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

Construction worker hurt after gravel shoulder roller goes into ditch

A construction worker was hurt after a gravel shoulder roller went into a ditch Tuesday afternoon.

Muscatine stocking Discovery Pond with rainbow trout

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will release 1,500 rainbow trout into Discovery Pond at Discovery Park in Muscatine on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. One hundred tagged fish will be included in the stocking and the first five tagged fish turned in will receive a prize. Tagged fish can either be shown to [...]

LeClaire Road construction accident leaves worker injured Tuesday

A gravel shoulder roller tipped over on E. LeClaire Road Tuesday afternoon, injuring a worker who was evacuated by helicopter for medical treatment.   Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane said the injury was nonfatal, and that the individual was in pain but talking.   The North Scott Press could not immediately confirm the name of the individual or where they were taken for treatment. The helicopter departed at approximately 2:45 p.m.   Eldridge Police, Eldridge Fire, Long Grove Fire, Medic EMS, AirCare Helicopter, and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office were among agencies that responded to the scene.

Former Air Force members sentenced after scamming Iowa victims in cyber fraud scheme

Two men were sentenced on Friday for scamming victims in Iowa and elsewhere for nearly two years.

Judge: Fired teacher offered students extra credit in return for cash donations

An Iowa high school teacher has been fired for offering students extra credit in return for cash donations to her personal GoFundMe account.

A small-batch miso maker in Cedar Falls is crafting Japanese ingredients from Iowa farms

When Tomie Sasaki-Hesselink immigrated to Cedar Falls from Japan, she set about making miso from Iowa soybeans. Decades later, she's partnering with regional farmers to do just that.

Rock Island to use temporary 911 dispatchers to help with staffing shortages

During Monday night's meeting, Rock Island City Council approved a three-month contract with Moetivations for on-demand dispatcher services.

King Me! Edwards scores five touchdowns as Beavers beat Bulldogs on homecoming night

If you come at the king, you best not miss. Beaver senior quarterback Gunner Edwards accounted for five touchdowns as the 2026 Wilton homecoming king led his team to a 49-13 win over Mediapolis Friday night. In a game which Wilton activated the running clock before halftime, Edwards completed all 10 of his passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing seven times for 91 yards and another score. Edwards took it in himself for the first score of the game, a 13-yard rushing score midway through the first quarter to put the home team up 7-0. Right before the end of the first frame, Edwards connected with senior Bryer Putman on a 29-yard go-ball touchdown to put Wilton up 14-0. Then, at the flip of the quarter, Edwards found senior Oliver Grings on another long-ball touchdown. This one, of the 41-yard variety, gave Wilton a three-touchdown cushion. Edwards found Grings again on the Beavers’ next possession, connecting on a 59-yard pass over the middle for another score. As Grings out-ran his defender over the final 40 yards of the reception, Wilton tacked on its fourth score of the night. With less than a minute remaining in the first half, Edwards found Putman for another touchdown. Here, Putman came back for a scrambling Edwards, broke two tackles and found the end zone for the fifth touchdown of the game and the fifth touchdown of Putman’s season. It was a mere formality at that point. But, for good measure, both senior Noah Gray and sophomore Weston Stranberg found the end zone in the second half as Wilton capped off a memorable homecoming night. Grings led Wilton’s receiving corps with six catches for 148 yards, while Putman had four receptions for 89 yards. Edwards was the team’s leading rusher with 91 yards. Gray toted the ball 11 times for 67 yards, and Stranberg had seven carries for 61 yards. Defensively, junior Caleb Burford came up with an interception for the game’s lone turnover. The Beavers held Mediapolis to just 179 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs averaged 2.8 yards per carry and completed 47.6 percent of its passes. Wilton’s tackle leader was Stranberg who had 5.5. Gray, senior Corban Burford and senior Jenner Hoekstra all had four tackles. Caleb Burford had 3.0 tackles. Quincy Sawvell has found his groove as the team’s place kicker, drilling all seven of his extra point attempts. After two weeks of district play, Mid-Prairie is 2-0, Central Lee is 0-2, and there is a logjam in the middle with four teams at 1-1. Wilton will host another of those 1-1 teams, West Burlington Notre Dame, next Friday for Youth Night. The Beavers won this matchup easily last season, 36-14. The Falcons are 4-1 this season with a one-point loss to Mediapolis two weeks ago. It defeated Central Lee 42-22 last week. West Burlington Notre Dame is a rush-first offense led by junior running back Jayden Nanthan, who averaged 9.3 yards per carry. The team as a whole averages 8.3 yards per carry. The Falcons are still an efficient passing offense. Sophomore quarterback Kellan Porter has completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 15.8 yards per completion.

North Scott Press — September 30, 2026

Jamison Fisher drops change of venue motion

Jamison Fisher is no longer seeking a change of venue for his trial in the death of 11-year-old Trudy Appleby in 1996. Henry County Court records show that Fisher appeared in court with his attorneys on Sept. 29, where he waived his right to a jury and entered a plea of not guilty. The defense [...]

Mobile home tenants must vacate by Oct. 30

Residents of Rivercrest Estates must leave the mobile home park by Oct. 30, when the City of Princeton will ask county inspectors to tag homes uninhabitable for lack of running water. Mayor Travis Volrath told tenants to vacate by the end of next month at a meeting Thursday, Sept. 24. Princeton severed water service on Sept. 17, one month after warning park owner Mary Diercks that she needed to pay overdue utility bills and repair broken water lines. Diercks appears unlikely to pay bills or repair lines. In body camera footage shared with the North Scott Press, Diercks tells Princeton Police Chief Freddy Almanza that she is “tired of providing these people with a free place to live.” “I want it done too,” she says, referring to the eviction of the park’s remaining tenants. In the video, which captures a four-minute conversation between Almanza and Diercks on Sept. 2, Diercks claims that she has only eight tenants who pay lot rent. That was about one-third the number of tenants at the park in late August, according to estimates provided by city officials. “I’m tired of it, too. I’m done. I’m washing my hands,” she says in the video. At one point, Diercks refers to residents of Lot Four as a family with a “retarded kid.” At another point, she suggests that the “city of Princeton wants this done,” referring to the eviction of tenants. Diercks has not responded to the North Scott Press’s request for comment. A handout distributed to residents Thursday states that Diercks has until Oct. 30 to “restore lawful, continuous, potable water service… or all residents must leave the affected homes.” Under city code, any residence without running can be deemed uninhabitable, and residents can be forced to vacate. Princeton contracts with Scott County to inspect building and health conditions. County Planning and Development Director Greg Schaapveld said city officials had asked him to send a code enforcement order to Diercks and any park tenant who owns their trailer. Volrath said the city did not have plans to provide residents of the mobile home park with temporary sanitation services before Oct. 30. Many residents of the park have said that they do not want to leave their homes, even with water service severed. “I have maintained my home inside and out. I have maintained my yard. I have done everything you are supposed to do to stay in the park,” tenant Dawn Shadden said. She owns her doublewide mobile home. “If I was to leave here, I am throwing away a home that my boyfriend and I have worked hard to pay for,” she continued. Shadden has worked at the LeClaire McDonalds for seven years. With her boyfriend, she brings in just $2,000 a month. Paying $300 per month in lot rent, “I don’t have to worry about drowning paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “My bills are paid on time. I’m not struggling to live day by day.” Shadden said the water shutoff and eviction punishes the park’s residents, not Diercks. “I want to tell Travis [Volrath], what does this do to Mary? She’s not hurt by it… She’s allowed to take a shower. She wants to cook dinner, she can do it.” “We have to go down and fill up water jugs and put them in the toilet tank to flush,” she said. Shadden’s seven-year-old son has struggled to understand why he may have to leave his home and school. The family has started looking for other housing, but Shadden does not think she can afford rent. “To be honest, I really don’t know what we’re going to do,” she said. Lori Elam, director of Scott County community services, said that she had heard from multiple tenants of the park who were seeking rental assistance. One Rivercrest tenant, Natasha Boydston, sent a notice to the NSP that residents were asking a state judge to place the park into an emergency receivership. “This legal mechanism would redirect all future rent payments away from the landlord and into a court-controlled fund dedicated to settling the city utility debt and hiring contractors to repair the water mains,” the notice reads. Reached for comment, Boydston said she had asked Iowa Legal Aid to assist her in filing the court documents, but had not heard back from attorneys or made any filings last Friday afternoon.  Boydston said she drafted the notice with the help of AI. She also contacted Quad Cities and Iowa Valley chapters of Habitat for Humanity and asked them to “acquire and preserve this manufactured housing community, saving it from permanent closure.” Quad Cities Habitat for Humanity told Boydston they were not in a position to acquire and rehabilitate Rivercrest. “It wasn’t the news that I was expecting or wanted,” Boydston said. She hoped to bring her proposal to the Princeton city council meeting Oct. 8, with as much resident support as she could muster. “Right now, it’s just about getting the word around,” she said.        

Rain delays harvest

September rains—soon to become October rains—have turned Scott County soil into mud, pushing back the harvest and raising concerns of crown and ear rot among local farmers. Korey Koberg of Walcott said rains had already delayed his harvest by as much as two weeks. It usually takes him 50 good days to bring in the harvest. He has had just six or seven so far. “Plant health’s not too bad yet, but it’s going to get worse,” Koberg said last Friday, eyeing as many as six days of rain the following week. Rain forecasted for this weekend, Sept. 26–27, never came. But the weekend before, Sept. 19–20, the Quad Cities saw over three inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Rainfall in DeWitt approached four inches. Pioneer seed dealer Scott Madden was in his Eldridge sample plot last Wednesday trying to gauge how rains on Sept. 19 and 20 had affected his corn crop.  Walking down each row of hybrids, Madden pushed corn stalks tassel to tassel, seeing if they kinked or snapped. “I'll do that once this week, once next week, and once the following week,” Madden said. His plants appeared healthy—few snaps or kinks—but stalk rot, his main concern, can take a few weeks to seep in. “I'm doing a baseline today,” he explained. The few plants that did kink or snap were victims of crown rot that set in during the spring. Fall rains have little impact on those “ghost plants,” which have been compromised for months and produce a lower yield. Stalk rot damages the structural integrity of a corn plant rather than its growth and yield. But as the harvest is delayed, structural integrity becomes a key concern: stiff winds and early snows can knock down plants and make them difficult to gather. In other words, rain puts farmers in a double bind. The harvest is delayed, and corn plants begin to rot. Luckily, Madden said he’s seen few signs of ear rot on his plants. Heavy rains can leak through husks and lead to mold growth that might get corn rejected on delivery. High levels of vomitoxin, a mold byproduct, renders corn useless as animal feed.  “If we get that on the kernels and we harvest it and store it, then it can multiply in storage,” Madden said. “I'm pleasantly surprised today, I'm not seeing anything.” Kaedin Holst farms 500 hilly acres around Princeton. “The last few years it’s been pretty dry early, and we’ve been able to get in the field by September,” he said. It takes him about two weeks to harvest. “I don’t remember it being this wet in September by any means in the last few years.” Wet conditions make his job especially difficult: getting a combine and a grain truck up a hill in the mud is virtually impossible. “The crops look great, it’s just about whether or not we can get in there and get them out,” Holst said. They certainly hadn’t suffered from a drought, he joked. “We’re just kind of rolling with the punches here, and seeing what mother nature decides,” he said. Weather conditions are not the only headwinds facing farmers this harvest. The national price of diesel has spiked to over $6.50 per gallon, according to the Federal Reserve, up from $3.75 per gallon last fall and about $5.50 this spring. The average price of Iowa diesel set all-time high Monday, Sept. 21, at $6.32 per gallon, according to AAA. Koberg said his harvest would take some 15,000 gallons of diesel. “Some of it was booked early, but not all of it,” he said. “It is a worry. It’s an extra cost,” he said. “I’ve even heard problems of maybe even getting fuel later on.” An additional three inches of rainfall were forecast for Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 1 when the North Scott Press went to press Tuesday morning.        

Two teens dead in McCausland accident

Two Scott County men were killed in a two-vehicle accident Saturday night near McCausland. Jace Geissinger, 19, of McCausland, and Nolan Crowell, 18, of Davenport, died at the scene of the accident, which happened just after 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of 210th Avenue and 287th Street, between McCausland and Long Grove. Geissinger was the driver of a 2009 Mazda 6I, traveling northbound on 210th Avenue. His vehicle was struck by a 2011 Chevrolet Impala. The Impala, which was eastbound on 287th Street reportedly failed to obey a stop sign and struck Geissinger’s vehicle. Crowell was a passenger in Geissinger’s vehicle. The driver of the Impala was identified as a 17-year-old male from Clinton. There were also three passengers in the Impala, all of whom were transported to a local hospital by Medic EMS, reportedly in stable condition. The driver’s name has not been released. The accident remains under investigation. In addition to Medic, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Scott County Conservation, Iowa State Patrol, Bettendorf Police Department, McCausland Fire Department, Princeton Fire Department, and MedForce Helicopter responded to the scene, together with the Scott County Sheriff’s Accident Investigation Team and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office Reserves. Geissinger was a 2025 graduate of North Scott High School.  

Orchestra classroom addition planned for NSHS

North Scott orchestra students could be in a new, permanent home as soon as the early days of the 2027-28 school year. At Monday’s school board meeting, held at Neil Armstrong Elementary School, the board voted to hold a public hearing for a proposed $4 million addition to the high school that will house a permanent orchestra space. The public hearing will be held at the Oct. 12 school board meeting. The orchestra currently holds classes in a 3,640 sq. ft. classroom at the southeast corner of the high school and in the auxiliary gym. The classroom space is shared with the cheer and dance teams and students have to set up and tear down each class period, which takes time away from instruction. According to Kari Uhlenkamp of Bray Architects, who was present at the meeting to share more details on the proposed addition, the new orchestra room would be built on the southwest side of the high school, in an area currently occupied by the old, and now unused, greenhouses. The addition would feature two orchestra rooms, three practice rooms, two ensemble rooms, a practice room, office space, an IT room, a utility room and bathrooms. The larger of the two orchestra rooms would be 3,550 sq. ft. with occupancy for approximately 100. The second room would be 2,390 sq. ft. with occupancy for approximately 70. “This will give them a lot of flexibility to, A, grow the program and B, just be set,” said Uhlenkamp. “Have a space, not be sharing it with other groups also in both spaces.” Uhlenkamp added the space will also be able to partially serve as a storm shelter, which she said was a requirement of current building code and the City of Eldridge. This was part of the reason bathrooms were added to the design. She said the storm shelter space would include “the ensemble rooms, the practice room, the utility room has to be within it because it has utilities that are part of the storm shelter, and then the bathrooms. So, this kind of gives them their own little suite.” Superintendent Joe Stutting gave additional explanation regarding the storm shelter. “The new international building code requires police, fire and school districts to add storm shelters on any addition or any new building to do it,” he said, adding that Davenport Schools will also be adding storm shelters to any future additions. He said it would be similar, although not identical to the storm shelter at John Glenn in Donahue, which is built to FEMA standards. Stutting said the storm shelter requirement added approximately $400,000 to the project. Having the entire addition as a storm shelter would have been a $1 million increase. Uhlenkamp said the storm shelter requirement includes occupancy for 200 people. The space set aside in the design should fulfil this requirement. That said, Stutting added the storm shelter would primarily be used in cases of emergency, such as a tornado. He said in most instances, such as emergent weather at a sporting event, school officials would try to direct people to an interior portion of Ed White or to The Pit. “So, a lot of your procedures probably won’t necessarily change, but this will be an option for this area of the building,” said Uhlenkamp. “The city made us do this, right?” said Stutting. “Because Davenport is doing it. Not everybody is enforcing this new building code. You know, you’re always at the mercy of who your building inspectors are, what they’re enforcing. The city said Davenport does it, so we do it.” As far as the design elements of the addition, it will look very similar to the orchestra and band rooms at the junior high. Stutting said he, orchestra instructors Linda Dargene and Benjamin Lorentzen, high school principal Andrew Lehn, maintenance director Scott Roenfeldt and a team from Bray Architects led the design process. Uhlenkamp said the addition will feature both terrazzo flooring in the hallways and carpeting in the classrooms. The acoustical tiles will be red and gray, and the classrooms will also feature instrument storage. “They love their junior high space and a lot of the space requirements, they were like, ‘Oh yeah, we love that. We want to keep it,’” said Uhlenkamp of Dargene and Lorentzen’s input. “So, it was pretty easy, from that regard, also just continuing the same tile, patterns and colors.” As for the exterior, it will be made primarily of precast, which Uhlenkamp said should help with both cost and the mason shortage in the area. The brick will blend with the existing masonry, and there will also be metal sheeting painted to match the existing metal panels on the building. The existing greenhouse will be dismantled and removed prior to construction. Stutting said the district attempted to find a new home for the structure, with no success. Uhlenkamp said the $4 million projected budget is slightly higher than what had originally been anticipated. This was due to several factors, including adding the greenhouse removal to the project, the storm shelter requirement, and some additional stormwater development. “It was kind of an unexpected one that bumped it up a little bit higher than people were expecting,” she said. “But we’ve got a couple of alternates in it too, in case numbers don’t come in well.” Still, she said she was optimistic about the bidding process. “In general, this has been a really good time to bid. So, we’re expecting contractors to be aggressive. You’ve got a lot of local ones, who will probably go after it pretty hard. They’re looking for work and especially they love to gear up work right now and know that they have part of next year already ready.” Construction documents are expected to be completed and ready to send out by Oct. 9. A pre-bid meeting will be held Oct. 16 at 2 p.m., with the bid opening on Nov. 4. The board will approve the low bids on Nov. 9. Construction could begin shortly thereafter in November, with precast panels arriving by March, and anticipated completion by August of 2027. Once the orchestra addition is completed, the old room will become the domain of the cheer and dance teams. No official design plans have been put in place for the space as of now, however. Bills District director of business affairs Lisa Jones presented bills for approval in the amount of $204,522.17. Highlights included $78,905.20 to Bill Bruce Builders for cabinet installation and door and window replacements during summer projects across the district; $3,338.85 to CT Engineering for playground fencing work at four of the elementary schools; and $11,337.11 to Midwest Veterinary Supply for veterinary program supplies. This expense will be charged to a grant the district received from Nestlé Purina. Ten students attended the meeting as a requirement of their government class.    

Trump announces $15 billion steel mill in Iowa

President Donald Trump announced Monday the company Mesabi Metallics plans to build a $15 billion steel mill in Iowa, and said he’ll soon visit the state for a rally ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, election. Joined by Iowa Republicans, Mesabi Metallics leaders and members of his cabinet, Trump said the project will be the largest steel plant in the U.S., and one of the largest in the world. According to the White House, the mill will create 1,750 permanent jobs paying $49 per hour as well as 6,000 construction jobs as the facility is built in Lee County. The president linked the company’s decision to build the new facility in Iowa with his tariff policies. Democrats have been critical of Trump’s tariff policies, which they say contribute to rising costs and particularly hurt Iowa’s agriculture economy, but the president argued Monday they encourage businesses to grow the U.S. manufacturing industry. “Soon after my inauguration, I imposed powerful 50% tariffs on all foreign steel, and now our steel industry is roaring back to life,” Trump said. “Everyone’s building their plant here because they don’t want to pay tariffs. It’s really not that complicated. A lot of people say they don’t understand it, but they do. They just don’t like to give us credit.“ The mill, set to begin steelmaking in 2030, is expected to produce 7.5 million tons of steel per year in its first phase, according to the White House. The facility will process iron ore from a Minnesota mine opened earlier in September by Mesabi Metallics, which is owned by the India-based Essar Group. It is not yet clear whether local or state tax incentives have been brought forward as part of the construction. Although Iowa state lawmakers have been alerted they may have to return to the Capitol for a special session discussing an incentive package for the steel company, Gov. Kim Reynolds has not yet called for such a session. When asked Monday if the project was contingent on the approval of tax breaks, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick responded, “I think this deal is done.” Reynolds said in a statement the steel mill project is “a transformational opportunity for our country, our state, and American families — one that strengthens national security, creates thousands of high-paying jobs, and provides a reliable supply of high-quality, American-made steel for strategic goods and everyday products.” “Our commitment in Iowa to fiscal responsibility, tax competitiveness, and long-term economic stability has created one of the nation’s strongest environments for business investment,” Reynolds said. “Now, this opportunity will fundamentally change the economic trajectory of our state and the entire region for decades to come.” Republicans have a trifecta of control at the Iowa statehouse. Democrats, like state Rep. Elizabeth Wilson, D-Marion, the ranking member of the state Economic Development Budget Subcommittee, called for the state to ensure public investments for the project are worthwhile for Iowa taxpayers. “As more details become available after today’s announcement, we also have a responsibility to make sure any state investment is transparent, accountable, and a good deal for Iowa taxpayers,” Wilson said in a statement. “As Iowans continue to struggle, we clearly want this project to succeed in order to deliver lasting economic opportunities for Iowa families and communities for generations to come.” Trump plans Iowa visit to support GOP candidates ahead of election The project is set to be built in the 1st Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. She attended the news conference alongside Trump, thanking the president for his efforts to bring the project to fruition. “Southeast Iowa, my district, has long had jobs leave, go overseas,” Miller-Meeks said. “It’s heartbreaking when you’re in those communities day after day. So to see the largest steel mill in America being built in Iowa, and in Southeast Iowa … These are families that can make over $100,000, and so it’s just transformational in this area.” Miller-Meeks’ reelection bid against Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan is expected to be among the most competitive U.S. House races in the country in the 2026 midterms. Election forecaster Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates the race as “leans Democratic,” favoring Bohannan, who lost against Miller-Meeks in the 2024 and 2022 elections. Though Iowa currently has an all-Republican federal delegation, the state is expected to host several highly contentious elections in 2026. The races for Iowa’s 2nd and 3rd Congressional Districts are also rated as “toss-ups” by political forecasters, as is the U.S. Senate race between U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson and Iowa Rep. Josh Turek to replace Sen. Joni Ernst, who is not seeking another term. The race for Iowa’s governor seat, currently held by Reynolds, is also rated “leans Democratic” as Democratic Iowa Auditor Rob Sand faces GOP nominee Zach Lahn. Trump said he planned to come to Iowa to rally with Republicans such as Hinson, and he reflected on his 2024 election win in Iowa, saying, “I think I’m more popular now than I was then.” “I will say that we’re going to do a great rally, and we’ll all be there together,” Trump said. “We have to get you all elected.” Further details about Trump visiting Iowa ahead of Nov. 3 have not yet been announced.

Long Grove breaks ground on water treatment plant

Long Grove broke ground on its new water treatment plant Wednesday morning, Sept. 23. The plant will cost the city an estimated $2.8 million. “It’s been in the works for years… It takes a lot of planning,” Mayor Mike Limberg said in brief remarks at the groundbreaking. “We're finally able to make this a reality for Long Road.” Photo and words by Noah Glasgow.

Student Hunger Drive is underway

From Sept. 21 to Nov. 6, North Scott Service Club will be hosting the River Bend Food Bank’s 40th Student Hunger Drive at North Scott High School. The Student Hunger Drive is a friendly competition between area high schools to raise the most pounds of food for the River Bend Food Bank and its affiliated food pantries. “A lot of us do not have to think about our next meal as a concern. We as a community must try to take that concern away from those in need. I think it is important to inform students about Student Hunger Drive goals to build a sustainable community of generosity at North Scott,” says Natalie Sierk, one of the North Scott Service Club presidents. The River Bend Food Bank distributes food to over four counties, roughly 50,000 people, including 39,139 children. North Scott students hope to make a difference by raising 20,000 pounds with this year’s food drive. While donations will be accepted at North Scott High School during the school day between Sept. 21 and Nov. 4, community members are invited to donate nonperishable items at any one of the Student Hunger Drive affiliated food and fundraising events. These events include: • Oct. 2: Help North Scott High School students raise 1,000 pounds of food by bringing canned food donations to the Homecoming game. • Oct. 13: Eat at Chipotle on Elmore Avenue from 5-7 p.m., and mention the North Scott Student Hunger Drive fundraiser at check out. Twenty-five percent of each meal will be donated to the North Scott Student Hunger Drive. • Oct. 31: Donate cans on Halloween night to participating North Scott High School students who are “trick-or-treating” for cans. Additionally, each North Scott school will participate in their own food drive week. • Alan Shepard: Oct. 19-Oct. 23 • Ed White: Oct. 26-Oct. 30 • John Glenn: Oct. 12-Oct.15 • Neil Armstrong: Oct. 26-Oct. 30 • Virgil Grissom: Oct. 26-Oct. 30 • Junior High: Oct. 26-Oct. 30 • High School: Oct. 26-Oct. 30 Worrying about where the next meal comes from is a very real thing people within our community encounter, and the Student Hunger Drive gives North Scott students opportunities for students to help and care for their classmates, colleagues, and community members. You, too, can make a difference in someone's life by donating from Sept. 21 to Nov. 6.    

Second broadband company will lay lines in Walcott

A second company plans to lay broadband cable in Walcott rights of way. Windstream, which sells internet under the Kinetic brand, asked Walcott City Council to approve a plan that would lay cable throughout town. The council approved the plan Monday, Sept. 21, despite concerns that Windstream’s contractor, Ervin Cable Construction, has run afoul of residents and city officials during an installation project in nearby Durant. City Clerk Lisa Rickertsen said the council could not deny Windstream’s permit application, which met the standards established in city code.  Night Owl, a broadband company headquartered in Walcott and serving the surrounding area, is at the tail end of a six-year project to install broadband across Walcott. Owner Andy Willey voiced brought about ECC to the Monday meeting Willey told the council that ECC had used a rotating crew of subcontractors and site superintendents to dodge resident concerns and questions from city officials in Durant. He said Night Owl cable suffered “thousands of dollars of damage” at the hands of an ECC work crew in Durant, but that their listed insurer would not return his calls. “I ended up having to haggle some stuff out of it,” Willey said. “That was the only way I could figure that I was going to get any sort of compensation.” Members of the Walcott City Council appeared hesitant to approve Windstream’s permit request. “Do we really want this in our town?” Councilman Kirk Koberg asked. But Rickertsen said the council had little choice. According to the city attorney, federal regulations forbid “local legal requirements that prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting an entity's ability to provide telecommunication services.” Walcott could end up in legal trouble if it denied the applications “based solely on problems reported in Durant.” Councilwoman Lisa Mengler motioned to approve the permit with the stipulation that contractors meet with Walcott Public Works Director Paul Stagg for a preconstruction meeting. The council backed the motion unanimously. Mengler clarified that residents could contact the city police department if ECC crews set up on private property rather than utility easements. Windstream’s permit application does not include the Westbrook area. Ervin Cable Construction did not respond to request for comment. Well trouble Roger Fredericks of rural Walcott told the council that construction of a new city well on E. Wulf Road has caused his private well to run dry. “You guys have graciously paid to pull the pump and reinstall a new one, but I'm still incurring ongoing problems with bacteria,” Fredericks said. He said he had shocked the well twice, pumping it full of chlorine toxic to bacteria. “I just sent another test away today… As soon as I get this one back, hopefully it comes back good,” he said. Fredericks asked the council for assurances that they would cover additional costs incurred by testing and well shocks. “I just hope you're willing to make me whole on the water issue here, because we're not used to going getting water all the time to cook and do whatever,” Fredericks said. Mayor Jake Puck told Fredericks that he should continue to coordinate his testing with Stagg. “We’ll figure it out as we go,” Puck said. Koberg pointed out that issues with Fredericks’ well could be related to its age or upkeep, not just city activities. He said the city had to balance its responsibility to make up for damages with the possibility that the well had prior problems. Fredericks and Stagg did not respond to request for additional comment. Other news In other business, the city council approved trick-or-treat hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Halloween night, Oct. 31. The city’s annual Halloween parade will step off at Victory Park at 5:30 p.m. The council also approved the city’s annual $1,000 contribution to Visit Quad Cities, a local tourism promotion agency. It agreed to post a weather station provided by the Scott County Emergency Management Agency behind City Hall.

NS families asked for input on superintendent search

As Superintendent Joe Stutting prepares to conclude his leadership after 13 dedicated years with the North Scott Community School District, the school board is conducting a comprehensive search process in partnership with executive search consultants Ray & Associates. Gathering broad input from all district stakeholders is a central priority of the board's selection process. The North Scott Community School District Board of Education has launched an online Superintendent Search Survey to gather feedback from district residents, parents, staff, students, and community leaders. The input collected through this survey will help shape the candidate profile and criteria used to select North Scott’s next superintendent. The survey is now open and will remain available to the public through Wednesday, Oct. 16. The survey asks participants to identify key qualifications, personal characteristics, leadership qualities, and district priorities that matter most when evaluating superintendent candidates. The survey allows participants to choose up to 10 key characteristics they feel are most important in a superintendent candidate. Responses are confidential and will be compiled into a summary report. The findings from the survey will assist the school board in creating the official recruitment profile and job posting; determining the screening criteria to be used by search firm Ray & Associates and the board to evaluate applicants; and help finalize interview questions for the semi-finalist and finalist candidate rounds. “The superintendent is one of the most important leadership positions in our school district, and we want our community to have a voice in selecting our next leader,” said board president Tracy Lindaman. “Your input will help us understand what qualities, experience, and leadership characteristics are most important to North Scott. We encourage students, parents, staff, and community members to take part in this process and help us find the right leader for the future of North Scott.” All North Scott residents are invited to take the survey, and responses must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16. To take the survey, scan the QR code or visit www.north-scott.k12.ia.us/district/superintendent-search.      

County administrator thanks staff at ten years

Scott County Administrator Mahesh Sharma has spent ten years at the helm of county government. His anniversary was the highlight of the county’s quarterly employee recognition ceremony last Tuesday, Sept. 22. “County government is the quiet engine of the community,” Sharma told the gathering. “But I don't run that engine alone. The true foundation of our success over last decade is our county employees, all of them.” Sharma sits at the head of more than 700 county employees. His tenure has seen an “an almost unimaginable succession of crises,” he said, from the Davenport building collapse to “the exhausting daily grind of global pandemic.” “Every single time, this county chose collaboration over division,” he said. “We kept our focus entirely on what matters most: serving our residents with integrity.” Ten years is a long time for a government administrator: most spend between three to five years in a given role, Sharma said. Scott County is the fifth government Sharma has worked for.  “If these 10 years have taught me anything, it is that an administrator is only as good as teams surrounding them. None of these achievements belong to me alone,” he said. “Public service is fundamentally a team sport, and I'm incredibly fortunate to play on this team.” Scott County Deputy Sheriff Curt Wilson, school resource officer at Pleasant Valley High School, was named county employee of the quarter. Supervisor John Maxwell also recognized Budget and Administrative Services Director David Farmer and the county budget team for receiving top marks from the Government Finance Officers Association for the tenth consecutive year. The following employees were honored for anniversaries of their terms of service with the county: 5 years Darcy Bohling, Community Services James Connell Jr., Auditor’s Office Ellie Diekman, Medic EMS Sabri Goxhufi, YJRC Heather Hopson, Health Department Samantha Johannes, Sheriff’s Office LaBridgette Johnson, Health Department Jenna Lawson, Recorder’s Office James Martin, Auditor’s Office Jordin Minner, County Attorney’s Office Landon Slagle, Sheriff’s Office Kyle Sullivan, Sheriff’s Office 10 years Anthony Columbia, Medic EMS Ryan Light, Medic EMS Nathan Poell, Secondary Roads Ethan Roling, Sheriff’s Office 15 years Curtis Goodall, Secondary Roads Jason Wenzel, Sheriff’s Office Matthew Wrage, IT 20 years Nickolas Aleksiejzcyk, Sheriff’s Office Derek Demoss, Medic EMS 25 years Shane Glew, Sheriff’s Office Lori Thompson, County Attorney’s Office Mitch Tollerud, IT 30 years Becca Williams, Community Services      

Bribriesco opposes Sheriff’s hiring request

By Noah Glasgow NSP Staff Writer Supervisor Maria Bribriesco cast the lone vote against a staffing change Sheriff Tim Lane requested at the Scott County jail, arguing that it did not appropriately limit Lane’s spending and hiring authority. Lane told the board that hiring an additional corrections officer as a jail custodian would not push his office beyond its budgeted salary spending. The new hire was part of an effort to reorganize duties at the office without amending the table of organization, he said. The change passed 4–1 Thursday, Sept. 24 with the support of the board’s four Republican supervisors. Bribriesco is the sole Democrat on the board. The change, technically an over-hire, would serve as a stopgap between current staffing conditions and a later amendment to the table of organization, Scott County Human Resources Director Vanessa Wierman said. That change would likely come during the next budgeting cycle in the spring. The over-hire has no end date. The board needed to consider a more thorough reorganization, Bribriesco argued Thursday. The approved resolution “says that we approve the over-hire, but it doesn't say that there will be a reduction in the authorized positions in the sheriff's office.” At a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday, Sept. 22, Lane said that the jail was perpetually understaffed and that the change would not push it past the number of full-time equivalent employees allocated by the current county budget. Hispanic Heritage Month The board of supervisors unanimously recognized Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. “During National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Scott County recognizes the contributions made by and the importance of the presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States,” a proclamation read by Board Chair John Maxwell stated. Other county business The board of supervisors also: • Agreed to purchase one new emergency support and response vehicle and remount two ambulances for Medic EMS. The new vehicle, a 2027 Police Interceptor Hybrid from Stivers Ford, will cost $46,318. The ambulance remounts, which extend vehicle lifespans by six years, will cost a combined $538,044. • Approved routine tax suspensions and abatements. • Approved routine liquor license renewals.  

Long Grove Christian Church donation

The Christian Women’s Fellowship at the Long Grove Christian Church tie a fleece blanket at the monthly meeting. These blankets are given to the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois foster care program. Every child who gets placed in a foster home receives a blanket. A representative from that program came to the September meeting, spoke to the group and was presented six new blankets.    

North Scott skit helps kick off hunger drive for River Bend

On Sept. 21, nine North Scott students participated in the Student Hunger Drive Kick-Off Skit Competition, a friendly competition to see which participating high school can create the most engaging and informative skit advertising Student Hunger Drive. North Scott placed third in the competition after Moline and Bettendorf (who placed first and second, respectively). This was the first time North Scott has participated in the Kick-Off competition since before the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown. Students who participated in writing and performing the skit included: Natalie Sierk, Madi Hillmann, Nora Davis, Ella Siokos, Brooklyn Lacher, Hayden Lacher, Bella Riley, Cooper Stevens, and Kamryn Kearney.  

U.S. Supreme Court sides with Trump administration in third-country deportations

The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to resume deportations of migrants to countries that are not identified in their removal orders. It also plans to hear full arguments on the case.

Thomas Jungblut wins Football Contest

New week, new winner in the North Scott Press Football Contest. Thomas Jungblut of Eldridge navigated the upsets and missed a single game this week, which will net him $50. He had a tiebreaker of 48, closest to the total number of points in UNI’s 28-21 upset of Illinois State. Doyle Fox of DeWitt came in second, missing one with a tiebreaker of 47, good for $25. Coming in third and winning $10 was Teagen Fletcher of Davenport, missing one with a tiebreaker of 54. Rryan Claussen of Long Grove also missed one, with a tiebreaker of 42. Those missing two, and their tiebreakers, were Alec Clark (48), Cole Ernst (54), Todd Marinan (50), Tanner Burchette (56), Payton Dieckman (62), Rin Lillis (58), Martin Kearney (57), Jacob Hines (41), Hayden DeCook (45), Nicki Janoski (56), Scott Kashmarek (54), Kelly Janoski (42), Adam Claussen (42), John White (40), Lyn Claussen (52), Finnegan Carlson (41), Stephanie Schroeder (41), Glen Naber (59), Grant Porter (41), and Natalie Chase (48). Making up the honor roll were those who missed three: Kelly Johnson, Mike Clark, Matthew Steinbeck, Judy Bergert, Brian Wood, Scott Ossowski, Kevin Kettering, Dan O’Flahrity, Kenneth Moss, Marty Lillis, Chloe Lillis, Kendal Lillis, Liv Mossage, Jaclyn Kearney, Hadley DeCook, Clay DeCock, Dale DeCook, Weston Janoski, Mike Murphy, Keaton Murphy, Keaton Kress, Kristen Lage, Reilly Kashmarek, Kelly Kashmarek, Connor Kashmarek, Mary Kashmarek, Tom Janoski, Ken Siebke, Nicole Claussen, Matt Torres, Joan Hennigan, Mitchel Gorsh, Steve Kuehn, Carson Lage, Paxton Porter, Robin Porter, Stefanie Chase, Richard Erps, and Bennett Fox. Twenty-nine missed four and 15 missed five. There were 113 entries. Games missed most frequently included Iowa over Michigan, Oregon over USC, Minnesota over Washington and UNI over Illinois State. Other winners included North Scott over Davenport West, Clinton over Burlington, Western Dubuque over Davenport North, Pleasant Valley over Muscatine, Texas over Tennessee, Notre Dame over Purdue, Georgia over Oklahoma, Utah over Iowa State, and LSU over Texas A&M. Eight weeks remain in the contest, with a new slate of games in this week’s paper. Be sure to visit our sponsors to pick up your entry forms: Porter Insurance, DuTrac Community Credit Union, ORA Sports Medicine, Farm Bureau Financial Services – Tony Burkhart, First Central State Bank, Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors – Nancy Billups, King’s Material, Eldridge Body Shop, Amhof Trucking, Iowa 80 Truckstop, and Steve’s Auto.  

Neil Armstrong data drives behavior interventions

When it comes to student learning, “behavior is communication at all levels.” That’s the message behavior support interventionist Shalynn Spiller impressed upon the North Scott School Board Monday. Principal Tim Green and Spiller discussed ways Neil Armstrong Elementary School is helping to serve students in need of the highest levels of intervention at Monday’s school board meeting, which was held at the Park View school. Last year at this time, Green and school counselor Jill Peekenschneider gave a presentation on Tier 1 in the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, which are supports that apply to every student. During Monday’s presentation, Green said the school is using data gathered from Tier 1 to help inform how staff can help all students, including those in need of more advanced intervention. He said staff are working to be consistent and intentional in collecting data, as well as checking data regularly to ensure students are receiving appropriate support.  “I know that Mr. Stutting has always talked to us a lot about making sure we have those great relationships with kids, making sure that that’s a strategy we use at the fundamental level to make sure that we are connecting with those kids, having those relationships, those most challenging kids,” said Green. Green has a passion for ensuring students have appropriate support and said he sometimes has to remind himself to remain intentional with his assistance, so students receive the full benefit. “I’ve got to pause myself, because as much as I want to help them, we’re only as good as our system. And I want to make sure we’re following our system throughout the course of the process for the kids. Otherwise, if I jump a step or if I want to get ahead of it, then we’re not taking full advantage of it.” Spiller is an additional resource for students who experience challenges in behavior and regulation. Using the data collected, she can help create individual plans for students who need more support. She also assists with ensuring students are learning ways to self-regulate and are able to use these skills independently. She also oversees the school’s therapeutic classroom, which has been operational for about a year. Neil Armstrong and Ed White are the only two elementary schools with therapeutic classrooms; there are similar classrooms at the junior high and high school. Green and Spiller emphasized that the therapeutic classroom is not a place all students can just go to whenever they want. There are specific criteria for using the room, including that the student must require the highest level of support. They also said the room is not a place where students can go to escape consequences, and students have the option to go to the room when they need to regulate. “They’re never sent there. They get the option. You can go to Mr. Green, or you can go here,” said Green. “It’s that space where we want them. Because if they were to come to me at an elevated rate or an escalated state, nothing productive is going to happen. But if we can get them calm, then we can start to process.” “This is a horrible term, but it’s not a dumping ground,” superintendent Joe Stutting said of the therapeutic classroom later in the meeting. “We’re frustrated – send them to her, right? That’s not what this program is for.” Green said the space is especially important when students exhibit behavior caused by complex emotions they may not know how to deal with properly. Once a student is calm and regulated, they are better able to see why they may have behaved in a manner that was not appropriate for the situation. “Discipline is learning. It comes after regulation,” said Green. “We can’t issue the discipline and then try to regulate after that.” While the room is a place for teaching and learning, that extends to life skills, not classroom work. Spiller specifically works with the students on learning ways to regulate, in the hope that if they choose to come to the therapeutic classroom, they can use these skills independently and then return to their regular classroom. The classroom is divided into separate spaces – an area where Spiller can work one-on-one and a de-escalation area for independent work. “They’re learning independence,” Spiller said. “The regulation space has a lot of different resources for different needs and different supports.” That includes special furniture and sensory tools students can choose to use. Spiller said communication is vital between the school and caregivers. She said for the students she serves, she often communicates with the families two to three times per week. She also frequently communicates with staff members and Peekenschneider to ensure needs are being met, and attends frequent trainings, including with the Mississippi Bend AEA, to ensure the school is adhering to best practices. The data collected by staff is also crucial to learning more about “what makes that kid tick,” said Green. Emotional dysregulation can be caused by many factors, from difficulty grasping concepts in class to interpersonal conflict with other students. There may also be factors in a student’s home life. “Everybody is going to have some different circumstances, said Green. “And that’s where, when I mentioned I’m quick to want to help this kid …maybe somebody’s just having a bad day. Making sure that I’m not overstepping or putting parameters in place when it could be something very simple.” He said fixing an issue could be as simple as checking in with a student and learning they didn’t have breakfast that day. “If I try to jump in too quick, I can overstep. And then we’re not helping that kid,” he said. “By trying to do too much, are we really helping them? Or are we giving them the confidence to be independent?” Spiller said, according to research, only about 1-3% of students will ever require Tier 3 support, which is the highest level of intervention. Right now, she’s working with two students at Neil Armstrong that fit the criteria, which is a little less than average. She added that the maximum caseload for a therapeutic classroom is about five students.  For students who may need to emotionally regulate but may not meet the criteria for the therapeutic classroom, there are areas called “Calm Corners” in each classroom. Stutting said one of the most important things that comes from good instruction is building good relationships with students and caregivers. “You know your kids, you have good relationships. That is the basis of good classroom management, and so that, we expect for all kids.” Stutting and Green also explained that the therapeutic classroom is not the same as the recently passed legislation regarding student removal from classrooms due to behavior. “Those kids, we need those interventions. We need those practices put into place for those kids,” said Green of Tier 3 students. “What have we done to follow our system and our process for those kids instead of just sending them there? It’s not a babysitting service; it’s a learning place for those kids. It’s not a place to go to just pacify that 30-minute time block they need to be out of the classroom.” Green said that if every student who became dysregulated was sent to the therapeutic classroom constantly, it would be a disservice to the program and the students. He said, for instance, there are still students in kindergarten who are trying to learn how to be at school. These students need to learn independently how to develop skills to regulate. “We want them to learn those skills because we know that we’ll have the greatest impact on a positive classroom environment as we progress through this.” Spiller and Green said the ultimate goal is that a student may find in time they don’t need as much support anymore, and that they have properly learned how to be independent. “And more importantly, is that we want to see that kid succeed and be confident in themselves,” said Green.

Meet your North Scott Homecoming royalty

It’s Homecoming Week and North Scott means business as they prepare to take on Western Dubuque this Friday. The action begins at 5 p.m. as the freshmen face off against the Bobcats, followed by the varsity game. Meanwhile, Homecoming royalty will be crowned Thursday night. The parade will step off from Ed White Elementary School at 5 p.m. with a revised route for 2026. From the starting point, the parade will turn west on West Prairie Vista Drive, south on South 8th Street, east on Pinehurst Drive and north on South 5th Street before wrapping up back at Lancer Stadium. All entries wishing to participate in the parade must preregister and return the registration form to Jason Schroeder at the high school by no later than noon on Thursday, Oct. 1. More information on parade guidelines is available at the North Scott Homecoming Hub: north-scott.k12.ia.us/homecoming-hub. Immediately following the parade, the coronation pep aud will take place at Lancer Stadium. The flower girl and crown bearer are Isla Alm and Thomas Dailey. Isla Alm is the daughter of Carl and Audrey Alm. She is a first grader at Virgil Grissom Elementary, where she is in Mrs. Thiessen’s class. Isla’s favorite food is spaghetti. When she grows up, Isla would like to be “a mom and a teacher.” Thomas Dailey is the son of Sarah and John Dailey and the brother of Ava Dailey. He is a second grader at Edward White Elementary, where he is in Mrs. Burbridge’s class. Thomas’s favorite food is watermelon. When he grows up, Thomas dreams of becoming a professional soccer player! In alphabetical order, the court includes: Queen candidates Nora Davis is the daughter of Randy and Kristi Davis. Her oldest brother, Hudson, graduated from the University of Iowa and currently attends Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Wash. Her other brother, Aidan, attends the University of Iowa and is majoring in biochemistry. After graduation, Nora plans to attend Iowa State University and major in political science, with hopes of working in legislation. Her favorite high school memory was traveling to Milwaukee during her junior year to perform with North Scott Singers at the Midwestern Region American Choral Directors Association. The experience was especially meaningful because she was able to share the achievement with some of her best friends. Nora would like to thank her mom and dad for their endless love and support, her Lancer Productions family, and the Cody Road crew. She also gives a special shoutout to Señora McGee for adding some fun to every day. Nora can’t wait for an amazing senior year with everybody! Kate Kuesel is the daughter of Mark and Carrie Kuesel. She has an older sister, Ella, who is a North Scott and University of Iowa alum and currently lives in Champaign, Ill., where she works as a family support specialist. After graduation, Kate hopes to pursue elementary education while continuing her dance journey and is currently undecided on which college she will attend. Some of her most memorable high school experiences including participating in musicals with her theatre friends, winning three state titles in dance, and showing her school spirit at pep assemblies. Kate would like to thank her parents and sister for being her biggest support system, as well as her studio and dance team coaches for believing in her and pushing her as a dancer. She would also like to thank her friends for all of the fun memories and every teacher who has taught her throughout high school for giving her something valuable to carry into her future. Sophi Schneckloth is the daughter of Tim and Brandi Schneckloth. She has two siblings, Alli and Peyton Schneckloth. After graduation, Sophi is currently undecided on both a college and major, but hopes to continue running track wherever the Lord directs her. Some of her most memorable high school experiences have been competing at the state and Drake track meets over the past few years and making incredible memories with her teammates and coaches. Sophi would like to thank all of the teachers and coaches who have helped her grow, not only as a student and athlete, but also as a person. She would also like to give a special thank you to her family, who are her number two cheerleaders – right behind her sister Alli! Natalie Sierk is the daughter of Sara and Alex Sierk. She has two older sisters: Caroline, a 2026 graduate of UCLA, and Maddie, a sophomore at the University of Iowa. After graduation, Natalie plans to pursue a bachelor of fine arts in musical theatre and is currently deciding which school she will attend. Some of her most memorable high school experiences include staying late with the cast and crew the night before opening “The Addams Family,” participating in the Triple Threat Program at the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards, and attending the Jimmy Awards in New York City. Natalie would like to thank her mom and dad for showing up for her in every way, her sisters for being incredible role models, and her grandparents for always being there. She is also grateful for the entire North Scott community, especially her teachers, Lancer Productions, Night School, choir, Service Club, Student Government and the Movement Collective, and all of the friends who keep her going on both the good and bad days. Natalie is proud and thankful to be a Lancer. Claire Wilder is the daughter of Pat and Paula Wilder. She has two brothers, Luke and Griffin. After graduation, Claire plans to attend either the University of Iowa of the University of Northern Iowa to study health sciences, who hopes of becoming either and occupational therapist or a speech-language pathologist. Some of her favorite high school memories include attending football games with her friends and going to school dances. Claire would like to thank her parents and brothers for always encouraging her to be the best version of herself. She is especially grateful for her boyfriend, Ryder, her best friend Abby, and all of her other friends for supporting her throughout high school. King candidates Jaxon Adkisson is the son of Tim and Reagan Adkisson. He has four siblings: Sam, Jonah, Max, and Lex. After graduation, Jaxon plans to attend Kirkwood Community College, where he will play golf. He is currently undecided on his major. His most memorable high school experience was competing at the 2025 state golf tournament. Jaxon would like to thank the teachers, staff, and coaches at North Scott for their support, and most importantly, his parents and family. Trey Feist is the son of Branden and Dave Feist. His siblings include Ryland Feist, a senior at Iowa State University studying electrical engineering; Kayla Sarver, who is married with two children; and Nick Feist, who is married with three children. After graduation, Trey is undecided on which university he will attend but plans to study biology on a pre-med track, with hopes of eventually pursuing dermatology. His most memorable high school experience was competing at the state track meet during his junior year. Trey would like to thank his friends Dylan Kelsey and Parker Hamly, as well as Coach Kelly and Coach Stewart. Miller Haedt is the son of Matt and Tiffany Haedt. He has one brother, Griffin, who is a freshman at North Scott High School. After graduation, Miller plans to attend the University of Iowa and major in marketing. He hopes to use his degree to pursue a career as a medical sales representative. Some of Miller’s most memorable high school experiences have been celebrating wins with the boys after basketball and football games, spending time with his friends, and having great conversations with Mrs. Garrett and Coach Stew. Miller would like to thank his family, especially his mom and dad, for always supporting him and being there for him. He would also like to thank his girlfriend, Mia, his friends, and all of the teachers who have helped shape him into the person he is today. Grady Kirst is the son of Matt and Sue Kirst. He has two siblings: his brother, Gehrig, who is a sophomore at Northeast Iowa Community College majoring in elementary education, and his sister, Grace, who works as a behavioral and education technician at Mississippi Bend AEA. His brother-in-law, Max, plays baseball in the Houston Astros organization. After graduation, Grady plans to attend a four-year college to earn a BFA in musical theatre. He hopes to perform professionally before eventually finishing his career as a director. Some of Grady’s most memorable high school experiences have been performing at the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards during his sophomore and junior years and meeting so many people from across the state. Grady would like to thank his family, friends, teachers — especially Mrs. G and Mrs. Sambdman — his theatre directors, and the senior class for nominating him for Homecoming Court. Most importantly, he would like to thank his dog, Bronx, for being his best friend. Grady is incredibly grateful for this honor and can’t wait for the rest of senior year. Go Lancers! Ryder Maher is the son of Clint and Angie Maher. He has one sibling, Reegan, who is a junior at the University of Iowa. After graduation, Ryder plans to attend a four-year university to study engineering. His most memorable high school experience was going to the Dome during his sophomore year. Ryder would like to thank his family, especially his parents, for always being there for him throughout high school and pushing him to be the best person he can be in all areas of his life. He would also like to thank his friends and his girlfriend, Claire, for their continued support and for making his high school experience more enjoyable and memorable.      

Welcome to election season

When I was a kid in Chilmark, Mass., my parents counted the votes on election night.  Voters cast paper ballots and the town gathered them in a hand-cranked ballot box. My parents then joined the city clerk, whose son was my best friend, to count the votes. With a few hundred ballots it took several hours. It was a social occasion. Machines count Scott County votes—another job lost to automation. Scott County voters will confront a long list of candidates at the polls on Nov. 3. Candidates for U.S. House and Senate will appear beside a long list of hopeful state officials and local representatives. Scott County needs to fill three seats on the board of supervisors and pick a treasurer, recorder and attorney (though County Attorney Kelly Cunningham faces no opposition). Next week, you’ll start to see candidate guides appear in the pages of the North Scott Press. We send candidates a list of questions and ask them to respond to each in 100 words or less. Then we print exactly what they have to say. Here’s our current schedule, although it is subject to change: Oct. 7: Iowa House: Mike Vondran (R) and Karen Roebuck (D); Norlin Mommsen (R) and George Pickup (D) Oct. 14: Iowa Senate: Scott Webster (R) and Nikhil Wagle (D); Joe Stutting (R) and Mike Zimmer (D) Oct. 21: Scott County Board of Supervisors—see more below. Oct. 28: Scott County Treasurer: Gregory Guy (R) and Sam Samara (D); Scott County Recorder: Michael Wulf (R) and Toby Paone (D) We’ll also have candidate guides for the west Scott County Senate and House races online, and in print in the Advocate News. Those races are Kerry Gruenhagen (R) and Tom Wieck (D) for the Senate, and Bobby Kaufmann (R) and James Behrmann (D) for the House.  A reminder to all candidates: please, do not use AI to write your answers. We will not publish answers if we have good reason to believe they were written with AI. That’s our promise to readers, who deserve to hear from elected officials, not robots. NSP supervisors forum Oct. 17 For the board of supervisors, we won’t be running a traditional candidate guide. That’s because the North Scott Press will join forces with the Scott County Farm Bureau to host a candidate forum Oct. 17. I will co-moderate the forum with a member of the Farm Bureau, and North Scott FFA will assist with the event. The NSP will publish detailed coverage of the forum on Oct. 21. All are welcome to attend: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Regional Innovation Center. The event will run until 11:30 a.m. The forum will be designed to channel audience questions to the candidates on the stage. But because we know that not everyone will be able to attend, I’d be happy to accept your questions in advance. Reach me, as always, at nglasgow@northscottpress.com. Even if you plan to attend, you can let me know in advance what issues you would like to hear candidates address. My hope is to host a forum open to all candidates, all voters, and all questions. A note on editorial policy One last note on Election Season. Politicians and candidates have lots of opinions, and we are happy to print them. Once. If you are a candidate for office running in our district, you may submit one letter to the editor for publication per election cycle. We ask that the letters not exceed 300 words. We will accept political letters up to Oct. 18 for publication in the Oct. 23 NSP. (Again, please do not use AI.) We also welcome endorsements from members of the general public. Write to our editor, Erin, at egentz@northscottpress.com, or send us a letter, P.O. Box 200, Eldridge, IA 52748.    

2001: Controversy over Eldridge's role in pool flyer

Sept. 30, 1976 • The Eldridge City Council was exploring contracting for garbage collection services. Bids would be considered at the Oct. 25 council meeting for a contract that would extend through Dec. 31, 1978, for commercial and residential refuse hauling. The city conducted a study that indicated contracting for services would be cheaper than having city staff do collection. The city would then also be able to sell its 40 dumpsters and a garbage truck. “We should expect equal or better service from an outside hauler,” the study read. • The North Scott School Board learned the district’s enrollment for the 1976-77 school year was currently at 3,450 students, including 1,837 elementary students, 588 at the junior high, 980 at the high school, and 41 special education students. The largest elementary enrollment was at Alan Shepard, with 484 students. The average elementary class size was 22. The largest grade in the district was the current seventh grade class, with 319 students, while the smallest was the senior class, with 201 students. • Chris McCammant and Daniel Holmes graduated from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts as members of Pack 13 in Long Grove. The Pack also welcomed 21 new Cub Scouts and presented awards to Gerard Gerardy (Bear), David Chappell (two Silver Arrows) and Kent Hall (one Silver Arrow). • Athletic director Frank Wood proposed expanding North Scott’s athletic offerings as the district prepared to join a new athletic conference in the 1978-79 school year. Wood’s proposal to the school board called for adding boys’ cross-country and girls’ long distance running by the fall of 1978, and tennis as an intramural sport in the next school year before starting interscholastically in 1978-79. The board said it was not ready to commit to any athletic expansion before looking at budgeting needs. • The North Scott football team beat Western Dubuque, 21-10. Mark Bassett tied the school record of three PAT kicks in a game, set by Mike Boeding in 1974 and Larry Schroeder in 1973. Up next was Central DeWitt, which coach Larry Lake called a “critical game.” Oct. 1, 1986 • Candidates for Homecoming Queen included Jenny Siemsen, Pam Leslie, Mia Hoffman, Kerri Kuhn, Jamie Hansen, Melissa Rindler, Tracy Graham, Marcy Collins, Julie Peters, Jennifer Keppy and Kristin Ervard. Margaret Wuestenberg was named grand marshal of the parade. • A two-year plan to improve handicapped accessibility to facilities in Scott County was nearing completion, said county administrator Glen Erickson. He told the Board of Supervisors nearly every required improvement was almost finished. Municipalities that did not improve their facilities for compliance could have federal funding withheld. • North Scott students in grades 2-12 would soon have the opportunity to learn how to better their writing skills thanks to a new assessment program. Teachers Melva Lewis and Kathy Stevens created Assessing North Scott Writers’ Essay Reflections – ANSWER – and the program would allow students to submit a writing sample for teacher evaluation. Another sample would be submitted in the spring for comparison.  “We want to see if there really is a change in writing,” said Lewis. “Standardized tests don’t show whether or not students can write. What they show us is that they know how to read.” • The North Scott football team’s game against Davenport West got ugly, with a brawl and multiple ejections. It was unclear what started the skirmish, but whatever happened was preceded by a Falcon fullback getting tackled for a loss. He came back up swinging, and the West sideline emptied as North Scott’s coaches tried to hold their players back. “The first thing that went through my mind was that I didn’t want it to be our fault,” said head coach Aaron VanDyke. “I don’t want to be labeled a dirty football team.” The fullback was ejected, and West was assessed 30 yards in penalties. Later, coach Bill McDonald was ejected for protesting what he thought was excessive roughness on the part of West’s defense, and a Lancer player was also ejected for excessive roughness. North Scott lost the game, 34-7. • The North Scott volleyball team’s 21-game unbeaten streak came to an end at the hands of 10th ranked Cedar Falls at the Tigers’ home invitational. North Scott cruised through pool play, defeating Osage, Waterloo Columbus, and Mason City. The semifinal with second-ranked Waterloo West went three sets, which gave the Lancers only seven minutes to regroup before the championship match against their hosts. Still, the Lancers were feeling confident about their chances to win the MAC and advance in the post-season. “Right now, I think this team is right where it should be,” said coach Deb Menke. Oct. 3, 2001 • Workers were putting the finishing touches on the LeClaire Road improvement project, with a projected opening date of Oct. 4. City engineer Myron Scheibe said the project was running significantly ahead of schedule, thanks good weather and the cooperation of residents and business owners. • Controversy surrounded a flyer mailed out by members of the Eldridge Family Aquatic Center Committee. Residents raised questions after the city logo appeared twice in the flyer, once next to the words “vote yes.” City hall was also listed as the return address for the mailing. That led to concern that the city had paid for the mailer, and even accusations that the committee was trying to dupe residents into believing the city was endorsing the pool project. A resident even raised questions about campaign finance violations, as the brochure didn’t include a financial disclosure. Council member Brad Noel and mayor Larry Rauch said no city money had been used for the project.  • There would be a full slate of candidates for Eldridge City Council, with eight hopefuls vying for three seats. Running for two four-year council seats were incumbent Marc Brandt and newcomers Kirk Foecking, John Goslowsky, Steve Mohr and Michael Webber. Seeking to full a two-year term vacancy created when Rick Sharp resigned were Brian Dockery, Phil Duax and Thomas Knapper. Incumbent Larry Rauch would face off against Frank Wood for the mayor’s seat.  • The North Scott bands didn’t miss a beat with the transition of Bill Kessinger into the head director’s seat. There were 160 student musicians, 120 of whom were freshmen and sophomores. Kessinger was joined by his new assistant Mike McMann, who would also be directing Jazz I. “I’m impressed with how well the freshmen are prepared,” said McMann, crediting the junior high band program. A native of Williamsburg, McMann was also well aware of North Scott’s musical reputation and hoped to build on that success. • Ben Dittmer, a 12-year-old from rural Eldridge, became the first junior golfer to record a hole-in-one at the TPC at Deere Run course, when he used a six iron to ace the 129-yard sixth hole. The feat was witnessed by his dad, Tom, and Harry and Jonathan Haedt. Dittmer got high-fives from nearby golfers, and when he arrived back at the clubhouse, his name had already been engraved in a plaque and course officials were there to present him with a TPC flag. Oct. 5, 2011 • A time capsule that was buried at Sheridan Meadows during the 1986 Eldridge Summer Festival was unearthed. Art Matje and Wayne Littell, members of the Eldridge Lions Club, buried the capsule with the intent of it being opened 25 years later. In the interim, Matje admitted he had forgotten about the project, but he teamed up with Eldridge parks employee Daryl Claussen to locate it. Claussen used a metal detector to try to locate the box and later contacted Bob Millett of Quad Cities Locating Services to probe the ground. It took some time, but the capsule, a model for a casket vault Matje got when he was employed at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, was uncovered. Unfortunately, it had cracked while buried and water seeped in, disintegrating most of the contents.  • An historic UH-1 “Huey” helicopter returned to the Iowa National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Mount Joy. The Vietnam-era aircraft had spent much of the past six months being refurbished at Camp Dodge in Johnston and was reinstalled above the Iraq War memorial at the facility. “For a number of years, this aircraft has been a mainstay of our program,” said Command Sergeant Major Steve Galvin. “It is a neat old aircraft, and it looks much better now.” The helicopter was decommissioned in 1995 and was installed at the Mount Joy facility about a year later. • The Long Grove Civic League hosted a community-wide CPR training event. They hoped to raise enough money through free-will donations to purchase an AED defibrillator for the civic center, as well as raise their profile in the community. “We’re really hoping to start doing more service projects, and thought this was a great way to start,” explained Civic League president Joni Schneider. • Heather Geest was installed as an assistant pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge. After previously serving as interim pastor, she officially began as assistant pastor at the beginning of September. “It’s nice to be in a younger congregation with all ages represented,” she said. “We have a lot of younger families and that’s part of its strength.” • Abby Peeters, a 2011 North Scott graduate, travelled to Haiti on a mission trip as part ServeHAITI, a non-profit, faith-based organization. She worked with children and served at the mission’s health center. Peeters was inspired to support the mission after family friend (and her godfather) Tim Kane made a documentary about the Hatiain people. “I don’t know how anyone could watch it and not want to do something to help,” Peeters said of the film. Kane passed away after a battle with cancer while she was on the trip.  • North Scott’s athletic training staff was led by Tim Block, who had been with the team since 2001. He became interested in athletic training when he was a student at DeWitt Central and began suffering from shin splints in track. He said the staff at DeWitt inspired him to attend Central College in Pella, where he majored in exercise science. He was assisted by team doctors Tom Lyons and Matt Lindaman, and a team of student trainers, including Tori McCoy, Rachael Dunahoo, Elizabeth Steffe, Miranda Hale and Lauren Gottfried.  “The training staff are indispensable,” said football coach Kevin Tippet. “They are great people, and they put in a tremendous amount of time.” Sept. 29, 2021 • Ella McLaughlin and Tyson Haedt were crowned North Scott’s Homecoming royalty. Grand marshals for the parade were retired school resource officer Bruce Schwarz and junior high secretary Lois Keppy. Allison Linnenbrink and Liam Schnorrenberg were the flower girl and crown bearer. • The Scott County Board of Supervisors was examining a prospective list for spending the $33.6 million allocated to the county in pandemic relief funds. This included $11.3 million for infrastructure in Park View, $5 million for storm sewer and roadwork in Mount Joy, and $1.6 million to assist the City of Davenport in extending sewers to development sites near West Locust Street. Board chair Ken Beck said there would be detailed discussions in work sessions before the board committed to any final plans. • Scott County 4-H’er Owen Powell of Blue Grass participated in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair. His Lim-Flex steer, Chuck, raised a record-setting $42,600 in donations from friends and community members. Chuck was subsequently auctioned off for $5,000. The Steer Show raised money for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. • The North Scott boys’ golf team placed second at the MAC meet, battling 30-mph winds. John Dobbe placed seventh, while Eli Engelkes rounded out the top 10. Collin Ellis was named MAC Coach of the Year. • As the North Scott football team won its Homecoming matchup against Iowa City Liberty, 21-0, Jakub Nelson tied the school record for most touchdown catches in a season at 11. That pulled him even with Ricky Grimes, who established the mark in 2013. “I just went out there, ran good routes, made a play on the ball and came down with it,” said Nelson. “It’s great to go out there and play in front of a big crowd, my friends and teammates. It’s been a good week.”    

Thanks from Feed Our Children for a successful summer

Feed Our Children had another successful summer making and delivering bag lunches to North Scott students. All summer long on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. volunteers make individual bag lunches with about half a dozen items, including drinks, peanut and butter sandwiches, cookies, chips, bars, cheese sticks, GoGurts yogurt, and occasionally "special" items added as donations "pop" up. Each lunch is individually packed by volunteers and then lunches are loaded in volunteer vehicles and delivered to sites in Princeton, McCausland, four sites in Park View, Long Grove, two sites in Eldridge, Donahue, and Dixon. Two new sites were added this year, Long Grove and Princeton.  Over 4,000 lunches were packed and delivered to the children in North Scott this past summer. Some volunteers show up one or two times, some every day. Usually, two dozen volunteers in total each day including behind-the-scenes volunteers. The program is based at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge but many organizations and people throughout the North Scott District donate to this organization. FOC receives funds from a $1,500 grant from Moonlight Chase, Long Grove Christian Church, Eldridge United Methodist Church, Eldridge Lions Club, several Faith congregational members, and a community member. The North Scott Hy-Vee store in Eldridge has for the past two years donated bread and provided items for the lunches at-cost from their store. Obviously, this is a convenience and cost saver for FOC. Please let these people know how much their donations are appreciated. Planning is already underway for next year.   Kim Wilkins Eldridge  

Recent Republican ad lies about hospital closures

As a member of the North Scott Rotary Club, we repeat the four-way test weekly, regarding the things we think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? My opponent is also a member. So, I asked myself if he considered these tenets before paying for an ad stating that I voted to cut $1 billion from rural Iowa hospitals and that this resulted in the Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa and Mercy One Hospital in Clinton being closed. As a resident of Clinton County who travels to Maquoketa often, I can assure you that these beautiful facilities are open and serving all of us. As for voting to cut $1 billion from Iowa hospitals, my opponent may have confused federal and state lawmakers. It was our own Republican Congresswoman, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that is slashing approximately $904 million in annual Medicaid support for Iowa. This cut was one of the reasons Mercy One in Clinton closed the birthing unit, where our five children were born and which saved my wife’s life because of complications during the last delivery. While I have no problem being attacked for my perfect attendance voting record, ads that lie about hospital closings are dangerous to those who live in these communities and need health care.   Mike Zimmer State Senator, District 35 DeWitt

Letter to the editor: Do you still vote your folks party? Why are you loyal?

Do you still vote your folks party? The elected country club have not done their jobs or met their promises. Why are you loyal? Our Congress spent $7 trillion of your dollars, racked up atrocious debt while we can't let our kids wait for the school bus alone, get phone calls and emails from thieves and con artists, ingest polluted air and water and cringe under threat of nuclear war. We don't have enough prisons, roads, medical care or landfills.  We can't control our borders or send kids to grade school or college assured of unbiased education. Religious institutions are waning and cowering in fear, lest they upset someone's feelings. Movie stars and football players command our senses and dictate our votes. Our kids live inside their phones while learning and using language coined by social misfits. We are threatened with loss of the retirement we worked and paid for, while our invested payments are referred to as gifts from government. Lawmakers are confident that they can get reelected if they keep their heads down and you vote as usual. Working Americans willingly pay taxes, trusting responsible, diligent investment to receive preponderant waste, frivolous, unwarranted, and obscenely costly favors to power players all while ignoring the plan so well defined by the Constitution. Washington is out of control, running amok. Do not ask if the candidate is R or D. Require only if he/she will act to reduce government. Do your job as a responsible American. There's no one else out there.   Bill Wohlford Bettendorf

Thanks to rural firefighters who leapt into action

On July 26, my wife Joan and I experienced something no one wants to experience—a fire on our farm. We were awakened by a knock on our door. A Scott County sheriff’s deputy was there to tell us one of our barns was on fire. Within minutes, firefighters from Dixon, Donahue, Maysville and Long Grove arrived. Scott County Sheriff’s deputies were there to help, and Medic was on scene to support the firefighters and provide medical care if needed. As I watched everyone go to work, I thought about something we don't often think about when we pay our property taxes. This is what those tax dollars provide. As farmers, we are used to solving problems ourselves. But a fire is different. When you need help, you need trained people, equipment and emergency services ready to respond. That morning, they were there. I am incredibly thankful to the firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and Medic who responded to our farm. They put themselves in harm’s way to help protect our property and, most importantly, our family and employees. We are also thankful for well-trained volunteers. We hope we never need them again. But when we did need them, Scott County was there. Thank you.   John & Joan Maxwell Donahue  

Princeton residents should pay attention to mayor’s “reign”

Princeton residents should pay attention during the reign of Mayor Travis Volrath. 1. Boll's Community Center "old" sold to pay for repairs for gift of Presbyterian Church which did not have a thorough inspection before acceptance. Church is now going to be demolished. 2. GO Bond raised taxes for River Drive street project. Nothing done. 3. New playground equipment over $200K and will last approximately 12 years (partially by grant but still tax dollars) Old equipment still good but "old." 4. Street culverts needing replacement. Smaller than recommended by present and prior public works. 5. No news to public about water tower. No comments on bids for solar to power lagoons. Could save city approximately $14,0000 annually. Mayor is letting all bids and holding mid-month "special" council meeting for major decisions. Meetings started at 4:00 p.m. instead of 6:00 p.m. which all other meetings are held. Ann Geiger Princeton

Don’t listen to attack ads on Nate Willems

My son Nate Willems is running for Iowa Attorney General. As a mom, I was prepared for negative ads against him. But the ugly, vicious lies currently running are way beyond the norm for negative ads. These ads claim that Nate is dangerous – that, as a legislator 17 years ago, he voted against mandatory monitoring for convicted sex offenders and therefore will not protect our children. That is, as my dad would say, hogwash. Iowans deserve the truth. The truth: Nate voted against a bad amendment, as did 65 other legislators, Democrats and Republicans. He then voted FOR the law that requires monitoring AND reporting of sex offenders. Thanks to fact checkers at KCCI in Des Moines and KCRG in Cedar Rapids for objective third-party investigations of these claims. I encourage you to Google their posts. I can assure my fellow Iowans that Nate Willems will protect the people of Iowa, especially the children. His three daughters will tell you that he is a protector. I know that he takes their safety seriously and am confident that, as Attorney General, Nate will protect your children and grandchildren. And he will not lie to you.   Arlie Willems Mount Vernon

Return Jean Dickson to the board of supervisors

It is my honor to support Jean Dickson for re-election to the Scott County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 3. I have known Jean for many years and have had the privilege of working with her on several committees, both in our community and through our church. I have always been impressed by her professionalism, willingness to serve others, and ability to find practical solutions to difficult problems. Jean also understands the importance of being a good steward of resources, whether it is a taxpayer dollar or a dollar donated to a worthy cause. That kind of fiscal responsibility matters to all of us. As a former member of the Scott County Board of Supervisors, I understand the responsibilities that come with serving on the Board. I have been very pleased with Jean’s work over the past four years and believe she has served Scott County with dedication, integrity, and sound judgment. I strongly encourage voters to support Jean Dickson for re-election.   Greg Adamson Bettendorf

Vote no on Hinson, Miller-Meeks, constitutional amendment

Take your pick.  Fascism:  You have two cows.  You give all of the milk to the government, and the government sells it.  Communism:  You have two cows.  Give both cows to the government, and they may give you some of the milk.  Capitalism:  You have two cows.  You sell one cow and buy a bull.  Socialism:  You have two cows.  Give one cow to your neighbor. Socialism is not the bogeyman.  New Deal Social Security, a form of Democratic Socialism, helped end the Great Depression and gave us the middle class.  Project 2025 would take us back to the Robber Baron era. Rebounding democracy would:  Endorse constitutional right of free speech, press, religion, and right to gather.  Supreme Court respecting precedent and meeting code of conduct, same as all judges.  Epstein files released.  President not above the law.  Highly experienced people to lead Secretary of Defense, FBI, and CIA.  Health Department led by medically trained.  Bipartisan Congress tackles inflation, health care, public education, humane border control, AI oversight, deficit, and resumes Constitutional power of the purse and the power to declare war.  Abolish ICE and concentration camps.  Support NATO, Ukraine, and Canada. Earning a no vote are Hinson and Miller-Meeks who have voted party line 100% and 97% respectively.  And if you believe the wealthy should help pay the bills, vote no on Iowa Amendment One.   Mary Tomsche Long Grove

Settlement reached in suit against Corteva pesticide loyalty programs

The Federal Trade Commission along with state attorneys general, including Iowa’s, have reached a settlement with the seed and pesticide manufacturer Corteva Inc. in a case about pesticide competition. The lawsuit alleged the company was operating a pesticide loyalty program that violated monopoly laws. In addition to the $35 million settlement, a news release from the FTC says, the agreement will lead to lower pesticide prices for farmers. The suit, which was filed in 2022, alleged that Corteva paid distributors to limit the sales of generic, less expensive pesticides and those of rival brands. A news release from Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said the practice “raised farmers’ costs because it stifled competition by keeping less expensive generic alternatives off the shelves and permitted Corteva to maintain high prices on its products.” According to Bird’s office, Iowa will receive approximately $2.4 million from the settlement. “This is a great win for Iowa farmers, but also for all Iowans,” Bird said. “Higher input prices for farmers growing our food mean higher prices at the grocery store. Iowa farmers and families deserve a marketplace without inflated prices.” The lawsuit, which was filed by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin, was also against Syngenta Crop Protection, another top pesticide and seed company. The complaint alleged the companies created loyalty programs to “artificially extend” their pesticide patents, which end after 20 years to allow generic versions of the formulas in the market. According to the complaint, the companies paid distributors via a loyalty program to keep their purchases of generic pesticides below a “very low threshold” which in turn meant the companies did not have to “compete fairly with generics.” The lawsuit with Syngenta is ongoing and was not part of the $35 million settlement. In addition to the financial agreement, the FTC’s settlement with Corteva prohibits the company, for the next 10 years, from implementing loyalty programs based on distributors purchasing higher amounts of pesticide ingredients from Corteva versus other companies. The company is also prohibited from discriminating or threatening customers for refusing to agree to exclusivity or loyalty terms, or for doing business with competitors. A spokesperson for Corteva said in a statement Monday that the company is “pleased to reach a resolution in the FTC matter and continues to focus on our business, our customers and our work: delivering groundbreaking innovation and agronomic support to retailers and farmers around the world.” David Shaw, the principal deputy director of the FTC Bureau of Competition, said in the news release that the settlement will “do away with unfair corporate practices that have hurt farmers by impeding the sales of lower-priced products.” “The agreement the FTC and its state partners secured will give farmers better pesticide options at lower prices, enabling farmers to continue to put food on Americans’ tables,” Shaw said. The FTC has initiated a number of lawsuits and investigations into anti-competitive behavior in the agriculture industry, including the equipment and fertilizer industries. Farmers say that high input costs are one of the factors making it difficult for many operations to turn a profit the past several years.

USDA confirms harvest behind schedule in Iowa

In typical years, according to crop progress and condition reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers have harvested about 10% of corn acres and 15% or more of soybean acres by the end of September. The latest USDA report, however, shows just 3% of soybean acres and 5% of corn acres have been harvested in Iowa. Farmers have had few days to get out in the field, as the state has had unseasonably wet conditions most of September. Iowa climate data shows this month as being one of the wettest Septembers on record. The report noted farmers, on average, had just over one day of weather suitable for field work during the Sept. 21 through Sept. 27 reporting period. Between the latest reporting period and the week prior, corn and soybean harvest percentages have increased just 1%. Corn and soybean maturity is also behind the five-year averages and the 2025 crops. In 2025, 78% of corn had reached maturity by the reporting period, compared to 72% of corn in the stage as of the latest report. Soybeans dropping leaves were reported on 62% of Iowa soybean acres in the latest report, which is significantly behind the 80% reported in 2025 at the same time period and 76% in the five-year average. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in a statement that farmers are “eager to harvest their crops and will be ready to get combines rolling as soon as the fields dry out.” Corn and soybean crops continue to rate highly, with corn at 75% good to excellent for the reporting period and soybeans at 74% good to excellent. According to State Climatologist Justin Glisan, Iowa received a statewide average of 1.26 inches, which is only about half of an inch above the climatological normal. Glisan wrote that, “while rainfall was above normal across Iowa during the reporting period, it was not as unseasonably wet as the previous two weeks” when the state received more than a month’s worth of rain. While Iowa had some drought conditions in northwestern portions of the state earlier in the season, the vast majority of the state, 87%, is not experiencing any drought conditions according to the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Glisan said that areas of central and western Iowa, where precipitation totals were highest, received 1-2 inches more than normal during the reporting period. The above average precipitation for the month has also meant a larger share of topsoil and subsoil have surplus moisture conditions. According to the report, nearly 40% of topsoil and nearly 30% of subsoil in Iowa had surplus moisture conditions as of the reporting period. Glisan also reported that the state was abnormally cool for the week, with some stations reporting averages as much as three degrees below the normal of 60.7 degrees Fahrenheit. The statewide average temperature for the period was nearly 1 degree below the normal.

Thrice As Nice: Andrew Vollbeer's win keeps MAC individual gold in house

He was wearing red. He fist-pumped on the 18th green. He won the golf tournament. Andrew Vollbeer did his best Tiger Woods impression Saturday afternoon, securing his first individual gold medal at the Mississippi Athletic Conference championship at Midland Golf Course. The Lancer junior was the most consistent golfer across the two-day event, carding rounds of 71 and 68, equating to a 4-under 139, and winning the tournament by one stroke. Vollbeer placed third at this meet as a freshman. He lost in a playoff last year. This time, he got the job done. “I’ve gotten better every year. I like this course. I seem to play well here, and I feel like it suits my game pretty solidly,” Vollbeer said. “I made a lot of putts these last two days, which helps.” Vollbeer is the third consecutive Lancer to win medalist honors at the MAC meet, following teammates Luke Leverenz (2024) and Jaxon Adkisson (2025). This course rewards accuracy over driving distance. Vollbeer builds his game around the former. “A lot of doglegs. A lot of out of bounds. You have to keep the ball in play and avoid bogeys,” he said. “I only made three bogeys in two days. I only had one out-of-bounds ball. I did a good job of keeping it in play.” With his recent rounds, Vollbeer now has the best combined adjusted average on North Scott. Statewide, he ranks fifth. “It was really good to see his consistency pay off. He works really hard at it, and I’m really proud of him,” Lancer coach Mike Wuertz said. “He’s figured out that he doesn’t have to hit every shot perfectly to play well. When he was younger, if he mishit a shot and it didn’t go right next to the hole, he’d get down on himself. He’s gotten better at accepting that you don’t have to play perfectly to win a golf tournament.” After carding a 74 on day one, Leverenz had to play perfectly to win this particular golf tournament. And he darn near did. Leverenz shot a school-record single-day round of 66 on Saturday. He even had the outright lead coming down the home stretch. Leverenz birdied holes 14, 15 and 16 to get himself to four-under for the tournament. He parred the 17th hole, but a handful of wayward shots led to a bogey on 18. “If I were to lose to somebody, I’d like it to be somebody on my team,” Leverenz said. “I told people I was going to shoot 9-under today. Not quite, but I’ll take 6-under. It was pretty nice, nice after not playing well yesterday. “I made more putts and then kept the ball in play. There wasn’t really anything major that changed. I just made two or three more putts and didn’t have any lost balls.” Wuertz added, “(Leverenz) normally hits the ball great, usually hits a lot of fairways and greens. Once he started making a couple of putts, it seemed like he got a lot of confidence from that. He putted really good today from what I saw.” Vollbeer, playing in the group in front of Leverenz, carded a big birdie on 16 after hitting his tee shot next to an adjacent hole’s tee box. After a par on 17, his 18th hole was picture perfect. Middle of the fairway, to the middle of the green, to the bottom of the cup for a birdie. “I knew I was close,” Vollbeer said. “There was a kid on PV who was at 4-under. I was at 2-under. I had four holes to play. I finished birdie-birdie-par-birdie. “I was by the tee box on (No. 16). I made a good putt. Making that one, gaining that confidence to go make that putt on 18. The one on 18 was seven feet. The one on 16 was 15 feet.” Vollbeer gave a hearty fist-pump after sinking his birdie putt on 18, showing some rare emotion on the golf course. “Normally I don’t do that, but I really wanted to make those few putts,” he said. “And I did. I hit good putts, and they went in. “I just wanted to beat (Pleasant Valley’s) Michael (Koury). If Luke got me, then it was good playing.” Adkisson gave it a great run at a title defense, finishing in fourth place with an even-par tournament. “He started out the first round really well. He was three-under through six holes, but then struggled on the back nine. Everyone struggled on the back nine yesterday, which is where we kind of cost ourselves a chance to win,” Wuertz said. “Jaxon could’ve gotten down on himself, but he hung in there with a 74 and backed it up with a nice 70 today. He recovered nicely.” North Scott was far behind Pleasant Valley after day one, 282 to 298. The Lancers gave themselves a shot on day two, outscoring the Spartans by 13 strokes, 282 to 295, and nearly completing an improbable comeback. “We showed up today. I told them to be as aggressive as they could today because we were so far behind,” Wuertz said. “We didn’t have anything to lose, and they came out and played great. They responded well.” No. 4 and No. 5 golfers freshman James Vollbeer and sophomore Michael Phillips each had identical rounds. They each shot a 79 on Friday and an 80 on Saturday. Senior Griffin Frank played for North Scott on Friday, shooting an 84. Junior Max McClintock substituted on Saturday and shot a 78 to score for the team. Saturday’s round was much-needed for North Scott. The team was coming off of its two worst rounds of the season — a 300 at the DeWitt Invitational on Tuesday (Sept. 22) and a 298 on Friday. “I’d say the confidence level, before this round, was the lowest it’s been all year,” Vollbeer said. “Even though we didn’t quite get it done today, this day will really boost our confidence.” North Scott now turns the page to October, and the team is already thinking about the state tournament. The team added a meet to its schedule. This Thursday, North Scott will join Pleasant Valley, Central DeWitt and Bettendorf for a quad meet at Davenport Country Club — the site of the state tournament in two weeks. Vollbeer and Leverenz said they each play at the course multiple times per year and know its layout, and that McClintock is a member at the club. However, the team knows the competition will be fierce as ‘DCC’ is Pleasant Valley’s home course. After the quad meet, the postseason begins with the district tournament at Glynns Creek Golf Course next Monday, Oct. 5. “We gave (the MAC title) a good run, but this isn’t really the meet that we’re looking at winning. We’re trying to win state,” Wuertz said. “We have a good chance at that. It’ll be between us, PV, and maybe one or two other schools. We have to peak at the right time at the end of the year.”

Obituary: Jamie Peterman

Jamie Peterman, 39, passed away on Sept. 22, 2026, leaving behind family, friends, and countless others whose lives were touched by her kindness and enormous heart. A celebration of Jamie’s life will be held on Oct. 10, from 1-5 p.m. at the McCausland Fire Station. The address to the fire station is 307 N. Salina Street, McCausland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sophia and Emma Dexter Educational Fund. Jamie was a loving mother, daughter, sister, partner, aunt, and friend. Above all else, she had an incredibly big heart. She was the kind of person who would help someone without thinking twice, even if it meant going without herself. Caring for others came naturally to Jamie, whether it was someone she loved or a complete stranger who simply needed a little kindness. Jamie’s family meant everything to her, and she shared a beautiful life with the love of her life, Steve Dexter, and her daughters, Sophia and Emma. Being a mother was one of the most important parts of Jamie’s life, and the love she had for her girls was immeasurable. The memories, lessons, laughter, and love she gave them will remain a part of them forever. Jamie was born and raised in Davenport, but she had a special love for country life and the peace and simplicity that came with it. She also had a soft spot for animals and was happiest when she was able to care for others, whether they had two legs or four. She worked at Argo’s Corner, where her kindness and personality touched the lives of coworkers and customers alike. One of the things that made Jamie so special was the way she noticed people. If someone was hurting, struggling, or simply needed someone to listen, Jamie would stop and be there. She had a rare ability to make people feel seen and cared for, and she gave that kindness freely throughout her life. Even in death, Jamie continued that spirit of giving through organ donation, offering others hope and life through one final act of generosity. It was a final reflection of the way Jamie lived, always willing to give something of herself to help someone else. Jamie is survived by the love of her life, Steve Dexter; daughters, Sophia and Emma; nephew, Sawyer; sister and brother-in-law, Nate and Kerstyn Thomas; Steve’s children, Beau (Katie) Dexter, Ashley (Jenna) Dexter, Cody Dexter; brothers-in-law, Anthony Dexter and John Dexter; bonus family, Cameron, Bree, Joseph, and Gracelyn; her loving parents, Barb and Lyn Peterman; aunts, Nancy and Yazmin; her special lifelong friend, Lea; and numerous cousins and their families. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Donald and Joann Peterman, John and Gerry Stewart, and Bruce and Emmy Lou Dexter; and her uncle, Doug Stewart; aunts, Dawn Dennis and Brandie Faust. Jamie will be remembered for her enormous heart, her fierce love for her daughters and family, her compassion for others, her love of animals, and the way she could make a difference in someone’s life simply by caring. Her absence will be felt in countless ways, but the love she gave so freely will continue through Sophia and Emma, Steve, her family and friends, and every person fortunate enough to have been touched by her kindness. Jamie’s life was far too short, but it was filled with love — and that love will continue to live on in all who knew her.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Jack Davis

Jack Steven Davis, devoted father of Trudi Davis, Becky Rosazza, Bridgette Davis, and Margaret Davis, and son of the late John J. Davis and Blondena L. Ward, died on Sept. 24, 2026. Born on Aug. 29, 1949, Jack was a proud graduate of the North Scott High School Class of 1967. Jack was married first to Dot Kohler and later to Cindi Davis, with whom he remained friends long after their divorces. Jack took pride in being a dad and grandfather, and in his work as both a union meat packer at Oscar Mayer and later a custodian at St. Ambrose University. Jack’s work ethic and commitment to providing for his family were admirable. Jack found joy in daily activities: reading the paper, enjoying beers with friends, watching the sunset, playing solitaire, caring for his yard, and watching old sitcoms. However, nothing lit Jack up like a party. Whether it was his granddaughter Claire’s birthday bowling party, card club, a Hawkeye Bowl Game, or a friend’s celebration, Jack was ready to contribute with snacks, drinks, a wide smile, golden oldies music, and often some kind of silly costume, yard game, or goofy gag. Whether ready or not, Jack had a hug and a beer ready for all —always a party in a tiny, little cooler! Jack consistently contributed to his community. He served as a town councilor in Donahue, coached his daughters’ sports teams, served on the Donahue Sportsmen’s and Lions Clubs, and often made time to help neighbors in times of need. He also accepted help and support from caring neighbors and friends on Colorado Street in Davenport, in Donahue, and in DeWitt. Jack is predeceased by his parents John J. Davis and Blondena L. Davis-Ward (nee Cowell), stepfather Harley Ward, as well as his brothers Ted and Allen Ward, sister Pamela Campbell, and ex-wife, Cynthia C. Davis. He is survived by daughters Trudi Davis (Mike and Claire Edwards) of Iowa City; Becky Rosazza of Iowa City; Bridgette Davis (Ellen Sale) of Hadley, Mass.; and Margaret Davis (Julian and Sidney Guidry) of Rock Island; sister Linda Haymaker of East Moline; and brother Mike Davis (Rosalie) of Danville. He is remembered and loved by several nieces and nephews and many wonderful life-long friends. His family would like to extend gratitude to the staff at Grand Haven Retirement Community and at Heartland Hospice for supporting Jack in maintaining his safety and dignity while living with dementia. We know he wasn’t always easy, but his orneriness often made for a good laugh. We are grateful for the staff’s care, communication, and compassion for both Jack and each member of his family. Donations can be made in Jack’s honor to either the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Foundation (https://www.riparksfoundation.org/donate-participate) or Community Inclusion Club of Iowa City (https://www.communityinclusionclub.com/donate#donation-tiers). These two organizations will continue to provide fun opportunities for the health and social development of Jack’s grandchildren Claire and Sidney. We thank you, in advance, for your support. Jack’s visitation will be held from 1–3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge. A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a gathering of friends at Al & Gerry’s.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Ralph Tuftee

Ralph J. Tuftee, 71, of Eldridge passed away on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, at Mercy One Genesis, Davenport. A celebration of Ralph’s life was held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 26, in the fellowship hall at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove. Inurnment was at St. Ann’s Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City.  McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Ralph was born on Sept. 5, 1955, in Davenport, the son of Melvin and Marcella (Moore) Tuftee.  Following his graduation from North Scott High School in 1974, he began his career as an assembler at Case IH in East Moline.  After 37 years of service, he retired from the Burlington plant in 2013.  After retirement he became the maintenance man at AquaTech Car Wash in Eldridge, where he took pride in being his own boss, keeping everything fresh and clean and manicuring the lawn.  In high school he ran track, and his love of running continued into adulthood where he proudly participated numerous times in the annual Bix race.  Ralph also enjoyed gardening, boating, taking road trips, and hunting with his family each winter.  Above all, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, Jaxon, Emma, Hayden, and Carly, who were the love of his life. Those left to honor his memory are his son, Neil (Jennifer Nicklas) Tuftee; his girlfriend of 14 years, Pam Sauve; daughters, Emily (Dan) Nemmers and Miranda Sauve; grandchildren, Jaxon and Emma Tuftee, Hayden and Carly Nemmers; sisters, Sharon (Rich) Austin, Marylou (Vince) Weber, Lori (Chris) Cummings, Beth (Dave) Irving; brothers, Robert “Bob” Tuftee and Randall (Doris) Tuftee; sisters-in-law, Trish Tuftee and Becky Tuftee; his grand-dogs, Shadow, Lillie, Lucie, and Jack, who he loved dearly; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Roger and Ronald Tuftee. Online condolences may be shared with Ralph’s family at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Jane Remley

A Mass of Christian Burial for Jane (Goethals) Remley, 94, of Eldridge, formerly of Davenport, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 (today), at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to Mass on Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements. Mrs. Remley died Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at Grand Haven Retirement Community, Eldridge. Jane Goethals was born Oct. 15, 1931, in the family farm in Long Grove, the daughter of Camiel and Alice (DeWulf) Goethals. She married William Remley in 1951. Survivors include her children, Debra (Tom) Brownson, Denise (Dennis) Testroet, Donna Arbogast, Susan Sunleaf and Annette (Rick) Ripperger; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church or to St. Croix Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.

Boysen hired as Extension regional director

Abby Boysen has accepted the position of regional director with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach serving Clinton, Muscatine and Scott counties. She begins the position Oct. 1. As regional director, she will provide administrative leadership to county extension office staff and guidance to county extension councils. Boysen has been serving as the regional director for Benton, Cedar and Jones counties since 2024. Previously she served as a 4-H youth program field specialist and as a program assistant for the “Buy. Eat. Live Healthy.” program in Louisa County. She brings extensive experience in youth education and community outreach, having served in educational roles with the Stanley Foundation and the Bettendorf Children's Museum. As the owner and operator of a music and dance academy, she led programming, managed operations and cultivated partnerships that expanded learning opportunities for young people in a creative and artistic space. Her career reflects a longstanding dedication to enriching the lives of youth through experiential learning, leadership and community collaboration. “Abby has valuable experience providing fiscal and personnel oversight, strategic planning and operational guidance to county staff and councils. She is skilled in supporting county offices through transitions and fostering collaboration among a variety of stakeholders,” said Andrea Welchans, assistant vice president for ISU Extension and Outreach. “We congratulate her and look forward to her continuing success.” Boysen received her bachelor’s degree from University of Iowa and her master’s degree in family and consumer sciences (youth development) from Iowa State University. ISU Extension and Outreach is part of the federal Cooperative Extension System — a network of more than 100 land-grant institutions, including Iowa State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture serving communities and counties across the United States. Every county in Iowa has an elected extension council that decides how to support ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs at the county level.

Wildlife where you live class offered

Wildlife and people often meet in our backyards.  This can be a great experience, observing animals using plants you chose for that purpose.  It can also be frustrating, coming out to find your vegetable patch decimated by an unwanted nighttime visitor.  We will discuss both sides of this equation: ways to benefit wildlife through landscaping choices and ways to mitigate common wildlife conflicts close to home. This class ispresented by Iowa DNR Wildlife Biologist Andy Kellner. It will be held Monday, Oct. 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf. The event is free and open to the public.  Registration is appreciated using this link. https://go.iastate.edu/IWE6ZE

View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the Sept. 30 NSP!

TUESDAY, SEPT. 15 7:59 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident in the 27000 block of Bluff Road, where a vehicle driven by Melinda Gay James, 61, Clinton, struck a deer that entered the roadway. A deer salvage tag was also issued. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16 3:38 a.m. — Quinn Joseph Rickard, 22, no address given, was charged with drug possession/delivery (marijuana), a drug tax stamp violation, and possession of a controlled substance, following an incident in the 200 block of South Fairmount Street, Davenport. THURSDAY, SEPT. 17 2:55 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near State Street and Manor Drive, Riverdale. A vehicle driven by Dennis Leroy Powell, 62, Bettendorf, was westbound on State Street, travelling in the right-hand lane. As Powell approached an area of the lane that was closed due to construction, he failed to merge into the left lane, despite several signs indicating the lane closure. Powell’s vehicle struck several barrels, cones, and an arrow board trailer. Workers at the scene also reportedly attempted to get Powell to stop. Powell continued along State Street and did not stop at the scene. His vehicle was identified by witnesses and traffic camera footage, and deputies were able to locate Powell at his home.  FRIDAY, SEPT. 18 11:57 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report to a report of theft in the 500 block of Belmont Road. 3:55 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 500 block of West 3rd Street. 5:12 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 9:51 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 5100 block of Woodland Avenue. SATURDAY, SEPT. 19 12:01 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 2900 block of East Kimberly Road. 1:41 a.m. — Patrick Elamin Spivey, 19, no address given, was charged with a controlled substance violation, a drug tax stamp violation and driving while license denied, suspended, cancelled or revoked, following a traffic stop near Telegraph and Waverly roads, Davenport. 10:15 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 1:03 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 300 block of Baxter Drive. 1:06 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 3:10 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near 195th Street and Rainbow Drive. 6:32 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 1600 block of 210th Street. 8:02 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem near Criswell and 195th streets. 10:09 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 7100 block of International Drive. 10:14 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 11:47 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 3600 block of West 83rd Street. SUNDAY, SEPT. 20 2:23 a.m. — Collin Thomas Barnhill, 22, no address given, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and driving while barred (habitual offender), following a traffic stop near 265th Street and Allens Grove Road, Dixon. 2:51 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage. 7:39 a.m. — Ann M. Martin, 43, no address given, was charged with providing false identification information, following a traffic stop near mile marker 131 on Highway 61, Davenport. 11:35 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 24400 block of 210th Avenue. 6:41 p.m. — Deputies responded to a shots fired call in the 9000 block of 277th Street. 8:37 p.m. — Davion Antwon Davis, 18, no address given, was charged with eluding and interference with official acts, following a traffic stop near Ripley and West Rusholme streets, Davenport. 10:37 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near Veterans Memorial Parkway and Tremont Avenue. MONDAY, SEPT. 21 5:02 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 7:25 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 100 block of East Bennett Street. 8:00 a.m. — Deputies responded to a shots fired call in the 2300 block of Rockingham Road. 8:49 a.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 11000 block of 141st Street. 10:33 a.m. — William Holley Jr., 32, no address given, was arrested on an outstanding intrastate warrant and charged with assault causing bodily injury, 5th degree criminal mischief, and interference with official acts, after deputies responded to a report of an assault in the 21400 block of Scott Park Road, Davenport. 10:36 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 21800 block of 130th Avenue. 11:16 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 2300 block of Western Avenue. 1:09 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near 130th Avenue and 240th Street. 5:28 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 9500 block of 115th Street. 8:32 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 2000 block of Tremont Avenue. 9:26 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a burglary/home invasion in the 400 block of LeClaire Street. 10:53 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an a one-vehicle accident in the 5000 block of 200th Street. A vehicle driven by Allen Michael Voss, 35, Muscatine, was westbound on 200th Street. Voss reportedly swerved to avoid striking a raccoon in the roadway. He reportedly overcorrected and lost control of the vehicle, which flipped on the roadway. Voss was charged with OWI – 2nd offense and cited for failure to maintain control. 11:00 p.m. — Deputies responded to a shots fired call in the 6300 block of Brady Street. TUESDAY, SEPT. 22 1:07 a.m. — Charles L. Williams, 24, no address given, was cited for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) – 2nd offense and possession of a controlled substance, following a traffic stop near West 49th and North Pine streets, Davenport. 1:27 a.m. — Quinten Lee Hodges, 20, no address given, was charged with driving while barred (habitual offender), following a traffic stop near Spruce Hills Drive and Elmore Avenue, Davenport. 1:45 a.m. — Devin Terrell McGee, 48, no address given, was charged with driving while barred (habitual offender), following a traffic stop near West Kimberly Road and North Fairmount Street, Davenport. 7:37 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check near Highway 61 and 210th Street. 1:11 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an assault in the 27300 block of 255th Avenue. 1:49 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near 240th Avenue and 257th Street. 3:33 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 300 block of West River Drive. 5:41 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 400 block of West 4th Street. 6:26 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near South Cody Road and West Canal Shore Drive. 7:06 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 100 block of South 4th Avenue. 8:03 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 5300 block of 306th Street. 8:13 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 500 block of Chestnut Street. 10:26 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance on Park View Drive. 11:00 p.m. — Maisy Lee Vincent, 26, no address given, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (non-marijuana) – 2nd offense, following a drug complaint in the 400 block of West 4th Street, Davenport. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23 3:11 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near 240th Street and 115th Avenue. A vehicle driven by Valerie Jean Book, 63, Davenport, was westbound on 240th Street. Book reportedly failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection with 115th Avenue. The vehicle slid through the intersection and went into a ditch. Book was transported by Medic to Genesis East Medical Center. 4:35 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near West 90th Street and Northwest Boulevard. 8:42 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 18800 block of 290th Street. 11:42 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 27700 block of 115th Avenue. 12:22 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 15500 block of 70th Avenue. 12:59 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 2:10 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem. 2:13 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 1200 block of Marquette Street. 3:51 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of East 14th Street. 4:46 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 17000 block of 214th Street. 4:55 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 500 block of Belmont Road. THURSDAY, SEPT. 24 2:01 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 20100 block of Wells Ferry Road. 4:46 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident in the 28700 block of 115th Avenue, where a vehicle driven by Abdel Afis Tahir Mahmoud, 30, East Moline, struck a deer that entered the roadway. 6:54 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident on Great River Road, where a vehicle driven by Jennifer Michelle Pawloski, 52, Eldridge, struck a deer that entered the roadway. 11:52 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 300 block of Park Lane Circle. 3:19 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage. 3:35 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 1300 block of Main Street. 5:56 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 11:47 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 300 block of West Kimberly Road. FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 7:44 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near Wisconsin Avenue and West Locust Street. 8:21 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 3000 block of Quail Ridge Road. 9:09 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 13800 block of 118th Avenue. 11:20 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 3000 block of Victoria Street.

Generations of safety: Keeping family farms safe

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is reminding families that farm safety needs to evolve as family members grow up and grow older. “Safety on a family farm isn't a one-size-fits-all,” said Daniel Andersen, associate professor and extension agriculture engineering specialist at Iowa State. “What is appropriate for a six-year-old isn't appropriate for a teenager, and what was an easy task at 40 may not be the right task at 70.” For children, getting involved in farm work means matching tasks to age, ability and understanding of risk, then adding responsibility as they're ready to handle it. Gradual progression in responsibility is important to ensure safety. Rather than simply telling children what they cannot do, families can teach children how to recognize hazards, make good decisions and ways to demonstrate that they are ready for additional responsibility. The same principle applies as farmers age. Small changes — an extra step into a tractor, better ladder access, updated cattle-handling facilities — can help older farmers stay safely involved as strength, balance and reaction time change. "We're pretty good at helping kids grow into new responsibilities," Andersen said. "We sometimes aren't as good at recognizing that we need to grow out of some responsibilities as we get older." The goal isn't to keep people away from the farm, but to keep them safely involved in work that matters. For more information and additional resources, visit the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety or download “Review family farm safety rules” and “Keep active farmers safe in later life" from the ISU Extension Store.

All-Jepsen final yields two state qualifiers

This took ‘sibling rivalry’ to an entirely different level. Winners were hit. Barbs were thrown. Medals were won. It was a (mostly) jovial time at Oak Ridge Middle School in Linn-Mar last Wednesday as Lancer senior Maddy Jepsen and freshman Claire Jepsen squared off in the Class 2A Region 4 singles championship, both having already punched their tickets to state. Older sister defeated younger sister, 6-2, 6-0, in this all-North Scott and all-Jepsen final. “It’s awesome. I think it’s a great thing,” Maddy said, reflecting on the fact that she became a four-time regional singles champion. “It’s nice because the state has given us some easier regions these past two years to get through. My freshman year I really had to earn it against (Pleasant Valley’s) Lauren Masengarb. State is next, and I’ll have some crazy tough matches there.” All of this was expected for Maddy, who projects to be a top-three seed at state for the first time in her career. Claire, on the other hand, would not have predicted her success. “I wasn’t even going to play this season,” Claire said. “At this time last year, I wasn’t going to play. But my mom kind of forced me to. But it actually turned out well. I wouldn’t have expected that I’d qualify for state.” Both girls breezed through their sections of the bracket as the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively. Then came the final. And the jokes. “You should shake hands and say good luck,” said one of their teammates watching from the sideline bleachers. Both sisters dismissed that request. “I’m sorry, Claire,” said Maddy after hitting a drop shot winner. “Are you?” Claire asked aloud. The playful nature of the match flowed through the first five games as Maddy won 20 of the first 24 points. Claire, understanding the inevitable, had just one mission. “My goal was just to win one game,” Claire said. “But I know Maddy. Usually when she loses, she gets even more mad.” Claire played a great sixth game to break Maddy’s serve to 30. The freshman then held her own serve to 30, forcing another first-set changeover. “After that game, she lost the next one, and that just made her more mad,” Claire said, with a smirk. “It was going to be fun. In the beginning, it was fun. And then she got all upset about two games, and then it just went downhill from there.” Older sister had enough. Maddy won the next seven games — played in relative silence — to end a match their mother was happy to see over. “Honestly, it was awkward,” Lancer coach Emily Jepsen said of watching her daughters play in the final. “They are both very competitive and sarcastic with each other. So, at first, it was humorous as they were taking jabs at each other. But then it got more serious. However, it was some great tennis from both of them, but I was just ready for it to be over.” Hijinks aside, she couldn’t be prouder of them both. “(Wednesday was) great for the program, the team and the individuals,” Emily said. “It is very difficult to be a four-time regional champion and be one of the best in the state, and Maddy was able to achieve that accomplishment through her entire high school career.  Claire definitely earned and deserved those wins with her continued growth throughout the season. It is a testament to the growth of the team over the years and each of them individually, too.” Entering team regionals, Maddy is undefeated in singles and has not lost a set. It’s the first time in her career she will enter the postseason with such statistics. “Maddy was dedicated the entire offseason to improving her game and her endurance,” Emily said. “This has been her best season from beginning to end. She had the most pressure on her but was able to handle it and show her maturity throughout her matches.” Claire showed her tennis chops from the very first dual, playing state medalist Elizabeth Grinnall from Clinton tough. Qualifying for state may have surprised Claire, but not her coach. “She has played tennis her entire life with us as a family, and she is very athletic with a great mindset on the court,” Emily said. “We knew she had the potential if she wanted to work at it, and she did throughout the season. She consistently improved with each match and was able to beat some players from the top four teams in the state.” What has also strengthened over the last two months are the bonds the sisters share. “It’s been awesome playing with Claire,” Maddy said. “That match didn’t look fun, but I enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed playing doubles with Claire. We played the same sports growing up, but we never played on the same team. It’s been really fun taking her to tennis, practicing with her, and all the things that come with it.” “I don’t think we’ve ever played on the same team,” Claire concurred. “Over the last two months we’ve gotten a lot closer. It helps. Unless we’re playing each other.” The Jepsens were not the only Lancers to take the court on Wednesday. Seniors Victoria Samara and Ava Pins were awarded the No. 3 seed in the doubles draw, but fell in the quarterfinals to a Dubuque Hempstead team, 6-4, 6-2. Sophomore Kelsey Clayton and freshman Sloan Varner also paired together. They won their first match, 6-1, 6-2, against a Cedar Rapids Prairie duo. However, they lost to the eventual regional runners-up from Hempstead in their quarterfinal. “Tori and Ava had a tough second-round match against the team that got third overall. Kelsey and Sloan did well in their first round, and then had to face a very tough Hempstead team who ended up in the final,” Emily said. “I am proud of the entire team’s work this season and hope to continue with it into the postseason.” The job is not done as team regionals get underway this week. North Scott will host Bettendorf in the semifinals on Wednesday. The Lancers blanked the Bulldogs 9-0 in their regular season meeting on Sept. 10. A Saturday date with Pleasant Valley looms in the regional final. After missing out on making the regional final last fall, the team would love to get back there and take one last crack at the Spartans. “It would be great for us to be back in a regional final,” Emily said. “That would be a testament to the entire team. For the past few years, we have worked on trying to grow a program and reach regional finals. We need all players ready to play and compete in the team postseason; this will take each player to get a win as a team.”

Ugly wins count the same as Lancers win district opener

Of all the football games ever played, Friday’s was, well, one of them. By the end of the night, as penalties and injuries piled up on both sidelines, and scoring points became a Sisyphean struggle for both squads, North Scott was simply happy to get out of dodge. North Scott scored four touchdowns in the first 14 minutes against Davenport West, and held on for a 28-6 victory at Roger Craig Stadium to improve to 2-3 on the season and 1-0 in district play. “My dad, a Hall of Fame coach, told me years ago on this field,” began Lancer head coach Tony Stewart. “It was a sophomore game. I called and told him about it. I was frustrated. He said, ‘You didn’t talk to them like that, did you?’ I said, ‘Well, I wasn’t real happy.’ He said, ‘Never take joy away from a win. They don’t get many opportunities to win football games.’ “Regardless of how it felt, the kids won a football game. They worked hard; they’ve got to enjoy it. That’s why we do this. We’re not going to worry about how it looked. We’re going to be excited for them that they got the win.” The first quarter and change proved to be a delectable palate cleanser for North Scott coming off of two tough losses. Junior Dillon Hager cleaned up a Falcon fumble on the opening kickoff, and the Lancers put the ball in the end zone by way of junior quarterback Conlan Panther throwing to junior Landon Gronewold. On the very next West possession, junior Drake Huffman intercepted Michael Cribbs, and the Lancers were in business again. Panther found sophomore Finnegan Carlson on a post route over the goal line for a 14-0 lead. North Scott scored twice more in quick succession — the first touchdown of the season for senior Jonas Schlichting and a second receiving touchdown by Gronewold — to go up 28-0 at the 10-minute mark of the second quarter. “We came out and did what we wanted to do right away,” Stewart said. “We got up early. I’d like to have one more to get the running clock. Coach (Zach) Schwarz said it too: It’s a tale of two halves. No matter who is in the game, we have to put two halves together. “The defense played great. We want to try and get as many guys in the game as possible. They’re doing everything we ask of them.” Davenport West was able to hit a handful of chunk passing plays in the game, and it got on the board in the fourth quarter with a 43-yard rushing touchdown with four minutes left in the game. The game slowed to a crawl in the second half with flags raining down every other play and multiple timeouts for injury. North Scott had to adjust to the referees and its own rotating personnel while keeping calm on the sidelines. A game that started around 7:30 p.m. did not hit triple zeroes until just before 10 p.m. “From my standpoint, I try not to lose my head. I was getting frustrated a little bit. What that does is give everyone around me permission,” Stewart said. “Their job is to play. We train our guys that if they’re on the field, they know what to do and to go execute. That’s why we all practice. We navigate it by playing hard and paying attention.” North Scott only outgained the Falcons 288 to 229 in the contest. Nevertheless, this still marked the best game of Panther’s young career, completing 14 of 21 passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns. He did so without his two top options, seniors Ryder Maher and Ryan Block, healthy for the game. “Conlan, people forget, is still just a pup,” Stewart said. “He didn’t get to play football last year. Him seeing some things, he had some beautiful throws. There are times he knows he needs to step up and throw on time, trust the receiver and trust the line. This game, he’ll get that film work. He’ll see he did some great things and see what he needs to improve on.” Gronewold and Carlson had identical stat lines, combining for eight catches, 95 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Panther also had his most efficient rushing game of the season. He scrambled eight times for 77 yards. The same goes for senior Gage Wagner, who posted 60 rushing yards on six carries. On defense, Huffman and senior Keaton Smeltzer came away with interceptions. Hager recovered a fumble forced by Smeltzer. Junior Christian Keppy took over kicking duties in this game, converting all four extra point opportunities. It was a winding road to get there, but North Scott is 1-0 in district play. At this point, that’s all the team cares about. In what will be their biggest game of the season to-date, the Lancers welcome in Western Dubuque this Friday on homecoming night. The Bobcats defeated Davenport North 49-21 last week. The Bobcats are 4-1 on the season with their lone loss coming to Cedar Rapids Xavier 21-13 in week two. Western Dubuque’s relentless rushing attack is back once again in 2026. The team averages 7.0 yards per carry. Junior Kyan Vaassen is the bell cow back with 72 of his team’s 135 carries. Junior Brady Rissman is the team’s quarterback. He is completing 76.1 percent of his passes for 11.2 yards per completion. Rissman’s passing quarterback ranking is ninth-best in the entire state and second-best in Class 4A. Western Dubuque won last year’s contest 14-13 in Epworth. North Scott won the last game played in Eldridge — a 26-7 win in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.

'We are continuing to progress in the right direction'

The 2026 Jim Boughton Invitational did not produce the blazing-fast times cross-country runners are used to, but the Lancers still took advantage of the fast course in Dubuque. 19 Lancers program-wide, including five varsity runners, hit personal records last Thursday in the team’s penultimate September race. “Overall, I was really pleased with what I saw,” Lancer coach Amy Knoche said. “On the girls’ side, every single one of our runners ran a season-best time with Khloe (Hamilton), Vivian (Ohsann) and Kayla (Stortz) all setting new PRs. That tells me we are continuing to progress in the right direction, and that’s encouraging to see this time of year. “On the boys’ side, I was pleased with the overall outcome as well. Our younger guys continue to improve and gain valuable experience each time they race. Some of our veterans may not have had the race they envisioned, but that’s part of the sport. Every race is a learning opportunity, and hopefully they can take something from it, put it in the rearview mirror and use what they learned moving forward.” Hamilton was the big winner of the night for North Scott. Her 27th-place time of 20:44.7 is now the fastest girls’ time of the season, along with her new personal record. “I felt good at the start of the race and was ready to push myself to my limits,” Hamilton said. “I always start running better in the second half of the season, and Dubuque is my starting point. The support from my teammates, coaches and family always helps me to know that I can do more than I think I can.” Hamilton ran a 20:45 race at the state qualifying meet last season. She is rounding into form as she seeks to get over the cut line this season. “Khloe, being a senior, has a really good understanding of how her body reacts to the training and the grind of a long cross-country season,” Knoche said. “She knows when she needs to push through the fatigue and what it feels like when she is starting to come around at the right time of the season. “I thought she did a good job of staying composed and competing all the way through the race. Getting a PR and breaking 21 (minutes) for the first time this season is a good sign as we get closer to the end of the season. Hopefully, this is another indication that she is starting to find that extra gear at the right time.” Junior Natalie O’Flahrity was right behind her with a 20:50.5 season-best time, good for 30th place. Sophomore Vivian Ohsann hit a personal record at 22:03.2. Season-best times came from sophomore Zoey Ayers at 23:16.5, senior Emma Reif at 23:37.5, sophomore Amelia Bowers at 23:50.1 and junior Brylee Rathe at 23:51.8. All seven varsity girls went sub-24, with freshman Kayla Stortz hitting a PR at 23:54.8. The depth in the boys’ lineup showed up in Dubuque with sophomore Cooper Esch (18:11.2) and freshman William Crawford (18:48.0) setting lifetime-best marks. “Cooper ran 18:34 at Cedar Rapids this season, so it was good to see him keep building on that,” Knoche said. “He just keeps getting stronger and more confident as the season progresses. It’s also a reflection of the work he has been putting in throughout the season. “Wil also had a really nice PR. Both of these guys are examples of why you have to trust the process. Sometimes the work doesn’t immediately show up on the clock, but if you stay consistent, keep learning and continue to build confidence, eventually those big improvements start to happen.” The top of the Lancer boys’ lineup remains concentrated around senior Parker Hamly (17:12.8 — 40th place), sophomore Bryton Dougherty (17:25.3 — 51st place) and senior Ben Clayton (17:45.1 — 67th place). Some residual weather impacts from the previous week left the course in rougher shape than in year’s past, preventing some big time drops from occurring from most of the 168 varsity boys to toe the line. “There were several muddy areas on the course, but thankfully most of them were on relatively flat terrain, so we didn’t have as many slipping issues as we did at (Scott County Park),” Knoche said. “Muddy ground absorbs some of the energy when a runner pushes off, so you don’t get the same springy response that you would from dry, firm ground. It’s kind of like running on a sponge. “The grass was also really long since it hadn’t been mowed, which added another challenge and slowed the runners down. With those conditions, finish times were naturally going to be slower than they would be on a firm, well-maintained course.” North Scott gets a challenge this week in the form of a new event for the program. The Williamsburg Invitational at Williamsburg Recreation Center was slated to be a 36-school race this Tuesday (Sept. 29). “It appears to be two big loops that are spectator-friendly,” Knoche said. “We tell the kids to pay attention during their warm-up and take in as much of the course as they can. Look for where the hills are, where the footing might change and where there may be good opportunities to make a move. “Most importantly, we want them to trust their training and not be intimidated by something they haven’t seen before. The course may be new, but the work they’ve put in to prepare for it isn’t.”

Woman dead after fatal crash in Moline

A woman was killed in a fatal crash in Moline just before 6 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

REVIEW: Real Women Have Curves at Playcrafters Barn Theatre in Moline

Real Women Have Curves continues at Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 - 35th Avenue in Moline, Friday and Saturday October 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 4 at 3:00 p.m.

Man accused of murdering Trudy Appleby waives right to jury trial, will be tried by judge

Jamison Fisher is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in Trudy Appleby's 1996 disappearance.

Man accused of Trudy Appleby murder asks for bench trial

In a hearing Tuesday, Jamison Fisher waived his right to a jury trial and asked for a judge to decide his case.

New 'Spring Awakening' in Rock Island carries off-stage tragedies to an already heavy show

The musical “Spring Awakening” – to open in downtown Rock Island Oct. 9 – is already freighted with lots of emotion, and heavy topics. The Center for Living Arts is bringing more weight to it.

Vibrant Arena has a record-breaking weekend with Ella Langley concert

Vibrant Arena at The MARK is celebrating a record-breaking weekend as Ella Langley became the highest-grossing female artist to perform there.

Quad Cities Pride in Memory maps LGBTQ+ history in the QCs

An Augustana College geography professor is working to ensure key moments and places in Quad Cities LGBTQ+ history aren’t forgotten. Professor Chris Strunk has created an interactive digital Story Map with narrative, oral history videos, places and information. The Story Map documents key moments and places of LGTBQ+ history in the Quad Cities that were [...]

Central DeWitt snaps multiple North Scott streaks

All good streaks must come to an end. North Scott saw two of them crack and fracture last Wednesday at Central DeWitt High School, with the Sabers holding on for a five-set victory: 25-22, 17-25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-10. The Lancers had won five consecutive five-set matches, dating back to the 2024 season. North Scott had also won 20 consecutive volleyball matches against Central DeWitt, dating back to the 2016 season. Both streaks now reset to zero. North Scott dipped back below .500 with the loss at 10-11 overall this season. The Lancers still remain above water in Mississippi Athletic Conference play at 3-2. In Wednesday’s match, senior Kamilah Eller led the Lancers with 12 kills. Fellow senior Sydney Soppe recorded 10 kills. Junior Brinley Schroeder had six kills, followed by seniors Alyssa Schroeder and Katie Moeller with five each. Junior Kenna Kibler and senior Eisley Weinert split the setter duties. Kibler had 26 assists and Weinert had 18 assists. Four Lancers reached double-digit digs in this extended match as North Scott had 93 as a team. Brinley Schroeder led the way with 22 digs, and junior Adelynn Temple joined her with 20 digs. Eller had 18 digs and senior Olivia Graham had 14 digs. At the net, Moeller had eight of North Scott’s 27 blocks in the match. Alyssa Schroeder and sophomore Kaylee Ervin used their track and field medal-winning hops to good use with six blocks each. Kibler posted three of the Lancers’ seven aces in the match. Eller had two, Alyssa Schroeder had one and Temple had one. Lancer volleyball continues to jockey for position within Class 5A as state regional pairings are not far away. North Scott briefly appeared in the state rankings at No. 14 on Sept. 3, but has since fallen back out. What appeared to be two great early-season wins against Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Cedar Rapids Prairie have not aged as nicely. Kennedy is 9-11 on the season, and Prairie is 12-12. North Scott ranks 20th out of 40 schools in Class 5A in Varsity Bound’s Power Index, with the 21st most difficult strength of schedule. The Lancers have picked up multiple good wins outside of the Cedar Rapids schools this season. North Scott has defeated Burlington, Benton Community, Mid-Prairie, and Pella, all of which are top 100 teams statewide in Bound’s power rankings. Still, North Scott may not have a good enough resume to earn a home match in the regional tournament. It would likely need to defeat 5A No. 8 Pleasant Valley on the road on Oct. 6 to reenter that conversation. Class 5A regional brackets contain only five teams with the top two schools hosting semifinal matches. There is one play-in match between the two lowest-rated teams, with the winner traveling to the top-ranked team for the semifinal. North Scott has just one match before squaring off against the Spartans. North Scott traveled to Davenport West on Tuesday (Sept. 29) to face the 3-13 Falcons. After the Pleasant Valley match, North Scott will conclude its regular season with the Clear Creek-Amana Invitational (Oct. 10) and two MAC matches at home against Bettendorf (Oct. 13) and Clinton (Oct. 15).

View the Eldridge Police report from the Sept. 30 NSP!

MONDAY, SEPT. 21 4:23 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 200 block of East Franklin Street. 5:02 a.m. — Complaint of a single vehicle accident on Highway 61. Handled by officer. 9:12 a.m. — Complaint of two dogs running loose in the 700 block of South 10th Street. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 12:01 p.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of South 9th Street Court. Handled by officer. 2:39 p.m. — Complaint of an accident between two vehicles in the 3400 block of South 11th Avenue. The drivers exchanged information. Handled by officer. 2:45 p.m. — Report taken for harassment between two subjects in the 200 block of South 1st Street. 3:00 p.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle near West Slopertown Road and North Division Street. Handled by officer. 7:56 p.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 1600 block of Leonard Court. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 11:46 p.m. — Report taken for an accident between two vehicles on Highway 61. TUESDAY, SEPT. 22 2:08 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicles near East Blackhawk Trail and South Scott Park Road. Handled by officer. 8:07 a.m. — Complaint of a subject in the 500 block of South 5th Street being threatened. Handled by officer. 2:33 p.m. — Complaint of a reckless driver on Highway 61. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 4:01 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 400 block of East Blackhawk Trail. 5:07 p.m. — Tommy Moore Sr., 66, of Davenport, was arrested for driving while barred and improper brake light, following a traffic stop in the 300 block of West Slopertown Road. 7:06 p.m. — Complaint of a disturbance in the 100 block of South 4th Avenue. Handled by officer. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23 7:16 a.m. — Complaint of two dogs running loose in the 200 block of South 1st Street. The owner retrieved the animals. Handled by officer. 8:01 a.m. — Complaint of suspicious activity in the 200 block of East Price Street. Handled by officer. 11:25 a.m. — Jeshua Denger, 20, of Long Grove, was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device, following a traffic stop near South 1st Street and East LeClaire Road. 3:37 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 2900 block of South 1st Street. 5:42 p.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 700 block of East Augusta Court. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 6:50 p.m. — Brant Jensen, 44, of Moline, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near North 4th Avenue and East LeClaire Road. THURSDAY, SEPT. 24 8:14 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 100 block of Muhs Circle. 9:02 a.m. — Complaint of a cement truck losing a load of cement on the roadway near Slopertown Road and South 1st Street. Handled by officer. 11:04 a.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of West Pinehurst Drive. Handled by officer. 7:49 p.m. — Report taken for fraudulent activity in the 600 block of West LeClaire Road. 9:12 p.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 400 block of West Oak Street. Handled by officer. FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 7:20 a.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 200 block of East LeClaire Road. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 8:04 a.m. — Assisted a subject in the 100 block of South 5th Street with a civil issue. Handled by officer. 3:07 p.m. — Complaint of the road being blocked by work trucks in the 1700 block of South 5th Street. Handled by officer. 4:21 p. m. — Mason Faber, 20, of Davenport, was cited for operating a non-registered vehicle, following a traffic stop near South 1st Street and Trails Road. 5:05 p.m. — Assisted a subject in the 100 block of West Spring Street with a civil issue. Handled by officer. 8:02 p. m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle on Highway 61. Handled by officer. 10:04 p.m. — Rebecca Turner, 44, of Reynolds, Ill., was arrested for three counts of assault on persons in certain occupations, interference with official acts, failure to maintain control, public intoxication and careless driving, following an incident near South 1st Street and East Blackhawk Trail. SATURDAY, SEPT. 26 3:16 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 200 block of West Donahue Street. 9:20 a.m. — Complaint of a blown transformer in the 500 block of Harry Herbert Drive. The call was turned over to the Public Works department. 12:18 p.m. — Assisted a subject in the 1200 block of West Davies Court with a civil issue. Handled by officer. 1:42 p.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 700 block of North 1st Street. 10:24 p.m. — Complaint of minors drinking and using controlled substances in the 800 block of South 1st Street. The complaint was unfounded. Handled by officer. 10:28 p.m. — Complaint of loud music playing in the 600 block of West Price Street. Handled by officer. SUNDAY, SEPT. 27 8:31 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 700 block of North 1st Street. Handled by officer. 10:49 a.m. — Complaint of a dog running loose near South 1st Street and East Lincoln Road. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. 10:20 p.m. — Complaint of subjects lighting off fireworks in the 1000 block of South 3rd Street. Handled by officer. 11:17 p.m. — Assisted another agency with a report of an accident between two vehicles in the 500 block of Park View Drive.

Extension offers high tunnel workshop Nov. 11

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Commercial Horticulture program will hold the 2026 High Tunnel Short Course at the Iowa Arboretum in Madrid, Iowa, on Nov. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. Commercial growers, as well as those interested in high tunnel production for fruit and vegetable crops, are invited to learn about high tunnel production, connect with fellow growers and explore the arboretum.  Growing specialty crops in a high tunnel structure offers numerous benefits for growers, including extended growing seasons, improved yields, minimized disease and pest pressure and controlled water application. Dan Fillius, horticulture field specialist for commercial vegetables with ISU Extension and Outreach, said this year’s event is a valuable opportunity for Iowa’s growers. “Growers who struggle to fine-tune their vegetable production will leave this course with new ideas for getting the most out of their tunnels,” he said. "You'll hear practical advice from successful growers in Vermont and Iowa, as well as technical information on tomato fertilizer needs from Judson Reid, a vegetable extension specialist from Cornell.” Event speakers will share their insights, experiences and research on high tunnel production with attendees. Topics include fertility management for tunnel tomatoes, year-round tunnel production in the North, tips for building tunnels and growing tunnel crops and more. Participants must register online to attend the course. The registration fee is $10, which covers lunch expenses. The Iowa Arboretum is located at 1875 Peach Ave, Madrid. For more information and a full agenda, visit the 2026 High Tunnel Short Course webpage or contact Dan Fillius at fillius@iastate.edu. 

Mount Pleasant man sentenced in Burlington shooting death

Kaysean Amari Rice, 23, was sentenced to prison on Monday, according to court records.

CDC’s latest youth behavior report offers a narrower look at teen health

For more than 35 years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has surveyed American high school students every two years about their health and behavior. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey, established in 1991, draws a nationally representative sample of students in grades 9 through 12 at public and private schools. Over the years, it has tracked a broad range of issues affecting teenagers, from substance use and sexual behavior to violence, mental health and other health risks. But the CDC’s latest national report, a full-color publication with photos, graphics and high school success stories, offers a markedly different portrait of adolescent health than the one it published two years ago. The 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey report focuses on five areas — diet, physical activity, sleep, digital behavior, and mental health and suicide risk — while largely leaving out national findings on substance use, sexual behavior, violence and disparities among student groups that were prominent in previous reports. The underlying survey data on the CDC’s website still contains many of those measures, including trends in alcohol and drug use, and sexual activity, but they are not part of the national report’s key findings. The shift comes as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Trump administration have made preventing childhood chronic disease and promoting nutrition, physical activity and other health behaviors central to their “Make America Healthy Again,” or MAHA, agenda. Kennedy also chairs the presidential MAHA Commission, which has focused on the root causes of childhood chronic disease. The 2025 report is also substantially shorter than the CDC’s previous national Youth Risk Behavior Survey report. It runs 36 pages, including the title page, table of contents and references, compared with 88 pages for the 2023 report, which also included some technical notes, references and appendices. Dr. Jennifer Shuford, CDC’s deputy director and chief medical officer, touted changes in student attitudes toward nutrition, physical activity and mental health. “These are meaningful improvements, and they show that progress is possible when schools, families, and communities work together to support young people,” she said in a news release. “At the same time, too many students are still struggling with daily health behaviors that can negatively affect their long-term health,” Shuford said. A focus on health and wellness The 2025 report provides a snapshot of high school students’ health in 2025 and compares changes over the previous two and 10 years. Its five focus areas reflect behaviors and experiences the CDC says affect adolescent health now and into adulthood. Some of the findings are encouraging. Thirty-nine percent of high school students said they ate fruit daily in 2025, up from 33% in 2023 and 34% in 2015. Sixty-three percent ate vegetables daily, compared with 58% in 2023 and 61% in 2015. The share who said they drank plain water at least three times a day rose to 58% in 2025, up from 56% in 2021 and 49% in 2015, while daily soda consumption fell to 17% from 20% in 2015. The share of students who played on a sports team also increased, reaching 58% in 2025 compared with 52% in 2023 and 49% in 2021. Several measures of mental health and suicide risk improved as well. The share of students who reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness fell to 33% in 2025, from 40% in 2023 and 42% in 2021. It was 30% in 2015. The share who seriously considered attempting suicide fell from 22% in 2021 to 14% in 2025, while the share who made a suicide plan fell from a high of 18% in 2021 to 12% in 2025. Female students continued to report higher rates of mental health and suicide risk than male students. In 2025, 43% of female students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, compared with 24% of male students. But the report also shows that several measures of youth health have worsened over the longer term. Just 25% of high school students were physically active for at least 60 minutes a day in 2025, unchanged from 2023 and down from 27% in 2015. Twenty-four percent got at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night, compared with 27% in 2015. Daily breakfast consumption fell from 36% in 2015 to 27% in 2025. The report also found long-term declines in daily physical activity, muscle-strengthening activity and daily physical education. About 36% of students said they used social media every hour or more in 2025, little changed from 37% in 2023. A different look at adolescent health The latest report’s focus marks a significant change from the CDC’s 2023 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey report. That report, published during the Biden administration and as the country was recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, was organized around sexual behavior, substance use, experiences of violence, mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It also examined emerging issues including parental monitoring, social media use, racism in schools, unfair school discipline, school connectedness and unstable housing. The 2023 report included more student demographic data broken down by sex, race and ethnicity, and sexual and gender identity. For the first time, the national survey asked students whether they identified as transgender, and the report highlighted disparities affecting LGBTQ+ students and marginalized racial and ethnic groups. The 2025 report does not mention LGBTQ+ students or sexual and gender identity. It also provides fewer detailed demographic comparisons. The CDC says the new report includes only selected statistically significant demographic differences, while the underlying survey data remain available through the agency’s data system. The new public-facing report does not mean the CDC stopped collecting underlying information about many of the issues featured in previous youth risk behavior reports. The agency continues to make the national dataset available publicly, including demographic information, through its online data tools. Instead, the change is in how the CDC presents the findings nationally. That produces a different portrait of the nation’s high school students — one that captures some notable improvements while giving considerably less attention to several categories of health and risk that have been prominent in the CDC’s national youth surveillance reports for years. Declines in substance use For example, the decline in teen substance use that has unfolded over decades is absent from this year’s report, despite the 2025 data showing alcohol and marijuana use at or near historic lows. About 20% of high school students reported current alcohol use in 2025, down from 22% in 2023 and nearly 52% in 1995. Current marijuana use also fell to about 13% in 2025, from 17% in 2023, while the share who had ever used marijuana dropped to about 25% in 2025 from 42% in 1995. The share of students who had ever used other illicit drugs, including cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, ecstasy or hallucinogens, was 9.7% in 2025, essentially unchanged from 9.9% in 2023 and about 13% in 2015. Vaping also continued its long-term decline. Current e-cigarette or vape use fell to 16% in 2025 from a high of nearly 33% in 2019. The share of students who had ever used these products also fell to 30% in 2025 from about 34% in 2023 and about 45% in 2015. Sexual activity and school violence The new report also gives little attention to several measures that have long been part of the CDC’s youth survey, including sexual activity and violence at school. The share of high school students who reported being currently sexually active fell to about 19% in 2025, down from nearly 21% in 2023 and nearly 40% in 1995. Other measures show longer-term declines but less consistent changes. The share of students who reported carrying a weapon on school property fell to about 3% in 2025, from more than 4% in 2023 and almost 10% in 1995. The share who said they had been threatened or injured with a weapon, such as a gun or knife, at school was about 8% in 2025, compared with 9% in 2023 and about 8% in 1995. Bullying on school property was reported by 19.7% of students in 2025, roughly unchanged from 19.2% in 2023 and about 20% in 2015. Reported bullying hit a low of 15% in 2021.

Lindsay Clancy's lawyer now questions whether she killed her 3 children

Lindsay Clancy's lawyer is arguing that there wasn't enough evidence to prove she killed her three children. It's a striking turn after a lengthy trial that focused more on her mental state than on whether she took their lives.

Iowa farmers behind on harvest as wet September comes to close

The latest USDA report shows just 3% of soybean acres and 5% of corn acres have been harvested in Iowa. 

Iowa Ammunition Plant to test cratering charges

The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant announced they will be testing 40 lbs. cratering charges on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Man charged in Trudy Appleby death wants bench trial

He was indicted in August 2025.

How Kenny Mason learned to follow his inner visions

Even among ATLiens, Kenny Mason is an outlier. As he faced a creative crisis — and commercial pressures — the rap-rock iconoclast realized that he feels most comfortable on the fringes.

Illinois awards $4.6 million to boost tourism efforts statewide

Gov. Pritzker and DCEO announced Monday that $4.6 million in grant funding was awarded to boost tourism statewide.

Making gene-edited babies is illegal. This startup says it may be time to reconsider

Origin Genomics aims to prove that the potential benefits of its technology for editing disease-causing genes in human embryos outweigh the risks.

This startup wants to prove gene-editing embryos is safe for making healthy babies

Origin Genomics aims to prove that the potential benefits of its technology for editing disease-causing genes in human embryos outweigh the risks.

Rock Island man pleads not guilty to fatal stabbing

A Rock Island man pleaded not guilty in Rock Island County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning for allegedly stabbing a man to death on Sept. 20.

Three things to know: Sept. 29, 2026

Hunger Action Day, Bettendorf Public Library to reveal first outreach vehicle and a ribbon cutting for Great Oaks High School Career Center.

Rock Island moves to hire temporary EMS dispatchers

RICOMM says it's been experiencing staffing shortages for nearly the entire year.

Thomas Sauer to perform at Central High School, QCSO

Davenport Central High School alumnus and acclaimed pianist Thomas Sauer is returning to the Quad Cities for a special guest artist visit with Central High School students ahead of his performance with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Sauer will visit Davenport Central’s Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 2 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. [...]

Reynolds calls special session for proposed mega-steel plant tax incentives

The General Assembly of Iowa will meet for a special session on Oct. 2 to discuss America’s largest steel production plant coming to the state.

Hundreds of emaciated animals seized as 2 charged with livestock neglect in Marshall County

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking donations after it assisted authorities in removing hundreds of barn animals from a central Iowa farm.

Rock Island County Coroner identified man killed by vehicle in Milan

The Rock Island County Coroner’s Office has identified the 43-year-old man who was killed after being hit by a vehicle in Milan early Saturday morning.

Here's what you need to do if you can't repay your student loans

The pause on federal student loan repayment ended in September 2023. That left many borrowers in a bind. Collections were paused for a time, but in May 2025, the government resumed "involuntary collection." In 2026, some borrowers became subject to wage garnishment.Inflation is through the roof, food costs more, gas costs more, budgets are tighter, and a student loan payment just might not be affordable, plain and simple. Achieve shares what you need to know about your options if you can’t repay your student loans.3 options if you can’t repay your federal student loansStudent loan payments can feel like a heavy financial burden, especially if you’ve been able to do more with your finances during the payment pause. There are some actions you can take to make your student loans more manageable, though.1. Contact your loan servicer about income-driven repaymentFind out who your loan servicer is and contact them about income-driven repayment. If you don’t know who your servicer is, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243 or log into the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Use the FSA ID you set up when getting your federal student loans to log in.If you qualify for income-driven repayment, you might be able to get a lower monthly payment that is no more than 10% of your discretionary income. In some cases, your income-driven repayment monthly amount might even be $0.2. Ask for deferment or forbearance on student loan repaymentEven if you don’t qualify for income-driven repayment, you might be able to get an adjustment to your payment schedule through deferment or forbearance. These are policies that allow you to take a break from payments due to economic hardship or some other reason.In a deferment, no interest accrues, so it truly is a breather with no strings attached. During forbearance, however, interest does accrue. So it’s a good idea to make monthly payments that cover the interest. If you don’t, the amount you owe will increase.There are limits on deferment and forbearance, so use the time to make a plan to earn more, cut expenses, or both.3. Check into student loan forgivenessAnother option is student loan forgiveness, if you qualify. There are different paths to forgiveness, depending on employment and other factors. For example, if you have been working for a non-profit, the time during the pandemic-related payment pause might count toward the years of payments you have to make before you’re eligible for forgiveness. Additionally, some states offer partial forgiveness to people in certain jobs, like teachers or healthcare workers.You’ll have to do a fair amount of research, but if you qualify, you could significantly reduce your overall debt load.What about private student loans?Private student loans don’t offer access to the same income-driven repayment plans or student loan forgiveness as federal loans. If private loans are contributing to your overwhelming debt, you can consider resolving your debts, but not all private student loans are eligible for debt relief. Debt relief is the process of negotiating with creditors to lower the amount you owe.Take the first step to manage all your loan paymentsIf you don’t have one yet, make a budget. A budget isn’t a punishment. It’s a spending plan designed by you. You get to choose where each one of your dollars will go. If you don’t know where your money goes, you aren’t giving yourself that choice. There are many different ways to budget, and one of the easiest is to use an app.If you can’t repay your student loans, don’t ignore themIt’s unlikely that federal student loan payment will be paused again. Now is the time to see what your options are.This story was produced by Achieve and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Custom home design trends reflect growing demand for flexible living spaces

Home sales are declining. For custom builders, this means meeting buyer demands or having inventory sit empty. What matters to buyers now is flexible spaces, energy efficiency, and quality finishes. These things matter to buyers now more-so than raw square footage.National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) data confirms these trends. The custom homes market is actually rising, but buyers want smaller, better-built homes. If they can't find them, they'll build from scratch.Triple Crown Homes explored how current design trends in custom homebuilding reflect an increasing demand for semiopen, multifunctional, and outdoor living spaces.A Lower Demand for Open-Plan LayoutsOpen floor plans were once the gold-standard of home design. Everyone wanted a "great room" feel; one large space with good flow. While the idea of open spaces appeals to many, it comes with real problems. Heating and cooling a massive room costs money, there is less privacy for those living in the home, noise and odor control are daily struggles, and the space ends up feeling cluttered.Now, new homeowners are backing away from wide-open layouts and choosing traditional or semiopen plans instead.Buyers want floor plans broken up: temporary walls, pocket doors, open bookcases, and built-in storage. For builders, the challenge is to create separation without killing sight lines or natural light.Subtle approaches work, too. Flooring transitions help, along with a kitchen in tile and living room in hardwood. Strategic lighting can also make a difference. Triple Crown Homes Finding Balance: Multifunctional and Dedicated SpacesWith more people working from home (fully or partially) and taking on side hustles, people want to make the most out of every square inch. But there’s also a demand for specialized spaces like home offices, laundry rooms, closed-up kitchens, or walk-in pantries.Professional custom home builders reconcile these two seemingly opposing demands by creating room for both. Specialized spaces, such as pantries for storage, are still available, but second bedrooms are being designed in a way that allows homeowners to use them both for visiting family members and home offices.With smaller square footage, flexibility is essential. For instance, a closed-up kitchen area can open up in the evening and serve as a dining area. The overall idea is to make the most out of the available space without feeling crowded.Designs for Multigenerational LivingThe housing situation in the U.S. is undergoing an interesting transition, from single-family households to multigenerational dwellings. There are regional differences to consider, but many experts believe that some young people may have to continue living with their parents. As parents age, there is also a rise of them moving into their children’s homes instead of going into supervised care, meaning some homes may have three generations of family under one roof.For custom buyers, this trend manifests as a massive surge in demand for single-story floor plans or two-story homes with primary suites on the main floor. Driven by both an aging population and younger buyers thinking about multigenerational living, zero-step entries, wider hallways, and curbless shower layouts are becoming standard custom requests.Indoor-Outdoor Integration and WellnessModern design trends view outdoor space as an extension of the indoor floor plan. Covered patios, outdoor kitchens, screened porches, and multislide patio doors are consistently among the most requested features. Grand View Research points out that the global outdoor living structure market size will grow to $4 billion by 2033.Zoned layouts also apply to the yard area, where buyers want separation without losing fluidity. Landscape architects use flexible features like planters, trellises, low hedges, or pathways to define separate areas that can be rearranged based on the residents’ needs.The yard is quickly becoming an integral part of life at home, especially in urban and suburban areas where access to green, quiet areas is not as common. When designing a custom home, builders can serve their clients better by turning the yard into several relaxation and entertainment spaces.Another factor that impacts custom homes’ design trends is the buyers’ desire for personal wellness spaces. According to the 2026 Houzz Emerging Summer Trends Report, readers are quite interested in concepts such as wellness rooms and biophilic designs.Given that the home is one of the few places where homeowners can unwind, it’s no surprise that custom buyers are allocating space for home saunas, spa-like wet rooms in primary bathrooms, and direct visual/physical access to nature.Understanding Buyers’ Priorities Gives Builders a Competitive AdvantageThe custom home design trends are clear: Buyers want a home that satisfies their personal needs now and in the future. For builders, this means understanding the flexible and relaxing living spaces that appeal to multigenerational households.This story was produced by Triple Crown Homes and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Which private jets hold their value best?

Owning a private jet is not something anyone can afford. It’s a privilege reserved only for the ultra-high-net-worth individuals and large businesses.While the cost of buying a private jet runs into the millions of dollars, that’s only the initial purchase. A plane comes with fixed annual operating expenses, such as the crew, hangar space, insurance, and repairs.Given that private jets are depreciating assets (they lose around 35% of their original value over the first five years), buyers pay close attention to a model’s resale value.Below, private aviation company BlackJet looks at which private jets hold their value best.High Production Volumes Drive Depreciation ResistanceThe best-value aircraft is not the cheapest to purchase or operate, but the one that minimizes depreciation and schedule disruption while matching 80% or more of an owner's specific mission profile.A light jet, even though more affordable, is not a good fit for flyers who need to do frequent transatlantic trips. Similarly, a heavy jet doesn’t make economic sense for 200-mile regional trips.To minimize depreciation, buyers look for proven models from established manufacturers (Gulfstream, Bombardier, or Dassault). An aircraft with a healthy, multi-year manufacturer backlog signals strong, sustained market demand. This keeps pre-owned values higher.High production volumes are always a good sign. If the aircraft is in demand globally, there will be more interested buyers when it’s time to sell. Low-volume niche models suffer much steeper depreciation curves due to low market liquidity.Standardized cabin layouts with the latest avionics, noise suppression, and environment technology are also important factors. Both the technology and environmental standards are moving fast. Purchase a model equipped to travel internationally without any issues.Value Leaders Across Four Jet CategoriesThe absolute best value private jet might be one that doesn’t require ownership. Private aviation companies offer jet card programs and on-demand charter flights, helping travelers enjoy the comfort of private jets without the costs or logistical burdens of full ownership.But if ownership is a must, then here are some of the most sought-after aircraft models, based on their size:Embraer Phenom 300E (Light)Price new: $10.5M-$11.5MPrice pre-owned: $6.0M-$9.5MPassengers / Range: 6-8 pax | 2,010 nmThe Phenom 300 has been the world's best-selling light jet for over a decade. It delivers single-pilot capability, high cruise speeds (464 knots), best-in-class cabin pressurization, and low fuel burn.Its massive global fleet footprint creates secondary-market liquidity, giving it one of the lowest depreciation curves of any aircraft category.Embraer Praetor 600 (Super-Midsize)Price new: $21M-$23MPrice pre-owned: $16M-$19MPassengers / Range: 8-10 pax | 4,018 nmIt offers true non-stop transatlantic range (e.g., London to New York or Dubai) at a price point $5M to $8M lower than competing super-midsize models. The Praetor 600 is equipped with active turbulence reduction technology, which provides a quiet cabin environment.Bombardier Challenger 3500 (Heavy / Large-Cabin)Price new: $27M-$29MPrice pre-owned: $20M-$25MPassengers / Range: 9-10 pax | 3,400 nmBuilding on the reliable Challenger 350 baseline, the 3500 offers the widest cabin in its class, auto-throttles, and lower cabin altitude pressure. It dominates corporate flight departments because its dispatch reliability exceeds 99.8%, yielding high operational productivity per dollar spent.Gulfstream G650ER (Ultra-Long-Range)Price new: $70M-$75MPrice pre-owned: $32M-$50MPassengers / Range: 13-19 pax | 7,500 nmWhile newer models (G700, Global 7500) carry higher price tags, late-model pre-owned G650ERs represent a value sweet spot in the ultra-long-range class. The airframe offers high speeds (Mach 0.90 and higher), extreme range, high residual value retention, and global infrastructure support.This story was produced by BlackJet and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Early voting underway in Henry County, 1 week left to register

Henry County wants to make sure residents are aware of important voting information for the Nov. 3 General Election. Barb Link, Henry County Clerk, says Oct. 6 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 General Election. Any registered voter who has changed their address must register to be eligible to [...]

Jewelry insurance 101: What every new homeowner and renter should know

Jewelry is one of the most underinsured categories of personal property, not because people don't care, but because they genuinely don't know what their existing policy covers.Your homeowners or renters policy likely covers less jewelry than you think.The gap: Most standard policies cap jewelry theft coverage between $1,000 and $1,500 for all jewelry combined — and in many cases, accidental loss isn't covered at all.The question: Whether dedicated jewelry insurance is worth it depends on what you own, how you wear it and how much it would hurt to lose it.The first step: Read your existing policy before something goes wrong.When you move into your first apartment or home, insurance feels like a box to check. Renters insurance? Check. Homeowners policy? Check. Jewelry? …That’s included in your coverage , right?Maybe. But probably not the way you're expecting.Many people assume their existing policy covers their jewelry. The reality tends to show up at the worst possible moment — after a ring slips off at the beach or a necklace goes missing from a hotel room. This guide by Jewelers Mutual Group breaks down what you actually need to know before that happens.What homeowners and renters policies actually coverStandard homeowners and renters policies include personal property coverage, but jewelry is treated differently from most other possessions. Most policies apply a sublimit — a separate, lower cap that applies specifically to jewelry, regardless of your overall coverage level.That cap is typically between $1,000 and $1,500 for all jewelry combined. If your engagement ring is worth $6,000, and it suddenly goes missing, you'd likely recover only a fraction of its value.It gets more complicated from there:Theft: Covered, but subject to the jewelry sublimit — and your deductible will still applie.Accidental loss: Not covered under a standard policy. A ring lost while swimming is typically your loss alone.Disappearance: Often not covered. If a piece goes missing and you can't explain exactly how, standard policies won't help.Accidental damage: Typically excluded unless you've added a separate endorsement.What about adding a rider?A rider — sometimes called a scheduled personal property endorsement — lets you add high-value items to your existing policy for additional coverage. It's a meaningful upgrade from standard coverage: Sublimits go away because you're insuring the piece at a specific appraised value, and loss and disappearance are typically added.But riders have trade-offs. Some still exclude accidental damage. Filing a jewelry claim through a homeowners or renters policy can affect that policy's claims history, which may influence your premium or renewal. And options vary by insurer.Who actually needs dedicated jewelry insurance?This is the question most people are really asking — and the honest answer is that it depends on your situation.Dedicated jewelry insurance is worth considering if:You own one or more pieces valued over $1,500You wear your jewelry regularly, especially outside the home or while travelingYou'd rather work with your own jeweler to replace a piece than use one assigned by your insurerA loss — financially or sentimentally — would be genuinely difficult to absorbIt may be less necessary if you own only modest-value pieces that you rarely wear or you already have strong rider coverage through your existing policy.What dedicated coverage actually coversJewelry insurance built specifically for jewelry addresses the gaps that standard policies tend to leave open. Typical coverage includes accidental loss, theft, damage, natural disasters and worldwide travel — with no sublimits and a $0 deductible option.How much does it cost?Dedicated jewelry insurance typically costs 1%–2% of a piece's retail replacement value per year. For a $5,000 ring, that's roughly $50 to $100 annually — less than $10 a month.What to do right nowWhatever you decide, a few steps apply to everyone:Read your existing policy. Find your jewelry sublimit and confirm what situations are and aren't covered.Get an appraisal. A current appraisal makes any future claim much easier to process.Photograph your jewelry. A simple photo of each piece, stored somewhere separate from the jewelry itself, can be invaluable.Keep your receipts and documentation somewhere safe and accessible.The goal isn't to add another bill to your life. It's to make sure you actually know what you have — and what you don't — before you need it.This story was produced by Jewelers Mutual Group and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Sales teams are adopting AI faster than they can prove it's working

Over a 13-month window, ZoomInfo’s data tracking from June 2025 through July 2026 logged 10 sales-department pain points that explicitly tied "measuring and proving ROI (return on investment)" or "tracking ROI and attribution" to an active artificial intelligence initiative. It's a small number in absolute terms, but a specific one: Companies that are naming ROI measurement, not whether to adopt AI tooling, as the open problem.That gap between adoption and attribution shows up in outside research, too. A Gartner survey of 227 chief sales officers, fielded in August through September 2025, found that 31% cited difficulty proving the ROI of AI-driven tools as a top challenge to their 2026 sales objectives—a large enough share to suggest ZoomInfo's tracking isn't picking up an isolated quirk, but an early read on a broader pattern.The pattern isn't unique to any one companyThis isn't a story about a handful of laggards. Based on the breadth of the data tracking, it's the default state for a lot of sales organizations right now. Teams are moving fast on adoption, new AI tooling, new agent capability, new workflow changes, and moving much slower on building the measurement infrastructure that would let them say, with any confidence, which of those changes actually drove the result.That's a predictable failure mode, not a mysterious one. Attribution in sales was already hard before AI tooling multiplied the number of touchpoints in a deal. Adding more tools without adding better measurement just compounds the problem it was supposed to solve.Why this matters beyond one surveyThe Gartner figure is about difficulty proving ROI broadly, not any single vendor or tool category, but the underlying problem is bigger than any one contract renewal. A sales org that can't attribute results to specific AI investments also can't make a confident case for where to invest next. It's stuck making the same bet again next quarter, on faith rather than evidence, which is a worse position than not having adopted the tooling at all, because at least that would have been a conscious choice.What this means for sales leadersThe fix isn't more AI tooling but measurement discipline applied to the tooling already in place. Before adding the next tool, sales leaders are better served building a clear before/after baseline for the ones already running: What changed in close rate, cycle length, or rep productivity, and can that change actually be traced to the tool rather than to seasonality, head count changes, or a stronger pipeline that quarter?The organizations that get ahead of this aren't necessarily the ones adopting AI fastest. They're the ones who can say, specifically, what the tools did, and based on what is being tracked across sales orgs right now, that's a much smaller group than the adoption numbers alone would suggest.This story was produced by ZoomInfo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Family describes bullets tearing through Rock Island home

A woman was shot in the abdomen in Rock Island, and neighbors describe bullets tearing through a nearby home. Police are still searching for a suspect.

Why young people are turning to peers for mental health support

When young people need support with their mental health, many first turn to a peer.A 2026 UnitedHealthcare survey of more than 2,000 U.S. college students and young adults found that 47% would talk to a friend first about a mental health concern, compared with 23% who'd seek out a trusted adult. Yet data also show that peers are not prepared to talk about mental health at school or work. That means roommates, classmates, teammates and coworkers may find themselves in conversations they aren't prepared to navigate.The finding reflects growing interest in peer support as a critical part of the response to young adults' mental health needs, as OK Today reports. Peer support can begin with an everyday conversation: listening without judgment, responding with care and helping a friend feel less alone.Roughly one in seven people worldwide is living with a mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization. And while mental health resources exist, a global survey of more than 5,600 people ages 14 to 25 found that only half knew where to find resources to support their mental health. Forty percent also reported continuing stigma around discussing mental health at school or work, according to the UNICEF-led Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health.The growing role of peer supportA 2025 review of 32 studies found promising evidence that peer support can strengthen connection and help young people navigate mental health challenges, although results varied across programs and populations. Researchers noted that more study is needed to understand which approaches are most effective and under what circumstances.Peer support is not a replacement for professional mental health care. Instead, it can complement formal services by helping young people feel less alone, recognize when additional support may be needed and connect with appropriate resources.As a result, investment in structured peer-support approaches is growing. In July 2026, Kaiser Permanente committed $10 million to expand the Youth Mental Health Corps, which trains young people to provide nonclinical support and help teenagers navigate available resources. The initiative has trained and placed nearly 1,000 members and reached more than 44,000 teenagers and community members since 2024.Designing resources by young people for young peopleYoung people are also playing a larger role in designing the resources meant for them. A 2026 review of 58 youth mental health co-design studies across 19 countries found a sharp rise in this kind of collaboration since 2019. Studies that evaluated the co-design process reported strong youth engagement and greater usability and relevance. However, most were conducted in high-income, English-speaking countries, leaving questions about how well those findings translate across cultures and communities.Peer support will not replace professional mental health care, nor should young people be expected to have all the answers. But when they have the tools to listen without judgment, recognize their limits and encourage a friend to talk with someone they trust, everyday conversations can help that friend feel heard and supported.This story was produced by OK Today, an initiative of Global Gateway Advisors Foundation, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

5 European adventures that may be even better in the fall

Europe’s summer travel season gets all the attention, but if you hike, bike, or paddle, fall is the season worth rearranging your calendar for.In September and October in Europe, temperatures ease across the south, the first autumn color reaches the mountains, and places that spent July and August at full volume settle back into their own rhythm. For active travelers, that means less time battling the heat and more time on the trail, in the landscape, and among the people who live there.Wondering where to go? The travel experts at EF Adventures picked five European destinations to visit in the fall—chosen for seasonal conditions, standout landscapes, and the chance to explore on foot, by bike, or by kayak. Courtesy of EF Adventures 1. The Alps in September: Best for clear skies and quiet mountain hutsThere’s a reason serious hikers talk about September in the Alps the way sommeliers talk about a good vintage. The summer haze clears, wildflowers give way to the first blush of autumn color on the lower slopes, and the trails go quiet as Europe’s peak vacation season winds down. The rifugios—traditional Alpine huts where hikers rest and refuel—empty out too, which means a cold drink on a wooden terrace with an unobstructed view of peaks that touch 15,000 feet.A route through Switzerland, Italy, and France shows how much the scenery can shift across three neighboring countries in a single trip. Hike the terraced vineyards above Lake Geneva, follow trails past glacial lakes in the shadow of the Matterhorn, cross a high pass into Italy’s Aosta Valley, and finish with a stretch of the Tour du Mont Blanc near Chamonix. Courtesy of EF Adventures 2. The Camino de Santiago: Best for a pilgrimage without the peak-season crowdsWalk the Camino in early fall, and you’ll understand why people have been making this journey for more than 1,000 years. The route carries you along the rugged Basque coastline, climbs into the Picos de Europa—where the first mushrooms of autumn push up through the forest floor—and softens into the green hills of Galicia. Grape harvests are underway, the bodegas along the way have time for you, and Santiago de Compostela, when it finally appears, earns its arrival.There’s no single Camino, either. The Camino del Norte traces Spain’s northern coast, the Camino Francés crosses the interior, and the Camino Portugués comes up from the south—each with its own terrain, traditions, and character. Walk a stretch of all three, and you get three versions of the same thousand-year-old story. Jaroslav Moravcik // Shutterstock 3. Scotland in September: Best for purple heather, Highland light, and island detoursSeptember in the Highlands means heather turned deep purple and air with that particular Highland clarity—cool, still, and carrying the smell of peat and open water. Seasonally, it’s also one of the finest times to take on the West Highland Way, one of the great long-distance walks in the world.The 96-mile route runs from Milngavie to Fort William past Loch Lomond, open moorland, mountain valleys, and some of the most recognizable scenery in Scotland. Pair it with time in the Inner Hebrides and you get the other side of the west coast: rocky shorelines, island villages, and wide water views under light that’s low, dramatic, and impossible to photograph accurately. Pack waterproof layers, and you’ll be glad you came. Jessica Perugini // Shutterstock 4. The Algarve in October: Best for warm water and half-empty seafood restaurantsAsk anyone who’s been to Portugal’s Algarve in October, and you’ll hear the same thing, with a slightly smug look: The Atlantic is still warm, the cliffs still glow gold in the afternoon, and the fishing villages have gone back to being what they actually are.A trip through southern Portugal covers several distinct landscapes—the fairytale palaces and misty hills of Sintra, the cork forests and rolling countryside of the Alentejo, and the Algarve’s limestone sea cliffs—on foot, by bike, and by kayak. One day ends on a clifftop above the Atlantic; the next follows a quiet river through cork oak country. Milder temperatures make every mile of it more comfortable than it would be in August. Courtesy of EF Adventures 5. Mallorca in October: Best for cyclists who want the roads to themselvesIn October, Mallorca belongs to cyclists and to the islanders who quietly reclaim it. The mountain roads of the Serra de Tramuntana—a UNESCO World Heritage site and a training ground for professional teams—wind past terraced olive groves, medieval hilltop villages, and a Mediterranean going silver in the autumn light.Cool mornings make the island’s long climbs far more manageable, Sa Calobra above all: a twisting mountain road whose switchbacks corkscrew inland from the coast. Afterward, it’s a long table lunch in the warm afternoon sun. The tour buses are gone, the pelotons have thinned, and the island hums with the rhythm of the people who actually live there.Give Europe’s shoulder season a tryFall travel is easy to overlook between back-to-school schedules and the holiday run-up. And adventure travel takes more planning than the average vacation—unfamiliar trails, gear to sort out, weather that rewrites the plan—which is where an experienced tour operator earns its keep, with local guides, transportation, and built-in alternatives. Whether you want quiet alpine huts in September, purple heather in the Highlands, or Mallorca’s switchbacks in October, this is the Europe experienced travelers quietly seek out. Rearrange the calendar.This story was produced by EF Adventures and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

'Alice in Wonderland' ballet will be presented at Adler Theatre, Davenport

The Adler Theatre has announced "Alice in Wonderland" by Romero Britto & International Ballet Stars, one night only at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 13. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m., at the Adler Theatre Box Office or online here. For more information, visit here. About "Alice in Wonderland" by [...]

Live Muscatine orientation connects residents, community

Muscatine residents new to the area or who want to reconnect to the community can learn more about the city at an upcoming orientation. The LIVE Muscatine Welcome Orientation is a way to meet fellow residents and discover what makes the city a great place to live, work and play. The free community orientation is [...]

Recognizing and shifting ADHD procrastination

If you live with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may have a hard time getting things done in a timely manner. Procrastination can be a sign of ADHD — especially when it’s driven by difficulties with executive functioning rather than a lack of motivation. It’s not like you don’t understand the importance of the tasks in front of you, but sometimes it may feel simply impossible to start and finish tasks on time. You may put these tasks off longer and longer, which can cause serious consequences in your life.ADHD procrastination happens because of the way ADHD causes executive function limitations in your brain. It’s definitely not a sign of laziness, and there are ways to cope with this aspect of ADHD and manage tasks in a more effective way, as Rula discusses here.Key TakeawaysAlthough procrastination isn’t a formally recognized symptom of ADHD, it’s a very common experience for people who live with this condition.People with ADHD may be more likely to procrastinate due to issues with executive functioning. In addition, factors like inattention and perfectionism can play a role.There are ways to reduce procrastination in your life. The most effective method is to get treatment for your ADHD symptoms.Is procrastination a sign of ADHD?Procrastination is not officially recognized as a clinical symptom of ADHD. But for people who live with ADHD, it’s a common experience. If you have ADHD, you may often find that you can’t get started on tasks no matter how important they are. It could even feel like the more important a task is, the more you procrastinate on it.Research shows that the more severe your ADHD symptoms are, the more likely you are to procrastinate. ADHD can cause procrastination because of the ways it affects your brain. One main effect of ADHD is executive dysfunction. This causes problems with executive functioning skills, which are the more complex brain functions like problem solving, impulse control, and self-motivation.People with ADHD may also procrastinate as a maladaptive behavior to try to cope with ADHD-related anxiety. Procrastination isn’t an effective coping skill, but it can often feel like the only way to deal with looming tasks. In addition, putting important tasks off can lead to consequences, which can make the tasks more anxiety provoking to deal with. In other words, procrastination can become a vicious cycle.Although procrastination is a common theme for people with ADHD, it can have serious effects on their well-being. Research shows that frequent procrastination is linked with lower life satisfaction in some cultures, and it can also affect how you view your capabilities and self-esteem.What ADHD procrastination can look likeADHD-related procrastination often shows up in how it feels to start or manage a task, including:Feeling mentally stuck or frozen when trying to begin a taskKnowing a task matters but feeling unable to startFeeling overwhelmed when a task feels too big, boring, or unclearNeeding the “right” mood, timing, or setup before startingIt can also show up in patterns of behavior over time, like:Putting off tasks until deadlines create intense pressureFocusing on low-priority or more interesting activities insteadLosing track of time or underestimating how long tasks will takeAvoiding tasks that trigger stress, fear of failure, or self-doubtFeeling guilt or shame about procrastinating, even when trying to changeFor many people with ADHD, procrastination isn’t about not caring. It’s about difficulty with task initiation, attention regulation, and time management.Why do people with ADHD procrastinate more?If one thing’s for sure, it’s that ADHD procrastination doesn’t mean you’re lazy or a failure. Instead, it has to do with the way ADHD affects your brain — and it may sometimes be outside of your control, especially if your ADHD symptoms are untreated.Because people with ADHD experience executive dysfunction, they often aren’t able to get started on tasks even when they know they need to. In addition, other ADHD symptoms can make procrastination worse.Some ADHD-related factors that can lead to procrastination include:Issues with motivation: Difficulties with self-motivation can make it hard for you to start on tasks when there’s no external motivating factor. This can cause you to procrastinate until you’re in an immediate crisis, like procrastinating on paying bills until debt collectors are calling or procrastinating on work tasks until you face discipline.ADHD paralysis: ADHD paralysis can cause you to feel physically stuck. For example, you might feel like you can’t get up off the sofa to start working, even when you know you need to. It might feel like there’s so much to do that you feel completely overwhelmed.Trouble paying attention and remembering: Two key symptoms of ADHD are forgetfulness and inattention. You might procrastinate on important tasks simply because you forget about them or get distracted while doing them. Research shows that people with ADHD remember less about their intentions, meaning you may forget about a task that you planned to do.Problems with focus: People with ADHD often have a hard time staying focused on boring or repetitive activities. They also have trouble with impulse control. When these two factors are combined, it can make you more likely to procrastinate on important (but boring) tasks and seek out more enjoyable activities instead. You might start getting things done but then easily become sidetracked by more “fun” activities.Perfectionism: ADHD perfectionism can also be a factor that leads to procrastination. You could have anxiety around getting things perfectly right and not allow yourself the grace to make mistakes. Needing to do things perfectly is a lot of pressure and may make you less inclined to even start on important tasks. How to break the cycle of procrastination when you have ADHDWhen you have ADHD, breaking the cycle of procrastination is easier said than done. Most people with ADHD desperately want to stop procrastinating, but the way their brain works can make this goal very difficult to achieve. Traditional productivity tips designed for neurotypical people may not be effective for people with ADHD.However, it’s important to know that it’s possible to stop procrastinating with ADHD, and there are strategies you can use — including getting ADHD treatment — that can help.Make it fun. If you live with ADHD, you’re probably drawn toward fun and engaging activities, and you may procrastinate on repetitive or boring tasks. One way to deal with this procrastination is to make mundane tasks interesting and fun. For example, try gamifying tasks. Find fun ways to reward yourself for completion. Do boring tasks with a friend. When these tasks are more stimulating, you may be less likely to procrastinate on them.Practice self-compassion. People with ADHD often struggle with self-esteem. You may blame yourself for your procrastination tendencies, or others may have labeled you as “lazy.” Try to practice self-compassion while working toward reducing procrastination.Start small. ADHD paralysis can happen when the tasks in front of you feel so overwhelming that you don’t even know where to start. Instead of looking at your to-do list as a whole, try starting small. For example, instead of focusing on cleaning your entire home, focus on the next small task on your list. Perhaps the next task is to simply get up off the couch. Breaking tasks down into “microsteps” can help you get started.Get an accountability partner. If you live with ADHD, finding the motivation within to get things done can be a challenge. “Body doubling” is a technique that people with ADHD can use to help them get things done. It involves completing tasks in the presence of someone else, either physically or virtually. Try inviting a friend to be present with you while you get a task done. It may help keep you accountable.Get treatment. Getting professional treatment to manage your ADHD symptoms can help reduce symptoms like inattention, forgetfulness, and impulsivity that may lead to procrastination. Medication can help, and therapy can provide a place for you to address the negative self-talk that often comes along with chronic procrastination.A clinician’s takeAshley Ayala, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical reviewer, explains, “Sometimes people with ADHD procrastination are told that they just aren’t trying hard enough. Hearing this can be incredibly frustrating for a person who is trying their best to keep up with daily tasks. Know that your brain is wired differently, and these are inaccurate labels.”This story was produced by Rula and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Do business plans work? Here's what the data actually says

New business owners often face the same dilemma: spend time writing a business plan, or spend a week finding their first customers. So which one actually matters?Xero's guide to writing an executive summary covers the how. But often, business owners ask a different question: Why? Does the planning itself really impact what happens next?Why the case against planning is overstatedThe skeptics may have a point: A plan written in week one often describes a business that doesn’t exist by month six. The market landscape changes, and customer behavior isn’t always predictable. There is also the false-precision trap, where a multi-year revenue forecast built on guesses looks convincing, but doesn’t have real data to back it up. Plus, there’s the cost: Every hour spent formatting projections is an hour not spent finding customers.Here’s where these complaints miss the point. The problem isn’t planning — it’s writing a huge document once, filing it away, and never reviewing again. That’s useless. But a plan that is lighter to start and gets reviewed and updated frequently? Now that is where a business plan can be helpful.What the evidence actually showsThere is value in creating a plan and writing down goals. In a Xero survey of U.S. business owners, the results show just that. Those with a plan were more likely to say their business earned more than expected. Across the owners surveyed, only 15% were disappointed with their income. The owners who created a plan tended to set expectations that were realistic and achievable.In today’s current economic environment, planning matters more than ever. According to Xero Small Business Insights, U.S. small business sales grew 4.0% year over year in the June 2026 quarter — below the long-term average of 5.4%. When growth is soft, a mistake can cost more. Thinking things through first is often cheaper than learning it in real time when things don’t go as expected.The planning gap: Goals, endgames, and advisorsMost owners who plan put in the effort. The real issue is not thinking about the long-term goals. A Xero survey of Australian small business owners found that 49% set no long-term goals, and only 31% have defined an endgame. That gap matters, because the long view is where planning earns its keep, shaping the decisions you make this quarter.The same research shows a second pattern. Around 86% of owners lean on an advisor, accountant, or bookkeeper, and those who do tend to report stronger revenue growth and more confidence. Planning doesn’t need to be a solo task done at the kitchen table at midnight. Work with an advisor, business partners, or executives to build a plan and future goals together. Having alignment across the business can help ensure everyone agrees on the goals and is working in tandem to achieve them.An accountant or bookkeeper can turn a one-off document into a habit: the quarterly check-in that keeps a plan honest. That’s also why a business plan for a loan is rarely wasted effort, because the thinking behind it shapes how the business is run.Planning that survives contact with realitySo what kind of plan is actually worth doing? A short one you’ll reread. The SBA states that a lean, one-page plan captures only the key points and can be built in about an hour.Treat a business plan as a plan and learn: Draft the best thinking upfront, then adjust on a regular basis rather than filing it away. A workable rhythm can look something like this:Write a lean startup plan short enough to read in one sitting.Set two or three assumptions and check in on them within the quarter.Review the plan every quarter and change what isn’t working.Write the executive summary last, once the details exist to summarize.That last thing — writing your summary after you've actually done the work — is what really matters. It's the difference between planning and just hoping. A small plan you actually update beats a giant document you file away or no plan at all.The real question was never whether to plan, but how lightly and how often. Start with a single page this week, then set a recurring reminder to revisit it every quarter.This story was produced by Xero and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

DeWitt’s ‘Pink for the Cure’ returns for 15th year to boost breast health awareness

The Crossroads Health Foundation will celebrate the 15th anniversary of "Pink for the Cure" this October with a series of community events in DeWitt aimed at funding free screening mammograms.

Global sounds, holiday classics highlight new Nova Singers lineup

The professional ensemble Nova Singers will launch its 41st season this October, bringing a blend of international choral music and traditional holiday favorites to stages across Galesburg and the Quad Cities.

Family Resources shares info, tools, and hosts events during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The local non-profit highlights the national campaign by sharing important information and sobering statistics about the prevalence of violence between partners and other family members while hosting events and initiatives during October.

Ontario is reviving its threat to cut electricity exports to the US. What does that mean?

Amid worsening U.S.-Canada relations, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is once again threatening to cut off electricity to 1.5 million homes and businesses across three neighboring American states: Minnesota, Michigan and New York.The move comes as Canada tries to stave off the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to charge “far WORSE” tariffs after the federal government decided to walk away from trade negotiations on Aug. 21. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a “dollar-for-dollar” retaliation beginning September.But Ford is pitching a more aggressive approach. “Everything’s on the table,” he told reporters on Aug. 24. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”On Ford’s table are critical minerals, uranium, potash, oil and, significantly, electricity.“We power 1.5 million homes and businesses,” Ford said. “What I find ironic about this is we’re actually giving electricity to companies that make products that compete against us. That needs to stop, and we’re going to address that.”Ford emphasized that Ontario isn’t the only province that sends electricity to the U.S. Others include New Brunswick, Quebec and British Columbia. “So we need to get together and decide if we’re going to put surcharges on the electricity,” he said. “How can we let them take really inexpensive electricity to make goods to compete and take jobs from Canadians? You can’t square that circle.”Ford’s plan wouldn’t just affect Ontario or its bordering states; it could have repercussions for affordable, reliable electricity across both countries.Ontario has been trying to stave off these effects by proposing new and massive energy projects across the province — investments that Energy Minister Stephen Lecce deems “tariff-proof, recession-proof.” But these projects are far from being operational.The Narwhal shares everything you need to know about this developing situation.How did we get here?For more than a century, America and Canada have bought and sold power between provinces and states. At any given moment, electricity is flowing in either direction across a shared and massive transmission grid, with the goal of keeping electricity affordable and available, especially when it’s most needed. Both countries have helped the other during cold snaps, heat waves, droughts and floods.While the countries’ shared systems have made them susceptible to each other’s energy failures — 50 million people across the eastern U.S. and Ontario lost power when overgrown trees in Cleveland caused North America’s largest blackout ever, in 2003 — for the most part, this relationship has been seamless.But for the second time in almost two years, all of this is under threat.The first major threat to the two countries’ shared electricity grid came in November 2024, when Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imports — unless the two countries improve security along their borders.In response, Ford imposed a 25% tax on electricity exports and threatened to shut down electricity exports entirely should the tariffs remain on the table. The surcharge was in effect for one day last year and made the province $260,000.Both options — which Ford once described as options of “last resort”— are being pitched once more.The federal government has not officially weighed in on Ford’s proposal yet. Neither have other provinces that send electricity south of the border.Which Canadian provinces send electricity to America?Canada began sending electricity to the U.S. in 1909, when the first transmission line was built connecting the two countries. Today — 117 years later — every Canadian province along the border is electrically interconnected with at least one U.S. state. There are more than 31 cross-border transmission lines across both countries.That means the countries can easily work together to balance out fluctuations in energy needs. For example, during extreme winter weather in the U.S. in 2021, Canadian electricity companies sent increased electricity to those that needed it — an act that wasn’t just friendly, but kept the heat on as temperatures plummeted to less than 4 F (-20 C) in most parts of the central and southern U.S.Ontario is the largest electricity-exporting province, followed by Quebec, while Michigan, New York and Minnesota are the largest electricity importers.Why has Canada integrated its electricity system with America’s?Simply put: Canada produces too much. And the U.S. population is much, much bigger.Ontario’s very large nuclear supply, hydro plants and renewable energy sources collectively produce more electricity than the province of less than 17 million people uses on a regular basis. Nuclear facilities aren’t easily turned on and off, so Ontario sells largely emissions-free electricity to the U.S. overnight for cheap. (The alternative is letting that surplus electricity go to waste.)Quebec also produces more hydroelectric power than it uses. That’s why it has long-term export contracts to supply electricity to New York state — home to 20 million people. It’s also a major source of revenue for the provincial government.In total, Canada exports enough electricity to power 4.5 million U.S. homes.Does America sell electricity to Canada?Yes, and Canada might need more of it soon.Ontario’s nuclear production has shrunk as aging plants are shut down or refurbished, while drought conditions have made hydroelectricity less reliable in British Columbia and Quebec. Meanwhile, a growing population and energy-hungry technology have put greater demands on Canada’s supply.The Independent Electricity System Operator, which manages supply and demand in Ontario, reported in 2024 the province may have to consider increasing the amount of electricity it imports from the U.S., even as it rushes to build new power plants and find new sources of power.The balance is already shifting: by fall 2023, monthly average U.S. electricity exports to Canada increased by 70%, and imports decreased by 36%.British Columbia has been a net importer of electricity for three years in a row; 25% of the province’s electricity came from America.In the Prairies, imports and exports are minimal, and the one line connecting Alberta to Montana has been at the center of a legal battle with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.How has politics affected the Canada-US electricity relationship before?On the whole, the shared grid has operated with relatively few discussions of tariffs or trade barriers. The disputes have more frequently been between jurisdictions or electricity producers and utilities. Communities have sometimes opposed electricity projects on the other side of the border when they fear it might affect their local environments.Premier Doug Ford has been threatening to cut American states like New York and Michigan off from Ontario’s power. Could he do that?He could.The Ontario government has the power to instruct the Independent Electricity System Operator to limit electricity exports, which would theoretically impact the amount of energy neighboring American states can access.There’s one snag. To both increase the price of electricity exports and shut them down, the government would need to table legislation directing Ontario’s electricity utilities and operators. The government is currently on an extended summer break until Oct. 27. Ford is resisting the Ontario NDP’s call to return sooner to pass emergency relief measures for workers in tariff-exposed sectors and businesses.If Ontario reduced or eliminated electricity sales to American states, what would be the impact there and at home?The electricity grid really is one big machine, so it won’t function nearly as well if we cut it in half.Two energy experts previously told The Narwhal the immediate impact would likely be marginal in American states, which could make up for lost Ontario electricity by tapping into local sources of power kept in reserve, mostly fossil fuels. The result would be a grid that was more expensive to operate, much dirtier and less reliable on both sides of the border. Plus, Ontario’s electricity producers would see a financial loss, which might increase costs for domestic users.If Ontario were in an emergency situation during a charged political battle, like a winter storm, it wouldn’t be able to rely immediately on U.S. electricity, as it can now. It would have to work more closely with Manitoba and Quebec.All of this is hypothetical, though. Ford has yet to provide details of his plan.How will Ontario mitigate the impacts of the trade war on electricity?By building big, new energy projects — or so they say.On Aug. 25, Energy Minister Stephen Lecce was in St. Clair Township, at the border between the U.S. and Canada, to announce his government is planning to revive the long-shuttered Lambton coal-generating station into either a new nuclear or gas facility. This proposal joins a long list of massive energy projects — including new generating facilities in Nanticoke and Port Hope — the Ford government believes will make the province and the country energy-independent.“Energy independence has always been vital,” Lecce said. “Today, it’s more than just keeping the lights on. It is about our national security and sovereignty. It’s about making power and having the power to make our own decisions, build our own industries and fuel our economy right here at home.”But these projects are far away from being built, let alone being operational. In the short term, a trade war with electricity caught in the center will have some impact on residents across both countries.Drew Anderson contributed reporting for this story.This story was produced by The Narwhal and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

How to get started with solo travel

Feel the urge to roam but don't have anyone to accompany you? Or maybe you’re just craving a me-time adventure. Solo travel is growing in popularity, and it's possible to take a trip on your own while remaining safe and having a great time. If you're thinking of embarking on your own adventure, make the most of independent travel with these tips from Ally Financial.1. Choose the right destinationWhile the world is your oyster and you can do all things, it may be wise to check and see how solo-friendly a destination is first. When you're in an unfamiliar location by yourself, it's important to be prepared with information:Check out reviews and forums to get a sense of how safe it is to walk alone at night.Research transit methods so you know where you're going and assess whether public transportation is convenient and safe for your plans.Solid pre-travel research will also help you make the most of your vacation. Arrive with a list of must-see attractions, restaurants and activities. The only person's preferences that matter are yours.2. Share your travel itineraryLet a trusted friend or family member know your whereabouts by sharing crucial details, including dates, accommodation information and your flight number. You might even share your location via your phone's GPS. That way, your loved ones back home have accurate information about your plans.3. Plan for the unexpectedDespite your best intentions, sometimes the unexpected happens. Be prepared for snags — whether it's lost luggage, illness or someone back home needing help. You want to be sure you have contingencies in place when inevitable mishaps arise.4. Consider travel insuranceTo put your mind at ease, travel insurance could offer another layer of protection. Comprehensive travel insurance covers a broad range of situations from cancellations and interruptions to bad weather, lost luggage, medical care and more. Carefully analyze travel insurance contracts to decide what works best for you.5. Be flexibleDid your flight get canceled? Raining on your beach day? One of the joys of traveling alone is answering only to yourself, so have a backup in mind in case plans fall through. For example, if the walking tour you were eyeing is sold out, wander the city on your own and check out similar spots that were on the tour.6. Secure your valuablesYou don't want to lose sight of important items like your wallet, passport and cash or valuables such as jewelry and electronics. Keep them in a secure location like the safe at your hotel.Keep as little cash on you as possible. Some local currency can help you pay for anything that crops up, but too much could make you a target. Always have a backup credit card or other method of payment (stored in a separate location) in case your primary card gets lost or stolen.7. Create a travel budgetTraveling alone means you won't have someone else to share in the expense. But on the other hand, you can create a custom budget that accounts for your vacation goals.Travel alone with confidenceThere's a lot to like about taking a trip by yourself. Enjoy the peace and solitude of being on your own, or make it an adventure with the goal of meeting new friends along the way. All you need is a little preparation and your wanderlust, and you're ready to take on solo travel.This story was produced by Ally Financial and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Rock Island aldermen approve contract to alleviate 911 dispatcher shortage

A 911 dispatcher shortage at RICOMM has led to the police department and city hiring a 911 dispatcher support services company for at least six months to alleviate the problem.

Corps of Engineers selects Jesse Ray of Rock Island for national award

Jesse Ray is the recipient of the 2025 Planning Excellence Award that recognizes personnel who demonstrate exceptional job performance.

23-year-old entrepreneur takes over Q-C 1-800-Got-Junk? franchise

Originally from Minnesota, a 23-year-old entrepreneur moved to the Quad-Cities to start his new career.

Ready to rock: Vibrant Arena at the Mark’s executive director talks professional journey, plans for future

Rik Edgar, executive director of Vibrant Arena at the Mark, brings years of venue experience to Moline, aiming to elevate events and create memories.