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

Un-boo-lievable: earn $1,300 by watching 13 Stephen King films!

Do you have "It," the ability to brave 13 Stephen King movies?? If you think your job can be scary, Quad Citians are invited to apply for a "Shining" example of a spooky dream (or nightmare) job! One (un)lucky national winner will get to earn $1,300 by watching 13 of King's movies and determine which is scariest by having their heart rate tracked with the latest Fitbit. Whether viewing alone or with your best friends "Carrie" and "Christine," you won't be in "Misery" as you could enjoy 13 Stephen King movies by Halloween! The winner will receive a Fitbit, access to all 13 movies and a goodie bag filled with snacks, King merchandise, his new novel "Billy Summers" and a few other "Needful Things." They'll keep track of their heart rate while watching each film and while they sleep (if they can sleep) and also track jump scares and emotions in a task sheet. Lights off are required, but they'll get a red balloon to keep them company. If you've got the guts to apply for your "scream" job, click here through October 8, 5:00 p.m. MT

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges gets $7.5M from National Science Foundation for new center

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) has received a $7.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to move forward with the creation of the EARTh Center -- a new Environmental and Natural Resources Technology (EARTh) Center, a nationwide initiative to equip the next generation of environmental technicians.  The new center will be one of only a handful of NSF centers across the nation, according to an EICC release Wednesday. It builds off of EICC’s prior Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC), one of the first original NSF Advanced Technology Education centers. Environmental technology careers apply the principles of math, science, technology, engineering, communication, economics and law to ensure the health and safety of workers, communities and protection of the environment. The industry encompasses the management and conservation of natural resources, regulatory compliance and sustainability. Jobs in the environmental technology field include emergency preparedness, air pollution, water and wastewater management, regulatory compliance, energy, sustainability and natural resources and conservation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that many careers in this sector will experience faster than average growth in the next 10 years. “The goal of the EARTh Center is to increase the number of students equipped with critical knowledge and skills to meet the demands of an ever evolving, converging and emerging environmental technology workforce,” says Ellen Bluth, Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Economic Development at EICC. This exciting initiative aims to provide state-of-the-art research, curriculum and educational experiences for students around the country and here in our community, the release said. Over the next five years, the EARTh Center will collaborate with industries including government and public agencies, professional organizations, two-year and four-year colleges, as well as high schools from across the country, to create training for environmental technology careers and provide professional development opportunities for educators. EICC, in conjunction with the National Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE) and the Nahant Marsh Educational Center (NMEC), will drive this initiative. A wide variety of experts from community colleges, universities, and industry from across the United States will also serve on the leadership team, directly reflecting the broad reach of the EARTh Center. The NSF is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950. With an annual budget of $8.5 billion (FY 2021), the NSF supports approximately 27 percent of the total federal budget for basic research conducted at U.S. colleges and universities. For more information, visit eicc.edu/earth, call toll-free 1-888-336-3907 or email eiccinfo@eicc.edu.

Find These Insane Shakes at These QC Restaurants

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Quad City Arts partners with Raccoon Motel in upcoming concert

Quad City Arts has a new partnership with downtown Davenport's Raccoon Motel to present the Syrian-American funk and soul band Bassel & The Supernaturals’ public show at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20. Tickets go sale Friday, Sept. 24, for the ages 21-and-up show at the Raccoon Motel, 315 E. 2nd St., Davenport. Cost is $10 and tix available at 10 a.m. Friday at https://tixr.com/e/30180. Bassel & The Supernaturals are an artist in residence with Quad City Arts’ 2021-2022 Visiting Artist Series. This performance is a new collaboration between hosting venue the Raccoon Motel and Quad City Arts to provide affordable access to high quality live performing arts experiences, according to a Wednesday event release. The Chicago-based band will be in residence Oct. 18-21 with the Visiting Artist Series, providing school and community outreach. This new partnership allows Quad City Arts to reach a different audience, expanding on outreach efforts in a new venue. Quad City Arts is proud to support a Quad Cities staple in its new location, the nonprofit said. This is the first of many new venue partnerships aimed at activating new spaces and reaching more people. Bassel & The Supernaturals tells the story of Bassel Almadani's experience as a first generation Syrian-American using soulful melodies, funk inspired rhythms, and captivating lyrics regarding love, loss, and the war in Syria, the release said. Deeply inspired by Otis Redding, Bassel uses the stage as a vehicle to engage audiences at SXSW, John F. Kennedy Center, and Summerfest, among others. To find out more about these QC visiting artists and to schedule a school outreach, visit https://www.quadcityarts.com/vas-scheduling.html. Since 1974, the Visiting Artist Series has engaged Quad City residents of all ages in quality arts experiences with professional performing artists. Artists of various disciplines present demonstrations, workshops, and master classes at pre-K sites, elementary, intermediate, and high schools as well as college campuses and community organizations. For more information on this residency program, visit www.quadcityarts.com/vas.

Rock Island students bring flags to game in support of soccer player

Varsity soccer player Gabriel Albarran was wearing a Mexican flag to celebrate Mexican Independence Day when getting on a bus to a game Thursday, Sept. 16.

QC prison collegiate education program partnership

The East Moline Correctional Center and Augustana College have partnered for the first four-year Bachelor of Arts program for inmates in more than 20 years. The Augustana Prison Education Partnership (APEP) launched August 31 with 10 students. As much of the world has been using virtual options in everyday life, these students are taking classes from Augustana College professors who teach the same courses on the college’s main campus in Rock Island. The startup program offers a Communication Studies major, with more majors added in the future. The liberal arts curriculum includes history, literature, mathematics, foreign languages, religion, science and the arts. “A college degree is invaluable for individuals in custody who are committed to turning their lives around and ensuring financial stability for their families,” said Illinois Department of Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys. “Studies prove that prison education programs drastically decrease the likelihood of an individual recidivating, which is a primary goal of IDOC.” “Just as with our traditional on-campus students, our incarcerated students will grapple with questions of what they know, how they relate to others and who they want to become," said Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow, Vice President and Provost at Augustana College. "At Augustana, students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become leaders in a diverse and changing world. We anticipate the same will be true for our students at EMCC (East Moline Correctional Center).” Augustana College modeled the program after the Bard Prison Initiative, featured in the 2019 PBS documentary "College Behind Bars." APEP students do not pay tuition or any costs associated with the coursework. The program has been funded by the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation.

East Moline Correctional Center launches prison education program with Augustana College

The Augustana Prison Education Partnership launched Aug. 31 with a cohort of 10 students.

Shootings, school fights in Peoria; police: ‘time to act’

The mayor of Peoria says the city is at a “breaking point” after three shootings this week, the city’s 23rd homicide of the year and a major fight at a high school.

State Medical Director and Epidemiologist to leave Iowa Dept. of Public Health by late October

State Medical Director and Epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Pedati will leave the Iowa Department of Public Health by late October.

"Ireland's Greatest Showman" to sing in Monmouth

David Shannon, who has been billed as "Ireland's Greatest Showman," will perform in the first event of the 2021-22 Maple Leaf Community Concert Series in Monmouth, Ill. A performer with leading roles in such Broadway musicals as Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar and Les Miserables, Shannon will sing at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at Monmouth College's Dahl Chapel and Auditorium. Tickets, both individual and memberships, are available at the Buchanan Center for the Arts at 64 Public Square in downtown Monmouth. Shannon was nominated for an Olivier Award (the British version of a Tony Award) in 2001 as Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Beautiful Game. Ten years later, his debut album, Till I Hear You Sing, was released. His second solo album, Abhaile, was released last year. Most recently, Shannon played the role of Kevin T in the original London company of the musical theater hit Come From Away. For his tour performance at Monmouth, Shannon will be accompanied by a pianist and a guitarist. For tickets and more information, visit bcaarts.org.

Iowa World War ll veteran celebrated in Washington D.C.

After a long morning of travel, nearly 100 Iowa Veterans were welcomed and celebrated in Washington Tuesday.

Gov. Reynolds to speak at annual Ronald Reagan dinner in Bettendorf

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will deliver the keynote address at the Scott County Republican Party’s 13th Annual Ronald Reagan Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 14 at Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf. This year’s dinner will also have Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and Matthew Whitaker former acting U.S. Attorney General as honored guests. Doors will open at 2021 State St., Bettendorf, at 5 p.m. for a silent auction and social time. Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m., with Gov. Reynolds speaking at approximately 7:15 p.m. The Ronald Reagan Dinner, first held in 2008, is consistently the largest and most prestigious Republican gathering in eastern Iowa, according to an event release. Previous speakers have included Vice President Mike Pence and a host of presidential candidates and other notable elected leaders. “We are proud to welcome Governor Kim Reynolds back to Scott County,” said Scott County GOP Chairwoman Jeanita McNulty. “Our Republican Governor is the envy of other states as she leads the way with solutions to America’s toughest challenges.” Tickets ($70 to $560) can be purchased at scottcountyrepublicans.org or by calling 563-823-5854.

‘Donations have diminished’: Clinton organization hopes to continue mission

“We’re in desperate need of telling the people and our donors and people who really love what we’re doing to help us during this time of crisis."

What's that sound? Noise alert issued ahead of Kraft Heinz equipment tests

Kraft Heinz-Muscatine will be testing its boiler equipment Sept. 22-23, and noise as loud as a jet engine may be heard nearby.

PJ party story time

Put on your comfiest jammies and log on for a virtual story time with the Moline Public Library! Kids three and up and their families with love clicking on different images to hear stories, learn new songs, see flannel boards and rhymes and learn how to create a fun craft. Craft kits will be available for pick up starting Monday, September 27 at the Moline Public Library, located at 3210 41st Street in Moline. "Virtual PJ Party Storytime - Pizza Party!" is online all day, Tuesday, September 28. No registration is required. To participate, click here. 

Scott County deputies investigating burglary, crash

The investigation is ongoing.

Before it fades: Where, when to catch a glimpse of fall foliage in QC

Where and when can you find the best views of autumn's burning leaves in the Quad Cities area before they all fade to brown? We’ve got you covered.

Rock Island students bring flags to game in support of athlete after racial bias incident

Varsity soccer player Gabriel Albarran was wearing a Mexican flag to celebrate Mexican Independence Day when getting on a bus to a game Thursday, Sept. 16.

Rick's Six: Bettendorf mulls creating new intersection at Middle, Kimberly roads, new restaurants in the Q-C, and staffing shortage hits Davenport Post Office

Muscatine parents set to protests masks mandate at schools

TV6′s Brittany Kyles spoke to a Muscatine parent who says he and other parents want the board to get rid of the masks mandate, if not, parents will call for members resignation or removal from their seat.

Iowa DIA confirms senior assisted living facility Petersen Commons intends to close in December

The facility is part of the Marycrest Senior Campus in Davenport.

Rock Island High School students support athlete after racial bias

Rock Island High School students from different nationalities brought their flags at a soccer game to support student athlete, Gabriel Abarran.

River Bandits fall short in Game 1 pitcher's duel

The Quad Cities River Bandits were defeated 2-1 by the Cedar Rapids Kernels in Game 1 of the High-A Central Championship Series.

DeWitt project converting insurance building into housing receives state tax credit

This project is one of 49 across the state this year to receive the credit

Vandalism takes place in Colona schools

Colona schools have reportedly suffered vandalism related to a recent social media trend.

Illinois DOT to begin work on I-80 Mississippi River bridge Thursday

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that work on the Interstate 80 Mississippi River Bridge, the Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge, in Rock Island County will begin Thursday.

Lottery numbers drawn Tuesday

ILLINOIS LOTTERY

Rock Island County Board considers borrowing $30 million to help unfunded pensions

A bond proposal by Rock Island County Board could save taxpayers money over time.

Family seeks justice after neighbor arrested for attacking their loved one

Lisa Bowser can't believe how her sister was taken away from her family. "She was attacked from behind from her neighbor with a hammer," said Bowser. According to Lisa, the incident happened at the Pineview Apartments in Milan. Julie had moved to the complex three months ago. Soon after, she met a new neighbor. "Befriended him at first because she's neighborly and friendly and then he just started stalking her and harassing her. She had told the landlord twice about him," said Bowser. Things quickly took a turn when Julie's family found information online about her neighbor Ward Davis. "His uncle told her to stay away from him because he's a bad guy, she told that to my mother on Monday and then my mom called me and I looked him up on the internet and found all this stuff about him," said Bowser. Julie is at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, where Lisa and her mom made the difficult decision to let doctors take Julie off oxygen Monday morning. Lisa hopes justice is served. Davis is set to appear in court on October 5 for a preliminary hearing. The Milan Police Department said they are still investigating the incident.

Proposal in Bettendorf would create new intersection at Middle and Kimberly roads

It's a result of the controversial "Cottages at the Heights" development.

Flags fly over Rocky vs UT game as community comes together in fight against racism

High School soccer fans brought flags from all over the world to the Rocky vs. UT game Tuesday.

Rico Board looking to sell $30 million in bonds

The Rock Island County Board is considering borrowing $30 million to help close the gap on unfunded pensions.

Colona schools suffers vandalism

Superintendent Carl E. Johnson directly mentioned social media as a possible motive for the vandalism.

Farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country

National Farm Safety and Health Week is Sept. 19-25 to remind all farm workers to stay safe, especially during the upcoming and busy harvest season.

How a proposed map change could cut Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks out of the Quad Cities

A non-partisan group has proposed new congressional districts that could group the Quad Cities with Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

WATCH: How Iowa's new congressional lines could impact Quad City voters

A non-partisan group has proposed new congressional districts that could group the Quad Cities with Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

Investigators still searching for answers on 2020 death of missing Galena woman

Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office seeks new information in the 2020 death of a 57-year-old Galena woman.

Repairs to cause lane closers on I-80 bridge over Mississippi River

Motorists can expect upcoming delays when traveling on the I-80 bridge over the Mississippi River.

Investigators still searching for answers on 2020 death of missing Galena woman

Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office seeks new information in the 2020 death of a 57-year-old Galena woman.

Staffing shortage temporarily closes downtown Davenport post office retail window

Individuals can still pick up packages and held mail at the downtown post office, 933 W 2nd St., as well as drop off pre-paid packages to mail.

Bus driver fired following Mexican flag incident

The bus driver who told a Rock Island high school soccer player he couldn't bring his Mexican flag on the bus has been fired. The President of Tri-State Travel, Andrew Hillard, confirmed today his company has cut ties with the driver. Last week, the driver told a boy's soccer player celebrating Mexican Independence Day to go back to his country and that he could not come on the bus with his flag. Hillard says that along with firing that driver, he will be writing a formal apology letter to the soccer team this week.

Rock Island Economic Growth wins $1.5M for Mt. Carroll redevelopment

Rock Island Economic Growth Corp. (GROWTH) was awarded $1.5 million of Rebuild Illinois funds on Tuesday, which will complete the Phase 1 of GROWTH’s multiphase redevelopment of Shimer Square in Mount Carroll, Ill. A total of 54 grant applications were received for the competitive Regional Economic Development component of the Rebuild Illinois grant. GROWTH’s application for Shimer Square represents one of 11 organizations awarded a total of $16.5 million in Rebuild Illinois funds to this highly competitive grant. The objective of the Regional Economic Development component, in keeping with the Governor’s 5-year Economic Development plan, is to provide grants to strengthen local economies and encourage the development of regional industry clusters.  Through the Rebuild Illinois Regional Economic Development program, DCEO is providing grants for 11 new projects that will unlock a total $75.5 million investment, while creating at least 1,465 jobs statewide. "These projects are focused on supporting key, long-term economic development priorities for our state - and doing so with an eye for boosting investment in communities that previously were too often overlooked," Gov. JB Pritzker said in a Tuesday release. "I'm proud that $16.5 million in state funding will create nearly 1,500 jobs across the state through our Rebuild Illinois Regional Economic Development program. These local investments are yet another milestone on our journey toward the Illinois we're committed to building - where no resident is left behind." The funds will specifically support Phase 1 of the Shimer Square redevelopment, which takes on three of the 17 buildings and the front entry gate, representing more than $12 million in total project costs. Phase 1 of Shimer Square consists of the adaptive-reuse of the Bennett and Hathaway Halls into the creation of 37 residential rental units. Shimer Square is a comprehensive redevelopment of a former college campus into a mixture of housing, business, and community amenities. Phase 1 also consists of the rehabilitation of the Sawyer House and repurposing the facility into a resource center for entrepreneurs, homeowners, and rentals so they have access to resources and tools to help create wealth-building opportunities for the future. Phase 1 will break ground later this year and will create and support more than 271 jobs through its 9-month construction period -- 93 construction jobs, 165 indirect jobs, and 13 retained jobs upon construction completion. As a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, GROWTH will use the Sawyer House to provide financial literacy services to individuals as well as offer space to a national company, Bridge Investment CDC, to provide development services and specialized loan products for entrepreneurs wishing to open a business, according to a GROWTH release. Phase I of the redevelopment is anticipated to generate annual property taxes of over $20,000 just with the three buildings, igniting community plans set forth for the campus that have been in place for decades. “The Rebuild Illinois grant was made possible by unanimous support given to GROWTH by the City of Mt. Carroll, local and regional development partners, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Illinois Historic Preservation Office, and so many others," GROWTH president/CEO Brian Hollenback said in the release. Brian Hollenback, president/CEO of Rock Island Economic Growth Corp. "We are humbled to be the developers of such a catalytic, multi-phase redevelopment of this campus. We look forward to bringing new opportunities for all through the creation of housing, job creation, and community resources through the Shimer Square redevelopment,” he said. “The Rebuild Illinois grant is highly competitive, and through hard work and dedication by GROWTH’s staff and our meticulously curated redevelopment strategy for Shimer Square, truly demonstrates just how aligned this redevelopment effort to state and local plans," Hollenback said. "We are so humble and proud to bring this type of investment to the Mt. Carroll community.” Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation is a Community Housing Development Organization and is regarded as a national leader in developing innovative housing opportunities by convening and facilitating work among various community partners, according to the nonprofit. GROWTH has over 35 years of experience and has successfully leveraged over $310 million in housing and housing related activities, and is a HUD approved and Freddie Mac certified housing counseling agency.  In addition, GROWTH has also impacted more than 1,200 units of single-family housing throughout northwestern Illinois through its single-family rehabilitation and owner-occupied programs. For more information, visit https://www.economicgrowthcorporation.com/shimer-square.html.

Mt. Carroll redevelopment project receives $1.5 Million grant

Shimer Square is a former college campus in Mt. Carroll.

Rock Island orchestra director knows what love is, playing with Foreigner

For the second time in four years, Quad Cities violinist Matt Manweiler will get the thrill of performing with the popular rock band Foreigner on tour. An orchestra director for the Rock Island-Milan School District, Manweiler first performed with the classic rockers on two Iowa dates in March 2018, with four other QC musicians among an orchestra of 20-plus. This time, he's the only local musician to join the contracted orchestra on three Foreigner dates -- Oct. 11 in Detroit, Oct. 12 in Youngstown, Ohio, and Oct. 13 in Grand Rapids, Mich. For their fall 2021 tour, Foreigner is only doing three other dates with orchestra -- in California Sept,. 29, Oct, 1 and 2. The Grammy-nominated composing/arranging team of Dave Eggar and Chuck Palmer "really knocked these orchestra arrangements out of the park, and I can't wait for more people to hear their work," Manweiler said recently. "The first Foreigner + Symphony tour back in 2018 is possibly the most fun I have ever had on stage, and I formed friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime." Rock Island school district orchestra director Matt Manweiler on tour with Foreigner in 2018. He gets to join the band again in October in Michigan and Ohio. In March 2018, he played on two Iowa concerts, in Cedar Rapids and Sioux City, with an orchestra of between 20 and 25 musicians. Manweiler was first contacted by QC cellist Michael Wahlmann, who contracts area musicians for major touring shows, and himself played with Foreigner in Iowa, among five QC musicians that time. “You have these timeless rock songs that are just so fun to listen to them and then, Dave and Chuck did the orchestrations for this show and they took a year working with Foreigner to try to find the way to expand Foreigner to a symphonic sound,” Manweiler said. “And they just knocked it out of the park,” he added. “A lot of times when rock and pop groups will bring in strings, they’re playing background sustained parts, but these parts are very intricate. They serve the music very well and, you know, it's just a rock show and it's a blast. Foreigner started adding orchestra a number of years ago, in Switzerland with the 21st Century Orchestra, a full 58-piece orchestra, and they released an album with them in 2018. "I think it was the top of the classical Billboard charts for 10 weeks or so,” Manweiler said. (Watch them do "Double Vision" HERE.) Foreigner performed with the 58-piece 21st Century Orchestra in Switzerland in 2017. "I'm super excited," he said of next month's tour (for which transportation is provided). "Some of the relationships that I formed when I was on this tour, is one of the reasons that I was able to get asked to come back again. A lot of times, musicians there's so much of opportunity that comes just from getting to know people and being a kind person and doing your job and then, just those basic things I believe lead to new opportunities.” There are no other QC musicians who will be part of these shows, but the group includes someone from Cedar Rapids, Manweiler said. Before and after the 2018 gigs, the orchestra director said some of his students were very excited to hear about the shows. "For some of them, I think it was an introduction to this the style of music and their first chance to see, oh, you know, this is what classic rock is like and violin and viola can work really well with the style of music,” Manweiler said. “That's one of my goals teaching – is for these students to see that their instrument, while it is wonderful at classical music, it can also sidestep and play in these different genres of music, such as classic rock, jazz, Latin, hip-hop and you name it. Of the Foreigner set list, he said he enjoys the orchestra most on the up-tempo, harder-edged songs. “The best of the ballads are very nice, but these arrangements, they are very technical and they serve the music very well. And it's just special -- my favorite song probably to play is ‘Double Vision’,” Manweiler said. “Which is one of their faster tunes and so they're different. But I enjoy the faster, upbeat stuff a lot. “There’s just a level of intricacy to the arrangements where they’re 're paying respect to the original recordings as much as possible, but bringing it to this whole new life of possibilities with symphonic music,” he said. “I think that's why the shows are so fun to play as they really found that sweet spot between the two.” Foreigner (co-founded in 1976 by British guitarist and songwriter Mick Jones) released an album with the 21st Century Orchestra and Chorus in 2018. Manweiler also was excited to see 17 students from the Rocky chamber choir perform “I Want to Know What Love Is” with Foreigner in early March 2020 at the Adler Theatre, as Moline High choir members did in 2015 at a TaxSlayer Center concert. Asking local school choirs to join on their No. 1 1984 anthem is standard for the band. “Foreigner has been very supportive of musical education and they donate a lot of money to school music programs and try to involve students,” Manweiler said. “The Rock Island High School choir got to sing with them, and that was the last show that Foreigner played before they got shut down due to Covid." Members of the Rock Island High School chamber choir sang "I Want to Know What Love Is" with Foreigner at the Adler Theatre, Davenport, in March 2020. Having multiple connections with Foreigner will hopefully inspire students to pursue music as a possible career and improve their musicianship, Manweiler said. For many years, he has brought top-notch visiting artists to Rocky to work with and perform with students in public concerts (including electric violinist Mark Wood, Turtle Island String Quartet (with Quad City Arts), violinist Christian Howes, and world-renowned Latin violinist Jesus Florido). Any Foreigner members possibly coming here in the future? He said it couldn't be until the next residency is done, in early 2023. While Foreigner doesn't have any QC stops in its new tour, the closest to the area will be Nov. 5, when they will play at the University of Illinois-Springfield Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit foreigneronline.com.

Lane closures start Sept. 23 for repairs on I-80 Bridge over Mississippi River

The work, which will repair the bridge joints on the westbound lanes.

I-80 Mississippi River bridge repairs beginning this week

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that repairs to the Interstate 80 Mississippi River bridge (Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge) in Rock Island County will begin Thursday, Sept. 23. The work will repair the bridge joints on the westbound lanes and will require lane closures. One lane of traffic will be open during the repair, expected to continue through Friday, October 1. Motorists should expect delays and consider use of alternate routes. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

Which sports team is the most requested for Illinois specialty license plates?

More than 71,000 sports team license plates have been requested since the program began more than 10 years ago

QC coffee house spills the beans on closing

Quad-City coffee drinkers may need to find a new place to get their cups of joe. According to the establishment's Facebook page, Theo's Java Club in Rock Island is closing after 27 years in business. The page reports that the final day for the longtime QC fixture will be Wednesday, October 6. According to the post, the coffee shop will offer food and beverage specials and extended hours for the final two weeks. Additionally, the open stage grand finale will be Saturday, October 2. Theo's Java Club is located at 213 17th Street in Rock Island. For more information, click here.

Turn off the lights: Millions of birds will migrate overhead Tuesday night

Millions of migrating birds will fly south Tuesday night, and bright lights can disorient the birds on their journey.

Tickle your funny bone at QC theatre

The Late Nite Shows featuring Wisenheimer brings the funny to the Black Box Theatre in downtown Moline Saturday. Wisenheimer specializes in long form improvisational comedy and celebrates its 10-year anniversary in December. Members Leslie Mitchell, Jeff De Leon and Jen Kuhle have studied improv from nationally-renowned institutions and travel the country performing at comedy festivals. Opening act Des Moines-based standup comedian Jameson Cox was the house MC at Penguins Comedy Club in Cedar Rapids and has been a featured performer in comedy festivals around the Midwest. The Late Nite Shows featuring Wisenheimer is Saturday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Black Box Theatre, located at 1623 5th Avenue, Moline. Tickets are available here or at the door.

Bettendorf Library's drive-up window to be closed for three weeks

The Bettendorf Public Library's drive-up window and delivery lane will be closed starting Friday to accommodate the placement of an HVAC unit.

This Hidden Pizza Place Is 1 Hour From The Quad Cities

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QC crafters can mingle at Craft-Tea event

Crafters and makers of all kinds are invited for conversation, tea, and craft time at the Bettendorf Public Library’s free Craft-Tea event. Craft-Tea will be 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the library, 2950 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf, a news release says. Crafters 16 and older are welcome to bring their projects for this dedicated work time while enjoying a beverage and the opportunity to socialize with other crafters. Free tea and water will be available at the event sponsored by the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library. No registration is required. People who aren't working on a project are welcome, too. The library will provide colored pencils, paper, and other crafting supplies. For more information, visit the library website, call 563-344-4179, or email info@bettendorflibrary.com.

Former Moline police captain to stand trial in February

The trial for a retired Moline police captain who is charged with four gun-related felonies is to begin in February — nearly two-and-a-half years after his arrest.

Dubuque man arrested after gun theft at Davenport home

Officers arrested a man on several charges after he reportedly stole a gun from a local home and shot it into the air early Tuesday.

Public library drive-up services temporarily suspended

Beginning Friday, book lovers won't be able to return items to the Bettendorf Public Library through its drive-up services. To accommodate the replacement of an HVAC unit, the library’s drive-up window and delivery lane will be closed beginning Friday, September 24. The installation is expected to take three weeks. Patrons will still be able to return materials to the library’s drop box, which will be temporarily located on the sidewalk near the front door. The Bettendorf Public Library is located at 2950 Learning Campus Drive in Bettendorf. For drive up window accommodations, please call (563) 344-4175. All other current library services will be unaffected throughout the replacement process. For more information, click here.

World Relief Quad Cities working to resettle 150 Afghan families to area

Moline-based World Relief Quad Cities is working hard to welcome an expected 150 families who fled war-torn Afghanistan, to resettle them in their new American homes and lives. "The Afghan population is going to be new to our community. We advocated to the U.S. Department of State to receive 150 Afghan humanitarian paroles," Laura Fontaine, director of World Relief Quad Cities, said Tuesday. The Biden administration is bringing in about 75,000 Afghan families overall, which are now mainly housed at U.S. military bases around the country. The big issue is that Afghans are not considered refugees or on special immigrant visas, Fontaine said, noting they have two years to adjust their status. "We're going to be doing the exact same thing as with our refugees that come in -- provide the exact same services," she said. "We don't have funding for those services yet, so I'm knocking on a lot of doors, from foundations. The administration has guaranteed three months of funding for the paroles, and they're getting their work authorization and Social Security numbers, which is amazing." Women and children in Illinois will be eligible for medical benefits, Fontaine said. "We have amazing donors in this community. We have foundations; we are a welcoming community and we will help 150 humanitarian paroles regardless of funding. I think it's the right thing to do, so we hopefully should be seeing some arrivals post October 1st." Last week, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), met with leaders of several QC organizations and advocates focused on efforts to resettle Afghan partners and allies who sacrificed for the U.S. 20-year mission in Afghanistan. She met with Fontaine, World Relief program manager Jen Osing, Doris & Victor Day Foundation executive director and Rock Island Ald. David Geenen and Omidullah Barikzay, a 22-year-old Afghan immigrant and current Rock Island resident, to discuss the importance of communities welcoming these Afghans to their new home. U.S,. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (center) met Sept. 17 with World Relief program manager Jen Osing, left, director Laura Fontaine, Afghan immigrant Omidullah Barikzay, and Doris & Victor Day Foundation executive director Dave Geenen (photo courtesy of Sen. Duckworth). “Our Afghan allies and partners did their part for us, time and again, for two decades half a world away,” Duckworth said. “When they begin to resettle here in Illinois, in the Quad Cities, we must do our part for them, too. It is our duty—as neighbors, friends, Americans—to welcome these brave Afghans and help settle them into their new homes.” “Our teams at World Relief Quad Cities have worked tirelessly to serve Afghans who were able to be evacuated and who are now finding new homes in the United States,” said Fontaine. “We are greatly appreciative of Senator Duckworth’s work to raise awareness for how American citizens can help welcome and ease the transition for Afghans resettling in the United States. At World Relief, we believe every second counts as we work together to protect the vulnerable and bring lasting change to our world.”  Over the coming weeks and months, Illinois is expected to receive more than 800 resettled Afghan allies in the first group of evacuees, with roughly 150 expected in the Illinois QC area. Unlike refugees, humanitarian paroles usually come to this country without first being vetted and gone through background and health checks (including vaccinations), which is happening now, Fontaine said. "Everything that's usually done in country or in a refugee camp is being now over in the States now. That's also a little bit of a hold-up. We've had Afghans here since August and we're still waiting, doing the background checks." The concern from refugee resettlement agencies is that "we're setting up an entire population for failure, if we don't give them that head start," she said. "We've found that refugees are more likely to vote, to buy houses. We've seen the rejuvenation of some of the Rock Island neighborhoods here as well. But if you're not set up for success -- learning English, having the opportunity to go to college or high schools, it's a failure for our whole country." World Relief Quad Cities is the only Illinois-based refugee resettlement agency within 110 miles of the QC and is not allowed to placer Afghan families in Iowa. World Relief is the only such agency within a 110-mile radius, and they're only allowed to work within Illinois, Fontaine said. The closest similar agency is in Iowa City. She can't resettle Afghans in Iowa, but is working to change that since the QC is a bi-state region. "That is one of the other obstacles we're trying to deal with," Fontaine said. Moving from Russia to Rock Island Barikzay is a 22-year-old Afghani native who works as a software engineer for John Deere, in his third year and is volunteering with World Relief. He graduated from Augustana College this past spring and is studying for his master's in cyber security from Iowa State University. His family left Kabul, Afghanistan in 2002, to live in Moscow, Russia, and they moved (with six siblings) to Rock Island in 2012, starting in 8th grade at Washington Junior High. Barikzay's remaining relatives in Afghanistan are unemployed and he's worried about their future. He studied web design at Rock Island High School. They didn't know anyone in the Quad Cities when they came here, but picked the area partly for the similar weather, and the fact that it's not a crowded, polluted city, he said. Barikzay originally moved without his father, but his dad found a job fairly quickly later as a cook in 2015 (now working at Augustana). World Relief was a big help to their family, he said, noting there's just one other Afghan family in the area. A 2021 Augustana graduate and software engineer for John Deere, Barikzay speaks to Local 4 News with World Relief director Fontaine in Moline Tuesday, Sept. 21 (photo Jonathan Turner). "World Relief had some of the housing set up for us; helped us with basics -- like Social Security, enrolling us into school," he said. "They definitely helped." Barikzay is fluent in Russian and English, as well as two Afghan languages (though he can't write them as well since he didn't go to school there). He is helping World Relief resettle other families because he was helped and he likes to give back. "A lot of those people will go on to help the Quad Cities," he said. "It will definitely take them time to get settled, to get used to the new language and culture." "The Quad Cities is a welcoming community, so it definitely will be easier for them to adjust than other places," Barikzay said. "I'm excited and looking forward to all those people coming here." He said he understood the U.S. forces finally withdrawing from his home country in August, noting it was time for Afghans to step up and rule for themselves. "They shouldn't be fighting a war that's not directly theirs," he said of the U.S. World Relief offers a food pantry and legal services, among other services, and works to support families up to five years after they move. Fontaine called Barikzay a true success story, "fulfilling the American dream." "I find that a lot of our refugees and clients -- they volunteer and give back to the community that welcomed them," she said. "That's one thing I'm really proud of our clients, especially Omidullah." World Relief director Laura Fontaine with Afghan immigrant Omidullah Barikzay, whose family left Afghanistan for Russia in 2002 (photo Jonathan Turner). World Relief also is helping Barikzay's family in Afghanistan, who have worked with U.S. military contractors. When Fontaine met with Sen. Duckworth last week, she expressed her support. "A lot of people are stuck in Afghanistan. The Taliban is knocking on doors daily," Fontaine said. "If they worked for American contractors, their life is in danger." "It's the biggest problem for people still there," Barikzay said. "Many of them have 10, 15 years of work experience -- other people I know of, who worked with the U.S." One of his uncles died in 2012, and the Taliban came to his family's house just a few weeks ago, asking for him. "My aunt was like, he passed away in 2012. You can ask anyone you want," Barikzay said. "What is shocking to me is, how are they finding those names?" The challenges for Afghans moving here include adapting to language, culture, finding housing, jobs and health care, he said. "There's not enough housing, which is one of the biggest problems," he said, noting there are long wait lists for public housing. Working on several levels to offer assistance Many families have many children as well, Fontaine said, adding the vulnerable need help in our community. "I'm still waiting on an answer from our headquarters," she said of serving health needs for immigrants who have chronic diseases like diabetes. "Are they leaving with three-months supply of medicine? Probably not. We're looking at how much is it each month? It's not rational to think our Afghans are leaving their war-torn country -- they're going to have post-traumatic stress; going to have mental health issues, and a lot of them don't speak the language. "For them to think within a week of arrival, they're going to work, speak the language and get everything covered, it's just not realistic, unfortunately," Fontaine said, noting Illinois has been very supportive with public assistance (like SNAP and WIC). She spoke with Sen. Duckworth about supporting housing and other needs. "She was really concerned about jobs," Fontaine said. "We have amazing people coming -- like engineers, doctors, translators." They hope to work with local unions and businesses, to offer apprentice programs for Afghans, she said, to place them in jobs related to what they did back home. "I was very impressed with her; she's very proactive," Fontaine said of Duckworth. "It's nice to see we have that support at the federal level." World Relief will start an in-house mental health program, funded by the Doris & Victor Day Foundation, as a pilot program, she added. Fontaine is extremely proud of what Barikzay has accomplished and is excited to work with him to welcome dozens of new Afghan families to the QC area (photo Jonathan Turner). "We're going to have a new culture in our community, which is amazing," Fontaine said. "I think that the U.S. really is a melting pot, so having Afghans come to the Quad Cities is just going to make our region even better -- richer in culture. I'm hoping for an Afghan restaurant." "It makes for a richer community," she said. "To have all these different amenities and cultures, it's something to celebrate." World Relief in the QC always needs more help from people to volunteer, advocate and give. For more information, visit worldrelief.org/quad-cities.

Man arrested after shots fired in street

A man was arrested in the 1500 block of Division Street in Davenport early Tuesday morning after reports of a subject running in the street discharging a firearm. Davenport police officers responded at approximately 3:31 a.m., and a report says officers located 27-year-old Danny Woodcox of Dubuque fleeing the area on foot. Officers were able to take Woodcox into custody. Danny Woodcox was charged with theft 4th degree, reckless use of firearm, interference with a weapon, two counts of a felon in possession of a firearm and outstanding warrants. No injuries or damage to property were reported. This incident remains under investigation, and no further details are available at this time.

Charter bus company fires driver who refused to let Rock Island High School soccer players on bus with Mexican flag

The incident happened on Thursday.

Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s seeking information on 2020 death of Galena woman

Anyone with information is asked to contact Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office immediately.

How to watch Tuesday’s public hearing on proposed Iowa redistricting maps

The second of three public hearings will take place Tuesday for Iowans to share their opinions on the new proposed redistricting maps.

Pleasant Valley High School named National Blue Ribbon School

The award honors schools for overall academic performance or for progress in closing achievement gaps among subgroups of students.

Moline fire Monday night leaves home uninhabitable

An investigation is underway to find the cause of a structure fire that happened Monday night in Moline. Crews from the Moline Fire Department were called to 3032 7th Street at approximately 9:17 p.m., where they found a "medium-sized, two-story, residential structure with light smoke showing from the first floor," a news release says. According to the fire department, an "immediate interior attack was made on the fire, which was controlled in approximately twenty minutes." Crews searched the residence, and the structure was occupied at the time by one female resident and her dog. Both were able to safely exit the structure after smoke detectors were activated. The total amount of loss is estimated to be approximately $100,000, and the structure has been deemed uninhabitable. An investigation of the fire is currently being handled by the Moline Fire Department Fire Prevention and Investigations Bureau and is undetermined at this time. The initial Moline Fire Department response included 17 on-duty personnel, one off-duty chief officer and the fire marshal. The Moline Fire Department was assisted by the Moline Police Department, Rock Island Arsenal Fire Department, Rock Island Fire Department, East Moline Fire Department, Moline Second Alarmers and Mid-American Energy.

Monday night fire leaves Moline home unlivable

The home was occupied by a woman and her dog at the time of the fire.

Moline-Coal Valley Schools launches 'Grow Your Own Teacher' Program

The program will also pay for student's applications to certain colleges / universities. It also guarantees an interview with the district after college.

Former Rock Island author pens new Filipino young-adult book

Filipino-American author Jason Tanamor’s new novel, “Love, Dance & Egg Rolls,” is now available for pre-order. The YA book is loosely based on Tanamor’s time dancing Filipino folk dances. The author (a former Rock Island resident) splits his time between Portland, Ore., and the Quad Cities. Tanamor's new book is set in Portland during the Trump Administration, following high school sophomore, Jamie, whose sole purpose in life is to become the next Tinikling master. (Tinikling is the national dance of the Philippines.) But when high school and tradition collide, he is forced to choose between honoring his heritage and salvaging what's left of his social life. This book marks the second story from Tanamor that deals with Filipino characters, the first being “Vampires of Portlandia.” “I wanted to write a story about my experience because growing up, I didn’t see characters that looked like me,” he said in a Tuesday release. “Most of the stories in the past that I've written were either white or faceless because I didn't think that people of color deserved to be main characters. It was something that media and society had conditioned me growing up.” Now, however, Tanamor says it’s important to have Filipino representation in stories. “What I’d like to see are stories that depict Filipino families as main subjects, and not just role players,” he said. “If we can get more stories and people who can make differences, such as authors writing OwnVoices stories, I think we’ll begin to see a shift in industries that can depict people of color in a more positive light.” The novel tackles a topic that people of color go through regularly—cultural identity. “I think the story will resonate with a lot of young adults of color, whatever their background is, be it Filipino or another race,” said Tanamor. "Love, Dance & Egg Rolls" will be released in May 2022. With the publishing industry lacking characters of color, Tanamor decided to bring Filipinos into the spotlight by making them protagonists in his stories. That way, other people of color can identify as well. “The country is so divided, so it's important to show young kids, especially those of color, that they belong equally in a society that should be made up of many different races and cultures," he said. “Love, Dance & Egg Rolls” will be published by Ooligan Press and released in May 2022. It is available for pre-order currently in paperback at https://www.tanamor.com/books/love-dance-egg-rolls.html

Iowa top in nation for high school equivalency exam

Iowa bested 28 other states and U.S. territories using HiSET, a high school equivalency exam. Last year, 95.9% of Iowans taking the exam passed, versus 80.5% nationally. A total of 1,003 Iowans passed the HiSET, developed by the nonprofit Educational Testing Service. The exam is administered in 25 states, including Iowa, and four U.S. territories. The HiSET has served as the state-approved test since 2014. It measures the knowledge and proficiency equivalent to those of an Iowa high school graduate. The exam, available in written and online formats, has subtests of reading, writing/essay, social studies, science and math. Passing the HiSET exam is one possible option to earn a high school equivalency diploma in Iowa. State law allows for alternative pathways for students to demonstrate competency that would lead to the issuance of high school equivalency diplomas by the Iowa Department of Education. Additionally, they may be earned by accumulating of high school credit, postsecondary degree or foreign postsecondary degree. For more information, click here.

Police identify man killed in Davenport motorcycle crash

The crash happened just after 7 p.m. Friday.

River Bandits enter championship series with Midwest League's best record

The Quad Cities River Bandits will take on the Cedar Rapids Kernels in a best-of-five championship series.

51-year-old victim in Davenport motorcycle crash identified

The motorcycle rider in a fatal crash in Davenport on Sept. 17 is identified as 51-year-old Davenport resident, John Funte Sr. On Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, at approximately 7:04 p.m., the Davenport Police Department,along with Davenport Fire and Medic EMS, responded to the 4400 block of North Pine Street in reference to a single motorcycle crash. Preliminary investigation indicates the motorcyclist was travelling northbound at a high rate of speed when the rider lost control of the motorcycle leaving the roadway and struck a tree. The motorcycle rider, John Funte Sr., 51, later died from his injuries at the scene. This incident remains under investigation by the Traffic Safety Unit. No further details are available at this time.

Lawyer in Univ. of Iowa fraternity case encouraged as action expected to be taken

The lawyer representing a woman who says members of a University of Iowa fraternity raped her, says he is encouraged action will be taken in the case.

State lawmakers will look at changing the bottle bill once again in 2022

Lawmakers have tried to reform the bill multiple times, but no changes have been implemented yet.

Iowa farm cooperative hit by ransomware, systems go offline

A ransomware attack has forced a cooperative of Iowa corn and soy farmers to take their computer systems offline.

Proposed Iowa redistricting maps could squeeze out dozens of incumbents

DES MOINES, Iowa -- In many circles, Iowa is the national gold standard when it comes to legislative and congressional boundary redistricting. It occurs every ten years and is based off census data. On Monday, the public had a chance to weigh in. Even though there were just five public speakers, one request was made clear from all of them. “I believe Iowa has always had fair redistricting policies in the past and I'd like to keep the politics out of it, stick with the way we've done redistricting in the past,” said Iowa voter Elizabeth Ahrens. State lawmakers received their first look at the proposal last Thursday. On Monday, the Iowa Temporary Redistricting Advisory Committee held the first virtual meeting to hear concerns from the public with two more following Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. The new proposal could especially draw criticism in the Iowa House of Representatives for putting same-party incumbents of different districts with one another. Current District 35 Representative Ako Abdul-Samad of Des Moines and fellow Democrat in District 36 Representative Marti Anderson would both be placed in the proposed House District 37. The same goes for current Republican Representatives Brian Best in House District 12, Ray Sorensen of District 20 and Phil Thompson of District 47. All three are proposed to be placed in the new District 13 covering Adair, Guthrie, Greene and part of Carroll counties. It's something Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says could be one item the commission looks at closely. "To be very candid, I think there are over 50 legislators, both Republican and Democrats, who are thrown into the same district. That’s a pretty high number. I served in the Senate during redistricting and we had about ten, so that’s a big jump. I think they will probably look at that one and see if it is a fair way to approach it too," said Pate. Gov. Kim Reynolds has scheduled a special session Oct. 5 to vote and approve the redistricting proposal with an Iowa Supreme Court deadline on the decision by Dec. 1, 2021. Once approved, the new districts take effect for the 2022 election cycle.

Dubuque Community School Board tables vote on school mask mandate after not reaching consensus

The Dubuque Community School Board unanimously decided to postpone a vote to potentially reinstate a school mask mandate until October.

Rick's Six: Cooler temps, bus driver fired after flag flap, and Milan man charged in beating of woman

A good Tuesday to all. Today will be noticeably cooler today as the Quad-Cities settles into more seasonable weather.

1 person in custody following shots fired incident Tuesday morning

Police say one person has been taken into custody, but no injuries have been reported.

Scott Emergency Communications Center implements computerized dispatch system for some calls

The system, nicknamed Samantha, began a few weeks ago and is part of the G2 Phoenix Fire Alerting System.

Births for Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021

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MidAmerican Energy workers return home in time for local outages

MidAmerican Energy workers are home from their mission to the Hurricane Ida aftermath in Louisiana. Supervisor Jason Bahl describes what he and other employees witnessed there. "You saw broken poles. As you got further south, a lot more destruction to buildings; poles in the road, so there's safety concerns there, even with driving," said Bahl. "So just a lot of damage." MidAmerican sent 120 employees and contract workers south, along with 72 vehicles. They spent two weeks working 12-hour days restoring power and sleeping aboard a cargo ship. The destruction they saw was overwhelming. "Over 2,000 linemen, I think, helping MidAmerican Energy, and at the front end of the hurricane down in Louisiana, they had like 26,000 linemen they're taking care of," said Bahl. "The level of outages was about three times that of the derecho, even more so." MidAmerican Energy says about 29,000 customers are still without power. Workers returned to the Quad Cities just in time for Monday's storms. Meteorologist Garrett Heyd says lightning strikes caused not one but three power surges in Rock Island. Those surges left about 1,300 customers without power. Not once, not twice, but three times there were power surges in Rock Island as these storms moved through the area. This knocked power out for about 1300 customers in Rock Island. pic.twitter.com/XGT9QnIdYz— Garrett Heyd Wx ☈ (@Local4Garrett) September 21, 2021

Lottery numbers drawn Monday

ILLINOIS LOTTERY

Vehicle with child inside strikes railroad crossing signal, catches fire

An investigation is underway regarding a single-vehicle crash involving a juvenile passenger that happened early Saturday morning in Jo Daviess County. At approximately 3:54 a.m., the Jo Daviess County dispatch center received a report of a traffic accident in the area of the railroad crossing near North Stagecoach Trail and North Street in Nora, Ill. Upon arrival, deputies learned the driver of a white 2018 Chevrolet SUV was heading eastbound on North Stagecoach Trail when she attempted to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The driver left the pavement to the left and struck the railroad crossing signal, knocking it over. The vehicle then came to rest just south of the railroad tracks and caught on fire. According to the Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Department, the vehicle sustained "severe damage." Police identified the driver of the vehicle as 36-year-old Jessica L. Voss, of Freeport, Ill. A 14-year-old male was also in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Both individuals denied injury and refused medical treatment at the scene. Voss was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, endangering the life or health of a child, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper traffic lane usage.

'I want to continue as city administrator': Kotter investigation heads to Eldridge council

Eldridge city council members will discuss the contents of an investigation into complaints by and against the Eldridge city administrator next week.

Suspect in assault jailed on $250,000 bond

A Milan man police say is a suspect in an assault is being held on $250,000 bond in Rock Island County Jail. Ward F. Davis, 39, faces a charge of felony aggravated battery, according to jail officials. Shortly after 11 a.m. Friday, Milan Police responded to the 700 block of Hillcrest Road for a report of a woman who had been hit in the head and was lying in the roadway, according to a Monday news release from the Milan Police Department.   The caller also reported a gas can on fire in the laundry room of Pine View Apartments. Officers found the woman bleeding, with apparent head injuries. She was transported by ambulance from the scene and is in critical care, the release says. A suspect had left the area, police say. Ward is scheduled to appear Oct. 5 for a preliminary hearing in Rock Island County Court, court records say. Police ask anyone with information to contact Milan Police at 309-787-8520. The investigation continues.

Orion talks about plans for new village hall, state grant

WHAT WE KNOW: The $368,000 project to replace water mains on 11th Avenue didn't start until after Labor Day and there was some concern about completion before it got too late in the year.

Nikulski Financial breaks ground in Bettendorf

Nikulski Financial, Inc., broke ground Monday on its new corporate headquarters at 4275 Ontario Drive in Bettendorf. Among those attending were Mayor Bob Gallagher and City Alderman Greg Adamson, says a news release. Nikulski Financial, Inc., a fee only Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) will have its new corporate headquarters in the Shops of the Woodlands business development. The new site will be off 53rd Street, between Devils Glen and the roundabout at Middle Road, just behind the Genesis Family Practice on Ontario Drive. Nikulski has partnered with Ted Rebitzer, Andy Doyle and QC Iowa Realty, The Windmiller Group, Studio 483 Architects and Townsend Engineering, for the design of the building and Dover Design will provide interior design plans, the release says. For more information, visit the website.

$327 million going to community assistance programs in Illinois

Pritzker says this is a $52 million increase over what the programs offered last year.

Union workers strike outside Kone's Coal Valley facility

Members of the "Local 1191" union held a strike outside of Kone's Coal Valley location, asking for retirement benefits, and an end to Kone's two-tiered pay scale.

River Bandits Midwest Championship

The Quad Cities River Bandits will play the Cedar Rapids Kernels in a best-of-five championship series beginning Tuesday, September 21.

WATCH: Union workers strike outside Kone's Coal Valley facility

Members of the "Local 1191" union held a strike outside of Kone's Coal Valley location, asking for retirement benefits, and an end to Kone's 2-tiered pay scale.

Employees form picket line outside KONE facility in Coal Valley

The facility employs over 100 people.

What booster shots, child vaccination approval could mean for the Quad Cities

Federal regulators could approve booster shots for those 65 years old and older as early as September 24, with Pfizer's approval for ages 5-11 not far behind.

What another round of vaccines could mean for the most vulnerable

With booster and child vaccine approval seemingly on the horizon, Rock Island County is gearing up for another round of shots.

Milan apartments incident

Milan police are reportedly investing an incident that has one woman in critical condition.

River Bandits release 2022 regular season schedule

The Quad Cities River Bandits have announced all home and away games for the 2022 season.

Progressive Action for the Common Good asks residents to attend waste-management meeting

Progressive Action for the Common Good (PACG) will respond to closure of recycling drop-off centers at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Rock Island County Waste Management Agency (RICWMA) Board meeting. The meeting will be at the Rock Island County Office Building, 1504 3rd Ave., Room 302, Rock Island, a news release from PACG says. The RICWMA Board has announced it will close recycling drop-off centers on Sept. 30. Many Rock Island County residents have no curbside recycling option, and discontinuing this program will create a massive increase in waste sent to our county landfill, the release says. "A great deal of the material will include plastics, which do not degrade for hundreds of years. This is not an equitable arrangement for the county’s citizens, and we would like (the agency) to explore alternative solutions," the release says "If you share these concerns, please join PACG in asking the RICWMA Board to reconsider this plan."

Iowa school districts begin mandating masks

Davenport Community School District is one of few Iowa school districts now mandating masks.

National Merit BHS semifinalists announced

Five Bettendorf High School students were recently recognized as semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Semifinalists Aidan Hamner, Preston Martens, Noah Raso and Nicholas Theuerkauf are seniors at Bettendorf High School. Matthew Dorang graduated a year early and is currently attending Iowa State. The road to this honor is a team effort, as evidenced by the support of family and teachers who prepared the students. "BHS prides itself on a relevant and rigorous curriculum, including honors, advanced placement courses and dual credit courses," Principal Robert Boley said.  "With this level of achievement, these students and staff exemplify determination and excellence." To become a National Merit finalist, a student must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal and earn SAT scores that confirm earlier qualifying test performance. The semifinalist and a school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the student’s self-descriptive essay and information about the semifinalist’s participation and leadership in school and community activities.

Man killed in Cedar County crash Sunday

The crash happened around 1:13 p.m. on I-80W at mile marker 260.

Police crackdown on rail safety in Galesburg

Officials will enforce crossing and trespassing laws, as well as write citations and warnings to violators.