rounded out by Pugsley and Grandma. As the youngest Addams, Bella Suarez gives a performance that is by turns devious, heart-rending and tremendously funny. Pugsley, you see, has a hard time accepting that his sister is growing up and might not have time for him anymore now that she has a boyfriend. Meanwhile, Grandma, played by Emily Stutting, is a kooky cougar, on the prowl for some 90-year-old hotties. Grandma is a bit of a firecracker, even if she is 102. Making his Lancer Productions debut as Lurch is sophomore Alexander Simmons. Lurch is mostly a man of few words, so Simmons relies on a lot of physicality with this role. He’s also quite protective of the family, and his introduction to Wednesday’s boyfriend’s family is very funny.  Jack McCarthy is sweet and earnest as said boyfriend, Lucas. He drags his parents along to dinner. Ben Lightle and Taylar Vondal play his repressed parents – Alice speaks in rhyme when she gets nervous (frequently, as it turns out), and Mal is a stick in the mud. They’ve also got some secrets, which tumble out during an awkward dinner. But who needs marital counseling when you’ve got Uncle Fester? All in all, “The Addams Family” is just delightful, with some terrific dancing and toe-tapping songs to boot. And it’s a joyous exploration of what it means to be a family, whether by blood or by choice. Three chances remain, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. On Sunday, we’ll also be handing out the Tom Goodall Fine Arts Awards. Tickets are selling fast, so get them in advance at tix.nshslp.com. Happy/Sad While the spring musical is an opportunity to welcome new faces to Lancer Productions, it also marks the end for LP’s seniors. And though it’s been a privilege to watch those students grow over the last four years, you always kind of want to put them in your pocket and keep them forever. I talked to two seniors, Brayden Serrano and Charlotte Madden, and asked what this program has meant to them over the last four years. I distinctly remember both of their first performances as freshmen. Charlotte played The Fish in the Children’s Theatre production of “The Cat in the Hat.” Brayden made his debut as part of the on-stage crew in “The Play That Goes Wrong.” Even though he had no lines, I can still see his eyes wide with shock as the whole set came tumbling down. “Honestly, being in LP has meant a lot,” said Brayden. “I’ve always wanted to do theatre, and finally being on stage, let alone shining in a show, is something that I always wanted as a kid. It’s been amazing. “I’ve grown up with Charlotte through this program, so us being the two parents is like us passing it on to, I guess, our children here. It’s done a lot for me, and obviously there’s still more to come for them. I’m really happy with where I’m leaving off.” As for Charlotte, this program has always been special to her for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that her brother, SJ, was a much-loved member of the LP family. Charlotte’s very first role with Lancer Productions was in the Guppy Chorus of “The Little Mermaid,” and SJ played Flounder. SJ passed away in a car accident in 2018, during the Children’s Theatre run of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” but his memory has lived on through the program. “This program has just meant a lot to me and my family,” said Charlotte. “Just seeing my brother on stage, and now I’m where he was. And just being able to do what he never got to finish has just been such a big thing for me.” Brayden and Charlotte are both off to Iowa next year, but I hope to see them, as we’ve seen so many alumni these past few years, come back to support the next generation of Lancer Productions. And should you happen to catch me wiping away a tear or two during the second act this weekend, just remember, I’m happy, completely happy. And a tiny bit sad. 

Bush, May 5

An iconic group of chart-topping, multi-platinum-selling musicians whose 2026 album I Beat Loneliness was hailed by the Daily Express for its "forceful blend" of melancholy lyrical content and "explosive" choruses, the English rockers of Bush bring their "The Land of Milk and Honey" tour to Moline's Vibrant Arena at the MARK, the May 5 concert event by the band's founder, lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist Gavin Rossdale.

Nothing prepared me for midwestern storms

Nothing in a childhood on the east coast can prepare you for a midwestern storm erupting out of a clear day. So much of Iowa is laid flat and so little of it built up that every storm is entirely in view, yet impossible to wrestle into your field of vision. Storms where I grew up in New England set off in August and campaign through the winter, but they are gone by April. They begin with a gray morning and gather force over a gray afternoon. You can see just a window of sky, framed by hills and rooftops and a spare oak canopy. Here it is completely different. You wait under a pleasant spring day, the leaves restless, for an indigo curtain to close on the afternoon. On Friday, as the first storms emerged in the sky west of Eldridge, I had the sense that I could see the future marshalling up before me. If our days tend to trail lazily into one another, storms here mark the hour and the day. Nothing brings me into an awareness of time like their approach. You native Midwesterners have a cool distance towards spring storms, the result of abundance experience and disappointments. Scouting town on Friday, I saw life as normal: Frank King with the door to his garage open, plows in the acreage west of 1st Street. I could hardly sit still at my desk, because I have only recently attempted life as normal under the threat of an evening tornado. The prairie wore my anxieties out of you generations ago. My girlfriend was unbothered by the week I spent staring into the sky. She told me that a tornado once blew a trampoline into the backyard of her Minneapolis home, which is unthinkable. Storms make up the background pattern of her life. It occurred to me that when we try to explain the force of American regionalism—that mysterious thing which has kept me from encountering virtually any east coasters in ten months in the Quad Cities—we do not adequately account for the patterns of the weather. It has taken me all four seasons to realize just how often unfamiliar weather is like a pothole I stumble through early in the morning, which keeps me off balance for the rest of the day. Sometimes in Iowa I feel like I am out to sea: the place spare and flat and unfamiliar, now the tempest thundering in. In the first scene of Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, the boatswain of a ship urges his passengers belowdecks. “Make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance / of the hour, if it so hap,” he urges. The noble counselor Gonzalo searches for reassurance. “I have great comfort in this fellow,” he says. “Methinks / he hath no drowning mark upon him.” A drowning mark—what could that be? Even honest men invent the signs of their own salvation. No one can live with the fact of their powerlessness. Because I have no personal history of tornadoes and thunderstorms, I have found myself searching for marks and signs that the future cannot bring any harm. The modern world has obliged me with radar, and social media has supplied a regress of colorful stop-motion maps and accompanying technobabble. In the past few weeks, I have learned about drylines, cold fronts, dew points, advection, convection, helicity, humidity, and their assembly in all manner of parameters and composites. Of course, there is no understanding all of this—not for a layman like me, and marginally more so for the experts themselves. Time spent looking at forecasts is time spent savoring in their inadequacy. You cannot conciliate chance, and every attempt is a reminder of that fact. I learned last week that the rough clouds beneath a thunderstorm are called whale’s mouth clouds. I thought about Jonah swallowed by the whale. Storms always set me thinking about God. Jonah is a simple case: struck by the storm and swallowed by the whale for his disobedience to God. But God elsewhere the Old Testament, the real God in the storm, is jealous and capricious, an embodiment of chance. He holds out no promise of salvation—no promise of anything, he tells Jonah after sparing the Ninevites. Peace with God is acceptance without reward, comfort without signs.  In the end, Friday brought nothing but rain and warnings to Scott County. On Saturday evening I cleansed my phone, deleting X, formerly Twitter, the social media app which had become flooded with meteorological signs. Already they had begun to forecast next week’s storm, parsing daily reports from the federal Storm Prediction Center, running high-resolution rapid refresh radar models through the coming mornings and afternoons. There is no need to be brought every day into a weary awareness that trouble awaits: that is a fact best taken for obvious. And we cannot hope, or even pray, for a sign in the radar that fate will swing around us. Just when we believe such a thing, the storm will remind us we are fools.     

2001: NS grad named U.S. Trade Ambassador by Bush

April 21, 1976 • The Eldridge Jaycees and the Eldridge Bicentennial Committee, in cooperation with officials from the North Scott School District, were planning a large-scale tree planting project at North Scott Junior High. Community members were invited to purchase a tree to be planted near the school, which would serve as a “living memorial” to the bicentennial, “for the enjoyment of future generations.” Organizers hoped to plant 60-100 trees. • The North Scott community was stunned as three high school students were killed in a car accident near West Liberty. Randy Appleby, 15, of Davenport, James Steiger, 16, of Dixon, and Kenneth Fausey, 18, of Dixon, died when the car they were riding in crashed into the rear of an oil transport truck on Interstate 80. The boys had been returning home from Iowa City.  • Caterpillar officially unveiled plans for an addition to its Mount Joy Plant. This would include a 585,000 square foot manufacturing building and a 212,000 square foot shipping and receiving building, as well as an expansion of the office area. “The expansion of the Davenport plant reflects Caterpillar’s confidence in the people who make up our workforce here, as well as confidence in the entire community,” said plant manager Walter Dunbar. • Princeton city officials announced plans to dedicate a riverfront park in honor of James R. Clemons, who had lived in the town for 24 years and served as a Boy Scout leader prior to his death in 1971. The request was made by Boy Scout Troop No. 30. Clemons was associating with Scouting for 27 years, and in 1948, became a Life Scout with 14 merit badges. He received the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor for adult volunteers, the Silver Beaver Award, in 1970. • The North Scott boys’ track team won the Pleasant Valley Spartan Relays for the second year in a row. The team won seven of 15 events, including three relays. Keith Jansen set a new school record in the discus, with a throw of 151’8. However, that was only good enough for second place at this meet, with Steve Schaaf of Camanche hurling the discus 160’11”, the second best in the state so far that season. Meanwhile, meet records were set by Randy Lage in the pole vault, with a leap of 12’; Gregg Strobbe in the mile run, at 4:45.0; the mile medley ream of Dan Glunz, Jon Griggs, Randy Lage and Rick Engler, at 3:51.4; and Brian Carter, Mitch Glunz, Chuck Mohr and LaVerne Keeny in the 480 low hurdle shuttle, in 58.0. April 23, 1986 • The North Scott School District and its insurer, Employers Mutual Casualty Company, were being sued by a Long Grove family. Their son was injured after he fell into the open orchestra pit in the high school auditorium in June of 1985. The family further said that the insurance company “intentionally misled” them about the statute of limitations on receiving a settlement. The suit did not specify an amount for putative damages, and superintendent Doug Otto said attorneys for the insurance company would decide whether there would be a settlement or if the case would go to court. • Barb Geerts joined the staff of The North Scott Press. A native of Moline, she graduated from Black Hawk College and Northern Illinois University. She had been previously employed by The Quad-City Times and the Moline/East Moline News. • Brenda Schaeffer of rural Davenport was chosen by the Walcott American Legion Auxiliary to attend Girls State, while Lisa Hinshaw of Blue Grass was chosen by the Blue Grass American Legion Auxiliary. Kristine Knutsen of Walcott was named an alternate. • Mr. and Mrs. Harland Rohlk of Donahue planned to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception at Don’s Pub. Pearl Karstens and Mr. Rohlk were married May 6, 1936, in Davenport, and they were the parents of three daughters. • The North Scott boys’ golf team was off to a 3-0 start. They defeated Davenport North and Davenport Central in dual meets and then won the West Liberty Invitational, where Tim Albers was the meet medalist. Other members of the varsity team included Clay DeCock, Joe Meyer, Tim Schneckloth and John Franklin. They were coached by John McQuary. April 25, 2001 • As the North Scott School Board continued to narrow its superintendent search, it also hired John Netwal of Park View as the district’s new operations manager, to replace the retiring Dean Bassett. Netwal was the former superintendent of TPC Deere Run Golf Course. Meanwhile, the board also accepted the resignations of varsity girls’ basketball coach Dan O’Flahrity and teacher and coach Rusty VanWetzinga, who planned to return to his high school alma mater, Pleasant Valley. • Long Grove native Allen Johnson was nominated by the Bush administration to serve as the chief agricultural negotiator for the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. A 1978 North Scott graduate, he had held a series of national agriculture posts and was currently serving as president and CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association. His appointment was praised by Sen. Charles Grassley. “With Al’s appointment, farmers can know they have a real friend in the USTR,” Grassley said. • Sara Berger was crowned Scott County Sheep Queen, while Amanda Berger was named Sheep Princess. They were the daughters of Jim and Carol Berger of Walcott. • Lancer Productions presented “Really Rosie” as its Children’s Theatre show. Cast members included Megan Jepsen, Dustin Saldivar, John Abdul-Masih, Tony Tandeski, Chris Estes, Cori Bell, Karen Meyer, Danae Reyman, Kerry Wilson, Sarah Hayungs, Chris Olsen, Nick Mixdorf, Eric Percuoco, Ian Klink and Jack Kloppenborg. • The North Scott girls’ golf team defeated Pleasant Valley, 186-204, at Glynns Creek Golf Course. Lauren Cole carded a 41. Other team members included Emily Darland, Stephanie Beert, Kate Yorde, Kelly Brownson, Rachel Regan, Chelsea Bleymeyer and Kourtney Flenker. April 27, 2011 • Nearly 130 people showed up for an update on Lost Grove Lake at the Bettendorf Fire Station, hosted by Partners of Scott County Watersheds and the Scott County Soil & Water Conservation District. As water began to flow into the lake, bids for shoreline protection and access and fish habitat sites were scheduled to be opened in May. The dam was expected to be completed by November. The lake process began in 1987, and construction of the dam started in July of 2010. “I think you’ll find it exceptional,” said Chad Dolan, a fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “It’s going to be a pretty magnificent lake, something you may have never seen before.” • Jay Menke (Class of 1997 – basketball), Ryan Arnold (Class of 2000 – football and basketball), Karen Olson (Class of 1994 – girls’ tennis) and NSP editor Scott Campbell were chosen for induction into the North Scott Hall of Fame. • Dan Collins was named the new director at Grand Haven Retirement Community, replacing Joni Fahrenkrog, who had been director since the facility opened in 2006.Collins said he’d had a passion for working with the elderly since his days working as a junior volunteer at Mercy Hospital in Clinton as a teenager. He had been employed by Grand Haven for the last three years as assistant manager and marketing director, and later as manager. • While North Scott’s athletic director, Frank Wood, offered to postpone a girls’ soccer match against Davenport West due to the weather, coach Dion Ayers said no thanks. “What sport plays in 20 mph winds, driving rain and temps in the upper 20s? That would be the North Scott Lady Lancer soccer team,” said Ayers. “The early season weather has not been a joy to play in, but watching these young ladies certainly has been. The team, which was ranked third in the state, upped its record to 5-1 with a 5-0 win over the Falcons. Shalynn Eldredge-McMillan scored a pair of those goals, with Abbie Cahill, Chelsey Blake and Sarah Schwarz contributing the rest. • North Scott’s only four-time state semifinalist, Adam Perrin, signed a national letter of intent to continue his wrestling career at the University of Northern Iowa. “I wanted to go to a Division I program,” said Perrin. “Northern Illinois was the first to contact me, but I was pretty excited when Coach Schwab called. UNI was pretty much No. 1 since that day.” April 21, 2021 • Twenty North Scott students were participating in a brand-new program offered at the high school through Eastern Iowa Community College. These students were studying to become certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and after 75 hours of classroom time, many planned to take the CNA exam over the summer. If they passed, the would be able to work in hospitals, medical offices, and assisted living and long-term care facilities. While some students already knew they wanted to work in the medical field, others were just testing the waters and learning new skills. “I was totally surprised by the number of students who wanted to do this,” said principal Shane Knoche. “It blew my mind. We actually had 22 students interested, but two of them were sophomores, and they’ll take it in the future. This semester we have 18 seniors and two juniors taking the course.” • Following a 5-2 “no” vote by the Eldridge Planning & Zoning Commission, the North Scott School District withdrew a request to rezone property just south of the junior high as single-family residential for five new student-built home lots. More than 300 residents signed a petition against the rezoning proposal. Many said the area was needed for youth activities, including soccer, and worried that Fifth Street traffic was already too heavy to handle five new residences. Others said more homes would block pedestrian access to the junior high athletic fields. • Princeton held a “dog scamper,” with proceeds benefitting Princeton Recreational Trails. The dogs and their owners followed a two-mile trail along the riverfront, and the event raised $1,500. Meanwhile, committee member Terri Applegate said she was exploring pricing to fence off a portion of Woomert Park for use as a dog park. • Grace Graham qualified for four events at the Drake Relays, including the high jump, 100 hurdles, shuttle hurdle relay and 4x100. Also on the shuttle hurdle unit were Alyssa Atzen, Sydney Skarich and Kaci Johnson, and the 4x included Madison Ahrens, Savanna Bruck and Athena Nelson. Nelson was also set to compete in the open 100, with Skarich joining Graham in the high jump. On the boys’ side, Will Kruse qualified in the 100 high hurdles, with Owen West in the open 800. The 4x100 team of Darnell Butler, Hunter Davenport, Dane Treiber and Miles Robertson also made the grade. And Sam Skarich was set to compete in the high jump. • Scott Madden of Park View, who operated his Pioneer Seed agency in Long Grove, was named the Iowa Certified Crop Adviser of the Year at the Agribusiness Association of Iowa Showcase and Conference. “It is a great honor to be nominated, let alone win an award like this,” said Madden. “I didn’t even know I was nominated, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got the phone call that I won. There are a lot of great CCAs in Iowa, so it truly is a great honor.”   

The Black Dahlia Murder, May 1

Touring in support of their most recent studio album Servitude, which TheRazorsEdge.rocks deemed "a conveyor belt of unbridled badassery," the death-metal artists of The Black Dahlia Murder headline a May 1 concert event at Davenport's Capitol Theatre, Yardbarker's Jeff Mezyido having included the band in 2025's list of "the greatest metal acts that formed in the 2000s."

Our finest hour?

Full and fair disclosure. I lost my wife of 40-plus years to breast cancer on Christmas 2021. She was a nurse, educator, mother and grandmother and my best friend.  So, yes, when it comes to cancer, I’ve got strong feelings.  But I’m not alone.  There are far too many Iowa families suffering such devastating loss.  But what really saddens me is knowing so many of the seats around Iowa family dinner tables shouldn’t be empty today. You know, we’ve heard it all before. Iowa suffers the second highest cancer rate in the nation. And, while cancer rates nationally are declining, Iowa's are increasing, sharply. But why? Science confirms that common cancers—breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and skin melanoma—are associated with environmental risk factors, such as pesticides, nitrates, PFAS and radon.  Quick review. We know that Iowa has one of the highest pesticide application rates in the nation.  Research tells us that pesticides, including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and rodenticides, remain active in the environment for decades. And, we know that nitrate loads have grown dramatically in Iowa’s water, increasing the risk of colorectal, ovarian, bladder, thyroid and prostate cancers. We also know the connection between radon and lung cancer. And due to its unique geology, Iowans suffer from the highest indoor radon levels in the U.S. We also have compelling evidence that links PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals,” to kidney, testicular, prostate and ovarian cancers and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. And, sadly, PFAS have been detected in 94% of Iowa’s surface waters. Bottom line, we’ve researched, measured, counted, weighed, dissected, analyzed and studied the ties between environmental degradation and growing cancer rates enough. We just haven’t done enough about it. It’s time we sharpen our focus and take a lesson from business. First, let’s set a goal. What if we dedicate ourselves to reverse the current rate of cancer growth by 2040. Then, resolve to match the declining national rates by 2050 and exceed them by 2060.  Ambitious? You bet. But whatever goal we choose, commit. What better legacy to leave our grandchildren? Think of this as our Operation Warp Speed.  Then let’s align our fiscal policy with our public health priority and create a leadership structure to oversee a strategy and stand accountable for success. Let’s create the state with the lowest cancer risk in the nation. By the way, it’s not a three-month project.  We’ll need the state’s legislature’s on-going engagement, supervision and “interim” session attention. We’ve got to be done with vague, campaign-season promises to “Fight Cancer!”  How? When? Where? We then need to segment the population and devise multi-layered plans. Let’s focus on those at-risk, involuntarily.  For instance, we can increase water quality monitoring and reduce nitrate loads. We can identify and remediate radon exposure. We know how. Next, let’s encourage behaviors that reduce voluntary exposures, such as school-based education, increased tobacco taxes, eliminating PFAS-based food packaging and bags. We also need to address the need of early screening and diagnosis in order to mitigate the harm from past exposure. Ensure mandatory insurance coverage for routine mammography, chest X-rays, prostate-specific antigen check-ups and other tests that can prevent an inconvenience developing into a terminal diagnosis. And, finally, we need to make 21st-century cancer-fighting innovation, such as “next generation sequencing” and other individual DNA-based treatments more accessible and more affordable to those facing advanced cancer progression. Sound expensive?  Disruptive?  No doubt. Vision usually is. But, so is the meaningless loss of life we tolerate now.  The choice is clear. We can live with the problem or say: “enough.” Maybe this will be our finest hour?   

Lorna Shore, May 2

Touring in support of their September release I Feel the Everblaxk Festering Within Me, a Billboard-charting hit that made the top five in Germany, the deathcore musicians of Lorna Shore headline a May 2 concert event at East Moline venue The Rust Belt, the group composed of lead guitarist Adam De Micco, drummer Austin Archey, rhythm guitarist Andrew O'Connor, vocalist Will Ramos, and bassist Michael Yager.

House Republicans support EMS funding and tax credit

House Republicans spearheaded the effort to create the EMS levy to ensure dedicated emergency medical services funding.  When an Iowan calls 911—they should feel confident a prompt response is coming and House Republicans are ensuring that. This week a pair of EMS bills passed the House Ways and Means Committee in support of that goal.  Currently, 21 counties have a county-wide, voter-approved EMS levy. House File 92 relates to that levy found in Iowa Code 422D. The bill stops TIF districts from swiping the increment on the EMS levies and spending it however they want. Although it seems obvious the money was specifically for EMS funding because the money was voted on by the residents of the county specifically for EMS funding, that hasn’t always been the case.  TIF related development project were never meant to receive that money and any other interpretation is misleading and dishonest. The bill applies to property taxes due and payable in fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026.  Another bill that passed the House Ways and Means Committee this week is House File 2280. Currently, an emergency medical services member who is certified as a first responder under Code chapter 147A may claim an individual income tax credit for services performed in the amount of $250. House File 2280 modifies the credit to also allow EMS personnel to claim the tax credit if they are a volunteer ambulance driver. House Republicans will continue to recognize the local responders who donate their time and talents for the safety of their community. This tax credit is just a small token for the sacrifice they make. The bill applies retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Both EMS bills are now available for full consideration by the House. 

Volunteers needed for hospice care

Even at the end of life, there can be a lot of living to do. Hospice volunteers help patients and families create meaningful moments and lasting memories. Right here in our community, trained volunteers work with Compassus hospice patients and families, giving selflessly to help people live as fully as possible at the end of life. In times of crisis, volunteers are even more integral to the health and safety of vulnerable patients. Our volunteers are lending their time in different ways: reading, reminiscing and spending time with the patients and loved ones we serve. Through every face-to-face interaction, the support of Compassus volunteers is unwavering. Our community is a better, more compassionate place because of their service. Across the U.S., more than 420,000 hospice volunteers give more than 19 million hours of service every year. Hospice volunteers are an indispensable part of the care team, bringing companionship to people in the final months and weeks of life, providing respite to families and caregivers and supporting the administrative responsibilities of hospice programs. April is National Volunteer Month, and every single volunteer deserves our appreciation and grateful acknowledgement. I encourage anyone who may be interested in becoming a hospice volunteer to contact Compassus-Iowa Volunteer Coordinator Jill Venden at 928-899-8546 or Jill.Venden@Compassus.com. You may also visit https://www.compassus.com/volunteers/volunteers/ to learn more. Hospice volunteer opportunities are endless, and all hospice volunteers receive free training. Whether volunteering a few hours a month or six hours a week, all efforts are appreciated and needed.   Jill Venden Volunteer Coordinator Compassus Hospice

Iowans have the right to clean air and water

As the scientific evidence predicted, climate change is being seen throughout our planet. There are record high temperatures causing droughts, flooding, wildfires, intense tornadoes, and stronger hurricanes. For decades, the coal, oil, and natural gas industries have persisted in their propaganda campaign to mislead the people, even as the costs resulting from the above weather events totals into the billions of dollars, and insurance companies raise there premiums or leave areas that are vulnerable to unsustainable monetary risks. It is time to stand up to the polluters and those who gain politically and monetarily from continued fossil fuel usage. Iowa shouldn’t be struggling with unacceptable water quality. Iowa shouldn’t have high rates of cancer. Iowa shouldn’t be the major contributor to the dead zone at the end of the Mississippi River. Utility companies shouldn’t further pollute the environment by building natural gas power plants. Utility companies shouldn’t still be generating electrical power using coal. Utility companies have known what would happen if Iowa didn’t keep investing in renewable energy. Legislators, and the people, have failed to support them. Big agriculture interests have known their business practices were not viable, and that they have needed to make environmentally responsible changes that would have minimal impact on their profits. Elected officials have failed to hold them accountable. Iowans have the right to clean air and water. They have the right to demand this from their leaders. Please vote for candidates in November who prioritize our environment and our health.   Ida Weibel Long Grove

Dramatic time drops help Lancers qualify for six events at Drake Relays

For an April track and field meet, last Thursday’s Assumption Last Chance Qualifier is as good as it gets. 10 individual personal records. Four relay season-bests. Three Drake Blue Standards. Two school records. One team title victory. “You hope for that in one season, not in one meet,” Lancer coach Troy Matthaidess said. From the very first events, the Lancers knew this was going to be a great night. By the end of the evening, North Scott amassed 124 team points in one of its best regular-season meets in recent memory. Right at 5 p.m., when juniors Olivia Graham, Micayla Ramirez, Sophi Schneckloth and sophomore Emmalia Ranson rebroke the school record in the sprint medley relay, the Lancers were off to the races. “I would say that event in particular propelled our whole night,” Matthaidess said. The relay got under the Blue Standard time, and the school record now sits at 1:48.11. “I think the girls were nervous before that event. When they went out there and did that, it was a collective sigh of relief. The floodgates just opened up.” That Lancer quartet dropped nearly two full seconds from the 1:49.80 mark they set on this same track exactly a week before. The Lancers altered their race strategy a bit, changing steps for some runners inside the exchange zones to give Ramirez more time with the baton. It worked — and Ramirez went on to have an all-time night. Not long after the sprint medley, she would crush the 100-meter dash, running a personal-best 12.13 seconds, tying the school record, and winning the actual race by 0.65 seconds. “I was so amazed,” Ramirez said. “I was thinking, ‘It’s me and the clock. That’s it. Nobody else.’ I just needed to get through the finish line and go as fast as I could. “I never thought I’d run that fast. I am so thankful for God and everything else that is going on in my life.” Ramirez had been stuck at 12.37 seconds for multiple races, and she would achieve the Blue Standard by more than two-tenths of a second. Her time of 12.13 seconds is now the second-fastest in the state this season. “She wanted the Blue Standard badly,” Matthaidess said. “I didn’t have her in the 100 in this meet. She came up to me and asked to be put in the 100. I said sure. “When the heat sheets came out, she’s been battling (Tatum) Miller from Bettendorf at most of these meets. Miller wasn’t in there. I said, ‘You’re going to have a good chance to win.’ Then she runs it, and holy smokes. It was super neat. Her reaction, and to see all of her teammates, was really amazing.” Later in the night, Ramirez teamed up with Graham, Ranson and junior Kamilah Eller to set a Blue Standard time in the 4x100-meter relay at 49.62 seconds. They won the race at Assumption by 0.13 seconds. Ramirez, Graham, Ranson and freshman Kaylee Ervin missed the Blue Standard time in the 4x200, but running a 1:44.98 was still good to get them to Drake this week as the 20th fastest relay in the state. The Lancer girls will represent in six events at the Drake Relays. Junior Alyssa Schroeder secured her spot in the high jump back on March 26, but she will be accompanied by junior Natalie Nwatchock, whose 5-foot-5-inch jump from April 11 is tied for ninth in the state. Schroeder and Nwatchock tied for first at Thursday’s meet as both got over the 5-foot-4-inch bar. Lastly, senior Adalynn Johnson has surged up the leaderboard in the shot put and set another career mark on Thursday. Her throw of 39 feet 5.25 inches won her the event at Assumption and snuck her into the Drake Relays field as the last thrower in. In total, nine different Lancers will run at Drake with six of them having a hand in a Blue Standard. It’s the most North Scott is sending to Drake since 2021, when they also sent nine. “I was trying to think back to the COVID year,” Matthaidess began. “In terms of Blue Standard, I think Jorie Hanenberg hit it her senior year (in the shot put). I was talking to the other coaches, and I think we have not had a single Blue Standard since. To have four of them is awesome.” It takes more than six events to win a track and field meet, and there were plenty more performances to celebrate from last week. Ervin and Ranson translated their relay success to the long jump runway, taking first and second place with jumps of 16 feet 10.25 inches and 15 feet 10.75 inches, respectively. The distance medley relay crew of Eller, Nwatchock, junior Kendall Behm and freshman Vivian Ohsann won the event at 4:31.51. North Scott’s hurdlers also ran well. Schroeder set a PR in the open 100 at 15.75 seconds, placing third. She joined with senior Addison Allen, Ervin and Schneckloth to take the runner-up position in the shuttle relay at 1:07.54. Additionally, sophomore Alexis McCloy set a PR in the discus at 103 feet 11 inches, placing fifth. She also scored points in the shot put, placing seventh. “One of the messages we shared afterwards is that it’s neat this year to see everybody excited for each other,” Matthaidess said. “It’s not about one person or this and that. It’s neat to see people excel and being so happy for everyone. “We get a few coed meets each year. Thursday was one of them. We watched the boys and they had a bunch of PRs. It’s a neat thing for the boys and girls to show up to a meet, compete their tails off and cheer each other on. It’s a culture that we’ve tried to create, both (Coach) Joe (Greenwood) and I.” North Scott will compete on all three days of the Drake Relays this week, which starts on Thursday and ends on Saturday. Despite having a larger number of qualifiers, the approach won’t change. The Drake Relays is a highlight of the Lancers’ season, but it should not be the highlight. “We’ll treat this like a normal week,” Matthaidess said. “Qualifying for Drake is a great honor and something that’s very hard to do. It’s right in the middle of our season. If this is the peak, quite honestly, I’ll be disappointed. We’re going to continue training like we will. At the same time, our season isn’t over yet. We have a lot more that we want to accomplish.”

ZG Smith, May 4

Touring in support of new songs and his 2023 EP Nighttime Animal that NashvilleSCENE said "moves at a groovy, unhurried pace, giving it a kind of trippy, tropical-island vibe," singer/songwriter ZG Smith headlines a May 4 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, Under the Radar adding that the EP's "warm guitar lines, subdued percussion, and dreamy vocals give it an alluring and effortless sheen."

Adoptable pet: Meet Tequila

Sanders said Tequila enjoys a fenced in yard and may pair well with another small dog.

Ridgewood and Bureau Valley softball programs come together to strikeout cancer

The Ridgewood softball program held its’ 9th annual strikeout cancer event to raise money and awareness.

Mercado on Fifth launches public input survey ahead of 10th anniversary

Mercado on Fifth is asking for public input through a survey as it begins planning for its next decade serving the Quad Cities community.

Fast times at Assumption High

North Scott’s boys’ track team has been waiting for a breakout moment. Thursday’s meet provided just that. With a third-place finish out of 12 schools at the Assumption Last Chance Qualifier, a true collective effort led to lots of team points. Perfect running conditions helped the Lancers shine bright. The team won four events and were top three in five others. “Finally, with the weather, that allowed us to do what we wanted to do,” Lancer coach Joe Greenwood said. “Just before we got off the bus, I told everybody we’ve been waiting for this weather. It was a perfect night. Don’t waste the opportunity. They did not. We had a really good night.” North Scott scored 106 team points, only behind Central DeWitt (121) and Bettendorf (114) on the leaderboard. It beat out Solon (98) and Davenport Central (96) to place as the third team. The meet was bookended by two excellent relay races. First out of the gates, with a win in the sprint medley, were junior Dylan Kelsey, sophomore Evan Kuhn, and seniors Sam Dickman and Nolan Reese. “They were a tenth of a second away from our school record,” Greenwood said, referencing their 1:35.79 time, which won the race by exactly two seconds. “That got us off to a good start. I was really happy with them getting the baton around and running so well. That was a bright spot.” Then, at the end of the night, the 4x100-meter relay team of Kelsey, Kuhn, Dickman and junior Ryan Block secured their spot at the Drake Relays with a 43.39-second race. It earned them a runner-up placement at the Assumption meet. Any concerns with this race from the beginning of the season have been put to rest, as this crew has nearly matched the team’s fastest 4x100-meter time from last season. “They’ve put it together. It’s good for them to see that and know what they’re capable of,” Greenwood said. “I truly feel we have a lot of room to improve on that. Our handoffs are OK. I know they can be better. I feel we are just scratching the surface.” These four will run at Drake Stadium on Saturday at approximately 10:30 a.m. Dickman and Block ran this race at Drake last year and helped the team place 35th. This year, North Scott enters with the 47th fastest time. “It’s going to be a normal week for us. I don’t want to overemphasize Drake,” Greenwood said. “It’s so much more important to get training in. In years past, if I felt like we had a chance to make finals, I might have altered their week. Being realistic about where we’re seeded, we’re totally focusing on May. “We’re going to treat Monday through Wednesday the same and train hard. On Thursday, we’ll make sure to get some handoff work in. I want to start thinking about Drake on Thursday. I got four agreements on that. We are going to do our best, and I expect them to run well.” These runners still got after it in a number of other events Thursday night. Dickman once again set a personal record in the 200-meter dash, winning the race in 22.68 seconds. Block placed fifth in the 110-meter hurdles at 15.43 seconds. Kuhn ran with a brand-new shuttle crew of himself, sophomore Brendin Bohannon, sophomore Landon Leppert and senior Gabe Skyles. They placed second at 1:05.11. “We didn’t run Ryan or Nolan (Reese), but we ran some of our next guys and gave them an opportunity. I think every single one of them ran a significant PR (split),” Greenwood said. “We’ll have some options coming up for the later part of the season.” The perfect weather did not apply to the shot put and discus with those athletes having to throw into a lake. That did not stop senior Behren Radech and junior Trey Feist from sweeping the competitions. Feist unleashed a PR in the shot put at 51 feet 10 inches, while Radech won the discus at 139 feet 1 inch. Radech also placed fourth in the shot put with a chuck of 45 feet 3 inches. “Nobody made excuses (about the conditions). Everybody competed,” Greenwood said. “For Trey to set a PR there, in those conditions, is incredible. Those guys work hard every day and I’m excited when we get to see it pay off.” North Scott’s distance runners also had their best meet of the season. Across the board, from the 4x800-meter relay, the open 800 and 1600, and the distance medley relay, Greenwood said they made the biggest improvements of any crew on Thursday. “I felt like they broke out, and nobody was more excited than Coach (Josh) Pestka,” Greenwood said. “We haven’t had anybody break 2:10 in the 800 all year. Ben (Clayton) and Nate (Holst) crushed it in the 800. The 1600, kind of the same thing. Nobody broke 4:50, and we had two of them from Parker (Hamly) and Carter (Unwin). Our 4x800 ran well. It was a really good night for our distance crew for sure.” That 4x800-meter relay team had the best finish of any Lancer distance event. Freshman Miles Unwin, freshman Bryton Dougherty, senior Henry Rieck and sophomore Trevor Matthaidess placed third with a time of 9:03.76. North Scott is also making great strides at the 400-meter distance. Reese continues to excel in the 400-meter hurdles, placing third at 56.94 seconds. In the open 400, senior Koen Krambeck hit a PR at 54.11 seconds, also good for third place. The 4x400 team of junior Kade Kelly, Clayton, Holst and sophomore Dillon Hager ran a 3:40.99 race, which is the school’s fastest 4x400 time in nearly three years. Add in senior Renan Lewison, who ran a career-best 400-meter split in the distance medley relay, and there is a lot to like in the middle-distance area. “I’m really excited for that group. It’s been a while since we’ve had depth at that position,” Greenwood said. “Getting ourselves in position to end the season well and with a couple weeks of training we have coming up, that’s the crew we’ll see it the most from. We don’t get a lot of dedicated 400 training, but they are going to get it. They are ready to make a huge improvement.” After the Drake Relays, North Scott will implement this training block as the team will not run again until the postseason. The Lancers’ next meet is the Mississippi Athletic Conference championships on May 7 at Brady Street Stadium.

Tony Danza brings 'Standards & Stories' to Dixon

Actor, performer, author, tap dancer, ukulele player and singer Tony Danza is performing his live show, “Standards & Stories” at the Dixon Theatre, 114 S. Galena Avenue in Dixon. His show combines classics, stories, tap dancing and songs on the ukelele. Danza spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to preview his upcoming show. [...]

Obituary: Pamela Williams

Pamela Sue Williams, 77, of Eldridge, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf. A graveside service will be held at the Rock Island National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 24.  Those wishing to attend her service should meet at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf by 10:30 a.m. Friday for a procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf. Pamela Brooks was born on May 19, 1948, in Davenport, the daughter of Wayne and Janice (Anderson) Brooks. On May 10, 1969, she married the love of her life, David F. Williams, in Davenport. He preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 2025. Together they shared over 56 years of marriage filled with love, devotion, and cherished memories. She worked as a Registered Nurse for ORA for 30 years, retiring in 2013. Her love language was cooking, each dish was more than food; it was a warm embrace, a reminder that family and friendship are best savored around a table. She poured her heart into every recipe, seasoning with care and serving with joy. Those left to honor her memory include her children, Carrie (Michael) Piazza of Princeton; her son, Andrew (Wendy) Williams of Blue Grass; and her grandchildren, Nicholas Piazza, Nora Piazza, Payton Williams, Sawyer Williams; and her half-brother, Richard L. Cole of Kennesaw, Ga. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Donald Rathjen

Donald H. Rathjen, 90, of Davenport and formerly of Eldridge, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at MercyOne Genesis in Davenport. Funeral services were held on Monday, April 20, at Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge. Burial was at Long Grove Christian Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Holy Family Catholic Church to benefit the Blessing Box food pantry outreach program or to Faith Lutheran Church of Eldridge. Don was born June 4, 1935, in Scott County, the son of Arthur and Wilma (Goettsch) Rathjen. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was a longtime member of the Donahue American Legion.  On Feb. 15, 1958, he was united in marriage to Delores Jean Dittman in Eldridge. She preceded him in death on April 24, 2025. Don had been employed for 42 years with the Eldridge Cooperative. He was a longtime member of the Long Grove Volunteer Fire Department and the Lions Club of Long Grove. Don had also served for a time with the Long Grove City Council. In recent years, he could be seen helping out at the pumpkin patch in Long Grove. Among those left to honor his memory include his children, Debra (Frank) Sadd of Davenport, Donald (Sharon) Rathjen of Grand Mound, Denise (Vincent) Jackovich of Eldridge and Daniel Rathjen of LaHarpe, Ill.; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Michael) Howard, Laura (Brian) Nagle, Megan (Jeremy) Swanson, Justine (Jon) Hines, Katharine (Tye) Correy, and Hope Rathjen; his sisters, Charlene Littrel and Marlene Paulson; his brother, Alan (Joyce) Rathjen; and sister-in-law, Carol Rathjen. In addition to his wife, Delores, Don was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers. Don’s full obituary may be found  at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Patricia Fatty

Patricia Ruth (Alley) Fatty, lovingly known as “Patty” or “Gram,” was born on Feb. 6, 1963, in Jonesport, Maine, the youngest daughter of Clifford R. Alley Jr. and Ethelyn Alley. Patty passed away on April 9, 2026, after a year‑long battle with pancreatic cancer. Throughout her journey, she never lost her love for life or her positive spirit. Patty spent most of her life in DownEast Maine and was deeply proud of where she came from. Later in life, she followed her only daughter, Abby, to Iowa, where she found great joy in being closely involved in the lives of her grandchildren. Patty never met a stranger and had a remarkable gift for making lifelong friends wherever she went. She formed many meaningful friendships during her years working at Hy‑Vee and McDonald’s. Known as the life of the party, Patty believed in seeing the good in every moment and brought laughter and light to those around her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Ethelyn Alley. Patty is survived by her daughter, AbbyLynn Andrews; her son‑in‑law, Matthew Andrews; and her three beloved grandchildren, Blake Allen James, Madison Lynn, and Brysen Ray Andrews. She is also survived by her brothers, Maurice (Emily) Alley, Ronnie (Wanda) Alley, and Raymond (Benita) Alley; her sister, Sherry (Everett) Scott; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and special friends who were fortunate to know her. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Maysville Community Center on April 24 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The family requests that monetary donations be made to the Ohl Strong Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer or the Humane Society of Scott County in Davenport. A special thank you from the family to the many healthcare professionals they encountered during this time, including MercyOne Genesis Davenport Cancer Center, University of Iowa Health Care, and Harmony at Utica Ridge. The family will travel to Maine this summer to lay Patty to rest. Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing her obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.   Custom obituary

Sway Wild, May 6

With Americana UK raving that the talents are an "outstanding" duo who "demonstrate excellent musicianship," folk rockers Mandy Fer and Dave McGraw bring their outfit Sway Wild to Davenport's Raccoon Motel on May 6, First-Avenue.com adding that the project's album debut was "nothing short of an artistic epiphany."

Eldridge VFW honors essay contest winners

Edward W. Knapper Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6174 honored its annual Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy student essay winners. Post Commander Ron Sebastian (left) and Post Quartermaster Brad Striegel (right) presented each winner with a cash award and a VFW certificate.   North Scott Junior High School student Hayden Hythecker won $100 for her Patriot’s Pen student essay competition for grades 6-8. North Scott High School student Kelsie Hilsenbeck won $200 her Voice of Democracy student essay competition for grades 9-12.  The topic of this year’s essay contest was, “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” Nationwide, the VFW sponsors the student essay competitions every year, and students can compete at the local VFW post, District, State and National competitions for a chance to win their share of up to $3 million in cash and scholarships. Each first place VFW Department (state) Patriot’s Pen winner for grades 6-8 receives a minimum of $500, and the national first place winner wins $5,000.   Each first place winner from each VFW Department (state) Voice of Democracy receives a scholarship of at least $1,000, and the national level first place winner wins receives a $35,000 scholarship. Visit the link below to learn more about the VFW essay competition and encourage a student you know to submit their essay for the 2026-27 competition (topic to be announced) to their local VFW post by Oct. 31.  For students to enter locally, contact VFW Post 6174 at 563-223-9262.  Applications can be filled out by going to: www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.

Two North Scott seniors among DuTrac scholarship winners

Two North Scott students are among 10 recipients of $1,000 scholarships through DuTrac Community Credit Union’s 2026 Academic Scholarship Program. Eligible recipients must be graduating seniors and members of DuTrac Community Credit Union. Mallory Deutmeyer is the daughter of Gretchen and Cory Deutmeyer. She plans to attend the University of Iowa and major in biochemistry and molecular biology. Aubrey Toohey is the daughter of Chris and Jennifer Toohey. She plans to attend Luther College to study nursing. “Education builds the foundation for a knowledgeable, thriving society, empowering individuals to grow personally and professionally while making meaningful contributions to their communities. DuTrac’s Scholarship Program was established to recognize Credit Union members who demonstrate strong academic achievement, active involvement in extracurriculars, and a commitment to community service, all while pursuing higher education at an accredited community college, trade school, technical college, or university,” said Andrew Hawkinson, DuTrac president and CEO.

Adam Hood, May 7

With Texas Music Times raving that "The brilliance of Adam Hood" lies "in how he can be complex with natural simplicity," the singer/songwriter headlines a May 7 engagement at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, his 2022 album Bad Days Better inspiring Turn Up the Amp to award it "an early vote for Record of the Year in whatever category you want to place it."

Officials identify 76-year-old man killed in Bettendorf house fire

Officials identified 76-year-old Donald Jones as the man killed in a Bettendorf house fire Sunday afternoon.

Yea Big/Dann/Nakarani Trio and Ishmael Ali, May 2

With a number of lauded independent musicians performing one special concert event on May 2, Rock Island's Rozz-Tox venue and OUTLETProgramme will treat music lovers to outstanding instrumentals and vocals in the Saturday-evening pairing of the Yea Big/Dann/Nakarani Trio and Ishmael Ali, the latter performing as a duo with Bill Harris.

Emily Rach Beisel and A Light Among Many, May 7

With her music described by A Jazz Noise as "a raw, abrasive, oppressive, and thrilling journey,” Chicago-based improviser, composer, educator, curator, and woodwind specialist Emily Rach Beisel performs at Rock Island venue Rozz-Tox on May 7, the evening also boasting a set with the Denver-based musicians of A Light Among Many, self-described as delivering "suffocating, sprawling soundscapes of drone and doom metal."

Florida Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, facing possible expulsion, resigns

The Florida Democrat faced a potential expulsion vote in the House as she prepares for a federal trial on allegations that she stole disaster funds and used some of the money to finance her campaign.

William Elliott Whitmore, May 2

With his most recent release Silently, the Mind Breaks hailed by No Depression as an "unsettling yet invigorating album" that blends "banjo, acoustic guitar, and kick drum with gritty, determined vocals," folk, blues, and alt-country singer/songwriter William Elliott Whitmore returns to Maquoketa's Codfish Hollow Barn for a season-opening concert on May 2, the artist's latest also inspiring Everything Is Noise to state that the artist "sings with a gravitas indictive of the very best blues and folk singers."

View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the April 22 NSP!

SUNDAY, APRIL 5 5:16 p.m. — Christian James Kleppe, 48, Wilton, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and cited for speeding, following a traffic stop near 295th Street and Allens Grove Road, Dixon. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 9:37 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 3000 block of 240th Street. 9:43 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft on Manor Drive. 9:59 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 26000 block of Bluff Road. 10:03 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 11300 block of 140th Street. 11:43 a.m. — Clifford Eugene Olson, 37, Davenport, was charged with a sex offender registration violation – 2nd or subsequent offense, following an incident in the 400 block of West 4th Street, Davenport. 1:08 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 11600 block of 140th Street Place. 1:31 p.m. — Jarian Tymetrious Beason, 34, Davenport, was charged with driving while barred (habitual offender), following a traffic stop near West 65th and Brady streets, Davenport. 1:48 p.m. — Tommy Chester Moore, 66, Davenport, was charged with driving while barred (habitual offender), following a traffic stop in the 2300 block of West Locust Street, Davenport. 1:59 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of West Pine Street. 3:14 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 500 block of Belmont Road. 5:50 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 500 block of Huckleberry Lane. 7:03 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 2300 block of West Locust Street. 7:05 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of 3rd Street. 7:30 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near North Pine Street and Northwest Boulevard. A vehicle driven by Elijah Emanuel Cuevas, 19, Davenport, attempted to make a left turn from North Pine Street to Northwest Boulevard. Cuevas reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which spun out and struck the median. Cuevas was cited for failure to maintain control. 8:47 p.m. — Aqsheana Debbie Dhere Dixon, 22, Davenport, was cited for driving while barred (habitual offender), following a traffic stop in the 2400 block of East 53rd Street, Davenport. 9:43 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 9:46 p.m. — Brandy Renae Gheer, 45, Davenport, was charged with child endangerment, possession of a controlled substance (cannabidiol) – 1st offense and possession of drug paraphernalia and cited for violation of financial liability coverage and improper brake light, following a traffic stop near 140th Street and Coonhunters Road, Blue Grass. THURSDAY, APRIL 9 1:15 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an iPhone crash notification near 160th Street and 110th Avenue, Davenport. When deputies arrived at the scene, they did not observe a traffic accident. An iPhone with a heavily damaged case was discovered in the roadway. Deputies attempted to contact the owner of the phone and were unsuccessful. 1:33 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 2300 block of Jackson Avenue. 2:30 a.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 8200 block of Northwest Boulevard. 2:46 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 100 block of West 65th Street. 3:03 a.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 8300 block of Hillandale Road. 5:45 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident in the 17900 block of Great River Road, where a vehicle driven by John K. Thompson, 62, Geneseo, Ill., struck a deer that entered the roadway. 7:44 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 26600 block of 276th Avenue. 8:27 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near East River Drive and Mound Street. 10:16 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of South Park View Drive. 11:48 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 700 block of West Walcott Road. 12:32 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 700 bloc kof West Walcott Road. 3:02 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near East 53rd Street and Corporate Park Drive. 3:21 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near Highway 61 and 267th Street. 4:08 p.m. — Chad Michael Metcalf, 48, Eldridge, was charged with stalking using a technological device, following an incident on Park Crest Court, Park View. FRIDAY, APRIL 10 2:06 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 1500 block of West Locust Street. 7:32 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 10:39 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem on Grove Road. 11:05 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 400 block of West 4th Street. 12:58 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 100 block of Crest View Drive. 4:17 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 200 block of West Main Street. 4:29 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident in the 200 block of South Cadda Road, Long Grove. A vehicle driven by Stetson Levi Picolet, 17, Long Grove, was southbound on Cadda Road. Picolet reportedly told deputies the gearshift on his vehicle stuck, and the vehicle left the roadway. The vehicle went into a ditch before crossing a residential driveway and coming to rest in a residential yard. Picolet was cited for failure to maintain control. 4:55 p.m. — Islaine Thelumsa, 45, Moline, was charged with interference with official acts and cited for speeding and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, following a traffic stop near Franklin and West Front streets, Buffalo. 5:41 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 31700 block of 10th Avenue. 6:57 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of East James Street. 7:44 p.m. — Deputies responded to an abuse/neglect claim in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. 8:04 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fraud complaint in the 13900 block of 110th Avenue. 8:39 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 9600 block of River Camp Road. 10:30 p.m. — Amada Rosa Trujillo, 19, Davenport, was charged with interference with official acts and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 1st offense; and Haley Marie Lopez-Ganzer, 23, Davenport, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 1st offense and cited for driving while license suspended, denied, cancelled or revoked and speeding, following a traffic stop near West 76th and North Division streets, Davenport. 11:11 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near Highway 61 South and Interstate 80 West, Davenport. A vehicle driven by William Robert Albers, 22, Davenport, was exiting Interstate 80 to Highway 61. Albers reportedly told deputies he swerved to avoid striking a deer in the roadway and the vehicle hit a guardrail. Albers was cited for defective tires. SATURDAY, APRIL 11 12:49 a.m. — Andrew James Nsubuga Oliver, 19, Janesville, Wis., was charged with possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 1st offense; Adrius D. Christianson, 19, Janesville, Wis., was charged with possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 1st offense; and Brian K. Jarrett, 68, Janesville, Wis., was charged with possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 1st offense and possession of a controlled substance, following a traffic stop near mile marker 298 on Interstate 80 West, Davenport. 1:26 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near West Locust and Washington streets. 2:45 a.m. — Brayden Robert Sproston, 21, Eldridge, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and cited for speeding and failure to maintain control, following a traffic stop near Highway 61 and East LeClaire Road, Eldridge. 8:45 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 10:49 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 10100 block of 298th Street. 6:09 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road, Walcott. A vehicle driven by Firdavs Khakberdiev, 34, Brooklyn, N.Y., struck a legally parked vehicle in the lot at the Iowa 80 Truckstop. 6:24 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 22600 block of Maysville Road. 6:38 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance near East Walcott Road and 70th Avenue. 8:01 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 31400 block of Big Rock Road. 8:06 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance near Jones and North 9th streets. 10:21 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 100 block of 3rd Avenue. SUNDAY, APRIL 12 1:52 a.m. — Seth William Kollman, 38, Bettendorf, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and cited for violating one-way traffic designation and violation of financial liability coverage, following a traffic stop near North Pine and West 3rd streets, Davenport. 2:53 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 1200 block of Canal Shore Drive Southwest. 2:54 a.m. — Travis Wayne Feddersen, 43, Eldridge, was charged with OWI – 1st offense, following a traffic stop near Interstate 80 East and Brady Street, Davenport. 3:14 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 11300 block of 140th Street. 3:50 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 400 block of Betsy Ross Place. 10:20 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 11:14 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 14900 block of 110th Avenue. 1:32 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident in the 17900 block of Great River Road. A vehicle driven by Paul Wayne Imm, 69, Toluca, Ill., was stopped at the exit of a business driveway, waiting to turn onto Great River Road. A vehicle driven by Kayla Sue Evanovich, 41, LeClaire, pulled into the driveway of the business and swerved into Imm’s vehicle. Imm was transported by Medic to Genesis East Medical Center. Evanovich was charged with OWI – 1st offense and cited for failure to maintain control. The Bettendorf Fire Department assisted at the accident scene. 4:18 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 1700 block of Pleasant Court. 6:08 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of 15th Avenue. 8:08 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance on Valley View Drive. 9:35 p.m. — Kameron James Pawski, 22, Eldridge, was charged with interference with official acts and public intoxication – 1st offense, following a traffic stop near Lincoln Avenue and Grove Road, Eldridge. MONDAY, APRIL 13 2:47 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near 130th Avenue and 210th Street. A vehicle driven by Venasi Nyange, 29, Rockford, Ill., was eastbound on 210th Street. Nyange reportedly told deputies he was attempting to make a left turn onto 130th Avenue and the brakes went out on the vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway and went into a ditch. Nyange was cited for driving while revoked, driving under suspension and failure to maintain control. 8:34 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 9200 block of 114th Street. 12:01 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 2300 block of West Locust Street. 12:13 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident in the 21600 block of Highway 67. A vehicle driven by Bruce Alan Joens, 67, Preston, was northbound on Highway 67. Joens’ vehicle crossed the centerline and struck a vehicle driven by Grace L. Kelly, 20, Moline, that was southbound on Highway 67. Joens was transported by Medic to Genesis East Medical Center and was later transferred to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Kelly was transported by Medic to Genesis East Medical Center. 3:43 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fireworks complaint in the 5300 block of 306th Street. 6:19 p.m. — Deputies began a death investigation in the 500 block of Holland Street. 11:46 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 1700 block of Iowa Drive. TUESDAY, APRIL 14 8:48 a.m. — Deputies responded to an abuse/neglect claim in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 1:24 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 400 block of West 4th Street. 3:05 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 3:45 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem. 7:00 p.m. — Isiah Anthony Heard, 33, Chicago, Ill., was cited for general assault, after deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 4800 block of State Street, Riverdale. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 6:26 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 10800 block of 158th Street. 10:31 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 500 block of Belmont Road.

Shutouts bolster strong second week

Wins are wins, and North Scott’s girls’ soccer team has four of them in its first five games. They won’t all be blowout barnburners like Tuesday’s (April 14) 10-0 55-minute win over Clinton, but North Scott earned its 1-0 win on Thursday against Muscatine. “In the MAC, you have to win these games. It wasn’t pretty. We will take it,” Lancer coach Dion Ayers said. “I’m proud. We had a couple of girls really fight through some injuries. They are tough kids.” An unranked but physical Muscatine team pushed North Scott for all 80 minutes on Thursday. It’s a school the Lancers couldn’t afford to overlook having lost to them last season and nine times since 2012. The Muskies’ stingy defense showed up again, limiting what the Lancers wanted to do on offense. “They did a really good job of denying our through balls,” Ayers said. “They were just a step quicker than our forwards. Our big through balls weren’t working. We worked on some different runs last night in practice, and it was a half-touch off. It was close, but we did miss a few.” Senior Bella Mohr scored the game’s lone goal off a broken play in the box. Sophomore Camryn Jones played a ball back to Mohr at the top of the penalty area, and Mohr ripped a ball to the back post for the score. North Scott played the second half on its back foot as Muscatine had multiple good looks at Nora Barnett on the other side of the field. The junior goalkeeper came up with 12 saves and kept the Muskies off the scoreboard. “What stood out most was our grit. Even when things were not as clean as we wanted, the girls battled and found a way to protect the lead. That toughness may have been the difference between a win and a tie or a loss,” Ayers said. Unselfishness, too, is another blossoming trait for this year’s team. “Everybody is accepting right now. There is nobody worried about their minutes, even though I know they want minutes,” Ayers said. “I don’t see that. I don’t look down the sideline and get ‘the eye.’ Everybody is cheering each other on throughout the whole process.” North Scott combined to score 11 goals and give up zero this week with its big win earlier in the week over Clinton. Sophomore Reese Barnett scored her third hat trick of the season, and she now has 10 goals on the year. Jones came away from this game with two goals, and all of Mohr, senior Kenzie Moeller, sophomore Julia Solis, freshman Sawyer Koberg and freshman Ellie Wilske scored a goal. Koberg and Wilske scored their two goals on penalty kicks for the ninth and 10th goals of the game, which ended midway through the second half due to the mercy rule. Solis and Barnett each had two assists, while Moeller, Koberg, Jones and junior Saeler VenHorst all had one. Nora Barnett defended the net for the first half, and freshman Kelsey Clayton played the final 15 minutes. Neither goalkeeper recorded a save because the River Queens did not get a single shot up in the match. “A major point of emphasis in recent training has been switching the point of attack and avoiding forcing balls into tight spaces, and the team executed that beautifully tonight,” Ayers said. “The girls showed great composure, found open lanes, attacked off the dribble and made intelligent runs off the ball in the attacking third.” North Scott bumped up one spot in the Class 2A rankings to No. 5, trailing No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock, No. 2 Norwalk, No. 3 Dallas Center-Grimes and No. 4 North Polk. For any fans who want to watch this team up close, this week will be the last to do so at The Pitch for many weeks. After hosting Davenport West (April 21) and Moline (April 23), the Lancers won’t play another home game until May 12 against Pleasant Valley. In between, the Lancers will play two conference road games in Davenport as well as two tournaments in Bettendorf and the Des Moines suburbs.

Lancers sweep conference nine-hole meets

Lancer girls’ golfers are swinging into spring with a pair of Mississippi Athletic Conference nine-hole meet wins during the first week of competition. On Monday (April 13), the Lancers won a quad meet at Duck Creek Golf Course by 30 strokes, winning with a 165 team score over Davenport West, Davenport North and Clinton. Then, the Lancers defended Glynns Creek Golf Course with a 172 team score to defeat Central DeWitt, Davenport West and Davenport Central. North Scott’s senior quartet had the top four scores at both meets, with Addison Eckhardt taking home medalist honors each time. On Monday, Eckhardt shot an even-par 35 to lead the group. AJ Blevins was next up with a 41, followed by Aubrey Toohey at 43 and Bryn Stephens at 46. Sophomores Anna Nicholson and Reese Hubner got the starts in both meets and backed up the seniors. They shot scores of 48 and 51 on Monday, respectively. At the home meet, Eckhardt shot a 37 to win her second medal. She had a putt for eagle on her last hole to get consecutive even-par rounds. A birdie forced her to ‘settle’ for one-over on Thursday afternoon. Blevins, Toohey and Stephens all matched with 45s to score for the Lancers. Hubner shot a 53, and Nicholson shot a 59 to round out the Lancer lineup. The top-scoring non-Lancer on Thursday was Leah Brown of Central DeWitt, who shot a 49. On Monday, it was Davenport West junior Reagan Walker, who posted a 46. North Scott begins tournament play this week with back-to-back meet days. First is a Wednesday trip to Emeis Golf Course for the 10-school West Falcon Invitational. Here, the Lancers will get their first look at No. 1-ranked Pleasant Valley. Three ranked teams will be in attendance for Thursday’s home meet, the Lancer Girls Golf Invitational, at Glynns Creek beginning at noon. The No. 1 Spartans, the No. 9 Dubuque Senior Rams and the No. 10 Cedar Rapids Prairie Hawks are among 14 schools teeing it up in one of the best events on the calendar. Bettendorf, along with North Scott, enter this event as honorable mentions in the first release of the Iowa Golf Preps Class 4A rankings. On the individual side, the MAC has six of the top 15 ranked golfers. North Scott is represented by Eckhardt who comes in at No. 10. The other five are Pleasant Valley’s Camille Wood (No. 3), Muscatine’s Rylee Brockhouse (No. 5), Pleasant Valley’s Ella Sherrick (No. 7), Bettendorf’s Liliana Graham (No. 13) and Pleasant Valley’s Stella Roemer (No. 15).

“The Skin of Our Teeth,” May 7 through 10

A Pulitzer Prize winner hailed by the Wall Street Journal as "one of the finest American plays of the 20th century," Thornton Wilder's classic The Skin of Our Teeth enjoys a May 7 through 10 staging in Augustana College's Brunner Theatre Center, the 1942 play also lauded by the Herald-Tribune as "wonderfully wise" and "a tremendously exciting and profound stage fable.

MAC slate begins for Lancer tennis

North Scott’s boys’ tennis team discovered the fun end and the tough end of 5-4 duals this week, winning one against Davenport North but losing one to Clinton. The Lancers also lost a closer-than-it-looks 8-1 dual to Bettendorf to cap off its three-meet week. The team’s first win of the season came on Tuesday (April 14) at Davenport North with three singles wins and two doubles victories. Senior Lucas Persson and junior Jacob Link once against swept their matches. Persson won at No. 1 singles 6-1, 6-0 over Alexander Creighton, and Link won at No. 2 singles by the same score line over Thomas Kern. They paired up at No. 1 doubles and cleanly dispatched Creighton/Kern 6-0, 6-0. Freshman Camden Wenck also went undefeated on the day. He won his match at No. 4 singles 6-1, 6-1 against Conner Crowell. He then teamed up with junior Alex McKay to win a nail-biter at No. 2 doubles, 6-3, 6-7, 1-0 (10-7) against Crowell and Keian Price. Freshman Lachlan Suarez battled at No. 5 singles but his comeback bid came up just short. Carson Snyder won in a match tiebreaker 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (14-12). Against Clinton, Persson and Link won at the No. 1 and No. 2 singles positions. Persson won 6-1, 6-2 and Link got by in straight sets 6-2, 7-6. In doubles, Persson and Link won an unconventional straight set match, 6-0, 7-5, over their singles opponents Tanner Feddersen and Lucas Hilgendorf. Wenck earned his victory at No. 4 singles, 7-6, 6-3, over Jace Burgland. While North Scott lost to Bettendorf in lopsided fashion on the score board, four of the nine matches went to a third set tiebreaker. Persson was the lone lucky Lancer, defeating Henry Moran in dramatic fashion: 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (15-13). Wenck, freshman Aiden Feller and the Persson/Link doubles duo were not as fortunate in the match tiebreakers. Persson/Link dropped a match after winning the first set 6-0, falling 4-6, 0-1 (7-10) in the next two sets to Henry Moran/Truman Brooks. Feller and Wenck lost their matches from a set down. Miles Miranda beat Feller 6-2, 5-7, 1-0 (10-3) and Johnny Gauna beat Wenck 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (11-9). Now, North Scott begins the toughest part of its schedule with a road dual at Central DeWitt on April 21, a home dual against Davenport Assumption, and its first invitational in Camanche on April 25.

Split week, rainout halts progress

Improving to 2-1 in the Mississippi Athletic Conference, the North Scott boys’ soccer team earned its first shutout win of the season in a 3-0 victory over Clinton on Monday (April 13). It was a game dominated from start to finish by the Lancers, evidenced by time of possession and the volume of shots on goal. The Lancers attempted 29 shots in the game, 18 of which were on goal. Clinton attempted two shots, neither of which were on target. North Scott could have scored many more than just three goals as the entire first half was played on Clinton’s side of the field. Freshman Lukas Mena put the game’s first goal through in the opening minutes, but Clinton’s defense held the line and did not let the game get out of hand. Junior Darek Kiesey and sophomore Max Ronnebeck broke through in the second half, scoring two goals to seal the victory. Junior Tyler West had two assists in this game, and North Scott goalkeeper Scott Hartin did not need to record a save for his clean sheet. The game got tougher three days later with a road trip to Cedar Rapids to face Xavier. The Saints lead the historical series 11-2 since 2013. Xavier got up 3-0 after the first half, and the Saints put two more goals between the pipes in the second half to put the game out of reach. Sophomore Yedidiya Schwartz scored his first career varsity goal in the second half, an unassisted goal, to prevent the shutout. Freshman goalkeeper Gavin Lindle entered the game midway through the first half, and he played the entire second half. He stopped 12 shots in his first extended look in the net. In this contest, North Scott put four shots on goal, forcing Xavier goalkeeper Abraham Renze to make three saves. North Scott’s game on Friday against Wahlert Catholic was postponed due to severe storms. The schools are looking to schedule a make-up date. With sunny skies forecasted this week, North Scott is likely to see its first three-game stretch of the season. It will travel to Muscatine on April 21 and Davenport West on April 23 before hosting Dubuque Hempstead on April 24.

City Circle Theatre Company's “The Drowsy Chaperone,” May 1 through 10

Winner of five 2006 Tony Awards and described by Variety magazine as “superior, smartly crafted pastiche,” the joyous musical-comedy spoof The Drowsy Chaperone will be staged at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts May 1 through 10.

View the Eldridge Police report from the April 22 NSP!

MONDAY, APRIL 13 8:57 a.m. — Complaint of loud music in the 100 block of West LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 10:20 a.m. — Daidra Ashby, 36, of DeWitt, was arrested for driving under suspension, following a traffic stop on Highway 61. 4:56 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 200 block of North 4th Avenue. 6:03 p.m. — Benjamin Sloat, 34, of Davenport, was cited for no insurance and operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop on Highway 61. 7:54 p.m. — Complaint of a carbon monoxide alarm going off in the 700 block of South 5th Street. Handled by officer. 7:55 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 20800 block of 168th Avenue. TUESDAY, APRIL 14 12:08 a.m. — Thomas Santilli, 21, of Long Grove, was cited for operation without registration, following a traffic stop on Highway 61. 8:57 a.m. — Assisted another agency with an incident in the 200 block of West LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 10:53 a.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of West Prairie Vista Drive. 11:23 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 200 block of East Franklin Street. 3:12 p.m. — Report taken for a cat bite in the 500 block of South 5th Street. 3:53 p.m. — Complaint of theft of property in the 400 block of West Price Street. Handled by officer. 4:28 p.m. — Complaint of a dog left in a vehicle in the 400 block of East LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 5:57 p.m. — Assisted another agency with an incident in the 500 block of South 1st Street. Handled by officer. 8:10 p.m. — Complaint of a fire out of control in the 1100 block of West Donahue Street. Handled by officer. 8:35 p.m. — Complaint of a reckless driver near East LeClaire and North Scott Park roads. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 9:15 p.m. — Complaint of suspicious subjects in the 800 block of North 1st Street. Handled by officer. 10:09 p.m. — Jerquarius Richardson, 24, of East Moline, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 1st offense, following a traffic stop on Highway 61. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 8:00 a.m. — Removed debris from the roadway on Highway 61. Handled by officer. 12:24 p.m. — Marty Hansen, 51, of Clinton, was cited for failure to maintain control, after being involved in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 61. 1:36 p.m. — Complaint of loud music in the 100 block of West LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 4:46 p.m. — Complaint of suspicious subjects in the 800 block of East LeClaire Road. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 5:47 p.m. — Complaint of a juvenile found with no parents around in the 200 block of West Spring Street. The juvenile was returned to parent. Handled by officer. 6:29 p.m. — Complaint of juveniles causing a disturbance in the 600 block of East LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. THURSDAY, APRIL 16 8:42 a.m. — Assisted another agency with a traffic stop on Highway 61. Handled by officer. 11:34 a.m. — Riley Webster, 18, of Eldridge, was cited for improper use of a handicapped parking space, following an incident in the 200 block of South 1st Street. 12:37 p.m. — Report of a parking complaint in the 500 block of West Donahue Street. Handled by officer. 4:06 p.m. — Assisted another agency with a report of a civil issue in the 100 block of North 2nd Street. FRIDAY, APRIL 17 1:22 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle on Highway 61. Handled by officer. 6:45 a.m. — Complaint of a reckless driver on Highway 61. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 9:18 a.m. — Report of a parking complaint in the 400 block of North 6th Street. Handled by officer. 2:35 p.m. — Assisted a motorist in the 200 block of East Price Street. Handled by officer. 6:42 p.m. — Complaint of a low-hanging wire in the 500 block of West Lincoln Road. Handled by officer. 11:50 p.m. — Jody Phillips, 65, of Iowa City, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for OIW – 2nd offense and eluding, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) – 2nd offense, and possession of contraband in a correctional facility, following an incident in the 900 block of Trails Road. SATURDAY, APRIL 18 1:10 a.m. — Thomas Santilli, 21, of Long Grove, was cited for operation without registration, improper rear lamps and defective or unauthorized muffler system, following a traffic stop near North 1st and West Davies streets. 4:21 a.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle near South Buttermilk Road and West Spring Street. Handled by officer. 8:25 a.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 200 block of Trails Road. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 12:08 p.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle on Highway 61. Handled by officer. 3:53 p.m. — Alexandra Kleinsmith, 28, of Eldridge, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near South 1 Street and East Lincoln Road. 5:59 p.m. — Joseph Krenzelok, 34, of Eldridge, was cited for no insurance and operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 2200 block of South 1st Street. 9:37 p.m. — Complaint of suspicious juveniles in the 200 block of South 1st Street. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 9:47 p.m. — Complaint of juveniles vandalizing property in the 500 block of South 5th Street. The complaint was unfounded. Handled by officer. SUNDAY, APRIL 19 10:37 a.m. — Complaint of suspicious activity in the 600 block of East LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 11:18 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 1000 block of Fox Ridge Road. 11:34 a.m. — Assisted another agency with an incident in the 1800 block of South 11th Avenue. Handled by officer. 11:36 a.m. — Complaint of theft of property in the 400 block of East LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 1:37 p.m. — Complaint of a trespassed subject on property in the 400 block of South 14th Avenue. Handled by officer. 5:52 p.m. — Jenna VanHoosier, 22, of Eldridge, was cited for failure to stop within the assured clear distance, following a traffic accident in the 100 block of South 4th Avenue. 5:53 p.m. — Kayla Reddick, 26, of Davenport, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 100 block of West Slopertown Road.

Students build North Scott’s newest homes

Drive past it and you’d never know the job site at 414 S. Diamond Drive was anything but another spec home sprouting up in Long Grove. Even with a closer look you might not notice that the men in jeans and work boots are conspicuously clean shaven. But the site is the latest student-built home, and each of the students are North Scott seniors. “We have 24 students, about 12 students every other day just working away here,” instructor Dave Linnebrink said. “These are our best, brightest students here at North Scott, and they want to get into the trades, and they're doing a great job building this home.” The simple ranch home—“farm style, Chip Gaines style,” Linnenbrink said—will be complete next month. Drywall has been hung and painted; siding is nearly finished; sinks and showers are largely in place. North Scott senior Bennett Hamerlinck has spent the past year bringing the site from a foundation to finished home. “So far, it's been pretty good. I'd say we're learning as we go,” he said. “We've messed up quite a bit of stuff, but then we fix it. That's a part of the process.” Hamerlinck and his 23 peers spent months in the classroom before arriving on the job site. Each took Introduction to the Build Environment and Building Trades I & II before they could apply to join the construction crew, and they spend alternate Fridays in building trades internships. Students participate in nearly every step of the construction project, instructor Jason Cousino said. “We patch drywall, we set trim, we fill the holes in the nail on the trim, we'll end up touching up paint,” he said. “We do a little bit of everything.” They cannot do everything, he admitted. Students shadow licensed electricians and plumbers, and drywall the basement. “We usually do the flooring, siding, roofing,” he said. “They got to finish some concrete work while the concrete guy was here.” Most of the contractors who work alongside students are from the North Scott area. “A lot of the people we have connected to the program are connected to North Scott in some way,” Cousino said. “They either graduated from North Scott or they’re from the community.” That way local employers have a chance to meet new recruits. “Think of us as the minor leagues,” Linnenbrink said. “We're getting them ready. They're going to the major leagues.” “I think it's a really good opportunity to put yourself ahead,” senior Matt Williams said of the student built home, “a good opportunity to, like, learn the trade before most people do. You put your foot in the door before other people do.” On alternate Fridays, he interns with classmate Scott McCoy at Petersen Plumbing. The program offers “competitive advantages,” Linnenbrink explained, “because they’re just getting that experience before they're 18.” With young builders, not everything goes right the first time around. “The siding… we had to redo a few times,” Hamerlinck said. “I think there's been redos everywhere around the house…. We’re all learning. But at the end of the day it looks good.” Tour the home Step inside 414 S. Diamond Drive to an open kitchen and living room—a “great room,” Linnenbrink said, warmed by a fireplace. To the right, a door opens onto a deck and a backyard, where students will roll sod in coming weeks. Around and to the left, a walk-in pantry features its own sink, butcher block and low “Costco door.” “You can unload your groceries from the garage into here,” Linnenbrink explained. The garage has room for three cars, and a setback on the left-hand side opens room for storage and lets into the basement. Linnenbrink said access to the basement from the garage and main home is an increasingly popular feature. The home features three bedrooms. Two kids’ or guest rooms share a bathroom with a double vanity and bathtub. The master suite features a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a dark tiled shower and double vanity.    The owners purchased the home early, in December, which gave them the opportunity to add design features to the project. The master bedroom, for instances, features handsome rectangular wall molding, and a raised ceiling. “We usually wouldn't do something like that, but they wanted to do that,” Linnenbrink explained. The home is only a single story. “We haven't built a two story home in a long time,” Linnenbrink said. We don't really want the kids up on a roof, doing the siding.”           

Man killed in Sunday Bettendorf house fire identified

Bettendorf Fire and Police responded to a house fire on the 300 block of Bellevue Avenue around 2 p.m. on Sunday.

“Schoolhouse Rock Live!”, May 5 through 9

From May 5 through 9, a TV pop-culture phenomenon comes to thrilling stage life when Mt. Carroll's Timber Lake Playhouse presents Schoolhouse Rock Live!, the beloved show – presented as part of the venue's Magic Owl Children's Theatre program – inspired by the Emmy Award-winning 1970s Saturday-morning cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math, and more through clever, tuneful songs.

Homes spring up in Maple Grove

The 36 lots of Maple Grove Estates, on the south end of Donahue, are some of the only tracts open for development in the North Scott School District. So it’s no surprise to Colin Woods of Diamond Builders that families are racing to buy and build in the former tree nursery. Diamond has already completed their first home in the subdivision. They are two months from completion of their second home, a 2,000 square foot south-facing ranch. They will begin to dig foundations for two additional homes as soon as next week. “There’s going to be a half-dozen families out here by the end of the summer,” Woods said. Two of the four families working with Diamond have school-age children. “Rooftops breed rooftops, and we're doing our best to bring people here,” he said. The Rose family of Donahue began planning the subdivision nearly six years ago. The city voluntarily annexed the land in 2023. Roads were paved and utilities in place last July. “When somebody invests this kind of money—like the Roses did here—I want to see them succeed. And so we just continue to promote it like crazy,” Woods said. A paved loop separates the Maple Grove lots from traffic on 115th Street. A row of maple trees hems the northern edge of the subdivision. Large lots facing south and west, including three of the four properties presold by Diamond, boast an open view of Scott County farmland and a private Rose family pond.  The home Diamond now has under construction was designed with those views in mind, Woods said. The owners, from Illinois, originally wanted a sizeable Iowa-side acreage. Woods designed a lofted great room with windows looking out over the backyard, pond and farmland. “I said I'll design the home to be able to maximize your views, and I think we were able to accomplish that,” Woods said. A high patio will allow the owners to step directly into the outdoors. “They put a patio door off their primary suite,” Woods point out. “So get up in the morning, go outside on the deck overlooking the pond. A pretty cool thing.” “This family just loves the outdoors and wanted to be somewhere they could get some extra space,” he explained. “Currently, where they're living, they're really close to their neighbors. They don't mind neighbors, but they wanted a little extra breathing room.” The home’s three-car garage faces the subdivision cul-de-sac and lets directly into the home without a single step. Woods said “zero-entry” features have become standard for Diamond homes. The main floor of the house filters guests through a mudroom before opening onto the great room. A guest bedroom and “pocket office” open to the right. “These days, you're not really having that dedicated office anymore,” Woods said. Most families have shifted towards laptops and other portable devices. “So we're doing a lot of what I call little pocket offices,” which combine workspace and storage space. The primary suite, to the left of the main entrance, features a walk-in closet that wraps around to the mudroom—keeping laundry concentrated in one corner of the house, Woods explained. Stairs lead to a basement which lets out directly onto the backyard. Two basement guest rooms will accommodate visitors. Construction on the home has moved quickly, Woods said. Diamond Builders raises a typical home in 5–6 months. It takes just a month to design and permit a home before breaking ground. “Most people are pretty decisive,” Woods said. “For example, we sat down with a couple on one of these other presolds. We had the contract put together and prints designed within three to four weeks, and now permits are submitted and we dig here in the next week or two.” “We've been in business 27 years now. I feel as though we have some good systems in place that help to expedite things and keep things on track,” he said. A successful build requires committed owners. “I always tell people, when you're going to build with Diamond, we're getting married for five to six months,” Woods joked. “Communication is key. And when we sign the contract, their homework begins. They've got assignments—they get to go back to school a little bit, and our team helps keep them on track.” Woods has faith that Maple Grove will fill in quickly. About a half-dozen lots have sold to date. “These are bigger lots and less expensive than in Eldridge,” he said. He pointed out that the drive to businesses and amenities in Eldridge was just a few minutes. But the most important amenity isn’t a HyVee or Genesis clinic. “I think the reason this is growing and will continue to grow, is it's in North Scott School District,” Woods said.  

Jeff Dunham, May 7

Appearing locally with familiar traveling companions such as Peanut, José Jalapeño, Bubba J., and Url, a youth forever preoccupied with his mobile device, comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings his national "Artificial Intelligence" tour to Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center on May 7, the artist having performed live in front of more than 7.7 million people across 1,500-plus shows between June of 2007 and June of 2024.

Knox County residents asked to submit damage reports from April 17 storms

Emergency management teams will use the information to see if the Knox County area meets the threshold for federal assistance to help affected property owners.

“The Zone of Interest,” May 7

A two-time Academy Award winner The Times deemed a "landmark movie, hugely important, that's unafraid of difficult ideas," writer/director Jonathan Glazer's Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest will be screened at the Figge Art Museum on May 7, this powerful 2023 work the latest presentation in the Davenport venue's series of provocative, suspenseful films set in the context of authoritarian fascism.

Eldridge rejects 3 proposals seeking to provide new future for shuttered community center

The Eldridge City Council previously voted to close the community center due to financial difficulties.

Additional tornadoes confirmed from April 17 outbreak

Six tornadoes have been confirmed in eastern Iowa and western Illinois.

Bettendorf Police Department plans contract with Flock Safety for drones

The drones would provide early awareness to first responders in some emergencies, such as a burglary in progress, a chemical spill or a traffic crash, Police Chief Doug Scott said.