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North Scott Press — July 8, 2026

City of Eldridge, fire department agree to talk

The Eldridge City Council and the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Company have agreed to sit down face-to-face again to try to work out lingering issues regarding the fire department’s funding. During Monday’s city council meeting, mayor Scott Campbell announced the parties will meet in a special committee of the whole meeting, scheduled for next Monday, July 13, at 7 p.m. at the Eldridge Community Center. Campbell said he had reached out to Lt. Bryan Yanke of the EVFC last week regarding comments made to The North Scott Press. He said he emailed Yanke to “clarify and confirm comments that were written, most specifically that the fire department was truly not interested in further discussions, as the article stated that that this financial request to the city was final.” Campbell and Yanke exchanged several emails, resulting in the decision to hold the special committee of the whole meeting. Monday’s city council meeting was also moved to the community center, a decision announced over the weekend. This was done in anticipation of a large crowd at the meeting. At an open house hosted by the fire department on July 1, members of the EVFC encouraged attendees to attend the council meeting and speak in support of the department. Monday’s meeting attracted more than 50 people, including members of the EVFC, but there was little public comment. Four people addressed the council in total, with one resident, Chris Meyer, encouraging the council to reconsider city code regarding pole barns within city limits. Patricia Howell of rural Davenport questioned her tax rate. Although she lives outside the Eldridge city limits, she is served by the Benefitted Fire District No. 3. “Please … tell me why my taxes aren’t giving (the fire department) a pay increase? They have not had a pay increase for 10 years. And you can’t tell me all you guys have not had a pay increase … why hasn’t the fire department gotten a pay increase in 10 years?” Setting aside the council’s usual habit of not responding to public comment, city administrator Nevada Lemke said the money from the Benefitted Fire District is handled directly by the county and does not flow through the city. “Well, my understanding was it came out to the city, and you dispersed it,” said Howell. “No, it goes directly to the EVFC from the county,” replied Lemke. Howell said she planned to call the county and verify that information. Judith Gilbert said she was speaking in full support of the fire department. “They provide valuable and professional services to the community. Their commitment to Eldridge’s volunteer fire department, and the resources they have accumulated, not just in apparatus, but in training, cannot be easily replaced. I would rather my tax dollars go towards supporting the fire department than be spent on a $33 million facilities expansion that, in my opinion, the city has failed to make a substantial case for. I urge both sides to work together for the benefit of Eldridge’s residents, our school system, and our commercial and industrial businesses.” Kris Elmshaeuser said she was a newer resident to Eldridge. She said she believed if the fire department was to be paid with taxpayer funds, it needed to have the same oversight applied as a city department. “Just like any other department, the fire department needs to follow the same city budgetary process. If we are at a point of considering $500,000 to $750,000 of city taxpayer funds for the fire department, that requires the same oversight, transparency, and accountability of those funds as other departments. Financial management of those public funds requires personnel who understand that process those types of transactions on a daily basis. Everything from bids, approval of payments and audits. “The fire department can’t have it both ways,” Elmshaeuser continued. “Give us the money but not the same standard of accountability. The fire department provides a very critical aspect of service to this community, and I’m thankful for that.” She said she was pleased Eldridge was continuing to grow and “we need to work together to assure that continued growth and in a respectful manner.” Elmshaeuser is Mayor Campbell’s sister-in-law. Prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, Campbell invited everyone who attended Monday’s meeting to also attend next Monday’s committee of the whole. He also had another message for the audience. “There’s no one here that does not respect the fire department, the dedication and the service that they provide our community. That is absolutely the truth, and I want to say that before we go any further.”

Eldridge residents balk at facilities price tag

Eldridge residents say the city should explore building new facilities. They’re just not keen on the proposed price tag. The Eldridge City Council got its first look at the results of a community survey conducted last month regarding its proposed $32.9 million facilities plan. Scott Girard of Wisconsin-based Community Perceptions joined Monday’s council meeting via Zoom to share the results. Of the responders, 58% said the city should explore building new facilities at this time. However, just 45% said they would definitely or probably support the proposed $32.9 million referendum. Forty-one percent said they definitely or probably would not support it, and 14% were undecided. A successful bond referendum would require 60% approval. Girard said the survey, which was mailed out to all Eldridge residents, received 878 responses, about a 30% response rate. “To put that in context, our average is in the 15-18% range. So, you doubled the low end of our average rate. We really heard from a significant portion of your community for this survey, and we feel really good about your community’s interest in this survey.” Of the respondents, 48% were aged 65 and older, and 95% of respondents were homeowners as opposed to renters. Girard said having older residents well represented in responses was typical of his company’s surveys. “We’re not surprised to see that, and we like to see it, because that group tends to also be overrepresented at the ballot box on Election Day if there were something on the ballot. So, it’s important that they are strongly represented on the survey.” Girard said, when the survey asked about building new facilities without a specific plan attached, the majority of responders (58%) were in favor, with 26% against and 16% undecided. He also showed a breakdown by age range, with the vast majority of 18-24-year-olds (83%) in favor. However, Girard said that demographic only represented 1% of respondents. On the other end of the spectrum, 65% of those aged 65 and above favored building new facilities. However, once a price tag was attached to the project, support waned. While older residents said they would definitely or probably support a $32.9 million plan at a rate of 54%, residents aged between 35-54 were less likely to support it, with 59% of people between 45-54 saying they would not support the plan, and 60% aged 35-44 voicing disapproval. Girard also shared information on a few other questions asked in the survey, including a section on community priorities. Those surveyed were asked to give priority ratings on six city services, with 3 being the highest priority and 1 being the lowest. Sixty-one percent of responders gave a high priority to fire, while 54% gave high priority to police. Street maintenance and stormwater management, snow removal and garbage and recycling pick-up generally saw responders rank them at medium importance, while parks maintenance was seen at a slightly lower priority. The survey also asked if the city should continue to operate its own water, sewer and electric utilities, with most responders saying yes. Girard said the final question on the survey had to do with how likely residents were to recommend Eldridge as a place to live. Thirty-four percent said they were extremely likely to recommend Eldridge to a friend or family member, and the median score was 8.19. “We put you in a comparison to other municipalities that we’ve asked this question of and you are well ahead of the average score among those municipalities,” said Girard, noting the average comparison score was 7.49. “The other key thing that jumps out up here is when we’re looking at the answers to this question, our eyes always go to the 8-10 range,” continued Girard. “Those are the folks who are really excited about living there, really happy. And if someone’s talking about moving, they’re going to say, ‘You should move to Eldridge.’ And you have a really significant portion, 72% in fact, of your respondents in that range. “So, just really, really good news there on how your residents are feeling in general about the city.” Council member Jeff Ashcraft went back to a portion of the survey that broke down the $32.9 million plan’s support by age range. He noted that the 35-54 age demographic seemed to “be the one that is getting squeezed the most, financially. Am I interpreting that correctly, in your opinion?” Girard said he thought that was accurate, and it seemed to be a trend on several of the surveys Community Perceptions has conducted recently. He said that age range tends to have children at home and has different financial priorities. “I think they are feeling that squeeze, and that’s a trend we’re seeing for sure,” he said. Mayor Scott Campbell said that council members would continue to review the information and return to the results at a later meeting to formulate a plan. Other business In other business, the council: • Approved a Class C liquor license renewal for Double Barrel Drinkery. • Amended an interfund transfer of $50,000 from the Sewer Fund to the General Equipment Replacement Fund to instead read the Sewer Equipment Fund to the General Equipment Replacement Fund. The original interfund transfer was approved at the April 6 meeting with a typo on the resolution. • Approved a one-year extension of a street assessment waiver for GRT Eldridge Property, LLC (RILCO). Drew Lawrence of RILCO was present and had asked for a two-year extension of a waiver that was granted by the city council on Nov. 10, 2023. That waiver is set to expire at the end of 2026. Lawrence said he was asking for another extension because the “nature and scope of any future development on or adjacent to our property remains undetermined at this time.” Council members said they were not willing to extend to two years and offered the one-year extension. “One year is better than no years,” said Lawrence. • Approved setting a public hearing on July 20 for the sale of 0.163 acres of right-of-way property to Delbert Shaw at the assessed value of $500. The land is former railroad right-of-way, and the city has determined that there is no public purpose to retaining ownership of the property, which Shaw has been maintaining. • Approved the replat of Lemke Farms 2nd Addition, a piece of property along South Scott Park Road owned by Rita and Michael Smith. Assistant city administrator Jeff Martens said the replat will separate the homestead from the surrounding agricultural property. The replat was approved by the Eldridge Planning & Zoning Commission last month. • Approved the final plat for Eldridge Industrial Park 6th Addition, a 2.236-acre parcel near North 16th Avenue and Lancer Court. The plat was approved by the Eldridge Planning & Zoning Commission last month. • Approved financial consulting services from Martha Nieto on an as-needed basis. City administrator Nevada Lemke said Nieto, who served as city clerk until her retirement, is agreeable to working approximately 10 hours per week at a rate of $50 per hour until such time as a new clerk can be hired. Council member Brian Dockery asked for a sunset period on the agreement of no longer than six months. • Learned from police chief Andrew Lellig that the Eldridge Police Department’s National Night Out event will be held Aug. 4 from 5-8 p.m. at Sheridan Meadows. The K-9 Golf Outing will be held Aug. 1.  

Eldridge Summer Festival takes to the streets this weekend

The Eldridge Summer Festival returns this weekend, welcoming current and former residents for activities, food and drinks during a weekend of midsummer celebration. The small-town festival will start at 6 p.m. Friday evening with a kids’ parade marching from Weise Park down 2nd Street. Kids will decorate their bikes, scooters and wagons in the theme Let’s Glow! Registration begins at 5 p.m. in Wiese Park. The first day of the event will be capped off by a live musical performance by Wild Oatz, a local country and classic rock band. Saturday will begin with the Eldridge Lions Club’s annual pancake breakfast, from 7-10 a.m. in the North Scott High School cafeteria. Club members Tracy Harris and Beth Schwager will lead the event. “We serve 4 different flavors, plain, chocolate chip, blueberry and cinnamon swirl,” Harris said. “We will also have sausage links, fruit cups, milk, orange juice and coffee.” The breakfast will be priced at $10 per adult and $5 per child, while under five can eat for free. A live music performance by the Ukeladies will be held during the meal. The club will be running two raffles, the annual Lucky 20 raffle, drawn on Sept. 7, has over 50 chances to win, and a smaller basket raffle. The annual raffle has over 50 chances to win. The basket raffle will be held at the breakfast and it has two options to buy in. “Buy tickets to put in a bucket for a dollar each or 6 for $5,” Harris said. “All the money we get goes back into the community.” The main parade begins shortly following the breakfast, departing from North Fourth and East Franklin at 11 a.m., winding through town on East Franklin, North First and West Price streets, before returning on Damman Drive and ending at the intersection of West Davenport and North First streets. Antique vehicles, fire trucks and floats will march through town dispensing candy, all led by grand marshals Paul and Marguerite Holzworth. Paul Holzworth often takes part in the celebrations, handing out water to runners during the Moonlight Chase with the North Scott Rotary Club, of which he has been an active member. “We’ve lived in the community for 25 years,” Holzworth said. “But we’ve never been grand marshals before. We’ll try to be gracious and enjoy it.” Immediately following the parade, there will be activities for all ages in the vicinity of Weise Park. Activities include a pedal tractor pull, petting zoo, mini-golf, a balloon artist and foam blasters. The fire department will host a kid’s water fight. Several live performances will be held, including Iowa’s youngest magician Kayleigh Rodgers, a deejay and Lyle Beavers and the Brass Notes. Various booths from North Scott area businesses will provide food and drinks, including the Eldridge Summer Festival beer tent. Grand Haven, Amhof Trucking, Maloney’s Pub, Al & Gerry’s Tap and Double Barrel Drinkery are each celebrating with activities at their businesses as well. A Maker’s Market hosted by Julie Wall’s Folkinart Studio will be lining West Franklin Street during festivities, selling everything from popcorn to pottery. “We have everything from crafts to artwork,” Wall said. The day concludes with the annual Moonlight Chase. Quarter-mile and one-mile races begin at 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The full four-mile race will begin at 9 p.m. All races start at North Second and Donahue streets, ending at West Franklin and North Second streets. The course will be lined with water stations staffed by volunteers. The annual race provides $10,000 in grants each year to local organizations and non-profits. The Eldridge Summer Festival and Moonlight Chase exist because of the many local businesses, volunteers and the City Of Eldridge who all donate, participate and host various activities.        

Who will reign over the Fair?

Six young ladies will vie for the title of Mississippi Valley Fair Queen on July 21. The queen will reign over the Fair, scheduled for Aug. 4-9, and represent the Mississippi Valley Fair in the Iowa State Fair Queen contest, Aug. 11-15. The competition will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, in the Starlite Ballroom. In alphabetical order, the candidates are: Brianna Doerscher of Davenport, daughter of Melissa Moore, Chris Doerscher and Ashley Doerscher. She is a junior at Davenport Central High School, and she is involved in Color Guard, Winter Guard, honor band, the hair, makeup and costume department for theatre, Elementary Mentors, TAG, Book Club, animal rescue and volunteering at the Cedar County Fair. After high school, she plans to attend a four-year university on the East Coast to study nursing. Charlotte Madden of Eldridge, daughter of Scott and Mary Beth Madden. She is a recent graduate of North Scott High School, where she served as president of Lancer Productions and National Honor Society, vice president of Student Government and on the FCA leadership team. She is a fourth-grade Faith Formation teacher at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, an elementary choir teacher and a summer camp teacher. She plans to attend the University of Iowa this fall to study social work. Molly Mose of Dixon, daughter of Tracy Burmeister and Bryan Mose. She is a senior at North Scott High School, and she serves as the president of North Scott FFA, is a Scott County 4-H County Council member, and volunteers with church events, FFA Lunch on the Farm, and other community events. After high school, she plans to attend Iowa State University and major in healthcare management. She hopes to one day work as a hospital administrator. Aaliyah Shimkus of Donahue, daughter of Stacey and Michael Shimkus. She is a junior at North Scott High School, and she has participated in FFA, 4-H, Dairy Goat Breeders, bowling and archery. After high school, she plans to study as a large animal and exotic animal veterinarian. Ellie Weyeneth of Davenport, daughter of Jennifer and Jeffrey Weyeneth. She is a recent graduate of Davenport Assumption High School, and she has participated in volleyball, tennis, Color Guard, Scott County 4-H County Council, Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), Vacation Bible School (VBS), drama and the Penguin Project. She plans to attend Concordia Nebraska University this fall to study veterinary medicine. Kasey Witter of Davenport, daughter of John and Alicia Witter. She is a senior at New City Classical Academy, and she is involved in choir, her church worship team, and running her school’s social media pages. After high school, she plans to attend cosmetology school at Capri College.

Roebuck to take on Vondran in November

Scott County Democrats have picked Karen Roebuck of Davenport to contest the State House seat currently held by Republican Mike Vondran.  House District 94 stretches from the Mississippi riverfront in Bettendorf north through Davenport and into Eldridge. Roebuck was named to the ballot by Scott County Democrats’ Central Committee after no candidates ran in the June primary.  Roebuck described herself as a “community advocate.” She works as a substitute teacher and independent insurance agent, according to a press release from county Democrats. She told The North Scott Press that she was “a big proponent of education” and believed voters should have a Democratic option in each of this year’s races.    

Grants will help QCA developments offer affordable housing

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)  Board approved $37 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and an additional $39 million in federal and state subordinate resources to finance creating and renovating 22 affordable housing developments in 15 counties throughout Illinois. The LIHTC awards are expected to generate an estimated $303 million in private [...]

Firefighters lay out their case for additional funding

Members of the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Company say they have a plan to keep the department solvent and sustainable in the years to come. They fear that funding may not come from the City of Eldridge. Nearly 100 people packed into the meeting room at the Eldridge Fire Station last Wednesday, July 1, for what the fire department billed as an open community forum. While many of those present were firefighters and their families, residents from both inside and outside the city limits also showed up to ask questions and learn more about the department’s plans. Several said they only became aware of tensions between the city and the department after receiving a letter from fire chief Keith Schneckloth that included additional information from the department. Almost none of the residents who asked questions identified themselves. Council member Brian Dockery was the only representative of the city to attend the meeting. He remained mostly silent during the presentation. Lt. Bryan Yanke, who serves as secretary for the department, led the prepared portion of the presentation, which included a breakdown of the department’s financial needs. Yanke began by discussing what he identified as the root of the problem: calls to the department have increased, while volunteers have decreased. He said not only have calls generally increased, the number of calls per Eldridge resident has also climbed. “The number of calls is actually increasing at a faster rate than the population,” he said. “Ten years ago, the number of calls per citizen was 0.07. The number of calls now is at 0.11. So, basically one-and-a-half times. What does that mean? It means if our population goes up by 20%, our calls go up by 30%.” He said the department has been asked how hiring just one full-time employee will help with this problem. He explained that a full-time, paid chief could help create shift schedules to ensure coverage night and day, perform administrative work, coordinate station and equipment maintenance, and pursue supplemental funding, including grants, and community outreach. These are all tasks department members must do now in addition to their firefighting responsibilities. “Today, we don’t have that capability,” said Yanke. “We sign up as we are able to cover night shifts, and we don’t have anybody to schedule day shifts.” He said many volunteers work jobs outside the city limits and are not always available to respond to calls during the day. The department currently has 20 volunteers and six high school-aged Fire Explorers. Negotiation sticking points Yanke said during the yearlong negotiations with the city, many ideas and concepts were discussed. But there were some things department members found “concerning.” He said one question from the city had to do with what other communities are doing to reduce their budgets or meet lower financial needs. “Well, they’re selling assets,” said Yanke. “Do we really need a tower? Do we really need a ladder truck out there? We need all the assets we have. We need all the equipment we have.” Yanke said there had also been questions about reducing services. He also said the city said it was willing to commit to, and then cap its funding, at the county tax levy. He said that would leave the department with a shortfall for its operating budget, and they would have to come back every year and “essentially have to beg for money.” The effects on taxpayers Yanke said many people probably had questions about why it would matter if the department sold a truck or had a smaller number of volunteers. He introduced a slide explaining how the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rates fire departments. Departments are rated on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the highest ranking. Factors that weigh on the ISO rating include the number of staff or volunteers (including how many on average respond to a call), how much training the department does, how much equipment it has, how often equipment and other apparatus are maintained, and the location of the department. The Eldridge Fire Department currently has an ISO rating of 4, which is considered strong for a volunteer department. Speaking for the only time during the public portion of the forum, Dockery said it was his understanding that the highest ISO rating an all-volunteer department could get was a 3. Yanke said if the department’s ISO rating were to change, every home and business owner in Eldridge would be affected because their insurance companies would be notified. If the department’s ISO rating were to drop to a 5, homeowners would see their premiums increase. Yanke said that would be approximately an increase of $100-$250 on a $400,000 home, although he stressed this was only an estimate. The department did not have available figures for how much the average business might be affected.  “The capabilities this department has matter not only in live-saving efforts, if you have an emergency, but behind the scenes, to your pocket,” said Yanke. Looking at the budget The department prepared a series of graphs showing how it planned to break down its budget for the next three years. The overview showed the department has a budget of $512,186 for 2026, $672,231 for 2027, and $759,446 for 2028. As a comparison, the graphs showed LeClaire’s budget for 2026 at $541,429. The largest difference between the 2025 and 2026 budget for the EFD comes in salaries and benefits and facility and equipment operations, which also represents the largest chunk of its budget overall. In 2025, the department said it spent $78,788 on salaries and benefits, which includes the stipend volunteers receive for responding to calls. In 2026, the department hopes to spend $271,586 on salaries and benefits, which will include the hiring of a paid chief. The proposed salary for the chief is $108,000, which Yanke said is comparable to the salary of police chief Andrew Lellig. For FY27, Lellig will be paid approximately $111,000, according to the city’s wage resolution, which was published in the June 24 North Scott Press. In addition to the base salary, the department has also proposed a $31,400 insurance and retirement package, $38,900 for worker’s comp and $8,200 for FICA, representing a total pay package of $186,500. Adding in the stipend for volunteers, which the department has budgeted for an increase of $6,000 to account for higher call volume, the total increase to salaries and benefits for 2026 is $192,800. By 2027, the department would like to add an additional full-time employee, with a salary of $70,000, and a total pay package of $97,000. Adding paid employees will also add to the department’s administrative costs, because there will be some additional human resources expenses. The other significant increase for 2026 will be in facilities and equipment, where the department is budgeting approximately $88,000 more for 2026 than the $60,951 it budgeted in 2025. Yanke explained that a LUCAS device is among the new equipment the department would like to purchase. A LUCAS device can mechanically perform chest compressions during a situation where CPR is required, and the cost is estimated at around $22,000. Additional expenses include new turnout gear for firefighters, which must be replaced periodically, at a cost of $5,000, more or less, per each member of the department, and pediatric EMS equipment, estimated at $3,000. In 2027, the department would also like to replace its Jaws of Life and complete the turnout gear replenishment, and it must replace its large diameter hose (LDH), because some of that equipment has already failed during testing. Yanke also said the department is looking to finish the second floor of the fire station as a capital expansion project. While the department does not have concrete numbers for how much this project will cost, Yanke said Schneckloth will be looking to get bids soon. He explained why the build-out is important to the department. “One of our limitations today is that volunteers have to be close enough to the station to respond in a timely fashion. We’ve had people that live in Davenport, we’ve had people that live in Bettendorf, we’ve had people that live in other towns approach us and say, ‘Hey, I’d like to volunteer with you guys. I want the experience; I want to serve the community.’ And we have to turn them away because we have no place for them to stay while they’re here.” Yanke said the expectation was that a finished living area would increase the number of volunteers significantly, adding that LeClaire officials said when they finished their fire station, the number of volunteers went from 17 to 32. “Where the rubber meets the road” Yanke said during the course of the negotiations, the city said it would cap its financial contribution at the county tax levy. He said that meant $304,000 from the city, plus approximately $60,000 in gas franchise fees. That, combined with $62,000 from the Benefitted Fire District No. 3, which represents the rural areas of Eldridge outside of the city limits, would make for an operating budget of $426,000 for the department. He shared a slide that showed where the $426,000 would cut off on the department’s proposed budget for the next three years, indicating it would barely cover the salaries and facilities and equipment costs for 2026. The department’s figures indicated an operating budget gap of $85,000 for 2026, and $245,800 for 2027 if the city’s contribution were to remain static at $426,000, and an operating and capital gap of $285,800 for 2026. “That doesn’t include anything for capital expenses. It doesn’t include any capability to fill out the upstairs. That’s all the money just to keep the lights on,” said Yanke. “So, there’s the gap you’ve heard about. There’s been comments about how, when we were in negotiations, we were only $85,000 apart. We were $85,000 apart on operating a sustainable business. I know there’s plenty of business owners in the audience here. I don’t think any of you would sign up to say, ‘Yep, let’s run it at an $85,000 loss,’ right? It’s not sustainable, and it’s not fair to the citizens of Eldridge to try to cut services here and there to make that work.” Yanke said the department operated with a surplus of just $6,000 for 2025. He also explained the approximately $90,000 in capital expenses for 2025, which included the final loan payment on the department’s existing aerial truck, and about $51,000 to refurbish the department’s meeting room. He said the department currently has about $150,000 in cash reserves, although this amount will deplete shortly because the department is purchasing a new command vehicle. He said the department likes to have at least $75,000 on hand to account for emergencies. Schneckloth later explained that the fire department is paid approximately $169,000 by the city on a quarterly basis, an amount he said has remained static since approximately 2014 or 2015. A resident asked if the city had a fixed formula for determining how much funding the department gets. “So, at one point, the city had recognized where we were at – and this was before my time here at Eldridge Fire – and they brought that up to match the county tax levy rate,” explained Schneckloth. He said that was approximately 16¾-cents per $1,000 assessed value. He said he wasn’t sure how the number became fixed at $169,000, but that he and other fire officials had tried in the past to get the city to increase that amount. “They said there was a shortfall closing the budget and that was all they could do. So, why the $169,000, I can’t say for sure. But it was there, we asked to have it increased and there was no traction.” Yanke said the department is also looking to budget $200,000 each for the next three years to ensure “stable capital funds for future purposes.” That includes not just finishing the second floor of the fire station, but also future equipment purchases, including new trucks to replace those that are coming to the end of their life. Another resident asked how often fire trucks need to be replaced and the expenses associated with that replacement.  That pricing includes an estimated $800,000-$1.4 million for a fire truck; $1.3 million-$2.8 million for an aerial truck; $800,000-$1.4 million for a rescue truck and $150,000-$350,000 for an EMS vehicle or ambulance. Yanke and Schneckloth explained that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has guidelines on how long a truck can safely be in operation. That is generally 25 years, although it can vary based on where the truck is used. Schneckloth said there is a big difference in the wear and tear on a vehicle in Chicago or New York City versus Eldridge. He said the department has done a lot of preventative maintenance on its vehicles, but the department still needs to evaluate “when does it start to become more of a liability and repair maintenance versus we should just get it replaced.” Firefighter Andrew Doyle, who is also an EMT, said the department also needs to plan far in advance on major equipment purchases because there can be an extensive lead time in taking delivery on a truck. A resident asked where the department gets its cash reserves from, and whether it was invested or from grants. Yanke said it came from “a little bit of everything,” and that it was the leftover money from operating expenses. “And our treasurers do a great job of that, have done a great job of that over the last several years. Watching the budget and making sure we’re not overspending, making sure that we have this level of reserve always on hand,” said Yanke. “And the thing I’ll point out is, there’s been some discussion about fiscal responsibility and how do we trust you guys with that amount of money? I’ll point out that we’ve been operating on a shoestring budget for the last 10 or 15 years. I think we’ve proven to be very responsible with that money. When you look at our property costs versus what we get paid on an annual basis, the fact that we have $150,000 in reserves is impressive, in my mind,” he continued. Residents weigh in A resident asked, and then answered her own question with a Google search, about the number of residents Eldridge serves versus the number LeClaire serves in comparison to the budget. LeClaire had a population of just over 4,700 in 2020, while Eldridge has nearly 7,000. Another resident asked if residents are billed for the cost of services, including EMS. Schneckloth said, with the exception of supplies for hazmat calls, the department does not bill. “Two factors to that. Number one, they’re providing the tax dollars for the service through their property tax. So, kind of a hindrance there. I’m not sure of any departments within Scott County that bill residents for emergency medical calls. I know there is a structure about reoccurring calls, number of calls, or false alarm calls. But the other side is, it just adds to that load, that burden that we’re talking about.” Schneckloth said billing residents for services would just add more administrative and accounting workload. He also expressed concern about the notion of having to do collections for non-payment.  Several residents asked about the insurance the department carries. Department treasurer Tim Martinek said the department carries workers comp and liability insurance, and it is very expensive. One resident suggested the department look into captive insurance, which is an alternative to self-insurance. Another question was asked about the percentage of departments in Iowa that are still all-volunteer. Doyle said, “It’s hard to put a percentage on it, but one thing that’s worth noting is that Eldridge is one of the top responders by call for an all-volunteer department, which isn’t necessarily a list that you want to be on top of. It may be that we’re behind the curve here. And I think that’s the thing that gives us the most pause when we look statewide, we’re one or two for an all-volunteer department. That’s alarming for us.” Assistant chief Dave Engler fielded a question about how many calls the department has responded to so far this year, saying it is just under 400, which is keeping pace with the number of calls responded to in 2025, a total of 788. Firefighter Pat Gainer said he spoke with the LeClaire Fire Department on Wednesday, and they had responded to 300 calls so far this year. Another resident said he lives next door to the fire department, and he sees Schneckloth there all the time. “There’s no telling how much money he has saved the department” with his mechanic skills, the resident said. “This guy is dedicated. He’s not what the paper portrays him to be.” What’s best for Eldridge? Yanke encouraged attendees to attend Eldridge City Council meetings and to reach out to city representatives to make their voices heard. He also encouraged them to reach out to the department if there are changes they would like to see. He said there were a few questions to ask. “What’s the best for us, right? What’s best for the citizens of Eldridge? What’s best for the Benefitted Fire District? What do you want to see? What do you guys want to see this fire department provide for service in the future? A continuation of everything we’ve been providing: EMS, rescue, fire, hazmat response? Or is there a change you’d like to see? Is there something else you’ve seen out there that you think we could provide? Let us know. Can we just maintain our current services? How do we maintain our ability to respond to calls? “We’ve got a plan put together to try to maintain that. Finish the upstairs, bolster our volunteers, hire full-time resources as needed. That is what our plan will be.” A copy of the department’s presentation is available at eldridgefire.com.      

Burlington man jailed after firing gun into the air on Fourth of July

A Burlington felon is in jail after police say they caught him firing a handgun into the air on South Central Avenue on the Fourth of July.

Missing woman found after incident on Rock River bridge, admitted for mental health care

A woman was found Thursday evening after last being seen in Rock River on June 30.

La Michoacana Ice Cream reopens in Silvis

"We know it's been a long year without your favorite ice cream spot, and trust us - we missed you just as much as you missed us!," the Facebook post read.

Lucky Twelve, beverage trailer, acquires 2nd trailer

The popular local beverage trailer specializes in custom-mixed energy drinks, specialty beverages, milkshakes, and flavored coffees.

City denies it plans to cut EMS services for Eldridge

During last Wednesday’s open house, members of the Eldridge Fire Department expressed concern that the city would try to eliminate EMS service in the future. City officials said that concern is completely unfounded. At the open house, firefighter Andrew Doyle, who also serves as an EMT, explained that the majority of the calls the EFD responds to are EMS. “And that is technically what we’re most concerned about being at-risk. The city has an obligation to provide fire protection. Now, you know, depending on how things go, that fire protection may end up getting more expensive. But it will be guaranteed that it will be provided, because it’s a necessity. They … are not required to provide EMS protection.” Doyle said that, while Medic EMS is a fantastic service, it does have its limitations because it is countywide. “If they’re on a call already in the community, it could take 15, 20 minutes for another rig to get out here. We run back-to-back calls all the time. Last Tuesday, I think we had five or six before noon, and some of those were rapid fire. One of those rigs came from LeClaire. And if that’s an unresponsive patient, that’s 20 minutes they don’t have. “So, I think that’s the part that we really want to make sure that everyone’s really aware of leaving this room, is that’s what’s at risk.” Lisa Engler, wife of assistant fire chief Dave Engler, also brought up that the city had made an argument for discontinuing EMS service during the fire negotiations. She expressed concerns that there would be many deaths and other bad outcomes in Eldridge if that were to happen. “I mean, we’re at a real risk of losing medical assistance within our community if the city would take over.” “That was kind of one of the deciding factors for us to change, because we’ve been very quiet throughout this entire process, just trying to keep the peace, keep our eyes down and do our job, do what we’re here to do,” said Doyle. “But it got to a point where that risk … got outweighed. We all live here. We have families here. We don’t want to lose our EMS protection.” City’s response The North Scott Press reached out to the city for comment following the open house and received a statement from mayor Scott Campbell and city council member Ryan Iossi on Monday morning. Both said there was no way the city would ever consider discontinuing EMS response. “In my 17 years on the Fire Department, because of my office’s proximity to the fire station and availability during the day, I was frequently one of the first on the scene. I’ve done CPR. I’ve helped pull people out of car accidents, and, while I was at work one night, I even had to respond to a call at my own house for my 2-year-old daughter,” said Campbell. “I was never so glad to see the first responders at my house before I even got there. So why in the world would I ever support eliminating EMS service to our residents?” Iossi said during negotiations, representatives from the city had been “very clear that we had no intentions of stopping EMS services. As a career paramedic for approximately 25 years, working for Medic EMS, MEDFORCE Helicopter, and Davenport Fire, why would I ever support living in a community with no EMS first responders and only relying on Medic?  That makes zero sense.” According to Campbell, the issue of EMS services came up at a meeting on Jan. 14, which he attended, along with Iossi, city administrator Nevada Lemke, assistant city administrator Jeff Martens, Engler and firefighter Tim Martinek. “At that point we were talking about how transitioning to a city department would look, and the fire department had three questions for us,” said Campbell. “They specifically asked if our intentions would be to still run EMS calls. We said yes. However, Councilman Iossi did say he would be interested in evaluating the possibility of priority dispatch.” According to the Scott County Medic EMS website, Medic has been using priority dispatch protocols since 1996. Under this system, dispatchers determine the nature and priority of a call to send appropriate responders. “Basically, what I am looking at is how can we reduce the call load on our first responders, and Priority Dispatch could be a path to that,” Iossi said. “As an example, if Grand Haven, or MercyOne Genesis places a call for a transport only, there is no reason for EVFC to respond.  Grand Haven has specifically made it clear that they do not need the response of fire in these cases. A better system could reduce the call volume significantly; between 120-135 calls per year.” Iossi said there were some issues with the priority dispatch system that need to be worked out within the system that the Scott Emergency Communications Center uses. “There are time parameters once a call is placed, and if all boxes are not checked before, I believe four minutes, the dispatcher must send fire,” he said. “It’s not unusual that a couple minutes after that dispatch that they realize fire is not needed and cancel.  Regardless, that is a use of resources that could be controlled better.   “What is important to understand is that if the call references anything 911 or unknown, we do want a EVFC response,” Iossi continued. “But there is a vast difference between a 911 and non-emergent transport only call.  That being said, I always want our first responders ready and able to respond for real emergencies for our community.  The fact that some people have chosen to take words out of context and run with them is disheartening.”  Campbell said during discussions, the fire department also asked about the continuation of the Fire Explorer program and the transition timeline. “We said we would be foolish to discontinue the Explorer program, as it is a great training ground for future firefighters,” said Campbell. “It is an invaluable resource. As far as the timeline, we told them we would have to get legal advice and talk to our insurance carrier, and after that it would take four council meetings. “We said that ultimately, the transition could take place in two months. At that point, we were all very encouraged about moving forward with the transition process of having them become a city department, and the EMS topic never came up again.”    

IUC gives CIPCO opponents until July 31 to file intervention

The Iowa Utilities Commission has given opponents of a power plant proposed for rural Scott County until the end of the month to intervene against Central Iowa Power Company’s push for a permit that would bypass local zoning restrictions. CIPCO has asked the IUC to issue a generating certificate that would exempt them from protections on agricultural land. In February, the county board of supervisors refused to alter those protections to accommodate the proposed plant. On Tuesday, June 30, the IUC posted a procedural schedule that outlines filing dates that CIPCO and its opponents must meet before hearings begin Nov. 17. Those hearings will pit CIPCO against “interveners” who can make their case for local zoning authority and agricultural preservation before the Iowa’s three utility commissioners. Linda Golinghorst of the Concerned Citizens of Scott County said Wednesday, July 1, that the group planned to intervene before the IUC. Maysville residents and rural neighbors who oppose the plant formed the group last fall.  Golinghorst said the group had retained an attorney and would soon begin fundraising to meet legal costs. “Our goal is to protect, preserve, and defend the rural character, agricultural heritage, and natural environment of Scott County, Iowa,” Golinghorst said. “We will engage in community education, promote responsible land-use zones, and advocate against the industrialization of farmland.” Scott County supervisors also appear likely to intervene. Supervisors Jean Dickson and Maria Bribriesco have publicly stated that they would support an intervention. John Maxwell, chair of the board of supervisors, and Supervisor Ross Paustian told The North Scott Press last week that they support intervening. Supervisor Ken Beck said he believed supervisors needed to consult with county staff “before coming to any conclusions on submitting an intervention petition.” “We need to know more on what the petition would provide to the IUC that is different than what action the board has already taken,” Beck wrote in an email. Interveners appear to face an uphill battle before the IUC. In April, the commission allowed a solar farm to advance in Cerro Gordo County despite local zoning restrictions and opposition from project neighbors and the county board of supervisors. “We have to be optimistic,” Golinghorst said. “We’ve put a lot of effort into this, and we need to see it through to finish.” Interveners must file by July 31. CIPCO must submit testimony in favor of its request for a generating certificate by Aug. 20. Interveners must submit their testimony by Oct. 1. CIPCO then has until Oct. 22 to respond to interveners’ testimony. CIPCO and interveners have until Oct. 29 to reach a settlement. Without a settlement, discovery begins Oct. 29 and hearings begin Nov. 17.  

Concerned Citizens of Scott County ask for support

The Concerned Citizens of Scott County announced plans to launch a legal and civic campaign to help stop the proposed peaking plant announced by CIPCO. Members are asking for financial support to assist with their legal defense, zoning advocacy and community outreach. Donations may be sent to: Concerned Citizens of Scott County, PO Box 22, Donahue, IA 52746-0222. Donations are non-refundable, and surplus funds will be donated to related civic causes in Scott County. This is not a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit; please consult a tax professional regarding deductibility. For more information, please visit the Concerned Citizens of Scott County Facebook page. 

Scott County to spend $1M on digital evidence storage solutions

Scott County will spend more than a million dollars over the next decade to store body camera footage and other digital evidence collected by the sheriff’s office. The 10-year, $1,084,894.86 contract with Motorola Solutions is the latest of several expensive, long-term software contracts signed by county supervisors. In May, they signed a three-year, $1.1 million contract for jail management software and a five-year, $1 million contract for community development software. The sheriff’s office currently stores digital evidence across several repositories, from county servers to DVDs and USB drives, county procurement officer Stephanie Macuga said. Motorola Solutions, which provides the county with body and vehicle cameras, already hosts 23 terabytes of raw footage. Macuga said the county is currently “putting every piece of data into separate solutions, which is making it difficult to understand and track all of that data in one location.” The new contract with Motorola Solutions would host all digital evidence in one place, with no cap on storage volume. The sheriff’s office will be able to provide the county attorney with links to the database rather than physical drives loaded with digital evidence. Macuga said the contract, at just over $100,000 after year-one startup costs, would supersede an existing $71,000 contract with Motorola to store raw body and vehicle camera footage. “This only represents about a $32,000 increase for us, which I fully expect we would meet if we were not moving to an unlimited situation,” she said. The contract also includes 133 new V700 body cameras. The county’s current body cameras, an older V300 model, were purchased in 2023. The county capital plan has reserved money to replace them in 2030.  Macuga said the new V700s would defer that date to 2033 and free up some cameras for other county departments. Supervisor Maria Bribriesco pointed out that the digital database does not guarantee CJIS compliance, which is required for law enforcement software that handles certain sensitive data, like fingerprints. The FBI sets and frequently revises CJIS compliance standards. Sheriff Tim Lane said that CJIS compliance was not a concern for this particular software. He said the current evidence storage methods were not CJIS compliant, either.  “We’re not going backwards on our CJIS compliancy at all,” he said. Vehicle purchases Supervisors approved three vehicle purchases last week, with $212,000 going to a new John Deere 644P wheel loader for the Secondary Roads crew. The county will trade its current wheel loader, a 2007 John Deere 644J, in to vendor Mark Equipment at $55,000. The county will also purchase a 2027 Ford Explorer for Secondary Roads use and a 2027 Chevrolet Equinox for the civil division of the sheriff’s office. The Explorer will cost $40,397 from Stivers Ford and the Equinox will cost $34,224.98 from Karl Chevrolet. Both prices were secured through a bid catalog provided by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Jail boilers The county will replace all four boilers at the jail for $389,852. Wold Architects developed the replacement project, and Crawford Construction submitted the low bid. The existing four boilers, which are 20 years old, will be replaced by three new boilers. County maintenance staff reported that it was difficult to find replacement parts and equipment for the existing boilers, one of which is no longer functional. “If we do have another boiler that fails in a similar fashion, we will have a very difficult time meeting jail heating demands,” staff reported. Other business In other news, supervisors: • Read a proclamation to honor the 250th Anniversary of the United States. • Held a public hearing and the first of two readings of an ordinance to rezone a 37 acre parcel on 110th Avenue near Blue Grass from agricultural to commercial or light industrial use. County maps show the parcel zoned for industrial use. County Planning and Development Director Greg Schaapveld said that zoning appellation had been approved in the 1990s contingent on a set of restrictive covenants with neighboring landowners that had never been recorded. Supervisor Maria Bribriesco voted against the rezoning. “I just want to be consistent in my position that we should always protect farmland,” she said. • Approved a bid from CDB Utility to run fiber to the new county General Store at Paul Revere Square, 2322 E. Kimberly Road. The work will cost $46,312.30. • Renewed the county’s annual contract with GovernmentJobs.com, which provides the county with hiring software. The contract totals $40,917.29. • Amended several human resources and general employment policies. Further details will follow in next week’s North Scott Press.

Officer Johnson receives Lifesaving Award

Eldridge police officer Erik Johnson is congratulated by mayor Scott Campbell during Monday's city council meeting. Johnson received a Lifesaving Award from the department pursuant to an incident he responded to on Jan. 15. During the call, an individual was reportedly unresponsive and not breathing. Upon arrival, Johnson assessed the situation and was able to stabilize the individual until emergency medical personnel arrived, helping to save a life. “Officer Johnson’s professionalism, dedication to duty, and commitment to preserving life exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement,” said Eldridge Police Chief Andrew Lellig. “His actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Eldridge Police Department.”  

Feds pull Iowa’s ‘healthy food’ SNAP waiver

A federal waiver allowing Iowa to restrict the types of food that can be purchased with federal nutrition assistance has been vacated, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The action follows a federal court ruling that the waivers, aimed at restricting the purchase of sugary drinks and sweets, violated the federal definition of food. Iowa HHS wrote in a news release Thursday afternoon that it had directed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program retailers to update their systems to allow SNAP participants to again use their funds to purchase foods within the federal guidelines. Iowa’s waiver request was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in May 2025 and implemented Jan. 1, 2026. SNAP recipients, under the waiver, could not use their benefits on foods that are eligible for sales tax. This excluded things like candy and soft drinks, but also had some gray areas around items like granola bars and prepared foods, which led some groups to argue the waiver was confusing to retailers and program participants. Gov. Kim Reynolds pushed back on the court ruling against the waivers and said the Iowa waiver helped to promote better health and nutrition. Reynolds also signed  “Make America Healthy Again” legislation in May that tasked HHS with implementing waivers that specified foods purchased with SNAP benefits were “healthy foods.” These waivers are contingent on USDA approval. The HHS news release said the federal changes will also impact the SUN Bucks program – a federal nutrition program that distributes electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, funds to SNAP participating households with children during the summer months. Iowa opted out of the program the past two summers, in favor of its own pilot program that focused on giving eligible households boxes of healthy food. Reynolds chose to participate in the federal program this summer, under the condition that the benefits would also have to adhere to the healthy foods waiver. HHS said in the news release that because SUN Bucks was underway when the updated rules took effect, “foods that were previously eligible before the waiver will be allowed under SUN Bucks.”

Parts of Iowa flooded after weekend storms

Some areas of Iowa received more than two month’s worth of rain in a 36-hour period, leaving fields and basements flooded, according to the latest Iowa weather summary and crop progress and condition report. Justin Glisan, the state climatologist, wrote in the weekly weather summary that storms formed in a “ring of fire” pattern around the heat dome that hit much of the country during the first week of July. The statewide average temperature for the week was 79 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 6 degrees above the climatological normal. Storms with shower totals in excess of one inch developed throughout the June 28 through July 5 reporting period, but the heaviest showers occurred Thursday and Saturday. The weather summary shows that nearly 200 weather stations recorded at least 2 inches of rain, 42 stations recorded more than 3 inches of precipitation and a Polk City station reported 9.41 inches of rain from the storm. On July 4, storms concentrated over central Iowa and stations recorded between 1 and 6.36 inches of rain. The highest total precipitation for the week, at just under 11 inches, was recorded in Polk City. The statewide, weekly average for the week was 2.53 inches, which is more than double the normal for this reporting period. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said there were widespread reports of flooding and swollen streams across the state. “Our hearts go out to the Iowans and communities affected by the flooding as recovery efforts continue,” Naig said in a statement. “At the same time, other areas of the state, including drought-affected portions of northwest and north-central Iowa, received much-needed rainfall.” According to crop progress and condition report data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, topsoil moisture conditions for the reporting period rated 71% adequate, and 18% surplus. The USDA report shows that corn development continues to be behind the five year pace and that of the previous crop year. Corn silking reached 8% during the reporting period, while the average is 10% and last year 13% of corn acres were silking around the July 4th holiday. It is also typical for some amount of corn crops to have reached the dough stage by now, though the USDA report did not note any corn acres at that stage in Iowa. Some, about 3%, of soybean acres started setting pods, according to the report. Last year 8% of soybean crops in Iowa had set pods by this week. The five-year average for soybeans setting pods is 5%. The percent of soybean acres that are blooming, at 37%, is ahead of the five-year and 2025 pace. It’s also nearly double the acreage USDA reported blooming the week prior. Aaron Lehman, a farmer in Polk County and president of Iowa Farmers Union, said the corn in his fields was “really showing the impact of the heat” from the past couple of weeks. “The leaves start curling, that healthy corn plant starts to look more like the top of a pineapple plant,” Lehman said in a phone call with Iowa Capital Dispatch July 1. “So we’re really concerned how it will come out of all this heat.” USDA reported corn crops rated 78% good to excellent and soybeans rated 74% good to excellent for the reporting period. Oats continue to be ahead of last year and the five year average by several percentage points, with 96% of the acreage headed in Iowa. More beans The latest acreage report from USDA, released June 30, signaled an increased estimate of soybean crops across the U.S. The report estimated 95.3 million acres of corn were planted in the U.S. this year, which is 3% less than what was planted last year. Harvest expectations for corn are 4% below 2025 levels, which was a record high. Soybeans on the other hand, are estimated to be planted on 5% more acres than the previous year and have a harvest 5% higher than the 2025 crop. The recent report estimates a greater number of planted soybean acres than USDA projected in March, though the department’s projected corn planting decline stayed the same. Some wheat farmers may have instead planted soybeans this spring, as USDA’s most recent projections show a 6% decline in estimated acreage planted with wheat for the year, while the March report anticipated just a 3% decline in planted wheat.

America’s 250th birthday is on sale

WASHINGTON — What’s more American than apple pie? Capitalism. And an array of merchandise and influence is on sale for the 250th birthday of the United States. An America250 $275 Liberty Lux American Prosperity decorative throw pillow, anyone? How about a $25 Freedom 250 youth tee? America250, a commission created by Congress a decade ago, and Freedom 250, President Donald Trump’s entity formed last year, each operate on their own respective tracks as a nonprofit and as a limited liability company. Both are employing staff, soliciting corporate donors and spending taxpayer funds. That means people, businesses and nonprofits are getting a slice of the semiquincentennial pie, some bigger than others. But there is no clear accounting of which entities are getting the bigger shares and no one associated with either organization offered a full explanation to States Newsroom. Reports also show at least $10 million in taxpayer money flowing from America250 to Freedom 250, and some Democratic lawmakers claim more has been redirected. The commission’s nonprofit arm, America250.org, lists 850 items available from its official online store: apparel, toys, games, eyewear, housewares, challenge coins, holiday ornaments, and a premier collectible line including an $8,000 painting by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based “speed painter” Cody Sabol. America250 Chair Rosie Rios said the nonprofit arm receives a portion of the profits. “It’s a licensing arrangement, so we get a percentage of the merchandise sold,” Rios told States Newsroom during a June 22 interview. When asked how to differentiate between America250 the commission and America250 the nonprofit, Rios said “Think of it as one entity. America250 is one entity working together on the planning side and the implementations.” An America250 spokesperson declined to specify what percentage of funds from merchandise that America250’s nonprofit arm received in 2025 and 2026, but provided a written statement. “America250 is proud to be partnering with numerous household brands to bring the America250 logo and merchandise to communities across the country. These partnerships and merchandise are designed to help expand public awareness of the commemoration and give Americans additional ways to participate in the Semiquincentennial,” according to a spokesperson, adding the list of merch has grown in recent months. “Our partners help bring the celebration to Americans through the brands they know and trust, advancing our goal of reaching all 350 million Americans as part of our ‘350 for 250’ initiative,” the statement continued. In its 2025 legally mandated annual report to Congress, the America250 commission touted “a strong portfolio of strategic licensing agreements” that generated new revenue. States Newsroom reached out to the offices of bipartisan members of Congress who currently serve as commissioners, and several staff replied they did not have information about how much money is being generated by merchandise. The commissioners include Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., as well as Reps. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., Maria Salazar, R-Fla., Dwight Evans, D-Pa., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J. Freedom 250, the Trump entity, offers 62 branded products for sale on its website store, including shirts, hats, can koozies, stickers, pins and a colonial model flag with “250” featured inside the circle of the 13 stars. At least two booths selling merchandise are open at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, one of Freedom 250’s main events. Freedom 250 press officials did not respond to States Newsroom regarding where merchandise profits are directed. Merchandise representing both America250 and Freedom 250 has been spotted in tourist shops in Washington, D.C., and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just over the Virginia border. Millions in spending Congress initially appropriated $79.8 million over several years to the America250 commission, beginning in 2019, according to the entity’s annual report. Most of its spending in 2025 — $17 million — went to America250 programs, according to the report. That included field trips for roughly 550 students, $250,000 in grants for young entrepreneurs, an America250 time capsule to be buried in Philadelphia on July 4, a “Giving Forth” initiative to raise awareness about mid-year donations to nonprofit organizations, and New Year’s Eve-style ball drops to ring in Independence Day in every U.S. time zone and territory, among other initiatives. “We are driven by purpose, not politics and our bipartisan Commission focuses on serving the interests of all Americans as mandated by our legislation. If the 250th anniversary is going to mean something to all Americans, it needs to be nonpartisan and belong to every American,” an America250 spokesperson said. The organization awarded $935,000 in grants to state and local entities between 2021 and 2025, according to the report. A 990 nonprofit tax filing for 2025 was not yet available on the website. The report also showed the White House Task Force 250 — the precursor to Freedom 250 — spent roughly $31 million of the America250 funds last year, with most, $22 million, paying for the June 2025 military parade that occurred on Trump’s birthday, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Army. An America250 spokesperson said a comprehensive list of private donors was not readily available, but the annual report identified new private-sector sponsors as The Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks, Walmart, Kraft Heinz, JPMorgan Chase, General Mills, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM, BNY, and Leidos. According to America250.org’s most recent 990 tax filing, the entity ended 2023 with just under $14.6 million in revenue — $11.1 million of which was program service revenue, and roughly $3.3 million of which came from other gifts and contributions. The organization spent $12.2 million for the year. A category labeled as “other” clocked in at around $8.3 million. Salaries amounted to just over $1 million, not including employee benefits. Information technology and conferences each amounted to $469,000 and fundraising expenses were nearly $343,000, among other smaller line items. Nine employees, and one former, are listed on the 990, with salaries ranging from $101,185 to $285,690, including incentive bonuses, the highest of which reached $43,800. The nonprofit gave out $175,000 in grants to organizations and local governments in 2023, according to the filing. Most of the 16 individual grants were doled out as $10,000 in seed money for state governments, and nonprofit historical societies and foundations, including those in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and West Virginia. Congress allocated $150M In 2025, as part of the “big, beautiful bill,” the Republican-led Congress approved another $150 million for “events, celebrations, and activities surrounding the observance and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, to remain available through fiscal year 2028.” The lawmakers directed the money to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum “acting through the director of the National Park Service.” Burgum is an ex offico member of the America250 commission as well. According to commissioners Coleman and Padilla’s offices, America250 was promised $100 million of the “big beautiful bill” funds. The commission has only received $25 million to date, according to Padilla’s and Coleman’s offices. “Freedom 250 siphoned off funding but the details are murky due to their lack of transparency,” a spokesperson for Coleman’s office said. According to an America250 spokesperson, “The final mix of funding cannot be known at this point as our programs are still in various stages of development and execution, and our fundraising for them continues.” “However, Chair Rios’ commitment to Congress has been to engage the private sector for a true public/private partnership to engage all Americans and not rely on federal funding only,” according to the spokesperson. The Department of the Interior did not provide to States Newsroom, as requested, a breakdown of how the funds have been allocated so far, but offered a written statement. “As with all of our signature 250 events, resources have been made available to ensure these historic occasions are a success. The Memorandum of Understanding signed with all 250th related entities made that clear and we are proud to be partners in celebrating these iconic events honoring our 250th thanks to the bold leadership of President Donald J. Trump,” according to the statement from a department spokesperson. Freedom 250 was formed as a limited liability company in late October 2025, according to division of corporation records in Delaware, where it is registered. The National Park Foundation, a congressionally chartered fundraising arm for the National Park Service, created Freedom 250 as a separate LLC “to help NPS with the execution of these events, while keeping this effort distinct and separate from the day-to-day work NPF does to support our national parks.” ‘From Vanity to Insanity’ U.S. House Democrats slammed Freedom250 in a new report on July 2, calling it “a shadow organization capable of infiltrating the celebrations and injecting America’s 250th with Trump’s extreme, partisan agenda.” The 55-page interim report titled “From Vanity to Insanity: How the White House Cheated the American People Out of their 250th Birthday,” said the administration “hijacked” the celebrations. “Significant questions remain unanswered, beginning with the complete donor lists and the ultimate disposition of the funds that Freedom 250 has raised and spent. But the record already assembled supports a conclusion that should alarm the American people,” according to the report. A spokesperson for Freedom 250 dismissed the report Thursday as “categorically false” and “disheartening.” “This so-called ‘report’ is nothing more than a partisan smear from politicians who would rather manufacture division than celebrate America’s 250th birthday alongside the rest of the country. Congressional members should be ashamed they are spending countless hours fabricating a report instead of joining Americans in creating an absolutely beautiful celebration,” according to a statement provided to States Newsroom by Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez. Alvarez criticized America250’s use of money, saying they had “nothing to show for it.” “Freedom 250 was created because the American people deserved better. We stepped in to rescue our nation’s 250th birthday from years of wasted time, wasted money, and failed planning. We are unapologetic about celebrating the greatest nation on earth, and we are delivering the historic celebration Americans deserved,” Alvarez said. Mobile exhibits funded According to USAspending.gov, a $10 million grant originally given to America250.org was transferred to the National Park Foundation in late 2025, via the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and directed to Freedom 250 to fund “Freedom 250 Trucks,” six mobile exhibits stopping at libraries and community events. The trucks provide curriculum resources from the private, Michigan-based Hillsdale College, a Christian institution led by Trump ally Larry Arnn, who spoke at Freedom 250’s “Rededicate 250,” a faith-based, Christian-oriented event held on the National Mall in May. Freedom 250 did not respond to States Newroom’s request for a comprehensive list of donors and amounts pledged to the LLC. The watchdog organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington published an investigation of sponsorship money for Freedom 250 in May. Sponsors mentioned in their report included January AI, SAP, United Airlines, Ultimate Fighting Championship and Mosaic. The New York Times reported in February that a donor solicitation obtained by the news organization revealed promises of special access and preferred seating for those who gave $500,000. A private Freedom 250 reception invite was offered, where sponsors who give $1 million can get a photograph with Trump, and the level of $2.5 million reportedly included possible speaking roles at the president’s July 4 program. Freedom 250 did not respond to a request to confirm the Times’ report. Freedom 250 also did not respond to questions about staffing. A quick LinkedIn search puts the range of Freedom 250 employees between two and 10.

CCT's 'Guys and Dolls' is a swell, swingin' time

There are times I wish Countryside Community Theatre only did one show per summer. They suffer from not having a lot of lead time in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. When I went for a preview night of “Guys and Dolls” on June 25, it was only their fourth day in the auditorium, and the show opened last Friday. That is not to say Friday’s performance was bad, by any means. It was quite fun and there were some fantastic performers. But I wonder what it would have been like if it had two more weeks in the oven. It’s an ambitious production that occasionally felt a touch unfinished, and I attribute that to the lack of time in the space. The cast and crew deserved more than the sparsely attended opening night they got, too – although the audience did enjoy itself. As well they should have. “Guys and Dolls” takes place in a romanticized version of New York City, and it’s based on a series of stories by Damon Runyon. It’s a fun little romp, featuring intermingled love stories, gamblers and gangsters, the bright lights of Broadway and the evening stars on a Havana beach. Chase Crull leads the cast as gambler Nathan Detroit. Nathan’s got a lot on his plate – he’s trying to find a place to run his high-stakes craps game, with no luck. Now, if you’ve seen the movie “Guys and Dolls,” you’ll know Nathan Detroit was played by Frank Sinatra. That, according to lyricist Frank Loesser, was a major miscast. Nathan is not supposed to be some suave guy. He’s supposed to be a little bit of a desperate sad sack. Crull captures Nathan’s rumpled charms. Sadly, the audience gets a little robbed of Crull’s voice – the original Nathan Detroit, actor Sam Levene, apparently couldn’t sing for beans, so the character really doesn’t have that many songs. Still, on his big number, “Sue Me,” he gets the chance to show off his nice voice a little. Nathan’s got another problem: his fiancée, Miss Adelaide. The couple has been engaged for 14 years, with no wedding in sight, and Miss Adelaide is getting a little antsy. She’s also got a cold, which her doctor tells her could be due to “psychology.” Our Miss Adelaide, Courtney Cooper, is a brassy broad with a big, bright voice. She’s the kind of gal you just want to hang out and have fun with. In order to alleviate some of his problems, Nathan turns to his fellow gambler, the debonaire Sky Masterson, to float him the money to nail down a location for the craps game. As Sky, Tommy Ratkiewicz displays an easy, captivating charm. He’s a smooth talker, nimble on his feet and really gets to show off on one of the show’s signature numbers, “Luck be a Lady.” So, Nathan bets Sky he can’t get a woman to go on a date with him. Nathan chooses the pious missionary, Sarah Brown, played by Emily Martyka. Her Sarah is prim, polite and polished, until she’s not – and then watch out. Martyka has a lovely, sweet voice, and her duet with Miss Adelaide, “Marry the Man Today,” is among the most fun moments in the show. “Guys and Dolls” also features some nice supporting performances, including Tim Dominicus as gambler Nicely-Nicely Johnson. He gets to help elevate the second act with another of the show’s signature songs, “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.” The rest of the cast fills out nicely, including strong performances by Joseph Nguyen as gambler Benny Southwest and Wayne Hess as the nosy policeman, Lt. Brannigan. The cast sounds great, thanks to strong musical direction by Laura Engels. And the orchestra, directed by George Behnke, is also terrific. The set pieces are minimal, and the show strongly relies on projections. The projections are attractive and an effective way to establish settings. Although I did notice one striking problem with a mockup of a sign advertising the film, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” which starred Danny Kaye.    It’s that sign for the film which establishes this production takes place in the late 1940s, likely 1947 or 1948. Establishing time and place is vitally important in a period piece, and there were some serious issues with anachronistic costuming in this production. While the principals were mostly fine, the costumes for the ensemble were all over the place. There were visibly pieces from the 1970s, 1990s and present, as well as modern shoes on many of the male cast members. Runyonland has a very specific mise-en-scène that requires precision.  It’s the little things, from white athletic socks under suit pants, to misspellings on the projections, that can jar an audience member right out of the show and take away from the fantasy on stage. Still, the good parts of the show outweigh everything else, and CCT’s “Guys and Dolls” is a diverting way to while away two-and-a-half hours or so. There’s still four chances to see the show this week: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. All performances are in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. Get your tickets at the door or in advance at countryside.booktix.com.

2001: Couple plans hotel on LeClaire Road in Eldridge

July 8, 1976 • Several area communities were looking forward to a fun weekend celebrating the Bicentennial. Eldridge planned three days of activities, including a baseball tournament, community relay games, a tractor pull, a variety show and an open-air concert by the North Scott High School band at Centennial Park. Walcott had a day of fun scheduled with entertainment, a tractor pull and a planned parachute demonstration at Victory Park. And in LeClaire, organizers were preparing for Buffalo Bill’s Riveresta, including a Bicentennial revue by the Old Creamery Theatre Company from Garrison, a horse show, fireworks and a light display. • The Scott County Landfill Commission announced it had located a potential site for a new landfill. The 240-acre tract was located southwest of Davenport, just north of the Buffalo city limits. The commission was negotiating a price with property owner Karl Linse. Officials said the land could serve the county for approximately 30 years, and finding a new location had become crucial. The existing landfill, located on Brady Street near Interstate 80, would be exhausted within six to eight months. • The Walcott Lions Club led all clubs in Iowa in contributions to the Iowa Lions Sight Conservation Foundation, having donated $3,000 in 1975-76. The club was in its third year of existence and had contributed nearly $5,900 to area charities and community activities. • The North Scott Press conducted a community survey to find out how residents felt about North Scott moving to another athletic conference. Eighty people were randomly contacted by telephone. Of these, exactly half were aware of the decision to move to the new conference. Thirteen favored the decision, 16 felt North Scott should stay in the Big Bend Conference, and the remaining 11 had no opinion. Those who favored staying said North Scott would be at a significant disadvantage competing against larger schools. • Mark Bassett broke out of a batting slump in a big way, with a two-run double in the fourth inning of the North Scott baseball team’s game against Clinton – St. Mary’s. John Suiter fanned nine batters, and the Lancers beat the Irish, 3-1. July 9, 1986 • A 17-year-old Eldridge boy was injured in a swimming accident. He sustained a broken neck and fractured vertebrae and was partially paralyzed, though he was starting to show signs of improvement. Dr. John Barker said his medical team was waiting for the swelling in his neck to go down before they could take any further action. • Cornerstone Baptist Church broke ground on a new 4,600 square foot sanctuary on LeClaire Road. The new building was scheduled to be completed by December. Members of the building committee, who conducted the groundbreaking, included Sheila Sutton, Boyce Butler, Charles Milnes, Gaylon Ideker, John Albee, Rev. Bryan Johnson, Vernon Long and Michelle Alleman. • Dorothy Beck retired as Eldridge postmaster. Her husband was also retiring and the couple planned to catch up on a few shared activities. They planned to remain in Eldridge. Beck began working for the U.S. Postal Service in 1945 when she was still in high school. She worked in Wisconsin for 25 years before transferring to Davenport in March of 1970. Nine months later, she became officer in charge in Eldridge and was appointed postmaster in April of 1972. Orin Ward was appointed officer in charge until a new postmaster could be named. • Countryside Community Theatre presented “The Sound of Music.” Cast members included Kris Johnsrud, Arnold Lindaman, Judith Jacobs, Beth Campbell, Susie Honnold, Diana Vollbeer, Randy Fitzgerald, Bethany Jacobs, Jake Vollbeer, Angie Case, Ryan Riewerts, Elisabeth Honold, Amy Hanzelka and Shanna Haugland. • Bill Gustafson and Stacey Schroeder were the winners of the four-mile Moonlight Chase. David Iverson and Jenny Shanks captured the one-mile titles. More than 600 runners took to the streets. July 11, 2001 • An Eldridge couple was looking to bring a hotel to town. A partnership group, led by Kirk and Teresa Foecking, submitted plans for the hotel, which would be located near the Highway 61 interchange, just east of Hardee’s. They had purchased the land and were in the process of filing for the rezoning. If successful, they hoped to be able to break ground on the 62-unit hotel, which would be a Rodeway Inn, a franchise of Choice Hotels, by August. The Foeckings said they wanted to facility to be an affordable option for travelers, but also something the community could take pride in. “I think Eldridge deserves better than a ‘cheap’ hotel,” said Kirk. “We feel that this will be a real good match for the city.” • Local grocer Steve Grolmus said he was hoping to break ground on his new North Scott Foods store in Eldridge in early August. He said he was waiting on construction blueprints for the store, which was estimated to be at around 21,000 square feet, and then he and his development partner would go out for bids on the project and secure financing. • Work was underway at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds to put the trademark bull in a more permanent location. The statue had been sitting on a trailer but blew over in a windstorm the previous fall. The damage included a broken ear, and the statue was put in winter storage so repairs could be made and a new coat of paint applied. Workers were now installing a concrete pad outside the fairgrounds so the bull could be permanently bolted down. • Runners from 13 states participated in the Moonlight Chase, with 1,560 total registrants. That said, not all of the registered participants actually ran the race, due to stifling heat and humidity. Still, Nick Nordheim of Iowa City won in 20:02. Women’s winner Mindy Petersen of Milan, Ill., crossed the finish line a little more than five minutes later. John Dwyer of Iowa City and Brittany Minor of Moline won the one-mile, and Raegan Czupka and Eric Huber, both of Eldridge, were the fastest in the quarter-mile. • North Scott teacher Deac Ryan made quite a collection over his 39 years at the high school. He managed to rake in quite a few pennies - $1,041.22 worth to be exact. After his retirement, he cashed it in and donated it all to the school’s chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.    July 13, 2011 • While there were no formal citywide fireworks displays in Eldridge, there were several neighborhood displays. Fireworks were illegal in Iowa, although could be set off through a special use permit. Fire chief Tyler Schmidt said no one in Eldridge had applied for such a permit. The Eldridge Police Department said officers used discretion on writing tickets for fireworks violations. Princeton police chief Brian Carsten agreed, saying they usually talked to residents and wrote tickets if there were multiple complaints. • There would be four open seats on the September ballot for North Scott School Board – board president Paul Dierickx, and board members Sue Cannon, Tim Lane and Krista Long. Cannon said she did not plan to seek reelection, but Lane and Long had both informally announced their decisions to run again. Lane said there was “unfinished business to take care of.” • Candidates for Walcott Day Queen included Kaitlynn Capper, Emelie Knobloch and Kaci Kraft. In the mix for Walcott Day Princess were Ashlyn Arp, Regan Callahan, Aubrin Dittmer, Alyssa Griffin, Jalissa Peiffer, Taylor Quick and Dalani Weber. • A total of 2,005 runners registered for the Moonlight Chase, with Tim Hird of Rock Island and Jennifer Paul of LeClaire winning the race. This was Paul’s second victory – she first won in 2004 – and she had finished second the previous two years. Meanwhile, Hird was upholding a family tradition. His brothers, Nathaniel (2008-09) and Nick (2003-04, 2007) were also past winners. Alex Bare of Walcott and Skylar Books of Eldridge won the one-mile, and Kyler Gerardy and Natalie Naber, both of Eldridge, took the quarter-mile. • The North Scott baseball team was sitting on a 25-11 record, the most wins since the team went 25-16 in 2005. The team upset league leader Pleasant Valley with a 7-1, 4-1 sweep and also swept Linn-Mar on Senior Day. The wins over the Spartans guaranteed the Lancers at least a slice second place in the MAC. July 7, 2021 • Eldridge was preparing to celebrate its 150th birthday with a weekend of fun at the Eldridge Summer Festival. This included a night of events at Sheridan Meadows. And, just like at Eldridge’s 100th birthday party in 1971, the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile was set to put in an appearance. Longtime resident Lu Wiese was named the parade grand marshal, and Don Hamann and Alberta Gilbert would also be honored during the festival. • Longtime Eldridge assistant city administrator James Martin was hired as Scott County’s new elections administrator, replacing the retiring Richard Bauer. Martin had worked for the City of Eldridge since 2011. • The North Scott School District hosted a super-sized employee recognition event at Lancer Stadium, honoring staff for achievements over the last two school years. The 2020 ceremony had to be cancelled because of the pandemic. The 2021 retirees, Deb Ulrich, Doris Martin, Lana Buswell, Bev Mausser and Mary Allensworth, were also honored. • Twenty-eight veterans were honored during a night at the ballpark as the North Scott baseball team took on Muscatine. North Scott player Alex Johnson sang the National Anthem. Ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by longtime North Scott employee Joe Needom and superintendent Joe Stutting. Needom served in the U.S. Army from 1989-93, while Stutting was in the Iowa National Guard for seven years. • North Scott Junior High’s color run also returned in June, as students celebrated the end of the school year. Those pictured included Brynn Westhoff, Jacob Yarborough, Adam Schneckloth, Jace Carter and Dawson Dufloth.  

Look beyond the sound bites to solve Iowa's problems

I often think of the famous question answered by American labor leader Samuel Gompers in the late 19th century. “What does Labor want? We want more schoolhouses and less jails; more books and less arsenals; more learning and less vice; more leisure and less greed; more justice and less revenge; in fact, more of the opportunities to cultivate our better natures…” These are still worthy goals. After a decade of republican control squeezing school funding, vilifying public school teachers, and talking of book bans, Iowa schools’ ratings have fallen to the middle of the pack. Iowa Republicans prioritized tax cuts for the wealthy and now more jails over Iowans’ needs. On July 1st, the Republicans’ tough-on-crime bills took effect. The Legislative Services Agency projects these bills will cost the state over $2 billion: $1.97 billion in one-time construction costs to build and expand state prisons, and $115.6 million in new annual operating expenses. Both violent and property crime rates have been trending downward. State data indicates that the overall crime rate dropped by 10% in 2025, following a broader 22% decline over the last six years. Was this tough-on-crime legislation pandering to fears or anticipation of desperate times to come? Iowa’s Workforce Development reports that Iowa lost 15,300 jobs in 2025, causing a growing workforce crisis impacting families, businesses, and communities. The Farm Bureau reports that farm bankruptcies are increasing. About 25,000 Iowans lost supplemental nutrition assistance in the last year. Thousands of Iowans lost affordable health insurance after H.R. 1 passed with the full support of Iowa’s delegation, including Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson, and most of the cuts don’t take effect until 2027. June’s end-of-fiscal-year budget gap was $1.3 billion. This year’s budget gap is projected to be over $1 billion, assuming that Iowa’s economy doesn’t continue to falter. Republicans are covering the budget gap with one-time reserves that everyone knows are not sustainable. The Republican Governor candidate Lahn’s goals - government that prioritizes people, clean water, safe communities, excellent schools, and defeating the cancer crisis sound great. However, looking beyond the sound bite, we see more spending, more tax cuts, and no indication of how to pay for anything. Iowans deserve honesty, not pandering. We don’t want to end up like Kansas.   Kay Pence Eldridge

Sabula man jailed after throwing lit mortar firework at neighbor during dog-poop dispute

A Sabula man faces felony charges after deputies say he threw a lit mortar firework that exploded inside a neighbor's garage during a holiday dispute.

Rivermont Collegiate to pilot AI companion program for students, teachers

Rivermont Collegiate says its new AI platform won't replace teachers. Instead, it's designed to give them more time with students.

Elected officials are already delivering for Iowans

Eastern Iowa “Lead, follow or get out of the way!” That is the message I heard last evening from our elected governing folks at an Eldridge grass roots meeting last evening. We have the representation that we bargain for at every election and seldom get. We are complacent and naively ignorant, hoping that our taxes result in the services we pay for. Wow! They have done it! Eastern Iowa, our counties, are delivering quality government at precisely honed prices. We are the best in the state while Iowa is way ahead of the other 49. Senators, Legislators, working full time for part time pay in perilous mine fields of public demands on complex issues are “at bat” for us. Education, “Focus on the kids. We’ll take care of the math.” Teachers, parents, administrators, rest easy our kids will emerge with the tools needed to earn a living in America. Special needs and out-lying issues are covered. Funds are in the bank. Budget, we are capped at 2% annual increase. Bargained down from 4% in debate. I think we should target zero increase and show the planet how to manage spending. These people can do it. Crime, focus on criminals. You do the crime in Iowa, you will get caught and you will pay for it. These folks will do the math. Services, focus on free market, the vital core of America. Iowa’s food production thrives on it. Healthcare, volatile, confusing, seemingly out of control. Energy, an Iowa asset; projects that are under scrutiny. Your job? Vote, make sure this team stays intact. There are threats gnawing on the fabric.   Bill Wohlford Bettendorf

ISU Dairy Team plans on-farm dairy processing field days

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will host a series of on-farm dairy processing field days that highlight successful niche-market herds in Iowa. Regional dairy producers are invited to explore profitable niche markets and learn from producers investing in cheese, fluid milk and gelato. Each field day will include a tour of the farm and a panel discussion featuring the host dairy producer; Dylan Liu, assistant professor of food science at Iowa State; members of the ISU Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development and Dairy teams; and a representative from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. A boxed meal will also be provided at each field day. Gail Carpenter, assistant professor and extension dairy specialist at Iowa State, said exploring new markets is a great way for dairies to maintain profitability. “On-farm processors are important and growing contributors to Iowa’s dairy industry. Small dairies in particular see on-farm processing as a way to stay competitive in today’s markets,” she said. “These events will help dairy producers determine if this is a good option for them and begin building their support network and toolbox as they explore this opportunity.” Schedule and registration Orange City: Favorite Creamery, Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Donnellson: Hinterland Dairy, Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Parlor tour to follow.) Ogden: Sundae Morning Dairy, Aug. 24, 6 to 8 p.m. Maquoketa: Moore Local, Sept. 8, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (The program will begin at the ISU Extension and Outreach Jackson County office.) Those interested in attending are asked to register online at least one week before the event. Field days are offered at no cost to attendees thanks to funding from the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education. Additional information about the events is available on the Dairy Team website. For more information, contact Carpenter at ajcarpen@iastate.edu.

2026 farmland leasing arrangements meetings offered across Iowa

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a series of farmland leasing arrangements meetings across the state in late July and August, as well as a statewide virtual webinar on Aug. 19. The annual meetings are designed to address questions that landowners, tenants, agribusiness professionals and those involved in farmland ownership have about leasing farmland. Workshop topics will cover land values, market outlook and cash rent trends, costs of production, methods for determining a fair rental rate, legal updates regarding leases and strategies for effective communication with tenants or landowners. ISU Extension and Outreach farm management field specialists will also address common questions regarding leases affected by a farm estate or succession plan. According to Ann Johanns, program specialist for Ag Decision Maker at ISU Extension and Outreach, the 2026 annual survey of cash rental rates for Iowa farmland showed little change overall, with the state average rate decreasing by 0.4% in 2026 to $270 per acre. This is the second decline in cash rents since 2019, after a peak of $279 per acre in 2023 and 2024. “While the trend in rental rates is fairly flat, every lease agreement is unique, and attending a workshop is a great way to learn more or ask questions on specific aspects of farm lease arrangements,” said Johanns. “More than half of Iowa’s farmland is rented, and strong landowner/tenant relationships are important for the long-term viability of Iowa’s valuable farmland.” Attendees often participate in this meeting series annually, each with different goals. In post-session evaluations in 2025, 100% of respondents reported satisfaction with the program’s ability to meet their needs. Past participants shared that they attended to deepen their understanding of factors affecting farmland leases. After attending, many made improvements to their own lease agreements or reported that the session confirmed their current leases aligned with all parties’ needs. Attend a local meeting Registration for local county farmland leasing meetings is $25 per person, which includes workshop materials. Pre-registration is encouraged, as an additional fee may be added if registering less than two calendar days before the meeting date. To register, call the hosting ISU Extension and Outreach county office. Attend the statewide webinar If you are unable to attend an in-person meeting, a statewide virtual webinar will take place on Aug. 19 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Online registration is required, and the registration fee is $25 per individual. For more information, contact your farm management specialist or county office.

Obituary: John Selby

John William Selby, 82, of Eldridge, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at MercyOne Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for John were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove.  Burial was in St. Ann’s Cemetery.  Visitation was held one hour prior to the Mass at St. Ann’s.  Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.  Memorials may be made to St. Ann’s Parish. John was born on Sept. 10, 1943, in Kenosha, Wis., a son of William and Georgia (Gustafson) Selby. A lifelong learner, he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Iowa State University in 1968. He went on to earn an advanced degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).  He also earned two master’s degrees from St. Ambrose University.  On June 2, 1969, John married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Maher, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Cumming. Together, they shared 57 years of marriage and were blessed with three children. John proudly served his country in the United States Navy as Seabee and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Following graduation, from Iowa State, John went to work for Kodak before beginning a 22-year tenure career with John Deere, first with being with a systems analyst at John Deere PDC Milan.  Then worked at Heritage Health, which later became John Deere Health Care.  He retired as a Division Manager of Parts Systems at the Milan Parts Distribution Center in 2001. John was deeply committed to his faith and community. He was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Bettendorf for over 45 years before moving to Eldridge and joining St. Ann’s. Following his retirement, he continued his spirit of service by driving for the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center and volunteered at the Sacred Heart Food Pantry. In his free time, John was an avid reader who loved keeping himself busy with various projects around the home. John is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; children, John Selby Jr., both of Eldridge, Jennifer (Brian) Carber, Bettendorf, and Patricia (Christopher) Barr, Clinton Township, Mich.; grandchildren Mikayla (Christopher) Lighthart, Nicholas, Tyler, and Jack Carber, Wyatt and David Barr; great-grandchildren: Lauren, Delaney, Emma, and Freya; and a brother and sister-in-law, Jim (Linda) Selby, Riverside, Calif. John was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Joan McClellan and Sherry Kuchel.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Abbree VanWinkle

Abbree Rose VanWinkle, 38, of Donahue, passed away unexpectedly on May 26, 2026, at Genesis East Hospital, Davenport. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf assisted with cremation. She was born May 9, 1988. Abbree loved to color, fish, go on float trips down the Wapsi River and attend car shows. Memorials may be made to the Donahue Fire Department.   Custom obituary

Obituary: Ronald Goebel

Ronald G. Goebel, 79, of Wheatland, formerly of Park View, died Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Wheatland Manor. Per his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded, and no services will be held at this time. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, is assisting the family with arrangements. Ronald Goebel was born Aug. 29, 1946, in Halstead, Kan., the son of Marvin and Verta (Cox) Goebel. He married Barbara J. Bloore on March 1, 1975, in St. Charles, Mo. Survivors include his wife, Barbara, Park View; his daughters, Laura (Keith) Hammer, Allison Goebel and Lindsay Copsey; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Jerroll and Roger Goebel. Online condolences may be made at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.

Davenport man arrested after infant suffers brain bleed, skull fracture

A Davenport man is charged with child endangerment after police say a 7-month-old suffered multiple skull fractures and a brain bleed.

2 pets are dead after Kewanee house fire

Two pets were killed in a Kewanee house fire Tuesday. No one was home at the time of the fire and the cause remains under investigation.

Obituary: Patricia Campbell

A funeral service for Patricia Ann “Pat” Campbell, 90, of Cedar Rapids, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church, with a luncheon to follow the service. Mrs. Campbell died Friday, June 19, 2026, at her home. Patricia Garbers was born June 1, 1936, in Vinton, the daughter of Bernard “Mike” and Freida (Seboldt) Garbers. She married Charles “Chuck” Campbell on June 23, 1956, at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Van Horne. He preceded her in death on March 16, 2025. Survivors include her children, Scott (Beth) Campbell, Eldridge, Kirk Campbell, Cedar Rapids, and Lori (Jeff) Donald, Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Cedar Rapids or Mercy Foundation (Hospice).

ISU Lake LaVerne project dredges up history, items lost to time

Dredging of Lake LaVerne’s depths has revealed the Iowa State University lake’s role as a time capsule, hiding spot and trash can as university officials look to its future as a campus landmark. Lake LaVerne is a human-made body of water that started as a dammed stream on ISU’s campus more than a century ago. It’s currently empty of water as crews work to restore it and add new features. While project planning has taken place for the last decade, the university has spent recent months draining the water and moving out the lake’s wildlife. A turtle-catching event was held to move the reptiles to a safer area for construction. Workers began  dredging its bed in early June, according to Chris Strawhacker, campus planner for real estate and capital planning. Neither Strawhacker or Facilities Construction Manager Claire Vorthmann came in with big assumptions about what could be unearthed, they said, but they definitely didn’t expect a cannon. The rusted, several-foot-long weapon was discovered June 25. “They were really excited to reach out to us,” Vorthmann said of the restoration workers who found the cannon. “The manager of the company here said, ‘I’m not going to spoil the surprise, I want the operator himself to tell you what he found,’ so we were really excited and came by. You can tell that the folks out here are excited about what they find as well.” Its origins are currently unknown, but Vorthmann said it might be the cannon used to celebrate touchdowns at football games before it was stolen from Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity in the early 1970s. Other items dragged out of the lake with mud and sediment include a bowling ball — possibly from the bowling alley housed in the ISU Memorial Union nearby — as well as parts of bicycles and glass bottles from as far back as the 1940s and 50s, Vorthmann said. One glass was from ABC Brewing, which she said used to operate near Ames but is closed now. Despite their size, Vorthmann said the excavation equipment can delicately extract items when operators spot them. So far, there is no formal plan as to what to do with everything they find. The team will also remove some obstacles, like rocks from the shoreline that students like to pry out and plop into the lake to see ripples or ice cracking. Not all refuse that ends up in the lake was waiting for the restoration project. Strawhacker said an ISU professor brings a class out to the lake every fall to sample the water and collect specimens — including multiple bicycles every year. The lake hasn’t been completely dredged since the 1950s, Strawhacker said, and sediment has been settling at the bottom throughout that time, filling in the lake to the point where its maximum depth had been cut in half from 12 feet to 6. “The goal is to get close to the original planned depths, for a couple of reasons,” Strawhacker said. “One for habitat, for deeper pockets for the fish and animals to live in, but also to improve the water quality.” Deeper water means a smaller chance of algae blooms developing in the lake, Strawhacker said, and it provides living spaces for fish and animals, but portions of the bed will be shallower to act as spawning beds. Once the project is complete, Lake LaVerne should have an average depth of 5 feet with areas as much as 13 feet deep. Close to 500 truckloads of sediment have been pulled from the lake, Vorthmann said, and where original estimates placed the total number of loads at 1,000, she believes the trucks will probably carry closer to 1,200. Describing the lake as “a little bit mysterious,” she said the team isn’t sure what the actual number will be, or what else they might find during the dredging process. Other aspects of the Lake LaVerne restoration project include reshaping its north shore for a new pathway and seating areas, which is in the process of being dug out, Strawhacker said, and west shore improvements to include a bridge and amphitheater, still in the design phase. “We actually had a course do some work before we did the actual design, they did some surveys with students and found that most people really pass by the lake, they don’t sit and enjoy the lake that much,” Strawhacker said. “So the plan is to create these spaces where people can come and spend time and appreciate the lake.” Once the project is complete, the lake will be restocked with fish and two new swans will call it their home. As for their hopes for Lake LaVerne’s future, Strawhacker said he’s interested to see how students and community members will want to engage with the spaces they will have created around it and make memories on campus they’ll carry forever. An ISU alum herself, Vorthmann said she would have responded to the survey the same as many students, that she walked by the lake without ever really stopping to enjoy it. She said she’s excited to see the lake area used for more than just a path to the Memorial Union. “It is almost like a little oasis on campus, where there’s water, there’s these very big old mature trees, some more wildlife,” Vorthmann said. “I just look forward to seeing that on campus, because it’s a unique feature.”

View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the July 8 NSP!

SATURDAY, JUNE 20 2:00 a.m. — Arnordo Corderrel Turner, 38, Davenport, was charged with 2nd degree criminal mischief, following an incident in the 400 block of West 4th Street, Davenport. TUESDAY, JUNE 23 1:53 a.m. — Janice Elizabeth Cabano, 40, Davenport, was charged with possession of a controlled substance – 1st offense and possession of drug paraphernalia and cited for violation of financial liability coverage, an open container violation and improper brake light; and Deon Dwight Westerfield, 34, Davenport, was arrested on an outstanding intrastate warrant and charged with possession of a controlled substance (non-marijuana) – 3rd or subsequent offense, following a traffic stop near Brady and West 65th streets, Davenport. FRIDAY, JUNE 26 1:05 a.m. — Esther Darlene Rosenboom, 44, Donahue, was charged with domestic abuse assault, following an incident in the 200 block of 2nd Avenue, Donahue. 1:07 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 West. A vehicle driven by Ilhamudin Kohistani, 21, Sacramento, Calif., was westbound on Interstate 80. Kohistani’s vehicle veered into the other lane, where it struck a vehicle driven by Mykhailo Bieliak, 46, Schiller Park, Ill. Kohistani was cited for failure to maintain control. 12:53 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of 3rd Street. 4:09 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 500 block of Chestnut Street. 4:27 p.m. — Deputies responded to a weapons complaint in the 500 block of Park View Drive. 5:52 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of West Spring Street. SATURDAY, JUNE 27 1:06 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of May Street. 10:29 a.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 300 block of East Mayne Street. 12:45 p.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint in the 14900 block of 110th Avenue. 1:53 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a burglary/home invasion in the 18600 block of 305th Street. 3:23 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 4:51 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near mile marker 282 on Interstate 80 East. A motorcycle operated by Warren Auther Benson, 55, Davenport, was eastbound on Interstate 80. Benson reportedly lost control of the motorcycle, which left the roadway and went into the median. Benson was transported by Durant Ambulance to Genesis East Medical Center. 7:11 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage. 8:17 p.m. — Dennis Michael Stoneking, 27, Toronto, was charged with OWI – 1st offense and cited for no valid driver’s license; and Christopher Glen Pribble, 25, Toronto, was charged with public intoxication – 1st offense and assault causing bodily injury, following an incident near 60th Avenue and 295th Street, Dixon. 8:54 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 3000 block of Valley Drive. SUNDAY, JUNE 28 12:11 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 26000 block of Bluff Road. 4:37 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near Interstate 74 West and Veterans Memorial Parkway, Davenport. A vehicle driven by Zachary T. Horner, 28, East Moline, left the roadway and struck a guardrail underneath the Veterans Memorial Parkway overpass on Interstate 74. Horner was cited for failure to maintain control and failure to provide proof of insurance. 8:46 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury in the 21000 block of Brady Street. 9:33 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 1:13 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury. 5:20 p.m. — Ray William Laris, 42, Bettendorf, was charged with public intoxication – 1st offense, following an incident near Great River Road and 244th Avenue, Bettendorf. 7:19 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 21600 block of McCarty Creek Drive. 7:21 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a juvenile problem in the 200 block of 2nd Avenue. 7:32 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fireworks complaint in the 200 block of East Brownlie Lane. 7:50 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint. MONDAY, JUNE 29 2:15 a.m. — Deputies responded to a weapons complaint in the 3000 block of East Locust Street. 4:31 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 7100 block of Hillandale Road. 9:14 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft on Lincoln Avenue. Noon — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with hit-and-run damage in the 800 block of East LeClaire Road, Eldridge. An unknown vehicle struck a vehicle parked in the parking lot at Casey’s General Store. 1:47 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance on Rainbow Drive. 2:08 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 300 block of South Park View Drive. 2:45 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with personal injury near West 34th and North Division streets. 4:23 p.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint in the 26700 block of 169th Avenue. 6:01 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with hit-and-run damage in the 11200 block of 140th Street Place. 7:46 p.m. — Nathaniel James Wetteland, 24, Donahue, was charged with public intoxication – 1st offense, following an incident in the 11500 block of 110th Avenue, Buffalo. 8:17 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 23200 block of Great River Road. 8:51 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 6800 block of Northwest Boulevard. TUESDAY, JUNE 30 1:13 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance on Valley View Drive. 2:10 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 6300 block of Brady Street. 3:04 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 6300 block of Brady Street. 11:38 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 200 block of Scott Street. 2:36 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of West 4th Street. 4:06 p.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint on Valley View Drive. 9:25 p.m. — Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 700 block of West Iowa 80 Road. 10:56 p.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage near East Locust and Judson streets. WEDNESDAY, JULY 1 12:33 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 3500 block of Wakonda Drive. 1:58 a.m. — Kimberly Lynn Hill, 41, no address given, was charged with public intoxication – 1st offense, following an incident in the 4500 block of Utica Ridge Road, Bettendorf. 8:36 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 200 block of 2nd Avenue. 9:12 a.m. — Deputies responded to a harassment complaint in the 300 block of East Grove Road. 9:19 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of theft in the 24600 block of 178th Street. 9:49 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance on East Timberline Drive. 10:03 a.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check near Brady and East 55th streets. 12:20 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the 600 block of West 4th Street. 12:27 p.m. — Deputies responded to a drug complaint in the 3200 block of South 16th Avenue. 6:03 p.m. — Deputies performed a welfare check on Park View Drive. 8:53 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a juvenile problem in the 24700 block of 225th Street. 9:29 p.m. — Deputies responded to a fireworks complaint in the 24800 block of 179th Street Place. THURSDAY, JULY 2 3:01 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident near mile marker 283 on Interstate 80 West, where a vehicle driven by Nazim Rasool, 34, Elk Grove, Calif., struck a deer that entered the roadway. 3:52 a.m. — Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 8200 block of Northwest Boulevard. 5:19 a.m. — Deputies responded to the scene of an accident with property damage in the 400 block of East LeClaire Road. 8:46 a.m. — Deputies responded to a fraud complaint in the 600 block of West Mulberry Lane. 10:19 a.m. — Deputies responded to a vandalism complaint on Timberline Drive. 1:36 p.m. — Deputies responded to a report of an animal problem in the 1400 block of West Front Street.

DuTrac wins savings award

DuTrac Community Credit Union is proud to celebrate the importance of saving and financial empowerment through participation in the 2026 America Saves Week campaign — a nationwide initiative encouraging individuals and families to take meaningful steps toward stronger financial futures. As part of this effort, DuTrac was recognized through the prestigious Designation of Savings Excellence (DOSE) award program, presented annually by America Saves and the Consumer Federation of America. The award honors financial institutions that go above and beyond in helping members establish healthy saving habits and achieve long-term financial success. The 2026 campaign, held April 6–10, centered around the theme, “Own Your Financial Story: Small Steps, Big Impact.” Throughout the week, participating organizations across the country encouraged consumers to build stronger financial habits through practical savings strategies, education, and accessible financial tools. Out of thousands of participating organizations nationwide, only a select group of banks and credit unions receive the DOSE distinction each year. Winners are chosen based on measurable impact, including the number of new savings accounts opened and the total dollars deposited into both new and existing savings accounts during the campaign period. DuTrac’s recognition reflects its ongoing commitment to empowering members with the knowledge, resources, and encouragement needed to reach their financial goals. Through engaging social media videos, educational content, and targeted email communications, DuTrac encouraged members to take meaningful steps toward stronger financial stability. By promoting consistent saving habits and providing trusted financial guidance, DuTrac continues to make a positive difference in the communities it serves. “At DuTrac, we believe every financial journey begins with small, intentional steps,” Andrew Hawkinson, President/CEO of DuTrac shared. “Helping our members build confidence and stability through saving is at the heart of what we do.” This recognition reinforces DuTrac’s mission to support financial wellness at every stage of life — helping members turn everyday saving decisions into lasting financial success.

Eldridge represents at JDC Pro-Am

SILVIS, Ill. — One of Eldridge’s own hit the course at TPC Deere Run last week. Jayson Newman scored a Wednesday afternoon tee time with pro golfers Keith Mitchell and Luke Clanton at last week’s John Deere Classic Pro-Am. Through his connections with Lexus, one of the tournament’s premier sponsors, Newman competed in his fifth Pro-Am. “I’ve never not had a great experience doing it,” Newman said. “It’s easy to take it for granted. Not everybody gets the opportunity to do this. It’s pretty special.” On the bag was his brother-in-law, Rob Moser, who splits his time between Eldridge and San Antonio. Moser is an avid golfer and a first-time Pro-Am participant. “It was a lot of fun. A little warm, but we had two pros who were really nice,” Moser said. “The guys we played with were all good friends.” “(Newman) accused me of talking to everyone too much and not paying enough attention to him,” Moser joked. At a PGA Tour Pro-Am, amateur and professional golfers work together to shoot one best score on a hole for their team. The professional golfers drive from their competition tees, while the amateurs start closer up to maintain a good pace of play. The team then takes their best drive, and everyone plays their own ball in from there. Newman’s best shot of the round came early on the par-3 third hole, where he drained a putt from serious distance to put a birdie on his team’s scorecard. Without the PGA’s ShotLink technology, nobody knew exactly how far a putt it was. “Let’s just say 30 (feet) for the record,” said Mitchell, who is No. 68 in the Official World Golf Ranking. “(Newman) asked me to read it, but he hit it perfectly where I said and at the right speed. So, he did all the hard work.” “It was either 25 feet or 30 feet,” Newman said. “Keith asked to line it up. Why would I not take that opportunity? He lined it up. He said to hit it in the direction the line is going… I did what he said. It was downhill. I didn’t have to worry about it not getting there. He was spot on.” While that was the best moment with a club in his hands, it was not Newman’s favorite moment of the day. Throughout the round, Newman was receiving updates on his daughter Kaycee’s round at the Iowa Golf Association’s match play tournament in Des Moines. Kaycee was a two-time state qualifier on North Scott’s girls’ golf team. This year, she helped the University of Dubuque qualify for the Division III National Championship, where it placed a program-best 14th in Palm Desert, California. As Newman’s group finished its nine-hole segment with Mitchell, Kaycee had just won her head-to-head in sudden death after forcing a playoff on the 18th hole. Mitchell saw Newman and Moser celebrating and, unsolicited, recorded a congratulatory video. “I told him the story. He said, ‘Let me send her a video.’ I handed him my phone, and he does a selfie and a video,” Newman said. “He said he just heard the news, congratulations and good luck the rest of the way. Keith did that. That was so cool.” Newman has been playing golf for decades, starting in his early 20s. But make no mistake about who is the best golfer in the family. “Oh, it’s not even close. Kaycee,” Newman said. “We go out and play quite a bit. She’ll play from the same tees I do. She kills me.” Kaycee played in the Pro-Am last year with former John Deere Classic champions Zach Johnson and Dylan Frittelli. “Kaycee loved the experience. She loved it. The pros make it a great experience,” Newman said. “It’s an interesting part of golf. There is no other sport where you get to have this kind of interaction with the players. Basketball, football, none of that does this. It’s pretty awesome.” The family’s adventures at the John Deere Classic did not end there. On Sunday, Moser and his wife were honorary observers for the 9:50 a.m. tee time for Stephan Jaeger, Tom Hoge and Zecheng Dou. They walked step-by-step with the professionals for their final round, gaining rare access and sightlines inside the ropes. “It was a great experience,” Moser said. “Walking down 18, with all these people, you play in your mind what it would be like to play in that venue. “The sign bearer in our group was the news anchor on channel six, Sharon DeRycke. Everyone knew who she was. It was neat talking to her.” The John Deere Classic is the biggest sporting event in the metro area each year and one of its biggest tourism draws. To keep opportunities like these available for Quad Citizens, Moser encourages the community to continue supporting the tournament. “It is great for the community, and it provides a ton of money for charity. I think they just passed $200 million, cumulative,” he said. “The more the community is involved and supports it, the more likely that it’s going to continue being a thing.”

'It's our way to give back': North Scott baseball marks 10 years of honoring selfless service

One day before the United States celebrated its 250th birthday, North Scott’s baseball team conducted its veteran’s appreciation night at the ballpark. Community members from North Scott and DeWitt honored over 30 service members on the field Friday evening before the first pitch of the varsity game. A tradition that started in 2017, this year’s ceremony marked the program’s 10th celebration of selfless service. “It’s our way to give back. I love doing it, and I hope everyone else loves coming out to it and enjoys being here,” Lancer baseball co-coach Brad Ward said. “It’s a special evening around the Fourth of July. It’s a special night for the coaches, for the players, for the fans, and for the veterans. It’s a special way to give back to people who have done so much for us.” At the start of the evening, players and coaches from North Scott and Central DeWitt shook the hands of every service member along the first-base foul line. “It’s always awesome,” North Scott senior Landon Praught said. “Getting to meet all of them before the game, all of that is really cool.” Davenport American Legion Post 26 members Richard Lowe, Jeff Good, Gene Hoth and Ted Stimach walked the nation’s colors in from center field, and Lancer junior Nora Davis sang the Star-Spangled Banner at home plate. Many of the veterans honored at Friday’s ceremony are longtime attendees. One of them is Ron Ward, Brad’s father, who has participated in all 10 ceremonies. “It means quite a bit to me,” Ron said. “I joined the Navy right out of high school. My dad was drafted. His brother was in the Marine Corps. Our whole family has been in.” Ron enjoys seeing community members not just from North Scott but also from other school districts invited to participate in the event each year. He hopes that they are able to take away one important message from the night. “You don’t want to forget. That’s the whole thing. That’s the big thing to get out of it,” Ron said. “Appreciate the veterans and remember what they’ve done.” Before playing a rendition of taps, North Scott public address announcer Dave Struckman shared a message with the veterans. “Thank you for answering the call to duty,” Struckman began. “You’ve made our armed forces the most respected in the world. The service members we honor today came from all walks of life, but they share several fundamental qualities. They possess courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity. All are qualities needed to serve a cause larger than oneself. “Many of them didn’t ask to leave their homes to fight on distant battlefields. Many didn’t even volunteer. They were called to be part of something bigger than themselves. They were ordinary people who responded in extraordinary ways in extreme times.” Before the umpires declared it was time to play ball, Navy veterans Bill Hoeper of North Scott and Mike Trusty of DeWitt threw out honorary first pitches. All veterans received a meal and drink courtesy of the North Scott Athletic Boosters, a gift card from Rudy’s Tacos, and a free t-shirt from GT Sports. Each year, the ceremony plays a bigger role than just honoring veterans. The baseball program wants to teach its players about the sacrifices these men and women made. For Lancer co-coach Matt Petersen, a Navy veteran, it’s a moment to reflect and to think. “One of the best things I’ve experienced on veteran’s night is when we go through the national anthem with everyone lined up,” he said. “Especially those who have been through a war time, you can see the emotion. That is what our kids need to see. ‘Why is he emotional?’ ‘Well, why do you think?’” Ward opened up about his own experience as the son of a Vietnam veteran. “It’s something that he didn’t talk to me about until later. I was probably in my 20s before he really started opening up about stuff,” Ward said. “A lot of them, especially the older veterans, have a lot of built-up memories that people don’t even know about… Especially in the Vietnam era, when they returned from the war, they were yelled at and spit at. These were people who had no choice but to fight for their country. They were made to do this. “People probably don’t realize, especially nowadays, how far we are removed from that era.” Petersen added, “We have kids who didn’t get to see 9/11 or Afghanistan or Iraq. They have access to everything on their phones, so they get exposed to it a little bit. But not in the same way.” That, at the end of the day, is the ‘why’ behind the event: to learn, to recognize and to say thank you. “We’ve had a lot of community support. We have a lot of people who come back,” Ward said. “I hope that veterans continue to appreciate it and keep showing up so that we can have our kids show their appreciation to them.”

Country Legends in Concert comes to Adler Theatre in October

Country Legends in Concert Starring T.G. Sheppard and David Frizzell stops at the Adler Theatre October 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 10th at 10 a.m. at the Adler Theatre Box, 136 E. 3rd Street in Davenport. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. [...]

Lancer baseball splits series with Davenport West, Pleasant Valley last week

North Scott baseball posted a series win against Davenport West and gave 4A No. 6 Pleasant Valley a fight in game one of a doubleheader last week. The Lancers swept the Falcons at home 12-2 and 3-1, but fell to the Spartans on the road 1-0 and 11-1. In game one against Davenport West last Monday (June 29), North Scott ended the game after six innings. All 12 of the team’s runs were scored between the third and sixth innings. Senior Sam Shiltz allowed just two hits and two earned runs on the mound. Senior Landon Praught recorded three RBIs on a single and a sacrifice fly. Senior Gavin Welch and sophomore Conlan Panther each plated two runs on three hits, one of which was his second home run of the season. Game two was much more competitive but had the same result. Great pitching led the Lancers to victory once again. Junior Ben Peters got the start and threw 5.1 innings of one-run ball. Junior Zach McCleary came in relief and pitched a near-perfect five-out save to preserve the win. Shiltz hit an RBI double, and Praught recorded the team’s other two RBIs on a pair of singles. Against Pleasant Valley Thursday, one run in the bottom of the third inning was all it took for the Spartans to get over the finish line. There were just seven hits in the game: four from Pleasant Valley and three from North Scott. Panther did yeoman’s work against one of the state’s best teams. He pitched a complete game, scattering four hits and two walks over six innings with two strikeouts. North Scott had less luck in the nightcap, surrendering 14 hits, five walks and 11 runs to the Spartans. North Scott rallied the troops in the final week of the regular season. The team traveled to Solon on Monday and hosted senior night against Iowa City High on Tuesday. Friday night, North Scott hosted its tenth annual veteran’s appreciation night. However, the came entered a rain delay in the bottom of the second inning, and it was eventually canceled. The game will not be rescheduled. The Lancers are the No. 5 seed in Class 4A Substate 7, right in line with their expectations. The draw was as good as the team could have hoped for with a matchup against No. 2 seed Iowa City Liberty in the first round. The Lightning are 20-15 this season and beat North Scott 6-5 on May 21. Elsewhere in the bracket, third-ranked Cedar Rapids Prairie is the top seed. It will play Davenport Central in the first round. The No. 3 seed, Dubuque Senior, will host the No. 4 seed, Clinton. Of the three victorious teams from the opening round, the lowest remaining seed will automatically advance to the substate final. The second-lowest remaining seed would then host the highest remaining seed in the semifinals on July 13. The substate final is set for July 15.

Iowa natives go low at TPC Deere Run

SILVIS, Ill. — The PGA Tour’s two native Iowans placed inside the top 25 Sunday at the 2026 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. Zach Johnson, born in Iowa City and raised in Cedar Rapids, posted his eighth career top-10 finish at the John Deere Classic. He carded a 16-under-par tournament and finished tied for ninth. Troy Merritt, born in Osage with a long history of family athletic success in the Hawkeye state, scored his best finish of the season with a 13-under-par performance, tying for 21st. Johnson, who has started every John Deere Classic since 2002, was one shot off the lead after an opening round 7-under 64. He shot 9-under-par the rest of the tournament, enough to secure his best result at the event since he tied for fifth in 2017. “I made a lot of bogeys. I don’t make a lot of bogeys. That’s going to eat at me,” Johnson said. “A lot of mistakes in the middle of the fairway. A lot of mistakes on the green. I say all that, but I feel like I made some things I probably shouldn’t have. It probably does even out, but I still feel like I had a chance to win. “My game is good. I think it was good enough to win this week. Given the mistakes I made, it’s hard. Guys are frickin good, man. They’re good, and they’re good kids. I played with Chris (Gotterup) yesterday. Ben Kohles is a dear friend. I really wanted my boy Lucas (Glover) to make a charge. We’re going to have a great champion.” Johnson aimed to become the fifth player to win on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions in the same calendar year. Two weeks ago, Johnson won the Principal Charity Classic in Des Moines for his second win this season on the senior tour. The 2012 John Deere Classic champion opted to play in Silvis instead of the U.S. Senior Open, highlighting his love for this tournament and part of the country. “I have an amazing support structure in Iowa,” Johnson said. “I can’t stress it enough. I’m just appreciative of having a partnership with John Deere and feeling like a long, long-distance son to this area. Technically, I lived in Davenport when I was an infant. A lot of affinity, a lot of affection, and you know what, it really starts and ends with the people. So, I’m very honored and grateful.” Merritt-based performance Troy Merritt entered this year’s John Deere Classic ranked No. 476 in the Official World Golf Ranking. He was making just his fifth start on tour this season and 10th overall, including Korn Ferry Tour appearances. He made more money at TPC Deere Run than in his previous nine starts combined, earning $100,056 after finishing tied for 21st. Merritt posted consecutive five-under 66 rounds on Thursday and Friday to put himself in a six-way tie for fourth place at 10-under-par entering the weekend. “It was similar to yesterday after the first four holes,” Merrit said, speaking after his Friday round. “Just pretty stress-free and not working overly hard until the last hole… Really holed out and made some nice putts. Just need to keep finding some fairways. The iron game feels pretty good. Wedge game feels pretty good, and rolling some putts. Hopefully the weekend bears more of that.” Merritt’s progress slowed, shooting a 1-under 70 on Saturday and a two-under 69 on Sunday. His performance still gave him his third-best career finish at the John Deere Classic, and his second top-21 finish in the last four years. Merrit, whose parents moved him to Idaho when he was eight months old, still maintains strong Iowa connections with deep family roots in Cedar Rapids and Dubuque. His older brother Ben played football at Wartburg College, and his younger brother Tim played basketball at Luther College. Their father, Mark, is a member of the Wartburg College Athletics Hall of Fame. Merritt currently resides in Boise, Idaho, but he is still a devout Iowa Hawkeyes fan. His performance just 65 miles east of Iowa City was his best tour finish since a tie for 12th at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in November 2024. “I’m just trying to put a smile on my face, take it one shot at a time, and do the best I can and live with the results,” Merritt said. A media member responded, “I hope you’re smiling tonight, because I thought that was a well-played round of golf.” To which Merritt replied, “I’ll be smiling when I get that first cold beer in me.” Gotterup comes full circle at Deere Run By the tournament’s end, the best player in the field made the biggest impression. Gotterup, the world No. 14 and highest-ranked player at this year’s John Deere Classic, set the course ablaze Sunday with a 9-under 62 to complete an improbable comeback. Gotterup began the day five shots back of co-leaders Glover and Lee Hodges, both at 16-under-par. Gotterup went bogey-free to claim his fifth career tour victory and third of 2026. “I felt like if I could get off to a good start, I could at least throw my name in the mix,” Gotterup said. “This whole year has been about how each point is valuable, and I just wanted to get up there and get in the mix. “Obviously, got off to a great start. When I was 5-under through seven, I was like, ‘All right, now I’m in the mix.’ I certainly wasn’t thinking ‘Let’s go out and win this today’ in the morning, but once I got going, I felt like I had a good chance.” Gotterup was the leader in the clubhouse with 15 golfers still on the course. Kohles, who was tied with Gotterup when the latter signed his scorecard, had four holes left to take the lead. He was the only other golfer to get to 20-under-par Sunday. The University of Virginia product went bogey-birdie-par on 15, 16 and 17 to stay level with Gotterup. Kohles made double bogey on the par-4 finale after hooking his second shot approach left into the greenside pond and missing a 47-foot desperation putt to stay alive. “Yeah, tough way to finish, especially how I played all day,” Kohles said. “Even on the back nine, letting a few holes get away, but bounced right back and made birdies right after. I’m proud of the way I played. I played awesome all week. You know, obviously sucks to just have that happen on the last hole, but I learned a lot about myself. Me and my caddie (Joel Stock) are doing such a great job.” Gotterup stayed warm on the driving range with his brother Patrick, his temporary caddie for the week. Gotterup’s normal caddie, Brian Stockton, welcomed his first child two weeks ago. “We kind of planned this out a couple of months ago,” Gotterup said. “We were just planning on having a fun week, and obviously try to come to win. But to have it actually happen is cool and just a special moment that we’ll never forget.” The John Deere Classic held a special place in Gotterup’s heart even before his win. Gotterup received a sponsor exemption for the tournament in 2022 as he attempted to break onto the tour. Gotterup finished fourth that year, jumpstarting his adventure in professional golf. With Sunday’s victory, he halved his ranking down to No. 7. “At that time, I had no status anywhere,” Gotterup said. “To get a fourth here was the biggest tournament of my life at that point. Obviously, we’re biased towards places that we play well at and that we like, and this is one of those for me. To be able to come back and win makes it even more special.”

Kewanee house fire kills two pets; no injuries reported

A Tuesday morning house fire in Kewanee killed a dog and a cat. No one was home, no injuries were reported, and the cause remains under investigation.

Lancer softball extends winning streak to 12 games

The gentlemen and ladies at Wimbledon were not the only athletes holding serve last week. North Scott’s softball players took care of business, extending their team’s win streak to 12 games. The Lancers scored sweeps over Davenport West (12-0, 8-3) and Central DeWitt (11-1, 12-1) with a nonconference victory over Maquoketa (6-1) on senior night. North Scott’s four conference wins put the group over .500 in the Mississippi Athletic Conference for the first time this season. The Lancers will finish 9-7 and in fifth place. Pleasant Valley won the conference outright with a 15-1 mark. The Lancers went on the road for all four MAC games. First up, on Monday (June 29), North Scott won its 10th and 11th consecutive games over the Falcons. Senior Adalynn Johnson and junior Kamilah Eller each went yard against Davenport West. Sophomore Brinley Schroeder had two doubles in the series, and sophomore Laney Welge totaled four RBIs. All three Lancer pitchers saw action, with sophomore Dana Webb going the distance in game one. She threw seven innings of shutout softball, striking out six Falcons along the way. On Wednesday, North Scott honored its five seniors: Johnson, Mayah Vogt, Aubrey Toohey, Cadey Bredar, and Anna Campbell. The Lancers scored the first three runs and the last three runs of the game in a no-sweat win over Maquoketa. North Scott leads the series between the schools 15-3 since 2009. The next day, North Scott went up to DeWitt and bludgeoned the Sabers by score lines of 12-1 and 11-1. On Central DeWitt’s own senior night, the Lancers put 23 runs up on the board. Johnson led the Lancers with five RBIs on the night. Eller was next with four RBIs, followed by eighth grader Payton LeDoux and Toohey with three RBIs each. Campbell added two RBIs in game two as well. On Monday (July 7) the Lancers went up to the Mount Mercy University Athletic Complex in Cedar Rapids for a nonconference showcase doubleheader with 5A No. 3 West Des Moines Valley. North Scott, now Class 4A No. 5, will then begin its postseason journey on Saturday, July 11 against the winner of Keokuk and Fort Madison.

ISU Extension offers advice on summer gardening

Periods of high temperatures can be challenging for both plants and gardeners. Understanding how heat affects plant growth and taking a few practical steps can help maintain a healthy landscape during stressful hot summer conditions. Plants respond to rising temperatures in ways that are not always immediately apparent. Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University, said that once temperatures exceed 86 degrees Fahrenheit, the growth rate of most plants begins to slow. At higher temperatures, photosynthesis declines while respiration continues. This imbalance can reduce a plant’s energy reserves over time. Prolonged heat can also increase water loss through leaves and soil, leading to wilting and, in severe cases, leaf death. Steil noted that if high temperatures persist, vulnerable plants can die from a depletion of their food reserves. Vegetables often show symptoms first. Lettuce and spinach may bolt, while tomatoes and peppers can drop blossoms or delay fruit set during extended hot nights. Adjust watering Check soil moisture frequently and water when needed. Water early in the morning so plants can absorb moisture before temperatures climb. Direct water to the base of plants or use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to reduce evaporation. Consistent moisture is especially important for vegetables. Uneven watering can lead to blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers or bitter cucumbers. Container plants require extra attention because they dry out quickly. “Plants in containers and hanging baskets may need water twice a day,” Steil noted. Newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials are also particularly vulnerable due to their limited root systems and should be monitored closely. Conserve soil moisture Adding a layer of organic mulch helps reduce evaporation and maintain more consistent soil moisture. It also shades the soil surface, keeping root systems cooler during extreme conditions. This practice is particularly helpful in vegetable gardens, where shallow-rooted crops are more sensitive to drying soils. Provide temporary shade Reducing light can lower plant stress. Move containers into shade or provide temporary cover for garden plants. Shade cloth or lightweight fabric can protect sensitive plants and help prevent sunscald on vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. Keeping these covers elevated above plants allows air circulation and prevents heat buildup around the foliage. Avoid additional stress Delay fertilizing, planting and transplanting until temperatures moderate. These practices encourage growth that plants cannot sustain under heat stress. These activities can disrupt root systems and increase water demand at a time when plants are already struggling to maintain balance. Manage flowers and growth Many plants reduce flowering during extreme heat. Removing spent blooms improves appearance, conserves energy by redirecting it away from seed production and prepares plants to recover. Vegetable crops may also stop flowering or drop blossoms, reducing yields. Providing good care will encourage continued production once temperatures improve. Care for the lawn Cool-season grasses commonly grown in the Midwest respond to prolonged heat by going dormant. Although lawns may turn brown, the roots and crowns remain alive. Under typical conditions, turfgrass can survive four to six weeks in this dormant state. If dry conditions persist beyond that period, supplemental watering may be needed to ensure survival and encourage recovery when temperatures begin to cool. Remember the gardener Gardeners should also take precautions. Work during cooler parts of the day, stay hydrated and take breaks. “Heat is demanding on both plants and people, so recognizing and responding to heat stress is important,” Steil said.

Pets killed in early morning Kewanee house fire

An early morning fire in Kewanee damaged a two-story home on Rockwell Street, leaving two pets dead and one missing. The cause is under investigation.

Rock Island Co. to dedicate Historic Courthouse Square pollinator garden honoring local civic leaders

Rock Island County will dedicate a new pollinator garden on Friday to honor trailblazing county board member Gabriel Barber and civic leader Lee Barber.

Deere offers collective bargaining extension to employees

John Deere is offering a two-year extension to its current collective bargaining agreement with the UAW. The current agreement is set to expire in fall 2027. The company is proposing the extension now, with agricultural equipment demand down and an uncertain outlook uncertain, to provide continuity and certainty for employees, the business and customers. “This [...]

Home Runs for Life honors Long Grove girl

MercyOne Genesis is honoring one of its GOPEDS patients at a Quad City River Bandits game this weekend. MercyOne Genesis Home Runs for Life honoree Haven Sottos, 10 of Long Grove, will be honored during the River Bandits game on Friday, July 10. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. Players from both teams will honor [...]

TIMELINE: What we know about Muscatine's downtown structural issues

Structural concerns first surfaced months before Muscatine evacuated a downtown block. Here's a timeline of what happened.

Moline City Council to consider police body camera AI upgrade

The Moline City Council will consider upgrading police body cameras with AI translation that provides real-time audio in 60 languages.

Pets dead in Kewanee fire

Two pets are dead and one is missing after an early morning fire in Kewanee. A news release from the Kewanee Fire Department said firefighters responded to a reported structure fire in the 1100 block of Rockwell Street on July 7 at about 5 a.m. When they arrived, they found a two-story residence with heavy [...]

New lawsuit alleges US shared asylum application details with Iran

A lawsuit alleges the Trump administration is divulging details of Iranian asylum seekers to the government of Iran.

New lawsuit alleges U.S. shared asylum application details with Iran

A lawsuit alleges the Trump administration is divulging details of Iranian asylum seekers to the government of Iran.

IMEG, Rock Island, acquires two more firms

IMEG, an engineering design firm in Rock Island, acquired two firms - Phillips Gradick and ACRO - on July 1, according to a news release. Phillips Gradick brings 43 new team members. ACRO will add 19. IMEG has more than 100 offices and more than 3,300 team members. About ACRO IMEG has acquired ACRO Development [...]

World Cup watch party draws fans to Tangled Wood in QCA

The Tangled Wood in Bettendorf hosted a U.S soccer watch party.

There's no treatment designed for the Ebola strain ravaging DRC. But now there's hope

The strain of the virus that's responsible for the current outbreak has no specific treatments or preventive measures. Three new clinical trials could provide possible breakthroughs.

Davenport man arrested after infant hospitalized with brain bleed and skull fractures

Laserdrick Dashaun Fowler is in custody after police say he threw his 7-month-old baby into a doorframe, leaving the infant in critical condition now.

Davenport man arrested after infant hospitalized with brain bleed and skull fractures

Laserdrick Dashaun Fowler is in custody after police say he threw his 7-month-old baby into a doorframe, leaving the infant in critical condition now.

Dixon to celebrate completion of $14M Project ROCK

Dixon and IDOT will celebrate the completion of the $14 million Project ROCK, featuring a new Rock River pedestrian bridge and Page Park improvements.

'The Kewanee Voice' launching new publication after acquiring 'The Prairie News'

Called "The Henry-Stark Voice," the weekly publication will expand local news coverage across Henry and Stark Counties, officials said.

Maquoketa leaders share plans and power safeguards for potential data center

Maquoketa leaders outline plans for a potential data center, highlighting local utility safeguards and noise limits to protect residents from impacts.

Another nice day before heat and storms

Our week is off to a great start with sunshine and highs in the 80s Monday and we'll enjoy the same today. But it'll be warmer tomorrow and Thursday. Showers and storms are possible later Wednesday into the end of the week. Here's your full 7-day forecast.

10 new books you won't want to miss in July

July's crop of notable releases features new work from Colson Whitehead, Sigrid Nuñez, Daniel Mason and Nathaniel Rich. Plus, new nonfiction from award-winning journalists.

Iowa American Water has replaced 1,800 lead service lines in past three years

The water utility must replace service lines made of lead or unknown material in the next decade. It's working to identify remaining unknown lines before a November 2027 deadline.

Cesar Toscano: How my mom was a junior golf champion of Puerto Rico

Education Reporter Cesar Toscano talks about the time his mother was the junior golf champion of Puerto Rico in the 1980's.

City of Muscatine resumes dredging on at Municipal Harbor

With the completion of the Muscatine Marina Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) Relocation Project, the City of Muscatine has resumed dredging operations at the Muscatine Municipal Harbor, clearing accumulated Mississippi River sediment and restoring safe navigational depths for boaters throughout the summer season, a news release says. The dredging effort, managed by the city’s Water Pollution [...]

Gretchen at Work: Researching fish at Fairport Fish Hatchery

The Fairport Fish Hatchery has 18 ponds with workers responsible for 68,000 acres of the Mississippi River.

Meet 'Project 2029' — and its war on the annoyance economy

Remember Project 2025? Democrats are building their own governing blueprint, and one proposal takes aim at the "annoyance economy": robocalls, endless hold times, hidden fees and other everyday frustrations.

House Names

This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.In almost any city near Rock Island, residents can walk you through their neighborhoods and name the houses: there's…

Rock Island County to dedicate pollinator garden in honor of longtime community servants

Rock Island County will dedicate a pollinator garden in honor of longtime community servants. According to a release, the Gabe & Lee Barber Pollinator Garden will be dedicated Friday, July 10, 9:00 a.m. on the northern end of Historic Courthouse Square, located at 15th St. and 3rd Ave., Rock Island: The garden will be named [...]

Heirs of 'odious' 167-year-old Supreme Court ruling see modern parallels

Descendants of Dred Scott and Chief Justice Roger Taney spoke about reconciliation at a church in the shadow of the Supreme Court last week as the high court wrestled with race and who can be an American.

As climate change damages streets and highways, the road ahead may be expensive

Heat waves are becoming more common and intense as a result of climate change — and roads are suffering as a result. Are the nation's roads up to meeting the challenge of a warmer, wetter future?

China test-launches a ballistic missile in the South Pacific and raises regional concerns

The launch, using a dummy warhead, took place the same day Australia and Fiji signed a mutual defense treaty meant to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific.

Tanker set ablaze after being struck by projectile in the Strait of Hormuz

Iranian state television said the tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.

Savannah Bananas provide incredible experience to 9-year-old fighting cancer

For one family from Donahue, Iowa, attending the Savannah Bananas’ games at Kinnick Stadium was about much more than entertainment.

Jordan Spieth surprises young fan with autographed hat

When 11-year-old Stella Gehring realized Jordan Spieth was staying just a few doors down from her house, she got an idea.

USMNT and World Cup fuel soccer interest in the Quad Cities

Despite the U.S. men's national team's World Cup loss to Belgium, local fans and QC Rush say the tournament continues to inspire more kids to play soccer.

Annual 'Pints and Paws' blood drive in need of donors

For every donor who gives blood at one of the drives, the Red Cross will donate $10 to animal shelters in the Quad Cities.

Small data center proposed for industrial park south of Maquoketa

Residents packed the council chambers Monday night, most of them opposing the project.

An affordable new way to get a car without setting foot in a dealership

(BPT) - Key TakeawaysHaving a car today is increasingly expensive, due to the total cost of ownership: higher vehicle prices, financing rates, maintenance, insurance and fuel.Buying or leasing usually requires a multi-year commitment that may not be flexible enough to adapt to life changes.New, flexible, more affordable leasing models like Flexcar provide a simpler alternative: month-to-month car access.The rising cost of getting a car in 2026 is causing more Americans to rethink traditional methods like buying or leasing. The upfront cost of higher vehicle prices combined with long-term financing and ongoing expenses add up to a much higher investment. Insurance alone averages almost $2,700 per year, and then there's ongoing maintenance, repairs and today's high fuel costs.Another big issue is that buying and leasing typically require multi-year commitments that don't take into account lifestyle changes. Instead, they lock drivers into financial obligations without much flexibility."Life changes. We move cities, switch jobs. Families grow and plans shift. But one thing hasn't changed: how we buy cars," said Jake Marston, VP of Marketing, Flexcar. "Historically, buying a car meant large down payments, unexpected repair bills, long-term debt and fixed contracts out of step with the way people live today."A new solution to getting a car without traditional buying or leasingIn response to these concerns, newer car ownership alternatives are gaining traction. For example, Flexcar offers an innovative, more affordable leasing model that bundles the major costs of having a car into a single monthly payment, including insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance. Flexcar is designed for flexibility, letting members switch vehicles or adjust mileage plans as needs change. Members can upgrade to a larger SUV, choose a more efficient option for a new commute or drive something different for one season. Members can return their car at any time, without early termination penalties."Our members have driven over 350 million miles across our markets since 2021. This is a clear sign that drivers are ready for a different model," added Marston. "Flexcar gives people a simpler, more flexible option, minus the unpredictable costs and multi-year loan commitments of traditional car ownership."Flexcar gives people a simpler, more flexible option, minus the unpredictable costs and multi-year loan commitments of traditional car ownership.How Flexcar differs from traditional leasing or buyingBuying a car is a long-term responsibility. You might purchase a vehicle outright, or get financing via a loan lasting several years with fixed monthly payments. In addition to upfront costs and dealer fees, owners are completely responsible for insurance, maintenance, repairs, depreciation and resale value.While traditional leasing is viewed by many as a lower-commitment alternative to buying, it still comes with a multi-year contract, typically 2-4 years, and fixed monthly payments for the duration of the lease. Drivers may also face upfront fees, strict mileage limits and potential end-of-term charges. In many cases, lease agreements require higher insurance coverage, which can increase monthly costs beyond the base payment.Unlike traditional leasing or buying, Flexcar provides a flexible, all-inclusive alternative with no multi-year commitment. One monthly payment covers the vehicle, insurance and routine maintenance, plus roadside assistance. Members can switch cars or mileage plans as their needs change, or return the vehicle at any time without early termination penalties. Flexcar offers increased flexibility and more predictable monthly costs, without multi-year contract obligations.Flexcar's goal is to offer a more flexible, predictable path to getting a car, while reducing the financial uncertainty traditional ownership can bring.How Flexcar is a more affordable optionFlexcar's model is designed to simplify costs and reduce upfront and ongoing expenses.Built-in savingsNo large down paymentNo long-term financing commitmentsFuel savings starting at $0.20 per gallonAll-in-one coverageInsurance includedMaintenance included24/7 roadside assistance includedMembers can save up to $0.60 per gallon at participating gas stations, with savings applied as a credit to their monthly invoice.Flexcar is available in Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with planned expansions into New York, San Francisco, San Jose and Dallas.FAQs:What's included with my Flexcar? Flexcar includes the major costs of having a car in one simple monthly payment that covers your vehicle, insurance, routine maintenance and 24/7 roadside assistance, helping make costs more predictable. Members also get access to fuel savings of up to $0.60 per gallon and loyalty perks that can help lower monthly payments over time.How can I sign up? Signing up for Flexcar is quick and fully online. Start by entering your location, age and estimated credit score to see available cars in your area. Then choose a vehicle, select a monthly plan with your preferred mileage and insurance options, and complete a short application with a soft credit check. Once approved, you can schedule delivery or pickup and start driving.Could I swap cars any time? You can drive what you want, when you want. Cruise through summer with the top down in a Jeep Wrangler or conquer winter terrain in a rugged Toyota Tacoma. For a small swap fee, you can switch to the perfect car for every season and every adventure.Learn more at Flexcar.com.

What a divorce coach wishes couples knew before ending a marriage

Divorce is a tool, not a weapon, says Karen McNenny, author of a new book on the subject. She explains how to end a marriage while protecting your family and your mental health.

The U.S. men's run at the World Cup ends with a 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium

The team was in the eye of a storm over a controversial phone call from President Trump to FIFA's head about a red card on a U.S. striker. But even with the U.S. at full strength, Belgium easily won.

A year after Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, Arizona Democrats warn coverage losses are mounting

U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari speaks about the importance of flipping party control at the state and national level to ensure Democrats have a chance to reverse Medicaid cuts in Phoenix on July 6, 2026. Ansari, along with U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton and local community health CEO Mike Renaud, highlighted the negative impacts of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” on Medicaid and SNAP enrollment on the legislation’s one-year anniversary. (Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez/Arizona Mirror)A year after President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” to cut taxes and slash spending on healthcare and other programs aimed at helping lower income Americans, Democrats in Arizona are sounding the alarm over its impacts on families in the Grand Canyon State. And the ability of people to access public assistance, they said, will only worsen unless voters award the party a majority in Congress in this year’s elections.  SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. The tax and spending plan cut billions from Medicaid healthcare programs and enshrined stricter eligibility requirements for both state Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food aid to tens of millions of people. In the Grand Canyon State, that led to more than 300,000 people losing SNAP benefits in six months.  U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton called the fiscal plan an “ugly disaster” for Arizonans, and lambasted the refusal of Congressional Republicans to renew healthcare premium tax credits. The Phoenix Democrat blamed the GOP’s unwillingness to bolster public assistance programs for both the state’s plummeting healthcare coverage rates and declining enrollment in SNAP .  A February analysis found that there were 65,881 fewer people enrolled in an Affordable Care Act Plan compared to the same time in 2025. “Sixty-five thousand of our fellow Arizonans had coverage last year and don’t today,” Stanton said. “That means people are skipping basic checkups, skipping prescriptions and praying that they don’t get sick.” That number has since grown to more than 121,000, which health policy experts attribute to rising insurance premiums and the expiration of federal subsidies that previously helped offset that cost. And public health advocates fear even more people will become uninsured as new rules for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state’s Medicaid plan, kick in next year.  One in four Arizonans rely on AHCCCS to afford their medical care. But new work and income requirements and a complicated documentation process in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” threaten to imperil that coverage for the 1.8 million Arizonans who are enrolled in the program. Changes to what constitutes a fragile medical condition mean that people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or with substance abuse disorders undergoing treatment will have to prove they can’t work and deserve to continue receiving healthcare coverage.  Mike Renaud, the chief executive officer of Valle del Sol, a local community health center, criticized the new rules and application as burdensome and pointed out that the vast majority of AHCCCS recipients already work or are in college.  “They’re servers, they’re working part-time, they’re working at Home Depot, they’re working 30 hours a week — just enough to get by but not enough to carry high quality insurance,” he said. “AHCCCS is their lifeline.” Renaud shared that many patients have expressed concerns that they may need to forego treatment to meet the new work requirements.  “I’ve talked to hundreds of our own patients who are in treatment programs wondering, ‘Do I have to choose between working now and my health coverage and getting the treatment services I need? And how do I make that choice?’” he said.  Stanton called on congressional Republicans to support an effort to extend premium tax credits for three more years and reverse the Medicaid cuts passed last year. In January, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives successfully passed a three-year extension, with the help of 17 Republicans. But the U.S. Senate has yet to take up the legislation.  Even if both chambers agree to extend the tax credits, however, it’s unlikely that Trump would approve of the plan. Debate over whether to renew the credits last year in exchange for an end to a looming government shutdown put both parties at odds, even as the public overwhelmingly favored an extension.  Stanton said he still believes a bipartisan solution on premium tax credits and medicaid funding is possible. But he conceded that changing party control of Congress would be a more certain resolution.  “We know the odds that we’re up against, but the fact is, they could do it, and we’re encouraging them to do it,” he said. “And then, if and when we win the majority, we’re going to do it.” U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, another Phoenix Democrat, posited that the political pressure facing Republicans at both the state and national levels in the upcoming election could be enough to prompt a legislative shift. While last year’s federal budget increased the number of times Medicaid enrollees must renew their eligibility to twice a year, the GOP-legislative majority in Arizona pushed for and won four annual verifications for AHCCCS recipients.  “Flipping the (Arizona) legislature is so important,” Ansari said. “Fighting back at every level is going to be critical.” SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Arizona Mirror

More Montana money: General fund revenues increase over projections

Rep. Jane Gillette rests her laptop on a binder containing Montana's budget for the next biennium. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan)A Montana Legislative Fiscal Division report published late last month says general fund revenues grew by 4.1% in Fiscal Year 2025, largely driven by income tax, a significant change after a previously anticipated decline of 1.7%. While the report says “pressures” on the budget still exist, the state should enter the 2027 Legislative Session in a decent position. With a new fiscal year beginning and following worries of a 2027 legislative session filled with cuts, the better-than-expected revenue was good news for legislators. “I’m pleased revenues came in higher than expected,” Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad said on Monday. “That’s that’s a good sign that Montana’s still working, and we’re still getting some higher payrolls” Some report projections include a 4.7% flat income tax Gov. Greg Gianforte has proposed, which would decrease tax collection by $130 million per year by fiscal year 2029. “Montana will likely enter the 2029 biennium largely structurally balanced but with a tightening margin compared to recent sessions,” the report states. Jones echoed that on Monday, saying the state looks to be headed into the 2027 session, “structurally positive, but barely.” What Montana is doing, from a revenue perspective, can be looked at as  a “Laffer Curve,” he said, which basically says that as lawmakers raise taxes the government brings in more revenue, to a point. If they tax high-earners too harshly, they won’t come or stay in Montana and the economic theory seeks to find the optimal tax rate that spurs growth but still fills government coffers. Jones said all you have to do is look at the types of earners coming to Montana. Even those 65 and older are still bringing wealth to the state, and tech companies, like those near Bozeman are the types of industries the state has been courting. When asked how a flat tax might impact that, he said that’s the “challenge.” “We have the cash flow and the Laffer effect is rarely quick,” Jones said. “It takes a little while for more people to come in and more things to occur. My preference would be to have the lowest tax possible and still have cash flow. I would hate to start down the wrong side of the curve.” In fiscal year 2025, individual and corporate income taxes combined made up 77% of total general fund revenues. Total income claimed on tax returns in Montana grew 8.7% in 2024. In a statement, when asked about the better-than-expected revenues, the Governor’s Office said that since taking office, Gianforte has worked with the legislature to keep “Montana’s budget growth less than the rate of inflation” and has delivered meaningful tax cuts while leading Montana to a fast-growing economy. Democrats have panned those tax cuts, saying they only impact high-earners. “Through the governor’s leadership and focus on responsible, conservative budgeting, Montana continues to demonstrate strong revenues,” the Governor’s Office said in a statement to the Daily Montanan. The report goes on to note trends and how potential legislative — and national — changes could impact the state’s budget. Economically, by gross domestic product, real estate has been Montana’s largest industry for about two decades and added $12.2 billion to the state GDP in 2025. The report notes that GDP real estate contributes is larger than agricultural, mining, utilities and manufacturing combined. In essence, the house construction and transaction industry has become one of Montana’s most important contributors to its financial wellbeing. Real estate GDP includes profits from sale of homes and land. The growth is also being driven by expensive houses. The high-end luxury home market is centered in Madison, Gallatin, and Flathead counties. Lake County and Ravalli County also have a small share of high-value homes worth $1.5 million or more. Madison County has 2,527 residential properties worth more than $1.5 million. Those properties have a total assessed value of $25.3 billion which, the report notes, is “more than all other counties combined.” With the luxury home market and tourism as industries on the rise in the state, agriculture and mining have dipped. In 1950, agriculture represented nearly a third of the state’s earnings, while mining added 5.2%. Those industries are still important to Montana, the report notes, but agriculture and mining, combined, now only represent 4.4% of the state’s economy.   “Additionally, while manufacturing earnings more than doubled in real terms from $950 million in 1950 to $2.1 billion in 2024 (in 2024 dollars), manufacturing’s share of the Montana economy shrank from 8.3% to 4%,” the report states. State officials have also considered birth rates and migration in its economic forecast. The report notes that migration into Montana has slowed significantly — back to pre-pandemic levels — after a large rush from 2020 to 2022. Fewer than 6,000 people moved to Montana from other places in 2024, the legislative fiscal division calculated.  Montana, like the rest of the country, also has a slow birth rate. Legislative staff noted during a June 24 Legislative Finance Committee meeting, where the report was shared with legislators, that the state is aging quickly. The greying of the state will lead to more medical care utilization, they said.  Healthcare is one of the state’s fastest growing industries, staff noted in the report. More of Montanans’ income is also coming more often from places other than wages. “Montana is higher than the nation in the share of income coming from investments, which includes dividends, rent payments, and gains from the sale of investments including residential property,” the report states. “The gains in this category can also partially be explained by Montana’s population aging, as individuals tend to build up assets as they age, but it also suggests a higher average wealth level than in the past.” The report estimates the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services will need an additional $211 million — on top of current funding — for the 2029 biennium to meet “present law,” which is essentially how much the agency would need to continue operations as they are now. It also includes inflation, Jones said and “spending pressures” are also included in the report, which are things agencies might want the Montana Legislature to fund, but don’t necessarily have the money to do that. This includes $34.9 million for contract labor at Montana State Hospital, money that was cut out late in the 2025 Legislative session. The report also estimates that $63.9 million will be needed for “traditional and expanded Medicaid caseload adjustments” and an additional $54.4 million for adjustments made to “federal match rate.” DPHHS has expressed frustration about the legislature’s actions last session that left them with a hole in their budget. In an effort to close that, the state canceled a planned 3% provider increase. Some legislators, including Helena Democratic Rep. Mary Caferro — a longtime defender of Medicaid — believes that with the better-than-expected revenues, a “surplus,” she called it, that the money is there to preserve the provider increase. “It begs the question, why are they cutting Medicaid provider rates? I mean, if you don’t have the providers to deliver the services that people need, then you’re basically cutting services to people,” Caferro said Monday. “What is their reason? They cannot use the excuse that there isn’t enough money. That is just total baloney.” Sen. Laura Smith, D-Helena, said the expected revenues mean the money is there. “There are no excuses for cutting individuals’ health care,” Smith said. “There is enough money. There is a question of political will by this governor’s administration.” Stricter federal regulations around error rate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are also factored in. The report says Montana will need nearly $50 million more to cover changes related to SNAP in President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” budget bill, which he urged the Republican-controlled Congress to pass and which he signed just a little more than a year ago, on July 4, 2025. 2029-Biennium-Outlook-Report-June2026-2 Courtesy of Daily Montanan

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