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

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024

KWQC TV-6  New summer festival coming to downtown Bettendorf to benefit St. Jude KWQC TV-6

New summer festival coming to downtown Bettendorf to benefit St. Jude

Mile Zero Inc., an event production agency, is introducing The Beer Fest, to Downtown Bettendorf. It’s a new summer festival that celebrates craft beer from the Quad Cities and throughout the Midwest, all while supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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Police seek data from phones found in basement with 2 killed teens

Police believe contents of two phones found in the basement of a house where two people were killed have evidence.

OurQuadCities.com Gas Spots in Davenport celebrate grand opening OurQuadCities.com

Gas Spots in Davenport celebrate grand opening

Though three Locust Street Gas Spot locations have been open over three months, owner InConvenience Inc. will host grand opening celebrations for them this Saturday, June 1. Celebrations (at 1136 E. Locust, 303 W. Locust, and 3624 W. Locust streets) will occur from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will involve raffle drawings, energy drink tastings, branded giveaways and remote radio station broadcasts, according to a Wednesday release. The Gas Spot stores have been open in Davenport since early February, and these events are a chance for the community to meet staff, win prizes, and enjoy breakfast and lunch deals all week long. The radio stations 97X, B100 and IRock93.5 will be on site doing a live broadcast and raffling off various event tickets. Red Bull Energy Drinks will be visiting each store offering tastings of their new summer edition flavors, Curuba and Sea Blue. “These stores are alive again and thriving,” Tiffany Fraley, CEO of InConvenience, said Wednesday. “We’re proud to be a part of these Davenport communities.” The Gas Spot locations are part of ICC Motor Fuel I LLC, and were closed in September of 2023 to make way for new management and site upgrades. InConvenience Inc reopened these stores after repairing equipment, cleaning stores, hiring staff and stocking with new inventory in early 2024. These sites also underwent rounds of testing and certifications with the Iowa DNR to ensure safety and compliance for the underground gas tanks. “Our company employees will be on site at the various locations on Saturday, and we’re ready for feedback and insights from the community,” said Fraley. “We’re ready to hear about anything we can do to make our stores an enjoyable part of your daily lives.” InConvenience Inc. is a women-led company focusing on providing convenience to customers, opportunities for employees, and support to communities through innovative approaches and unwavering convictions, all while maintaining a sense of humor and humility.

OurQuadCities.com Registration opens soon for Bettendorf Public Library's summer reading program OurQuadCities.com

Registration opens soon for Bettendorf Public Library's summer reading program

Summertime means it’s time for free library reading programs! The Summer Reading Program returns to the Bettendorf Public Library, with the theme, "Read, Renew, Repeat." The program is free and inspires readers of all ages to read even more. Kids who participate count their reading materials to earn rewards. Adults count their reading and participation in library-related activities to earn rewards. Anyone who finishes the Summer Reading Program is also eligible for additional raffle prizes. The library is offering several special events and classes to explore the "Read, Renew, Repeat" theme, including movies, art programs, music events, magicians and more. Registration for the library's Summer Reading Program opens Monday, June 3rd and runs through Saturday, July 27th. Click here to register or sign up at the Bettendorf Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus Drive. Click here or call (563) 344-4175 for more information on the Bettendorf Public Library and its programming.

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Davenport woman arrested in connection with gunfire at ballpark

A 42-year-old Davenport woman was in custody Wednesday after police responded to a report of gunfire during a ball game Tuesday evening at Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport. Shebra Waters (Scott County Jail) Shebra Waters faces felony charges of intimidation with a dangerous weapon - injure, provoke fear, and dominion/control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a felon, and an aggravated misdemeanor charge of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, court records show. Shortly before 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Davenport Police responded to a call of shots fired in the area of the 200 block of South Gaines Street, according to arrest affidavits. Police presence at Modern Woodmen Park, May 28, 2024 (Linda Cook, OurQuadCities.com) In affidavits, police allege Waters fired a .40 caliber Hi-Point handgun at a victim "to provoke, injure, and anger the victim." Witnesses and a co-defendant identified Waters, police say in affidavits. The game was paused for a time, then continued. Our Quad Cities News crews saw a crime technician at the scene, where officers, who gathered in the parking lot, inspected an area near the railroad tracks. Waters was in custody Wednesday in Scott County Jail, where she was being held on a $10,000 cash-only bond. She is set for a preliminary hearing June 7 in Scott County Court. Police presence at Modern Woodmen Park, May 28, 2024 (Linda Cook, OurQuadCities.com)

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Troopers identify man in fatal Muscatine County crash

Iowa State Patrol identified the man killed and two others injured in a crash Sunday night in Muscatine County.

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Sunny and comfortable the next 2 days

Quieter weather and cooler temps this week.

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YWCA Quad Cities holding open house for new facility

The YWCA Quad Cities is ready to show off its new facility in downtown Rock Island. The YWCA is holding a grand opening ceremony for its new 64,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility at 513 17th Street on Monday, June 3 at 1 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. “We are excited to open our doors to the community and showcase our new facility,” said Julie Larson, CEO of YWCA Quad Cities. “This new space allows us to better serve the diverse needs of our community and further our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. We look forward to welcoming everyone and sharing how this facility will be a cornerstone for positive change in the Quad Cities.” The new YWCA Quad Cities facility has several amenities, including: 11 age-appropriate classrooms A dedicated STEAM lab for science, technology, engineering, arts and math curriculum A Family Aquatic Center with lap pool, slide, vortex, rock climbing wall and zero depth area A children’s lending library and cozy area A second-floor playground and large activity room Fitness rooms with cardio and weight equipment A community commercial kitchen An Empowerment Center with computer lab A rentable Party Room Concession area The grand opening ceremony will feature a ribbon-cutting, tours of the new facility and a reception with refreshments. Visitors can learn about the programs and services that will be offered in the new building, including expanded childcare, youth development programs, job training and more. The YWCA of the Quad Cities has been an important part of the community for over 100 years, offering essential services and advocacy to women and families. This new facility emphasizes the organization’s commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive. Click here for more on the YWCA and its programming.

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Man killed in Sunday Muscatine County crash identified

Iowa State Patrol has identified the person who died as 64-year-old Steven Braudt of Wilton, Iowa. The incident remains under investigation.

OurQuadCities.com Quad City Arts leads revamped 'Talking Art' OurQuadCities.com

Quad City Arts leads revamped 'Talking Art'

Quad City Arts is taking over hosting of the "Talking Art" podcast, in partnership with WVIK, Quad Cities NPR. It builds on the remarkable legacy of its founders, Carolyn Martin and the late Bruce Carter, "whose insightful conversations have enriched our understanding of the arts for over two decades," according to a Quad City Arts release. This collaboration aims to continue developing the community's cultural landscape by engaging listeners with insightful discussions and stories that impact our local art scene. "It is an honor to continue the legacy initiated by Bruce Carter and Dr. Carolyn Martin," Kevin Maynard, executive director of Quad City Arts, said in the release. "Their passion for arts and culture has set a high standard we are eager to uphold. We believe this partnership with WVIK will enable us to highlight even more stories from the Quad Cities and beyond." Listeners can look forward to a series enriched with deeper explorations into the artistic process, impactful community arts initiatives, and personal journeys of both emerging and established artists. In the first episode since last September (which runs over an hour), the revamped "Talking Art" launched May 16 as Maynard sat down with Marc Zyla, principal horn of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO), who shared his journey to becoming a musician and artist, from his early days to his time in the QCSO. Episodes will be released every other Thursday, with part of the first five minutes being broadcast at 8:01 a.m. on WVIK Classical (98.3 FM) and 2:01 p.m. on WVIK News (90.3 FM). The entire interview will then be made available in podcast form. “Talking Art” will have various Quad City Arts team members’ host. Jared Johnson is the CEO and general manager of WVIK at Augustana College. "Talking about local art and artists on our airwaves has been integral to WVIK's mission as a local, public radio station ever since we were founded back in 1980," said Jared Johnson, general manager of WVIK. "This new collaboration with the engaging and creative team at Quad City Arts is already proving to be an extraordinarily fruitful partnership. I can't wait to hear the conversations they have lined up." “Talking Art will be running every other week moving forward,” Johnson said Wednesday. “It will be a longer podcast, with the first five minutes broadcast on air. It will be the same host for both the on-air portion and the longer interview.” "Talking Art" podcast is accessible on WVIK's website and popular podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For more information, click HERE.

OurQuadCities.com Arrest made in incident near Modern Woodmen Park OurQuadCities.com

Arrest made in incident near Modern Woodmen Park

Davenport Police made an arrest in connection with an incident near Modern Woodmen Park last night. Court records show that officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 200 block of S. Gaines Street on May 28 at about 7:13 p.m. According to the arrest report, Shebra Waters, 42 of Davenport, was taken into custody on charges of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a class C felony, control of a firearm by a felon, a class D felony, and assault while displaying a weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor. Shebra Waters (Scott County Jail) The arrest report says that Waters is accused of shooting a .40 caliber Hi-Point handgun at the victim. Witnesses identified Waters as having possession of the gun. She is not eligible to carry a firearm due to previous felony convictions. Waters is in custody at the Scott County Jail, awaiting a preliminary hearing on June 7.

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Man in serious condition after Sterling shooting

A man is in a Rockford hospital in serious condition after police say he was shot yesterday in Sterling, according to a news release from Deputy Chief Pat Bartel. The Sterling Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the 2200 block of East Lincolnway in Sterling on May 28 at about 9:12 p.m. When officers arrived on-scene, they were told that a 28-year-old man had been shot at the location and was taken by private vehicle to CGH Medical Center. The victim was later transferred to Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford in serious condition. Police believe this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident should call the Sterling Police Department at (815) 632-6640. Anyone who wants to make an anonymous report can call the Whiteside County Crimestoppers at (815) 625-7867.

OurQuadCities.com New beer festival brewing in Bettendorf OurQuadCities.com

New beer festival brewing in Bettendorf

A month after QC Craft Beer Week and just a week after a craft beer tasting festival in Davenport, a new beer-themed summer fest is coming to downtown Bettendorf. Mile Zero, Inc., an event production agency in suburban Chicago, is introducing The Beer Fest, a new summer festival celebrating craft beer from the Quad Cities and throughout the Midwest, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. The Beer Fest will be held at “The Warehouse” at Isle Parkway and promises a day filled with fun, food and music - all while supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The Beer Fest in downtown Bettendorf will be on Saturday, June 15, 2024. The Beer Fest is set for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with gates opening early at noon for VIP ticket holders, featuring unlimited beverage samples from local and regional craft breweries, ciders, seltzers, spirits, and wine brands.  Highlights of The Beer Fest include:  Local and Regional Craft Beer: Sample an extensive selection of beverages from local breweries such as Crawford Brew Works, Great Revivalist Brewery and Front Street Brewery. Notable regional breweries include Confluence Brewing Company (Des Moines, IA), The Busted Cup (Burlington, IA), Jefferson County Ciderworks (Fairfield, IA) and 3 Floyds Brewing (Munster, IN).  Food Trucks: Enjoy delicious food from local food trucks (La Flama, Hot Dog Guy, Grafoodi and more) offering everything from tacos to burgers and cheese curds.  Live Music and Broadcasts: Jam all day with a live broadcast from 97X radio station, featuring music from radio host Hairball. The Hooters girls will be at The Beer Fest giving out free chicken wings. Unique Experiences: Dive into the fun with a retro arcade, The Great Escape Patio lounge, and wings from Hooters of Davenport.  Scenic Venue: “The Warehouse” at Isle Parkway offers an industrial, roof-covered venue with stunning views of The Mississippi River and the I-74 Bridge. Proceeds from the festival will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which will have a presence on site throughout the day. The event will be at The Warehouse on Isle Parkway, near Isle of Capri Casino and Hotel, Bettendorf. Tickets for The Beer Fest are limited (early bird tickets are already sold out) - purchasing in advance is highly recommended to ensure entry. While tickets may be available at the door ($45), the event is likely to sell out quickly. General admission tickets in advance are $35, which include unlimited samples from everyone included in the 2024 TBF Beverage Lineup. Food can be purchased cooked up fresh from the best food trucks in the area. VIP Ticket Holders (for $45) get a VIP-only swag bag and admission at noon, an hour early and gain access to special beers and tastings not available to GA guests. Includes all benefits of GA tickets. The Village of East Davenport (along 11th Street) will host its third-annual Village Hops craft beer festival on Saturday, June 8 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with over 30 breweries, cideries, live music and food vendors. Proceeds will benefit the Village of East Davenport Business Association, and tickets for that are available HERE. For Beer Fest tickets and more information, click HERE.

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3 Things to Know | Quad Cities morning headlines for May 29, 2024

A missing man from East Moline has been found dead, and Illinois lawmakers passed their annual budget with funds going toward Smart Start Illinois.

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Muscatine road to close for floodgate training

The Muscatine Department of Public Works Roadway Maintenance Division will close East Mississippi Dr. at the entrance to HNI Corporation, located at 600 E. 2nd St., Muscatine, Thursday, May 30 as staff trains on and certifies Mississippi Dr. Structure #1 (Floodgate #1). According to a release, traffic on Mississippi Dr. and Mulberry Ave. should not be delayed by the training, set to run from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The exercise was planned in coordination with HeinzKraft and HNI Corporation. Exercising the flood gate involves the installation of each piece of the structure, physical inspection of each piece and accomplishing repairs as needed, and dismantling and proper storage of each piece of the structure. Training was supervised by staff members who had participated in a previous installation. Annual drills (exercises) are conducted to retain familiarity with the mechanics and manpower requirements of installing closure structures in years when the actual need to close does not occur. City of Muscatine The Mississippi River is currently at 13.71 feet and is expected to rise to 15.2 feet by Sunday, June 2. Minor flooding occurs at 16 feet, but no flood potential for Muscatine is currently forecasted. For more information, click here.

Quad-City Times Project SEARCH celebrates its most recent batch of student graduates Quad-City Times

Project SEARCH celebrates its most recent batch of student graduates

A private graduation ceremony was held for the students last week.

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Moline breaks ground on new library garden

The $1.4 million addition includes walking paths, landscaping and a small outdoor stage.

OurQuadCities.com Carl Sandburg, Galesburg, recognizes faculty, staff OurQuadCities.com

Carl Sandburg, Galesburg, recognizes faculty, staff

Carl Sandburg College recognized the 2024 winners for Faculty of the Year, Adjunct Faculty of the Year and Staff Member of the Year during its recent 56th annual commencement on the Galesburg campus. Stacy Bainter was selected as Faculty of the Year, Fred Visel was named Adjunct Faculty of the Year and Francis McKillip was chosen as Staff Member of the Year. (Clockwise from top left) Stacy Bainter, Francis McKillip and Fred Visel (Carl Sandburg College) 2024 Faculty of the Year - Stacy Bainter A 2000 graduate of Sandburg's nursing program, this is the second time Stacy Bainter has received Sandburg’s Faculty of the Year honor. Bainter previously won the award in 2020 and has taught at her alma mater since 2008, when she started as a practical nursing lab instructor. She became an adjunct instructor in the associate degree nursing program in 2011 and has been a full-time instructor since 2015. Bainter also spent time as the coordinator for the basic nursing assistant program and practical nursing, and she served as a health occupations teacher at the Galesburg Area Vocational Center from 2011-2015. Prior to her teaching career, Bainter worked as a registered nurse from 2000-15 in long-term care, holding positions of floor nurse, charge nurse, supervisor, MDS coordinator, assistant director of nursing and director of nursing. After graduating from Sandburg, Bainter went on to earn her bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2007 and a master’s in nursing (nurse educator track) from McKendree University in 2015. In 2016, she was inducted into McKendree’s chapter of Sigma Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. 2024 Adjunct Faculty of the Year - Fred Visel As Fred Visel made the trip from his home in Cleveland for his first semester of teaching at Sandburg, one thought entered his mind. “I drove through these cornfields,” Visel said, “and I remember clearly saying to myself, ‘I'm here two years, max.’ That was in the fall of ’71.” Visel never followed through on his promise and, 53 years later, is still going strong as an adjunct history and geography instructor. Born in what’s now Slovakia, Visel didn’t know a word of English when his family immigrated to Cleveland in the early 1950s. He majored in history at Bowling Green University and spent five years in the Army, including two combat tours as an infantry officer in the Vietnam War. He went on to reach the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve. Visel heard about an open history instructor position at Sandburg through a friend from Cleveland who attended Western Illinois University and — despite the pledge he made during his arrival — has never left. “It’s so comfortable living out here,” said Visel, who also has master’s degrees from the University of Iowa and Illinois State University. “I liked what I did and had enough to eat and had a roof over my head, and so I just kept on keeping on.” Visel taught full-time until 1984, when he took over as dean of learning resource services in the library. He remained a part-time instructor through the time he retired from that position in 1999 and has stayed on as an adjunct instructor in the years since. He also spent part of his time at Sandburg as a grant supervisor, and in 2006 he was designated as the college’s historian. “I just like the fact that I think I'm passing on to students who care to listen and learn why it's important to know what happened before them,” Visel said. “I just love to study history, and every year history grows longer and longer.” 2024 Staff Member of the Year - Francis McKillip Known for his humility and generosity, Francis McKillip has been employed at Sandburg since 2018. McKillip started as a second-shift custodian before moving to a daytime shift four years ago. He splits his time working at the CME on the Galesburg campus and at the Annex downtown. It’s not unusual for McKillip to bring in a spread of snacks for students in his work areas, making sure they have ample energy to get through their day. A Galesburg native, McKillip spent 30 years with the former Econofoods in his hometown, working his way up from a bagger to a management position. He then spent nine years in a management role at Waterworks Car Wash before coming to Sandburg. “There's a phenomenal staff that works at the college. I have never not been around nice people here,” said McKillip, whose late wife, Racheal, worked in the business office at Sandburg before she passed away in 2017. “Everyone at the college has been amazing to me, and the students have been fantastic. I can think of a lot of people at the college who deserve this. I do work hard, but I love what I do. This is the happiest I’ve ever been in a job in my life.”

Quad-City Times Quad-City Times

Olivia Allen: Acknowledging mental health difficulties and finding help at school and beyond

Investing in mental health services is absolutely essential — most importantly, for yourself.

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Pending Death Notices for the Quad-Cities, May 29, 2024

Pastor Steven M. Braudt, age 64, of Wilton, Iowa, died Sunday, May 26, 2024. Arrangements are pending at Bentley Funeral Home, Wilton.

Quad-City Times Two arrested in connection with shooting incident outside of Modern Woodmen Park Quad-City Times

Two arrested in connection with shooting incident outside of Modern Woodmen Park

Two people were arrested Tuesday in connection with a shooting incident outside of Modern Woodmen Park.

Quad-City Times Quad-City Times

Pending Death Notices for Muscatine, May 29, 2024

Pastor Steven M. Braudt, age 64, of Wilton, Iowa, died on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Arrangements are pending at Bentley Funeral Home, Wilton.

Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

KWQC TV-6  Quad City community members gather to pay respects to victims and survivors of building collapse KWQC TV-6

Quad City community members gather to pay respects to victims and survivors of building collapse

Tuesday marks one year since the Davenport apartment building partially collapsed.

KWQC TV-6 State officials tout election integrity measures ahead of June primary KWQC TV-6

State officials tout election integrity measures ahead of June primary

Primary elections are a week away. National data shows Americans’ trust in election integrity increased ahead of the 2022 midterms after a low point in 2020. But - will Iowans trust the results this time around?

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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issues disaster proclamation for Sioux County due to bird flu

The USDA confirmed a case of bird flu in a flock of commercial chickens.

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'Rock Island Unplugged' happening Wednesday

Mayor Mike Thoms and other city leaders will be available to answer questions from the community.

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Davenport community gathers to remember collapse on the anniversary of the tragedy

Dozens gathered at a downtown church before heading to a memorial at the collapse site.

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The Davenport Collapse 1 Year Later: Peach and Lexus Berry reflect on collapse, progress made since amputation

Peach was trapped under the rubble for eight hours. In order to rescue her, first responders had to perform an emergency amputation on her left leg.

KWQC TV-6  Davenport Police respond to shots fired in Centennial Park near Modern Woodmen Park KWQC TV-6

Davenport Police respond to shots fired in Centennial Park near Modern Woodmen Park

Tuesday night, at approximately 7:13 p.m., Davenport Police Department said they responded to the report of shots fired in Davenport’s Centennial Park, which is near Modern Woodmen Park. Two people were arrested and charged in relation to this incident, police said.

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Traffic Alert: Bridge Avenue construction

Beginning Tuesday, Bridge Avenue will be closed between East High and Pleasant Streets, according to public works crews. It’s for a sewer repair.

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Police: Car found in river at Empire Park belonged to missing 92-year-old man, autopsy scheduled for later in week

East Moline police confirmed late Tuesday night that a vehicle that was found Tuesday afternoon submerged in the Mississippi River at Empire Park belongs to a missing Quad Cities man.

OurQuadCities.com One year later: Vigil honors victims of building collapse OurQuadCities.com

One year later: Vigil honors victims of building collapse

A vigil in Davenport honored the lives of those who died in the apartment building collapse May 28, 2023 - Branden Colvin Sr., 42; Ryan Hitchcock, 51; and Daniel Prien, 60. (Clockwise, from top left) Branden Colvin Sr., Ryan Hitchcock and Daniel Prien (City of Davenport) As community members gathered to pay respects to those affected by the collapse, Our Quad Cities News reporter Victoria Frazier shows the impact on the QCA and beyond.

OurQuadCities.com 'He was very caring.' Uncle mourns nephew lost a year ago in Davenport collapse OurQuadCities.com

'He was very caring.' Uncle mourns nephew lost a year ago in Davenport collapse

A year ago, the Quad Cities was filled with questions after a portion of the apartment building known as The Davenport gave way. The community could see inside some of the units. Nobody knew why it happened, or whether people were trapped inside or dead. Ryan Hitchcock (Scott Morehart) Now it's all gone - an area covered with grass. Some questions have been answered, but a lot more are still unknown one year later. Our Quad Cities News Anchor Jim Niedelman stood right next to the spot where, one year ago, a large section of The Davenport collapsed, and dozens of people lost everything they owned. Eventually, three people were found dead, including 42-year-old Branden Colvin Sr. - father of five, a grandfather and a well-known member of the community, along with 60-year-old Daniel Prien, a father and grandfather whom his family called a gentle soul with a Gypsy heart; and 51-year-old Ryan Hitchcock, a man devoted to his family. The pain is still fresh for Ryan Hitchcock's relatives, including his uncle, Scott Morehart. Scott Morehart, Ryan Hitchcock's uncle "If you meet him, you will never forget him," said Morehart, whose grief is so fresh he still uses the present tense sometimes when he speaks of his nephew. Ryan Hitchcock was a big presence in the life of his family. "I'm not going to say he was odd, but he was a little odd. And he was different. He was very unique, very caring, giving .... when he was in a room, you knew it," Morehart said. "Before he was out of diapers, he was swimming. He'd jump in the pool and off he'd go." Hitchcock was kind, and always thought of others first. Ryan Hitchcock (Scott Morehart) "He was not all about himself. He was about others," he told Our Quad Cities News. "He took his cousin's kids to the movies, and always did all sorts of things for his mom. He loved family." "He took this jaunt to London and cared for the elderly, and he came back just upset at how we care for our elderly compared to how they do it in London." Whatever Ryan Hitchcock became involved in, he went all the way, whether it was Shark Week, "The Walking Dead" or taking up a new hobby. "Anything like that he took on, it was full-out," Morehart said. "Golfing. He decided he was going to golf, and he went out and bought new clubs and the full attire. He looked better than he golfed. He was definitely an all-in person." Ryan Hitchcock (Scott Morehart) Hitchcock loved to try new things, but also was a creature of habit. That's why, when his family heard about the collapse, they were sure he remained inside his apartment at The Davenport. "He always takes a nap at 4 o'clock. So he was in there taking a nap and we knew it," Morehart said. "We had his phone pinged and it was there. I don't know that you want to get into too much of the city stuff, but they denied it. But we knew he was in there." As he continues to work through his grief, Scott Morehart has some advice: "Embrace what you have today. It could be done tomorrow."

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Davenport collapse 1 year later: How 'A Community Rising' came into fruition

News 8 spent months compiling never-before-seen footage that aired live on the one-year mark of the tragic event.

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Man pleads not guilty in double homicide of Moline teenagers

A Moline detective testified that Israel Martinez claimed he shot Giovanni Flores and Zachary Meincke after Flores pointed a gun at him.

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Community members gather to remember tragic Davenport collapse

A few dozen people gathered just up the street from the collapse site to remember those who died and the impact the event left on the community.

OurQuadCities.com Heather Shore exhibit opens at Smith Gallery, Geneseo OurQuadCities.com

Heather Shore exhibit opens at Smith Gallery, Geneseo

For many years ,Heather Shore has focused on the art of making circular Mandalas. Then, several years ago, she went through an artistic transformation as she dealt with the loss of a close friend, according to a news release. Heather Shore with artwork titled “Stage 8: Moments Of Levity” The artwork in her exhibition in Geneseo is the result of a two-year period in which her emotions were expressed through the art she produced. In recent years, Shore has expanded her artistic expression to include images of emotive portraits. Her collage artworks are created with cut paper and acrylic paint. She finds that patterned paper has many possibilities when the paper is used as an element of design.Her artworks will be on exhibit until July 31 at Smith Studio and Gallery, 124 S. State St., Geneseo. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p..m. Tuesday-Thursday.

KWQC TV-6  One year after building collapse: Community Foundation reflects on aid and recovery  KWQC TV-6

One year after building collapse: Community Foundation reflects on aid and recovery

One year ago, the building collapse in Davenport changed the lives of many residents.

KWQC TV-6  Large police presence reported outside Modern Woodmen Park KWQC TV-6

Large police presence reported outside Modern Woodmen Park

A large police presence was reported outside of Modern Woodmen Park shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday night. The River Bandits were playing in a game at this time.

OurQuadCities.com Police presence outside Modern Woodmen Park OurQuadCities.com

Police presence outside Modern Woodmen Park

There is a police presence in the parking lot outside of Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport. Police presence at Modern Woodmen Park, May 28, 2024 (Linda Cook, OurQuadCities.com) Crews with Our Quad Cities News saw police vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed down Harrison St. to the stadium. Our Quad Cities News crew will remain on the scene to provide details when they become available.

KWQC TV-6  Family: Car found in river at Empire Park belonged to missing 92-year-old man KWQC TV-6

Family: Car found in river at Empire Park belonged to missing 92-year-old man

They are extracting the vehicle, and KWQC is speaking with the chief of police.

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The Davenport Collapse 1 Year Later: Family members of those who died reflect on the tragedy

Three men died in the tragic collapse last year at 324 Main St. — Daniel Prien, Ryan Hitchcock and Branden Colvin Sr.

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Body camera video shows what happened immediately following Davenport collapse

The west wall fell at 4:55 p.m. Body camera footage shows what first responders did after arriving at the scene.

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Meet the Quad Cities' Togolese Diaspora Group

For the past 3 years, the group, made up of migrants from West Africa, has worked to help other immigrants assimilate to life in the QCA.

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The Davenport Collapse 1 Year Later: Iowa Task Force 1 responds to The Davenport apartment collapse

In the hours after 324 Main St. collapsed, Iowa Task Force 1 was called to help respond to the scene. Here's their first-hand accounts of the aftermath.

OurQuadCities.com One year later: Lawsuits against Andrew Wold and Davenport OurQuadCities.com

One year later: Lawsuits against Andrew Wold and Davenport

Downtown Davenport became the center of national media attention when The Davenport apartment building collapsed a year ago. Efforts took a few months to clear everything away from here, and it's still uncertain when and how the victims will be compensated. Our Quad Cities News reporter Sharon Wren looks into the lawsuits against the building owner and the City of Davenport.

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One year later: Update on Davenport collapsed building owner Andrew Wold

Following the apartment building collapse in Davenport, the city demolished the building. However, Scott County property records show Andrew Wold's LLC still owns this lot. Wold also owns other properties in the area. As Our Quad Cities News reporter Hami Arain discovered, Wold is still renting and showing apartments.

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Family: Body found in the Mississippi belongs to William Weber

The Weber family told News 8 that feel a mix of sadness for William's loss and relief for the closure.

KWQC TV-6  8 hours of terror: Peach and Lexus describe what led to on-site amputation KWQC TV-6

8 hours of terror: Peach and Lexus describe what led to on-site amputation

The Davenport Disaster One Year Later: TV6 Investigates sits down with couple who survived collapse

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It's a Mad, Mad, Mad “Mad” World: “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” “Babes,” and “The Garfield Movie”

If you see George Miller's prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and find yourself off-put by more than a few shaky visual effects (a motif that'll continue throughout the film's two-and-a-half hours), a number of colorless performances, a rather pushy degree of myth-building, and one of the most fraudulent fake noses of the past few decades, you'll likely find your early irritation largely forgotten by the finale.

OurQuadCities.com Police presence at Empire Park in East Moline OurQuadCities.com

Police presence at Empire Park in East Moline

There is a police presence in Empire Park in East Moline. Crime scene tape has been established in an area near the water. Empire Park is closed, but the bike path remains open. Our Quad Cities News crew will remain on the scene to provide details when they become available.

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A Community Rising: Davenport Collapse 1 Year Later

May 28, 2024 marks one year since the partial collapse at 324 Main St. in Davenport. News 8 has spent months compiling never-before-seen footage.

Quad-City Times East Moline police work to recover vehicle from Mississippi River at Empire Park Quad-City Times

East Moline police work to recover vehicle from Mississippi River at Empire Park

Divers have located a vehicle in the Mississippi River at Empire Park in East Moline that may belong to a missing man, Police Chief Jeff Ramsey said Tuesday.

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Wapsipinicon River reaches Major Flood Stage

The river reached 12.5 feet on Tuesday.

OurQuadCities.com One year later: Davenport building collapse and recovery for Mockingbird on Main OurQuadCities.com

One year later: Davenport building collapse and recovery for Mockingbird on Main

It's been a year since lives and homes were lost because of the apartment building collapse in Davenport, and a few small businesses called that area home. One affected business was the theater group The Mockingbird on Main. Tristan Tapscott is the owner of the theater company, and Our Quad Cities News reporter Hami Arain spoke with him about the group's struggles over the last year.

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East Moline Police: Divers find submerged car matching vehicle description of missing 92-year-old man

The dive team that initially located the car believes it matches the make and model of one belonging to missing 92-year-old William Weber.

KWQC TV-6  Preliminary hearing held for man charged with murder in death of 2 teens in Moline KWQC TV-6

Preliminary hearing held for man charged with murder in death of 2 teens in Moline

The man charged in the shooting deaths of Giovanni Flores and Zachary Meincke appeared in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.

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Member of Quad Cities' Togolese Diaspora participate in neighborhood cleanup

The group estimates there are about 500 members of the Togolese community in the Quad Cities.

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Flood warning in effect for Wapsipinicon River

A flood warning is in effect for the Wapsipinicon River into next week. Flood stage is 11 feet at DeWitt. It's around 12-and-a-half feet right now. The river's expected to crest at 13.3 feet Monday, June 3. The high water affects homes along the river on Highway 61 and between Wheatland and Calamus. For more information, click here.

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Man pleads not guilty in double homicide of Moline teenagers

A Moline detective testified that Israel Martinez claimed he shot Giovanni Flores and Zachary Meincke after Flores pointed a gun at him.

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Illinois State Police on the lookout for distracted drivers in June

Drivers around the QCA and beyond, watch out! Illinois State Police will enforce a zero-tolerance policy for distracted and drunk driving in June. Troopers will be looking for drivers who show signs of being impaired, operating in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license and transporting open alcohol.Police could also pull over distracted drivers. Police point to federal statistics that show more than 3,000 people die each year in crashes involving distracted driving. Officers will be on the lookout for drivers who disobey Illinois’ distracted driving laws by doing any of the following: All drivers are prohibited from reading, sending, or receiving text messages orcommunication, video streaming, and from browsing the internet. All drivers are prohibited from using handheld electronic communication devices. Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using any cellphone, even hands-free. All drivers are prohibited from using any cellphone, even hands-free, while in school speedzones and work zones. School bus drivers are not permitted to use any type of cellphone, even hands-free. It is illegal to use a cellphone or take photos or videos on wireless devices when drivingwithin 500 feet of an emergency scene. The project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

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Man pleads not guilty in double homicide of Moline teenagers

A Moline detective testified that Israel Martinez claimed he shot Giovanni Flores and Zachary Meincke after Flores pointed a gun at him.

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East Moline police pulling car from the Mississippi River

The dive team that initially located the car believe it matches the make and model of one belonging to missing 92-year-old William Weber.

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1 year since the Davenport collapse: Iowa Task Force 1 responds to The Davenport apartment collapse

In the hours after 324 Main St. collapsed, Iowa Task Force 1 was called to help respond to the scene. Here's their first-hand accounts of the aftermath.

KWQC TV-6  Pleasant Valley man convicted in 2020 boating deaths turns self in KWQC TV-6

Pleasant Valley man convicted in 2020 boating deaths turns self in

James Thiel convicted in the 2020 boating deaths of Dr. Anita Pinc and Craig Verbeke turned himself in Monday to start serving his jail sentence. He has been free on bond pending an appeal.

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FULL INTERVIEW: Iowa State Rep. Monica Kurth reflects on Davenport collapse

News 8's Jon Diaz spoke with Kurth, who represents Scott County, about what has been done at a statewide level after the partial collapse in Davenport last year.

OurQuadCities.com New Moline concert series hushed, exclusive OurQuadCities.com

New Moline concert series hushed, exclusive

Pour Bros. Craft Taproom, 1209 4th Ave., Moline, was fairly quiet on Monday afternoon, Memorial Day. It was open, but most of the action was in a special concert in its packed private event room. An invitation-only event, three solo singer-songwriters were featured in the seventh entry of the new Pindrop Sessions, founded and hosted by the excellent Rock Island-based singer-songwriter Lewis Knudsen. Lewis Knudsen introducing the invitation-only Pindrop session at Pour Bros. in Moline Monday, May 27, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). Held the last Monday of the month, Pindrop was inspired by a Chicago gig he had in 2018, at a listening room series called Sofar Sounds. “It was just a great experience and then the pandemic happened,” he said at Pour Bros., noting he did it two Februarys in a row. It was a secret location for patrons, held in a basement of a bed-and-breakfast in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago. “Just this cool little room that had subway-style concrete walls, and no sound system,” Knudsen said. “I come back here and I thought in the way it was done, we could really use something like that here.” 22-year-old singer-songwriter KAS performing for Pindrop on May 27, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). He had been booking music for Pour Bros., and several musicians told him they wanted to say yes to bar gigs, but said patrons are loud and the performers get discouraged when people don’t pay attention to their songs. “The gears started turning and the manager here Matt said, we have this event room, so run with it, go with it,” Knudsen said. He named the new series “Pindrop” after the phrase “It’s so quiet you could hear a pin drop.” Randy Leasman was the first artist to play at the Pour Bros. event room in downtown Moline (photo by Jonathan Turner). The first session last November featured Matt Van, Ella Gibson and Nicole Dean. Each time showcases three solo artists in short sets (usually six songs, 30-40 minutes), with no amplification. “Just let the music speak for itself in its purest form,” Knudsen said. While the Memorial Day session started at 4 p.m., Pindrop is typically held 6 to 9 p.m. They will be skipping July, after the one set for Monday, June 24. It’s invitation only to make it feel exclusive, Knudsen said. It’s usually up to each performer to invite people. The sessions are the last Monday of the month, except for this July. “And I’m picky about who I book – I want the best people, the best voices, the best songs I can possibly get a hold of,” he said. “Also, I want the musicians to invite the best audience.” No talking may be a brand-new concept for concertgoers, he noted. “It’s gone so well, I can’t even describe how wonderful it’s been,” Knudsen said. “People like hone in. There are so many people who come up to me at a random gig and say, ‘I wish people would be quiet. You don’t get to control your environment all the time, and this is our chance to do that.” In April, he was one of the three artists to play. Admission is $15 per person. Pindrop emphasizes original music, Knudsen said. The attendance has been steadily rising, capped at 50 people. An excerpt from the May 27, 2024 concert. “For me personally, any time I’ve played an album release show, people have been very attentive,” he said. “It’s more about the way you’re introducing the show.” In introducing Monday’s event, Knudsen explained the name. Kas Shewell performed her original songs at Pour Bros. May 27, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). “There’s all these live music gigs in the Quad Cities, and there’s so much variety, but one thing there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of is a place where musicians can play and there’s 100 percent attention for songs,” he said. Monday’s session featured Randy Leasman, Kas Shewell and Chris Avey. Leasman plays bass with Avey in the popular Avey Grouws Band. Leasman is typically bassist for the Avey Grouws Band (photo by Jonathan Turner). “Over the years, so many people like to pigeonhole you. They see me playing bass in different groups and think that’s all I do,” Leasman said after his set on acoustic guitar. He doesn’t really do solo gigs like this. “It takes somebody to point out, hey Randy is not just a bass player, he can play guitar too,” he said. He appreciates having Pindrop as an option, though he admitted it was nerve-wracking to have all eyes and ears on him for that time. “Around here, there’s very few opportunities like this. Musicians work in loud bars, or outdoor festivals,” Leasman said. “You’re used to just being background music.” “It’s great, I am happy to be part of it,” Avey said Monday. “This isn’t as much my forte. I am usually loud and obnoxious.” He also had to write new original songs for Pindrop, since for Avey Grouws, he usually writes the music and lead singer Jeni Grouws pens the lyrics. “It took me a while to get back into the swing, because for seven years, I haven’t had to do it,” Avey said. The band has a busy touring schedule for the next four months. On Monday, he did one Avey Grouws song in his set. Knudsen will be playing a solo gig of his own on June 30, at 1 p.m. at Moline’s Bass Street Landing.

OurQuadCities.com iCan Shine Bike Camp helps special cyclists learn to ride OurQuadCities.com

iCan Shine Bike Camp helps special cyclists learn to ride

The Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities is hosting an annual event that helps kids with disabilities enjoy a childhood rite of passage. The annual iCan Shine Bike Camp will be June 3-7 at the East Moline Schools Administration building, 3451 Morton Drive in East Moline. Session times are 8:30-9:45 a.m., 10:05-11:20 a.m., 11:40 a.m.-12:55 p.m., 2-3:15 p.m. and 3:35-4:50 p.m. This week-long camp features professional instructors and specialized bikes to teach kids how to ride. The camp has been held since 2015 and boasts a 70% success rate for campers learning to ride two wheelers by the end of the week. According to the group’s website, research shows that over 80% of people with autism and 90% of people with Down Syndrome never learn to ride a bike. Click here for more information or to register.

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Quad Cities area flood watch: Wapsipinicon River reaches major flood stage levels

The Mississippi River is expected to crest at 14.2 feet by Sunday morning. The flood stage for the river is 15 feet.

KWQC TV-6  Rock Island-Milan School District to offer free summer meals in June KWQC TV-6

Rock Island-Milan School District to offer free summer meals in June

The Rock Island-Milan School District said they’ll be offering free meals during the month of June.

OurQuadCities.com Davenport church forgives man who robbed them OurQuadCities.com

Davenport church forgives man who robbed them

On the cover of the Sunday, May 26 bulletin at Davenport’s Zion Lutheran Church, parishioners could read a heartfelt letter from the young man who broke in and robbed their house of worship last month. Writing from Scott County Jail, 24-year-old Trenton Stewart apologized to the congregation, after receiving many notes from church members. One such note from a Zion member said in part: “The role of the church is love, grace and forgiveness. I am sorry there are conditions in your life that led you to take from our church. You are welcome here.” Trenton Stewart, 24, wrote back to the church from Scott County Jail, Davenport. The following letter—handwritten by Stewart and dated May 7—was delivered to Zion Monday, May 20: “I know you guys did not deserve that at all. No matter how much I want to put it on a heavy drug addiction... The truth is that I let the devil into my heart. No matter what I was wrong. I never would of imagined to receive a letter from you guys... I'm in my cell now writing this letter feeling guilty but very loved at the same time. Thank you so much, I really loved all of the notes you have wrote me!! “Even though I was in a tough situation... I also know I put myself into that tough situation... I'm just sorry that I brought my troubles unto all of you guys and destroyed your guys church all at the same time. “I’m honestly expecting to go to prison for all of this and I know God will be with me during this as long as I stay strong in faith in him. Zion Lutheran is at 1216 W. 8th St., Davenport. “I absolutely know and understand if not, but I really don't have nobody, my mom is the only I but she is in a abusive relationship... Anyways she really can't because he'll flip-out on my mom but if you would be able to help me out with a few bucks on my books that would be if not amazing. “I'm understanding completely if not... I know my Grandpa “David” was Lutheran and he used to say “Ask & you shall receive" but he also used to say “The Golden Rule: Treat ppl the way that you want to be treated" And for that I am sorry for not following The Golden Rule... I am deeply sorry & would love to keep writing letters back & forth, it made at least my world a little brighter when I got some mail thank you.” Stewart drew a heart and inside, he wrote: “Thank you for writing me hopefully I will hear back soon. Please keep me in your guys prayers! Please send more encouraging notes. Please teach me more about God, it’s pretty dark in here. Thank you for not judging me nor hating me... I promise I’m a good person just lost sometimes...” $15,000 insurance claim Two days after police arrested Stewart Tuesday in connection with a burglary at the Probstei Inn Bar & Grill in Davenport, police responded to the burglary alarm at Zion Lutheran, 1216 W. 8th St., Davenport, Thursday night, April 25, 2024. Zion Lutheran Church is at 8th and Marquette streets, Davenport. Stewart was in custody that Saturday, April 27, and he faces a felony charge of third-degree burglary, an aggravated misdemeanor charge of third-degree theft and a serious misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief, according to arrest affidavits. Olson-Smith said the church has recovered a few items that were stolen, including parts of the security system, but two laptops are gone, and the church has replaced stolen microphones. It has submitted an insurance claim valued at $15,000. During worship on Sunday, May 5, Zion people wrote to Stewart in Scott County Jail. “I've felt strongly that I myself wanted to reach out to him and I wasn't quite sure what to say,” Olson-Smith said Tuesday, stressing forgiveness and second chances. He invited church members to write notes to Stewart, and about 30 did, offering compassion, support and forgiveness. Olson-Smith said one of the problems with the criminal justice system in general is that “it separates us at a time when there's an opportunity to bring people together. I would hope that healing is the goal and not just punishment, right?” he said. “He's likely going to prison and who knows for how long, you know? He's not really paying a debt to Zion by going to prison,” the pastor said. “At least there could be some reconciliation. I think the line that really stuck out to me from his letter was -- I'm sitting here in my cell now writing to you feeling guilty and very loved. And that's kind of the thing that's the beginning of what I hope is the ability for him to change his life.” Moved by response Olson-Smith said many church members were very moved by Stewart’s response. “Just to hear anything at all felt like a small miracle,” he said. “I could imagine a response of like, ‘screw these guys’ and he would throw it in the trash.” Pastor Clark Olson-Smith, right, giving a children's message at Zion Lutheran, Davenport. “There at the end, he asked us to keep sending encouraging notes and he said, ‘Please keep teaching me about God. It's dark in here’,” Olson-Smith said. “It's just heartbreaking, you know, heartbreaking.” In a May 21 letter to Stewart (after receiving his response), the pastor encouraged him to turn his life around. “God brings life out of death and good out of bad,” Olson-Smith wrote. “Today’s mistakes can be tomorrow’s testimony about the forgiveness and saving power of Jesus.” “Jesus was always where suffering was, and Jesus healed people in the here and now,” his letter said. “Christians sometimes push that healing down the road to some distant future and reserve it only for the ‘worthy.’ But that was not Jesus’s way, which was a big part of his conflict with the religious leaders of his day. Jesus healed anyone who really wanted to be healed, and that was too much for people who thought they didn't need any healing.” Trenton Stewart's jail mug shot from April 2021. Among his arrest record, in April 2021, at age 21 Stewart was charged with burglary and theft after breaking into a home in the 1900 block of W. 36th Street, Davenport, using a screwdriver and other tools. He entered a locked garage, then went into the residence and retrieved the keys for the vehicle in the garage. Last month, police allege that, once Stewart was inside the Probstei Inn (6315 W. Kimberly Rd., Davenport), he stole various business checks belonging to Probstei Inn, along with a safe. An hour later on the same day, court records say, Davenport Police responded to CBI Bank & Trust, 2322 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport, in reference to fraud. Arrest affidavits say Stewart entered CBI Bank & Trust with a forged check belonging to Probstei Inn. Court records say the defendant did this twice at different times, and was captured on surveillance footage.

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Free kids meals at Rock Island High School in June

The Rock Island-Milan School District is offering breakfast and lunch at no cost to children 18 and under during the month of June, regardless of income level or school district boundary area. The meals will be served at Rock Island High School, 1400 25th Avenue in Rock Island from June 5 – 27. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-8 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. All meals must be eaten on-site. Call the RIMSD #41 Nutrition Services Department at (309) 793-5900, ext. 10220 with any questions. Families can find other meal sites in Illinois by calling (800) 359-2163 or clicking here.

KWQC TV-6  Heavy police presence at Empire Park KWQC TV-6

Heavy police presence at Empire Park

They are extracting the vehicle, and KWQC is speaking with the chief of police.

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Nominations open for Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce's Fiesta Parade Grand Marshal

Nominations are now open for the 71st annual Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s Fiesta Parade Grand Marshal. The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s Hispanic Business Leaders Committee is hosting the parade. Nominees, including individuals, groups or organizations must meet certain criteria to be nominated, including: Nominees should be known by the public as having made a significant contribution to Sterling and Rock Falls. They have inspired others to become more involved in efforts to assist the community. The person/group has shown outstanding volunteerism in the community. A person has demonstrated an act of heroism and continues serving people in the community. They have helped establish goals for community development and saw them followed through. The nominee is dedicated to improving opportunities for all people in the emotional, physical and social environment where they live. Contact the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce at (815) 625-2400, click here or email knoble@saukvalleyareachamber.com to nominate a person, group or organization. Nominations must be received by July 15th to be considered. The parade will start at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, beginning in Rock Falls. Parade entries will line up on 10th Street. The parade will travel north on First Avenue in Rock Falls and cross the First Avenue bridge into Sterling. The parade will turn left onto Second Street at the base of the bridge and travel north on Locust Street to Third Street, then turning west (left) and continuing to Avenue C, where the parade will end. Click here to register for the parade.

OurQuadCities.com It's no mystery why family loves Richmond Hill OurQuadCities.com

It's no mystery why family loves Richmond Hill

Dana Skiles is a key part of what could be called the first family of Richmond Hill Players. The 36-year-old Geneseo High alum is the third generation of her family to be active in the 56-year-old organization, which presents six shows a year in a converted dairy barn in Richmond Hill Park, Geneseo. Dana Skiles and Tom Akers in the new production of "Laura" at Richmond Hill, Geneseo. Granddaughter of one of the company’s founders, and daughter of RHP veterans Mike and Jackie Skiles, Dana has her first lead – the title role in the classic mystery “Laura” by Vera Caspary & George Sklar, based on Caspary’s novel (adapted into a popular 1944 film). The show will be presented Thursdays through Sundays, May 30-June 9 at the Barn Theatre in Geneseo. John Donald O’Shea, Moline, directs the show. Skiles wanted to be in “Laura” for many reasons – including it’s a lead for a character that’s her age, the story blends mystery and romance, and Skiles’s maternal grandmother was named Laura, and she was a founding member of RHP in 1968. “In the program, I am dedicating my performance to her because she passed away back in 2018,” Skiles said recently. “I’m very sad she's not here to see the show, but I'd like to think she's gonna look down and be proud.”  The Laura character doesn’t make her entrance until about 14 pages into the script, but once she does, she basically never leaves the stage, Skiles said. “It's a very large role. So I wanted to do it proud,” she said. “I made sure that I got my lines memorized early. I try to kind of lead by example because we've got several new people in the cast. So I tried to be a good influence on them and like coming in off book and being collaborative with the other actors and trying to work things out and kind of bring them into the fold and stuff like that.” Eric Friedman, left, Dana Skiles, Jim Strauss, and Perry Farley in "Laura." In the story, when Laura Hunt is shot-gunned to death at the door of her upscale New York apartment, detective Mark McPherson is assigned to investigate the case. In the process, he meets the three men in her life, peruses her personal effects and letters, and falls in love with Laura — or, at least, with her portrait which hangs above her mantel. Then, when Laura appears at the door of her apartment, McPherson realizes the victim has obviously been misidentified. So, who was the woman killed at the apartment door? What was she doing there? And who killed her? Suspicion falls on Laura’s friend and mentor Waldo Lydecker, on her fiancé Shelby Carpenter, on Danny Dorgan, a brilliant young pianist and friend of Laura, on Danny’s mother, who believes Laura is a corrupting influence on Danny, or perhaps, even upon Laura herself. Dana Skiles, right, in "Unnecessary Farce" at Richmond Hill in November 2023. Skiles was last on stage at the Barn Theatre last November in “Unnecessary Farce” and directed the iconic thriller “Misery” in June 2023. She likes both directing and acting. “It’s weird because both give you that rush of satisfaction of seeing where the show started and then seeing it come to fruition during performances and it's just a completely different perspective whether you're on stage or backstage, but it still gives you that that sense of pride no matter what,” she said. “It's really difficult to say which one I enjoy more because it's similar but different.” As a director, Skiles feels more pressure early in rehearsals, when she figures out blocking, props and costumes. “It's crazy pressure. But when you're an actor, the pressure's on once the audience is in the seats,” she said. “Coming in as a director, you wanna have all your ducks in a row and you wanna get all the things done that need to get done because that sets everybody up for success. If you've got all that going for you, then the actors have a much easier time and they're under less stress until the show starts. “But then once you're on stage, if you miss a line or you forget like, oh dang it, my entrance was a little bit too late today or something like that, the only thing you can do is try again,” Skiles said. Director as a parent  “This is gonna sound weird from somebody who's not a parent, but I kind of liken it to being a parent as a director,” she said. “You're the parent that you're trying to set your kids up and opening night is like sending them off to college and you hope that you taught them right.“As the actor, you're kind of the child where like they're kind of holding your hand and guiding you through the rehearsals and then once production starts, you don't have that safety net anymore,” she said. While Skiles hasn’t forgotten lines on stage, she was in a comedy several years ago called “Bingo,” and there was a gun that was supposed to go off and it jammed. “And so it was just clicking and thankfully it was a comedy. So one of the crew members off stage just yelled ‘Bang!’ and then they just proceeded as if the gun went off. So that was terrifying in the moment, but it was funny afterwards,” she recalled. Dana's mother, Jackie Skiles, and Jonathan Grafft in the June 2023 production of the Stephen King thriller "Misery." She prefers acting in comedies, but directing dramas, like last year’s Misery,” which co-starred her mother as the unhinged Annie Wilkes, “number-one fan” of author Paul Sheldon, played by Jonathan Grafft, both RHP veterans. “It was nice because the two main people that I had for that show are very experienced actors. I knew they would do a good job,” Dana said. “If I told them, hey, you need to be more menacing during the scene or you need to be more scared during this scene, they just took it and ran with it and did exactly what I wanted. "I didn't have to really dig and pull anything out of them because they wanted it to be a great show too.” It was unsettling to see her mom as such an evil person in the play. “She scared the crap out of me several times,” Skiles said. Jackie Skiles as Annie Wilkes in "Misery," directed by Dana Skiles. “There were some times where I'm like, pretend that I just came home and tell you and told you I got an F on my math test. That's how mad I want you to be. And then I started having like childhood flashbacks of like, no, don't yell at me. “It was weird because I know she's acting and because I'm telling her to do these things, like, be more menacing and be terrifying, you know, and all this other stuff,” Dana said. You have to disconnect from the fact of the person and just view them as the character.” A quarter-century of plays Her parents have been part of RHP for 25 years. Mike started building sets and just helping out in crew. Mike is co-stage managing “Laura.” “Then he did a few acting roles and then my mom was doing acting and stage managing and stuff like that and then it just eventually branched out to my dad's was like, ‘I'd like to try my hand at directing’ because he saw me directing and saw how much I loved it,” Dana said. “Yeah, I'll give it a shot. And so he likes it.” Justin Raver and Dana Skiles in "Drinking Habits" at RHP in April 2022. The first RHP show she directed was “I Take This Man” in 2013, and the first one Mike directed was “The Odd Couple” in 2014. Dana did a few shows at Geneseo High, but concentrated more on RHP with the smaller casts. “A lot of times I couldn't because the schedules overlap and rather than be a small part in a play with 20 other kids, I'd rather be in a show of cast of six,” she said.Skiles doesn’t feel extra pressure because RHP is such an intimate theater, in the round, with audiences on all four sides. “You earn tricks on how to kind of ignore the audience. But at the same time, I love that there's audience on all sides because I know that whatever I do whatever direction I face, somebody's gonna see it,” she said. “So it kind of forces you to stay in character no matter what direction you're facing.” “Especially in a comedy when you are standing there and you do something and you can hear people, they're so close that you can pick out certain people's laughter,” Skiles said. “When there's somebody in the audience and you hear them laugh, it just gives you so much more energy to keep going and pump it up even more.” Her favorite comedy was “Unnecessary Farce” because it was so physical, and directed by Grafft. “Jonathan Grafft was fantastic as a director because he was very much a collaborative director where he's like, hey, this is what I want to do. If it feels weird, come up with another option, we'll try it -- so that it's really nice to have a director like that,” Skiles said. She tries to take that approach when she directs. “I make sure to tell everybody that yes, I am the director and technically what I say goes, but. especially during the first couple weeks of rehearsal, if you wanna try something just let me know we'll try it and I'll tell you yay or nay,” Skiles said. “So it is a team effort because at the end of the day, they're the ones on stage, they're the ones doing it. If it feels awkward to them, it's gonna look awkward to the audience.”  Dana Skiles and Jonathan Friedhoff in "Laura," which opens Thursday, May 30. Skiles’s full-time job is in the gas mapping department of MidAmerican Energy. “In both aspects of my life, job and hobby, I feel like I'm kind of following in my parents' footsteps because my mom is the one who first convinced me to start acting and it was her mom that helped found it and everything,” she said. “I'm following her footsteps there. My dad was a gas mapper for 32 years and I've been doing it for almost seven years now.” Director and newcomer  John Donald O’Shea (who’s directed about 100 productions, including at Alleman High and Seton Catholic), was on stage in a 1967 version of “Laura” at the old Bettendorf Community Center, when he played Shelby. “It’s really a well-written show,” he said recently. “I’ve always remembered the play.” At RHP, he’s also directed “Out of Sight, Out of Murder,” “The Fantasticks” and a version of “Robin Hood.” He’d never worked with Dana before, but said she’s a really good actress. Eric Friedman and Dana Skiles in "Laura." O’Shea is impressed with newcomer Eric Friedman, who plays the detective. “He’s terrific,” the director said. “He’s a first-rate actor. You watch him on stage and it’s not haphazard; he’s really good.” Friedman was in his first RHP show in 2019, as an orderly in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” also directed by Dana. He was cast in 2020 in “Becky’s New Car” (to be directed by Jennifer Kingry), but it was canceled by COVID shutdowns and never rescheduled. Friedman was working at the Geneseo Fareway and two days after he was cast in “Laura,” in early March, he was transferred to the Muscatine Fareway, a little over an hour away. “It’s definitely one of the big roles,” he said of “Laura.” “It’s been kind of an adventure. Everybody’s been really helpful. Dana, she’s been awesome. She’s been giving me tips and tricks.” Friedman recorded many of his lines so he can listen to them on his commute during rehearsals. Skiles is directing the November 2024 show, a farce, “My Son Is Crazy But Promising.” “It is the exact opposite of ‘Misery’,” she said. “It is a cast of 14 and it is pure chaos. I like to change things up a little bit.” In that show, there are characters who believe in aliens, digging for buried treasure, Skiles noted. “We have a gangster who has a girlfriend who wants to be a Hollywood star, but she's the dimmest person ever. You know, just every caricature you can think of, including a Russian spy that tries to blow himself up.” Dana Skiles, right, in the RHP production of "Drinking Habits 2" from April 2023, with Nathan Johnson and Elizabeth Shaffer. The “Laura” cast also includes Perry Farley, Tricia Fox, Jonathan Friedhoff, Tom Akers, Alexandra Champagne and Jim Strauss.  On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30. Sundays are 3 p.m. matinees with the doors opening at 2. Tickets are $12, available by calling the Richmond Hill box office at 309-944-2244or by visiting the website HERE. Late seating is not permitted; no one will be admitted to the theater after the show has started.  An audio description performance will be held Friday, May 31.  Richmond Hill also offers Assistive Listening Devices, which can be requested at the time that reservations are made. 

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324 Main St. city inspection photos from November 2020 to January 2021

Inspection photos spanning from Nov. 18, 2020, to Jan. 11, 2021 show conditions along the west wall prior to the 2023 partial collapse.

OurQuadCities.com Israel Martinez makes court appearance in first degree murder case, enters plea OurQuadCities.com

Israel Martinez makes court appearance in first degree murder case, enters plea

Israel Martinez made an appearance in court in Rock Island County this morning. He’s accused of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 17-year-old Giovanni Flores and 19-year-old Zachary Meincke, both of Moline on May 5. Israel Martinez (Scott County Jail) Martinez, 20 from Davenport, appeared in court for a preliminary hearing. Court records say he waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges and penalties. He pled not guilty and demanded a jury trial. Besides the two murder charges, both class M felonies, he’s also charged with two counts of aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm (class X felonies), two counts of aggravated battery/discharging a firearm near an occupied vehicle (class 1 felonies) and one count of obstruction of justice/destroying evidence (class 4 felony). Martinez continues to be held on no bond, according to court records. He’s set for a pretrial hearing in June.

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Hear about life in a big farm family at Bishop Hill author event

Author Bill Mueller will share his experiences growing up on a family farm with 10 brothers and sisters in his second book, Time to Ship Another Steer at a free presentation/book signing on Sunday, June 8 at 1 p.m. in Bishop Hill. The book’s title comes from how the family paid the bills on the farm. (BHHA) (BHHA) Mueller will offer simple ideas to help participants save their family histories during the presentation. He originally wrote Time to Ship Another Steer to share his family history with his grandchildren. The one-hour presentation and book signing will be in the Steeple Building Museum, 103 N. Bishop Hill Street in Bishop Hill. For more information, email the Bishop Hill Heritage Association at bhha@mymctc.net or call (309) 927-3899.

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Next Rock Island Unplugged is Wed.

In an effort to encourage open dialogue between Rock Island officials and residents, the city will hold another Rock Island Unplugged on Wednesday night, this time featuring Mayor Mike Thoms and department directors. The casual public-forum event allows residents to engage in a question-and-answer session with city officials and department directors outside the City Hall setting. The city has been holding “Rock Island Unplugged” events since 2018, and the next one is at Stern Center, 1713 3rd Ave., Rock Island, on Wednesday, May 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rock Island Unplugged from Jan. 18, 2023. Residents may ask any city-related questions or bring up concerns about city business, projects, plans, services, public safety and more. The public may also share ideas or suggestions they have. “We are excited to hold another Rock Island Unplugged. It is a great opportunity to meet and engage with the public,” Mayor Mike Thoms said in a news release. “This is an opportunity for the community to ask questions, get answers and provide input.” Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and panel discussions will begin at 6 p.m. Hot appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages and a cash bar will be provided to attendees. In addition to Thoms, the event will feature City Manager Todd Thompson, Public Works Director Mike Bartels, Community and Economic Development Director Miles Brainard, Economic Development Director Tom Flaherty, Interim Police Chief Tim McCloud, Fire Chief Bob Graff, Parks and Recreation Director John Gripp, Finance Director Jessica Sager, Library Director Angela Campbell, MLK Community Center Director Jerry Jones, City Clerk Samantha Gange and Community Engagement Manager Sarah Hayden. An opening statement will be given by Mayor Thoms, followed by introductions of department directors and summaries of current projects or events. The floor will then be opened to questions from citizens. If unable to attend, residents may send questions in advance to Sarah Hayden at hayden.sarah@rigov.org. Submitted questions will be read out loud during the event.

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Music on the Lawn welcomes Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans

Music on the Lawn at the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House returns with concerts for the entire family. Jeanie B! and The Jelly Beans are bringing three family-friendly concerts to the lawn of the Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue in Moline on June 12. Two daytime concerts will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The evening concert starts at 6:30 p.m. with pre-concert, family-friendly activities starting at 5 p.m. All concerts are free, but registration is required for the daytime concerts. Email gsmall@butterworthcenter.com to register. Registration isn’t required for the evening concert. Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans (Jeanie B!) Concertgoers can bring chairs, blankets and box dinners or picnics to enjoy the music. All concerts will be moved to the nearby Deere-Wiman Carriage House in case of bad weather. Jeanie B!’s lifelong mission is entertaining and educating children and families. She started composing on the guitar at 15, mirroring the styles of Carole King and Neil Young. “Jeanie B! has a strong, melodic voice and writes intelligent and witty songs,” said Parents’ Choice Magazine. “She doesn't underestimate the musical and lyrical sophistication of her audience.” For more on the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House and the programs offered, click here. For more on Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans, click here.

OurQuadCities.com New painting celebrates Muscatine-China friendship OurQuadCities.com

New painting celebrates Muscatine-China friendship

Muscatine muralist Chris P. Anderson’s latest artwork, “The Pearl Dragon,” is now on display in Muscatine, celebrating the longstanding relationship between the city and China. This painting (displayed at Pearl City Media, 215 E. 2nd St.) was recently featured during a dinner event at the Merrill Hotel, hosted for Wang Zhengpu, Governor of Hebei, and Wang Zhengding, Zhengding County Party Secretary, along with their delegations. Chris P. Anderson's painting "The Pearl Dragon," on display at Pearl City Media, Muscatine. Anderson, known for his vibrant murals throughout downtown Muscatine, created “The Pearl Dragon” to mark the Chinese Year of the Dragon in 2024. This oil on canvas captures the essence of dragons given to Muscatine during Chinese New Year celebrations and acknowledges the Sino-US Friendship House on Bonnie Drive, where Chinese President Xi Jinping stayed during his 1985 visit, according to a release from Discover Muscatine. The artwork also features a Chinese waterfall, symbolizing the unity of two places and peoples. “The Pearl Dragon” holds significant cultural symbolism. Pearls have been esteemed in China for centuries, believed to offer protection from fire and fire-breathing dragons, Discover Muscatine said. A Chinese dragon Anderson received before a special Muscatine Chinese New Year event on Feb. 9, 2024. This ties back to Muscatine’s history, once known as Fire Island and later becoming the pearl button capital of the world. The painting illustrates a dragon admiring a pearl, signifying the transformation from adversity to beauty, akin to a pearl’s creation from a grain of sand. Governor Wang Zhengpu expressed his appreciation for the artwork and its representation of the deep-rooted friendship between Hebei and Iowa. He stated, “I feel that our friendship has its roots right here and I’m sure that we will further carry this friendship forward.” Additionally, he noted the connection between the Sister States, highlighting prominent athletes like Caitlin Clark, the WNBA rookie and NCAA all-time leading scorer from Iowa, and Sun Yingsha, the top-ranked women’s singles table tennis player from Hebei. Chris Anderson, a Muscatine mural artist, with his 15-year-old daughter Chiara, and some of their paintings they gave to Chinese guests in Muscatine. After the dinner and program, guests mingled and took pictures with “The Pearl Dragon,” commenting on its vibrant colors and the way it captured the essence of the long-standing relationship between Muscatine and Chinese communities. This event not only showcased Anderson’s artistic talent but also reinforced the cultural ties and mutual respect between the Sister States, the Discover Muscatine release said. On Feb. 9, 2024, Art Troupe of the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China (RDFZ) performed at Muscatine High School. It is renowned for its diverse artistic groups, including dance, boys’ dance, symphony orchestra, martial arts, aerobics, choir, and folk orchestra.

KWQC TV-6  Remembering the Davenport building collapse KWQC TV-6

Remembering the Davenport building collapse

Remembering the Davenport building collapse

KWQC TV-6  The Davenport Disaster: One Year Later KWQC TV-6

The Davenport Disaster: One Year Later

On May 28, 2023, The Davenport apartment building partially collapsed. A tragic event, that will forever be remembered in the Quad Cities.

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3 Things to Know | Quad Cities morning headlines for May 28, 2024

James Thiel is in jail after being convicted of a fatal boat crash in 2022, and residents along the Wapsipinicon River are on alert as water levels rise.

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Rock Island alum headed to the Paris Olympics

Courtney Lindsey will be competing on the USA men's track team.

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Bettendorf's Memorial Day ceremony welcomes QCA nonprofit helping families of fallen heroes

Anonymously Grateful gives monetary and emotional support to Gold Star families and is spreading awareness of veteran suicide.

Quad-City Times United Way of Muscatine's Hilary Henke named new President of Volunteer Centers of Iowa Quad-City Times

United Way of Muscatine's Hilary Henke named new President of Volunteer Centers of Iowa

Hilary Henke, who serves as Community Engagement Manager at United Way of Muscatine, has recently been named President of Volunteer Centers of Iowa.

Quad-City Times Learn how to protect your brain: Lutheran Living to hold dementia event Quad-City Times

Learn how to protect your brain: Lutheran Living to hold dementia event

Lutheran Living will be hosting an event entitled “Dementia Action Plan – Learn How to Protect Your Brain from Dementia.”

Quad-City Times Quad-City Times

One dies in Sunday crash in rural Wilton

The Iowa State Patrol has not released the name of a motorist who was killed Sunday evening in rural Wilton, nor the names of two people injured.

OurQuadCities.com Moline rally will mark 4th anniversary of George Floyd's death OurQuadCities.com

Moline rally will mark 4th anniversary of George Floyd's death

A rally will be held in Moline to observe the fourth anniversary of George Floyd's death on May 25, 2020, according to a news release. In 2020, his death "sparked huge local and nationwide protests against the alarming rate at which Black Americans were being killed by police," the release says. Progressive Action for the Common Good (pacgqc.org) Two Quad Cities women, Caryn Unsicker and Glenda Guster, "were concerned that all the news coverage would fade away in short order without any solutions. So they decided to enlist members of their local Progressive Action for the Common Good (PACG) group and others to join them in holding ongoing rallies." On June 13, 2020, three weeks after Floyd’s murder, they gathered from noon to 12:30 pm onthe Slumberland/Party City Corner across from Southpark Mall in Moline. Holding signs such as“Honk for Racial Equality” and “Black Lives Matter,” the group has continued to meet almostevery Saturday for the past four years and plans to continue indefinitely "until racial equality is areality in America," the release says. George Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo Credit: Courtesy Ben Crump Law Firm Unsicker says that, despite an occasional detractor, the large number of honks they get each week from passersby of all races is encouraging. “This tells us that most people want to keep the conversation about racial equality alive and active, and that many people acknowledge that we need solutions so we can heal as a nation," Unsicker says in the release. Because June 13 is on a Thursday this year, the group decided to mark the fourth anniversary ofadvocating for racial equality and justice from noon until 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at its regular weekly location. "We have extra signs and all are welcome," the release says. Progressive Action for the Common GroupPACG empowers people to take action for positive change and social justice by coordinating a network of community forums and events aimed at educating and engaging residents to work for the common good of all. Its core values are social justice, empowerment, diversity, sustainability and community.

Quad-City Times One year after 324 Main St., many ideas, but no 'substantive changes' to Davenport rental codes Quad-City Times

One year after 324 Main St., many ideas, but no 'substantive changes' to Davenport rental codes

One year after the collapse of 324 Main St., there have been no “substantive changes” to Davenport’s rental code and inspections policies, so far, according to city staff.

Quad-City Times The $3.26M year: What the City of Davenport spent in the aftermath of the partial collapse Quad-City Times

The $3.26M year: What the City of Davenport spent in the aftermath of the partial collapse

Financial records from the City of Davenport for expenses showed the city had spent a total of $3,267,437 in the aftermath of the partial collapse of 324 Main Street.

Monday, May 27th, 2024

KWQC TV-6 What questions should Rep. Feenstra challenger, Kevin Virgil, have to answer? KWQC TV-6

What questions should Rep. Feenstra challenger, Kevin Virgil, have to answer?

Kevin Virgil will answer question live about his Republican campaign for Iowa's Fourth Congressional District.

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East Moline food truck owner returns to town after bringing supplies to Greenfield

Toni Bare, owner of Toni's Smokin' Grill, said she's been able to help more than 600 people so far.

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Bettendorf veteran launches nonprofit to promote mental health issues in the military

Jose Cerda said he was encouraged to start "Anonymously Grateful" after attending four funerals for veterans who died of suicide.

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James Thiel reports to jail two years after sentencing in deadly boat crash

Thiel was found guilty on two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

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57th Kwik Star Criterium takes place in Village of East Davenport

There were 250 participants and more than a dozen races for all skill levels. It's the second oldest race in the country.

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1 killed, 2 injured in Muscatine County crash

The names of one person killed and two others injured in a crash Saturday in Muscatine County have not been released. According to an Iowa State Patrol report, the crash happened shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday at 120th Street and Taylor Avenue when a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee collided with a 2017 Chevy Equinox. The Jeep was eastbound on 120th Street and failed to stop at a stop sign, the report says. It proceeded through the intersection of Taylor Avenue. The Jeep collided with the Equinox, which was southbound on Taylor Avenue. The Jeep broadsided the Equinox, and caused it to roll. One person was killed, according to the report. Another person was transported by Aircare to University Hospitals, Iowa City, and another person was transported by EMS to Genesis Medical Center - East Campus. No names of anyone involved have been released. The crash remains under investigation.

OurQuadCities.com Illinois budget to eliminate grocery tax by 2026 OurQuadCities.com

Illinois budget to eliminate grocery tax by 2026

A budget for next fiscal year would eliminate Illinois' one percent grocery tax by the year 2026. However, several communities in Illinois rely on the money generated by the tax and are concerned about how to make up for the lost revenue. As Our Quad Cities News Illinois Capitol Bureau correspondent Theodora Koulouvaris reports, the budget would give those communities time to figure out their next move.

OurQuadCities.com Learn how to protect your brain at free Muscatine session OurQuadCities.com

Learn how to protect your brain at free Muscatine session

Lutheran Living Senior Campus, a continuing care retirement community, welcomes members of the public to an informational event about dementia, according to a news release. "Dementia Action Plan – Learn How to Protect Your Brain from Dementia," will be 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Lutheran Living, 2421 Lutheran Drive, Muscatine.    A picture of a human brain taken by a positron emission tomography scanner, also called PET scan, is seen on a screen. (Credit: Fred Tanneau/AFP via Getty Images) Hamid R. Sagha, M.D., author of “Dementia Action Plan: Give Your Brain a Fighting  Chance!" will present, along with Peggy Starkweather, member of the Lutheran Living Board of Directors and Chris Schulz, executive director of Lutheran Living. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will learn how individuals can best protect their brains from dementia-related illness and disease. For more information, contact Schulz at: 563-263-1241 or cschulz@lutheran-living.org. About Lutheran Living Senior Campus Lutheran Living Senior Campus in Muscatine provides individuals and their families with experienced care and compassionate faith-based living that addresses the individual health care needs of the residents in their community.