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

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022
	Moline Parks and Recreation announce a new youth scholarship program Organizers say families that qualify can sign one child up for an after school activity, for free.
	Group addresses Rock Island County Board in "last ditch" effort to save old courthouse Some residents are asking the county board to reconsider demolishing the old courthouse and repurpose it instead of turning it into an empty green space.
	Scott County Health Department hosting community baby shower Wednesday evening The baby shower will be held from 4-6 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.
	An Iowa Community College Has Been Named The Second Best In America Continue reading…
	A Popular Iowa State Fair Ride Has Turned 100-Years-Old [PHOTOS] Continue reading…
	State Fair Ag Day: Honoring farmers, inspiring future agriculture leaders 187 farm families were recognized for their dedication to the land of Lincoln during the Ag Day breakfast Tuesday morning.
	Deer bow-hunting season set for Muscatine The 2022-2023 deer bow hunting season within the limits of the City of Muscatine will be held Sept. 17, 2022, through Jan. 10, 2023. The hunting season was approved by the Muscatine City Council on Aug. 4. The City of Muscatine has participated in a city-wide Deer Management Zone Program in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources since the 2006-2007 Deer Hunting Season. A total of 758 deer have been harvested in the 15 years of the program’s existence including 39 a year ago. This year’s hunt within the city limits will again be for bow hunting on approved private property with two (2) acres or more. Property owners may combine parcels to reach the two (2) acre minimum. New this year, with the approval of City Council, will be allowing deer hunting on the City property sites of McKee Park and the City property adjacent to the Hershey Avenue and Houser Street intersection. The main focus of allowing hunting on designated public property is to give hunters that do hot have a place to hunt in the City Deer Hunt a place to hunt. Special rules on who will be allowed to hunt on public property will be discussed at the Aug, 22 informational meeting. Required Informational Meeting The informational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, at the Aquatic Center in Weed Park. Hunters interested in participating in this year’s hunt are required to attend this meeting. Information will be presented on certain public properties that will be allowed to hunt on this year. Required Qualifying Shoots In advance of the upcoming bow hunting season for deer within the city limits, the City of Muscatine will once again host a qualifying shoot for interested parties. In order for individuals to be eligible to participate in this year’s hunting season within the city limits, they must pass a shooting proficiency test. The test will be given at the lower-level lot of the Weed Park Maintenance Facility, 1211 Weed Park Drive, on the following dates: · Saturday, August 78, 2022 – 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. · Wednesday, August 31, 2022 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. · Wednesday, September 7, 2022 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Questions concerning the City of Muscatine’s 2022/2023 deer hunting season can be directed to the Parks and Recreation Department at 563-263-0241.
Tuesday, August 16th, 2022
	Burlington girl advances to semi-final round in talent search A Burlington girl is among performers who have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 62nd annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Emily Weiss, 10, Acrobatic Dance Solo, will be among the contestants. The Bill Riley Talent Search has put Iowa's young talent on stages across the state each summer since 1960. Acts competed statewide to qualify for competition in this year's Talent Search, where there are seven days of preliminary competition for Sprouts (ages 2-12) and Seniors (ages 13-21), followed by the semi-finals and, ultimately, the selection of one Senior Champion. The Sprouts do not compete beyond the semi-finals, but perform in the Championship Show as Sprout Champions, set for Sunday at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage. More than $20,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined. The Bill Riley Talent Search is presented by Meta.
	Bettendorf reveals multi-million dollar plans for “The Landing” City officials proposed a new water park and ice rink on Middle Road, which could also see the sale of the Life Fitness Center.
	Fejervary Family Fun Days event series continues The Fejervary Family Fun Days event series will continue from noon until 3 p.m. Saturday at Fejervary Learning Center, 1800 W. 12th St., Davenport. The free Back 2 School Bash, for all ages, will connect Davenport youth and families with local resources agencies with a day of fun, games, and hands-on activities. “The Fejervary Family Fun Day is a long-running event we use to educate kids, while also allowing kids to have fun. This year we are excited to announce we will be giving school supplies to the first 100 people. We understand school supplies can be very expensive, and we want to help with that,” said Davenport Parks and Recreation’s Event Supervisor Amanda Randerson. Free school supplies will be given to the first 100 people. For more information, visit here.
	'We're gonna stand 'til our last breath' \| Group asks Rock Island County Board to repurpose old courthouse instead of demolish Some county residents are asking the county board to reconsider demolishing the old courthouse and repurpose it instead of turning it into an empty green space.
	Luka Garza, Hawkeyes players hold inaugural basketball skills camp in davenport The former Hawkeye legend and some of his old teammates got the chance to teach hundreds of kids at their first basketball camp, which they plan keep doing.
	Police on scene after report of gunfire Tuesday night Police were at the intersection of 14th Street and Grand Avenue, Davenport, after a report of gunfire about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday. Officers blocked off the area to traffic and spoke with neighbors - some of whom told Local 4 News they heard the gunfire - who gathered in the area. Police, some of whom used shields, stayed in the area for some time. A crime scene technician arrived on the scene. Although our Local 4 News crew saw at least one person in a squad car, we do not know whether any suspect has been arrested. We will keep in contact with officers to provide details when they become available.
	Illinois Peeps Have Had Enough of You Mispronouncing These 10 Words Continue reading…
	Dixon man faces sexual abuse charges A 20-year-old Dixon, Ill., man faces felony charges after his arrest Monday, according to a news release from Dixon Police. Kyler D. Burke was arrested in the 200 block of South Hennepin Avenue for two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felony.) Dixon Police were assisted by the Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center, the release says. In the release, Police Chief Howell reminds residents to report any suspicious activity to the Dixon Police Department at (815)288-4411 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-Caught-U. (1-888-228-4488) Callers can remain anonymous and receive rewards of up to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest. .
	IL man arrested for sexual abuse charges A Dixon man was arrested for two counts of sexual abuse charges. Kyler D. Burke (photo: Dixon Police Department) Kyler D. Burke, 20, was arrested August 16 in the 200 block of South Hennepin Avenue for two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, which are Class 2 felonies The Dixon Police Department was assisted by the Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center.
	Bettendorf proposes multi-million-dollar water park, ice rink, rec center The City of Bettendorf, in partnership with the YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley, is proposing three new amenities to replace Splash Landing, Frozen Landing, and the Life Fitness Center off Middle Road and 23rd Street. City and YMCA officials will meet Wednesday to discuss the project with local journalists. This plan still needs to be reviewed and approved by the Bettendorf City Council and the YMCA Corporate Board. Ahead of that decision, there will be two community informational open houses at the Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State St., Bettendorf: Wednesday, Aug., 24, 5-7 pmMonday, Aug. 29, 5-7 pm The Landing, which consists of three project proposals – a community water park, a versatile ice rink, and a unique recreational center. The City of Bettendorf website provides information: Costs, details $18.7 million for new water park, paid one-third from city, YMCA and private donors. $3 million for new ice rink, funded and owned by city. A new water park would provide more than 20,000 square feet of water recreation, including: Activity pool with rock climbing wall, basketball, floatables, lap lanes, and more3-story slide tower with 2-story tall FlyTyme Slide, raft/tube slide, open body slide, and speed slideSplash deck with interactive play structure430-foot Long Lazy River Replacing Splash Landing would benefit the entire community, the website says, because it would: Serve up to 1,500 people compared to 700 peopleOpen to the public dailyDaily admission fee for non-Y membersOwned by the city and operated by the YMCA, saving Bettendorf taxpayers $200,000 every yearNo tax increases A new ice rink would provide year-round opportunities on 1.2 acres: Larger ice rink with island featurePermanent structureDecorative, safer railing system for beginner skatersPole lighting system & LED colored string lightingZamboni room Replacing Frozen Landing would benefit the entire community: Provide outdoor winter recreation activitiesAllow additional space for pool patrons and other recreational activities during off-season Owned and operated by the city, saving Bettendorf taxpayers $25,000 to $50,000 every yearNo tax increases As part of this proposed plan, the YMCA would acquire and repurpose the Life Fitness Center into a youth-focused Y: Early learning center for 100 additional children in the Quad CitiesGymnastics/Ninja CenterIndoor recreational soccer and basketball programsSummer recreational sports campsYouth personal training center This center would offer additional benefits as well: An 18-month guarantee for indoor tennis players starting Jan. 1, 2023YMCA joiner fee waived for all current LFC membersCenter remains open for city-run recreation programs in inclement weatherCenter continues to serve as city emergency shelterOwnership transfers to the Y, saving Bettendorf taxpayers $250,000 every yearNo tax increase Learn more, ask questions, submit comments On Sept. 6, the Bettendorf City Council will set a public hearing for Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7pm in the council chambers, 1609 State St., Bettendorf. You can ask questions/submit comments by clicking here.To see the City of Bettendorf and YMCA’s full presentation to the Bettendorf City Council, click here. For more information about The Landing, visit here.
	Hundreds turn out for IowaWORKS's Quad Cities Success Fair The event, now in its 7th year, saw 80 employers look to fill more than 1000 positions across many industries.
	Davenport to add four electric buses to its fleet by early 2024 Using funds from the Federal Transit Administration, the city of Davenport will purchase four electric buses and three charging stations.
	Moline plans to upgrade 7th Avenue with roundabout, lighting and reconstruction City officials hope that the upgrades will result in easing traffic at the high-accident intersection.
	Scott County Juvenile Detention Center could see name change Officials say that rebranding the facility would remove negative connotations and better align with its goals and new approaches.
	Group addresses Rock Island County Board in "last ditch" effort to save old courthouse News 8's Jenna Webster was live at the historic courthouse listening to proposals and pleas from community members looking to save the building.
	Woman found dead in Muscatine County identified; Husband found dead in Florida Christine Briegel, 74, was found murdered in a home along the 3700 block of Midway Beach Road in Muscatine on Monday, according to the sheriff's office.
	Scott County Juvenile Detention Center could see name change Officials say that rebranding the facility would remove negative connotations and better align with its goals and new approaches.
	Bandaloni delights young and old at Iowa State Fair with one-man band Paul David plays a collection of instruments as he entertains crowds at the state fair.
	Northern Lights possible near Quad Cities - Wednesday and Thursday night Heads up for everyone around the Quad Cities! There's a chance we could see the Northern Lights this week! The sun produced multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and those are heading toward the Earth right now. A G3 geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for later this week. Initially this was predicted to be a G2 storm, but it now looks to peak at G3 levels which translates to the possibility of seeing the aurora around the Quad Cities. Something else we have going for us, skies should be clear! The aurora (Northern Lights) could be visible in places as far South as Iowa and Illinois Wednesday night. The best chance would be away from city lights and on the North side of the Quad Cities. Look toward the horizon and it's possible we see a faint glow of green or red light produced as the sun's flare arrives in the Earth's atmosphere. Check back here for more details over the next 24 hours1 Here's a forecast showing the possibility - courtesy of the Geophysical Institute at the U. of Alaska Fairbanks. Look a the far South green line on the map... .
	Alternating Currents returns to rock Davenport Music, film, comedy and art will take over downtown Davenport as the Alternating Currents festival returns to the QCA. Jason Gilliland, director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership, dropped by Local 4 to tell us what we can expect at this year's event. For more information about the Alternating Currents festival, click here.
	QC Chamber looks within for next 18-month leader There’s a new business sheriff in town, but one who has been a longtime volunteer for the Quad Cities Chamber. At the organization’s annual meeting Aug. 11, LaDrina Wilson – formerly the chamber board chair, interim CEO and head of the national search for a new CEO – was herself named the next CEO, through January 2024. LaDrina Wilson speaking at the QC Chamber's annual meeting on Aug. 11, 2022. “This commitment will provide the stability needed and ensure the good work of the chamber continues,” said Debbie Anselm, QC Chamber Board Chair and publisher of the Quad-City Times and Dispatch/Argus. “It also provides us with a unique opportunity to develop a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the region and determine a strategic plan for the organization that aligns with the needs of the Quad Cities region.” Of Wilson, 39, Anselm said this week: “She is uniquely qualified to guide our organization forward. She understands both the business and potential of our chamber. Most importantly, she is also visionary leader who is focused on creating a prosperous Quad Cities where all can thrive." The Chamber did conduct a national search for the new boss. “We met many worthy and capable candidates and LaDrina measures toe-to-toe with each of them,” Anselm said. “In addition to that, she brings a diverse background to the chamber -- which includes experience in higher education, entrepreneurship, consulting and community advocacy. Together with her knowledge of the Quad Cities and proven track record in leadership roles, she is perfectly positioned to take the reins at this time. Chamber board chair Debbie Anselm is publisher of the Quad-City Times and Dispatch-Argus. “LaDrina is a focused and purposeful leader,” she added. “She is a strategic thinker, an excellent facilitator and a master at execution -- all of which are crucial skills as we set the priorities and future for this organization.” Instead of an open-ended role, the board determined a 18-month-long commitment “will give us the stability needed to ensure that the work of the chamber will continue, our members will be served while providing us with the time needed to develop a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the region and determine a plan for the organization that aligns with the needs of the Quad Cities region,” Anselm said. From Moline to Ph.D. in education The chamber had been without a full-time leader since March 2022, when four-year CEO Paul Rumler left to become CEO and executive vice president of CCIM Institute, based in Chicago. The CCIM Institute is a global membership association serving the commercial real estate community. “We all know what’s happening in the labor market now, and we made the wise decision to engage a consultant. The consultant did a fabulous job and we went through the process,” Wilson said Monday. Wilson is a 39-year-old Moline alum who has a doctorate in educational leadership from Iowa State. The chamber didn’t find the right candidate after initial interviews, she noted. “One of the things that came up in the conversation with the consultant, they asked, ‘Would it be something you’d be interested in doing?’” Wilson recalled. “They said, we want someone like LaDrina. After giving it some thought and consideration, and having been in the role – working with staff for a few weeks, getting a sense of what the needs were – I wanted to be available to support this group of dedicated individuals.” “I wanted to come along side them, to show them that support and stability,” she said. “There were some immediate needs that someone with the history, someone with local connections, could address. I don’t want to imply by any stretch of the imagination that we didn’t meet some phenomenal people.” It just made sense for the chamber to stay closer to home for a new leader now, Wilson added. A Moline High alum, Wilson earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University; a master’s in education and interdisciplinary studies from Western Illinois University, and doctorate in educational leadership (in 2018) from Iowa State University. Wilson was Vice President of Student Services at Black Hawk College, from 2019-21, and before that was Dean of Students for Scott Community College for five years. “I don’t want our community to lose any momentum,” she said. “I’ve been part of that vision, providing service to the chamber for 12 years – as a thought leader and community volunteer. It just made sense.” The first time she heard about the chamber was when her boss recommended connecting with the Young Professionals Network. That turned into being part of the group's Leadership Council, and “pretty much every committee from there on,” Wilson said. From consulting to business leader She sees connections between educational and business leadership. “We like to romanticize the idea of education as a public good, but it’s also a business, right?” Wilson said. “There are definitely transferable skills there. I spent most of my adult working career in education, and when COVID hit, we all had those moments when we had to decide how we wanted to live out our lives.” Wilson, right, with chamber Volunteer of the Year Kathy Daily and Downtown Davenport Partnership executive director Kyle Carter. Her work in community college leadership created opportunities to partner with various businesses in a variety of different industries to tackle community issues such as the achievement gap, skilled workforce challenges and talent attraction and retention. “I’ve really enjoyed the work I’ve been doing at Iman and I’m not ready to give that up,” Wilson said of the business she formed in December 2020, Iman Consulting. “My role is to put together an evaluation of what our needs are and help the board prioritize that, so we can be in a good position to have somebody to step in to this role.” The community embraced her consulting work faster than she expected. “I felt so supported and propped up,” Wilson said. “People I didn’t even know were allies and supporters, and I’d like to extend that work to be integrated into the community and make a bigger footprint. Taking the lessons I learned in higher education and the diverse demographics you work with, the lessons I learned as an entrepreneur and getting to more intimately know the needs of business leaders – and integrating that with work I’ve done as a community servant makes sense.” As a consultant, she works with a variety of clients – from municipalities to nonprofits to corporations, across the country. During COVID, she could connect with almost anybody. She named her business (Iman) for her 14-year-old daughter’s middle name. That girl has alopecia (hair loss), but she is bold and totally herself with or without hair, Wilson said. “So the brand of Iman is really about helping people be exactly who they are, no matter what the circumstances and being bold and confident in that way,” she said. She and her husband live in Davenport, with four daughters – 17, 14, 12, and 8. With her consulting business, she has a few contract employees who will continue working. “That is not going anywhere. I want to make sure I do the best in this role,” Wilson said of the chamber. “But continue the legacy I was trying to build with Iman.” Chamber at a critical point The former interim CEO – Mike Oberhaus, who was Chief Strategy Officer – left the chamber this year and there hasn’t been a decision how to fill his role, Wilson said. She was named interim CEO in early July. The group is at a critical point, in having to define who it is for a wide variety of stakeholders, she said. Wilson, left, with chamber board chair Debbie Anselm, right, and representatives of Business of the Year Quad City Engineering Co., Inc. from East Moline. “Until we can nail that down and create a revenue model for that, it’s going to be hard shoes for anybody to fill,” Wilson said. She’s also volunteered for the boards of Regional Development Authority and the Quad Cities Community Foundation. At the chamber, Wilson will make decisions as any CEO would. “The best way I could describe this is, I want to be the lighthouse,” she said. “I want to use my knowledge and business acumen and my connections in the community, as well as my years of board service, to be that person who takes all those pieces – and bring them together and say this is the direction we’re headed, and here’s the why. “I was going to be part of that anyway as the board chair,” Wilson said. “In this capacity, I can have a deeper role in that. Also, use my skills to listen and facilitate conversations, to gain support for what that looks like.” The chamber has an African American Leadership Council and a Women’s Business Council, both close to her heart. “Once we find volunteers who step up, we keep asking and they keep showing up,” Wilson said, noting she's more involved with the Black Business Council. “We came together to identify where some of the challenges were and what we found, there are so many resources already right here that are just untapped.” She credits the QC Empowerment Network for taking the lead on African-American business issues, and being a strong partner. “What we need to do as a chamber is come alongside them, to prop up that work, so those resources are more readily available,” Wilson said. The chamber has a responsibility to work with grassroots organizations, meeting a unique niche in the area, such as with the QC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, she said. “It’s work we probably should have been doing,” Wilson said. Not a role model She doesn’t wake up every day trying to be a role model for Black girls and women. Wilson former her own business, Iman Consulting, during the first year of COVID, in late 2020. “I recognize I represent a mirror of opportunity, not a window of opportunity, for other people,” she said. “When you haven’t seen someone who looks like you do it, it doesn’t always seem attainable. “It’s not lost on me that I’m going to be that person for some people,” Wilson said. “I want to be that for other people. I just want to do good work.” The importance of recruiting and hiring more people of color should be a priority not just of the chamber, but for everybody, she said. “Our demographics are changing and we need to have an inclusive economy and workforce, period,” Wilson said. “I think we play a role in helping people understand the importance of that, but it’s all of our responsibility to step up and pay attention to what’s happening around us.” She likely will lead a strategic planning process, for the next two or three years, depending on the board direction. There is no timetable yet for the 2024 CEO search process. For more on the chamber, visit its website.
	Muscatine fire leaves 2 pets dead Muscatine firefighters were called to the scene of a mobile home fire on August 16 at approximately 11:15 a.m. They found a single-family mobile home on fire on Cyril Avenue with two animals inside. Smoke and fire were coming from a rear window and firefighters were able to knock down the main body of the fire within minutes. They continued to overhaul the rest of the residence to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. There was fire damage to a rear bedroom and smoke damage throughout the rest of the home. An on-scene investigation determined the initial cause was an accidental fire that started in the bedroom. Smoke detectors did not activate in the mobile home. An initial damage estimate is approximately $20,000, with about $10,000 to the structure and $10,000 to the contents. The American Red Cross was called to assist the residents, including three adults and two small children. There was one injury to an occupant, who was treated and released at the scene, and two cats succumbed to the fire. There were no injuries to responders. The Muscatine Fire Department was assisted by the Muscatine Police Department. Approximately 17 firefighters responded to the fire, including four new firefighters who responded from their fire academy training at Station 2.
	Exploring Jane’s Place, a program for individuals with dementia and intellectual disabilities Jane’s Place is a program specifically for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and includes structured social and therapeutic activities.
	Scott County Community Baby Shower Aug. 17 New parents can get free baby items and information in a drive-thru event at Modern Woodman Park.
	Police: Chase suspect had meth, gun, stolen car After a 27-year-old Davenport driver led law enforcement on an early-morning pursuit Tuesday, officers found a gun and meth in the stolen car he was driving. Jontavius Johnson faces felony charges of controlled substance violation, second-degree criminal mischief, failure to affix a drug stamp, eluding - injury, OWI, drugs or participating in a felony, possession of a firearm by a felon, assault on persons in certain occupations - use/display of weapon, and second-degree theft; and serious misdemeanor charges of operating while under the influence - first offense and possession or carrying of a dangerous weapon while under the influence, according to court records. Shortly before 12:30 a.m., Davenport Police tried to stop a red 2011 Chevrolet Cruze for window tint, affidavits say. "The vehicle fled from them and they did not pursue," arrest affidavits say. A few minutes later, a state trooper found the vehicle traveling the wrong way on West Third Street at Oak Street, Davenport. Johnson was driving the Cruze, which was stolen out of Davenport on July 24, affidavits say. The car turned south on Oak Street, and the trooper began a pursuit that continued east on West Second Street and north on Cedar Street. Johnson failed to stop for a stop sign at West Third Street and turned west on West Fourth before turning north on Oak, affidavits say. Johnson turned west on West Fifth Street and turned north on Pine Street, ran the stop sign turning west on Telegraph Road and tried to turn east on West Third Street, losing control before turning back and traveling westbound against the one-way traffic on Telegraph, affidavits say. The trooper then chased Johnson south on Waverly and westbound on West Third Street and tried to box in the vehicle. As it was coming to a stop, the trooper got out of his squad car and began giving verbal commands to Johnson, affidavits say. "I attempted to box Johnson in from the rear when he accelerated forward, striking Trooper Swartz's squad car, causing approximately $6,500 in damage," the affidavit says. After he was unable to continue westbound, Johnson placed his vehicle in reverse and accelerated backward toward a squad car causing about $3,500 in damage, affidavits say. Johnson was able to continue eastbound against the one way traffic, and turned north on Waverly Road. Johnson accelerated to speeds of 65 mph in a posted 35 mph zone, affidavits say. He tried to elude multiple offices throughout neighborhoods, affidavits say. Davenport Police successfully deployed stop sticks in the area of North Lincoln Avenue and West Locust Street. Johnson continued north until he reached West Lombard Street, where he lost control and went up on a curb, disabling the Cruze, affidavits say. Johnson, who was carrying a black backpack, got out of the vehicle from the driver's seat. "I observed him to be wearing a gray tank top and gray sweat pants. Johnson was carrying a black backpack," affidavits say. Johnson initially ran south but turned and ran back through a yard to the north. Law enforcement gave chase. Johnson ran back to the west and south. "As he crossed Lombard, Johnson gave himself up and laid down. As he was laying down he tossed the bag to the south where it landed up on the utilities of 2129 N. Linwood Ave., Davenport," affidavits say. While being taken into custody, Johnson said that there was a gun in the bag. Johnson was taken into custody. The trooper searched him and located a plastic bag with about 7.5 grams of a crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine, affidavits say. The gun did not have a round in the chamber. Both serial numbers were scratched to the point where they were illegible, affidavits say. Also located in the bag was a pill container containing two more bags of suspected methamphetamine and a digital scale. None of the containers had drug tax stamps affixed to them. Johnson requested medical assistance after being walked to a squad car. He had labored, accelerated breathing, a visible pulse in his neck, blood shot eyes and dry "cotton" mouth, affidavits say. Johnson was transported to Genesis Medical Center - East Campus. In the ambulance, Johnson told medical staff he recently used meth, affidavits say. After he was read his Miranda Rights, Johnson told a trooper he used meth earlier in the evening and this was the most he ever used. "Johnson stated that he smokes, eats or snorts it," affidavits say. A check of the vehicle registration showed the temporary tag to be fraudulent, affidavits say. A check of Johnson's driver's license showed a surrendered driver's license through Iowa. Johnson's license also is suspended through Arkansas and expired through Illinois, affidavits say. Johnson was found to have warrants for second-degree theft and failure to appear for a pretrial conference for first-degree theft, affidavits say. He is being held on $30,500 bond in Scott County Jail, and is set to appear Aug. 26 for a preliminary hearing in Scott County Court.
	Woman found dead in Muscatine County home identified The woman was found Monday.
	ComedySportz Quad Cities re-launches at Spotlight Studio ComedySportz Quad Cities is set to re-launch in November at The Spotlight Theatre’s new Spotlight Studio.
	Davenport will add 4 electric buses to its CitiBus fleet by 2024 The funds will provide CitiBus with the resources it needs to bring Davenport up to speed with the technology.
	Community baby shower Aug. 17 helps new/expecting parents get prepared Over 20 agencies have partnered to put on a drive-through Community Baby Shower on August 17 from 4-6 p.m. in the North parking lot at Modern Woodman Park, next to the Freight House Farmer’s Market. The park is located at 209 S. Gaines Street in Davenport. New and expectant parents will be provided with information and resources and Hiney Heroes, the local diaper bank, will be handing out diapers in sizes newborn-2 only. There will be a chance to win baby items like pack n’ plays, breast pumps, car seats and more. “We are so excited to meet with the new and expectant parents in our community. It will be wonderful to provide these families with resources and baby items,” said Julie Gagne, Family Assessment Intake Worker, Lutheran Services of Iowa. For more information contact Terry Hanson at Scott County Kids by calling (563) 326-8221.
	It's Christmas in August at Playcrafters Playcrafters Barn Theatre will stage "The Christmas Letter Writing Club," an original work by local playwright Tom Akers, directed by Madison Duling, this month. The show will run on Aug. 19-21 and 26-28 at the Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Ave., Moline. Four women – Jenn, Katie, Lisa, and Allison – reconnect some years after they first formed a bond as students at the University of Wisconsin, according to a Playcrafters release. At the end of the first reunion, they decide to reconvene at one family’s lakeside cabin every autumn to renew their ties while each of them writes the yearly summary of their lives for their Christmas letters to friends and family. As 20 years of their lives unfold before the audience, the foursome draw strength from one another while sharing the accomplishments, failures, joys, and sorrows that make up their lives. The cast features Jaclyn Marta, Noah Stivers, Zach Zelnio, Moline; Sara Laufer and Elle Winchester, Rock Island; and Mara Earp, Stockton. Madison Duling, Davenport, directs The Christmas Letter Writing Club. The staff includes Max Johnson, Coal Valley; Bruce Duling and Riley Scranton, Rock Island; Tom Akers, Cambridge; Eric Teeter, Davenport; Nathan Lundburg, Orion; Kathy Edwards, Stockton. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m on Fridays and Saturdays and a 3 p.m. matinee on Sundays. Tickets are $12 ($10 for military and seniors), available on the theater website or by calling 309-762-0330.
	More to the Story: Extended interview with Tony Hawk An extended one-on-one interview with skateboarding icon Tony Hawk. He discusses his career, upcoming speaking tour, family and more.
	QC works on rebuilding regional film scene Two highlights of this coming weekend's Alternating Currents festival are all about film. And like all the 120+ events over Aug. 18-21 in downtown Davenport and Rock Island, they're free. First, film veterans Norm Coyne and Doug Miller will discuss building a Quad Cities film scene, Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Center for Living Arts, 220 19th St., Rock Island. It includes a short film screening, followed by a video and panel discussion about film production locations & film-friendly communities. Canadian filmmaker Norm Coyne is an organizer of the Stephen King Rules Film Festival at Alternating Currents this year, which will be Friday to Sunday at the Figge Art Museum auditorium, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport. Norm Coyne is a Canadian filmmaker and organizer of the Stephen King Rules Film Festival this weekend at Alternating Currents. In 2020, Coyne was one of 100 filmmakers chosen from across Canada as part of the Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Fellowship in the Indigenous filmmaker category. He is also the founding partner of UNLTD Media, Northern FanCon and Barker Street Cinema, all based in Canada. Miller, of Davenport, has over 35 years of experience working with state and local film offices and award-winning producers from across North America and worldwide serving in production management positions on over 20 motion pictures. Last year, Miller brought in Illinois Film Office director Peter Hawley for a similar panel discussion to kick off Alternating Currents. The city of Rock Island has worked to establish a new QC Regional Film Office. In June, the City Council approved a one-year contract with Miller and his firm, Two Rivers & Associates, to be funded by a $65,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Doug Miller of Davenport. Among Miller's responsibilities with the new film office are to: Develop a website to showcase the QC region as a filming destination and provide information about the region.Make a recommendation for membership to the Association of Film Commissioners International.Identify and create a report for available workforce, workforce needed, required training including cost and a plan to conduct the training, and recommendations on how to grow workforce.Prepare documentation for facilities that can house productions.Advise staff in efforts to support existing and emerging local filmmakers.Explore feasibility of the concept of a film festival either as a stand-alone event or as a complement to an existing event. On Thursday, Coyne (who is based in Prince George, British Columbia) will show a multimedia presentation that will give testimonials about how film productions help local communities. He created a web series, "Small Town, Long Shots," that offers tips on how to bring film and TV production to your town. They interviewed some of their favorite filmmakers and asked what they should be doing to build the industry where we live. Prince George is about 500 miles north of the popular filming hub of Vancouver, but it's had great success in attracting projects, Coyne said Monday. "We went from like absolutely nothing in Prince George to -- in the last year -- four feature films," he said. "So we have a model that I feel works." Miller has touted the QC area for its rich diversity of filming locations -- including rural, urban, historic, contemporary, and many riverfront spots. "From what heard of the Quad Cities, it could represent many other cities, and that is something that we have dealt with along the way," Coyne said, noting filmmakers also judge an area based on financial incentives offered, to lower production costs. During his QC visit, Coyne said he wants to see as much of the area as possible, and offer tips on marketing the region -- including compiling a film production website and guide to available workforce. "Wicked Ways" -- the pilot for a TV series about a ghost hunter in northern British Columbia -- will be shown at the Aug. 18 film event in Rock Island. "The thing that's amazing about Norm is, that Prince George -- where they are from, where they found success -- is not that much different than the Quad Cities," Josh Kahn, co-host of the QC-based Stephen King podcast Derry Public Radio, said Tuesday. "We are outside of the larger cities. You think about that when producing big events, so the fact that we have someone like Norm who's been where we are, and as the Quad Cities is trying to open that film office -- hopefully, here in the in the next year -- who's built the scene we are trying to build, coming to talk to us." "We have a great filmmaking community in the Quad Cities," Kahn said. "There are tons of of individual filmmakers and film students," he said. "What an amazing opportunity to go to an event where you can watch a ton of independently produced films." Derry suggested the QC film fest Having the Stephen King Rules Festival in Davenport was recommended by Kahn and his cohorts, who are diehard fans of the prolific horror master. "I'm super excited that we're able to do this in person rather than just online," Coyne said, noting the film festival was last online in April 2021, and this will be the first in person. The Dollar Baby Film Festival will be Aug. 19-21 at the Figge Art Museum auditorium, second floor. There will be 36 unreleased films adapted from King stories shown for free from Alternating Currents and online on YouTube. The films range in length from 5 to 75 minutes, with most around 20 minutes, Coyne said. They are nicknamed "Dollar Baby" films. "Dollar Baby" is a term coined by King himself, and is the author’s humble attempt to share his work with film students and aspiring filmmakers trying to make a name for themselves in the industry. For $1, these filmmakers can adapt his stories as long as they never commercially distribute the films ( that includes uploading them to the Internet). There are some of Stephen King's 200-odd short stories adapted more than once, and this weekend's festival includes three based on one short story -- "The Man Who Loved Flowers," first published in August 1977 and later in King's 1978 collection Night Shift. Derry Public Radio, a bi-weekly podcast (airing every other Sunday), launched four years ago and is hosted by Josh Kahn, C.M. Alexander and Ben Graham. It's named for Derry, Maine -- the fictional town in which many King stories are set. The Derry Public Radio podcast (new episodes every other Sunday) is hosted by Josh Kahn, left, C.M. Alexander and Ben Graham. "It is so cool to see young, newer filmmakers and it tells so much -- because you're seeing the same material through these completely different scopes and it's so exciting," Kahn said Tuesday. Haikus for each film "I reached out to them and apparently, I was the first email they got after the announcement of the first festival and I invited them on the show," he said of last year's fest. Derry Public Radio created haikus based on each film, tweeted during the online fest, and also was invited to Prince George last year to be part of a fan convention. Kahn came up with the idea of creating haikus for each film, which they'll do again this weekend. "It was just crazy. One guy even got our haiku tattooed," he said of a film director who's part of this year's fest. Each haiku is based on the specific film, not just the story. The format of Japanese poetry is a total of 17 syllables shared between three lines, arranged in a pattern of 5-7-5. At this weekend's fest, the three Derry hosts will read their haikus live at the Figge auditorium (writing them during the film and reading them after). A Derry Public Radio T-shirt. Last year, Derry put all their haikus on T-shirts, and sold in their Etsy store. They've interviewed many Dollar Baby filmmakers for the podcast. "I've always really thought haikus were fun," Kahn said. "I love to be involved in the things that are going on and so forth. Haikus I think are fun and they can be funny and they can be serious. So, I just thought, what a perfect bite-sized way to summarize something with those 17 syllables. "It also forces you to be a little creative," he said. "I love getting reader emails about how much our listeners love us, and it feels amazing, and there are times when we've gotten little pieces of fan art and it blows my mind, somebody spent time creating art based on my art." "I really hope that everyone realizes what a big deal it is, that this will be the first time these films have been shown in the public eye at an in-person festival," Kahn said the new King film festival. The Derry Public Radio team will also do a panel discussion at Alternating Currents Saturday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. Stompbox Brewing, 210 E. River Drive, Davenport. For a complete lineup for the free festival, click HERE.
	BoA grants boost IA nonprofits' economic programs Bank of America has announced over $330,000 in grants to 14 Iowa nonprofits to help improve economic opportunity for individuals and families. These grants focus on workforce development and education to help individuals create a path to employment, better economic futures and basic needs that are fundamental to building life-long stability. The funding will specifically support programs focused on affordable housing and workforce development. With access to immediate and basic needs such as food, shelter, health resources and housing, individuals and families can build and maintain a path toward stability and economic opportunity. That’s why Bank of America is directing funding to organizations who provide critical services and resources that create a diverse workforce and help individuals and families to succeed. Locally, Humility Homes and Services received $15,000, River Bend Food Bank received $10,000 and Family Resources received $10,000 to fund their programs. “Investing in partnerships with nonprofit organizations addressing issues like affordable housing and workforce development is part of our approach to driving economic opportunity and social progress in Iowa,” said Heidi Parkhurst, President, Bank of America Iowa. “This recent philanthropic investment in Iowa nonprofits is just one way Bank of America deploys capital locally to help remove barriers to economic success and build a more sustainable community.” These grants build on the $2.2 million Bank of America has provided to organizations in Iowa since 2018. They’re part of the company’s commitment to responsible growth as it works to improve the financial lives of individuals, families and communities. Philanthropic and volunteer investments continue to play a key role in this effort to build thriving communities.
	Deputies: Man arrested on animal neglect charge in Henry County A man was arrested after police said neglect killed a dog in the rural Mount Pleasant area.
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	Rock Island fire injures 1 One person was injured in an early morning fire in Rock Island. The Rock Island Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 5:46 a.m. on August 16 at a single family home on 27th Street near 29th Avenue in Rock Island. The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes of arrival, but firefighters remained on the scene to locate all hot spots and remove smoke from the structure.Four occupants were home at the time of the fire and all escaped safely. One resident sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was treated by Rock Island Fire Department paramedics and transported to a local hospital. No firefighter injuries were reported.The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Rock Island Fire Marshal.
	Trinity College to honor grads during summer ceremony Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences will honor 49 graduates from their Class of 2022 during a ceremony on Friday, August 19 at 6 p.m. at the Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State Street in Bettendorf. In May, Trinity College graduated an additional five baccalaureate prepared nurses, 14 masters prepared nurses, 12 associate degree radiography technologists and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences professional. Students at the 2022 summer commencement ceremony will receive their Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing. "We are excited to be honoring our 2022 graduates as they begin a new journey and start their healthcare careers,” says Tracy Poelvoorde, Ph.D., Chancellor of Trinity College. “Nursing professionals are in high demand nationwide. Having a nursing degree opens these graduates up to a rewarding career in healthcare, full of diverse job opportunities.”
	Help America Vote Day: Here's how you can become a poll worker for the 2022 midterms Iowa Sec. of State Paul Pate said his office launched "an aggressive effort" to recruit poll workers in 2020. Here's how you can help.
	Frank Fritz 'getting better every single day' after stroke "American Picker" Frank Fritz says he is on the mend after suffering a stroke.
	These communities are getting millions from Illinois to revitalize downtown areas More than $106 million in grants were awarded to revitalize downtown areas in the state. Moline, for example, will get $3 million for 7th Ave. reconstruction.
	Group to address Rock Island County Board in attempt to save old courthouse from demolition It's a fight that many groups have battled over the years. The Courthouse Referendum Committee says Tuesday might be its last chance to save the historic building.
	4 Your Money \| Changes Good news comes few and far between when it comes to inflation but CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, David Nelson, is here to look at where that inflation is changing.
	Deputies: Man struck 2 squad cars during chase in Davenport He was arrested early Tuesday.
	Davenport CitiBus awarded $4.8M+ in federal grants for electric buses. The City of Davenport is adding four electric buses to Davenport CitiBus starting in early 2024, with the help of an award of over $4.8 million in Federal Transit Administration Bus and Low- and No-Emission Grant funds. These federal funds will provide Davenport CitiBus with the necessary technology while providing reliable, affordable services to passengers. The long-anticipated zero-emission addition will phase out 20 year old higher emission and expensive diesel buses. Moving to zero-emission buses is a major step for the City of Davenport to improve air quality in the community and reduce the operational cost of public transportation. A typical diesel bus produces nearly 230,000 pounds of greenhouse gas per year while the national average for diesel is currently just over $5 a gallon. Once in operation, these buses will help the city keep 920,000 pounds of greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere each year. The grant is the culmination of a successful campaign that raised $185,000 in additional funding from local stakeholders, $160,000 from MidAmerican Energy and $25,000 from the Regional Development Authority. The city estimates its cost-share for the new buses is $675,000. Marla Miller, Transit Operations Manager, said, “The commitment of funding came on the heels of an electric bus tour hosted by Davenport in February 2022 where feedback was nothing but positive – quieter, smoother ride; new and bright; feels amazing compared to the current fleet. We can’t wait for them to arrive!”
	Davenport Will Be Adding 4 Electric Buses To It’s CitiBus Fleet Continue reading…
	3 Things to Know: Quad Cities headlines for Aug. 16, 2022 Good Morning Quad Cities shares the local headlines you need to know to start your day, Tuesday, Aug. 16.
	Sections of Fulton under boil order Areas of Fulton are under a boil order due to water main and hydration repairs Tuesday.
	Moline movie in the park moved to Prospect Park Pack up your lawn chairs or blankets, some snacks and the entire family and head to Prospect Park Friday for Movie in the Park.
	Grow Clinton welcomes new Director of Marketing, Event Planning Grow Clinton has a new Director of Marketing and Event Planning. Ashley Hatteberg, a lifelong Midwestener, says she’s looking forward to leading the marketing and branding efforts for the group, promoting economic growth and retention in the area and planning successful and engaging events for the community. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa with a major in Marketing and has experience in several industries, including economic development, tourism, higher education publishing and local government. “As Grow Clinton continues to promote the health and vibrancy of the Greater Clinton Region, we must ensure that our team is equipped to handle the demand. We welcome Ashley to our team and know that she will take action to highlight the many great advancements occurring throughout the area,” said Andy Sokolovich, President & CEO Grow Clinton was created after the successful merger of the Clinton Regional Development Corporation and the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce in March 2022. It seeks to promote business growth, build community and advocate for the sustainable economic success of the Greater Clinton Region. For more information on Grow Clinton, contact Andy Sokolovich, President & CEO, at asokolovich@growclinton.com or 563.242.5702 or visit their website here.
	A group of citizens effort one last plea to keep the old Rock Island County Courthouse at Tuesday’s board meeting Tuesday the committee plans to make one final push, by making they’re voices heard in a scheduled board meeting.
	Learn the blues at Blueskool For over 30 years, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society has offered Blueskool, an informal and interactive workshop that allows people of all ages to listen and learn the history of blues music, as well as learn to play it. Blueskool is held during the annual MVBS Blues Fest in Davenport’s LeClaire Park and will be held this year on Saturday, September 17 from 3-6 p.m. LeClaire Park is located at 398 Beiderbeck Drive in Davenport. This year’s workshop times and educators include: 3-3:45 p.m.: Kevin Burt, an award-winning national touring blues artist and educator, who will also be performing at the 2022 Blues Fest. Kevin has been a long time Blues in the Schools artist in residence and is a passionate and engaging blues artist and educator.4-4:45 p.m.: Tanya English has been leading her own band for over ten years and launched her Healing with the Blues website two and half years ago with help from her husband and bassist, Ed. 5-5:45 p.m.: Award-winning national touring blues artist and educator Billy Branch has presented blues education workshops across the U.S., including Blues in the Schools, and will focus on teaching harmonica during this session. Thanks to the generosity of long-time Blueskool and MVBS supporter David Berntson, harmonicas will be given to all children participating in Blueskool. “The annual MVBS Blueskool is a very important part of our community education mission” said Paul Magnuson, Chair of the MVBS Education Committee. “To see the spark of interest in a young person’s eyes when they first pick up an instrument is very gratifying.” To learn more about Blueskool, click here.
	ComedySportz QC to return in Moline ComedySportz Quad Cities is re-launching at The Spotlight Theatre’s new Spotlight Studio this November, 1800 7th Ave., Moline.ComedySportz is a fast-paced, all-ages improvisational comedy show that uses audience suggestions in a highly competitive “game” between a red team and a blue team. The teams compete for the most laughs. There is no script or plan prior to each performance resulting in non-stop laughs for the players and audience. ComedySportz first operated in the QC from 1990 to 2019. ComedySportz is a global brand with locations in 25 cities around the world, and was first brought to the Quad Cities in 1990 by Denny Hitchcock (owner/producer of Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse). Hitchcock gave ComedySportz its first home in what is now The Speakeasy, next to Circa '21, in Rock Island. Jeff Adamson, one of the earliest performers, managed and eventually owned the local license, helping to make it a household name in the QC. In 2010, ComedySportz moved to The Establishment Theatre in Rock Island (today's Center for Living Arts, 220 19th St.). Jeff and his son, Patrick Adamson, owned and successfully ran ComedySportz Quad Cities until 2019.ComedySportz Quad Cities’ new owner, Bob Kelly, began performing with the troupe in 1999. Rick Davis, Director of Operations and Creative Development, has performed with ComedySportz since 1993. Monta Ponsetto, Communications Director, began performing as an original roster member in 1990. The Spotlight Studio (in the lower level at Spotlight Theatre) is managed by Brent Tubbs, ComedySportz member since 2003, and his wife Sara Tubbs. The Spotlight Theatre is at 1800 7th Ave., Moline. “We are so thrilled to bring ComedySportz back to the Quad Cities,” Kelly said in a Tuesday release. “None of this would have been possible without the years of hard work by Denny Hitchcock and the Adamson family. We are excited to continue building on the ComedySportz Quad Cities tradition.”Matches will begin in November and will be every Friday and Saturday night. Tickets will be available through the new ComedySportz website, ComedySportzQC.com, as well as on The Spotlight Theatre’s website, TheSpotlightTheatreQC.com.For updated information and more exciting announcements over the coming months, ComedySportz QC encourages loyal fans to follow on social media at their new Facebook page, and can also be found on Instagram at @cszqc.
	African-American artist to talk Thursday at Figge The Figge Art Museum will host African-American artist LaToya Hobbs in the Quad City Bank & Trust Grand Lobby for a free talk Thursday at 6:30 p.m., 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport. With a major corporate gift from Quad City Bank & Trust, Hobbs' artwork, “The Everyday,” was acquired this past March for the permanent collection and is on display in the Figge's second-floor gallery. Admission is free every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. "The Everyday" by LaToya Hobbs, is at the Figge Art Museum's second floor. The gift was inspired by the Figge’s Diversity and Equity Art Fund, established last year to combat the systemic inequality in the art world. “The Everyday” is part of Hobbs’s “Salt of the Earth” series, which centers “modern matriarchs” and reinforces the artist’s belief that Black women are the preservers of their families, communities, and culture Hobbs is an artist, wife, and mother of two from Little Rock, Ark., who is currently living and working in Baltimore, Md. She received her BA in Painting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and MFA in Printmaking from Purdue University. Hobbs' work deals with figurative imagery that addresses the ideas of beauty, cultural identity, and womanhood as they relate to women of the African Diaspora, according to her bio. She creates a fluid and symbiotic relationship between her printmaking and painting practice producing works that are marked by texture, color and bold patterns. Hobbs will speak on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Figge Art Museum lobby. Her exhibition record includes several national and international exhibits in locations such as the National Art Gallery of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia, Prizm Art Fair, Miami, Fla., the Community Folk Arts Center in Syracuse, N.Y., Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, and the Sophia Wananmaker Galleries in San Jose, Costa Rica among others. LaToya’s work has also been featured in Transition: An International Review, a publication of the W.E.B. Dubois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University. For more information, visit her website.
	Augustana mentoring program earns national recognition Launched in early 2020 to keep students connected during the pandemic, Augustana College's mentoring program that partners junior and senior STEM majors with younger classmates from underrepresented groups has won a national award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The June 2022 cover of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Augustana earned the Inspiring Programs in STEM Award, which honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), according to a Tuesday release. This year, there were 79 institutions of higher education recognized with this award. Dr. Nathan Frank, associate professor of physics at Augustana, said the idea for the mentoring program arose during early 2020, when everyone was seeking ways of remaining connected during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Leaders, including Frank, were intentional in providing ways for underrepresented students to have more opportunities to grow their sense of belonging. Nathan Frank The student-led initiative started with virtual events during the 2020-2021 school year. Today, the program has a leadership team of 10 people (students and faculty) and about 50 participants. Members gather once per month for individual or small-group events, including a Pi Your Mentor Day on Pi Day (March 14, 2022) and a senior panel featuring success stories and future plans of graduating Augie students. Frank said the mentoring program has played a key role in making sure all students feel they have a seat at the table. “If you really want to have the best science results and you want the best designs, you have to have people from all kinds of backgrounds contributing,” he said. “Physics doesn’t depend on who you are or where you came from or what you believe. It’s really egalitarian: The universe is what it is for everyone,” Frank said. “Our goal is to make sure that everyone feels welcomed in the studies of our physical universe, especially people of color since they are not well represented in the field.”Augustana will be featured in the September 2022 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives. “It’s really validating for our program that someone from the outside recognizes this as great work and worth doing,” said Dr. Monica M. Smith, vice president and chief diversity officer at Augustana, who is a co-contributor for the mentoring program. Monica Smith "Institutions of higher education have a responsibility to prepare students for the workforce,” said Smith. “We know that STEM fields are lacking in diversity.” “The Augustana Physics and Engineering Society (APES) connects all students in the major," she said. "Our mentoring program goes one step further. It intentionally seeks to strengthen the connections between underrepresented students studying physics, with the goal of increasing retention in the major and representation in the field." Smith leads Augustana’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, ensuring the college collaborates across the institution to develop programs that are inclusive of the diversity that exists within the college’s student body and employee demographics. Augustana’s campus of 2,500 students includes 23 percent domestic students of color and 13 percent of students from other countries. Augustana previously has been recognized by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, receiving the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education recognized Augustana for its campus-wide diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Augustana was one of only seven schools in the country qualifying for the publication’s DOIT certification program in the area of institutional climate. Learn about the 2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award and INSIGHT Into Diversity magazineHERE. .
	EMPD says ‘drive sober or get pulled over’ As people plan their Labor Day celebrations, the East Moline Police Department is working with the Illinois State Police and law enforcement statewide to stop impaired driving and save lives. “We’ll be out in force to keep impaired drivers off the roads with the goal of ensuring our community’s residents and visitors make it home safely once the parties end,” said Captain Jason Kratt. “If you’ll be celebrating, we urge you to plan ahead for a sober ride.” The high-visibility “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign runs from August 19 through the early-morning hours of September 6. During this period, law enforcement will be stepping up efforts focused on impaired, unbuckled and distracted drivers. Before the party starts, remember to designate a sober driver and don’t let friends or family members drive impaired. Other important tips include: If you’re hosting, make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance or arrange ridesharing or another sober ride home.Serve plenty food and include non-alcoholic beverages at the party.If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, call a cab or ride share or stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.Don’t let friends leave your sight if you think they are about to drive impaired.Always buckle up – it’s your best defense in a crash. The Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is made possible by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
	A perfect forecast for Tuesday Good morning everyone. As you head out the door, temps will be slightly cooler and there is some fog setting up across the QCA. We will start things off with some clouds around during the morning hours but once the afternoon rolls around we will turn sunny this afternoon. Look for highs to top out in the upper 70's today for another fall-like day. Heading into Wednesday, highs will climb into the lower 80's. Rain chances return on Friday and last throughout the weekend.
	Illinois launching community health care program for seniors Illinois senior citizens could have more convenient access to health care starting next summer.
	Police respond to crash in East Moline Tuesday This is a developing story.
	DeWitt man dead after motorcycle crash in Clinton County Saturday A man was found dead after his motorcycle left the road and struck an embankment Saturday afternoon.
	Reflections on Chief Sikorski's 34-year career As an incredible 34-year career in law enforcement winds down, Local 4's Jim Niedelman sat down with Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski tp discuss his amazing journey and the present and future of the community.
	Crews respond to early morning house fire in Rock Island Multiple firefighters responded to a house fire around 5:45 Tuesday morning in Rock Island.
	Early morning house fire in Rock Island Multiple firefighters responded to a house fire around 5:45 Tuesday morning in Rock Island.
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	Woman found dead in Muscatine County home The woman was found Monday.
	2 seriously injured in Scott County vehicle versus tractor crash The crash happened Monday night.
	Man killed in Clinton County motorcycle crash The crash is under investigation.
	1 man dead following fatal crash in Clinton One man is dead following a motorcycle accident, according to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.
	Multiple injured in Monday evening crash in Walcott The Scott County Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call for an accident between a car and tractor Monday evening around 5 p.m.
	QC performers advance to next round of Bill Riley Talent Search at fair Five talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) and six Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 62nd annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Senior acts include: Brooklyn Frantz, 14, Solo Tap Dance; WalcottLucy Marshall, 14, Vocal and Piano Solo; Bettendorf The Bill Riley Talent Search has put Iowa's young talent on stages across the state each summer since 1960. Acts competed statewide to qualify for competition in this year's Talent Search, where there are seven days of preliminary competition for Sprouts (ages 2-12) and Seniors (ages 13-21), followed by the semi-finals and, ultimately, the selection of one Senior Champion. The Sprouts do not compete beyond the semi-finals, but perform in the Championship Show as Sprout Champions, set for Sunday at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage. More than $20,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined. The Bill Riley Talent Search is presented by Meta.
	Births for Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 UNITYPOINT HEALTH-TRINITY MOLINE
	Galesburg City Council approves police officer recruitment incentives Chief Russell Idle said it's an effort to combat a national trend.
Monday, August 15th, 2022
	Four candidates train at Muscatine Fire Academy Four candidates have started training at the Muscatine Fire Academy in preparation to become members of the Muscatine Fire Department. The Muscatine Fire Academy is being conducted at Station 2 under the guidance of Lt. Andrew McSorley, Critical Care Paramedic, and Firefighter Reece Hall, a news release says. Marissa Janssen, Skylar Duncan, Chad Whitehall, and Aaron Meredith have begun the four-week course at Station 2 that instructs fire recruits on firefighting techniques and safety. The course of study includes classroom work along with live training burns. Muscatine Fire Chief Jerry Ewers said the department is excited to have these new firefighters on board, which will bring the department back to its fully authorized staffing level of 15 firefighters per 24-hour shift. “We're excited to hire and train these four new firefighters,” Ewers said. “The fire service is physically demanding and mentally tough, but it is one of the most rewarding careers out there where you are making a difference and saving lives. It doesn't get any better than that.” Ewers added that he is looking forward to seeing these new hires acquire the skills of being a firefighter. “I look forward to seeing these new hires go through the academy, training exercises, learn new skills, grow, build confidence, and serve our community with pride as a Muscatine firefighter,” Ewers said. “As we start another academy it’s an exciting time not only for our recruits getting to head down a new career path but it is also exciting for us as well,” McSorley said. “We get the opportunity to lay the foundation blocks for these recruits as they start their journey.” McSorley directs the fire academy at Station 2. “It’s fun to see their faces day one and then again on the last day when we live burn,” McSorley said. “This (live burn) is where the things we have done over the past month all come together. It can be a grueling four weeks as we test them mentally and physically. But as every day passes you see them getting faster and the confidence in their eyes is growing.” McSorley noted that the best part of his job is being involved with the academies. “We have come a long way over the past years trying to build this month to be perfect and make sure they get exactly what they need to head to shift and be successful,” McSorley said. “This is a really fun group and I am excited for them, and excited to see where each one of them takes their career.” Janssen is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and has been a combat medic in the Iowa Army National Guard for the past eight years and is moving to the Muscatine area. “I was looking to pursue a job that would further my career on the civilian side,” Janssen said. “The fire department was just that job.” During her free time Janssen enjoys taking her 100 pound shepherd-lab mix (Link) on adventures. Duncan is also EMT certified and a Navy veteran, working as a heavy equipment operator in the Navy Seabees along with being a hospital corpsman and a fire controlman. “Muscatine is the town I grew up in and I spent time with the MFD as part of the EMT course,” Duncan said on why he applied to work for the Muscatine Fire Department. Whitehall decided to take EMT classes once he left the Army and his interest kept growing through that journey. “I talked to a couple of people and they talked very highly about this department and the people that work here,” Whitehall said. Whitehall has a bachelor degree from Western Illinois University and is a U.S. Army veteran. Meredith is another recruit that has had previous experience with the Muscatine Fire Department during his ride-a-longs as part of the EMT classwork through Scott Community College. “The Muscatine Fire Department is a progressive department that will allow me to reach my goals in my career,” Meredith said. Meredith and his wife, Kaitlin, live in Blue Grass.
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	Sherrard woman arrested for animal cruelty; 198 dogs rescued from her home According to police, Karen Plambeck was arrested after hundreds of dogs were recovered from her home in Mercer County.
	Two injured after car crashes into tractor near Walcott Police say that a car rear-ended a tractor driving down New Liberty Road Monday afternoon, causing its two passengers to be pinned underneath the farm equipment.
	Sunshine set to return to the Quad Cities this week After some cloudy skies over the last couple days, things are about to turn around in the Quad Cities. Skies clear out Tuesday and we should have a good amount of sunshine Tuesday afternoon and evening. Then it stays sunny for Wednesday and Thursday. Another bonus? Temperatures will be comfortable for the next 7 days! Rain chances are back though starting Friday and could linger into the weekend.
	Moline gets $3 million grant for street reconstruction Moline’s plan to reconstruct 7th Avenue between 12th and 23rd streets – including the addition of a traffic roundabout at 23rd Street and upgrading the entire corridor for multimodal traffic – has received a $3 million boost through a State of Illinois Main Streets Capital Program grant. The city applied for the grant last January, with the goal of providing funding for the project that is expected to cost a total of $8.6 million, a news release says. According to the grant application, the condition of 12th Street, 23rd Street, and 7th Avenue are poor and the level of service is suffering. Two major issues plaguing this transportation corridor include a lack of connectivity to alternative modes of transportation and a relatively poor safety record, the release says. A roundabout is proposed at the intersection of 7th Avenue and 23rd Street for traffic calming and enhanced safety at an intersection that has seen heighten accident rates. All street corridors will also receive advanced technology lighting, signage and striping for traffic and pedestrians; curb, gutter, and ADA compliant ramps; streetscaping with native vegetation and trees and technology kiosks to disseminate information to bicyclists and pedestrians. “This project is transformative and will serve as a great example for future street reconstructions using a complete streets model,” said City Administrator Bob Vitas. “It was a collaborative effort with staff from engineering, public works, community and economic development and administration.” Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati also praised city staff for making a compelling case to the state. “This is fantastic news and shows how great our teamwork approach is working,” Rayapati said. The grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them through the Rebuild Illinois Program and expanded upon through the American Rescue Plan. It was part of $106 million in capital grants awarded to 50 Illinois communities through the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Street Capital program. State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, said he is pleased to see priority projects throughout the Quad Cities, including Moline, well-represented in the program. “I will continue to fight for additional funding that boosts the Illinois Quad Cities economy,” said Halpin. “I am proud of the work we are able to accomplish when we work together.”
	Two injured in car/tractor crash Monday evening Two people were injured Monday evening in a car/tractor crash in Walcott, according to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff's Office. Shortly after 5 p.m., the Scott Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call for a vehicle accident involving a passenger car and a tractor in the the 7300 block of New Liberty Road, Walcott. This roadway is a paved two-lane highway north of Walcott. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene, and an investigation was conducted, the release says. The initial investigation found that a silver 2010 Ford Fusion, as well as the farm tractor, were traveling west on New Liberty Road. It was determined through the initial investigation, and witness statements, that the Ford Fusion rear-ended the tractor. That caused the tractor to roll into the north ditch, pinning the occupants of the tractor under it. The tractor was being driven by a man from Wheatland who had a minor passenger with him on the tractor at the time of the crash. The driver of the Ford Fusion was a 26-year-old Dixon, Iowa, man. Both passengers from the tractor suffered serious injuries, and were transported by Medic EMS to Genesis Medical Center. The driver of the Fusion refused any medical treatment on scene, the release says. The accident remains under investigation by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Team.The Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Scott Emergency Communication Center, Walcott Police Department, Medic EMS, and Maysville Fire Department, all assisted with the accident.
	'It was horrible.' Nearly 200 dogs rescued from Sherrard hoarding situation In one of the biggest animal hoarding cases ever discovered in Illinois, officials rescued nearly 200 dogs from a home in Sherrard over the weekend. Mercer County Sheriff's deputies and animal control officers went to the property in Sherrard with a warrant Friday night after getting word of the situation. Teams of volunteers spent almost three days getting all of the dogs - all border collies - off the property. The volunteers say the dogs were being kept in unsanitary, crowded conditions. "A lot of matted coats, a lot of fecal matter, a lot of very, very skinny dogs," said Amber Stephenson, a volunteer from New Beginnings Pet Rescue of the Quad Cities, remembering the scene. "I don't think I'll ever forget the smell. It was horrible. Absolutely horrible." Animal rescue organizations from across the Midwest and the Quad Cities came to help out, and they could tell the dogs had never known a normal life. "There were some that we would put a towel in their crate and they were rolling around because they had no idea what a towel was," Stephenson said. Neighbors say they've known something's been up for years, because they've heard dogs barking in the distance. They just didn't know exactly how bad it was. "When I heard there was 200, I mean, I fell out of my Ranger," said Steven Foster, a man who has lived next door to the property for seven years. "I knew there was a lot of dogs, but I didn't know there was that many. She's always had collies, but the last six, seven (years), (it) has just been really, really bad." As for the dog's owner, police say she's 59-year-old Karen Plambeck, a woman with a history of animal cruelty. Court documents show that in October of 2019, Plambeck was charged with animal cruelty in Mercer County for keeping a halter on a horse for so long, that it became implanted into the horse's face. After her arrest Friday night, Plambeck now faces three counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Her neighbors say they were glad to see her arrested. "I'm just glad it's over with," Foster said. "I mean, hopefully, she'll never have another animal." As for the border collies, many of the people who helped save them hope this can be their new beginning. Veterinarians are now watching over them at the Mercer County Animal Control Ccenter, and they plan on sending them to new homes once the police finish their investigation. "I am happy those dogs get to experience what love actually is from a human, and they have the prospect of an amazing second chance at life," Stephenson said. The community can help the dogs in the meantime. One of the ways you can help is to donate dog food, which can be dropped off at the Mercer County Sheriff's Office 24 hours a day.
	Dollar General's new Milan location is open for shoppers The 3rd Avenue store will employ six to 10 people and feature the company's new home décor line and an expanded party supply section.
	Davenport Officers invite community to Cops and Cones event in park The Davenport Police Association invites the community to Vander Veer Botanical Park near the large fountain on Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 6-8 p.m. the Cops and Cones Ice Cream Social. 08.17.2021 Cops and Cones(contributed photos) Attendees can have a free single-dip Whitey's Ice Cream cone or a Fla-vorice Popsicle, and meet and greet Davenport Police Officers at this family-friendly event.
	Muscatine County police investigating apparent murder after tip from Flordia police North Palm Beach police told the Muscatine Sheriff's Office that they received a tip saying that a woman had been murdered. Officers then found her body in her home.
	New preschool geared toward at-risk students opens in East Moline The East Moline Early Learning Center aims to give at-risk preschoolers a fun, interactive, and inclusive learning environment.
	IowaWORKS hosts mock interviews to help ex-cons re-enter the workforce The organization hopes to help ex-cons strengthen their job skills and open new opportunities.
	Muscatine County police investigating apparent murder after tip from Flordia police North Palm Beach police told the Muscatine Sheriff's Office that they received a tip saying that a woman had been murdered. Officers then found her body in her home.
	Democratic Senate candidate Mike Franken seeks to unify Iowans around his campaign Franken asked crowd to put "country over party" and "people over politics."
	Red Cross hosts home fire safety campaign According to the Red Cross, on average, seven people die every day from a home fire, and more than 30 people suffer injuries from home fires every day. Brian Williamsen from the American Red Cross of Illinois spoke with Local 4 about the Home Fire Safety Campaign to help keep our community safe and prepared in the event of a fire. For more information, click here.
	Alternating Currents festival set to launch Thursday Alternating Currents is a free event showcasing 120+ live performances, film screenings and art-related events from Aug. 18-21, at more than 25 venues between downtown Davenport and Rock Island.
	State's attorney says it could take years to catch up on backlogged cases in Rock Island County The State's Attorney Office successfully convicted nearly 400 felony charges during the first half of 2022.
	Eldridge man pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder in wife's 2021 death Shane Bostrom, 35, faced a first-degree murder charge and a domestic abuse charge before settling on a plea agreement last week.
	Rock Island County State's Attorney's Office works through thousands of backlogged cases The State's Attorney Office successfully convicted nearly 400 felony charges during the first half of 2022.
	Rock Island, Chamber celebrate state funding for downtown The Quad Cities Chamber, in partnership with the city of Rock Island, today announced that it's been chosen to get a $3-million grant for downtown Rock Island revitalization. As part of the Rebuild Illinois (RBI) Downtowns and Main Streets Capital program, Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) awarded $106 million in capital grants to 50 commercial corridors and main streets throughout Illinois, which represents the largest-ever RBI investment focused on community revitalization. Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms spoke about the Arts Alley revitalization project in May 2022 (photo by Jonathan Turner). "I am excited the plans to rejuvenate the downtown are getting underway, especially with a total of more than $7 million to be invested," Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms said in a Monday release. "We are grateful for the recent $3 million award from the state of Illinois. This is due to the partnership between the Quad Cities Chamber and city of Rock Island. "We could not miss this opportunity to use American Rescue Plan Act funds and TIF funds to leverage a state grant that would almost double the investment into our downtown. We have had a lot of public input on this very well-thought-out plan." The proposed $7-million project includes streetscaping and placemaking improvements throughout the core of the downtown Rock Island Historic District, roughly the area between 1st and 4th Avenues and 15th and 21st Streets. The project will renew weathered infrastructure and add decorative lighting, landscaping, signage, security cameras, parklets for outdoor dining, public art installations and pop-up vendor stalls, among other amenities. Making improvements to downtown Rock Island's Great River Plaza are planned with $3 million in new state funding. (photo: Brian Weckerly) While many of these new elements will be introduced throughout the bulk of the Historic District, the primary focus areas are: Reconstruction of the Great River Plaza (2nd Avenue pedestrian mall)Activation of Arts Alley (1700 block of 2nd Avenue)Gateway between downtown business district and Schwiebert Riverfront Park (100 block of 18th Street)New downtown dog park in partnership with Illinois Casualty Company (300 block of 21st Street) The city of Rock Island is supporting the project through $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and $1.5 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District funds. Illinois Casualty Company is also contributing a parcel of land and up to $100,00 for the development of the dog park. “Between this award, and the millions of dollars in investments being made to develop the new Federal Building and YWCA, among other projects, downtown Rock Island is on the cusp of an exciting new era of revitalization,” said Jack Cullen, director of Downtown Rock Island for the Chamber. Some of the planned improvements to downtown Rock Island's Arts Alley, in renderings by Streamline Architects. “Not only will this project help the downtown business community rebound from the pandemic, but we believe it will help create the vibrant sense of place our community is craving to attract more private investment and visitors, too.” The project scope of work was developed with the support of the Downtown Steering Committee. Arron Sutherland, Committee Chair and President/CEO of Illinois Casualty Company said, “Momentum is building downtown and receiving the final piece of funding for capital improvements is a great start. I think it has been amazing to see the positivity, and overall support that has been shown for the revitalization of downtown Rock Island. We’re grateful to the city of Rock Island and State of Illinois for their partnership.” The RBI Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Program is designed to support local commercial corridors, with concentrations of businesses that experienced difficulties during the pandemic due to declining foot traffic, tourism and business from downtown offices. The program drives investment in infrastructure and public amenities that continue to fuel economic activity as more Illinoisans visit their local town centers.

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022

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Monday, August 15th, 2022