Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 | |
Bettendorf hotel group honored, growingCambria Hotel Quad Cities in Bettendorf has been recognized with a prestigious 2023 Ring of Honor Award by Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world's leading lodging franchisors, according to a Wednesday release. Specifically, the Cambria is being recognized with just two other Cambria hotels nationwide with this prestigious Ring of Honor Award because of its ranking by Cambria guests in the “intent to recommend” category, which denotes how strongly guests feel about the Cambria after having stayed at the hotel. The Cambria Hotel at 5061 Competition Drive, Bettendorf, earned a "Ring of Honor" award, in the top 1 percent of all hotels within its brand. The designation is awarded to the top 1% of hotels within the brand, representing a tremendous accomplishment, the hotel release said. As one of the top-tier properties operating under the Cambria flag, the hotel has demonstrated an exceptional focus on guest satisfaction and dedication to superior service. Award criteria are evaluated by Choice Hotels through its official property ranking reports. Frontier Hospitality Group credits general manager Ashlei Shepherd, and “her amazing team with caring for our guests’ day in and day out to provide guests with the highest quality stay,” the company said. The Cambria opened in Bettendorf at The Plex in 2019. “The Cambria team deserves this honor which is the truest representation of Frontier’s culture and values,” Dan Huber, owner & CEO of Frontier Hospitality Group, said in the release. “Ashlei and her team live out our vision and our mission by operating a hotel our guests both prefer and refer! Our guests have strongly indicated they intend to recommend the Cambria to other guests, and this is the highest possible reward for the warm and generous hospitality our Cambria Hotel team offers each day.” Groundbreaking in Bettendorf Frontier will hold a groundbreaking May 14, 2024 for its new SpringHill Suites by Marriott hotel near Cambria, at 5235 Competition Drive, Bettendorf, at The Plex area. Frontier will develop and operate a new $17-million SpringHill Suites adjacent to the new Iron Tee Golf attraction being built in the new development at the northeast quadrant of Middle and Forest Grove roads. The new SpringHill Suites by Marriott will have its groundbreaking May 14, 2024 at 5235 Competition Drive, Bettendorf. The 80-room hotel will be a key component of the Phase 2 expansion of The Plex Area district, according to a Frontier release. It is expected to open in early 2025. This past December, Frontier also opened its new 113-room Courtyard by Marriott Bettendorf Quad Cities (907 Utica Ridge Place), next to the Frontier-owned Home2Suites by Hilton, off Spruce Hills Drive and Utica Ridge Road. For more information on the Cambria Bettendorf, click HERE. For more on SpringHill Suites, click HERE. | |
Two men arrested after Knoxville fightOn Tuesday, April 16th, 2024, Knox County Deputies were dispatched to a fight in progress involving two people using a bat and a golf club. Deputies were given information while en route that some of the individuals departed in a vehicle. Deputies arrived on scene and located a man with visible trauma to his face, and a woman with a laceration to her shin. The female victim was treated and released on scene by Knoxville First Responders, according to a Wednesday Knox County release. Cade Nuss, 22, arrested by Knox County (courtesy of Knox County Sheriff's Office) The male victim was treated on scene by First Responders then transported by GHAS ambulance to St. Mary’s Medical Center Emergency Room to be evaluated for his injuries. Deputies were able to locate the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop where two men were located inside of the vehicle, the Sheriff’s Department release said. James Nuss, 24 (courtesy of Knox County Sheriff's Office) The driver had a visible laceration to his cheek. The driver informed the deputies he had been in a physical altercation. Cade Nuss, 22, and James Nuss, 24, were taken into custody and booked at the Knox County Jail and charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Battery, and Mob Action. | |
TIMELAPSE: Storms roll through the Quad CitiesNews 8's Bridgepointe camera in downtown Moline captured storms rolling through the area on April 16. | |
PHOTOS: Storm damage in AledoCommunity Bible Fellowship in Aledo suffered roof damage during storms on Tuesday. The roof was torn off and flipped over to the other side of the building. Community Bible Fellowship in Aledo suffered roof damage after storms on April 16, 2024. (Bryan Bobb, OurQuadCities.com)Community Bible Fellowship in Aledo suffered roof damage after storms on April 16, 2024. (Bryan Bobb, OurQuadCities.com)Community Bible Fellowship in Aledo suffered roof damage after storms on April 16, 2024. (Bryan Bobb, OurQuadCities.com)Community Bible Fellowship in Aledo suffered roof damage after storms on April 16, 2024. (Bryan Bobb, OurQuadCities.com) Community Bible Fellowship in Aledo suffered roof damage during storms on April 16, 2024. (Bryan Bobb, OurQuadCities.com) Community Bible Fellowship in Aledo suffered roof damage during storms on April 16, 2024. (Bryan Bobb, OurQuadCities.com) Community Bible Fellowship in Aledo suffered roof damage during storms on April 16, 2024. (Bryan Bobb, OurQuadCities.com) Community Bible Fellowship in Aledo suffered roof damage during storms on April 16, 2024. (Bryan Bobb, OurQuadCities.com) | |
Light show to the EastCredit: Marta Behrends | |
Burlington adds its first-ever pride parade, looking for entries"It's just one of those events that is all about inclusivity and equality and just making people feel accepted," an organizer said. | |
Playcrafters needs volunteers for 24-hour benefitPlaycrafters Barn Theatre needs actors and actors for its second 24-Hour Play Festival Fundraiser this weekend. They plan to have 10 writers and directors and as many actors as possible. All participants will meet in the theater (4950 35th Ave., Moline) on Friday, April 19th at 7 p.m., and will draw names from a hat for what actors will be with which directors. At 8 p.m., all will be released, and the writers will have until 7 a.m. Saturday to turn in a 10-minute play. Playcrafters Barn Theatre is at 4950 35th Ave., Moline. At 8 a.m., the director and actors receive copies of the script and will have until 5 p.m. to rehearse. The ten 10-minute plays will then be performed for the first time in front of an audience at 7 p.m. on April 20th. For audience members: • The show will take place on April 20th with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7, with a 15-minute intermission after the first five plays. • Tickets are $15 and are available HERE or by calling 309-762-0330 to make a reservation. • They will have an assortment of raffle baskets available and draw winners at the night's end! There are 60 available acting slots (40 for ages 16+, 20 for ages 15 and under), and 10 alternates (6 for ages 16+, 4 for ages 15 and under). You MUST be available ALL day on Saturday, April 20 to be an actor. If someone has to drop out, the acting spot will be filled by the alternates in order of sign up. Each writer will draw the name of a director, who will direct the show that they write. The director then draws the name of an actor, who will act in the show that they direct. (If a director is also acting, they will count as the first actor.) The directors continue drawing names until all actors are assigned to a show. (If a writer is also acting, they may not be assigned to their own show.) An actor from each group will then draw a genre which the script must be written in. The next actor will draw a time period in which the script must be set. Another actor will draw a prop which must be included in the show. Another actor will draw a famous phrase or quote that must be included in the script. And finally, another actor will draw a number to determine the order in which the show will be performed. There will be a panel of three secret judges that will give awards for Outstanding Script, Outstanding Ensemble Performance, Outstanding Individual Performance, and Best Inclusion of Required Elements. Playcrafters asks that all participants contribute to the fundraiser by providing the following for concessions: Writers and directors are asked to provide one 12-pack of soda. Actors (who are not writers or directors) are asked to provide a dozen individually wrapped store-bought snacks. If a family unit is participating, they are asked to provide for every two participants. Those interested in directing should sign up HERE. Those interested in acting should sign up HERE. | |
Augustana names commencement speakerHigher education leader Dr. Lisa Durant-Jones will deliver the commencement address at Augustana College's 164th annual convocation on May 25, 2024. She will also be awarded a doctor of humane letters during the 2 p.m. ceremony at the Vibrant Arena at The MARK. Dr. Lisa Durant-Jones will be the Augustana College 2024 commencement speaker. Durant-Jones served Augustana as interim vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion during the 2023-2024 academic year, during which time she provided strategic leadership for campus-wide initiatives and committees. She oversaw Augustana’s Office for International Student Scholar Supports and the Office for Student Inclusion and Diversity and served as a member of the Student First Committee of the Board of Trustees. She is credited with facilitating improved processes for recognizing and addressing equity gaps within the student experience for under-represented and international student populations. President Andrea Talentino said Durant-Jones was selected for this honor for the same reasons she was selected to serve at Augustana, according to a college release. “Lisa is an extraordinary leader in higher education,” Talentino said. “Her time at Augustana was impactful and ensured Augustana continued its forward momentum in creating a more inclusive, equitable and just community. She has a deep empathy for and commitment to helping people achieve their best.” Prior to her time at Augustana, Durant-Jones served as associate vice president of academic affairs and then vice president of community and belonging at Nazareth University, Rochester, N.Y. She is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist in the state of New York and was named Nazareth faculty emerita in August 2022. Ashley Allen, director of the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity, said Durant-Jones was a familiar face around campus interacting with students and staff. “This was a testament to how she served our institution as an engaged leader,” Allen said. “Her visibility, genuine care for our students and community, and ability to empower her team, were qualities I observed and admired as I worked closely with her. “In her brief tenure at Augustana, Dr. Durant-Jones not only made an impact, but truly made us a better community because of her leadership and devotion to diversity, equity and inclusion.” Augustana’s Class of 2024 will represent 68 majors with students from 20 states and 14 countries. A complete list of commencement related events is available HERE. | |
Proper steps to take if your home or business has storm damageProper steps to take if your home or business has storm damage | |
Register to win a special prize package for your momWQAD and participating sponsors will surprise one lucky mom this Mother’s Day with a prize package provided by our sponsors. | |
Super Mom Sweepstakes 2024 Official RulesOfficial rules for this sweepstakes | |
Rotation over hamond Henry hospitalCredit: Ry | |
Aledo church damaged in Tuesday stormsSeveral storms raged through the QCA viewing area Tuesday afternoon and into the evening, including storms that passed through Aledo and Viola, Ill. | |
LightningCredit: Laurie Johnson | |
Lighting in Cambridge, IlCredit: Amy Hofmann | |
Storm coming into AledoCredit: Scott Wheeler | |
Lyndon streaksCredit: Christy | |
Storm Rolling InCredit: Brian Meeker | |
Severe weather caught on camera from news 8 viewersAs we brace for spring, mother nature continues its destructive patterns of weather. Both hail and tornadoes affected several towns in both Iowa and Illinois. | |
3 Things to Know | Quad Cities morning headlines for April 17, 2024Illinois lawmakers are changing how elderly drivers are treated, and Iowa officials have a bill that would allow school staff to be armed with a gun. | |
Illinois lawmakers creating a bill to remove the driving test for older adultsThis bill would remove the requirement for adults 75 or older in Illinois to take a driving test and replace them with "triggers" to determine a person's fitness. | |
Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 | |
Applications open for Iowa education savings accountsApplications can now be submitted for Students First Education Savings Accounts in Iowa for the next school year. Students who went to an accredited non-public school without an account will now be eligible if their household income is at or below 400% of the 2024 federal poverty level. The residency and income eligibility will automatically be verified during the process using a parent or guardian's most recent state income tax return. Other documents will be needed to verify eligibility if a tax return wasn't filed in Iowa. Parents and guardians can go to the Iowa Department of Education's website to apply through June. For more information, click here. To apply, click here. | |
Tips & techniques to protect pets from ticksWhile they generally stay dormant during the winter, mild weather paved the way for an early return for a tiny threat to both you and your pets. According to managers with the Quad City Animal Welfare Center, ticks are affecting a lot of animals coming in to the shelter. As Our Quad Cities News reporter Michael Frachella discovered, there are plenty of tips and techniques to protect your pets from ticks. For more information, click here. | |
Aledo church sustains damages in Tuesday storms, community shows their support, pastor saysSeveral storms raged through the QCA viewing area Tuesday afternoon and into the evening, including storms that passed through Aledo and Viola, Ill. | |
Crews respond to fire at dentist office in Coal ValleyCrews are on scene responding to a fire at General Dentistry, 2302 1st St. in Coal Valley, Tuesday night. | |
Severe weather moves through QCA and surrounding areas Tuesday, some towns report damagesMuch of the TV6 viewing area was under severe weather warnings Tuesday afternoon and evening as a line of severe weather moved through the area, including right through the QCA metro. | |
A new climate change report predicts warmer, wetter future for Quad Cities regionThe report predicts places like the Isle Casino Hotel and Vibrant Area at the MARK could become susceptible to flooding as early as 2040. | |
Moline police officers plant pinwheel garden in honor of child abuse victims22 of the gardens will be planted around the Quad Cities. | |
Severe storms cause damage in AledoA power line fell down just a mile east of the town. | |
Cook review: 'Civil War' is more about journalists than politics“Civil War” probably isn’t the kind of movie you think it is. It’s about journalists trying to do their jobs during a civil war instead of being a war movie featuring journalists. 'Civil War' (IMDb) This fictional tale does make reference to the rising polarization of politics in the United States and the all-too-real politically motivated violence that brews in current times. But mostly it’s a story about a world-weary journalist named Lee (played wonderfully by Kirsten Dunst) who is part of a team of journalists following the action to Washington DC, with the aim to get there before the President himself is slain by rebel soldiers. Nick Offerman plays the President, and we see him preparing a speech as chaos erupts throughout the nation. Elsewhere, a group of four reporters includes Lee, who has made a name for herself as a topnotch reporter; and Cailee Spaeny as Jessie, a younger, less experienced reporter who looks up to Lee as a mentor and an example of what she wants to become in the future. Stephen McKinley Henderson – a terrific and too-little-seen character actor - is welcome as the oldest of the group who’s often the practical voice of reason. It’s unnerving to see the violence and destruction the reporters are there to record: Masses of bodies, people being shot mercilessly in public, and bombings are commonplace as they make their way along a journey fraught with peril. There are a couple of really intense scenes that will stay with you. One involves the group’s run-in with a violent man (Jesse Plemons) who has no problem killing anyone. Although the movie examines violence, it really doesn’t examine the politics behind it or how the United States finds itself in such turmoil. More background would have made the film even more engaging. Still, the ensemble is a good one, and it does present some thought-provoking themes for adult audiences with nerves steely enough to withstand the violence. 2 1/2 stars Rated: R for violence, gore, and foul language. Running time: One hour and 50 minutes. In theaters. Watch the trailer here. | |
Crews on scene at dentist office fire in Coal ValleyCrews are on scene responding to a fire at General Dentistry, 2302 1st St. in Coal Valley, Tuesday night. | |
Camping season! | Scott County Conservation announces campgrounds are openingScott County Conservation has started opening campgrounds for the 2024 camping season. | |
Crews on scene of fire at dentist's office in Coal ValleyFire crews from the area worked in rain that came down in sheets Tuesday night to control a fire in a dentist's office in Coal Valley. While rain pours down, firefighters work to control a fire Tuesday night in a dentist's office in Coal Valley. (Mike Colón) Our Quad Cities News crew saw lightning flashes illuminate the scene as white smoke rose from the roof and firefighters used a ladder truck to reach the roof to vent the building with a chainsaw. The fire started about 7 p.m. in the building across the street from the Shell station on U. S. Route 150, Coal Valley Police and Fire crews and firefighters from Coyne Center, Orion, and Blackhawk Fire Protections District, along with the Moline Second Alarmers, were at the scene. MidAmerican crews also arrived. While rain pours down, firefighters work to control a fire Tuesday night in a dentist's office in Coal Valley. Crews used a ladder truck to reach the roof to vent the building with a chainsaw. (Mike Colón) The building still was smoking at 8 p.m. Our Quad Cities News will remain on the scene to provide updates as soon as possible. | |
Davenport City Council hears plans to renovate Smart Middle SchoolDavenport City Council members learned Tuesday about plans for the renovation of Smart Middle School as part of a facilities plan for the Davenport Community Schools District. The presentation was part of a management update and mayor/council discussion Tuesday afternoon. (davenportschools.org) The district plans to provide an expansion and renovation to the existing facility to support the middle-school curriculum and integration of sixth grade at Smart. The plans are for a "house model" within the academic wings of the building. Because it's one of the buildings most in need of improvement, Smart is one of the first projects in the facilities plan. Plans include: Expansion of the cafeteria to improve efficiency for lunch Additional classroom space to meet needs of additional students and programs and to allow the "house" approach Additional gym space to improve instruction because of a larger population Improve spaces for FCE, CTE and STEM Improve site safety and logistics, parking and outdoor student activity space Removal of the Monroe Elementary building. "None of our taxes will be increasing for this," District Superintendent TJ Schneckloth said. The project will cost an estimated $52 to $54 million. Students will be able to remain in the building during construction. Students will be on three floors, with the six-graders on the top floor. In 2022, Davenport Community School District decided to close three elementary schools - Monroe, Washington and Buchanan - as part of its long-term facilities plan. Administrators said Monroe and Washington are too old and expensive to maintain and enrollment at Buchanan is too low to stay open. | |
Lee County, Iowa impacted by storm, sheriff’s office reportsThe Lee County, Iowa Sheriff’s Office is reporting damage from severe weather Tuesday evening. | |
Openings and updates announced for Scott County campgrounds and parksScott County Conservation has announced the opening of campgrounds for the 2024 season and key updates for each park. Buffalo Shores Campground will reopen on Thursday, April 19. The shower house is being renovated and will remain closed until completion. No showers or flush facilities are currently available. Park Terrace Campground at West Lake Park is open. Some sites are temporarily closed because of ongoing construction within the campground. Staff and contractors are working to open these sites within the next few weeks. The new playground will also be completed soon. Summit Campground remains closed. Over the winter, contractors added sewer hookups to each site. They are now in the process of repaving the entire campground. The work should be completed in the next few weeks. The campground will remain closed until the construction project is complete. All Scott County Park campgrounds are open except for Incahias Campground, which is closed indefinitely due to mechanical issues. For more information, visit Scott County Conservation’s Facebook page or click here. | |
Quad Cities River Bandits postpone Tuesday home gameThe Quad Cities River Bandits have postponed their Tuesday night home game against the Peoria Chiefs (High-A-affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) for game one of their six-game series due to severe weather. | |
Approximately 1,200 Ameren Energy customers without power in the greater Quad Cities regionSevere storms caused the power outages on Tuesday afternoon. | |
US National Weather Service Quad Cities Iowa, Illinois takes shelter as storm passes through metro QCA, reminds of following safety proceduresThe US National Weather Service Quad Cities Iowa and Illinois took shelter while strong storms passed through the metro QCA. They’re now advising the public to remember to listen to severe weather warnings. | |
Iowa environmental groups file emergency petition with EPA over nitrate levels in drinking waterEnvironmental groups filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday to ask it to step in and take emergency action on the condition of Iowa’s drinking water. | |
Trinity foundation starts career pilot programBettendorf-based Ascentra Credit Union has donated $50,000 to the Trinity Health Foundation to support its Career Pathways Pilot Program. This program combines outreach and navigation to help students currently enrolled in a traditional Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) program through a newly created career navigator position, according to a Tuesday Ascentra release. “The need for a position such as a career navigator is higher than it’s ever been,” said Mary Macumber Schmidt, president of Trinity Health Foundation. “The current and future need for qualified healthcare staff far exceeds the number of individuals who have the required certifications and education.” Shown in the $50,000 check presentation by Ascentra are (L-R) Jennifer Naeve, Ascentra SVP and CMO; Yvette Work, Student Program Coordinator, UnityPoint Health - Trinity; Stacy Demarest, Director of Inpatient Nursing, UnityPoint Health - Trinity; Christian Marcussen, CTIO, Ascentra Credit Union; Dan Sterner, Emergency Services Director, UnityPoint Health - Trinity; Kirby Vyncke-Hughes, Executive Director of Human Resources, UnityPoint Health - Trinity; Mary Macumber Schmidt, President, Trinity Health Foundation; Linda Andry, Ascentra President and CEO; Larry Ridenour, Ascentra Board Vice-Chairperson; Tom Gibbs, Ascentra Board Chair; Shelly Ridgeway, Ascentra EVP and COO; Aaron Conner, Ascentra SVP Operations, and Beth Grabin, Ascentra's CFO. Although there are existing programs in place to assist with tuition and other expenses such as childcare and transportation, many feel they are unable to give up their existing job for up to 24 months, the typical time it takes to complete a traditional medical certification program and still make ends meet. “This is a critical roadblock for people with a passion to pursue a career in healthcare,” said Macumber Schmidt. This career navigator position will play a crucial role in helping students understand all the support and assistance available to them, whether for education, stipends/supplemental income or barrier assistance, or in registering for courses and assessing many career path options, the release says. “Ascentra is excited to support the Trinity Health Foundation through this donation,” said Ascentra president/CEO Linda Andry. “A robust healthcare system is important to the health of our community and helping this foundation proactively prepare for the future healthcare needs of our area aligns perfectly with the mission of Ascentra and the credit union philosophy of people helping people.” The Trinity career navigator will guide individuals in the Quad Cities Pathways Pilot Program. Their goal will be to link candidates to needed support and programs to help them through their educational journey in healthcare, hoping to eliminate many of the barriers to keep students from dropping out of the program and allow them to successfully complete all coursework to pass certification programs. This $50,000 donation will be distributed to the Trinity Health Foundation over the next two years through $25,000 increments and will help support the cost of the career navigator in the QC. | |
Davenport Junior Theatre may move to NorthPark MallDavenport Junior Theatre may move to the Younkers area of NorthPark Mall if the Davenport City Council approves a proposal for the program's new home. At a City of Davenport management update Tuesday afternoon, Chad Dyson, director of Parks and Recreation, updated the city council on a proposal to move the theater to the Younkers "box" at Northpark Mall. The former Younkers area at NorthPark Mall, Davenport, may become the site for Davenport Junior Theatre. (photo by Bryan Bobb) Dyson explained that the location "fits all the tings we're looking for to sustain and grow the program," he said. The proposal involves a five-year lease agreement. (davenportjuniortheatre.org) Junior Theatre is a city program administered through the Parks and Recreation Department. The long-term goal is to find a permanent facility, and the new site could become permanent, he said. The city's plan is to redevelop the program's longtime home, the city-owned Annie Wittenmyer Campus, Davenport. A change for the Annie Wittenmyer Campus The plan is to rezone nearly 32 acres at 2800 Eastern Ave. (DJT’s home since 1977), to create 99 units of affordable housing on the nationally recognized campus. The project would not touch the 1905 former chapel, home to the 350-seat Mary Fluhrer Nighswander Theatre, which presents DJT mainstage shows and hosts the monthly Bucktown Americana Music Show (third Fridays from September to May). Since the city is positioning the Annie Wittenmyer Campus for private redevelopment, the S-IC Institutional Campus District is no longer appropriate. The C-T Commercial Transitional District was identified as the most appropriate zoning classification to enable residential development while ensuring the existing social services tenants can continue to operate. There are 99 proposed residential dwelling units for the existing cottages at Annie Wittenmyer. Additional building uses include a residential amenity center, fitness center, and social services. The city anticipates the conversion of existing structures into residential units with the assistance of state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. This funding source has specific requirements related to the income levels of those living in the residential units. This ensures a certain number of units will be available as affordable housing. About Davenport Junior Theatre Founded in 1951, Davenport Junior Theatre is the second oldest children's theater in America maintaining the mission of "Theatre for Kids, by Kids." Co-founders Leone Bredbeck and Mary Fluhrer Nighswander developed the idea of theater instruction and performance for Quad-City Area youth. From these ideas, Davenport Junior Theatre was born. | |
Boundary-pushing jazz group plays in QCA special Quad City Arts jazz concert will be this Saturday, April 20, at 7 p.m. The global jazz ensemble Wanees Zarour and East Loop will perform as part of Quad City Arts’ Visiting Artist Series residency program, at The Speakeasy, 1818 3rd Ave., Rock Island. Patrons will experience a full-length performance, followed by an intimate conversation revealing the artist's background and creative ventures. A cash bar will be available. Wanees Zarour is a Palestinian-American virtuoso on the buzuq, which is like a lute with a fretted neck. Wanees Zarour is an award-winning Palestinian-American composer, arranger, buzuq virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist steeped in maqam and jazz music, according to a Quad City Arts release. “His compositional and arranging styles transcend borders and draw from traditions spanning the entire globe,” the release says. “As a community leader, he believes in creating a conducive environment to artistic expression and collective music-making. Zarour directs the Middle East Music Ensemble at the University of Chicago, co-directs the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, and leads 'East Loop,' a septet that explores the intersections between maqam and jazz.” East Loop is a septet that boldly delves into the captivating intersection between Middle Eastern musical traditions and the improvisational framework of jazz, according to the band bio. With a lineup of leaders in the music scene, East Loop brings together a wealth of experience to create a truly unique, immersive sonic exploration. Zarour and his jazz ensemble will give a free concert Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Watts-Midtown branch of Rock Island Public Library. The boundary-pushing compositions and performance approach has established them as pioneers in the realm of global jazz fusion. This event highlights performing arts’ pivotal role in providing cultural exchange opportunities and engagements with accomplished professional performing artists for area students, Quad City Arts said. During Zarour’s week in residence, he will have visited nine local schools in six school districts, six area libraries, and five community organizations. One is a free concert Wednesday, April 17 at 6 p.m. in the Rock Island Public Library’s Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30th Street. The full 2023-2024 roster of artists participating in the Visiting Artist Series includes 14 professional performing artists providing educational activities in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts creation. Residencies featuring artists from across the U.S. and around the world are scheduled through May 2024 and will focus on presenting educational performing arts-based engagements in and around the Quad Cities. Tickets for Saturday night’s show are $20 for general admission, $10 for students (limited capacity), and are available HERE. | |
Thomson Prison employees still fight for pay despite Federal Bureau of Prison bonusesIllinois Senator Tammy Duckworth says she's troubled by bonuses paid to managers of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, but employees at FCI Thomson are fighting to get their retention bonuses restored. Union leaders learned through a freedom of information act inquiry that wardens and other managerial employees got $14,000 - $30,000 in bonuses and compensation last year. The union is fighting the Bureau of Prisons to reinstate a 25% retention bonus that got cut before Christmas. Those bonuses added up to about $16,000 as an incentive to keep people working in the rural community of Thomson. Duckworth says she plans to bring up the bonuses and the retention pay issue with the director of the Bureau of Prisons at an upcoming meeting. Both Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Eric Sorensen also called for the retention bonuses to be restored. | |
Henry County Iowa impacted by storm, sheriff’s office reportsParts of Henry County have been impacted by the storm, according to the Henry County Iowa Sheriff’s Office. | |
Warmer, wetter future: New report details impact on climate change on Quad CitiesThe report predicts places like the Isle Casino Hotel and Vibrant Area at the MARK could become susceptible to flooding as early as 2040. | |
How you can help the Iowa DNR track local bumblebee populationsThe Iowa DNR hopes local data will help them better inform conservation practices so native bees can thrive just as well as honeybees. | |
Suspect faces felony charge after car stolen in Davenport ends up in ColoradoA 50-year-old Miles, Iowa, man faces a felony charge after police allege a car stolen from a Davenport dealership was found in Colorado. Edward Randall faces a charge of first-degree theft, court records say. Edward Randall (Scott County Jail) On Jan. 24, police say a theft occurred at Patriot Lincoln of Davenport, 520 W. Kimberly Road. Randall, police allege in affidavits, was in the process of purchasing a 2018 Toyota Camry valued at $15,443 from the dealership. He was allowed to drive the Camry off the lot with the stipulation that it would be returned immediately with the agreed-upon $1,000 cash deposit. Randall "did not return to Patriot Lincoln of Davenport with the $1,000 deposit or to return the vehicle," police allege in affidavits. Patriot Lincoln tried to contact Randall over the period of one month to obtain the $1,000 deposit or the car, but could not make contact, arrest affidavits say. The car was stopped in Brush, Colorado, by the Brush Colorado Police, and the Camry was impounded. Randall tried to retrieve the car from the Brush Colorado Police Department's impound lot after it was impounded on March 28, police say in affidavits. Ramdall, who was arrested on a warrant, was released on his own recognizance. He is set for a preliminary hearing April 30 in Scott County Court. Brush is about 747 miles from Davenport, according to Google maps. | |
Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune re-air timesDue to severe weather coverage, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune will re-air early Wednesday morning. | |
QC artist creates colorful nature oasis atop new YWCAIn an impressive career of public art, Atlanta Dawn’s latest outdoor mural is her biggest yet, and not even visible to the general public. The 30-year-old Rapids City artist is just about done with a 3,000-square-foot nature mural that surrounds a new outdoor childcare playground (open to the sky) being built on top of the new YWCA Quad Cities, at 513 17th St., Rock Island. Atlanta Dawn outside her new mural on the top of the new YWCA at 513 17th St., Rock Island, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 (photos by Jonathan Turner). The formerly gray concrete walls Dawn painted with explosive, vibrant colors are 100 feet long and 18 feet high (she used scaffolding to reach the higher parts) and the shorter walls are 37 feet by 18 feet. Dawn was chosen for the project because the YWCA was “highly impressed with the detail and creativity with her murals,” president/CEO Julie Larson said Tuesday. “We wanted to add a touch of nature to the playground and after she presented us her ideas, we knew she was the perfect fit.” The new two-story, 48,900-square-foot YWCA is expected to open around May 1, 2024 at 17th Street and 5th Avenue, Rock Island. The two-story, 48,900-square-foot building (under construction since fall 2021) is completed with the pool slated to be finished in early May, Larson said. They’re just waiting for the new child care furniture to arrive and once the rooms are set up, DCFS will visit and issue a license for the new facility. The Y hopes to move in on or before May 1. YWCA is planning to move from its much smaller 70-year-old building at 229 16th St., Rock Island, including a new childcare center that will expand the organization’s capacity from 130 kids to 350. Dawn's mural at Hey Bryans bar in downtown East Moline, seen in July 2023. Dawn's last major mural was for a Living Lands & Waters garage in East Moline last October, and larger murals she did last summer include a 700-square-foot one at Hey Bryans bar at 1140 15th Ave., East Moline (which incorporates key elements of downtown’s history), and a retaining wall on 18th Street near Lincoln Road in Bettendorf. Atlanta Dawn and her mural on 18th Street in Bettendorf, July 2023. Her son Calvin was born Oct. 24, 2023, and she has a 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Violet, who are both in day care when she paints. Varied nature scenes For the Y in Rock Island, Dawn wanted to focus on a variety of plants, flowers, and insects (such as spiders, butterflies, bees and ladybugs) that kids could identify and learn about. She initially sent the Y a bunch of concepts and ideas and they went with the nature theme, she said Tuesday morning. "They wanted to bring life to the concrete," Dawn said. "It kind of looked like a prison yard before. We added a lot of these bugs and critters, things they would see out in nature." A green luna moth is featured among plants, flowers and other insects at the planned YWCA childcare playground. They plan to start a scavenger hunt for children (and adults) to identify parts of the mural. One wall is specifically an education wall, with a large sun (with a face), reflections of four seasons and portraits of many children with different expressions, to reflect their emotions. "That way, the teachers can interact with students," Dawn said. At Hey Bryans, Dawn used a boom lift to reach the top of that wall. She couldn't use a lift on the foam flooring of the YWCA roof. "It worked out great," she said. Dawn averaged about seven hours a day working, starting March 4, when those chilly days barely hit 40 degrees. She bundled up and is used to working in cold weather, with her years of experience painting holiday windows. "It was definitely a 'trust the process' kind of mural, 'cause it's so big, you gottta get a little bit done every day," Dawn said of the Y. "It slowly builds and builds and builds." Help from others Fellow QC muralist Heidi Sallows helped paint on three days, and Dawn also asked a few Quad City Arts Metro Arts students to help. Her assistant (and fellow Moline High alum) Pauline Hernstrom also helped paint. Dawn, left, with fellow QC muralist Heidi Sallows, who also worked on the YWCA project. "It's a whole other style from what I'm used to," Hernstrom, 28, said of murals. "It's a different medium, different environment, definitely a different style. It's just been really fun to learn from her. I really enjoy it. I just like how it connects with the community." They did a chalkboard together at Tap 22 in Silvis several years ago. At the Y playground, Dawn also wanted to teach kids what milkweed looks like and how it's beneficial to butterflies. Other flowers were chosen for being attractive to bees and butterflies. The Y plans to have a rental room for private events, and may offer access to the space, which can't be seen from the street, Dawn noted. "If that's the case, I'm definitely bringing my daughter here for her birthday, because it would be so cool," she said. Upcoming projects Dawn is one of 10 finalists for the downtown Rock Island Arts Alley murals, and the only local one, narrowed down after 400 artists from around the world submitted to be one of two selected for the walls in the 1700 block of 2nd Avenue. "I was really surprised; I didn't think I was gonna make it," she said Tuesday. "I feel honored. I'm a little bummed I'm the only local." Dawn, left, and her mural assistant Pauline Hernstrom, who helped on the Y project in downtown Rock Island. The specific designs for Arts Alley are due April 28 (artists will be paid $500 each), and they will be put on public display. The two artists are expected to be chosen in early April with murals completed in mid-June. Dawn didn't apply for the 4,000-square-foot downtown Moline mural (on the side of the Analog Pizza and Arcade building, 1405 5th Ave.) last fall, since she was having a baby. That $30,000 Moline mural was done by two Brooklyn, N.Y. artists. Reflections seen in windows at the YWCA playground mural. She called the Arts Alley project (and whole downtown revitalization) "a really cool thing." "Murals do bring tourism and they create emotion," Dawn said. Payments for the Arts Alley artists will be: Mural 1: $33,600 (80 feet x 28 feet) Mural 2: $27,000 (60’ x 30’) For both murals: 50% of the compensation is to be paid upon contract execution and 50% within two weeks of completion of the mural. This fee includes all associated costs of creation (i.e., materials, paint, transportation, etc.). A section of the 3,000-square-foot YWCA painted by Dawn over the past six weeks. Dawn was the lead artist (with Heidi Sallows) who coordinated the new Alternating Currents murals in downtown Davenport last August, working with five artists to create those over four days, in the alley south of 2nd Street off Pershing Avenue. They're doing more murals during the festival this summer in downtown Davenport, possibly along Armored Gardens and the Klemme building. All last year's artists were local, save one from Iowa City. They're planning to add some lighting and an archway along the current AC murals. Dawn is on the art committee for the Downtown Davenport Partnership. Murals that Dawn helped coordinate and paint for 2023's Alternating Currents last August in downtown Davenport (south of 2nd Street). She has other mural projects planned, but if she's picked for Arts Alley, they will be pushed back. One is a big Rock Island Lines train mural at the Avenue Tap in Silvis, due to start April 22. Another is one for the Gilda’s Club Davenport clubhouse where people affected by cancer can get free wigs, and another along the railroad retaining wall near 5th Street and Harrison in downtown Davenport. Dawn got a Quad City Arts grant for a new gallery/studio space, Art on The Bend, at the back of The Rust Belt in East Moline. There's a common lounge area between the concert venue and Midwest Ale Works, and the owner wants to turn it into an art gallery featuring local artists. Part of the huge mural Dawn painted on the patio of the Palace Tavern, 701 15th Ave., East Moline, in 2022. Dawn is going to manage and promote that, including artist receptions with live music and snacks. That's starting in June, and the first artist will be Tony Cavallo (who was one of the Alternating Currents artists). A tall mural for downtown Davenport Dawn did near Harrison and 5th streets. "I've got a lot of things happening this year," Dawn said. To see more of her art, visit her website HERE. | |
LIVE: Tracking strong storms in the Quad Cities areaOur Quad Cities News chief meteorologist Andy McCray is live on-air and online tracking a strong storm system as it passes through the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. You can watch the livestream below, then tune in to Our Quad Cities News at 5 as our weather team and news crews bring you the latest. Weather alerts are updated live at OurQuadCities.com/alerts. Closings are updated live at OurQuadCities.com/closings. Get the latest forecast at OurQuadCities.com/weather and check the traffic cameras, power outages and driving maps at any time at OurQuadCities.com/qctraffic. | |
Muscatine animal rescue in desperate need of funding to avoid closing shelterAfter a distemper outbreak depleted resources from the rescue during the winter, It Takes a Village is at risk of closing its shelter facilities. | |
Bill making it easier to arm school staff heads to Gov. Kim Reynolds' deskA highly-debated, Republican backed bill is now on Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk with goals of improving school safety in the state. | |
Morgan Wade, April 30Touring in support of her most recent album Psychopath, a top-10 Billboard hit that No Depression said "highlights her broadening range and skillful integrations of country, rock, and pop elements," rising country star Morgan Wade headlines an April 30 concert at Davenport's Capitol Theatre, the singer/songwriter also lauded by Red Guitar Music as "an artist who deserves to make some serious waves." | |
Lonestar, April 27Currently touring in support of their most recent album TEN to 1, which allowed its musicians the opportunity to revisit and even potentially improve upon some of their biggest hits, the country superstars of Lonestar bring their national tour to the Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center on April 27, treating fans to a musical history that boasts more than 10 million album sales to date and such chart-topping singles as “No News,” “Come Crying to Me,” and the crossover smash “Amazed.” | |
LIVE UPDATES: Severe thunderstorms roll through Iowa, Illinois on TuesdayStay weather aware with live updates from News 8 as severe thunderstorms move into the region. Hail and tornadoes are possible. | |
Upchurch, April 27Currently touring in support of his recently released album Blue Genes 2, a work showcasing the more serious alter ego of comic hick-hop performer Upchurch the Redneck, country rapper Ryan Upchurch headlines an April 27 concert event at East Moline venue The Rust Belt, his remarkable discography including more than 20 albums released since 2016, as well as such platinum-selling singles as "Outlaw" (featuring Luke Combs), "Rolling Stoned," and "Holler Boys." | |
Muscatine animal rescue in desperate need of funding to avoid closing shelterAfter a distemper outbreak depleted resources from the rescue during the winter, It Takes a Village is at risk of closing its shelter facilities. | |
Emanuel Ax, April 27Lauded by The Guardian for his "wonderfully straightforward, unfussy approach" and by the New York Times as an artist who "has long been, and continues to be, one of the finest American pianists," seven-time Grammy Award-winner Emanuel Ax will be the featured guest in the Quad City Symphony Orchestra's annual springtime Gala Concert, the April 27 performance at Davenport's Adler Theatre boasting a stunning repertoire of works by Mahler, Beethoven, Mozart, and Stravinsky. | |
Deputies release names of 1 killed, 1 injured after ATV crash in Knox CountyKnox County Sheriff’s deputies released the names of those involved in an ATV crash that happened over the weekend. One person died and another was seriously injured, according to deputies. | |
Here Come the Mummies, April 26Described by the Examiner as “a band unlike any other” and by Blurt magazine as “a hybrid of Idris Muhammad, George Clinton, Ohio Players, and Earth, Wind & Fire,” the tightly-wrapped funk, rock, and R&B musicians of Here Come the Mummies headline a n April 26 concert at East Moline venue The Rust Belt, their infectious grooves leading The Bob & Tom Show co-host Bob Kevoian to call one of their concerts “the most fun I've had in 20 years.” | |
Families can 'Journey the World' with the Girl ScoutsAll children are invited to the annual Girl Scouts event in East Moline on April 20. Grab your 'passport' to interactive booths representing different countries. | |
Georgette Jones, April 26A gifted country-music singer/songwriter and daughter of genre legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Georgette Jones headlines an April 26 Country Vibes Series event at Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Rhythm Room, her most recent album Skin inspiring Saving County Music to rave that "her talent for singing and finding songs that embody all that's great about the country genre is on full display." | |
Tom Holland & the Shuffle Kings, April 28With the artist's work with James Cotton resulting in Grammy Award-nominated albums such as Giant and Cotton Mouth Man, distinguished Chicago blues guitarist Tom Holland and his ensemble the Shuffle Kings perform a special April 28 engagement presented by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society, the performance at Davenport's Best Western Steeplegate Inn showcasing the gifts of a musician who honed his skills through personal mentorship under John Primer, one of Muddy Waters' last guitarists. | |
Moline High announces winning piano designA Moline High School student won $250 in gift cards Tuesday for creating the winning design in Sound Conservatory’s “Keys of Unity” painted piano project. Shea G. (no last name was given) will paint an upright piano donated by Sound Conservatory and be put in rotation in its new program to place pianos in downtown Moline for a month each. The winning Keys of Unity design by Moline High art student Shea G. For her winning design (out of 12 submitted), she earned of $250 in gift cards to Lagomarcino's, Meli’s Pancake House, Dead Poets Espresso, Tony’s Chicago Pizzeria, and Sound Conservatory. “The designs were creative, versatile and hard to choose from,” Moline High art teacher Elizabeth Nache said Tuesday. “I'm very proud of everyone that participated in creating all the designs.” “I like the idea of a diverse community surrounding music, which is why I used a circle of hands of many different colors surrounding colorful musical notes,” Shea wrote with her design. “Music is a way to express myself. I can listen to happy music when I'm happy, sad music when I'm sad, or angry music when I'm mad. Music is a very expressive form of the arts and that's what makes it so special to me.” “We will have the honor of having a custom painted piano featuring Shea's winning design, which she won with 32% of the 200+ votes!” Sound Conservatory posted on Instagram. “We are excited to featuring your piano along with our other pianos for the community to enjoy playing, and seeing her wonderful art!” Moline art student Shea G. will paint her winning design on this upright piano donated by Sound Conservatory, 504 17th St., Moline. Keys of Unity aims to help connect the music & art community, local business and residents, featuring high-quality upright pianos at local businesses that will serve the following purposes: Give members and guests of our community the opportunity to play a piano at a local business. Give our local business an opportunity to program live music as well as events they may want to hold through the use of our pianos. Spark that interest in music that you have always had in the back of your mind. Encourage our community members and guests to learn more about and visit our beautiful downtown businesses. Spark that interest in music that you have always had in the back of your mind. Give our young artists an opportunity to partake in annual piano painting contests as a learning opportunity for how to get involved in the professional art world. Not only that, but Sound Conservatory will provide free performances at select locations featuring pianists from its own music school at 504 17th St., Moline. To view a calendar of where to find their pianos as well as performances, click here. | |
Jake Simon, April 27With the country-music artist praised by Obscure Sound for how his "mellow vocals lead into a soulful vocal lushness," singer/songwriter Jake Simon headlines an April 27 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the native of Grinnell, Iowa having made his debut to country radio with "I Still Think About You," which became a top-40 single on the Music Row Country Breakout chart. | |
Marty O'Reilly, May 1Praised by Bainbridge Island Review as a singer/songwriter whose "voice is beautiful and distinctive" and whose lyrics are "stark yet lush over gritty electrified guitar," Marty O'Reilly headlines a May 1 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the artist also lauded by Glide magazine for crafting "music you’ve never heard before, music you can’t compare to anything, music that is its own genre that has only been defined, in sound, by those who play it." | |
Hawthorne Heights, April 27Billboard chart-toppers whose album hits include the top-10 The Silence in Black & White, If Only You Were Lonely, Fragile Future, and Bad Frequencies, the rockers of Hawthorne Heights play two April 27 concerts at Maquoketa's Codfish Hollow Barn, the artists currently on their “The Sound in Black and White Acoustic Tour” alongside the special guests of Bike Routes. | |
“Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue,” April 30Deemed "a side-splitting spectacular" by the Washington Blade, the touring celebration of a beloved and iconic TV sitcom comes to Davenport's Adler Theatre in Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue, an adult-themed comedy that, with its all-male cast, Play Off the Page described as "a wonderful blend of nostalgia and witty dialogue mixed with the sex appeal of drag." | |
Kuniko Yamamoto, April 29 through May 4Enchanting audiences of every age with dramatic storytelling using myths and fables from ancient and modern Japan, Kuniko Yamamoto enjoys a residency as the latest guests in the Quad City Arts Visiting Artist series, her area performances from April 29 through May 4 spiced with social revelations to educate and amuse. | |
Anders Carlson-Wee, April 23The latest guest in the college's River Readings at Augustana series, renowned author and poet Anders Carlson-Wee will deliver examples of his lauded works at Augustana's Wallenberg Hall on April 23, his 2023 poetry collection Disease of Kings lauded by The Los Angeles Review as a work in which "readers are presented with readable poetry that resonates with the heart of humanity," adding that the work "reveals our deepest secrets and failings with complex sympathy." | |
“Iowa's Pearl Button Industry,” April 28Presented by Dustin Joy, director of Muscatine's National Pearl Button Museum, Iowa's Pearl Button Industry continues the popular "Kaffee und Kuchen" series at Davenport's German American Heritage Center, the April 28 program designed to explore the fascinating history behind the state's formerly massive export, as well as its lingering legacy. | |
Know the difference between a tornado WATCH and WARNINGIt's important to know the difference between tornado products from the National Weather Service. Often, a Tornado WATCH is issued before a tornado WARNING. A WATCH means conditions are favorable for possible tornado development. At this point in time, you should think about your severe weather safety plan for the day. Once a tornado has been seen by a trained weather spotter or the possibility of one has been detected by radar, a tornado WARNING will be issued. this means you need to take immediate action and get inside a sturdy structure. The basement is best when available, otherwise an interior hallway or closet if a basement is not available. When a large, violent tornado is on the ground causing extensive damage, you might hear meteorologists refer to this a tornado emergency. | |
“Agatha Christie's Murder in the Studio,” April 26 through May 4A trio of chilling, humorous, and entirely surprising tales by history's master mystery writer will be told at Moline's Black Box Theatre when the venue houses its latest series of live "radio" plays, the April 26 through May 4 production of Murder in the Studio treating audiences to three mesmerizing works by the legendary Agatha Christie. | |
Incoming nonprofit leadership in the Quad CitiesSeveral nonprofits in the Quad Cities will gain new leadership in the coming months. | |
“Pride in Memory” Red-Carpet Fundraiser, April 28With the April 28 event hosted by Quad Cities Pride in Memory, Inc., audiences are invited to Davenport venue The Last Picture House for an exciting and important red-carpet fundraiser for Our Story: Pride in Memory, a forthcoming documentary, currently in production, by Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Moline's Fourth Wall Films, | |
Iowa man steals car from Davenport dealership, car gets impounded in Colorado, police sayA Miles, Iowa man was arrested after police say he drove off with a vehicle from a local car dealership in January. The man was later pulled over in Colorado and the car was impounded, court documents show. | |
“DART Senior Thesis Art Show,” through April 27A celebration of work completed by graduating seniors in the Department of Digital Art and Design, the DART Senior Thesis Art Show will be on display at the University of Dubuque's Bisignano Art Gallery through April 27, the exhibit boasting a variety of pieces in illustration, animation, digital painting, motion graphics, and digital artwork, and displaying the wide range of skills students cultivated during their time at UD. | |
Railroad quiet zone established after $1.5 million investment from the City of ClintonThe City of Clinton established a quiet zone from 19th Avenue North to 32nd Avenue North. | |
Major water main failure puts parts of Moline under boil orderOfficials said a sample from the area will be processed in the Moline water laboratory on Tuesday. | |
Police investigate gunfire incident in DavenportThe investigation is ongoing. | |
Police: 1 injured in Davenport crash involving bicyclistA man was injured after a crash involving a bicyclist, police say. | |
Trace Adkins to perform at Rust BeltCountry star Trace Adkins will play The Rust Belt in East Moline on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at 8 p.m. with special guest Bryan White. In his 25-year career in country music, Adkins has sold over 11 million albums, charted over 20 singles, earned numerous awards and Grammy nominations, and garnered over two billion streams, according to a Tuesday tour release. Country star Trace Adkins on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images) A Grand Ole Opry member for nearly two decades, the 62-year-old Louisiana native is known for dynamic baritone and fiery, always-memorable live performances, and has expanded his country career to include film and TV acting, the release says. He broke out in 1996 with the debut album, “Dreamin’ Out Loud,” cracking the Top 5 of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with “Every Light In the House Is On” and following with the #1 smash, “This Ain’t (No Thinkin’ Thing).” Since then, Adkins has pioneered a mix of classic country-minded traditionalism and adventurous, good-natured showmanship, breaking open new avenues in modern country through fun-filled hits like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Hillbilly Bone” (with Blake Shelton). Adkins’ newest video “Love Walks Through the Rain” (featuring Melissa Etheridge) is available everywhere now. Bryan White will be the opening act at Rust Belt, Aug. 10, 2024. Bryan White is a CMA, ACM, and Grammy award-winning country music artist, producer, and songwriter. Throughout his prolific recording career, he’s charted 21 singles, of which 6 were number 1. His hits include “So Much for Pretending,” “Sittin’ On Go,” “I’m Not Supposed to Love You Anymore,” “Rebecca Lynn,” “Someone Else’s Star” and “From This Moment On” which he recorded with Shania Twain for her “Come On Over” album. For more information on Adkins, visit his website HERE. For tickets to the Rust Belt show ($59.75 plus fees), click HERE. | |
Tornado Watch issued for Quad CitiesThe National Weather Service has issued a TORNADO WATCH for the Quad Cities and surrounding areas until 10 p.m. Conditions are favorable today for severe t'storms with large hail and a few dangerous tornadoes are possible also. Right now the window for the worst weather in the Quad Cities looks to be from 3 until 8 p.m. Plenty more updates coming today on TV and right here at ourquadcities.com | |
Judge orders psych evaluation for man charged with killing 4 in RockfordA judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation for a northern Illinois man charged with killing four people by stabbing, beating and driving over them. | |
REVIEW: Spotlight 'Anastasia' a sumptuous thrillIt was obvious when The Spotlight Theatre opened with its first full production, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in October 2018, that its multi-talented owners Sara and Brent Tubbs had no small ambitions. Taking over the former Scottish Rite Cathedral at 1800 7th Ave., Moline, the married couple has consistently offered first-class, prodigiously entertaining musical theater, and its gorgeous, spectacular, jaw-dropping latest is no exception. From the start of this fantastic, fancy feast for the senses, you can easily get swept up in history, romance and adventure in the big musical “Anastasia.” With music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and a book by Terrence McNally, the stage musical is based on the 1997 animated film of the same name, and while it has a sprawling cast of 29, director Aaron Baker-Loo keeps the towering tale laser focused on the sympathetic title character. The show – which is visually and sonically stunning -- adapts the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who was rumored to have escaped and survived the execution of the Russian Imperial family. The youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, in real life she was killed with her family by Bolsheviks at age 17 in 1918. Chris Tracy, left, Claire Sattler and Caleb Swinney in "Anastasia." In “Anastasia,” several years later an amnesiac young woman named Anya hopes to find some trace of her past by siding with two con men (Dmitry and Vlad), who want to take advantage of her resemblance to Anastasia by presenting her to the Grand Duchess' paternal grandmother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, in Paris. At Spotlight, there are three girls playing Anastasia at different ages – 6, 17 and 26. The outstanding Claire Sattler (a 2023 Iowa State University grad) has by far the most stage time as the adult Anastasia, who later goes by Anya, and is trying to discover her identity. Caleb Swinney and Claire Sattler as Dmitry and Anya. Kicking off in 1906, the bulk of the story takes place in the 1920s, and the musical (with pre-recoded orchestral tracks) includes flavors of Parisian and Russian folk styles, plus standard Broadway musical theater. Sattler (who was briefly was a Circa ’21 Bootlegger late last year) displays a preternatural poise, maturity and calm as our protagonist, and a gloriously strong, shining singing voice, including the standout songs “In My Dreams,” “Journey to the Past,” and “Crossing a Bridge.” Sattler shares great chemistry with her eventual romantic interest, Caleb Swinney as the idealistic Dmitry. Swinney has been notable in recent area productions of “Sweeney Todd” (Anthony), “SpongeBob” (Plankton) and “Spring Awakening” (Melchior). The two combine for some very nice harmonies in “Anastasia.” Chris Tracy as Vlad. Chris Tracy is characteristically solid as Dmitry’s sidekick, Vlad, and he rekindles his own romance in the second act with the dominating powerhouse Kat Jecklin (in her Spotlight debut) as Lily. At the close of their charming waltz, “The Countess and the Common Man,” they have a cute kiss and Tracy lifts his leg as a lady typically would in that old-fashioned moment. Kat Jecklin as Lily. The Act II “Swan Lake” ballet scene is an elegant, sumptuous thrill. Choreographer Ellie Allen is also making her Spotlight debut, and she’s danced at a ballet company in Brazil. She is beautiful as a dancer in this scene, as the pivotal black swan. Other delicate dancers are Dorothy Turner as the white swan, plus Melodie Hoffman, Marissa Pedersen, and Christianna Crosby. Choreographer Ellie Allen (center) also dances the black swan in "Anastasia." Spotlight veteran (as both director and actor) Noah Hill is a magnetic, powerful presence as the dark, tormented Gleb Vaganov, a general for the Bolsheviks who now control Russia. He announces that the now-poor Saint Petersburg has been renamed Leningrad. Hill’s highlights include “The Rumors Never End” and “Still” in Act I. Another imposing, crucial performance is delivered by Dolores Sierra as the bitter, mourning Dowager Empress, who doubts Anya is really Anastasia. She lost everything she loved and demands to know who Anya is. The show’s tremendous impact is heightened by a variety of dramatic, colorful lighting (designed by Brent Tubbs), rear screen projections, and amazing, often formal costumes (done by Heather Blair, a self-taught seamstress designing her ninth time for Spotlight costumes). The white outfits of the Romanov family are especially impressive, as are Sattler’s sparkly blue gown with white gloves, and a regal red and white gown, both in the second half. The massive, triumphant waltz at the end truly puts the “grand” in its grand finale. Kudos also due to music director Laura Hammes (in her second Spotlight show) for preparing the epic musical’s 32 numbers with such care, grace and heart-pounding emotional force. Claire Sattler and Caleb Swinney in "Anastasia." This “Anastasia” is one to luxuriate in, like a soothing bubble bath, and not to be missed. Performances continue at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday (April 19-20), and 2 p.m. Sunday (April 21). Tickets are $20 or $25, available HERE. | |
Boil order in effect for swath of Moline, expected to last through Wednesday morningA water main malfunction led to the order Monday night. It covers northeastern Moline. | |
Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation introduces new scholarship for student-athletes$372K are being gifted to the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation (RIMEF) to establish an annual scholarship for student athletes at Rock Island High School. | |
Immunity for armed school staff and new traffic camera regulationsIowa legislators agreed on a compromise that makes it easier for districts to allow armed teachers and staff in schools and another plan that places additional regulations on traffic cameras. | |
INTERVIEW: Art of the Brew at Figge Art MuseumCalling all beer lovers: The Figge Art Museum is hosting "Art of the Brew" this Friday. Figge membership coordinator Emma Hughes joined Our Quad Cities News This Morning to tell us all about it. Watch the video above or click here for more information. | |
REVIEW: Exit Laughing at Richmond Hill PlayersExit Laughing continues at Richmond Hill Players Barn Theatre in Geneseo, Thursday through Saturday, April 18 through 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 21 at 3:00 p.m. | |
3rd-annual Taste of East Moline is ThursdayThe 3rd-annual Taste of East Moline fundraiser will feature 15+ local restaurants serving bite-sized portions of favorite menu items, live music, cash bar, and raffle prizes on Thursday, April 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave., East Moline. 17 area food and beverage vendors will be at the Taste of East Moline on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Proceeds will support the East Moline Community Fund, a partner fund of Moline Regional Community Foundation. “Here you can join your friends and enjoy tasty bites from 17 local restaurants while also supporting the East Moline Community Fund, which has provided over $180,000 in grants to support local non-profits over the past 10 years,” said Connie Dowsett, chair of the East Moline Community Fund. Nonprofits supported by the fund include Habitat for Humanity, Spring Forward Learning Center, East Moline Public Library, Children’s Therapy Center, and Christ United Methodist Church’s food pantry. The fundraiser will be at The Rust Belt in East Moline Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Thursday Taste of East Moline participating vendors are: Catfish Charlie’s Cattleman’s Meat Market Country Style Godfather’s G’s Popcorn Happy Joe’s Jewel Jimmy John’s Proceeds will go to the East Moline Community Fund. Junior’s Sports Bar Lagom’s Gourmet Snacks and Seasonings Midwest Ale Works QC Plate Me Revive Café Rudy’s Steel Plow The Palace Tickets for the event are $30 per person, available HERE. | |
Former Bix champion takes 3rd at Boston Marathon2021 Quad City Times Bix 7 Champion Edna Kiplagat finished 3rd at the Boston Marathon Monday. Former Augustana Cross Country and Track & Field coach Fred Whiteside finished 8th in the men’s 70-74 age group. | |
3 Things to Know | Quad Cities morning headlines for April 16, 2024One person was killed in a Davenport crash, and another person was injured in a Kewanee accident. Moline is also moving forward with the solar farm proposal. | |
Parking restrictions start Monday on Sycamore Street in MuscatineTraffic alert. | |
Preparing for severe weatherPreparing for severe weather | |
City of Rock Island breaks ground on $8.7M downtown revivalAfter years of planning, the City is starting construction on the major renovation, where four blocks will see rebuilt streets. | |
Public hearing on roads in rural Conesville is WednesdayAt 6 p.m. Wednesday in the conservation education center in Discovery Park, the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors will have a public hearing to gather information on whether the county should vacate roads, including a portion of 245th Street and… | |
Work on Welch Apartment building continuesContractors are making progress on the Welch Apartment building, but work has been slower than expected. | |
Names released in fatal UTV accident in rural Muscatine SaturdayThe Iowa State Patrol has released the name of a Muscatine woman who was killed Saturday in a UTV crash and three others who were injured. |