Thursday, March 28th, 2024 | |
Whitey’s Ice Cream Peanut Butter Oreo Fudge to make a returnPeanut Butter Oreo Fudge was named the winner in Whitey’s Retro Flavor Madness bracket, according to a Facebook post from the ice cream shop. | |
QC Rollers to host first home game vs. Confluence CrashThe Quad Cities Rollers first home game will be Saturday March. 30 vs. Confluence Crash. | |
BREAKING: Large structure fire burning in GalesburgNews 8 viewer Jonathan Rodriguez sent in photos and videos from the scene that show multiple crews battling the blaze. | |
Bright comet last seen in 1954 will be visible with naked eye in late MarchKnown as the "Devil Comet," 12P/Pons-Brooks, gets its nickname from its hornlike appearance in the sky and is a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event. | |
Dirt track racing kicks off in MaquoketaThe Maquoketa Speedway is hosting the biggest dirt track race in the Midwest on Friday and Saturday. | |
Rock Island National Cemetery holds ceremony in recognition of Vietnam War veteransThe ceremony comes a day before National Vietnam War Veterans Day, recognized annually on March 29. | |
Barkin' Beans Coffee Co. announces closureA coffee shop in Silvis featured on Our Quad Cities News is going out of business. The owners of Barkin' Beans Coffee Co. posted on Facebook that they have exhausted all their financial resources and plan to close sometime next month: We will be going out of business next month. Unfortunately we have completely exhausted all of our resources. There is no coming back from the financial turmoil we are in. We don’t have a certain date, we are just going to stay open to sell as much inventory as we can. We will absolutely update you when we have a specific closing date. Barkin' Beans Coffee Co. Our Quad Cities News reported in January the business saw a boost in sales after announcing a February shutdown date. | |
Amazon's first Quad Cities facility fully operationalThe new location doesn't mean Amazon packages will get to Quad Citizens faster, at least not yet. One employee says this could change in the future. | |
Small business, dog-friendly coffee shop posts to Facebook to announce closure amid strugglesAn Illinois QCA dog-friendly coffee shop posted to Facebook Thursday to say that they’ll be gong out of business next month. The closure comes after several attempts to save the business by extending and changing business hours, fundraising attempts, and social media outreach efforts. | |
Iowa National Guard, State Patrol redeploy to southern borderMembers of the Iowa National Guard and state troopers are once again headed to the southern border. | |
3 dead in Whiteside County crashThree people are dead after a semi-truck and a pick-up truck collided in rural Whiteside County. | |
"I'm disappointed" - Workers at Arrowhead Youth and Family Services react to news of closingArrowhead Youth and Family Services has been a destination for youth services for almost 80 years, but now it's set to shut down its residential program next month. State funding is no longer enough for a local youth services non profit organization to run its full operation. The nonprofit was created to serve at-risk youth with counseling and social services. "Some of the youth that we have are from DCFS," Dr. Luis Moreno, CEO for Arrowhead Ranch, said. "Some of these kids are actually homeless. Their foster parents have given them up. Almost every facility in Illinois has been maxed out with the number of beds they have. Even when we try to move a youth, there's a long waiting period because there are no open beds at other facilities." Moreno says he'll miss all of the kids that have been changed in a positive way by the youth services Arrowhead provided. Even kids that had no one else to turn to. "We have kids that were placed here on an emergency basis because they had no place to live," Moreno said. "Technically they had to stay at a DCFS office." An Arrowhead worker says this is a big blow to youth who need help. "I'm disappointed," Harry Cribbs, a Behavioral Health Specialist, said. "It's not a job that everyone wants to do, but something that everyone needs to do, because that's what our community is going to look like." Moreno says the Family First Prevention Services Act that was signed into Illinois law a few years ago was one of the major factors regarding the closure. Illinois required moderate youth cases to be at home, while Arrowhead took on more severe youth cases because of the act. "Where we were built for moderate youth, we are now seeing almost exclusively the severe kids," Moreno said. "That increased the number of staff needed to run this organization." Despite funding and staffing issues, workers looked back on their time working at the facility in a positive light. "Helping those hardcore youth," Cribbs said. "Open their eyes to some other options, and it doesn't have to be a big step, it's just seeing that its's getting through. It doesn't happen a lot, but it does happen. You can't reach everyone, but you can reach out to everyone." Some youth services workers at Arrowhead haven't applied for new jobs in decades, but that isn't stopping them from doing what they love. "Things go on, we're going to keep working with the youth," Cribbs said. "Working with adults, it's what we do. It's in my DNA." The official closing date for the facility in Coal Valley is April 23. | |
Man convicted of shooting QCA deputy sentenced to prisonA 33-year-old man accused of shooting a Clinton County Deputy and hitting a relative with an ax was sentenced to prison on Thursday in Clinton County Court, according to court records. Jesse Doran appeared with his attorney in court, where the State of Iowa was represented by County Attorney Michael Wolf and Assistant County Attorney James McHugh. Jesse Doran (Clinton County Jail) Earlier, Doran pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary with a dangerous weapon, and was sentenced to serve no more than 25 years on that charge. He will serve a minimum sentence of five years before he is eligible for parole. He also pleaded guilty to two charges of willful injury causing serious injury with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to serve a period not to exceed 10 years for each charge. He will serve a minimum sentence of five years before being eligible for parole. Additionally, Doran pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree robbery, and was sentenced to serve a period not to exceed 10 years for that charge. He must serve half of his sentence before being eligible for parole. Doran was given credit for time served in the case, and his other charges were dismissed. The sentences will be served consecutively, or one after the other, for a total of about 55 years, court records show. In January 2021 Clinton County Sgt. Scott Reyhons was shot and one other person were being treated at MercyOne Medical Center after gunfire at a residence in Charlotte, Iowa, in January of 2021, court records show. Deputies from Clinton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call on the 1000 block of 308th Avenue in Charlotte. They approached a residence and Reyhons was struck by gunfire from inside the home, according to court records. The injured deputy was transported to MercyOne Medical Center, Clinton, where records say he underwent surgery for non-life-threatening injuries. A resident of the home was transported to MercyOne Medical Center after “being hit over the head with an ax,” court documents say. | |
3 dead in Whiteside County crash, sheriff’s office reportsThree people died in a car crash in rural Tampico, according to a statement from the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office. | |
Clark invited to play with US national team during training camp at Final FourCaitlin Clark was invited to participate in the USA Basketball national team training camp during the Final Four in Cleveland, contingent on Iowa’s season being over. | |
3 escape house fire in MonmouthThe fire caused significant fire and smoke damage. | |
Hemp Doctor becomes major R.I. Grand Prix sponsorThe next Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, will be flying high. On Thursday, the annual downtown event announced a new national level partnership with The Hemp Doctor, based in Mooresville, N.C., as presenting sponsor of the race, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2024. The annual downtown Rock Island karting races will be Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2024. The Hemp Doctor is a major national manufacturer and distributor of legal hemp/CBD products and Rock Island is The Doctor’s first house call into motorsports, said the Grand Prix release. “We are excited to be part of this year’s Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix in the Quad-Cities. Our hope is to share knowledge about the hemp industry, while offering products that aim to improve one’s well-being. We look forward to meeting you all,” said Robert Shade, The Hemp Doctor CEO. The Rock Island race has a history of working with national, regional and local sponsors, most of which have stayed involved for many years. “The Doctor’s office is in Mooresville, N.C. – the heart of NASCAR and American motorsports,” said Roger Ruthhart of the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix. “They understand the draw and I’m sure they have a longstanding history of aiding race fans and keeping drivers on the track with the pain that comes with making the podium. Racers and race fans know that street racing can be a unique, fun and challenging form of motorsports, so we’re glad to have The Doctor in the house.” The Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix typically attracts teams nationwide, and in 2023 saw more than 17,000 spectators over the two-day event. All products of The Hemp Doctor are legal in Illinois. With massive street construction expected in the core of downtown this spring, into summer, Ruthhart said Thursday there may be some impacts to the Grand Prix, but no changes to the course. “No plans to change race route in terms of what streets we run on. It’s really pretty impossible to do,” he said. “How the track is set up in the streets always varies a little to avoid bad spots…which we expect there will be less of after this project.” “Our position has been that downtown changes are a good thing. Some portions of the track will be impacted but that is good, too,” Ruthhart said, noting he’s had discussions with Rock Island public works director Mike Bartels about this project for a year and “are convinced the city understands our needs and concerns regarding timing. Hopefully the contractor will too. “We’re looking forward to showing off the new look to hundreds of racer teams and thousands of spectators,” Ruthhart added. The Grand Prix typically attracts race teams from coast to coast. There have been drivers from 10 foreign countries and 16 foreign winners, Thursday’s release said. Last year saw more than 17,000 spectators over the two-day event. For more information, visit the Grand Prix website HERE. | |
POLICE: Suspect arrested in connection with M Lounge shooting over St. Patrick’s weekendThe Davenport Police Department has been investigating a gunfire incident that happened over St. Patrick’s Day weekend outside of a bar in downtown Davenport. An arrest has now been made in connection to the incident, police say. | |
LIVE: TV6 Investigates Talks: Overdosed; the family behind the storyA family is fighting a battle that could be fatal, drug addiction. | |
QC loses 1,600 jobs over past yearThe Quad Cities was among just three metro areas in Illinois to lose jobs between February 2023 and February 2024, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Over the year, the unemployment rate increased in all 14 metropolitan areas, but total nonfarm jobs increased in 11 areas, according to a Thursday release. “Today’s data continues to highlight the health and expansion of the Illinois labor market, with increases in jobs throughout a multitude of industries touching every corner of the state,” said Deputy Gov. Andy Manar. “As growth continues to supply jobseekers and employers with new opportunities, IDES and its workforce partners are positioned to assist both groups to thrive in the state’s economy.” A hiring sign is displayed outside of Golf Center in Des Plaines, Ill., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) The QC area saw a loss of 1,600 total jobs over the year, and its current unemployment rate is 4.8 percent, compared to 4.7% in February 2023, IDES said, noting jobless rates last month were 5.9% in both Moline and Rock Island. Statewide, the current jobless rate is 5.3%, up from 4.7% a year ago. The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+3,900), the Elgin metro (+5,300), and the Bloomington MSA (+1,400). Other metro areas which had over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were Decatur (-1,600) and Springfield (-3,300). Industries that saw job growth in most metro areas included: government (13 areas); mining, construction, education and health services (10 areas each); wholesale trade and other services (eight areas each). The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Chicago metro, Decatur MSA, and the Illinois section of St. Louis MSA. | |
QC Animal Welfare Center, Milan, gives tips on keeping pets safe during stormsWith the arrival of storm season in the Midwest, the Quad City Animal Welfare Center urges pet owners to take proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of their furry companions during inclement weather, a news release says. To help pet owners prepare for storms, the Quad City Animal Welfare Center offers these tips: Create an emergency kit: Prepare a pet emergency kit that includes essential items such as food, water, medications, veterinary records, a first aid kit, and comfort items like blankets and toys. Keep the kit in a waterproof container and store it in an easily accessible location. Have a pet carrier ready. Identification: Ensure your pet has proper identification, including a collar with tags containing current contact information and a microchip with updated registration details. QCAWC offers micro chipping at the Wellness Clinic: (visit here for more information.) Storm anxiety: Does your pet have storm anxiety? Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to answer this question. Talk to your veterinarian. Shelter: Identify a safe and secure shelter within your home where you, your family, and your pets can take refuge during a storm. This area should be away from windows and doors, preferably an interior room or basement. Stay Informed: Monitor the weather forecast and stay informed. Be prepared to take action quickly. Have a plan: Develop an emergency plan for your family and pets. Include evacuation routes, designated meeting points, contact information, and emergency services contact information. Secure outdoor areas: After the storm has passed, be sure to check your gates and fence before letting your dog back outside. By taking these proactive measures, pet owners can help ensure the safety and well-being of their human and furry family members during Midwest storms. Quad City Animal Welfare Center (qcawc.org) The Quad City Animal Welfare Center Adoption & Education Center is at 724 2nd W. Ave., Milan. The Quad City Animal Welfare Center Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic is at 612 1st W. S., Milan. | |
Wilton Community Schools named in top 10 finalists for national STEM competitionAs a result, they will receive $50,000 in Samsung technology and classroom supplies, with an opportunity to win an additional $100,000. | |
Riverside Cemetery area, Moline, closes temporarily for constructionRiverside Park Phase Two Parking has begun in Moline, according to a news release. The cemetery area, in between the one-ways on 5th Avenue, is closed so asphalt can be replaced. The road that runs in front of the Riverside Mausoleum will also be closed to add additional parking on either side of the road. Riverside-Construction-Map-1Download Residents still can access the pickle ball courts and tennis courts during this time. | |
House fire displaces three in MonmouthA second-floor house fire has left three people displaced in Monmouth. Fire officials have deemed the fire to be accidental. | |
Davenport says it fast-tracked reinspection before evacuating 4th St. buildingNicole Gleason told the aldermen Wednesday that staff called engineering firm Shive Hattery the day they had concerns. They evacuated 401 W. 4th St. the next day. | |
8 staff members injured following large fight at Mary Davis Detention Home in GalesburgAccording to the Knox County Sheriff's Office, at least 10 juveniles were fighting staff, leading to eight staff members and two juveniles being injured. | |
Bettendorf employees earn state awardsThe City of Bettendorf has announced that two employees within its Public Works Department and Parks & Recreation Department have earned awards from the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA,) according to a news release. On Wednesday, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Jason Manfull and Recreation Coordinator Isaac Jacobs were honored at the Annual IPRA Best of the Best Banquet in Des Moines. Parks Maintenance Supervisor Jason Manfull, left, and Recreation Coordinator Isaac Jacobs (City of Bettendorf) The T. Ray Frame Park Maintenance Award went to to Manfull. This award is given to an outstanding maintenance person with a Parks and Recreation Department who has demonstrated a high level of skill in his/her work, goes beyond what would be considered adequate or expected in the position, and shows a devotion on and off the job. “Congratulations to Jason on this well-deserved honor,” said Brian Schmidt, public works director. “This recognition validates his passion, commitment, and hard work to his profession. I’m proud to have such an outstanding person leading a team of dedicated staff in maintaining our parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas into excellent shape around our community.” The Dr. Carol Hanson Young Professional Award went to Jacobs. The award is given to a professional who has exemplified commitment and outstanding service to the leisure services profession and to the IPRA. “Isaac is a huge asset to the Parks & Recreation Department,” said Kim Kidwell, culture andrecreation director. “He is constantly looking for ways to improve programs and experiences.Isaac is here for the kids and is a compassionate, quiet leader - never expecting recognitionbecause he feels he is just ‘doing his job.’ I am so proud of him and this IPRA honor is welldeserved.” | |
'Bettendorf Talks' premieres at SXSWThere’s a new silly, sweet workplace comedy – set and filmed in the Quad Cities -- that’s working to find its place in the TV universe. The 18-minute pilot for “Bettendorf Talks,” shot in the area in February 2023, premiered earlier this month at SXSW in Austin, Tex. Described by its team as a sharp and smart show-within-a-show, “Bettendorf Talks” is both a witty workplace comedy and the newest (and most unlikely) local talk show to come out of the titular Midwestern Quad City. Hosted by the has-been comedy duo TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi (who star as hilarious caricatures of themselves), the two attempt to mount a hit show in search of a sliver of their former glory. David Pasquesi, left, and TJ Jagodowski in the pilot for "Bettendorf Talks." Each episode in the planned series will follow the ensemble for one day of the writing, producing and airing of our program as TJ and Dave grapple with how to live in these new, lesser roles, the team around them deal with the talk show host and his sidekick, as Margaret fights to keep the show going because it’s always one day away from being canceled. A review at gbvreviews.com said: “The pilot episode is a lot of fun, with Pasquesi playing a surly falling-star talk show host trying to regain some of his former glory by working in a smaller-area market and wanting to be anywhere but there, and Jagodowski as his naïve co-host who seems happy to be working anywhere. “The members of the ensemble cast, which includes Tim Kazurinksy as a TV station owner, all invest their characters with a likable charm — even the curmudgeonly Pasquesi is someone viewers can get behind.” Pasquesi (who plays the “Bettendorf Talks” host) is a Second City alumnus and film, television and stage actor, best known for playing the husband of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Selina Meyer on the Emmy-winning "Veep" on HBO. He was Andrew Meyer in 15 of the series' 65 episodes, from 2013-2019. Dave Pasquesi has played the husband of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Emmy-winning lead in HBO's "Veep." Pasquesi is half of the comedy duo TJ and Dave. He has performed on stage at the Steppenwolf, Goodman and Victory Gardens theaters. His TV acting and writing credits include "Book of Boba Fett," “She-Hulk,” and “At Home with Amy Sedaris.” Jagodowski is also a Chicago-based veteran actor and improvisor, and alum of Second City. TJ was one of the Two Guys in the Sonic TV commercials for 17 years. Jack C. Newell directed the 18-minute pilot episode. Director of “Bettendorf Talks” is Jack C. Newell -- a writer, producer, and director, whose feature film credits include “42 Grams,” “Monuments” and “Open Tables.” He started the film school at The Second City, and is the co-founder of Destroy Your Art. His films have screened theatrically, and premiered at various film festivals and on all major streaming platforms. Recently completed films include “How (not) to Build a School in Haiti” and “Monuments” (Nashville Audience Award ‘20). TJ and Dave wrote “Bettendorf Talks” and set it here partly because they knew the area and wanted it to take place in a smaller town, not Chicago. A view of the Abraham Lincoln statue in Davenport's Bechtel Park, next to the Government Bridge, seen in "Bettendorf Talks." "We wanted a real blue-collar sensibility, that these were salt-of--the-earth people," TJ said in a recent interview. "Where real people still live." Though it’s a tremendously popular workplace comedy set in a smaller city (Scranton, Pa.), “The Office” wasn't a major influence on their show, he noted. "It was like, what's the nearest place that sounds funny? The Quads sound funny and blue collar, and there's five of them," TJ said. "Bettendorf has a nice sound to it. And we can get there." The city of Bettendorf logo seen in the pilot for the new show. “There are next to no shows that take place in middle America where people are allowed to have their small victories,” Jagodowski added. “There hasn’t been a show in almost 50 years that has been in a small-town talk show. We also have a fun opportunity to have big stars come on and improvise a talk show interview as town locals.” The Bettendorf connection The magic part of the story is the fact that the pilot’s producer, Shane Simmons, is a 38-year-old Bettendorf native. He’s a producer and actor in Chicago, who’s also produced Kendall Goldberg’s debut feature “When Jeff Tried to Save the World” and Stephen Cone’s “Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party.” Bettendorf native Shane Simmons is producer of "Bettendorf Talks." Simmons runs Elevated Films Chicago as its executive director, where they create unique independent film events and develop resources and hands-on opportunities for youth filmmakers. He had worked with Newell a lot, who brought him the “Bettendorf Talks” script. Coincidentally, Newell didn't know Simmons was from Bettendorf, and that he graduated in the same high school class as filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Filmmakers and Bettendorf natives Scott Beck, left, and Bryan Woods co-own the Last Picture House movie theater in downtown Davenport. The first film Simmons acted in was one of their early ones, and "the rest is history -- we became really good friends,” he said last week. "We went to college together; I moved to Chicago, they went to L.A. and have been making stuff here ever since.” "The best thing about it for me is the people," Simmons said of the QC, where his parents remain. "I need there to be good people, that I grew up with. Growing up in the Quad Cities, to be able to make movies in the Quad Cities, it was a playground. We could do anything we wanted to. We could call the cops and say we needed a cop car, or to shut down an alley and you could do it." "It was so special we were making movies there and I've always held that with me," he said. "It was a dream come true to bring a production back to the Quad Cities," Simmons said, noting he last filmed here about 15 years ago. A view of the new and old I-74 bridges in "Bettendorf Talks." "To bring everybody back, and show people -- see guys, see how great it is?" he said. "With everybody being so wonderful and accommodating, just feeling special that we were making something unique in what I've always known as being a wonderful place." An easy, fun shoot Jagodowski people they met while filming here could not have been nicer. They shot the fictional talk show (at the “Bettendorf” station KBET) at WQAD's studio in Moline. "They were super, super gracious about it all," TJ said. They filmed there over four days at all hours of the day, including in meeting rooms and hallways. At one point or another, they were in each of the main five cities filming, Simmons said, and there's lots of potential for more of that if the show is picked up. There are 14 people in the cast, based in Chicago, and a crew of about 25-30, including post-production work. A scene from "Bettendorf Talks." TJ and Dave have never performed their comedy act in the QC. They worked with Bob Kelly, co-owner of ComedySportz Quad Cities, to find filming locations. "If not for Bob, we would not have had the location we ended up with or as easy a time as it turned out to be. He was incredible," TJ said. They didn't really improvise at all for "Bettendorf Talks," sticking to their script. If they continue the series, TJ said they might incorporate some improv. The group stayed at the Stoney Creek Inn in downtown Moline, but Jagodowski said one drawback was they couldn't find an Illinois-side restaurant that served dinner at 10 p.m. or later. "We had to order from Davenport or Bettendorf when we wanted our late meal," he said. "You should lose your incorporation as a city if you don't have a 24-hour diner, at least one." "It was affordable to get a bunch of hotel rooms, without a doubt," TJ added. They really liked Biaggi's, Central Standard and Olive Tree for food. Simmons comes back often to visit, including seeing the Last Picture House movie theater (co-owned by Beck and Woods). Pasquesi, right, plays the talk show host and Jagodowski his sidekick. “It was dreamy shooting it in the Quads,” Jagodowski added. “The whole cast and crew stayed at the same lodgey hotel. The cast took dinners together at the end of shooting days in a forgotten room at the end of a long hallway with meals from the only restaurant still delivering. The shooting days were rewarding as hell. “Everyone, in every position, was kind and professional and fun,” he said. “It was a joy to start each day and really gratifying at the end of the day to have watched people do such good work. I loved it and would love to do it a bunch more times.” “It was truly a collaboration with our small and very talented cast and crew,” Pasquesi said by email. “The production mirrored the best qualities and big heart of a small town/small operation.” Sadieh Rifai plays the showrunner in the show within a show. “I’ve been very lucky in my career to work on some incredible projects, but nothing came close to how much fun I had on Bettendorf Talks,” actress Sadieh Rifai (who plays Margaret, showrunner of the show) said by email. “This is easily the most enjoyable and hysterical set I’ve ever been on with the absolute best cast and crew. It was a dream opportunity!” The comedy style “Bettendorf Talks” harkens back to the Johnny Carson era of "The Tonight Show," and "the lively art of conversation," Jagodowski said. "There are absolutely absurdist moments," he said of the style of humor in the show. At one point, they put on old barrister wigs and agree you don't argue which is the best of the Quad Cities, since "that is immediately a legal violation," TJ said. "We'll take a laugh wherever we can get it." TJ and Dave have been proving for 20+ years that there is an audience that appreciates honest characters and relationships in their comedy, according to a show statement. “With ‘Bettendorf Talks,’ we are transforming that sensibility into a workplace comedy -- a talk show on one level and the relationships of people who make the show on another. “The characters are idiosyncratic but believable,” their statement says. “Their wants of falling in love or trying to make their mark are as universal as wants get and, therefore, completely relatable. This show is a culmination of this decades long collaboration with a proven chemistry and a track record for delving into character and relationships in a way that few others can or do. “In a world where 90% of communication is done electronically and at a distance, where people talk past each other but not to each other, that leaves a vacuum. And we, like nature, abhor that. So, a show that investigates the old-fashioned idea of people sitting down and talking, the lively art, seems to us to be apropos.” “The show explores fame and our society’s outweighed value on it, as well as how difficult it is to really communicate with each other despite our best efforts,” Jagodowski said. David Pasquesi, left, appeared in a 2020 episode of ABC's "The Conners," with Sara Gilbert and Jay R. Ferguson (Eric McCandless via Getty Images). “TV talk shows no longer entertain…they seem to be more about marketing. This one attempts to actually entertain,” Pasquesi said. “Additionally, I think the idea of a talk show filled with people incapable of communicating on a personal level, is an interesting setting.” “I love this show because it's set in a small town but the characters and story appeal to people everywhere,” Nnamdi Ngwe, who plays a writer on the show, said by email. “This is the kind of show that excited me as an artist as well as a fan of TV. It was a dream come true working on this comedy with a cast and crew full of mad geniuses. It was a warm set full of laughs and I'm sure the audience will be able to tell how much fun we had.” “I play Emma, one of the (two) writers of the show. Her big city dreams turned out to be Quad City dreams and they are coming true before her very eyes,” said Emma Pope. “Working on Bettendorf Talks was like being at sleepaway camp where we get to do the coolest project together during the day and then eat takeout food from Moline, Illinois and laugh together all night.” Next steps Simmons said attendance at the SXSW premiere was packed both nights, including Liz Gilman of Produce Iowa. "She's been very supportive. Everybody's been trying to make it happen," he said. A bunch of the "Bettendorf Talks" crew at SXSW in Austin, Tex., on March 11, 2024. There were six TV pilots shown in the festival, a relatively new category. Simmons said they’re trying to sell the show and get an agent to represent it. “The biggest thing is we got the attention. Having the South by Southwest name attached to it, it gets people to know who we are and we made this thing, and what Bettendorf is,” he said. These conversations take a long time to reach fruition, Simmons said. Jagodowski said the first step was to show it, and make connections, to gain support and awareness. “The TV world is still a very traditional world. They are big, big companies, and they require a certain flow to things,” Simmons said. 'Saturday Night Live' alum Tim Kazurinsky plays the station owner in "Bettendorf Talks." Perhaps the biggest name in “Bettendorf Talks” is Tim Kazurinsky, 74, who plays the absent-minded station owner and was on SNL for three seasons in the ‘80s. “Type-casting I guess. It was totally a dream job,” he said of the new show by email. “How often in life do you get the chance to hang out with people you love and admire...in an attempt to create a funny show that will hopefully distract people from the horrors of life right now?” | |
Nahant Marsh volunteer open houseNahant Marsh Education Center is hosting an open house on April 13, starting at 9 a.m. The marsh is located at 4220 Wapello Avenue in Davenport. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet marsh staff and volunteers that are involved in environmental conservation and education. Nahant's staff will share the wonders of our local ecosystem and volunteer opportunities that give community members a chance to make a difference in conservation and education. There are multiple volunteer programs for all interests and skill levels. Attendees are welcome any time between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be provided. Between meeting staff, exploring the education center, walking on the trails, and learning how to get involved, there is something for everyone. The event is free for all community members. To learn more about Nahant Marsh, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved click here. | |
East Moline man faces felony charges after Davenport gunfireA 20-year-old East Moline man faces felony charges after gunfire earlier this month, police allege in arrest affidavits. Quantrelle Tapia (Scott County Jail) Quantrelle Tapia faces charges of attempted murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon – injure/provoke fear, court records show. Gunfire in Davenport Shortly before 12:45 a.m. March 17, Davenport Police were dispatched to the M Lounge, 217 N. Brady St., for a report of gunfire. Officers found three .380 automatic casings and 22 9mm shell casings, affidavits say. Multiple cars were damaged from the gunfire. Surveillance footage, obtained from multiple places, shows the incident. Tapia was armed with a .380 automatic pistol concealed on his person while at the M Lounge bar. After an altercation involving a co-defendant, Tapia and the co-defendant left the bar with security, police allege in affidavits. Officer say in affidavits that, when the two were in front of the M Lounge, they got into an argument with the victims. Affidavits show Tapia produced the pistol from his person and chased the victims across Brady Street as they were retreating to their car. Tapia fired three rounds at the victims as their backs were turned, police allege in affidavits. He was about 20 feet from the victims in a direct line of fire unbroken by any cover or concealment objects when he fired the rounds. “As the victims took cover, (Tapia) can be observed moving his firearm and taking direct aim at the victims as they were moving to cover behind a vehicle. (Tapia) shot at the victims with the intent to cause their death without any circumstances that would justify (Tapia’s) actions,” according to affidavits, which show Tapia “was positively identified by surveillance footage and the defendants’ actions were all captured on video.” Tapia, who is being held on $25,000 cash-only bond in Scott County Jail, was arrested on a warrant. He is set to appear for a preliminary hearing April 5 in Scott County Court. | |
Ranch Riders annual Easter egg hunt benefit to be held SaturdayIt's the 39th annual event that benefits the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities. The hunt at Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds is free but an entry donation of $3 per child is suggested. | |
Engineering report: Davenport apartment on 4th Street could collapse with no warningThe new details from city officials come just a day after residents in 18 units were vacated from the downtown building. | |
From Indianapolis to Los Angeles | Actress Katy O'Brian discusses breakout lead role alongside Kristen StewartThe IU graduate and former Carmel police officer discusses growing up in Indiana, bodybuilding and co-starring with Kristen Stewart in "Love Lies Bleeding." | |
3 Things to Know | Quad Cities morning headlines for March 28, 2024Bettendorf police are investigating a shooting incident resulting in one person hospitalized, and a home in Monmouth is a partial loss after a fire Wednesday night. | |
Fight at a juvenile detention facility leads to injury of mutiple staff membersAn overnight fight at a Knox County juvenile detention facility leads to multiple staff members getting injured with some having to be taken to the hospital. | |
CO2 pipeline forum set for Port ByronA discussion about a CO2 pipeline will be held Wednesday, April 3, in Port Byron, according to a news release. "What You Need to Know - Updates on Carbon Capture & Sequestration/CO2 Pipelines; Efforts in Springfield -What We Can Do Right Now" will be presented by Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance and the Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at River Valley District Library, 214 S. Main St., Port Byron, in the second-floor meeting room. An elevator is available. Port Byron residents weigh in on CO2 pipeline. (OurQuadCities.com) The discussion will focus on major issues for Illinois citizens regarding carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). Wolf Carbon Solutions intends to refile an application with the Illinois Commerce Commission for a carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline planned to cross the Mississippi River north of Port Byron, continuing southeast through Rock Island County into Henry County and further south, the release says. "Just as with carbon dioxide pipelines, there are significant regulatory gaps at both the Federal and State levels concerning CCS and how this technology would impact property owners and groundwater resources including a significant lack of knowledge about how to stop CO2 sequestered underground from leaking," according to the release. Carbon dioxide at high levels in the air is toxic to the body and long-term health impacts can result. The U.S. Pipeline Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration is working on updated CO2 pipeline standards based on concerns from a 2020 CO2 pipeline rupture a mile from Satartia, Mississippi, the release says. According to the release, "This community was not included in the company modeling for being at any risk. However, 200 people were evacuated and 45 went for hospital emergency treatment. Some individuals have lingering health issues from being in the CO2 plume area. High-pressure carbon dioxide pipelines are much more hazardous than oil or methane (natural gas) pipelines partly because of the much higher pressure in the pipeline." Other issues, including land impacts, and legislative efforts in Springfield, will be discussed at this free public information meeting. | |
Pay It Forward | Fundraising for an after-prom to rememberJeri Elam is on the after-prom committee for Davenport North and Central High Schools. Her help with fundraising for the event earned her the Pay It Forward award. | |
Pay it Forward | Putting in the time to bring Davenport students one night to shineNews 8's Morgan Strackbein caught up with Holly Green as she starts her annual after-prom fundraising campaign for Davenport Central and North High Schools. | |
Weekend Rundown with WLLR | March 28, 2024There are many family-friendly events going on this weekend, and we've brought in Dani Howe from WLLR to break it down. | |
Colona murder trial put off; attorneys' offices too short-staffedA bench trial on a murder case for a Colona man charged in Henry County has been pushed back. It had been scheduled for late April. | |
Colona council discusses ways to draw more police officers to cityColona aldermen on Monday discussed amending the city's ordinance for lateral transfer of police. | |
Pending Death Notices for the Quad-Cities, March 28, 2024Carole L. Brown, 79, of Davenport, Iowa, died Friday, March 22, 2024, at Bickford of Davenport. Cremation will be directed by Cremation Society of the Quad Cities. | |
Attorneys to look over Geneseo solar plansWHAT WE KNOW: Geneseo aldermen voted to learn more about a proposed second solar array last month. | |
Two Currents in a Dark Circle: Staghorn and Aseethe at Rozz-Tox, April 19Take this as an early warning: If you're into the cerebral, more experimental side of heavy music, you may want to snap up tickets for what (at the time of writing) looks to be the only show at Rozz-Tox in April | |
Ballet Quad Cities' "Dorothy Goes to Oz" and "Snow White," April 13Audiences may not hear the familiar strains of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or “Someday My Prince Will Come.” But they'll certainly be treated to music- and dance-filled enchantment when a pair of legendary heroines join forces in the one-act ballets Dorothy Goes to Oz and Snow White, the Adler Theatre's April 13 pairing of family-friendly works by the professional talents of Ballet Quad Cities. | |
Why Davenport ordered an apartment building to be evacuatedA report from structural engineers said the building is in such poor condition that it could partially collapse. | |
Wednesday, March 27th, 2024 | |
Davenport council member responds to House hearing on City's settlement paymentsCity staff did not comment on the hearing when News 8 reached out. | |
Davenport considers lowering property tax rateThe proposed change, which would go into effect in July, would be 17 cents lower. | |
State auditor questions Davenport's accountability and transparencyDavenport finds itself at the center of a fight that reached state lawmakers. The issue pits the city against several private citizens, media outlets and Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand, centering around settlement payments to former city employees like former city administrator Corri Spiegel. Corri Spiegel (City of Davenport) The Iowa House Government Oversight Committee heard testimony this morning about the city of Davenport not releasing a demand letter from Spiegel to the city, which is thought to have led to a more than a $1 million payout to her. Some community members shared their frustrations tonight with the city's current state. Alderwoman at large Jazmine Newton says it's time for change. "I do think that Davenport needs to do better, and the only way Davenport can do better is for this council to take the lead and work together to ensure that Davenport is working for the people," Newton said. Auditor Sand questions the city's accountability and transparency after approving taxpayer dollars towards those separation agreements. "When we're in the course of a special investigation audit, we're going to ask for the records that we think are relevant to helping us understand and clarify for the public what happened with their tax dollars," Sand said. Iowa Freedom of Information Council member Randy Evans testified in front of the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee, expressing frustration. The committee members were troubled that the city is fighting efforts by the Iowa Freedom of Information Council to intervene in that court case to make arguments to the court while that letter should be made available to the public and why transparency is so important in this particular instance Right now, Davenport is taking a man named Ezra Sidran to court to keep Spiegel's demand letter to the city from being released and the Iowa Freedom of Information Council is trying to intervene. "To bring the lawsuit against Dr. Sidran who is not represented by an attorney and I don't think that's a coincidence. I think they could've brought the lawsuit against the FOI council who has asked for the same letter," Iowa Freedom of Information council member Randy Evans said. "They could've brought it against any media that asked for a letter but the city chose an individual that doesn't have an attorney." There is a hearing on that lawsuit on Friday in Scott County. A ruling is not expected immediately. | |
US Army Corps of Engineers holds ribbon cutting for new USACE Motor ShopThe US Army Corps of Engineers held a ribbon cutting for a new motor shop at the Mississippi River Project Office in Pleasant Valley. | |
Woman allegedly shoots teen in the foot during altercationA Bettendorf woman has been arrested for allegedly shooting a teenager in the foot during an altercation on Wednesday, Bettendorf police said. | |
Davenport City Council approves 1-year agreement with Humane Society of Scott CountyAfter the City of Davenport and the Humane Society of Scott County have been at odds for over a month, regarding a contract disputes for animal control services, a resolution approving a one-year agreement been the two parties was approved at Davenport’s city council meeting. | |
31-year-old woman charged for shooting 17-year-old in foot31-year-old Tanasha Robinson was taken into custody after a shooting Wednesday afternoon in Bettendorf, according to an arrest affidavit. | |
4 people killed and 7 wounded in stabbings in northern Illinois, with a suspect in custodyAuthorities say four people have been killed and seven have been hurt when a man went on a stabbing rampage across multiple locations in a northern Illinois community. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd says that a suspect is in police… | |
Sterling police officers reunite with dog saved from fireAccording to Sterling police, Shango has made a full recovery after he was resuscitated by Officers Alex Kraus and Justin Hackbarth. | |
Bettendorf woman arrested, shoots teen in foot, police sayA Bettendorf woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after police say she shot a teenager, seriously injuring them. | |
What's next for evacuated Davenport apartment tenants?People who lived in the apartment building at 4th and Ripley streets were left grabbing whatever they could on March 26, and now they're not only frustrated but worried about where they'll next call home. For now, those evacuated tenants are living in a hotel, where they can stay for free until the end of the month. One of those tenants is Lamonde Lathan-Berge, who's unsure what the future holds for him. Burge called the Schricker apartment building at 401 W. 4th St. home for eight months until the city forced an evacuation after failed inspections. "I'm 23 years old. I work hard for my money so this is definitely stressful for me," Lathan-Berge said. "It really caught me off guard because they told me I had to be out. I grabbed anything that was essential to me, and I had to be out by 4:30 p.m., and they told me this at 3:47 p.m." Lathan-Burge says he had a feeling something like this was about to come. "My floor was kind of starting to sink in," Lathan-Berge said. "I went to one of the other apartments because they offered me to switch apartments, and I went in there, and all the floors were cracked up. It was kind of like an earthquake hit it, almost." People forced to evacuate are now staying at the Relax Inn Hotel on North Brady St. They can stay for free up until Sunday. After that, they will need to find somewhere else to stay. (Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com) "I'll have to return to my mother's house for the time being until I find another apartment," Lathan-Berge said. Lathan-Berge says he's upset with the city of Davenport about how it's handling housing, especially after the building collapse that happened in May 2023. "I'm frustrated with Davenport because this happened with that building, and you would think with the people's lives being lost, they would have taken some steps to make sure things like this wouldn't happen again," Lathan-Berge said. Protestors outside Davenport City Hall on March 27. (Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com) OurQuadCites News also reached out to the Salvation Army to see how they're helping. Kelle Larned, the program and operations director, says the Salvation Army received a grant from Davenport to help people with living costs. They've received a few calls from people needing help on March 27. One needed rent assistance. Another was looking to stay longer at the Relax Inn Hotel. The Salvation Army says if they receive a call, they'll take names and address needs. | |
4 people killed and 5 wounded in stabbings in RockfordFour people were killed and five were wounded in stabbings in Rockford on Wednesday, authorities said. | |
Iowa state legislators hold government oversight hearing on Davenport settlement agreements totalling almost $2MThe hearing comes after numerous allegations have been made that the City of Davenport violated Iowa's open records law by keeping the settlement process a secret. | |
1 person injured in Bettendorf shootingBettendorf police claim there was an altercation between two people that escalated into one person being shot. | |
Local districts react to Governor Reynolds signing AEA reform billIowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed the Area Education Agency Reform that passed Tuesday in the Senate. The amendment increases salaries for new teachers and includes $14 million in funding for education support personnel such as paraprofessionals. | |
New law benefits students and teachers, governor says, but legislator leader is skepticalIowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed AEA reform that also raises the minimum teacher pay. | |
State Auditor calls out delayed payments for contraception for sexual assault victims“The trauma and the pain that the Attorney General’s decision is putting victims through in this case literally makes my skin crawl,” | |
Iowa attorney general not finished with audit that's holding up contraception money for rape victimsHer office said the audit, which Bird announced when she took office 14 months ago, is in its “final stages” and that a report would be released soon. | |
Iowa approves new education funding packageIowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed off on modifying the formula for Area Education Agencies for special education. The biggest change will be how the agencies are funded by the state. The agencies will get 90% of the current funding for special education services. School districts will be in charge of the other 10%. A division of special education will be created under the umbrella of the Department of Education. The move also establishes a higher starting salary for new teachers and a higher minimum salary for teachers with experience. The changes will take effect beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. | |
Davenport officials explain why apartment building was evacuatedEngineers recommended the evacuation due to the conditions of a wooden wall believed to be of structural importance to the building. | |
Sterling police officers reunite with dog rescued from house fireShango was resuscitated after being pulled from a house fire in December. | |
1 person injured in Bettendorf shootingBettendorf police claim there was an altercation between two people that escalated into one person being shot. | |
Roof main concern for vacated Davenport apartment buildingFollowing the City of Davenport vacating the apartment building at 401 W. 4th St. due to structural issues, Our Quad Cities News dug deeper into this story and found out about problems engineers say make the building so dangerous. As Our Quad Cities News reporter Jackson Rozinsky discovered, one of the biggest concerns focuses on the roof. | |
Rockford police: 4 dead, 5 hurt after stabbing attackRockford police ask the public to avoid the area of Eggleston Road and Cleveland Avenue due to an ongoing investigation. | |
US Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District opens new facilityThe new motor shop in Pleasant Valley, Iowa is meant to keep 12 lock and dam sites operating smoothly from Dubuque all the way down through Missouri. | |
Iowa state legislators hold government oversight hearing on Davenport settlement agreementsTwo Davenport residents are suing the City, alleging it violated open meeting laws in paying out $2 million to three former employees. | |
Anamosa sewage discharge reaches Wapsipinicon River in IowaThe Iowa DNR believes that around 50,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into a storm drain leading to the Wapsipinicon River. | |
1 person injured Wednesday in Bettendorf shootingOne person is in custody, police said. | |
4 people killed and 5 wounded in stabbings in RockfordFour people were killed and five were wounded in stabbings in Rockford on Wednesday, authorities said. | |
Davenport man sings national anthem at first game in Iowa Hawkeyes' March Madness runCJ Parker has opened up numerous games at Carver-Hawkeye arena but said the first game of the NCAA Tournament had a different energy. | |
Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmateThe governor’s office announced the pair’s resignations within hours of each other nearly two weeks after Crosetti Brand was released from Stateville Correctional Center. | |
Kraft Heinz in Muscatine receiving portion of $170 million grant to reduce carbon emissionsA portion of the grant funding will go to the company's Muscatine plant. | |
Hop over to Bunnies, Baskets and Brews!Hop on over for an adult Easter egg hunt and help a great cause! Hauberg Estate Executive Director Deb Kuntzi joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about Bunnies, Baskets and Brews. For more information, click here. | |
Iowa holds statewide tornado drill Wednesday morningThe drill was a part of Severe Weather Awareness Week in the state. | |
2 Galesburg men arrested on federal drug chargesInvestigators say they seized more than five pounds of meth, several firearms and four pounds of marijuana. | |
UnityPoint Health seeing rising volume of colon cancer casesMedical experts say cases are becoming more frequent in adults younger than 50 years old. | |
Muscatine hosts new resident orientationThe next orientation is set for October. | |
Anamosa sewage discharge reaches Wapsipinicon River in IowaThe Iowa DNR believes that around 50,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into a storm drain leading to the Wapsipinicon River. | |
Dig in to QC Restaurant Week!Come hungry and explore the diversity of food in the QCA! Visit Quad Cities President and CEO Dave Herrell dropped by Our Quad Cities News with all the info on QC Restaurant Week. For more information, click here. | |
4 Your Money | 0%Here in the United States, it seems the market is very focused on rate cuts. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, joins us to share if other countries are cutting rates and how this dynamic affects us here at home. | |
One person shot in Bettendorf shootingPolice are on the scene at Hillside and Hawthorne Drives in Bettendorf near the former site of Old Chicago. Our Quad Cities News received confirmation that one person was hit by a bullet during a shooting incident. We will keep you updated as we receive more information. | |
Arrowhead Ranch to end residential programming in AprilOfficials with the nonprofit cited financial difficulties as the reason for the closure. | |
United Way chief writes children's bookRene Gellerman has put her pen where her passion is. President/CEO of United Way Quad Cities for the past five years, she has penned a new children’s book that will be published this September by Texas-based Lucid Books. Inspired by the QC, local students and her own kids, the book aims to inspire others. The 32-page story -- "Adventures of Kids United: The Glass Bridge" -- is aimed at 4-to-9-year-olds, and centers on themes of unity, teamwork, and community betterment. It’s envisioned to be the first in a series. Rene Gellerman at her office at United Way QC in Bettendorf, March 26, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). "I love to write, and I always thought someday I will write a book about my life," Gellerman said Tuesday. "I'm not quite ready to do that. When I meet with kids -- I learn about their life, all the great work we're doing to try and empower these kids, it just never feels like enough. "I want to inspire kids to think about dreaming big and to realize the power that they have to control their future and their community," she said. "This book is really about that, to help kids see themselves as change-makers. If they want things different in their community, they have the power to do that." Gellerman worked for the Quad Cities Chamber for 12 years (last as senior vice president, overseeing the Q2030 strategic plan), and has been head of United Way QC for five years. She's written local op-eds over the years, but this is her first hand at a book. Between her husband David (CEO of Hawkeye Commercial Real Estate) and herself, they have five grown children, represented as characters in the book. "Each one of them has their own unique gifts," Rene Gellerman said. “I have a son who's an engineer, so he's a builder in the book. I have a daughter who's creative and artistic. They mirror the skills and unique abilities of my kids." She hasn't hired an illustrator yet, which will be chosen by the publisher. She was referred to Lucid Books through her husband -- its owner is a friend of his, and they're in an entrepreneurial professional development group. “Rene is a dedicated advocate for community empowerment and positive change,” Lucid posted on the company Facebook page March 12. “Drawing inspiration from her own experiences and fueled by a desire to inspire others, Rene embarked on her journey as an author. Her debut book reflects her belief in the power of storytelling to ignite curiosity, foster generosity, and promote teamwork among young readers.” Making education a priority Gellerman was driven to write a kids’ book last fall, after United Way staff discussed how to inspire the community to prioritize education. She was inspired by a 4th grader named Naomi at Madison Elementary in Davenport, who's on the cover of the United Way "Rise United" brochure. Gellerman has read to her and other students every week at Madison and Fillmore, as part of the volunteer "Read United" program. "When you hear about the challenges they have faced in their young lives, because they live in communities of poverty and the cyclical, generational situations that families live in," she said. "When you hear those stories, for me I am so moved and so motivated to get these kids on a different trajectory." Gellerman has been head of the local United Way for five years. Many imaginative, fearless young kids already feel they can create epic change, Gellerman said. "I want to empower that and continue to motivate them to be that pathway. As we get older, we lose that belief in ourselves and our ability." “Adventures of Kids United” is based in the QC, and the titular bridge is based on the Davenport Skybridge. The kids find their way through the bridge, which takes them to a landing where they meet characters from outer space. One is Mary Marvelous, who shares with them "in other worlds, people work together and they make their communities better," Gellerman said. Her spaceship breaks down in the story, and the kids in the book work together to fix it. "Even at a young age, they can help their neighbors and see how it contributes to the bigger picture," she said of the book's lessons. Her characters end up becoming superheroes. Kids in grade school have unlimited imagination and dreams, regardless of their race or socio-economic background, Gellerman said. She's planning to get her book in every 3rd grader's hands (3,000 in Rock Island and Scott counties), and she will donate all proceeds from their sale to United Way. Gellerman hopes to get sponsors and donors to make that happen for all 3rd graders. It's long been a United Way goal to improve reading levels for local 3rd graders, which is a key factor in whether they will go on to graduate high school. Why not become a teacher? Gellerman never considered a career in education. "I so admire teachers -- the work they do and the responsibility that they have," she said. "To the kids, to the future, to the families. I don't have the patience to do that. It takes such unique and special skills to be that kind of role model. I'm not equipped to do that. "But I hope I can leave my mark in this community, that I was someone who wore my heart on my sleeve," Gellerman said. "I demonstrated that commitment to education and to empowering kids.” In the past five years, she's given United Way a larger focus on education. About 45 percent of United Way revenue and staff goes to education (other pillars are health and income), including the addition last October of a new vice president for early childhood learning and education. Cassie Stewart joined United Way QC last fall as its first new vice president for early childhood learning and education (photo by Jonathan Turner). Cassie Stewart of Muscatine is a former Davenport principal – two years at Madison Elementary and two before that at Pre-K Children’s Villages program. "She's doing great. She's working on rolling out a new program for parent engagement, parent workshops," Gellerman said. "I believe that education is the number-one way that we will fight poverty in our community," Gellerman said. "The more that we can prioritize education as a community, the better our families are gonna do, and I think the more successful our communities will be in attracting businesses and people. People want to live in a place where their kids are going to succeed." United Way works to ensure kids have what they need so they can learn while they're in school. Gellerman wants to fill the resource gap in schools, easing challenges they face. "Sometimes we get caught up with the problem, this kind of problem being so big that we get paralyzed and what I'm trying to do is look at, we have a big vision but we have to take steps along the way," she said. "We have to work with that child one on one and that's a role United Way is moving into." Working in partnership The nonprofit aims to provide resources like books in Title 1 schools that are not as well off, and many students who are struggling the most. United Way partners with other nonprofits -- like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and Girl Scouts -- to fill those needs in schools. There's a new United for Schools program at Madison and Washington Elementary in Moline, a concept they've been incubating for two years (one year in Moline), Gellerman said. The program works with those nonprofits and schools to fill needs of the kids, and United Way is the liaison to nonprofits, freeing up teachers and administrators to educate. "And we take on the coordination of services," she said, noting a winter coat drive at schools. United Way QC helped celebrate Read Across America Day (and Dr. Seuss' birthday) on March 1, 2024. "We are seeing anecdotal improvement in attendance, reading proficiency, behavioral issues, so we are bringing caring adults into the school, working with kids," Gellerman said. They plan to expand that program to six other schools within three years. "It could be a catalyst for other schools and kids. This is a model that's being used in other parts of the country and it's working." United Way also recently completed a big book drive, that collected 20,000 books, being given to a variety of organizations to get into the hands of underprivileged kids. Focusing on Pre-K In addition to the focus on 2nd to 4th grades, the key to solve that issue is before kindergarten, Gellerman said. That includes getting more kids into pre-K programs, and the better that goes, the more likely they are to be reading at level by 3rd grade, she said. United Way helped coordinate a book drive at area Hy-Vee stores that collected 20,000 donated books. There are about 1,000 kids who start kindergarten in the QC with no preparation to start school, Gellerman noted. "If we could change that, we will change the trajectory of that generation of kids." Pre-K has been a focus of the Women United donor network for years, empowering parents to be their child's first and best teacher; providing scholarships and subsidies for families who can't afford child care. In the last 10 years, Women United has raised about $5 million in that area, Gellerman said. "We have to make this a priority for our community because education starts at birth," she said. "A child's brain is 90% developed by the time they're 5. You think about the public resources we invest in our kid and it doesn't even start until they're 5." Need for more reading volunteers Read United always needs more volunteers and the next Day of Caring is April 25, with a strong focus on education, such as reading and other activities, Gellerman said. Read United is as much about building relationships with students and instilling confidence in their abilities, as it is improving their reading skills, she said. "Having them meet someone different from their family, and paying attention to them, encouraging them," Gellerman said, noting she's gotten great feedback from the kids. Read United has been seeking 300 more volunteers to pair up with students as reading mentors to help get them back on track in school. Since it began in 2022, the program has been a community-wide effort to address a drop in youth reading proficiency. “All students deserve success in school, but the reality is, only 55% of Quad Cities third graders are reading at grade level,” said Marci Zogg, United Way’s vice president of community impact. “Read United offers a unique opportunity for community members to be a hero for struggling readers, instilling a lifelong love of reading.” Volunteers can choose from 16 participating schools in Scott and Rock Island counties and volunteer in 30-minute weekly blocks at a time during school hours that line up with their schedules for the rest of the school year. Click here to learn more about becoming a reading volunteer with Read United. | |
Traffic alert: Clinton closing lanes on Bluff Blvd.Iowa American Water crews will repair a water main at Terrace Drive. | |
Iowa forward, Patrick McCaffery enters transfer portal, reports sayUniversity of Iowa men’s basketball forward, Patrick McCaffery has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to reports. | |
Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know!Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives. It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: CHRISTIAN BEARD, 26, 5’10”, 140 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes. Rock Island County warrant for failure to appear/armed violence. SHERRY GRAY, 47, 5’1”, 130 lbs., black hair, brown eyes. Scott County warrant for sex offender registration violation and sex offender provide false information. Christian Beard (L) and Sherry Gray (Crime Stoppers) You have a week to contact police for an elevated reward. Call the tip line at (309) 762-9500. All tips are anonymous. | |
WATCH: Governor Reynolds signs AEA reform billOn Wednesday, Governor Reynolds signed the Area Education Agency reform bill that passed in the Senate on Tuesday. | |
Ice Cube offers $5 million to Caitlin Clark to play in Big3 LeagueClark would be the first woman to join the league as a player. | |
Kwik Trip discontinues bagged milkThe company said the cost to replace old equipment for a product not selling well prompted the discontinuation. | |
QCSO names new youth ensembles directorThe Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association (QCSO) on Wednesday announced the appointment of Hisham Bravo Groover as assistant conductor of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles. He has also recently been announced as a newly hired assistant professor of music and director of orchestral studies at Augustana College. Groover will start in the position this July. “We are thrilled to welcome Hisham to the Quad Cities,” QCSO executive director Brian Baxter said on the QCSO website. “His depth of leadership and experience will resonate and continue to build on the positive momentum and impact of the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.” Like the QCSO music director and conductor, Mark Russell Smith, Groover currently lives in Minnesota where he serves as artistic director and principal conductor of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Conductor of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS), music director and conductor of the Buffalo Community Orchestra, and assistant conductor of the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre. Additional experiences include roles as associate conductor of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, assistant conductor of the Arapahoe Philharmonic, assistant conductor of the Lamont Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre (all in Colorado), and conductor of the University of Iowa Chamber Orchestra. “Hisham displays impressive versatility in his concerts, equally at ease with pops and educational programs as he is with masterworks,” the QCSO release says. He has also conducted and assisted in several opera productions, including Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Strauss Jr.’s Die Fledermaus. "Thoughtful in his programming, Hisham aims to create concerts that resonate with modern audiences," the QCSO release says. In 2024, he conducted a program that integrated the music of Hildegard von Bingen, Steve Reich, and Charles Ives with Mozart’s Requiem. Recently, Groover has competed in two international conducting competitions. In 2023, he was invited to the 1st International Ferenc Fricsay Conducting Competition in Szeged, Hungary. In 2022, he was a semi-finalist in the Princess Astrid International Music Competition in Trondheim, Norway. Benjamin Firer is serving as interim conductor for the QC Youth Symphony Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic for the 2023-2024 season. Grrover is also a violinist and has studied with several pedagogues, including Michel Boris Zaitzeff, Ching-Yi Lin, and Mark Rush. As a conductor, he has studied with Leonid Grin, Kevin Noe, William LaRue Jones, and his principal mentor, Mark Russell Smith. Groover will begin his role as QCSYE music director and QCSO assistant conductor in July 2024. Benjamin Firer will remain as interim Youth Symphony Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor through the end of the 2023-2024 season. Firer was named interim conductor last July, after the departure of Ernesto Estagarribia, who joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Estigarribia is professor of conducting and orchestra director at the Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music, and served the QCSO role four years. The Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles (QCSYE) program consists of four youth orchestras for students in grades 2-12. Under the direction of the outstanding QCSYE conducting staff, members have the opportunity to perform great orchestral repertoire with the most talented young musicians in the area and learn from the mentorship of professional musicians from throughout the region. Ensemble members come from the greater Quad Cities, as well as other communities in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois. For more information on the youth program, click HERE. | |
Coralville man being honored for rescuing 8-year-old boy from Iowa River in 2022Wegayewu Faris was fishing along the Iowa River when he noticed an 8-year-old boy struggling to swim. He was able to help save him but drowned due to the current. | |
$8.5M 'Rebuild Downtown' R.I. to start April 8After more than two years of planning and fundraising, the city of Rock Island is planning to launch its $8.5-million Rebuild Downtown project on Monday, April 8. According to Public Works director Mike Bartels, the hope is to finish the multi-layered reconstruction and streetscaping work by the end of this year. A new roundabout in downtown Rock Island, at 18th Street and 2nd Avenue, is among the many project elements. At its meeting Monday, March 25, the City Council awarded the contract to Valley Construction, Inc. of Rock Island, in the original bid amount of $8,467,987.41 and authorized the City Manager to execute the contract documents and Public Works to continue to value engineer the project and execute necessary change orders to reduce construction costs to $8,223,523.89 or lower. “It’s great to reach consensus around the improvements our community is excited about making downtown,” Rock Island Downtown Alliance executive director Jack Cullen said Wednesday. Improvements downtown (including this reconstructed 2nd Avenue, removing the pedestrian plaza) are expected to start April 8, 2024. “This is the largest investment in downtown’s public infrastructure in a generation, and it’s not the end of the story. This is just the start – where the improvements need to start in the core of downtown and where we hope to continue block by block.” Cullen noted the main goals for the downtown project since day one are: Enhance public spaces Encourage private investment Improve quality of life for downtown workers, business owners, residents and visitors An invitation to bid was advertised on Jan. 25-26 and the following contractors submitted bids: McCarthy Improvements, Langman Construction, and Valley Construction. Bidders submitted on a base bid and six alternates as follows: • Base bid: removal of the Great River Plaza, reconstructing 2nd Avenue between 18th and 19th streets as a festival street; reconstructing 18th St., 1st to 3rd avenues; reconstructing 3rd Ave. from 18th to 19th streets; replacing water mains, sanitary sewers and storm sewers under 18th St., 2nd Ave. and 3rd Ave.; ADA compliant sidewalks; pedestrian lighting: street landscaping and entryway arch. • Alternative 1: reconstruction and reimaging of Arts Alley, at 1719 2nd Ave.• Alternative 2: reconstructing 3rd Ave. between 17th and 18 streets; replacing water mains, sanitary sewers and storm sewers; sidewalks; pedestrian lighting and street landscaping,• Alternative 3: Installing the dog park at 3rd Avenue and 21st St.• Alternative 4: Reconstruction of the alley, between 3rd/4th Ave. and 20th/21st St.• Alternative 5: Remove parking lot at 18th St. and 2nd Ave. and replace with green space.• Alternative 6: Placing lights on the WHBF Tower. A planned lighting of the WHBF Tower was estimated to cost $6.9 million alone. Based upon the base bid costs, Valley Construction was the low bidder with a base bid amount of $7,563,699.31, which exceeds the project’s original secured funding of $7,267,181. A summary of Valley’s bid amounts follows:• Base Bid -- $7,563,699.31• Alternative 1 -- $657,887.35• Alternative 2 -- $1,318,303.55• Alternative 3 -- $674,574.30• Alternative 4 -- $129,314.25• Alternative 5 -- $246,400.75• Alternative 6 -- $6,909,535.00• Total (Base + Alternatives): $17,499,714.51 Preliminary value engineering was initiated between staff, the Rock Island Downtown Alliance (RIDA) and Valley to reduce costs towards the secured funding amount. The Downtown Alliance expressed their desire to accept Alternatives 1 (Arts Alley) and 5 (green space at 18th Ave. and 2nd St.) and discard Alternatives 2, 3, 4 and 6. Lighting of the WHBF Tower will not be part of the downtown project (photo by Jonathan Turner). Valley’s bid costs for this scope of work is $8,467,987.41. To lower costs, the following are planned to be eliminated from the project: temporary planters, pop-up stage, dumpster enclosure, in-street lights, vendor stall, postcard wall, green screen and lawn play structures. The planned Arts Alley murals will not be part of the current project, but may happen later. Preliminary value engineering discussions have resulted in a reduction of project costs (construction and engineering) to $8,223,523.89. Planned murals for the reimagined Arts Alley will not be part of the current project. The revenue sources for the project funding are: • TIF #1 Downtown funds -- $1,556,342.89• American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) -- $3,900,000• Rebuild Downtown Grant -- $3,000,000• Illinois Tourism Grant -- $267,181.00 Funding totals -- $8,723,523.89 After more than six months in operation, the new Downtown Alliance Ambassadors have been circulating through the downtown Special Service Area weekdays and occasional weekends, performing hospitality and cleaning services under the direction of operations manager De’Andre Robinson. A current parking lot at 2nd Avenue and 18th Street will be converted into green space. From greeting visitors and giving directions to collecting litter and removing graffiti, ambassadors are the organization’s eyes, ears and boots on the ground, according to the RIDA website. The Downtown Alliance uses a GPS-integrated mobile software application to track its activities. In the first six months using the system (Sept. 7, 2023-Feb. 29, 2024), the team made more than 2,300 logs. For more information on RIDA, visit its website HERE. To learn more about the Rebuild Downtown project, including lots of visuals, see the City Council’s presentation HERE. | |
Monmouth residents can get spring cleanup help from the Fighting ScotsMonmouth residents who need help with spring cleaning can get assistance from the Fighting Scots. The Monmouth College football team’s Spring Cleanup Day is Saturday, April 13 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. For 15 out of the past 16 years, the team has been helping area residents with household spring cleaning and yard work chores. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the event in 2020. The team’s help is offered free of charge and open on a first come, first served basis to people living within the Monmouth city limits. Both players and staff members participate in the event. Residents must supply any materials or equipment to complete the tasks, such as cleaning supplies, trash bags or tools. They can help with yard work, window cleaning, furniture moving or any other spring cleaning projects. Photos and videos from the cleanup may appear on the Monmouth website and social media accounts. Contact Coach Jack Healy at mhealy@monmouthcollege.edu or call (309) 457-2163 to sign up. Requests should include the address of the cleanup location, a telephone contact number, the name of the person who will be onsite on April 13 and a description of the cleanup job. The team will haul trash to the street but will not take anything in a vehicle to a waste collection site or other drop off site. Coach Healy will assign players to projects, depending on the jobs requested. The deadline to sign up is Thursday, April 11. Click here for more on the Cleanup Day. | |
Muscatine 911 part of state tornado drillThe drill gave businesses, schools, daycares and other facilities the chance to practice their severe weather procedures. |