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

Friday, July 18th, 2025
	‘The Sweet Caroline Tour’ coming to the Adler Theatre The Sweet Caroline Tour starring Jay White, a Neil Diamond tribute, is coming to the Adler Threatre on October 31.
	New soul food restaurant comes to Davenport Baker previously owned and operated her “Strictly Good Eats” food truck in the Des Moines area and now wants to bring her authentic soul food recipes back to her hometown.
	Anderson Taylor, 10, looks to expand fossil museum in Cambridge Anderson Taylor is like most 10-year-olds. He has love for dinosaurs and fossils. It all started when he was three. He was watching a TV show about dinosaurs and was inspired to look for fossils in his driveway. To his surprise, he found one. a small rock with the fossil of a starfish in the middle of regrowing an arm. After that, he was obsessed with collecting any fossils he could find. When he turned nine, he decided he wanted to share the collection of fossils with the world. He made trip after trip to the Cambridge City Hall, hoping they could find a place for a museum he could curate. The village board was impressed with Anderson's resilience, and offered him free lease of an unused building in downtown Cambridge. Quickly after that, he opened the Cambridge Natural History Museum. Then Anderson began to receive fossil donation after fossil donation, through the mail and in-person. "He wants to honor those people who have given those [fossils], because they've given them for the purpose of it being on display," said John Taylor, Anderson's father. Now Anderson wants to purchase the building from the Village of Cambridge. "It means that I can permanently have them here for generations to come," said Anderson. He needs to raise about $50,000 to purchase it and renovate the second floor. "It's not very safe up there, so we have to make it safer," said Anderson, "We're hoping to even put an Airbnb up there." The potential Airbnb would be one of the few short-term rentals or hotel options in the area. "We thought it'd be neat to be able to offer something like that and also have it attached to the museum," said John Taylor. The Taylors have been working with the city to collect grants to help with funding. It's become a popular travel destination in Cambridge. "I think it's going to grow, and I expect that we'll see more and more of people coming into town to see this museum," said Steve Brown, the village administrator. For more information, visit here.
	Palmer Hills Golf Course's 50th anniversary brings out a special player The Palmer Hills Golf Course is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with events throughout the year. One of these events was a three-person scramble, but one player stood out from the rest.Pat Thompson was the first ever paying player at the Palmer Hills Golf Course. (Ben Klein, OurQuadCities.com) He said the course has completely changed since that first game 50 years ago. "This golf course has taken on many looks from what it was with dirt and wash outs, to today with them being ranked the number one golf course in the state of Iowa, it's pretty neat," Thompson said. The Palmer Hills Golf Course will continue their celebration August 22nd with an adult-child tournament.
	The 16th annual Floatzilla seeks to add new events The 16th annual Floatzilla is right around the corner and organizers are making it a little more fun this year. They are introducing several new events this year, including a 10-mile kayak race and a rubber dunk hunt. (Ben Klein, OurQuadCities.com) Safety is also a priority and River Action plans to have almost 40 safety boats. They also want people to see wildlife up close to get an understanding of how important it is to our ecosystem. "Once you're out on the river you realize the importance of clean water. You see the importance of the wildlife that you'll see. You'll see it out there now with our pelicans and all along, you'll see the wildlife, and you know that's an important aspect and creating a culture of conservation in the Quad Cities," said Vice President of River Action Inc. Kathy Wine. Registration is already open for Floatzilla, and if you don't already have your own boat or kayak, River Action has resources to help you out. For more information, visit here.
	East Moline marks 25 years since Case IH announced plans to close its factory Approximately 600 people were left without jobs, and the impact didn't stop there.
	WIU alumni, faculty to take leading roles at Midwest Museums Conference WIU has a master's program dedicated to museum studies. It'll be on full display as the Midwest Museums Conference comes to Davenport starting July 23.
	Dodgeville man accused of killing woman was ‘just trying to get the car,’ complaint alleges Iowa County officials are expected to give an update after a missing Dodgeville woman was found dead in Nebraska, and a Dodgeville man was arrested.
	Murder charges filed for man accused of killing 2 before fire at Illinois home Murder charges have been filed against a suburban Chicago man accused of killing two people whose bodies were found inside a burning home this week in what marked the start of a deadly mystery in a rural Illinois town.
	Citizen scientists needed for wild turkey surveys in Iowa and Illinois From now through August, if you see any wild turkeys, you're asked to record them through this online portal. Here's why it's so important to scientists.
	Inaugural dragon boat festival to benefit Quad Cities cancer support On Sept. 20, you can paddle with a team of Dragon Boat riders in Davenport or enjoy the festivities from the shore. Proceeds will help QC families battling cancer.
	Lessons from 1990 Duck Creek flooding helped Bettendorf officials in last week's storm response Bettendorf residents continue to clean up after recent flooding. Officials said lessons from the 1990 floods helped them last Friday, but that challenges persist.
	Lessons from 1990 Duck Creek flooding helped Bettendorf officials in last week's storm response Bettendorf residents continue to clean up after recent flooding. Officials said lessons from the 1990 floods helped them last Friday, but that challenges persist.
	Floatzilla adding new events for 2025 You'll be able to test your skills on a paddle board obstacle course or hunt for a lucky rubber duck!
	New Des Moines Oktoberfest event announced after longtime celebration relocates After Des Moines Oktoberfest event organizers moved the event from its Water Works Park location to Ankeny for the foreseeable future, the Des Moines Biergarten announced its own celebration.
	Food Truck Friday and fireworks happening in LeClaire The community is invited to enjoy meals from local food trucks, sip on drinks, shop, and watch fireworks at Food Truck Friday in LeClaire.
	Fueled by Emo to headline Muscatine suicide prevention concert fundraiser The 5th annual "Reaching Out" benefit will take place on July 26 at Missipi Brewing Co. in Muscatine. Proceeds will benefit local mental health initiatives.
	Passenger arrested after flight diverted to Cedar Rapids Police arrested 23-year-old Mario Nikprelaj after a flight was diverted to Cedar Rapids on Thursday following an onboard disturbance.
	Bettendorf public adjuster charged with forgery, ID theft: Iowa Insurance Division A 74-year-old Moline man has been charged with forgery and identity theft, according to a a news release from the Iowa Insurance Division. Dennis Flaherty faces on count of forgery, a Class D felony, and three counts of identity theft, Class C felonies, after an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. The charges against Flaherty originate from an investigation that started in August 2024. According to the criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, Flaherty forged the signatures of his clients and their financial institutions on insurance proceeds checks without their knowledge or consent, then deposited them into his business’s bank account. According to Scott County arrest affidavits, Flaherty entered into a public adjuster contract with a couple whose home had sustained fire damage. The lien holder on the property was Midland Mortgage. During the insurance claim process, Flaherty directed the insurer to send the insurance claim proceeds to Continental Fire Adjusters Inc., which they did via two checks. "The checks were made out to (the couple,) Midland Mortgage, and Continental Fire Adjusters Inc.," affidavits show. On Nov. 20, 2023, and March 11, 2024, "Flaherty forged the signatures of Midland Mortgage, a financial institution, as well as those of (the couple) on the insurance proceeds checks without their knowledge or consent and deposited the funds, amounting to over $250,000, into the bank account of Continental Fire Adjusters Inc." A nationwide warrant for Flaherty's arrest was issued May 30, Scott County Court records show. Flaherty was booked into the Scott County Jail on July 2, then was released after he posted a $35,000 bond, according to the Iowa Insurance Division.Flaherty is scheduled for arraignment Aug. 14 in Scott County Court. "No further information will be provided at this time. Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.
	Traffic Alert: Semi-trailer stuck under Brady Street bridge A truck is currently stuck under the Brady Street bridge in Downtown Davenport, blocking a lane of traffic.
	Moline man charged with forgery, identity theft in Iowa insurance fraud case Dennis Flaherty is charged with forgery and identity theft after investigators say he deposited clients' insurance checks without their consent.
	Soar N Bounce trampoline park coming to Davenport According to the company's website, officials are aiming for an opening day in mid-August.
	Viral drive-thru coffee chain to make Quad City debut The Bettendorf City Council approved the plans for viral coffee chain, 7 Brew.
	Quad-Cities organizations host John Lewis Day of Action at TMBC Lincoln Center The Quad-Cities joined many other communities around the country in hosting a John Lewis Day of Action on Thursday.
	4 injured, 2 airlifted following Jo Daviess County ATV crash Investigators believe seven people were riding on the ATV when the driver lost control while trying to turn downhill.
	Weather cooperates on a busy summer Friday night around the Quad Cities Between the River Bandits game, Mercado on 5th hosting their Taste of Mercado night and the Rock Island County Fair - just to name a few - there are plenty of things going on around the Quad Cities tonight. And the weather looks pretty good for July! It's not too hot with temps falling from the upper 70s and lower 80s into the lower and middle 70s this evening. After midnight things take a turn for the worse though. There's a good chance for showers and storms Saturday morning. A Flood Watch as been issued for the Quad Cities. This starts after midnight Friday night and lasts until 1 p.m. on Sunday!
	Inaugural dragon boat festival to benefit Quad Cities cancer support On Sept. 20, you can paddle with a team of Dragon Boat riders in Davenport or enjoy the festivities from the shore. Proceeds will help QC families battling cancer.
	Church camp, dragged body investigations ongoing, Louisa County sheriff says An investigation into possible abuse at church camp is ongoing with no arrests made. State investigators helping with that case then had to pivot after reports of a van dragging a body down a gravel road. A man has been charged with abuse of a corpse, and the Louisa County sheriff said more charges are coming.
	Get your tie-dye on at Rock Island Library event QC residents of all ages can drop in to get creative with dye at a free tie-dye event on Tuesday, July 22 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. on the Rock Island Library Watts-Midtown Branch lawn, 2715 30th Street. (Rock Island Public Library) Participants should bring a cotton or cotton-blend t-shirt or other item to dye. The library will supply all the dyes and other materials and include home-care instructions on how to set the dye. The event is free and open to everyone. There’s still time to register for the all ages Level Up at Your Library Summer Reading Challenge or claim prizes if you’re already participating. The contest offers rewards for reading by minutes and completing library activities. Use the library’s Beanstack app/website or pick up a paper reading log at any Rock Island Library through July 31. Click here, call 309-732-READ or follow Rock Island Library on Facebook and Instagram to keep updated on the latest news and programming.
	RAGBRAI sendoff ahead of ride’s 52nd year start This year the ride travels up into Minnesota and ends in Guttenberg, Iowa.
	Over 1300 customers without power in Illinois Quad Cities More than 1300 people are without power in Moline, according to MidAmerican energy.
	4 Your Money \| Value Isn’t Everything Stock prices are very expensive right now. Nate Kreinbrink, Financial Planner at NelsonCorp Wealth Management, joins us to explain how these high valuations don’t necessarily mean low returns.
	LIVE: Investigates Talks looks at video that shows deputy being arrested on DUI TV6 Investigates’ William Ingalls and Heidi Knecht will take a look at the charges filed after a DUI arrest of a Mercer County deputy — and the charge not filed: fleeing.
	Bettendorf insurance adjuster charged with forgery, identity theft Investigators said Dennis Flaherty, 74, of Moline forged signatures of his clients and their financial institutions on insurance checks without them knowing an deposited them into his business’s bank account.
	Fueled by Emo to headline Muscatine suicide prevention fundraiser The 5th annual "Reaching Out" benefit will take place on July 26 at Missipi Brewing Co. in Muscatine. Proceeds will benefit local mental health initiatives.
	City to install new street signs to improve navigation The city of Muscatine said new street-name signs are being installed across the city.
	Friday morning fire damages Rock Island building Fire officials reported no injuries for the fire, which was in a mixed-use building in the 4100 block of 14th Avenue.
	Meet Meeko: Quad City kid to be honored at River Bandits game MercyOne Genesis Home Runs for Life honoree, Meeko Sherman, 5, of Davenport, will be honored at the Quad City River Bandits game Friday night.
	MercyOne Genesis collecting school supplies at 'Pack the Bus' MercyOne Genesis is bringing back ‘Pack the Bus’ after a one-year break from July 21 – 24. All donated items will be distributed to schools around the Quad Cities area to help families send their children to school with all the necessary supplies. "Pack the Bus" began in 2019 to give back to the Quad Cities region while celebrating the health system’s 150th anniversary. MercyOne Genesis colleagues and the public have donated over $80,000 worth of school supplies since the project’s inception. Text GHSMISSION to 41444 to donate. Volunteers will be collecting donations of school supplies from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at these locations. Supplies are needed for all grade levels. July 21: MercyOne Genesis Davenport Medical Center parking lot, 1227 E. Rusholme St., Davenport. July 22: MercyOne Genesis Maplecrest Health Plaza parking lot, 2535 Maplecrest Road, Bettendorf. July 23: MercyOne Genesis Silvis Medical Center parking lot, 801 Illini Drive, Silvis. July 24: Aledo, 701 SW Third St. (near Dollar General) These are the school supplies that are needed: Highlighters Facial Tissues Dry Erase Markers #2 Pencils & Pencil Boxes Crayons Bleach Wipes Glue Sticks Washable Markers Hand Sanitizer Spiral Notebooks – Wide Lined Liquid Glue – Elmer's Scissors Colored Pencils Art Brushes Binders (3-Ring) 2-Pocket Folders (Plastic or Paper) Individual Pencil Sharpeners Ink Pens Scotch Tape Tabbed Dividers for 3 Ring Binders Zip Lock Bags Note Cards Mechanical Pencils AAA Batteries Headphones (not earbuds) Backpacks (girl/boy/generic)
	Smoke billows over Rock Island skyline from fire vacant building KWQC could see smoke from our Skyview camera coming from the 4100 block of 14th Avenue, Rock Island
	QCA Verizon retailers part of school backpack giveaway School supply shopping just got a little easier with help from QCA Verizon retailers. Round Room, a Verizon authorized retailer, is once again giving away $3 million worth of free backpacks at its 13th annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” event. Many parents are limiting their spending, due to rising costs and the giveaway helps ease the financial burden of back to school season. Lines are expected to form before the event starts, so families should plan ahead. The giveaway will be on Sunday, July 27, starting at 1 p.m. at these locations in the QCA: Rock Falls 107 1st Ave. Rock Island 3825 18th Ave. Suite 2 Sterling 4204 E Lincolnway Suite A Burlington 1035 Lawrence Dr. Suite 102 Clinton 1663 N Lincoln Way Clinton 1205 N 2nd St. Davenport 1800 N Division St. Suite C Eldridge 600 E. Le Claire Road, Suite 1 Moline 5200 Avenue Of The Cities
	Eastern Iowa Sheriff warns community of scam using actual deputy’s name The Dubuque County Sheriff’s office issued a warning about a phone scam trending in the area.
	Walcott Day Celebrates 50 Years of Community Pride and Tradition What started as a small town celebration in 1975 has grown into one of Walcott’s proudest annual traditions. Now, 50 years later, Walcott Day continues to bring neighbors together and showcases the strength of a close-knit community.
	Putnam collecting stories on Islam in the QCA The Putnam Museum and Science Center is looking for people to submit their experiences with Islam for a temporary exhibit scheduled for spring of 2026, titled “Islam in the Quad Cities.” Ferdaus Ahmad, the guest curator for the exhibit, is helping the museum collect stories from people in the area to bring life and individual experiences to the cultural exhibit. Ahmad is a retired professor who works with QCAIR (Quad City Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees), the QC Chapter of the World Affairs Councils of America, the ICQC (Islamic Center of the Quad Cities), the IQNA Food Pantry, St. Mary’s Monastery and YES Program and mentoring girls in science programs. She is a member of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, an organization dedicated to empowerment, gender equality and advocating the constitutional rights of women in Bangladesh. She is an advisor for SpaandanB, a U.S.-based nonprofit that addresses education, health, and economic hardship in poor areas of Bangladesh. Ahmad is originally from Bangladesh and has been an active Quad Cities resident for 31 years. The exhibit will be in the World Culture Gallery, which is currently hosting the Indigenous Roots of Mexican Americans exhibit. Contact Christina Kastell, the Putnam’s Curator of History and Anthropology, at CKastell@putnam.org or Ferdaus Ahmad at fahmad29@hotmail.com to learn more and share experiences practicing Islam in the Quad Cities. The museum is open 7 days a week at 1717 W. 12th Street in Davenport.
	Woman fires gun after argument with Taco Bell employees, police say Police said a woman fired a gun into the air after an argument with Taco Bell employees early Friday morning.
	New office, same vision: The Cities Private Wealth Group expands in Bettendorf Content by the Cities Private Wealth Group. The Cities Private Wealth Group offers a personalized approach to financial planning that aligns with clients’ core values.
	Car crashes into nail salon A car crashed into the front of a nail salon Friday morning.
	Davenport mayor apologizes for not allowing civil rights director to speak "I watch the white council members invite the white directors every week many times to speak without a single interruption," Alderman Tim Kelly said. "Why was I interrupted?"
	Davenport council considers lease for Junior Theatre Davenport plans to continue to use the Mary Fluhrer-Nighswander Theatre on the Annie Wittenmyer campus for Davenport Junior Theatre productions as the program settles into its new home.
	Davenport church hosts reception for Quad Cities artist Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities, Davenport, will host an artist reception featuring Quad Cities artist Tabitha DeFrieze, a news release says. The event will be held 5-6 p.m. Saturday, July 19. A free meal consisting of beef, chicken or vegan tacos will be provided. "Life Matters More Than $Profit$" by Tabitha DeFrieze (Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities) Community art will be displayed alongside art from the featured artist. Artwork will be for sale. Metropolitan Community Church is a welcoming, inclusive space that invites all art-lovers as well as anyone who may need a free meal. DeFrieze earned a visual communications degree from Black Hawk College in 2014. She kept her work mostly private, until - with the support of her community - she is now interested in sharing her art. DeFrieze's art often looks toward impressionists for its use of color and expression. Her work is whimsical and playful. Her favorite and most inspiring subject are animals. She also enjoys creating environmental activist and LGBT artwork to help inspire positive political change. Tabitha DeFrieze (Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities) The creative field has been difficult to break into and DeFrieze's own struggling mental health often made it difficult for her to connect with community and share her art. Joining the Let's Write and Create Studio has been a life-affirming experience. DeFrieze seeks to use her art for a grander purpose. She has also enjoyed encouraging others in their creation, and believes artwork has innate value. She created art to spread awareness about the conservation of the Milan Bottoms, and dreams of using her artwork to help other local causes. She recently did a vendor booth at the local Bass Street Landing Pride and enjoyed creating free pride animal drawings for visitors. For more information about the artist, contact here. For more information about MCC QC’s Let’s Write and Create Studio, contact Bebe Geis here.
	BREAKING \| Rock Island firefighters called early morning structure fire Rock Island's Fire Chief Greg Marty told News 8 that an emergency call came in around 7 a.m. When responders arrived, they quickly put out the fire.
	BREAKING \| Firefighters called to structure fire along busy Rock Island street First responders were called to the 4100 block of 14th Avenue early Friday morning for a structure fire. News 8 is working to learn more about the incident.
	Fire erupts in vacant Rock Island building near Alleman High School Crews found heavy fire in a vacant Rock Island building early Friday. The cause is under investigation. 14th Avenue remains closed in the 4100 block.
	City of Muscatine installs new street-name signs at key intersections Residents and visitors in Muscatine will soon notice new street-name signs being installed at key intersections throughout the city, a news release says. The upgrades are part of an ongoing effort to enhance way-finding and improve the overall driving experience. (City of Muscatine) The Muscatine Department of Public Works (DPW), in collaboration with Muscatine Power and Water (MPW), is installing the new signs on traffic signal mast arms at multiple intersections. Some intersections—such as those along Colorado Street and Park Avenue—already received new signage during previous road reconstruction projects. After identifying additional intersections that would benefit from clearer signage, city staff worked with MPW to ensure the new signs would not exceed weight or wind load limits on the mast arms. Once approved, MPW agreed to handle installation, while the City supplied the necessary brackets and mounting hardware. With City Council approval, DPW contracted with Iowa Prison Industries (IPI) to manufacture the signs and with General Traffic Controls to provide the mounting equipment. The total project cost of $30,359.60 is covered under the Roadway Maintenance Budget. New or updated signs are being installed at the following intersections: Cedar Street & Houser Street Cedar Street & Muscatine High School entrance Cedar Street & Mississippi Drive East 2nd Street & Oak Street Iowa Avenue & Mississippi Drive Dick Drake Way & Stewart Road Oregon Street & Earl Street Park Avenue & East 2nd Street Park Avenue & Highway 92 Park Avenue & East 5th Street Paris Avenue & Washington Street Park Avenue & Clay/Colorado Streets Paris Avenue & Harrison Street Park Avenue & Lake Park Boulevard Park Avenue & Ford Avenue Park Avenue & Cleveland Street Motorists are encouraged to drive with caution around work zones as crews complete the installations. For more information, contact the Department of Public Works at 563-263-8933.
	Smoke billows over Rock Island skyline from structure fire KWQC could see smoke from our Skyview camera coming from the 4100 block of 14th Avenue.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for July 18, 2025 Construction is underway outside the QC International Airport, and Davenport's mobile cameras are moving to new locations this morning.
	House fire in Rock Island Emergency crews battled a fire in Rock Island on Friday morning. It happened in the 4100 block of 14th Avenue. Smoke could be seen coming from the roof. Firefighters blocked off 14th Avenue as they worked to put it out. Our news crew did notice a for sale sign was posted out front. It is unclear if the home was occupied. We do not yet know how it started or if anyone was hurt. This is a developing story. Stay tuned to Local 4, Fox 18 and OurQuadCities.com for updates. Got a news tip? Forward it to Our Quad Cities News on Twitter or Facebook or download our app on your iPhone or Android phone.
	2 airlifted after ATV rollover crash involving 7 people in Jo Daviess Co. An ATV crash involving seven people results in multiple injuries and two passengers airlifted to the hospital.
	Neil Diamond tribute scheduled for The Adler, Davenport Dynasty Entertainment LLC has announced The Sweet Caroline Tour Starring Jay White, the ultimate Neil Diamond Tribute Spectacular, will be at The Adler Theatre on Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m., a news release says. (The Adler Theatre) "Every moment, every sound, each expression of every song evokes the power and the passion of Neil Diamond," the release says. Tickets can be purchased at the Adler Box Office, 136 E. 3rd St., Davenport, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., or online here. Ticket prices will start at $39 (plus applicable fees). “There’s more to a tribute than simply the look and the voice. With a charismatic persona, some humor and some audience participation, an entertainer must be able to create an exhilarating, emotional experience that leaves the audience standing and cheering for more!” Conceived in response to Neil Diamond’s retirement from the concert stage and the huge demand from audiences worldwide to enjoy the music of the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame icon in a live music setting, Jay White and his dynamic band pays homage to Diamond by performing the hits and beloved gems you know and love with the same energy and artistry Diamond delivered over his 50-year career. With more than 10,000 performances worldwide and personally recognized by Diamond himself, White brings unmatched energy, heart, and authenticity to the stage. Backed by the powerhouse Sweet Caroline Tour Band, this show delivers hits like "Cracklin’ Rosie;" "Cherry, Cherry," "Kentucky Woman," "Shilo," "Solitary Man," "Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show," and ":Forever in Blue Jeans."
	Smoke billows over Rock Island skyline KWQC could see smoke from our Skyview camera coming from the 4100 block of 14th Avenue.
	Taking a taste of the competition with a 2025 Food Truck Fight participant News 8's Marshawn Gunn caught up with the owner of Mi Oaxaca, William Garcia, on what he's bringing to this year's Food Truck Fight competition.
	AIM accepting applications for preschool tuition, transportation scholarships United Way Muscatine County’s education initiative, Aligned Impact Muscatine County, is accepting applications for Preschool Tuition/Transportation Scholarships.
	Take a look inside Wapello's new fire station The new facility is expected to be complete by the end of November.
	Rock Island man faces sex-related charges in Henry County A Rock Island man appeared in Henry County circuit court Monday on sex-related charges.
	Charges dropped in Scott County sex offender case Charges have been dropped in the case of a Scott County registered sex offender who authorities had alleged had inappropriately touched a girl in June of 2024
	Orion to review growth in teacher evaluations Superintendent Joe Blessman said the Orion Education Association, the administration and the school board will come together to decide what to do with the new law on teacher evaluations.
	No arrests, no charges five weeks after removal of children from Columbus Junction camp It's been five weeks since 88 children were removed from a camp near Columbus Junction. No one has been charged with a crime.
	Week in Iowa: Reynolds on Iowa's water quality, a Lyon County cold case and an investigation into Quad-Cities massage parlors A round up of this week's news from across Iowa.
	Rock Island nonprofit to offer services, 'third place' alternative for homeless residents "There's nothing more profound than opening your front door and seeing two people sleeping under a tree across the street," Christie Adamson, co-founder of The Third Place QC, said.
	There's Something About Mary: “Mary Poppins,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through September 6 Kitty: Full disclosure: We once dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert for Halloween. We’re very serious about our Poppins lore.Mischa: But we promise to be absolutely objective in our reactions to this show.
	ACA health insurance will cost the average person 75% more next year, research shows A new analysis shows that health insurance premiums for Obamacare are set to soar next year, as financial help that subsidized the cost expires. Congress is not likely to extend the subsidies.
	Farmers in one Midwest state may lose conservation resources, allowing soil to ‘fly in the breeze’ Soil and Water Conservation Districts have worked with farmers for decades in every U.S. state to reduce soil erosion and promote conservation. After two years of funding cuts in Illinois, conservation advocates worry that soil health could suffer – and dust storms could become a greater risk.
	ACA health insurance will cost the average person 75% more next year, research shows A new analysis shows that health insurance premiums for Obamacare are set to soar next year, as financial help that subsidized the cost expires. Congress is not likely to extend the subsidies.
	Man charged with using cellphone in fatal car crash A man is facing multiple charges, including reckless homicide, after police say he was on a cellphone, causing a fatal car crash in November 2024.
Thursday, July 17th, 2025
	Law enforcement officers recognized for saving lives Two Muscatine police officers and a Cedar County Detective received Lifesaving Awards for their commitment and efforts at Thursday’s city council meeting.
	Congress rolls back $9 billion in public media funding and foreign aid The House approved a Trump administration plan to rescind $9 billion in previously allocated funds, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
	'Good Trouble' protests remember John Lewis on anniversary of his death Supporters gathered at the Lincoln Resource Center in Davenport for the event.
	Sandburg awarded $1.8M grant for AG tech incubator Carl Sandburg College was awarded a $1.8 million grant to create an agriculture tech-focused incubator, known as the 518 Collective, in downtown Galesburg.
	Rejuvenate Housing unveils new renovated home A former duplex was converted into a single-family home.
	Quad Cities' NPR affiliate remains optimistic despite potential spending cuts for public broadcasting Around 13% of WVIK's budget comes from the federal government, totaling about $135,000 a year. Roughly $600,000 comes from listener support.
	Take a look inside Wapello's new fire station The new facility is expected to be complete by the end of November.
	Hot Weather to End July After a very below average day today for your Thursday afternoon with temperatures in the mid 70s, things will be heating back up. As the final full week of July is around the corner forecasts are showing quite the streak of hot weather for the end of the month. The 8–14-day temperature outlook is showing temperatures that will be warmer than normal for our area along with an increase in humidity. So, as we get ready to welcome in August in two weeks, we will have some hot weather to bring it in.
	Cook review: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' is not the summer's best Here's another unnecessary reboot - and yes, this is a rebooted franchise, according to the extra scene shown mid-credits - that's not the worst movie of the summer. 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' (IMDb) That's faint praise for a mediocre movie. Just in case you don't know the year the original film came out, the characters constantly refer to 1997 as the bodies pile up. The set up is much the same. Five young men and women from Southport N.C., take off on a winding road to watch fireworks. Another car swerves off the road after it almost hits the drunken Teddy (Tyriq Withers) and veers through a fence, then plummets downward. All five agree not to talk about what they have witnessed. But one year later, an anonymous writer sends a note saying "I Know What You Did Last Summer" to Danica (Madelyn Cline,) who can't figure out why someone would do this. Soon, the killer character of The Fisherman, clad in black and clutching a deadly hook, shows up, and the blood begins to spill. There are a few worthwhile scenes here. Jennifer Love Hewitt is back as instructor Julie James, and Freddie Prinze Jr. also returns from the original cast. Their presence creates some darkly funny moments. One sequence goes back and forth from a character being slain to another character bathing in a serene bath - with a red bath bomb, of course. The juxtaposition is good for a few laughs. Not much about the movie surprised me (except for one clever cameo.) It relies a lot on jump scares and ominous noises. One addition is an obnoxious crime pod-caster who is as delightfully despicable as the name of her show: "Live, Laugh, Slaughter." It's not a terrible movie; neither is it a memorable one. It most likely will be lost among the bigger summer hits until it hooks us back in with a sequel. 2 stars Running time: One hour and 51 minutes. Rated; R for sex, violence and foul language. In theaters. Watch the trailer here.
	Ray’s Roundabout Lounge opens near TBK Bank Sports Complex For one business owner and his partners, Thursday marked the grand opening for their fourth business all in that same area - Ray’s Roundabout Lounge.
	Scott County Softball Little League seeks help after flood damage jeopardizes season "Her first thing was 'Oh, my God!' and the next thing was 'Do you think we are going to play next fall?'" said Steve Dooley, board member and coach at Scott County Softball Little League. When Dooley saw what Junge Park looked like after last week's storm, he was speechless."When I came down the road and I saw how deep everything was and saw where the water line was on our storage container, we'll just say 'upset' and leave it at that," said Dooley. The biggest loss for Scott County Little League Softball was equipment. Between pitching machines, gear, and concessions, Dooley estimates the damage totals more than $10,000."And that's not including what we are going to have to do to the concession stand, I'm talking just the gear to get this thing going," Dooley said. The clock is ticking for the Little League to get everything replaced and the park cleaned up. Softball season is scheduled to start August 11."We start on the 11th. That's our opening day for this season. We're hoping - provided we can come up with funding - to be able to get the girls the gear that they need. All the stuff that was damaged we cannot in good conscience, or legally, put that on a girl's face," Dooley said. Dooley isn't sure if everything will be done in time, but the community support for the league has already been a big help."We've had an incredible response. We've had people from as far away as Chicago and Des Moines. We've had other softball leagues reaching out to us asking what they can do to help out our community here. We've got new sponsors that are asking 'Hey how can we help?'" Dooley said. You can support the Scott County Softball Little League through its Facebook page.
	Scott County Little League Softball asking for help to replace gear ruined by flash flooding The Scott County Little League Softball organization is asking for help from the community after flash flooding ruined thousands of dollars worth of equipment.
	Enjoy food trucks, fireworks and more in LeClaire From a car show, food trucks, museum fun and even fireworks from a rooftop, LeClaire is the place to be for a family-friendly weekend. Wayne Walley with the LeClaire Tourism Board joined Our Quad Cities News with all the info on food trucks and fireworks in LeClaire.
	West Liberty Raceway sees plenty of action With a little help from the weather, the Muscatine County Fair opened with a full night of racing on Wednesday. This was the first racing action the West Liberty Raceway half-mile had seen in 2025. a news release says. West Liberty Raceway Highlighting the program was the Karl Chevrolet Pro Late Model Tour. Dallon Murty of Chelsea, Iowa, jumped out front and grabbed the early lead. At halfway in the twenty-lap event, it looked like Murty was headed to an easy victory. However, Nick Marolf of Moscow, Iowa, had other plans. Marolf started seventh and moved into second by lap eight. Nearly a straightaway behind the leader, Marolf whittled away at the lead. At two to go, he moved into the top spot and went on to claim the win and the $1,500 payday. Murty would hold on for second with Andy Eckrich taking third. J.D. Auringer and C.J. Horn rounded out the top five. Late model heat races went to Marolf, Andy Eckrich, and Jeff Aikey The IMCA Modified feature went all twenty laps caution-free. Spencer Diercks of Davenport would lead the entire distance. Diercks was never challenged in the race, finishing with a six second advantage over second place. Second through fifth was where the action took place during the main. Kurt Kile with the home field advantage finished in the runner-up position. Chris Zogg took third over Eric Barnes and Mitch Way. The modified feature was a Fast Shafts Qualifying race. Tim Plummer of Norway, Iowa, captured the win in the IMCA SportMods. While the scoring may show that Plummer led all fifteen laps, it was not an easy win. The pressure on the leader came from Matt Fulton Jr. early in the race and then from Trey Rock in the final laps. A restart on lap 12 gave Rock a chance to pull alongside the leader. He was unable to complete the pass and settled for second. Fulton held on for third. Jason Roth and Shaun Slaughter were fourth and fifth respectively. Johnny Spaw racked up another win in Street Stock/Stock Car feature. Donnie Louck led the first two laps of the feature. On a lap three restart, Spaw got around Louck and would lead the rest of the way to the checkers. Cary Brown finished third behind Louck. Keegan Wells and Jake Lund rounded out the top five. Bert McDaniel dominated the Nostalgia Late Models. McDaniel led nine of 10 laps and was followed to the checkers by Terry Mattly, Dan Kessler, and Pat Tuttle, in that order. Midwest Jalopies completed the evening’s racing program. Kurt Zimmerman and Austin Honts led early. Matt Fulton Sr. took control at midway and led the final laps for the win. Austin Honts took second with Tom Honts finishing third. SR Promotions returns to the Davenport Speedway on Friday, July 18. These races will be the final event at Davenport before the Mississippi Valley Fair. All five weekly classes will be in action along with 4-cylinders. Results: West Liberty, July 16, 2025 – Karl Chevrolet Pro Late Model Tour A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 33-Nick Marolf[7]; 2. 99X-Dallon Murty[4]; 3. 56-Andy Eckrich[6]; 4. 00J-JD Auringer[2]; 5. 01-CJ Horn[1]; 6. C15-Brandon Hamburg[8]; 7. 07-Matt Ryan[9]; 8. 1X-Jeff Aikey[5]; 9. 93-Chase Brunscheen[11]; 10. 2JR-Jesse Bodin[15]; 11. 33L-Luke Pestka[17]; 12. 60S-Dakota Simonsen[14]; 13. 74-Ron Boyse[10]; 14. 62-Luke Goedert[12]; 15. 19-Kelly Pestka[13]; 16. 21-Brennen Chipp[3]; 17. 34-Scott Strauss[16] Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 56-Andy Eckrich[4]; 2. 21-Brennen Chipp[1]; 3. 01-CJ Horn[5]; 4. 74-Ron Boyse[6]; 5. 19-Kelly Pestka[3]; 6. 33L-Luke Pestka[2] Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 33-Nick Marolf[6]; 2. 00J-JD Auringer[2]; 3. 07-Matt Ryan[3]; 4. 62-Luke Goedert[1]; 5. 2JR-Jesse Bodin[4]; 6. 34-Scott Strauss[5] Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. 1X-Jeff Aikey[2]; 2. 99X-Dallon Murty[4]; 3. C15-Brandon Hamburg[1]; 4. 93-Chase Brunscheen[5]; 5. 60S-Dakota Simonsen[3] IMCA Modifieds A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 29-Spencer Diercks[2]; 2. 77-Kurt Kile[3]; 3. 9Z-Chris Zogg[4]; 4. 1-Eric Barnes[1]; 5. 01M-Mitch Way[5]; 6. 29D-Brad Dierks[8]; 7. 77F-Josh Foster[7]; 8. 44X-Blaise Lewis[11]; 9. 58-Jared Eckrich[16]; 10. 151-Adam Eckrich[12]; 11. 32-Skyler Harroun[10]; 12. 79-Barry Dugan[13]; 13. 26-Scott Brau[14]; 14. 53-Logan Anderson[9]; 15. 12-Jordan Walker[15]; 16. (DNS) 50-Denny Eckrich Heat 1 - Top 5 Redraw (8 Laps): 1. 50-Denny Eckrich[2]; 2. 77-Kurt Kile[1]; 3. 01M-Mitch Way[3]; 4. 29D-Brad Dierks[4]; 5. 29-Spencer Diercks[5]; 6. 44X-Blaise Lewis[7]; 7. 79-Barry Dugan[8]; 8. 12-Jordan Walker[9]; 9. 58-Jared Eckrich[6] Heat 2 - Top 5 Redraw (8 Laps): 1. 32-Skyler Harroun[1]; 2. 9Z-Chris Zogg[7]; 3. 1-Eric Barnes[4]; 4. 53-Logan Anderson[6]; 5. 77F-Josh Foster[5]; 6. 151-Adam Eckrich[2]; 7. 26-Scott Brau[3] IMCA SportMods A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 66-Tim Plummer[2]; 2. 7T-Trey Rock[6]; 3. T51-Matt Fulton Jr[4]; 4. 31-Jason Roth[10]; 5. 00-Shaun Slaughter[1]; 6. 6R-Rusty DeShaw[7]; 7. 21-Todd Hansen[9]; 8. 5A-Nick Aupperle[3]; 9. 10S-Sheldon Herbert[11]; 10. 29B-Ryan Walker[5]; 11. 70?-Michael Bear[8]; 12. ?4U-Jason Bear[12] Heat 1 - Top 5 Redraw (6 Laps): 1. T51-Matt Fulton Jr[2]; 2. 66-Tim Plummer[6]; 3. 5A-Nick Aupperle[1]; 4. 6R-Rusty DeShaw[5]; 5. 7T-Trey Rock[3]; 6. 10S-Sheldon Herbert[4] Heat 2 - Top 5 Redraw (6 Laps): 1. 31-Jason Roth[1]; 2. 29B-Ryan Walker[2]; 3. 00-Shaun Slaughter[5]; 4. 21-Todd Hansen[6]; 5. 70?-Michael Bear[4]; 6. ?4U-Jason Bear[3] Street Stock/Stock Car A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 600-Johnny Spaw[4]; 2. 31-Donnie Louck[2]; 3. 81-Cary Brown[3]; 4. 27-Matt Picray[7]; 5. 23W-Keegan Wells[8]; 6. 88-Jake Lund[5]; 7. 23K-Kade Wells[10]; 8. 16-Casey Shelliam[6]; 9. 38- Drake Reichert[12]; 10. (DNS) 18Z-Rusty Zook; 11. (DNS) 20L-Landen Chrestensen; 12. (DNS) 08-Bronson Spaw Heat 1 - Top 5 Redraw (6 Laps): 1. 88-Jake Lund[4]; 2. 23W-Keegan Wells[1]; 3. 18Z-Rusty Zook[2]; 4. 23K-Kade Wells[6]; 5. 20L-Landen Chrestensen[3]; 6. 08-Bronson Spaw[5] Heat 2 - Top 5 Redraw (6 Laps): 1. 31-Donnie Louck[2]; 2. 81-Cary Brown[1]; 3. 600-Johnny Spaw[5]; 4. 16-Casey Shelliam[4]; 5. 27-Matt Picray[3]; 6. (DNS) 38-Drake Reichert Nostalgia Late Models A Feature 1 (10 Laps): 1. 9-Bert McDaniel[7]; 2. 50-Terry Mattly[1]; 3. 00-Dan Kessler[4]; 4. 112-Pat Tuttle[5]; 5. 83-Stan O'Brien[2]; 6. 72-Doug Yates[3]; 7. (DNS) 25-Craig Jones Heat 1 (5 Laps): 1. 83-Stan O'Brien[1]; 2. 9-Bert McDaniel[4]; 3. 50-Terry Mattly[3]; 4. 00-Dan Kessler[2]; 5. 72-Doug Yates[5]; 6. 112-Pat Tuttle[6]; 7. 25-Craig Jones[7] Midwest Jalopies A Feature 1 (10 Laps): 1. 32-Matt Fulton Sr[9]; 2. 21-Austin Honts[4]; 3. 1-Tom Honts[3]; 4. 11-Kurt Zimmerman[2]; 5. 79-Jayson Blunt[6]; 6. 59-Jeff Blunt[5]; 7. 17-Jordan Sherwood[11]; 8. 40-Mark Merfeld[8]; 9. 52-Dennis Blunt[1]; 10. 0-Tanner Gerard[7]; 11. 86-Michael Hulsing[10] Heat 1 (5 Laps): 1. 40-Mark Merfeld[2]; 2. 0-Tanner Gerard[1]; 3. 17-Jordan Sherwood[5]; 4. 11-Kurt Zimmerman[3]; 5. 52-Dennis Blunt[4]; 6. 86-Michael Hulsing[6] Heat 2 (6 Laps): 1. 32-Matt Fulton Sr[5]; 2. 79-Jayson Blunt[2]; 3. 59-Jeff Blunt[1]; 4. 21-Austin Honts[4]; 5. 1-Tom Honts[3]
	Bounty offered for catching black carp in Mississippi River Big money is available for anyone who catches an invasive species in the Mississippi River. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is offering a bounty for catching black carp.The 'Keep, Cool, Call' program will pay $100 for every carp caught, up to $1,000 a month. Black carp (Uland Thomas, Illinois Department of Natural Resources) If you capture a black carp: Keep: Keep the fish and make note of the location, preferably by taking GPS coordinates of the capture location. Cell phone photos are helpful for identification. Note the type of fishing gear and bait used and habitat conditions. Cool: Humanely kill the fish and keep it cool on ice or in a freezer. Call: Find contact information by state and river basin of capture. Black carp poses a serious danger to waterways and native fish. The program is also offered in Iowa and more than 20 other states. For more information, click here.
	This Iowa farmer planting pumpkins and rye says new method benefits both him, consumers He’s planting pumpkins directly into cover crops of cereal rye — a technique that helps reduce the need for pesticides before the pumpkins hit the market and protects the soil.
	Repairs to Princeton's historic Red Covered Bridge on the horizon after semi-truck hit it in 2023 The Illinois DOT said fixing the bridge will take time, as they want to repair the damage without erasing a multi-generational symbol for the area.
	'It gives you that sense of independence back' \| Public transportation now available in rural Mercer County The WCPT transportation services in Warren County have expanded to Mercer. Drivers can pick you up at your house. In-town rides start at just $1.
	Cyclists raise awareness for people with disabilities with cross-country event Today marked Day 40 of 63 of the cross-country Journey of Hope, and the cyclist stopped in Davenport.
	Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account grants more than $1 million in legal aid across Iowa Funds maintained by Iowa's courts are dispersed throughout the state, for various purposes and amounts. Courtesy: AP On June 9, 2024, the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account (IOLTA) program granted $1,177,030 in grants to nonprofit programs throughout Iowa. Locally, Muscatine Legal Services received $25,000. Click here for the full list of recipients. Attorneys for the nonprofit group represent clients in civil matters for free or at a reduced rate.The President of its Board of Directors, Daniel Hardin, says it's an important source of funding that makes an immediate impact. "It's extremely helpful," says Hardin. "It helps people stay in their homes, helps people stay out of violent situations, helps people keep their families together in instances of child custody. This kind of legal aid work has a huge beneficial impact on our community." Hardin is a practicing attorney at Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton & Noe LLP. Organizations have to apply for these grants that are awarded every year.
	Mercer County sheriff concerned over emergency response times after loss of New Boston service The New Boston Ambulance Service shut down on July 15 after years of staffing struggles. Now, an Aledo-based service will have to take those calls.
	Mercer County sheriff concerned over emergency response times after loss of New Boston service The New Boston Ambulance Service shut down on July 15 after years of staffing struggles. Now, an Aledo-based service will have to take those calls.
	University of Iowa-led satellite mission to study space weather launches this month The sun emits solar winds which can jam our power grids, satellites radios and more. The new TRACERS project wants to learn how to protect us from those winds.
	Suspect arrested after 2 found dead inside burning LaSalle County home LaSalle County deputies found two people dead inside a home that was on fire Thursday morning.
	River Bend helps keep Quad Cities kids fed this summer with lunch boxes Quad Cities' River Bend Food Bank volunteers is partnering with food pantries in five Iowa counties to distribute thousands of food boxes to kids during summer break.
	First Tee Quad Cities partners with Davenport for new Emeis golf clubhouse Five years ago, a golf course might have been full of people from older generations. Now, there has been a spark of youth in recent years. More and more kids are interested in golf and picking up the sport as a hobby. There are many reasons for this - the popularity on social media, golf pros going viral on YouTube - the list goes on and on. But specifically in the Quad Cities, one reason why has been the First Tee program. First Tee Quad Cities is all about teaching kids the fundamentals of golf, and life. They intertwine the two topics to create an engaging class that gets kids interested in golf. In 2023, the program took a big step to expand, helping with the funding at Highland Springs Golf Course for a new clubhouse. This allowed for the program to grow in popularity, while also modernizing the clubhouse. "Not only have our programs exploded at Highland," said Sara Cross, the executive director of First Tee Quad Cities. "But I think the overall community has really understood what First Tee is and the youth that we serve and the way we do things, and how that incorporates into life as well." First Tee now is playing a major role in pushing for a new clubhouse at Emeis Golf Course in Davenport. They already have a strong foundation at the course with about 400 kids in the program at Emeis. Cross believes a new clubhouse can help expand that. "Everybody has kind of decided that golf is a sport that they want to introduce their kids to," said Cross. "Adding another fresh, new clubhouse only enhances that desire." The golf course is city owned and has also received support from the city for the upgrade through funding. Davenport Parks and Recreation Director Chad Dyson believes the clubhouse is outdated. It is still the original facility from when the course was built in 1961. "We've seen a lot of growth and a lot of new players. There's different expectations of amenities and things that go with the course experience," said Dyson. "The current facility, unfortunately, just doesn't meet those expectations." The new design for the course would cost upward of $2.6 million, according to Dyson. First Tee has already raised $300,000 for the project. The City of Davenport has added $1 million to the project from the city's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). This fund is used for any current and future projects. The current funding gets that about halfway, but there is still some work to be done to make the clubhouse a reality. The Parks and Rec department already has begun event planning and marketing for the needed funding - a golf outing is in the works, along with grants and other proposals for charitable organizations, according to Dyson. "The hope is to have all of the funds secured by year end or beginning of next year," said Dyson. "So, we are looking to break ground, hopefully by next spring."

Friday, July 18th, 2025

Thursday, July 17th, 2025