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

RI school board member defends district on reports of student behavioral issues

A Rock Island-Milan School Board member defended the school district regarding the number of students causing fights during tonight's board meeting. It comes two weeks after a different board member said the high school was dangerous. Board Member Tracy Pugh says the current administration improved the schools' attendance, teacher retention and graduation rate. He also [...]

3 connected to drug trafficking in Galesburg area after investigation

Three men connected to the distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Galesburg area have been convicted or sentenced in federal court after an investigation conducted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with a Task Force Officer assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force (TOC West). A news [...]

Visit Quad Cities teams up with Wheel the World to evaluate tourism accessibility

Wheel the World is visiting nine Quad Cities locations to review accessibility and help travelers with disabilities better plan trips.

What's being done to address food insecurity in Iowa?

The Iowa Food Bank Association published a new survey, finding that over 70% of Iowa residents think food insecurity is a concern that isn't being taken serious enough. Our Quad Cities News correspondent Teodora Mitov takes a look at steps being taken to get more healthy food to those who need it most, through House File [...]

Quad Cities biking legends to be honored with riverfront sculpture

For more than 40 years, Deb and Dean "Bareback" Mathias have advocated for safer trails and better biking access. Now, money is being raised for a statue of them.

Several employees injured after being exposed to chemicals at Byron Clean Energy Center

According to the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, all injuries are believed to be minor.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning from TUE 8:59 PM CDT until TUE 9:45 PM CDT

Severe Thunderstorms with Quarter-Size Hail Moving East Through Northwestern Illinois and East Central Iowa

Judy's Family Cafe looks to turn social media fame into a franchise restaurant

Since it went viral in the fall of 2025, Judy's Family Cafe has exploded in popularity - so much so that the Galesburg breakfast joint is trying to expand into a franchise. To do that, the owners need to set the norm for what the restaurants will look like. That means the original Judy's Family [...]

Severe Thunderstorm Warning until TUE 7:45 PM CDT

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail Threatening Areas Near Iowa City

Severe Thunderstorm Warning from TUE 6:57 PM CDT until TUE 7:45 PM CDT

Severe Thunderstorms with Hail Expected in East Central Iowa Until 7:45 PM CDT

Multiple people exposed to chemicals at Byron Nuclear Plant

Emergency crews were called to the plant for reports of people with chemical exposure.

2 Galesburg men found guilty in federal court for meth distribution

Two Galesburg men were found guilty in federal court of distributing methamphetamine.

Iowa event loses headline speaker, Sen. Markwayne Mullin

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin will no longer headline an event political event in May.

Davenport native Kevin McKee and Team USA sled hockey team win preliminary match

The USA beat China 7-1. The Americans will not go on to play in the semifinals on Friday morning.

Whitey's has once again released its flavor bracket

You can join the fun by voting on your favorite flavor. Voters can find the poll at wqad.com.

Get ready: officials urge people to prepare as severe storms move into QCA

 As strong storms move into the area, Bureau County emergency officials are urging residents not to rely solely on tornado sirens when severe weather hits.

Former Eldridge man arrested for allegedly molesting girl and woman

A former Eldridge man has been arrested for allegedly molesting two females, one child for about eight years, and one adult for about 3 1/2 years, authorities said.

QC Bicycle Club makes efforts to build statue to honor local biking fixtures, Dean and Deb Mathias

Dean is known for riding a bike without a seat, logging more than 8,500 miles a year and competing in dozens of RAGBRAIS.

Breaking down the science of predicting severe weather

The most vulnerable period on Tuesday night is predicted to be between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Report: Scott County Jail staff failed to provide medical attention to woman experiencing mental health crisis

The Iowa Office of Ombudsman released a 42-page report that jail staff failed to intervene and dismissed a woman's mental health crisis when she was detained.

Death Notice: Larry Suppan

A funeral service for Larry Paul Suppan Jr., 66, of Eldridge, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 20, at North Ridge Community Church, Eldridge. Burial will follow at Rock Island National Cemetery, where military rites will be conducted by American Legion #26 of Davenport. Visitation will be Thursday, March 19, from 5-7 p.m. at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge.  Mr. Suppan died Saturday, March 7, 2026, at his home. Memorials may be directed to REA. Online condolences may be made at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.  A full obituary will appear in the March 18 edition of The NSP. 

West Liberty school board talks annual budget

In the last week of February, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill establishing a 2% per pupil State Supplemental Aid (SSA) rate increase for the 2026–27 school year. With this important rate now set, the West Liberty School District has begun preparing its budget for the new year. During its March 2 school board meeting, district business manager Abby Ortiz presented a preliminary plan for the district’s FY27 budget, which will be officially decided upon next month following further review and input from the community during a scheduled public hearing. Ortiz began the presentation by looking at the district’s two main budget amendments for its FY26 budget. The first amendment came from its instruction budget, which rose from $13.01 million to $13.76 million due to technology and curriculum purchases made by the district. The other amendment made was due to spending on total support services, which rose from $6.18 million to $6.48 million. Ortiz attributed these additional costs to the district’s contract with Solution Tree, which led to an increase in professional development costs. This development also included several teachers attending summer conferences for further training, as well as elementary playground improvements made later in the year. Looking to FY27, with the SSA set to rise 2%, Ortiz reported the district’s new money trend to be at an estimated $196,405. “Obviously we would want to see more, as this doesn’t really keep up with the cost of everything from salaries and benefits to just supplies,” Ortiz said. With a district cost of $8,148 per student, the expected Regular Program Cost for FY27 will be $10,079,891. This rose from the previous fiscal year’s cost of $9,883,486. Beyond SSA rate increases, enrollment continues to be a primary driver of the funding that West Liberty receives, Ortiz stated. “If we don’t have any big classes coming in, we’re going to see those numbers decline a little bit, and I don’t know if we’ll get to where we’re averaging 85-90 kids per class,” Ortiz said. “There’s some promising developments downtown that hopefully will bring in new families with children, that’ll at least help us stay consistent instead of dropping off in the next few years.” For open enrollment, Ortiz stated that while these numbers continue to be at a net negative, something the district has been seeing since FY22, the net open enrollment numbers overall have continued trending in a positive direction, rising from the numbers reported in FY25 and FY26. Ortiz attributed the rise to the district’s focus on continuing to develop and invest in its infrastructure and what services it is able to offer families. “Hopefully that only helps us,” she said. With the slow rise in open enrollment, the funding received through open enrollment will also rise. Moving onto the valuation overview, Ortiz stated the FY27 total property tax rate is recommended to be set at roughly $13.43, rising slightly from the FY26 rate of roughly $13.10. Ortiz reminded the board that this rate can be lowered at a later date, but it cannot rise after being submitted to the county auditor’s office for public notice. Ortiz also noted that while it is not possible to do this year, the board will likely have to discuss setting up a cash reserve levy for FY28, as it will be this year when the district’s fund balance solvency ratio is expected to be below 20%, which is considered an unhealthy ratio. For its management fund levy, total expenditures are expected to increase to $783,654.44 primarily due to insurance costs rising. Ortiz reported the district’s estimated beginning fund balance for FY27 at $612,551. With an estimated tax levy revenue of $725,000 plus other miscellaneous revenue, FY27’s total available funds will be $1.343 million. Ortiz also reported that FY25 was the first full fiscal year without ESSER funding. With this, the district’s Unspent Authorized Budget (UAB) is forecasted to drop once those funds have been fully utilized, especially if enrollment either stays consistent or drops and if SSA continues to remain at low rates. Ortiz hopes to keep the district’s UAB at $3.6 million each year, but understands that this is a tricky balance to keep. “We continuously monitor this number as it is the single most important indicator of a District’s financial health,” Ortiz said within her report. “We have been proactive in reducing costs where it makes sense through attrition instead of waiting until we have to eliminate a large amount of expenditures within a single year. We will continue discussions on where we are able to cut costs for FY27 so that we don’t see as big of a drop in UAB. Sustainability is very important (…) but getting there in a financially sustainable way is the key.” Following the presentation, it was announced that the first public hearing for the FY27 budget is scheduled for March 16 during that evening’s school board meeting. Other business In other news, the board: • Approved the 2026/27 school calendar. • Reviewed the 28E Agreement with Mid Prairie CSD, which allows homeschooled students within Mid Prairie to still participate in West Liberty School District activities. • Approved the AEA 28E purchasing agreement for food service. • Approved the district’s participation in the agreement between it and the Iowa Local Government Risk Pool Commission. The total premium for July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027, is $57,717 for a year’s worth of natural gas usage. Payment will come out of the district’s management fund. This is the District’s fourth year in the program. • Held a first reading for Board Policy 506.1 • Accepted resignations for Dual Language teacher Milton Moctezuma, 8th grade literacy teacher/head varsity girls wrestling coach Chayse Schultz, elementary paraprofessional Itzhel Gutierrez, and varsity assistant baseball coach James Walter. • Approved Katelynne Macias as its new elementary paraprofessional.

Tornado Watch issued for areas SE of Quad Cities - March 10th, 2026

The National Weather Service has now issued a Tornado Watch for areas South and East of the Quad Cities. this watch (pictured below) is in effect until 11 a.m. Some intense thunderstorms are expected shortly and they pose the threat of not only producing tornadoes, but strong tornadoes at that. In the Quad Cities we [...]

Invest in education at Black Hawk College Foundation's Black & Gold Celebration

Investing in education and help students chase their dreams! Zenaida Landeros joined Our Quad Cities News with details on the Black Hawk College Foundation's Black & Gold Celebration. For more information, click here.

Report: Scott County Jail staff response questioned in Christmas Eve detention

An Iowa Ombudsman report says a detainee in mental distress was not properly monitored or given timely medical/mental health care at the Scott County Jail on Christmas Eve 2024, prompting recommendations for policy, training, and facility upgrades.

Hamilton principal to become new coordinator for K-12 instructional programs for Moline-Coal Valley

Lynsy Oswald will be the new coordinator for K-12 Instructional at the Moline Education Center.

2 dead after vehicle hits concrete in ditch, Sheriff says

Two people died after a vehicle hit several large pieces of concrete in a ditch, according to the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office.

HARDY, March 20

Touring in support of his 2025 recording Country! Country! that Country Swag deemed "raw, reflective, rowdy, and rooted in his Mississippi upbringing," chart-topping singer/songwriter Michael Wilson Hardy – better known by his singular moniker HARDY – brings his national tour to Moline's Vibrant Arena at the MARK on March 20, Rolling Stone classifying the artist as "simultaneously the chest-thumping id of masculine country and a fun-house mirror poking fun at the whole enterprise."

Jake Owen, March 20

A chart-topping American Country Award and Academy of Country Music Award winner currently touring in support of his 2025 album Dreams to Dream, singer/songwriter Jake Owen headlines a March 20 concert event at Davenport's Capitol Theatre, his most recent recording inspiring Saving Country Music to rave, "It’s like nothing you ever heard from Jake Owen, or really any current or former mainstream country music before."

“Motown & Friends Tribute,” March 21

Many of the most exciting songs from one of the most thrilling sources of American music will be celebrated at Davenport's Adler Theatre on March 21, with Breath of Encouragement presenting its Motown & Friends Tribute, a fun-filled and deeply soulful evening with unforgettable hits sure to bring back happy memories galore.

That Arena Rock Show, March 20

With their long list of celebrated rockers including Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, and Guns N Roses, the tribute musicians of That Arena Rock Show bring their tour back to East Moline venue The Rust Belt on March 20, the rockers famed for their trips back in time that turn venues of all sizes into arena stages for a night.

The Beaker Brothers Band, March 20

Delivering a blues-rock tribute to legendary musicians of the past, Iowa City's ever-popular ensemble The Beaker Brothers Band returns to the Quad Cities for a concert at Davenport's Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill, the March 20 show one of the last touring stops the beloved ensemble will make before signing off as a publicly performing band at the end of 2026.

FIRST ALERT DAY: Live severe weather blog

Parts of the TV6 viewing area have an increased risk of large hail and tornadoes Tuesday

Brad & the Big Wave and PONS, March 20

An exhilarating showcase of rock, punk, and blends of both will fill the Raccoon Motel on March 20, with the downtown-Davenport venue hosting the Iowa City-based talents alongside the special guests of PONS.

Scott County Board set to vote on salary increases for employees, elected officials

If approved, all non-elected employees will receive a 3.5% cost of living salary increase. We break down the proposed salary increases for elected officials.

JJJJJerome Ellis, Lia Kohl, and Zachary Good, March 20

A trio of unique singers and instrumentalists collectively gifted on saxophone, organ, electronics, dulcimer, cello, clarinet, and more will perform a special concert event at Rozz-Tox on March 20, the Rock Island venue proud to host the disparate talents of JJJJJerome Ellis, Lia Kohl, and Zachary Good.

TAKAAT, March 22

Thrilling soundscapes and evocative listening experiences will be on hand at Rozz-Tox on March 22, the Rock Island venue hosting a headlining set by TAKAAT, the musicians beging joined in concert by special guests Glurge and Friendless.

“Uptown: A Celebration of Motown & Soul,” March 20

Fusing Bruno-Mars-caliber stage presence with top-tier vocals and wall-to-wall choreography, the gifted singers and hoofers of Uptown: A Celebration of Motown & Soul come to Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on March 20, heir show delivering the smooth stylings of R&B with the fresh hits of today in a unique and modern concert experience that has inspired standing ovations nationwide.

“Peace of My Heart: The Songs of Janis Joplin,” March 21

On March 21, patrons of the Ohnward Fine Arts Center are invited to walk back in time to “The Summer of Love” as the Maquoketa venue presents Peace of My Heart: The Songs of Janis Joplin, an electrifying tribute to the iconic pop and rock musician fronted by the powerful vocals of Laura McDonald.

North Scott Press — March 11, 2026

“Charlotte's Web,” March 24 through April 11

With its source material named "the best American children's book of the past two hundred years" by the Children's Literature Association, the stage version of E.B. White's beloved Charlotte's Web enjoys a March 24 through April 11 run at Rock Island's Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, this adaptation by playwright Joseph Robinette praised by the Chicago Tribune as a theatre piece that "manages to hit the emotional and humorous high points of the original."

City Circle Theatre Company's “Jesus Christ Superstar,” March 20 through 29

One of the most beloved and iconic rock operas of all time enjoys a spectacular new staging at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts when City Circle Theatre Company presents hosts its July 20 through 29 run of Jesus Christ Superstar, the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice classic boasting such unforgettable numbers as “Everything's Alright,” “Hosanna,” “King Herod's Song,” and the timeless ballad “I Don't Know How to Love Him.”

Deere combine in running for 'Coolest Thing Made In Illinois'

Voting is now open in the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s (IMA) 2026 “Makers Madness” contest. The bracket-style tournament lets the public decide what product will be chosen as The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois and one of the products is made in the Quad Cities. Over 100 unique products from all over the state were nominated [...]

Daniel Tosh, March 26

Lauded for hosting and creating Tosh.0 , a showcase for Internet clips and his sardonic commentary that was one of the longest-running comedy series on Comedy Central, standup comedian Daniel Tosh brings "My First Farewell Tour" to Davenport's Adler Theatre on March 26, the wildly popular funnyman also the host of the video podcast Tosh Show.

In total control

As Olivia Uhlenkamp was walking down the hall at North Scott High School a few weeks ago, she overheard a conversation between some fellow students regarding a schoolwide email. “Did you hear the robotics team is going to state?” said one student. To which their companion responded, “We’ve got a robotics team?” Do they ever. And it’s no small operation. North Scott’s robotics team, Guild of Gears No. 6603, participated in the state First Tech Challenge, held at Xtream Arena in Coralville Feb. 27-28. The team emerged from the competition with the prestigious Control Award, recognizing the most innovative use of sensors and software in the state. This was the second Control Award the team won this season, the first coming at a state qualifying event at Iowa City West High School on Feb. 14. Team member Josh Le described the Control Award as the equivalent of an industrial automation award. “(The judges) really like seeing you use different types of sensors – the camera is our big one … They want to see how much of this robot you can automate. And on the industrial scale, it’s like that, too. You have to automate your machines, because no one wants to do every menial task. So, it really focuses on a team that uses sensors, software and automation to up their performance on the field.” This year’s challenge, called Decode, required teams and their robots to identify, sort and shoot colored balls in a specific pattern. Guild of Gears used a technology no other team in the competition utilized, a form of artificial intelligence called machine learning. This gave their robot, nicknamed Riot, the opportunity to “see” and identify the balls automatically. “Most teams at this level are identifying the balls manually – by eye – and relying on their drivers to make split-second decisions or ignoring the order altogether,” said the team’s coach, Michele Mess. “Our students built a machine learning model where the robot identifies the balls on its own and shoots the appropriate colored balls in order. That’s college-level engineering.” The process required the team to take more than 5,000 photos of the game space from every conceivable angle. Once the photos were uploaded, Olivia Uhlenkamp took 1,200 of those photos and hand-labeled them in the system. She then worked to train a computer vision model. The model was eventually able to identify the ball colors and positions with 99.3% accuracy. “They took thousands of photos from the robot’s view, and Olivia labeled them, this is green, purple, green, for all of them,” said team mentor Ken Uhlenkamp of machine learning. “You give it thousands of pictures, and you give it the X, Y coordinates of every single ball and then you let a computer crunch away at it for hours and it spits out a model. So, you could feed it a video or another picture and it would put bounding boxes around that and tell the computer where the balls are.” “We have not heard of anyone else in the world using this,” said lead programmer Max Vannorsdel. “We went out to John Deere Davenport Works and we showed them the video and they said, ‘That’s awesome.’ They’re trying to do machine learning themselves, so that was a huge thing.” Meanwhile, other members of the team were working to construct Riot, using Onshape, a professional CAD (computer-aided design) program. Among the design features were a turret that can rotate 400 degrees, spring loaders, an intake system constructed in part using surgical tubing, a “spindexer” that sorted the balls by color, and a fly-wheel shooter. Approximately 70% of Riot’s parts were designed and printed on the team’s 3D printer and then assembled by hand. “Everything except for the computer, the motors and the frame was designed and printed by this team,” explained team mentor Marcus Madison. “These students are doing real engineering.” “Everything that is either black or red on that robot, they designed themselves,” said Ken Uhlenkamp. “Drew it in CAD and printed it. I guarantee this is the most technically advanced robot at the competition, good or bad.” Once Olivia Uhlenkamp finished training the model, Vannorsdel went to work creating more technology. The model was shrunk down to just a single megabyte, so that it could run on Riot in real time. Riot was also fitted with a webcam with a wide-angle lens and an additional camera to automatically track targets. Vannorsdel said the team also had to fit Riot with an auxiliary battery just to power the cameras. Although Olivia Uhlenkamp was modest about the praise, Vannorsdel said Riot’s skills were, “80% her, 10% us and 10% the robot.” The team challenge was announced in September, and Guild of Gears competed in its first event of the season in Solon nine weeks later. Throughout the season, they worked to drill down on Riot’s key components, and the team qualified for state at the Iowa City West event on Feb. 14. Of the 256 active teams in Iowa, 72 advanced to the state competition. The state event was sponsored by the University of Iowa College of Engineering, and the top six teams from that event moved on to the First Tech Challenge Worlds event, which will be held in Houston, Texas, at the end of April. Nine other teams were also invited to global “Premier” events, including events that will be held in Chicago and Long Beach, Calif. During the state competition, Riot experienced a few mechanical issues with the ball-sorting mechanism. But the judges were deeply impressed with the machine learning model – a unique technology that was not utilized by any other team in the competition. With the Control Award in hand, team members said they’re incredibly motivated for next season. “We really appreciate our members working so hard to push the boundaries of what our robot can do and accomplish something that hasn’t been done in our league before with machine learning,” said lead designer Marshall Mess. “Now we are energized to do even better next year, with our goal of making it to Worlds.” “This is a world-class team,” said Ken Uhlenkamp. “These guys are phenomenal, and we have high hopes to go.” “Every year we’ve gotten just a little bit closer to the dream of Worlds, and I really, truly believe that where they’re at right now, with their enthusiasm, that they can make it,” said Michele Mess. “What was really cool about this team – I think the award spiked their enthusiasm. They were ready to come back on Monday after the competition on Saturday.” She said they’re ready to hit the ground running for next season already. No rest in the off-season With Guild of Gears now resolute in its determination to make it to Worlds, they’ve also got several other goals. One goal is to avoid the problem of team turnover, which Guild of Gears has seen befall other previously strong programs. To that end, one thing Guild of Gears is working on is outreach to younger students, including mentoring a fifth-grade LEGO League team, a project spearheaded by freshman programmer Sebastian Jones. They’ve also reached out to Jay Nelson, who teaches STEM at the junior high, to try to establish relationships with seventh and eighth graders who might be interested in joining the program when they reach high school. “To get up to this level that we’re trying to progress to, like Worlds, you have to go through years of learning with the same group,” said Marshall Mess. “That’s why we’re trying to get younger groups in seventh and eighth grade involved now, so we as older students who have been in it for however many years can teach them the stuff that we know.” The team is also looking for more community support. Although they have mentors and coaches now, they know that as members graduate, some of that support will naturally fall away, so they’d like to bring more people into the fold. And, with their big goal of making it to Worlds, the team will also need financial support, especially with equipment upgrades. They’d like to buy a few desktop computers – although they can run CAD and other necessary programs on their school-issued Chromebooks, desktop computers can run a little faster. They would also like to invest in a CNC machine, additional workspace equipment, storage and tables, and a second 3D printer. “We had many late nights waiting a long time for prints to finish before we could start the next 3D prints,” said Le. “A second printer would make a huge difference for our build season.” Marshall Mess said the CNC machine would also be a great help for the team. “That is one of the biggest things our team is lacking right now. Because the Worlds-level teams, their production of their own custom-made metal parts is what makes their robots a million times better and moves them on.” Add in the potential for travel costs and the team is looking at expenses of upwards of $10,000. So, the team would welcome financial support and partnerships with residents and businesses. Anyone interested in partnering or contributing may contact Michele Mess or the high school directly. They’ll also be doing outreach this summer, including a presentation at the Mississippi Valley Fair in the Iowa Building. Ken Uhlenkamp and Michele Mess said the First Tech Challenge isn’t necessarily about building the best robot. “They are being judged on a presentation at leagues and state championships — no one can watch them; they just present in front of the judges — so it helps them learn speaking and answering questions,” said Mess.  “They are trying to perform well throughout the year on community outreach like Mississippi Valley Fair, sustainability like mentoring LEGO Leagues, keeping an engineering notebook that has a budget, goals, plans/processes, programming, building, working with mentors, showing their learning and sharing their learning — gracious professionalism.” As part of that gracious professionalism, Vannorsdel said Guild of Gears was thrilled for the Pleasant Valley team, Deviation from the Norm, that qualified for Worlds. He said they have a great relationship with teams from PV, Bettendorf and Central DeWitt. Team members said they had a wonderful time at a recent scrimmage and potluck at the RIC with those teams. Regardless of whether the students continue in STEM as a career, Michele Mess said they’re already learning life skills that will carry with them into the future. “They have learned so much by things they want to do not going right and trying to figure it out. It is great to listen to them problem-solve.” She said she also hopes they learn the “skill of working in the professional world with businesspeople like John Deere and other mentors. Learning how to raise money for their goals, being thankful to those that have helped them in many ways — we have a committee for creating thank you notes and getting the members to sign and get them sent out.”  The next challenge will be announced in September. Vannorsdel said there are more than 8,600 teams worldwide that participate in the First Tech Challenge, including 34 in the league North Scott is in. But until then, Guild of Gears will be keeping busy working on their goals together. “This is a great classroom, where they have so much learning going on, but they don’t have to worry about grades,” said Michele Mess. “They are doing their own learning. They are inspiring themselves to do the work and to figure it out.”

Larry the Cable Guy, March 21

With two of his seven comedy albums hitting platinum status and children of all ages adoring him for voicing tow truck Mater in the Disney/Pizer franchise Cars, Blue Collar Comedian Larry the Cable Guy brings his national tour to Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center on March 21, the Billboard Award winner also a bestselling author and co-founder of the non-profit organization The Git-R-Done Foundation.

Jessica Kirson, March 22

A lauded comedian, actor, and producer revered for her frequent standup sets at iconic New York City venues including the Gotham Comedy Club, Laugh Factory, Caroline's, and the Improv, Jessica Kirson brings her national tour to Davenport's Capitol Theatre on March 22, her varied list of credits including appearances on TV's Kevin Can Wait and Ramy, as well as Pete Davidson's critically acclaimed film The King of Staten Island.

Proposed county budget would keep spending growth tight

Supervisors are poised to make few changes to the Scott County budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The new budget, which supervisors began reviewing in February, provides for two new full-time roles at the county and bumps a part-time nurse at the Youth Justice Rehabilitation Center up to full-time. The County expects to spend a total of $136,853,635 next year, a 1.5% increase over the current fiscal year, below the rate of inflation. The single largest change in departmental spending will be for public safety and legal services. Spending on wages and out-of-county placement of prisoners will increase total expenditures by $2 million. But the county’s debt service and capital project contributions will drop by a combined $3.4 million, if the budget is adopted as proposed. Across the board, the county will provide nonunion employees with a 3% cost of living adjustment and a 0.5% market adjustment. Union employees negotiate wages directly with county supervisors. Wage and benefits spending will increase by 2.8% this year, to $55.5 million. Budget and Administrative Services Director David Farmer said supervisors’ decision in August to outsource county custodial services helped temper spending on wages and benefits. Last year, that spending increased over 12%, as the county added six new positions. Over half of county spending from its operating budget, which excludes capital expenditures, goes to pay wages and benefits.  The two new, full-time positions created by this year’s budget include a vehicle service technician for the county ambulance service and a collection specialist at the Attorney’s Office, who will recoup outstanding legal service fees. A few new expenses will drive the 1.5% percent budget increase this year, Farmer said. Out-of-county placement of prisoners will rise nearly 50%, from $912,000 to $1.345 million. Equipment maintenance costs will rise 25%, from about $740,000 to $930,000. Although lower in percentage terms, an 8% increase in the cost of medical benefits for employees will translate to a $720,000 expense—from $8.6 to $9.3 million. Taxes and revenues If budget figures are adopted as proposed, the county would keep its urban levy rate flat at $5.93 per $1,000 in taxable valuation. The rural levy rate, assessed on properties in unincorporated Scott County, would rise from $8.66 to $8.81 per $1,000. Residential rollbacks dropped from 47.4% to 44.5% this year, a boon for homeowners. The rollback determines the taxable share of a home’s assessed value. The system is designed to limit the tax burden of increasing property values, and values were reassessed across Scott County this year. Farmer said most Scott County homeowners could expect a small increase in their residential property tax bill. In the coming fiscal year, 64% of Scott County’s taxable valuation will be in residential property. Commercial property will make up 26.4% of ts taxable valuation, with utilities, agricultural land, and industrial facilities rounding out the remaining 10%. Property taxes will comprise about 55% of county revenues. Other taxes, on road use and sales, will make up 8%. Intergovernmental transfers will drop several points to 11.5%, as Pandemic relief dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act dry up. Revenues from service charges, interest, and other sources will comprise remaining income. The county expects to bring in $125,582,424 next year, according to the proposed budget. Spending by department Here is how Scott County will divide the $136.8 million it has planned to spend next year: Public safety and legal services: 35.3%. This sum includes the Sheriff’s Office, Attorney’s Office, county jail, and Youth Justice and Rehabilitation Center. Administration: 14%. Capital projects: 13.1%. Gathers expenses from across county departments for technology, vehicles, and building maintenance, as well as county road improvements. Ambulance services: 12.9%. Includes salaries and maintenance. MEDIC EMS, the ambulance service, is largely funded through charges for services and federal Ground Emergency Medical Transport reimbursements. Road and transportation: 7.8%. Includes salaries and maintenance. Major purchases and construction projects fall under capital spending. Physical health and social services: 6.4%. County environment and education: 5.5%. Government services to residents: 2.7%. Debt service: 1.1%. Scott County golf course: 1.1%. Largely funded through charges for play. Understanding new roles Supervisors pressed departments and one another on the need for new positions at the County Attorney’s Office and ambulance service. Supervisor Maria Bribriesco said she wanted to see the sum of outstanding legal services fees before agreeing to hire a collection specialist for the Attorney’s Office. Farmer said the county did not “have a grasp of the total pool out there” of legal service fees. “I think there are too many people in the county attorney’s office,” Bribriesco said. The county should not hire a new agent “just on the possibility of us breaking even. Why even go there?” County Attorney Kelly Cunningham assured supervisors that a collection specialist would recoup funds beyond their salary. Scott County currently has two collections specialist who bring in approximately $500,000 a year. She said Polk County’s six collection agents bring in $1 million. Supervisors also asked MEDIC to clarify the need for a new vehicle service technician. The technician would service medical equipment and stock ambulances. They would “make sure that vehicles are ready to go with equipment that is clean and supplies that are ready for them,” human resources director Vanessa Wierman said. Currently, paramedics and EMTs are largely responsible for servicing and stocking their ambulances. Those responsibilities often lead to overtime charges, MEDIC Director Paul Andorf said. “The goal of the VST is to eliminate that,” Andorf said.  

“An Evening with Mark Turcotte, Illinois Poet Laureate,” March 26

A member of the Turtle Mountain Band Anishinaabe and a Distinguished-Writer-In-Residence in the English department of Chicago's DePaul University, Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte will participate in a special March 26 program at the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch, this poetry presentation hosted jointly with Augustana College and the ideal launch into April's National Poetry Month.

Senate Democrats ramp up pressure campaign for public hearings on war with Iran

Congressional Democrats are demanding transparency in the form of public hearings from Trump administration officials on the timeline and objectives of the war in Iran.

Second lawsuit alleges wrongful firing from Sheriff's Office

A former deputy sheriff has filed a wrong termination suit against Scott County, Sheriff Tim Lane and County Attorney Kelly Cunningham, alleging he was fired after raising professional concerns about Jennifer McAndrew Lane, a Department of Corrections employee. Plaintiff Joshua Wall, a former deputy sheriff, was fired in 2024. McAndrew Lane is the spouse of Sherff Tim Lane. According to a petition filed in Scott County court, Wall observed in June 2023 that McAndrew Lane kept a sex offender on probation despite the expiration of a court order.  She told employees she would “go above” them to the sheriff if they questioned her activities, the petition states.    Wall and two other employees met with county Human Resources Director Vanessa Wierman in late June to detail concerns. A lawsuit brought over McAndrew Lane’s conduct led the county Attorney’s Office to open a formal investigation in July. Wall believed that a conflict of interest between the sheriff and McAndrew Lane had compromised the investigation. In March 2024, he reported his concerns to Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, at the time a state senator. Cournoyer referred his concerns to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. But they referred his concerns back to Scott County Attorney Kelly Cunningham, according to the petition. The Iowa Attorney General’s office advised Wall that his decision to refer information to Cournoyer was protected by state whistleblower law. The petition goes on to allege that rather “than investigate McAndrew’s wrongful acts, Scott County, Lane, and Cunningham began investigating Sergeant Wall because he provided information to an Iowa State Senator and, ultimately, the Iowa Attorney General.” He was first notified three months after that investigation had been opened, according to the petition. He was fired just one month later. “Sergeant Wall’s termination was in retaliation for his disclosures of ongoing violations of law or rule, mismanagement, and abuse of authority,” the petition alleges. The county settled a similar lawsuit brought by Tara Chase of Rock Island for $175,000 in September. Chase alleged that she was terminated following a meeting with the Human Resources department in which she accused Lane of misconduct. The county, Sheriff’s Office, and Sheriff Tim Lane settled but did not admit fault. The early details of Wall’s petition echo those provided last fall in Chase’s suit. Sheriff Tim Lane filed an ethics complaint against Cournoyer in 2024, alleging harassment and disclosure and improper use of confidential information. The Iowa Senate ethics committee dismissed the complaint on Cournoyer’s elevation to Lieutenant Governor. The Scott County Board of Supervisors entered into closed session to discuss pending litigation Tuesday, Feb. 24. Lane did not respond to request for comment. Cunningham said the decisiont to fire Wall was upheld by the county Civil Service Commission.  

Meet Rock Island Co. Sheriff candidate: Lt. Matt DeSmyter

Four people are running--three Democrats and one Republican and we are introducing you to them on the News at Noon.

Mt. Joy roadwork three-quarters complete

Road work in Mt. Joy stands at 75% completion, County Engineer Angie Kersten told The North Scott Press last week. All of the underground storm sewer infrastructure has been installed, and road reconstruction is proceeding as weather cooperates, she said. “Once the weather becomes more consistent, then you’ll see them on an eight hour per day basis,” Kersten said. She expects the project to wrap up in July of this year. The project includes “full road and drainage infrastructure reconstruction” along Brady Street from 210th Street to Route 61, and along nearby stretches of 210th, 214th and 215th Streets and Holden Drive.  

Teamwork makes the dream work

The Scott County Library in Eldridge hosted the 23rd North Scott Battle of the Books competition on Friday, March 6. Teams representing all five elementary schools met and answered 60 questions testing their knowledge of the current year’s Iowa Children’s Choice Award titles. When the dust settled, the Ed White team of Isabel Jones, Brooklyn Orsborn and Violet Kroeger emerged victorious for the third year in a row. They'll go on to the Regional Battle of the Books, which will be held at the Bettendorf Public Library at the end of the month. Alan Shepard came in second. NSP photos by Erin M. Gentz.

18th-Annual Henry Farnam Evening, March 26

Hosted by Davenport's River Action and named in honor of Henry W. Farnam, the chief builder of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad, the Quad Cities' Farnam Evenings are annual tributes to historically significant citizens and events. This year's 18th-annual celebration – taking place at St. Ambrose University's Rogalski Center on March 26 – will will celebrate regional history, innovation, and the legacy of influential figures who shaped the Quad Cities and American agriculture.

Dixon report raises concerns

An independent report on management of the city of Dixon raised concerns beyond the difficulties that often face small towns. Those concerns include eight transactions lacking proper documentation; an annual financial report whose disbursements and fund balances did not match city records; and bank reconciliations and employee time sheets never approved by a supervisor. The report also noted a lack of segregation of duties, common for cities with only a single clerk. Dixon City Clerk Meghan Ganzer walked the council through the concerns Wednesday, March 5. Ganzer was hired by the city during the period under review, April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, she said. She could not locate all proper documentation for disbursements predating her term as clerk. The transition also made it difficult for Ganzer to prepare that year’s financial report. She said she knew figures for certain accounts were “incorrect.” Other concerns, such as a negative balance in the garbage fund, were known to the city and in the process of remediation.  Ganzer said the city would have to adjust its practice to address other concerns, including having a member of the city council review bank reconciliations. She defended other city practices that the report called into question. “I don't fill out a timesheet. I have a contract,” Ganzer told the council. The report specifically notes that “timesheets should be prepared by all employees” and should be approved by a supervisor, such as the mayor. She said concerns over segregation of duties were “going to be a repeat every single every single year, because we're a one-person office.” Other small Scott County cities routinely see concerns over segregation of duties. Councilman Nicholas Manrique said certain concerns were inevitable. “We can work to rectify some of the issues on there. Others, we're just going to acknowledge that we're a very small organization,” he said. The report also instructed Dixon not to make donations to the city fire department and other nonprofit groups. Manrique said the city could instead enter contracts with those groups for enumerated services, without withdrawing their support. Even a $300 donation to the 4-H club’s annual Easter Egg hunt could be retooled as a contract, he said. The council approved that donation Wednesday. Small cities like Dixon are required to submit an independent financial report every eight years. The previous report raised similar concerns, including segregation of duties, missing timesheets, and inaccurate annual reporting.  

Quick keeps seat

Joe Quick has kept his seat on Walcott City Council. Walcott voters affirmed their support for Quick in a special election last Tuesday, March 3. He was appointed by the council in January to fill a vacancy created by new mayor Jake Puck. Quick captured 143 of the 234 votes cast.  Lynnette Tarchinski, who was a candidate for city council in November, garnered 82 votes, with Joseph Aubry taking the remaining nine votes. Well bid accepted KE Flatwork of Eldridge will construct Walcott’s new well on E. Wulf Road, at the cost of $1,198,250.97. KE Flatwork submitted the lowest of five bids considered at the council’s meeting Monday, March 2. Estimates placed the completed project, which includes separate engineering fees, at $1.4 million. The accepted bid is $22,000 higher than the engineer’s estimate. Maximum lax levy set Walcott has set its maximum tax levy for 2026 at $10.29158 per $100,000 in taxable value. The council can decide to lower that rate at its annual tax hearing April 6. Park improvements The council agreed to repair Wescott Park buildings and to replace a broken Victory Park slide Monday. Tri County Builders submitted the lowest bid for building repairs, at $11,340. The project will repair overhangs and replace siding at the bathroom and concession buildings. The cost to replace the Victory Park slide will be $4,009.  The council tabled a request recommended by the Park Board, which would allow a local ball league to hang sponsored banners on outfield fences at Wescott and Victory parks. The council tabled the request pending further information, including which league would benefit and what revenue they expected from the sponsorships. “As a council member, I need to know a value of it,” Kirk Koberg said. Iron Addicts get go-ahead The council approved road closures for a May 5k led by Midwest Iron Addicts, a Walcott gym. E. Bryant Street will be closed from Main to Henry Streets from 6–10 p.m. May 23. Gym owner Austin Bowman said the race would begin at 7 p.m., with breakdown to follow runners as they progress. A portion of the street would remain closed for live music and celebration after the run, he said. Police Chief Adam Hill said that city police would likely lead the race, which will transition between city roads and trails. Other news In other business, the council: • Heard from Bryan Schmid of the Bi-State Commission about the programs available to the city of Walcott as a commission member. • Approved its annual insurance renewal. Rates increased 7%. • Agreed to follow city attorney Brent Hinders to a new firm, Hinders, Updegraff, and Franklin.

Extension provides composting resources

As urban farms and community gardens work to improve productivity, reduce food waste and build healthy soils, on-site composting is becoming more essential. The Iowa State University Urban Agriculture Program has released a new publication, “The ABCs of Urban Composting,” to help communities and urban growers compost safely, effectively and in compliance with state and local regulations. The publication authored by Kapil Arora, field agricultural engineer with ISU Extension and Outreach, provides a practical, step-by-step overview of: What composting is and which materials are appropriate Iowa permitting requirements and Iowa Department of Natural Resources guidelines Best practices for managing the process, including worker safety, monitoring, curing and quality standards The guide is most useful for producers looking to expand beyond a backyard composting operation or transform a vacant city lot into a safe, efficient compost facility. “The ABCs of Urban Composting” is available for download at no cost for through the ISU Extension Store. Browse the Urban Agriculture Program website for additional information and resources.

NS alums wanted for Hall of Excellence

Nominations are now open for the North Scott Hall of Excellence. The North Scott Hall of Excellence is a companion to the North Scott Athletic Hall of Fame. To be inducted into the Hall of Excellence, nominees must be graduated from North Scott High School for a minimum of 10 years and must have fulfilled at least one of the following criteria: • Demonstrated academic excellence • Demonstrated outstanding success in their career • Demonstrated significant accomplishments in business or professional life • Made a significant contribution to the community or society • Demonstrated distinguished human service Any community member may make a nomination. Nominations may be made at www.north-scott.k12.ia.us/district/hall-of-excellence and will be accepted through the beginning of April. For more information, contact North Scott High School associate principal Aaron Schwartz at aaron.schwartz@north-scott.k12.ia.us or 563-285-3277.

Dixon Cemetery meeting next Wednesday

The Dixon Cemetery will hold its annual meeting Wednesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. at the Dixon Fire Station.

Changing lives one move at a time

North Scott students and community members will soon have the chance to support children fighting pediatric cancer—one dance move at a time. The North Scott Dance Marathon is a fun, family-friendly event that brings the community together while raising funds for children and families receiving care through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. What is Dance Marathon? Dance Marathon unites students nationwide in raising critical funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. These events celebrate pediatric cancer survivors, honor children who have passed, and support families who are currently battling childhood illnesses. Funds raised through Dance Marathon directly assist families facing the challenges of pediatric cancer. Donations help cover every day and medical expenses, including gift cards, hotel coverage, parking passes, funeral expenses, and pharmaceutical coverage. Beyond immediate support, donations also contribute to research and hospital resources that aim to improve treatment and care. The University of Iowa’s mission The North Scott event is connected to the larger mission of the University of Iowa Dance Marathon. The organization’s mission states: "The University of Iowa Dance Marathon creates and sustains special projects to provide emotional and financial support and services for pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients and their families treated at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.” The University of Iowa Dance Marathon is currently the largest student-led organization on campus. Each year, they host a 24-hour event to honor the hardships of a cancer diagnosis. Dozens of families share their stories throughout this experience, reminding participants why the cause matters. Over the past 31 years, this organization has raised over $37 million to support children and families receiving care. How North Scott is helping North Scott is in conjunction with The University of Iowa Dance Marathon and the Children’s Miracle Network to support families in our own community. At our dance marathon, we will be celebrating and honoring families in our community who have used the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital while also raising funds for children and families who are currently using the hospital. Last year, The North Scott Dance Marathon raised roughly $8,432. This year, organizers are aiming even higher: $12,000. How you can help Do you want to help reach the goal? There are three simple ways to support this fundraising event: purchasing a ticket, donating online, or purchasing a t-shirt. Tickets can be purchased on Bound: $15 for adults and $10 for students. All tickets must be purchased through Bound. You can donate online at: events.dancemarathon.com/NSDanceMarathon2026/donate. You can purchase your T-shirts at stores.inksoft.com/nsdancemarathon/shop/home. The last day shirts are available for purchase is March 14, so make sure to purchase your awesome swag before then! Event details This year, the North Scott Dance Marathon will take place: Date: Saturday, March 28 Time: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Place: North Scott Pit Address: 200 S 1st St, Eldridge Why it matters Dance Marathon is about so much more than dancing. It is about reminding those around us that they are not alone, standing beside those during their hardest moments. Every ticket purchased, shirt worn, and dollar donated brings our community one step closer to supporting those who need it most. Just remember that every step on the dance floor counts in the fight against pediatric cancer. This article originally appeared in North Scott High School’s student newspaper The Lance and is reprinted here with permission.  

Aviation enthusiasts begin second plane

In a back room at the North Scott Transportation depot, the students and mentors of PNB Aviation are back to old habits: building a plane. The joint extracurricular draws together students from Pleasant Valley, North Scott, and Bettendorf to assemble a working plane under the guidance of mentors with the Quad Cities’ Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 75. The club’s first project, a two-seat Van’s RV-12, took four years to assemble. The club sold it this summer for the seed money required for their next plane, a Sonex-B. The new kit arrived in February and should take about two years. “This one's a little bit smaller and a little bit simpler,” said Mike Elbe, an assistant soccer coach at North Scott and the school’s PNB Aviation advisor. “We’ve got four years’ worth experience doing it under our belt.” Brandon Tolle, the club’s Bettendorf advisor, said nearly 40 students have expressed interest in joining since the group began work on their next plane. Right now, the Sonex-B looks more like a piece of flatpack furniture than an airplane. The plane arrived in dozens of boxes as sheets of aluminum, packages of small parts, and long inventory of multidigit identification numbers that will guide students through assembly. For students, work begins away from the airplane, with sample assemblies that demonstrate their knowledge of basic assembly techniques, explained Jim Smith, one of the founders of the group. He took an assembly in hand. “These are roundhead rivets. These are countersunk rivets. These are pop rivets. These are plate nuts that hold that bolt,” he explained with enthusiasm. Dion Carr, a retired mechanic and aviation repair instructor, explained that the Sonex-B is designed to allow groups to work on different parts of the airplane simultaneously. That will speed up what everyone simply calls “the build.” “The last set of plans was very linear—do this, this, this, this,” Elbe added. “With these plans, we can run a lot more things in parallel to keep things moving along” Carr presented a diagram with dozens of branches. “These two assemblies go into this assembly. These three assemblies go into this one, as does this one,” he said, pointing. “It’s a little like a tree. We're going to start out here with all the leaves and pull it together and have a trunk when we're done.”’ Mentors also help to speed up the build by organizing parts in advance. While students assembled their samples last Monday, mentors matched and sorted parts. Carr said he enjoys sharing his love of aviation with the students. “I like seeing the lightbulbs come on,” he said. Meet the builders A plane built by students? You might be skeptical. But Tolle said inspectors labeled the RV-12 sold last summer as one of the soundest they had seen built, thanks in part to close supervision. It is a team of dedicated students that drives the build forward.  McKenzie Simmons, of Pleasant Valley, is entering her fourth year as a member of the club. She joined after just a year of construction on the RV-12. “We had the tail of the plane done, and I believe one of the wings, and that was about it, Simmons said. “The whole entire fuselage, I remember building that. One of the wings we were finishing up. All the electrical avionics.” Simmons originally hoped to be a professional pilot, a goal prevented by her vision. But she is still pursuing her recreational license and hopes to enlist at the Air Force on graduation in the spring. She said she enjoyed the camaraderie of the EAA chapter. “I can fly, and then I can come to the build and just talk, see friends that don't go to my school,” she said. “I hope it keeps going,” she added. “I hope they keep doing builds.” North Scott freshman Denton Holst brought his friends Willow and Collin to a workshop last Monday evening. He plans to become a pilot, and hopes to study mechanical engineering in college.  He likes “anything plane-related.” Jack Girskis, a North Scott senior, has been in the program four years and said he spent close to six hours per week on the previous build. “I like building things,” Girskis said. “…I’ve learned a lot about tools, engineering, aerospace in general.” Like Simmons, he said that part of the appeal was getting to meet students and potential mentors as interested in aviation as he is.        

Autumn travel adventure through Portugal

Join Gary and Cindy Meden on Tuesday, March 17, 3 p.m., at the DeWitt Operahouse as they take you on a month-long autumn travel adventure through Portugal, including Lisbon, Porto, the Douro Valley, and many lesser-known treasures. Whether you have traveled to Portugal, wish to go in the future, or just want to sit back and travel from the comfort of the Operahouse, this trip has something for everyone. And it’s Popcorn Day, compliments of 1st Gateway Credit Union. Doors open at 2 p.m. and every effort will be made to present the Travelogue on the day scheduled; however if inclement weather requires a cancellation, the information will be posted at the theater or contact Monica 563-370-9394 or Lori 563-212-2991.  If Central DeWitt Community Schools are canceled or scheduled to be released early by 1 p.m., Travelogue will also be canceled.  A $5 donation is suggested. The proceeds support local community projects such as the Referral Center, DeWitt Library, DeWitt Fire Department, KidSight, Diabetes Awareness, Camp Courageous and Camp Hertko Hollow.

Iowa Senate sends bill restricting local civil rights protections to governor

Iowa senators sent a bill to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk Monday that would prevent local governments from providing civil rights protections to groups not protected under state law, including transgender Iowans. Senate File 579 originally passed the Senate in 2025 with bipartisan support as a measure dealing with complaints filed with civil rights agencies and commissions, It required cases be sent to the state Office of Civil Rights if a local entity had not resolved a complaint within a year, and for complaints in which one party is a political subdivision. But as the bill came back to the Senate floor Monday, the measure dealt with a significantly different issue related to local civil rights code. It was amended by the House Thursday to include language from House File 2541, a measure to ban local governments from enacting ordinances and other laws that provide civil rights protection that is “broader or has different categories of unfair or discriminatory practices” than the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Democrats said the measure would remove local control and allow for discrimination against transgender Iowans. The bill comes a year after Iowa became the first state in the nation in 2025 to remove a previously protected class when the measure striking “gender identity” from the state Civil Rights Act was signed into law. Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, introduced an amendment to the House language Monday seeking to remove the provision restricting local civil rights laws. He said the step would recognize that the state Civil Rights Act is “a floor on civil rights, not a ceiling.” He also told the Senate, “let’s be clear: this is about transgender rights.” If the measure passes, he said, communities across the state would not be allowed to provide protections for transgender Iowans in their community who may face discrimination for their gender identity when attempting to find housing, make purchases or seek employment. There are currently 14 Iowa cities, alongside the unincorporated areas of Johnson County, that provide local protections against discrimination on the basis of “gender identity.” Quirmbach asked senators who voted in favor of the 2025 law “to take another think about this, not necessarily to reverse your decision from last year, but at least to allow for the fact there may be some difference of opinion in certain of our communities.” Senate Democrats’ amendment was defeated, and the House proposal was approved. Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, echoed House Republicans’ arguments in support of the bill, saying the measure will provide uniformity in civil rights cases. “This amendment is to bring the entire state under one umbrella, one basic premise, so that there’s not confusion going from city to city on how this works,” Webster said. Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner said she had a hard time understanding how the bill would help the Legislature address any of the issues Iowans have said they want lawmakers to tackle, like health care, child care costs and housing affordability. She also said she believed state lawmakers would object to similar constraints being enacted on them by the federal government. “It’s doing to local government what the federal government actually does not do to state government — because federal civil rights law is the floor, not the ceiling,” Weiner said. “This bill would declare that state law is the ceiling, and I don’t think that we in the state Legislature would take kindly to the federal government doing that to us. … We’ve seen time after time the majority party — for reasons I honestly cannot fathom, other than maybe it’s politically convenient — passes bills that curtail local control and passes bills that take rights away, legally punching down on a tiny group of Iowans.” Webster said state lawmakers have chosen to override “Home Rule” in many other instances, pointing to measures approved with bipartisan support like a measure on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).  He said the point of Home Rule, an amendment in the Iowa Constitution, is to fill “gaps” left by the state government. “Home Rule was created to begin with because the Legislature, the people who wrote our Constitution and worked on all that, knew that they couldn’t possibly think of all the laws,” Webster said. “So Home Rule basically says where a state law doesn’t exist, you have the availability to kind of fill in the gaps. We’re a part-time legislature, not here all the time. Those gaps, in some cases, are overblown by local governments. … We have to look at those areas where those local governments are going too far and taking over people’s freedoms, and we have to fill that gap that’s been left for years.” Webster said when it comes to the conversation on “whether or not transgender people have rights in Iowa,” he believed all Iowans are guaranteed protections under Article One of the Iowa Constitution, which states “All men and women are, by nature, free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights.” “The conversation around civil rights is all men and all women — everybody fits within those civil rights. Everybody,” Webster said. “To outline and to create outliers and small pockets doesn’t make sense with ‘all men’ and ‘all women’ within our civil rights.” The amended bill was approved in a 29-16 vote, and goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk for final approval. One Iowa, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, linked the measure with other bills advanced by Iowa Republicans in 2026, including the measure removing affirmative action reporting and planning requirements from a variety of state and local entities. “The Iowa GOP has once again opted for erasing the civil rights of Iowans rather than passing meaningful legislation to make all our lives better,” One Iowa Executive Director Max Mowitz said in a statement. “… This legislature’s motto seems to be ‘our liberties we prize and their rights we will constrain.’ This is sure to be a shameful period in Iowa history, and we cannot wait until more fair-minded legislators replace those who have shown nothing but contempt for individual rights.”

North Scott robotics team shares big goals

I got to do one of my favorite kinds of interviews last week when I talked to North Scott’s robotics team, Guild of Gears, at the Regional Innovation Center – the kind where the interviewee does all the talking. I talked with the team for nearly an hour, and we probably could have talked for hours more, because the students were just so excited to talk about their team and their process. I was joined by most of the 12-member team, their coach Michele Mess, and Mark Mess and Ken Uhlenkamp, who both help mentor the team. There’s really nothing like talking with someone who’s passionate, and these kids truly love what they’re doing. They were delighted to show off Riot, the robot. I got to see old 3D printed parts from prototype designs and they were able to show me how far they’d come in the process. Ken Uhlenkamp also explained part of how each competition works. The robot has to be able to operate autonomously for part of each round, and by teleoperation (teleop), which is where a driver operates it remotely. For this year’s challenge, the robot had to be able to shoot colored balls into a chute in specific orders. They’re basically biggie-sized wiffle balls in green and purple. So, if the round called for green, green, purple, the robot would pick up two green balls and a purple. They get sucked into the front part of the robot and onto what the team called a spindexer, which is kind of like a lazy Susan. The spindexer rotates to the appropriate colored ball, which then gets sucked into the turret and fires out the top. What made Guild of Gears stand out this year was that they trained the robot to distinguish the colors using an artificial intelligence model, technology that wasn’t utilized by any other teams in the competition. It was tedious work, taking thousands of photos from all angles and then labeling them in order to teach the robot. And the students were frequently working late into the night, whether at home or at the RIC, to perfect the system. They estimated during the leadup to state, they were spending upwards of 50 hours a week at the RIC. “I learned that I can do school and a full-time job and sleep on the side,” joked Josh Le. “Sleepless nights? No problem,” said Olivia Uhlenkamp. “It’s all we can do to keep the food funnel going,” said Mark Mess. “These kids are willing to work around the clock.” I’ve been through the work of sorting a few thousand photos myself, and it is not fun, especially when they’re essentially the same shot over and over again, so good work to the team, and Olivia Uhlenkamp especially, for staying with that task. Because, blech. What’s even more impressive about the team is that many of them didn’t even necessarily have much robotics experience before they joined the team. Wesley Kramer said he had about six months of computer-aided design (CAD) and a year of programming experience. Marshall Mess got interested in the team because his older brother was a member. Others had some limited experience with LEGO League in elementary and junior high. “What I can tell you is, LEGO League does not prepare you for this,” said Olivia. “I did it for all of elementary and junior high and … yeah … it’s a whole new world.” “LEGO League is a lot more pre-built stuff, blocky code,” said the team’s communications director Cora Vannorsdel. “It’s a lot simpler.” She said most of the team started as freshmen, and they’re reaching out to junior high students to try to mentor some seventh and eighth graders who might be interested in joining the team when they reach high school. “We’re trying to involve younger kids, just so they have more time to learn and grow through the program.” The team has huge goals for next year, including making it to Worlds, and as such, they’re looking for ways to partner with local businesses and also receive contributions. They have many ideas written on a large whiteboard in the robotics room at the RIC, including price comparisons for some equipment upgrades. Some of their goals are as modest as getting a couch for the RIC room so they can have team meetings and not have to spread out on the floor. But they’d also like to get a CNC machine and at least one more 3D printer, some desktop computers, and more tools, storage and workspace. Max Vannorsdel said that some parts can take as long as 24 hours to print, which has led to long nights at the RIC. So, another 3D printer would be especially helpful. “A lot of members have personal 3D printers, because we’re those kinds of nerds,” said Cora. “So, we’ve been using a lot of personal 3D printers, and it’s nice to have dedicated ones.” They’re loving (and grateful for) their new space at the RIC, which they were able to move into in the fall. Coach Michele Mess said they’ve been able to get a greater sense of ownership of their projects and no longer feel like they’re relegated to a corner of some other classroom. “It’s amazing to have a space that is dedicated for this,” said Cora. One idea they’re not so keen on is a proposal to put another wall in the RIC room, which would separate their space from the area reserved for LEGO League. Just a few weeks ago, they invited several other teams, including from Pleasant Valley and Bettendorf, to join them at the RIC for a scrimmage and potluck. They were able to fit four teams in the room and just have a great time in fellowship with their fellow robotics enthusiasts. Marshall said that this was a good progression year for the team. While there may have been some faint idea of going to Worlds last year, this season was huge for building confidence and realizing the team’s true potential. I wouldn’t count them out, based on enthusiasm alone. As I said, we easily could have talked for so much longer about the robot and the program. But they’ll need some help achieving their goals. Right now, they’re looking at a wish list that totals more than $10,000. And because they’re a club, they’re not getting extra funding from the school in the same way other extracurriculars do. So, if you’d like to give them some financial backing, or if you’re a business that would like to partner with the team, you can reach out directly to the high school or to Michele Mess at michele.mess@north-scott.k12.ia.us. And if you happen to be at the Mississippi Valley Fair this summer, Guild of Gears will have a presentation in the Iowa Building, so check the fair schedule later in the summer for more details.  

Tornado Watch coming soon for parts of Quad Cities area

As expected, the Storm Prediction Center is monitoring our part of the country very closely today for severe t'storms. And it's likely parts of our area will be under a Tornado Watch within the next hour or so. Here's an area being monitored for the watch...and it's a 95% chance that a watch will be [...]

Eldridge hears from would-be governor

When I was growing up, my family ate dinner together near every night. My parents had left their first careers to restart a defunct dairy farm. Now we had our own meat, milk, eggs and vegetables, and we were going to eat them as a family. Those dinners ensured that I saw both of my parents every day; that our family was not an arbitrary or accidental group; that it was a living, working thing no less full of love for the demands of life. So it was a welcome surprise when Republican candidate for governor Adam Steen said he hoped to see more families gather around the table during a visit to Eldridge Thursday. “Look at the statistics: when families don't eat together, families aren't communicating, they're not talking,” Steen said. “We’ve got to get families back to the dinner table. We’ve got to make that cool. We’ve got to make that fun.” “Right now we're letting internet, we're letting social media raise our kids,” he said earlier in his stump speech. A former professional baseball player and recent veteran of the Reynolds administration, Steen bears the standard for what politicians once called “family values.” He seems to come by them honestly, as a father, rather than backwards, as a politician beholden to religious interest groups and primary voters. He pitches himself as a political outsider—he has never been an elected official—but his former role as the head of Iowa’s Department of Administrative Service promises requisite experience.  Steen swept straw polls at February caucuses across the state, and you can see why. Randy Feenstra, once the presumptive Republican nominee, wants for charisma. Steen is a welcome alternative, charming and handsome in the way that men with common sense and a commitment to family always are. And remember that he played professional baseball? Steen chalks the race for governor up to a battle of “good versus evil” in which Iowa must become “the shining light in this country.” He thinks that government “exists to punish evil and condone good. That's it.” I certainly do not see it that way; I think we should ask for a more sophisticated view of government, and more sympathy for our fellow citizens. On the economy, Steen wants to drive Iowa into the twenty-first century. He called himself a “fan of nuclear,” including small-module nuclear reactors that could power a rush of data centers. “We need to be building those here in the state of Iowa and putting those across the state to bolster the grid and to create more energy,” Steen said. He even wants Iowa to net-export energy. He correctly recognizes that the future of Iowa lies in adaptation, not retrenchment. Steen also hopes to train the Iowa workforce for twenty-first century jobs. “I will be the largest promoter and incentivizer of skilled trades that the state has ever seen,” he promised. “Everywhere I go, there are businesses that tell me I don't need money. I don't need this, I don't need that. I need people.… We need vocational studies and industrial arts back in schools in seventh, eighth grade, ninth grade.” I have written about my love for North Scott’s Regional Innovation Center before, but I am not sure that seventh and eighth graders should be pulled out of history class and handed a utility belt. At its best, career education meets students where they are and recognizes the diversity of their skills. It should not transform public education into a factory for the manufacture of laborers. We still need citizens, a point Steen recognized when he praised the value of “classical education.” But how to sqaure the two? The insult comes with Steen’s insistence that Iowa continue to cut taxes. “We need to cram our property taxes down,” Steen said, “we can cram our income tax down.” Except, by all accounts, we can’t. After years of responsible, conservative management, the state budget is running at a dangerous deficit. Local governments warn that they will cut services if aggressive tax reform limits their revenue. How does Steen expect to pay for career education without robust income and property taxes? At one point, Steen said that a freeze in SNAP benefits last November was an “unbelievable opportunity… to fill our church pantries with food, to fund our local food banks,” proving that while government was unreliable, “your local community can take care of you.” But why not aspire to a government that can take care of its citizens? If Steen would like to be governor, he ought to govern. Sometimes that means promising that every family can sit down for dinner.  

2001: New grocery store announced for Eldridge

March 10, 1976 • Swing Show ’76 was set to be a retrospective of music from the 20th century entitled, “Those Were the Days.” Members of the ensemble included Julie Waetke, Pam Williams, Deb Keeney, Donna Westphal, Denise Van Loon, Carol Shippey, Cliff Boye, Steve McNicol, Dale Strobbe, Brad Long, Kip Caldwell, Pat Green, Jodi Rasche, Tami Braunschweig, Judy Burmiester, Tammy Simkins, Lynn Madsen, Margaret Costello, Kathy Claeys, Jeff McNicol, Kevin Miller, Brian James, Steve Strobbe, Keith Hentrick, Kevin Haack and Tony Dexter. • The Top Ten candidates for King of Bachelor Capture were Randy Lage, John Suiter, Bert Graham, Rob Hamilton, LaVerne Keeney, Keith Jansen, John Steffen, Steve Peters, Rick Engler and Al Ward. BC was set for March 20. • Dustin Walling, son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Walling, formerly of Eldridge, was celebrating a unique birthday. Born on Feb. 29, 1972, Dustin had two birthday cakes, including one featuring a single candle representing his “first” birthday. He spent the day with family and at Happy Joe’s in Dubuque. Dustin and his mother were featured as Eldridge’s “Leap Baby” in 1972. • The North Scott boys’ basketball season ended in the first round of postseason play as the Lancers lost 66-47 to Dubuque Wahlert in Clinton. “Our players wanted to win badly, but weren’t ready mentally,” said coach Bill McCoy. “The idea that in the tournament we must face big schools psyches us out.” McCoy said North Scott needed to start considering itself a big school, too, and planned to help instill that mindset by continuing to schedule non-conference games against large schools. • John Steffen was voted Lancer wrestling MVP for the 1975-76 season. Steffen also received the Lee Marti Memorial Award, presented to the most improved wrestler. Randy Lage was named an honorary co-captain with Steffen. March 12, 1986 • The North Scott School Board was working towards finalizing the budget for the 1986-87 school year. Superintendent Doug Otto recommended the termination of one industrial arts teacher due to declining enrollment in that area but said he also didn’t enjoy making staff cuts. Four previously announced retirements made accommodating for staff a little easier during this budget cycle, he added. At the same meeting, Eldridge farmer Jerry Vollbeer was approved and sworn in as the new district treasurer. • As North Scott was looking forward to its fourth trip to Des Moines for a state tournament in the last 16 months, athletic director John Laughhunn was starting to get the hang of organizing such trips. More than 750 tickets had already been sold for the girls’ basketball team’s opening round game against Waterloo Columbus, and school officials were waiting for more to come from the state. Meanwhile, school was cancelled so as many students could attend the game, which was scheduled for 1 p.m. on a Friday. A send-off pep aud was also scheduled, as was a welcome home event that would go on, win or lose. “I think everything is right on schedule,” said Laughhunn. “Everything is organized, the itinerary is set, and we’ve had our rooms reserved for three months. Now it’s just a matter of getting the week over with, making final plans and enjoying the weekend.”  • North Scott elementary students easily surpassed their goal of 677,400 minutes in the Read a Million Minutes challenge, with a final total of 1,060,384. The North Scott Kiwanis Club donated $500 to the Scott County Library as a reward. Children’s librarian Tami Chumbley said $100 would be donated to the Scott County Library Foundation, and the rest would help purchase new children’s books and fund the summer reading program. Lyman Miller’s fifth-grade class at Neil Armstrong won the traveling trophy for making the most visits to the library during the challenge. Miller was pictured with the trophy and student Audra Madden. • Bob Schoop won the carcass division of the Scott County Spring Market Hog Show. A pig shown by Earl Martz & Sons finished second. Brent Keppy won the junior division, with Steve Frick as runner-up. • Former North Scott softball standout Alice Darland was set to begin her senior season at catcher for the University of Iowa with a three-day invitational in Norman, Okla., followed by a 10-day trip to Orlando, Fla.  While at North Scott, Darland set four records and was selected as an all-state player. March 14, 2001 • Eldridge would soon be getting a new grocery store, as Steve Grolmus, owner of the Super Valu in Park View, announced plans to build a 20,000-square-foot store on LeClaire Road. The Eldridge City Council approved tax incentives for the project, which Grolmus said would be beneficial, since he needed to build a store from the ground up. He estimated the new North Scott Foods would employ 60-80 people. A survey was also being conducted to determine market interest for the store, which would help inform what inventory was available. “We want to build the store that the community wants,” said Grolmus. • North Scott announced plans to launch a Hall of Excellence to honor graduates who, through their academic achievements, brought honor to themselves, their school and their community. Inductees became eligible 10 years after graduation. The first class of honorees would be announced at the annual academic honors aud in May. • Eldridge’s new water tower, located near the Community Center, was scheduled to be on-line by September. The $1.1 million, 750,000-gallon structure would supplement the town’s current water supply and help maintain proper pressure in the system. “We’ll be able to keep up with demand as the town grows,” said city administrator John Dowd. • Dennis Conard won a special election to serve as Scott County Sheriff, earning 57.2% of the vote. “I was totally surprised by the margin of victory,” said Conard the morning after the election. “I thought the outcome was completely up in the air. I had absolutely no clue where the election was headed, although I’d received a lot of positive feedback.” Within hours of being sworn in, Conard was busy at work, meeting deputies and jail staff and touring the county to meet residents. • North Scott seniors Melissa Yarham and Lauren Schnack signed letters of intent to continue their softball careers at Indian Hills Community College. March 16, 2011 • The North Scott School District was still exploring what to do about overcrowding at Ed White. While superintendent Jeff Schweibert looked to build consensus among school board members, he also held a forum with area mayors to discuss expansion options. “If we can’t agree, we’re going to keep having this burr constantly under our saddles all the time, and then we don’t focus on the educational side,” Schweibert told the school board. Discussion with the mayors also focused on the prospect of moving all sixth graders to an expanded junior high building, which many of the mayors were not in favor of, expressing concern about what such a move would do to their towns. And there were other worries. “Sixth graders are more like seventh graders than they are fifth graders,” said Long Grove mayor Ida Weibel, a former educator. “It’s a tough decision that the board will have to make.” • Members of Scott County’s sex offender tax force said they weren’t happy with the way a notification was publicized. They said they had been unaware that the LeClaire Police Department had issued a press release and that members of the media would be present. “Our goal is not to go out and humiliate these sex offenders,” said Lt. Bryce Schmidt with the Scott County Sheriff’s Department. “Our goal is not to go out and have a witch-hunt. We really want them to go out and live in peace, and if they screw up, we will hold them accountable. I’m sure what happened to that guy was humiliating, and it bothered us because that’s not the way we do things.” • A North Scott graduate was safe following an earthquake and tsunami that claimed 10,000 lives in Japan. Amanda Devine of Eldridge was teaching English in Japan. While the town she was living in suffered only minor damage, “towns nearer to me than Eldridge is to Long Grove have been damaged severely and are completely without water, electricity, etc., and are in constant worry of another tsunami hitting,” Devine wrote in an email shared with her church community at St. Ann’s in Long Grove. She said the Japanese people had been kind and generous during her time there and encouraged others to donate to the Red Cross. • Eight North Scott staff members opted for early retirement at the end of the 2010-11 school year: Steve Mohr, Susan Moore, Ann Mulvihill, Pat Perry, Joyce Orcutt, Sara Reth, Patricia (Cavanaugh) Sulentic, Marcia Schroeder and Linda Tuftee. • The Alan Shepard team of Jenna Brehmer, Cassie Carlson and Emily Bunch won the districtwide Battle of the Books and advanced to the regional competition at Calamus-Wheatland Elementary School in April. March 10, 2021 • Scott County auditor Roxanna Moritz announced she would retire on April 23. Moritz said she had intended to stay until the next election but was retiring earlier than she had expected due to conflict with the Board of Supervisors. She declined to elaborate further, saying she had a role in resolving a petition claiming there was a conflict involving John Maxwell’s role as both a supervisor and a member of the North Scott School Board. A temporary appointment would fill the role until the general election in 2022. • The Walcott Lions Club announced it would postpone its annual fish fry until the summer due to the pandemic. The dinner was usually held in early March. Meanwhile, the club was also celebrating its 48th anniversary. • North Scott jazz choir 200 South received a Division I rating at the State Vocal Jazz competition, which was held virtually. Choir members included Katie Allen, Abi Jensen, Kendall Deutmeyer, Rachel Sorensen, Hannah Noonan, Kaitlyn Wood, Owen Popelka, Alex Johnson, Kyle Skinner, Ross Willerth, George Behnke, Andrew Skinner. • The North Scott girls’ basketball team bowed out in the state semifinals with a loss to No. 1 ranked Glenwood, ending the season with a 16-3 record. Ashley Fountain was named to the all-tournament team. NSP editor Scott Campbell was also nominated for the Sportsmanship Award. Each team in the tournament was asked to nominate a community member who personified proper decorum and the ideals of sportsmanship. • Meanwhile, the boys’ basketball season came to an end in the substate finals, as Dubuque Senior defeated the Lancers 62-40 at Clinton. “We had no idea what we were getting into when this thing started in November, but we couldn’t ask for more than what you guys gave each and every day” coach Shamus Budde told the team following the game. “This didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but I’m telling you, and I mean it, every single one of you seniors, looking back to when you were just little pups, you’ve grown into men.”

Three Galesburg men convicted on federal drug charges

Three men from the Galesburg have been convicted or sentenced in federal court on drug charges after an investigation by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and a Task Force Officer assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force (TOC West). The investigation identified people responsible for trafficking controlled substances into Knox [...]

Capitol mourns Iowans killed, looks to housing reform

This week, we learned the tragic news that two Iowans were killed in action in Kuwait on March 1. Major Jeffrey O’Brien of Waukee and Sergeant Declan Coady of West Des Moines made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country and protecting our freedoms. Our hearts go out to their families, friends, and loved ones as they face this unimaginable loss. The men and women who serve in our armed forces represent the very best of our nation, and their courage and dedication remind us of the true meaning of service. The Senate stands in support of Major O’Brien, Sergeant Coady, and all Iowa service members during this difficult time. We are forever grateful for their commitment to our state and our country. The Iowa legislative session this year is scheduled for 100 days, and we have now officially passed the halfway point. Last Monday was an especially busy day as the Senate spent hours debating several important bills. Housing affordability remains a top concern for many Iowans, which is why the Senate spent significant time discussing legislation aimed at reducing housing costs. Some estimates suggest that as much as one-third of the cost of a new home can be attributed to government regulations. While many regulations serve important safety purposes, others can unnecessarily increase costs for builders and homebuyers. The Senate considered several bills designed to make housing more affordable by reducing excessive regulations. One of them, Senate File 2376, prevents local political subdivisions from requiring contractors or subcontractors to obtain additional bonds, letters of credit, or other forms of financial security, as well as from issuing separate licenses or charging licensing fees to individuals who want to work in Iowa. Instead, the legislation establishes a uniform requirement that all general contractors and subcontractors obtain a single annual performance bond. By standardizing this requirement, the bill aims to reduce unnecessary red tape and make it easier and more efficient to build and operate in Iowa. Finally, the Senate passed Senate File 2374, which updates Iowa’s state electrical code and ensures that local governments cannot adopt electrical codes that are more restrictive than the state standard. As we continue looking for ways to make Iowa a more affordable place to live and grow, reducing regulations that increase construction costs is one way to help address housing affordability across the state.   This column was abridged.

Helping voters assess judges

This past week the Iowa House passed HF 2719, which is designed to provide voters with transparency regarding the performance of district court judges.  Prior to every general election the same question comes up, "How do I vote on the judges?" Because judicial elections-specifically retention elections-often suffer from a lack of available date, this bill aims to fill that kind of information gap, by requiring the state to publish specific metrics on how judges handle their duties. If passed, here is how the bill will better inform you. The bill mandates that the judicial branch create a searchable website where voters can look up judges by name or county.  This moves beyond the standard "yes/no" ballot by providing a report card for each judge. Here are specific points for voters. Rather than relying on hearsay or high-profile cases, voters will have access to objective statistics in four key areas: 1.  Pretrial Discretion: How often a judge sets bail lower than the recommended schedule and how frequently they release individuals on their own recognizance (especially for violent vs. non-violent offenses). 2.  Sentencing Outcomes: Data on whether a judge's final sentences are lower than statutory or prosecutor recommendations, as well as the frequency of deferred or suspended sentences. 3.  Appellate Review: A reversal rate showing how many times a judge's rulings were overturned by higher courts due to legal errors or abuse of discretion. 4. Courtroom Efficiency:  Statistics on how long it takes a judge to rule on motions and how many cases are currently backlogged on their docket. Since this website is to help you understand if a judge's numbers are "good" or "bad", the website will display average performance statistics for that judge's specific judicial district.  So the next election this website will make you more informed whether to retain a judge or not.   This column was abridged.

Going hungry without respect

Today I left the grocery store without groceries. I'm disabled and on SNAP, and since Trump took office and changed the rules, it's become a regular occurrence that when I try to buy food, something won't be covered, and I never know exactly which items. Usually, I pay for it out of pocket, but it's gotten old and today I don't have the extra money. I was trying to buy food for my kids' school lunches, and I can't. I'm not calling a manager over to root through my groceries to tell me what I'm "allowed" to buy. What am I, a dog? So, I called Bobby Kaufmann, my state rep. Apparently, I have his personal phone number (for a couple years now), and I was less than happy that I can't make an adequate school lunch for my kids, so I swore in my message. The pressure of not being able to feed my kids is... hard. He texted back and was more upset that I swore than that my kids will go hungry. I told him that's fine, let's make it public record, then. How is it that an elected representative is more upset at a parent that's upset he can't feed his kids, than he is at the fact the children are going hungry under Republican policies?   Kris Keppy Dixon

AI questions unanswered

A legislative forum was held in Eldridge on Feb. 21.  I was out of town but was offered the opportunity to mail in a question.  Unfortunately, it didn’t make the cut, so I will ask the question here.  I hope you ask the same question of your legislators. Background: It's clear from watching legislation moving through the house and senate that the groundwork is being laid for more data centers via adopting new rules around peaker plants, virtual power plants, energy storage, managing rate making principles for water and wastewater, and energy forecasting, transmission and expansion planning. The House Commerce Committee met with Microsoft, Google and Meta, and it was clear from the discussion that our Representatives are promoting more data centers. Question: Besides the tech industry telling us we need AI, only to have the data centers that will be necessary gobble up our farm ground (an industry in itself), water, and energy with a promise of property tax relief that never happens, an admitted prediction that it will displace workers, yet provide more storage for our photos and faster streaming in our over exposed population, how do you see data centers improve the lives of Iowans?   Diane Holst Eldridge

Trump takes tips from scams

I see that President Trump has taken lessons from scammers; use lies, fear, confusion, and a sense of urgency to cheat people into believing you and distract from what you actually want. For Senator Grassley and other Iowa Republicans, I have a few questions. If Kamala Harris had won the 2024 election for president, would you have quietly ignored these same tactics from the President? When President Trump decides to invoke emergency powers to dissolve Congress, what will your response be (because whatever it is, will probably be too little too late)? Has loyalty to a political party taken precedent over your loyalty to the law, the Constitution, and your country?   Nancy Schafer Eldridge

GOP senators vote down Democrats’ effort to increase fines for water pollution

The Iowa Senate passed a bill Monday updating laws for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, but declined to debate a Democrat-led amendment to strengthen water pollution regulations. “Iowans, are you listening to the debate?” Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, said on the floor. “Do you see the bills coming from departments that are completely tone deaf to your needs?” The bill, Senate File 2230, which was swapped for the House-passed version, House File 2215, allows the DNR to have offices off of the Capitol complex, transfers powers over state preserves to the DNR and lowers the age that someone can hunt with a pistol or revolver, without adult accompaniment, from 20 to 18. The bill passed without controversy from the Iowa House, but on Monday, Democrats in the Senate introduced an amendment that would allow DNR to more heavily penalize companies and persons responsible for environmental violations such as spills. Sen. Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City, introduced the amendment and said it would give DNR “some teeth” and put “more of the burden of clean up on the company responsible for an accident and less of the burden on the state and on Iowa taxpayers.” Weiner referenced a 2024 fertilizer spill in the East Nishnabotna River that killed more than 750,000 fish. DNR currently has a $10,000 administrative fee cap when penalizing spills. The amendment would have allowed DNR to fine the company or liable person for 10% of the total clean-up costs, which Weiner argued would end up “saving the taxpayers money.” The East Nishnabotna case was passed from DNR to the state attorney general, who reached a settlement with the polluting company that included a $50,000 penalty and a payment of $50,000 toward a supplemental environmental project. The estimated cost of the fish killed in the river was more than $225,000. “This is the bill this year from the Department of Natural Resources — they are the state agency that’s charged with protecting our natural resources and ensuring that we all have clean water, clean air,” Weiner said. “The DNR currently has almost no enforcement power at all.” Sen. Annette Sweeney, R-Iowa Falls, requested a ruling on whether the amendment was germane to the bill. Senate President Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, ruled the amendment was not germane as it would “vastly” broaden the scope of the bill and open two additional code chapters. Petersen said the proposed policy pertained to the DNR, the department that proposed the language of the bill. “Iowans are begging for clean, safe drinking water,” Petersen said. “Iowans are paying the cost of pollution in their water bills. To say that policy language that would help with those things is not germane to the Department of Natural Resources bill is truly unbelievable.” The bill was sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk with a vote of 31-14. Soybean-based fire fighting foam The Senate unanimously advanced Senate File 2375 Monday, which would require local governments to consider using a soybean-based fire fighting foam in an effort to reduce the release of per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are found in some fire fighting foams. The bill stipulates that local governments that oversee fire departments must pass an ordinance by Jan. 1, 2027 to determine if they will purchase the soybean-based fire fighting foam. The bill also requires the Iowa Department of Administrative Services to establish a master contract with a seller for foam that contains the “greatest content” of soybean-based foam that does not contain PFAS. The purchase of fire fighting foam with PFAS has been outlawed in some federal agencies and in a handful of states. In addition to soybean-based foams, the U.S. Fire Administration lists that fluorine-free foams can also fight liquid fuel fires and don’t use PFAS. A manufacturer of a soybean-based foam spoke to lawmakers in a subcommittee meeting on the bill and noted the company sources its soybeans from a facility in Cedar Rapids. Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, said the bill is a “great way to show the force of Iowa soybeans” and to “clean up the areas where we can get rid of PFAS.” Official state horse of Iowa The American cream draft horse would be the official state horse of Iowa if the House chooses to advance Senate Joint Resolution 2010. This bill notes the American cream draft horse is the only draft horse breed native to the United States and that its bloodline can be traced back to a horse in rural Hamilton County. Sweeney, who introduced the bill, said adopting the horse as the official state horse would “embody” the state’s upcoming celebration of the 250-year anniversary of the United States. The joint resolution passed with a vote of 43-2. Sens. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, and Dave Sires, R-Cedar Falls, voted against the measure.  Lifejackets The Senate also passed Senate File 548 to allow passengers over the age of 18 to ride on personal watercraft, like a jet ski, without wearing personal flotation devices. Current code specifies that all operators and passengers must wear a personal floatation device while on a personal water craft. The bill would permit older passengers to go without a life jacket if the personal water craft is moving at a no-wake speed or at a speed of 10 miles per hour or less. The bill advanced with a vote of 29-17.

'We had our chances'

Patience is a privilege this North Scott boys’ basketball team is fortunate to have on its side. In his first season back at the helm of the program, Lancer coach Shamus Budde inherited a team with 13 underclassmen. Anyone who watched this group in the 2024-25 season saw that his players oozed basketball ability. With the progress this group had made by this winter, the Lancers wanted to be ahead of schedule. Arrive at the dance early. Tuesday’s (March 3) substate final proved the Lancers can play with the best. That they are capable of winning the big game. It made the fourth quarter that much more painful. For the third time in the past four seasons, North Scott has fallen at this final hurdle. That elusive state tournament appearance will come — just not this year. 4A No. 9 Prairie outscored North Scott 20-9 in the final eight minutes of the substate final, pulling away for a 59-54 victory in Cedar Rapids. “We had our chances. It came down to those last four minutes,” Budde said. “We gave up too many offensive boards. Some straight line drives. We had our chances. “I told our guys we have to learn from this. We have every point back from this year. Our future is really bright. Hopefully, our guys can learn from this.” The Hawks struck first, and hard, in the game’s opening minutes. Prairie set the nets on fire, knocking down its first three shots to jump out to a 9-4 lead. The home team made five of its first six field goal attempts. By the 2:30 mark, the Lancers were quickly down by a touchdown, 13-7. “We have to come out ready to go from the tip, and we weren’t ready tonight,” Budde said. “Our guys did a good job of sticking together, especially when they jumped us early. Our guys stuck together, and that’s a huge sign.” North Scott ripped off six points in a row in the final 92 seconds of the quarter to get back to even. On three consecutive possessions, sophomore Vasaun Wilmington connected on an elbow jumper, junior Josiah Harrington hit a free throw, and junior Zane Rus drilled a three-pointer. Surviving the initial wave, it was the Lancers’ time to go to work. After trading buckets to open the second quarter, Harrington swished back-to-back three pointers, prompting Prairie head coach Todd Kuntz to halt the action at the 4:31 mark, his team down 21-15. Harrington led all players with 27 points and nine rebounds in the contest. “As you can see, he’s definitely the best player, in my opinion, in the state. We are lucky to have him,” Budde said. After the timeout, North Scott got the lead up to eight with a Wilmington right-handed scoop layup through traffic. Eight points was the Lancers’ largest lead of the game, a margin they would acquire again at 45-37 with under two minutes left in the third quarter. The Hawks matched Harrington’s three-point barrage with a few of their own, and eventually tied the game at 23. Harrington hit two of his nine free throws in the game at the 1:06 mark to give North Scott a 25-23 lead, which it happily took into halftime. The future Iowa State Cyclone continued to dominate into the second half. He scored four points on a single possession at the third quarter’s 5:29 mark. After muscling through contact on an and-one layup, Harrington followed his missed free throw and put it back in for two more. Fans on both sides of this standing-room-only gym could feel it. North Scott was threatening to run away with the game. The opening minutes of the fourth quarter only added fuel to this fire. There was no home court advantage to be found with the Hawks getting whistled for five personal fouls in the first two minutes and 42 seconds of the frame. With 5:14 to play, North Scott led 47-43. This, conversely, is when the Lancers began to slide. North Scott made just two of its six free throw attempts gifted with those five fouls. It only shot two more the rest of the way, making one. The Hawks went on a quick 5-0 run, ending with an Austin Joens three-ball to give his team its first advantage, 48-47, since the first quarter. North Scott took the lead back on a Harrington bucket, 49-48 at the 3:33 mark. It would be its last, and short-lived. 16 seconds later, Joens found a back-cutting Will Wehr, who took a bump and converted an and-one. North Scott airballed a pull-up jumper on the other end of the floor. The Hawks, with the wind back in their sails, found Wehr on the wing. His catch-and-shoot off-balance three-pointer went straight through the chute. “The number of games this year where we’ve had four- or five-minute stretches that make the difference in the game, that is what happened tonight,” Budde said. Junior Miller Haedt stopped the bleeding with a reverse layup at the 2:26 mark, trimming the deficit to three. Both teams had empty possessions as the clock ticked under 60 seconds. Harrington got to the free-throw line and split a pair, setting the score at 54-52 with 53 seconds left. Needing a stop to save its season, the Lancers committed one of basketball’s cardinal sins by fouling a three-point shooter. Joens hit all three shots with 25 seconds left, and that was that. By the end of the night, Prairie proved to be the better team. It shot a better field goal percentage than North Scott (46.7 to 38.0), had half as many turnovers (6 to 12) and dished out more than four times as many assists (18 to 4). Wehr and Joens combined for 35 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three turnovers. Prairie advanced to the state tournament for the first time since 2022. North Scott is still looking for its first trip since 2020. “I love our growth that we made the last five or six games. We got better,” Budde said. “We talked about how we have to grow up and mature this summer. We talked about, the way the state is set up now, you really have to try to get a one seed so you get those two (substate) games at home. We talked about how every game matters. Our guys didn’t realize that this year, and hopefully we can learn from that and carry it into next year. “I have no doubt in my mind that all of our kids will get better and improve over the summer. We’ll have a chance to make a run at this thing next year.” Nobody on the team wants to wait nine more months to run this thing back. But it’s undeniable how scary the 2026-27 Lancers look on paper. Every single point scored from this year’s team can return next season. An eight-man class of rising seniors will join Wilmington, the team’s lone rising junior who already has two years of varsity point guard experience. “Honestly, I wish we could start next season right now,” Budde said. “I have a great group of kids that are fun to go to work with every single day. We’ll give them some time off, but we’ll be back at it soon.” As the postgame press gaggle disbanded, Budde stuck around to thank the local media members. He did so amid a backdrop of Prairie players climbing up a ladder up to one of the gym’s 10-foot hoops, scissors in hand. “Next year,” Budde remarked. “That’s us next year.”

Obituary: John Pischke

John C. Pischke, 77, of DeWitt, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2026, at MercyOne Genesis in Davenport, surrounded by the love of his devoted family. A celebration of John’s life was held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at Park View Lutheran Church in Park View, where he was a member. Visitation took place from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. John was laid to rest at Allen’s Grove Cemetery in Donahue. Memorials may be made to Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City or to Park View Lutheran Church. Chambers Funeral Home of Eldridge, Iowa, assisted the family with arrangements. John was born on Sept. 24, 1948, in La Crosse, Wis., to Robert and Joy (Dunn) Pischke. He graduated from North Scott High School in 1967 and later earned his degree from St. Ambrose University in 1981. Education was important to John, and he dedicated part of his life to teaching, sharing his knowledge and steady guidance with others. On June 27, 1970, John married the love of his life, Pamela J. Keppy, in Eldridge. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and enduring love, sharing more than 55 years of marriage. John was state certified in 19th-century limestone building restoration, a craft that reflected both his appreciation for history and his meticulous attention to detail. Since 1996, he had been self-employed, taking pride in his skilled workmanship and strong work ethic. He also proudly served his country as a member of the Iowa Army National Guard and remained active with the Eldridge American Legion. John found great joy in life’s simple pleasures. His pride and joy was his 1930 Ford Model A, which he lovingly cared for and enjoyed sharing with others. At home, he cherished time spent tending to his miniature horses, a hobby that brought him both peace and happiness. Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Pam; his sons, Randy (Barb) Pischke of Bettendorf, and Mark (Melissa) Pischke of Geneseo, Ill.; his grandchildren, Andrew, Colton, Elizabeth, Addison, and Matthew Pischke; his sister, Jane (John) Collins of Benton, Wis.; and his brother, Richard (Julie) Pischke of St. Augustine, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Joy Pischke. John will be remembered for his steady presence, his devotion to his family and the quiet pride he took in a life well lived. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Donald Swanson

Donald W. Swanson, 87, of Davenport, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026, at his home.  There will be a private family memorial. Donald was born Aug. 2, 1938, in Nelson, Neb., to Oscar and Alberta Swanson.  Donald graduated from Davenport High in 1956, was enlisted in the United States Marine Corp from 1957 – 1959 and later founded the Swanson Construction Company in 1967, from which he retired in 2009.  After retirement, Donald continued to enjoy managing his farm and cattle operation. Survivors include his wife Sally Weinzwig Swanson; his children Sue (Dennis) Zuber, Carol (Robert) Lauder, David (Christie) Swanson, Joseph Swanson, and Steven (Sara) Swanson; stepson Jon (Mary) Weinzwig; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Glen (Judy) Swanson; and four nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Janet; son Donald Swanson Jr.; and son Martin Swanson.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Michael Martens

Michael Lawrence Martens, 80, passed away on March 5, 2026, at Fieldstone of DeWitt Senior Living. Per his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded, and his final resting place will be at Rock Island National Cemetery. A private committal service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made at StopSoldierSuicide.org. Michael was born March 10, 1945, in Davenport to Lawrence (Lou) and Mae (Plagmann) Martens. He graduated from Davenport West High School in 1963 and shortly after, met the love of his life, Sharon McMaines. Sharon stopped one too many times at the Mobile Gas Station where he worked, and he finally got the hint and asked her out. They got married on April 21, 1966, at the Augustana Seminary Chapel and went on to enjoy 58 more years in each other’s company. Michael was drafted into the United States Army shortly after graduating from Palmer Junior College and got an all-expense paid trip to Viet Nam. He spent 1967 there as a U.S. Army mailman. Upon returning home, he was hired by the Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company, which was later acquired by MidAmerican Energy. He spent his entire career there as a Drafting Technician and retired in 2010. Michael especially enjoyed cars. Looking at cars, talking about cars, and working on cars. Sharon often joked that he married her for her 1965 Ford Mustang. Michael kept that Mustang running until 1987. During his lifetime he also owned a 1937 Chevy and was in the process of customizing a 1953 Chevy Bel Air in retirement when his Parkinson’s disease got the better of him. In 2019, he traded the Chevy in on a condo in Eldridge. He was a proud member of the Inliners International car club and he and Sharon took many vacations with club members across the country. Those left to honor Michael’s memory include his children, Jeff (Diane) Martens of Eldridge, and Lori (David) Martenson of Grand Haven, Mich.; four grandchildren, Grace (Cole) Eichelberger, Chloe Martens, Killian Martenson and Bainbridge Martenson; one brother, Tim Martens of Davenport and his son Ryan; and many other loving nieces and nephews, all of whom meant the world to him. He was preceded in death by his wife Sharon and his parents.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Dana Virden

Dana Marie (Hoffmann) Virden, 55, passed away Monday, March 2, 2026. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, March 12, from 3 to 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marion. A celebration of life will take place at 12 p.m., Friday, March 13, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Long Grove, followed by a luncheon. Friends may gather prior to the celebration of life at 10 a.m. Teahen Funeral Home is assisting the family. Dana was born on July 3, 1970, the daughter of Michael and Julie Hoffmann, where she grew up on her family farm in Donahue. She graduated from North Scott High School and excelled in softball, basketball and volleyball and was later inducted in the North Scott Hall of Fame. Dana graduated from Coe College with a bachelor of arts degree in 1992 and went on to receive her teaching certificate. While at Coe, she played volleyball and was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. On Oct. 27, 2018, she married David John Virden. Together they raised their children, Jenna and Brody. Dana had a passion for teaching and spent 13 years at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Marion, most recently teaching fifth grade. While teaching at St. Joe’s, she was known as the “Llama Lady” as her room was always decorated with everything llama. Prior to St. Joe’s, she taught middle school at College Community School District. Over the past year, she also enjoyed working at Indian Creek Nature Center. Dana enjoyed a very active lifestyle. She loved walking, running, working out, playing pickleball, golfing and loved being outdoors. Dana loved traveling, frequently visiting Arizona and most recently took a trip to Alaska. Most of all, and more than anything, she loved being a mom to Jenna and Brody. Dana is survived by her parents, Michael and Julie Hoffmann; husband, David Virden; daughter, Jenna Mosnik; son, Brody Mosnik; brother, Scott (Jennifer) Hoffmann; niece, Erica; sister-in-law, Ann (Justin) Balvanz; nephew, Boyd; and niece, Kate. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Bob and Dort Beert, Bud and Lovell Hoffmann and an aunt, Trudy Shockey. Memorials may be directed to St. Joseph’s Catholic School or Indian Creek Nature Center.     Custom obituary

Obituary: Mary Schroeder

Surrounded by her family, Mary Georgia (Gillooly) Schroeder, 83, passed away on March 7, 2026, in Fishers, Ind., after a journey with Alzheimer’s and battling a rare neurological disorder for nearly three decades.  She will be remembered lovingly for her courage, strength, and positive attitude to live each day to the fullest. Mary was born on Feb. 24, 1943, to Paul and Lillian (Wieck) Gillooly in Clinton.  Mary was an adored wife to Dale Schroeder (Blue Grass) and a beloved mother to Brenda Schmidt (Fishers, Ind.) and Jennifer Schmidt (Fishers, Ind.).   Her siblings include Karen (Jim) Gabbert, Cedar Rapids; Dale (Mary) Gillooly, Tucson, Ariz.; Jerry Gillooly (deceased) and Carol (John) Hawkins (deceased).  Mary grew up in Davenport and, by all accounts, was a city girl in her youth.  She worked retail and then began her 25-year career with Davenport Bank before marrying Kent Schmidt (deceased), and then moved to Durant, where she was introduced to small-town and rural life. In 1979, she married Dale Schroeder.  Mary and her two young daughters moved to the Edandale family homestead and dairy farm outside of Blue Grass.  While she continued her career at the bank, she embraced the new lifestyle of farm life.  She is remembered fondly for hosting large family holiday gatherings and notably for cooking - her chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, grape jelly, and her homemade ketchup were treasured delights from Mary’s kitchen. Dale and Mary retired from the farm in 2003.  Her passion for gardening followed her through retirement, where she maintained a beautiful flower garden.   In retirement, Dale and Mary enjoyed traveling with family and friends, exploring the Northeast, Alaska, many Midwest sites, national parks, and visiting their daughters.  Mary maintained an active social life through various card clubs, was active at the YMCA, and was a member of the Blue Grass Presbyterian Church.  In 2022, Mary and Dale moved to Fishers to be near their daughters. Private services will be held, followed by a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 14, from 1-4 p.m. at the Blue Grass Legion (106 S. Juniata St., Blue Grass, IA 52726).   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mary’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).   Custom obituary

Obituary: Ruth Buikema

Ruth Ann Buikema, 89, of Eldridge, formerly of Fulton, Ill., died Monday, March 9, 2026, at Fieldstone of DeWitt in DeWitt. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., with Pastor Joel Rohde, pastor of North Ridge Community Church in Eldridge, officiating. Interment will be at Fulton Township Cemetery in Fulton. Memorials have been established to First Reformed Church in Fulton. Ruth was born July 18, 1936, in Clinton, to Charles N. and Alice (Huizenga) Voss. She was raised in Fulton, where she attended Fulton grade schools and graduated from Fulton High School in 1954. On Oct. 4, 1955, she married Richard A. “Dick” Buikema in Fulton. The couple shared 70 years together before his passing on Dec. 14, 2025.  Ruth worked at Cottage Pastry in Fulton, where she enjoyed serving customers and sharing her warm smile. Faith and service were important parts of her life. She was a member of First Reformed Church in Fulton and was active in the King’s Daughters. Ruth also gave generously of her time volunteering at the Fulton Dutch Windmill and delivering Meals on Wheels with her husband, Dick, bringing meals and companionship to those who were homebound.  Ruth had a special gift in the kitchen and was well known for her baking, especially her homemade pies. She also loved playing cards and spending time with family and friends. Ruth and Dick treasured their time together and spent 28 winters in Alamo Palms, Texas, where they formed many lasting friendships and were active in the community. Survivors include one daughter, Brenda (Dan) Jamison of Princeton; one son, Randall (Mary) Buikema of Franklin, Tenn.; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dick; one daughter, Cathleen A. Steines; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Buikema; and two sisters in infancy. To send online condolences go to www.bosmarenkes.com.   Custom obituary

Mushroom sales certification workshops in Ames

Mushroom gatherers who wish to sell wild-harvested mushrooms can attend certification workshops held in Ames on March 28 and April 11. The Iowa Wild-Harvested Mushroom Certification is required for those selling any of the eight state-regulated mushrooms in Iowa, and participants will learn how to distinguish those eight from look-alikes that could be poisonous. Anyone with an interest in mushrooms, including those who sell them, can attend the workshop, offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The common names of mushrooms that require certification to sell are morel, oyster, chicken of the woods, hen of the woods, chanterelles, bear’s head tooth/lion’s mane, pheasant back and black trumpet. According to Chelsea Harbach, director of diagnostics with the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic at Iowa State, Iowans who have not been certified to sell mushrooms for three or more years must recertify this year. Registration is open to out-of-state individuals who hunt and sell in Iowa, but local certification may be required to sell in your home state. The workshop content will prepare participants for the certification exam, which is administered at the end of the workshop. Each workshop is divided into two parts: Online pre-workshop webinar. Each workshop includes a mandatory one-hour webinar on Wednesday evening prior to the workshop date. Materials covered in this webinar will be included in the certification exam, which requires a score of 80% or higher to pass. In-person workshop (required for the certificate). Participants who pass (with at least an 80%) will receive their full-size and wallet-sized certificates. Registration Participants can choose from two available registration options. The cost for certificate registration is $80, while non-certificate registration is $60. Registration for the March 28 and April 11 offerings must be completed at least one week before each workshop. Both workshops will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. in Ames. Details about the specific location will be provided to registrants as the workshop dates approach. For more information, visit Iowa Wild-Harvested Mushroom Certification or contact Harbach at pidc@iastate.edu. 

View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the March 11 NSP!

THURSDAY, FEB. 26 6:01 p.m. — Mark Albert Shepherd, 61, Davenport, was charged with public intoxication – 1st offense, following an incident in the 5200 block of Amesbury Drive, Davenport. 9:06 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near North Division and West 4th streets. FRIDAY, FEB. 27 12:34 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of West 63rd Street. 1:51 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 6500 block of Harrison Street. 2:25 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 700 block of North 1st Street. 3:59 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 2000 block of West 75th Place. 9:34 a.m. — Lucas Matthew Wamsley, 35, Davenport, was charged with failure to appear on a warrant and possession of drug paraphernalia, and cited for violation of financial liability coverage, following a traffic stop in the 8500 block of Northwest Boulevard, Davenport. 10:24 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 11600 block of 140th Street Place. 2:21 p.m. — Deputies responded to an abuse/neglect claim in the 700 block of Grand Court. 2:24 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 2:49 p.m. — Deputies responded to a weapons complaint in the 300 block of West Kimberly Road. 3:11 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 3:13 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 300 block of East 42nd Street. 3:32 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 1000 block of Blythwood Place. 6:19 p.m. — Deputies responded to a weapons complaint. 8:42 p.m. — Lataviana Lamarion Imyrah Robinson, 24, Davenport, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 1st offense, following a traffic stop near West 53rd Street and Villa Drive, Davenport. 10:10 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 21000 block of Brady Street. SATURDAY, FEB. 28 1:45 a.m. — Cory Dale Antle, 48, Blue Grass, was charged with OWI – 2nd offense and cited for improper rear lamps, following a traffic stop near Rockingham Road and South Fairmount Street, Davenport. 5:33 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 3700 block of 220th Street. 8:28 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of River Drive, Princeton. The dispute was verbal in nature, and deputies transported one of the parties to another location. 2:10 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 5300 block of Elmore Avenue. 4:24 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 13800 block of 118th Avenue. 4:30 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a burglary/home invasion in the 3600 block of West 83rd Street. 5:10 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 15900 block of 107th Avenue. 5:34 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of North Highway 67. 5:51 p.m. — Deputies responded to an indecency/lewdness complaint in the 400 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 5:56 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 3400 block of North Plainview Road. 8:21 p.m. — Logan Lee Wang, 23, Davenport, was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 1st offense, following a traffic stop near mile marker 3 on Interstate 280 East, Davenport. 9:11 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 3600 block of East 53rd Street. 9:23 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 27100 block of 183rd Avenue. 10:02 p.m. — Juliana Jasmine Mata, 20, Milan, Ill., was cited for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 2nd offense; Amari Jasean Roberts-Threatt, 20, Davenport, was cited for driving while license denied, suspended, cancelled or revoked; and Andrew Mitchell Revell-Beck, 20, Davenport, was cited for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 2nd offense, following a traffic stop on Interstate 74, Bettendorf. SUNDAY, MARCH 1 12:13 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 400 block of West James Street. 2:33 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 3100 block of Fieldcrest Drive. 3:31 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 100 block of Blackhawk Drive. 4:57 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 5:08 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of Blackhawk Drive. 10:46 a.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint. 1:06 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a sexual assault on Manor Drive. 6:09 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 1600 block of West Front Street. 8:48 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 14000 block of 112th Avenue. 9:08 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 4200 block of Elmore Avenue. MONDAY, MARCH 2 1:08 a.m. — Daniel Arthur Geiger, 52, Bennett, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and cited for stopping on the traveled part of an unpaved highway and an open container violation, following an incident near 50th Avenue and New Liberty Road, Stockton. 1:46 a.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint in the 3100 block of Rockingham Road. 2:21 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 400 block of Betsy Ross Place. 8:25 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. 10:37 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 10200 block of 140th Street. 10:13 p.m. — Tara Tameka Sutton, 48, Davenport, was arrested on an outstanding intrastate warrant, following an incident in the 100 block of West 65th Street, Davenport. TUESDAY, MARCH 3 2:05 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident in the 21000 block of Highway 67 North, Davenport, where a vehicle driven by Keith Alan Hartz, 59, Princeton, struck a deer that entered the roadway. 7:56 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 18500 block of 306th Street. 11:07 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle near 90th Avenue and 140th Street, Blue Grass. Deputies attempted to contact the registered owner of the vehicle but were unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed. 1:37 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 23000 block of 240th Avenue. 3:13 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 1300 block of Harrison Street. 4:35 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 13800 block of 118th Avenue. 4:37 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a sexual assault in the 400 block of West 4th Street. 4:51 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 28100 block of 215th Street. 5:42 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 1600 block of East Lomar Street. 5:48 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 31700 block of Big Rock Road. 7:58 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 100 block of West Spring Street. 11:44 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 11500 block of 108th Avenue. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 12:17 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. 2:42 p.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint in the 4100 block of Wisconsin Street. 4:26 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of South Concord Street. 5:00 p.m. — Tyanna Rae Blake, 19, Park View, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, following an incident on Lincoln Avenue, Park View. 6:08 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 11300 block of 140th Street. THURSDAY, MARCH 5 12:08 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 300 block of West Kimberly Road. 5:45 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 1600 block of West Front Street. 7:18 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 200 block of West Grove Street. 8:26 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check near Welcome Way and East 59th Street. 8:34 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 10:14 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 12400 block of 100th Avenue. 11:02 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 13800 block of 118th Avenue. 11:56 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem near 2nd Avenue and North Main Street. 7:11 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance on Park View Drive. 7:18 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 4400 block of State Street. 7:53 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage. 9:51 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance on Park View Drive. 9:59 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 400 block of Wisconsin Street. 10:40 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 18700 block of Criswell Street. FRIDAY, MARCH 6 6:47 a.m. — Deputies respond to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 28800 block of Allens Grove Road. 10:44 a.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint in the 400 block of West 4th Street. 11:26 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage. 1:02 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 400 block of Wisconsin Street.    

View the Eldridge Police report from the March 11 NSP!

MONDAY, MARCH 2 8:17 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 100 block of South 5th Street. Handled by officer. 11:09 a.m. — Report taken for an accident between two vehicles in the 100 block of South 5th Street. 4:43 p.m. — Jason Van Horn, 50, of DeWitt, was arrested for driving under suspension and cited for fraudulent use of registration and operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near Harrison Street and West Slopertown Road. 4:48 p.m. — Complaint of juveniles harassing each other in the 600 block of West Valley Drive. Handled by officer. 6:13 p.m. — Complaint of dogs running loose in the 1100 block of West LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 6:56 p.m. — Assisted a resident in the 100 block of South 14th Avenue. Handled by officer. 10:08 p.m. — Isaac Bricker, 23, of Davenport, was cited for operation without registration and no insurance, following a traffic stop near East Fisher Court and South 1st Street. TUESDAY, MARCH 3 5:56 a.m. — Report of a fire alarm sounding in the 500 block of South 5th Street. The alarm was being worked on. Handled by officer. 11:25 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 2900 block of South 1st Street. 12:53 p.m. — Complaint of two dogs running loose near East Lomar Street and South 22nd Avenue Court. The owner retrieved the animals. Handled by officer. 1:03 p.m. — Report taken for fraudulent activity in the 300 block of North 2nd Street. 3:05 p.m. — Cornelius Lee, 56, of Davenport, was cited for no insurance and operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 700 block of West Slopertown Road. 5:18 p.m. — Complaint of a sick raccoon in the 200 block of North 9th Street. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 5:42 p.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 1600 block of East Lomar Street. Handled by officer. 7:58 p.m. — Report taken for a disturbance in the 100 block of West Spring Street. 10:45 p.m. — Cotrease Phillips, 40, of Davenport, was cited for no insurance and operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near East LeClaire Road and Highway 61. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 10:57 a.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle on Highway 61. The vehicle was flagged. Handled by officer. 3:14 p.m. — A juvenile was arrested for assault, following an incident in the 200 block of South 1st Street. 4:25 p.m. — Report taken for a single vehicle accident on Highway 61. THURSDAY, MARCH 5 10:09 a.m. — Report taken for an accident between two vehicles on Highway 61. 4:29 p.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 1100 block of East Price Street. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 8:52 p.m. — Evan Keppy, 18, of Davenport, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 2000 block of Slopertown Road. 10:02 p.m. — Anthony Longfield, 33, of Rock Island, was cited for no driver’s license, following a traffic stop near East LeClaire Road and North 9th Avenue. FRIDAY, MARCH 6 11:48 a.m. — A juvenile was arrested for assault, following an incident in the 200 block of South Park View Drive. SATURDAY, MARCH 7 12:04 a.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 200 block of Trails Road. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 8:30 a.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 100 block of South 4th Avenue. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 10:22 a.m. — Abigail Owens, 18, of Muscatine, was cited for no driver’s license, following a traffic stop near Harrison Street and West Slopertown Road. 11:36 a.m. — Complaint of a dog running loose near West Sheridan Drive and South 2nd Street. The call was turned over to animal control. Handled by officer. 1:00 p.m. — Assisted a motorist with directions near South 1st Street and West Slopertown Road. Handled by officer. 1:09 a.m. — Heather Pena, 46, of Davenport, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near South 1st Street and East Blackhawk Trail. 1:34 p.m. — Assisted a motorist with directions near South 1st Street and East Blackhawk Trail. Handled by officer. 2:15 p.m. — Bryan Walker, 34, of Davenport, was arrested for driving under suspension and cited for no insurance, following a traffic stop in the 800 block of West Slopertown Road. 7:41 p.m. — Assisted another agency with a traffic stop near North Division Street and Research Parkway. 11:15 p.m. — Assisted a motorist in the 100 block of North 9th Avenue. Handled by officer. SUNDAY, MARCH 8 9:13 a.m. — Complaint of a sick raccoon in the 700 block of North Cody Road. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 9:25 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 200 block of East Franklin Street. 1:14 p.m. — Complaint of loud music playing in the 100 block of North 2nd Street. Handled by officer. 4:29 p.m. — Travis Geiger, 35, of Davenport, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near North 6th Avenue and East LeClaire Road. 5:56 p.m. — Complaint of a disturbance in the 400 block of East LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 10:12 p.m. — Tracy Duarte, 25, of Eldridge, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near South 1st and West Spring streets. 10:16 p.m. — Complaint of a suspicious subject in the 200 block of East Price Street. Unable to locate. Handled by officer.   

Sierra Metcalf keeps it '100'

Greatness takes many forms. Some reach the heights to which all athletes aspire by mastering their abilities and getting to the top of the game. And some show up and grind day in and day out over many years. They might not be flashy, but they get the job done more often than not. No Lancer girls’ wrestler embodies the latter more than Sierra Metcalf. As one of the program’s first four-year wrestlers, Metcalf established herself as a trailblazer. And in her last high school tournament, she became a history-maker. Metcalf is the first North Scott girls’ wrestler to reach the 100-win mark. She put an exclamation mark on a career that will be long remembered in the annals of Lancer wrestling. “To be the first, it’s very meaningful,” Metcalf said. “When they told me I needed six more, I was calculating. I needed to win at least two in each meet. I thought, ‘I think I can do that.’ I was very positive that I could do it.” Reaching this milestone has been in Metcalf’s mind from the very beginning. After completing junior high, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union sanctioned wrestling for Metcalf’s first high school season. Her first two weeks in November 2022 were perfect, going 5-0 with gold medals at the Independence Girls Invitational and the North Scott Varsity Tournament. She picked up seven wins in her first eight matches. At winter break, Metcalf already had 15 wins under her belt. “My freshman year was pretty good. I didn’t think I was going to start off like that,” Metcalf said. “I wrestled in eighth grade. I think that really helped. I was surprised to do that well right off the bat. My confidence was really up. “I remember my freshman year calculating the wins. Me and my dad talked about it. I just need 25 each year to get 100. At that point, I’m like, ‘That’s a lot.'" Wrestling is in the Metcalf family’s blood. Older brothers Drew and Logan both wrestled for the Lancers, as did their father. Drew was a state qualifier in his senior season, 2023, and tallied 77 career wins. Logan had 53 wins when he completed his career in 2024. “They were huge influences on me,” Metcalf said. “My dad was probably my biggest motivator. He’s the one I really wanted to do well for. Logan was always very supportive — they all are. I remember watching Drew a lot, and I’d learn a lot from him. His favorite moves were cradles and ankle picks, and I think I’ve learned that off him. Most of my wins, at least this year, were cradles.” Metcalf proved her freshman season was no fluke. She won at least 21 matches in every season of her career, and she finished each of her four years with more wins than losses. Her best campaign came as a junior, which ended with a regional championship and a state berth. She added a first-place finish at the Willard Howell Invitational in Wapello and a runner-up placement at the Mississippi Athletic Conference tournament. As a senior, she won again at the West Liberty Invitational and won another MAC silver medal. Everything led to the state qualifying tournament and the penultimate match of her career. Sitting on 99 career wins, and in the consolation bracket of regionals, it was now or never. Metcalf trailed Noah Overholt of Iowa City West 6-1 after the first period, and 8-1 early in the second period. Metcalf hit a reversal and a four-point nearfall to close the gap, but Overholt matched her reversal to maintain control, ending the period leading 10-7. Metcalf got a takedown less than 30 seconds into the third period, and a four-point nearfall to put her in the lead.  She leaned on Overholt for nearly the rest of the frame, desperately trying to get the pin. But the points advantage worked just the same. “That last match was a little crazy,” Metcalf said. “My go-to move is the headlock. Some people think it’s cheap, but if I need it to win, then I’ll go for it. I remember trying to get the headlock, and she would try other things. She’d hook my leg around and go in circles. I knew I just needed to keep rolling if she was going to do that.” Her teammates were all mat side, standing and yelling at the top of their lungs for her, wanting her to have this moment as badly as they would want it for themselves. “It was so awesome,” Aviea Holden said. “(Overholt) kept getting her leg on her, and we just learned this move. I’m like, ‘Sierra, get her leg off you, she’s reversing you!’ It was exciting, though, when she got it, because she got it at the last second.” “I was incredibly happy,” Sage Dzeladini said. “You probably saw me, I was jumping and screaming. I mean, my voice is raspy right now. I cheer really loud. I’m so happy for her.” Khloe Hamilton added, “Seeing her do that was pretty amazing. The first in North Scott girls’ wrestling history. Seeing her have an accomplishment at the end of her season made us all happy.” Seeing, and hearing, all that support meant the world to Metcalf. She felt it when her teammates mobbed her when she walked off the mat and handed her the 100-win poster. “I remember I looked over and everyone is on the mat. I look at (Coach Jim) Wiesrock and he’s in the circle,” Metcalf said. “It was great; I could hear all my friends screaming at me. They are the best supporters ever.” Included in that group of supporters is Lancer coach Brian Thomas, who has seen Metcalf climb the ladder over her four years in the wrestling room. “She’s been around the program a long time. She’s got 100 wins and a lot of mat time. It says a lot about her,” Thomas said. “She’s stuck around and gutted it out. Is she the best wrestler? No, but she knows it. She’s always consistent. You can always rely on her. She’s never in a bad mood. She’s always got a good attitude, a smile on her face, cracking jokes with us, making fun of us. She keeps it lively. “She’s been a pleasure to coach, and I’m really happy for her. I’ve known her since she was little, running around in Hello Kitty socks. And here she is… She comes from a great family. I know her two brothers. Dad wrestled. They are North Scott royalty.” As the program continues on without her, Metcalf hopes the team continues to grow and flourish in the years to come. Participation numbers have ebbed and flowed over the previous four years, but both the coaches and athletes know, and have said, that the more wrestlers there are, the better the program can become. “It became sanctioned my freshman year. I honestly had no idea how it was going to go. I didn’t think there would be a lot of girls,” Metcalf said. “Sophomore year, we started off with 40 girls. Towards the end of the year, we ended up with like 12. I know it’s a very hard sport, and not everyone sticks with it. A lot of the girls that are here put the work in. I think they enjoy it, and I think a big reason for that is our team and our coaches. “We have a great group coming in from junior high, and I believe a lot of those girls are going to stick. I’ve seen them since seventh grade. A lot of them do the youth programs here. “For North Scott, I hope we have dedicated girls who start when they’re younger. They stick with the team and encourage other girls. I hope the team stays good and healthy and everyone gets along. The girls are supportive and helpful, and I hope it stays that way — like a big family.”

Lancer bowlers are all-state

If state plaques and medals weren’t enough, North Scott’s bowling team is raking in the postseason awards. Members of both the boys’ and girls’ teams earned spots on the all-conference teams as well as the all-state lists. Star seniors Lindy Dhuse and Lucas Persson both made the first team all-state list for Class 2A. This is both bowlers’ second all-state honor, but it is their debuts on the first team. Dhuse made the second team as a junior, and Persson made the second team as a sophomore. Naturally, both made first team all-district and first team all-Mississippi Athletic Conference as well. Dhuse made it with her season average of 186.33, and Persson made it with his season average of 223.25. Sophomore Caston Dhuse made the all-MAC second team with a season average of 206.42. Sophomore and fellow individual state qualifier Clayton Schroder hit an even 200 season average, earning him an honorable mention. Junior Skylar Shalack also received an honorable mention on the girls’ list with her season average of 171. In total, eight MAC bowlers made an all-state first team — four on the girls’ list and four on the boys’ list. On the girls’ side, Dhuse, Kiara Krueger (Clinton, 2A), Naomi Flower (Davenport North, 2A) and Skye Jungwirth (Bettendorf, 3A) all received recognition. On the boys’ side: Persson, JJ Coates (Central DeWitt, 2A), Zack Grothus (Bettendorf, 3A) and JT Grothus (Bettendorf, 3A) earned spots on this coveted list. Class 2A girls all-state first team Karlie Einck, Decorah; Jaelynn Ketterer, Keokuk; Kiara Krueger, Clinton; Lindy Dhuse, North Scott; Sidney Thompson, Oskaloosa; Naomi Flower, Davenport North; Rylee Pulliam, Clarinda. Class 2A boys all-state first team David Pettera, Western Dubuque; Taylor Lindner, Le Mars; Michael Solberg-Maas, Mason City; JJ Coates, Central DeWitt; Brody Phillips, Lewis Central; Lucas Persson, North Scott.

2026 Drake Blue Standards Revealed

Iowa high school track and field practices are well under way, and the 2026 Drake Relays will be here in a blink. Last month, Drake University released the updated list of Blue Standards for April’s event, one of the premiere track and field competitions in the United States. Blue Standards are the qualifying marks that guarantee acceptance for Iowa high school runners, jumpers and throwers. Athletes that do not meet a Blue Standard may still be considered for the Drake Relays. Compared to the 2025 Blue Standards, the 2026 marks are more challenging in 11 of the boys’ events and 12 of the girls’ events. In the release, Blake Boldon, the Director of the Drake Relays, said: “The Blue Standards reflect the continued growth of high school track and field in Iowa. Each year, the marks become more competitive because the athletes and coaches across this state keep raising the bar. In 2026, that momentum feels stronger than ever. We’re excited to welcome the next wave of Iowa’s best to Drake Stadium and celebrate what promises to be one of the most memorable seasons in recent history.” The Drake Relays High School Selection Committee have set Blue Standards since 2018, with the goal of having 25 percent of the event’s competitors achieve the mark in their respective event. Prep athletes have from March 2 through April 16 to meet one of the Blue Standards and qualify for the Drake Relays. Final lists will be published on DrakeRelays.org on April 18. This year’s Drake Relays will take place from April 22 to April 25 inside Drake Stadium. Individuals and relay teams can qualify in 18 different events. Listed below are the Blue Standards for both the boys’ and girls’ competitions. 2026 Boys Blue Standards 100-meter dash: 10.75s 400-meter dash: 49.00s 800-meter run: 1:54.00 1600-meter run: 4:15.00 3200-meter run: 9:15.00 110-meter hurdles: 14.50s 400-meter hurdles: 54.15s 400m Wheelchair: 1:10.00 4x100-meter relay: 43.20s 4x200-meter relay: 1:29.00 4x400-meter relay: 3:24.00 4x800-meter relay: 7:58.00 Shuttle hurdle relay: 59.00s 1600-meter medley: 3:31.50 High Jump: 6-07 Long Jump: 23-00 Discus: 175-00 Shot Put: 56-00 2026 Girls Blue Standards 100-meter dash: 12.35s 400-meter dash: 57.05s 800-meter run: 2:15.40 1500-meter run: 4:42.50 3000-meter run: 10:13.00 100-meter hurdles: 15.10s 400-meter hurdles: 1:04.50 400-meter Wheelchair: 1:30.00 4x100-meter relay: 50.50s 4x200-meter relay: 1:44.50 4x400-meter relay: 4:01.50 4x800-meter relay: 9:31.00 Shutte hurdle relay: 1:05.00 800-meter medley: 1:49.00 High Jump: 5-06 Long Jump: 18-00 Discus: 140-00 Shot Put: 42-00

Moeller leads Lancer postseason awards

After a breakthrough 2025-26 season, North Scott’s girls’ basketball team is getting rewarded with all-conference honors. Five Lancers landed on this year’s Mississippi Athletic Conference top teams list, with representation on each squad. Senior Allie Moeller is going out with a bang, winning first team all-MAC honors and first team all-district recognition in Class 4A Southeast. Moeller is the first Lancer to place on the all-conference first team since Lauren Golinghorst in the 2022-23 season. This season, Moeller averaged 16.4 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game. Both marks ranked fifth in the MAC. She also ranked top five in the conference in free throws made per game (3.0), offensive rebounds per game (2.9), and field goals made per game (6.2). Moeller will lace ‘em up one last time in her high school career. She will play in the Iowa Girls Coaches Association’s Larry Neimeyer Senior Games this weekend at Cedar Falls High School. Sophomore Alaina Dreckmeier is a fast-rising player in the MAC, having made the honorable mention list as a freshman and now the second team as a sophomore. The Lancer point guard averaged 15.4 points per game this season, sixth in the conference. She dished out 3.9 assists per game, which ranked second in the MAC. Dreckmeier also averaged 2.0 made three-pointers per game, which ranked fifth. Three more Lancers received honorable mention recognition: juniors Kamilah Eller and Alyssa Schroeder, and sophomore Delaney Hill. Eller was North Scott’s defensive specialist, locking down opponents’ best players all season. On the offensive end, she contributed 6.6 points per game and 2.2 assists per game. Schroeder was North Scott’s most efficient scorer this season, leading the team with a 46.4 field goal percentage and a 28.9 percent mark from beyond the arc. She averaged 7.5 points per game this season. Hill played in all 24 games for North Scott and quickly became a regular fixture, starting 17 games and making impacts on both ends of the floor. Bettendorf’s Alyvia McCorkle won Player of the Year honors. Central DeWitt’s Ron O’Brien won Coach of the Year for the second straight year, leading the Sabers to an undefeated conference season. The Sabers were the only team from the MAC to qualify for the state tournament, earning the No. 6 seed in Class 4A. They lost in the quarterfinals 50-37 to No. 3 Norwalk. North Scott season statistical summary Points Allie Moeller, 377; Alaina Dreckmeier, 372; Alyssa Schroeder, 179; Kamilah Eller, 158; Grace Hamann, 92; Delaney Hill, 56; Alexis McCloy, 37; Victoria Samara, 26; Saeler VenHorst, 17; Isla Marti, 12. Rebounds Allie Moeller, 172; Alyssa Schroeder, 161; Alaina Dreckmeier, 105; Grace Hamann, 83; Kamilah Eller, 82; Delaney Hill, 64; Saeler VenHorst, 38; Victoria Samara, 25; Alexis McCloy, 23; Isla Marti, 17; Isabella Meier, 2; Brynn Reed, 1. Assists Alaina Dreckmeier, 93; Kamilah Eller, 52; Allie Moeller, 45; Delaney Hill, 45; Alyssa Schroeder, 24; Grace Hamann, 24; Saeler VenHorst, 8; Victoria Samara, 8; Alexis McCloy, 2; Isla Marti, 2; Isabella Meier, 1; Brynn Reed, 1. Steals Alaina Dreckmeier, 52; Kamilah Eller, 36; Alyssa Schroeder, 25; Delaney Hill, 24; Allie Moeller, 23; Grace Hamann, 10; Victoria Samara, 5; Saeler VenHorst, 4; Isla Marti, 4; Alexis McCloy, 2; Isabella Meier, 1. Blocks Alyssa Schroeder, 14; Alaina Dreckmeier, 12; Allie Moeller, 3; Grace Hamann, 3; Saeler VenHorst, 3; Kamilah Eller, 2; Delaney Hill, 2; Victoria Samara, 2; Alexis McCloy, 2. Ironwomen Alyssa Schroeder, Alaina Dreckmeier, Grace Hamann, Kamilah Eller, Delaney Hill and Victoria Samara played in all 24 games this season. All-Mississippi Athletic Conference Teams First Team Alyvia McCorkle, Bettendorf; Ava Putman, Central DeWitt; Jhaliana Guy, Clinton; Isabelle Kremer, Pleasant Valley; Allie Moeller, North Scott; Anna Timmons, Davenport Assumption; Raelyn Lacourse, Davenport West. Second Team Alaina Dreckmeier, North Scott; Kinley Birt, Central DeWitt; Paetyn Peterson, Pleasant Valley; Ella Curoe, Davenport Assumption; Aubrey Ferguson, Clinton; Ella Maynard, Muscatine; Alli Haskell, Clinton. Honorable Mentions Addison Woelfel, Bettendorf; Emma Putman, Central DeWitt; Gabby Stoffregen, Davenport Assumption; Sasha Casillas, Davenport Central; Kamilah Eller, North Scott; Armani Neely, Davenport West; Monique Nelson, Davenport North; Destanee Gray, Davenport Central; Alyssa Schroeder, North Scott; Ella Rubel, Pleasant Valley; Carryn Sattler, Clinton; Delaney Hill, North Scott; Clara Leconte, Central DeWitt; Payshence Price, Davenport West; Taylor Powers, Pleasant Valley; Leonora Loos, Muscatine. Player of the Year Alyvia McCorkle, Bettendorf Coach of the Year Ron O’Brien, Central DeWitt   Class 4A Southeast All-District Team Daphne Brown, Burlington; Mylee Stiefel, Burlington; Ella Smith, Carlisle; Macy Comito, Carlisle; Ava Putman, Central DeWitt; Kinley Birt, Central DeWitt; Jhaliana Guy, Clinton; Elizabeth Mason, Keokuk; Kendra Boatman, Keokuk; Allie Moeller, North Scott; Emma Walkup, Pella; Coach of the Year is Justin Flaws of Carlisle.

UNI adds two new artificial intelligence majors

The University of Northern Iowa is expanding its education in artificial intelligence with two new bachelor’s degree programs and additional certification. Two undergraduate majors in the Wilson College of Business and College of Humanities Arts and Sciences will offer training in AI tools and how they work — preparing students for a range of job fields, according to a news release from the Cedar Falls university. In the business college’s artificial intelligence major,  faculty will “focus on helping students understand how AI is actually used inside organizations — not just the technology itself, but how it supports strategy, operations, and problem-solving,” UNI Management Department head Atul Mitra said in the release. Students will learn how technologies like machine learning and predictive analytics combine with business systems “to create value,” the release stated, based in business analytics and information systems “discipline” and included with teaching on ethics, governance and accountability. “This program reflects our commitment to continuously evolving our curriculum to keep pace with how business is changing,” Mitra said in the release. “Our students want to graduate career-ready, and that means understanding how emerging technologies like AI help solve real business problems.” Graduates of the program will be able to enter industries of finance, insurance, manufacturing and more with their UNI education, the release stated, and will be able to hold jobs as business intelligence analysts and AI architects, product managers and data scientists, among others. The college of business is also offering a new certificate in applied AI for business, according to the release, focusing on “the practical applications of AI.” A new major in mathematics of artificial intelligence will dive more into the theory behind machine and deep learning and data-driven technologies, the release stated. Students will study calculus, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, statistics, computer programming and other topics in addition to machine learning and deep learning mathematics. For those hoping to further their education, the release stated the program will prepare students for “graduate study in mathematics, data science, artificial intelligence or related fields.” Students will be ready to enter industries including technology, finance, health care, manufacturing, business and government. “Our goal is to produce graduates who stand out in the job market,” said Douglas Mupasiri, head of UNI’s department of mathematics, in the release. “A mathematically trained AI professional can diagnose model failures, understand uncertainty and risk, and adapt to new technologies as the field evolves. That adaptability is what employers are looking for, and it’s what UNI can provide students.”

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