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

Wednesday, July 8th, 2026
	Tehran targets Bahrain and Kuwait after US strikes The regional crossfire raised the risks that an interim agreement to halt fighting in the war could break down, putting the Middle East again at risk of a wider conflict.
Tuesday, July 7th, 2026
	Davenport OKs extension of Venuworks' agreement with RiverCenter/Adler VenuWorks has announced that the Davenport City Council has approved a three-year extension of the company’s management agreement for the RiverCenter and Adler Theatre, continuing a partnership that has served the Davenport community since 1997, according to a news release. The renewed agreement extends VenuWorks’ management of the venues through June 30, 2029.As VenuWorks celebrates [...]
	Central Iowa flooding makes a rough start for sweet corn season The flooding was severe enough that Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation in some impacted areas.
	City of Monmouth announces new city administrator The City of Monmouth has announced Lou Leone as new city administrator. At Monday night’s meeting, the Monmouth City Council officially entered into an employment agreement with Lou Leone as its new city administrator, a news release says. “On behalf of the council and the City of Monmouth, we’re excited to have Lou Leone be [...]
	Moline City Council approves use of AI language translation software for police body cameras The technology will be used when a human interpreter is not immediately available. It can translate 60 languages through the camera within seconds.
	Police, SWAT respond to situation in Davenport A News 8 crew arrived on the 300 block of Taylor Street in Davenport on Tuesday, July 7 at approximately 7:15 p.m.
	Troubles continue in Davenport open records lawsuit City officials argue the trial was erroneously canceled, while the man suing the city claims the City reneged on a settlement agreement.
	90th anniversary of hottest weather ever in the Quad Cities 90 years ago - can you imagine temps like 111° in the Quad Cities, with no A/C?!?!? That was the case for Quad Citians back in 1936! 11 record highs in a row come from this time period back in 1936. Every single record high between July 5th and 15th is from 1936 - all [...]
	Police, SWAT respond to scene in Davenport A News 8 crew arrived on the 300 block of Taylor Street in Davenport on Tuesday, July 7 at approximately 7:15 p.m.
	Moline Police to implement AI translation technology The Moline Police Department will soon implement artificial intelligence-assisted translation technology. The Moline City Council approved the purchase of the AI technology, to be integrated into officers' body cameras. The tool can translate more than 60 different languages in real time. Moline Police already tested seven languages during a 60-day period. Chief Darren Gault says [...]
	Part of Muscatine's East 11th Street will close for utility-pole placement The Muscatine Department of Public Works (DPW) has been notified that Muscatine Power and Water (MPW) will conduct utility pole replacement work requiring temporary street closures on East 11th Street. Thursday, July 9 East 11th Street will be closed to all traffic from 9 a.m.-noon between Oak Street and Orange Street to facilitate the replacement [...]
	2 girls rescued from Bureau Creek The Bureau County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Princeton Fire Department for the rescue at about 3:40 p.m., according to a media release.
	T. G. Sheppard, David Frizzell, will be in concert at The Adler Theatre, Davenport Dynasty Entertainment LLC has announced Country Legends in Concert starring T.G. Sheppard and David Frizzell will be at the Adler Theatre on Oct. 21, according to a news release. Country music icon T.G. Sheppard is celebrating 50 years in country music. Ranked among thetop 100 country artists of all time by Billboard Magazine, Sheppard’s first [...]
	From Division III to Division I basketball, Bria Medina's journey to Iowa City Bria Medina, one of the shortest players on the Iowa women's basketball team, was cutting and slicing between defenders, running off ball to find an open look. She had the ball bounced to her on the right wing, eyes darting back and forth behind a clear mask. The mask protects her nose, still recovering from [...]
	City of Moline selected for national leadership cohort focused on sustainability Moline joins the 2026 LEED for Cities Leadership Cohort, aiming to enhance sustainability through a structured process.
	Officers use gas, 'flash bang' during execution of Davenport search warrant Davenport police used a bullhorn and shot rounds of gas through the windows of a home during the execution of a search warrant Tuesday night. Our Quad Cities News crew watched as officers cleared neighbors from the area on the 300 block of Taylor Street. About a dozen squad cars and the SWAT Team tactical [...]
	Des Moines man faces felony charges after police say groomed Bettendorf child A 43-year-old Des Moines man faces felony charges in connection with what police say was an incident that involved grooming of a Bettendorf child, according to Scott County arrest affidavits. William Reed faces felony charge of sexual exploitation of a minor - cause to engage in act, and grooming, according to Scott County Court documents. [...]
	Clinton's downtown assessed for economic prospects Five specialists from the Iowa Economic Development Authority's Downtown Resource Center started work in Clinton. The specialists are assessing downtown Clinton's prospects to revitalize the economy. The process involves going over Clinton's strengths and challenges and then coming up with long-term recommendations. The assessment runs through Thursday, July 9. There will be a public presentation [...]
	Maquoketa considers building a data center The City of Maquoketa is considering a proposal to build a data center. A developer is interested in some industrial property near the Walmart off of Highway 61. City leaders seem to be support the move despite the environmental concerns data centers bring. City manager Josh Boldt presented the concept during the Maquoketa City Council's [...]
	Iowa House candidate Sarah Trone Garriott pushes Medicaid restoration, cancer research funding Democratic U.S. House candidate Sarah Trone Garriott said Tuesday she would push to restore federal Medicaid funding and oppose cuts to cancer research if elected to represent Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.
	Large police presence on Taylor Street, part of road blocked A KWQC crew on scene said they could see eight police squad cars around 6 p.m. and officers appeared to have their riot shields out.
	Bettendorf woman rides to world record A Bettendorf woman is celebrating after helping make motorcycle history.
	Mental health fund aims to expand affordable care access in QC Quad City Behavioral Health Associates partner with The Gray Matters Collective to bridge the affordability gap for those in need of mental health services.
	Opening of Petunia Crossing bridge marks Project Rock completion The opening of the bridge marks the completion of the city's $14 million Project ROCK revitalization effort.
	Illinois grant to help create low-income housing: What to know Almost 1,000 homes for low-income families are expected to be created through a grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). The board approved $37 million in low-income housing tax credits. In the QCA, Valley Homes in Rock Island will get more than $2 million. Valley Homes is a 60-unit development for seniors.Burlington Terrace, another [...]
	John Deere Leaders weigh in on PGA changes With the John Deere Classic now in the rearview mirror, leaders at John Deere weighed in on their future as the title sponsor of the golf tournament as well as future changes to the PGA.
	Hearing held for suspect in DePue hostage situation where 3-year-old was fatally shot The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 3.
	Illinois law allows cameras in assisted living, shared housing facilities A new Illinois law is expanding the use of audio and video cameras in long-term care settings. Residents of assisted living and shared housing facilities can now choose to install visible audio or video recording devices at their own expense.
	Missipi Brewing Co. opens under new ownership in Muscatine Walton and Carolina Ponce are the new owners of the Missipi Brewing Company in downtown Muscatine.
	Quad-Cities public, school libraries receive state grant funds Rock Island Public Library will receive over $150,000, with other area libraries also receiving funds from the grant program.
	Monmouth announces new city administrator, Lou Leone During Monday's meeting, the Monmouth City Council officially entered into an employment agreement with Lou Leone as its new city administrator.
	Gift of Giving - Breakthrough T1D In May 2026, Necker's partnered with the Breakthrough T1D for the Gift of Giving.
	Man accused of killing Trudy Appleby asks judge throw out some witness testimony Jamison Fisher is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in the 11-year-old's 1996 disappearance.
	Quad City Music Guild to perform Nickelodeon the Sponge Bob Musical Nickelodeon the Sponge Bob Musical will debut at the Prospect Park Auditorium in Moline starting on Friday.
	Des Moines man charged in Scott County with exploitation of a minor, grooming A Des Moines man has been arrested after he allegeldy induced a minor in Bettendorf to send him inappropriate images and then solicited the minor for a sex act.
	Des Moines man facing sexual exploitation, grooming charges in Scott County A Des Moines man is facing felonies after deputies say he used a computer to try and seduce a child to engage in a sexual act.
	Up, up and away at the Quad Cities Balloon Festival! You can enjoy family fun that lights up the skies and hearts of the QCA! Darrell Day joined Our Quad Cities News with details on the Quad Cities Balloon Festival. For more information, click here.
	Waffle & Pancake House, in Muscatine, announce temporary closure Waffle & Pancake House announced they are temporary closed for maintenance and will reopen on August 6.
	Survey: 45% support bonds for $33M in new facilities in Eldridge A referendum, which Eldridge is considering putting before voters in November, would need at least 60% support to pass.
	Defense files for psychiatric exam and to suppress evidence ahead of Bureau County Mother’s Day hostage trial Motions for a psychiatric exam and to suppress evidence were filed Tuesday for Anthony Daniel Rodriguez ahead of his August trial in Bureau County.
	Sabula man arrested after allegedly throwing a mortar firework at neighbor's garage A Sabula man was arrested after allegedly throwing a mortar round for a firework at a neighbor's garage, causing damage.
	Rural La Harpe man arrested after investigation into alleged sexual abuse of minor 49-year-old Ronald G. Jarrell was arrested following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a child.
	Monmouth announces new city administrator During Monday's meeting, the Monmouth City Council officially entered into an employment agreement with Lou Leone as its new city administrator.
	Man accused of killing Trudy Appleby asks judge to limit, throw out witness testimony Jamison Fisher is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in the 11-year-old's 1996 disappearance.
	Woman injured in Rock Island shooting, warrant issued for suspect A woman was taken to the hospital following a shooting in downtown Rock Island on July 6.
	Rock Island police looking for ‘armed and dangerous’ man after woman shot Rock Island Police are looking for a man they say is “armed and dangerous” after a woman was shot Monday evening.
	History, snakes, and more at the Rock Island Public Library this July The public library is hosting a lecture series on America’s semiquincentennial and a local history display at its downtown location. Other events at its Watts-Midtown and Southwest Branches include plant crafts, painting, jigsaw puzzles, and snake encounters.
	Moline police seeking AI language translation software for body cameras The technology will be used when a human interpreter is not immediately available. It can translate 60 languages through the camera within seconds.
	Monmouth names Lou Leone new City Administrator The City of Monmouth has a new City Administrator. The Monmouth City Council officially entered into an employment agreement with Lou Leone to be its new City Administrator at last night’s meeting. “On behalf of the Council and the City of Monmouth, we’re excited to have Lou Leone be our next City Administrator,” Mayor Rod [...]
	Switchfoot, July 18 Touring in support of their just-release album Forever Now whose single "Wake Up, Mr. Crow" peaked at number two on the Cross Rhythms Christian Airplay chart, the alt-rock and gospel musicians of Switchfoot bring their national tour to Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort on July 18, their unique blend of emotionally intelligent and uplifting music having earned them a devoted and loyal global fan base.
	Silverstein, July 18 Touring in support of their September release Pink Moon – a recording whose tracks, according to Scene Point Blank, are "fun and catchy with that topnotch sound that you've come to know and love" – the Canadian rockers of Silverstein headline a July 18 concert at Davenport's Capitol Theatre, their latest album also hailed by Crucial Rhythm as "a diverse, compelling body of work that explores human fragility, resistance, and the ever-changing landscape of art and life."
	Charlie Parr, July 17 Touring in support of his most recent album Little Sun, a work that Americana Highways deemed " a masterful record with stunning production and musicianship of the highest quality," Charlie Parr headlines a July 17 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the country and blues-rock singer/songwriter's latest also leading PopMatters to rave that Parr "never betrays his own vision, one that continues to find new routes to explore even 18 albums in."
	The Cactus Blossoms, July 22 With their most recent release Every Time I Think About You hailed by Adventures in Americana as an album that "pulls you in immediately with delicious melodies combined with that Lynchian edge the band is known for," the sibling Americana musicians of the Cactus Blossoms headline a July 22 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, their latest also inspiring Americana Highways to extol the duo's "seamless songwriting of classic rock sounds that seem to hail from simpler times."
	Suspect wanted after woman shot in Rock Island Rock Island police have identified a suspect in a shooting on Monday that injured a 34-year-old woman. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
	Magic Tuber Stringband and David Lord, July 23 An evening with exhilarating independent musicians is guaranteed at Rozz-Tox on July 23, with the Rock Island venue proud to host a shared night with Evan Morgan, Courtney Werner, and Mike DeVito of the North Carolina outfit Magic Tuber Stringband alongside composer/guitarist David Lord.
	Pokey LaFarge, July 23 Performing blues, folk, country, and Americana music that, according to NPR, “evokes the old-timey spirit of a thousand crackling 78 RPM records," Midwestern singer/songwriter Pokey LaFarge headlines a July 23 concert at Maquoketa's Codfish Hollow Barn, the artist's 2024 release Rhumba Country hailed by No Depression as a "stirring, deceptively fraught" album that "presents vivid vignettes of restless hearts gripped by desire and loneliness, and yearning for higher ground."
	Reigning champion Argentina escapes with remarkable World Cup victory over Egypt Egypt was leading late, up 2-0. The Argentinians looked beaten. But they fought and fought and fought. Scoring one goal, then another to equalize. And, finally, a third to advance to the quarterfinal.
	Drivin N Cryin, July 17 Their springtime release Crushing Flowers lauded by Americana UK as album that “stands among the best from their illustrious career so far,” the Atlanta-based rockers of Drivin N Cryin headline a July 17 concert at Maquoketa's Codfish Hollow Barn, Glide magazine adding that, with their newest recording, the musicians "continue to operate in their own space, where folk storytelling, punk energy, and Southern soul aren’t so much fused as lived-in."
	“The Legendary Ladies of Country Music” with Molly Brown, July 18 Recently nominated for the Wisconsin Area Music Industry's WAMI Awards for the fourth consecutive year in the categories of Best Female Vocalist and Best Female Tribute Artist, touring sensation Molly Brown brings The Legendary Ladies of Country Music to Maquoketa's Ohnward Fine Arts Center on July 18, the stage sensation treating audiences to an afternoon of favorites ranging from unforgettable classics to modern-day chart-toppers.
	“Bonnie & Clyde,” July 23 through August 2 Lauded by The Mancunion as "a beautiful, sociopolitical musical that is finally getting the recognition it deserves," the Broadway-musical version of Bonnie & Clyde makes its area debut with a July 23 through August 2 run at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, Curtain-Up adding to the show's raves by praising the "muscular rhythmic drive beneath the show's blend of folk, blues, and gospel."
	John Deere offers UAW two year extension, deal expires in fall 2027 The proposed extension would lock in these terms through 2029.
	“Shrek: The Musical,” July 17 through August 2 An intimidating ogre, a feisty princess, a wisecracking donkey, a diminutive tyrant, an ambulatory gingerbread man, and other fantastical figures take over Mt. Carroll's Timber Lake Playhouse with the July 17 through August 2 run of Shrek: The Musical, the Tony-winning fairytale slapstick based on the Oscar-winning animated smash, and a show that Variety called a work of “irreverent charm” that “never stints on spectacle or laughs."
	Warrant issued for man after Rock Island shooting A warrant has been issued for a man after Rock Island Police received several reports of shots fired yesterday. A news release from the department said on Monday, July 6th at about 4:22 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of 30th Street in response to multiple reports of shots fired. When they arrived, officers [...]
	City Circle Theatre Company's “Newsies,” July 17 through 26 Described by Variety magazine as “Disney's happiest outing since The Lion King” and by USA Today as a production of “easy infectuousness” and “youthful exuberance,” the Tony Award-winning Newsies enjoys a July 17 through 26 run at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, its City Circle Theatre Company presentation treating family audiences to an energetic work the Hollywood Reporter said “adheres to a time-honored Disney tradition of inspirational storytelling in the best possible sense.”
	“America 250: Focus on the American Landscape with Artist Larassa Kabel,” July 23 In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Davenport's Figge Art Museum is hosting American Art talks throughout the month of July, and on Thursday the 23rd, guests are invited to hear from Larassa Kabel in Focus on the American Landscape, the speaker a multidisciplinary artist based in Des Moines, Iowa, whose work captures the uneasy balance between humans and nature.
	Deere & Co. offers 2-year extension to union workers John Deere and the UAW are considering a surprise contract extension to October 2029, offering wage increases and bonuses amid economic uncertainty.
	2026 Rock Island County Fair, July 14 through 18 Five days of outdoor fun will be on hand when East Moline's Rock Island Country Fairgrounds hosts the annual Rock Island County Fair July 14 through 18, offering patrons mornings, afternoons, and evenings filled with carnival rides, games, food vendors, animal shows, racing tournaments, 4-H events, live music performances, and exciting happenings scheduled for the nights' grandstand entertainment.
	“Davenport Civil Rights Movement,” July 19 With the latest program in the German American Heritage Center's popular “Kaffee und Kuchen” series offered by Ryan Saddler, MEd, the fascinating lecture Davenport Civil Rights Movement will be presented at the Davenport venue on July 19, the event featuring an emphasis on Charles and Ann Toney, widely known as the father and mother of the famed and historically essential movement.
	Agentic GTM, explained: What changes when sales agents run the workflow Agentic GTM, explained: What changes when sales agents run the workflowAgentic GTM has evolved from a niche jargon term to a named category in a very short time. For revenue leaders, it poses a problem.The term now shapes budgets, roadmaps, and vendor pitches. Yet, it’s so new that few can accurately say what separates an agent from the artificial intelligence features already built into the workflow. This matters because buyers have already become more interested in and reliant on these tools.Many businesses now report using generative AI somewhere in the purchasing process, with an increasing number naming AI engines as providing more information than vendor websites or sales reps. As more buyers research and decide to use AI, the go-to-market motion needs to meet them there.Apollo has assembled the following guide using data from Forrester, Deloitte, McFadyen Digital, Salesforce, McKinsey, Reuters, and more to define agentic go-to-market and differentiate it from other AI features. The guide also highlights what real adoption looks like and outlines where agents are already producing revenue.Defining the term: Agentic AI vs. plain AI featuresAgentic AI is a phrase that eludes a single definition, so the following four categories have been outlined to clarify any misunderstandings.1. What it is NOTFirst and foremost, agentic AI is not the same as the AI features many teams are already running. Auto-drafted emails, lead scoring, CRM logging, and chatbot replies are solutions that speed up a single task while humans still drive the work. They are useful, but not agentic. According to a report by Gartner, the gap between the label of agentic AI and true capability is merely rebranding, a practice known as “agent washing.”Agent washing refers to calling AI assistants, chatbots, and robotic automation “agents,” despite the fact that they aren’t.2. What it ISAgentic AI is an autonomous system that perceives its environment, reasons towards an overarching goal, and executes multistep work across tools without step-by-step guidance from a human being. Forrester describes GTM agents as software that simply learns how to reason, act, and collaborate on its own, just like a seasoned business professional. The distinction between what it is and isn’t comes down to full autonomy, plus execution.3. The GTM distinctionFrom a GTM standpoint, the gap between true agentic AI and fake agents matters. General chatbots and copilots will answer questions, but GTM agents will actually own outcomes. A true AI sales agent won’t just produce a potential lead when you ask, but it will research the account, draft outreach, update the CRM, schedule a meeting, and only follow up with a human when pre-determined judgment is required. Procurement agents on the buy side do the mirror image of this.4. Work out of the app, into the modelThe deepest shift in the market is architectural. For around two decades, software value lived within whichever interface a human interacted with. For example, a rep would log into the CRM and do all the work. Agentic GTM agents move that work away from the app itself and into the model. The agent becomes the operator, in a way, and the human just sets the goals and guardrails for it.The adoption reality checkOnly a few vendors are seemingly using true agentic AI at this point. Deloitte published hard numbers.In a February 2026 study of 1,060 B2B suppliers and buyers in the U.S., Deloitte found that 45% of suppliers use AI in sales, but only 24% have actually deployed the true agentic and autonomous kind. Buyers are slightly further ahead with 61% using it to some degree in purchasing and 38% utilizing the agentic type. Even fewer in both groups actually utilize full agents.Executives constantly overestimate how far their organizations have come with AI, simply due to how new the technology is. Every integration of it, no matter how minor, feels groundbreaking.When people state they use AI, they are typically referring to assistive tools rather than automatized workflows. Deloitte found, however, that digitally mature suppliers were five times more likely to use AI extensively and to use AI generatively at all. These organizations also exceeded annual sales growth targets by 110% more than their counterparts.The gap in adoption is where performance separation is starting to open up. The reason some lag behind, though, isn’t necessarily their fault. Deloitte cites budget pressure, specifically related to large-scale enterprise resource planning (ERP) modernization and limited IT capacity, as the main practical issue. AI agents require clean and connected data, as well as access to numerous tools. The technology isn’t cheap to implement, and many businesses simply don’t have the capital for a major overhaul.Where it works: Revenue evidence from early moversFor those businesses that do have the budget and are capable of integrating agentic AI into their workflows, the results are hard to argue with. In Salesforce’s 2026 State of Sales research, 83% of sales teams using AI reported revenue growth in the past year against 66% of teams that don’t. This is a 17-point gap that is only set to compound as agentic workflows mature.McKinsey’s November 2025 analysis titled Agents for Growth even put a number on the ceiling: Effective and scaled AI deployment can lift productivity by 3%-5% annually and growth by 10% or more. McKinsey also notes that agentic AI could even unlock $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion in annual value, with as much as 20% of that productivity lift being concentrated in marketing and sales.The catch, though, is that nearly 8 in 10 organizations report no significant bottom-line gains from AI so far. The cause is cited as being due to fragmented pilot launches, weak data to pull from, and thin governance. This means that investing in the technology now will produce marginal gains for the near-term, but potentially major gains in the long run.Success will ultimately depend on the experience customers have with agentic AI. Buyers who get fast, accurate, and relevant help will convert and buy more. This is true whether or not it’s a human or an AI agent behind the screen. It’s why digitally mature suppliers also exceed their target goals by the largest margins. The revenue isn’t coming from the AI agent itself, but rather the better buying experience that the agent makes possible at scale.The trajectory: What the next 24 months look likeThe trajectory of agentic AI in the near term is fascinating. Gartner projects that over 40% of existing agentic AI projects will be killed by the end of 2027 due to rising costs and poor implementations.Despite this dire forecast, they are projecting that 33% of enterprise software applications will still include agentic AI by 2028, up from less than 1% in 2024, which is estimated to drive more than $450 billion in revenue.The same forecast sees at least 15% of day-to-day work decisions being made autonomously by agents in 2028 as well. This is up from essentially zero in 2024.On the buying side of things, Gartner’s headline projection is bolder yet. They estimate that 90% of B2B buying could be handled by AI agents by 2028, potentially moving trillions of dollars through agent-to-agent exchanges.This isn’t a seller-only story either. Forrester named zero-click buying as the top B2B shift for 2026. Buyers increasingly get what they need inside AI answer engines and never have to click through to a vendor, making the entire purchasing experience smooth. This results in a discipline shift from search engine optimization to answer engine optimization.From an architecture standpoint, all of these benefits reward the plumbing rather than the polish. Agents can only act on structured and connected data when they have governed tool access. The best way to implement this is to develop human-AI teams that share data products where agents are treated as managed talent.Another prediction from Forrester outlines that an estimated $10 billion in enterprise value will be erased through bad outputs with AI and the fallout that follows, and the last thing your business wants is negative press. The best way to avoid this is to only pursue agents where there is a clear and measurable outcome, rather than buying into hype.Three actions for revenue leaders nowThere are three moves that will separate leaders from experimenters of agentic AI in the coming years.First, treat AI as a GTM architecture decision, rather than a technology choice. Map out the workflow before evaluating vendors. The question shouldn’t be focused on which agent to purchase, but rather where in your business model a system should be making decisions and what it needs to do so safely.Second, all businesses need to fix their foundation before scaling. Ensure that all data is both cleaned and connected, so that agents can be given the right tools to work with. Each agent should also be treated like managed talent, with a defined objective and constant oversight. Start with the cases that will produce a clear return on investment, then scale from there.Finally, move more into the adoption window. The jump from under 1% of enterprise software utilizing AI in 2024 to a projected 33% in 2028 is the competitive window, but it’s already halfway shut in 2026. Focus on implementing the answer engines that buyers currently trust, perfect the buying experience, and develop one high-value workflow rather than waiting for an entire finished platform. The best organizations will compound small and well-governed wins now to set the stage for when agentic agents become the norm.This story was produced by Apollo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The summer concert state rankings: Which states pack more festivals, shows, and tours in 2026 The summer concert state rankings: Which states pack more festivals, shows, and tours in 2026Summer 2026 is shaping up to be one of the densest live music seasons in recent years. From packed festival calendars to a resurgent touring industry, a handful of breakout U.S. states are finally getting the traffic they deserve.Not all states are created equal when it comes to live music density, though. ThatsThem has compiled per-capita concert data, venue infrastructure metrics, and festival schedules from leading sources including the Recording Industry Association of America, Pollstar, and the National Independent Venue Association to create a list of 15 standout locations this summer.15 of the most concert-dense states in Summer 20261. NevadaLas Vegas leads the nation in concerts per capita in 2026. According to an analysis on the website of Princess Polly, a clothing brand, nearly 3,500 concerts are listed in Las Vegas alone, translating to approximately 150.67 concerts per 100,000 residents. This is undoubtedly the highest concentration in the country. The residency model means the Strip always has something major running, regardless of the season, but the Las Vegas Summer Concert series is the standout event.2. TennesseeNashville ranks second in concert density nationally, with 6.76 venues per 100,000 residents. This is the highest venue density among top-ranked cities and equates to 1,148 concerts in 2026. Bonnaroo’s return to Manchester, Tennessee in June anchors their summer calendar on top of nonstop club and arena action across the entire state.3. CaliforniaCalifornia dominates by sheer volume alone. Research from the Recording Industry Association of America counts over 80,433 music establishments in the state, with music contributing more than $51.4 billion to gross domestic product. The summer calendar alone includes Outside Lands in San Francisco, a dense SoCal arena circuit, and Coachella’s long tail of satellite events that carry into the fall.4. New YorkNew York generated $24.9 billion in music industry value and supports 210,878 music jobs in 2020, which is the highest job count among all states. The summer festival circuit reflects this depth. The Governors Ball, featuring Lorde and A$AP Rocky as headliners per Variety, is followed by a packed arena season through Labor Day.5. IllinoisChicago’s Lollapalooza remains one of the best-attended urban music festivals across the whole country, with around 100,000 people turning up per day. The city’s venue ecosystem, from the Riviera to the United Center, also keeps the calendar full beyond just a single festival weekend.6. TexasTexas punches well above its weight on music infrastructure, with over 127,993 songwriters and $26.6 billion in annual music industry economic output. In fact, it’s second only to California nationally. ACL Fest’s October dates are the main headliner event, but Austin’s live music scene means something notable is happening every weekend.7. ColoradoDenver ranks fifth nationally for concert density, with 1,766 concerts listed in 2026 and 59.41 concerts per 100,000 people. The real draw, though, is Red Rocks. The event calendar of this outdoor amphitheater boasts a summer schedule that many serious concertgoers are planning vacations around this year.8. GeorgiaAtlanta holds the title of "premier U.S. city for music aficionados" according to one 2026 study highlighted by Spin Genie, scoring more than 8.74 points out of 10. The city boasts 188 upcoming events and 577 musical artists per 100,000 residents.9. FloridaFlorida's music economy supports 169,706 jobs and adds $9.3 billion to the U.S. GDP, fueled by Latin, pop, and Southern rock scenes. Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach is their signature event, while the Latin and pop circuit continues to run year-round.10. WashingtonSeattle ranks 10th among top U.S. concert cities with 1,304 concerts listed in 2026. The city’s venue density, anchored by Climate Pledge Arena and a dense club circuit in Capitol Hill, helps to keep national tours running even in the summer months.11. LouisianaNew Orleans ranks second nationally in SCCG Management's live music city analysis, and The Big Easy plays host to three major festivals in 2026. With 302 concerts planned and an average concert attendance of 74, the city's extensive live music culture is on full display this year, anchored by the genuine local community engagement as opposed to tourist capture alone.12. MinnesotaMinneapolis ranks third among U.S. cities for live music in 2026 per the same SCCG Management study, with two major festivals, 1,055 concerts listed, and an average attendance of 52. The Twin Cities’ independent venue scene, most famous for First Avenue, is truly unmatched.13. North Carolina: The first breakout stateAsheville has emerged as one of the most-cited breakout music cities in 2026, with more than 61 upcoming concerts and festivals listed on music resource Bandsintown alone, including AVL Sounds Fest in August and MAJACE Festival in July. The city is small enough that shows still feel like unexpected discoveries..14. PennsylvaniaPennsylvania supports 114,731 music jobs and generates $6.3 billion in music GDP, ranking among the top six states nationally for music economic contribution. This is spread across Philadelphia’s festival-heavy summer season and Pittsburgh’s growing independent venue scene.15. Idaho: The second breakout stateBoise is also one of the most-cited "rising" live music markets in the U.S., with 2025 setting concert attendance records and 2026 already tracking to match or exceed them. What makes the city notable isn’t its scale, but the fact that national tours are now coming through as a primary stop.The music map is changing nationallyThe traditional top tier states of Nevada, New York, California, and Tennessee are all holding strong at the top of the list of most-visited states for music. However, the story of summer 2026 is the states on the rise. Colorado’s Red Rocks circuit, Atlanta’s per-capita chokehold, and the emergence of Asheville and Boise as new hot spots show that the live music scene is shifting dramatically.This story was produced by ThatsThem and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Davenport man charged with child endangerment after baby suffers brain bleed The 7-month-old suffered a skull fracture and brain bleed after a man allegedly threw him into a doorframe.
	International Olympic Committee lifts Russia suspension ahead of 2028 LA Games The International Olympic Committee advised sports bodies to end a three-year program vetting Russians for neutral status ahead of qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
	North Scott Press — July 8, 2026
	City of Eldridge, fire department agree to talk The Eldridge City Council and the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Company have agreed to sit down face-to-face again to try to work out lingering issues regarding the fire department’s funding. During Monday’s city council meeting, mayor Scott Campbell announced the parties will meet in a special committee of the whole meeting, scheduled for next Monday, July 13, at 7 p.m. at the Eldridge Community Center. Campbell said he had reached out to Lt. Bryan Yanke of the EVFC last week regarding comments made to The North Scott Press. He said he emailed Yanke to “clarify and confirm comments that were written, most specifically that the fire department was truly not interested in further discussions, as the article stated that that this financial request to the city was final.” Campbell and Yanke exchanged several emails, resulting in the decision to hold the special committee of the whole meeting. Monday’s city council meeting was also moved to the community center, a decision announced over the weekend. This was done in anticipation of a large crowd at the meeting. At an open house hosted by the fire department on July 1, members of the EVFC encouraged attendees to attend the council meeting and speak in support of the department. Monday’s meeting attracted more than 50 people, including members of the EVFC, but there was little public comment. Four people addressed the council in total, with one resident, Chris Meyer, encouraging the council to reconsider city code regarding pole barns within city limits. Patricia Howell of rural Davenport questioned her tax rate. Although she lives outside the Eldridge city limits, she is served by the Benefitted Fire District No. 3. “Please … tell me why my taxes aren’t giving (the fire department) a pay increase? They have not had a pay increase for 10 years. And you can’t tell me all you guys have not had a pay increase … why hasn’t the fire department gotten a pay increase in 10 years?” Setting aside the council’s usual habit of not responding to public comment, city administrator Nevada Lemke said the money from the Benefitted Fire District is handled directly by the county and does not flow through the city. “Well, my understanding was it came out to the city, and you dispersed it,” said Howell. “No, it goes directly to the EVFC from the county,” replied Lemke. Howell said she planned to call the county and verify that information. Judith Gilbert said she was speaking in full support of the fire department. “They provide valuable and professional services to the community. Their commitment to Eldridge’s volunteer fire department, and the resources they have accumulated, not just in apparatus, but in training, cannot be easily replaced. I would rather my tax dollars go towards supporting the fire department than be spent on a $33 million facilities expansion that, in my opinion, the city has failed to make a substantial case for. I urge both sides to work together for the benefit of Eldridge’s residents, our school system, and our commercial and industrial businesses.” Kris Elmshaeuser said she was a newer resident to Eldridge. She said she believed if the fire department was to be paid with taxpayer funds, it needed to have the same oversight applied as a city department. “Just like any other department, the fire department needs to follow the same city budgetary process. If we are at a point of considering $500,000 to $750,000 of city taxpayer funds for the fire department, that requires the same oversight, transparency, and accountability of those funds as other departments. Financial management of those public funds requires personnel who understand that process those types of transactions on a daily basis. Everything from bids, approval of payments and audits. “The fire department can’t have it both ways,” Elmshaeuser continued. “Give us the money but not the same standard of accountability. The fire department provides a very critical aspect of service to this community, and I’m thankful for that.” She said she was pleased Eldridge was continuing to grow and “we need to work together to assure that continued growth and in a respectful manner.” Elmshaeuser is Mayor Campbell’s sister-in-law. Prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, Campbell invited everyone who attended Monday’s meeting to also attend next Monday’s committee of the whole. He also had another message for the audience. “There’s no one here that does not respect the fire department, the dedication and the service that they provide our community. That is absolutely the truth, and I want to say that before we go any further.”
	Eldridge residents balk at facilities price tag Eldridge residents say the city should explore building new facilities. They’re just not keen on the proposed price tag. The Eldridge City Council got its first look at the results of a community survey conducted last month regarding its proposed $32.9 million facilities plan. Scott Girard of Wisconsin-based Community Perceptions joined Monday’s council meeting via Zoom to share the results. Of the responders, 58% said the city should explore building new facilities at this time. However, just 45% said they would definitely or probably support the proposed $32.9 million referendum. Forty-one percent said they definitely or probably would not support it, and 14% were undecided. A successful bond referendum would require 60% approval. Girard said the survey, which was mailed out to all Eldridge residents, received 878 responses, about a 30% response rate. “To put that in context, our average is in the 15-18% range. So, you doubled the low end of our average rate. We really heard from a significant portion of your community for this survey, and we feel really good about your community’s interest in this survey.” Of the respondents, 48% were aged 65 and older, and 95% of respondents were homeowners as opposed to renters. Girard said having older residents well represented in responses was typical of his company’s surveys. “We’re not surprised to see that, and we like to see it, because that group tends to also be overrepresented at the ballot box on Election Day if there were something on the ballot. So, it’s important that they are strongly represented on the survey.” Girard said, when the survey asked about building new facilities without a specific plan attached, the majority of responders (58%) were in favor, with 26% against and 16% undecided. He also showed a breakdown by age range, with the vast majority of 18-24-year-olds (83%) in favor. However, Girard said that demographic only represented 1% of respondents. On the other end of the spectrum, 65% of those aged 65 and above favored building new facilities. However, once a price tag was attached to the project, support waned. While older residents said they would definitely or probably support a $32.9 million plan at a rate of 54%, residents aged between 35-54 were less likely to support it, with 59% of people between 45-54 saying they would not support the plan, and 60% aged 35-44 voicing disapproval. Girard also shared information on a few other questions asked in the survey, including a section on community priorities. Those surveyed were asked to give priority ratings on six city services, with 3 being the highest priority and 1 being the lowest. Sixty-one percent of responders gave a high priority to fire, while 54% gave high priority to police. Street maintenance and stormwater management, snow removal and garbage and recycling pick-up generally saw responders rank them at medium importance, while parks maintenance was seen at a slightly lower priority. The survey also asked if the city should continue to operate its own water, sewer and electric utilities, with most responders saying yes. Girard said the final question on the survey had to do with how likely residents were to recommend Eldridge as a place to live. Thirty-four percent said they were extremely likely to recommend Eldridge to a friend or family member, and the median score was 8.19. “We put you in a comparison to other municipalities that we’ve asked this question of and you are well ahead of the average score among those municipalities,” said Girard, noting the average comparison score was 7.49. “The other key thing that jumps out up here is when we’re looking at the answers to this question, our eyes always go to the 8-10 range,” continued Girard. “Those are the folks who are really excited about living there, really happy. And if someone’s talking about moving, they’re going to say, ‘You should move to Eldridge.’ And you have a really significant portion, 72% in fact, of your respondents in that range. “So, just really, really good news there on how your residents are feeling in general about the city.” Council member Jeff Ashcraft went back to a portion of the survey that broke down the $32.9 million plan’s support by age range. He noted that the 35-54 age demographic seemed to “be the one that is getting squeezed the most, financially. Am I interpreting that correctly, in your opinion?” Girard said he thought that was accurate, and it seemed to be a trend on several of the surveys Community Perceptions has conducted recently. He said that age range tends to have children at home and has different financial priorities. “I think they are feeling that squeeze, and that’s a trend we’re seeing for sure,” he said. Mayor Scott Campbell said that council members would continue to review the information and return to the results at a later meeting to formulate a plan. Other business In other business, the council: • Approved a Class C liquor license renewal for Double Barrel Drinkery. • Amended an interfund transfer of $50,000 from the Sewer Fund to the General Equipment Replacement Fund to instead read the Sewer Equipment Fund to the General Equipment Replacement Fund. The original interfund transfer was approved at the April 6 meeting with a typo on the resolution. • Approved a one-year extension of a street assessment waiver for GRT Eldridge Property, LLC (RILCO). Drew Lawrence of RILCO was present and had asked for a two-year extension of a waiver that was granted by the city council on Nov. 10, 2023. That waiver is set to expire at the end of 2026. Lawrence said he was asking for another extension because the “nature and scope of any future development on or adjacent to our property remains undetermined at this time.” Council members said they were not willing to extend to two years and offered the one-year extension. “One year is better than no years,” said Lawrence. • Approved setting a public hearing on July 20 for the sale of 0.163 acres of right-of-way property to Delbert Shaw at the assessed value of $500. The land is former railroad right-of-way, and the city has determined that there is no public purpose to retaining ownership of the property, which Shaw has been maintaining. • Approved the replat of Lemke Farms 2nd Addition, a piece of property along South Scott Park Road owned by Rita and Michael Smith. Assistant city administrator Jeff Martens said the replat will separate the homestead from the surrounding agricultural property. The replat was approved by the Eldridge Planning & Zoning Commission last month. • Approved the final plat for Eldridge Industrial Park 6th Addition, a 2.236-acre parcel near North 16th Avenue and Lancer Court. The plat was approved by the Eldridge Planning & Zoning Commission last month. • Approved financial consulting services from Martha Nieto on an as-needed basis. City administrator Nevada Lemke said Nieto, who served as city clerk until her retirement, is agreeable to working approximately 10 hours per week at a rate of $50 per hour until such time as a new clerk can be hired. Council member Brian Dockery asked for a sunset period on the agreement of no longer than six months. • Learned from police chief Andrew Lellig that the Eldridge Police Department’s National Night Out event will be held Aug. 4 from 5-8 p.m. at Sheridan Meadows. The K-9 Golf Outing will be held Aug. 1.
	Eldridge Summer Festival takes to the streets this weekend The Eldridge Summer Festival returns this weekend, welcoming current and former residents for activities, food and drinks during a weekend of midsummer celebration. The small-town festival will start at 6 p.m. Friday evening with a kids’ parade marching from Weise Park down 2nd Street. Kids will decorate their bikes, scooters and wagons in the theme Let’s Glow! Registration begins at 5 p.m. in Wiese Park. The first day of the event will be capped off by a live musical performance by Wild Oatz, a local country and classic rock band. Saturday will begin with the Eldridge Lions Club’s annual pancake breakfast, from 7-10 a.m. in the North Scott High School cafeteria. Club members Tracy Harris and Beth Schwager will lead the event. “We serve 4 different flavors, plain, chocolate chip, blueberry and cinnamon swirl,” Harris said. “We will also have sausage links, fruit cups, milk, orange juice and coffee.” The breakfast will be priced at $10 per adult and $5 per child, while under five can eat for free. A live music performance by the Ukeladies will be held during the meal. The club will be running two raffles, the annual Lucky 20 raffle, drawn on Sept. 7, has over 50 chances to win, and a smaller basket raffle. The annual raffle has over 50 chances to win. The basket raffle will be held at the breakfast and it has two options to buy in. “Buy tickets to put in a bucket for a dollar each or 6 for $5,” Harris said. “All the money we get goes back into the community.” The main parade begins shortly following the breakfast, departing from North Fourth and East Franklin at 11 a.m., winding through town on East Franklin, North First and West Price streets, before returning on Damman Drive and ending at the intersection of West Davenport and North First streets. Antique vehicles, fire trucks and floats will march through town dispensing candy, all led by grand marshals Paul and Marguerite Holzworth. Paul Holzworth often takes part in the celebrations, handing out water to runners during the Moonlight Chase with the North Scott Rotary Club, of which he has been an active member. “We’ve lived in the community for 25 years,” Holzworth said. “But we’ve never been grand marshals before. We’ll try to be gracious and enjoy it.” Immediately following the parade, there will be activities for all ages in the vicinity of Weise Park. Activities include a pedal tractor pull, petting zoo, mini-golf, a balloon artist and foam blasters. The fire department will host a kid’s water fight. Several live performances will be held, including Iowa’s youngest magician Kayleigh Rodgers, a deejay and Lyle Beavers and the Brass Notes. Various booths from North Scott area businesses will provide food and drinks, including the Eldridge Summer Festival beer tent. Grand Haven, Amhof Trucking, Maloney’s Pub, Al & Gerry’s Tap and Double Barrel Drinkery are each celebrating with activities at their businesses as well. A Maker’s Market hosted by Julie Wall’s Folkinart Studio will be lining West Franklin Street during festivities, selling everything from popcorn to pottery. “We have everything from crafts to artwork,” Wall said. The day concludes with the annual Moonlight Chase. Quarter-mile and one-mile races begin at 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The full four-mile race will begin at 9 p.m. All races start at North Second and Donahue streets, ending at West Franklin and North Second streets. The course will be lined with water stations staffed by volunteers. The annual race provides $10,000 in grants each year to local organizations and non-profits. The Eldridge Summer Festival and Moonlight Chase exist because of the many local businesses, volunteers and the City Of Eldridge who all donate, participate and host various activities.
	Who will reign over the Fair? Six young ladies will vie for the title of Mississippi Valley Fair Queen on July 21. The queen will reign over the Fair, scheduled for Aug. 4-9, and represent the Mississippi Valley Fair in the Iowa State Fair Queen contest, Aug. 11-15. The competition will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, in the Starlite Ballroom. In alphabetical order, the candidates are: Brianna Doerscher of Davenport, daughter of Melissa Moore, Chris Doerscher and Ashley Doerscher. She is a junior at Davenport Central High School, and she is involved in Color Guard, Winter Guard, honor band, the hair, makeup and costume department for theatre, Elementary Mentors, TAG, Book Club, animal rescue and volunteering at the Cedar County Fair. After high school, she plans to attend a four-year university on the East Coast to study nursing. Charlotte Madden of Eldridge, daughter of Scott and Mary Beth Madden. She is a recent graduate of North Scott High School, where she served as president of Lancer Productions and National Honor Society, vice president of Student Government and on the FCA leadership team. She is a fourth-grade Faith Formation teacher at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, an elementary choir teacher and a summer camp teacher. She plans to attend the University of Iowa this fall to study social work. Molly Mose of Dixon, daughter of Tracy Burmeister and Bryan Mose. She is a senior at North Scott High School, and she serves as the president of North Scott FFA, is a Scott County 4-H County Council member, and volunteers with church events, FFA Lunch on the Farm, and other community events. After high school, she plans to attend Iowa State University and major in healthcare management. She hopes to one day work as a hospital administrator. Aaliyah Shimkus of Donahue, daughter of Stacey and Michael Shimkus. She is a junior at North Scott High School, and she has participated in FFA, 4-H, Dairy Goat Breeders, bowling and archery. After high school, she plans to study as a large animal and exotic animal veterinarian. Ellie Weyeneth of Davenport, daughter of Jennifer and Jeffrey Weyeneth. She is a recent graduate of Davenport Assumption High School, and she has participated in volleyball, tennis, Color Guard, Scott County 4-H County Council, Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), Vacation Bible School (VBS), drama and the Penguin Project. She plans to attend Concordia Nebraska University this fall to study veterinary medicine. Kasey Witter of Davenport, daughter of John and Alicia Witter. She is a senior at New City Classical Academy, and she is involved in choir, her church worship team, and running her school’s social media pages. After high school, she plans to attend cosmetology school at Capri College.
	Roebuck to take on Vondran in November Scott County Democrats have picked Karen Roebuck of Davenport to contest the State House seat currently held by Republican Mike Vondran. House District 94 stretches from the Mississippi riverfront in Bettendorf north through Davenport and into Eldridge. Roebuck was named to the ballot by Scott County Democrats’ Central Committee after no candidates ran in the June primary. Roebuck described herself as a “community advocate.” She works as a substitute teacher and independent insurance agent, according to a press release from county Democrats. She told The North Scott Press that she was “a big proponent of education” and believed voters should have a Democratic option in each of this year’s races.
	Grants will help QCA developments offer affordable housing The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved $37 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and an additional $39 million in federal and state subordinate resources to finance creating and renovating 22 affordable housing developments in 15 counties throughout Illinois. The LIHTC awards are expected to generate an estimated $303 million in private [...]
	Firefighters lay out their case for additional funding Members of the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Company say they have a plan to keep the department solvent and sustainable in the years to come. They fear that funding may not come from the City of Eldridge. Nearly 100 people packed into the meeting room at the Eldridge Fire Station last Wednesday, July 1, for what the fire department billed as an open community forum. While many of those present were firefighters and their families, residents from both inside and outside the city limits also showed up to ask questions and learn more about the department’s plans. Several said they only became aware of tensions between the city and the department after receiving a letter from fire chief Keith Schneckloth that included additional information from the department. Almost none of the residents who asked questions identified themselves. Council member Brian Dockery was the only representative of the city to attend the meeting. He remained mostly silent during the presentation. Lt. Bryan Yanke, who serves as secretary for the department, led the prepared portion of the presentation, which included a breakdown of the department’s financial needs. Yanke began by discussing what he identified as the root of the problem: calls to the department have increased, while volunteers have decreased. He said not only have calls generally increased, the number of calls per Eldridge resident has also climbed. “The number of calls is actually increasing at a faster rate than the population,” he said. “Ten years ago, the number of calls per citizen was 0.07. The number of calls now is at 0.11. So, basically one-and-a-half times. What does that mean? It means if our population goes up by 20%, our calls go up by 30%.” He said the department has been asked how hiring just one full-time employee will help with this problem. He explained that a full-time, paid chief could help create shift schedules to ensure coverage night and day, perform administrative work, coordinate station and equipment maintenance, and pursue supplemental funding, including grants, and community outreach. These are all tasks department members must do now in addition to their firefighting responsibilities. “Today, we don’t have that capability,” said Yanke. “We sign up as we are able to cover night shifts, and we don’t have anybody to schedule day shifts.” He said many volunteers work jobs outside the city limits and are not always available to respond to calls during the day. The department currently has 20 volunteers and six high school-aged Fire Explorers. Negotiation sticking points Yanke said during the yearlong negotiations with the city, many ideas and concepts were discussed. But there were some things department members found “concerning.” He said one question from the city had to do with what other communities are doing to reduce their budgets or meet lower financial needs. “Well, they’re selling assets,” said Yanke. “Do we really need a tower? Do we really need a ladder truck out there? We need all the assets we have. We need all the equipment we have.” Yanke said there had also been questions about reducing services. He also said the city said it was willing to commit to, and then cap its funding, at the county tax levy. He said that would leave the department with a shortfall for its operating budget, and they would have to come back every year and “essentially have to beg for money.” The effects on taxpayers Yanke said many people probably had questions about why it would matter if the department sold a truck or had a smaller number of volunteers. He introduced a slide explaining how the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rates fire departments. Departments are rated on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the highest ranking. Factors that weigh on the ISO rating include the number of staff or volunteers (including how many on average respond to a call), how much training the department does, how much equipment it has, how often equipment and other apparatus are maintained, and the location of the department. The Eldridge Fire Department currently has an ISO rating of 4, which is considered strong for a volunteer department. Speaking for the only time during the public portion of the forum, Dockery said it was his understanding that the highest ISO rating an all-volunteer department could get was a 3. Yanke said if the department’s ISO rating were to change, every home and business owner in Eldridge would be affected because their insurance companies would be notified. If the department’s ISO rating were to drop to a 5, homeowners would see their premiums increase. Yanke said that would be approximately an increase of $100-$250 on a $400,000 home, although he stressed this was only an estimate. The department did not have available figures for how much the average business might be affected. “The capabilities this department has matter not only in live-saving efforts, if you have an emergency, but behind the scenes, to your pocket,” said Yanke. Looking at the budget The department prepared a series of graphs showing how it planned to break down its budget for the next three years. The overview showed the department has a budget of $512,186 for 2026, $672,231 for 2027, and $759,446 for 2028. As a comparison, the graphs showed LeClaire’s budget for 2026 at $541,429. The largest difference between the 2025 and 2026 budget for the EFD comes in salaries and benefits and facility and equipment operations, which also represents the largest chunk of its budget overall. In 2025, the department said it spent $78,788 on salaries and benefits, which includes the stipend volunteers receive for responding to calls. In 2026, the department hopes to spend $271,586 on salaries and benefits, which will include the hiring of a paid chief. The proposed salary for the chief is $108,000, which Yanke said is comparable to the salary of police chief Andrew Lellig. For FY27, Lellig will be paid approximately $111,000, according to the city’s wage resolution, which was published in the June 24 North Scott Press. In addition to the base salary, the department has also proposed a $31,400 insurance and retirement package, $38,900 for worker’s comp and $8,200 for FICA, representing a total pay package of $186,500. Adding in the stipend for volunteers, which the department has budgeted for an increase of $6,000 to account for higher call volume, the total increase to salaries and benefits for 2026 is $192,800. By 2027, the department would like to add an additional full-time employee, with a salary of $70,000, and a total pay package of $97,000. Adding paid employees will also add to the department’s administrative costs, because there will be some additional human resources expenses. The other significant increase for 2026 will be in facilities and equipment, where the department is budgeting approximately $88,000 more for 2026 than the $60,951 it budgeted in 2025. Yanke explained that a LUCAS device is among the new equipment the department would like to purchase. A LUCAS device can mechanically perform chest compressions during a situation where CPR is required, and the cost is estimated at around $22,000. Additional expenses include new turnout gear for firefighters, which must be replaced periodically, at a cost of $5,000, more or less, per each member of the department, and pediatric EMS equipment, estimated at $3,000. In 2027, the department would also like to replace its Jaws of Life and complete the turnout gear replenishment, and it must replace its large diameter hose (LDH), because some of that equipment has already failed during testing. Yanke also said the department is looking to finish the second floor of the fire station as a capital expansion project. While the department does not have concrete numbers for how much this project will cost, Yanke said Schneckloth will be looking to get bids soon. He explained why the build-out is important to the department. “One of our limitations today is that volunteers have to be close enough to the station to respond in a timely fashion. We’ve had people that live in Davenport, we’ve had people that live in Bettendorf, we’ve had people that live in other towns approach us and say, ‘Hey, I’d like to volunteer with you guys. I want the experience; I want to serve the community.’ And we have to turn them away because we have no place for them to stay while they’re here.” Yanke said the expectation was that a finished living area would increase the number of volunteers significantly, adding that LeClaire officials said when they finished their fire station, the number of volunteers went from 17 to 32. “Where the rubber meets the road” Yanke said during the course of the negotiations, the city said it would cap its financial contribution at the county tax levy. He said that meant $304,000 from the city, plus approximately $60,000 in gas franchise fees. That, combined with $62,000 from the Benefitted Fire District No. 3, which represents the rural areas of Eldridge outside of the city limits, would make for an operating budget of $426,000 for the department. He shared a slide that showed where the $426,000 would cut off on the department’s proposed budget for the next three years, indicating it would barely cover the salaries and facilities and equipment costs for 2026. The department’s figures indicated an operating budget gap of $85,000 for 2026, and $245,800 for 2027 if the city’s contribution were to remain static at $426,000, and an operating and capital gap of $285,800 for 2026. “That doesn’t include anything for capital expenses. It doesn’t include any capability to fill out the upstairs. That’s all the money just to keep the lights on,” said Yanke. “So, there’s the gap you’ve heard about. There’s been comments about how, when we were in negotiations, we were only $85,000 apart. We were $85,000 apart on operating a sustainable business. I know there’s plenty of business owners in the audience here. I don’t think any of you would sign up to say, ‘Yep, let’s run it at an $85,000 loss,’ right? It’s not sustainable, and it’s not fair to the citizens of Eldridge to try to cut services here and there to make that work.” Yanke said the department operated with a surplus of just $6,000 for 2025. He also explained the approximately $90,000 in capital expenses for 2025, which included the final loan payment on the department’s existing aerial truck, and about $51,000 to refurbish the department’s meeting room. He said the department currently has about $150,000 in cash reserves, although this amount will deplete shortly because the department is purchasing a new command vehicle. He said the department likes to have at least $75,000 on hand to account for emergencies. Schneckloth later explained that the fire department is paid approximately $169,000 by the city on a quarterly basis, an amount he said has remained static since approximately 2014 or 2015. A resident asked if the city had a fixed formula for determining how much funding the department gets. “So, at one point, the city had recognized where we were at – and this was before my time here at Eldridge Fire – and they brought that up to match the county tax levy rate,” explained Schneckloth. He said that was approximately 16¾-cents per $1,000 assessed value. He said he wasn’t sure how the number became fixed at $169,000, but that he and other fire officials had tried in the past to get the city to increase that amount. “They said there was a shortfall closing the budget and that was all they could do. So, why the $169,000, I can’t say for sure. But it was there, we asked to have it increased and there was no traction.” Yanke said the department is also looking to budget $200,000 each for the next three years to ensure “stable capital funds for future purposes.” That includes not just finishing the second floor of the fire station, but also future equipment purchases, including new trucks to replace those that are coming to the end of their life. Another resident asked how often fire trucks need to be replaced and the expenses associated with that replacement. That pricing includes an estimated $800,000-$1.4 million for a fire truck; $1.3 million-$2.8 million for an aerial truck; $800,000-$1.4 million for a rescue truck and $150,000-$350,000 for an EMS vehicle or ambulance. Yanke and Schneckloth explained that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has guidelines on how long a truck can safely be in operation. That is generally 25 years, although it can vary based on where the truck is used. Schneckloth said there is a big difference in the wear and tear on a vehicle in Chicago or New York City versus Eldridge. He said the department has done a lot of preventative maintenance on its vehicles, but the department still needs to evaluate “when does it start to become more of a liability and repair maintenance versus we should just get it replaced.” Firefighter Andrew Doyle, who is also an EMT, said the department also needs to plan far in advance on major equipment purchases because there can be an extensive lead time in taking delivery on a truck. A resident asked where the department gets its cash reserves from, and whether it was invested or from grants. Yanke said it came from “a little bit of everything,” and that it was the leftover money from operating expenses. “And our treasurers do a great job of that, have done a great job of that over the last several years. Watching the budget and making sure we’re not overspending, making sure that we have this level of reserve always on hand,” said Yanke. “And the thing I’ll point out is, there’s been some discussion about fiscal responsibility and how do we trust you guys with that amount of money? I’ll point out that we’ve been operating on a shoestring budget for the last 10 or 15 years. I think we’ve proven to be very responsible with that money. When you look at our property costs versus what we get paid on an annual basis, the fact that we have $150,000 in reserves is impressive, in my mind,” he continued. Residents weigh in A resident asked, and then answered her own question with a Google search, about the number of residents Eldridge serves versus the number LeClaire serves in comparison to the budget. LeClaire had a population of just over 4,700 in 2020, while Eldridge has nearly 7,000. Another resident asked if residents are billed for the cost of services, including EMS. Schneckloth said, with the exception of supplies for hazmat calls, the department does not bill. “Two factors to that. Number one, they’re providing the tax dollars for the service through their property tax. So, kind of a hindrance there. I’m not sure of any departments within Scott County that bill residents for emergency medical calls. I know there is a structure about reoccurring calls, number of calls, or false alarm calls. But the other side is, it just adds to that load, that burden that we’re talking about.” Schneckloth said billing residents for services would just add more administrative and accounting workload. He also expressed concern about the notion of having to do collections for non-payment. Several residents asked about the insurance the department carries. Department treasurer Tim Martinek said the department carries workers comp and liability insurance, and it is very expensive. One resident suggested the department look into captive insurance, which is an alternative to self-insurance. Another question was asked about the percentage of departments in Iowa that are still all-volunteer. Doyle said, “It’s hard to put a percentage on it, but one thing that’s worth noting is that Eldridge is one of the top responders by call for an all-volunteer department, which isn’t necessarily a list that you want to be on top of. It may be that we’re behind the curve here. And I think that’s the thing that gives us the most pause when we look statewide, we’re one or two for an all-volunteer department. That’s alarming for us.” Assistant chief Dave Engler fielded a question about how many calls the department has responded to so far this year, saying it is just under 400, which is keeping pace with the number of calls responded to in 2025, a total of 788. Firefighter Pat Gainer said he spoke with the LeClaire Fire Department on Wednesday, and they had responded to 300 calls so far this year. Another resident said he lives next door to the fire department, and he sees Schneckloth there all the time. “There’s no telling how much money he has saved the department” with his mechanic skills, the resident said. “This guy is dedicated. He’s not what the paper portrays him to be.” What’s best for Eldridge? Yanke encouraged attendees to attend Eldridge City Council meetings and to reach out to city representatives to make their voices heard. He also encouraged them to reach out to the department if there are changes they would like to see. He said there were a few questions to ask. “What’s the best for us, right? What’s best for the citizens of Eldridge? What’s best for the Benefitted Fire District? What do you want to see? What do you guys want to see this fire department provide for service in the future? A continuation of everything we’ve been providing: EMS, rescue, fire, hazmat response? Or is there a change you’d like to see? Is there something else you’ve seen out there that you think we could provide? Let us know. Can we just maintain our current services? How do we maintain our ability to respond to calls? “We’ve got a plan put together to try to maintain that. Finish the upstairs, bolster our volunteers, hire full-time resources as needed. That is what our plan will be.” A copy of the department’s presentation is available at eldridgefire.com.
	Burlington man jailed after firing gun into the air on Fourth of July A Burlington felon is in jail after police say they caught him firing a handgun into the air on South Central Avenue on the Fourth of July.
	Missing woman found after incident on Rock River bridge, admitted for mental health care A woman was found Thursday evening after last being seen in Rock River on June 30.
	La Michoacana Ice Cream reopens in Silvis "We know it's been a long year without your favorite ice cream spot, and trust us - we missed you just as much as you missed us!," the Facebook post read.
	Lucky Twelve, beverage trailer, acquires 2nd trailer The popular local beverage trailer specializes in custom-mixed energy drinks, specialty beverages, milkshakes, and flavored coffees.
	City denies it plans to cut EMS services for Eldridge During last Wednesday’s open house, members of the Eldridge Fire Department expressed concern that the city would try to eliminate EMS service in the future. City officials said that concern is completely unfounded. At the open house, firefighter Andrew Doyle, who also serves as an EMT, explained that the majority of the calls the EFD responds to are EMS. “And that is technically what we’re most concerned about being at-risk. The city has an obligation to provide fire protection. Now, you know, depending on how things go, that fire protection may end up getting more expensive. But it will be guaranteed that it will be provided, because it’s a necessity. They … are not required to provide EMS protection.” Doyle said that, while Medic EMS is a fantastic service, it does have its limitations because it is countywide. “If they’re on a call already in the community, it could take 15, 20 minutes for another rig to get out here. We run back-to-back calls all the time. Last Tuesday, I think we had five or six before noon, and some of those were rapid fire. One of those rigs came from LeClaire. And if that’s an unresponsive patient, that’s 20 minutes they don’t have. “So, I think that’s the part that we really want to make sure that everyone’s really aware of leaving this room, is that’s what’s at risk.” Lisa Engler, wife of assistant fire chief Dave Engler, also brought up that the city had made an argument for discontinuing EMS service during the fire negotiations. She expressed concerns that there would be many deaths and other bad outcomes in Eldridge if that were to happen. “I mean, we’re at a real risk of losing medical assistance within our community if the city would take over.” “That was kind of one of the deciding factors for us to change, because we’ve been very quiet throughout this entire process, just trying to keep the peace, keep our eyes down and do our job, do what we’re here to do,” said Doyle. “But it got to a point where that risk … got outweighed. We all live here. We have families here. We don’t want to lose our EMS protection.” City’s response The North Scott Press reached out to the city for comment following the open house and received a statement from mayor Scott Campbell and city council member Ryan Iossi on Monday morning. Both said there was no way the city would ever consider discontinuing EMS response. “In my 17 years on the Fire Department, because of my office’s proximity to the fire station and availability during the day, I was frequently one of the first on the scene. I’ve done CPR. I’ve helped pull people out of car accidents, and, while I was at work one night, I even had to respond to a call at my own house for my 2-year-old daughter,” said Campbell. “I was never so glad to see the first responders at my house before I even got there. So why in the world would I ever support eliminating EMS service to our residents?” Iossi said during negotiations, representatives from the city had been “very clear that we had no intentions of stopping EMS services. As a career paramedic for approximately 25 years, working for Medic EMS, MEDFORCE Helicopter, and Davenport Fire, why would I ever support living in a community with no EMS first responders and only relying on Medic? That makes zero sense.” According to Campbell, the issue of EMS services came up at a meeting on Jan. 14, which he attended, along with Iossi, city administrator Nevada Lemke, assistant city administrator Jeff Martens, Engler and firefighter Tim Martinek. “At that point we were talking about how transitioning to a city department would look, and the fire department had three questions for us,” said Campbell. “They specifically asked if our intentions would be to still run EMS calls. We said yes. However, Councilman Iossi did say he would be interested in evaluating the possibility of priority dispatch.” According to the Scott County Medic EMS website, Medic has been using priority dispatch protocols since 1996. Under this system, dispatchers determine the nature and priority of a call to send appropriate responders. “Basically, what I am looking at is how can we reduce the call load on our first responders, and Priority Dispatch could be a path to that,” Iossi said. “As an example, if Grand Haven, or MercyOne Genesis places a call for a transport only, there is no reason for EVFC to respond. Grand Haven has specifically made it clear that they do not need the response of fire in these cases. A better system could reduce the call volume significantly; between 120-135 calls per year.” Iossi said there were some issues with the priority dispatch system that need to be worked out within the system that the Scott Emergency Communications Center uses. “There are time parameters once a call is placed, and if all boxes are not checked before, I believe four minutes, the dispatcher must send fire,” he said. “It’s not unusual that a couple minutes after that dispatch that they realize fire is not needed and cancel. Regardless, that is a use of resources that could be controlled better. “What is important to understand is that if the call references anything 911 or unknown, we do want a EVFC response,” Iossi continued. “But there is a vast difference between a 911 and non-emergent transport only call. That being said, I always want our first responders ready and able to respond for real emergencies for our community. The fact that some people have chosen to take words out of context and run with them is disheartening.” Campbell said during discussions, the fire department also asked about the continuation of the Fire Explorer program and the transition timeline. “We said we would be foolish to discontinue the Explorer program, as it is a great training ground for future firefighters,” said Campbell. “It is an invaluable resource. As far as the timeline, we told them we would have to get legal advice and talk to our insurance carrier, and after that it would take four council meetings. “We said that ultimately, the transition could take place in two months. At that point, we were all very encouraged about moving forward with the transition process of having them become a city department, and the EMS topic never came up again.”
	IUC gives CIPCO opponents until July 31 to file intervention The Iowa Utilities Commission has given opponents of a power plant proposed for rural Scott County until the end of the month to intervene against Central Iowa Power Company’s push for a permit that would bypass local zoning restrictions. CIPCO has asked the IUC to issue a generating certificate that would exempt them from protections on agricultural land. In February, the county board of supervisors refused to alter those protections to accommodate the proposed plant. On Tuesday, June 30, the IUC posted a procedural schedule that outlines filing dates that CIPCO and its opponents must meet before hearings begin Nov. 17. Those hearings will pit CIPCO against “interveners” who can make their case for local zoning authority and agricultural preservation before the Iowa’s three utility commissioners. Linda Golinghorst of the Concerned Citizens of Scott County said Wednesday, July 1, that the group planned to intervene before the IUC. Maysville residents and rural neighbors who oppose the plant formed the group last fall. Golinghorst said the group had retained an attorney and would soon begin fundraising to meet legal costs. “Our goal is to protect, preserve, and defend the rural character, agricultural heritage, and natural environment of Scott County, Iowa,” Golinghorst said. “We will engage in community education, promote responsible land-use zones, and advocate against the industrialization of farmland.” Scott County supervisors also appear likely to intervene. Supervisors Jean Dickson and Maria Bribriesco have publicly stated that they would support an intervention. John Maxwell, chair of the board of supervisors, and Supervisor Ross Paustian told The North Scott Press last week that they support intervening. Supervisor Ken Beck said he believed supervisors needed to consult with county staff “before coming to any conclusions on submitting an intervention petition.” “We need to know more on what the petition would provide to the IUC that is different than what action the board has already taken,” Beck wrote in an email. Interveners appear to face an uphill battle before the IUC. In April, the commission allowed a solar farm to advance in Cerro Gordo County despite local zoning restrictions and opposition from project neighbors and the county board of supervisors. “We have to be optimistic,” Golinghorst said. “We’ve put a lot of effort into this, and we need to see it through to finish.” Interveners must file by July 31. CIPCO must submit testimony in favor of its request for a generating certificate by Aug. 20. Interveners must submit their testimony by Oct. 1. CIPCO then has until Oct. 22 to respond to interveners’ testimony. CIPCO and interveners have until Oct. 29 to reach a settlement. Without a settlement, discovery begins Oct. 29 and hearings begin Nov. 17.
	Concerned Citizens of Scott County ask for support The Concerned Citizens of Scott County announced plans to launch a legal and civic campaign to help stop the proposed peaking plant announced by CIPCO. Members are asking for financial support to assist with their legal defense, zoning advocacy and community outreach. Donations may be sent to: Concerned Citizens of Scott County, PO Box 22, Donahue, IA 52746-0222. Donations are non-refundable, and surplus funds will be donated to related civic causes in Scott County. This is not a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit; please consult a tax professional regarding deductibility. For more information, please visit the Concerned Citizens of Scott County Facebook page.
	Scott County to spend $1M on digital evidence storage solutions Scott County will spend more than a million dollars over the next decade to store body camera footage and other digital evidence collected by the sheriff’s office. The 10-year, $1,084,894.86 contract with Motorola Solutions is the latest of several expensive, long-term software contracts signed by county supervisors. In May, they signed a three-year, $1.1 million contract for jail management software and a five-year, $1 million contract for community development software. The sheriff’s office currently stores digital evidence across several repositories, from county servers to DVDs and USB drives, county procurement officer Stephanie Macuga said. Motorola Solutions, which provides the county with body and vehicle cameras, already hosts 23 terabytes of raw footage. Macuga said the county is currently “putting every piece of data into separate solutions, which is making it difficult to understand and track all of that data in one location.” The new contract with Motorola Solutions would host all digital evidence in one place, with no cap on storage volume. The sheriff’s office will be able to provide the county attorney with links to the database rather than physical drives loaded with digital evidence. Macuga said the contract, at just over $100,000 after year-one startup costs, would supersede an existing $71,000 contract with Motorola to store raw body and vehicle camera footage. “This only represents about a $32,000 increase for us, which I fully expect we would meet if we were not moving to an unlimited situation,” she said. The contract also includes 133 new V700 body cameras. The county’s current body cameras, an older V300 model, were purchased in 2023. The county capital plan has reserved money to replace them in 2030. Macuga said the new V700s would defer that date to 2033 and free up some cameras for other county departments. Supervisor Maria Bribriesco pointed out that the digital database does not guarantee CJIS compliance, which is required for law enforcement software that handles certain sensitive data, like fingerprints. The FBI sets and frequently revises CJIS compliance standards. Sheriff Tim Lane said that CJIS compliance was not a concern for this particular software. He said the current evidence storage methods were not CJIS compliant, either. “We’re not going backwards on our CJIS compliancy at all,” he said. Vehicle purchases Supervisors approved three vehicle purchases last week, with $212,000 going to a new John Deere 644P wheel loader for the Secondary Roads crew. The county will trade its current wheel loader, a 2007 John Deere 644J, in to vendor Mark Equipment at $55,000. The county will also purchase a 2027 Ford Explorer for Secondary Roads use and a 2027 Chevrolet Equinox for the civil division of the sheriff’s office. The Explorer will cost $40,397 from Stivers Ford and the Equinox will cost $34,224.98 from Karl Chevrolet. Both prices were secured through a bid catalog provided by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Jail boilers The county will replace all four boilers at the jail for $389,852. Wold Architects developed the replacement project, and Crawford Construction submitted the low bid. The existing four boilers, which are 20 years old, will be replaced by three new boilers. County maintenance staff reported that it was difficult to find replacement parts and equipment for the existing boilers, one of which is no longer functional. “If we do have another boiler that fails in a similar fashion, we will have a very difficult time meeting jail heating demands,” staff reported. Other business In other news, supervisors: • Read a proclamation to honor the 250th Anniversary of the United States. • Held a public hearing and the first of two readings of an ordinance to rezone a 37 acre parcel on 110th Avenue near Blue Grass from agricultural to commercial or light industrial use. County maps show the parcel zoned for industrial use. County Planning and Development Director Greg Schaapveld said that zoning appellation had been approved in the 1990s contingent on a set of restrictive covenants with neighboring landowners that had never been recorded. Supervisor Maria Bribriesco voted against the rezoning. “I just want to be consistent in my position that we should always protect farmland,” she said. • Approved a bid from CDB Utility to run fiber to the new county General Store at Paul Revere Square, 2322 E. Kimberly Road. The work will cost $46,312.30. • Renewed the county’s annual contract with GovernmentJobs.com, which provides the county with hiring software. The contract totals $40,917.29. • Amended several human resources and general employment policies. Further details will follow in next week’s North Scott Press.
	Officer Johnson receives Lifesaving Award Eldridge police officer Erik Johnson is congratulated by mayor Scott Campbell during Monday's city council meeting. Johnson received a Lifesaving Award from the department pursuant to an incident he responded to on Jan. 15. During the call, an individual was reportedly unresponsive and not breathing. Upon arrival, Johnson assessed the situation and was able to stabilize the individual until emergency medical personnel arrived, helping to save a life. “Officer Johnson’s professionalism, dedication to duty, and commitment to preserving life exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement,” said Eldridge Police Chief Andrew Lellig. “His actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Eldridge Police Department.”
	Feds pull Iowa’s ‘healthy food’ SNAP waiver A federal waiver allowing Iowa to restrict the types of food that can be purchased with federal nutrition assistance has been vacated, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The action follows a federal court ruling that the waivers, aimed at restricting the purchase of sugary drinks and sweets, violated the federal definition of food. Iowa HHS wrote in a news release Thursday afternoon that it had directed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program retailers to update their systems to allow SNAP participants to again use their funds to purchase foods within the federal guidelines. Iowa’s waiver request was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in May 2025 and implemented Jan. 1, 2026. SNAP recipients, under the waiver, could not use their benefits on foods that are eligible for sales tax. This excluded things like candy and soft drinks, but also had some gray areas around items like granola bars and prepared foods, which led some groups to argue the waiver was confusing to retailers and program participants. Gov. Kim Reynolds pushed back on the court ruling against the waivers and said the Iowa waiver helped to promote better health and nutrition. Reynolds also signed “Make America Healthy Again” legislation in May that tasked HHS with implementing waivers that specified foods purchased with SNAP benefits were “healthy foods.” These waivers are contingent on USDA approval. The HHS news release said the federal changes will also impact the SUN Bucks program – a federal nutrition program that distributes electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, funds to SNAP participating households with children during the summer months. Iowa opted out of the program the past two summers, in favor of its own pilot program that focused on giving eligible households boxes of healthy food. Reynolds chose to participate in the federal program this summer, under the condition that the benefits would also have to adhere to the healthy foods waiver. HHS said in the news release that because SUN Bucks was underway when the updated rules took effect, “foods that were previously eligible before the waiver will be allowed under SUN Bucks.”
	Parts of Iowa flooded after weekend storms Some areas of Iowa received more than two month’s worth of rain in a 36-hour period, leaving fields and basements flooded, according to the latest Iowa weather summary and crop progress and condition report. Justin Glisan, the state climatologist, wrote in the weekly weather summary that storms formed in a “ring of fire” pattern around the heat dome that hit much of the country during the first week of July. The statewide average temperature for the week was 79 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 6 degrees above the climatological normal. Storms with shower totals in excess of one inch developed throughout the June 28 through July 5 reporting period, but the heaviest showers occurred Thursday and Saturday. The weather summary shows that nearly 200 weather stations recorded at least 2 inches of rain, 42 stations recorded more than 3 inches of precipitation and a Polk City station reported 9.41 inches of rain from the storm. On July 4, storms concentrated over central Iowa and stations recorded between 1 and 6.36 inches of rain. The highest total precipitation for the week, at just under 11 inches, was recorded in Polk City. The statewide, weekly average for the week was 2.53 inches, which is more than double the normal for this reporting period. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said there were widespread reports of flooding and swollen streams across the state. “Our hearts go out to the Iowans and communities affected by the flooding as recovery efforts continue,” Naig said in a statement. “At the same time, other areas of the state, including drought-affected portions of northwest and north-central Iowa, received much-needed rainfall.” According to crop progress and condition report data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, topsoil moisture conditions for the reporting period rated 71% adequate, and 18% surplus. The USDA report shows that corn development continues to be behind the five year pace and that of the previous crop year. Corn silking reached 8% during the reporting period, while the average is 10% and last year 13% of corn acres were silking around the July 4th holiday. It is also typical for some amount of corn crops to have reached the dough stage by now, though the USDA report did not note any corn acres at that stage in Iowa. Some, about 3%, of soybean acres started setting pods, according to the report. Last year 8% of soybean crops in Iowa had set pods by this week. The five-year average for soybeans setting pods is 5%. The percent of soybean acres that are blooming, at 37%, is ahead of the five-year and 2025 pace. It’s also nearly double the acreage USDA reported blooming the week prior. Aaron Lehman, a farmer in Polk County and president of Iowa Farmers Union, said the corn in his fields was “really showing the impact of the heat” from the past couple of weeks. “The leaves start curling, that healthy corn plant starts to look more like the top of a pineapple plant,” Lehman said in a phone call with Iowa Capital Dispatch July 1. “So we’re really concerned how it will come out of all this heat.” USDA reported corn crops rated 78% good to excellent and soybeans rated 74% good to excellent for the reporting period. Oats continue to be ahead of last year and the five year average by several percentage points, with 96% of the acreage headed in Iowa. More beans The latest acreage report from USDA, released June 30, signaled an increased estimate of soybean crops across the U.S. The report estimated 95.3 million acres of corn were planted in the U.S. this year, which is 3% less than what was planted last year. Harvest expectations for corn are 4% below 2025 levels, which was a record high. Soybeans on the other hand, are estimated to be planted on 5% more acres than the previous year and have a harvest 5% higher than the 2025 crop. The recent report estimates a greater number of planted soybean acres than USDA projected in March, though the department’s projected corn planting decline stayed the same. Some wheat farmers may have instead planted soybeans this spring, as USDA’s most recent projections show a 6% decline in estimated acreage planted with wheat for the year, while the March report anticipated just a 3% decline in planted wheat.
	America’s 250th birthday is on sale WASHINGTON — What’s more American than apple pie? Capitalism. And an array of merchandise and influence is on sale for the 250th birthday of the United States. An America250 $275 Liberty Lux American Prosperity decorative throw pillow, anyone? How about a $25 Freedom 250 youth tee? America250, a commission created by Congress a decade ago, and Freedom 250, President Donald Trump’s entity formed last year, each operate on their own respective tracks as a nonprofit and as a limited liability company. Both are employing staff, soliciting corporate donors and spending taxpayer funds. That means people, businesses and nonprofits are getting a slice of the semiquincentennial pie, some bigger than others. But there is no clear accounting of which entities are getting the bigger shares and no one associated with either organization offered a full explanation to States Newsroom. Reports also show at least $10 million in taxpayer money flowing from America250 to Freedom 250, and some Democratic lawmakers claim more has been redirected. The commission’s nonprofit arm, America250.org, lists 850 items available from its official online store: apparel, toys, games, eyewear, housewares, challenge coins, holiday ornaments, and a premier collectible line including an $8,000 painting by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based “speed painter” Cody Sabol. America250 Chair Rosie Rios said the nonprofit arm receives a portion of the profits. “It’s a licensing arrangement, so we get a percentage of the merchandise sold,” Rios told States Newsroom during a June 22 interview. When asked how to differentiate between America250 the commission and America250 the nonprofit, Rios said “Think of it as one entity. America250 is one entity working together on the planning side and the implementations.” An America250 spokesperson declined to specify what percentage of funds from merchandise that America250’s nonprofit arm received in 2025 and 2026, but provided a written statement. “America250 is proud to be partnering with numerous household brands to bring the America250 logo and merchandise to communities across the country. These partnerships and merchandise are designed to help expand public awareness of the commemoration and give Americans additional ways to participate in the Semiquincentennial,” according to a spokesperson, adding the list of merch has grown in recent months. “Our partners help bring the celebration to Americans through the brands they know and trust, advancing our goal of reaching all 350 million Americans as part of our ‘350 for 250’ initiative,” the statement continued. In its 2025 legally mandated annual report to Congress, the America250 commission touted “a strong portfolio of strategic licensing agreements” that generated new revenue. States Newsroom reached out to the offices of bipartisan members of Congress who currently serve as commissioners, and several staff replied they did not have information about how much money is being generated by merchandise. The commissioners include Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., as well as Reps. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., Maria Salazar, R-Fla., Dwight Evans, D-Pa., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J. Freedom 250, the Trump entity, offers 62 branded products for sale on its website store, including shirts, hats, can koozies, stickers, pins and a colonial model flag with “250” featured inside the circle of the 13 stars. At least two booths selling merchandise are open at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, one of Freedom 250’s main events. Freedom 250 press officials did not respond to States Newsroom regarding where merchandise profits are directed. Merchandise representing both America250 and Freedom 250 has been spotted in tourist shops in Washington, D.C., and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just over the Virginia border. Millions in spending Congress initially appropriated $79.8 million over several years to the America250 commission, beginning in 2019, according to the entity’s annual report. Most of its spending in 2025 — $17 million — went to America250 programs, according to the report. That included field trips for roughly 550 students, $250,000 in grants for young entrepreneurs, an America250 time capsule to be buried in Philadelphia on July 4, a “Giving Forth” initiative to raise awareness about mid-year donations to nonprofit organizations, and New Year’s Eve-style ball drops to ring in Independence Day in every U.S. time zone and territory, among other initiatives. “We are driven by purpose, not politics and our bipartisan Commission focuses on serving the interests of all Americans as mandated by our legislation. If the 250th anniversary is going to mean something to all Americans, it needs to be nonpartisan and belong to every American,” an America250 spokesperson said. The organization awarded $935,000 in grants to state and local entities between 2021 and 2025, according to the report. A 990 nonprofit tax filing for 2025 was not yet available on the website. The report also showed the White House Task Force 250 — the precursor to Freedom 250 — spent roughly $31 million of the America250 funds last year, with most, $22 million, paying for the June 2025 military parade that occurred on Trump’s birthday, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Army. An America250 spokesperson said a comprehensive list of private donors was not readily available, but the annual report identified new private-sector sponsors as The Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks, Walmart, Kraft Heinz, JPMorgan Chase, General Mills, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM, BNY, and Leidos. According to America250.org’s most recent 990 tax filing, the entity ended 2023 with just under $14.6 million in revenue — $11.1 million of which was program service revenue, and roughly $3.3 million of which came from other gifts and contributions. The organization spent $12.2 million for the year. A category labeled as “other” clocked in at around $8.3 million. Salaries amounted to just over $1 million, not including employee benefits. Information technology and conferences each amounted to $469,000 and fundraising expenses were nearly $343,000, among other smaller line items. Nine employees, and one former, are listed on the 990, with salaries ranging from $101,185 to $285,690, including incentive bonuses, the highest of which reached $43,800. The nonprofit gave out $175,000 in grants to organizations and local governments in 2023, according to the filing. Most of the 16 individual grants were doled out as $10,000 in seed money for state governments, and nonprofit historical societies and foundations, including those in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and West Virginia. Congress allocated $150M In 2025, as part of the “big, beautiful bill,” the Republican-led Congress approved another $150 million for “events, celebrations, and activities surrounding the observance and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, to remain available through fiscal year 2028.” The lawmakers directed the money to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum “acting through the director of the National Park Service.” Burgum is an ex offico member of the America250 commission as well. According to commissioners Coleman and Padilla’s offices, America250 was promised $100 million of the “big beautiful bill” funds. The commission has only received $25 million to date, according to Padilla’s and Coleman’s offices. “Freedom 250 siphoned off funding but the details are murky due to their lack of transparency,” a spokesperson for Coleman’s office said. According to an America250 spokesperson, “The final mix of funding cannot be known at this point as our programs are still in various stages of development and execution, and our fundraising for them continues.” “However, Chair Rios’ commitment to Congress has been to engage the private sector for a true public/private partnership to engage all Americans and not rely on federal funding only,” according to the spokesperson. The Department of the Interior did not provide to States Newsroom, as requested, a breakdown of how the funds have been allocated so far, but offered a written statement. “As with all of our signature 250 events, resources have been made available to ensure these historic occasions are a success. The Memorandum of Understanding signed with all 250th related entities made that clear and we are proud to be partners in celebrating these iconic events honoring our 250th thanks to the bold leadership of President Donald J. Trump,” according to the statement from a department spokesperson. Freedom 250 was formed as a limited liability company in late October 2025, according to division of corporation records in Delaware, where it is registered. The National Park Foundation, a congressionally chartered fundraising arm for the National Park Service, created Freedom 250 as a separate LLC “to help NPS with the execution of these events, while keeping this effort distinct and separate from the day-to-day work NPF does to support our national parks.” ‘From Vanity to Insanity’ U.S. House Democrats slammed Freedom250 in a new report on July 2, calling it “a shadow organization capable of infiltrating the celebrations and injecting America’s 250th with Trump’s extreme, partisan agenda.” The 55-page interim report titled “From Vanity to Insanity: How the White House Cheated the American People Out of their 250th Birthday,” said the administration “hijacked” the celebrations. “Significant questions remain unanswered, beginning with the complete donor lists and the ultimate disposition of the funds that Freedom 250 has raised and spent. But the record already assembled supports a conclusion that should alarm the American people,” according to the report. A spokesperson for Freedom 250 dismissed the report Thursday as “categorically false” and “disheartening.” “This so-called ‘report’ is nothing more than a partisan smear from politicians who would rather manufacture division than celebrate America’s 250th birthday alongside the rest of the country. Congressional members should be ashamed they are spending countless hours fabricating a report instead of joining Americans in creating an absolutely beautiful celebration,” according to a statement provided to States Newsroom by Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez. Alvarez criticized America250’s use of money, saying they had “nothing to show for it.” “Freedom 250 was created because the American people deserved better. We stepped in to rescue our nation’s 250th birthday from years of wasted time, wasted money, and failed planning. We are unapologetic about celebrating the greatest nation on earth, and we are delivering the historic celebration Americans deserved,” Alvarez said. Mobile exhibits funded According to USAspending.gov, a $10 million grant originally given to America250.org was transferred to the National Park Foundation in late 2025, via the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and directed to Freedom 250 to fund “Freedom 250 Trucks,” six mobile exhibits stopping at libraries and community events. The trucks provide curriculum resources from the private, Michigan-based Hillsdale College, a Christian institution led by Trump ally Larry Arnn, who spoke at Freedom 250’s “Rededicate 250,” a faith-based, Christian-oriented event held on the National Mall in May. Freedom 250 did not respond to States Newroom’s request for a comprehensive list of donors and amounts pledged to the LLC. The watchdog organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington published an investigation of sponsorship money for Freedom 250 in May. Sponsors mentioned in their report included January AI, SAP, United Airlines, Ultimate Fighting Championship and Mosaic. The New York Times reported in February that a donor solicitation obtained by the news organization revealed promises of special access and preferred seating for those who gave $500,000. A private Freedom 250 reception invite was offered, where sponsors who give $1 million can get a photograph with Trump, and the level of $2.5 million reportedly included possible speaking roles at the president’s July 4 program. Freedom 250 did not respond to a request to confirm the Times’ report. Freedom 250 also did not respond to questions about staffing. A quick LinkedIn search puts the range of Freedom 250 employees between two and 10.
	CCT's 'Guys and Dolls' is a swell, swingin' time There are times I wish Countryside Community Theatre only did one show per summer. They suffer from not having a lot of lead time in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. When I went for a preview night of “Guys and Dolls” on June 25, it was only their fourth day in the auditorium, and the show opened last Friday. That is not to say Friday’s performance was bad, by any means. It was quite fun and there were some fantastic performers. But I wonder what it would have been like if it had two more weeks in the oven. It’s an ambitious production that occasionally felt a touch unfinished, and I attribute that to the lack of time in the space. The cast and crew deserved more than the sparsely attended opening night they got, too – although the audience did enjoy itself. As well they should have. “Guys and Dolls” takes place in a romanticized version of New York City, and it’s based on a series of stories by Damon Runyon. It’s a fun little romp, featuring intermingled love stories, gamblers and gangsters, the bright lights of Broadway and the evening stars on a Havana beach. Chase Crull leads the cast as gambler Nathan Detroit. Nathan’s got a lot on his plate – he’s trying to find a place to run his high-stakes craps game, with no luck. Now, if you’ve seen the movie “Guys and Dolls,” you’ll know Nathan Detroit was played by Frank Sinatra. That, according to lyricist Frank Loesser, was a major miscast. Nathan is not supposed to be some suave guy. He’s supposed to be a little bit of a desperate sad sack. Crull captures Nathan’s rumpled charms. Sadly, the audience gets a little robbed of Crull’s voice – the original Nathan Detroit, actor Sam Levene, apparently couldn’t sing for beans, so the character really doesn’t have that many songs. Still, on his big number, “Sue Me,” he gets the chance to show off his nice voice a little. Nathan’s got another problem: his fiancée, Miss Adelaide. The couple has been engaged for 14 years, with no wedding in sight, and Miss Adelaide is getting a little antsy. She’s also got a cold, which her doctor tells her could be due to “psychology.” Our Miss Adelaide, Courtney Cooper, is a brassy broad with a big, bright voice. She’s the kind of gal you just want to hang out and have fun with. In order to alleviate some of his problems, Nathan turns to his fellow gambler, the debonaire Sky Masterson, to float him the money to nail down a location for the craps game. As Sky, Tommy Ratkiewicz displays an easy, captivating charm. He’s a smooth talker, nimble on his feet and really gets to show off on one of the show’s signature numbers, “Luck be a Lady.” So, Nathan bets Sky he can’t get a woman to go on a date with him. Nathan chooses the pious missionary, Sarah Brown, played by Emily Martyka. Her Sarah is prim, polite and polished, until she’s not – and then watch out. Martyka has a lovely, sweet voice, and her duet with Miss Adelaide, “Marry the Man Today,” is among the most fun moments in the show. “Guys and Dolls” also features some nice supporting performances, including Tim Dominicus as gambler Nicely-Nicely Johnson. He gets to help elevate the second act with another of the show’s signature songs, “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.” The rest of the cast fills out nicely, including strong performances by Joseph Nguyen as gambler Benny Southwest and Wayne Hess as the nosy policeman, Lt. Brannigan. The cast sounds great, thanks to strong musical direction by Laura Engels. And the orchestra, directed by George Behnke, is also terrific. The set pieces are minimal, and the show strongly relies on projections. The projections are attractive and an effective way to establish settings. Although I did notice one striking problem with a mockup of a sign advertising the film, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” which starred Danny Kaye. It’s that sign for the film which establishes this production takes place in the late 1940s, likely 1947 or 1948. Establishing time and place is vitally important in a period piece, and there were some serious issues with anachronistic costuming in this production. While the principals were mostly fine, the costumes for the ensemble were all over the place. There were visibly pieces from the 1970s, 1990s and present, as well as modern shoes on many of the male cast members. Runyonland has a very specific mise-en-scène that requires precision. It’s the little things, from white athletic socks under suit pants, to misspellings on the projections, that can jar an audience member right out of the show and take away from the fantasy on stage. Still, the good parts of the show outweigh everything else, and CCT’s “Guys and Dolls” is a diverting way to while away two-and-a-half hours or so. There’s still four chances to see the show this week: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. All performances are in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. Get your tickets at the door or in advance at countryside.booktix.com.
	2001: Couple plans hotel on LeClaire Road in Eldridge July 8, 1976 • Several area communities were looking forward to a fun weekend celebrating the Bicentennial. Eldridge planned three days of activities, including a baseball tournament, community relay games, a tractor pull, a variety show and an open-air concert by the North Scott High School band at Centennial Park. Walcott had a day of fun scheduled with entertainment, a tractor pull and a planned parachute demonstration at Victory Park. And in LeClaire, organizers were preparing for Buffalo Bill’s Riveresta, including a Bicentennial revue by the Old Creamery Theatre Company from Garrison, a horse show, fireworks and a light display. • The Scott County Landfill Commission announced it had located a potential site for a new landfill. The 240-acre tract was located southwest of Davenport, just north of the Buffalo city limits. The commission was negotiating a price with property owner Karl Linse. Officials said the land could serve the county for approximately 30 years, and finding a new location had become crucial. The existing landfill, located on Brady Street near Interstate 80, would be exhausted within six to eight months. • The Walcott Lions Club led all clubs in Iowa in contributions to the Iowa Lions Sight Conservation Foundation, having donated $3,000 in 1975-76. The club was in its third year of existence and had contributed nearly $5,900 to area charities and community activities. • The North Scott Press conducted a community survey to find out how residents felt about North Scott moving to another athletic conference. Eighty people were randomly contacted by telephone. Of these, exactly half were aware of the decision to move to the new conference. Thirteen favored the decision, 16 felt North Scott should stay in the Big Bend Conference, and the remaining 11 had no opinion. Those who favored staying said North Scott would be at a significant disadvantage competing against larger schools. • Mark Bassett broke out of a batting slump in a big way, with a two-run double in the fourth inning of the North Scott baseball team’s game against Clinton – St. Mary’s. John Suiter fanned nine batters, and the Lancers beat the Irish, 3-1. July 9, 1986 • A 17-year-old Eldridge boy was injured in a swimming accident. He sustained a broken neck and fractured vertebrae and was partially paralyzed, though he was starting to show signs of improvement. Dr. John Barker said his medical team was waiting for the swelling in his neck to go down before they could take any further action. • Cornerstone Baptist Church broke ground on a new 4,600 square foot sanctuary on LeClaire Road. The new building was scheduled to be completed by December. Members of the building committee, who conducted the groundbreaking, included Sheila Sutton, Boyce Butler, Charles Milnes, Gaylon Ideker, John Albee, Rev. Bryan Johnson, Vernon Long and Michelle Alleman. • Dorothy Beck retired as Eldridge postmaster. Her husband was also retiring and the couple planned to catch up on a few shared activities. They planned to remain in Eldridge. Beck began working for the U.S. Postal Service in 1945 when she was still in high school. She worked in Wisconsin for 25 years before transferring to Davenport in March of 1970. Nine months later, she became officer in charge in Eldridge and was appointed postmaster in April of 1972. Orin Ward was appointed officer in charge until a new postmaster could be named. • Countryside Community Theatre presented “The Sound of Music.” Cast members included Kris Johnsrud, Arnold Lindaman, Judith Jacobs, Beth Campbell, Susie Honnold, Diana Vollbeer, Randy Fitzgerald, Bethany Jacobs, Jake Vollbeer, Angie Case, Ryan Riewerts, Elisabeth Honold, Amy Hanzelka and Shanna Haugland. • Bill Gustafson and Stacey Schroeder were the winners of the four-mile Moonlight Chase. David Iverson and Jenny Shanks captured the one-mile titles. More than 600 runners took to the streets. July 11, 2001 • An Eldridge couple was looking to bring a hotel to town. A partnership group, led by Kirk and Teresa Foecking, submitted plans for the hotel, which would be located near the Highway 61 interchange, just east of Hardee’s. They had purchased the land and were in the process of filing for the rezoning. If successful, they hoped to be able to break ground on the 62-unit hotel, which would be a Rodeway Inn, a franchise of Choice Hotels, by August. The Foeckings said they wanted to facility to be an affordable option for travelers, but also something the community could take pride in. “I think Eldridge deserves better than a ‘cheap’ hotel,” said Kirk. “We feel that this will be a real good match for the city.” • Local grocer Steve Grolmus said he was hoping to break ground on his new North Scott Foods store in Eldridge in early August. He said he was waiting on construction blueprints for the store, which was estimated to be at around 21,000 square feet, and then he and his development partner would go out for bids on the project and secure financing. • Work was underway at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds to put the trademark bull in a more permanent location. The statue had been sitting on a trailer but blew over in a windstorm the previous fall. The damage included a broken ear, and the statue was put in winter storage so repairs could be made and a new coat of paint applied. Workers were now installing a concrete pad outside the fairgrounds so the bull could be permanently bolted down. • Runners from 13 states participated in the Moonlight Chase, with 1,560 total registrants. That said, not all of the registered participants actually ran the race, due to stifling heat and humidity. Still, Nick Nordheim of Iowa City won in 20:02. Women’s winner Mindy Petersen of Milan, Ill., crossed the finish line a little more than five minutes later. John Dwyer of Iowa City and Brittany Minor of Moline won the one-mile, and Raegan Czupka and Eric Huber, both of Eldridge, were the fastest in the quarter-mile. • North Scott teacher Deac Ryan made quite a collection over his 39 years at the high school. He managed to rake in quite a few pennies - $1,041.22 worth to be exact. After his retirement, he cashed it in and donated it all to the school’s chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. July 13, 2011 • While there were no formal citywide fireworks displays in Eldridge, there were several neighborhood displays. Fireworks were illegal in Iowa, although could be set off through a special use permit. Fire chief Tyler Schmidt said no one in Eldridge had applied for such a permit. The Eldridge Police Department said officers used discretion on writing tickets for fireworks violations. Princeton police chief Brian Carsten agreed, saying they usually talked to residents and wrote tickets if there were multiple complaints. • There would be four open seats on the September ballot for North Scott School Board – board president Paul Dierickx, and board members Sue Cannon, Tim Lane and Krista Long. Cannon said she did not plan to seek reelection, but Lane and Long had both informally announced their decisions to run again. Lane said there was “unfinished business to take care of.” • Candidates for Walcott Day Queen included Kaitlynn Capper, Emelie Knobloch and Kaci Kraft. In the mix for Walcott Day Princess were Ashlyn Arp, Regan Callahan, Aubrin Dittmer, Alyssa Griffin, Jalissa Peiffer, Taylor Quick and Dalani Weber. • A total of 2,005 runners registered for the Moonlight Chase, with Tim Hird of Rock Island and Jennifer Paul of LeClaire winning the race. This was Paul’s second victory – she first won in 2004 – and she had finished second the previous two years. Meanwhile, Hird was upholding a family tradition. His brothers, Nathaniel (2008-09) and Nick (2003-04, 2007) were also past winners. Alex Bare of Walcott and Skylar Books of Eldridge won the one-mile, and Kyler Gerardy and Natalie Naber, both of Eldridge, took the quarter-mile. • The North Scott baseball team was sitting on a 25-11 record, the most wins since the team went 25-16 in 2005. The team upset league leader Pleasant Valley with a 7-1, 4-1 sweep and also swept Linn-Mar on Senior Day. The wins over the Spartans guaranteed the Lancers at least a slice second place in the MAC. July 7, 2021 • Eldridge was preparing to celebrate its 150th birthday with a weekend of fun at the Eldridge Summer Festival. This included a night of events at Sheridan Meadows. And, just like at Eldridge’s 100th birthday party in 1971, the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile was set to put in an appearance. Longtime resident Lu Wiese was named the parade grand marshal, and Don Hamann and Alberta Gilbert would also be honored during the festival. • Longtime Eldridge assistant city administrator James Martin was hired as Scott County’s new elections administrator, replacing the retiring Richard Bauer. Martin had worked for the City of Eldridge since 2011. • The North Scott School District hosted a super-sized employee recognition event at Lancer Stadium, honoring staff for achievements over the last two school years. The 2020 ceremony had to be cancelled because of the pandemic. The 2021 retirees, Deb Ulrich, Doris Martin, Lana Buswell, Bev Mausser and Mary Allensworth, were also honored. • Twenty-eight veterans were honored during a night at the ballpark as the North Scott baseball team took on Muscatine. North Scott player Alex Johnson sang the National Anthem. Ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by longtime North Scott employee Joe Needom and superintendent Joe Stutting. Needom served in the U.S. Army from 1989-93, while Stutting was in the Iowa National Guard for seven years. • North Scott Junior High’s color run also returned in June, as students celebrated the end of the school year. Those pictured included Brynn Westhoff, Jacob Yarborough, Adam Schneckloth, Jace Carter and Dawson Dufloth.
	Look beyond the sound bites to solve Iowa's problems I often think of the famous question answered by American labor leader Samuel Gompers in the late 19th century. “What does Labor want? We want more schoolhouses and less jails; more books and less arsenals; more learning and less vice; more leisure and less greed; more justice and less revenge; in fact, more of the opportunities to cultivate our better natures…” These are still worthy goals. After a decade of republican control squeezing school funding, vilifying public school teachers, and talking of book bans, Iowa schools’ ratings have fallen to the middle of the pack. Iowa Republicans prioritized tax cuts for the wealthy and now more jails over Iowans’ needs. On July 1st, the Republicans’ tough-on-crime bills took effect. The Legislative Services Agency projects these bills will cost the state over $2 billion: $1.97 billion in one-time construction costs to build and expand state prisons, and $115.6 million in new annual operating expenses. Both violent and property crime rates have been trending downward. State data indicates that the overall crime rate dropped by 10% in 2025, following a broader 22% decline over the last six years. Was this tough-on-crime legislation pandering to fears or anticipation of desperate times to come? Iowa’s Workforce Development reports that Iowa lost 15,300 jobs in 2025, causing a growing workforce crisis impacting families, businesses, and communities. The Farm Bureau reports that farm bankruptcies are increasing. About 25,000 Iowans lost supplemental nutrition assistance in the last year. Thousands of Iowans lost affordable health insurance after H.R. 1 passed with the full support of Iowa’s delegation, including Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson, and most of the cuts don’t take effect until 2027. June’s end-of-fiscal-year budget gap was $1.3 billion. This year’s budget gap is projected to be over $1 billion, assuming that Iowa’s economy doesn’t continue to falter. Republicans are covering the budget gap with one-time reserves that everyone knows are not sustainable. The Republican Governor candidate Lahn’s goals - government that prioritizes people, clean water, safe communities, excellent schools, and defeating the cancer crisis sound great. However, looking beyond the sound bite, we see more spending, more tax cuts, and no indication of how to pay for anything. Iowans deserve honesty, not pandering. We don’t want to end up like Kansas. Kay Pence Eldridge
	Sabula man jailed after throwing lit mortar firework at neighbor during dog-poop dispute A Sabula man faces felony charges after deputies say he threw a lit mortar firework that exploded inside a neighbor's garage during a holiday dispute.
	Rivermont Collegiate to pilot AI companion program for students, teachers Rivermont Collegiate says its new AI platform won't replace teachers. Instead, it's designed to give them more time with students.
	Elected officials are already delivering for Iowans Eastern Iowa “Lead, follow or get out of the way!” That is the message I heard last evening from our elected governing folks at an Eldridge grass roots meeting last evening. We have the representation that we bargain for at every election and seldom get. We are complacent and naively ignorant, hoping that our taxes result in the services we pay for. Wow! They have done it! Eastern Iowa, our counties, are delivering quality government at precisely honed prices. We are the best in the state while Iowa is way ahead of the other 49. Senators, Legislators, working full time for part time pay in perilous mine fields of public demands on complex issues are “at bat” for us. Education, “Focus on the kids. We’ll take care of the math.” Teachers, parents, administrators, rest easy our kids will emerge with the tools needed to earn a living in America. Special needs and out-lying issues are covered. Funds are in the bank. Budget, we are capped at 2% annual increase. Bargained down from 4% in debate. I think we should target zero increase and show the planet how to manage spending. These people can do it. Crime, focus on criminals. You do the crime in Iowa, you will get caught and you will pay for it. These folks will do the math. Services, focus on free market, the vital core of America. Iowa’s food production thrives on it. Healthcare, volatile, confusing, seemingly out of control. Energy, an Iowa asset; projects that are under scrutiny. Your job? Vote, make sure this team stays intact. There are threats gnawing on the fabric. Bill Wohlford Bettendorf
	ISU Dairy Team plans on-farm dairy processing field days The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will host a series of on-farm dairy processing field days that highlight successful niche-market herds in Iowa. Regional dairy producers are invited to explore profitable niche markets and learn from producers investing in cheese, fluid milk and gelato. Each field day will include a tour of the farm and a panel discussion featuring the host dairy producer; Dylan Liu, assistant professor of food science at Iowa State; members of the ISU Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development and Dairy teams; and a representative from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. A boxed meal will also be provided at each field day. Gail Carpenter, assistant professor and extension dairy specialist at Iowa State, said exploring new markets is a great way for dairies to maintain profitability. “On-farm processors are important and growing contributors to Iowa’s dairy industry. Small dairies in particular see on-farm processing as a way to stay competitive in today’s markets,” she said. “These events will help dairy producers determine if this is a good option for them and begin building their support network and toolbox as they explore this opportunity.” Schedule and registration Orange City: Favorite Creamery, Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Donnellson: Hinterland Dairy, Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Parlor tour to follow.) Ogden: Sundae Morning Dairy, Aug. 24, 6 to 8 p.m. Maquoketa: Moore Local, Sept. 8, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (The program will begin at the ISU Extension and Outreach Jackson County office.) Those interested in attending are asked to register online at least one week before the event. Field days are offered at no cost to attendees thanks to funding from the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education. Additional information about the events is available on the Dairy Team website. For more information, contact Carpenter at ajcarpen@iastate.edu.
	2026 farmland leasing arrangements meetings offered across Iowa Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a series of farmland leasing arrangements meetings across the state in late July and August, as well as a statewide virtual webinar on Aug. 19. The annual meetings are designed to address questions that landowners, tenants, agribusiness professionals and those involved in farmland ownership have about leasing farmland. Workshop topics will cover land values, market outlook and cash rent trends, costs of production, methods for determining a fair rental rate, legal updates regarding leases and strategies for effective communication with tenants or landowners. ISU Extension and Outreach farm management field specialists will also address common questions regarding leases affected by a farm estate or succession plan. According to Ann Johanns, program specialist for Ag Decision Maker at ISU Extension and Outreach, the 2026 annual survey of cash rental rates for Iowa farmland showed little change overall, with the state average rate decreasing by 0.4% in 2026 to $270 per acre. This is the second decline in cash rents since 2019, after a peak of $279 per acre in 2023 and 2024. “While the trend in rental rates is fairly flat, every lease agreement is unique, and attending a workshop is a great way to learn more or ask questions on specific aspects of farm lease arrangements,” said Johanns. “More than half of Iowa’s farmland is rented, and strong landowner/tenant relationships are important for the long-term viability of Iowa’s valuable farmland.” Attendees often participate in this meeting series annually, each with different goals. In post-session evaluations in 2025, 100% of respondents reported satisfaction with the program’s ability to meet their needs. Past participants shared that they attended to deepen their understanding of factors affecting farmland leases. After attending, many made improvements to their own lease agreements or reported that the session confirmed their current leases aligned with all parties’ needs. Attend a local meeting Registration for local county farmland leasing meetings is $25 per person, which includes workshop materials. Pre-registration is encouraged, as an additional fee may be added if registering less than two calendar days before the meeting date. To register, call the hosting ISU Extension and Outreach county office. Attend the statewide webinar If you are unable to attend an in-person meeting, a statewide virtual webinar will take place on Aug. 19 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Online registration is required, and the registration fee is $25 per individual. For more information, contact your farm management specialist or county office.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2026

Tuesday, July 7th, 2026