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

Iran retaliates after Israel kills two top Iranian officials

Iran launched a barrage of missiles after Israel killed two top Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Israel also struck central Beirut.

Circus on the Cannonball Trail

This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.Growing up on the lonely Illinois prairie in the early part of the 20th century, 20 miles from Galesburg, George Stucky…

Muscatine Municipal Golf Course closed through March 18

Due to weather conditions, the Muscatine Municipal Golf Course will remain closed through Wednesday, March 18. According to a release from the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department, golf course maintenance staff will evaluate conditions daily and announce when the course is ready to reopen for play. For more information, click here.

Cheap drones are reshaping modern warfare — and catching the U.S. off guard

As Operation Epic Fury enters its third week, relentless attacks by cheap Iranian drones are being fended off by multi-million-dollar U.S. interceptors. How long can the math hold up?

The threats to Minnesota's Medicaid funds are unprecedented. Other states could be next

Hundreds of millions of dollars — and possibly billions — for the state's Medicaid program are in limbo as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on fraud.

Israel is a key issue in Democratic primaries as support for the U.S. ally drops

Support for Israel is down among Americans, particularly Democrats, with the last couple years being a major turning point.

Sen. Mullin faces confirmation hearing to lead Homeland Security Department

Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin faces questions from his fellow senators at his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Homeland Security,

Do you understand this billboard? If not, that's the whole point

San Francisco's streets are plastered with cryptic ads from AI startups. The strategy is intentional — but it's not without cost.

WATCH: Heavy police presence in downtown Davenport early Wednesday

One person was in custody after an incident in downtown Davenport early Wednesday. A witness at the corner of 3rd and Harrison Streets told Our Quad Cities News crew that a man who was with some other people had made threats at Kilkenney's Pub shortly before 2:30 a.m. Later the man was taken into police [...]

Ruling overturns Senegal's Africa Cup title and declares Morocco the champion

Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday by governing body judges who overturned Senegal's victory in a chaotic final in January.

Venezuela beats U.S. 3-2, wins first World Baseball Classic title

Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time, rebounding from a blown eighth-inning lead to beat the United States 3-2 Tuesday night on Eugenio Suárez's tiebreaking double in the ninth

EU offers to pay Ukraine to fix oil pipeline at the center of Ukraine-Hungary feud

EU officials say they have offered money and technical help to Ukraine to fix a key oil pipeline to Central Europe. They hope that will persuade Hungary to drop its veto on major aid to Ukraine.

AP calls Illinois 36th Senate District Republican primary for Brad Beekman

Brad Beekman, a retired Illinois State Police officer, will face incumbent Democrat Mike Halpin in the general election.

Dillan Vancil to face off against Eric Sorensen for Illinois 17th District in 2026 midterms

Dillan Vancil is projected to win the Republican primary for the Illinois 17th Congressional District. As of Tuesday night, Vancil held 58 percent of the vote, with 82 percent reporting. Vancil lives in Monmouth and has worked for the railroad, a school board and owns a coffee business with six shops. Our Quad Cities News [...]

Switzer wins Mercer County sheriff primary race

Casey Switzer won the Republican primary for Mercer County Sheriff.

Marcus Herbert wins Democratic primary for Rock Island County Sheriff

He is set to face Republican Jamie Shoemaker in the general election.

Vancil wins primary race for Illinois 17th Congressional District

Dillan Vancil won the Republican primary for Illinois’ 17th Congressional District.

6th annual Bishop Hill Book Fair to be held in April, featuring 19 local authors

The book fair will be held April 11 at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons.

Dillan Vancil wins Republican primary for Congressional 17th District

Dan Vancil held a 14-month-long campaign on affordability, immigration and breaking monopolies. He will be competing with incumbent Democrat Eric Sorensen for the 17th Congressional District seat.

Marcus Herbert wins Democratic primary for Rock Island County Sheriff

Marcus Herbert will be the Democratic candidate for Rock Island County Sheriff when election season rolls around in November. Herbert won with 52 percent of the vote at 6,127. Following him was Matthew DeSmyter with 40 percent and Timothy Gillette at 8 percent. Currently Herbert is a sergeant with the sheriff's office. He's served the [...]

Bettendorf to replace stolen “Skipper” statue

The City of Bettendorf announced it will be replicating and replacing the "Skipper" statue that was stolen in 2025. According to a release, the Bettendorf City Council voted to hire an artist to replicate and replace the statue at Leach Park, located at 100 12th St. The City of Bettendorf contacted the original creator of [...]

Iowa radon mitigation bill moves forward

A proposal in Iowa would add active radon mitigation systems to new construction. House File 2297 would require that new residential construction include a passive method for the mitigation of radon. Passive systems don't require a fan or electricity, but active systems do.Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can build up in homes. It's [...]

Illinois Lt. Gov Juliana Stratton wins Democratic primary for US Senate

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won Tuesday's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, edging out two sitting members of the U.S. House to advance to a November general election against Republican nominee Don Tracy, former state party chair. The retirement of U.S. Sen Dick Durbin, the Senate's longtime No. 2 Democrat, triggered a competitive campaign on [...]

See results for Rock Island County races for the 2026 Illinois primary

A total of 17,024 ballots were cast in the county, according to unofficial results posted by the Rock Island County Clerk's Office Tuesday night. Here are results for county races.

Herbert wins Dem race for Rock Island County Sheriff

One of the bigger primary races KWQC is following is for Rock Island County Sheriff with the current Sheriff, Darren Hart, retiring.

Steven Rugh wins Republican nomination for Rock Island County Clerk

Steven Rugh won the Republican nomination for Rock Island County Clerk in Tuesday's primary election, according to unofficial results. He'll face Democrat Maggie Crouch in November.

Herbert wins GOP race for Rock Island County Sheriff

One of the bigger primary races KWQC is following is for Rock Island County Sheriff with the current Sheriff, Darren Hart, retiring.

Illinois Lt. Gov Juliana Stratton wins Democratic primary for US Senate

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, edging out two sitting members of the U.S. House.

Daniel Biss wins Democratic primary for closely-watched Illinois House seat

Biss, the mayor of Evanston, Ill., topped political newcomer Kat Abughazaleh, a first-time candidate who ran as an unapologetic progressive in the race to succeed longtime incumbent Jan Schakowsky.

Pritzker, Bailey set for Illinois governor showdown in November

JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey will face off in the November election for Illinois Governor, with Pritzker seeking a third term and Bailey promising to focus on Chicago and lower costs.

Darren Bailey wins Republican nomination for governor in Illinois primary election

The Republican primary for Illinois governor is a test Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker.

Former Illinois Republican Party chairman Don Tracy wins GOP primary for US Senate seat

Don Tracy, the former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, has won the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. The retirement of Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin triggered a competitive campaign, with 10 Democrats and 6 Republicans in the race. Furious fundraising and sharp elbows marked the contest, which has tested the influence of Democratic Gov. JB [...]

Girlfriend of suspect in Trudy Appleby's murder waives hearing in other case

A woman court documents refer to as the girlfriend of the suspect in Trudy Appleby's murder has waived a preliminary hearing in Rock Island County Court, according to court records. Destiny Hopwood, 24, of Milan, is listed in Henry County Court documents as the girlfriend of Jamison Fisher, who faces three charges of murder and [...]

Bipartisan Iowa survey results show support for state-wide nutrition assistance

A recent survey in Iowa shows bi-partisan support for programs that make food more accessible.Results show that more than 70% of Iowans think food insecurity is a concern. Food pantries across the state want lawmakers to pass legislation to address the issue. "Iowans want proactive, responsible programs that feed the community," said Chris Ford, CEO [...]

Bettendorf to replace stolen 'Skipper' statue at Leach Park

Bettendorf police were notified on Feb. 3, 2025, that the statue of a child skipping rocks was missing.

Illinois voters pick next generation after near-record retirements

UPDATE: Chad Koppie wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Illinois' 7th Congressional District. UPDATE: Mike Quigley wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Illinois' 5th Congressional District. EARLIER UPDATE: Illinois voters decided primaries Tuesday for six open U.S. House and Senate seats that will spur a new generation of leadership in the state's heavily Democratic [...]

LIVE: 2026 Illinois primary election results

Iowa moves to restrict governor's powers during emergency

An amendment introduced to House File 2694 in Iowa would restrict the governor's actions during an emergency. The move is a response to restrictions put in place at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Kim Reynolds included religious services in a temporary ban on gatherings of more than 10 people at that time. The [...]

Arizona AG files criminal charges against Kalshi over 'illegal gambling'

Arizona is the first state to allege the prediction market company has committed criminal violations, accusing it of running an unlicensed gambling operation.

Seed libraries now open at all three Rock Island Library locations

After a short snow delay, the Rock Island Public Library Seed Library collection is officially open as of Tuesday, March 17, at all three library locations: New this year, the library offers small seed catalogs at its Rock Island Southwest and Watts-Midtown Branches, in addition to the full seed collection at the Downtown Library. The [...]

Judge orders 1,000 Voice of America staffers back to work in rebuke to Kari Lake

A federal judge has ordered more than a thousand Voice of America staffers back to work by Monday. It's a major defeat for the Trump administration's effort to cut the news outlet to the bones.

Iowa bill could limit hiring of international workers at colleges

A bill moving through the Iowa legislature could change who colleges and universities in the state are allowed to hire.

Bethany’s QC Easter Egg Hunt returns March 29

The non-profit is doing their annual fundraiser on March 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park in downtown Davenport. Admission is $5 per child. Pre-registration is required.

More snow heading into Quad Cities Tuesday night

It's NOT a repeat performance of Sunday night into Monday morning...let's just get that out there right off the bat! But, we do have some light snow coming in for late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Totals will be an inch or less across most of the area. Some roads could be covered with [...]

Geneseo siblings return to QCL after winning Food Network baking title

Geneseo siblings Abigail and Kenneth Wolf are returning to QCL after winning Food Network’s Baking Championship: Next Gen, where they topped 11 sibling teams in a month‑long national competition.

Princeton city council approves business development district

Princeton is moving forward with plans for a business district redevelopment plan.

Bethany for Children & Families to hold Easter egg hunt

The Easter egg hunt will take place at Modern Woodman Park on March 29.

Quad City Steamwheelers open season at home, focused on fresh start after a standout 2025 season

The indoor football team will have their first home game of the year on March 21 in Moline, saying they're excited to get back in front of their hometown fans.

Flower shop owners host class for local seniors

Sisters in Bloom hosted a class at the Good Samaritan Society in Davenport where local seniors got to assemble their own flower arrangements.

Illinois State Police trooper injured in Whiteside County crash

ISP officials said the trooper's vehicle was hit while stopped with their emergency lights active to assist a driver who'd slid off the roadway.

4 Illinois State Police squad car crashes in one day, including trooper injury in Whiteside County

The Illinois State Police reported four squad car crashes on Monday, three of them tied to violations of the state’s Move Over Law.

One Night of Queen, March 27

Ever since the 2018 musical bio-pic Bohemian Rhapsody won four Academy Awards and grossed more than $215 million domestic and $875 million worldwide, Freddie Mercury and Queen have been hotter than ever – which is sure to be proven by the raucous crowd response on March 27 when Moline's Vibrant Arena at the MARK pays tribute to the iconic British rockers in the stage spectacle One Night of Queen performed by Gary Mullen & the Works.

Chamber Music Quad Cities: “Americana/Austriana,” March 28

Closing Chamber Music Quad Cities' 2025-26 season at Davenport's Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Parish Hall with a rare Saturday-evening concert event, the ensemble's musical co-directors Gregory Sauer and Thomas Sauer lend their respective cello and piano talents to the March 28 program Americana/Austriana, the lauded brothers joined by violinist Salley Ko and violist Elizabeth Oakes for works by Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Charles Ives, and Shawn Okpebholo.

Greg Wheeler & the Poly Mall Cops, March 29

Touring in support of their 2025 recording Slimephone Surveillance in which, according to Rebel Noise, "urgency bleeds into every track, giving the record a raw spark that feels both timely and timeless." the Des Moines-based Greg Wheeler & the Poly Mall Cops headline a March 29 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the group having previously shared stages with the likes of Viagra Boys, Death Valley Girls, and Bob Log III.

Derek Monypeny and Kelby Clark, April 1

Touring in support of his most recent release Born (Free), multi-instrumentalist Derek Monypeny returns to Rock Island venue Rozz-Tox on April 1, joined on the night's bill by south Georgia native and Los Angeles-based banjo player Kelby Clark.

Bettendorf man sentenced to over 18 years for child pornography offense

A Bettendorf man was sentenced to over 18 years in federal prison for a child pornography offense. According to court records, Jacob Bertrand, 35, was on federal supervised release for a 2016 conviction for possession of child pornography. In October 2024, Bertrand had an unauthorized cell phone while residing at a Davenport residential reentry center. [...]

The Four C Notes, March 27

Noted for being the Midwest's only act expressly dedicated to recreating the music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, the, Chicago-based tribute artists of The Four C Notes play a May 18 concert event at the University of Dubuque's Heritage Center. performing from a vast pop, rock, and ballad repertoire boasting such iconic smashes as “Sherry," “Big Girls Don’t Cry," “Walk Like A Man," "Let's Hang On," and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You."

Quad City Steamwheelers' home opener is this Saturday

The indoor football team is coming off an incredible 2025 season, where they ended as regular-season conference champions and received league honors.

The Clinton city administrator resigns

Matt Brooke has been in office since 2016. His departure came with a "mutually approved separation agreement."

“Caged Aggression XLI: March to Glory,” March 27 and 28

Delivering a two-night mega-event that will also be broadcast on pay-per-view, the mixed-martial-arts spectacle Caged Aggression XLI: March to Glory will take place at the Davenport RiverCenter on March 27 and 28, with more than two dozen supremely talented MMA greats facing off in the nightly battles.

“Mrs. Lincoln's Salon,” March 28

With the hour-long event held in celebration of the current Women's History Month, busy touring performer Debra Ann Miller brings her one-woman show Mrs. Lincoln's Salon to the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch on March 28, inviting library patrons an intimate audience with Mary Todd Lincoln as she shares stories of her fascinating life as wife, mother, and First Lady of the United States.

Milan rail crossing to close for repairs effective March 19

Officials with the Illinois DOT expect the closure of the Andalusia Road crossing to last two days. A detour will be posted.

“An Afternoon with Beatrix Potter,” March 28

With the hour-long event held in celebration of the current Women's History Month, busy touring performer Debra Ann Miller brings her one-woman show An Afternoon with Beatrix Potter to the Davenport Public Library's Fairmount Branch on March 28, inviting library patrons an intimate audience with the author of the treasured Peter Rabbit books as she shares stories of her incredible writing career and numerous other pursuits.

USS Ford has seen war, fire and plumbing woes as it nears a record long deployment

The Ford's crew left Norfolk, Va., on June 24, initially bound for the Mediterranean. More than nine months later, the crew is now in the Red Sea for the war with Iran with no clear return date.

“KPop Demon Hunters” Party, March 28 and 31

With the film having recently received Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (for the chart-topping smash "Golden"), kids are invited to the Moline Public Library for the KPop Demon Hunters Party on March 28 and a more sensitive version of the bash on March 31, where costumes are welcome and there will be games, crafts, and activities celebrating all things Huntrix.

“49th-Annual High School Art Invitational,” March 27 through April 30

Nearly 200 works by gifted student artists will be on display at Rock Island's Quad City Arts Center from March 27 through April 30 in the expansive 49th-Annual High School Art Invitational, a glorious celebration of local talent featuring the Quad Cities’ most promising artists expressing themselves through paintings, drawings, sculpture, paper, recycled materials, and film.

Quad City Animal Welfare Center hosts Mobile Vet Van

You can help keep your pets healthy with the up-to-date care they need, all while on the go! Elysia Rohr and a furry friend joined Our Quad City News with information on the Quad City Animal Welfare Center's Mobile Vet Van. For more information, click here.

“Jojo Rabbit,” April 2

With the Oscar-winning comedy hailed by USA Today as a "brilliant Nazi-mocking satire," writer/director Taiki Waititi's Jojo Rabbit enjoys a free screening at Davenport's Figge Art Museum on April 2, this season's Free Film at the Figge series presenting a selection of distinguished, award-winning films that represent the very best in provocative, suspenseful filmmaking set in the context of authoritarian fascism.

“Clue: Live on Stage!”, April 1

Described by DC Metro Theatre Arts as a mystery comedy with “a dizzy, stimulating joy that makes it a whole lot of fun,” the movie and board-game adaptation Clue: Live On Stage! brings its national tour to Davenport's Adler Theatre on (fitting) April Fool's Day, the show a farcical riot that, according to Broadway World, “creates one laugh after another – and a series of 'Ah-hah!'s – as the audience is led on a merry chase.”

“Strange Case,” March 28

With his one-man show inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, St. Ambrose University professor and theatre-department chair Dan Hale presents a one-night-only performance of Strange Case on March 28.

Clinton city administrator resigns

Clinton City Administrator Matt Brooke's last day will be Tuesday, March 24.

‘It puts a fear in you’: Clinton County woman targeted by scammers posing as law enforcement

In a terrifying ordeal, the scammers threatened Stacy Hill with arrest and jail time if she didn't comply. Now, she's bravely sharing her story to help others.

Tuesday’s adoptable pet: Meet Patrick

Patrick came to the Rock Island Animal Care and Control Shelter as a stray.

UnityPoint Health - Trinity in Rock Island to host memorial for families mourning infant loss

A March 29 memorial gathering at UnityPoint Health – Trinity in Rock Island will honor babies lost during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

North Scott Press — March 18, 2026

Rapper Lil Wayne coming to Des Moines

Rapper will perform July 16 at the Casey's Center

Iowa State’s Jefferson named second-team AP All-American

Jefferson helped lead the Cyclones to a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

NCAA Women’s Tournament First and Second Round sessions at Iowa sold out

No. 2 seen Iowa will play No. 15 seed Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Veterans’ group remembers the fallen

On the first Saturday of every month, carafes of coffee and open boxes of Casey’s donuts await veterans and their families on the kitchen counter of Cornerstone Church. Filling a Styrofoam cup and taking a donut in a napkin, the veterans gather for an hour of camaraderie hosted by Anonymously Grateful, a local organization that honors veterans, Gold Star families, and families of veterans lost to suicide. Jose Cerda, a U.S. Army veteran, began the organization three years ago. They meet for breakfast monthly, and host a memorial dinner on the anniversary of Sept. 11 which recognizes local Gold Star families. He began Saturday’s breakfast with a few words. “The news coming out of Iran has been heavy on all of us,” Cerda said. He listed the names and hometowns of the six veterans killed to date in the U.S. conflict in Iran. “Combat may be behind you, but body and mind don't always know that. It's okay if this news shook you. It's okay if you're not okay,” he said. “We stand with you, not just in honoring the fallen, but in protecting the living. Your life still matters. Your family still needs you,” he continued. Cerda said he founded Anonymously Grateful to bring veterans and veteran families together, and to increase awareness of veteran suicide and mental health resources. “We're at 158,000 men and women we've lost a suicide, to mental health from 2001 to 2025… and that's just the ones that are accounted for,” Cerda said. That is more than the total casualties of every U.S. conflict since the Second World War combined, he said. “Just in the last six months alone, we've lost seven locally to suicide,” Cerda added. “A lot of people are not aware of how many widows are taking their lives,” he continued. “A lot of the Gold Star widows are taking their lives because they can't handle the pain of losing a loved one in combat or to suicide.” Marilyn Korthaus Riley, of Davenport, was one of the first Gold Star mothers honored by Anonymously Grateful. She joined the group for breakfast for the first time Saturday, Feb. 28. “I'm not going to be able to come every time, but this is very nice, very nice,” she said. Her son Bradley died in Iraq in 2003. Her husband, a Vietnam War veteran, died four months later, a death she attributes to Agent Orange exposure. Cerda has been involved in veteran’s outreach for over a decade. He began as a member of Patriot Guard, a group that attends veterans’ funerals. With them he met the family of BJ Luxmore of Sherrard, Ill., killed in action in Afghanistan, in 2012. “I met his parents and met his widow, and from there… just seeing the pain and the emotion when they lose a loved one like that, it was just heartbreaking for me,” he said. Cerda has gathered other local veterans to help manage and expand Anonymously Grateful’s mission. Cory Hawk is a National Guard veteran and member of the organization’s board. “I lost four friends in Iraq,” he said. “So keeping the Gold Star families a part of the veteran community is important to me.” He spent 20 years in the active guard reserve. “After I retired, I kind of had a void, and this board helped me fill that void,” Hawk said. “And then it also got me to my current job, which is a Veteran Service Officer, and that allows me to continue to serve.” He graduated from North Scott and now works for Rock Island County. After an hour of socializing at their monthly breakfasts, the group turns to a guest presentation that tries to connect veterans and families to mental health resources. “Our main focus for these breakfasts is mental health,” Hawk said. “It's a big issue with the veteran community, and this is just to let everybody know they're not alone.” Cherie Henningsen is a fellow veteran and Anonymously Grateful board member. A former North Scott teacher, she changed careers to work directly on veteran services and mental health. One of Anonymously Grateful’s new initiatives provides high schoolers enlisting in the service with information on resources and support they can contact when they leave. “You don't get a lot when you leave [the service],” she said. “It's like, thank you for your service, have a good life, you know? So we just want to support people.” “They taught us to go in and trained us to go in,” Cerda said. “They never untrained us to come out.” This year’s Sept. 11 anniversary dinner will on the day’s 25th anniversary. Kris Paronto, a member of the security team which defended the CIA compound in Benghazi in 2012, will feature as the guest speaker. In addition to his work with Anonymously Grateful, Cerda hosts a weekly podcast titled “My Generation: A Silent Warrior’s Memoir,” where he speaks with veterans. “It's not like any other podcast. I just want them to share what they want to share,” Cerda said. He avoids discussion of trauma and combat. “I don't want them go down that rabbit hole.” The podcast can be found on YouTube. Other Anonymously Grateful board members include Bobby Bunch, Eric Swanson, Lou Kranovich, Jill Jacobs, and Kelly Amhoff, Cerda said. Tasty Café, the Northgate Hy-Vee, and Eldridge Casey’s all donate food for the monthly breakfast.  

Equipped for life with Type-1 diabetes

Living with Type-1 diabetes can be difficult, especially for families with young children diagnosed with the disease. But a group of North Scott students recently received a new tool that can help manage its symptoms and effects. These students were gifted with SugarPixel devices. A SugarPixel is a second line of defense in monitoring glucose levels. It connects with primary continuous glucose monitors (CGM), such as Dexcom or Libre devices. The SugarPixel has a large display monitor that shows glucose levels. It can especially be helpful at night; if a user wakes up feeling unwell, it can be difficult to open or read the primary device app on their phone. The large display is bright and easy to read. And, if there is an emergency situation, the SugarPixel can also sound a very loud alarm to rouse someone from sleep. The donation was sponsored by members of Eldridge United Methodist Church. Becky Esbaum of Eldridge brought the idea to Stacy Muhs, chair of the Missions committee at the church. The committee agreed to sponsor a device for any North Scott student that wanted one. A SugarPixel device costs $110 for the base model. “Any family with a Type-1 diabetic is guaranteed to reach their out-of-pocket max every year, and that doesn’t include a lot of the other incidental costs involved.  It’s not a cheap disease,” said Esbaum. While many people are more aware of Type-2 diabetes, Esbaum’s family is all too familiar with Type-1. Her teenage grandson, Eli, was diagnosed at age 3. “Our involvement with our grandson, Eli, has given us the opportunity to recognize the immense time and stress on young families with T1D kids.  If you ask a mom of a T1D the last time they slept all night, you’d probably see eyes roll and a laugh.  It’s just something you get used to.” Eli has a SugarPixel at his dad’s house, which he especially uses at night. Esbaum said the devices are also incredibly useful to young adults who are starting to exercise some independence. “As kids get ready to go off to college, it’s a real concern that they won’t hear their alarms at night.  Human development and sleep patterns for high school kids and young adults are not always conducive to hearing and recognizing alarms.  The SugarPixel has very loud alarms that are also designed to have pitch variety that definitely can’t lull you into a dream or drift back to sleep.  Many families get them for kids heading off to college.”   The SugarPixel also includes a vibrating puck that users can put under their pillows. The puck goes off along with the alarm, which can also help rouse someone from sleep. Esbaum and the church worked with the nurses at each building in the North Scott School District to arrange for the donations. “Our Missions group has worked with the school nurses for several years.  We give them each a cash envelope every semester for kids that need extra items from personal hygiene, clothes, etc.  The nurses also reach out when they know there is a family in need of other items.  We have supplied a bed, mattress and bedding to several families.  At Christmas they help get lists together for families that could use extra help getting through the holidays, including gifts.  Having that relationship with all the nurses, it was easy to ask them to be the ‘go between’ in contacting the T1D kids – to avoid any HIPAA violations or invading their privacy.  They were willing to do that for us.” Letters were sent to each nurse on a Tuesday. By the next afternoon, five of the seven nurses had reached back out, saying every student at their school wanted a SugarPixel. There are approximately two dozen North Scott students living with Type-1 diabetes, and so far, 19 of them have received a SugarPixel. Some students are using them at home, while others had them installed in classrooms to help during the school day. Among the recipients is Ed White student Cole Yager. Now 10, Cole was diagnosed in February of 2021. “The SugarPixels are so cool,” said Cole’s mom, Krystal Yager. “They were created by a family that had a Type-1. “The thing about diabetes is, it’s 24-7. So, it’s happening when you’re sleeping. And there’s all these alarms on the Dexcoms and on the pumps, but you kind of get accustomed to it. So, you don’t always wake up. I don’t think anyone is sleeping through the SugarPixel. They are loud and they are aggressive and they should be.” The Yager family originally got a SugarPixel to put in the basement of their home, so Cole could keep an eye on it while he was playing video games. “He would get frustrated when he had to stop in the middle of a game to get sugar or whatever the case was. So, he wanted one so he could see while he was playing – do I need something before I start this next round? Which, fair. “So, to help him learn how to manage his diabetes on his own better, we got him that device. And it’s been good for him, to the point where we were like, we should get another one. And that’s when we got the letter. So, it worked out great.” A life-altering discovery Although her son has been living with Type-1 diabetes for five years, Krystal Yager had been familiar with the disease since she was a child. Her cousin was diagnosed in the late 1980s, and she can recall his family’s efforts to keep on top of the condition. Then, her cousin was constantly doing finger pokes to check his blood sugar, and the only management tool was insulin injections. Her aunt and uncle had to learn how to mix insulin for the injections to keep his blood sugar managed. Krystal also had a college friend who was living with the disease. But Cole’s journey began in early 2021. The Yager family had recently moved to the Quad Cities and Krystal was settling into life as a stay-at-home mom, when she started to notice some alarming symptoms in her five-year-old son. “He started wetting the bed every night. Which isn’t abnormal for a five-year-old but was very abnormal for my five-year-old. But the other thing that really stuck out to me – he was eating just constantly, and he was constantly hungry. He’s a little guy, and to this day, he still doesn’t eat very much. But he was just eating and eating. So, I Googled those things, as one does, and diabetes came up as one of the options.” She knew, with her family history, that diabetes was a strong possibility. Cole’s annual physical was approaching, but on the day, a snowstorm nearly cancelled the appointment. “They called and said, ‘Can we reschedule?’ And I said, ‘No, I really need you to see him.’ I took him in and they did one finger poke and said, ‘Yes, your son has Type-1 diabetes. “At that moment, I was like, ‘Do you need to do some other testing? Are you sure?’ But they were sure.” Type-1 diabetes patients in the Quad Cities can see specialists in Iowa City or Peoria, Ill., and Cole received a referral to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The snowstorm made travel treacherous, and there was more difficulty: Cole’s dad was in Ohio on business. He drove through the night to make it home, and the following day, the Yager family was in Iowa City. “We stayed for, I believe it was two or three days, and it was just a deep dive into Type-1 and how to manage this disease and literally keep our son alive. So, it was a very tough time. And it was very life-altering, obviously for my son, but for my husband and I, as well. And really, for anyone who is touched by this. I mean, it affected my in-laws, it affected my parents, cousins, aunts, they all had to learn at least the basics so that they can help take care of him. Because it’s 24-7, 365.” Krystal said, at first, Cole wasn’t sure how to react to the diagnosis. “He’s a smart little kid and he wasn’t super sick, like some of these kids can get. He just knew he didn’t feel right. But he wasn’t in diabetic ketoacidosis, he wasn’t lethargic or comatose. He was just hungry and thirsty. So, at first, he didn’t realize why we were there.” But one thing immediately became clear to Cole. “He did not like the shots. Sometimes, it took three full grown adults to give this little guy a shot. It was hard. He cried every time.” Now, five years later, Krystal said her son has adjusted to life with Type-1. “It’s just another part of him. He’s just like, ‘Yeah, I got it. Yeah, I need insulin and yeah, I count my carbs.’ He just owns it.” So much so that, a few years after his diagnosis, when he learned another student at Ed White was diagnosed with Type-1, “he told that teacher about how to take care of her. “He owns it now. It’s not who he is, but it’s just another part of him.” While Cole is now outfitted with a Dexcom device and a glucose pump, he didn’t get that technology right away. Krystal said when they left Iowa City after the initial visit, she and her husband were taught the basics of how to care for their son, including glucose monitoring through finger pokes and injections. Although the Dexcom device was fitted about a week later, Krystal said the interim gave her tremendous insight into what her cousin’s family dealt with 30 years ago. “I don’t know how my aunt and uncle did it without (a CGM). I don’t think they slept, ever, for 20-some years. But that was monumental for us, because we can see his sugars and where they’re trending, and it updates every five minutes. It’s amazing.” Cole started using his insulin pump about nine months after the diagnosis. Although the wait is now around six months, Cole’s diagnosis came during the pandemic, and it was harder to get training scheduled in Iowa City then. “The pump was amazing, because that gave him more independence and he didn’t have to have the shots every day, which could be six to eight shots a day. And we didn’t have to stop him playing or whatever he was doing to give him shots. It’s all done on his phone.” Spreading the word For parents concerned their child may have Type-1 diabetes, Krystal said there are a few tell-tale symptoms. Those symptoms include excessive thirst and hunger. Along with the unquenchable thirst comes frequent urination. Other symptoms include lethargy and rapid weight loss. “A lot of times, that’s hard to see, especially in kids, because of growth spurts. Looking back now, I did a side-by-side photo of my son, the day before he was diagnosed, and eight months later. Different kid. And I’ve talked to many parents who say the same thing: we didn’t realize how skinny he was.” While both Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes have some genetic components, there are notable differences in the diseases. Type-2 diabetes is primarily a metabolic condition, caused by insulin resistance. The pancreas still produces insulin, but the body does not use it properly. The onset is typically slow, and can be managed through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. But Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system destroys the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin. “It’s nothing my son did to cause this; it’s nothing any of the other kids did to cause it. You either get it or you don’t,” said Krystal. Because it is an autoimmune disease, it can also be triggered by a virus, because the body is working overtime to prevent illness. There was a spike in Type-1 diagnoses during the pandemic. Krystal said many people diagnosed with Type-1 don’t have a family connection to the disease, so it may not be something they immediately consider when they start showing symptoms. But technology is advancing on that as well. Krystal said a Type-1 screening test is now available. “Even if it’s not in your family, you can screen for the Type-1 antibodies to know ahead of time, could this potentially be something I can get? And if it is something you can potentially get, there is a drug you can take to postpone the onset.” The drug is called Tzield, and it can help delay the onset of insulin-dependence. It is a 14-day infusion, and Krystal said research is indicating that people who have received the drug, while they still need artificial insulin, may not need as much. According to research by the Food and Drug Administration, the onset can be postponed by three to four years now, and researchers have yet to discover the full potential of the drug. But it only works if Type-1 antibodies are discovered during a screening. “If you show up to the hospital and you already have Type-1, it’s too late,” she said. “You have to do it before you have any of the signs. So that’s why you should screen early.” Krystal said she’s already gotten herself and her daughter screened and has encouraged other family members to screen as well. “Do it early so you can do something about it. I couldn’t do anything for Cole. It was all just reactive. If there was something to do to be proactive, I would do it. If I can stop it for my daughter, I’m going to do it. She doesn’t love the blood tests – she does it once every three years – but at least I know that there’s something I can do for her and maybe she won’t have to live the life that Cole does.” Adjusting to life with Type-1    The diagnosis of a chronic illness can be scary for parents as well as kids. “Reach out to the community as soon as you can,” advised Krystal. “The biggest thing for me was finding other parents that get it. Because unless you’re in it, you don’t get it. And I’m glad that people who aren’t in it don’t get it, because it’s a lot. I don’t want to wish this on anyone. So, it was really important to me to have people that you could talk to who live it and understand it just like you do. That was the biggest help for me, just finding these people. And I’m here. You can call me, I’ll help.” One of the hardest things about the timing of Cole’s diagnosis was that it happened during the pandemic, which made it difficult to immediately find a support community. Krystal said she’s met at least three different families that were diagnosed at about the same time as Cole – they were all in the hospital at the same time but couldn’t meet. After Cole’s diagnosis, Krystal also got involved in Type-1 diabetes advocacy through Breakthrough T1D. She now works as a development manager for the Iowa and Nebraska chapter of the organization. One part of her role is to reach out to families that have been newly diagnosed and offer support. Breakthrough T1D started in 1970 and was formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Krystal said the name change came about because, “it’s not really a juvenile disease. I mean, kids do get it. But so do adults. And the kids that get it grow into adults. They don’t grow out of this disease; they have it for life. So, we wanted to kind of get away from the juvenile part of it and focus more on the fact that it’s Type-1 diabetes. It affects everyone and we’re here for you, regardless of where you are in that journey.” She said the Breakthrough part of the name comes from all the breakthroughs in the disease, because the JDRF had a tremendous hand in advocating for many advances in diabetes care, including the devices that Cole and so many others wear now. She said Breakthrough T1D is also working to get Type-1 antibody screenings done at annual doctor visits. “We’re not there yet. But we’re doing blood samples in kids already, why don’t we just add that to it?” Krystal said she’s actually been involved with the organization for much longer than her current advocacy though. She attended JDRF awareness walks with her cousin’s family. Her father-in-law was also a store manager for Hy-Vee, which has been a longtime supporter of the organization. “He worked in a small Iowa town. And he would put on an auction; there was a silent auction, live auction. It was a really, really fun night. And we would go to that long before we had my son. He did that for 10 years and he would raise anywhere from $30,000 to $70,000 in this small town. And his final year, his tenth year, when he got up on stage, my son was with him. So, it all kind of came full circle.”  Krystal said she’s also grateful for the support she gets from Cole’s school family, including Ed White’s school nurse Teryn Weber. There are two other students at the school with Type-1, and Krystal described Weber as a “godsend. “The thing about diabetes is, there’s a general ‘here’s how you manage it,’ but it varies so much from kid to kid. So, how I do it is not going to be the same way that another parent does it, that the other parent does it. And Teryn’s got three of those, and she just seamlessly, flawlessly manages those kids. And we know that they’re safe when they’re there with her, and with the teachers and the whole staff; they’re just amazing. “He’s had great teachers at Ed White that really just dive right in: ‘How can we help? What do you need me to do?’ And because he’s one of a few, a lot of them have already had that experience. So, they’re like, ‘OK, we know what to do.’” Krystal said teachers and staff have been good about allowing the Type-1 students to have snacks in class, which helps prevent them from needing to go to the nurse’s office as frequently. She said his peers have been good, too. “All of the students are great. Everyone supports him, and I know the other Type-1 parents have said that, too. They feel like their children are supported by their peers, by the staff, by the nurse, by their coaches, everybody. It’s really cool. “It’s really important to have that security in the school, because you really are leaving them. I can see his numbers, but there’s not a lot I can do from here. It’s so good to feel like he’s safe when he’s there.”  Building community Krystal is currently preparing for the annual Breakthrough T1D walk, which will be held Saturday, May 2, starting at The Tangled Wood in Bettendorf. The event starts at 8 a.m., with the walk at 10 a.m. The group has a fundraising goal of $134,500 and anyone can register or donate at tinyurl.com/BettendorfT1D. She said in addition to being a fundraiser, it’s also an opportunity for Type-1 families to come together. “It’s a great community. There’s plenty of people in this area that are part of the community. While none of us wanted to be a part of this group, it’s a pretty great group to be a part of if you have to. Don’t hesitate to reach out.” For more information about Breakthrough T1D, visit breakthrought1d.org. And for more information about the SugarPixel, visit customtypeone.com.    

Princeton Council considers solar array

Princeton City Council will hear bids for a solar array at the city’s wastewater treatment plant at 285th Avenue and Great River Road.  City Planning and Zoning Chair Tim Ruser first brought the project before the council last spring. He has argued that an investment in solar will save the city money as demand for energy rise with the development of data centers. Last year, the council opted not to accept either of two bids received. But they voted unanimously Thursday, March 12, to rebid the project with cosmetic changes that could lower the price tag. A federal government program in place until July 1 would rebate the city 30% of all construction costs. The city would still have to borrow to cover the remainder of the cost. Councilwoman Lori Maher presented the council with an amortization alongside forecasts for the price of energy. If the price of energy rises by 4% per year, it would take at least 17 years for the project to yield savings, she estimated. However, if the cost of energy rose by 8%, it would take only 12 years. The schedules assumed a mortgage rate of 5% and a project cost near last year’s bids. They also assumed minimal energy use from the city. Maher said that industry estimates have put the annual increase in energy prices at a between 8% to 12% in the coming years. “I think 8% will be generous with all these data centers around,” Councilman Kevin Kernan said. Maher suggested that the city search for grant opportunities or low-interest loans with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or other state and regional agencies. Councilman Brandon Forristall remained skeptical of the project. He said he worried about taking up a portion of the city’s general obligation debt limit to fund a solar project before resolving water quality issues at the city well on Lost Grove Road. “Do we want to max out our debt and do a huge project when we have other issues with the water treatment?” he asked. Forristall noted that developers have asked the city to commit part of its debt limit to a tax increment financing (TIF) district that would encourage development. The project as proposed would not maximize the current city debt limit. Mayor Travis Volrath said the council would meet with engineer J.D. Hutcheson to retool the request for proposals posted last year.  Other news In other business, the council • Allowed the Anderson family to dissolve their 400-acre family trust, or “Anderson 400.” P&Z recommended the approval. • Agreed to limit access of city social media accounts to the city clerk’s office and council members. • Agreed to open the community center to members of the public on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, following expressed interest on Facebook. • Introduced and approved a maternity leave policy for city staff. • Approved interfund transfers for fiscal year 2025.  

Wheels spin on water detention

Discussion of a water detention area developer Dale Grunwald hopes to hand to the city of Long Grove rose to shouts at a council meeting last Tuesday, March 10. On Feb. 24, the council appeared split on whether the city should take control of the detention area without a full plat of a nearby subdivision promised by Grunwald. City Clerk Rose Guyer said March 10 that the plat would ensure Grunwald plans to pursue development. Grunwald has said he would only pursue development if the city agreed to assume ownership and management of the detention area, which the development would use. He has previously asked the city to implement a taxpayer funded stormwater utility. The Long Grove Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) advised the council not to take the detention area without a plat. Councilwoman Nancy Herrin has opposed taking the property. She told Grunwald March 10 that “plan and zone asked you to do something, and you don't want to do it.” “I did it!” Grunwald shouted, referring to personal drawings he has presented of the coming subdivision. The council has asked for a formal plat. “I’m not going to spend $100,000, have an engineer [come], for you to tell me no,” Grunwald said. To pursue development, Grunwald has asked the city to provide a tax increment financing (TIF) district and a promise that they would handle stormwater management. Guyer questioned why the council would even consider taking the detention area without a plat promising development. “Why are we considering it if there's no development?” she wondered, referring to the absence of a plat. “You're saying you don’t want to develop, and that's why we're even considering this, because we're saying we want to develop,” Guyer continued. “So where is the development?” Long Grove has agreed to establish a TIF district to support future development from Grunwald. Councilman Mike Boddicker reiterated his view that agreeing to take control of the detention area posed a minimal risk to the city. On Feb. 24, Councilwoman Amy Shannon appeared to share his view. Councilmen Chad Ulrich and Ryan Christensen then agreed with Herrin that the council should defer Grunwald’s request until they received a full plat. In September 2018, the council agreed to assume ownership of the detention area if Grunwald implemented a design they selected. But the selection process ran for months, as council and the public debated how to best put the land to public use. In the meantime, Grunwald moved forward a previous design dating to the early stages of the subdivision. Mayor Mike Limberg drew discussion to a swift conclusion Tuesday after shouts began. The council tabled discussion of the detention area pending further information. Planning for park improvements The city council agreed to set aside an annual $20,000 of its park budget to build the seed money it needs for construction of new bathrooms and a concession stand at the North Prairie Park ballfield. “At minimum, we're looking at five years out of letting this thing grow and maybe get some, match money, or some grant money,” Limberg explained. The park improvements will cost the city an estimated $500,000. “I think if we want to put bathrooms—permanent bathrooms—and a concession stand like what we had looked at in the past, we're going to have to do something like this,” Herrin said. Guyer told the council that since the $20,000 would not be placed in a designated reserve, it could be put to another use if the council deemed it necessary. The resolution to reserve funds passed unopposed. Eldridge to Long Grove 5k gets go-ahead Michael Burke, organizer of 5k from Eldridge to Long Grove, got approval from the city council to use the W Main Street ballfield as the finish line and reception area for the April 11 race. “The event is to build community in the Quad Cities,” Burke said. “It's going to be a good time. I sent out a mailer to everyone here in Long Grove—I want everybody to be invited,” he added. Burke said he expects between 50 and 100 runners. The event will benefit the Patriot Guard Riders, a local veterans’ service group. The run is part of a “Sowing and Reaping” series Burke hopes to start. A letter submitted to city council describes the series as “Christian-themed community events rooted in values of service, respect, and unity.”        

North Scott senior honors brother in Dance Marathon

Every year, the University of Iowa raises over a million dollars at its Dance Marathon Fundraiser, and North Scott’s very own Memphis Kearney has been supporting and participating in Dance Marathon as long as she can remember. Dance Marathon raises money for children and families receiving treatment at the University of Iowa Hospital. Dancers participating in the event must raise $400 each to be able to participate in the Dance Marathon. They do this through asking family, friends, neighbors, and even going door to door asking for donations to be added to their fundraising page. This money then goes to the University of Iowa and is used to fund research, help families pay for treatment, personal expenses, hotel fees, and funeral expenses. The 2026 Dance Marathon Feb. 6-7 helped raise over two million dollars. Memphis and her family attend the Dance Marathon events at the U of I and at North Scott each year in honor of Ambrose Kearney, Memphis’s late brother. Ambrose Kearney was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at just three years old, which is a cancer that affects the bone marrow, and he even received a bone marrow transplant from his older brother, Parker. Ambrose fought his cancer for four years before passing on at the age of 7. Memphis, being just 7 months old at her first Dance Marathon, never got the chance to meet Ambrose. In an interview with Memphis, she says, “Dance Marathon has always been a place where I’ve felt like Ambrose has always been remembered and honored. It has never been a place where I’ve felt judged for not being able to know him.” She describes Dance Marathon as a place of remembrance, celebration, and a room full of people working together towards a common cause. Memphis has donated her hair seven times to help make wigs for patients who have lost their hair. Memphis attended her first dance marathon at just seven months old and hasn’t missed one since. Dance Marathon is extremely special and important to her family. Memphis is also heavily involved with the North Scott Dance Marathon and is currently the Family Liaison. She personally recognizes each North Scott child who has lost their battle with terminal illnesses, commemorates those still fighting, and congratulates those who have won. Along with this, she also helps to organize an honor room where the parents and families create a poster board honoring their departed family member's story and life. The Dance marathon event held in The PIT at the high school is great for all ages and hosts activities such as face painting, bracelet making, games, a photo booth, and, of course, dancing. The North Scott Dance Marathon is on March 28 from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Support this awesome event, and let’s dance towards a cure. This article originally appeared in North Scott High School’s student newspaper The Lance and is reprinted here with permission.  

Supervisors raise fellow officials’ pay, not their own

Supervisors voted to raise other county elected officials’ salaries by 3.5% for the coming fiscal year. They will keep their own pay flat. Supervisors unanimously approved a 3.5% raise for the sheriff and no raise for themselves Thursday, March 12. Supervisor Ross Paustian dissented on a 3.5% raise for the county recorder, auditor, and treasurer. Supervisor Maria Bribriesco objected to a 3.5% raise for the county attorney. Those measures passed 4–1 Thursday. Paustian objected to giving a raise to positions that “haven’t been elected yet,” referring to the recorder and treasurer. Recorder Rita Vargas and Treasurer Tony Knobbe have each announced plans to retire at the end of their current terms. Longtime County Attorney Kelly Cunningham is also up for reelection. Bribriesco said she was dissatisfied with Cunningham’s performance as attorney and believed a restriction on her pay was the only authority supervisors could use to show disapproval. “I have concerns about how the civil side is administered and managed with respect to civil claims and litigation, especially their approach to responding to public records request,” Bribriesco said. Bribriesco specifically asked Cunningham to present supervisors with settlement offers in civil litigation “that may be made and are rejected” without consideration by the board. “Having the power of the purse means that if there's something that I see, or any of us see, that another elected official could maybe improve upon—this is the way that we can signal that,” Bribriesco said. Cunningham acknowledged inappropriate delays in providing public records before the Iowa Public Information Board earlier this year. Although Bribriesco voted to approve constant pay for county supervisors, she said that “fairness and equity support a [cost of living adjustment] for elected officials doing essential public work.” Bribriesco dissented to the board’s decision not to approve a pay raise for supervisors last year. The 3.5% percent raise for most county officials reflects the 3% cost of living adjustment and 0.5% market adjustment supervisors approved across the board for nonunion county employees. Union employees negotiate wages directly with supervisors. Discussion and approval of elected officials’ remuneration concluded county budget talks that began last month. Supervisors approved two new positions for the coming fiscal year: a vehicle safety technician for the county ambulance service, MEDIC EMS, and a collection specialist for the county attorney’s office, who will recoup outstanding legal fees. Bribriesco had previously asked for the sum of legal fees owed to the county. Human Resources Director Vanessa Wierman reported that number at $71 million Tuesday, March 10. The position will pay for itself in fees recouped, she said. Supervisors also agreed to bump the correctional health nurse at the Youth Justice and Rehabilitation Center up to a full-time position. Wierman said that other Iowa counties with a youth jail, including Linn County, have a full-time nurse. Farmer reiterated that the county’s overall spending will increase by 1.5% year to year, to $136.9 million. Operating expenses, which include capital projects, debt service and enterprise funds like MEDIC EMS, will rise 4.7%, to $98.2 million. Farmer clarified that a raise in the rural tax levy from $8.66 to $8.81 per $1,000 in taxable property value would meet increased costs for roadwork and the county library system.     That increase will allow the county’s rural services fund to meet a benchmark 75% of Secondary Roads expenditures. That proportion allows the county to maximize its Motor Fuel Tax funding. Several laws currently under consideration at the State Capitol would cap city and county revenue growth to 2% per year. Votes canvassed Only 2.38% of eligible voters cast ballots in Scott County during March special elections to approve new school levies and elect a Walcott council member, Auditor Kerri Tomkins told supervisors Tuesday. Of 104,504 voters, only 2,405 cast votes, she reported. She called the turnout “disappointing.” Supervisors approved the results at the canvass of the vote March 10. Current budget report At the midway mark of the fiscal year, Scott County had spent 49.1% of its operating budget, Farmer told supervisors Tuesday. It had spent 46.8% of its overall budget, which includes capital and enterprise funds. Farmer called the figures “as expected.” The county did not require budget amendments in the first or second quarters of the fiscal year. The county has collected about 53.9% of total revenue, Farmer continued, a midpoint figure similar to the previous fiscal year. Other business In other news, supervisors: • Held the first reading of a county ordinance to remove requirements that civil citations record violators’ birth dates and social security numbers. • Joined the Blackhawk Hills landowners’ association. The Sheriff’s Office operates an office in the Eldridge subdivision. • Set its annual tax levy hearing for March 26 at 4:45 p.m. • Entered closed session to discuss purchase of real estate and union contract negotiations. A previous story in the North Scott Press incorrectly referred to the new ambulance service position as a “vehicle service technician” rather than a “vehicle safety technician.” The NSP regrets the error.  

Clinton city administrator resigns

Clinton’s city administrator has resigned.

Little Libraries now open

Three Little Libraries are now open in Eldridge after a winter break. They are located at Sheridan Meadows Park on North 1st Street; at Elmegreen Park on the corner of South 8th Street and LeClaire Road; and at the City Shop just off the rec trail on the corner of LeClaire Road and 1st Street. Anyone is welcome to borrow materials from the Little Libraries. If you have materials you’d like to donate, please drop them off at the Scott County Library, located at 200 N. 6th Ave. in Eldridge, where they can be sorted to be put on the Friends of the Library book sale, or shared through one of the Little Libraries. 

Dixon searches for shade at park

Dixon Councilman Nick Phares hopes to build a pavilion at the city’s only park, located between the Legion and the “pop lot.” The city had to remove two trees from the park last year. Since then, you cannot find any shade, Phares said. “I want to get something there. I have three young kids, and every time I go, I want a little bit of shade,” he said. Phares said he imagines a 10-foot by 16-foot concrete slab with four to six posts and a sturdy roof. So far, he has raised about $3,000 dollars for construction. Donations came from several local businesses, he said.  “I want something that’s not going to fall apart right away, but I don’t want to spend too much,” he said. Early quotes from contractors placed the project at between $7–15,000. With several major improvements underway in the city, including reconstruction of Walcott and Davenport Streets, Phares said he did not “want to take anything out of the city budget.” Phares hopes to raise at least another $4,000 from businesses and Dixon residents before embarking on construction. “I want to get the larger donors covered first,” he said. “I foresee businesses donating slightly more than a homeowner would, or a resident in town.”  

County honors longtime staff

Scott County honored outstanding employees and several long tenures at their quarterly PRIDE celebration last Tuesday. Board Chair John Maxwell honored several employees for extraordinary service.  He a read a letter of thanks addressed to Veterans Affairs Director Ben Enlow. Enlow returned a gift certificate a grateful resident had offered him, and suggested others who would benefit from it. “Isn't it a shame that the Commander in Chief of the United States may accept generous gifts of foreign airplanes, but employees are forbidden to accept a small, $50 gift card that is well-earned as a token of appreciation,” Maxwell read to a round of laughs. A second letter thanked Cheyenne Pecoraro of community services, “a true gem.” “Cheyenne is a real humanitarian and treats everyone fairly,” Maxwell read. Maxwell also congratulated Lori Elam, director of community services, on her appointment to the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) board of directors. The county named Senior Facility Maintenance Worker Joe Henzen employee of the quarter. Sheriff Tim Lane marked his 35th consecutive year with county law enforcement. “Coming on when I was 20 years old, the sheriff's office changed me. It changed me for the better,” Lane said. “Me and Scott County have had a good relationship. That's one of the reasons why I'm still here. It's one of the reasons why I'm not announcing my retirement,” he added. The following employees were honored for anniversaries of their terms of service with the county: 5 years Georgina Acosta, Sheriff’s Office Mary Dietrick, Medic EMS Catherine Leighton, Planning and Development Robert Martinez, YJRC Ray Miller, Health Department 10 years Robert Berry, Medic EMS Carri Blockyou, Attorney’s Office Katharine Bullard, Medic EMS Adam Goodall, Secondary Roads Herbert Hinton, Medic EMS Molly Kirk, Medic EMS Benjamin Leture, Conservation Department Timothy Nawa, Secondary Roads Brandon Rogala, Conservation Department Bailey Tigges, Medic EMS Heather Whittaker, Secondary Roads 20 years David Bonde, YJRC 25 years Robert Rogan, Medic EMS Cheryl Sexton, Community Services 30 years Andrew Morrow, Medic EMS 35 years Tim Lane, Sheriff’s Office

Share & Care donates baby supplies

At Share & Care Christian Preschool we have a tradition of picking a local charity for our February Month of Caring, and our families and Park View Lutheran Church members donate, too.  This year we collected lots of wonderful baby items to donate to Pregnancy Resources to help women in need.  This local agency provides free pregnancy services to women and their families, and we are grateful to be able to help them. Pictured are lead teacher, Rhonda Upmeyer and director, Jennifer Rathe.        

Report faults Scott County Jail for ignoring inmate’s mental health crisis

Scott County Jail workers allowed a woman in mental distress to repeatedly bang her head against cell walls for hours without intervening or providing medical attention, a new report from the Iowa Office of Ombudsman alleges. The woman, identified in the report only as “Sarah,” was arrested with her husband after a domestic incident on Christmas Eve, 2024. According to the ombudsman’s report, she was not given the chance to disclose her mental health history upon admission to the jail and was accused of trying to manipulate officers when she wrapped a phone cord around her neck. The report states Sarah was largely ignored by the jail staff as she rammed her head, face and body against the hard surfaces of her cell throughout the evening. According to the report, video recordings show Sarah vomiting on a few occasions while displaying signs of disorientation. At one point, she appears to pass out against a cell door. In their records, officers wrote that they checked on Sarah every 15 minutes, but the jail surveillance footage does not support that claim, the ombudsman found. Although the jail’s own policy, as well as national jail standards, call for continuous observation of suicidal inmates pending a visit from mental health staff, the Scott County Jail officers never alerted mental health staff to the woman’s distress, nor did they consider placing her in a restraint chair to protect her from injury, the report noted. “When the woman was released from jail the next morning, her right eye was completely swollen shut, while the rest of her face and arms showed multiple bruises and cuts,” the ombudsman’s office reported. “She told us she had suffered a concussion at the jail and was still receiving treatment a month and a half later.” “No person in custody should have to suffer through a mental health crisis without medical attention and observation by officers who are obligated to keep them safe,” Ombudsman Bernardo Granwehr said in a press release accompanying the report. “Every jail administrator in Iowa should use this report to re-evaluate their own policies and practices to ensure this doesn’t happen in their facilities.” Among the report’s key findings and conclusions: Excessive delay in booking: Sarah was not fully booked into the jail until 19 hours had passed after her arrival. The delay likely prevented the jail staff from identifying her mental health risks. Staff minimization of a mental health crisis: Body camera footage captured the staff making insensitive, dismissive remarks about Sarah’s pain, injuries and suicide attempt —suggesting she was “faking it” or trying to “go to the hospital.” The comments, the ombudsman found, “reflect poor training and judgment and contributed to a failure to appropriately respond to her crisis.” Lack of wellness checks: Although jail logs indicated the staff checked on Sarah every 15 minutes, video showed that in-person or meaningful observations did not occur, and staff “did not intervene despite hours of violent self-harm visible on camera,” the ombudsman reported. Sarah should have been under continuous observation based on jail policy and state law, the report states. Failure to protect: Sarah repeatedly struck her head on cell doors, walls, and the floor, pulled out her hair and vomited, and lost balance and consciousness — all with little to no response from the jail staff. Lack of mental health services: No medical or mental health providers evaluated Sarah during her crisis, and the jail lacked available mental health services during holidays. Lack of reporting: The jail failed to report Sarah’s suicide attempt and self-harming incidents to the state jail inspector within 24 hours, as it was required to do. The new report commends Scott County jail officials for their response to the ombudsman’s investigation and for admitting lapses in judgment by their officers. The jail quickly initiated changes to its policies and practices in the wake of the incident, the report states.

Therapy dog group to present at Faith Lutheran

Quad Cities Canine Assistance Network will present a program at Faith Lutheran Church, 500 W. LeClaire Road, Eldridge, on Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. The mission of QCCAN is to provide highly skilled volunteer therapy dog teams to enrich the lives of others in our community. It is an American Kennel Club (AKC) registered non-profit therapy dog organization. Volunteer dog and handler teams give back to the greater Quad City area through therapy dog visits. QCCAN visits schools, mental health facilities, libraries, workplaces, colleges, and community events that align with their mission to volunteer and enrich the lives of others. Therapy dogs ease stress or loneliness, lower blood pressure, improve confidence while learning something new, and brighten the day for those we visit. All are invited to the free community event.

Council thanks public works for handling Monday snow

With a light agenda, the return of snow, and two absent members, the Eldridge City Council kept things brief Monday. Mayor Scott Campbell gaveled out the meeting eight minutes after it was called to order. Shout out to public works Council member Ryan Iossi offered thanks to the city’s public works department with the return of snow on Sunday and Monday. “This time of year, snow removal is usually out of mind. I’m sure the equipment was there and ready, but to mentally put yourself in that position, they did an outstanding job again.” Council members Scott La Plante and Jeff Ashcraft echoed Iossi’s praise, with Ashcraft noting he had also seen positive comments about the snow removal on social media. The group also offered thanks to the police department for their work during the storm. Other business Tom Bauer was appointed to a vacancy on the Eldridge Planning & Zoning Commission for a term expiring Sept. 12, 2028. Bauer previously served on the Eldridge Community Center before it was disbanded earlier this year due to the closure of the ECC. The council also approved a Class C liquor license for Brickstone Kitchen-Bar, which will open soon at 350 E. LeClaire Road. The new restaurant, which will be run by the owners of the Tasty Café and Flips Pancake House, will occupy the restaurant space recently vacated by Miguel’s Street Tacos. A public hearing was held for an amendment to the FY26 city budget. No one from the public spoke, and the amendment was subsequently approved by the council. At the previous council meeting on March 2, city administrator Nevada Lemke explained that there was not a change in expenditures; the budget form that was submitted for publication in The North Scott Press was a different version than was approved by the council last year. During the staff report portion of the meeting, Lemke reminded the council that the deadline for submitting proposals for the Eldridge Community Center RFP is this Friday, March 20. She said the appraisal process on the building is also ongoing. The final report on the appraisal is also estimated for delivery by the end of this week. Lemke also said a public hearing for the FY27 max property tax levy will be held at 5:45 p.m. Monday, April 6, prior to the committee of the whole meeting. Members of the public are invited to comment. A copy of the proposed max levy is available on the city website and Facebook page and also appears on page 3A of this week’s North Scott Press. In other reports, Lemke said city staff recently met with the city’s insurance agent, Seth Porter, and learned that, at worst, the city will see a 3.5% increase in its general property casualty insurance policies. The likely increase is anticipated to be between 2-3%. Police chief Andrew Lellig reported the department’s newest recruit is entering Week 11 at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and he is doing well. The department’s newest squad car will also have graphics applied this week. Council members Adrian Blackwell and Brian Dockery were absent from the meeting.  

Princeton to hold Adult Prom fundraiser

Princeton is preparing to party at its first ever Adult Prom next Saturday, March 28, at Boll’s Community Center on River Drive. Tickets at $50 per person will include drinks, hors d’oeuvres and dancing, organizer and Princeton Councilman Zach Phares said. All proceeds will benefit the Princeton Fire Department. “We’ve just tried to come up with ways to keep things different,” Phares said. “We don’t want them to stay the same all the time.” “We’re just trying to dance and have a good time for a night, you know?” he said. Local DJ Kelly Klemme has volunteered to provide music and lighting. Volrath Hardwoods will provide free drinks. Phares said that organizers plan to bring a photographer to the event as well. Mayor Travis Volrath said he hoped to see over 100 Princeton neighbors turn out for the evening. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and last until 11 p.m., Volrath said.

Andalusia Road railroad crossing to close for repairs: IDOT

A news release from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) says that Andalusia Road in Milan will be closed at the Iowa Interstate Railroad starting Thursday, March 19. The crossing is located just west of U.S. 67. The closure is necessary so the railroad can repair the crossing. Traffic should follow the posted detour during [...]

Friends of Eldridge Library to host book sale

The Friends of the Eldridge Library want your books. On April 10, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., and April 11, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., the Friends will host a book donation drive at the Eldridge branch of the Scott County Library. They are seeking gently used books with a copyright of 2016 or newer. Genres include fiction, non-fiction, children’s/juvenile, cookbooks, gardening/crafts. Also wanted are vintage books, magazines, puzzles and games. Encyclopedias, textbooks, computer books and AV materials will not be accepted. Books will also be accepted at the circulation desk.

Education, trades scholarships available

The Davenport Area Retired School Personnel Association (DARSPA), a group open to all retired school employees in Scott County, is offering two scholarships this year. The first is $1,500 for a senior planning to major in education in college. The second is a $500 scholarship for a student planning to attend trade school. The scholarships are open to any senior graduating from one of the six public high schools in Scott County. The deadline to submit applications is April 10. Applications are available in the counselors’ offices at the eligible high schools or by emailing darspascholarship@gmail.com or shannojs@gmail.com.

1976: Dedication scheduled for North Scott Junior High

March 17, 1976 • The North Scott School Board approved a $5.8 million budget for the 1976-77 school year. The budget was approved after an hourlong discussion at the meeting. County assessor Bob Wiese warned the board that some residents might be shocked by the increase to their tax bills. He said that he personally felt there were some “frills” in the educational program, although he was not able to cite anything specific at the meeting. • An open house was planned to celebrate the dedication of North Scott Junior High. Instruction at the school officially began on Jan. 5. The “open space” floor plan had been decided upon by the junior high faculty prior to bringing on a professional architect, and academic subjects were taught in large rooms that could be divided by portable walls, similar to classroom space at John Glenn and Virgil Grissom elementary schools. The new school also allowed for home economics and industrial arts to be taught at the junior high level. “We wanted the opportunity to do more than four walls allow,” said principal Richard Thompson. “This place is built for the kids, not the adults. It will be the most effective if it meets the needs of the child at this age. Hopefully, it will.” • The Scott County Pork Producers planned to host an appreciation dinner in honor of Agriculture Day. Gov. Robert Ray issued a proclamation declaring March 22 as Ag Day in Iowa, with the theme, “Almost Everything Starts on a Farm.” The Pork Producers planned to honor the Davenport Chamber of Commerce for its support of local agriculture. Donna Keppy of Wilton, past president of the Iowa Porkettes, and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Keppy of Rural Davenport, would also be honored for their loyal support of the pork industry. • “Aunt Fannie” Mowatt was preparing to celebrate her 94th birthday. A former lifelong resident of the McCausland and Princeton areas, she was currently living at Wyn Crest Nursing Home in Clinton. • As track and field season was gearing up, 82 girls had signed up for the team. Sixty-nine boys were also out for track. After-school practice had already begun. Boys’ coach Deac Ryan said his team was at a slight disadvantage in long-distance events, because North Scott did not have a cross-country team yet. Meanwhile, girls’ coach Frank Wood said he was optimistic his team would have a home relay meet by the 1977 season. March 19, 1986 • North Scott’s Jenni Fitzgerald was received the coveted “Miss Basketball” title from the Iowa Newspaper Association, the first five-on-five player to receive the award. This was the highest honor bestowed by Iowa sportswriters. As for North Scott’s championship hopes, their previously perfect season ended in heartbreak to Marshalltown, 73-62. • The Scott County Board of Supervisors approved a $27.2 million budget for the 1986-87 fiscal year, approximately 2.4% less than the 1985-86 fiscal year. It was also about $200,000 less than the preliminary budget submitted in January. The board cut costs by freezing the salaries of 10 elected officials, as well as funding for several organizations, including the Mississippi Valley Fair and Scott County Humane Society. • Aaron Schmidt of Long Grove was honored by the Larry M. Gronewold American Legion Post 532 of Donahue for his service to the Boys State program. He attended Boys State in 1970 when he was a high school junior. The next year, he volunteered as a junior counselor and then as an adult counselor ever since he was in college. • Annette Spies of Eldridge was crowned Scott County Pork Queen during the Pork Producers annual banquet at the Iowa Machine Shed. Audrey Moeller of Bettendorf was named Pork Princess. • The Long Grove Fire Department added a third pumper truck to its fleet. The new truck could pump 750 gallons per minute. Pictured with the new truck were firefighters Tom Gall, Dave Vens, Rick Plett and Jeff Nagle. March 21, 2001 • Less than two weeks after it went into service, the Eldridge Fire Department’s new rescue vehicle was already getting a workout. During a snowstorm, a vehicle struck a bridge abutment on Highway 61 near Blackhawk Trail, trapping the occupants. Fire chief Scott Haycraft arrived on scene and was able to start staging instructions as soon as the rescue vehicle showed up. The extrication tools were already hooked up to a generator, and firefighters were able to open the vehicle and being loading the passengers for transport within two minutes. The department began planning for the purchase of the $218,000 vehicle two years earlier, and Haycraft said it could be in service for 20-30 years. • Faced with losing state funding as a result of the 2000 census figures, several Scott County communities were questioning the methodology. Blue Grass mayor Paul Barnes said, in the face of new housing being built in his town, there should not have been a recorded drop. “We have some housing started here in Blue Grass and I don’t think there’s any vacant houses. It’s kind of hard to believe that our population is going down. All indications are it should have been going the other way.” He said in 1999, the Census Bureau discovered 300 addresses missing off its list of rolls in Blue Grass, and Barnes said he believed they were overlooked in the final tally in 2000 as well. Meanwhile, LeClaire was applying for a recount, even though the town had shown an increase in population. “We think it’s a lot more,” said mayor Vernon Spring. “We only increased 113 people in 10 years, and we’ve built over 150 houses in the last five years. I don’t think they got the right count, so we’re going to check it out. We should be at least another 300 people.” • The Eldridge City Council was looking for input on improvements to its website. During a committee of the whole meeting, the council heard from Steve Grubbs of Victory Enterprises, which managed the site. Grubbs suggested a variety of improvements for the site, email addresses for all city employees and an email alert system, all of which could cost about $1,900. The council asked for input from residents. Meanwhile, the council also approved a study request to provide cell phones to utility employees instead of their current pagers. • Med-Force, a helicopter ambulance service, began serving the Quad Cities. The service opened in November after Air-Evac, which served the Quad Cities from 1997-2000 shut down on short notice. Executive director Kevin Takas had been a paramedic since 1982, and he and Med-Force’s executive medical director, thoracic and vascular surgeon Dr. Richard Sadler, quickly moved to replace Air-Evac. With air ambulance services based in Iowa City and Peoria, Takas often was asked if the Quad Cities needed Med-Force. “My response to that is, ‘What makes us any less significant than those two areas?’ I think there is a true need for this service.” • The Lancer Fire won the sixth-grade division at the North Scott Athletic Boosters’ Slamma Jamma basketball tournament. Team members included Derek Storjohann, Ben Dittmer, Tanner Shaw, Nick Reno, Travis Bellin, Dan Roling, Casey Haupt and Jacob Kimmel. They were coached by Mike Shaw and Terry Kimmel. March 23, 2011 • The Eldridge Lions Club, and District 9EC Governor Art Matje were preparing to host the annual Lions District Convention, with events scheduled at the St. Ann’s Center in Long Grove and North Scott High School. Dick Sawyer of Overgaard, Ariz., Lions International director, would be in attendance, and 180-200 Iowa Lions were also expected. • Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds held a town hall meeting in Eldridge as part of their “Jobs for Iowa” initiative. They also took questions about a proposed tax increase to casinos, high-speed rail service from Chicago to Iowa City, government transparency, vocational education and property taxes. • As the North Scott School Board continued to mull the problem of overcrowding at Ed White, parents who lived in the Rustic Ridge Addition of Eldridge said they were mostly OK with their kids being bused to Alan Shepard but would not be in favor of them going as far away as Virgil Grissom. Approximately 100 of the 341 students at Alan Shepard lived in Eldridge. “Everyone wants neighborhood schools,” said Rustic Ridge resident Melissa McDonald-Brimeyer. “We have redefined what a neighborhood school is. Alan Shepard is fairly close. We’ve adjusted.” However, Realtor Dan Schneckloth said there had been a loss of potential families in the district due to the busing issue, and he knew families that had moved to the Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley districts because of the elementary situation at North Scott. • Meanwhile, Kindergarten Roundup was held March 4, with 192 students registered on the day. This included 34 at Neil Armstrong, 25 at John Glenn, 17 at Virgil Grissom, 53 and Alan Shepard and 63 at Ed White. That was down from 217 the year prior. • Amy Schubert was hired as the new head varsity volleyball coach, having served as interim coach in the last season. During that time, the team, comprised mostly of sophomores, earned a 14-19 record, a trip to the regional semifinals and a second-place finish in the MAC. Schubert, who also served as the high school’s juvenile court liaison, replaced Jen Kremer. “We certainly had a good season last year and I’m excited to continue building on that success and being even better next season,” Schubert said. March 17, 2021 • Eldridge police officer Ryan Gale was the new school resource officer at North Scott High School, having replaced the retiring Bruce Schwarz. “It’s been a really good experience,” said Gale. “It’s been easy to build relationships with the students, and the kids have been great. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the year and then carrying over to summer and next fall.” High school principal Shane Knoche said “Ryan is doing awesome. I was scared to lose Bruce, because Bruce is just amazing, and I thought it would be tough to replace him. However, Ryan reminds me of a young Bruce. He cares about the kids, and he goes above and beyond what he probably has to do. He’s just a good guy and is the right man for the job.”  • Russell Construction submitted an $11.558 million base bid and was awarded the contract to construct the North Scott YMCA. A groundbreaking for the facility was set for March 30. • Twenty-two Scott County residents spoke in favor of John Maxwell and defended his service on the Scott County Board of Supervisors and the North Scott School Board. Meanwhile, five residents spoke highly of Maxwell, but said his role on both boards created a conflict. “For good governance, you need some separation,” said Jerry Mohr of Eldridge. “You need to find a replacement.” A panel, made up of county treasurer Mike Fennelly, auditor Roxanna Moritz and recorder Rita Vargas, would make the final decision. • Mini-meets were held in lieu of a large state archery tournament. North Scott hosted in The Pit and shot a program-best 3,302 to top Anamosa, Bellevue and Marquette Catholic. The score would be turned into state officials, and the team was waiting to hear its final ranking. Freshman Dylan Orcutt had the highest score of the day for the Lancers, shooting a 288, one off his career high. • Ashley Fountain was named second-team all-state for girls’ basketball, and Sam Scott was a third-team choice. Fountain was first-team all-MAC and Scott was a second team choice, with KK Farnum, Hattie Hagedorn and Lexi Ward named honorable mention. On the boys’ side, Landon Eiland was first team all-MAC, Ollie Hughes was second team, and Drew Kilburg, Carter Markham and Canon Guffey were honorable mention.   

Khamenei's killing renews questions about US assassinating foreign leaders

Technology allowed the U.S. and Israel to kill Iran's Supreme Leader, but raised longstanding questions about whether the U.S. as a democracy should be assassinating foreign leaders.

Khamenei's killing renews questions about U.S. assassinating foreign leaders

Technology allowed the U.S. and Israel to kill Iran's Supreme Leader, but raised longstanding questions about whether the U.S. as a democracy should be assassinating foreign leaders.

Iowans deserve clean water — and we're making progress

Every Iowan deserves clean, safe drinking water. That’s not negotiable. It’s fundamental to our health, our communities, and our quality of life. As Secretary of Agriculture, protecting our natural resources while keeping Iowa agriculture strong has been one of my top priorities. Those goals are not conflicting – they go hand in hand.  Let’s start with the facts. Iowa’s treated drinking water meets national safety standards, which are regularly reviewed and updated, most recently in 2024 under the Biden administration. At the same time, we know there is more work to do upstream to continue improving water quality, and we are making significant progress across our state.   Iowa is an agricultural powerhouse because we are blessed with naturally nitrogen-rich soils. Nitrogen is essential for crops to grow but can create challenges if it leaves the field and enters waterways. That’s why farmers across our state are implementing thousands of responsible farming practices that keep soil in place, reduce runoff, filter nutrients, and protect downstream water sources.  In 2024, Iowa farmers planted nearly 4 million acres of cover crops, up from fewer than 400,000 just a decade ago, a 10x increase. Cover crops hold soil and nutrients in place, improve soil health, and are a good source of forage for livestock.   Farmers are also building nitrate-reducing wetlands, which capture and treat thousands of acres of water as it leaves the field, reducing nitrate runoff by up to 90 percent. Over 150 wetlands have been constructed statewide, and our pace is accelerating; nearly three times as many wetlands have been built in the past four years compared to the previous two decades.  In addition, farmers have installed nearly 500 nitrate-filtering buffers along field edges, all of which capture and treat water before it reaches streams. Again, the pace has increased dramatically, with practices installed about five times faster in the past four years than in the previous decade.   These are measurable, science-based practices being implemented on real farms across Iowa every day — not because of mandates, but because farmers want to be part of the solution.  The State of Iowa invests nearly $100 million annually in water quality programs, including $3 million allocated to the Iowa DNR’s water quality monitoring network. The state’s water quality investment is matched by roughly $500 million in federal funding, with additional investment from private individuals and organizations. These resources help farmers adopt conservation practices and accelerate implementation of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.  We are seeing results. Iowa has spent decades investing in soil conservation, and because of that commitment, we are close to achieving our phosphorus reduction goals. Nitrogen reduction efforts began in 2013 and are now accelerating with targeted practices, investments and partnerships, especially in priority watersheds.  And that brings me to an important point: water quality is not solely a farm issue or a city issue. It requires a system-wide approach.  Many of Iowa’s water treatment and wastewater systems were built decades ago and need modernization. Just as farmers are stepping up conservation practices, municipalities and industry must continue investing in infrastructure and nutrient removal technologies. Both sides of the system matter — from the farm to the faucet.  Unfortunately, many Democrat politicians argue the answer is more government, more red tape, and more taxes on farmers. Republicans disagree.  Mandates and one-size-fits-all regulations would raise costs dramatically for farm families, and those costs get passed on to consumers through higher prices at the grocery store and fuel pump. Heavy-handed regulation hits small and mid-sized farms hardest, squeezing them out. The result? More consolidation in agriculture, and that’s bad for our farm families, bad for beginning farmers, bad for our rural communities, and bad for consumers.   We should be strengthening family farms, not taxing and regulating them out of existence.  This debate comes down to a choice: Do we continue Iowa’s community-led, collaborative, science-based approach that is delivering progress — or do we move toward costly mandates that punish farmers and increase prices for Iowa families?  Iowa has chosen a path built on partnerships, incentives, innovation, and measurable outcomes.  That approach is working. Farmers are scaling up conservation faster than ever. Investments are increasing. Collaboration across agriculture, conservation groups, municipalities, and state agencies is stronger than it has ever been.  Progress takes time, especially when addressing challenges that developed over generations. But Iowa is moving forward — and faster than many realize.   We can and must continue to invest, innovate, and work together to protect our water while also protecting family farms and keeping food and fuel affordable.