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

6 arrested for Burlington robberies, 2 victims assaulted

Six people were arrested following two robberies that took place in Burlington, Iowa.

DMV services returning to Aledo, Illinois Secretary of State confirms

Since the previous location's closure last year, Aledo residents have had to travel to DMV facilities in Silvis, Monmouth and Galesburg for in-person services.

New DMV facility coming to Aledo

Aledo is getting a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facility again. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that his office has signed a lease for a new DMV facility in Aledo, returning local DMV services to the community. The previous location closed last year after unsuccessful lease negotiations with the former landlord. The new [...]

6 arrested in connection with Burlington robberies, police say

Six people were arrested in connection to two Burlington robberies, police say.

David Lee Roth, July 31

With his larger-than-life personality and powerful voice that conveys all the energy, celebration, and hedonism of an all-night block party, music icon David Lee Roth brings his national tour to East Moline venue The Rust Belt on July 31, the rocker best known for his integral role in Van Halen’s meteoric rise to global dominance during the late ’70s and early ’80s, plus his massive successes as a solo artist.

Brad Paisley, August 4

With his professional laurels including three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 14 Country Music Association Awards, country-music superstar Brad Paisley headlines the first grandstand concert at this year's Mississippi Valley Fair, his August 4 engagement treating fans to such chart-topping smashes as "He Didn't Have to Be," "Mud on the Tires," "Water," and "Remind Me."

Keith Urban, August 5

The recipient of four Grammy Awards, 13 CMAs (including two for Entertainer of the Year), 15 ACMs (including the prestigious Triple Crown for Best New Artist, Male Vocalist, and Entertainer of the Year), three AMAs, and two People’s Choice Awards, country-music superstar Keith Urban headlines the August 5 grandstand concert at the Mississippi Valley Fair, the artist having also celebrated nine consecutive gold, platinum, or multi-platinum albums which, combined, have resulted in more than 11 billion streams.

Davenport man facing drug charges after marijuana, meth found in boot deputies say

A Davenport man is facing several drug charges after marijuana and meth were found in his boot, deputies say.

Davenport teen charged in June incident, alleged to have chased, rammed vehicle

A Davenport 18-year-old is accused of ramming a car in late June.

Rock Island artist celebrated for completing new MLK Park mural

Isaiah “Zay” Williams of Rock Island fulfilled a dream by painting a new mural of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., behind the stage at MLK Park, 501 N. Brady St., Davenport.

Jessie Murph and Stella Lefty, August 6

With both artists having enjoyed top-10 Billboard successes (and songs in the horror smash Scream 7) over the past 13 months, ascending country-pop stars Jessie Murph and Stella Lefty jointly headline the Mississippi Valley Fair grandstand concert on August 6, the former's Sex Hysteria a popular and critical hit last July, and the latter's Is This Heaven? released to great acclaim this past May.

“The Ultimate Elvis Experience,” July 31

Returning to Davenport on July 31 with three internationally revered tribute artists, The Ultimate Elvis Experience will deliver a thrilling celebration of Presley's music and magic with featured headliner Shawn Klush, this stage spectacle having spent numerous years captivating audiences around the globe.

“To the Limit: The Ultimate Eagles Experience,” August 1

Paying homage to one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, the touring sensation To the Limit: The Ultimate Eagles Experience lands at Davenport's Adler Theatre on August 1, the band devoted to recreating the timeless sound and spirit of The Eagles, and capturing the essence of their music with remarkable precision.

PHOTO GALLERY: All color, all day

River Drive comes to life for Princeton Summer Fest. NSP photos by Erin M. Gentz and Noah Glasgow. 

Blackberry Smoke, August 1

Touring in support of their most recent album Be Right Here, a top-10 Billboard hit that Glide magazine said "goes far beyond mere toe tapping or foot stomping," the lauded country rockers of Blackberry Smoke bring their latest tour to Davenport's Capitol Theatre on August 1, Uncut adding that the group's latest recording is "a minor classic of the genre."

Larry & Joe, August 3

Performing a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, maracas, guitar, upright bass, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van, the unlikely yet wildly successful duo Larry & Joe headlines an August 3 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, their concert boasting a distinct blend of musical inheritances and traditions as well as storytelling about the ways that music and social movements coalesce.

PHOTO GALLERY: Walcott flies the grand old flag

Walcott Day brought hundreds to town Friday and Saturday. Festivities began with kids races and fireworks Friday afternoon. Adult races stepped off the next morning, followed closely by the Walcott Day parade. In the afternoon, hundreds of visitors gathered in Victory Park to watch outhouse races and tratcor pulls beneath Old Glory. Drinks, burgers and walking tacos proliferated. The pie auction saw 43 pies raise just shy of $50,000—an average higher than $1,000 per pie. Full results of the contest and auction are below. Photos by Noah Glasgow.

Pippi & Daniel Music, August 2

On August 2 a lauded singer/songwriter and gifted pianist/composer will combine their talents at the Orpheum Theatre when Pippi Ardennia and Daniel Leahy perform in a special fundraising concert for the Galesburg venue, their Pippi & Daniel Music jazz project delivering electrifying, emotionally-charged performances that fuse jazz, soul blues, gospel, and R&B into one unforgettable sound.

“Elvis: Reflections of the King,” August 1

Covering more than 20 years of the artist's musical career and recognized by Graceland as one of the top Presley tribute acts in the world, Joseph Hall brings his touring sensation Elvis: Reflections of the King to the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts on August 1, this salute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll led by the nationally lauded artist and a former competitor on America's Got Talent.

“The 25th-Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” August 6 through 16

Lauded by the New York Times as “effortlessly endearing” and by Variety as “enormously satisfying,” The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee closes the 2026 summer season at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, the show's August 6 through 16 run sure to demonstrate why composer William Finn's celebrated 2005 musical comedy received two Tony Awards and enjoyed a Broadway run of 1,136 performances.

New mural to be unveiled at The River's Edge, Davenport

Davenport Parks and Recreation is unveiling a new mural at The River’s Edge, 700 W. River Drive,  on Friday, July 24 at 9 a.m. Apprentices from Quad City Arts spent the last month concepting, designing and painting the six eight -by - eight -foot panels that make up the mural, representing Davenport Parks and Recreation [...]

Nicaragua's President Ortega says no more elections, extending his 20-year rule

The announcement effectively canceled Nicaragua's next elections, originally scheduled for November 2027.

“Roosevelt's Guns,” August 1

At the Davenport Public Library's Eastern Avenue Branch on August 1, the Rock Island Auction House's firearms historian Seth Isaacson will highlight a variety of firearms owned by or related to our 26th president in his program Roosevelt's Guns, exploring how, as a Rough Rider, hunter, and conservationist, Theodore possessed a deep interest in firearms, the technology advancing rapidly during his lifetime.

2026 Mississippi Valley Fair, August 4 through 9

Returning to the area for its incredible 106th year, an eagerly awaited six-day festival boasting games, competitions, vendors, and concert sets by more than two dozen national and local acts returns with the 2026 Mississippi Valley Fair, its August 4 through 9 engagement at Davenport's Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds boasting, as always, grandstand performances by chart-toppers, multi-platinum sellers, and multiple-award winners.

River Action's Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks, August 4 through 29

Delivering a blend of local history, environmental issues, education, entertainment, and fresh air, Davenport's River Action concludes its 2026 series of outdoor presentations in the annual Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks – weekly "Explore the River Series" programs that, from August 4 through 29, will address such topics as the Mississippi River landscape, the Kreiter Tree Farm, local barrio communities, and the Quad Cities' 3,500 acre wetland ecosystem.

Music & Makers Night: “Celebrating All Wonder Women,” August 6

On August 6, Figge Art Museum Co-Senior Curator Vanessa Sage will lead a special tour celebrating the creativity, strength, and influence of women in art during the Davenport venue's Music & Makers Night event Celebrating All Wonder Women, allowing guests to explore rhe works and stories that highlight remarkable women artists and inspiring subjects throughout the galleries.

OneTable QC hosting session on avoiding burnout

OneTable QC is bringing nationally recognized leadership and burnout researchers to the Quad Cities for a free conversation on sustaining people behind the nonprofits and avoiding burnout. OneTable QC will host From Burnout to Fortitude: Sustaining Nonprofit Leaders, a free community conversation on August 4 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Junior Achievement [...]

Is that food really made with 100% avocado oil? Likely not

A new study finds that consumers who are paying a premium for foods advertised as made with avocado oil are probably not getting what they think they're buying.

Don't park in Historic Block Courtyard: Moline Police

A post on the Moline Police Department’s Facebook page reminds motorcycle drivers about parking protocol in downtown Moline. “To our motorcycling friends that visit downtown establishments like Sins Tavern or the area of 1500 block of River Drive, please don't park your bikes on the Historic Block Courtyard that separates Sins from The River House.” [...]

Eldridge votes to take over volunteer fire department

Eldridge council votes unanimously to take over volunteer fire department.

Nicole Cisne Durbin named CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois has a new Chief Executive Officer. Nicole Cisne Durbin has been announced as its next Chief Executive Officer. Cisne Durbin officially joins on September 8 and brings over 20 years of leadership experience focused on youth development, community engagement and strengthening organizations that serve children and families. [...]

Man dies in motorcycle crash in Bureau Co.

Man dies in motorcycle crash on Highway 29 near DePue.

UnityPoint Health Trinity receives American College of Cardiology award for achievement

UnityPoint Health – Trinity Bettendorf and Rock Island have received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Performance Achievement Award for 2026. UnityPoint Health – Trinity is the only hospital in the Quad Cities to receive this national achievement award. UnityPoint Health – Trinity Rock Island received the Platinum Performance Achievement [...]

North Scott Press — July 22, 2026

Eldridge council votes for city-run fire department

After more than a year of discussion, a decision regarding the Eldridge Fire Department has been made. Monday, the Eldridge City Council voted unanimously to move towards making the Eldridge Fire Department a city-run entity. Council members said they wanted to see a hybrid-style system, where the city owns the apparatus and provides oversight, while still relying on a volunteer corps. But what that hybrid looks like, and if there will even be any Eldridge volunteers remaining after Monday’s meeting, remains unclear. The vote came after more than an hour of discussion at the meeting. Three Eldridge residents spoke during the public comment portion, with Judith Gilbert and Jan Sebastian voicing strong support for the volunteers. Gilbert asked the council to consider the three-year funding model supported by the department. “With this option, we have a highly experienced, certified and committed fire department, as well as an already established 501(c)(3) organization.” Gilbert also cautioned the council, saying a city-run department would cost more in the long run. “Many residents believe the city is already poorly managed and would not be able to rebuild the fire department, or manage it effectively, or provide the services that residents want.” Resident Scott Case also spoke, inviting residents and first responders to attend an appreciation event at Eldridge United Methodist Church at 9 a.m. on Aug. 2. As the meeting turned to the matter of the fire department, Mayor Scott Campbell opened the discussion, thanking members of the fire department for attending the committee of the whole meeting on July 13. He said the council was able to get “a strong sense of their frustration, for what they perceived was a major delay on the city’s part, and the burnout was very evident in their faces. “Numerous times during the hour-plus meeting, several of them asked us to just make a decision. They said they didn’t care what that decision was, but to decide something, so everybody could move forward. “And no matter which direction the five gentlemen at this table decide to go, I hope that path will be in lockstep with members of the fire department as we continue discussions to do what’s best for the citizens of Eldridge in the future,” Campbell concluded before opening the floor to council discussion. Council member Jeff Ashcraft opened by attempting to clarify comments made by council member Brian Dockery regarding Park Board funding at the July 13 meeting. Police chief Andrew Lellig also spoke. Campbell said Lellig sent the council a letter last week addressing concerns he had regarding information being shared online, comparing the fire department’s budget to the volunteer fire department. Lellig said his officers had become frustrated with comments saying the department’s $1.6 million budget is excessive. “Comparing the operations and budget of a full-time police department to a volunteer fire department is not just inaccurate, it’s fundamentally misleading,” Lellig said. He said his department operates 24 hours every day of the year. “A volunteer fire department, while incredibly valuable to the community – don’t get me wrong – operates on an entirely different model. They are primarily on-call and response is to specific incidents when dispatched. “That is not a criticism. It is simply the reality of how volunteer services function. But it is not comparable to the constant, around the clock demand placed on law enforcement.” Lellig said the majority of the department’s budget goes towards salaries and benefits for the 11 officers and one administrative assistant, while the rest supports equipment, training, vehicles and more. He said volunteer departments save significantly on personnel costs and “often rely on part-time staffing, grants and donations.” He also provided comparisons of the EPD’s budget with other similarly sized communities across the state. For instance, Knoxville (population 8,000) has 16 full-time officers and a $2.6 million budget, while Maquoketa (population 6,100) has 11 full-time officers and a $1.9 million budget. “If we’re going to have an honest conversation about budgets, then that needs to be grounded in facts, not perception. And the facts clearly show that the Eldridge Police Department is not overfunded,” said Lellig. Assistant city administrator Jeff Martens also provided a lengthy timeline of the negotiations between the city and the fire department, saying one of the first things he was tasked with when he began working for the city in 2022 was a report on fire departments across the state that had transitioned to paid or hybrid departments. Martens closed his comments by suggesting that the Eldridge Fire Department had a management problem, not a money problem, as the FEMA SAFER grant it received was supposed to assist with volunteer recruitment and retention. The crowd reacted negatively to this comment. Council discussion Council member Scott LaPlante, joining the meeting via telephone, advocated for a hybrid department, which he said would help continue to assure services were being met as the population grows. Dockery said he also supported a hybrid. “I still think, as taxpayers, we can’t afford a 100% paid fire department with a population of 7,000 people. So, it’s got to be a hybrid. The only question that comes in is, who hires the chief?” Dockery said he would like to see, long term, the city take over the building, the trucks and the apparatus, while continuing the let the volunteers do their job. Council member Ryan Iossi began by thanking the volunteers. He was unable to attend the July 13 meeting after suffering a medical emergency in the days prior and said Eldridge volunteers had responded to his home. “There is nothing more important than what you guys do.” Iossi said he rewatched the July 13 meeting several times. He said that he understood that the department has been “running lean” for years, but he didn’t necessarily agree with the large increase the department was asking for now. Iossi said he was certain that Eldridge will need additional paid staff over the coming years, but, “My biggest concern is that this is the taxpayer’s money and that budget, tripling in size, I’m not comfortable without that taxpayer money having financial oversight.” He said that he also supported a hybrid department. Council member Adrian Blackwell said he believed the city would have to be involved with the fire department at some level regardless of the future of fire protection. And he said he believed the city needed to move forward. “I hope that the community respects our decision or whatever vote that will look like.” He asked city attorney Allison Wright about the potential legal risks moving forward. Wright asked to clarify what was meant by a hybrid department. “Do you mean a city department that is partially paid and partially volunteer?” Campbell said that had been his understanding as the negotiations went on. Wright said that the most common model in a hybrid situation is for the city to have oversight, and paid staff are subject to the city’s policies and accountability measures, while there is also a staff of volunteers. She said it would be the city’s responsibility to choose and hire the chief. Iossi and Campbell said, during negotiations, it had been discussed that if the city were to hire the chief, they would want someone from the fire department on the hiring committee, as well as someone from the county.  Dockery asked Wright if it was possible to have a city-owned department with 100% volunteers. She said it was possible with city oversight. Dockery asked who would hire the chief. Campbell said if it was a city department, the city would hire the chief. Wright added that the city would be able to set its own hiring committee. Ashcraft said, after a year of discussions, he believed they’d still arrived back at the same conclusion that was reached last May. “The conclusion is, this community needs professional leadership, administrative support, long term planning and a strong corps of volunteer firefighters.” He said that the discussion at the July 13 meeting seemed to point toward a hybrid model. “I believe this challenge has become bigger than any one of us,” said Ashcraft. “Any single council member, any firefighter, any social media post, or any disagreement from this past 14 months. Those things have consumed a hell of a lot of attention and energy. That’s not what this decision is about. This decision is about creating the absolute best fire and EMS service for the City of Eldridge. “If we all truly care about our community, then success will require commitment from all of us. The city, the fire department and the community as a whole. And if we move in this direction, past hurts, past disagreements, all the social media stuff has to be put aside. It has to, because it’s going to take all of us working together to make it be successful.” Ashcraft then made a motion to instruct city staff to move towards a city-run department, with a chief that reports to the city, and that is staffed by volunteers. He also encouraged the immediate formation of a transition team, that would include city staff, council members and members of the fire department. He also said that part of the transition would require buildout of the upper level of the fire station. After several more minutes of attempting to ensure everyone had the same understanding of what a hybrid department entailed, Iossi seconded the motion. He asked Ashcraft about the proposed timeline for the transition, and whether it would be the Oct. 1 deadline the department had previously asked for. “I think we have to assume that’s the case,” said Ashcraft. Blackwell reiterated that any transition will require input from the volunteers. Ashcraft also said there will need to be continuous, ongoing communication. Dockery asked to ensure that Ashcraft’s motion included a provision to ensure the buildout of the upstairs. Ashcraft agreed and Campbell called for a roll call vote. The vote was unanimous in favor of moving towards a city-run department. Immediately after the vote, volunteers and members of the public began to file out, even as Campbell called for a sense of cooperation. “We just ask you guys to give us a chance. You said last week you couldn’t trust us. We really want to work with you. We can’t do this without you. The City of Eldridge can’t do it without you. Our citizens can’t do it without you … We need to do this together for the citizens of Eldridge. Just give us a chance to work through this.” Campbell said one of the first steps would be bringing forth the ordinance to make the department city-run at the first meeting in August. Three readings are required.

Princeton City Council votes to tear down Presbyterian Church

Princeton will use funds from a state grant to tear down the Presbyterian Church building and sell the lots for private development, the council decided Thursday, July 17. Princeton received the church building as a gift from the Presbytery of Eastern Iowa last summer. Church officials asked the city to make an effort to put the building to use. On Thursday, Mayor Travis Volrath said contractors had put the cost of restoration well beyond the city’s resources. “The deal was, they would like to see us use the building… But if we got into it and we found out that it was too much work or too much money and we just couldn’t afford it, then at the end of the day they wanted it to benefit the city,” Volrath recounted. Princeton City Council voted 4–0 to commit an Iowa Department of Natural Resources grant—initially intended to restore the church roof—to building demolition. It approved a low bid of $65,300 from Holst Trucking & Excavating to carry out demolition work. Councilman Kevin Kernan was absent. The decision came less than a month after the council voted 5–0 to sell Boll’s Community Center for $200,000. Volrath and members of the council had previously said that the proceeds of that sale would go towards transforming the church building into a community center and possible city hall. The recent decisions leave Princeton without a community center, at least in the short term. Volrath and Councilman Brandon Forristall expressed optimism that the combined value of Boll’s sale and the sale of the church property would pay for the construction of a new community center at Woomert Park. “I think if we want a community center, the best spot for it would be up there behind the ball field. And if we're while we're building a building, I think we need to look at one with some public works space in it too, to put it all in one spot,” Volrath said. Volrath and Forristall estimated the value of the church property, 1 acre spread across two parcels, at $150,000. Proceeds from both sales would total $350,000. City grant writer Angie Bloomfield noted that the city could leverage a range of grants to boost that sum if they move to build. The DNR will reimburse up to 70% of the $65,300 demolition cost. The percentage reimbursement is linked to the share of the building’s total weight that is diverted from a landfill, Volrath said. Princeton must divert at least 30% of the building weight to qualify for the grant. That would provide a 30% reimbursement. Volrath said he hoped the city could divert between 50% and 70% of the building from landfill by donating furniture and scrapping the aluminum roof and siding. He also noted that the building foundation, which counts towards it weight, would remain on site. Volrath said he expected demolition to occur by mid-fall. Construction bids shared with The North Scott Press reveal that mold remediation for the church basement had been quoted at $45,393.06 by ServPro. Frontline Services of Woodridge bid roof reconstruction at $86,114.81, and estimated that steeple teardown would cost an additional $50,000 to $80,000. Evenhouse Roofing quoted roof reconstruction between $70,000 and $125,000.

Balloon festival delights, despite poor conditions

Hot air balloons never left the ground at this year’s Quad City Balloon Festival, but for pilot Tom Klitz of Payson, Ill, the weekend still offered a chance to share the fascination that has kept him flying for more than two decades. “I volunteered to crew for [a hot air balloon] at a skydiving convention and I had so much fun. I said, ‘I wanted to do this,’ and I have never looked back,” Klitz said. Klitz said he has been flying for 26 years and has logged more than 600 flight hours. After decades in the air, he said every flight offers something new. “[The flights] are all different. They are all, all different,” Klitz said. Klitz and a volunteer said operating a hot air balloon is far more complex than most people realize. “It’s regulated just as much as a commercial airplane,” a volunteer said. “You have to have annual inspections, meet certain FAA requirements and you need an FAA license,” Klitz said. “If you want to buy [the basket] new you are looking at $50,000.” Although flights were off the table due to wind and storms, teams inflated several balloons, giving visitors a close-up look at the aircraft and an opportunity to learn how ballooning works from the people who fly them. One team set up an inflation demonstration for festivalgoers. Balloons are first inflated using a gasoline-powered fan, allowing the envelope to fill with enough air before burners are used to raise it upright. During the demonstration, visitors were invited to step inside the partially inflated balloon for a closer look. Several balloons were inflated throughout the weekend, showcasing their colorful designs and sponsor branding. “Balloons are a marketing statement but then [businesses] realize it’s serious money,” a volunteer said. Although weather kept balloons grounded, inflation and burner demonstrations gave visitors a rare opportunity to to stand beside, and inside, the colorful envelopes, talk with pilots and crews, and see firsthand what goes into preparing a hot air balloon for flight.

Fire consolidation study details challenges ahead

A statewide study on the county-by-county consolidation of fire departments highlights just how difficult that move could be. Elected officials and fire professionals from across Iowa’s four largest counties assembled the study over the past year. Scott County State Sen. Scott Webster championed the study in the 2025 legislative session, arguing it would identify how fire department could save money as costs rise and volunteer rates dwindle. The study report, issued in June, notes that consolidation could save money on equipment procurement and shared services—but faces costly administrative hurdles. Scott County Emergency Management Director Brian Payne served on the study’s committee. He said the report outlines “the things that need to be considered” if state legislators look to regionalize fire service. For instance, Iowa’s career fire departments are split between two different pension systems: the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System, or IPERS, and the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa. Pensions are not transferrable. Consolidation of departments on different pension systems would be difficult. Meanwhile, some counties have multiple dispatch and 911 centers—some of which serve areas that cross county lines, as in suburban Des Moines. Those centers are “inextricably tethered to emergency response and as such further complicate consolidation,” the report reads. State Rep. Mike Vondran chairs the Iowa House Public Safety Committee and also served on the study committee. “I think the big conclusion is that we have a lot more questions to ask,” Vondran said. “Everything here was done with the intention of: how can we look to improve public safety, not just in Scott County but across the state?” One of the report’s few clear recommendations is expanding or modifying provisions in Iowa law that allow for the creation of “emergency response districts,” which have the ability to levy taxes in support of fire and emergency medical services. The report notes that legislators could review whether to allow for emergency responses districts that are not contiguous with existing cities and counties, and instead span contiguous service areas where efficiencies from consolidation could be more easily realized. Those districts could have their own governance boards, the report suggests. The report does not recommend what some early critics had feared: that legislators ram through a consolidation program to save costs. Donahue Mayor Ken Schoenthaler served as the committee’s representative of towns under 5,000 people. He said that regional fire districts could provide support in some areas—but only add “another layer of bureaucracy” in others. “As the majority party in the state is anti-bureaucracy-leaning, putting together another level of bureaucracy… would be unusual for them,” Schoenthaler noted. He worried that a shift towards a top-down system could alienate rural volunteers, and deserved discussion outside the study’s small committee. “Anything that’s going to change anything substantially needs a large public hearing,” Schoenthaler said. “It’s important that people see what might be coming down the pike.” Vondran said there was no recommendation likely to lead to short-term legislation. Instead, he said the report marks the beginning of a conversation between legislators and emergency professionals about how to best renew support for their efforts. “Primarily, I think a lot of it is going to come down to what sort of funding can we develop to create sustainable fire protection for everybody, urban or rural,” Vondran said. Payne said that most fire departments were not yet at the “critical junction where something needs to happen right now.” But the study will help prepare for when that moment comes. Vondran praised the fire professionals and officials who volunteered their time on the study. “We are very fortunate in this state that we have true professionals who take on this role, who aren’t thinking about themselves every day. They just aren’t. When they, speak we listen,” he said.  Webster did not respond to request for comment.        

County will oppose power plant before state board

Scott County supervisors will intervene against Central Iowa Power Cooperative’s request to site a natural gas power plant outside Maysville. CIPCO has petitioned the Iowa Utilities Commission, a state board, for a permit that would allow construction of the controversial project to advance despite zoning restrictions in Scott County. Scott County decided last week, July 16, to protest that request at a hearing before the IUC, scheduled for November 17. In February, county supervisors denied CIPCO’s request to amend local zoning to accommodate the proposed plant. “I think we need to be consistent with what we decided in February and proceed with an intervention,” Supervisor Jean Dickson said at a board meeting Tuesday, July 14. “We need to intervene —not only so that we can assert our home rule right, but [so that we can] have our attorney marshal the facts that uniquely support our vote from February 12,” Supervisor Maria Bribriesco added. The November 17 hearing will see Scott County lawyers marshal a case for why the IUC should defer to local zoning authority rather than allow the plant to advance. The Concerned Citizens of Scott County, a group of neighbors opposed to the project, has also filed to intervene. Supervisors briefly discussed whether to retain outside counsel to help make the case against CIPCO. Supervisors Dickson, Ken Beck, and Ross Paustian each said the board should rely on in-house counsel. A draft resolution by Bribriesco would have authorized the county attorney’s office to retain outside counsel.  “I would not support the hiring of outside counsel,” Dickson said. “Certainly that could be revisited at some other time… I think that's an additional cost to the taxpayers that's not needed.” “I think that we need to keep it simple,” Beck agreed. Bribriesco said that while County Attorney for Civil Affairs Kristina Lyon was “an excellent attorney,” the filing before the IUC was “a little bit outside her lane.” “It's very important that we that we put our best arguments forward,” Bribriesco said. She noted that the county attorney’s office has the authority to retain up to $25,000 in outside counsel on any case, without the board of supervisors’ approval. Bribriesco ultimately joined other supervisors in approving a motion that directed Lyon to intervene but did not grant express permission to retain outside counsel. Board Chair John Maxwell said the board would reconsider the question of outside counsel when the hearing date neared. The county had not filed to intervene when this paper went to press Monday evening. Local opposition builds online Dozens of Scott County landowners and project neighbors have filed letters protesting the proposed power plant in an online portal hosted by the IUC. Many of them follow a format developed by the Concerned Citizens of Scott County, requesting that “the Iowa Utilities Commission hold [CIPCO] accountable to all local zoning requirements and deny the certificate… unless the project can be reconciled with local land-use plans.” The letters also express concerns that have followed the power plant since plans debuted last summer, including noise pollution and water use. “It feels like we are being run off our properties,” a letter from Angie Flenker of Princeton reads. Sometimes, the letters are quippy. “I heard Alligator Alcatraz is for sale,” Penny Milbrandt of Donahue’s objection reads. “Go there.”        

Coussens honored with state Heart of the Fair award

The Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, in partnership with Wyffels Hybrids and the Iowa State Fair announced the five recipients of the 2026 Heart of the County Fair Award. Richard Coussens, a board member of the Mississippi Valley Fair, was Iowa’s southeastern district winner. “The Heart of the County Fair Award was created to honor those whose dedication, leadership, volunteerism and passion help strengthen the traditions and community spirit that make county fairs such an important part of rural Iowa,” Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network wrote in a press release. Coussens has served on the Mississippi Valley Fair Board for 21 years and said being recognized came as an honor. “It's really an honor to be on the board, there is camaraderie and people who know what they are doing,” Coussens said. Helping organize one of eastern Iowa’s largest county fairs is a year-round effort, Coussens said, requiring board members to juggle the expectations of exhibitors, fairgoers, vendors and entertainers while continuing to build on the fair’s traditions. “The hardest part is balancing everything to keep everyone happy. We can’t keep everyone happy all the time but we do our best,” Coussens said. Looking back, Coussens said the fair has changed significantly since he attended as a child. While many aspects of the event have evolved, he said he still enjoys seeing the work put in by young exhibitors. “I want to see more of that,” Coussens said. As the fair continues to evolve, Coussens said adapting to changing interest and expectations is part of keeping the event relevant for future generations. “People have changed a lot since I was younger. Getting the fair ready is a lot but it’s different every time because people are different. You have got to keep changing,” he said. While Coussens is receiving the award for his years of work, volunteerism and passion, he credited the many volunteers and board members whose efforts make the fair possible. “[The award] is a great honor, but I’m not the only one. A lot of people deserve a lot of credit for keeping the fair going each year,” he said.    

Long Grove council orders dog removed from city

Long Grove City Council has ordered a dog that a bit a neighbor’s child removed from city limits. The council told dog owner Darren Twigg that despite his defense of the animal’s character, city ordinances were clear: it was “unlawful” to keep a dog that had bit someone in Long Grove. The dog, a five-year-old border collie, ran onto the lawn of neighbors of Tina and Eric Kalainoff April 24 while their daughter was hauling sticks. She was bitten in the leg and taken to a hospital for medical treatment. Long Grove ordinances state that “it is unlawful for any person to harbor or keep a vicious dog or cat within the city.” An animal is deemed vicious once it has “attacked or bitten any person without provocation, or when propensity to attack or bite persons exists and is known or ought reasonably to be known to the owner.” Councilman Mike Boddicker said the ordinances left the council with little choice. “So, did the dog bite a person? Yes. Is the kid carrying sticks to a burn pile considered provocation? No,” Boddicker said. “Unfortunately, I think by the word of our ordinance, the dog meets the definition of vicious.” The council voted 4–0 Tuesday, July 14 to order the dog removed. Councilman Ryan Christensen was absent. Twigg protested that the collie, named Tucker, was “not a vicious dog.” He said that trainers and relatives had not reported any problems. “A bite doesn’t mean ‘vicious,’” he argued. The Kalainoffs said the dog was often outdoors without a leash and had attacked their dog on two previous occasions. They had asked Twigg to erect a fence or keep a closer eye on his animals, they reported. Twigg denied that his dog had attacked theirs and said that he was in the process of erecting a fence. Tina Kalainoff said it was too little, too late. “We have given plenty of opportunity for a fence to be put up, and it is just now happening three months after the attack,” she said. “I personally want the dog removed from the city.” Councilwoman Nancy Herrin said the city needed to establish a clear precedent. “There are a lot of people who are not careful with their dogs and they let them run, and you never know what's going to happen. If some kid is playing in his own yard with a stick or a toy or something, and a dog comes over and bites him, that's not okay,” she said. Twigg argued that the council was enforcing the ordinance too strictly. “I am here to uphold the ordinances of this town,” Boddicker said. “That's the entire purpose of my position.” Twigg asked if the council would enforce other ordinances as exactingly. “If it meets the definition of any ordinance, I will uphold it, whether it means costing me my job or not,” Boddicker replied. Other business In other news, the council: • Agreed to assume approximately $3 million in debt to fund construction of its new water treatment plant. It will issue $1 million in private bonds and borrow about $2 million from a state revolving fund. The council drew up the funding plan in April and May and opened it to discussion at a public hearing June 9, but received no comment. • Agreed to hire Nicole Adams of Long Grove as the new assistant city clerk, for 20 hours per week at a rate of $20 per hour. • Heard from City Engineer Jason McKenzie that the water tower—its exterior recently repainted—would soon be back online, once disinfection was complete.

County pushes ahead with rural repaving projects

Manatt’s of Camanche will repave stretches of three county roads later this year for $1.7 million. The roads include: • 257th Avenue and Wisconsin Street from Territorial Road south and east to LeClaire city limits. • 170th Avenue from 290th Street north for 0.6 miles. • 130th Avenue between 210th and 240th Streets. Manatt’s low bid arrived 25% below the engineer’s estimate. Supervisors approved it July 16. Supervisors also approved the purchase of a tandem-axle plow truck chassis and body for the county Secondary Roads crew, at a combined cost of $320,789.22. The new vehicle will replace a new plow truck totaled in a June 1 accident. Scott County Secondary Roads employee Bridget Hillyer was killed in the accident. County Fleet Manager Mark Garrow said the body would not arrive until late 2027. The county will be able to use an older vehicle to preserve its current plowing and road maintenance fleet size, he said. Some plow equipment has been salvaged from the damaged truck. The truck chassis will cost $169,656 from Ascendance Truck Centers. The body and additional plow equipment will cost $151,133.22 from Henderson Products. Both bids were secured from Sourcewell, a catalogue of standing bids for delivery of government vehicles. Supervisor Ross Paustian noted that Ascendance previously surcharged the county more than $14,000 on a pair of tandem-axle trucks—including the one totaled—after several delivery delays. Garrow said that Ascendance is the approved International dealer for the Quad Cities area. The county maintains a fleet of International vehicles. Supervisors approved two agreements with the Iowa Department of Transportation which secure federal dollars for local bridge projects: replacement of an 85th Avenue bridge over Hickory Creek, and a Y4 bridge over Rock Creek. Federal funds will reimburse the full $1-million cost of the 85th Avenue bridge and up to $748,000 of the $935,000 cost of the Y4 bridge, County Engineer Angie Kersten reported. Both projects are scheduled for 2027. Assisted Outpatient Treatment program approved A new Scott County Community Services program aims to help individuals with severe mental illness break out of “a repeated cycle of homelessness, hospitalizations, and incarcerations.” Community Services Director Lori Elam told the board of supervisors last week that court-ordered Assisted Outpatient Treatment, or AOT, will help a group of 15 individuals connect with medical care and housing. A group of 17 individuals have cost local law enforcement, courts, hospitals and mental health providers $7.1 million dollars over the last five years, Elam reported. Most of them refuse medication and mental health care. One of the 17 has died and another has been sentenced to life in prison for a “heinous crime,” Elam said. “The other 15 people are still out in our communities and are not doing well,” she said. “They're causing problems for businesses in the downtown area. They're causing problems along Locust Street for businesses. They're not getting proper care. They're not eating well. They're not taking medication.” AOT will pair them with Community Services Case Manager Beth Stover as well as a court representative, defense attorney and “peer supporter” to develop a court-ordered treatment plan. Stover will connect individuals with services like food stamps, Medicaid, housing, mental health care and medication. “Hopefully they'll be able to stay in their apartment, breaking that repeated cycle,” Elam said. “Then hopefully—and it's going to take some time—we can get them stable and on the road to recovery.” The program will come at no cost to county taxpayers. The Iowa Behavior Health Administrative Service Organization will provide $148,462, the bulk of program funding. The judicial district will provide an additional $86,600 and Vera French Community Mental Health Center will provide $33,000.  The program will begin with just three individuals, and growing by three individuals on a monthly basis, up to 15 total. Other news In other business, the board: • Heard from administrators at the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra and St. Ambrose University, who have asked the county to pledge $120,000 towards construction of a $24 million dollar music building in downtown Davenport. The pledge would help the QCSO and St. Ambrose secure a $1 million state tourism grant. Supervisors appeared favorable to the ask, which they have up to a year to consider. • Renewed the county contract with Election Systems & Software for $51,229.33. The software hosts all county elections, Auditor Kerri Tompkins said. • Held the second and final reading of an ordinance rezoning a 37–acre agricultural parcel outside Blue Grass for commercial use. Supervisor Maria Bribriesco cast the lone dissenting vote against the reading. • Agreed to start the county’s new risk manager one week before outgoing risk manager Rhonda Oostenryk retires. • Raised lieutenant sheriff salaries in accordance with new state laws.    • Approved routine liquor license renewals and posted routine financial disclosures.  

Man identified in Bureau County motorcycle crash

The Bureau County Coroner has identified a 45-year-old man who died in a motorcycle crash Sunday, July 19 on Illinois 29 near Depue.

Long Grove well-wishes public works director into retirement

Long Grove bid longtime Public Works Director Tony Saladino farewell last week—but not without a few gifts, and even a few lines of poetry. Saladino, who retired June 30, spent over 25 years on the Long Grove public works crew. He served as public works director for eight, following the resignation of Joel McCubbin in 2018. “He's a man of integrity, of dedication to his work, passionate about his community,” Long Grove Mayor Mike Limberg said of Saladino at a city council meeting July 14. “He’s always ready to go above and beyond the call, whether on or off the clock.” Limberg said that Saladino was a quiet and dedicated employee who blossomed into the public face of the town when he took on the role of public works director. He also became a close friend. “We would share laughs and have lunches together, and give each other encouragement in our positions with the city. We would offer each other advice, and we would either leave it or take it,” Limberg said. “It was just great to be able to have those candid conversations with the level of respect that we had for each other in our roles with the city,” he continued. “It was a pleasure working for the city of Long Grove,” Saladino said. Saladino’s wife and two of his daughters joined Long Grove City Council Tuesday, July 14 to celebrate his retirement. Limberg even prepared a rhyming poem for the occasion. “No more hearing, ‘Oh for heaven's sakes!’ every time a water main breaks,” he read. “No more dealing with a code violation—from this day forward, he's on a permanent vacation.” “One last thing I forgot to mention: he doesn't like being the center of attention,” he concluded. Limberg presented Saladino with a plaque thanking him for his “dedicated years of service” with Long Grove. “We hope that you enjoy your well-deserved retirement,” the plaque reads. Limberg also offered up a few gifts geared towards Saladino’s leading hobby: golf. They included a set of retirement-themed golf balls, a golfer’s excuse handbook, and a new cooler bag “with a starter pack already in there. ” “I won’t divulge what’s in there, but you’ve got to stay hydrated on the course. There's some hydration in here.” Limberg joked. The retirement gifts also included several complementary rounds at Glynns Creek Golf Course. Saladino shared a golf-themed cake with members of his family, the council, city officials, and guests of the meeting.    

Walcott Day Pie Contest 2026 Results

The 44th annual Walcott Day Pie Contest held on July 18 raised $49,750 from the 43 peach pies that were entered. London Schaefer placed first in the junior division, followed by Laila Shaefer (2nd), Ashlyn, Kendra and Evan Burt (3rd), Zoey Peekenschneider (4th), and Nora Kostichek (5th). Emily Lyon placed first in the senior division and was named the Grand Champion, followed by Rachel Ehlers (2nd), Angie Ehlers (3rd), Lisa Holdorf (4th), and Donna Claussen (5th). Additional junior pie bakers were: Ava Brockman, Rayna Peekenschneider, Eve Peekenschneider, Savanna Schwarz, Makenna Schwarz, Paisley Hamann, Eli August, Isla August, Daniel Avise, Rachael Avise, Kayden Garrels, Stella Garrels, Kaslynn Garrels, Lucy and Langston Lyon. Additional senior pie bakers participating: Linda Holdorf, Nancy Engler, Sheila Feipel, Don Feipel, Jessica Aubry, Sandy Moeller, Mary Lincoln, Sandy Hering, Lynn Farmer, Rhonda Brockmann, Ashlyn Kessler, Tenley Brockmann, Mary Golinghorst, Samantha Hunt, Adam Nelson, Janet Brockmann, Ellie Holdorf, and Kathy Schaefer. Buyers included: Paustian Enterprises, First Trust & Savings Bank, Needham Excavating, The Godfathers, River Valley Physical Therapy (Alison Warnecke), Tom and Sandy Brus, Jason and Lisa Holdorf, Bob Golinghorst, County Line Excavating, Donahue Sportsman’s Club, Logan and Emily Lyon, Richard and Mary Golinghorst, Sons of the American Legion, Gary and Nancy Holdorf, Walcott American Legion, Walcott Community Club, Burt Clinic, Mengler Flooring, Liberty Pattern, Bernie and Ruth Brus, Dave and Joan Martz, Barry and Jackie Fiegel, Skippy, Korey Koberg, Koberg Brothers, Koberg Grandkids, and Brian and Angie Ehlers. Judges for the contest were Sherry Evans and Jenny Stohl, and the auctioneer was Dave Wendt, with helpers Peggy Dietz, Evan Dietz, and Drew Geurink.  

Countryside presents a 'Mean' cautionary tale

Countryside Community Theatre is gearing up for its second show of the season. And this one is so fetch. Based on the 2004 teen comedy, the musical “Mean Girls” will be staged this weekend and next in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. The musical version premiered on Broadway in 2018. Written by Tina Fey, “Mean Girls” is a cautionary tale about the dangers of high school cliques and bullying. The sheltered Cady Heron moves to a Chicago suburb after spending her childhood in Africa. Although she’s been homeschooled, Cady enrolls in a public high school and befriends Janis and Damian. As Cady learns more about her new environment, she encounters a clique of popular girls, The Plastics. Led by the powerful queen bee Regina George, The Plastics also includes Gretchen Wieners, an insecure gossiper, and Karen Smith, an airhead. After Karen takes a shine to Cady, she’s invited to join The Plastics, and Janis hatches a plan for Cady to help take down the clique from within. According to director Ashley Becher, CCT’s production of “Mean Girls” marks the first time the musical has been staged in the Quad Cities outside of a school. Becher says she’s a huge fan of the musical and its message. “When I saw the movie when it first came out, I liked it fine, but I wasn’t a fanatic about it. I think it’s because I was young and didn’t get it all. I was like, ‘No one is nice.’ But now that I’m older, I realize that was the point. “There are no good or bad people. Everyone can either make decisions that are in alignment with their values or not. And you can have the best intentions, but if you don’t hold true to that core, you can become the villain in your own story.” Becher admits she wasn’t sold on the concept of the musical when it was introduced in 2018, but after seeing the show she quickly turned into a believer. “It’s so smart, and I love the way they hammered the message home even more and made it more clear in the musical. And then they added in the camp factor. It’s so fresh and fun and it feels very current, while still holding that message true.” So, when CCT announced it planned to stage the show last year, Becher jumped at the chance. She also knew that there were a lot of talented young people in the area that would be perfect for the cast. And she was pleased at the quality of actors who came out to audition. She said she already knew many of them from having worked together at various places, including Davenport Junior Theatre, Lancer Productions and Circa ’21. “I’ve worked with so many of the people before in different worlds and it’s so fun to have them all together, and then have new, fun, fresh people to work with. It’s been really special. “The rehearsals have given me life. It’s such a big show and it’s very exhausting, but every time I’m at rehearsal, I’m just having so much fun. These people are so great to create with. They’re so eager to learn the material and they’re always wanting to work so hard. They’ve been inspiring me so much.” Class reunion Becher said the young cast represents many of the schools in the area, including all the Davenport schools, Pleasant Valley, Bettendorf and North Scott. It’s been a reunion of sorts for Lancer Productions, with no fewer than eight current and former students in the cast and eight on the technical side. For the most part, they were unaware that they’d be working together again until the cast list was announced in January. Lauren Pawloski said she didn’t have much intention of pursuing theatre outside of high school, but this production has just been a chance for her to have some fun. Thomas McCarthy is a member of the theatre program at the University of Iowa right now. “It’s been so fun to get to come back and not only perform with people I went to high school with again, but also to be back in the theatre. It’s just been a really good time.” Maddux Lamb agreed. “It’s nice to have predetermined chemistry with a couple of people here. I’ve done shows at Iowa with Thomas, and Ryenne (Lacher) was also there as well. So, it is nice to see people on stage that I know, and that I’ve worked with in college and can really connect with on stage. It feels a lot more natural.” Being back on the North Scott stage is something that Ryenne Lacher described as “surreal. “I didn’t do a lot of theatre before high school, and this is the stage that really started it all for me. So, to be back for a Year Five, doing it again as a last big hurrah that we didn’t know was coming, it feels really good. It’s so nice to do a show with people that you know you’ll be comfortable with, and people that you know you’ve had good experiences with and have so many memories with.” She’s also sharing the stage with her brother, Hayden, who will be a sophomore at North Scott this fall. He said he's thrilled to work with people who inspired him as he prepared to join Lancer Productions. “I just think it’s really cool that I get to work with so many amazing people. I grew up watching these people perform on that stage and they’re the reason that I want to do theatre.” Charli Conner will be a senior this year and she said she’s also excited to work with people who inspired her when she was a freshman. The message of the show has resonated with the cast and crew. “Everybody has their perspectives. Everybody has their reasons for doing things, and that doesn’t make them inherently evil people,” said Lamb. “Everybody has their backgrounds; everybody has the things that make them who they are. And through the introduction of new people … bring other people into your life, because they can change you. They can radically change the world around you, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.” “Every person you meet, and you talk to is a multidimensional person,” agreed Ryenne Lacher. “Regina George is not all that bad at the end, and Cady Heron goes from being this Perfect Polly to being so mean to everyone. You can never judge someone just by the conversation that you have with them. You’re always getting to know people and knowing the different layers of them.” “People are capable of change in every direction,” said lighting designer Emmett Boedeker. “Watching Regina get less terrible and Cady get more terrible … it’s important to note that anybody can change, and it can be bad, too.” “I think with the rise of social media, we see everybody kind of wants to portray their life a certain way,” said Melena Knutsen. “Everything is perfect; I don’t have any feelings, and nothing bothers me. But when we look down deep into somebody, people have struggles and people’s lives aren’t perfect, and we need to remember that people have feelings.” Making new friends While the Lancer Productions members say it’s been a blast to work together again, they’re also enjoying the opportunity to work with people from other schools, too. “It’s been so cool,” said McCarthy. “I also kind of grew up watching these people at Thes Fest, things like that, speech, and it’s just so cool to finally work with these people and be in a show with them after just knowing of them and talking to them. Actually being able to perform with them is something completely different and it’s awesome.” “It goes back to what we were saying earlier,” said Pawloski. “You can think you know someone from a conversation, and I think this process has shown how all these people are so multidimensional and there’s so much more to them that you get to discover through a shared love of something. I think the message from the show has really shown throughout the process with things like getting to work with new people.” And they’re all grateful for the opportunity to work with Becher. “She’s responsible for my career,” said Boedeker, who works at Circa ’21 now. Mya Kelsey serves as the stage manager for this show, having just graduated from North Scott in May. “I’ve worked with Ashley in different positions throughout my high school career, but I’ve never gotten to stage manage for her. It’s been really great to get that new perspective and just work through different things with her and making sure the tech is also with Ashley’s ideas and making her wonderful ideas come to life with the techies.” “The Bechers are Quad Cities legends, and the fact that we get to work with them is really special,” said Ryenne Lacher. “I think the cast and the talent we have is a true reflection of the Bechers and the connections that they have throughout this community,” said Pawloski. “I can say personally that’s the main reason I auditioned for the show, was knowing she was directing. I think that’s true for most people in the cast.” Sound designer Kaitlyn Knepper also just graduated from North Scott, and she said that while she was ready to be done with theatre after high school, she wanted to wait and see about working with CCT until the cast list for “Mean Girls” was posted. “These are all my best friends from the high schools in the Quad Cities and Ashley’s directing, so I had to do it.” Meet the company The cast includes: Baylee Parker (Janis), Micah Roldan (Damian), Ryenne Lacher (Cady), Lily Schloss (Regina George), Maesi Geigle (Gretchen Wieners), Rebekah Riewerts (Karen Smith), Reece Riewerts (Aaron Samuels), Maddux Lamb (Kevin G.), Savannah Bay Strandin (Ms. Norbury), Ken Johnson (Principal Duvall), Mary Beth Riewerts (Mrs. George), Kevin Hurley (Mr. Heron/Coach Carr), Stephanie Hurley (Mrs. Heron). The ensemble includes: Kaitlyn Baker, Peyton Behrens, Jack Carslake, Charli Conner, Will Emerle, Kylie Figanbaum, Noa Hewlett, Ellerie Hurley, Mirabella Johnson, Melena Knutsen, Hayden Lacher, Briley Larson, Shira Mally, Thomas McCarthy, Madison McCoy, Kassandra Miller, Keegan Panther, Lauren Pawloski, Owen Peel, Spencer Powell, Peyton Reece, Kaitlyn Rogers, Mia Roldan, Grace Sandercock, Xander Sharp and Caroline Sieren. “Mean Girls” is directed by Ashley Becher with musical direction by Bobby Becher. The technical director is Dylan Rutledge. Stage manager is Mya Kelsey. The book is by Tina Fey, with music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. Choreography is by Ashley Becher, assisted by Chloe Schwab. Emmett Boedeker is the lighting designer, and Kaitlyn Knepper is sound designer. Costume design is by Ashley Becher, and the props designer is Savanna Pickett. The technical team includes Kaitlyn Knepper (sound board operator), Kallen Rohlf (light board operator), Samantha Mussack (spotlight operator), Carter Dorr (fly rail operator), and Charli Conner and Emma Reif (assistant costumers). Performances are Friday, July 24 and 31, and Saturday, July 25 and Aug. 1, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 26 and Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $20 and are available at countryside.booktix.com or at the door. “Mean Girls” is presented through special arrangement with, and all authorized materials are supplied by, Music Theatre International, New York, N.Y. (212) 541-4684, mtishows.com. This production is rated PG-13. It contains strong language and references to drug and alcohol use and adult themes. Viewer discretion is advised.

Rock Island native pushes for memorial at site of first NFL game

The first NFL game was played by the Rock Island Independents in 1920, but there are no plaques to memorialize the history. One local man is trying to change that.

City's fire decision wasn't wrong, but that doesn't make it feel right

There’s a scene in the cult classic film, The Big Lebowski where John Goodman’s character, Walter, has gotten himself into a bit of a situation and he wants to assure himself that he’s in the right. So, he keeps haranguing Jeff Bridges’ The Dude with the question, “Am I wrong?” After a few rounds of this, The Dude finally snaps back with, “You’re not wrong, Walter. You’re just an …” Well. You can Google the film if you want to know the rest. As I write this, the Eldridge City Council just made its decision regarding the fire department. They voted to move forward with making it a city-run department, although they insist they want a hybrid department that involves volunteers. I’ve been covering this story for more than a year, and I’ve been to all the public meetings. I’ve even, perhaps unwisely, weighed in on the subject on these pages.  I don’t think when this process began last May that anyone could have envisioned where we are today. It was understood that the process would be time-consuming, but I’m pretty sure that everyone expected the situation would have more than resolved a year in. Man plans, God laughs. I’ll level with you: I think if the city is going to give the fire department $766,000, there should be some oversight to go along with that. I’m not asking for any more oversight than any other department that receives city money gets. But it should be there. To that end, the department should become part of the city. That said, if the negotiation process was anything like what we saw at the July 13 special committee of the whole meeting, I completely understand why the fire department is fed up and wanted to remain independent. The council spent much of its time splitting hairs, attempting to relitigate perceived past sins, looking for “gotcha” moments, and even occasionally just being straight up condescending. It was a bad look, and overall, absolutely maddening to watch. The biggest revelation of the night came from the fire department. The membership no longer trusts the city, and I understand why. And fully 50% of the volunteers would leave if the city were to take over, which is, to be frank, a better ratio than I might have expected. June 15 will not go down in the annals of Eldridge history as a particularly great day.  Three days earlier, the city had gotten word that the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Company had voted unanimously to remain independent and had essentially doubled its financial ask. The council had some pretty Big Feelings about it at the meeting. And so, they decided to unload. It’s one thing to complain about the budget as an abstract concept. It’s quite another for the mayor to come out with a comment like:   “But it comes back to, exactly, it’s about community service. That’s the bottom line. And if you’re a volunteer fireman and if you’re taken over by the city, you can walk out and leave your city empty-handed and unprotected, what does that say about you?”   Re-hearing that at midnight, writing against deadline when you’re alone in your office trying to reprocess some things gives you a lot of perspective. I knew that comments like that wouldn’t go over well, and I didn’t expect the department would take them lying down. We’ve had some criticism that the newspaper shouldn’t have published those comments. However, everyone at that council table knew they were on the record and knew any comment they made was fair game for publication. There’s video of the meeting, and the fire department would have found out what was said one way or another. And honestly, if the council wants to take a year’s worth of work and shove it down the garbage disposal by being indecorous, that’s their prerogative. The department deserved to know that comment was made, and you do too. Words said in anger cannot be taken back easily. The damage cannot be repaired easily. There’s not even any nuance there, just a punch, straight down. So much work undone because of careless comments. So yeah, I totally understand why the trust is gone. And so, we’re here. I don’t know what it looks like if the city takes over the department. I do know the city doesn’t have 15 volunteers in its back pocket to replace and add to the current volunteers that will hang up their hats. I don’t know how much it will cost the city to take over the department. We’ve heard talk that cities like Nevada can run their departments for about half of what the EVFC is asking for, but can we do it? Who owns the current trucks, the building, the equipment? According to  Monday's vote, the council believes the city will own them. What are the startup costs? What does the transition look like? How long is a city-run department going to take to get set up? What happens if we don't meet the self-imposed Oct. 1 deadline? What if there are no volunteers to make this happen? Noah and I have both asked city officials on multiple occasions what the plan looks like. What we’ve gotten so far is just some vague references to relying on our mutual aid agreements. Which … look. Long Grove and Donahue have fantastic departments, but their volunteer base isn’t any stronger than ours. And relying on Davenport and Bettendorf is going to lead to suboptimal response times. So, that’s not really a plan. At least not a substantiative one. Also, I’m pretty sure relying on mutual aid was predicated on not losing any current Eldridge volunteers. The ordinances have been written, and a job description exists for a paid chief. On paper, that’s all well and good. In practice, I don’t know what this transition looks like. I don’t know if anyone else does either. They say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. I know the council had to make a decision Monday. I know that decision was probably the only one they could make. But I don't have to feel good about how we got here.  

Up in the air

I could hardly eat Saturday morning. It was early. I sipped my coffee, picked at a bagel. I felt like I was headed for surgery. My morning activity was slightly dangerous—it carried inherent risks, I mean—and it would require complete trust in professional expertise. It was also something I had to do, a necessary procedure. It was my first flight lesson. The night before I was cursing myself. What had I been thinking, booking a flight lesson? I did not like airplanes. I had never liked airplanes. Still I had spent the week informing everyone I saw that I had booked—get this—a flight lesson. How cool was that? I told everyone so that, when I panicked, I wouldn’t chicken out. Chickening out would have been an especially apt metaphor, flightless birds and all. I wanted to take a flight lesson for several reasons. The first: out of an absolute conviction that the only way out is through, that you must face your fears, that the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. All platitudes, all true. When you are afraid of something the only thing you can do is accept it. Shake hands with the monster in your closet, so to speak. But for the other reasons. I am naturally curious and under the general conviction that you should try everything once, which is cousin to my view that you can never have too much knowledge of practical things. Sometimes, at my most antisocial, I think that the ideal life would be that of a bush pilot: alone in the wilderness, skirting the storm, on the last frontier of the human struggle in the face of the natural world. So at 7 a.m. I stepped out of my truck into a light breeze in the parking lot of a Moline flight school. I had scheduled a “discovery flight,” a two-hour hop which promised to introduce the basics of flying and flight instruction. My instructor, Garrett, was 20 years old and chewing gum. He had finished high school but skipped college in favor of a Florida flight school. Regular school wasn’t for him, he told me. Three years my junior and he had already spent 500 hours in the air, about one-third of what he needed to fly business jets or commercial airliners. The first surprise came when Garrett sat me in the left-hand seat. I suppose driver’s ed was much the same, but that was a long time ago, and anyway in a parking lot rather than a runway. When air traffic control cleared us for takeoff, Garrett pulled on the throttle and asked me to pull back on the yoke and keep the nose straight—in other words, to take off. His hand was on the yoke too, I’m sure, but my vision had collapse to a tube that tracked from the yoke to the nose to the runway, and then, as the runway faded, to the open air. We were in a Cessna 172, which bounced on the way up and down but cruised smoothly once we reached 4,000 feet. At that height I had the sustained impression—which occurs momentarily on airliners, as they descend—that I was looking at the world in miniature. It is a trick of focal length rather than scale: we are not used to seeing the whole world with the same perfect clarity, the background as precise as the fore. The effect is a thrill, unreal, almost imagistic; it makes the plane feel like something fantastical, which I suppose it is. Garrett guided the plane through several maneuvers. The most notable of these was a steep turn, at 45 degrees, in a full circle. The turn pushed me into my seat and I could feel the blood rush into my stomach, or at least it felt like my stomach. Adrenaline feels good. That is part of what makes anxieties so hard to kick: they are perversely, chemically rewarding, even addictive. Anxiety is very nearly an indulgence. During the flight lesson, I could feel my old, terrified thrill replaced by a euphoric one, the feeling of complete exalted mastery of uncertainty rather than submission to it. A bit like swimming in the ocean, letting a wave drag you into the seawater and roll you on the sand, ecstatic, before it turns you out on firm, dry land.  

3D printing: Art or junk?

Over the past two decades, 3D printing has transitioned from a niche manufacturing solution to a hobby anyone can pursue. Yet as the technology has become more accessible, a growing trend undermines much of its creative potential. Maker fairs and fair vendor tents are flooded with articulated dragons, octopi with dangling legs, eggs with toys inside and other trinkets selling at $5 to $20. Many of these products are based on freely available designs. Popular model-sharing sites within the hobby such as Thingiverse, Makerworld and Printables host thousands of dragons, fidget toys and similar models that anyone can download. Download free 3D models, print them out of cheap materials such as PLA, then sell them. Material costs for these are extremely low. From personal experience, they range from less than a dollar up to around four dollars. They are frequently retailed for $5 to $20, making the market insanely profitable. Anyone with basic math skills can see why this business model makes sense. This has been taken to the extreme with the introduction of “print farms.” Print farms are exactly what they sound like. A warehouse with as many commercial printers as can fit into the space producing cheap products for little material or labor costs. Learning 3D modeling or computer aided design opens far more possibilities than printing another dragon. Need a tool for a frustrating household task? Design one. Need a jig to align parts during a project? Print one. The ability to create custom solutions on demand is what makes consumer 3D printing remarkable. If vendors were creating original designs, their work would be much easier to respect. Instead, many simply download free models created by other people and reproduce them on a massive scale. One of the most accessible manufacturing technologies ever developed is being used to trick you and your children into spending money on junk. 3D printing in certain forms absolutely belongs in maker spaces. 3D modelers and artists can make their models into physical pieces. Modelmakers can customize their creations or easily model things that large retailers don’t. You could even make and sell tools for small or niche tasks. I am a model rocketeer, and now the leader of Iowa State University’s Spaceshot team. 3D printing is a valuable tool. I can design my own components, jigs, mounting plates, and even entire rockets. Being able to design, prototype and produce parts in my own home has fundamentally changed the way I approach projects. Many printing materials can be recycled into new filament, making it practical to create temporary tools and prototypes without generating much waste. We live in an era where someone can imagine anything, design it on a laptop and manufacture it in the same room within hours. This is an extraordinary capability that could only be dreamed of decades ago. Consumers should vote with their wallets and support creators who use 3D printing to solve problems, build original designs and showcase genuine craftsmanship. Not enable another table full of mass-produced plastic trinkets.

2011: Walcott gears up for RAGBRAI stopover event

July 22, 1976 • McCausland residents began a fundraising drive to gather the funds needed to compete the town’s new community center. The 70x84 steel building would house the town’s fire department, city hall and civic center and was already completed. However, Mrs. Warren Darland, who was spearheading the campaign, said at least $4,000 would need to be raised to finance the concrete floor. She said if the contributions from residents exceeded that amount, the remainder could be used to purchase kitchen furnishings. The $26,000 building was financed through federal revenue sharing funds. Mrs. Darland also said the names of major contributors would be added to a time capsule that would be buried near the building. The capsule was set to be opened in 2076. • No candidates had filed so far to run for North Scott School Board, although superintendent Melvin Heiler said there had been inquires. Two seats were up for election in September. They were held by Dr. Marvin Elliot, who said he planned to run, and Bob Carter, who was still undecided. • A controversial plan to rezone 640 acres in Buffalo Township was deferred by the Scott County Board of Supervisors. The board sent the recommendation back to the Scott County Zoning Commission. If the plan were approved, the property would be rezoned to light industrial, and the site could potentially become home to an industrial park. Approximately 50 Buffalo residents turned out to the meeting to object to the proposal. • The congregation of Our Savior Presbyterian Church in Argo dedicated a watercolor painting by Davenport artist Paul Norton. The painting was of the old Argo United Presbyterian Church, which was set to be torn down after the new Our Savior building was dedicated on Sept. 26, and the painting would hang in the new fellowship hall. Our Savior was formed four years earlier after the congregations of the Argo church and Summit United Presbyterian Church in rural Davenport merged. • The North Scott softball team’s season ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Delwood at the sectional tournament at Calamus. It was a pitcher’s duel, as Peggy Geary allowed just one hit. However, Delwood’s Mary Powers hurled a no hitter, walking just two batters. North Scott coach Dennis Johnson said his team “played a good game but didn’t get the breaks” they needed to secure a victory. July 23, 1986 • Grandstand entertainment at the Mississippi Valley Fair included the Miami Sound Machine, George Strait, Fabian, Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell, Charley Pride and Tammy Wynette. Fun Cards were available for $10. • Ted Stevens sold his Walcott Ford dealership to Streiter Motor Co. of Davenport. Tom Helms, Streiter’s president, said the company felt good about the long-term prospects in Walcott. Stevens had owned the business for four years, having purchased Dietz Ford in 1982, and said while sales were strong, profits had lagged. • Five sets of papers had been taken out to run for North Scott School Board, but only one had been returned. Gene Schneckloth filed to run for a one-year term to complete the term of Jack Hill, who resigned and moved to Germany for work in April. Schneckloth had been appointed by the board to fill the vacancy until the election. Two three-year terms were also on the ballot in September. Those seats were currently held by Ned Mohr and Kathy Porter. • The congregation at Calvary United Methodist Church in Walcott held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate a $212,000 expansion to the church that would house an educational and administrative wing. • The North Scott baseball team secured a 3-2 win over Pleasant Valley in the sectional tournament with a play at the plate in the bottom of the seventh. As the tying run streaked toward home, Kurt Fahrenkrog fired the ball towards catcher Dale Schnoor, who got the out. “That was a close play at home, but we had him all the way,” said coach Ed Podber after the game. July 25, 2001 • Eldridge City Council member Tom Knapper said he would not support a recommended pay increase for city administrator John Dowd. Knapper said this was due in part to the fact that council recently learned the LeClaire Road reconstruction project would cost $518,000 more than originally anticipated. While 80% of the project was being paid for with federal grant money, it was yet to be determined if that would apply to the cost increase. Knapper said he believed Dowd was responsible for the oversight, even if he wasn’t directly to blame. • Grandstand entertainment at the Mississippi Valley Fair included Randy Travis, Lonestar, Clay Walker, Kansas, Phil Vassar and the Charlie Daniels Band. Among the grounds entertainment was a shark show, which fair manager Bob Fox predicted would be very popular. • Carolyn Scheibe was hired as the new executive director of the Eldridge-North Scott Chamber of Commerce. Lynn Carlstrom was hired as Chamber assistant. • The first phase of a $13.8 million renovation project at the Scott County Bicentennial Building, which would soon house many county offices, was unveiled. The building had been acquired by the county in the mid-1970s for additional office space and had largely gone unimproved for years. The county planned to move offices to the building from the courthouse to free up more space for judicial functions. • The North Scott softball team qualified for the state tournament with a 1-0 nail-biting win over Dubuque Hempstead. They were set to face Sioux City North in the opening round in Fort Dodge. July 27, 2011 • Walcott was gearing up to welcome at least 15,000 people to town as the last “day stop” on the RAGBRAI trail before the ride wrapped up in Davenport. Riders would be greeted by “Walctoberfest,” an Oktoberfest-style event at Victory Park. “We’re excited. And we’re as ready as we could be,” said mayor Jim Couper. The mayor said more than 200 residents had signed up to volunteer for the event. “That is just a crazy outpouring of town support as far as I’m concerned.” • A memorial was dedicated in honor of the late Liz White at the Long Grove ball diamonds. White, a member of the North Scott Class of 2007, was killed in a collision with a drunk driver just months after her high school graduation. Many of White’s former teammates on her Southern Wapsi Softball League teams attended the dedication. Kirby White said he wanted the memorial to give a true sense of the person his daughter was. “A lot of kids are playing at that field every summer, and I wanted them to see the big picture: a girl who made a lot of friends, who wasn’t afraid to swing for the fences, loved life, celebrated life, and took chances.” • Funeral services were held for longtime community booster Charlotte Mohr of Eldridge. While she was largely known for her involvement in Republican politics, Mohr also led countless volunteer efforts, including serving as a trustee for the Scott County Library System for 31 years. “Anything she was involved in, she found herself in a leadership position, but her first commitment was to Scott County,” said her daughter, Patricia Hendricksen of Wheatland. “She was proud to be from Eldridge and Scott County.” In addition to her work, Mohr was named an Iowa Master Farm Homemaker in 1978 and Iowa Mother of the Year in 1979. • Tor Hawley and Anna Boffeli were named first team all-MAC for softball. Ali Rucker, Dana Suiter and Kayla Naber were second team selections, and Hannah Lindaman, Lindsay Puls and Tor McCoy were honorable mention. • The baseball team also racked up a series of honors. Including Aaron Huber, who was previously announced as MAC Player of the Year, Robert Copley and John Kinney joined Huber on the first team. Matt McKinney, Brock Brade and Ben Engler were second team selections, and Brandon Voss, Devin Guererro and Brandon Engler were named honorable mention. July 21, 2021 • North Scott recruited two familiar faces to fill out a pair of administrative roles. Carrie Lane, who had taught at the high school for 24 years, was hired as the new principal at Ed White Elementary School. She had left North Scott to work as the principal at Camanche High School three years earlier. Lane would replace Heather Shults-Hendricks, who was named the district’s director of student services. She said taking the job felt like she was “coming home.”  Meanwhile, Katie Hoyt was hired as the district’s first communications director and grant writer. Hoyt, who previously worked in a similar position at Palmer College, planned to create a district-wide communications policy to supplement what staff was already doing. • Ryan Iossi told the Eldridge City Council he had plans to build a retail center at the southeast corner of South 1st Street and Lincoln Road. He bought the 2.94 acres that had previously been home to a Redi-Mix plant and had hired an architect, Andrew Dasso, for the project. Iossi and Dasso said they envisioned something similar to the Tangled Wood in Bettendorf. • The Walcott Day pie contest raised a record $19,150 from the 41 apple pies that were entered. Emily Lyon won the Senior Division and was named Grand Champion. Evelyn August won the Junior Division. Judges for the contest were Carrie Keppy and Kim Powell, and the auction crew included Chad and Grady Claussen and Peggy Dietz. • As the North Scott School District prepared for the start of the 2021-22 school year, superintendent Joe Stutting said the priority was in-person learning. During the 2020-21 school year, approximately 8% of families chose online learning. “There definitely were losses to relationships, connection to kids and families when you have to start social distancing,” said Stutting. Although there had been reports nationwide about increased COVID cases, data showed that wasn’t the case in Scott County. But Stutting said the district still knew how to pivot. “If we need to make a decision, I’ll come to the board. But normalcy is my message tonight.” • The North Scott baseball team was set to take on Dubuque Hempstead in the regional final. That came after a walk-off 3-2 win over Davenport West. Parker Ruth hit a home run and then got a hit in the seventh, which allowed Alex Johnson to score the winning run.  

Chamber of Commerce: Thanks for another successful Chase

As another Moonlight Chase and Eldridge Summer Festival comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make the 41st annual Moonlight Chase and this year’s Summer Festival such an incredible success. This year’s event was especially meaningful as it marked a transition for the North Scott Chamber of Commerce. We are honored to step into our new roles and are incredibly grateful to Tabbitha Kramer and Heather Khoury for their leadership, guidance, and countless hours of work in planning this year’s celebration. Their dedication helped ensure a smooth transition and another outstanding Moonlight Chase and Summer Festival. Events of this size simply don’t happen without an amazing community. While the Chamber staff may be small, the number of volunteers, businesses, organizations, and community partners who step forward each year is extraordinary. There are far too many people to thank individually, but we would like to recognize some of the many individuals and groups who made this year’s celebration possible. A tremendous thank you goes to our incredible Moonlight Chase volunteer team; from the start/finish line crew, the results crew, the awards tent volunteers, water station teams, course and cone volunteers, luminary crews, registration and packet pickup volunteers! Everything ran smoothly and this event wouldn’t go on without them! A special thank you also goes to our race announcers, Scott Campbell and Jeff Martens, for keeping the energy high throughout the evening. We appreciate First Central State Bank for coordinating the post-race refreshments as well as the beverage tent. Additionally, we want to thank the North Scott Hy-Vee and Atlantic Bottling for generously donating food, treats, and water. We received countless compliments from first-time Moonlight Chase participants, and that speaks volumes about the dedication and hospitality of our volunteer team. The Eldridge Summer Festival has grown into a destination event of its own, and hosting it alongside the Moonlight Chase makes for an unforgettable weekend. One of the festival’s signature traditions is the annual parade, which once again drew outstanding crowds lining the streets of Eldridge. Seeing families, neighbors, and visitors come together to cheer on local organizations, businesses, and community  groups is a wonderful reminder of the pride people have in our community and the strong spirit that makes Eldridge such a special place to call home. We are grateful to our parade organizers, parade participants, and the many local businesses and organizations that sponsored activities throughout the festival. Our Taste of the Chase food vendors and Makers Market vendors helped create a wonderful atmosphere for attendees. A special shout out to Julie Wall for all her hard work and countless hours for making the Makers Market a huge success! Our deepest appreciation goes to the City of Eldridge and Public Works teams for their countless hours of preparation and support. Thank you to the Eldridge Police Department for helping keep everyone safe throughout the weekend. In addition, we’d also like to extend a thank you to the Eldridge Fire Department for their assistance and support with the Eldridge Summer Festival. A big thanks goes to the North Scott Chamber Board of Directors for their unwavering support throughout the year. Their leadership and willingness to volunteer in countless ways are invaluable to the success of these community events. Finally, thank you to every participant, spectator, vendor, sponsor, volunteer, and community member who came out to celebrate with us. Seeing our community come together each year reminds us why the Moonlight Chase has remained a treasured tradition for 41 years. We are excited to carry this tradition forward and look forward to working with our volunteers, businesses, sponsors, and community partners as we begin planning for next year’s Moonlight Chase and Eldridge Summer Festival.   Deanna Valliere & Stephanie Eads North Scott Chamber of Commerce

LULAC: Community grieves after ICE killings

On July 7, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot dead in Houston. One week later, Juan Sebastian Durán Guerrero was shot dead in Biddeford, Maine. Both killings, along with many others, were perpetrated by Homeland Security and their proxy, ICE. The League of United Latin American Citizens in Davenport is deeply saddened by this tragic turn of events. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, and the communities involved. ICE related killings bring grief and uncertainty to many Hispanic families – even here in Iowa. We work hard to ensure families at risk know that they are not alone. Currently, with community partners, we support Know Your Rights workshops and promote emergency preparedness for vulnerable families and refugees. In May, the Mexican Mobile Consulate was invited to the LULAC Center in Davenport to provide informational workshops that connect Mexican citizens with resources and services available to them. We ask the community to try to understand the anxiety families at risk are experiencing with each new headline about a senseless tragedy. We ask for compassion. As President of LULAC Council 10, it is my moral obligation to denounce the egregious conduct of federal immigration authorities whose targets too often seem to have little hope of the due process guaranteed by the United States Constitution. Conversely, I am confident that our own local law enforcement agencies are truly committed to the well-being of all in our community.   Timothy Garcia President, LULAC Council 10 Davenport

Strawberries in the sky

The repainted Long Grove water tower now displays a strawberry—the first, and most public, sign of a slate of water infrastructure improvements bound for the city.

Hot, dry weather keeps crops ahead of schedule

Temperatures across Iowa were, on average, more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit above the climatological normal over the past week, and the statewide average precipitation was near zero according to the weather and crop report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for July 13 through July 19. The abnormally dry and hot temperatures, for a second week in a row, helped Iowa corn to continue to tassel and silk across the state. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 72% of corn acres were silking during the reporting period, which is 14 percentage points ahead of the 2025 corn crop. Soybeans are also ahead of last year, with 70% blooming and 34% setting pods – both 3 percentage points ahead of the crop at this time last year. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said forecasts show a chance for thunderstorms in the coming week and a “shift to more seasonal temperatures.” “While the stretch of sunshine allowed farmers to make good progress baling hay and with other fieldwork, many areas of the state would benefit from rainfall as crops continue through critical stages of development,” Naig said in a statement. According to the report, 39% of oats have been harvested in the state and the crop rated 83% good to excellent. Corn rated 80% good to excellent and 8% of the crop reached the dough stage as of the reporting period. Soybeans rated 79% good to excellent. With the lack of precipitation — State Climatologist Justin Glisan reported a statewide average of 0.06 inch for the week — areas of moderate drought expanded in western parts of the state. According to the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor, 11% of the state was in moderate drought conditions.

Report details Iowa ag economy downturn

A new report suggests Iowa’s agricultural industry is in a multi-year downturn that might not let up for a few more years, and experts are advising farmers to look back to the practices that got them through tough financial times a decade ago to weather the current storm. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development and the Iowa Bankers Association released the executive summary of the report Friday at the Iowa Farm Bureau Economic Summit in Ankeny, detailing Iowa’s current agriculture economy from different perspectives, how it came to reach this point and what the future holds. Christopher Pudenz, an economist with the Iowa Farm Bureau, moderated a presentation of the report as well as a discussion by ISU economics professor Chad Hart and Center for Agricultural and Rural Development Director John Crespi. Hart wore suspenders to the panel discussion, a fashion choice he said was to help people recall the past and how they’ve made it through times like this. Pudenz laid out the main facts for the audience: Iowa’s agriculture industry is in its third year of a downturn, with a third year of crop costs outpacing crop revenues and net farm income falling 53% between 2022 and 2024. Record and near-record crop production in recent years has caused prices to trend downward, Hart said during the panel discussion, creating a tighter squeeze on farmers dealing with higher costs. Rising costs of fertilizer, seed, and other necessities have combined with conflicts outside of the U.S. and other trade and economic uncertainties, but Hart and Crespi said that doesn’t mean people should do nothing. “It comes back to managing what we can, and sort of letting the uncertainty sort of wash over you. If we’re just going to sit on our hands, we may find ourselves in an even worse situation than that has happened before,” Hart said during a media availability after the panel. “So that’s why I dress like this, to get people to think, ‘Old-timey, yeah,’ because some of those old ideas of working through this, and like I say, sort of pinching that penny, even though we don’t have pennies anymore, still matter today.” The report, titled “2026 Iowa Agricultural Outlook: The Pressure is Rising,” also went over agriculture’s impact on Iowa’s economy. Iowa’s average GDP is around $272 billion, Crespi said, and the 60 industries involved with agriculture in the state make up about 20% of it. For every dollar made in those industries, he said $1.50 goes back to the state. What goes up must also go down, however, Crespi said, and every dollar less earned in agricultural industries means $1.50 not going to the state. “It’s in everybody’s interest that this turns around, that those become profitable dollars and not losses each year,” Crespi said. One “silver lining” in Iowa’s agricultural economy right now is livestock, Pudenz said, with the executive summary stating that livestock sectors are “generally performing well despite ongoing issues” like the avian influenza, as well as smaller stocks of cattle and softer consumer demand for hogs. Livestock also provides avenues for young people to break into the industry. Analyses of farm finances and lending are also included in the report, and Hart said there is strong demand for agricultural land, with the report stating average farmland values have decreased slightly since 2023. Farmers use their land as an asset in their borrowing and balance sheets, and further decreases in value could hurt farms with debt or relying on land equity for credit. According to the report, the number of financially vulnerable farms has more than doubled since 2022, with 19% of mid- and large-size farms falling under the category in December 2025. Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings are also rising, as well as increased credit demand and less repayment of loans. Likening it to bank accounts, Hart said the current issues in agriculture are like when someone has a lot of money in their retirement account but not much in their checking account: “I’ve got a lot of value, but I can’t really access it to pay the bills.” Hart said the situation Iowa’s agricultural sector currently finds itself in “tends to show up in agriculture about every decade,” the last downturn having taken place in the mid-2010s. And just like back then, he said people are asking the same question: is this going to be like the farm crisis in the 1980s? Unlike the 1980s, where Iowa’s agriculture sector had a “solvency problem” where land values departed from farm incomes, leading to greater borrowing and more bankruptcies, Hart said today’s debt-to-asset ratio is relatively low and land values are holding generally steady. Farmers also have more tools in their pocket to deal with problems, set in place by government actions after the 1980s crisis. With forecasts in the report showing that the economic downturn could last at least six years, Hart said the approaches farmers need to take to keep themselves above water haven’t changed in the past decade, even if circumstances — and costs — have. Crespi said one of his biggest fears is that people will begin pulling back too much out of uncertainty, leading them to not purchase things or not plant crops because they don’t know what will be financially viable in the future. Pudenz and Hart agreed that while injections of funding from the federal government, like the $11 billion proposed by President Donald Trump, can make a difference in farm financials, it’s not going to actually fix the problems causing these symptoms. Farmers need to work on controlling what they can control, Hart said. “What farmers tend to do, and I would argue what most folks tend to do, is that when we get money, we tend to get a little loose with spending that money, and then when you take that money away, we have a hard time adjusting back down,” Hart said. “And that’s what farming is having to do right now, is adjust back down and tighten on those crop budgets, as we’re looking forward and making sure that we, like I say, maximize the return we get for the investment we put into those inputs.”

Master Gardeners to host July 25 Garden Walk

Step into the Summer Blooms Garden Walk 2026, hosted by the Scott County Master Gardeners.  This year’s self guided tour highlights seven inspiring private gardens along with the Scott County Extension Office’s demonstration gardens, all located throughout Davenport and Bettendorf. Wander at your own pace, choose your own route, and enjoy conversations with Master Gardener volunteers who will be on hand to share tips, techniques, and plant wisdom. Whether you’re seeking design ideas, curious about new plant varieties, or simply looking for a beautiful way to spend the day, these gardens offer something worth discovering. Admission is $10 for adults (plus an additional $1.48 processing fee), and kids under 18 attend free.  Tickets may be purchased in advance or at any garden location on the day of the event.  Advance ticket holders are automatically entered into a prize drawing, and all attendees receive a free ticket voucher to the QC Botanical Center! In addition to the Walk, a houseplant sale will take place at the Extension Office.  Other kid-oriented activities there include a visit from the Quad City Botanical Center’s Plant Bus, planting spider plants, and story time in the garden. All proceeds from these events will directly support Master Gardener goals to provide research-based gardening education and fight food insecurity in Scott County.  The walk is rain or shine and tickets are nonrefundable, but the houseplant sale, kids’ activities, and story time at the Extension Office will take place regardless of weather. Date: Saturday, July 25 Time: 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. Location: Davenport and Bettendorf Featured Activities at Scott County Extension Office (all free): • Houseplant sale (over 200 plants) • Children's activities 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. • Quad City Botanical Center Discovery Bus • Spider plant activity • Book reading in the annual garden at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.extension.iastate.edu/scott/scott-county-master-gardener-summer-bloom-tour-more.

DuTrac celebrates 80 years

When 56 employees at the John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works pooled their resources in 1946, they weren't thinking about building a financial institution that would one day serve more than 53,000 members. They were just thinking about their neighbors. And that founding impulse remains still top of mind for DuTrac Community Credit Union, which marks its eightieth anniversary July 25. Today DuTrac operates 14 locations across a 34-county region that includes Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Its assets total more than $1.25 billion. But it maintains the spirit of that break room in Dubuque. "Since our founding in 1946, DuTrac has grown and evolved, but our purpose has remained unchanged: to put members first and help improve their financial lives," said President and CEO Andrew Hawkinson. "Reaching 80 years reflects the trust our members and communities have placed in DuTrac through generations." Overtime, DuTrac has grown to meet new needs, expanding its range of services and adopting new digital technologies. DuTrac answers to its members, not shareholders, and strives to maintain personal relationships that distinguish a community credit union from a bank. Today, community financial institutions face stiff headwinds. Digital banking has raised member expectations, narrowing local margins amid fierce competition from national and online-only banks. Yet credit unions with roots in the region and diversified service offerings have proven their resilience—thanks to the community at their back. "We are proud of where we have been," Hawkinson said, "but our focus remains firmly on what lies ahead."        

A moment too soon

Unimaginable heartbreak. It was the only emotion that filled fans inside North Scott Softball Stadium as cheers broke out from the first-base dugout. In its bid for a fifth-consecutive state tournament appearance, the 4A No. 5 Lancers fell one game, one inning, and one out short. With its last gasp, 4A No. 12 Burlington benefited from a North Scott throwing error to tie last Tuesday’s (July 14) regional final in the top of the seventh inning. After the Grayhounds scored two runs in the top of the eighth to take their first lead of the game, the Lancers stranded the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the bottom of the frame. Burlington defeated North Scott, 3-2, to advance to state for the first time since 2022. The Lancers fell short of Fort Dodge for just the second time since 2019. North Scott shut out Burlington 5-0 in the 2024 regional final at this same site. Through six innings, it looked like the Grayhounds would suffer a similar fate. Lancer senior pitcher Cadey Bredar took the ball in her first career regional final assignment, and she had her arsenal working from the get-go. Bredar recorded a 1-2-3 top of the first inning, with a strikeout, on just 11 pitches. Bredar’s counterpart, Burlington junior Kylee Hill, was equally effective to start the game. The 2026 Class 3A state discus and shot put champion worked around a leadoff single from sophomore Brinley Schroeder to post a zero in her first inning of work. In the top of the second inning, Burlington junior Ava Fawcett led off with a single and stole second base. Bredar struck out the next batter and did not allow either of her next two foes to get the ball out of the infield. Sophomore Laney Welge drew a walk from an 0-2 count to lead off the bottom of the second for North Scott. But again, Hill got out of trouble with three consecutive outs. Bredar got all three outs herself in the top of the third. The first two came via 1-3 assists, and the third via strikeout. Hill set the Lancers down in order in the bottom of the frame, with no batter from either team yet to make it past second base. That quickly changed in the top of the fourth as Hill led off with a single and stole second base. Fawcett hit a ball right at Schroeder at first base. The Lancer sophomore applied the tag for the force out, but it allowed Hill to advance to third base. Bredar stopped Burlington from scoring, recording another 1-3 assist and giving senior second baseman Mayah Vogt a lazy fly ball catch for the third out. Then, North Scott struck. Senior Adalynn Johnson led off the bottom of the fourth inning and laid down a bunt on the first pitch she saw. Johnson ran to first base and stepped on the bag. As the errant throw from Hill went into right field, Johnson did her best NASCAR impression. She turned left and headed for second base. Another left turn set her course for third base. One more left turn brought her all the way back home. Johnson didn’t need to slide as the ball sailed high into the backstop padding. Officially credited as a single, but for all intents and purposes, Johnson had just scored an inside-the-park bunt home run. 1-0, North Scott. Bredar backed up her third baseman by posting her first 1-2-3 inning of the game. The third out, a fly ball to center fielder Kamilah Eller, was the first out recorded by a Lancer outfielder in the game. Hill gave up a two-out single to Schroeder in the bottom of the fifth inning, but was able to keep the Lancers down. Bredar was tested again in the top of the sixth as two of the first three Grayhounds reached base with a single and a walk. No damage came of it as Bredar recorded a flyout to Eller and a groundout to shortstop Jaylynn Beadel. Johnson led off the bottom of the sixth with a clean triple into the left-field corner as the Lancers looked to add an insurance run to the scoreboard. North Scott put the squeeze play on with eighth grader Payton LeDoux. The play worked. Johnson scored, and LeDoux ended up at first base. Except that the third-base umpire immediately put his right arm and fist in the air. He ruled that Johnson left the base too early and therefore was out. LeDoux had to come back to the batter’s box as a result. She flew out to left field. Welge grounded out to end the inning, and North Scott’s lead remained at 1-0. Bredar opened the top of the seventh, facing the bottom of the Burlington lineup, with a strikeout. No. 7 hitter Aubree Mason got on base with a single, and then stole second base. Bredar struck out No. 8 hitter Ava Moffett, putting the Lancers one out away from state. The unlikely hero, No. 9 hitter Annabelle Allen, put the ball in play and made something happen. On a ground ball to Johnson at third base, the senior skipped it over to first base. Schroeder couldn’t pick it, and Mason came around to tie the game. This regional final needed an eighth inning after Hill set down the Lancers in order in the bottom of the seventh. Facing Bredar for the fourth time, Hill hit a single and stole second base. Fawcett hit a single behind her, and she stole second base. Bredar stared down at Bricelyn Patton. The Lancer senior got into an 0-2 count, but the Grayhound sophomore poked a ball past the outstretched glove of Beadel at shortstop. With the infield playing in to make a play at home plate, the ball trickled into the outfield, and Hill and Fawcett scored easily. Burlington led in a game against North Scott for the first time since 2019. North Scott would not go down without a fight. Eller led off the bottom of the eighth with a single. She turned the lineup over to Schroeder, who recorded her third hit of the game. Bredar did her part with a sacrifice fly to shallow right field to score Eller, cutting the deficit in half. Johnson flew out to right field for the second out. LeDoux, representing the winning run, extended the game with a single. Schroeder, representing the tying run, stood on second base. There is nobody North Scott would’ve rather had at the plate with the season on the line than Welge, who owned the Lancers’ top batting average and slugging percentage marks entering this game. The well of magic that North Scott drew from so many times over the past four summers, where it had been the one to pull off upsets in regional finals and state tournaments, had finally run dry. In a 1-1 count, Welge popped out into foul territory. North Scott ended its season with a 22-15 record. A trip around the MAC and eastern Iowa By and large, last week was a disappointing week for the Mississippi Athletic Conference. Only 5A No. 9 Pleasant Valley advanced to the state tournament among the nine MAC softball schools this season. (Davenport Central did not field a team this summer). The Spartans went west to upset Waukee 4-2 in their regional final. Pleasant Valley is the No. 8 seed in the Class 5A tournament. North Scott, ranked fifth, was the highest-ranked team in the conference. Assumption was next as 3A No. 7. The Knights hosted West Delaware in their regional final, but fell 3-1 to the ninth-ranked Hawks. Bettendorf, the third and final ranked MAC team at 5A No. 14, failed to make the final. It lost 8-1 at home to Ottumwa in its regional semifinal. Unranked Muscatine, which went 20-16 overall and 10-6 in conference play, lost by run-rule 8-0 in its Class 5A regional final at second-ranked Ankeny Centennial. Closest to home, the Durant Wildcats and West Liberty Comets qualified for the 2A and 3A state tournaments out of the River Valley Conference South division. Both schools are heading to the state tournament for the second consecutive season.

Bureau County motorcyclist killed in Illinois 29 crash identified

The Bureau County Coroner has identified a 45-year-old Bureau County man who died in a motorcycle crash Sunday on Illinois 29 near Depue.

Obituary: Will Moon

William I. Moon, III, 64, of Bettendorf passed away suddenly on July 16, 2026. Visitation was Monday, July 20, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Runge Mortuary.  Funeral Service was Tuesday, July 21, at 10 a.m. at Calvary Church of Walcott, followed by burial at Walcott Cemetery with lunch following at Calvary Church.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum or the Will Moon football scholarship at the University of Iowa Foundation. William “Will” Isham Moon III was born Aug. 10, 1961, in Kansas City, Mo., to William I. Moon Jr. and Carolyn (Cusac) Moon.  At four years old, Will moved to Walcott, when his parents took over the Iowa 80 Truckstop. He loved scouting and the outdoors and earned the honor of Eagle Scout. He attended Walcott School and graduated from Davenport West High in 1979.  Will loved sports and competing and played baseball, football, basketball, and field events in track.  He still holds the shot-put record at Walcott School.  At West, he played on the 1977 Iowa State High School Football Championship team and threw the shot and discus on the track team.  Will was inducted into the West High School Hall of Fame. Will developed his love of Iowa 80 by following his dad around when he was just a little kid, pulling weeds, mowing grass, and later working on the fuel islands and in the tire shop all through college to save up to buy a used pickup truck.    He also devoted his life to his wife and kids.  Will made Bettendorf his home and raised three children there: Billy, Ben and Sarah, where he led a Boy Scout troop for many years and passed on his love of scouting, among other things. His kids remember many camping and road trips that they embarked on with him throughout the years. There was never a problem too small or question too silly that his kids presented that he could not solve. Will was an avid reader and particularly loved business, history and historical novels. He was an early adopter of books on tape and spent many hours commuting or traveling for business and listening to books.  Over his career, he logged thousands of miles searching America’s interstates for sites for potential truck washes, truck stops, and CAT Scales. He shared his love of reading and road trips with his wife, Renee, and they most recently explored Revolutionary War sites all over the East Coast in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary. The University of Iowa would remain a touchpoint and passion for him throughout his life.  Iowa was central in bringing him together with his wife, Renee, who was also an Iowa undergraduate and dental school alumni.  They bonded over their love of the Hawkeyes, had their first date at the Airliner in Iowa City, and married in 2014.  They competed for the unofficial title of greatest and loudest Hawkeye fan.  Will gave freely of his time, business outreach, and resources to endow the head football coach chair, create football student scholarships, fund the Swarm and the University Children’s Hospital.  He and Renee attended hundreds of games, and supported all sports, enjoying wins and losses, Big Ten tournaments, Bowl games, and March Madness for both women’s and men’s basketball.  Will and Renee blended their families well, and Will made moving father of the bride toasts for both of Renee’s daughters, Miriam Maikon Lemke and Sarah Maikon Redlinger, as well as Sarah Moon Daine’s.  He loved being a grandpa and even allowed his granddaughters to put bows in his hair to entertain them.  Will was a member of the Iowa YPO Gold, Davenport Quarterback Club past president, National Association of Truck Stop Operators Association, American Truck Historical Society and past treasurer of Boy Scouts of America-IAILL.  He served on several boards, notably Russell Construction, Sinclair Tractor and Quad City Bank and Trust. He was the president of CAT Scale Company and president of Iowa 80 Group, which owns and operates truck washes and truck stops, including the World’s Largest Truckstop in Walcott. Will Moon was a noble man. A man who gave much of his time, talent and treasure to all and asked for very little.  With a towering stature came a quiet authority that filled any room he was in. He made haste slowly in decisions. He loved others through acts of service and sage wisdom. Will is survived by his wife, Renee Breckenridge Moon, children Billy (Kaitlyn) Moon, Bettendorf, Benjamin (Elizabeth) Moon, Bettendorf, Sarah (Connor) Daine, Afton, Minn., Miriam (Jeremy) Lemke, Davenport, Sarah (Adam) Redlinger, Sioux Falls, S.D., grandchildren Bella Lemke and Cora Daine, sisters Delia (David) Moon Meier and Carolyn (Richard Seehuus) Moon and nieces Nell Meier, Lee Meier, Lana (Nick Timm) Meier, Alexandra Seehuus, and Abby Seehuus.  He is preceded by his parents, Bill and Carolyn Moon.   Custom obituary

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 9 9:52 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fireworks complaint near 110th Avenue and 148th Street. 10:19 p.m. — Lisa Ann Lewis, 42, no address given, was charged with trespassing – 1st offense, following an incident in the 15900 block of 107th Avenue, Davenport. 11:59 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance near Heatherton Drive and North Fairmount Street. FRIDAY, JULY 10 12:43 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance near Wells Ferry Road and Valley Drive. 1:40 a.m. — Darwin La Nele Johnson, 50, no address given, was arrested on an outstanding intrastate warrant, charged with OWI – 1st offense and possession of a controlled substance (non-marijuana) – 3rd or subsequent offense, and cited for driving while license denied, suspended, cancelled or revoked, an open container violation and failure to maintain control, following a traffic stop near West 53rd Street and Northwest Boulevard, Davenport. 2:53 a.m. — Timothy Michael Engelkes, 36, no address given, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and cited for failure to maintain control, following an incident in the 25900 block of 257th Street, Princeton. 4:19 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 500 block of Sterling Drive. 5:30 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near 270th Street and Scott Park Road, where a vehicle driven by Jackson Howard Hartog, 19, Davenport, struck a deer that entered the roadway. 8:34 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of Northbrook Drive. 8:49 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem near 270th Street and Scott Park Road. 9:42 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance. 10:32 a.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint. 2:50 p.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint. 4:26 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a missing person in the 18800 block of 270th Street. 4:52 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 400 block of West 4th Street. 6:54 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 23500 block of Great River Road. 7:17 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 18800 block of 270th Street. 7:24 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident in the 12600 block of 210th Street, Davenport. A vehicle driven by Douglas James Skinner, 30, Davenport, was westbound on 210th Street. Skinner reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which left the roadway, went into a ditch, struck a driveway and went airborne before striking a telephone pole and coming to rest. 8:49 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near 70th and 74th avenues. 8:54 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance. 9:04 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fireworks complaint in the 6300 block of West River Drive. 11:36 p.m. — Branden Paul Stock, 24, no address given, was charged with OWI – 1st offense, following an incident in the 28800 block of Allens Grove Road, Dixon. 11:38 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of Jones Street. SATURDAY, JULY  11 Midnight — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 14900 block of 110th Avenue. 2:07 a.m. — Ashton Dean Sneath, 19, no address given, was cited for possession of a controlled substance (cannabidiol) – 1st offense; and Bryan Marcus Coulter, 18, no address given, was cited for possession/purchase of alcohol by a person under the legal age, possession of tobacco/vapor/cigarettes under the legal age, and unlawful use of license, following a traffic stop in the 4500 block of Brady Street, Davenport. 9:25 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 20900 block of Brady Street. 10:57 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 5200 block of Elmore Avenue. 11:22 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 19400 block of 210th Street. 2:29 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 13500 block of 110th Avenue. 4:05 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem. 5:11 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance. 5:25 p.m. — Collin Ray Dillard, 21, no address given, was cited for driving while barred (habitual offender) and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 2nd offense, following a traffic stop near North Clark Street and Heatherton Drive, Davenport. 5:39 p.m. — Jason Lee Soenksen, 20, no address given, was charged with two counts of assault causing bodily injury and 5th degree criminal mischief, following an incident at West Lake Park, Davenport. 6:30 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fireworks complaint in the 8100 block of 119th Street. 7:07 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 18800 block of 270th Street. 7:50 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 2300 block of Canal Shore Drive Southwest. 8:33 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of North Highway 67. 9:00 p.m. — Joseph Peter Dierksen, 37, no address given, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and cited for an open container violation and no valid driver’s license, following an incident near 145th Avenue and 305th Street, Long Grove. 9:06 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fireworks complaint in the 500 block of Chestnut Avenue. 9:30 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 1400 block of West Front Street. 9:43 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fireworks complaint in the 500 block of Chestnut Street. 10:01 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fireworks complaint near Davenport and Walcott streets. SUNDAY, JULY 12 12:47 a.m. — Donte Javon Logan, 41, no address given, was arrested on an outstanding interstate warrant, following a traffic stop in the 2800 block of West Locust Street, Davenport. 1:16 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 8300 block of Hillandale Road. 1:18 a.m. — Mark Joseph Malaney, 39, no address given, was charged with public intoxication – 1st offense and interference with official acts, after deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 4700 block of Progress Drive, Davenport. 7:36 a.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 15200 block of 270th Street. 9:53 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 700 block of North 1st Street. 10:22 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 9300 block of 160th Street. 10:28 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near 140th Street and 115th Avenue. 11:22 a.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 11400 block of 160th Street. 12:52 p.m.  — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near Scott Park Road and 277th Street. A vehicle driven by Thomas Eugene Coffey, 71, Camanche, struck a deer that entered the roadway. The deer subsequently crossed the roadway and struck a bicyclist. 1:16 p.m. — Jaxon Jon Smith, 35, no address given, was charged with disorderly conduct, after deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 3500 block of North Plainview Road, Walcott. 3:48 p.m. — Deputies responded to a weapons complaint in the 600 block of West 64th Street. 4:27 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 2900 block of North Plainview Road. 6:09 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint at the Scott County Park Pool. Two individuals were given one-year notices of no trespassing for the property.  7:46 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a burglary/home invasion in the 1000 block of 2nd Street. 9:55 p.m. — Lucas Olmos Domingo, 28, no address given, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and cited for turning from an improper lane, no valid driver’s license and violation of financial liability coverage, following a traffic stop in the 22000 block of 60th Avenue, Walcott. MONDAY, JULY 13 12:45 a.m. — Jewel Danelle Howard, 44, no address given, was charged with OWI – 1st offense, following a traffic stop near 240th Street and 240th Avenue, LeClaire. 5:46 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem near 240th Avenue and 240th Street. 8:58 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 11200 block of 130th Street. 9:53 a.m. — Deputies began a death investigation in the 200 block of West Flagg Street. 10:33 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 400 block of West 4th Street. 10:44 a.m. — Deputies responded to a fraud complaint in the 23300 block of 260th Street. 10:47 a.m. — Jairett M. Robinson, 25, no address given, was arrested on an outstanding intrastate warrant, following a traffic stop near West 35th Street and Hillandale Road, Davenport. 11:13 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 3400 block of North Plainview Road. 11:16 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 6300 block of 134th Street. 1:00 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fraud complaint in the 300 block of East Grove Road, Long Grove. 4:31 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near Jefferson and 3rd streets. 4:34 p.m. — Johnathan Michael Fife, 23, no address given, was cited for driving while barred (habitual offender) and violation of financial liability coverage, following a traffic stop in the 300 block of North Main Street, Donahue. 5:10 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 2700 block of Magnolia Drive. 8:11 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 25900 block of Valley Drive. TUESDAY, JULY 14 2:22 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 300 block of Jason Way. 8:49 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 26700 block of Scott Park Road. 12:04 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 1700 block of Brady Street. 2:37 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 100 block of Hillside Drive. 3:04 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage. 6:41 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 3600 block of South 1st Street. 8:34 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near 290th Street and Scott Park Road. WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 12:27 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of North Highway 67. 10:44 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a burglary/home invasion in the 500 block of Park Avenue. 12:48 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near 210th Street and Utica Ridge Road. 2:22 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft. 8:17 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 100 block of Hillside Drive. 9:00 p.m. — Cheyenne Jenna LaBarre, 37, no address given, was charged with domestic abuse assault – 2nd offense, after deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 10400 block of River Camp Road, Donahue. THURSDAY, JULY 16 12:33 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 7200 block of Northwest Boulevard. 2:54 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 500 block of South Elsie Avenue. 9:06 a.m. — Deputies responded to a weapons complaint. 10:08 a.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 28200 block of 226th Street. 11:54 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 400 block of Paul Revere Place. 12:12 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 11300 block of 140th Street. 1:04 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 1400 block of Golden Valley Drive. 1:34 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near West 53rd and North Pine streets. 2:47 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of Main Street. 3:39 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 300 block of North 3rd Street. 8:47 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 24800 block of 179th Street Place. 9:33 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 24800 block of 179th Street Place. FRIDAY, JULY 17 12:05 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance on Cobblestone Lane. 1:48 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an assault in the 5800 block of North Linwood Avenue. 1:53 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 2000 block of North Zenith Avenue. 11:09 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage. 12:05 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem.  

Shiltz and Kelsey make all-MAC second team

North Scott senior Sam Shiltz and junior Dylan Kelsey earned spots on the all-Mississippi Athletic Conference second team for the 2026 baseball season. This marks Shiltz’s second all-MAC selection after an honorable mention last year. This is Kelsey’s first all-MAC honor. Shiltz became the ace of North Scott’s pitching staff this season, leading the team with 40.1 innings pitched, a 3.82 ERA, a 1.56 WHIP and a .245 opponents’ batting average against. Kelsey became North Scott’s best batter this season, leading the Lancers with a .387 average and a .432 on-base percentage. Kelsey recorded 21 RBIs and eight stolen bases while only striking out six times this season. Additionally, senior Landon Praught, junior Benjamin Peters and sophomore Conlan Panther earned all-MAC honorable mention status. Praught and Panther were the only Lancers to start all 38 games this season. Praught was third on North Scott with 32 hits and tied for second with Kelsey with 21 RBIs. He led the team with 127 total at-bats. On the mound, Praught posted a 3.99 ERA in 33.1 innings and a 1.65 WHIP. Panther led North Scott in slugging percentage (.492) and on-base plus slugging (.895). He also led the team in RBIs (29), walks (18) and home runs (3). He also pitched 38.0 innings for the Lancers, turning in a 4.24 ERA with a team-best 35 strikeouts. Peters became a reliable pitching option for North Scott this season with a 4.41 ERA and .292 batting average against in 27.0 innings. Peters struck out 28 batters, which was second most on the team. Davenport North swept the big awards. The Wildcats won the conference outright at 15-3. The staff led by Colin Carstens won MAC Coaching Staff of the Year. Lastly, senior Brandon Bea won MAC Player of the Year. Pleasant Valley and Davenport Assumption will represent the MAC at this year’s state tournament in Cedar Rapids. All-MAC First Team Pitchers: Jackson Hatler, Bettendorf; Lincoln Dalton, Pleasant Valley; Jacob Meier, Central DeWitt. Catcher: Dawson Petsche, Central DeWitt. First Base: Nolan Dittmer, Davenport Assumption. Second Base: Jack Dilulio, Davenport Assumption. Shortstop: Bryce Pauly, Davenport North. Third Base: Tom Norton, Muscatine. Outfielders: Will Zorich, Bettendorf; Brandon Bea, Davenport North; Jackson O’Melia, Pleasant Valley; Jordan Meeker, Muscatine. Utilities: LayDen Banks, Bettendorf; Patrick O’Brien, Pleasant Valley. All-MAC Second Team Pitchers: Tanner Bitterman, Bettendorf; Greyson Ballinger, Davenport Assumption; Owen Limburg, Muscatine. Catcher: Ethan Carpenter, Clinton. First Base: Evan Lohse, Davenport North. Second Base: Cohen Thorpe, Clinton. Shortstop: Liam Petersen, Clinton. Third Base: Nolan Marsh, Clinton. Outfielders: Aiden Stiener, Bettendorf; Dylan Kelsey, North Scott; Christian Shorter, Davenport North; Mason McCaw, Pleasant Valley. Utilities: Konner Schroeder, Clinton; Sam Shiltz, North Scott. All-MAC Honorable Mentions Davenport Assumption: Brady Mosier; Cooper Sweeney; Charlie Mausser. Bettendorf: Sean Hendricks; Logan Larson; Ben Pitzer. Central DeWitt: Max Froeschle; Connor Scott; Colton Penniston. Clinton: Nolan Eggers; Cooper Belitz; Maverick Hensel. Davenport Central: Sam Belliveau; Zack Ryan; Cruz Nuci. Davenport North: Donovan Holloway; Blake Estlund; Adam Wiese; Davenport West: Caden Green; Brady Koepke; Riley Green. Muscatine: Carver Cruse; Cal Hollenbaugh; Liam Burke. North Scott: Conlan Panther; Benjamin Peters; Landon Praught. Pleasant Valley: Lance Dodson; Gavin Barber; Will Frederiksen. North Scott Season Statistics Leaders Batting Average Dylan Kelsey, .387; Keegan Diercks, .313; Conlan Panther, .311; Gavin Welch, .310; Charlie Peterson, .303; Landon Praught, .252; Sam Shiltz, .232. On-Base Percentage Dylan Kelsey, .432; Keegan Diercks, .418; Gavin Welch, .414; Conlan Panther, .403; Ben Clayton, .349; Charlie Peterson, .333. Slugging Percentage Conlan Panther, .492; Dylan Kelsey, .453; Keegan Diercks, .410; Charlie Peterson, .342; Gavin Welch, .321; Landon Praught, .315. RBIs Conlan Panther, 29; Dylan Kelsey, 21; Landon Praught, 21; Charlie Peterson, 14; Gavin Welch, 14; Keegan Diercks, 12; Sam Shiltz, 10. Runs Conlan Panther, 27; Keegan Diercks, 25; Ben Clayton, 23; Dylan Kelsey, 18; Landon Praught, 13; Gavin Welch, 13; Koen Krambeck, 13. Home Runs Conlan Panther, 3; Landon Praught, 1. Walks Conlan Panther, 18; Ben Clayton, 14; Keegan Diercks, 12; Gavin Welch, 12; Landon Praught, 9; Luke Welsh, 8; Sam Shiltz, 8. Stolen Bases Keegan Diercks, 10; Dylan Kelsey, 8; Gavin Welch, 4; Caleb Willis, 4; Ben Clayton, 4; Conlan Panther, 3. Innings Pitched Sam Shiltz, 40.1; Conlan Panther, 38.0; Landon Praught, 33.1; Benjamin Peters, 27.0; Charlie Peterson, 21.2; Gavin Welch, 21.0; Zach McCleary, 21.0. Pitching ERA Sam Shiltz, 3.82; Landon Praught, 3.99; Conlan Panther, 4.24; Benjamin Peters, 4.41; Charlie Peterson, 4.85. Pitching WHIP Sam Shiltz, 1.56; Landon Praught, 1.65; Charlie Peterson, 1.66; Conlan Panther, 1.74; Benjamin Peters, 1.89. Pitching Strikeouts Conlan Panther, 35; Benjamin Peters, 28; Landon Praught, 27; Sam Shiltz, 24; Zach McCleary, 20; Gavin Welch, 14; Ben Clayton, 13.

Nine Lancers named all-conference

Nine North Scott softball players made the grade this year as members of the all-Mississippi Athletic Conference team. Junior Kamilah Eller and sophomore Brinley Schroeder earned spots on the first team. Seniors Cadey Bredar, Adalynn Johnson, Aubrey Toohey and sophomore Laney Welge placed on the second team. Senior Mayah Vogt and sophomores Dana Webb and Riley Toohey were listed as honorable mentions. Eller was the Lancers’ biggest source of speed, stealing 16 bases this summer. She also produced at the plate with a .363/.409/.569 slash line in 37 games. Schroeder, North Scott’s leadoff hitter, set the table with a team-best .415 batting average. Her 51 hits ranked fourth in the MAC. She got on base at a .467 rate and led the team with 39 runs scored. Welge was left off the first team despite tying for first in the MAC in both home runs (10) and RBIs (44). Welge led the conference in slugging percentage (.830) and was fourth in total bases (83). Bredar filled the big shoes of North Scott’s ace role this season. She pitched the second-most innings and faced the second-most batters of any MAC pitcher this season. Bredar had the fourth-most wins (10), fifth-most strikeouts (94) to go along with a 2.98 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Johnson was her dominant self yet again. She was second on the team in OPS at 1.209 and hit eight home runs, drove in 37 runs and had a team-high 14 walks. Johnson showed her defensive versatility by playing outfield, third base and catcher this season. Aubrey Toohey, along with Bredar and eighth grader Payton LeDoux, started all 37 games for North Scott this season. The senior Toohey sister had the fourth-highest batting average on the team at .364 and nine stolen bases. Riley, the youngest of the Toohey sisters, has bragging rights this season with 11 stolen bases, the second-most on North Scott. As the team’s best runner off the bench, the sophomore tied for fifth on the team with 22 runs scored. Vogt held down second base for the Lancers this season, fielding the second-most chances at 141 and posting a .943 fielding percentage. On offense, Vogt stole five bases and scored 17 runs. Webb earned the No. 2 pitching spot by the middle of this season, her first at the varsity level. She sported a 3.56 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 55 innings this summer. Davenport Assumption sophomore Sophia Caudle won Player of the Year honors. The Davenport Assumption coaches led by Tyler Edwards won Coaching Staff of the Year. Pleasant Valley won the conference at 15-1 and were the only MAC team to qualify for the state tournament. All-MAC First Team Pitchers: Macyn Bischoff, Pleasant Valley; Skylar Peterson, Muscatine; Taylor Williamson, Davenport Assumption. Catcher: Sophia Caudle, Davenport Assumption. First Base: Kathryn Snyder, Davenport Assumption. Second Base: Lindsey Long, Davenport North. Third Base: Jazzlyn Poole, Bettendorf. Shortstop: Ruby Stagg, Pleasant Valley. Outfielders: Mia Molina, Muscatine; Lola Gardner, Pleasant Valley; Zoey Fuglsang, Central DeWitt; Ava Rigdon, Bettendorf; Kamilah Eller, North Scott. Utilities: Brinley Schroeder, North Scott; Kiley Besson, Davenport North; Paetyn Peterson, Pleasant Valley; Lilly Gray, Muscatine. Designated Player: Zoe Alto, Bettendorf. All-MAC Second Team Pitchers: Cadey Bredar, North Scott; Jordyn Blake, Bettendorf; Sidney Stegall, Pleasant Valley. Catcher: Laney Welge, North Scott. First Base: Sydney Lemon, Davenport West. Second Base: Alexa Schmidt, Bettendorf; Hadley Edwards, Davenport Assumption. Third Base: Adalynn Johnson, North Scott; Maddie Sparks, Davenport West. Shortstop: Charlotte Nigey, Davenport Assumption. Outfielders: Eden Russmann, Pleasant Valley; Madison Edwards, Davenport Assumption; Cendall Cleveland, Bettendorf; Aubrey Toohey, North Scott; Reagan Carver, Muscatine; Whitney Naughton, Clinton. Utilities: Trinity Flower, Davenport North; Emma Woltz, Bettendorf; Marissa Boynton, Davenport Assumption; Halle Hansen, Davenport West; Ella Rubel, Pleasant Valley. Designated Player: Maggie Bowman, Pleasant Valley. All-MAC Honorable Mentions Davenport Assumption: Alexis Pilgrim; Ava Caudle; Harper Shook. Bettendorf: Aysia White; Kaylee Cleppe. Central DeWitt: Kallie Burzlaff; Jaelyn Sinclair; Anna Prosise. Clinton: Emma Rodriguez; Alaina Carpenter; Maggie House. Davenport North: Autumn Garrow; Naomi Flower; Maylyn Maynard. Davenport West: Tatum Comer; Kaylynn Duhme. North Scott: Mayah Vogt; Dana Webb; Riley Toohey. Muscatine: Hadley Hoopes; Teagan Schutte; Clara Fox. Pleasant Valley: Hannah Martin; Jayla Bischoff; Kinley Voges. North Scott Softball Season Statistics Leaders Batting Average Brinley Schroeder, .415; Laney Welge, .410; Adalynn Johnson, .385; Aubrey Toohey, .364; Kamilah Eller, .363; Payton LeDoux, .336; Cadey Bredar, .325. On-Base Percentage Adalynn Johnson, .468; Brinley Schroeder, .467; Laney Welge, .462; Kamilah Eller, .409; Cadey Bredar, .400; Aubrey Toohey, .397; Payton LeDoux, .379. Slugging Percentage Laney Welge, .830; Adalynn Johnson, .740; Brinley Schroeder, .618; Kamilah Eller, .569; Aubrey Toohey, .464; Payton LeDoux, .416. RBIs Laney Welge, 44; Adalynn Johnson, 37; Brinley Schroeder, 27; Kamilah Eller, 21; Aubrey Toohey, 19; Payton LeDoux, 18; Cadey Bredar, 17; Mayah Vogt, 12. Runs Brinley Schroeder, 39; Adalynn Johnson, 33; Cadey Bredar, 31; Kamilah Eller, 29; Payton LeDoux, 22; Riley Toohey, 22; Laney Welge, 21; Aubrey Toohey, 20; Mayah Vogt, 17. Home Runs Laney Welge, 10; Adalynn Johnson, 8; Kamilah Eller, 3; Brinley Schroeder, 1; Aubrey Toohey, 1; Payton LeDoux, 1. Walks Adalynn Johnson, 14; Laney Welge, 13; Cadey Bredar, 12; Brinley Schroeder, 10; Mayah Vogt, 7; Anna Campbell, 7; Kamilah Eller, 6; Payton LeDoux, 5. Stolen Bases Kamilah Eller, 16; Riley Toohey, 11; Cadey Bredar, 11; Aubrey Toohey, 9; Adalynn Johnson, 8; Mayah Vogt, 5; Brinley Schroeder, 4. Innings Pitched Cadey Bredar, 136.1; Dana Webb, 55.0; Payton LeDoux, 31.1. Pitching ERA Cadey Bredar, 2.98; Dana Webb, 3.56; Payton LeDoux, 6.48. Pitching WHIP Cadey Bredar, 1.38; Dana Webb, 1.38; Payton LeDoux, 2.43. Pitching Strikeouts Cadey Bredar, 94; Dana Webb, 39; Payton LeDoux, 13.

View the Eldridge Police report from the July 22 NSP!

MONDAY, JULY 13 12:45 a.m. — Assisted another agency with a traffic stop near 240th Street and 240th Avenue. 12:08 p.m. — Report taken for fraudulent activity in the 100 block of South 3rd Avenue. 4:15 p.m. — Report taken for fraudulent activity in the 100 block of West Harvest Street. 10:52 p.m. — Diana Roush, 58, of Davenport, was arrested for driving under suspension, following a traffic stop on Highway 61. TUESDAY, JULY 14 12:21 a.m. — Complaint of juveniles out after curfew near West LeClaire Road and South 5th Street. Handled by officer. 12:52 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle at a park in the 800 block of South Buttermilk Road after the park was closed. Handled by officer. 1:34 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle at a park in the 800 block of North 1st Street after the park was closed. Handled by officer. 9:43 a.m. — Report taken for fraudulent activity in the 200 block of North 2nd Street. 9:52 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 200 block of East Franklin Street. 1:16 p.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle near West LeClaire Road and North 7th Street.  Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 4:12 p.m. — Removed debris from the roadway in the 300 block of West LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 4:39 p.m. — Complaint of a subject in the 200 block of North 4th Avenue being harassed. Handled by officer. 6:41 p.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 3600 block of South 1st Street. Handled by officer. 8:44 p.m. — Complaint of a juvenile alone in a park in the 800 block of North 1st Street. Handled by officer. 10:25 p.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 800 block of South Buttermilk Road. Handled by officer. 11:55 p.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 800 block of North 1st Street. Handled by officer. WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 6:10 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 400 block of South 8th Street. 10:12 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 200 block of East Franklin Street. 12:59 p.m. — Assisted a resident in the 700 block of North 1st Street. Handled by officer. 1:24 p.m. — Report taken for fraudulent activity in the 2200 block of East Lomar Street. 1:36 p.m. — Performed a welfare check in the 700 block of East Price Street. Handled by officer. 7:50 p.m. — Complaint of a dog running loose in the 200 block of Dammann Drive. The animal was returned to its owner. Handled by officer. THURSDAY, JULY 16 12:02 a.m. — Mariah Gottschalk, 28, of Davenport, was cited for speeding and no insurance, following a traffic stop on Highway 61. 12:11 p.m. — Complaint of a carbon monoxide smell in the 600 block of East LeClaire Road. The call was turned over to the fire department. Handled by officer. 8:10 p.m. — Performed a welfare check in the 500 block of West Valley Drive. Handled by officer. 10:32 p.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle on Highway 61. Handled by officer. FRIDAY, JULY 17 6:56 a.m. — Report of a parking complaint in the 200 block of North 6th Street. Handled by officer. 2:39 p.m. — Report taken for a single vehicle accident near East Lincoln and South Scott Park roads. 11:15 p.m. — Complaint of juveniles playing in the street in the 500 block of West Prairie Vista Drive. Handled by officer. SATURDAY, JULY 18 12:30 a.m. — Fisher LaMaack, 22, of Charlotte, was arrested for OWI – 1st offense and speeding, following a traffic stop on Highway 61. 6:39 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 300 block of Country Club Court. Handled by officer. 8:34 a.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle near South 3rd Avenue and East LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 9:21 a.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of Country Club Court. Handled by officer. 12:05 p.m. — Hector Garcia-Galan, 18, of Rock Island, was arrested for careless driving, speeding and no driver’s license, following a traffic stop near South 1st Street and East Blackhawk Trail. 3:01 p.m. — Complaint of a suspicious subject in the 300 block of North 4th Avenue. Handled by officer. 3:45 p.m. — Complaint of a suspicious subject in the 1800 block of Redbud Circle. Handled by officer. 5:17 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call on Highway 61. 7:30 p.m. — Jonathan Matzen, 38, of DeWitt, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 1000 block of East LeClaire Road. SUNDAY, JULY 19 12:34 a.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 1600 block of Leonard Court. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 1:15 a.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle on Highway 61. Handled by. Officer. 1:19 a.m. — Assisted another agency with a traffic stop near Interstate 74 and Spruce Hills Drive. 2:19 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 800 block of Stonebridge Circle. 5:46 p.m. — Benjamin Watts, 31, of Keokuk, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 21400 block of Scott Park Road. 6:16 p.m. — Assisted another agency with a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 19300 block of 240th Street. 8:22 p.m. — Assisted a subject with child custody exchange in the 300 block of North 3rd Street. Handled by officer.  

Seventh suspect arrested in Scott County marijuana conspiracy, nine conspirers total

Another suspect was arrested in Scott County for their alleged involvement in a Scott County marijuana conspiracy that has been going on since 2021.

Royal Neighbors of America® life insurance protects individuals and families while supporting communities

Content by Royal Neighbors of America. As the United States marks its 250th birthday this summer, the concept of independence is top of mind for many Americans.

Nick Teddy 5K raises funds for Ewing's sarcoma research

The Nick Teddy Foundation is holding its Nick Teddy 5K Presented by TugFest Illinois on Saturday, August 15 at 8 a.m. on the Great River Trail along the Mississippi riverfront. Click here for the group’s Facebook page. The Riverdale Rams cross country team is supporting the race. The Nick Teddy 5K includes the 5K race, [...]

Celebrate Medicare/Medicaid's 61st anniversary at Davenport Library

The Iowa Citizen Action Network, along with Citizen Action Illinois, Fairness for Iowa, Health Care for America NOW, the Main Street Alliance and One Human Family QCA are celebrating the 61st anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid and highlighting the importance of protecting these programs for future generations. The public is welcome to join them for [...]

ImpactLife hosts weeklong blood drive across Quad Cities

ImpactLife is hosting a weeklong blood drive in the Quad Cities through Sunday.

Dollar General Market opens in Orion

Dollar General has opened a new DG Market at 1203 Division St., Orion, according to a news release. The store features an expanded selection of fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, as well as the same categories, brands and products that Dollar General carries. A grand opening will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 25, when the [...]

Davenport woman found trapped in Geneseo business walls pleads guilty

She will be sentenced in October.

Muscatine boat harbor, marina, open after dredging

Dredging operations in the Muscatine Boat Harbor and Marina are wrapping up, and the harbor facilities are open and available for use, a news release says. The facility is operated by the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department. The Municipal Boat Harbor and Marina has a variety of slips available for rent including 18 for houseboats [...]

The best games of 2026 so far, picked by NPR's staff

Titans like Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert dominated in the first half of the gaming year, with early-access sequels like Slay the Spire 2 and Subnautica 2 not far behind.

Historic Davenport fire station renovated into new event venue

Hose Station No. 7, a restored 1905 firehouse at 1354 W. 4th St. in Davenport, has reopened as a multi‑use event and live‑music venue after six years uncovering and preserving the building’s historic character.

'Night of Legends' to pay tribute to Elton John, Elvis, Neil Diamond at Rhythm City

"Night of Legends: An Elton John, Elvis and Neil Diaond Tribute," will be at Rhythm City Casino on Friday, Nov. 28, a news release says. Tickets are available here or at The Market at Rhythm City for $28.40 (this includes tax and an online/phone ticketing fee - the online/phone ticketing fee is waived when you [...]

Thornton Flooring acquires nine Carpetland USA locations

Thornton Flooring & Design Center announced it has acquired all nine Carpetland USA locations across two Midwestern states, according to an article in Floor Covering News. The acquisition will expand Thornton’s footprint to 12 locations. The Carpetland USA locations include Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Davenport, Dubuque and Waterloo in Iowa. The Illinois locations include Galesburg, Moline [...]

Iowa net farm income falling 53%, new report says

A new report suggests Iowa’s agricultural industry is in a multi-year downturn that might not let up for a few more years, and experts are advising farmers to look back to the practices that got them through tough financial times a decade ago to weather the current storm.

Programming note: Earth Odyssey to air at 11:30

Earth Odyssey to air at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

A break from the heat and humidity

It'll still be humid Tuesday across the Quad Cities, but cooler air settles in for a few days before the heat and humidity returns. It'll be mostly dry over the next week. Here's your complete 7-day forecast.

India's youth-led Cockroach movement vows to continue protest after police crackdown

The movement, which began as a satirical protest, has evolved into a nationwide challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

New AI-powered robot helps sort recyclables at Scott Area Recycling Center

Officials say the new robot is expected to save an estimated 6 million plastic recyclables from the landfill every year.

Eldridge to take on volunteer fire company as a City department

Negotiations soured last month amid disputes over proposed budgets and trust in the City, but all parties came back to the table for the final decision.

Gretchen at Work: Making pet food at Purina

Roughly one of every three bags of Purina Dog Chow are made in Davenport.

Save More, Davenport, adds U-Haul services

U-Haul Co. of Iowa, Inc. has announced that Save More, a local grocery store, has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve the Davenport community, according to a news release. Save More, 405 E. Locust St., will offer essential services like U-Haul trucks, trailers, and moving supplies. Normal business hours are 8 a.m.-10 [...]

'Catch the Devil' is a work of true crime that indicts the justice system

Journalist Pamela Colloff has written an engrossing and damning book on how the case of the 1985 killing of 14-year-old Shelly Boggio played out.

Pleasant weather settles in, cooler through end of work week

Pleasant weather settles in, cooler through end of work week

Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods

President Donald Trump on Monday imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, declaring that Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products.

How soccer brings a Bhutanese community together in Harrisburg, Pa.

Harrisburg is home to one of the nation's largest communities of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees and their families. Through soccer, generations have found connection, belonging and a way to carry forward a shared history.

Setting the Stage

This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.The designer of the stage on which we Rock Islanders act out our lives—our seven parts—does good work, but he's awfully…

These men went to college in search of stable careers. They found it in nursing

Only about 1 in 8 nurses are men, but their share is growing. A strong job market for nurses and sustained efforts to recruit men into the field have made a difference, including in the South.

Is recalled lettuce safe after false positive result? FDA issues warning

Despite the false positive, federal regulators are still focused on shredded lettuce.

A homeless man was charged with a felony for camping. He's one of the first

When Joseph Lamont Williams refused to leave the public park where he has lived for years, he was charged with a felony. Camping bans are on the rise as states seek to crack down on homelessness.

Arizona primaries set the stage for contested fall races in a swing state

Arizona Democrats choose who can try to flip a Republican-held House seat and Republicans pick their nominee to try to unseat a Democratic governor.

Spain's World Cup champions return home for parade in front of almost 2 million

The players and their coaching staff met with the country's royals, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. An estimated crowd of almost 2 million was on hand to greet the squad through the streets of Madrid.

Powerball ticket sales begin Tuesday in the United Kingdom

Powerball ticket sales in the United Kingdom will begin Tuesday, giving players across the Atlantic a chance at winning the same massive jackpot that U.S. players already play for.

Cyclosporiasis vs. other food poisoning: How to tell

Well over 1,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported across America. Its source is still unknown.

Eldridge approves city absorption of volunteer fire department

The Eldridge City Council decided to take over control of the fire department at a city council meeting Monday night. The fire department was all-volunteer until now. A 14-month stalemate between the city and the firefighters led to much debate. Lead firefighters say staying autonomous is essential to managing the fire department staff and budget. [...]

Inmate found dead at Dixon Correctional Center

Officials with the Illinois Department of Corrections said the facility is currently on a level one lockdown while an investigation into the death continues.

Eldridge City Council votes to take over fire department

The move comes after years of discussions about the future of the department, and after volunteers indicated they wanted to remain independent.