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

Davenport Speedway will host summer nationals in mid-week racing

On Wednesday, June 17, the DIRTcar Summer Nationals late models return to the Davenport Speedway for the 31st running of the Iowa Governor’s Cup. The year 2026 is the 40th anniversary for the DIRTcar Summer Nationals. This year’s tour started June 9th. Thus far, race wins have gone to Shannon Babb(2), Jason Feger, and Brian Shirley. The [...]

Galesburg donates retired police SUV to student training program

A retired Galesburg police SUV is getting a second life, this time as a hands-on training tool for students exploring careers in law enforcement.

Lee County passes data center moratorium

No data centers will be built within the county for at least a year.

Demolition begins on 2 buildings in downtown Muscatine due to structural issues

A road closure is in place while crews work on bringing the buildings at 201 and 203 East 2nd St. down.

Advocates say WIC funding cuts could impact thousands of Iowa families

Millions of dollars that support children and pregnant women in low-income households are at risk after the U.S. House passed a cut in funding that would impact WIC benefits.

Rock island man arrested in connection with Tuesday homicide in East Moline

Officers were sent to the Crowne Forest Apartment complex in East Moline at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday to investigate a report of a man who had been shot.

QC Severe weather chances rising for Wednesday

There's a moderate risk for severe storms with tornadoes around a large part of Illinois on Wednesday. All modes of severe weather will be possible, including tornadoes around the Quad Cities.: Similar to last Thursday, our afternoon and evening severe weather threat will depend on what happens Wednesday morning:

Man faces first-degree murder charge in East Moline homicide

Early Tuesday morning, officers found a victim with multiple gunshot wounds at an East Moline apartment complex.

Iowa astrophysicist part of team making breakthrough white dwarf discovery

For the first time, a NASA X-ray space telescope has captured the innermost surroundings of a white dwarf star. Here's what it means for future scientific research.

Illinois bill would ban drivers from wearing smart glasses

An Illinois bill would ban drivers from wearing smart glasses. Illinois is the first state in the nation to ban drivers from wearing the AI-powered glasses. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says distracted driving is the 'drunk driving' of our generation. In 2024, more than 3,200 people were killed and 315,000 hurt in crashes involving [...]

Rock Island man faces first-degree murder charge in East Moline homicide

Early Tuesday morning, officers found a victim with multiple gunshot wounds at an East Moline apartment complex.

University of Iowa researcher helps with breakthrough study on white dwarf stars

Dr. Dustin Swarm discussed why the white dwarfs are so difficult to study and what the team learned about them thanks to a high-powered x-ray telescope.

Prosecutors say a Davenport couple severely abused a child. Now, the biological mother wants him back

New court documents detail allegations that a 10-year-old Davenport boy was secretly confined, deprived of basic needs and physically abused, leading to injuries doctors say could have been fatal without immediate care.

Man no longer missing Rock Island police say

The Rock Island Police Department is asking the community for help in finding a man reported missing.

Suspect faces 1st-degree murder charge after fatal shooting in East Moline

A 21-year-old man is being held in Rock Island County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder after gunfire in East Moline, according to a news release from the East Moline Police Department. At 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, East Moline police were dispatched to the Crown Forest Apartment Complex, 1275 45th Ave. Court, for [...]

Ben Newcomb, former Augustana athletic director and head football coach, dies at 91

Newcomb led the Vikings to the CCIW title and their first-ever berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs in 1975.

Kick off summer fun at the Henry County Fair

It's a sure sign of summer as the sights and sounds of rides, food, exhibitions and animals fill the Henry County Fairgrounds! Bradleigh Reed joined Our Quad Cities News with all the fun of the Henry County Fair. For more information, click here.

21-year-old arrested on murder charge after shooting

A 21-year-old Rock Island man was arrested on a murder charge after a shooting in East Moline Tuesday.

Burlington man sentenced to 10 years in prison for having over 9.5 pounds of meth

Michael A. Patoir, 48, was sentenced on June 10 for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to a media release.

The Other Brothers, June 28

Fronted by guitarist, harmonica player, and vocalist Eli Clark, who performs alongside bassist Johnny Parrish and drummer Jason Kadiwhompus, the acclaimed blues artists of The Other Brothers perform at Davenport's Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill on June 28, their exhilarating concert set co-presented by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society.

Radkey, June 27

Performing locally in support of their sophomore album Green Room and singles including "Games (Tonight)," "Better Than This," and "Strays," the sibling punk rockers of Radkey headline a June 27 concert at Rock Island's RIBCO, the young musicians praised by Atwood magazine for their “thick, slick rock and roll sound built on power chords and hypnotic vocal melodies.”

“Dancing Queen: Songs of ABBA,” July 1

On July 1, audiences at Rock Island's Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse are invited to sing, dance, and relive the golden age of pop with Dancing Queen: The Songs of ABBA, a celebration of joy, sparkle, and nostalgia featuring such unforgettable tines as "Waterloo," "The Winner Takes It All," "Fernando," and the timeless "Mamma Mia."

“Go Your Own Way: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac,” July 2

Celebrating the beloved pop and rock band responsible for sales of more than 120 million to date, the touring concert event Go Your Own Way: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac comes to Rock Island's Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse on July 2, taking audiences through a tour of the ensemble's classics from their Great Britain origins to their American debut and the addition of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.

Julie Doiron, June 26

Hailed by Pitchfork as an artist who "has remarkable control over her voice, folding simple sentences like origami to reveal surprising detail," Canadian singer/songwriter Julie Doiron headlines a June 26 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, The Guardian adding that in her most recent album I Thought of You, Doiron's "smoky vocals blend hope with pain on this laid-back album of lost love and new beginnings."

Iraqi soccer fans celebrate end of 40-year World Cup drought

The Iraq national men's team hasn't played a World Cup in 40 years; a drought that ends Tuesday night, to the excitement of soccer fans in Dearborn, Michigan, home to a large Iraqi diaspora.

Neptune's Core, June 27

With the artists, according to WLUW, "bringing young, bright energy to the Chicago music scene," the alternative rockers of Neptune's Core headline a June 27 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the band's latest album Called Upon praised by Unclear Magazine as "a collection for growth, pain, joy, and everything in between."

Carolina Liar, July 2

With the band's album Coming to Terms hailed by Consequence of Sound as a recording that "screams like a banshee leaping out of it’s cage and tasting freedom for the first time," vocalist/guitarist Chad Wolf and drummer Brian Ulery bring their touring outfit Carolina Liar to Davenport's Raccoon Motel on July 2, Blender adding that the artists' debut LP was "a handful of skyscraping, modern-rock behemoths."

The Heavy Heavy, July 1

Their 2024 debut album One of a Kind hailed by No Frills Reviews as "an impressive tribute to classic psych pop" and "a sun-drenched blend of psychedelic folk-rock," The Heavy Heavy headlines a July 1 concert at Maquoketa's Codfish Hollow Barn, Paste magazine adding that the duo makes "rock 'n 'roll music that is a colossal motley, soulful, rollicking delight."

Journey Live Production's “Funky Soul,” June 26 through 28

A powerful stage play inspired by the soul of Marvin Gaye that explores love, music, and the moments that shape us, the world premiere of Funky Soul enjoys a June 26 through 28 run at St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center.

“Seussical,” July 2 through 12

With the New York Times lauding the show as "85 minutes of sweetness, humor, and energetic high spirits," the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical Seussical continues the summer season at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre July 2 through 12, the musical's recreation of beloved storybook characters and situations brought to life by Tony-winning composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

Young Footliters Youth Theatre's “The Music Man Jr.,” June 26 through 28

A student-performed version of the Broadway classic whose original production earned five Tony Awards (including Best Musical) and the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, The Music Man Jr. enjoys a June 26 through 28 run at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, the Toung Footliters Youth Theatre presentation treating audiences so such timeless show tunes as “Seventy-Six Trombones, “(Ya Got Trouble,” and “Till There Was You.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Touch-a-truck... and-a-helicopter

Walcott families knew they were going to be able to touch a truck Saturday morning. But did they know they would be sitting behind the wheel of a high-clearance sprayer? Leaning on the horn of a skid loader? Watching a MedForce helicopter drop from the sky and lift back up—with a chance to climb aboard in between? Walcott’s first touch-a-truck event was a hit Saturday morning, June 12. Youngsters had the chance to explore several fire trucks, police trucks, public works vehicles, local tractors and sprayers, and yes, a blue-and-yellow MedForce emergency helicopter—a surprise even to The North Scott Press. Walcott city staff began planning the event late this winter, when the council decided it would not continue its summer camp program for young residents. The police department’s new Ford squad vehicle arrived the morning of the event—just in time. NSP words and photos by Noah Glasgow

2026 John Deere Classic, July 1 through 5

Designed to bring some serious swing into the summer, the John Deere Classic returns to Silvis' TPC at Deere Run from July 1 through 5, with this professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, in its 55th year, enjoying coverage on the Golf Channel and CBS Sports, and featuring youth activities, clinics, concert events with international superstars, and a climactic awards presentation.

“Davenport Civil Rights Movement,” July 1 through 31

With guests of the German American Heritage Center invited to explore the powerful stories, struggles, and triumphs that shaped the fight for equality in our community, the fascinating traveling exhibition Davenport Civil Rights Movement will be on display at the Davenport venue from July 1 through 21.

“Hamburg-on-Mississippi: Davenport's Germans & the Musical Mecca of the West,” June 28

Local history, 19th-century innovations, and figurative and literal harmony will blend at the German American Heritage Center on June 28 in the Davenport venue's Hamburg-on-Mississippi: Davenport's Germans & the Musical Mecca of the West, with Davenport native Gates Thomas delivering this latest presentation in the popular “Kaffee und Kuchen” series.

“Urban & Williams,” June 26 through August 7

With the latest Quad City Arts Center exhibition taking on a very specific theme, and a seasonally appropriate one, at that, a pair of Midwestern artists will have beautiful works displayed in Urban & Williams, with the Rock Island venue, from June 26 through August 7, treating patrons to bike photography by Ken Urban and bike illustrations by Jeff C. Williams.

Bettendorf looks to add a mental health co-responder to its police force

Bettendorf received a federal grant to hire a mental health co-responder to help respond to situations like mental health crises and death notifications.

North Scott Press — June 17, 2026

Community Foundation Cedar County awards $150,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Cedar County has awarded $150,950 to local organizations that enhance and improve the educational, cultural, recreational and economic environment in Cedar County. The Community Foundation of Cedar County, a geographic affiliate of the Quad Cities Community Foundation, helps donors make positive, local impacts by offering a variety of giving tools to [...]

EFD votes to remain independent

After news the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Company voted to remain an independent organization and increased its financial demands on the city, council members Monday expressed disappointment and frustration with the process. Over the last year, representatives of the department and the city have been engaged in discussions about the future of the department, with some of those talks centered on the possibility of the Eldridge Fire Department coming under the control of the city. The city received the news late Friday afternoon that members voted unanimously June 2 to remain independent and received a revised financial request from the department that substantially increased its previous ask. The department is now asking the city for $766,516 for FY27, $785,954 in FY28 and $805,393 in FY29. Previously, the department had asked for $476,670, $531,500 and $679,839. While the department has made an increased request for financial backing in FY27, the council approved the FY27 budget back in April, and that budget has already been certified by the state. The department has also retained a public relations firm. In a press release sent to The NSP on Monday morning by Cedar Rapids-based Plaid Swan Inc., department officials said that the membership voted unanimously at its June 2 meeting to remain an independent organization. Members apparently “expressed concerns that significant organizational changes could result in the loss of experienced volunteers at a time when volunteer recruitment remains a challenge for fire departments across Iowa and the nation.” The release said the membership believed remaining independent would offer the most “practical and cost-effective approach to maintaining service continuity while minimizing disruption to emergency response operations.” “Our firefighters believe maintaining an independent department is the best path forward for preserving the level of service Eldridge residents expect and deserve,” said firefighter Andrew Doyle in the release. The press release said the increased financial request focused on four areas: staffing and operational support; facility improvements to support volunteer recruitment and retention; replacement of ageing equipment; and long-term financial stability and capital planning. The department gave the city until July 15 to respond regarding support for the funding plan and the independent model. “The firefighters of this department have dedicated countless hours serving this community,” Doyle was quoted as saying in the release. “We are prepared to continue that commitment. The question now is whether the City is prepared to make the investments necessary to support the level of service Eldridge residents expect.” Eldridge mayor Scott Campbell brought up the fire department during his mayor’s report during Monday’s city council meeting. He expressed surprise at the department, saying he and other members of the council, as well as city staff, had been pleased with the direction the discussions were taking, but added that the city received no contact from the fire department between April 8 and the department’s announcement to the city last Friday. He said there were at least five meetings with representatives of the department between January and April of this year. During those discussions, it was determined that for FY27, the city would fund approximately 76.4% of the department’s budget, about $364,000 from property taxes and gas franchise fees. According to Campbell, that represented an approximate increase of $100,000 over FY26. The contribution from the county amounted to approximately $62,000.  “We felt we were making great progress,” said Campbell. “They said they needed to go back to the membership for a vote and then they’d be in touch. For more than two months, it’s been radio silence.” Campbell said city staff has not yet been able to fully evaluate the proposal from the department but said it was vastly different from what was discussed at the last meeting on April 8. He particularly expressed surprise at the substantial increase in the financial request. He also brought up conversation from a joint meeting between representatives of the fire department and the city council in May of 2025. “If you remember, when the department was here a little more than a year ago and they asked us to take it over, they clearly stated it was not about the money. It was all about burnout, and they were worried they would no longer be able to respond to calls unless they had a paid fire chief.” Campbell said at the April 8 meeting, “counting our $364,000 and the county’s contribution of $62,000, we were roughly $85,000 apart from what they said they needed to be an independent department. Now, in their email last Friday, they are asking for $766,516, $785,000 the following year, and $805,000 in FY29. This is after we told them we couldn’t sign a three-year agreement because of the budget unknowns from year-to-year. “A year ago, the decision to become a city entity wasn’t about the money. It was about burnout. Now, it appears it is all about the money.” Campbell said city staff was also not aware the department hired a public relations firm until they were notified about the press release on Monday afternoon by the media. He said he could pinpoint though, when the tone of the discussions began to change. “In all honesty, the negotiations seemed to change drastically when we told them that fire chief Keith Schneckloth would not be a viable candidate as chief if the city were to take over the department, for the simple reason that he would be ineligible to hire after being dismissed from his job as city mechanic. We also expressed concerns to the EVFC that if they hired Schneckloth as fire chief, that the working relationship with the city would be strained and could negatively impact the success of an ongoing relationship with the fire department as an independent agency funded primarily by the city. “I’m just disappointed that this is where we’re at today. I’m disappointed that there hasn’t been any communication for two months. I’m disappointed that it came in an email. I’m disappointed that they’ve hired a public relations firm to start some kind of PR campaign, and that we’re left with somewhat of an ultimatum to make a decision by July 15.” Council member Ryan Iossi, who has been a member of the city’s discussion team, expressed frustration. “I think as someone that’s been involved with the process, I’ll just be honest and say I took that as a demand letter on Friday. And the other question I had was, they had that vote on June 2, I believe. Why 12 days or whatever it was in between? Why didn’t they send it out? Why didn’t they reach out?” Iossi said he believed the city had put all its cards on the table during the discussion process, and he felt the fire department had not done the same. “We were talking about their budget, but the bottom line is, I cannot support what they’re requesting in that letter. It’s double what we’ve been putting in.” Campbell said, after the April 8 meeting, it was the city’s position that they could make the financial request at that time work with just a little more discussion. “And all of the sudden, they nearly double what they want from the city?” Iossi credited city staff with putting in extensive work in getting more information on how much it costs for other comparable communities to run their fire departments, including LeClaire. He said he was bothered by the fact that the department chose to reopen communications with what he perceived as an ultimatum. Council member Brian Dockery asked Campbell if he thought the tenor of the discussions had changed in any way because the fire department changed the personnel on its negotiating team. “Yes,” said Campbell. “I’ll say it right here, publicly, we had great discussions when Dave Engler and Tim Martinek were involved. Great discussions.” “And they were truly burned out,” agreed Iossi. “They were burned out, but they were passionate, and they came to the table, willing to talk, willing to discuss honest conversations,” said Campbell. “Things changed drastically when they left the table and the fire department’s negotiating team changed.” “I think, too, they’ve got all of those years of experience,” said Iossi. “They did not want to just walk away, and I respect them for that. That was one of their goals, was to try and find a solution. But at some point, they just became so tired.” “The new negotiating team came in with some pretty strong demands,” said Campbell. “And they weren’t really willing to listen to us too much. It was their way, and they thought they had us over a barrel.” “They do have us over a barrel to a certain degree,” said Dockery. “However, it’s unfortunate, and I hate to see it – we’re playing a poker game at a public meeting. I think that’s terrible.”  Campbell agreed, saying it was unfortunate that fire department members had chosen this public tack when behind-the-scenes discussions had been productive from the city’s standpoint. “Well, I think it’s got to come down to a few individuals over there, because why do people volunteer to help the community?” said Dockery. “I think as it goes forward, if it’s still a volunteer fire department or if it’s part of the city – they can say they’re all leaving, but people do that to service a community. I’d be curious on what the retention would be if the city did take it over. Is it going to be similar, addressing burnout?” Campbell said some of those concerns had been discussed in previous meetings. “But it comes back to, exactly, it’s about community service. That’s the bottom line. And if you’re a volunteer fireman and if you’re taken over by the city, you can walk out and leave your city empty-handed and unprotected, what does that say about you?” Dockery cautioned against painting the department with a single brush, which Campbell conceded, although he did point out that the department’s vote to remain independent was unanimous. Dockery also asked if this meant the door was closed for other options, and Campbell and Iossi said that was their impression from Friday’s communication. “That’s just horrible,” said Dockery. Iossi said the city and the department went over the budget repeatedly, trying to determine needs and wants. “Where all that fluff came in there now, I don’t know.” Council member Jeff Ashcraft said he understood the department wanting to remain independent, because coming under the auspices of the city would completely change the culture of the department. “What I don’t get is this budget,” he said, holding up a sheet of paper laying out the department’s monetary ask. “Well, this isn’t a budget. It’s very minimal in what it is actually sharing with us. And as you’ve already said, the doubling of the budget is outlandish. How can we negotiate on anything? One, how can we negotiate on this number? Two, how can you negotiate when our budget has already been approved and set, and it’s been certified? We can’t. We’re stuck. “I mean, that’s honestly terribly disappointing, and negotiating in poor faith.” Campbell said the most difficult thing for him to swallow was the fact that the department was asking for three-quarters of a million dollars in taxpayer money, and the city would have no say-so in how it was being spent. Ashcraft agreed. “We don’t have enough detail from their budget numbers to know what they’re really doing.” Council member Adrian Blackwell said, regardless of whether the fire department ultimately remains independent, the city should budget accordingly for increases in funding. That said, he added that the city needs to ensure it is being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers, while also ensuring the safety of citizens. Iossi said that giving an independent fire department a substantial sum of money with no oversight didn’t seem to him to be fiscally responsible. “There’s things that I saw on the budget, and I brought up and asked why it was on the budget because it’s also on the FEMA grant. (They said) because of the FEMA grant, if we happen to not get that check that year, we can still buy that. And some of those things were wants and some of them were needs. But Davenport, Bettendorf, Camanche – those cities don’t pay for things out of the budget knowing they’re in a SAFER grant. If the SAFER grant doesn’t come through, guess what? It stops. “Budgeting, sometimes you have to make decisions that you’re not fond of. And we went through that budget over two different meetings and tried narrowing that down to close that gap.” Dockery suggested the city needs to start investigating its options “if this goes totally sideways, because we have an obligation to provide fire service.” Campbell said that process had already begun. City attorney Allison Wright, who was present at the meeting on unrelated business, said the city did have some options for oversight on the money, but this would require a robust 28E agreement with the department. “So, it’s not, we’re just giving you this bucket of money. They would be our service provider, and they’d have to comply with the terms of the contract in the 28E agreement.” Dockery and Ashcraft said they would support such a 28E agreement.     

Eldridge clerk resigns Monday

Eldridge is once again looking for a new city clerk following the resignation of Tracy Northcutt on Monday. At Monday’s council meeting, members went into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)i “To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.” The council did not take action following the closed session, and Northcutt was not present at the meeting. Following the meeting, city administrator Nevada Lemke told The North Scott Press Northcutt tendered her resignation at 4:30 p.m. Monday. She declined to elaborate further on the reasons for the resignation at this time. Northcutt was hired in October of 2025, having previously served as the city clerk in LeClaire. She was sworn in as clerk in early November.

Council discusses future Eldridge growth

After several meetings’ worth of discussion regarding commercial and industrial development in Eldridge, mayor Scott Campbell called for a special committee of the whole meeting on Monday to discuss a not-so-simple question. What are Eldridge’s priorities when it comes to development? Campbell said he was inspired to call for the meeting in response to a comment from council member Brian Dockery at an earlier meeting. “We really have no idea when commercial and industrial development will come to the area, and I think his comment was, it could be 30 years. We just don’t know.” He said he also wanted to call for the meeting because some of the newer members of the council, including himself, had never had discussions on how they feel about growth. “So, I thought it was good for us tonight to maybe just have a discussion about what growth looks like and how we would move forward with that.” Campbell said he had done some research on industrial growth in Eldridge and said a major change in how the community viewed growth came in the mid-1960s, when city officials began to talk about annexing land. This became especially important when Caterpillar announced plans to build a plant in Mount Joy in 1965. The city council, and later residents, voted to annex that land into Eldridge, which eventually led Davenport and Eldridge to call for a 10-year moratorium on annexation. As soon as the moratorium expired, Caterpillar asked to voluntarily annex into Davenport instead, concerned that Eldridge could not offer what the company viewed as the proper amount of necessary services. This led to a lawsuit from the City of Eldridge. “It was ugly, as both communities understood the importance of being able to collect those tax dollars to help feed their city coffers,” said Campbell. “And I think this is all pertinent to share because we are facing some of those same issues today. Commercial and industrial growth is vital to the stability of our community, especially considering the 2% cap the state has placed on us for our general budget.” Campbell then read from a 1976 editorial written by Bill Tubbs, then-editor of The North Scott Press, where he pointed out that residential growth was not in and of itself beneficial to municipalities, saying single-family homes were more of a tax liability than an asset. “Instead, single-family homes come short as far as paying for city services like sanitation, sewer, water, police and fire protection.” Campbell went on to say that in 1976, Eldridge’s comprehensive plan called for extending sanitary sewer to the south edge of the city. “Those forefathers had a vision, and now, 50 years later, I think we as a council need to either reestablish that vision or create a new vision,” he said. Dockery said, years ago, there was an approximately 50/50 split between residential and commercial/industrial growth in Eldridge. He said he believes the city needs to consider additional voluntary annexation processes to the west and north of the current city limits. Council member Scott LaPlante said he thinks the city needs to ensure potential opportunities don’t go along the wayside. “They are our future, and they’re going to tell our residents that we’re willing to have that balance in our budget that we’re asking the industry to pay for part of what we do here in the city. The growth is needed, and for us to have a good future, we need to have that investment today.” Council member Adrian Blackwell said he was in favor of both additional annexation and looking for ways to offset the burden to residential taxpayers, although he said he didn’t want to rush either process. “When you rush things, you make mistakes.” Blackwell said he also hoped that the Eldridge Planning & Zoning Commission would take a look at future commercial/industrial growth to ensure it is beneficial to the community. He said that a major convenience store chain and at least one grocery store chain have also expressed an interest in Eldridge, particularly along LeClaire Road. Blackwell said he thought perhaps if there was development in the northern part of town, other developers might begin to express more interest in the southern part. “I think we need to look at it strategically and also think very hard as to why some of the larger developments have not chosen us. What feedback can we get … why were we No. 2 and not No. 1? Because lately, it appears to me it’s occurring.” Blackwell wondered if there was anything Eldridge could do to be more proactive in attracting industry. Assistant city administrator Jeff Martens, who handles economic development for Eldridge, said there were several reasons developers had decided to go elsewhere. In one case, the city lost out on a development because the eventual winning community straight up gave the developer the necessary land. Martens said other communities, including Bettendorf, have been willing to give tax increment financing (TIF) at a higher rate over a longer period of time. Martens said, at the moment, Eldridge is pretty solid, sewer wise. But some of the proposals he’s filled out have water capacity needs that exceed what the city can currently offer. Public works director Tony Rupe, who served as city administrator for a time, also said that Eldridge lost out on another development because of railroad constraints. “One of the other constraints we have is basically every railroad car that comes to Eldridge has to pass over a bridge in the Village of East Davenport that’s not only historic, but it also has a capacity limit and a size limit on it,” said Martens. He said that wasn’t necessarily a big deal for a company like Sterilite, which hauls plastic pellets, but could be a limitation for a company hauling anything with substantial weight. Blackwell asked if there was any way the city could incentivize companies for hauling over the road on Highway 61 or Interstate 80, or work on an incentive for Davenport to provide more options for rail. Martens said typically when it comes to rail use, these companies seem to have reasons truck hauling won’t work well for them. Martens added that rail transport is also a concern at John Deere Davenport Works, and the company has attempted to work with the railroad. However, for Davenport’s part, the city knows that Deere is really the only company on the north side that utilizes rail in a large capacity. Most of the other rail traffic that crosses the Village of East Davenport bridge comes to Eldridge, so Davenport doesn’t have much of an incentive to increase capacity. “Railroads are difficult to find the right people to talk to,” said Martens. “There doesn’t seem to be a great desire, other than Davenport Industrial Rail, which controls the Eldridge railway, and the Transload facility just south of Slopertown. They’re greatly concerned about it.” Campbell asked Martens if a lack of infrastructure in the southern part of town had been detrimental to attracting industry. “There are other communities – I know Clinton has an industrial park that’s ready to go,” said Martens. He said developers are more likely to pick a site that will be shovel-ready sooner. Martens also said that at Thursday’s meeting of the Eldridge Planning & Zoning Commission, they will be reviewing a two-acre plot in the Avery property, just east of Highway 61, near Molo Oil and Lewis Machine & Tool. The infrastructure on the site is already built out, and Martens said the city is starting to see a lot of interest in properties there. He said he felt within the next four to five years, that area would start to fill in with development. However, the south side of town does not have as much infrastructure development, especially west of Buttermilk Road. A study conducted by Shive-Hattery indicated that the city will need to install at least two lift stations in this area. While that cost could eventually be passed along to a developer, the city will also need to think about ways to incentivize growth in that area. Does Eldridge want mega projects? Dockery brought the conversation back around to annexation, saying it was important to him to ensure the city annexes land now to avoid another fiasco like what happened with the Caterpillar plant. “And that raises another question. We as a council need to decide – mega projects are big and glamorous and over the rainbow stuff. But the community learned their lesson well when Caterpillar shut down. I mean, it about crushed the school district. To me, I’d rather have smaller projects. They don’t have to be small small, but I’d rather have multiple small projects to diversify our tax base versus a mega project.” Martens agreed, saying a mega project wouldn’t necessarily be better for Eldridge. “You know, when you see a data center that’s supposed to be coming to Davenport, and is supposed to have been coming now for several years and it’s still not there. I know MidAmerican is still several years out on power for a project like that. Some communities are requiring them to generate their own power.” Martens said that the council should also decide if it wants to have policies on mega projects, in case there are any existing ordinances that will need to be changed. Looking at the big picture Council member Ryan Iossi said he was concerned the conversation was starting to get too in the weeds with discussion of existing infrastructure and he wanted to get an overall big picture of what the council wants for the community. “I think we’re in agreement that we want some growth. The question is, how do we get there?” Iossi said the council had already had a presentation from Charlie Armstrong and Rick Schaefer from Ruhl Commercial last September about potential growth for the community. “The people are not coming because the ground’s not ready. If we make that ground ready, they’re going to start coming, and they’re going to come quicker, because it’s not shovel-ready.” While he said Dockery made a good point about focusing on growth in the northeast part of Eldridge, where infrastructure is ready, Iossi said it was possible for the city to focus its attention there and on the south side of town. He also said it was important to educate the public on the benefits of industrial and commercial growth versus residential growth, which he asked city administrator Nevada Lemke to explain. She said, residential taxation value is typically about 45% of the assessed value of the property, while industrial and commercial is 90%. “So, if you look at $1 million of assessed value in residential, you’re going to be looking at about $450,000 coming in for property taxes,” said Lemke. “That same $1 million of assessed value on a commercial or industrial property is going to give us $900,000 in property taxes annually” “If we set a path to growing, knowing and understanding that that commercial tax base is what benefits Eldridge,” said Iossi. “We all want to keep taxes as low as we can. Eldridge has done everything they could. Sometimes there’s a cost to that, because you have to play catch-up certain years.” He said he believed it could be easy to annex land to the north of Eldridge, which Dockery said could be a benefit, as Eldridge could then potentially be able to gain another interchange to Highway 61 to the north. “And I like that,” said Iossi. “I still think that southwest corner is our sweet spot right now. That is where we need to be growing. And if we do it a step at a time, I don’t know if we’re going to get there in time.” Dockery said he preferred a systematic approach for the taxpayers. “You don’t have a concern though, that as we stair step it, knowing that studies have come back on our immediate needs, that we’re still going to be going back after the taxpayers for more and more each year to try to do that because we’re building in baby steps on that commercial site?” asked Iossi. The conversation turned to infrastructure for several more minutes before council member Jeff Ashcraft chimed in. “What I cannot do is support the status quo, because the status quo isn’t paying off in the way that I think I’m hearing from a visionary perspective we would like to see a payoff.” He said that, while he wasn’t sure if there was more benefit to development in the northeast or south side of town, “I know this: we have a lot of farmers around us who know that what they have to do every year is prepare for rain. And what that means is they have to work the field, they have to have the dirt ready to go. They have to have the seeds in the ground so that when it rains, they’re ready. “We’re not ready. We need to have a plan in place and we need to aggressively go after that plan … what we need to do is figure out which direction we want to go. Make a decision, and the rest is just logistics. We’re spending a lot of time here talking about the logistics. We need to figure out where we want to go and then aggressively go after it.” “Well, good point,” said Dockery. “But we also have to envision where do we see Eldridge and Long Grove in 40 or 50 years? Is there going to be a gap between us?” “You know, everybody talks about that small town feel, hometown,” said Iossi. “We don’t want to lose that, and in some certain ways, that’s unavoidable. But if we have the commercial, industrial infrastructure in place, that will offset the cost of what we have to raise taxes, to do the things that we need done. Just the needs, not the wants. That’s where I’d be more comfortable at. Right now, we’re not there. “We’ve got a lot of things that the city needs, infrastructure wise, facilities wise, we don’t have the money to pay for it. We’re going out for a bond referendum, and we’re trying to explain to the community why we need this, and why, all these years, we’ve been the lowest tax rate, but now here we are, asking for more money. That industrial and commercial tax base would help offset that. That, to me, is a no-brainer. If we had the perfect situation, I’d want it to be, like you said, 50/50. That would be perfect, and then we’d get the best of both worlds.” Future projects Campbell brought up the existing strategic and comprehensive plans, asking council members if they would like to see an update to either or both. Lemke said some conversations had been ongoing internally over the last year about updating the plans, although the process seems to keep getting pushed to the back burner. “We need to update both of those plans and make sure we are still in line with the overall comprehensive plan and then develop an updated strategic plan, because we’ve grown out of the last one that we’ve had quite some time ago.” Lemke asked the council if members would like her to start exploring options for consultants to conduct updated plans. Consensus was for her to move forward. Martens also brought forward a proposal for an Urban Renewal Area or TIF district in the southern portion of town, which largely encompasses the undeveloped area that is already partially for sale. Martens said there were landowners willing to sell in that area, and if the city was serious about development, it would make sense to start on the process sooner rather than later.

Water tower design approved

A pair of strawberries will adorn Long Grove’s refurbished water tower. The city council approved designs tower Tuesday, June 9. Contractors will paint the name of the city above a large strawberry on each side of the tower head. Council members preferred that design with an alternative that would have seen strawberries replace the Os in Long Grove. The council approved a $288,000 bid for tower refurbishment from O&J Coatings of Hurst, Tex. on April 14. Water treatment costs No members of the public objected to Long Grove City Council’s to divide the cost of its new water treatment plant between utility bills and tax revenues. The council hosted a pair of public hearings Tuesday, June 9, on its proposal to borrow $2 million in low-interest state loans and an additional $1 million at market rates. Utility revenues will back the state loan, and property taxes will back the market-rate loan. Long Grove had initially hoped to place the full cost of the treatment plant on a state loan—but cost overruns up to $700,000 have led the council to spread the expenses across multiple streams of revenue. The cost of the plant, including interest payments, is expected to near $4 million dollars. City Engineer Jason McKenzie told the council Tuesday that he expected construction to begin in the coming weeks. Guyer to be retained Long Grove will retain former city clerk Rose Guyer as a part-time finance and administration specialist, so long as she agrees to pay the city back for a share of her professional development costs. Guyer left Long Grove in May with several months left on a five-year contract, in which the city had agreed to cover a range of professional trainings and certifications. The council agreed Tuesday that Guyer should cover half of the professional development costs remaining on the contract, about $700. “I think it's fair to take it and split it down the middle,” Councilman Chad Ulrich said. Fellow council members Nancy Herrin and Amy Shannon agreed. The council will pay Guyer $29 per hour as a finance and administrative specialist. She will help new city clerk Lucas Syoen adjust to his role over the course of the coming year.

Tina’s Dance Studio becomes The Movement Collective

Crystal Winston and Savannah Roseman ushered in a new era of dance in Eldridge Sunday with a ribbon cutting for their newly renamed studio, The Movement Collective. The pair, who were longtime instructors at Tina’s Dance Studio, bought the studio from Tina Lindle last year. As they transitioned into the new ownership, they also began to discuss their vision for the studio, which included the new name. Roseman said she and Winston wanted a name that reflected more than just their dance offerings. “We wanted something more universal that kind of fit what we’re offering to the community.” Although dance will continue to be an important part of The Movement Collective, the studio also offers tumbling, gymnastics and Pilates. Roseman said she and Winston hope to add yoga and adult classes soon, too, and expand the gymnastics program. “Hopefully, we can grow our gymnastics program more, to offer more levels and more ages.” It’s a busy time at the studio, as summer camps are going on, and the competitive teams for the 2026-27 season were recently announced. Sunday, studio members also performed at the Strawberry Festival in Long Grove before gathering at the studio for the ribbon cutting, where some recent remodeling projects were also unveiled.  The Movement Collective remains at 2100 E. LeClaire Road in Eldridge. For more information and updates, visit The Movement Collective Facebook page or call 563-285-2222.

Rock Island police asking for public's help locating missing man

The Rock Island Police Department said 64-year-old Nathan McDowell was last seen on June 9.

Princeton solar bidding delayed

It may be several months before the city of Princeton hears bids on a solar array that could power its sewer treatment plant. Councilwoman Lori Maher reported last week that the city is waiting for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to guarantee that the project would be eligible for a low-interest state loan designed to help cities pay for infrastructure improvements. The city would need that guarantee before it could evaluate bids, Maher said. Maher, Councilman Brandon Forristall, Princeton Planning and Zoning Chair Tim Ruser, and project engineer Bryce Johnson will assess bids when they arrive and present a recommendation to the council. Princeton is not bound to award the contract to the lowest bidder, but will evaluate which bid best meets city needs and DNR requirements, Maher explained. Princeton has been at work on the social project for over a year. The council tabled several bids last spring amid worries that the project would cost more than it would save in electricity bills. But news that the array would qualify for a state revolving fund loan—at nearly half market interest rates—and persistent worries about the rising cost of electricity reinvigorated the project this year.  

Dixon names Manrique clerk

Nicholas Manrique of Dixon took off one city hat and put on another when he switched from council member to clerk earlier this month. Manrique, who serves as finance director for the city of Clinton, was one of four applicants for the clerk position. Fellow councilmen Matt Stolley and Zach Phares agreed to hire Manrique at the city council meeting June 3. He assumed the role June 8. Former clerk Meghan Ganzer resigned in April, and former councilwoman Amy Flynn has served as interim clerk since. Manrique said he believed that his accounting experience would benefit the city. He told The North Scott Press that he intended to hold the role “for the foreseeable future.” “We have had some very long tenured clerks in the past,” he said. He said he hoped to strengthen the council’s understanding of government accounting and revamp the city website. Manrique faced some scrutiny from residents in November, who alleged that he stirred conflict with a neighbor. Fellow council members support Manrique and said he brought valuable experience to the city. The council plans to fill Manrique’s vacancy at their next meeting, July 8. Any residents interested in filling the seat can contact the city, Mayor Steve Laughlin, or councilmen Phares or Stolley. 

North Scott Rotary awards $55K in community grants

The North Scott Rotary Club has announced the recipients of its 2026 Community Needs Grant Program, awarding a total of $55,000 to 15 nonprofit organizations serving the Quad Cities region. This year’s grant cycle saw more than 60 applications requesting over $300,000 in funding, reflecting both the growing needs within the community and the strength of local nonprofit efforts. After a thorough review process led by the club’s Community Needs Committee, 15 organizations were selected for funding based on their impact, innovation, and alignment with local priorities. Grant Recipients • GiGi’s Playhouse Quad Cities received $5,000 to support its Achiever’s Program Expansion • Humane Society of Scott County was awarded $5,000 for its Keeping Pets with Families initiative. • New Kingdom Trailriders received $1,000 for a Lean-to Shelter Project to support equine therapy programs. • The Third Place QC was awarded $4,000 for its Quad Cities Access Initiative: Transit and Essentials. • Big Brothers Big Sisters – $4,000 for School-Based Activity • Davenport Community Schools – $5,000 for Beds for Students in Crisis • Family Resources – $5,000 for Fresh Start Baskets • Soles for Children – $2,500 for Shoes, Coats, Hats & Mittens for Children • Friends of Donahue – $4,000 for Pickleball and Basketball Court Equipment • Hand in Hand – $5,000 for Inclusive Infant/Toddler Playground Upgrade • Quad City Symphony Orchestra – $2,500 for Students @ The Symphony • Neil Armstrong Elementary – $5,000 for a Therapy Dog program • Cancer Support Community – $2,000 for a 3-in-1 Game Table for Families and Kids • St. Ann’s Catholic Church – $3,000 for Night to Shine Support • Argrow’s House – $4,000 to Support for Domestic Violence Survivors The Community Needs Grant Program is a cornerstone of North Scott Rotary’s commitment to strengthening the region by investing in education, health, accessibility, and family support services. “Our community continues to demonstrate both significant need and incredible compassion,” said North Scott Rotary President, Deanna Jensen-Valliere. “We are proud to support organizations that are making a real difference in people’s lives every day.” The North Scott Rotary Club is dedicated to service above self, supporting local and global initiatives that improve lives and build stronger communities throughout the Quad Cities.  

Drainage school in August

The Agricultural Engineering team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will hold the Iowa Drainage School Aug. 25–27 at the Northwest Research Farm, located at 6320 500th Street, Sutherland, Iowa. The three-day program will focus on the design, installation and maintenance of drainage systems. The school features classroom lectures and discussions combined with team problem-solving and field exercises. Student teams will survey and design a drainage system for a sample area of the host farm using concepts learned during classroom discussions. By attending this school, participants will be able to plan and lay out subsurface drainage systems and work out project costs. In-field demonstrations of equipment and drainage tile installation will also take place. Class size is limited, and pre-registration is required. Registration is $500 per person if registered by midnight on Aug. 17; registrations will not be accepted after that time. Registration includes meals indicated on the agenda, refreshments, a course notebook and drainage reference materials. For more information, contact Kapil Arora at pbtiger@iastate.edu or Kris Kohl at Kkohl1@iastate.edu.

Iowa Swine Day June 25

Iowa Swine Day will be held Thursday, June 25, at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. Hosted by the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University, the Iowa Swine Day conference is designed with swine producers in mind and offers the most current information on topics critical to today’s pork industry. New and returning attendees can expect to hear from pork producers, industry leaders and researchers presenting the latest recommendations in swine health, facility management, new technology and more. Topics are selected by a planning committee of swine producers and industry representatives based on current industry challenges and opportunities to ensure the content remains relevant.  The morning session will begin at 8 a.m. with a welcome from David Cook, president of Iowa State University. Plenary session speakers will offer insights into gene editing, artificial intelligence in swine production and innovative leadership in a changing industry. Following lunch, attendees will choose between applied and research-focused sessions covering topics such as nutrition, operations, animal welfare, sensor technology and more. The cost to attend is $115, and registration will be accepted until June 25 or until capacity is reached. All attendees registered for Iowa Swine Day are welcome to attend a preconference networking social on Wednesday, June 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center, located at 2508 Mortensen Road in Ames.  The full program, registration information and directions to the venue are available on the Iowa Swine Day website. For more information, contact Stacie Matchan at sgould@iastate.edu.

Farmers market vendor resources available

The Food Innovation and Business Hub, part of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team, has released two resources to help food business owners prepare for farmers market days and better understand production costs, pricing strategies and profitability. The resources, “First Farmers Market Checklist” and “Food Product Cost and Pricing Calculator,” are available on the Extension Store at no cost. With the summer farmers market season underway, current vendors and those planning to join later in the season can download the “First Farmers Market Checklist” for a comprehensive guide to market-day essentials. It covers supplies and considerations for booth setup and weather, food safety and compliance, organization and operations and more. “Remember that every market is a learning experience that helps you improve for the next one,” said Alex Van Alstyne, food business extension specialist at Iowa State and author of both resources. “This checklist is designed to help make setup easier by giving you a starting point of commonly used items and helpful supplies that vendors can forget the first time around.” The “Food Product Cost and Pricing Calculator” helps food entrepreneurs understand their costs, set prices and make informed business decisions. It includes three pricing calculators, allowing users to input their specific recipe costs to guide pricing decisions. Van Alstyne says the resource helps address a common question for food businesses. “Many small businesses struggle to accurately calculate what their products truly cost to make and often overlook labor, packaging, overhead or fluctuating ingredient prices,” he said. “The goal is to help take the guesswork out of pricing so businesses can stop asking themselves, 'What should I charge for this?' and instead make pricing decisions backed by real numbers.” For more information, contact Van Alstyne at 515-294-3041or alexv@iastate.edu.

East Moline man pleads guilty to murder in 2020 stabbing

East Moline man Kerry Clark, who represented himself, pleads guilty to the 2020 stabbing death of Rodney Griffin and is sentenced to 20 years.

View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the June 17 NSP!

THURSDAY, JUNE 4 7:35 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of North Highway 67, Princeton. 10:06 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident near mile marker 131 on Highway 61 South. A vehicle driven by Regina May Gillette, 53, Allons, Tenn., side swiped a vehicle driven by Eugene Wilfred Gundrum, 76, Hartford, Wis. Gillette reportedly told deputies the wind blew the trailer of her vehicle into Gundram’s. 10:21 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem near 112th Street and 72nd Avenue. 11:42 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a juvenile problem in the 29300 block of 115th Avenue. 12:25 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a juvenile problem in the 6100 block of 114th Street. 12:50 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near East 53rd Street and Corporate Park Drive. 1:02 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 28200 block of 216th Street. 1:34 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem at Scott County Park. 2:53 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 11600 block of 108th Avenue. 9:30 p.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint. FRIDAY, JUNE 5 12:51 a.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 1700 block of State Street. 1:53 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 7200 block of Hillandale Road. 2:25 a.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 100 block of West 65th Street. 11:25 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. 12:17 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem. 12:35 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 2300 block of Western Avenue. 1:16 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem near 257th Street and 255th Avenue. 2:59 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 3900 block of Hopewell Avenue. 3:07 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident near East Kimberly Road and Eastern Avenue. A vehicle driven by Dustin William Buxbaum, 32, Bettendorf, turned left onto Eastern Avenue from a non-turning lane on a red light. Buxbaum’s vehicle was struck by a vehicle driven by Marco Antonio Landeros, 24, Des Moines. Buxbaum was cited for careless driving, failure to obey a traffic control device and driving with a suspended license. 3:18 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fraud complaint in the 400 block of West 4th Street. 4:02 p.m. — Phillip James Nelson, 54, Moscow, was charged with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, following an incident in the 13800 block of 118th Avenue, Davenport. 6:35 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 7100 block of 112th Street. 7:35 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 3100 block of West 52nd Street. 7:44 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fraud complaint in the 24500 block of Valley Drive. 7:52 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 9900 block of 123rd Street. 7:52 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 12800 block of Coonhunters Road. 9:11 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a missing person. 10:57 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 14600 block of 305th Street. 11:19 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 12400 block of 70th Avenue. SATURDAY, JUNE 6 1:27 a.m. — Kendal James Honts, 23, Davenport, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and carrying a weapon while intoxicated, and cited for an open container violation and speeding, following a traffic stop in the 6800 block of State Street, Bettendorf. 2:23 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of West 65th Street. 6:25 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident on Highway 61 South, where a vehicle driven by Annalee Marie Rocha, 21, Muscatine, struck a deer that entered the roadway. 8:19 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft on Grove Road. 8:49 a.m. — Deputies began a death investigation in the 2100 block of West 69th Street. 10:32 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 1:12 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance near North Division Street and West Kimberly Road. 1:17 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident the 300 block of South Utah Avenue, Davenport. A vehicle driven by Adam C. Burke, 44, Davenport, was southbound on Utah Avenue. Burke reportedly told deputies a northbound vehicle crossed the centerline, and he swerved to avoid a collision. The vehicle left the roadway and flipped into a ditch. Burke was cited for no valid driver’s license and failure to maintain control.  1:35 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 600 block of 2nd Street. 1:43 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 5700 block of North Division Street. 3:42 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 3100 block of East 53rd Street. 3:52 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident near mile marker 304 on Interstate 80 East. 4:08 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 300 block of West 1st Street. 6:41 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 17700 block of 110th Avenue. 7:38 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft. 9:45 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 9500 block of Hillandale Road. SUNDAY, JUNE 7 12:47 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 6500 block of Rockingham Road. 1:05 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 6500 block of Rockingham Road. 1:55 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 1600 block of West 7th Street. 2:43 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of East 55th Street. 3:34 a.m. — Deshawna Latrice Wrice, 20, Moline, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and driving while license denied or revoked, and cited for driving with suspended/denied/revoked license or registration and use of an electronic communication device while driving, following a traffic stop near Elmore Avenue and East Kimberly Road, Davenport. 10:20 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 500 block of Belmont Road. MONDAY, JUNE 8 3:05 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 100 block of West Central Park Avenue. 3:19 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 10:11 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a burglary/home invasion on Park Avenue. 11:12 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 27400 block of Frederick Drive. 2:00 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident near mile marker 284 on Interstate 80 West. A vehicle driven by Yadvinder Singh, 22, Sacramento, Calif., was westbound on Highway 61. Singh reportedly noticed that traffic was congested ahead of him and put on his hazards to indicate he would be slowing down. Singh’s vehicle was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Larry Dean O’Neil, 65, Geneseo, Ill. O’Neil was cited for failure to maintain control. Walcott police and the Walcott Fire Department also responded to the scene. 2:13 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 2300 block of East Locust Street. 2:55 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 3:31 p.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint in the 17800 block of 244th Avenue. 4:24 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 800 block of East LeClaire Road. 6:52 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 4700 block of 230th Street. 9:29 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a missing person in the 6100 block of 114th Street. 11:46 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage. TUESDAY, JUNE 9 12:18 a.m. — Alexander David Ahlgren, 30, Princeton, was charged with public intoxication – 1st offense, following a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of River Drive, Princeton. 12:33 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 9900 block of 123rd Street. 8:57 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 600 block of Belmont Road, Bettendorf. A vehicle driven by Michael Dean Fossey, 73, Ventura, was attempting to exit the parking lot at Pleasant Valley High School. Fossey changed lanes and struck a vehicle driven by Paige Elisabeth Jewel, 42, Bettendorf. 11:39 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 500 block of Chestnut Street. 1:59 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a burglary/home invasion in the 12800 block of Coonhunters Road. 5:36 p.m. — Deputies responded to a weapons complaint in the 2500 block of Holly Drive. 6:41 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 800 block of Lincoln Road. 7:10 p.m. — Deputies responded to a weapons complaint in the 1000 block of Hillside Drive. 9:05 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 9900 block of 123rd Street. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 12:20 a.m. — Donald William Mathes, 45, Davenport, was charged with OWI – 1st offense, following an incident in the 26700 block of Scott Park Road, Eldridge. 2:04 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 1500 block of West 53rd Street. 5:13 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check on Manor Drive. 8:00 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident near Highway 61 and 267th Street, Long Grove. A vehicle driven by Renee Marie Schneckloth, 35, Davenport, was stopped at a stop sign at the end of the Highway 61 ramp. She was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Deborah Ann Wright, 63, Davenport. 9:45 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 10300 block of 200th Street. 10:28 a.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 23800 block of 281st Avenue. 11:42 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 3600 block of Jersey Ridge Road. 11:49 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 100 block of South Kensington Street. 4:19 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 500 block of West 3rd Street. 4:25 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fraud complaint in the 700 block of Prairie Meadow Drive. 4:51 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 6100 block of 114th Street. 5:49 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 17900 block of Spencer Road. 6:14 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. THURSDAY, JUNE 11 1:14 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 2000 block of LeClaire Street. 7:36 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident near 140th Street and 118th Avenue. A vehicle driven by Whitney Linn Sizenbach, 38, Davenport, attempted to make a left turn on a flashing yellow light. She was struck by a vehicle driven by Holly Lynn Peterson, 47, Davenport. Sizenbach, Peterson and a passenger in Peterson’s vehicle were all transported by Medic to Genesis East Medical Center. Sizenbach was cited for failure to yield on a left turn. Peterson was cited for failure to provide proof of insurance. 1:16 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem near 70th Avenue and 130th Street. 6:36 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 2500 block of East Lomar Street. 7:39 p.m. — Deputies responded to an indecency/lewdness complaint in the 2300 block of West Locust Street. 8:48 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a juvenile problem in the 6100 block of 114th Street. 10:03 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 4400 block of State Street. FRIDAY, JUNE 12 12:34 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 3800 block of Creek Hill Drive. 1:40 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 300 block of Jason Way. 2:33 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 3200 block of Daisy Avenue. 8:46 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an assault in the 400 block of West 4th Street, Davenport.

View the Eldridge Police report from the June 17 NSP!

MONDAY, JUNE 8 8:38 a.m. — Complaint of a juvenile wandering around without a parent near West Franklin and North 1st streets. Handled by officer. 1:29 p.m. — Report taken for an accident between two vehicles in the 200 block of East Franklin Street. 5:04 p.m. — Complaint of smoke in a building in the 100 block of North 1st Street. The call was turned over to the fire department. Handled by officer. 6:24 p.m. — Report taken for an accident between two vehicles in the 800 block of East LeClaire Road. 6:26 p.m. — Complaint of a disturbance between neighbors in the 200 block of South 8th Street. Handled by officer. 9:39 p.m. — Assisted another agency with a traffic stop on Highway 61. 11:01 p.m. — Melody Arteaga, 60, of Fulton, Ill., was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to return leased property, following a traffic stop near East Blackhawk Trail and South 11th Avenue. TUESDAY, JUNE 9 2:37 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 400 block of South 16th Avenue. Handled by officer. 11:02 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 500 block of North 3rd Street. 1:14 p.m. — Report taken for an accident between two vehicles near East LeClaire Road and South 4th Avenue. 4:05 p.m. — Michael Henning, 37, of Clinton, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near Slopertown and South Buttermilk roads. 5:27 p.m. — Skyler Davison, 37, of Davenport, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop on Highway 613. 5:46 p.m. — Kaiden Ringdahl, 21, of Davenport, was cited for no driver’s license, following a traffic stop near East LeClaire Road and Highway 61. 5:50 p.m. — Complaint of suspicious subjects in the 700 block of East Pinehurst Drive. Handled by officer. 7:10 p.m. — Levi Livermore, 22, of Maquoketa, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle and no insurance, following a traffic stop on Highway 61. 9:58 p.m. — Complaint of a CO2 detector going off in the 2200 block of Stone Brook Lane. The call was turned over to the fire department. Handled by officer. 11:32 p.m. — Codi Patrick, 27, of Davenport, was cited for no insurance and no driver’s license, following a traffic stop on Highway 61. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 11:14 a.m. — Assisted another agency with an incident in the 500 block of West Valley Drive. Handled by officer. 6:04 p.m. — Report taken for theft of property in the 2300 block of East Lomar Street. THURSDAY, JUNE 11 10:26 a.m. — Report taken for damage to property near North 4th Avenue and East LeClaire Road. 6:36 p.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 2500 block of East Lomar Street. Handled by officer. 9:56 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 300 block of South Blanche Drive. FRIDAY, JUNE 12 2:33 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious subject in the 300 block of East LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 2:19 p.m. — Performed a welfare check in the 1800 block of Redbud Circle. Handled by officer. 6:20 p.m. — Report taken for a domestic disturbance in the 400 block of North 6th Street. 7:46 p.m. — Complaint of a reckless driver on Highway 61. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 10:26 p.m. — Performed a welfare check in the 300 block of North 6th Street. Handled by officer. 11:05 p.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 1100 block of East Iowa Street. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. SATURDAY, JUNE 13 12:20 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 400 block of Trails Road. Handled by officer. 2:12 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 200 block of South 9th Avenue. Handled by officer. 7:43 a.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle near South 1st Street and West Torrey Pines Drive. Handled by officer. 9:09 a.m. — Report taken for a dog bite in the 1100 block of West Davies Court. 10:14 a.m. — Report taken for a single vehicle accident in the 800 block of East LeClaire Road. 6:15 p.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle on Highway 61. Handled by officer. 7:34 p.m. — Trevor Doyle, 30, of Eldridge, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 300 block of East Franklin Street. 7:41 p.m. — Des Menn Spann, 35, of Davenport, was cited for operation without registration, following a traffic stop in the 200 block of East LeClaire Road. 8:15 p.m. — Complaint of two dogs running loose in the 300 block of West Donahue Street. The animals were returned to the owner. Handled by officer. 11:48 p.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle on Highway 61. Handled by officer. SUNDAY, JUNE 14 1:12 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 400 block of South 14th Avenue. 2:55 p.m. — Aldair Mayren Salinas, 28, of East Moline, was cited for operation without registration, following a traffic stop near South 1st Street and Slopertown Road. 4:35 p.m. — Complaint of a reckless driver on Highway 61. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 5:01 p.m. — Complaint of a subject in the 300 block of North 3rd Street being harassed. Handled by officer. 5:07 p.m. — Complaint of a subject trespassing in the 700 block of East Price Street. Handled by officer.

Opening draws hundreds to Walcott Commons

Hundreds gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Walcott Commons—the former Coliseum, 116 E. Bryant Street—Friday evening. While owners Brett and Felisha Lacher said a café and ice cream shop planned for the west side of the building will not open for several weeks, the east-side event space was filled with guests Friday. And its bar was in full service. The Lachers purchased the Coliseum building in April and began renovations that month. The café will feature coffee, energy drinks, sandwiches and salads.

Winnings benefit Buffalo food pantry

Sally Rodriquez purchased the winning ticket at the Scott County Democrats Red, White and Blue Fundraiser. The winning ticket entitled her to $500 of free groceries at any grocery store of her choice. Sally is the mayor of Buffalo and is generously donating all her winnings to the Buffalo Food Pantry! The donations will sustain the good work of the pantry. Congratulations!  

DeWitt flea market June 20

Make plans now to attend the fifth annual Flea Market, Antique and Collectible Show being held on Saturday, June 20, at the Clinton County Fairgrounds in DeWitt. This is one of Iowa's largest flea markets, with over 100 sellers inside three huge buildings totaling over 35,000 square feet of exhibit space.  Expectations are also for over 35-40 outside sellers with weather permitting. This will be the first time the show will be held on a Saturday, as in the past the show was always held on a Sunday. If you are a collector, antique dealer, or simply a vintage seeker or a bargain hunter, then this is one show you simply do not want to miss. The hours of the show on Saturday, June 20, are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Admission is only $5, with anyone 10 years and younger free.  Parking is also free. For any buyers wanting to get an early start, early bird shoppers are welcome between the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for an admission of $10 per person.  The Clinton County Fairgrounds is located at 328 East 8th Street on the far east side of DeWitt.  For more information on the show, please call Callahan Promotions, Inc. at 563-357-1986. In addition to all of the above, two well-known DeWitt antique stores will also be open for business on Saturday as well.  Emma Rae's Antiques & Unique (with over 100 vendors) and Chairy Picker will both welcome customers throughout the day while the flea market is in progress.  

Pseudorabies 'resolved' in Iowa

Pseudorabies, a disease that primarily impacts swine, is again considered eradicated in Iowa, after the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship confirmed a spring outbreak did not spread to other farms. The virus was detected April 30 in a small Iowa herd that was later depopulated, per U.S. Department of Agriculture protocol. According to a Monday news release from IDALS, a second round of testing revealed no additional cases of the virus. IDALS said farms that were quarantined since the detection are now released and may resume routine animal movements. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in a statement the situation has been “resolved” and the state was able to “contain and eradicate” the pseudorabies virus from the state. The five infected boars were traced back to a facility in Texas, where USDA also detected the virus. According to USDA the detection was the first case of pseudorabies in a commercial swine herd since 2004. While the disease has been eradicated from commercial herds, it is still present in feral hogs. IDALS said the impacted Texas herd was housed outside and had the potential for contact with infected feral hogs. “This situation is a great reminder that we must always be prepared to respond to animal health threats and can never get complacent in our efforts to keep these diseases out of our herds,” Naig said in a news release. The pseudorabies virus does not pose a threat to humans as they are considered resistant to infections of the virus.

Bettendorf planning bike pump track and playground at Middle Park

Pending city council approval, Bettendorf plans to add a bicycle pump track to Middle Park, a first-of-its-kind amenity for the city.

Obituary: Robert Maxwell

Robert Allan Maxwell passed away on Wednesday June 3, 2026, while a patient at Majestic Care of Connersville in Connersville, Ind., at the age of 85.  Bob was born in Davenport on April 27, 1941, one of six children of George Allen and Alice Louise (Kronenberg) Maxwell. In May of 1962, Bob was united in marriage to the former Kathy Lucas in Davenport.  On Jan. 9, 1970, in Rock Island, he was united in marriage to the former Sandra Tague.  Together they shared 56 years of marriage and together they created a lovingly blended family of five children.  They moved to Indiana in 1985. Bob was a devoted member of the Cincinnati Primitive Baptist Church for over 30 years.  While living in Iowa, Bob was a member of the Davenport Presbyterian Church and the Davenport Moose.  He was also a member of the Eagles while living in Texas.  He retired after 39 years from International Harvester/Navistar, where he was an engine tester.  When he wasn’t testing the engines, he could be found making meals for his co-workers. In his younger days in Iowa, Bob coached Little League, participated in bowling and golfing leagues.  He enjoyed going camping, fishing and exploring flea markets.  He loved playing the German card game Skat.  He and Sandra would travel across the United States to play in competitions.  He also enjoyed working with his Woodmizer sawmill and was an avid fan of any type of school’s sports.  He was a collector of Griswold Iron Skillets.  He loved traditions and family celebrations. Cookie bake in December was a favorite. He wanted his grandchildren to remember him as always having ice cream in the freezer. His love and memories will be cherished by his wife, Sandra; children, Sandi Marie (Mark) Bennett, Kenneth Robert Maxwell, Sara E. Giacalone, Natalie (Eric) Roots, and Elizabeth (Vincent) Schurger; grandchildren, Brandon (Kaity) Bennett, Justin Bennett, Kimberly (Jake) Ruwe, Amanda (Kiefer) Musiel, Kolten Maxwell, Adam Giacalone, Alex Giacalone, Clayton (Hallie) Roots, Caleb Roots, Benjamin (Madison) Roots, Annika Roots, Nolan Robert Roots, Gabriel Schurger, Samuel Schurger and Evelyn Schurger; and seven great-grandchildren.  He will be in the thoughts of his siblings, Marge (Richard) Klein, Mary (Brian) Christensen, Edwin (Sharon) Maxwell and John D. (Joan) Maxwell: sister-in-law Joyce Maxwell, as well as a large extended family. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, George B. Maxwell and a son-in-law, David Giacalone. Family and friends may gather for visitation at Cinnamon Ridge Dairy Farm, 10600 275th St., Donahue, on Sunday, July 5, from 2-4 p.m. A eulogy will be given at 3:30 p.m.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Shirley Oberly

Shirley Jean (Wicks) Oberly, 80, of Eldridge, passed away on June 4, 2026, peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer. She had the love of her family around her and will be deeply missed. She was 80 years young. Shirley Jean (Wicks) Oberly was born March 2, 1946, in Monmouth, Ill., to Dwayne and Martha (Lefler) Wicks. Shirley was the oldest of seven. She graduated from Monmouth High School in 1964. She loved going to school, taking piano lessons, and spending time with her friends. Shirley was united in marriage to Lewis “Lou” Henry Oberly on Feb. 24, 1970, in Quincy, Ill. She was married to the love of her life for 31 years before Lou’s passing on April 7, 2001. She and Lou would regularly attend the Mississippi Valley Fair concert series. Some of her favorite artists were George Jones, Alan Jackson, Reba McIntire, and Tanya Tucker, to name a few. They would also regularly visit craft fairs around the area. One of her favorite fall craft fairs was Spoon River Scenic Drive. She loved collecting antiques. Some of her cherished antiques were made by her grandfather. Shirley’s early working years included working in the kitchen at Monmouth Hospital, Kelly Cleaners, Monmouth, Wyngaard, producer of TV antennas and circuit boards, an Ordinance Plant, making ammunition, and then made her way to Maytag (fka Admiral), where Shirley retired from in 1999 after 30 years of service. Shirley’s most memorable and joyous times were spent with her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were at the center of her world. Left to honor Shirley’s memory are her siblings, Gary (Rose) Wicks, Ronald “Ronnie” (Lee) Wicks, Dale Wicks, Lola “Cathy” Wicks, and Earl (Laura) Wicks; son, Roger (Bev) Dowell, and daughters, Lesley (Chris) Carter, Chris (Charlie) Oberly-Young, and Angela Zybarth; grandchildren, Anthony (Joseph “Joey”) Schulte, Kristin (Jay) Thomas, Rebecca (James) Mesplay, John (Joslynn) Dowell, Baileigh (James) Simpson, Bryant Swanson (Katrina Lesner), Casey (Erin) Oberly, Cody Maxson, and Autumn Zybarth; and 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Lou, she is preceded in death by her parents and infant sister, Baby Girl Wicks. Services were held on Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m., at Oakdale Cemetery Mausoleum with interment at the gravesite. Memorials may be made to MercyOne Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, or to her family. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.rungemortuary.com.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Carol Snay

Please join the family of Carol Jean Snay for a celebration of her life on Sunday, June 28. The service will be held at Calvary Church of Walcott at 1 p.m.

2001: Tornado whips through Blue Grass

June 17, 1976 • Pat Green, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Green of rural Davenport, was elected state girls’ 4-H president at the Iowa 4-H Conference in Ames. Pat was a 1976 graduate of North Scott High School and her family had a long history in 4-H. Her older brothers were both members, while her parents met while they were both serving as county officers. Ted Green was also a former state officer. As part of her responsibilities, Pat would help coordinate the 4-H activities at the Iowa State Fair and head up the 40-member state 4-H council. • Area ag royalty was crowned. Sherry Bernick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Bernick of Walcott, was named Scott County Pork Queen. Gina Baustian, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Baustian of Davenport, was named Pork Princess. And Pam Paper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Paper of Stockton, was crowned Scott County Dairy Princess, while Judy Havill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Havill of New Liberty, was Alternate Dairy Princess. • Fourteen Scott County residents were honored for outstanding contributions to conservation during the 8th annual Izaak Walton League awards banquet. They included Mrs. Robert Harmel, Caryl Fick, Shannon Blaske, Mrs. Janaan Diemer, June Brewer, Mrs. Ferrel Anderson, Ray Baetke, George Endlich, Joe Ragona, Joseph Sheridan, Butch Saling (representing Boy Scout Troop 203 of Long Grove), Joe Scott, Eunice Vander Horn and Delmar Brus. • Two central Iowa grain elevators sued Davenport-based grain dealer Ferruzzi and Co., accusing the dealer of mis-weighing and mis-grading grain. Hartwick Feed & Grain Inc., in Poweshiek County, and Parnell Elevator Inc. of Iowa County, each asked for putative damages of $1 million. Hartwick also claimed actual damages of $30,135.01, and Parnell claimed $1,250. • The North Scott softball team was off to a 4-1 start, with three wins in one week. That included a 22-6 win over Northeast, where the Lancers scored 13 runs on four hits in the first inning. Koreen Knutson hit a grand slam against Bettendorf to secure a 17-14 victory. And, despite 10 errors, the Lancers also defeated Camanche 20-10. June 18, 1986 • Hilding Lund was named grand marshal of the Princeton Day parade. “Princeton is one great town,” he said. “I spent 50 years doing business in that town, so I should know.” A longtime mechanic, he opened H.E. Lund Garage & Implement in 1927. He also acted as Santa Claus for the community, handing out 1,000 stockings packed with toys, candy and refreshments for adults. After Santa’s visit, he would have a dinner party. A former Scott County supervisor, Lund also served on the Scott County Library Board, the Salem Lutheran Cemetery Board, the Pineknoll Health Care Board, and was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Princeton. • The owners of Trails End Trail Rides said they planned to close up shop on their Scott County Park operation as of July 12. Jerry and Donna Jackson said one of the biggest problems they faced was the high cost of insurance, as well as difficulty attracting business. Donna Jackson said 15 of their 17 horses had been purchased by the Mississippi Valley Girl Scouts Council to be used at Piper Hills Ranch in New Windsor, Ill. • Ground water pollution was reaching a critical stage, said Charlotte Mohr, commissioner of the Iowa Department of Water, Air and Waste Management. “Clean and safe water is a top priority,” said Mohr, who resided in Scott County. “It’s the eleventh hour. We need to do something about it.” That included research into the minimum levels of chemicals necessary for agricultural use. Lonnie Miller, a conservationist for the Scott County Soil Conservation District, said there was also concern about naturally occurring nitrates in ground water. • Anna Ellinghouse, a resident of Riverview Manor Nursing Home, celebrated her 100th birthday. She was the oldest member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, Hawkeye Chapter 17, and fellow members visited her at the nursing home, where they presented her with a corsage and a plaque. Ellinghouse also welcomed other visitors, and her room was filled with flowers in celebration. • University of Iowa basketball star Gerry Wright was set to be the featured speaker at the Lancer Basketball Camp in July. Coach Bill Harris said Wright, known as “Sir Jamalot,” would also demonstrate techniques to the campers. Team members also participated in a tournament at Dubuque Wahlert High School. June 20, 2001 • Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack declared Scott County a disaster area after a tornado swept through Blue Grass and high winds plagued other areas of the county, including Eldridge. Approximately 30 homes were damaged in Blue Grass, where the tornado came together with nearly no warning, to the point that officials were not even able to sound the tornado sirens in time to alert residents. The Blue Grass Fire Department, assisted by Walcott and Buffalo firefighters, patrolled the area in the aftermath, checking for downed power lines and natural gas leaks. Meanwhile, in Eldridge, the winds caused extensive damage, as downed trees damaged houses and vehicles. “Boy, Mother Nature sure was mad at us,” said Ron McGill, general manager of the utility company. “But, it could have been a lot worse.” • Long Grove began construction on Heritage Park, at the corner of Main and First streets. According to council member Jim Ingram, the park would be an opportunity for residents to memorialize and honor their families. Interested families would also be able to “adopt” a tree, shrub or bench in the park. A pear tree had already been donated, and resident Dan Nagle was also planning to donate a gazebo for the park. • The upcoming WoodArt Expo was set to be a family affair for the Rumpzas of Princeton. Joanne Rumpza and her sons, Justin and Shane, planned to enter works into the competition as did her father, Frank Coussens of New Liberty. The event was set to take place at the Putnam Museum in Davenport. • Prior to the last day of school, first graders at Neil Armstrong Elementary School participated in a bike rodeo. Students at Armstrong were allowed to ride their bikes to school starting in second grade, so the first graders were instructed on the rules of the road, participated in a safety course, and each received a bike helmet. The first bike rodeo took place in 1998, when the school began requiring all bikers to wear a helmet. • The North Scott softball team was ranked No. 5 in Class 3A and was on an eight-game winning streak. They helped host the Pleasant Valley Classic, after the Spartans’ fields were deemed to be too wet following a rainstorm. The Lancers picked up wins over Iowa City West, Fort Madison, Newton and North Cedar. This was part of a stretch that would see the Lancers play 20 games in 14 days, including travelling to Durant and Davenport Assumption, four games at the Ames Classic, and hosting Davenport Central. June 22, 2011 • The U.S. Postal Service officially confirmed mail sorting would be moved from the Eldridge Post Office to the Northwest Station in Davenport. Sandra Calos of the USPS told U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley’s office the move was “part of a strategy for continuing to be leaner, faster and smarter.” Calos added that customer service would not be affected by the change, and postmaster Tracy Harris would not lose her job. All these changes were prompted by declining mail volume. • The Eldridge-North Scott Chamber of Commerce announced it would hold a job fair for employees affected by the closure of RR Donnelly in Eldridge. “We contacted RR Donnelly and they’ve had businesses getting in touch with the with positions that could be filled by their employees, and we thought we’d create and event so that we’d all be in one building at the same time,” said Chamber director Carolyn Scheibe. • Jeff Blake was officially sworn in as the new police chief in Walcott. He began his career as a part-time officer in several small towns, including Clarence, Lowden, Stanwood, West Branch and Tipton, before being hired full-time in Blue Grass in 1998. He came to the Walcott Police Department in 2003.Blake said his first big challenges would come quickly, as Walcott prepared to host the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, immediately followed by Walcott Day. Then, at the end of July, Walcott would be the final overnight stop on RAGBRAI before the ride finished in Davenport. • North Scott activities director Frank Wood announced he planned to seek a seat in the Iowa House of Representatives in the newly-redrawn District 92, which included Eldridge, Blue Grass, Walcott, Maysville, Dixon, Donahue, Long Grove; Liberty, Cleona, Hickory Grove, Sheridan, Blue Grass and Buffalo townships; and the western part of Davenport. The seat was currently held by Republican Ross Paustian. Wood had previously served in the Iowa Senate, as well as mayor of Eldridge. • In its first year of existence, the North Scott Trapshooting Team placed ninth at the Iowa High School Trapshooting State Championships in Cedar Falls, connecting on 456 of 500 possible targets. Sophomore Koby Lund placed ninth, and junior Quentin Smith placed tenth. “The season went well,” said coach Dave Fredericksen. “It was a learning curve for all of us, both kids and coaches. The kids were great, and they always had good attitudes.” June 16, 2021 • Donahue and Princeton were both mulling offers from Iowa American Water to buy the communities’ water utilities. While Donahue mayor Ken Schoenthaler indicated support from his community, Princeton council members still had many questions and concerns. Princeton mayor Kevin Kernan said he was “adamantly opposed” to selling the utility. “When you sell infrastructure, you’re never going to get it back,” he said. • Eldridge police responded to a report of a homicide in the 300 block of West Davenport Street, where a 28-year-old woman was shot to death. While initial reports indicated it was an accidental shooting, authorities quickly determined it was homicide. Police responded to at least five emergency calls to the residence in the last year. • The Scott County Board of Supervisors was considering how it would spend nearly $33.6 million received from the American Rescue Plan Act. “This is a huge sum of money and there are strict reporting requirements,” said county administrator Mahesh Sharma. “This is $33 million, or about half of our general fund.” Possible uses included pandemic expenses and future healthcare and infrastructure projects. • Caelan Engelbrecht was crowned Scott County Pork Queen. Cora Golinghorst was named Little Miss Pigtail. • The North Scott baseball team picked up five wins in six games over the course of three days. This included a sweep of Bettendorf, a split with Davenport Assumption, and walk-off victories against Marion and Storm Lake at the Cedar Valley Invitational in Waterloo. Ryan Sanders was 15-for-21 over the last seven games and led the team with a .500 batting average.  

The Mockingbird and Black Hawk College joined in theatrical marriage

Black Hawk College and The Mockingbird theater company are entering a new ongoing partnership dedicated to producing professional-caliber theater.

Iowa officials announce successful eradication of contagious swine virus

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A contagious virus that was detected in a small commercial swine facility in Iowa earlier this year has been eradicated, according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. The Pseudorabies virus was found in April in an Iowa swine herd that had been received from Texas in recent months. The virus [...]

Judge moves Rock Island murder case forward for woman accused of using Snapchat to set up fatal shooting

A judge finds probable cause in the murder case against Danejah Vesey, accused of using Snapchat to set up the 2023 shooting of Quadril Lawal.

Iowa Republicans failed to deliver on eminent domain

Kim Reynolds vetoed a bipartisan eminent domain bill in 2025 after a private company tried to use eminent domain to take over private land in Iowa, leaving Republicans unable to agree on how to protect Iowa landowners from private corporations that stand to profit from the taking of private land. Republicans at the statehouse spent the 2026 legislative session divided on the issue. Despite the imminent threat and Republicans’ promise to deliver some protection to landowners, no bills were moved this year. Let me be clear: Eminent domain for private gain hurts farmers and landowners and is against our democratic principles. What can eminent domain be used for? The short answer is it’s complicated. Under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, private property can only be taken if it serves a “public use,” but what the word “use” means has been up for debate for years. Eminent domain has been a particularly hot-button issue since 2005, when a case called Kelo v. the City of New London redefined eminent domain. The case was brought before the United States Supreme Court when city planners in New London, Connecticut, tried to transfer land to the New London Development Corporation. The land would ultimately be used for a new facility for the biopharmaceutical company Pfizer.    A handful of property owners refused to give up their land for the project and argued the city’s actions were unconstitutional since the city sold their land to private developers rather than for “public use.” The Supreme Court decided the city had the right to seize private land for an economic development plan, but it wasn’t a unanimous decision. In her dissent, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote that “all private property is now vulnerable to being taken and transferred to another private owner, so long as it might be upgraded.” In the end, after the property in New London was taken from landowners and the homes were bulldozed, the project never actually became reality because the facility was never built. While eminent domain will continue to be debated at the national level, Iowa lawmakers have a chance to reform our eminent domain process to widen the corridors and change the rules around when developers can start talking to landowners so developers and landowners have more of a chance to work together. Lawmakers can also ensure that if big building projects like the pipeline, which can require 2-million man-hours or more, move forward, they are built by Iowans and come with good-paying union jobs. But, between legislators who are beholden to special interest groups and all of the infighting between members in the majority party, Republicans are clearly unable to lead on this and many other issues. Failed leadership has not only left Iowa landowners worrying about whether a private corporation could swoop in and take their land – it has left Iowa with an economy moving in the wrong direction, new cancer rates rising faster than any other state, hospitals closing, our public schools declining in national rankings, and our farmers struggling to make a profit. Iowans deserve so much better. This November, Iowans will have a chance to make their voices heard at the ballot box. If you don’t like that Republicans’ inability to lead has left them hamstrung and you’re ready for some real change in our state, take a close look at who you have running for state house and senate in your district and think long and hard about what their leadership has done to help you and your family, friends and neighbors. Perhaps it is time to vote for someone new. This year, you will find Iowa Democrats are running candidates who actually live in the state and understand Iowans because they are land owners themselves, small business owners, teachers and parents who are just trying to make the state they live, work and are raising a family in a better place. They are ready to lead on issues that will protect property owners from corporations, bring down costs for everyone, ensure access to affordable, quality health care, and put our public schools first.  

Protecting Iowa landowners is a basic conservative principle

The very first bill passed by the Iowa House in the 2026 Legislative Session sent a clear message - private property rights must be protected from eminent domain abuse. No issue has generated more passionate feedback from my constituents than this one. The connection Iowans have to their land runs deep. For several years, the debate surrounding eminent domain and carbon capture pipelines has been at the forefront of state politics. Under my leadership, House Republicans have never wavered. We have tried various legislative avenues to protect your private property rights. This year, we got back to basics. House File 2104 explicitly stated that eminent domain cannot be used for the construction of carbon capture pipelines. Let me be clear: our position is not anti-pipeline. Property rights do work both ways and there many landowners who do want to see this pipeline built, citing the potential economic development and the expansion of the corn market that these pipelines could bring as reasons for their support. As a corn farmer myself, I understand the importance of opening new markets and supporting agricultural innovation. But, in my opinion, economic potential doesn’t justify the erosion of constitutional rights. Eminent domain must be exceedingly rare, reserved strictly for the true public good. Our goal has never been to tell these companies they cannot build in Iowa, but instead to say they must negotiate fairly with landowners, rather than relying on the heavy hand of government to seize what they want. The party of big government—AKA the Democrats—talks out of both sides of their mouths on this issue. That’s easy to do when you sit squarely in the minority and bear no responsibility for actual governing. Seeing how clearly Iowans value their property rights, many Democrats have suddenly latched onto our ideas. But a look at their actual track record exposes the hypocrisy. Historically, Democrats have never been the defenders of the American landowner. Where were Iowa Democrats when the Obama administration weaponized the Clean Water Act through the overreaching "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule? Democrats cheered as Washington bureaucrats tried to claim jurisdiction over simple ditches and dry creek beds on Iowa farms. When conservation regulations are used to restrict how farmers can manage their own fields, Democrats consistently side with the regulatory state over the individual. Their political philosophy is rooted in the belief that government knows how to manage your land better than you do. The fierce debates over the CO2 pipeline have taught us valuable lessons, and House Republicans applied that knowledge directly this session as we navigated the emerging hydrogen market. Under previous law, there were no landowner protections for hydrogen production. Your neighbor could drill and find hydrogen under your land and never even alert you, let alone pay you. Senate File 2490 establishes a 25% pooling standard. If your land is part of a production unit, you are legally entitled to your fair share of royalties—even if the physical well is on a neighbor’s property. SF 2490 also mandates surface damage agreements, ensuring farmers have a say in where equipment goes and how their soil is protected. When the original bill arrived in the Iowa House, our caucus insisted on expanding these protections based directly on the feedback we received during the pipeline debate. We added robust amendments to ensure that once a landowner says "no," a company cannot continue to harass them. Crucially, we also guaranteed that no corporate entity can set foot on your property to survey or drill without explicit permission. I am proud to say that this legislation, reinforced by House Republicans to put landowners first, has been signed into law by Governor Reynolds. Whether dealing with established energy projects or emerging markets, so long as I am Speaker of the Iowa House, we will continue to fight for your private property rights. I look forward to working with my fellow Republicans in the Senate on this issue further.  

Scott County Treasurer's satellite office temporarily closes after water main break

All services normally conducted at the County General Store location will be available at the downtown Davenport office.

Hometown with a vision... blocked by a pole barn

Our city slogan is "Hometown with a Vision," not "Hometown with a POLE BARN!” Last summer my neighbor built a huge pole barn in their back/side yard of their property. Our neighbors nor I were notified of this being built in our neighborhood. I called the city to obtain clarification of the zoning and building codes of such a structure within city limits and was given the run around. My intention was to make sure that all building codes and zoning ordinances were being followed. As property owners and taxpayers, I think we have the right to protect our residential investment. After a strongly written email to the mayor and city administrator, I received the clarification I was looking for from the city building inspector. Under current city code, anyone can build a pole barn as long as the proper setbacks, height limits and the percentage of open green area are met. There are currently four pole buildings within residential neighborhoods of Eldridge. One of my neighbors sold their home and moved out of Eldridge because of this pole barn and the fear of more being built. I know many other neighbors feel the same way. Do the residents of Eldridge want our city look like a farmyard or a modern city with a vision? Attend the next city council meeting and ask for the zoning to be changed to not allow any more pole buildings in the city.   Chris Meyer Eldridge

One goal gives North Polk championship edge over North Scott

After nearly every single soccer game this spring, North Scott’s girls gathered for a team photo. There is no concrete consensus of how or why this tradition started. But as the wins piled up, the pictures kept coming. “Cam’s dad (Jon Jones) is a photographer, so he has been taking our pictures,” Lancer senior Paige Coon said. “We always just storm to him. And then we’ll have to back up, and then get closer, for the shot. It’s just how we roll, I guess. It’s really fun.” The backgrounds, the poses, the silly faces, and the hand gestures are different each time. Most commonly, the girls smile and flash a ‘W’ at the lens, created with extended thumbs and index fingers. It’s emblematic of the group the 2026 Lancers have — an accomplished team on the field with a sisterhood-like connection off of it. “That is something I’m going to miss. This was such a unique bond between four grade levels. They made it special and fun for a coach,” Dion Ayers said. “They’ll do anything for each other. They’ll die for each other. They’ll play for each other. They’ll laugh with each other. They’ll cry on each other’s shoulders. That’s what sports is supposed to be about, right? Doing everything for each other.” In Ames Saturday, even after the most grueling loss in the girls’ lives, there was still one last picture left to take. Fighting back the emotions of a dream nearly realized, 30 Lancer players, managers and coaches stood for one final snapshot together, with the Class 2A state soccer runner-up trophy sitting front and center. No. 4 seed North Scott came up one game short of its second state soccer championship. One goal is all it took for No. 7 seed North Polk to complete its underdog story and win its first state title in program history. Ranked sixth in the preseason, North Scott had championship aspirations from the jump. After losing to Bettendorf on April 7, the Lancers did not lose again until this title bout. The Lancers rode a 19-match unbeaten streak into the Cyclone Sports Complex, where a lone goal in the sixth minute put North Polk over the top. “We want to get to that next step,” Ayers said. “Hats off to North Polk. They were amazing. That goalie (Madelyn Cory) made some unbelievable saves. “It’s in our hands to move forward. We’ve been saying we have grit all year. They do. Hopefully, we can keep that grit moving forward.” Too quick for comfort North Polk proved to be giant killers as a No. 7 seed. In the quarterfinals, the Comets knocked off No. 2 Waverly-Shell Rock, which had been in the finals four of the past five seasons. In the semifinals, the Comets dethroned the four-time defending champions from Dallas Center-Grimes on what was essentially a golden goal, breaking a scoreless tie with 45 seconds left in regulation. North Polk entered the state championship with a 16-3-1 record and a starting lineup featuring upperclassmen exclusively. “We had the mindset of not underplaying this team at all,” Lancer sophomore Reese Barnett said. “I think being the underdog is way better than being on top. They came out really strong. They were a really good team, and they were a lot better than we were expecting. It was tough. They were legit.” A lightning delay, combined with the Class 1A final going into penalty kicks, delayed the start time of the Class 2A final by one hour and 45 minutes. North Polk made up for the lost time. The match’s decisive moment arrived earlier than either team could’ve anticipated. In the fourth minute, Barnett exited the game after limping off the field. After disappearing behind the team’s bench, North Scott’s star emerged and reentered the game in the eighth minute. By then, the damage was already done. The incision was quick, and the Lancers barely knew what hit them by the time the scoreboard changed. In the sixth minute, a long throw-in from Comet senior Amelia Growdon found a whole mess of feet inside the Lancers’ goal box. North Polk’s Addison Flinn swiped and bounced the ball off two Lancers defenders. It popped right to Comet junior Jordin Halverson, who mopped up the loose ball, moving it past the diving Lancer goalkeeper Nora Barnett. The sequence took all of seven seconds, and it put North Scott in a 1-0 hole. “I don’t know what happened to Reese when she went down,” Ayers said. “(The goal) was a bang-bang play. I thought there was a handball that brought it right to their feet. They kind of called it that way all week long. It must’ve been an emphasis on what they wanted the refs to call. And then we failed to clear it. “Against a team like this that lives on those half-chances, we allowed it, and it’s unfortunate. Beyond those early stages, I thought we contained them pretty well.” Ayers’ postgame intuition was right. North Polk only took five more shots on goal the rest of the match. On the other side of the pitch, North Scott forced Cory to make 10 saves, some of which were world-class. In the first minute, Lancer sophomore Camryn Jones lobbed a ball high toward the left post. Cory shoved the ball away and clanked her head into the metal bar, taking a minute before resuming duties in net. Barnett, showing no ill effects from her earlier ailment, put North Scott’s best first half shot on target in the 34th minute. With a clean look from just outside the box, the ball sailed a few feet high and wide over the top right corner. “I thought the first 20, 25 minutes of the game was us playing their style,” Ayers said. “We needed to get to feet and play composed ball. It took a little while to settle in. Once we did, you could see how dangerous we can be on the attack.” North Scott’s best attempt in the match, from senior Kenzie Moeller, came in the 46th minute. From 25 yards out on the left side, Moeller played a draw that ended square in the middle of the frame. Cory jumped up and pushed it over the crossbar, denying the goal. It was déjà vu in the 71st minute. This time, it was freshman Tannar Schild from well outside the 18. Her shot forced another jumping push save from Cory. “I would say two of those go in on 95 percent of keepers that are out here. But her height was unbelievable,” Ayers said. “Her shot-stopping skills were fabulous. She deserves Player of the Match. We made her work today. That’s all we could do. It just didn’t go our way.” Cory was named to the all-tournament team, and Comet senior Blythe Knight earned captain honors. Coon, Jones and Reese Barnett earned spots on the all-tournament team representing North Scott. A lasting legacy Posting the program’s second-most wins all-time and making its first title game appearance in 12 years earn the 2026 Lancers a special spot in school history. This year’s senior class — Coon, Kenzie and Allie Moeller, Bella Mohr, Chloe Dorr, Mallory Deutmeyer, and Claire Schnorrenberg — fell twice in the semifinals in 2023 and 2024. After missing out on state entirely in 2025, they want the remaining core to forge ahead in the years to come. “I hope everyone knows that anything can happen,” Kenzie Moeller said. “Rankings, and I’ll say this for any sport, rankings don’t matter. It’s all about the team and the chemistry. This season will be memorable because we haven’t made it in 12 years. I hope this is the start of something super strong for North Scott. I can’t wait to see where they go from here on out.” North Scott’s class of 2026 rebuilt the team’s culture from the ground up, emphasizing inclusivity and positivity for all girls, regardless of grade or skill level. Even after they’re gone, it is a foundation on which future generations can stand. “They passed on what culture means, what family means, what love means,” Ayers said. “That’s the first thing they brought in two years ago. They made everyone feel welcome and went way above and beyond that. “I hope (their legacy) is not about the wins and losses. I hope it’s about the friendships, the bonds, the memories. That’s what will last forever.” On the field, despite losing six big contributors from this year’s group, North Scott still has plenty of talent in the pipeline. Nora Barnett and Saeler VenHorst are the only juniors on this year’s team, leaving a loaded sophomore class with Jones, Reese Barnett, Delaney Hill, Lydia Schnorrenberg, Natalie O’Flahrity, Julia Solis, Teagan Schmidt and Brinley Fitzgibbon to make a few more runs at the big trophy. “(Making it this far) means a lot, especially for everyone who went through what we did last year,” Nora Barnett said. “Now, we made it this far. How far can we make it next year? I do wish we won today. I thought we had a good shot. The better team won, but we’ll be back next year. “It adds so much motivation, especially with a heavy underclassmen group. They want it more now, too. We had a big freshman class that didn’t really understand what it’s like to lose. Now, we are this close, and we bring back all those girls who want it just as badly as we do.”

In Albania, anger grows against the government for supporting a Kushner-linked luxury resort

Albania's government has given preliminary approval to plans for the luxury resort along a stretch of coastline, prompting daily protests and legal challenges by environmental groups.

Trump further guts Education Dept. by shifting oversight of special ed, civil rights

The moves to the federal departments of Health and Human Services and Justice, respectively, would further dismantle an agency that President Donald Trump has vowed to close.

Barnett and Solis craft semifinal stunner

The Lancers waited a long time for this moment. 12 years since they last clinched a championship game berth, with four semifinal losses since. They waited an extra week for the playoffs to start this year. They waited an extra day at state due to Thursday’s rain postponement. They waited 30 more minutes on Friday because Class 1A’s Denver and St. Albert went into penalty kicks on the field in front of them. It was all worth it. In a match that will live long in Lancer lore, North Scott scored two goals in the final seven minutes of the Class 2A state semifinals, turning what appeared to be an inevitable 1-0 defeat into a 2-1 triumph against top-seeded Norwalk. Lancer sophomore Reese Barnett bent it like Beckham in the 73rd minute to equalize, and sophomore Julia Solis punched in the game-winning goal four minutes later. “My mind is everywhere. That was really insane,” Solis said. “I spent most of the second half on the sideline just cheering on the girls. Coming in with about four minutes left, we knew we had to finish it… My heart is still pounding. I’m probably going to end up in tears when I walk over to my family.” She wouldn’t be the only one. Happy tears streamed down the faces of many players after the clock hit triple zeroes, overwhelmed at what they did and how they did it. “All of the emotions. I’m still in shock,” Barnett said. “There’s a lot of adrenaline. Like, what just happened? We just came back and won that. “Every single person wants it. From our seniors to our freshmen, the bench, all the energy, everyone wants it so much. That carried us through. It was incredible to see everyone come together. You’ve got every emotion on the field after the game. I think we left it all out there.” It took everything from the Lancers, who were being outplayed by the Warriors for the first 72 minutes of the contest. Norwalk senior Addy Wood drew first blood in the 36th minute, and the Warriors outshot the Lancers by a two-to-one ratio deep into the second half. Lancer junior goalkeeper Nora Barnett made 14 saves in the match, keeping North Scott in it and giving her younger sister chances on the other end. Unfortunately, for Reese, nobody saw her equalizing goal. “To be honest, I didn’t see it. I saw it hit the side of the net. I don’t even know how it got there,” Lancer coach Dion Ayers said. “I missed all of it. We were trying to decide what to do formation-wise. We were moving Allie (Moeller) up high at the time. And all of a sudden, it goes in. Now, I’m like, ‘No, Allie! Now you have to get home!’ I didn’t even see it.” Also from the sideline, Solis had the same report. “No, like, the whole bench didn’t see it. I still don’t know how she scored, honestly,” she said. Surely the girl herself has the scoop? “I’m not going to lie. I slightly blacked out there,” Barnett said. “But apparently, from what they have been telling me, I curled it with my left (foot). And it must’ve just been that nobody was ready for it. It was right off a throw, and I was trying to cross it. I didn’t even mean to shoot it. I looked up and, oh my god, it’s literally in the back of the net.” Barnett’s unnamed sources were right on the money. Her 31st goal of the season extended the school record as well as her team’s season. Her duty wasn’t done, as Barnett assisted Solis on the game-winning goal. In the 77th minute, Solis won a 50-50 ball at midfield and boosted it ahead to her fellow sophomore. Barnett outran two Warriors up the field. In pursuit, those two purple jerseys collided and dropped. The rest, they say, is history. “I’m mostly a quiet one on the field. But I saw I was open. Reese took it down in the corner, and I screamed for the ball,” Solis said. Solis, who had started the play, sprinted from the midfield stripe down into the goal box. Barnett spotted her run and delivered a perfect pass. Solis met it with a one-touch finish and buried it. “She has earned that goal,” Barnett said. “All of the minutes she’s put into this team. She’s such a hard worker. She absolutely deserved to put that one away. To be composed within the 18, with five minutes to go, you’re tired; I give her all the credit. That takes so much class and composure.” It was Solis’ seventh goal of the season, and the biggest one of her life. “We put her in at the end because she’s a little more offensive,” Ayers said. “For her to have that moment … When I went up to her, I hugged her, and she’s like, ‘You’re going to make me cry.’ It was an amazing moment.” The Lancers have hardly trailed in games this season. But when they have, they’ve almost always found their way back. In the regular season, against Normal Community, Bishop Heelan, and this same Norwalk team, the Lancers found ways to equalize and stave off defeat. “All season long, we’ve said this team has grit. We’ve lived on that,” Ayers said. “We played (Norwalk) earlier in the year. We were down 1-0. We tied them 1-1. This team just doesn’t stop. “We had some girls going through some adversity out on that field today. But this is all them. They are an amazing group of young ladies. So tight, so close. I couldn’t be happier for them.” This win broke a four-game state semifinal losing streak for North Scott girls’ soccer. The losses in 2024, 2023 and 2017 were by one goal. In 2015, the team lost on penalty kicks. History would not repeat in 2026. North Scott advanced to its first state championship game since they took home the crown in 2014. “That was our biggest goal for the entire season. Get here and get to the championship,” Solis said. “Do it for each other. Do it for the team.” In an upset-filled bracket, the No. 4 seed Lancers would face No. 7 seed North Polk the following day. The Comets sent the four-time defending champions from Dallas Center-Grimes packing, breaking a nil-nil game on a goal with 45 seconds remaining. Both the Lancers and Comets had less than 24 hours to turn around for a championship game neither of them was expected to play in, much less against each other. “So much recovery. I think everyone is going for the ice bath,” Barnett said. “Now we play North Polk, another upset. I’m really excited.”

Lancers pounce on Tigers mistakes

Soccer often earns its ‘beautiful game’ moniker. Monday’s (June 8) state quarterfinal between North Scott and Gilbert was anything but. With feels-like temperatures in the mid-80s, fueling mandatory hydration breaks every 10 minutes, there was no momentum nor magic on Field 2 at Lied Recreation Athletic Center in Ames. The win counts all the same. Fourth-seeded North Scott took full advantage of fifth-seeded Gilbert’s errors, pinning the first loss of the season on the Raccoon River Conference champions, 3-0. “It was not our best. It was very messy. The first 20 (minutes), the last 20, it was a lot of kickball,” Lancer sophomore Reese Barnett said. The difference in the match was stark, but simple. When the Lancers made mistakes at the ends of the match, Gilbert failed to capitalize. When the Tigers made mistakes in the middle 40 minutes, North Scott buried three balls in the back of the net. “It was huge, especially that first goal, because they were outplaying us,” Lancer coach Dion Ayers said. “They were in total control. It was scary.” North Scott was on its back foot early and often. Gilbert earned a corner kick 45 seconds into the match, with its rebound effort sailing high over the crossbar. The ball stayed on North Scott’s side of the field for most of the game’s opening segment. The Lancers did not attempt their first shot until the 28:50 mark of the first half. The mandatory hydration breaks every 10 minutes proved critical for North Scott to regain its composure early in the match. “We started slowly and never really seemed to find our footing until late in the first half,” Ayers said. “(The breaks) gave us opportunities to regroup, make adjustments and discuss what needed to change.” Gilbert maintained its grasp on the proceedings in the ‘first quarter,’ firing a ball off the crossbar in the 19th minute and earning another corner kick in the 23rd minute. Junior goalkeeper Nora Barnett made a diving save on a second-ball header off the corner kick, keeping the scoreboard blank. The Lancers began to wrestle control back with a dangerous possession spearheaded by senior Kenzie Moeller winning one-on-one battles. Down in the corner, she crossed into the box and onto the doorstep of the goal line for senior Chloe Dorr. Dorr booted the ball straight up, clanking it off the bottom of the crossbar and shooting right back down. Gilbert goalkeeper Annika Yoder-Stoulil corralled the ball off the ricochet, preventing any damage. While there was no goal, it marked the start of North Scott’s surge in the match. North Scott earned an attacking-third free kick in the 27th minute, and sophomore Reese Barnett put her first shot on target in the 31st minute. One minute later, the first of Gilbert’s mistakes got punished. Barnett crossed the ball into the box and it was tapped by the paw of a Tiger, resulting in a penalty kick. Barnett wrong-footed Yoder-Stoulil and put her team up 1-0. “After that first PK, everyone knew exactly what we needed to do to beat this team,” Barnett said. “We had to push, push, push. Be annoying. Get in all of their weak spots. Being annoying was something that helped us keep getting more goals.” “That was a big mistake, and we were able to finish it. That settled us down,” Ayers said. “I think Reese needed that, big time. We weren’t finding her enough, and she wasn’t settling in. Once you get that first one, that always helps. Our defense always knows that we can get shutouts. That’s one thing we’ve done well this year.” North Scott ordered up again in the 34th minute. Senior Paige Coon boomed a free kick home. Yoder-Stoulil fumbled the ball, and Lancer sophomore Camryn Jones was in perfect position for clean-up duty. 2-0, Lancers. “When we got the second one, it was game on. We started to play soccer at that point,” Ayers said. “(Scoring again) was really critical,” Jones added. “A 1-0 lead is really dangerous. If they score one, they can get up again easily. Getting that second goal was great, and then Kenzie got the third goal which put it away.” Since April 16, Gilbert had allowed only two goals in 13 games. In the 56th minute, Barnett found Moeller for North Scott’s third goal of the quarterfinal. Playing two-on-two in Gilbert’s attacking third, the sophomore led the senior with a pass down the middle. Moeller steadied herself after a missed Tiger tackle and fired with her off-foot into the top left corner. “To get three goals — Kenzie played fantastic — I think we wanted it more,” Barnett said. “We came to play, and we’re here to take everyone on.” On the other side of the field, North Scott’s defense smothered Gilbert. The Tigers only had one shot on goal, the crossbar hit in the 19th minute, in the entire match. The Tigers had just six shot attempts on Monday. “We watched some of their game film. They have one forward who is pretty quick, so we had to lock her down,” Nora Barnett said. “We did that. They didn’t really have any shots on goal. Nora Barnett, Coon, senior Allie Moeller, sophomore Delaney Hill and sophomore Lydia Schnorrenberg anchored the back line brilliantly once again, earning the team’s 15th clean sheet of the season. “That’s got to be a school record,” Ayers remarked. “I am so stoked for them. They are the backbone of this team. They allow our midfielders to take chances because they know our backline does not give up much.” On many teams, offense energizes defense. On this team, it’s the other way around. “Allie and Paige worked so hard this whole game. They stepped to everything and played an incredible game,” Jones said. “I know I have to get open because they work so hard to get us the ball. It goes through our whole lineup. Once they make a good play, and the ball gets to the midfield, everyone plays well.” In this contest, not only was North Scott up against an undefeated team as well as the heat, but the girls were essentially playing a road game, too. Gilbert High School’s campus is just five miles away from the Lied Recreation Fields. The official IGHSAU broadcast reported that the Tigers practiced on the competition site’s grass in the lead-up to state. North Scott, at nearly 160 miles away, did not have the same preparation or travel luxuries. Still, the Lancers’ fans lined the stands with their powder blue state tournament shirts. After the game, the Lancer players streamed down the sideline slapping five with their fans. “It means a lot to us,” Nora Barnett said. “Not just our fans, but the support on our sideline too. Our whole team is standing up and talking the whole time. Even when we had a rough couple of minutes, we had people backing us up.” The road to the final would not get any easier for North Scott. Top-ranked Norwalk defeated No. 8 seed Lewis Central 6-0, setting up a rematch with the Lancers from May 8. North Scott and Norwalk tied 1-1 that evening. They’d need to find a winner this time. “It was great to get the first-game jitters out of the way,” Ayers said. “I always feel like the tournament doesn’t start until after the first day. Then, you feel like you’re into it.”

Colona man charged with disseminating private photo

Nathan E. Thompson, 43, was charged Monday in Henry County Circuit Court with one count of non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images.

Saddling up one last time

North Scott tennis’ golden generation is approaching match point. Senior Lucas Persson and junior Maddy Jepsen have been at the forefront of putting North Scott tennis on the map over the previous four years. As individuals, they have amassed three Mississippi Athletic Conference championships, five district championships, four state tournament medals and a combined 132 singles victories. Persson and Jepsen got one final chance to share the court as Lancers at the Class 2A state tennis coed doubles tournament last Tuesday (June 9) at Marshalltown High School. In this unseeded, random draw event, Persson and Jepsen fell in the quarterfinals to the eventual champions, the Waukee Northwest No. 1s. The Lancers picked up three wins in the earlier rounds, crushing duos from Iowa City Liberty (6-1, 6-0), Cedar Rapids Washington (6-0, 6-0) and Dubuque Senior (6-2, 6-0). “I think it’s a fun event,” Jepsen said. “I always think it is fun playing against other schools and their top players. It always brings in good competition.” In the quarterfinal, Persson and Jepsen met Vincent Flynn and Addison Latta, both freshmen, from Waukee Northwest. Latta went undefeated in singles last fall to win the state championship. Flynn medaled at state singles, finishing seventh. It was a match that deserved to be played with a championship trophy at stake. Persson and Jepsen already proved their worth at this event, placing third in 2025 and fourth in 2024. Little separated the Lancers and Wolves in set one. The match started with nine consecutive holds of serve, with North Scott not facing a break point. The Lancers had two break point opportunities on Flynn’s serve in the fifth game, but could not convert either. The decisive moment came in the tenth game. Waukee Northwest broke to 30, with the Lancers double-faulting on set point. It was one-way traffic after that. The Wolves won the second set 6-0. Flynn and Latta went on to win the title without dropping a set. Over the past three years, Persson and Jepsen have collected 10 wins to three losses at the coed state doubles tournament. These Lancers believe their games mesh well together, resulting in all their success. “Her playstyle, where I lack and with my weak points at the baseline, she makes up for it. And vice versa at the net,” Persson said. “She’s a really good baseliner. She hits low and flat and can hit down the line passing shots from the baseline. With the groundstrokes she hits, and how hard she hits, she can set me up for volleys a lot.” Jepsen was equally complimentary. “I like his offense because I’m not a big net player,” she said. “If it comes right to me, I’ll volley. But otherwise, I’m not sprinting across the court. But Lucas always does that, so it’s really nice. The duo also has great court chemistry, with Jepsen adding, “When we have good points, or we’re hitting good shots, it brings up the pace and the intensity. It’s always good.” This tournament marked the official end to Persson’s high school career — and what a four-year run he had. Persson burst onto the scene, winning 20 matches as a freshman. He qualified for the state tournament the next spring, taking home seventh place. He made the grade again in 2025, but an injury during his opening match at state prevented another deep run. This May, Persson chose to play doubles at districts with his brother Isaac, foregoing a possible third state appearance in singles. Persson, who will attend Iowa State University to study meteorology, has no regrets about his decision, saying he found a balance between life and tennis this year. “When I was younger, and competing all the time, my whole life was tennis. I think there was a lot of growth from then until now. Changing values, maturity, and all that kind of stuff,” Persson said. “This is the first year I took a step back from tennis. I wasn’t playing in the offseason. Every year leading up to this, I was going to tennis camps and playing tournaments. This is the first year I stepped back. I didn’t go to state for singles this year. I didn’t play singles (at districts). This was like the last dance. I hoped to get a good run in with doubles and close the chapter with that. “(Representing North Scott tennis) has been pretty awesome. Before (me and Maddy), there wasn’t any big North Scott state stuff. We came into the program, and it’s been great to see Maddy go to state for singles. I’ve gone to state for singles too. And with this event, we get a chance to play at state for doubles.” Jepsen has just a few months left in her high school career, with her senior season starting in August and the state tournament commencing in early October. While her on-court success is distinguished, she knows it’s important to invest in the bigger picture: ensuring North Scott tennis remains a mainstay after she and Persson graduate. “It’s fun to have good players at a school that isn’t as good because then it brings in new players,” Jepsen said. “Whenever I meet new people at the high school, I always invite them to play tennis. “They’re like, ‘Oh, you play tennis.’ And I say, ‘Yeah, come on out, I can give you lessons.’ It always brings in new relationships and new opportunities.”

Celebrate Juneteenth with Living Peace 365

Celebrate Juneteenth at an event in Clinton hosted by Living Peace 365. The free, family-friendly event will be on Friday, June 19 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at NelsonCorp Field (Lumberkings Stadium), 537 Ballpark Drive in Clinton. Attendees are asked to use the North entrance. The afternoon will feature a wide array of free activities for [...]

Lancer softball and baseball teams host ranked teams at weekend tournaments

Now that is more like it. North Scott’s softball team put together its best three-game stretch of the season at the annual Dennis Johnson Classic last Friday and Saturday. The Lancers blanked 2A No. 1 Louisa-Muscatine 6-0, walked off 5A No. 11 Bettendorf 7-6, and held on tough against 4A No. 2 ADM, losing 2-0. North Scott’s stars shone bright against the Falcons. Senior Cadey Bredar threw a complete-game shutout with six strikeouts. She allowed only five hits and did not walk or hit a batter. Senior Adalynn Johnson crushed her second of two home runs at the DJ Classic. She had three hits in the game and drove in four runs. Junior Kamilah Eller and sophomore Laney Welge each had multi-hit games. Welge drove in one run, and leadoff hitter Brinley Schroeder collected the other. After being swept by Bettendorf at the start of the month, home cooking carried the Lancers to and through the finish line of this six-inning game. The Lancers trailed 4-0 after an inning and a half, but stormed back to take a 5-4 lead after four innings. Bettendorf put a run on the board in each of the fifth and sixth innings to retake the lead, 6-5. North Scott scored two runs in the bottom of the frame to walk off the Bulldogs. Sophomore Dana Webb and eighth grader Payton LeDoux combined for six innings of work. Webb earned the win with four innings of three-run ball and two strikeouts. Five different Lancers recorded an RBI: Schroeder, Welge, LeDoux, senior Aubrey Toohey, and Johnson, who hit a missile over the center field fence for a solo home run. Eller recorded a hit, stole two bases and scored two runs in the contest. Second-ranked ADM one-hit the Lancers on Friday, with junior Makenna Pitlick tossing 12 strikeouts in her outing. Opposite her, Bredar allowed one run each in the first and second innings, but otherwise worked a clean game. She finished with 80 pitches in seven innings, allowing seven hits, one earned run and three strikeouts. North Scott hosted Davenport North on Monday, and then heads west over the weekend. The Lancers will play in the Jack North Tournament at Waukee Northwest High School with games slated for unranked Urbandale, 5A No. 13 Waukee, 5A No. 4 Southeast Polk and 5A No. 1 Waukee Northwest. North Scott splits games against Bettendorf, LBI opponents For the first time this season, North Scott baseball got to play consecutive sets of games at home. The Lancers got off on the right foot on Friday against Bettendorf, splitting games 7-4 and 0-2 with the Bulldogs. With game one tied at four entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lancers scored three runs to put themselves in front. North Scott rallied after the first two batters grounded out. Junior Ben Clayton hit a single, junior Keegan Diercks and sophomore Conlan Panther each reached via error, and junior Dylan Kelsey and senior Sam Shiltz each reached base with singles. Panther started the game and threw five innings of three-run ball. Junior Benjamin Peters became the pitcher of record when the Lancers took the lead. He finished out the game with two innings of one-run ball. North Scott was shut out in game two, but it still got a great outing from Shiltz on the mound. He threw six innings, gave up four hits and two earned runs while striking out five. The only issue is that Bettendorf’s Jackson Hatler was even better. Hatler went the distance on 98 pitches, allowing only three hits and two walks. North Scott turned around to play another baseball game 15 hours later. The Lancers defeated Don Bosco 5-3 in the opening round of the Lancer Baseball Invitational. Clayton earned the win in this game with five strong innings of work on the mound. Junior Charlie Peterson earned a two-inning save. Peterson had helped himself out earlier in the game with a sacrifice fly. Panther led the team with two RBIs. Kelsey and senior Caleb Willis also drove in one run each. In the LBI championship game, debutant 2A No. 6 Cascade bolstered its 12-1 record with an 8-4 win over North Scott. It was an all-hands-on-deck approach to pitching for North Scott. Four different hurlers entered the game, with none throwing more than 36 pitches. Panther, Kelsey and senior Landon Praught recorded RBIs in the heart of North Scott’s lineup. North Scott heads back on the road this week with its next home game coming on June 24. This week, the Lancers traveled to Davenport Central on Monday for two games, Dubuque Hempstead on Tuesday for one game, and Maquoketa on Wednesday for two games.

Public records advocates ask Iowa Supreme Court to void $1.6M Davenport settlement

The Iowa Supreme Court will decide later this year whether to take up the case.

KWQC wins 6 station awards from Iowa Broadcasters Association

KWQC won six station awards from the Iowa Broadcasters Association.

3 Things to Know | Quad Cities morning headlines for June 16, 2026

Bettendorf traffic enforcement will be monitoring motorists along Crow Creek Road and Spruce Hills, and previous Honor Flight members are having a reunion.

REVIEW: The Shark is Broken at The Black Box Theatre in Moline

Suit up in your SCUBA gear and dive into The Black Box Theatre’s current production of The Shark is Broken by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon and directed by Jeremy Littlejohn which chronicles the behind-the-scenes drama of filming of what would come to be the genesis of the summer blockbuster genre “Jaws.”

Supporters plead for release of Davenport parents accused of locking 10-year-old child in empty room

Letters submitted to the court defend Davenport parents Andrew and Kellie Warrington, asking they be reunited with their children despite abuse charges.

Rock Island Police Department asks for help in finding missing man

The Rock Island Police Department is asking the community for help in finding a man reported missing

Iowa farms, businesses receive $614,000 from Choose Iowa grants

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced Friday that 11 of the state’s dairy farms and businesses have received funding from the Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant Program administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Naig made the announcement during a Dairy Month visit to Gav-n-view Farm near Lansing. The program provides up to $100,000 in cost-share funding to assist Iowa dairy farmers in reducing labor and increasing on-farm production, according to IDALS. National Dairy Month, celebrated annually in the U.S. every June since 1937, celebrates and honors the contributions of farmers in the dairy industry. “These grants help dairy farmers add value to what they already do so well by expanding processing capacity, developing new products and adopting technologies that improve efficiency,” Naig said in a news release. “The result is more fresh, wholesome and nutritious Iowa-made dairy products on store shelves, stronger farm businesses and more dollars staying in local communities.” In total, more than $614,000 was distributed to 11 recipients statewide, with Lango Dairy from Hopkinton receiving the maximum award of $100,000. Recipients of the Choose Iowa Dairy grants include: Country View Dairy: Hawkeye Sweet Doe Company: Keota Frisian Farms Cheese: Leighton Dutch Girl Dairy, Inc.: Marion Moore Local: Maquoketa Bonert and Kennedy Farm LLC: Epworth Vellema Dairy: Harris Lango Dairy: Hopkinton Gav-n-view Farm: Lansing Dutchland Dairy: Rolfe Rolinda Acres Dairy: Waterville Since the program’s implementation in 2024, 46 Iowa farms and businesses have received funding from the Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant Program. Robert Horst, president of the Iowa State Dairy Association, said in an IDALS news release that the organization is proud of the investment and of the results the grant program has produced in Iowa communities. “This investment in Iowa’s dairy industry has demonstrated a meaningful return by supporting dairy farm families, encouraging innovation and growth, and providing Iowans with greater access to dairy products made right here in our state,” Horst said.

Live with a partner? You may be sharing more microbes than you think

A large study finds you may share about a quarter of your oral and gut microbes with the people you live with. Should you worry? We asked the experts.

Burlington man sentenced to 10 years on methamphetamine charges: Public records

A Burlington man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to public court documents, law enforcement made a traffic stop in March 2024. Michael Patoir, 48, was in possession of more than nine-and-a-half pounds of methamphetamine in the back seat of his vehicle. Patoir was sentenced [...]

REVIEW: The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fairly Stupid Tales at Playcrafters Barn Theatre in Moline

To paraphrase a Neil Diamond song: Pack up your babies and grab the old ladies and everyone go…go to Playcrafters Barn Theatre’s production of The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.

Scott County Treasurer's Office moves after water main break

A water main break is forcing the Scott County Treasurer’s Office to temporarily relocate. A news release from Scott County says that due to a water main break, the Scott County Treasurer’s Office location at the County General Store, behind the Village Shopping Center is temporarily closed until further notice. All services normally conducted at [...]

REVIEW: 1776 at The Quad City Music Guild in Moline

The Quad City Music Guild has the perfect summer offering leading into the USA’s 250th birthday anniversary: 1776. With book by Peter Stone and music/lyrics by Sherman Edwards it is a Yankee Doodle Dandy of a show that will set you up for the coming festivities.

The financial freedom formula: 5 steps to wealth for America’s 250th anniversary

The financial freedom formula: 5 steps to wealth for America’s 250th anniversaryThis summer, America celebrates 250 years since declaring its independence. From the start, financial freedom has always been an important part of the American story.Financial freedom isn’t just about economics, but also about peace of mind. In fact, 82% of U.S. adults agreed that becoming debt-free is a well-being goal as well as a financial goal, in a May 2026 Forbright Bank survey of more than 1,800 respondents.“Our surveys have shown that people really value the freedom that comes from saving money and building financial discipline,” says Lucia Franco, consumer insights leader at Forbright Bank. “We see in our research that customers who build financial plans and use tools like recurring deposits say that they feel less stressed and better equipped to achieve their goals.”Achieving financial freedom is, for many Americans, a more important goal than accumulating more material things. In a 2025 customer survey, 90% of respondents said they believe true wealth is “being debt-free with enough assets to avoid financial stress,” and 68% said true wealth is “less time working and more time doing things I love.”While financial freedom may look a little different for each person, Forbright Bank compiled a list of five steps Americans can take to gain financial independence.1. Eliminate DebtDebt can act as a financial anchor that limits your options and creates ongoing stress. Achieving true wealth begins with reducing debt. For example, 53% of U.S. adults say paying off debt has helped improve their financial wellness, according to Forbright Bank’s 2026 survey of more than 1,800 respondents.Start by cataloging all your debts and attacking them systematically. Two of the most common approaches are the debt avalanche method (paying minimums on all debts while directing extra payments toward the highest-interest debt) and the debt snowball method (focusing on the smallest balances first). The avalanche method could save the most money mathematically, but the debt snowball method might provide psychological wins that can keep you motivated.Consider prioritizing high-interest debt like credit cards, as these balances compound rapidly and create a cycle that’s difficult to break. Try consolidating multiple debts if you can secure a lower interest rate while avoiding new debt.2. Build a Foundation of SavingsIn addition to eliminating debt, it’s important to focus on building savings. By creating an emergency fund, consumers may be able to avoid taking on new debt in times of crisis. And by saving strategically for retirement, they can face the future with confidence.Consider setting goals for all the expenses you plan to tackle, such as buying a home or car, paying for college education, and funding next year’s vacation. Then develop strategies to accomplish both long-term and short-term savings goals.3. Harness the Power of Spending OptimizationFor 57% of U.S. adults, budgeting has helped improve their financial wellness, according to Forbright Bank’s 2026 survey. Financial freedom doesn’t require extreme frugality, but for many people, it is about optimizing spending to align with their values. Distinguish between expenses that genuinely improve your life and those that provide temporary satisfaction. This might mean spending more on experiences that create lasting memories while cutting back on material possessions that quickly lose their appeal.Automate your savings and investments so wealth building happens without constant decision-making. Set up automatic transfers to savings accounts, investment accounts, and retirement funds. This may lessen the temptation to spend money you’ve earmarked for your future freedom.4. Design Your Ideal LifestyleTrue wealth is ultimately about designing a life that reflects your values and priorities. Doing this requires honest self-reflection about what activities and experiences genuinely matter to you. In fact, 48% of U.S. adults say having clear goals has helped improve their financial wellness, according to the Forbright Bank survey. When consumers eliminate expenses driven by social pressure or unconscious habits, they may discover that their desired lifestyle costs less than expected.The amount of money you need to lead the life you want will vary based on your specific situation and personal preferences. When you have built up sufficient savings and developed habits of disciplined spending, you may find the freedom to enjoy life more.5. Pursue Time FreedomFor many people, achieving true wealth means reaching a point where work plays less of a controlling role in their lives. When people have savings built up and don’t have debt demanding their ongoing attention, they may have more choice when it comes to work. For example, someone with significant savings may want to take a lower-paying job that they find more enjoyable, pursue their own business, or flex their work schedule without negative financial consequences.Remember that this journey is highly personal. Your version of true wealth might look completely different from someone else’s. The goal is to create financial security and time freedom that allows you to live according to your own values and priorities.Disclaimer: This article is for general information and education only. It should not be considered financial or tax advice.This story was produced by Forbright Bank and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

How families are paying for college when savings fall short

How families are paying for college when savings fall shortCollege affordability can be a tough nut to crack, especially if you don’t have enough in savings to pay it. College Ave, a private student loan company, conducted a June 2025 survey of college parents and found less than half (44%) felt ready to pay for college when their child graduated high school. Most parents (80%) reported they could not pay for the full cost of college with savings alone. And it’s not surprising. In its Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2025, the College Board reports the average annual cost is $24,920 for tuition, fees, room and board at a four-year public university and $58,500 for a four-year private school.So, how are families paying for college? In this guide, College Ave, a private student loan company, reveals the top methods used, according to the survey results, and shares tips to prepare for the coming school year. College Ave For families in the process of navigating how to pay for college, here are tips on how to get ready for the upcoming school year:Make a plan: Get an accurate picture of how much college will cost each year and multiply that number by four. Use that information to help you make a plan of how you will tackle the next four years.Examine your finances: What are your priorities over the next few years? Long term? More than half of parents surveyed plan to prioritize (66%) paying for college over their personal savings. 17% of parents paying for college plan to take on a second job to help cover education expenses. While these strategies may not be the right plan for every family, it’s important to assess your finances and what you can feasibly and comfortably contribute. Talk to a financial planner if you have questions.Maximize “free” money: Grants and scholarships are the most popular ways to get help with college costs, according to the survey. Even if you think your family doesn’t qualify, be sure to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Many schools use the form to determine how to distribute aid, including grants. Most high school counseling offices keep lists of local college scholarship opportunities your student might apply for. There are several websites, such as students.org and scholarships.com, that provide information on scores of lesser known scholarships and how to apply for them. Look for opportunities that have simple applications.Reach out to your school: Talk to the school’s financial aid office for help with scholarships, loans, or work-study programs. The financial aid office is the best resource for figuring out how to pay for college with no savings. Most colleges and universities have specific programs tailored to their students’ needs and most are happy to talk with parents of prospective students. You can always try negotiating with the financial aid office if the first offer you receive isn’t sufficient based on your financial situation. Be prepared with details to lay out why you deserve more such as a sudden job loss.Look for ways to save money or make extra money: Can your student commute from home instead of living on campus? Is it possible to rent textbooks or buy used ones? Can your child become a dorm resident advisor to get a break in living expenses? Here are some recommendations for students on how to make money while in college to help with education finances.Borrow smart: Student loans come in two basic categories — federal and private. According to the College Ave survey, of those families using student loans to borrow plan to borrow on average around $40,000 in total. Again, the FAFSA is key to accessing federal student loans. Federal loans in the student’s name generally have more favorable benefits than private ones, so best to start with those first. If you find you need to borrow more than the federal limit, private loans are an option. Make sure to shop around for the best interest rates and terms; using a student loan calculator is a great place to start.Discuss options with your child: Close to half (45%) of parents surveyed expect their child to help pay for college, and 39% expect their child to find a job while in college. Ask your kid to contribute by applying for a work-study program through the school’s financial aid office. Many, though not all, of these programs are need-based, so again, the FAFSA is your friend. Students can work part-time on campus in various jobs, including at the library, in the dorms or cafeteria or as academic aides, among other occupations, to offset tuition or other costs.Be creative, look for alternative options: Many companies, large and small, offer extensive college financial aid programs. According to collegegrant.net, some employers “provide scholarships, grants, loans, and/or tuition reimbursement programs, tailored for student employees attending colleges and universities.” Many employees are unaware of these benefits, so be sure to check with your employer’s HR office, and if your child is working, have them check with theirs as well, to see what’s available.It’s not impossible to come up with ways to pay for college even if you have no savings. Be diligent in exploring every option, be flexible in considering methods to cut costs, and enlist the help of your soon-to-be college student.About the SurveyThe College Ave survey was conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights. The national online survey of parents of undergraduate students who attend a 4-year college or university at one of the campuses served by Barnes & Noble College had 1,000 respondents and was fielded in April-May 2025.This story was produced by College Ave and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Plastic Products Company shutting down West Branch facility, 77 workers laid off

Plastic Products Company LLC is shutting down its West Branch plant and laying off 77 workers, citing production declines at partner site Whirlpool.

Rock Island Police seeking missing man

The Rock Island Police Department is asking for the public’s help to find a missing man. A post on the department’s Facebook page says they are requesting assistance in finding 64-year-old Nathan McDowell. McDowell was last seen on June 9th and has several health issues. He is 5’ 8”, 200 lbs. and was last seen [...]

How efficient installation timelines are reshaping property maintenance strategies

How efficient installation timelines are reshaping property maintenance strategiesFor institutional landlords and property managers overseeing multi-unit portfolios, maintenance delays are no longer just an operational headache—they are a direct threat to net operating income. While property acquisition promises steady revenue on paper, the operational reality of managing those assets tells a different story.According to the 2025 Resident Experience Management Report by Zego, a Global Payments company, the average cost of a single tenant turnover now sits at approximately $4,000 per unit. Furthermore, data from the 2025 Housepower Report by Hippo indicates that nearly half of property owners spent over $5,000 out-of-pocket on unexpected repairs in 2024 alone. When these expenses collide with inefficient contractor timelines, the financial bleed compounds daily.While the traditional mindset treats maintenance as a necessary evil, modern operators are increasingly prioritizing installation speed and vendor efficiency as core components of asset management. This analysis by Reece Windows & Doors evaluates how shortening maintenance timelines fundamentally reshapes property profitability. Reece Windows & Doors Property Maintenance StrategiesThe type of work required and how quickly it can be completed often depends on the maintenance strategy followed. To better understand why installation timelines matter, it helps to examine the three maintenance strategies most property owners and managers rely on.The ROI of Preventive SchedulingAlso known as the regular checkup strategy, preventive property maintenance is the most common approach. It requires scheduling routine inspections, cleanings, and minor repairs on a fixed timeline to keep equipment running smoothly.This means setting up a calendar for regular tasks, like servicing roof drains before storm season or inspecting the energy efficiency, seals, and weatherstripping of windows during seasonal transitions.It takes a bit of time upfront, but it drastically extends the lifespan of the property's assets and saves the landlord from costly, middle-of-the-night emergency repairs.The High Cost of the Run-to-Failure ModelUnfortunately, many building owners and property managers still rely on a run-to-failure approach to maintenance. In practice, that means ignoring an issue until something completely breaks down and only then rushing to repair it.A lack of preventative maintenance is the reason some tenants spend weeks without hot water in the middle of winter or endure summer heat with a broken AC system that takes far too long to fix.This strategy completely destroys installation timelines, blowing them up from organized routines into chaotic emergencies. Ultimately, reactive maintenance turns a predictable, 48-hour upgrade into a stressful, multi-week operational crisis. It also leaves tenants unhappy, which affects the property's reputation and value.Preventing Emergencies with TechnologyTo reduce emergency repairs to an absolute minimum, operators are turning to technology. It’s true that it requires an upfront investment (smart sensors, tracking tools, and installation labor), but once everything is in place, a landlord’s job becomes easier.The sensors and tracking tools monitor real-time conditions such as temperature, vibrations, and runtime hours. When the data shows a piece of equipment is starting to wear out, it automatically sends a timely alert.Armed with all this accurate information, it’s easy to schedule a quick, efficient installation or repair during normal hours, long before an expensive emergency occurs. The contractors are also more relaxed and can give realistic timelines that are easy to keep.How Installation Timelines Impact Tenant SatisfactionWaiting two weeks for a leaky faucet to be fixed or a drafty window to be repaired can cause friction between property managers and tenants, leading to wasted time, bad reviews, and potentially missed payments.Furthermore, large-scale projects like replacing windows across multiple units can quickly become frustrating when they drag on for weeks longer than expected. While tenants will eventually be happy with the improved energy efficiency and sun protection, they may still be upset over delays and disruptions.Many modern contractors understand this issue and have made it their mission to shorten installation timelines by using more efficient work processes and systems.The Move Toward Proactive Property MaintenanceLong installation timelines, rising labor costs, and unreliable contractors are some of the main reasons many property managers still rely on reactive maintenance. After all, if every repair feels expensive and time-consuming anyway, it’s easy to fall into a “fix it when it breaks” mindset.But that mindset is starting to shift. As more vendors adopt modern tools, streamlined workflows, and faster installation systems, preventive and even predictive maintenance strategies are becoming far more practical and appealing to property owners and managers.The result is less unit downtime, happier tenants, and far more organized property operations. When considering the turnover costs mentioned before, ensuring that maintenance is as burden-free for residents as possible is a matter of financial preservation.A Reciprocal RelationshipInstallation timelines and maintenance strategy are tightly linked, each influencing the other. When timelines are efficient, it becomes much easier to shift into a proactive, predictive approach, where upgrades and repairs are planned and completed before issues turn into failures.On the flip side, a reactive maintenance strategy tends to create the exact opposite conditions. Emergencies pile up, vendor schedules become harder to control, supply chains get stretched, and downtime drags on. The result is a system that feels reactive, fragmented, and far less efficient than it needs to be.This story was produced by Reece Windows & Doors and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

6 tips for choosing quality vitamins and supplements

6 tips for choosing quality vitamins and supplementsOver-the-counter (OTC) supplements seem to be more popular than ever. There are products available for everything from hair growth and sleep problems to improving sexual health. But choosing a quality product can be a daunting task.A dietary supplement is any product that’s intended to supplement (or add to) the nutrients you get from the food you eat. Vitamins are considered supplements. But supplements can also include ingredients other than vitamins.What’s important to know is that these products aren’t regulated the same way as OTC and prescription medications. So knowing how to choose a high-quality supplement is key when it comes to protecting your health. Pharmacists are a great resource when it comes to supplement and vitamin quality assurance. Here are six tips from GoodRx, a platform for medication savings, to help you make an informed choice.Key takeaways:Over-the-counter (OTC) supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration the same way as prescription medications. This may make it hard to choose a quality product, and fraudulent supplements are a growing concern.Look for seals from the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) or National Sanitation Foundation (NSF); these mean a product has gone through extra testing. Keep an eye out for claims that seem too good to be true and sketchy online retailers.OTC supplements can still have side effects and drug interactions. So it’s best to talk to your healthcare team before starting something new.1. Know the risks of OTC supplementsSupplements and prescription medications aren’t regulated the same way. Prescription medications have to go through quality, safety, and efficacy testing before they’re approved by the FDA.Dietary supplements don’t go through the FDA approval process. Instead, they’re regulated under a set of rules known as the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA).Under the DSHEA, makers of supplement products are supposed to follow “good manufacturing practices” (GMPs). Manufacturers also aren’t allowed to make health claims about supplements without appropriate evidence to back them up. But they don’t always comply with these regulations.The FDA can take action if a supplement maker makes false claims about their products. But the agency doesn’t have to approve products before they’re sold. So the FDA only gets involved if there’s an issue after supplements come to market.The FDA also doesn’t routinely verify that supplements contain what they claim. Studies show that herbal products don’t always contain the ingredients they’re supposed to and sometimes contain extra ingredients that aren’t on the label. And many products contain fillers or substitutes that could reduce effectiveness.The FDA also doesn't check for contaminants in supplements. So some OTC supplements may contain small amounts of heavy metals, pesticides, or even bacteria.2. Look for third-party testingTo fill in the regulation gap left by the FDA and DSHEA, several independent organizations have created certification standards for supplements. Look for products with one of these certifications to help ensure you’re choosing a high-quality supplement.There are several groups that provide certifications, including:National Sanitation Foundation (NSF): The NSF offers product and ingredient certifications for supplements. A searchable list of NSF-certified supplements can be found on their website.United States Pharmacopeia (USP): The USP Verified Mark means a product has been tested for ingredients and contaminants. The USP also has a list of verified supplements you can access online.Natural Products Association (NPA): An NPA GMP certification is given to supplements adhering to GMPs.Other certifications may look impressive on a label, but may be misleading. These certifications can help you choose a supplement with better-quality ingredients. But they don't guarantee it will actually work for its intended purpose. Nor do they mean that it will be safe for you to take. Examples include:USDA Organic: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) doesn’t certify the safety or amount of ingredients in supplements. It only certifies whether the ingredients came from organically grown sources.Non-GMO: The Non-GMO Project is an organization that verifies whether a product contains any genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs are plants, animals, or microorganisms that have been altered by technology.Standardized: A “standardized” designation on the label means that the supplement has a consistent amount of the active ingredient in every batch. But there isn’t an organization that oversees the use of this term or ensures that it’s applied accurately.3. Be wary of big promises and meaningless claimsDietary supplements aren’t meant to treat, prevent, or cure any diseases, making them different from medications. Be wary of “too good to be true” claims or pricing. This may be a marketing tactic to move a product that is nearing expiration or doesn’t meet quality standards.Here are some “warning signs” that could indicate a supplement should be avoided:It claims to cure a disease.It touts personal success stories. While encouraging, these can easily be made up and aren’t the same as clinical evidence.It promises a quick fix, like you’ll “lose 30 pounds in two weeks.”The label includes the phrase “100% pure” or “all natural.”It’s advertised as a miracle solution, a new discovery, or a scientific breakthrough.The label includes the phrase “FDA approved,” “pharmaceutical grade,” or “tested by an FDA-approved laboratory."If you’re concerned that a product may be fraudulent, you can search the FDA’s Health Fraud Product Database to see if it’s already listed there. If you’d like to report a possibly fraudulent product, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Safety Reporting Portal.4. Shop at trusted retailers and use caution when buying supplements onlineThere are different ways to buy supplements — but they aren’t all trustworthy.Some different ways to purchase supplements include:From a healthcare professional: Practitioner brand supplements — sometimes called “medical-grade supplements” — can only be sold by healthcare professionals. In turn, they may get a profit from these sales. But just because you can only get them at a prescriber’s office doesn’t mean the supplements are better (or worse) than other types.From a retail store: Consumer brand supplements are usually sold through the regular retail market in pharmacies, in grocery stores, or online. They’re often available as both brand-name and store-brand products.Online-only: Some OTC supplements may only be available through online retailers. These retailers are often third-party sellers, rather than actual manufacturers. Online-only supplement products have a higher chance of being harmful or fraudulent — meaning counterfeit, expired, or stolen.No matter how you purchase supplements, it’s best to research the brand or manufacturer of the supplements in advance. This can help you look for products with the proper certification and labeling, as we previously reviewed.Your best bet is to buy supplements in person so you can verify expiration dates and look for certification seals. Do your research and buy from reputable manufacturers. Review product labels and company websites to see if they follow GMPs recommended by the FDA. Don’t forget you can always ask your pharmacist for help.5. Know what to look for on supplement labelsA supplement’s label is often your best source of information about whether it’s a quality product. First, look for a USP, NSF, or other third-party certification seal. Then, make sure the label also contains the following items:Product nameA statement that says “dietary supplement”Name and location of the manufacturerA “Supplement Facts” panel that lists the names and quantities of all active ingredients, serving size, and number of servings per containerAn ingredients statement that lists all inactive ingredientsAn address or phone number to report serious side effectsIf any of the above information is missing, you should avoid the product.There may be other information on the label to consider, such as whether the product is gluten-free or vegan. Reading the label closely can help you decide if the product is right for you.If you’re having trouble reading the label yourself, the Office of Dietary Supplements offers a free Dietary Supplement Database. You can view the product label there and get information about what’s inside the supplement.Good to know: Products with proprietary blends are only required to list the active ingredients included in the blend — not how much of each ingredient is included. This helps protect the manufacturer from having its formula copied. But it can also make it difficult to know exactly what you’re taking. So you should use caution when purchasing products containing proprietary blends.6. Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist before starting a new vitamin or supplementMost people don’t need to take daily vitamin supplements, especially if they eat a balanced diet. That being said, certain factors can raise your risk of low vitamin and mineral levels. This includes:Eating a vegetarian, vegan, or other restrictive dietBeing pregnantConsuming large amounts of alcoholHaving inflammatory bowel diseaseTaking certain medicationsThe best way to know if you have low levels of essential nutrients is to talk to a healthcare professional. They can run blood tests to check for any deficiencies and recommend any vitamins you may need.When it comes to other types of supplements, remember that “natural” doesn't mean better, safer, or healthier. Just like prescription medications, OTC supplements can have side effects and drug interactions. So it’s best to talk to a pharmacist or your prescriber to make sure a supplement is safe for you before you take it.Good to know: Taking extra vitamins may not seem like a big deal, but some vitamins can harm your health if you take too much. So it’s best to only take them if your prescriber recommends it.Frequently asked questionsWhat is the best multivitamin for perimenopause?There aren’t any vitamins that are specifically recommended during perimenopause. But it’s a good idea to have your primary care provider or gynecologist check your baseline vitamin levels. This can provide guidance as to what vitamins (if any) may help support your overall health and well-being.Supplements that may help with perimenopause symptoms include L-theanine, pollen extract, and Asian ginseng. But it’s best to check with your healthcare team to make sure these are safe options for you before trying any.Can supplements interfere with antidepressants?Yes, some supplements can interact or interfere with antidepressant medications. St. John’s wort is a common example. This is why it’s always a good idea to check with your pharmacist or prescriber before adding any OTC vitamins or supplements to your routine.What is the best supplement for neuropathy?If you have low levels of vitamin B12, vitamin D, or magnesium, taking a supplement version may help improve neuropathy symptoms. Other supplements that may help with neuropathy include alpha-lipoic acid and benfotiamine. But be sure to get an OK from your healthcare team before adding any vitamins or supplements to your regimen.The bottom lineIf you’re looking for high-quality vitamins or supplements, become an informed consumer. Doing a little bit of research on the products you’re considering before you buy them can go a long way to protecting your safety.OTC supplements aren’t approved by the FDA. But seals from independent companies, such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), show that a supplement has met higher testing and quality standards. Be sure to read supplement labels to find out exactly what you’re getting from each dose of medication. And keep an eye out for claims that seem too good to be true.Keep in mind that OTC supplements can still have side effects and drug interactions. So it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare team before trying something new.This story was produced by GoodRx and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Henry County Sheriff’s Office installs free life-saving Narcan dispenser in lobby

The Henry County Sheriff's Office in Mount Pleasant installs a free, public naloxone dispenser to help combat opioid overdoses and save local lives.

What industrial maintenance leaders should prioritize in 2026

What industrial maintenance leaders should prioritize in 2026MaintainX recently asked 2,234 maintenance and operations leaders to share the changes and challenges they’re coming up against in 2026.Some of the highlights from the survey include:79% of teams saw unplanned downtime stay the same or increase. The cost of downtime is also rising, so every failure matters more.The labor shortage and skills gaps ranked among the top five challenges for maintenance leaders.Despite greater adoption of preventive strategies, half of maintenance teams still spend less than 40% of their time on planned maintenance work.While many of these problems aren’t new, the pressure to find fixes for them has intensified. But where should maintenance leaders start when everything feels urgent?MaintainX outlined a few habits for maintenance leaders to leave behind to strengthen their maintenance strategy, and where to focus instead.Don’t: Watch expertise walk out the doorDo: Make knowledge capture a priorityEvery maintenance department has veteran technicians who know the ins-and-outs of every machine on the line. If their knowledge is stored in their heads, on paper, in spreadsheets, or scattered across disconnected tools and inboxes, it tends to disappear instead of spreading to others.That’s how a single retirement or extended absence can set a plant back months. When the team loses this hard-earned expertise, the same failures repeat while new technicians relearn lessons the hard way.The fix many companies miss is treating knowledge capture like any other critical job and building it into the maintenance team’s day-to-day processes.You can avoid accumulating “knowledge capture debt” by:Standardizing work orders, failure codes, asset histories, and photos in one system your technicians can use in the field.Making “document as you go” the default requirement for every repair and inspection. Over time, this creates reliable data that strengthens your planning and training.AI can accelerate the process of turning a senior technician’s knowledge into shared expertise. The technology can pull from equipment manuals, completed work orders, and repair notes to create procedures and tie knowledge to the right assets.This way, when senior technicians retire, their judgement stays in the workflow as a searchable resource. This means newer team members can quickly get up to speed without having to make sense of hard-to-navigate manuals or incomplete notes from their predecessors.Don’t: Look at maintenance advancements as a costDo: Reframe maintenance as a competitive differentiatorMany companies still treat maintenance as an expense to minimize. That’s part of why so many teams can plan on implementing proactive approaches and still spend less than half their time on planned preventive work. While the strategy exists, the conditions to apply it (like budget, training, and time on machines) often don’t.The fastest way to change how maintenance is prioritized in the organization is to reframe maintenance improvements as a lever for profitability through better throughput and quality.Maintenance leaders can do this by advocating to add reliability to the company’s operating goals and consistently sharing key performance indicators and updates with leaders across the organization.When maintenance is visible and measured in business terms, it earns the executive sponsorship teams need to protect their preventive maintenance schedules and move from reactive firefighting to sustained reliability improvement.Don’t: Assume advanced maintenance automatically translates into less firefightingDo: Turn machine signals into maintenance work, and maintenance work into operational insightEspecially if you’ve already invested in advanced maintenance technologies, your greatest reliability gains may come not from adding more tools to collect data, but from making sure the data you’re already collecting is reaching the right people.Teams are adopting usage-based maintenance, condition-based maintenance, and real-time monitoring at higher rates than ever. Yet most technicians still spend most of their time on unplanned work.One reason for this is that real-time asset health data often stays trapped in programmable logic controllers, supervisory control and data acquisition, and other operational technology systems, disconnected from the systems where teams actually plan work. This means teams don’t have a simple way to see what’s wrong, work often doesn’t get scheduled, and proactive tasks get crowded out.The first fix for this problem is to connect asset signals to your computerized maintenance management system, where your team already spends their time.And the benefits shouldn’t stop with technicians. When machine monitoring and your team’s work live in one connected system, the signals become immediately usable across the organization. Operations and engineering can see how asset issues are getting resolved, and maintenance leaders can see which failure patterns are repeating and where preventive strategies can be refined. Accessible data fuels a feedback loop that can improve planning and reliability.Over time, advanced strategies stop being aspirational and start showing up as fewer emergencies, fewer repeat failures, and more hours spent on work that prevents downtime.This story was produced by MaintainX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

National rent increases for fourth consecutive month but are down year over year

National rent increases for fourth consecutive month but are down year over yearThe national median rent ticked up by 0.5% in May, increasing for the fourth consecutive month. We are now entering the time of year when the bulk of moves take place, and as such, we’ll likely see continued price increases through the summer, in line with typical seasonal patterns. Prices generally increase in the spring and summer when most moves take place, and then soften in the fall and winter as moving activity slows. Apartment List The broad contours of this seasonal pattern have been largely stable, but in recent years, Apartment List reports, there have been sharper winter dips and more modest summer bumps as the market has gone through a soft spell amid a wave of new multifamily construction. As a result, full-year rent growth has been negative for each of the past three years. Currently, the national median rent is 1.5% cheaper than it was one year ago. This year-over-year rent growth figure ticked up slightly from -1.6% last month but remains near the lowest levels seen in Apartment List estimates, going back to 2017. But even a modest uptick marks a notable change in trend, as year-over-year rent growth had been gradually sinking further negative amid a backdrop of macroeconomic uncertainty.The national median rent increased by 0.5% in May, and it now stands at $1,379. This marks the fourth straight monthly increase, as the market enters the busy summer moving season.Rent prices nationally are down 1.5% compared to one year ago. Year-over-year rent growth ticked up slightly compared to last month but remains near the lowest levels in these estimates going back to 2017. The national median rent has now fallen from its 2022 peak by a total of 4.4%.The national multifamily vacancy rate currently stands at 7.2%, down slightly from the February peak. After hitting a new record in February, the vacancy rate is now decreasing for the first time in over four years.Units are taking an average of 30 days to get leased after being listed, which is down from 34 days last month, but still two days longer than at this time last year.The Austin, Texas, metro continues to have the softest conditions among the nation’s large rental markets, with the median rent there down by 5.1% over the past year. At the other end of the spectrum, the San Francisco metro now sits atop the rankings of fastest year-over-year rent growth at 6.3%. Apartment List In dollar terms, the national median monthly rent now stands at $1,379, down $20 compared to May 2025. Prices peaked in mid-2022 after a year and a half of skyrocketing growth. Since then, the nationwide median rent has been gradually drifting down and has fallen from that peak by a total of 4.4%, or $63 per month. Despite the pullback in prices, today’s rent levels remain 20% higher than they were at the start of 2021. Apartment List Multifamily vacancy ticks down to 7.2%, first decline since 2021The most important driver behind the soft market conditions that have persisted for over three years is a historic surge of multifamily construction. The construction boom peaked in 2024, when we saw over 600,000 new multifamily units hit the market, the most new supply in a single year since 1986. Since then, deliveries of new apartments have slowed considerably, while still remaining robust by historic standards. And even on the downslope of the boom, the market has been struggling to absorb the swell of new inventory. Apartment List Apartment List’s national vacancy index — which measures the average vacancy rate of stabilized properties in its marketplace — hit a peak of 7.3% in February, marking the highest level since at least 2017, which is when Apartment List started tracking occupancy. Since then however, the vacancy rate has ticked back down to 7.2%, the first decline in Apartment List’s national vacancy index since late 2021. In the four-plus years since, the vacancy rate has consistently loosened, gradually moving from record lows to record highs, but it appears to have finally hit its peak.That said, the recent decline has been modest, and the vacancy rate remains elevated above its long-run average. And with mixed news on the labor market combined with renewed inflation concerns, there is reason to think that demand could be sluggish this summer. It’s possible that the vacancy rate will simply plateau at this elevated rate, rather than continuing to decline in a meaningful way.List-to-Lease time remains elevated at 30 daysAs more vacant units have come onto the market, those units have also been sitting vacant for longer. Apartment List’s “time on market” index tells how long it takes for units to get leased after they are first listed on the platform. This “list-to-lease” time is a highly seasonal measure, and it ticked down this month, with units turning over more quickly as moving activity picked up. Units leased in May had been sitting on the market for an average of 30 days, down from 34 days last month. Apartment List Despite the month-over-month decline, list-to-lease time remains somewhat elevated. This month’s reading is the longest seen in any May going back to 2019 when the tracking begins (January’s 41 days set the overall record). Units are taking two days longer to turn over than at this time last year, and twelve days longer than they were in mid-2021 when the market was at its hottest. This lengthened list-to-lease time is in line with the generally cool rental market conditions observed in other key market indicators (e.g., negative rent growth and soft occupancy).Rent declines are mostly concentrated in Sun Belt marketsThere are 56 large metropolitan areas across the country that have a population over 1 million. In May, rents increased month-over-month in 54 of these markets, but rents remain down year-over-year in 33 of them. Rent trends vary significantly by region, with annual declines currently concentrated primarily in the South and Mountain West regions. Meanwhile, many markets in the Northeast, Midwest, and parts of the West Coast continue to see prices trend up. Apartment List Austin has seen the nation’s sharpest decline among large metros — the metro-wide median rent there has fallen 5.1% in the last 12 months and is down more than 20% from its 2022 peak. The Austin metro is also significant for permitting new homes at the fastest pace of any large metro in the country, indicating the impact of new supply on softening rents. Austin is not alone in exhibiting this trend; among the 10 metros with the sharpest year-over-year rent declines, many also rank among the highest in terms of multifamily permits (e.g., San Antonio, Denver, Phoenix, Tampa, and Nashville). Notably almost all of these markets are located in the Sun Belt.At the other end of the spectrum, the two Bay Area metros — San Francisco and San Jose — are currently logging the nation’s fastest year-over-year rent growth at 6.3% and 5.4%, respectively, as the AI boom has created a wave of high-paying tech jobs there. A number of Midwest markets (e.g., Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Cleveland) have also been maintaining steady positive rent growth amid soft national conditions, with the region’s relative affordability propping up demand.ConclusionAs the rental market enters its busy summer leasing season, there are some early signs that the tide may be turning on the soft conditions that have defined the market over the past three-plus years. Year-over-year rent growth ticked up slightly, the vacancy rate ticked down, and list-to-lease times have gotten shorter. But despite the modest tightening over the past two months, multifamily conditions remain notably cool overall, and an uncertain macroeconomic outlook presents risks to rental demand. The coming months will provide more clarity on whether the market is simply plateauing or actually turning the corner to tighter conditions.Complete Data and MethodologyAll of the underlying data presented in this report is freely available on Apartment List’s rental data download page, where you can find the full monthly history of rent estimates, vacancy index, and time on market index at various geographic levels (national, state, metro, county, and city).This story was produced by Apartment List and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.