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

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City Council in Eldridge is looking for new groups to lease or manage community center

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North Scott Press — February 4, 2026

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Eldridge council considers tax rate

The Eldridge City Council set its public hearing for the 2027 fiscal year max levy for April 6 at 5:45 p.m. But council members remain far away from a consensus on what that amount will be. During Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, council members began the first preliminary discussions on the FY27 budget and the max levy, with additional discussion slated for a special committee of the whole meeting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 16. The max levy amount needs to be submitted no later than March 5. City administrator Nevada Lemke told council members that city staff is already aware that the combined general fund revenue will be reduced by 1% based on growth. “Our non-TIF taxable value growth came in between 2.75-3.99%. So that is at the first tier of reduction, and we are going to see our combined general fund levy revenue growth reduced by about 1%.” For the upcoming fiscal year, the residential rollback amount will be 44.53%, down from 47.43% in FY26. “That will be a reduction in the amount that residence owners have to pay for property taxes each year,” said Lemke. “That rollback impacts directly what they are required to pay on the taxable value of their homes.” City staff provided several recommendations on the max levy to council members. “Based on the conversations from last year and kind of the overall consensus of the council at that time to slightly increase the property tax revenue, option number one that was provided to you looks at a recommended max levy of $8.13, based on last year’s tax levy of $8.11,” said Lemke. “I did also provide the other option of $8.11, consistent with last year and not increasing at all.” Council member Brian Dockery said he favored leaving the max levy at $8.11, and council member Adrian Blackwell said he also favored a more conservative approach to budgeting. But council member Jeff Ashcraft said he didn’t think the two-cent increase would be a hardship to residents, especially combined with the decrease in the residential rollbacks. Dockery said it was about principle to him. “I don’t want to raise the debt levy when we’re only talking two cents, which isn’t that much money, especially on the back of the community center, where we’re saying we’re going to do this and save money. We’re going to save money and then still raise taxes?” “But we’re not raising them a lot,” said mayor Scott Campbell. “This is incremental. We’ve talked in the past about needing to raise taxes incrementally because ours are so low compared to other communities.” “I don’t really care about the other communities and what they do,” said Dockery. “I’m just looking at the value to our residents for what we tax them. And I think for one year, to leave it at that $8.11, to me makes a lot of sense.” Ashcraft said it was unclear how much, if any, money would be saved by shutting down the community center, so he was not including that factor in his equation. “I guess maybe I’m looking at it a little bit differently since it is such a small amount. I get the principle, because I’m not a fan of seeing tax levies raise, but because it is such a small amount, should we not be progressing slightly so that we’re at least trying to show growth as our community continues to grow so that we’re not taking bigger chunks off in the future? “I’d rather take some modest bites if we can, as opposed to being forced to take bigger chunks in the future.” Dockery said in the past, the city had increased taxes only if it had an intended use for the money, and the purpose of city financing was not to bank for the future. “But just to raise it two cents because we’re lagging behind? We’ve had some substantial tax increases in the last five years … unless we have a purpose for those modest increases, I don’t think we should.” Ashcraft said the city has yet to begin the process of systematically forecasting what its expenses will be for the coming year. He said there will almost certainly be an increase in the amount of money the city gives to the fire department, and there may be expenses with the community center, based on the results of a future appraisal of the building. “Wouldn’t it make sense to take that two cents and begin to apply it towards that, because we know that’s a definite in one way, shape or form?” Dockery said that a two-cent tax increase would only represent about an additional $10,000 to the budget, and the city could find $10,000 somewhere else without having to raise taxes. “But it’s $10,000 less that we have to go find and take away from someplace else,” said Ashcraft. He reiterated that the impact to homeowners will still be negligible if there was a modest tax increase, because of the decrease to the residential rollbacks. “We would be providing them with a potential (tax) decrease, while also being able to, to a very small amount in the grand scheme of the budget, but a small amount that could enhance amenities to them as citizens. So, that’s a win-win situation.” Dockery disagreed. “It depends on how you want to go about a budget. Do you want to figure out how much money we can get and figure out a way to spend it? Or are you going to figure out what we need and levy the tax to pay for that?” Campbell said the city hasn’t even seen lists of needs from department heads yet. “You haven’t seen it yet, but you’re already saying you’re going to whittle it down?” “I’m saying we need to go through that wish list to see if it makes sense to the taxpayers,” said Dockery. “We’re talking about $10,000 difference.” “I don’t think we’re going to find wishes, I think we’re going to find needs,” said Ashcraft. “You’re describing wants versus needs, and that’s exactly how we need to budget,” said council member Ryan Iossi. He said he wasn’t focused so much on departmental needs as much as he was upcoming major infrastructure projects. “We know we’ve outgrown this city hall how many years ago – that’s coming. We’ve got LeClaire Road to the east coming. We’ve got Buttermilk Road coming. We’ve got Lincoln Road coming. We’re going to have to go out for bond, and my hope is that we could be incrementally getting ahead of it, proactively rather than reactively, and focusing on keeping that max levy down. If it’s a small increase – if it is only $10,000 – I would rather have those small incremental increases and not have to go out for bond when all these necessary projects are coming. “We need to have that money available. And if we don’t do these incremental changes, we’re going to be in the same position where we had to raise taxes at a higher increase within five years, because how many years before that did we not have incremental increases?” Dockery said that, in the grand scheme of the budget, $10,000 is a “drop of water going down the river.” “But wouldn’t you rather have that $10,000 to not have to cut an expense somewhere else?” asked Ashcraft. “I’d rather take the revenue if I could.” Lemke said there was also uncertainty with what is happening on taxes at the Iowa legislature. “There’s most likely going to be a cap. It’s going to be different than what we’re seeing right now.” “And it’s not looking good,” said Iossi. “We won’t have the room in these other areas such as the liability and property or the debt service – we may not have the capabilities to adjust those to still get the tax dollars that we were getting before,” said Lemke. “We just don’t know what that tax reform is going to end up being. There’s a lot of things on the table, and a lot of them do limit our ability to be able to work outside of the combined general fund levy, which we’re able to do right now.” She said there was talk of a hard cap at 2% across the board, which would be down from the cap of 2.36% this year. “There are things that we need to be aware of, with the unknowns of the legislation for tax reform.” Dockery went back to Iossi’s argument about future projects, saying a project like city hall that would require a bond would have to go out for a public vote. Iossi said he understood that but said the city couldn’t ignore these items. Iossi said that department heads will really have to focus on wants versus needs now. He said over the last few years, the city has purchased a lot of nice new equipment, and departments may need to figure out a way to make it last a bit longer. “Because if we don’t, we’re not going to have the money to do the things we know we need.” He said Lincoln Road was among the projects that cannot wait. “We cannot afford to have somebody get hurt or killed out there.” “But that’s what the legislature wants us to do,” Dockery said about the prospect of a tax cap. “That’s the dumbest idea. They’re forcing these communities to go out and bond these projects and pay interest.” Dockery repeated that he believed, on principle, the max levy should remain unchanged from last year. Council member Scott La Plante said he agreed that the city should not raise taxes more than necessary, but said he also didn’t think residents would balk at a modest max levy increase, especially combined with the decrease in the residential rollback. Campbell said that, when he had campaigned for city council, he spoke with many residents who said they understood the need for incremental tax increases. Dockery said if the city couldn’t figure out a way to find $10,000 in its budget without a max levy increase, it was doing something wrong. Ashcraft said the city shouldn’t have to take money from a department’s list of needs to ensure a balanced budget. “To me, it makes sense, since it’s such a small amount, to put it to the good, put it towards something that we know we’re going to need – some of the things we’ve already talked about – and still be able to hold our heads high and say we’ve done our best to keep this tax levy as small as we can and still point out to the homeowner that they’re seeing a decrease because of the rollback,” Ashcraft said. Lemke reminded the council that the rollback changes every year, and there could come a time when the rollback increases. She said that if the city had a year where it didn’t increase the max levy, there would be a bigger impact to the taxpayer if they increased the levy in a year where the rollback also increased. “We don’t want to get in a situation where we have to increase to meet the needs and it happens to be a year where that rollback is also negatively impactful, when we could have increased on a year to stay ahead of those.” Dockery said the legislature has also discussed getting rid of the rollback, and the city cannot predict what the state will do. “The best we can do is go, what money do we need to run this city? What’s the levy going to take to do that? It’s not like we have cashflow problems. We’ve got plenty of reserves to keep moving on for a year.” “But what does that do to those future projects that we know we’ve got coming?” asked Iossi. “If you wait for everything until the very last minute, that’s going to be a larger increase or a larger bond or a reactive state.” “We’re going to have to do some very, very cautious planning,” said Dockery. “Can’t spend it all in one year. We’re going to have to prioritize our projects.” Campbell said sometimes, taxes must be increased. He said that Dockery has wanted to keep taxes low for a long time. “I’ve always supported raising them if it made sense,” said Dockery. “Now, in this equation, no one has talked about the increased valuation if the city is going to raise revenues. It’s not like the same $8.11 from last year is going to generate more revenue this year.” “I still maintain that our residents think they have a really good deal with the tax rate that we have,” said Campbell. He said that residents understand that the cost of everything has increased, and they also understand that they will need to pay more for services. Blackwell said the city has always taken a fiscally responsible approach to taxation, and even though Eldridge has some of the lowest taxes in the county, the council has still been able to do great things for the residents with a conservative approach. But he also said he agreed with Lemke’s point that there may not always be a decrease in rollbacks, and a small tax increase may be warranted from time to time. Iossi said that, if there was not a decrease in the rollback this year, he might also be in favor of keeping the max levy at $8.11. Dockery said that the city’s max levy is just a portion of what residents will pay though, as there are also taxes levied by the school district and the county. “So, just because we might be a little lower, the final tax bill might be a little higher.” The conversation will continue on Feb. 16. La Plante sworn in Prior to the committee of the whole meeting, La Plante was sworn in as the newest member of the Eldridge City Council. City clerk Tracy Northcutt delivered the oath. La Plante thanked the council for their work on the process of filling the seat. “I’m honored to serve the people of Eldridge,” he said. “To me, it’s just another way of helping out. I’m thrilled to pieces to be here and working with all of you.” Petitions for a special election may be filed at City Hall until 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 9. Any petition must have the signatures of no less than 188 Eldridge residents to be considered. Community center update The council approved the language for the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the lease, management and operation of the Eldridge Community Center. Proposals must be submitted to City Hall by no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20, which represents the end of the 45-day window established by the council at its Jan. 26 meeting. With the approval of the RFP, Lemke is now authorized to advertise and distribute it to potential vendors. The city council will consider the bids and reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive technicalities or informalities, and to accept the proposal deemed most favorable to the interests of the city. Interested parties may contact City Hall with questions. The council also authorized an appraisal report of the Eldridge Community Center at a cost not to exceed $3,750. Iossi said he didn’t believe the city could move forward without having the appraisal done. Dockery agreed, saying the city would not be able to set a rent value or a proposed price if someone wants to buy the building outright. Dockery asked if it might be possible to have the building and the south parking lot appraised together, with the northern parking lot appraised separately. He wondered if it might be an option for the city to hold on to the north lot for future use, including allowing the police department to hold its annual car show there, or for economic development. A proposal to have Shive-Hattery conduct a facilities assessment of the ECC was tabled, pending the findings of the appraisal. The proposed assessment would also help determine what capital improvement projects might be necessary, and the associated costs to fix any deficiencies.  City engineer Zach Howell said the assessment would examine the structural condition of the building, as well as the HVAC, electrical, roof and other aspects. Ashcraft asked if any such assessment had been done in the last five years. Howell said the last assessment he had been able to find was the roof in 2009. Dockery said he was fairly certain there had been an assessment done when improvements were made to the kitchen, although he and Howell weren’t sure when that was. Other business The council approved appointments to fill two vacancies on the Eldridge Park Board, created when Ashcraft and La Plante joined the council. Arsal Shareef was appointed to a term expiring Feb. 28, 2031, and Christopher Spensley was appointed to a partial term expiring Feb. 28, 2028. Campbell said there were six applicants for the positions, and he conducted the interviews over the last month. He said all the candidates were very strong, and any of them could have filled the seats. The council also approved the second reading of rezoning ordinances for Muhs Tracts LC and Baustian Farms, the FY25 audit report, an $11,925 bid from Sampson Fence for replacement of the main gate at the city shop, and a $15,630 bid from Precision Concepts for key fob access for both gates at the city shop and the existing gate at the wastewater treatment plant. Assistant city administrator Jeff Martens said the existing gates operate on a keypad system and the codes have not been changed for several years. The key fobs will be a security upgrade and will also be in line with other city-owned property security systems. Dockery asked for consideration from the utility board to pay a portion of the fence and key fob costs, with the electric department being housed at the city shop. The proposal will go before that board at an upcoming meeting.    

Supervisors to vote down power plant ordinance

A majority of Scott County supervisors plan to reject an ordinance change that would have cleared a controversial path for the construction of a natural gas power plant in rural Scott County. Supervisors John Maxwell, Jean Dickson, and Ross Paustian told The North Scott Press last week that they have decided to vote down the change. Supervisor Maria Bribriesco told constituents that she was “leaning heavily towards a ‘No’” vote the previous week. Supervisor Ken Beck remains undecided, he wrote in an email. Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) announced in September that they hoped to build a $400 million, 240 MW natural gas–fired “peaking” plant on agricultural land optioned one mile east of Maysville. They requested an amendment to county zoning ordinances that would have added “thermal electric energy generation” to a list of approved “special use” for agricultural land at the intersection of fuel and transmission lines, like the Maysville site. The county Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) recommended the change last fall, but it stalled before the supervisors in October. Maxwell said CIPCO was never able to answer questions about local energy needs. “I have no data to substantiate that we are in need of power in Scott County,” he said. “I have lots of people telling me we do—but I have no data to show that.” Without that information, he was loath to let CIPCO take land zoned for agricultural preservation out of production. Paustian, a farmer in Hickory Grove Township near the proposed site, said he had long planned to vote against the amendment and keep the land in agricultural preservation. “I’m almost 70 years old, and all my life I’ve lived and farmed in Hickory Grove Township. That sort of tells you where I am,” he said. Dickson said she “just never really heard from anybody who wanted it” in Scott County. “Sometimes, elected officials have to make decisions that their constituents don’t want. This isn’t one of them,” she said. Beck wrote that he still hoped to see CIPCO could provide data on whether “the power generated by this plant would be required to avoid any power issues (rolling blackouts, shortages, etc.) to our rural residents.” Supervisor Maria Bribriesco could not be reached for comment. CIPCO requests county documents CIPCO has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to see all communication between county staff, supervisors, P&Z, and local advocates who have opposed the plant. Kerry Koonce, CIPCO Vice President of Communications, said the cooperative was “concerned about some of the misinformation that’s going around, and how that’s being reported to the board of supervisors.” “We’re just looking to see where we need to focus to clear up some of the information,” she said. She said a FOIA request, often made under a suspicion of official misconduct, was “the only way we can legally get the information to know what’s been told to supervisors.”

What would tax reform mean for county government?

Bills on property tax reform in the State House and Senate each seem to have one thing in common: a 2% cap on revenue growth for local governments. Last Thursday, Scott County Budget and Administrative Services Director David Farmer walked supervisors through how that cap and other state proposals would impact county finances. Local governments fund services with three key tax levies. General and rural basic levies support the full range of local services, while a third supplemental levy supports certain variable expenses, such as health insurance and liabilities.  In bills proposed by the House (HF 596) and governor (HF 563 and SF 3034), all three core levies would be capped at 2% annual revenue growth, beginning in fiscal year 2028. The Senate bill (SF 3001) limits only the general and rural basic levies. Each bill exempts supplemental school and general obligation debt levies from that cap. Between 2020–2026, Scott County revenue for the general basic tax levy grew at 3.02% annually. Supplemental levy revenue grew at 3.46% annually, and the rural basic revenue at 2.39% annually. If those numbers hold steady into fiscal year 2027, the county will see about $2.8 million in new tax dollars, Farmer forecasted. If revenues are capped at 2% for fiscal year 2028, that number will drop to $1.5 million. Future gains would only accrue on this reduced sum. Those figures exclude new construction, which each of the current tax bills exempts from revenue caps. Farmer said that new construction might bring in an additional $1 million in fiscal year 2028. The following year, revenue caps would drop new tax dollars to just $21,000. The current “rollback” system limits the growth of agricultural and residential property tax revenues to no more than 3% each year. In Scott County, that system has kept residential property taxes stable, Farmer said. A random sample of residential property taxes paid across Scott County school districts between 2020–2026 shows that average tax bills have increased by less than $200 over that total period, with less than $300 in annual variance. New construction and commercial real estate have supported the expansion of county revenues. “That's the evidence for Scott County. Rollbacks are working as designed, but we do admit it's a complicated formula,” Farmer said. If revenues were capped at 2%, the county would immediately feel the pressure of inflationary expenses. Farmer listed the annualized inflation rate of several county expenses over the 2020–2026 period: • Cost-of-living wage increases have averaged 3.21%. With promotions and other contracted raises, wage increases have averaged 5.6%. • Health insurance premiums have risen at 5%. This year, they jumped 9%. • Ambulance costs have risen at 7.96%, and police cars at 8.21%. • Time and attendance software, approved this week by the county, has increased at 10.88%. “These are things that are very central to the common purpose, common business of the county,” Farmer said. The cap will fix government funding behind the pace of inflation. The 2% revenue growth cap will force local governments like Scott County to cut services, supervisors reflected. “The practical reality is, something like this is coming,” Supervisor Jean Dickson said. “We can talk about how it doesn't work, but I think we also need to be thinking about, what are we going to do?” “What services are we taking away?” Supervisor John Maxwell added. “Where do we cut?” “What services are more important than other services? Do we have four beats of the sheriff's office? Do we supplement the library to the extent we do?” Supervisor Ken Beck asked. These “are some of the things that touch everybody's lives that live in Scott County,” he said. “But it's a reality that you can't fill a square peg in a round hole without shaving some of it off. And that's exactly what will happen under this condition.” Further concerns Revenue caps aren’t the only concern for Farmer as he looks over proposed bills. A top-line item in the governor’s bill would limit a government’s unassigned general fund balance to no more than 10% of its operating expenses, or little more than one month’s reserves. Any excess would limit the government’s future levying authority. Farmer said that policy directly contradicts best practices outlined by the Government Finance Officers Association, which recommend a minimum of two months reserves, or at least 17%. “To see that recommendation against that best practice is very concerning,” Farmer said. “We at Scott County know that that reserve is very important in the month of August, and other times throughout the year,” he said. “If you don't have the money on hand to pay the fund balance, then you're either borrowing or you're delaying bills to be paid. You can't pay your expenses.” “We would probably be talking about bond rating downgrade. And if you get downgraded, guess what? That costs you more money to borrow,” he continued. A similar law passed forced the Eastern Iowa mental health region to cut $2.5 million out of a $14 million budget, Supervisor Ken Beck said. The House bill also restricts governments’ and schools’ ability to issue certain essential bonds without voter approval. The county most recently used those bonds to support local 911 emergency dispatch services without raising the property tax burden, Farmer said. Meanwhile, bills from the Senate and governor would tighten governments’ debt limits and potentially restrict the county’s ability to sign multiyear contracts. Those contracts range from software procurement to union agreements.  Only the Senate bill gives governments the opportunity to diversify its income as property tax revenue drops. It would allow for an optional, voter-approved jump in the Local Option Sales Tax from 1% to 1.5%, a one-time growth of about $3 million in Scott County, Farmer said. Nearly every bill includes new tax “exemptions” for groups such as veterans, seniors, or all residential homeowners. When these exemptions replace preexisting “credits,” Scott County will lose money previously backfilled by the state, Farmer said. “When exemptions are applied, it changes the taxable value, but we are not compensated for that change,” Farmer explained. Farmer also said that none of the property tax proposals address the county’s longstanding concerns about unfunded mandates, which place service obligations on local governments without providing the state funds necessary to support them.    

Utility questions for Fellner's residents

With Fellner’s Addition scheduled to have roadway repairs soon, residents will also be asked if they are interested in additional city amenities. At the Jan. 27 meeting, the Eldridge Utility Board approved a draft of a letter that was sent to residents in the subdivision regarding sump pump lines. The letters were mailed Jan. 30, and residents in Fellner’s Addition may expect to receive them this week. One of the goals of the roadway project, which was approved by the city council in December, is to help with stormwater runoff, and a pipe will be installed along the edge of the road. Residents can opt to hook their sump pump lines into this pipe, which will deposit directly into the storm sewer system. Many of the current sump pump lines deposit directly into the street. If residents do choose to opt into this system, the cost to redirect the line will be done at their expense. There is also a second amenity residents will be asked about: hooking up to the city water system. The homes in Fellner’s Addition are currently served by private wells. If there is sufficient interest, the city would be responsible for the initial cost of connecting to the water. Homeowners would carry the expense of any disconnection and abandonment procedures for their existing wells. At the Jan. 27 meeting, city council member Ryan Iossi, who serves as liaison to the utility board, told the board the question was being asked because if the roads are already being torn up, there would be a cost-savings to doing the utility work at that time. He said the city will not know if the option is feasible until bids for the roadwork come in, adding that the city wanted to see if residents were even interested before offering city water to the subdivision. “If you’ve got growth coming into Fellner’s Addition, at some point, you’re going to want it, right?” asked board member Jeff Hamilton. Water superintendent Cegan Long said development was proposed going east from Hunter Lane towards Cody Road.    “That 100 acres just north of the addition will be on the market sooner than later, if it doesn’t get sold soon,” added Iossi. “So, this would just help us loop Fellner’s,” said Long. “If we have it now, it’s easier for us to extend into newer additions.” He said waterline stubs already exist in the vicinity of Fellner’s Addition that could be extended into the subdivision. Iossi said the letter was primarily for fact-seeking purposes. Residents who do not wish to switch over to city water can keep their wells if they choose. Long said he also planned to talk to officials with the Scott County Health Department, which issues well permits, to see if there is any additional information residents will need to be aware of when considering the switch. He said residences within 200 feet of existing municipal waterlines may be required to hook into city water, because the county might not issue a drilling permit if the residence is considered to be within a “reasonable distance” to the utility. Private wells in Fellner’s Addition were grandfathered into the agreement when the subdivision voluntarily annexed into Eldridge in the 1970s. In December, the city council approved a two-phase plan for the roadwork in Fellner’s Addition. South 25th and South 26th avenues are proposed for FY2027. East Lomar Street would then be done, either in FY2028 or FY2029. A bid schedule has not been finalized, but the city hopes to begin that process by March.

Glenn staff improve peer-coaching experiences

Over the last year, teachers and staff at John Glenn Elementary School have been working to implement an overall goal for the building: improving peer-coaching experiences. Principal Erin Paysen shared their progress at the North Scott School Board’s Jan. 27 meeting, which was held at the Donahue elementary school. Assisting Paysen were PreK-5 teacher Megan Delaney; reading recovery interventionist Sherry McAleer; instructional coach Shanna Robinson; and counselor Brooke Kruse. Paysen said she was proud of the staff, including the building leadership team (BLT), for their willingness to grow and collaborate. She said as a building, staff are constantly striving to improve in three key areas: fostering a collaborative culture, refining systems and structures to maximize resources, and improving instruction to increase student achievement. Ways the BLT has worked to achieve these goals include building trust, being mindful of maintaining an energetic presence, realigning committees and layered intervention meetings, and making data-based systematic improvements. Paysen said staff also did a collaborative study on Jon Gordon’s book, “The Energy Bus,” which provides tips on maintaining positive energy. Regarding the peer-coaching experiences, Paysen said the process began last year, with intentional efforts to create opportunities during the Friday early outs and on professional development days. “Teachers were paired up together, watching themselves through video clips and listening through audio clips, of delivering instruction that was specific to the professional learning that we were engaged with as a staff,” she said. “For instance, we focused a lot on engagement, and we focused a lot on the language used during explicit instruction, and talked about how we give effective feedback … those were the things we would then ask teachers to come back with the next time we met together with a clip of, for example, them providing effective feedback. They would then partner up with someone they felt comfortable with – we were mindful of that – and engage in a protocol to give each other feedback.” Robinson said the BLT spent much of the last school year learning how to study data about building systems and were tasked with creating goals for the school improvement plan. “As we were on that journey, one thing that came up was the notion of peer-coaching and being able to get back to that as a way to build our capacity and being able to see what others are doing,” she said. “Because that’s a very powerful practice.” She said members of the BLT formed three-member triads and went around each other’s classrooms so they could watch each other teach. During the spring of the 2024-25 school year, they started to pull other teachers in the building into that process, “so we’re building these little blocks along the way,” said Robinson.  Eventually, the BLT developed the goal of having 100% of staff engage in two peer-coaching rounds for the 2025-26 school year.    Kruse said, in order to create even more enthusiasm for the program, the BLT developed a theme centered around growing together and collaborating. They incorporated a garden theme, with several bulletin boards near the school entrance decorated with a floral motif. During the school’s annual Halloween parade, teachers and staff dressed as flowers, ladybugs and bees, and carried signs about growing together. “Through our parade, our community was able to see what our goal was looking like within our building,” said Kruse. Paysen also created “forever flowers” and gifted them to each staff member for the holidays. Delaney said one of the first intentional practices staff established was an open-door policy during the first trimester, allowing anyone to come in and watch during instruction time. She said this was especially helpful as the new math curriculum was rolled out this year. During the second trimester, Robinson said teachers were also asked to create pairs, making sure to match up with someone they felt comfortable going on the peer-coaching journey with. BLT members then joined the pairs to create triads. A matrix form was created for the experience, along with reflection forms. During the two-day peer-coaching experience, the school also brought in substitute teachers to ensure all classes were covered. “We were very careful about which subs we recruited, so they were familiar,” said Paysen. Delaney said that, despite the daunting task of having to cover so many classrooms, the substitutes “rocked it.” Another round of peer-coaching will take place during the third trimester, McAleer said. The same protocols will be used for the most part, although McAleer said the reflection forms may give the BLT some insight into how to improve the system. Delaney said her triad included kindergarten teacher Kourtney Mannall and third-grade teacher Vinnie Smith. “Just from my experience, it was so good to get back into other people's classrooms and see their passion for kids and their passion for meeting learners where they’re at.” She said all three teachers worked at math, which gave Mannall a chance to see where Delaney’s PreK students are at now, and gave everyone a chance to see how the foundational skills developed for Smith’s third graders. Delaney said so far, there have been a lot of positive comments about being able to observe other teachers building relationships. “It’s kind of odd, when you think about it, that we work next to these people every day, and yet the opportunity to actually see someone in action in the classroom hardly ever exists,” said Paysen. Robinson said the BLT had also gotten positive feedback for allowing the opportunity for staff to hear other teachers use intentional instructional language that they could then adapt for their own classrooms. Kruse said she’d had an opportunity within her triad to have discussions about instructional language, which she said was “really cool.” Paysen said that Glenn staff had engaged in some peer-coaching activities prior to the pandemic, which predated her time at the school, “but I know that this was something that we wanted to get back to. We’re really happy to have had the opportunity.” Board president Tracy Lindaman praised the staff for having enough trust in each other to allow themselves to be vulnerable and accept criticism and compliments. Board member Joni Dittmer asked about the time commitment, and Delaney said there was a certain element of difficulty in developing the logistics of the peer-coaching sessions. “Once the teachers partnered up and decided what area of instruction they wanted to focus on, then it was looking at our master schedule and looking at when is that chunk of time in their day, and then coordinating it with the BLT members and also adding coverage. It was a lot of logistical things, but at the end of the day, it was worth every minute.” “You’re building culture in a very positive way,” said Dittmer. “I love what you’re doing. When you get that kind of energy, you take it to your classrooms, and they can feel it.” Board member Carrie Keppy said that, with the number of new staff, the peer-coaching sessions were also a great way to bring them into the fold. Delaney said it was also helpful, because Glenn shares some staff with other buildings in the district, and this gave those members a chance to strengthen their connection to the school. In response to a question from Lindaman, Paysen and Delaney said the early outs on Friday have been extremely helpful in allowing staff to work on the peer-coaching process. Delaney said the BLT will use some of that time to review the reflection forms from the first round of coaching. Paysen said the First Friday times have also given them momentum in establishing building-wide learning and achieving goals.  Board member Molly Bergfeld asked if there had been any discussions about implementing peer-coaching at any other buildings within the district. Paysen said that each building has a comprehensive building improvement plan, and peer-coaching was part of Glenn’s plan. She said she was hopeful that, when the district admin team meets over the summer, she can share some of the things that Glenn staff learned to help build capacity across the district. “I’m hopeful that some of the things that we have worked through here can also be used for all teacher leaders at the elementary level.” “We prioritize investing in people,” said superintendent Joe Stutting of the district’s goals. “Even as budgets get tighter, we’re in the people business, so we have to continue to prioritize investing in our people. It would be easy to go, ‘There’s a shortage of subs,’ or ‘Money’s getting tight, we’re not doing this. Stay in your classroom.’ “You’ve got to remember, their results for their kids have dramatically gone up in this building. All the things they’re doing, this being one of them, have had an impact. What we want is, how does this impact student success? They’re showing how they’re impacting student success. Good job.” Paysen shared something she had learned from education academic John Hattie, who analyzed ways teachers and buildings can implement strategies to positively impact student achievement. “The highest, all the time, is collective efficacy. That is what we are building together as a staff. The belief that together we can impact every child. And that belief, in and of itself, is always at the top of (Hattie’s) list.”  PPEL update Stutting will host an informational presentation on the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Regional Innovation Center. He’s working on a presentation and also wanted to clarify the amount of the PPEL request. The district is not looking for a $1.34 per thousand increase. The amount requested would go to $1.34 from the current PPEL amount of 97 cents, which was approved in 2017. More information will be available from the district, including information sent home to families. Day on the Hill The rare Tuesday meeting was held after Stutting and board members attended Day on the Hill at the Iowa Capitol on Monday, Jan. 26. “Clearly the pipeline and property tax is taking up most of the time down there,” Stutting said of the legislature’s energies. He said many bills are being considered on education, but that doesn’t mean they will all come to the floor. Among the bills is a proposal to require a year of government classes. “The problem with that is, it sounds good – all kids should take a year’s worth of government – OK, what are they not going to take then?” said Stutting. “You can add here without adding staff, and nobody’s really in a position to add staff, which means something else has to be taken less. So it isn’t as easy.” Reminding the board that the legislature has 30 days from the time of the governor’s Condition of the State speech to approve Supplemental State Aid (SSA), the amount of money per pupil provided to each district by the state, Stutting said he wasn’t necessarily optimistic leadership would come to an agreement. “I don’t think we’re going to see SSA very quickly before either property tax or eminent domain goes through,” board member Frank Wood agreed. “The governor came out with 2% in her speech, which was better than it was last year,” said Stutting. “But as far as I know, the House or the Senate has not really come out with a number. “We’re hearing the (House) is going to go over 2% and the (Senate) is going to zero. The House will probably go 3% and they’ll end up settling on 2%, which is what we’ve settled on for I don’t know how many years in a row. The question is, when will they get to it?” He said there always seems to be a major priority bill that pushes SSA to a lower priority, even though there is supposed to be a mandated deadline. As far as the district’s budget was concerned, Stutting said they would budget for a 1% increase, as they have for the last several years. Stutting also said the state is down 7,700 students across all districts, private and public, combined. “They know this year’s senior class graduating will be 10,000 more than the kindergarten class coming in. That’s the birthrate… that’s just the fact of Iowa’s younger population right now.” Student-built home As the board approved a $3,135.73 bid from Elite Lighting for the student-built home, Stutting said the home has been sold, and the build team is working with the owner. Board member Stephanie Eckhardt asked if the owner could change design elements. Stutting said so far, some changes have been made, but the owner is paying for the higher-end changes, such as adding hardwood flooring. The owner is in the flooring business and will show the students how to install the flooring. “It’s great to sell the house, it just gets a little more complicated,” Stutting said. “Well, even more learning that the kids are going to have to do when they get older anyway, as homeowners,” said Bergfeld. Bills District director of business affairs Jill Van Roekel presented $981,087.55 in bills for approval. Highlights included $85,262.80 to the Mississippi Bend AEA for the district’s 90% flow-through payment for special education services; $62,509.92 to the Bettendorf Community School District for first semester open enrolled out students; and $12,129.55 to the Iowa Department of Human Services for the December Medicaid match. The board also approved the district’s annual audit, which was conducted by Bohnsack & Frommelt LLP. Prior to the regular meeting, the board held a finance work session with Sarah Bohnsack to review the findings of the audit. Closed session The board went into closed session pursuant to Chapter 21.5(1)(i) of the Code of Iowa “to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential.” No action was taken upon the board coming back into open session.  

No injuries reported after deputy-involved shooting in Rockford

A deputy-involved shooting Tuesday afternoon is under investigation, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.

EICC receives grant to cover tuition for veterans seeking CDL training

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) grant will cover the $5,700 cost for at least 14 students.

Team USA ‘rock star competitors’ ready for Winter Games, physician says

Dr. Thomas VonGillern is a Quad City orthopedic surgeon. He's also one of the physicians for Team U.S.A. Skiing and Snowboarding.

How is AI being used?

A survey developed by University of Iowa business researchers and sent across the U.S. has yielded surprising results as to how people are using artificial intelligence tools in their personal and professional lives, prompting a drive to dive deeper. Ken Brown, a professor of management in the UI Tippie College of Business, worked with UI College of Education professor Brian An and management doctoral student Drew Jauron to create a survey asking people in the U.S. where and when they use AI tools, if at all, what tools they were using and for what purpose. While the survey provided some answers as to how AI is being used and by whom, Brown said it generated just as many new questions. “It’s such an important phenomena, it’s become integrated into our lives, but also lots of the research in this area has been very spotty, only focusing on work or home or one program,” Brown said. “We polled 1,000 people to understand, across programs and across contexts, how people were using them.” Brown said the team worked with the UI Center for Social Science Innovation to connect with national survey company Verasight, which handled sending out the survey and getting the data to the UI researchers. The team is still working on analyzing the data, Brown said, but even initial responses have surprised the researcher. Of those who responded that they do use AI tools, more than 50% said they use it for personal activities and projects and one-third said they use it at work. The likelihood of personal use remained higher than that of professional use even among full-time employees. When it comes to professional settings, Brown said AI usage could be impacted by the requirements and restrictions of the employer. Those who run businesses may not be looking for replacements to the processes and programs that currently work, he said, seeing AI as an investment of time and money rather than a quick-help tool as it may be seen by those who use it for personal projects. Just over one quarter of the survey respondents were retirees, Brown said — the second-largest surveyed group behind full-time employees. Only 16 out of the 264 retiree respondents said they had not heard of or used any AI tools — just 6%. ChatGPT and Gemini were the most popular tools for retirees, Brown said, with 71% of respondents saying they used one or the other. Brown said An told him that his own retired parents use ChatGPT almost like a search engine, from checking recipes and the news to looking up more information on things they hear and see. “It’s become, I think … part of the reason that we’re seeing massive utilization and data centers going up,” Brown said. “It’s become a daily tool for quite a few people, not just at work, but at home, to answer personal questions, work on little projects, do some learning to try to learn more about something they’re interested in.” There wasn’t any “huge disparity” between the respondents who use AI for home over work, but one trend Brown said he wonders if he’s seeing in the data is of younger people acting as “conscientious objectors.” Retirees were found in the survey to use AI tools for personal activities more than students, he said. Brown said he believes there is a population of young people who hold concerns about AI’s accuracy and environmental impact, and who may prefer to use a Google search or Reddit forum to find the answers to their questions over ChatGPT. “This is not a huge thing coming out of our data, but I think it may also explain the idea of retirees sort of jumping in even more than young people and students, because it’s readily available, it provides pretty easy, digestible answers,” Brown said. The survey did not prompt respondents who indicated they don’t use AI tools to explain their reasoning, something Brown said he expected would have brought about “extremely interesting” results. He doesn’t believe that lack of access is as big of a barrier now as it could have been in the past, with free accounts available and readily accessible technology. Objections to the technology, as well as plain disinterest, are more likely factors driving nonuse, Brown said. As the group continues to look at the data they’ve gathered, Brown said he wants to dive deeper into student use of AI in schools and the impacts it’s making on the school environment and their learning and relationships. Like social media before it, Brown said AI chatbots and other tools have the potential to detract from real-world relationships and other connections, a possibility he wants to study. “I would love for technology to be a tool that helps people lead better lives, but … if it becomes a sort of black hole of time and energy, you may be learning things but becoming more disconnected from people around you, which could be detrimental to your mental health,” Brown said.

Cake Auction to scare Feb. 6

One of the most anticipated events on the North Scott athletic calendar is set for this Friday, Feb. 6, with a kooky, spooky theme. The 49th North Scott Athletic Boosters Cake Auction theme is “The Lancer Family,” a spin on the upcoming Lancer Productions spring musical “The Addams Family.” And this year’s event features more than a few familiar things, but one big change. There will be no live auction this year during the halftime of each game. Instead, all bidding will be silent auction style in the cafeteria. The Boosters are also bringing back auction baskets and other fun items to bid on. Among the big-ticket items will be a grill, donated by Diamond Builders. Bidding opens at 4:30 p.m. and will end following the third quarter of the varsity boys’ game. In addition to cakes for bidding, there will be cake available for purchase by the slice. The Music Boosters will also be selling food at the concession stand in The Pit. Donated cakes may be dropped off at the high school main office on Friday afternoon. To learn more about how you can donate, visit tinyurl.com/NSAB2026, email nshsathleticboosters@gmail.com or call Tori Kelley at 563-529-5552. The Boosters welcome donations of cake or baskets, as well as monetary donations. All proceeds from the Cake Auction support North Scott student-athletes and allow for the funding of equipment and uniform purchases, travel and other team needs. As for the games themselves, North Scott will host Davenport Assumption in a girl-boy doubleheader. The girls’ varsity game will begin at approximately 6 p.m. in The Pit, followed by the boys’ varsity game.      

Supervisors okay $1.2m for time and attendance software

Software contracts continue to roll through the Scott County Board of Supervisors. Last week supervisors approved a ten-year, roughly $1.2 million with TimeClock Plus for time, attendance, and scheduling software. The time and attendance program will cost the county $203,416.46 its first year. That sum includes new timeclock hardware across county buildings. Procurement manager Stephanie Macuga told the board Tuesday, Jan. 27 that that annual service fees will remain flat, at approximately $96,000, for each of the first five years of the contract. The per-employee cost will rise 3% annually for the next five years of the contract. “We were pretty excited about that… knowing exactly what our uplift is going to be for that contract is very helpful,” Macuga said. The exact fee may vary based on the number of county employees, she clarified. The annual fee is a 40% increase over the current time and attendance software expense. Macuga said the new program offered advance functionality, including 24-hour scheduling, that would allow all county departments to use the same program. “All of our 24/7 teams, with this new product, would have access to scheduling, which is something that many of those teams do not have today,” she said. Supervisors also approved a $53,800 contract with Crowe for professional services that will help the IT department search for a service management (ITSM) program. Macuga told supervisors that after 15 years with their current ITSM vendor, the department needed a new program that handles service requests and project and asset management. Crowe will assist the IT department as they develop a procurement plan, identify vendors, and negotiate contracts.

Maxwell, Dickson seek reelection

Scott County supervisors John Maxwell and Jean Dickson will both seek reelection this fall. Maxwell, a rural Scott County farmer, was elected to the five-member board of supervisors in 2018. Dickson, a lawyer in private practice, was elected in 2022. Both are Republicans. Supervisors named Maxwell board chair and Dickson vice chair in January of 2025 and reappointed them to those seats this year. Three four-year terms on the board will be on the ballot this fall. Republican Ross Paustian, who holds the third open seat, does not plan to seek reelection. Maxwell said he hopes to continue “keeping taxes down and services high” if reelected. He wants to “make Scott County a great place to live.” Dickson said she is proud of her “commitment to transparency and communications with constituents,” a commitment she hopes to keep if reelected. “The most important thing” for supervisors moving forward will be adapting county services to property tax reform passed by the state. Absent standards set by the state, supervisors will have to decide how to prioritize cuts to county personnel and services, Dickson said.    “We know by the end of the legislative session, there’s going to be tax reform,” Dickson said. “We’ve got to just deal with it.” Both Maxwell and Dickson cited the county’s decision to assume control of ambulance service MEDIC EMS as a leading accomplishment. County funds and federal Ground Emergency Medical Transportation (GEMT) reimbursements have helped stabilize the financially imperiled service. Dickson called the decision a “shining moment.” It “ensures that it will be a viable entity and ensures that people will be taken care of and be safe,” Maxwell said. Maxwell previously served on the North Scott School Board, the Scott County Extension Council, and the Rotary Board. He represents supervisors at Visit Quad-Cities and the Scott County Emergency Center. Dickson served on the Pleasant Valley School Board from 2013–2021. She represents the supervisors at the Urban County Coalition and has helped supervisors oversee the consolidation of the Iowa Mississippi and South Central Workforce Development Boards. She also serves on the Bettendorf Civil Service Commission and as a member of the St. Joan of Arc Foundation. Partisan primaries for Scott County offices will take place June 2. Election day follows Nov. 3. Candidates for county office must file paperwork between March 3 and March 20.

Bettendorf police asking for information on a 2017 missing man

David McAllister was 22 years old when he was last seen on May 11, 2017. Bettendorf police are asking for help locating him in honor of National Missing Persons Day.

Hay producers to meet March 19

Regional hay producers are invited to attend the 41st annual Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association Annual Meeting and Conference on Thursday, March 19, at Buzzy’s in Welton. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the program scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. This year’s program will feature three new Iowa State University staff: Shelby Gruss, assistant professor and extension forage specialist, Aimee Lutz, Iowa Beef Center director and extension feedlot specialist, and Joseph Lensing, extension farm management specialist: Gruss will address the management of alfalfa diseases and bring a grazing trailer, which displays fencing and water systems. Lutz will speak on ration balancing based on 2025 forage quality. Lensing will discuss Livestock Gross Margin and Livestock Risk Protection, cost of large round bales and the economics of silage versus balage. Virgil Schmitt, extension field agronomist with Iowa State, will talk about fertilizer decisions amid high input costs and low commodity prices. Following lunch, there will be a brief annual meeting to elect officers and directors.  A drawing for prizes will be held at the end of the day. The registration fee for the conference is $30, which includes a membership to EIHPA and a meal. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Certified Crop Advisor credits are also available. This conference is sponsored by EIHPA, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Beef Center. The Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association provides educational workshops and field days for forage producers in Jackson, Jones, Clinton, Cedar, Scott and Muscatine counties. Forage producers from other counties are also welcome to participate. For more information, contact Kevin Brown at brownfarm10@gmail.com or 563-872-4475.

Adventures in Wonderland

Fourth grade students from across the North Scott School District paid a visit to Wonderland on Thursday, Jan. 29, as they saw a special performance of Lancer Productions, "Alice in Wonderland Jr." Following the show, there was also a special surprise. Thanks to a $1,000 donation from the North Scott Kiwanis Club, Lancer Productions was able to present a copy of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll to every student. The cast and crew also answered questions from students in a special "talk-back" session. NSP photos by Erin M. Gentz.

EPA: Clean Air Act supports right to repair

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a clarification letter Monday to manufacturers saying that the Clean Air Act does not prohibit independent repairs to offroad diesel equipment such as farm machinery. A news release from EPA said manufacturers “can no longer” use the act to “justify limiting access to repair tools or software.” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in the release that the agency is “proud to set the record straight and protect farmers.” “For far too long, manufacturers have wrongly used the Clean Air Act to monopolize the repair markets, hurting our farmers,” Zeldin said. The letter from EPA explains that while the Clean Air Act prohibits the removal or disabling of emission control systems, the law has a written exception that the systems can be disabled for the purpose of a repair. According to the news release from EPA, the letter is “a direct response” to a request for guidance from farm equipment manufacturer John Deere. The company asked EPA to confirm that temporary emission control overrides were permitted under the law. Deere & Co. has been central to the right-to-repair issue, with the Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from several farming states suing the company at the tail end of the Biden administration for “unfair practices” related to equipment repairs. The lawsuit alleged John Deere equipment had sophisticated technology that could only be worked on by company technicians, which limited farmers’ abilities to work on their own equipment. The company said the lawsuit was based on flawed legal theories. The release from EPA said the anti-tampering provisions in the Clean Air Act have “for years” been interpreted by equipment manufacturers as something that prevented them from making certain repair tools available to farmers, which has meant farmers spend more on repairs or opt for older equipment. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said in the release that the clarification is “expected to save farmers thousands in unnecessary repairs.” “This is another win for American farmers and ranchers by the Trump Administration,” Rollins said. “By clarifying manufacturers can no longer use the Clean Air Act to justify limiting access to repair tools or software, we are reaffirming the lawful right of American farmers and equipment owners to repair their farm equipment.” EPA said the guidance does not change the law or “weaken emission standards” but “clarifies” language in the Clean Air Act to show that “farmers and equipment owners are not required to rely on authorized dealers exclusively to fix equipment.” In a separate action from August, Zeldin announced guidance to revise diesel exhaust fuel systems to prevent diesel farm equipment and vehicles from losing power as they run out of the fluid. DEF, as the fluid is abbreviated, helps to reduce the presence of certain greenhouse gases as diesel fuel is burned in an engine. President Donald Trump, in his Jan. 27 visit to Iowa, noted the DEF regulation change and said his administration has also removed certain emission requirements from cars. “And I’m going to do that, I think, for tractors too, because we’re going to get the tractors back where you don’t have to be a Ph.D. in order to start your tractor, in order to keep the environment clean,” Trump said in his speech. EPA is attempting to reverse a long-held finding that greenhouse gas emissions threaten the environment and public health. The reversal of the endangerment finding would remove the agency’s authority to enforce Clean Air Act standards on greenhouse gas emissions.

Moline police ask for answers on Trudy Appleby, Jerry Wolking missing persons cases

Tuesday is recognized as National Missing Persons Day.

DNC will allow Iowa Democrats to compete for early date for 2028 caucuses

Iowa Democrats were approved Saturday to present their case to national Democrats on why the state’s Democratic caucuses should go in the early presidential nominating window in 2028. At the Democratic National Committee Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting Saturday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, members reviewed the applications from 12 states that submitted waivers to hold their presidential nominating contests ahead of Super Tuesday. All 12 state parties that submitted requests for early contest waivers to the DNC — Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia — were approved to present at later RBC meetings. This is the second presidential nominating cycle in a row where Democrats are considered likely to make changes in their calendar. The DNC went through a similar process of evaluating states and shifting the long-held process of beginning the nominating cycle with the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries during the 2024 election cycle. The Rules and Bylaws Committee approved a calendar in 2022 starting the nominating process with the South Carolina primaries, with contests in Nevada, New Hampshire, Georgia and Michigan also held in the early window — but this schedule is once again up for change heading into the next election cycle. As committee members spoke about the new calendar, Minyon Moore, the RBC co-chair, said the committee would evaluate states based on rigorousness, efficiency and fairness of their nominating contests. The goal of the committee is to “craft a calendar that produces the strongest possible Democratic nominee for president.” The DNC charter and bylaws requires that only one state from each of four regions — the Eastern, Western, Southern and Midwestern — can be granted an early contest position, with the RBC able to grant one additional waiver. Iowa Democrats are competing against Michigan and Illinois to become the Midwestern state to hold an early contest in 2028. Iowa submitted its application to return to an early state spot Jan. 16, telling members of the RBC in the proposal that “no other state has the knowledge, infrastructure, and history of giving long-shot Presidential candidates a fair chance.” Iowa was home to the first-in-the-nation caucuses for several decades, kicking off the presidential nominating process for both parties. However, following issues with reporting results during the 2020 Iowa caucuses and existing concerns about the caucuses being less than fully accessible, the DNC removed Iowa from its position starting the process in 2024. Some Democrats have said Iowa caucuses, conducted at in-person, evening events, are difficult for many people to participate in, especially people with disabilities, those who have children or who work late shifts. In an effort to address these concerns, the Iowa Democratic Party moved to a “mail-in” caucus system in 2024. In their January application, the IDP wrote Iowa Democrats are working toward creating a more accessible contests, and that the Iowa’s party-run caucuses “provide a great deal of flexibility in how we achieve the goal of a more inclusive process.” “Historically, reforms have been constrained by two factors: A desire by the national party to move away from caucuses in favor of primaries; and the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s definition of what constitutes a primary,” the application read. “For our proposal, we offer a ‘menu’ of options that we look forward to discussing with the RBC, the current Iowa candidates we intend to elect this November, and our grassroots activists.” While Iowa Democratic precinct caucuses will be held on the same day as Republicans in 2028, the IDP said the state party had flexibility on setting dates related to delegate allocation for the presidential nominating process. Iowa’s application outlined two major ways that could provide more accessibility to voters who cannot attend the in-person caucuses — the mail-in preference card system used in 2024, or the option to hold satellite and virtual caucuses. The Iowa Democrats’ application argues that while the RBC rejected their effort to include a virtual caucus option in 2020, the state party believes this idea should be reconsidered following the 2024 DNC decision allowing delegates to electronically nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee. Michael Kapp, an RBC member from California, questioned this argument. “I’d like Iowa in their presentation to address what I feel is a fundamental difference between a convention vote, with a known finite universe of credentialed voters, and a caucus process involving an open and undefined universe of potential participants,” Kapp said. RBC member Frank Leone, of Washington, D.C., called for Iowa to provide the committee with a specific proposal instead of a “menu” of options. “We spent a lot of time going back and forth with Iowa eight years ago, the DNC certainly raised some issues that caused some problems,” Leone said. “There’s a lot of issues that went on there, but I don’t think we want to spend a lot of time trying to fine tune it. … I think what we need to hear from Iowa is, ‘This is what we want to do,’ and then this committee will fairly consider it and make a decision.” Along with beginning the process of choosing early states, RBC members considered states’ ability to comply with the new calendar. Many states would need legislative approval to change the dates for party nomination contests. In the 2024 nomination cycle, the DNC calendar was not implemented with full success. The New Hampshire and Georgia secretaries of state, both Republicans, denied Democrats’ request to change the date of their contests, and held their primaries outside of compliance with the DNC calendar. States currently controlled by Republicans could face similar problems that New Hampshire and Georgia encountered in implementing the calendar during the previous cycle. If states hold contests unsanctioned by the DNC, voters can still weigh in on their choice for presidential nominee — but the results of the state contest will likely not be counted when the national party holds its convention to select their presidential nominee. However, New Hampshire, which did not abide by the Democrats’ calendar and held its first-in-the-nation primary ahead of South Carolina in 2024, was allowed to have their delegates participate in the 2024 convention as the RBC approved an April nominating event held by New Hampshire Democrats. The IDP conducted a survey in 2025 asking voters how they want the state party to approach the 2028 caucuses. Results found 65.3% of respondents wanted Iowa to be first or early in the nominating process, but 51.1% did not want Iowa to defy the DNC calendar if not granted a waiver. The dates for when Iowa will present before the RBC — and when the committee will decide which states to grant waivers — has yet to be determined. The next RBC meeting is scheduled for April in New Orleans. A statement from the Iowa Democratic Party said “we are pleased the Rules and Bylaws Committee decided to move forward with our application and look forward to having continued conversations with its members and co-chairs.” “All options are on the table for Iowa Democrats in 2028,” the statement read. “It was a mistake for the DNC to cut us out of the calendar, letting Republicans’ attacks go unanswered in Iowa while millions of dollars in advertising, organizing and the worldwide media flooded our state. If the Democratic Party wants to start winning big, sustainable majorities again, our candidates need to show they can compete in states like Iowa.”

View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the Feb. 4 NSP!

SUNDAY, JAN. 18 6:09 a.m. — Jakobe Charles Benson, 34, Rock Island, was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, following an incident on 20th Avenue, Durant. TUESDAY, JAN. 20 9:49 p.m. — Amanda Mae Fields-Blumer, 41, Davenport, was cited for driving while barred (habitual offender), following a traffic stop near Rockingham Road and South Elsie Avenue, Davenport. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21 1:00 p.m. — Johnnie Sidney Madison, 72, Davenport, was charged with two counts of a sex offender registration violation – 1st offense, following an incident on East 12th Street, Davenport. 4:42 p.m. — Robert Ray Rindler, 58, Eldridge, was cited for making a false report to law enforcement, following an incident on Manor Drive, Eldridge. FRIDAY, JAN. 23 1:05 p.m. — Zachary Allan Willis, 35, Davenport, was charged with driving while barred (habitual offender) and cited for operating a non-registered vehicle and violation of financial liability coverage, following a traffic stop on Interstate 80, Davenport. 2:12 p.m. — Benjamin P. Boore, 37, Riverdale, was charged with contempt – violation of a no contact or protective order, following an incident in the 3500 block of Park Avenue, Riverdale. 5:20 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 4000 block of West 13th Street. 7:21 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 7:48 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 11800 block of Utah Avenue. 8:08 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near Utica Ridge Road and Terrace Park Drive, Bettendorf. A vehicle driven by Jacob Bradly Schipper, 26, Bettendorf, was southbound on Utica Ridge Road. Schipper’s vehicle left the roadway and went over the curb, striking a speed limit sign. The sign fell into the roadway, where it was struck by a vehicle driven by Pamela Kathleen Pyles, 56, Davenport, that was southbound on Utica Ridge Road. Schipper was cited for failure to maintain control. 8:56 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 5200 block of Competition Drive. SATURDAY, JAN. 24 8:37 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of River Drive. 10:43 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 900 block of Middle Road. 11:04 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 18400 block of 317th Street. 11:12 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 2300 block of Spruce Hills Drive. 2:10 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 3:50 p.m. — Michelle Lynn LaMaster, 47, Princeton, was charged with contempt – violation of a no contact or protective order; and Cheyenne Nicole LaMaster, 23, Princeton, was charged with interference with official acts, after deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of North Highway 67, Princeton. 6:19 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 6:47 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near 240th Avenue and Bluff Road. A vehicle driven by Joseph Bahnsen Davis, 78, McCausland, was northbound on 240th Avenue. Davis reportedly told deputies that a vehicle making a right turn from Bluff Road to 240th Avenue made the turn very wide, going into the northbound lane of 240th Avenue and into the path of Davis’ vehicle. Davis reportedly made an evasive move to avoid a collision, causing his vehicle to leave the roadway and go into a ditch, where it struck a road sign. The other vehicle did not stop at the scene. Davis was cited for failure to provide proof of insurance. 10:24 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 100 block of East Lincoln Street. SUNDAY, JAN. 25 3:11 a.m. — Deputies began a death investigation in the 500 block of North Main Street. 4:01 a.m. — Tremere Armond Shell, 25, Davenport, was charged with interference with official acts and cited for violation of financial liability coverage and operation without registration, following a traffic stop on West Sycamore Street, Blue Grass. 8:25 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident in the 21300 block of Great River Road, LeClaire. A vehicle driven by John W. Brown, 40, LeClaire, was westbound on Great River Road. The vehicle left the roadway and went off the shoulder off the road, where it struck several trees and bushes before spinning out and coming to a stop near a small pond. Brown was cited for failure to provide proof of insurance. 11:35 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 6000 block of New Liberty Road. 7:40 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 29400 block of 240th Avenue. 9:19 p.m. — Joshua David Cramer, 37, Davenport, was charged with contempt – violation of a no contact or protective order, following an incident in the 1500 block of West 3rd Street, Davenport. MONDAY, JAN. 26 5:39 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 2:12 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 400 block of West 4th Street. 2:56 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 300 block of East Mayne Street. 3:02 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near Belmont Road and Hickory Hills Lane. 6:56 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident in the 13300 block of Coonhunters Road, where a vehicle driven by April Kristina Boyd, 35, Blue Grass, struck a deer that entered the roadway. TUESDAY, JAN. 27 1:21 a.m. — Deputies responded to a weapons complaint in the 7200 block of Hillandale Road. 12:28 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 4400 block of State Street. 5:08 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem on Rainbow Drive. 9:49 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 3400 block of North Plainview Road. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28 12:51 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 200 block of Benton Street. 9:48 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. 1:53 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a missing person in the 700 block of North 1st Street. 2:27 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 100 block of South Park View Drive. 3:21 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 8:57 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 16400 block of 60th Avenue. THURSDAY, JAN. 29 2:11 a.m. — Victoria Noel Morlan, 25, Davenport, was arrested on an outstanding interstate warrant and charged with possession of a controlled substance – 1st offense, following a traffic stop near West 9th and North Division streets, Davenport. 4:32 a.m. — Jessie Thomas Grams, 33, Davenport, was charged with 5th degree theft and cited for improper use of registration, violation of financial liability coverage and insufficient number of headlamps, following a traffic stop near East 53rd Street and Elmore Circle. 11:18 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 600 block of Belmont Road. 11:25 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 200 block of West Front Street. 3:10 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. 4:01 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 13800 block of 118th Avenue. 6:19 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check in the 3400 block of Lundy Lane. 6:25 p.m. — Deputies responded to a shots fired call in the 6500 block of Harrison Street. 7:46 p.m. — Deputies responded to a weapons complaint in the 26800 block of 255th Avenue. FRIDAY, JAN. 30 9:53 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 1200 block of West 76th Street. 11:00 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. 11:56 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 5800 block of Elmore Avenue.        

View the Eldridge Police report from the Feb. 4 NSP!

MONDAY, JAN. 26 9:01 a.m. — Two juveniles were charged with disorderly conduct (fighting), following a report of a disturbance in the 200 block of South 1st Street. 10:13 a.m. — Complaint of a water main break in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. The call was turned over to the public works department. Handled by officer. 3:21 p.m. — Complaint of an unwanted subject on property in the 200 block of East LeClaire Road. Handled by officer. 11:28 p.m. — Complaint of a carbon monoxide alarm going off in the 700 block of North 8th Street. The call was turned over to MidAmerican Energy. Handled by officer. TUESDAY, JAN. 27 2:53 a.m. — Complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the 100 block of North 1st Street. Handled by officer. 7:20 a.m. — Complaint of a carbon monoxide alarm going off in the 900 block of West Maple Court. The call was turned over to MidAmerican Energy. Handled by officer. 9:18 a.m. — Removed trash bags from the roadway in the 1800 block of South Scott Park Road. Handled by officer. 4:44 p.m. — Performed a welfare check in the 20900 block of Brady Street. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28 9:20 a.m. — A juvenile was charged with possession of a controlled substance, following a drug complaint in the 200 block of South 1st Street. 10:59 a.m. — Performed a welfare check in the 3100 block of South 20th Avenue Court. Handled by officer. 11:29 a.m. — Report taken for a disturbance in the 200 block of South 1st Street. 1:53 p.m. — Complaint of a missing adult in the 700 block of North 1st Street. The individual was located. Handled by officer. 5:32 p.m. — Complaint of a water flow alarm going off in the 400 block of East Blackhawk Trail. The call was turned over to a keyholder. Handled by officer. THURSDAY, JAN. 29 12:40 a.m. — Complaint of a disabled vehicle in the 2200 block of South 1st Street. Handled by officer. 3:42 p.m. — Complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 1800 block of South 11th Avenue. Handled by officer. 8:44 p.m. — Complaint of a suspicious subject in the 700 block of West LeClaire Road. Unable to locate. Handled by officer. FRIDAY, JAN. 30 2:33 a.m. — Report of an alarm sounding in the 600 block of East LeClaire Road. Keyholder contacted. Handled by officer. 11:37 a.m. — Assisted Medic with an EMS call in the 400 block of West Price Street.

Woodland management, water quality workshops scheduled

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University, will host two woodland management and water quality workshops in February. The events are open to farmers and landowners at no cost and include a complimentary meal. Hosted by Billy Beck, extension forestry specialist with ISU, and Michelle Soupir, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering with ISU, the workshop aims to highlight how woodland management and woodchip bioreactors can work together to reduce nitrate levels and improve water quality. Through an innovative research and demonstration project supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the team is exploring how traditionally low-value timber species perform in woodchip bioreactors to meet both landowner woodland management and statewide water quality goals. The workshops will be held on two dates and locations in February: Feb. 17:  Grundy Center Community Center, American Legion Room, noon to 2 p.m., 705 F Avenue, Grundy Center Feb. 24: Musser Public Library, Room 301,  noon to 2 p.m., 408 East 2nd Street, Muscatine The events are open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food.  For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu by Feb. 13.  Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey. This event is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through grant award 2024-68016-42660. Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Cattle feeder clinic March 3

Experienced cattle feeders are invited to take part in an Advanced Cattle Feeders Clinic on March 3 at Schwers Brothers Feedyard, located at 31662 Highway 3, New Vienna. The hands-on program is designed to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Iowa feedyards today. The clinic was developed specifically for seasoned cattle feeders and will focus on advanced management practices related to feed mixing and delivery, bunk management, implant effectiveness, animal health and foot and mobility issues associated with feeding cattle to heavier weights. “We’ve tried to identify some of the biggest challenges and keys to success for Iowa cattle feeders,” said Denise Schwab, extension beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Then we brought together experts in each of those areas to share practical, research-based strategies participants can apply immediately.” Program topics will include implant monitoring and best practices, feed mixing and delivery, bunk management and managing challenges associated with feeding cattle to heavier weights. Nathan Pyatt of Elanco Animal Health will demonstrate proper implant placement, cleanliness, pellet integrity evaluation and methods to monitor implant success. Zeb Gray of Diamond V will lead a hands-on total mixed ration audit focused on improving ration consistency from formulation through delivery to the feed bunk. Additional sessions will focus on advanced bunk management and feed intake evaluation with Dave Rueber of Innovative Ag Services, as well as foot health, mobility and carcass impacts associated with heavier market weights presented by Aimee Wertz-Lutz, director of the Iowa Beef Center. To register, participants can call the ISU Extension and Outreach Dubuque County office at 563-583-6496 and prepay the $60 fee. Registration and payment are due by Feb. 24, and the program is limited to 40 participants. For more information, contact Schwab at 319-721-9624.

What makes Iowa a welcoming place—or what doesn’t

Several exchanges from the Scott County legislators’ forum Jan. 23 did not make it out of my notes and into last week’s North Scott Press. A busy week and a full paper. It felt like property taxes and energy needs, top of mind for many readers, deserved the column-inches. But there was one exchange that I wanted to share, because it was about young people like me who have landed in Iowa. It came as lawmakers discussed workforce development. Ken Croken, Democrat of Davenport and my representative, said that “there was a time when Iowa was considered a welcoming state.” But “that is not our brand anymore—we are not considered a welcoming state in many quarters of the country, and that is going to have an impact on our workforce development.” Mike Vondran, Republican of Eldridge, “couldn’t disagree more.” He offered a story about his niece, a single mother, 25 years old and living in Las Vegas, who hoped to raise her daughter somewhere else. After visits to Iowa at Thanksgiving and Christmas, she decided to move. “She found a job within two weeks. Within two weeks, she's bringing her three-year-old daughter here,” Vondran said. “Her auto insurance premium from Las Vegas to the Quad Cities went from $430 a month to $120. We've already got her enrolled the YMCA—her daycare, for five days a week, full-time is half, half of what three days, part-time was in Las Vegas.” A bitter back and forth followed between the two legislators. Croken: “Mike and I both share a marketing background, so every problem sounds like a branding problem to us, doesn't it?” Vondran: “It’s more than branding, Ken. Don’t take it there.” Croken: “I'm not sure anecdotal stories are all that helpful.” Vondran: “Real-world stories, Ken.” Eventually Croken told his own story, anecdotal or real-world: “When my daughter had her first baby, and I suggested that she could find a home with much less expense here than in New York where she was living, she said, and I quote, ‘And what if my son is gay?’” “We are the only state to ever strip a vulnerable group of its civil rights,” Croken said, referring to a state law passed last year that removed gender identity as a protected trait. “That's a scar that that shows, and it shows very visibly and very ugly.” Welcome or unwelcome? Both stories are anecdotal, but they contain real-world truths well drawn. I cannot attest to the cost of daycare, but boy do I relish a low premium and low rent. I moved to Iowa in part because I could afford to live here on a journalist’s salary, a fact which presupposes that Iowa continues to value and hire journalists. These deserve to be points of pride. But then, I am white, straight, and six feet tall. I drive a 20-year-old pick-up and usually keep my politics to myself. I am unmarried and have no kids, not for a while, God willing. I am free to go just about anywhere I can afford. That will not always be the case.  Eventually I will reach a point where I have obligations to a family; where I will try to balance the bare mathematics of affordability with a consideration of the social and political culture in which I hope to live. Hard to imagine I will settle on Vegas. Yet Croken is right that policies on gay rights, gender equality, and abortion may enter the picture, even if I cannot tell you how that picture will resolve. Nevertheless, it was disheartening to see a legislator refer to his state as “unwelcoming,” and it was equally unpleasant to see him reduce a fellow legislator’s views to “branding.” Neither pessimism nor bitterness will change minds. Since moving here, I have met native Iowans and transplants who are happy to carve out a life here and defend their values before they mourn them. With them I have felt welcome. Thinking about affordability There is a lot of talk these days about “affordability.” It was a topic that Croken himself brought up earlier in the forum, perhaps encouraged by national Democrats who have turned the word into a rallying cry. Croken argued that cutting property taxes was a shortcut to repairing a crisis of “affordability” forced by “all the obligations our homeowners are facing.” He did not lay out the long way round. But as my experience shows, Iowa is affordable. It is ranked seventh in the country for affordability and second for opportunity by U.S. News and World Report; it is ninth for affordability of housing. As Croken recognizes, his Republican colleagues would like to further raise these excellent showings through the brute force of tax cuts. That is a perfectly salient position and one that Republicans have long supported. But I am not sure why Iowa Democrats are ceding its premise: that there is a crisis of affordability in the first place. Let Democrats in California (50th in affordability), New Jersey (49th), and my home state of Massachusetts (47th) worry about affordability. In Iowa, they should act like an opposition party and defend the local and state institutions which Republicans have eyed for cuts. A positive vision of good government would do a lot to repair their image, here and elsewhere. Democrats would do well to remember that as 2024 proved, their opponents can ride to victory on the price of eggs just as easily as they can. What do you think? As sometimes happens, the first draft of this column inspired a lively debate in the NSP office last week. I have kept my changes minimal in the hopes that it might inspire similar debate elsewhere. We would always love to hear your thoughts. Write to me at nglasgow@northscottpress.com, and let me know if you would like your letter to appear in the pages of next week’s paper.  

Muscatine runway collision detailed in Iowa’s 2025 aviation accident report

A collision at Muscatine Municipal Airport is detailed in Iowa DOT’s 2025 aviation accident report, which documents 12 accidents and one fatality statewide.

1986: Eldridge city administrator resigns; takes job in Waverly

Feb. 4, 1976 • Eldridge was chosen as one of six Iowa small towns to participate in a study of small city government. The study was being conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Iowa and was set to examine the administration and operation of communities with populations under 5,000. Other communities in the study included Clarion, Dyersville, Hartley, Monticello and Tipton. • The Eldridge Lions invited the Eldridge Bicentennial Committee to participate in the Eldridge Summer Festival in July. The Bicentennial Committee also reported its coffers now included $1,213 in proceeds from its Harvest Dance, and $2,000 was also anticipated from the state Bicentennial organization. The committee planned to combine these funds with money left over from the Eldridge Centennial to purchase park land. • Princeton city officials announced plans to install a storm sewer system in the hopes of preventing more flood and runoff damage to the town. Officials said their first action would be to apply for a community development grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A final cost estimate had not been made, although representatives from the Bi-State Metropolitan Planning Commission said the first phase would likely cost between $70,000 and $100,000. • Students at John Glenn Elementary School honored their custodian, Arthur Thee, upon his retirement. Thee was a bus driver for the district for 14 years before taking the position at Glenn. Staff held a breakfast for him, and he was presented with a 15-foot banner signed by all the students. He was also gifted a pool cue. • Luis Santiago Perdomo of Bogota, Colombia, was a new foreign exchange student at North Scott High School. He was living with the Joseph Boire family of Eldridge and was the third exchange student they had hosted. Marcello Drab of Argentina had lived with them a year earlier. Luis said his father was a doctor with the Ministry of Health in Bogota, and culturally, America was very different from his home country. He was also attending a coed school for the first time and was interested in visiting Scott County farms, because he would be taking over a farm his family owned in the Valley of Magdalena when he returned home, as well as attending university to study business administration. Feb. 5, 1986 • Plans for the new Scott County Secondary Roads maintenance garage were continuing, with the $1.7 million facility planned for a nine-acre site at the northwest corner of Highway 61 and Blackhawk Trail near Eldridge. Construction was scheduled to begin in July, continuing through August of 1987. Designs and cost estimates were presented to the Board of Supervisors by architect Leo Marolf. • Eldridge city administrator Don Sandor announced he would resign to take a similar position in Waverly. Sandor had served as administrator since 1982, and his announcement came as a surprise to members of the city council. He said it was a very hard decision to make. “Things are going well here, and no one was pushing me to leave. Waverly offers me experience I couldn’t get here, although the experience I acquired in Eldridge will go a long way to ensure a successful career in city management.” • North Scott Junior High was preparing to present its first-ever musical, “Once Upon a Summer.” Cast members included Angie Case, Janeen Heiman, Kelli Andresen, Kathy DeSplinter, Amy Bouril, Augie Ferguson, Brian Owens, Ryan Riewerts, Jason Greer, Tom Stewart, Amy Birtell and Gary Lindstrom. • North Scott senior Mike Busch announced he would accept a full-ride scholarship to attend Iowa State University to play football. “It’s awful hard to turn down a full-ride scholarship, and I think Iowa State is very happy to get him,” said North Scott football coach Aaron Van Dyke. “They recruited him very hard. I think the big factors in his decision were the fact that ISU is an in-state school and they have the degree program (conservation) that he wants.” Busch was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Darold Busch of Donahue. • The North Scott wrestling team defeated Pleasant Valley for the first time since the 1979-80 season. “It was a fine effort by our entire team,” said coach Jeff Newmeister of the 31-23 victory. “Pleasant Valley as a good team, but we just out-wrestled and out-hustled them on the mat.” The same week, the team also picked up a 43-16 win over Central DeWitt. Feb. 7, 2001 • The North Scott School District was taking a very hard look at its budget, faced with a projected decline in enrollment over the next five years, combined with increased costs for utilities and insurance. “I wouldn’t say we’re in a dire situation with declining enrollment, but we’re at a point where we have to be very cautious,” said superintendent Dr. Pat DeLuca. “If we start planning now, using the projections we’ve been given, I don’t see a major impact on students or programming.” • Meanwhile, Eldridge was also looking to cut the fat from its city budget. The council instructed city administrator John Dowd to make whatever cuts were needed to avoid a tax increase. This came after Dowd sent out a memo warning of the prospect of a more than $25,000 deficit in the budget. Mayor Larry Rauch also suggested that reserves could be used to help balance finances. But Dowd and council member Rick Sharp also questioned Rauch’s insistence that the city spent too much money, “making life easier for our staff and showing no benefit to our citizens.” Sharp said,” To me, the staff does things for the citizens of Eldridge. They provide services to us, and I don’t know what you’re going to cut.” • Laura Dierickx, daughter of Paul and Jayne Dierickx of Long Grove, was crowned the 2001 Iowa Pork Queen. She beat out 21 other contestants from across the state and was judged on a personal interview, a speech and an impromptu presentation. She was a freshman at Iowa State University, where she was studying agricultural education. Meanwhile, Brian and Angie Ehlers of Walcott were also honored for their pork promotion efforts, with Brian winning the District 11 Hog Wild Award and Angie receiving the state Belle Ringer Award. • Eighth graders at North Scott Junior High joined students from across the Quad Cities as they participated in Groundhog Job Shadow Day, learning about careers from area businesses. The event was sponsored by Junior Achievement and gave the students a chance to learn in a real-world environment. NSJH students visited Gordman’s, Davenport Public Works, Von Hoffman Graphics, Genesis Systems Group, Capri College, KLJB, Davenport Municipal Airport, the Iowa National Guard, John Deere Davenport Works, Central Scott Telephone, Ruhl & Ruhl Commercial, Sam’s Club, Lindquist Ford and the National Weather Service. • The North Scott wrestling team was stunned at the MAC meet, as Davenport Assumption upset the team rankings and defeated the Lancers by 6.5 points.  Sophomore Adam Claussen was the lone MAC champion, although the team had 11 other placewinners. Coach Dan Mashek said that the team was dealing with some dented pride and expected they would come back with a vengeance in a dual against Davenport West, followed by the district meet in Clinton. Feb. 9, 2011 • A monster storm led Scott County to grind to a halt. About 13.5 inches of snow was recorded at the Davenport Municipal Airport 24 hours after the storm began. North Scott schools were cancelled for two days, and many local businesses also closed their doors. It was called the worst winter blizzard since 1979. • Members of the Iowa House were debating a bill that would change preschool funding in the state. The current policy had the state picking up the tab for all four-year-olds to attend preschool, which accounted for about $3,000 per student. But with the state budget facing a $700 million shortfall, legislators were looking to make cuts. Rep. Steve Olson of DeWitt suggested Iowans who could afford preschool should pay for it themselves. Under his proposal, a voucher system would be created for low-income families. The proposed legislation would save the state an estimated $69.9 million in FY12 and $75.1 million in FY13. • Lancer Productions presented “The Spitfire Grill” as its winter musical. Cast members included Analisa Percuoco, Anna Schneider, Nicole McCombs, Brady Frieden, Anthony Curlott, Anna Marceau and Kevin Knoer. • Ida Weibel was elected mayor of Long Grove, garnering 164 of the 182 votes cast in a special election. In the city council races, Cynthia Davis ran unopposed to fill a 10-month term. Brian Schmidt won a two-year vacancy on the council. • Darren Dillon scored a career-high 16 points as the North Scott boys’ basketball team defeated Burlington, 62-58. The Lancers held sole control of second place in the MAC and earned a No. 2 seed in the substate pairings, guaranteeing them a first-round bye. But up first was a tough week that would see them facing off against Davenport Assumption, Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley. Feb. 3, 2021 • North Scott senior Deven Strief was hoping to head back to Des Moines for the state wrestling tournament, having recently returned to the Lancer lineup following a serious knee injury. But it was the second major comeback in his life. As a child, he was diagnosed with very severe aplastic anemia. He received a bone marrow transplant when he was six and had a full recovery from his illness. His senior season began with a 19-0 start before he was sidelined with a torn ACL and LCL, but with pool therapy and a new brace, he was hoping to gut out the rest of the season and make it back to state. • Central Scott Telephone was working to add fiber links to 2,200 existing Eldridge homes, and up to 500 new homes by 2023. The new CST lines would make 1 GB service available to most homes. Speeds were currently limited to 50 MB through existing wires. CEO Donn Wilmott said the goal was to completely abandon those copper wire lines by 2025. • North Scott senior Luke Striegel won second place in the Iowa VFW statewide Voice of Democracy speech contest. The competition’s theme was “Is this the country the Founders envisioned?” • The North Scott wrestling team won its third MAC championship in the last four years, coming into the tournament as underdogs. Josh Connor (138) became a three-time individual champ, and Trace Gephart (113) and Peyton Westlin (145) also topped the podium. “It was a great team effort and a lot of fun to watch,” said coach Drew Kelly. • COVID cancelled the annual Cake Auction, but the games went on as schedule, with both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams defeating Clinton.    

East Moline Public Library screening civil rights documentary focusing on Chicago activist Alice Tregay

“Alice’s Ordinary People” is screening at the East Moline Public Library, 745 16th Avenue, on Friday, February 6th, starting at 6 p.m. Director Craig Dudnick will be in attendance for a Q&A session following the screening.

Bettendorf police continue search for missing Bettendorf man, David McAllister

In Bettendorf, David McAllister was 22-years-old when he went missing in 2017.

2 Kewanee schools briefly placed on lockdown, not related to districts, police say

Two Kewanee schools were briefly placed on lockdown Tuesday.

Grant lets EICC help QCA military get CDL licenses

A $79,800 federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) grant to Eastern Iowa Community Colleges will help recruit former and current military members train to hold Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL). Click here for more information, including enrolment details and class options.  The grant will support recruitment and enrollment in the colleges’ CDL training program, [...]

Spirit of cooperation at the Capitol

The 2026 Legislative Session is officially underway.  The Legislature meets in two-year increments and this year is the second and final year. This session will be different for me than any other year because I have now been elected Majority Leader of the Iowa House of Representatives.  Each caucus (House Republicans, House Democrats, Senate Republicans, and Senate Democrats) chooses a leader. My colleagues bestowed this honor on me, but I do not consider the office of Majority Leader to be my office… I consider it to be the office of the citizens of Cedar, Muscatine, and Scott Counties.  I will aggressively push for legislation that is good for our district and reject legislation that is not. I will no longer Chair Committees or run bills on the floor but my new office has a much more responsibility. Every bill that passes a policy, tax, or budget committee comes to the office of Majority Leader. It is my responsibility to decide what bills get voted on, which bills need amended, and which bills go in the trash can.  I will continue to be the same person you have come to know over the years: common-sense is my guiding light and practical solutions are my goal.  As a reminder—over 90% of the work we do in Des Moines is bipartisan and that was evidenced by the new leader of the Democrats, Brian Meyer of Des Moines, stating publicly that he trusts me and we can work together.  Don’t let the never-ending noise from the far-fringe left skew your view of Des Moines—we work together in the pursuit of common sense.  My main goal as Majority Leader is to follow through with my promises and that was my first act last week. Eminent domain ban for carbon pipelines This bill passed with a large bi-partisan majority and now heads to the Senate. The bill is simple: if you are a carbon pipeline company, you are not banned from building a pipeline but you are banned from condemning land to build it. I know there are some people who believe these carbon pipelines will raise the price of corn and want access to these alleged markets but I would argue that if this were such a great cause then you can obtain it from willing landowners instead of using the heavy hand of government to take it. Giving a private company the constitutional powers of eminent domain is incredibly dangerous. Summitt Carbon is a corporation making billions from federal government tax credits. I would argue giving this “crew” condemnation authority sets a precedent that will be used against farmers and all landowners for decades. According to the Des Moines Register, 78% of Iowans support my position and I am proud to stand up for your constitutional rights.  Listening post 9–10 a.m. Muscatine Community College, Feb. 7 Contact E-mail: Bobby.Kaufmann@legis.iowa.gov Phone: 563-260-3355 Mail: 1527 330th Street, Wilton IA 52778      

Democrats focus on affordability

I wish this newsletter could begin on a positive note, but I cannot remain silent after viewing the multiple killing video recordings of our Minnesota neighbors Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Iowan servicemen Sgts. Nate Howard and Edgar Torres-Tovar sacrificed their lives protecting the U.S. Constitution, which includes the 1st Amendment right to protest, 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, and the 14th Amendment for the due process of law, all of which have been under attack by the current immigration enforcement policy. Regardless of the immigration narrative that one subscribes to, no stance should support the killing of Americans exercising their Constitutional rights by our own Government. This policy approach has to stop NOW! Property tax reform ideas continue to develop around the Capitol, which caused me to take a historical review of our current residential rollback formula. Passed in 1977, and implemented in 1978, the rollback was created as a financial shock absorber. The purpose was to smooth out any large property valuation spikes that would occur simply by your neighbor selling their house during boom periods in the economy. At the time, we did not have the technology to individualize the rollback formula resulting in the application of a statewide aggregate limited to 3%. If you lived in a stagnant or depressed area and home prices around you rose slightly or in some instances declined, the statewide rollback would benefit you compared to home values in growing communities increasing rapidly due to limited stock. With today’s software and computer capabilities, I would suggest we apply the rollback formula towards a more regionalized or even individual application as determined by the local assessor’s biennial assessment. Property taxes are the most regressive, in my opinion, because a homeowner who maintains their property has no power over its valuation. The value of the house is determined by what their neighbor sold their similar size home for. It is for that reason retirees 65 or older are being considered for a property tax freeze or even a waiver. I’m proposing that we take a progressive approach by making this type of consideration “means based”; Those retirees with income above a certain level continue to pay and those below a certain income level have their property taxes proportioned appropriately. Focused on affordability Our caucus spent 2025 talking to Iowans across the state about the issues impacting their lives. We listened to stories about folks struggling to make ends meet, about lost jobs and low wages, high healthcare costs and unaffordable groceries. We heard how anxious people were about their monthly budgets and how uncomfortable things had gotten. That’s why Senate Democrats came into 2026 with a clear mission: lower costs and make life more affordable for working families. It’s a no-brainer—at least it seemed that way to us. The obstacle we keep running into is that Republican lawmakers just aren’t on the same page as the rest of us. Our priorities couldn’t be further apart. Iowans talked to us about the runaway cost of prescription drugs and low access to preventative healthcare. So, we introduced a bill to cap the cost of insulin and another to expand coverage for lung cancer screenings. Workers told us they were worried about getting paid what they were owed, so we introduced a bill to fight back against illegal wage theft. Young parents told us they wanted to care for their family members without having to fear they would lose their job, so we introduced a bill on paid family leave. Iowans sent us to the Capitol to work on the issues that are impacting their lives. While the majority party focuses on culture war distractions, we’re working to lower costs and make life more affordable.   This column was abridged.  

Public safety bills move forward

As Week Three wraps up in the Iowa legislature, I want to take a moment to share with you the important actions we've made in enhancing public safety. I have the honor of serving as chair of the Public Safety Committee, where we introduced three significant bills aimed at strengthening our community and state safety. First, the Career Criminals Act proposes a "three strikes and you're out" system, targeting habitual offenders to ensure our streets are safer. Second, the Pretrial Accountability and Bail Reform Act addresses the critical issue of accountability, preventing those charged with serious crimes from evading justice through bail or release on own recognizance when their return is questionable. Lastly, recognizing that law and order is rooted in a focused judiciary, we announced a bill designed to improve clarity of the judicial system for Iowans. This legislation will create a dashboard providing transparent, objective data on judges' decisions regarding bond, sentencing, and overall legal accuracy. Together, these initiatives represent a significant step forward, building a safer Iowa for all. Contact As a reminder, I was elected to represent you. I encourage you to email me at mike.vondran@legis.iowa.gov with your insights and perspectives.   This column was abridged.  

Commerce Committee bustling

This week at the Capitol, the House worked on several pieces of legislation focused on public safety, affordability, and protecting Iowans. Below is an update on the bills and policy issues discussed this week. House Commerce Committee activity Over weeks two and three of the legislative session, the House Commerce Committee advanced several bills.. Financial Exploitation: House Study Bill 516, from the Department of Insurance and Financial Services, allows insurers to delay disbursement of funds when financial exploitation is suspected. The bill includes notification requirements, timelines for delays, and employee training. DIFS reports a growing number of Iowans—often seniors—liquidating life insurance policies or annuities and losing savings to scams. Agricultural Land Restoration: House Study Bill 526 requires agricultural land restoration following construction of 200-kilovolt electric transmission lines, including tile repair, soil restoration, and a point of contact for landowners. This language originated in the Governor’s 2025 Energy Bill. Transmission Lines Right of Way: House File 736 requires the DOT to coordinate with utilities and transmission line developers regarding the use of highway and interstate rights-of-way. Health Savings Accounts: House File 2185 clarifies when cost-sharing applies to health savings accounts tied to high-deductible health plans. On the cost of living A Jan. 28, 2026, Axios article highlighted an Urban Institute analysis showing Iowa’s median household income grew more slowly than the national average from 1970 to 2023. However, Iowa continues to benefit from a cost of living well below the national average, which helps offset slower income growth. Most cost-of-living indices place Iowa between 10–20% below the U.S. average, with housing costs significantly lower than national levels. Iowa also ranks highly for affordability due to strong homeownership rates, recent tax reforms, and a stable Midwestern economy. These factors make Iowa more affordable than income figures alone suggest.   This column was abridged.        

What happened to...

What ever happened to? • Epstein files • Republican health care plan • Lower grocery prices • Lower energy prices • Lower home prices • Stop the war with Russia and Ukraine (once elected) • And now Venezuela • Tariffs (no help for the farmers on that one) Tell me what happened!   Tom Karnish Donahue

Don’t speak for all veterans

During the news coverage of President Trump's visit to Clive, Representative Miller-Meeks made a statement, "I'm a veteran and I'd like to give our welcoming committee the one finger salute." I too am a veteran and found this offensive. I swore an oath to the constitution which ensures the rights of the people to peacefully assemble.   John Mason Eldridge  

If ICE is gassing people in public, what are they doing in private?

The Trump administration’s Department of Transportation is responsible for the safety of airplanes, cars, and pipelines. Its regulations affect almost every aspect of transportation safety, including aircraft, gas pipelines, and freight trains carrying hazardous chemicals. Now, the department plans to use Google Gemini AI to help write new regulations. The DOT chief counsel said, “We don’t need the perfect rule. We want good enough.” Still, some employees worry about using a technology that is known to make mistakes in such important work. According to The Wall Street Journal, four days before Trump’s 2025 inauguration, representatives of an Abu Dhabi royal secretly agreed to buy a 49% stake in the Trump family’s new cryptocurrency company, World Liberty Financial. The investors paid half the amount upfront, sending $187 million to Trump family businesses. Federal agents are enforcing the authority of officials like White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who is described as a white nationalist. They used tear gas, made arrests, and killed American citizens. In Portland, Oregon, thousands marched peacefully. The Oregon Capital Chronicle reported, “federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland…indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs at marchers, including children.” Portland city councillor Mitch Green said, “I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear-gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions.” Tim Dickinson of The Contrarian wrote: “Today I saw ICE gas little white kids in the streets of Portland with chemical weapons. Imagine what they’re doing to brown and black kids in the detention camps.” Voters in Texas flipped a Senate seat from Republican to Democratic with a 32-point swing. Republicans had held this seat since the early 1990s.   James Turley Eldridge

History-makers on the mat

Shortly after sunset, steps away from the main entrance inside Independence High School, a wrestler from Decorah curled up in a corner, burying her face in her body. Out of view from the rest of the hallway, which leads into the main gymnasium, the finality of postseason wrestling hit hard. It was a fate shared by 88 girls from this regional tournament site. In this unforgiving sport, only the best advance to the state tournament. Despite having the second-smallest lineup in Independence, North Scott made its presence felt, snagging three of those coveted state spots. Juniors Sage Dzeladini and Khloe Hamilton, and sophomore Aviea Holden, all earned at least one more day on the mats by advancing to this week’s two-day state tournament at Xtream Arena. Dzeladini and Holden are heading there as regional champions at 235 and 110, respectively, with Hamilton battling her way to a true second-place finish at 100. “It’s a good day,” said Lancer coach Brian Thomas as his team waited for the podium presentations. “Coming in, we thought we’d get three. We walked away with three. Hoping for a couple more, but it is what it is. I’ll take three.” While this number is down from last year’s total of five qualifiers, it was harder this year with more teams in the Class 2A fray. The number of regional champions stayed the same, however, with Dzeladini and Holden each wearing this crown for the first time in their careers. Dzeladini was lights out Friday night with three first-period pins, including two of the three fastest at this regional site at 14 and 20 seconds. Her 20-second pin came in the championship match against Decorah’s Mady Lippe, who entered the match with a 34-7 record. “I’ve never wrestled that girl before; I always get a little worried,” Dzeladini said. “I just had to beat her because I really didn’t want to wrestle again. I’m happy that I got first place. I got second last year.” Dzeladini is the first three-time North Scott girls wrestling state qualifier since the sport became sanctioned in 2022. Dzeladini is the most experienced postseason wrestler for North Scott, and she is aiming high after getting on the podium in eighth place as a sophomore. “(The experience) helped me last year, and it’s going to help me again. Getting back there, I think I have a good chance,” she said. “I have to work my hardest. I can’t overwrestle myself. Just focus on being in the moment instead of the future.” When the official brackets were released Sunday afternoon, Dzeladini was revealed as the No. 7 seed in 2A-235. Her seed matches her IAwrestle ranking, as of Jan. 20. Dzeladini will face No. 10 seed Ashlyn Vanmanen of Newton in the first round. Her next match, whether in the quarterfinals or consolations, will be against No. 2 seed Delilah Subsin of Ottumwa or No. 15 seed Grayce Coree of Nevada. Dzeladini is North Scott’s highest-ranked wrestler, but Holden received the best seed of the three Lancer qualifiers. She is No. 6 in 2A-110 after winning the Independence regional. The No. 8-ranked wrestler pulled off a huge upset over No. 2-ranked Isabella Stumbo in the championship with a third-period pin. “That Stumbo girl beat her up at Valley,” Thomas said. “Aviea was up. That girl stormed back and pinned Aviea. This was some nice revenge. She wrestled a smart match.” Here, Holden got up once again. The Lancer led 3-1 after two periods. Stumbo had choice in the third period, and, much to the North Scott camp’s delight, she chose top position. “They wrestled into (Holden’s) strength,” Thomas said. “They wrestled her before. Like, OK. If it would have been our call, that’s what we would have done. So, thank you.” Holden reversed Stumbo 12 seconds after the whistle blew, and she got the pin shortly after. “My strategy was to do a side stand up,” Holden said. “Once I hit that stand up, they move their head immediately because my elbow is coming straight to their face. It’s been working, so I already knew what to do. (Coach Jared) Hamilton looked at me, and he’s like, ‘You know what to do.’” It has been a whirlwind for Holden to this point. The start to her freshman season was delayed due to a shoulder injury. She still manages it this season with a double shoulder support brace. “I think it’s funny because you see all these single shoulders, and I’m over here with my double. I get looked at crazy, like, why am I still on the mat?” Holden said. “That’s my biggest highlight, to still be out here, because I had the lowest chance ever to wrestle.” Holden has also dropped multiple weight classes to wrestle at her best. Holden started out last season at the Battle of Waterloo wrestling at 125 pounds. She wrestled at 120 at last season’s regionals, at 115 to begin this season, and is now at 110 heading to state. “It has a huge mental effect. I’m hungry all the time. My teachers feel bad for me,” she joked. “One more week, one more week, and then I can be as big as I want.” As the No. 6 seed, Holden will take on Camryn Andersen of Sioux City North to begin her tournament. Carlisle’s Alyssa Wheeler (No. 3 seed) or Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Jordyn Cole (No. 14 seed) await in the next round. Hamilton, ranked eighth, saved the drama for last. She bounced back from a semifinal loss and won three matches in a row in consolations to extend her season. It is her second time going to state after qualifying the same way, via true second place, last season. “It was a lot of hard work,” Hamilton said. “I’ve put a lot of time into practice, and outside of practice. Mae (Kelly), my partner, helped me get here. “I had that tough match with the Decorah girl, and I just get in my head sometimes. After that, I go find a plan.” That plan involved a second-period pin in the consolation semifinals to set up a third-place match with Cambyl Sattler of Clinton. These two girls wrestled twice in the last two weeks, including the MAC championship, with Hamilton winning both times. “Knowing in the back of your mind you’ve beaten her twice does help a lot,” Thomas said. “That’s Khloe; she battles back. She gets into deep waters, but I’ll put my money on her.” Hamilton won a 10-4 decision against Sattler and got some help in the championship to be eligible for a true second-place match. Against Semiya Gill of Maquoketa, the Cardinal got up 4-1 midway through the second period. But Hamilton found a takedown and pinned Gill before the buzzer to punch her ticket. “I don’t stop fighting,” Hamilton said. “I’m really strong on top, and me and my coaches know that. I knew she was tired, so going up, I had an advantage there.” Hamilton, too, has dealt with injury dating back to the fall’s cross-country season. That didn’t stop her from nearly qualifying for state then, and she persevered to get across the finish line in her best sport. “It’s a lot of mental work knowing that I have to push my body to its limits. Knowing that, I know I can do a lot more than a lot of other people with mental things,” Hamilton said. Moments like this make it all worth it. Hamilton is the No. 12 seed at state and will face Racoon River-Northwest’s Mya Van Beek in the first round. She will see either No. 4 seed Piper Phillips of Mason City or No. 13 seed Ash Ayers of Sioux City North in the next round. No other Lancers made it past the consolation semifinal round at regionals, but there was still one more reason to celebrate. Senior Sierra Metcalf earned career win No. 100 in a most unbelievable 14-10 decision win over Iowa City West’s Noah Overholt in the consolation third round. Overholt led 8-1 at one point in the second period. Metcalf scored a reversal and a four-point near fall in the period, and Overholt hit a reversal just before the frame ended. In the third, Metcalf got a quick takedown and another four-point nearfall. She leaned on Overholt the whole time, desperately trying to end the match there. No pin, but it got the job done with her teammates mobbing her as soon as she stepped off the mat. “She started as a freshman. She’s somebody who has stayed pretty consistent around that 25-win mark,” Thomas said. “She got to state last year, fell a little bit short here. But I’m proud of her. It’s good for our program and good for the girls to see this.” Another four-year Lancer wrestling career also came to an end as Bryn Stephens fell short of another state bid. “Bryn’s been there for four years right from us being sanctioned,” Thomas said. “She got injured (in November), and missing that time hurt. She grinds it out. Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it’s not. “I’m going to miss those two. That consistency, they’ve been there for a long time. They have a lot of wins between the two of them. Hopefully, these girls coming up see that. We’re going to miss them. They’ll be hard to replace.” For North Scott’s three state qualifiers, their journey will begin on Thursday with Hamilton and Holden going not long after the 4:30 p.m. scheduled start time. If they or Dzeladini advance to day two, wrestling will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday inside Xtream Arena. Championship matches receive their own spotlight this season with a 6:30 p.m. start time on Friday for the combined session.

Boil order lifted for Milan residents

Some Milan residents are under a boil order.

ACLU raises concerns over Quad Cities license plate readers in public information session

The Iowa and Illinois American Civil Liberties Union held a virtual informational session on Monday night, February 2nd, regarding municipalities' use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras.

Savanna, Illinois native among 10 chosen nationwide for NASA astronaut training

Cameron Jones fell in love with space and flying while growing up in Savanna. Today, he's on his way to becoming NASA's newest astronaut.

Hold the Line: Veteran Rock Band Toto Brings Its Popular Catalog, and Vocalist Joseph Williams, to Davenport’s Capitol Theatre on February 19

Nearly 49 years after first forming, the pop-rock band Toto is still going strong, and brings its national tour to Davenport’s Capitol Theatre on February 19.

Syria, once home to a large Jewish community, takes steps to return property to Jews

A Jewish heritage foundation has set out to help restore private property appropriated after Syrian Jews left the country.

Knox College to add women’s flag football, competition to begin in 2026

The new Prairie Fire team will operate as a club sport in the fall of 2026 before transitioning to a full varsity team in 2027.

GA-20, February 14

Performing locally as a Valentine's Day gift for fans of blues and roots music, the Massachusetts-based talents of GA-20 plats a February 14 concert at Rock Island's recently reopened RIBCO, the Blues Music Award nominees also recipients of the Boston Music Awards' "Blues Artist of the Year" citation every year from 2021 to 2025.

Verna Henning to be honored with 101st birthday card shower

Verna Henning of Walcott will celebrate her 101st birthday on Feb. 17. She will be honored with a card shower. Everyone is invited to send cards to Verna at the Wheatland Manor Nursing Home, 316 E. Lincolnway St., Wheatland, IA 52777. Verna Sothmann was born Feb. 17, 1925, in Dixon. She married Ernest F. Henning on Aug. 12, 1944, in Davenport. He passed away in 1995. Verna was the Avon Lady in the Calamus, Walcott and Davenport areas for nearly 60 years – working well into her 90s. She dreams of the days when she lived on the farm and spent many fun times cooking, baking, fishing, card playing, dancing, gardening, and camping. She worked at the Bentley Funeral Home in Durant and was the voter registrar chairperson in Walcott for many years. She is the mother of Verlynn (Dick) Moroney of South Vienna, Ohio, Lyndon “Ernie” Henning (Ruth Sueverkruebbe) of Davenport, and Renae (Michael) Baca of Albuquerque, N.M. She has six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

NASA delays the launch of Artemis II lunar mission by at least a month

NASA is targeting March for the launch of four astronauts on a ten-day mission to circle the moon and return safely to Earth, traveling farther than any humans have traveled in deep space.

Obituary: Steve McNicol

Steve McNicol Sr. went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. Steve was actively involved in the life of the church for many years. He served in various capacities, though his greatest gift and passion was evident through music. Whether as choir director, piano player, or vocalist, he loved leading people in song and expressing his faith in ways that inspired others. Music is also where Steve started his work career, though his gifts of administration would soon emerge and lead him into roles as a school administrator. His final post was serving 28 years as assistant principal at North Scott High School in Eldridge.  Above all, however, Steve was a devoted family man. He considered it a joy and privilege to care for his wife Mary following the years-long complications brought on by a brain tumor. He also cherished the time spent with other family, providing a steady source of encouragement, wisdom, sacrifice and countless greeting cards that were always on time! He is survived by sons Steve McNicol Jr. (Laura), Jeff McNicol (Carolyn), and daughter Tammy Sandercock (Roy), 14 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary, parents Floyd and Mildred, sister Marilyn and grandson, Logan. A funeral service celebrating Steve’s life will be held on Monday, Feb. 9, at First Baptist Church Bettendorf, 3593 Middle Road, Bettendorf. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11:30 a.m. A lunch will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church, Bettendorf.     Custom obituary

“Candlelight: Tribute to Queen & More” and “Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special,” February 14

Returning to Moline with two spectacular Saturday-evening performances, the live, multi-sensory musical experience known as the Candlelight Concerts series enjoys its latest Quad Cities engagements at the city's First Congregational Church, the February 14 events boasting Tribute to Queen & More at 6:30 p.m. and Valentine's Day Special at 8:30 p.m.

Obituary: Gene Vincent

Gene B. Vincent, born on Aug. 17, 1931, passed away on Jan. 29, 2026, at the age of 94. Gene’s life was marked by dedication to helping others, artistry, and a deep commitment to his family and community. Born to Homer and Myrtle (Booth) Vincent in Washington, Iowa, Gene was raised on a farm, an experience that instilled in him a lifelong appreciation for agriculture. He played football and ran track (fastest out of the blocks) in high school. After completing high school, he pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in farm operations from Iowa State University (ISU). Gene served his country with honor in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1955, stationed in Germany as a radar operator. After his service, he worked as a county agricultural agent for the Extension service for seven years. He was involved with his local 4H club, mentoring the younger generation. He returned to ISU to further his education with a master’s degree in agronomy. Following this he worked in a seven-county area in southeast Iowa as a crop production specialist with the ISU Extension Service until his retirement in 1986. On Feb. 12, 1956, Gene married Arlene Steffen at Newcomb Presbyterian Church in Davenport. Their nearly 70 years of marriage were filled with love, companionship, and shared adventures. Gene was a man of many talents and interests. His love for woodworking was evident in the structures and toys he crafted for his children and grandchildren and the wood-turned bowls he created. He was a member of QC Woodturners. He did all of the electrical installation and woodworking for the house they built in Pleasant Valley, and he applied these talents to volunteering for Hearts and Hammers as well as Habitat for Humanity. He seemed to have the ability to build or fix anything. Always eager to help, he took pleasure in advising farmers and gardeners, and he loved to get his own hands into the dirt. He was especially proud of his purple tomatoes, day lilies and hostas. Many of Gene’s fondest memories came from his travels and hosting from around the world, many with the Friendship Force. Gene’s artistic spirit shone through in all things he created, and he especially poured love into the prints and jewelry he made with his wife. He worked steadily on family genealogy. He was interested in and taught courses on photography. He was also a dedicated fan of ISU athletics, a true Cyclone in good times and bad. A devoted member of Bettendorf Presbyterian Church, Gene’s faith was a cornerstone of his life. He served on the endowment committee and worked on the design, installation, and maintenance of landscaping. Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Arlene Vincent; his children, Kent (Susan) Vincent and Rene (Paul) Vance; and his grandchildren, Nina, Galen and Shane Vincent, and Zachary and Derek Vance. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Brian Vincent, and his siblings, John Vincent and Margaret Scott. Visitation will be at Weerts Funeral Home Wednesday, Feb. 4, 5-6:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Bettendorf Presbyterian Church on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 11 a.m., with burial at Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials can be made to the Bettendorf Presbyterian Endowment, the Brian Vincent Memorial Scholarship at Iowa State University, or the Iowa 4H Foundation.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Karen Breeding

Karen Kay Breeding, our beloved wife, mother, nani, sister, and aunt, was softly and tenderly called home and received by her Heavenly Father on Jan. 28, 2026. For the full obituary, please visit www.ankenyfuneralhome.com.   Custom obituary

Bill would explore possible reinstatement of VEISHEA at ISU

Legislation to have the Iowa Board of Regents study the possibility of bringing back an Iowa State University event with a history of disruption moved out of an Iowa House subcommittee Thursday. House Study Bill 545 would require the Iowa Board of Regents to conduct a study into the practicality and potential benefits of reinstating VEISHEA at Iowa State University. The study would be submitted to the chairs of the Iowa House Higher Education Committee and Iowa Senate Education Committee before its November meeting this year. Rep. Heather Hora, R-Washington, chaired the subcommittee and was joined by Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Fairfield, and Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames. Before its discontinuance in 2014, VEISHEA was a student-run celebration put on at ISU for nearly a century. According to information from the ISU library special collections department, VEISHEA stands for the university’s five divisions in 1922 — veterinary medicine, engineering, industrial science, home economics and agriculture. VEISHEA celebrations saw student violence and other challenges through the years, including riots, property damage, injuries and death, including a fatal fall in 2012 and the slaying of a visitor to campus that took place in 1997 just after the celebration. After a 2014 “disturbance” during VEISHEA involving around 1,000 people, then-university president Steven Leath put together a task force that recommended elimination of the event. Iowa Board of Regents State Relations Officer Jillian Carlson said during the subcommittee meeting it might be better to direct ISU to conduct the study rather than the board, as it focuses purely on the Ames institution. When asked by Wilburn about other reports the board must submit to the General Assembly, she said there are “quite a few annual reports” that must be completed as well as more reports in “active legislation.” Wilburn gave three reasons why he wouldn’t sign onto the legislation, including past violence, adding an additional report to the board’s workload and keeping local control of local events. “At the local level, they gave multiple choices or opportunities for VEISHEA to go without riots and damage and death, and the university has historically worked with the community,” Wilburn said. “So again, in my opinion, these types of decisions about these local celebrations and festivals should stay at the local level.” Iowa House Higher Education Committee chair Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, has criticized bureaucracy in the past, Wilburn said, and the report required in this bill is “another bureaucratic expense” that is unnecessary given the other reports the board must complete. Hora said she hasn’t spoken with Collins about the reasons behind the bill, but she’s heard from people who attended VEISHEA “pre-riots” who spoke about the benefits for ISU it brought. She signed the legislation and moved it ahead for consideration by the full Higher Education Committee. “VEISHEA used to be a very good event for the campus, and so basically, all this does is, you know, task them to do a feasibility study for reintroducing VEISHEA to a campus,” Hora said.

10 of Soul, February 13

A high-energy ensemble boasting some of the sharpest musical talents the area has to offer, 10 of Soul headlines a February 13 engagement in the Rust Belt's "Winter Jam 2026" concert series, their East Moline set sure to boast classic tunes from the genres of soul, funk, and blues, as well as a few funky arrangements of their own.

Kings of the hill: Lancers win MAC again

So nice, they did it twice. With two champions, six runners-up and three third-place medalists, North Scott’s boys’ wrestling team successfully defended their Mississippi Athletic Conference championship in a dominant showing Saturday at Davenport Assumption High School. There was no need to sweat the standings as, after the championship matches concluded, North Scott had a 30-point lead on the next closest school. Bettendorf closed the gap after the third and fifth-place matches, but the Lancers maintained a 246 to 230 advantage when it was all over. “It took everybody. They earned it,” Lancer coach Drew Kelly said. “Conference is tough — a lot of good teams. We dropped a dual to PV in the regular season. Had dogfights with Bettendorf and Assumption. To come in here and have our guys battle like they did and win the title is good.” Before last season, the Lancers had not won a team conference title since 2021. Now, it’s two in a row for the scarlet and silver. Senior Cole Green maintained his top dog status with a repeat championship. He won at 157 last season, and he took home the 165 crown on Saturday. Additionally, sophomore Kepler Carmichael made his return from a three-week absence to breeze through the 175-pound bracket and win his first MAC title. Neither Green nor Carmichael allowed any of their opponents to see the second period. Green pinned his first three foes in a combined 109 seconds. In the championship, he posted a 17-0 technical fall in just two minutes for an emphatic win over Bettendorf’s Shannon Hughes. “I wasn’t happy with how I wrestled him earlier in the season,” Green said. “I learned some moves from Coach Skipper. He helped me reach the next level against that kid. “It feels good. Ready to keep it going here. It’s the start of the postseason so we started off well as a team and individually.” Green, ranked third at 3A-165 by IAwrestle, maintain his perfect record, which now sits at 28-0. “He’s pretty dominant right now,” Kelly said. “He’s wrestling well. Great kid, works his tail off, awesome great leader for us. He’s having a heckuva year.” Carmichael wrestled for the first time since the Ottumwa Invitational in the second week of January. He has logged just 23 matches this season. But when Carmichael been on the mat, he’s been dominant. He has a 19-4 record, and pinned all three of his opponents at the MAC tournament in under 90 seconds. “It sucks (missing time) because your cardio goes down. It also happened last year,” Carmichael said. “I feel like it makes me more hungry to want to be back. It makes me wrestle better.” Carmichael, who placed second at 144 at last year’s MAC tournament, pinned Brody Buhman of Davenport Assumption in the semifinals and Damarius Robinson of Clinton to take this year’s crown. “Kepler, this is his first time back in two and a half weeks. He’s healed up a bit. Had a good week of training. He was pretty dominant as well,” Kelly said. Both Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley each had four individual champions, but North Scott’s depth shined bright on Saturday. Seniors Will McDermott (138) and Collin Kruse (144), juniors Max Davis (120), Trey Feist (215) and Bryce Stewart (285) and freshman Zach Green (150) all won silver medals and added at least 18 team points to North Scott’s score. “(Winning MAC) was one of our team goals, so it’s good to get that,” Green said. “It’s exciting to watch, especially when they come back to our team camp and they’re excited they made the final. We’re all excited. This is a great team to be part of.” A trio of seniors in Cole Bruck (113), Matthew Williams (126) and Ben Lightle (157) all earned third-place finishes as the night ended. Add it up, and 11 of North Scott’s 14 wrestlers earned a medal at the tournament. “Putting eight guys in the finals, and some other guys with opportunities, just really solid. It’s a tough conference. We battled hard all day. It was a dogfight until the end,” Kelly said. It wouldn’t be a MAC boys wrestling week without the junior varsity Lancers starting things off on the right note. For the 12th time in the past 13 seasons, North Scott won the JV boys title. And like many of them, they won it in a landslide. At 212.5 team points, North Scott was over 60 points clear of second-place Pleasant Valley.  The Lancers had six individual champions, sweeping the competitions from 157 to 285. Juniors Gabriel Ulloa (157), Aaron Bergfeld (190), Vincent Hugaert (215) and Aaron Huber (285), sophomore Drake Huffman (165) and freshman Michael Ramirez (175) all won JV MAC gold. Winning this tournament has become a source of pride for North Scott over the past decade with a strong support system leading the way. “On Thursday, we were all down there. We worked out at six in the morning, so we had varsity, parents, everybody. It was awesome,” Kelly said. “Everybody contributed again. Our guys know the team part is big for us. They are a close group. They train together and support each other. “Super proud of those guys. It was fun to watch them compete. It’s a testament to our K-12 program and all the coaches that work with them.” The emphasis on team remains this week with regional duals on Tuesday. North Scott, as the No. 13 seed, must travel to No. 7 Iowa City West. First, the Lancers will wrestle No. 17 Bondurant-Farrar in the regional semifinals. North Scott beat Bondurant-Farrar in last season’s semifinals, and followed it up with a shocking upset of No. 4 Linn-Mar to qualify for state. “Coming out of conference, they are battle tested. I like how they’re wrestling and competing,” Kelly said. “Some of our guys wanted a different finish, but it’s still about getting better, making adjustments and improving every day. Even as we approach district and state time, they’re going to do that.”

“A Symphonic Valentine,” February 14

Delivering a musical celebration of love under the baton of conductor Dr. Rossana Cauti, the Knox-Galesburg Symphony will present their ode to romance in A Symphonic Valentine, a night of iconic composers and unforgettable compositions taking place at Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre, appropriately, on February 14.

'Exciting and nerve-wracking'

It is two years and two medals for North Scott’s girls’ bowling team. The Lady Lancers are taking a liking to the Mississippi Athletic Conference tournaments recently introduced for bowling. Last year, North Scott was the runner-up, and this year, it was a third-place finish for North Scott’s girls’ crew on Thursday at Leisure Lanes. The team consisted of senior Lindy Dhuse, juniors Mayzie Sutherland and Skylar Shalack, sophomores Kaitlyn Bibens and Arabella Miller, and freshman Annabelle Cress. “They bowled great; I’m proud of them,” Lancer assistant coach Katelyn Wolfram said. “It was exciting and nerve-wracking for them because we have not been in a pressure situation like that all season. It’s good going into next week at state qualifying, and then hopefully at state, when we will do the match play situation again.” The event format consisted of 15 baker games with the top four teams advancing to the knockout round. North Scott got off to a slow start, but caught fire in the middle and late rounds. The team had an average score of 150.3 over its first seven games. That average jumped up to 183.4 over the final eight games. “We struggled at the beginning; it was a bit of a rough morning,” Dhuse said. “We started to figure it out and feel confident again.” North Scott was in fourth place by just a handful of pins after 10 games. After the full 15, the team was comfortably in third place with a total score of 2,519. The Lancers were ahead of Pleasant Valley (2,427) but behind Clinton (2,898) and Bettendorf (2,718). North Scott squared off against the Bulldogs in the semifinals, falling in three close games: 138-146, 202-163, 150-178. The Lancers and Spartans met in the third-place match where it went the distance again. The match came down to Dhuse in the final frame of the final game. She needed one strike and some extra pins to clinch it. Dhuse ordered a turkey with three strikes in a row. “That last game, I knew it was up to me, the ball and the lane, and whatever happened, happened. I want to end my senior year strong,” she said. “I buried the first one. I knew I could get the second one. And I wanted to end with a strike, and I put it right in the pocket. “I was happy to see the team back and pumped up again. I think we needed that before we go to Decorah on Monday to get our confidence up. We know we can do it. We all just have to work together.” With this being just the second year of conference tournament play, it introduces match play to bowlers who otherwise might not play in it. “This being the conference tournament, it’s a little more high stakes than a conference round robin meet,” Wolfram said. “The head-to-head, win-or-go-home, we don’t practice that a whole lot. It’s a different mindset and a different experience that they don’t get to see a lot. It puts even more pressure on you, especially for Lindy who is in that five spot all afternoon.” It was just the girls at this MAC meet as, due to the IGHSAU and IHSAA splitting up the seasons, the boys opted to push back their conference tournament to avoid a long layoff before state qualifying. For the girls, this was great preparation for their regional, which took place on Monday in Decorah at King Pin Entertainment Center. Results were not finalized as of late Monday afternoon.

The ex-British ambassador to the U.S. is under U.K. investigation into Epstein ties

The U.K. government says newly released files related to Jeffrey Epstein suggest that the former British ambassador to the U.S. may have shared market-sensitive information with Epstein.

No games are guarantees

Pretty wins, ugly wins, they all count the same in the Mississippi Athletic Conference. After a pair of scares against two bottom-of-the-table teams, North Scott is happy to get out of dodge last week unscathed. North Scott needed a last-second go-ahead shot to down Davenport West 48-47, and it survived a frenetic fourth-quarter comeback bid to beat Clinton 58-52 on Tuesday (Jan. 27). “There is a lot of parity in our league. Anyone can beat anyone on any given night; it doesn’t matter what the records are,” Lancer coach Shamus Budde said. “Any time you can get a win, you’ll take it, especially on the road.” Heroics are fun no matter the opponent, and the Lancers got that from Vasaun Wilmington Friday night at West. North Scott’s sophomore point guard delivered a dagger through the hearts of Falcons fans. With 8.2 seconds remaining, the Lancers trailed by one point, but had possession of the ball out of bounds underneath the West basket. Wilmington and junior Josiah Harrington played give and go, and Wilmington drilled the go-ahead jumper from the left elbow. “We saw that the guy guarding Vasaun on the inbounds was standing underneath the basket,” Budde said. “We went with a little handoff with Jo. He gave it to Vasaun, Vasaun turned the corner and made a tough shot.” Prior to that moment, Wilmington was 3-15 in the game on field goal attempts. That didn’t faze him, and the ball hit nothing but net. “For him at his age to be able to step up and make a big play like that is huge,” Budde said. “Hopefully, he and we can continue to build on it.” West led North Scott 31-25 at halftime, but North Scott retook the lead after the third by holding the Falcons to four points in the period. Juniors Ryder Maher, Miller Haedt and Drew Fischer all hit three-pointers in the second half to keep North Scott in the game. “Getting those shots were big for us,” Budde said. “We stuck together. It wasn’t pretty, but we found a way to pull it out in the end. We didn’t shoot it well, but we hit shots when we needed to down the stretch.” Tuesday’s game against Clinton had, perhaps, a misleading final score. North Scott led Clinton by double digits for most of the game, and the River Kings didn’t get their deficit under 10 points in the second half until the 2:46 mark in the fourth quarter. Clinton scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to get the lead down from 15 points after three frames. “It’s kind of been us all year where we get up 15 to 20 points, and then we let teams get back in it towards the end,” Budde said. “We’re talking to the guys about that. We need to do a better job of closing games. “We had a bunch of turnovers in the fourth quarter, and we just threw it to them. Those live-ball turnovers turned into layups. They were able to creep back into it.” Harrington exploded for 38 points in the contest on 13/21 shooting with 10 rebounds. His per-game average is up to 26.4 points, which ranks sixth in all of Iowa, and first in Class 4A. Wilmington had 12 points and three steals, and Fischer had a game-high six assists with four rebounds. These two wins maintain North Scott’s status as a top-three team in the MAC. The Lancers have a 9-3 conference record and are just one game back of both Muscatine and Bettendorf at 10-2. The good news for North Scott is that the next four games are all in The Pit. Davenport’s North, Central, Assumption, along with Central DeWitt, will all come to Eldridge over the next two weeks. “It seems like we’ve been on the road all year. It’ll be nice to get back in The Pit for four straight games,” Budde said. “I know our kids always look forward to the Cake Auction Night (on Friday against Assumption). But we need to take care of business against North on Tuesday first.”

Bad Medicine, February 14

An evening of classic '80s rock is promised at Maquoketa's Ohnward Fine Arts Center on February 14 when the venue treats fans to a night with Bad Medicine, the exhilarating touring musicians who will deliver a first act of Bon Jovi hits and a second act of "Non Jovi" smashes, featuring favorites by the hard-rocking likes of Poison, Van Halen, and Guns N' Roses.

Lancers split with West and Clinton

North Scott girls’ basketball split a pair of conference games last week, defeating Davenport West 68-51 on the road but falling 54-35 to Clinton at home. The Lancers’ domination over Davenport West continued last Friday with the team’s 20th consecutive victory over the Falcons. North Scott ran away with the first half after doubling up the Falcons 26-13 in the second quarter, leading to a 17-point halftime lead. The ghosts of second halves past began to rear their ugly heads again as Davenport West returned the favor and doubled up North Scott 22-11 in the third quarter. North Scott got the last laugh with a return-to-sender 19-8 advantage in the fourth quarter to put the game to bed. As a team, North Scott got to the free-throw line 21 times, converting 15 shots. The team recorded a season-high 55 rebounds with 27 coming on the offensive glass. Senior Allie Moeller posted a monster double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds, along with four assists. Sophomore Alaina Dreckmeier had 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Junior Kamilah Eller found her way to double figures with 10 points and five rebounds. The week’s marquee matchup was on Tuesday (Jan. 27) when Clinton came to town, seeking revenge for a mid-December buzzer-beater loss. The River Queens got that, and then some, in a rout of North Scott in The Pit. North Scott’s largest lead of the night was four points, at 6-2 in the first quarter. It was one-way traffic after that as the Lancers could not take the lid off the basket. The team scored progressively fewer points per quarter as the night went on, leading to its second-worst offensive output of the season with 35 points. North Scott made just four of its 20 three-point attempts and 21 percent of its two-point attempts while committing 18 turnovers. This marked the fourth win in the last five games for Clinton over North Scott. As a result, Clinton took North Scott’s spot in the following day’s Class 4A rankings release. The River Queens are back in the mix at No. 14, while North Scott dropped off the list from No. 13 two weeks ago. North Scott will play three of its next four games at home, which includes a nonconference battle against Dubuque Senior on Feb. 12. Before that, the team traveled to Davenport North on Feb. 3, and will host Davenport Assumption on Feb. 6 and Central DeWitt on Feb. 10.

“Preston Singletary: Raven & the Box of Daylight,” February 14 through August 2

Telling the story of Raven, an important trickster figure in Tlingit culture who transformed the world by bringing light to people via the stars, moon, and sun, Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight will be viewable at Davenport's Figge Art Museum from February 14 through August 2, with the tale of Raven releasing or "stealing" the daylight one of the most iconic stories of the Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska.

The penultimate performance

The first regular season for North Scott boys swimming is officially in the books. North Scott took a trip up to Clinton last Tuesday (Jan. 27) for a dual against the River Kings, with the home team coming out on top 133-36. The Lancers won the 100-yard breaststroke event as freshman Fin Debourcy beat Clinton sophomore Cameron Zimmer in a photo finish. Debourcy’s time of 1:15.58 was three-tenths of a second faster than Zimmer’s. North Scott also took two second-place event finishes. On the individual side, freshman Landon Dirks got second in the 200-yard individual medley (2:33.58) and freshman Noah Siokos placed second in the 100-yard butterfly (1:30.55). Debourcy placed third in the 50-yard freestyle (26.42 seconds), Siokos earned third in the 100-yard backstroke (1:23.16) and freshman Logan Carney took third in the 200-yard freestyle (2:35.80). North Scott was assigned the Dubuque district site at Hempstead High School for this Saturday. It will be joined by Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Clinton, Davenport Central, Davenport West, Dubuque Senior, and Muscatine.

“Laber & Mullins,” February 6 through March 20

With the works of both Iowa-based artists boasting vivid colors and expressive storytelling qualities, the dual exhibition Laber & Mullins will be on display in Rock Island's Quad City Arts Center from February 6 through March 20, this showcase of local talent boasting evocative, thrilling paintings by Phillip Laber and Rachael Mullins.

“Toil: John Hunting Hansen,” through February 27

With the artist exploring art's role as a record of his own humanity and his fascination with how discarded material can tell the story of one’s life, John Hunting Hansen's exhibition Toil is on display through February 27 at St. Ambrose University's Catich Gallery.

Possible garage fire in Davenport

Heavy smoke was observed near a detached garage.

“Dinosaur World Live,” February 18

On February 18, patrons of Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre are invited to discover a prehistoric world of astonishing and remarkably lifelike creatures of the past in the touring sensation Dinosaur World Live, with the astonishing sights on display including a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor, Segnosaurus, and every child's favorite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex,

“Historic Voices: Mrs. Lincoln in Love,” February 12

Mary Todd Lincoln lived a life filled with triumphs and tragedies. But few genuinely know her story, and in the Bettendorf Public Library's February 12 program Historic Voices: Mrs. Lincoln in Love, patrons are invited to listen in as Mary – as portrayed by librarian and touring performer Laura Keyes – reflects on the loves of her life: her children, her husband, and her country.

“Kelp!” and “The Green Buffalo,” February 15

With River Action sponsoring a rare double feature in its QC Environmental Film Series, the fascinating program for February at St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center features a pair of short documentaries: Kelp!, the Jury Award winner of the 2024 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, and The Green Buffalo, which details how the biggest strides in hempcrete construction are going down on one of the smallest Native American reservations.

3 displaced after house fire

Crews could see thick smoke showing from the front of the home, officials said.

How Rupert Murdoch created a media empire -- and 'broke' his own family

Journalist Gabriel Sherman has covered the Murdoch family for nearly two decades. In his new book, Bonfire of the Murdochs, he chronicles the protracted public battle for control the family business.

What we know about Savannah Guthrie's missing mother

Nancy Guthrie is 84 and has mobility issues, but she is mentally sharp, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said. She was last seen Saturday evening.

Back seats aren't as safe as they should be. A crash test is trying to help

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A new generation revives 'The Muppet Show' and it's as delightful as ever

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Police: 2 charged in connection with kidnapping, assault

Two people are charged after police said a man was held against his will and assaulted.

Putnam Museum announces opening of Family Discovery Center

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New Iowa bills target drivers who try to escape police by crossing state lines

Proposed Iowa law would make it a felony for drivers to escape police by crossing state lines, but some sheriffs worry the plan could create legal problems for officers.

1 injured, 3 displaced after East Moline house fire

The East Moline Fire Department responded to a house fire that resulted in 1 injury and 3 displaced.

Understanding employee benefits, perks, and rewards and why they matter

Understanding employee benefits, perks, and rewards and why they matterToday’s employees expect more than just a paycheck. They want to feel supported, appreciated, and connected to your company’s mission. To meet those expectations, you need a well-rounded approach that supports all aspects of the employee experience. That starts with understanding the difference between employee benefits, perks, and rewards.By clearly defining and strategically applying each, you can build a more thoughtful and effective employee experience strategy that contributes to a thriving workplace and helps you better support your team. In the sections that follow, WorkTango breaks down how benefits, perks, and rewards each play a unique role and how to use them effectively to meet the needs of today’s workforce.What are employee benefits?Employee benefits are the foundation of your total compensation package. They're the non-wage offerings that help your employees stay healthy, financially secure, and supported in their personal lives.According to the U.S. Department of Labor, benefits fall into two categories:Legally required (mandatory) benefits like Social Security, Medicare, and workers' compensation.Voluntary (discretionary) benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.In Canada, employee benefits also include a combination of mandatory and optional programs.Mandatory benefits include contributions to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and workers’ compensation.Optional benefits typically include extended health and dental coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans (like group RRSPs), and wellness programs.While the specifics vary by country, the purpose remains the same: to support your employees’ overall well-being and make your organization a more attractive place to work.Benefits usually apply to all full-time employees and aren’t tied to individual performance. They’re often detailed in employment contracts and designed to meet basic needs employees would otherwise pay for themselves. Having a strong benefits package matters because it’s directly tied to how employees evaluate job opportunities and how long they stay with an organization.The SHRM Employee Benefits Survey found that 88% of organizations view health benefits as highly important, and 81% feel the same about retirement plans and paid leave. At the same time, 70% of employers have expanded or enhanced their benefits offerings in response to labor shortages. These changes reflect a bigger shift in expectations. Your employees are looking for support with real-life challenges like healthcare, financial planning, and time off to recharge. Offering strong benefits shows you understand what people need to succeed both in and out of the workplace.Examples of employee benefitsThese are some of the most common benefits companies offer to support their employees’ health and security:Paid time off (PTO): Paid time away from work, including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave. Offering generous PTO helps improve well-being and productivity.Health insurance/extended health coverage: In the U.S., employers often provide health insurance to help employees manage medical expenses. In Canada, where basic healthcare is publicly funded, many employers offer extended health and dental coverage to fill gaps not covered by provincial plans.401(k), retirement plans, or RRSP matching: In the U.S., 401(k) plans help employees prepare for retirement. In Canada, similar support is offered through group Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) or pension plans. These benefits are key to attracting and retaining talent, with 93% of workers saying retirement benefits influence whether or not they’ll take a job.Stock options: Equity-based compensation that gives employees a stake in the organization’s success. This is especially appealing in startups and high-growth organizations looking to align team members with long-term goals.Pre-tax transit assistance/commuter benefits: Programs like subsidized transit passes or parking stipends help reduce commuting costs. In both Canada and the U.S., these can be offered with tax advantages depending on local regulations.Workers' compensation: Legally required in both the U.S. and Canada, this insurance provides financial and medical support to employees injured on the job.You can think of benefits as the foundation of your employee experience strategy. They meet essential needs and show employees that you’re invested in their well-being. Once you’ve covered the essentials, you can start thinking about how to enhance your everyday employee experience and culture with employee perks.What are employee perks?Employee perks are non-wage offerings that give employees something extra beyond their salary and core benefits. They're not essential or required, but they play an important role in supporting a positive, enjoyable people-first workplace culture.Perks are typically not tied to performance or tenure and often apply to all full-time employees. They might cover things employees wouldn’t normally spend money on themselves, like wellness stipends, office snacks, or team outings.Whether your organization operates in the United States, Canada, or both, perks offer a flexible way to personalize the employee experience and show that you care about what matters to your team.Examples of employee perksThese are examples of perks organizations often use to reinforce their culture and improve employee satisfaction:Flexible hours or remote work: Scheduling flexibility and work-from-home options give your employees more control over when and where they work. This is increasingly expected in both U.S. and Canadian workplaces.Free snacks or meals: Food and beverages provided during the workday to support convenience and foster workplace connection.Gym memberships or wellness stipends: Wellness-focused offerings that encourage physical activity and promote health. This contributes to your employees’ well-being and productivity. In Canada, some employers include these perks as part of a broader wellness benefit plan.Tuition assistance or education stipends: Financial support for continued education, often tied to professional development goals. In both the U.S. and Canada, this may also come with potential tax advantages and help employees grow in their careers.Employee retreats: Off-site or virtual events that build camaraderie and strengthen team relationships.Childcare support: Support that helps your working parents manage caregiving responsibilities. This allows them to stay focused at work, reduce their stress, and better manage their attendance.Perks may vary widely by industry, company size, or location, but they all serve one purpose: to help employees feel more supported in their day-to-day lives and connected to the company’s culture.Once you’ve established how to support your workforce through employee perks, the next step is recognizing how individuals contribute to your company’s success. That’s where employee rewards come in.What are employee rewards?Employee rewards are performance-based offerings that recognize individual or team contributions. They are a key part of a broader employee recognition and rewards program, and are designed to reinforce the behaviors, achievements, and milestones that matter most to your organization.Unlike benefits or perks, rewards are not given universally. While they do support the overall employee experience, they are designed to be given to employees individually to recognize effort, outcomes, or impact. Because of this, rewards have a powerful effect on employee motivation and overall performance.Whether your workforce is based in the United States, Canada, or spread across global locations, a well-designed rewards program can be tailored to local preferences while staying aligned with your global values.Examples of employee rewardsThese are some of the most common ways organizations recognize and celebrate employee contributions:Milestone rewards: Recognition for work anniversaries, project completions, promotions, or other meaningful career moments. These help build loyalty and show employees their long-term contributions are appreciated.Performance-based bonuses: Financial incentives tied to individual or team achievement. These are widely used across North America to motivate employees to meet and exceed goals by aligning rewards with effort.Recognition platforms: Technology that allows employees and managers to give and receive public appreciation. These platforms make recognition consistent, visible, and accessible across your entire organization. In fact, switching to a consolidated Employee Recognition & Rewards platform can help organizations reduce reward costs by 15-20% while increasing impact.Point-based rewards systems: Programs where employees choose their own rewards based on earned recognition points. This flexibility makes recognition more meaningful, as employees can choose what matters most to them—whether that’s concert tickets, merchandise, time off, or a donation to a cause they care about. (Note: In both the U.S. and Canada, certain types of rewards like cash or gift cards may be taxable. It’s a good idea to consult your finance or payroll team to ensure rewards are handled properly for compliance and reporting purposes.)Why rewards need to be tied to recognition for maximum impactFor a reward to truly motivate an employee, they need to know why they’re receiving it. A gift or bonus without context can feel confusing or even transactional. But when you connect that reward to specific feedback—what they did, why it mattered, and how it contributed to a bigger goal—it turns into something memorable and meaningful. This connection helps reinforce the actions and behaviors you want to encourage across your team.Keeping recognition and rewards consistent can be challenging, no matter the size or structure of your organization. Whether you're a small business or a global organization, the right tools can make it easier to deliver meaningful, timely recognition that scales with your team.That's where technology can make all the difference. The right recognition and rewards platform gives you one place to send, manage, and track recognition across your entire organization. It helps you make sure rewards are timely, transparent, and clearly connected to the behaviors you want to reinforce. More importantly, it helps you build a culture where appreciation is consistent, not something that only happens once in a while.Tying it all togetherA strong employee benefits package, thoughtful perks, and meaningful employee rewards give you a complete strategy for supporting and motivating your workforce. Benefits provide the stability your employees need to feel secure in their roles. Perks create a positive, day-to-day experience that reflects your culture. Rewards reinforce individual effort and performance in a way that moves your business forward.On their own, each of these tools adds value. But together, they build a lasting employee experience that strengthens engagement, builds loyalty, and helps your organization thrive.This story was produced by WorkTango and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Davenport firefighters respond to overnight structure fire

The fire was reported in the 3600 block of Telegraph Road in Davenport, in a detached garage away from the street.

National Wear Red Day raises awareness of heart disease

National Wear Red Day raises awareness of heart disease in women. Cardiologist Dr. Rafat Pardaria discusses women's heart health.

Comparing Toyota Prius Prime alternatives

Comparing Toyota Prius Prime alternativesIf you're on the fence about electric vehicles but want to experience what they have to offer, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV, for short) is a great alternative. In your daily commute, PHEVs offer the fuel savings and smooth driving of an electric car. The more you can drive on the electric motor, the more you'll save on fuel costs since electricity is typically less expensive. But because they also have a gasoline engine, they alleviate range anxiety, which is a major concern among prospective EV owners. When a PHEV runs out of its battery charge, a gas engine kicks in and you can continue to drive until you recharge the battery or refuel the gas tank.Among these types of vehicles, the Toyota Prius Prime is one of the more notable candidates. This article will focus on the previous generation, available from 2017 to 2022, as there should be more options available on the used market.The Prius Prime has many strengths, but it isn't the only PHEV worth considering. CarMax looked back on its archive of Edmunds expert reviews and gathered four other PHEV candidates to consider, in addition to highlighting the pros and cons of each model to help you make the best decision.Toyota Prius PrimeFirst year: 2017EPA-estimated EV range: 25 milesEdmunds observed fuel efficiency: 63.3 mpgEPA-estimated electric efficiency: 25 kWh/100 milePick because: Excellent fuel economy from the gas engine, comfortable front seats, and a full suite of advanced driving aids on all trim levels.Pass because: Smaller cargo area compared to the standard Prius, unintuitive user interface for the larger 11.6-inch touchscreen, and poor rear visibility due to the split window design.The Toyota Prius Prime builds upon the solid foundation of the traditional Prius hybrid, adding a larger 8.8-kWh battery pack to provide an EPA-estimated all-electric driving range of up to 25 miles. Once the battery drains, the Prime turns into a typical hybrid and gets an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 54 mpg combined. It takes roughly five and a half hours to recharge the battery on a standard 120-volt wall socket or about two hours on a 240-volt plug. One drawback is that the larger battery on the Prime reduces the cargo area compared to the regular Prius.Pro tip: Look out for 2019 models and newer for Toyota's addition of Apple CarPlay to the Prius.Chevrolet VoltFirst year: 2016EPA-estimated EV range: 53 milesEPA-estimated electric efficiency: 31 kWh/100 milesPick because: Longer all-electric range than most PHEVs, nimble handling, and easy to drive.Pass because: Less rear seat space and a smaller cargo area than some competitors, and interior materials don't feel premium.If you're willing to sacrifice some fuel economy for a greater electric range, the second-generation Chevrolet Volt is worth considering. Though the Volt ended its production run in 2019, its EPA-estimated electric range of 53 miles is roughly double that of the Prius Prime and is still impressive by today's standards. Additionally, the Edmunds test team was able to reach upward of 70 miles during its testing. Once the juice has run out of the Volt's battery, it is capable of a still-solid 42 mpg on its gas engine. Other notable features of the Volt include nimble handling in turns and a quiet cabin, and it's one of the smoothest-driving plug-in hybrid vehicles we've tested. While the Volt has relatively handsome styling, Edmunds testers noted that the rear window was small and somewhat hard to see out of. Plus, the nose of the car was hard to spot from the inside, making it difficult to inch up to another vehicle when parking.Pro tip: Keep an eye out for 2019 models during your search, as those came with a higher-resolution backup camera, a better software interface, and an optional 7.2-kW onboard charger that cuts charge times in half.Hyundai IoniqFirst year: 2018EPA-estimated combined fuel economy: 52 mpgEPA-estimated EV range: 29 milesEdmunds EV Range Test: 30.3 milesEdmunds observed fuel efficiency: 59.3 mpgEPA-estimated electric efficiency: 28 kWh/100 milesPick because: Good combination of EV range and fuel economy, large cargo capacity, and intuitive software interface.Pass because: Noisy engine, ride can feel jittery over bumpy roads.The Hyundai Ioniq PHEV offers a nice combination of usable EV range and excellent hybrid fuel economy. The Ioniq is best thought of as a less expensive version of the Prius Prime, as it offers similarly stellar fuel economy and slightly more electric range. It also features a hatchback body style like the Prius; however, the Ioniq offers a larger cargo area. In fact, the trunk is the largest among all the PHEVs on this list. In testing, Edmunds drivers were able to go 30 miles on electric power and recorded up to 59.3 mpg from the hybrid engine. The interior has a basic yet effective layout, plus the audio and software interface is easy to use. Edmunds testers did experience some visibility issues near the front mirrors and the rear pillars, so make sure to test it yourself to see if it's an issue.Pro tip: The Ioniq PHEV was sold alongside a fully electric Ioniq and a traditional hybrid Ioniq. Make sure you're looking at the plug-in hybrid version to avoid confusion. Also, the 2020 version received several updates to both styling and technology, so it’s best to check out that model year.BMW 530eFirst year: 2018EPA-estimated EV range: 16-21 milesEdmunds EV Range Test: 15 milesEdmunds observed fuel efficiency: 36 mpgEPA-estimated electric efficiency: 46-49 kWh/100 milesPick because: Elegant-looking vehicle, quiet interior, and good fuel economy with a hybrid engine.Pass because: Low electric range, small trunk, and more expensive than others on this list.If you're looking for something more upscale that doesn't advertise its PHEV credentials, the BMW 530e is worth considering. The 5 Series is BMW's midsize luxury sedan, which means it offers a spacious cabin and a comfortable ride. Depending on the model year, the 530e can travel 16 to 21 miles on battery power alone. This is probably enough to run a few errands or get you to work, but the return trip would likely be powered by the hybrid engine. The good news on this front is that it should be relatively easy to meet or exceed the EPA-estimated figures of 16-21 mpg (depending on the configuration), as Edmunds drivers averaged about 33-36 mpg during their testing. Since the 530e shares its design with the gas-only 5 Series, some modifications were needed to accommodate the added batteries for the PHEV version. As a result, the trunk area sacrifices about 4 cubic feet from its non-PHEV variant, making it the smallest cargo area in this group.Pro tip: The 2020 and newer models received a larger battery for added range. The following year (2021 and newer), the 5 Series received a facelift and a larger touchscreen.PHEVs are sometimes overlooked in favor of fully electric vehicles, similar to how some people like to dive into the deep end of pools while others prefer to slowly make their way in from the shallow end. One way to see it? Plug-in hybrids offer the best of both worlds. They have all-electric mileage for common short trips, and when life takes you farther out on the road, there is always an efficient gas engine to get you there, without concerns about battery range and time spent on public charging.Edmunds is a wholly owned subsidiary of CarMax.This story was produced by CarMax and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Three people displaced after Sunday night structure fire in East Moline

At approximately 10:36 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, the East Moline Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire in the 500 block of Forest Road.

Davenport woman arrested; accused of holding man against his will during assault

A Davenport woman is being held in the Scott County Jail on no bond after police say she held a man against his will in a residence while he was so severely assaulted by others that he may lose an eye. The criminal complaint filed in Scott County Court said on January 31, Davenport Police [...]

Vonn ‘confident’ she will race at Olympics despite ‘completely ruptured’ ACL in left knee

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Despite a 'ruptured' knee ligament, Lindsey Vonn says she will compete in the Olympics

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When Using A Generator: Keep Safety In Mind

(NAPSI)—Generators are pretty handy when the weather is bad but it’s generally a good idea to follow a few simple safety rules about using one, advise the experts at the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). First, never use it inside the house, garage or any other enclosed space. Next, install a working carbon monoxide detector. Use the right fuel, ideally E10 or less, and make sure it’s fresh. Use an outdoor rated extension cord only and be sure it’s long enough that you can set up the generator a safe distance from the house. Learn more at WeatherItBetter.com.Word Count: 98

How to get your tax refund faster and be smart about spending it

How to get your tax refund faster and be smart about spending itIf you feel like you’ve been living paycheck to paycheck, you’re certainly not alone. But take heart that there’s some good news looming on the horizon.Tax refunds are on the way, and they will likely be even larger than usual. The final average for the 2024 tax year was $3,151, a sum that’s big enough to move the needle for many households.For the 2025 tax year, it’s expected to be even higher than that, potentially by up to $1,000, thanks to a number of new provisions in the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.”That means, for many people, it will be one of the larger checks they see over the course of 2026. And that’s an opportunity you don’t want to waste.“When people receive a windfall, whether it’s a tax refund, bonus, or family gift, the smartest move is to be intentional before the money disappears into everyday spending,” says Adam Wojtkowski, a financial planner with Copper Beech Wealth Management in Mansfield, Massachusetts. “Handled well, a windfall isn’t just extra cash. It’s a chance to reset priorities and enter 2026 with more clarity, confidence, and momentum.”Splurge on something silly, and you’ll be right back where you started. But use it wisely, and you can make progress on multiple financial fronts at once — and set yourself up for success for the rest of 2026.Tax refunds aren’t the only kind of windfall that can reshape your financial outlook for the year. Maybe you received a holiday gift from a family member, for instance. Or perhaps your annual work bonus is about to get distributed: The median bonus amount for American employees is $1,786, according to ADP Research.Wherever it’s coming from, a start-of-year financial windfall is an event you want to take full advantage of, which includes choosing a financial institution that will get you access to your funds as quickly as possible. Current, a consumer fintech banking platform, has outlined smart ways to put that money to work.Keep in mind that with such a significant sum, it’s not an all-or-nothing choice. You can juggle multiple worthy goals and see immediate progress on all of them, which should help sustain your momentum for the rest of the year.Some smart ways to put a windfall to use:Saving it. Easier said than done, of course. But if you are able to put some refund money aside, it will pay off in numerous ways — in handling future unexpected expenses, in making bigger goals like a home down payment possible, even in giving you some psychological peace of mind.Indeed, when credit agency Experian surveyed people in April 2025 about how they were going to use their refunds, saving it came out on top, as the choice of 31% of respondents.“Any time you get a bonus or a tax refund, the first question should be: ‘Should I top off my emergency fund?’ ” says Mike Zarrelli, a financial planner with FSA Wealth Partners in Rockville, Maryland. “When the market’s down or life throws a curveball, cash gives you options.”Of course, you don’t want that money sitting and earning nothing. You’ll want to look for an account that offers a high yield on your cash.Paying down debt. It’s always smart to chip away at what you owe. That’s why 21% of respondents in the Experian survey said this was the ideal route for their refund cash.But some debt is more urgent to attack, a distinction occasionally referred to as “good” debt (such as a home mortgage at a reasonable rate) versus “bad” debt. If your credit card bills are spiraling out of control at 20%-plus interest, for instance, that’s exactly the kind of debt you want to wrestle to the ground — and would be an excellent use of your refund.Covering everyday expenses. It’s no secret that daily bills are going up and up, as the nation grapples with persistent inflation (the latest figures clocking in at 2.7% over the last year). So if a refund helps allay the costs of those necessities and helps you avoid putting it all on plastic, that’s a perfectly good use of a windfall.You’ll want to look for a debit or secured credit card that also earns you points for your essential purchases, which can add up to some even more cash for you without the risks of debt.Investing. If you want your windfall to have a true long-term impact, then consider investing at least a portion of it, as 10% of people in the Experian survey did.That investment could take a variety of forms: Perhaps in retirement-oriented accounts like a 401(k) or IRA, or in a taxable brokerage account, or even crypto if it interests you. If you’re buying crypto, however, you’ll want to find a platform with no or low trading fees.“Think about future you,” advises Wojtkowski. “That could mean increasing retirement contributions, investing toward a longer-term goal, or setting aside money for an upcoming expense so it doesn’t become a source of stress later. Even modest investing can be powerful when it’s done consistently and thoughtfully.”This story was produced by Current and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Bounce House Extravaganza brings family fun to QCCA Expo Center

Families are invited to jump into fun at the Bounce House Extravaganza, coming to the QCCA Expo Center Friday-Sunday, February 6–8, a news release says. The high-energy indoor event will transform the 60,000-square-foot QCCA Expo Center into a massive inflatable playground filled with bounce houses, obstacle courses, and interactive inflatables designed for kids of all [...]

Muscatine police investigating Monday night stabbing on Walnut Street

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Milder days ahead with slim snow chances

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PepsiCo will cut prices on Lay's, Cheetos by as much as 15%

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