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

Wednesday, May 15th, 2024
	Prevention Week highlights urgent need for medication safety among children as ER visits spike Medication misuse or unsafe storage of medication are leading more children to the ER. This week, from May 12th to the 18th, marks Prevention Week, focusing on raising awareness about the safe use of medications to prevent unintentional poisoning and overdosing, especially among children.
	Demand at Iowa food banks continue to break records with ‘an emergency level of need’ A new report shows that nearly 11% of Iowa adults and 1 in 6 children are facing food insecurity.
	Students show skills in welding competition A showcase of student talent put a spotlight on the trades. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges partnered with the American Welding Society to host a welding competition at Blong Technology Center in Davenport. Over 60 college and high school students took part. Local industry experts were the judges, and organizers say it gives students a real-life experience. This was the third year of the competition. Scholarships went to the top three finishers in three different categories. Local sponsors provided other prizes like welding equipment.
	Meet two QC nurses making a difference for seniors It can be a thankless job, but many nurses spend their careers dedicated to helping people who live, work and volunteer in nursing homes. Our Quad Cities News reporter Jackson Rozinsky introduces us to two QC nurses striving to give compassionate care to seniors and make a difference as a team.
	Moline Breakfast Optimist Club names its 2024 Top Cop The recognition went to Rock Island Deputy Sheriff Mike Mendoza.
	Which commercial real estate markets are booming in the Quad Cities Here are the markets that are hot and which aren't as bad as you may think.
	'Evicted' exhibit opens at SouthPark Mall Project NOW is hosting a free exhibit inspired by Matthew Desmond's Pulitzer Prize-winning book.
	Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs education bill into law in Davenport Iowa schools will now be required to include lessons about multiple topics, including the World Wars, the Cold War, 9/11 and the origins of Israel.
	Transfer of some services from Milan USPS center to Des Moines paused until 2025 The move has faced backlash due to concerns over how it would impact jobs in the area.
	Which commercial real estate markets are booming in the Quad Cities Here are the markets that are hot and which aren't as bad as you may think.
	Join the dark side at Wake Brewing's upcoming Dark Market Organizers say the event will "celebrate the awesome art being produced in all corners of the QCA."
	Whitewater Junction season opening date set It’s almost summer and just in time for Memorial Day weekend, Whitewater Junction at 17th Street and 18th Avenue, will open for the 2024 season on Saturday, May 25 at 10 a.m.. The water park features a zero-depth to nine-foot-deep pool with four waterslides, a tot slide, splash features, and fun for the entire family.
	Playcrafters holds more 'Charlotte's Web' auditions Playcrafters Barn Theatre will be holding an additional round of auditions next week for the July production, “Charlotte’s Web,” adapted by Joseph Robinette, based on the book by E.B. White. Auditions for the classic children’s story, directed by Erika Seabloom, will be on Monday, May 20th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Ave., Moline. They are still seeking actors aged 16 years and older for ALL roles. This is for any additional actors who may want to audition; these are not callbacks. The performance dates are July 19-21 & 26-28. “Charlotte's Web” is based on White's loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops. Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman -- she will create a “miracle,” according to a Playcrafters synopsis. Spinning the words "Some Pig" in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution that not only makes Wilbur a prize pig but also ensures his place on the farm forever. Joseph Robinette’s adaptation features the memorable, madcap, and endearing farm animals, and explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. Those auditioning should be prepared to read from the script; first-timers are also welcome to audition. For more details, click HERE or call 309-762-0330.
	Rock with community at Party in the Park If you're looking for fun activities this summer, Rock Island Parks and Recreation has plenty to keep you busy. Dan Gleason made a stop at Our Quad Cities News to talk about Party in the Park. For more information, click here.
	Hiney Heroes joins in on World's Largest Diaper Drive for those in need The nonprofit is just one of many across the nation working to raise over 2 million diapers by the end of May for families in need.
	Milan post office changes on hold U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced that the United States Postal Service will "pause any implementation of moves" for Mail Processing Centers "at least until after January 1, 2025."
	Absentee voting begins for Iowa's June 4 primary Requests for absentee ballots must be submitted by Monday, May 20, but in-person early voting will be available until Monday, June 3.
	'Evicted' exhibit coming to SouthPark Mall Project NOW is hosting a free exhibit inspired by Matthew Desmond's Pulitzer Prize-winning book.
	Bettendorf seniors celebrate next steps during Decision Day Seniors got to share their post-high school plans and look back on memories together.
	Moline Breakfast Optimist Club names 2024's Top Cop The recognition went to Rock Island Deputy Sheriff Mike Mendoza.
	City of Bettendorf announces 4th of July festivities The City is hosting a parade, a festival and fireworks for this year's Independence Day celebrations.
	Celebrate 30 years of Boys and Girls Clubs in the QCA Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley is celebrating 30 years of empowering youth around the QCA, and you can join in on the fun! Director of Resource Development Lindsey Womack dropped by Our Quad Cities News to talk about Blue Jeans for Blue Doors. For more information, click here.
	Join the dark side at Wake Brewing's upcoming Dark Market Organizers say the event will "celebrate the awesome art being produced in all corners of the QCA."
	Absentee voting open for Iowa Primary Election Absentee voting is now open for the Iowa Primary Election on June 4. Each county has its own process. Registered residents can vote early in Scott County at the Administrative Center, located at 600 W. 4th St., Davenport, until June 3. The deadline to preregister to vote is Monday, May 20. For more information, click here.
	Community members invited to participate in Bike to Work Day event hosted by Rock Island Downtown Alliance and Quad Cities Bicycle Club The Rock Island Downtown Alliance and the Quad Cities Bicycle Club are encouraging community members to ride their bicycles to the office on Friday, which is National Bike to Work Day.
	Augie students to present Longview Park plan Augustana College students will present the Longview Park master plan to the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Board on Tuesday, May 21. The plan will help guide leaders in making decisions for future upgrades and projects for the more than a century-old park, located at 18th Avenue and 17th Street, according to a college release. The public is invited to the 5:30 p.m. meeting at the Rock Island Fitness & Activity Center, 4303 24th St. Longview Park in Rock Island is at 17th Street and 18th Avenue. Presenting students are enrolled in Augustana’s geography and environmental studies classes. The community-based research was spearheaded by Augustana’s Upper Mississippi Center in collaboration with the Rock Island Fitness & Activity Center. Leading student presenters include juniors Adriana Reyes and Ally Magsombol. Chris Strunk, associate professor of geography at Augustana, said urban planning and environmental studies students have assessed the use of park facilities, which includes shelters, playgrounds, a greenhouse, basketball courts and walking paths. Students also organized public input sessions and visioning activities with community members and conducted a survey of nearly 500 residents. “This hands-on research experience has been a great opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom while also engaging with the residents of Rock Island,” he said in the Augustana release. “In addition to growing their academic knowledge, students have helped to improve local planning efforts by incorporating community feedback into long-term plans for Longview Park." Augustana students host a community meeting about plans for Longview Park. They will present the master plan to the park board on Tuesday, May 21 at Rock Island Fitness & Activity Center. This work embodies the goals of the college’s strategic plan, “Bold & Boundless.” The plan, endorsed by the college’s board of trustees in January 2024, prioritizes engaged learning, maximizing student potential and connection through partnership. The final tenet emphasizes the college’s connection with the city of Rock Island to contribute to neighborhood vitality, enhance neighborhoods around campus and be an engaged presence in the region. Learn more about Bold & Boundless. Strunk said the master plan report uses insights from engagement initiatives to recommend additional recreational activities, such as a soccer field and a new design for a disc golf course. The report also recommends new signage to highlight the park’s history and the benefits of naturalized areas. Additional recommendations include new bike path infrastructure to connect the park to bike trails and the city’s downtown and a plan for future community engagement activities. Director of Parks and Recreation John Gripp said the master plan will be very important as the parks department plans for the future. “Augustana has done an excellent job engaging the community, Friends of Longview Park, user groups and the Parks and Recreation Department to collect data to complete the plan,” he said. “This information will be used to apply for a state Open Space Lands Acquisition & Development Grant.” If approved for the state grant, which provides funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and open space, the master plan will be put into action. “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Augustana,” Gripp said.
	Paul Norton Elementary in Bettendorf designated as a Heart Safe School Project ADAM provides tools and education to respond to heart emergencies through CPR and AED training.
	Quad City Botanical Center opens new 'Storybook Landscapes' exhibit The interactive experience Storybook Landscapes will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, May 17.
	Augustana College students to present on future of Rock Island's Longview Park Geography and environmental studies students will present the Longview master plan to the City of Rock Island Parks and Recreation board.
	The Plex opens Iron Tee, new hotel underway Bettendorf-based Frontier Hospitality Group held a groundbreaking Tuesday afternoon for the new SpringHill Suites by Marriott hotel in Bettendorf. Next to the new Iron Tee Golf attraction (which also opened Tuesday) in the new development at the northeast quadrant of Middle and Forest Grove roads, the 86-room hotel will be a key component of the Phase 2 expansion of The Plex Area district. A rendering of the new SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Bettendorf. Construction of the hotel is expected to be completed in early 2025, according to a Frontier Hospitality release Wednesday. The SpringHill Suites project represents a more than $18-million investment and will generate more than 25 permanent jobs and approximately 100 construction jobs, the company said. “We are pleased to be a part of this dynamic new development,” Dan Huber, CEO and co-owner of Frontier, said in the release. “Our partnership with Plex Travel, which manages the lodging for inbound teams competing at the TBK Bank Sports Complex, and our business partnering relationships with the owners of the TBK Bank Sports Complex, JP Sports, Iron Tee Golf, and the surrounding commercial developments, make this particular hotel development a winning proposition.” Dan Huber, right, CEO of Frontier Hospitality Group, speaks at Tuesday's groundbreaking for the new hotel, May 14, 2024. The SpringHill, along with the nearby Cambria Hotel (both Frontier Hospitality Group hotels), will meet the lodging needs of legions of sports teams and their families, primarily on weekends. “SpringHill Suites by Marriott offers a tremendous product that guests love, and we’re thrilled to add this great brand to our portfolio,” says Huber. This is FHG’s third hotel with Marriott International and first project with the SpringHill Suites brand. SpringHill Suites has over 450 locations in the U.S.A. and Canada, and participates in Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott’s loyalty program. For more information on the hotel, click HERE.
	Grants help Iowa LGBTQ businesses with expenses A grant program from GrubHub and the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce wants to help LGBTQ – operated businesses with expenses. Dan Jansen, board chair for the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, explains how this program helps those businesses. “It actually initiated during COVID, when restaurants and bars that serve food really suffered from people not going out into public,” Jansen said. “We wanted to provide a funding source to you know, help maintain and support business owners, particularly LGBTQ or allied business owners, so that they can keep their business afloat and utilize the grant funds where most needed. Whether that was operational staff, expansion, whatever it might be, they wanted to ensure that that was a source of funding for really the most needy.” The program, now in its third year, lets grant recipients use the funding for any need, including staffing and expansion. “Today, it seems like a lot of folks are focused on growth. I think post COVID, a lot of restaurants are feeling the boom, a little bit of a burst at the seams of people visiting their restaurants or their businesses. We're really excited to present it again this year.” Jansen said the application process isn’t difficult but there haven’t been many applicants in the past. “Historically, in three years, Iowa has only had one recipient of the Grub Hub grant, the Impact Grant and that was because only one business applied. We are really really encouraging folks who you know, own a business or that serves food, to take the time to submit an application because it's very straightforward, not overly complicated, and there's great rewards for the effort.” Grants are worth between $5,000 - $25,000, depending on the business’ needs. Applications are reviewed at the National Committee, which works to evenly disburse grant funds across the country. “It's really, really a great program. I just can't stress enough how we've got a great opportunity and how important it is for business owners to take advantage of it.” Businesses can click here to apply for the Community Impact Grant in the central U.S. region. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, June 5 at 2 a.m. The group staggers deadlines in regions to allow time to review applications and answer questions. The Iowa LGBTQ Chamber will be hosting educational Zoom seminars on Monday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 22 to help business owners complete their grant applications. “We have a professional grant writer who has reviewed the grant and will be able to provide tips, advice and answer questions for any business that would like to better understand how to best complete the application process.” Visit their website or Facebook page for information on the seminars.
	New music fest to light up Rust Belt A new music fest inspired by the Illinois QC area code is growing like weeds at The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave., East Moline. The first-ever Tree0ninE Festival (based on 309) is set to light up the Quad Cities with a one-of-a-kind celebration of cannabis legalization on June 28-29, 2024. A collaboration with Yabba Dabbas stores in the QC, it will feature two days of music, art, food, and vendors to celebrate, educate, and advocate for cannabis culture. “This has never been done in the Quad Cities and I’m trying to help create a place I would want to be in, to work at, to visit, or be a part of,” Heather Shadden, owner of Yabba Dabbas and creator of the festival, said in a Wednesday press release. “I want to do things that are new and exciting. I want to push the limits of what’s possible.” The two-day event will feature both indoor and outdoor stages for the 17 musical acts -- as well as local artists, food vendors, and more. This event is proudly presented by Yabba Dabbas House of Glass with Terrace Cannabis as the official dispensary, and the festival ensures a premium experience with comprehensive safety and enjoyment for all attendees, the release says. The band lineup will be: Friday, June 28: 5:30 p.m. -- 11:30 p.m.: Flabbergastor, The Tripp Brothers, The Dawn, Jon Wayne & The Pain, Tropidelic, Girl Talk. Saturday, June 29: 2:30 p.m. -- 11:30 p.m.: DJ Buddha, The Crew, Rude Punch, Wontu Trees, Ryan Jeter’s Mind at Large, Kris Lager Band, Sir Woman, The Pimps of Joytime, Waka Flocka Flame, Chromeo – DJ Set. The headliners are: Girl Talk performs a show in 2022 in Dallas, Texas. Girl Talk (Gregg Gillis) has evolved from experimental mash-ups to creating explosive party anthems, gaining widespread acclaim with albums like “Night Ripper” and “All Day.” Known for dynamic, confetti-laden live shows, Gillis now brings his unique energy and creative collaborations to the Tree0ninE stage, according to the event release. Chromeo – DJ Set introduces their latest album “Adult Contemporary,” redefining mature themes with funk and style. The duo continues to captivate with their timeless sound and introspective lyrics on modern relationships. Waka Flocka Flame, the powerhouse behind hits like “No Hands,” brings his high-energy performance and new musical directions to the festival. Known for his influence in trap music and energetic live shows, Waka promises a party like no other. Waka Flocka Flame in concert. Tickets are available HERE, with a variety of festival pass options to give you the flexibility to enjoy the performances how and when you want, including a two-day pass for $75 (through May 29), or single-day admission of $20, $50 and $65. General Admission: 2-day access to festival grounds including headlining performances inside The Rust Belt. General Admission with VIP section: Includes 2-day access with special VIP pit section for headlining performances. Friday General Admission: Access for Friday, including headlining performances. Friday Outdoor Admission: Outdoor access for Friday. Upgrades available at the box office. Saturday General Admission: Access for Saturday, including headlining performances. Saturday Outdoor Admission: Outdoor access for Saturday. Upgrades available at the box office. For more details, visit the festival website HERE.
	Milan USPS facility to stay open at least until end of 2024 People who are concerned about the USPS moving operations from the Milan Processing and Distribution Center can rest easy – for a few months. U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy released a letter stating that the United States Postal Service (USPS) will "pause any implementation of moves" for mail processing centers "at least until after January 1, 2025." In response to DeJoy’s letter, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) released this statement: “The Milan Processing and Distribution Center provides essential services for communities in Northwestern Illinois, and any action that would put local jobs at risk or diminish customer service is unacceptable. I am pleased that USPS has paused any potential changes through 2024, and I will continue to work to protect jobs in Milan and ensure that our neighbors receive their mail on time.” Sorensen sent a letter to DeJoy in February, expressing serious concerns about the USPS' Mail Processing Facility Review (MPFR) of the Milan Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) facility. He and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) advocated for Congressional leaders to keep USPS facilities that were not meeting the 2023 goals for First-Class on-time mail delivery rates from being downsized, protecting rural communities and workers. Click here to read the letter Sorensen sent to DeJoy.
	Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs Mental Health Reform Law Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law Wednesday to overhaul Iowa’s mental health system to include substance abuse and consolidate the mental health regions from 32 to 7 districts.
	Early voting begins for Iowa primary Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins said people who are voting early and in-person have until June 3 to vote at the auditor’s office.
	Whitewater Junction to open May 25 Whitewater Junction (17th Street and 18th Avenue in Rock Island) will open for the 2024 season on Saturday, May 25. Get ready to splash down the waterslides, relax on a lounge chair by the side of the pool, or play with one of the many water features. Whitewater Junction is a zero-depth to nine-foot-deep pool featuring four waterslides, a tot slide, splash features, and fun for the whole family, according to a city release Wednesday. Whitewater Junction is at 17th Street and 18th Avenue, Rock Island. The first event of the season will be the Back to Pool Bash on Monday, June 3 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.in celebration of the beginning of summer break, including a live DJ and fun games. Other events coming up this summer include Adult Swim Nights (June 7 and 21, July 19 and August 9), Mermaid & Pirate Nights (June 14, July 12, August 16), and Frozen Parties (June 28, July 26). You can register for those HERE. Whitewater Junction hours are Monday - Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In late summer (Aug. 12 through Sept. 2), Whitewater Junction will be open Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday/Holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The body and tube slides will be closed daily from 2 to 3 p.m. and the plunge pool will be open for volleyball. Yellow drop slides will be closed the first hour of every day. Adult lap swim hours will be Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. with a drop-in fee of $5, or free with season pass. Whitewater Junction in August 2023. Admission is $10 for ages 12 and up and $7 for ages 3 to 11. Children age 2 and under are free with a paid adult. Season specials include: Mondays: free child admission with each paid adult before 2 p.m. Fridays: admission is half off for school staff. Veterans/Active Military are half off any day. Evening swim special is Monday-Thursday from 5 pm to 7 p.m. for $5. Discounted Punch Passes and Season Passes are available for purchase. For questions, call 309-732-7275 x 1. Private cabanas are available for rental and include drink and food vouchers. Other rental options include party packages to host birthday parties or gatherings, and private rentals for after-hour group parties. Visit www.rigov.org/wwj for rates or call 309-732-7275 (option 1). For more information, click HERE or call 309-732-SWIM (7946).
	Milan police investigating armed robbery at Walgreens Milan police say the robbery occurred around 9:50 p.m. on Sunday, May 12. Two masked suspects displayed a gun during the robbery.
	Absentee voting kicks off Wednesday for Iowa's June 4 primary The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Monday, May 20.
	Whitewater Junction opening for 2024 summer season On May 25, during Memorial Day weekend, Whitewater Junction will open its doors to the general public.
	Tap 22 in Silvis broken into early Tuesday morning The popular bar and grill made a Facebook post Tuesday morning saying the restaurant was broken into around 2:20 a.m.
	USPS to pause moving distribution center out of Milan until 2025 Plans to move distribution operations from Milan to Des Moines were not supported many employees and others in the Quad-Cities community.
	LIVE: Jan Jensen named new head coach of Iowa women’s basketball team Iowa Women’s Basketball named Jan Jensen as the new head coach.
	Quad City Animal Welfare Center in need of volunteers The QCAWC needs support from the community to assist with its Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic.
	Learn about eviction at new Moline exhibit Project NOW is opening a free exhibit on eviction Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 1 p.m., in SouthPark Mall (4500 16th St., Moline). The exhibit – “Evicted” -- is in the old Express Store, across from Dory's Hallmark. The "Evicted" exhibit will be at SouthPark Mall in Moline (across from the Hallmark store) from May 15 to Aug. 10, 2024. On hand for the opening are Dwight Ford, Project NOW’s executive director; Brenda O’Connell, Illinois Housing Development Authority Senior Policy Advisor for Special Populations; David Esposito, executive director of the Supportive Housing Providers Association, and Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati. Every eight seconds, someone in America is being evicted from their home, according to Project NOW. The Evicted exhibition brings visitors into the world of low-income renter eviction. The exhibit challenges visitors to face the enormity of one of 21st-century America’s most devastating problems while providing context for the crisis and a call to action, a Project NOW release says. In April 2018, the National Building Museum opened a new, “eye-opening" exhibit exploring the causes and impacts of eviction, based on Matthew Desmond’s book of the same name. “Evicted” was winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction. Desmond is a professor of sociology at Princeton University. After receiving his Ph.D. in 2010 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, he joined the Harvard Society of Fellows as a Junior Fellow. "Evicted" by Matthew Desmond won the Pulitzer Prize in 2017. He is the author of four books, including Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City (2016), which won the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Circle Award, and Carnegie Medal, and PEN / John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction. The principal investigator of The Eviction Lab, Desmond’s research focuses on poverty in America, city life, housing insecurity, public policy, racial inequality, and ethnography. On view through Aug. 10, 2024 Since 2018, thousands of people have come to see the "Evicted" exhibit to learn more about the national eviction crisis. Project NOW is hosting the free presentation until August 10th. It is being sponsored by the Supportive Housing Providers Association and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. A stable place to call home is one of the best predictors of success. Yet, each year more than 2.3 million Americans, most of them low-income renters, face eviction, Project NOW says. While it used to be rare even in the poorest neighborhoods, forcible removal has become ordinary, with families facing eviction from the most squalid, barely inhabitable apartments. This phenomenon exposes not only income inequality in America, but also the growing separation between the built environments of the rich and the poor. Housing instability threatens all aspects of family life: health, jobs, school, and personal relationships. Landlords hesitate to rent to those with eviction records, or charge them extra money, causing a devastating negative feedback loop. Children switch schools too often to make friends or be noticed and helped by teachers; neighbors cannot develop bonds; personal belongings are left in storage or out on the street. Americans often take home for granted-home forms the building blocks of community life-and this stability is under attack when eviction looms, Project NOW says. The "Evicted" exhibit has been touring the country since 2018. In "Evicted," specially commissioned visual infographics and forward-thinking design introduce visitors to the numbers and statistics they need to know in order to understand the crisis. Rates of evictions indifferent markets make evident the depths of the problem. Working together, these elements amplify tenants' voices, as they explain in their own words the impact eviction has on them and their loved ones. Traveling Evicted The traveling version of Evicted offers an opportunity to bring the exhibition away from the center of Washington politics and advocacy to address new audiences. In cities across Illinois, students and families who are unfamiliar with the eviction crisis can learn about how it is affecting their own communities. SHPA is a statewide membership association of non-profit providers of supportive housing. SHPA facilitates Illinois Homelessness Education and Technical Assistance Center. The "Evicted" exhibit is made possible by the TA Center and support from the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness coordinates state strategies and investments and partners with the community to build a strong safety net and permanent housing for Illinoisans facing homelessness and housing insecurity. IOPEH was created in 2021 by Gov. JB Pritzker. Additional dates and times to view the exhibit are listed HERE.
	Milan police investigating armed robbery of Walgreens Sunday night Two men in ski masked brandished a firearm Sunday while robbing the Milan Walgreens.
	Gladstone woman sentenced in 2022 crash that killed 2 construction workers on Great River Bridge 23-year-old Emily Johnson of Gladstone, Illinois was found guilty in connection to the crash back in March. She faces 90 days in jail and 30 months of probation.
	Fundraising breakfast shows power of Putnam The Putnam Museum & Science Center showcased the power of innovation and invited people to join its “Power Circle” at the annual Power Breakfast Wednesday morning in the Grand Lobby. The free event included a video of local children describing their favorite parts of the Putnam, 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport. Kelly Lao, the Putnam's vice president of museum experiences and interim co-CEO, speaks at the museum's annual Power Breakfast in the Grand Lobby, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). Kelly Lao, vice president of museum experiences and interim co-CEO, noted a new CEO is expected to start on July 1, to succeed Rachael Mullins (who left this past January). The Power Circle is comprised of people who give at least $1,000 during a year to the nonprofit organization. The Putnam was founded in 1867 as the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences, as just the third museum in the nation west of the Mississippi River. In 1879, it became the first in the United States to offer public school programming, Lao said. "Our predecessors were innovators, just like the people featured in our new Quad City Innovators gallery upstairs, yet they could scarcely imagine what their trailblazing actions would become -- an educational and cultural powerhouse with a quarter million items in the collection and serving more than 158,000 people each year," she said. Through the Immerse program, teachers can bring their classrooms to the Putnam for a week of school, taking advantage of the museum staff, resources, and collection, Lao said. "We exist to ignite potential and inspire our diverse community to care for our world and all its people," she said. The Putnam is undertaking a remodel of its "Black Earth / Big River" natural science exhibit, to incorporate more Indigenous views about the land and river and environmental education, Lao noted. A common myth Such offerings (including the new permanent Quad City Innovators and Common Ground exhibits on the second floor) dispel a common myth among museums. "Many people may think museums are static -- offering the same exhibits and experience you had when you were in 5th grade," Lao said. "That's not the case. The Putnam is constantly providing new enriching experiences for our guests." This past year featured five rotating exhibits. And some people think only those who are well-off visit museums, Lao said. Kelly Lao, former head of the German American Heritage Center & Museum in Davenport, has been the Putnam VP for museum experiences since October 2022 (photo by Jonathan Turner). "We know that's not true. In 2021, we began participating in the national 'Museums for All' initiative," she said. "This program allows for people with SNAP federal food benefits to visit the Putnam for just $1. In our first year, 2,200 residents visited utilizing this experience. By 2023, that number grew 47 percent." Schools today have very limited funds available for programs like Immerse, and the Putnam knows "Museums for All" demand is skyrocketing, Lao said. "All these undertakings can continue to flourish with additional support," she said of fundraising. The museum focuses on inclusion, to make sure adults and kids from all backgrounds can see themselves represented in the exhibits, Lao noted. Later this year, the Putnam will open its vault collection in its lower galleries, opening up thousands of objects from the permanent collection and allowing people to interact with them. "Additionally, we will open our gateway experience, which will welcome visitors and provide RFID learning challenges, connecting the many galleries throughout the museum," Lao said. Over 100 people attended the Wednesday event at the Putnam Grand Lobby (photo by Jonathan Turner). "One hundred and fifty-seven years later, after our founding, we must continue to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our community," she said. Impact on three residents The Wednesday morning event displayed a video showcasing three residents, talking about how they've been impacted by their Putnam experience -- Living Lands & Waters founder and environmentalist Chad Pregracke, Putnam member and parent Seth Campbell, and visual artist Shayla Ray Afflerbaugh. "We're so lucky to have this because it brings a lot to the community," said Pregracke, who's featured in the Putnam's Innovators exhibit. "There's just a lot of rad things going on there." Chad Pregracke of Living Lands & Waters is featured in the new Quad City Innovators exhibit (photo by Jonathan Turner). One of his strongest memories from 6th grade is going on a field trip to the Putnam. "It was important at the time and it's still important now," Pregracke said. "It's amazing and inspiring.""The place is just cool -- it's meaningful, it's impactful and it's a huge part of the community," he said. "It's 157 years old...It's modern and hip and awesome, and still relevant." Campbell's son Griffin is on the autism spectrum, and the Putnam gives him an outlet where he feels safe and can enjoy exhibits and the Giant Screen Theater. He loved the "Tails From Tales" exhibit -- he loves animals, loves the Hall of Mammals, his dad said. "In winters, it's a lifesaver, just because a lot of outdoor activities, we can't participate in, but between here and The Family Museum in Bettendorf...gives him a lot of opportunities to play," Campbell said. "I think it's a great resource for the community; I hope everybody takes advantage of it." "For Griffin, it provides a safe environment for him to explore and the staff are so accommodating to him and really look out for him," he said, noting they also went to a sensory-friendly movie they enjoyed. "It's been a great experience to help him grow as well and give him opportunities to experience things he wouldn't otherwise. It's a life-changer for Griffin." Afflerbaugh was one of several local artists to provide artwork connected to a children's book for the Putnam's "Tails From Tales" exhibit, and she chose "The Ugly Duckling." Shayla Ray Afflerbaugh's "Ugly Duckling" painting as part of the Putnam's "Tails From Tales" exhibit. She specializes in wildlife art, and chose that story of transformation and belonging. "Sometimes, our art isn't for everyone and you find your audience, people who appreciate your art," Afflerbaugh said in the video. "I was very proud to be selected for the exhibit. It was really important for me to have my kids see something of mine put up in a museum. They got to see my artwork from start to finish, and then to bring them here. they got to see mom's artwork up on the wall. It was a really proud moment for me -- I felt really accomplished." Priceless effect on kids The Putnam also featured a live testimonial from Shaya Smith, a 4th-grade teacher at the Rock Island Center for Math and Science. The Putnam has partnered with the Rock Island-Milan School District in the Immerse program since 2017, for 3rd and 4th grade classes -- to immerse students in hands-on learning with artifacts, curators, and museum educators. Shaya Smith, 4th-grade teacher at Rock Island Center for Math and Science, speaks at the Putnam Power Breakfast, "A Morning of Giving," on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). "After many years of developing and planning our perfect week, we now see the bigger picture of what this partnership has created for hundreds of students annually," Smith said. "Not only in Rock Island, but in the greater Quad-City area." She said some of her students have said before their Putnam experience, they had never left Rock Island. "It's almost unbelievable, but it's true," Smith said. "Many of my students can't afford to go on vacations or trips away from their neighborhoods. There's a stark difference between those who can and those who simply cannot. This immersive experience offers my students the opportunity to dive deeper into the curriculum I teach. "It becomes more than just a workshop or a YouTube video, more than just a chapter in a book," she said. One lesson at the Putnam was on how animals survive in the wild. "They offer a glimpse into our world that the four walls of a classroom simply cannot -- an experience that is priceless," Smith said of the Putnam. "Our students also get to explore exhibits from all over the world." She also complimented the museum's "JUNKkraft" exhibit (which ran from May to October 2023) and a school visit from its creator, Marcus Erikson. In 2008, Erikson and Joel Paschal launched a homemade raft from Los Angeles with the intent to drift to Hawaii to bring attention to the emerging plastic pollution problem. With no motor or support vessel, the crew took 13 weeks to reach their destination, three times longer than expected. They used 15,000 plastic bottles, 26 sailboat masts, and a Cessna aircraft fuselage to construct the raft, named JUNK. "Immerse offers invaluable opportunities for teachers and students to make connections to their curriculum that wouldn't be possible without the hard work and dedication of the Putnam staff, administrators, teachers, students and volunteers," Smith said. "It especially wouldn't be possible without donors such as yourself," she said to the 100-plus in attendance Wednesday. What the Putnam provides to kids is priceless, Smith said.
	SCW Pro holding fundraiser for fellow wrestler battling cancer Scott County Wrestling (SCW Pro) has been thrilling fans in the Quad Cities for two decades. Now they’re helping one of their own at the “Fight for Austin” on Saturday, May 18 at the Blue Grass Community Center, 232 E. Orphed Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the action starts at 7 p.m. Marek Brave is the owner of SCW Pro and co-owner and head trainer of the Black and Rave Wrestling Academy, alongside Seth Rollins of the WWE. He spoke with Our Quad Cities News about a fundraiser to help Austin Acree, a wrestler better known as Garrote, who’s battling cancer. Acree lives in Bettendorf and when he’s not in the ring, he works at the Rock Island Arsenal. “His character is actually this big bad, evil, mysterious type guy, but in real life, he couldn't be any more different from his in-ring persona,” said Brave. “He's actually a great guy, very respectful and hardworking. And unfortunately, he's just going through a tough time right now.” Austin Acree, aka Garrote (SCW Pro) Austin Acree, aka Garrote (SCW Pro) Austin Acree, aka Garrote (SCW Pro) Acree is currently battling non-Hodgkins’s lymphoma, but things aren’t going well, said Brave. “Unfortunately, he is not reacting well to the chemotherapy treatments. He's actually back in the hospital right now, trying to fight off an infection due to the adverse reactions he's having to the chemotherapy, so it's just one thing after another for Austin right now and we're hoping that this latest round of treatment will take care of the infection and help them on the road to recovery with the lymphoma as well.” There was no doubt Acree would be helped by other SCW wrestlers during his fight. “In professional wrestling and in Black and Brave wrestling, our academy, we look at each other as family, right,” said Brave. “We're brothers and sisters there and when one member of your family is hurting, you have to come together as a community to help that individual out. When I came up with the idea to do this benefit, and I brought it to my fellow wrestlers and my graduates and my business partner, everybody thought it was a great idea.” Brave said wrestlers performing at the event are donating their pay to the fundraiser and there are other ways fans can help. “We're doing some raffles at the show with some autographed merchandise from Seth Rollins, who is a global celebrity. So, we're hoping to raise a good amount of money that way. There'll be some of the things that we're selling as well, in an effort to raise as much money for Austin as possible.” Even though this is the first time the group has held a fundraiser for one of their own, it’s not the first time they’ve worked to benefit the community. “Every year we do an event with West High School to raise money for their athletic department. You know, we've been in business for over 20 years, so throughout the history of our company, we've done different events, I believe back in 2005, we did an event to raise money for Hurricane Katrina.” Fans can expect to see plenty of excitement in the ring. “We have an action-packed card for everybody who's in attendance on Saturday night. This will be a full two hour plus wrestling event. I believe we have seven or eight matches on the card. We have a Battle Royale planned. We have multiple tag team matches. Our heavyweight champion, eight-year Marine veteran, the Devil Dog, Dustin Mosley, he's going to be in action. Our Iowa wrestling champion, aptly named Corn Boy, he is going to be in action, as well as our tag team champions partners in rhyme that would be Nico Klein and Cash Kennedy.” For more on SCW Pro and the Fight for Austin, click here.
	What's the economic impact of arts in the QC? AccelerateVQC, a free event in partnership with Quad City Arts, is scheduled for Thursday morning, May 16, 2024, at the lobby of the Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport. The breakfast event (starting at 8 a.m. and running to 9:30 a.m.) aims to explore the profound impact of the arts on the Quad Cities community, shedding light on key findings from a groundbreaking study by Arts & Economic Prosperity 6, according to a Wednesday release from Visit Quad Cities. The free breakfast event is 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 16 at the Figge Art Museum, Davenport. By emphasizing the crucial role of cultural tourism and creative industries in fostering regional growth and vitality, Visit Quad Cities and Quad City Arts seek to position the QC area as a vibrant destination for both art enthusiasts and cultural travelers, showcasing innovative approaches to cultural tourism and contemporary creativity, the release said. Featured speaker Randy Cohen, vice president of research for Americans for the Arts, will present the 2023 study results, which comprehensively assessed the economic and social contributions of the nonprofit arts industry. This study encompasses 373 diverse communities and regions across the U.S., including representation from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Quad City Arts' participation in this study provides invaluable insights into the local impact of the arts, Visit QC said. Dave Herrell is president/CEO of Visit Quad Cities. “The foundation of the QC’s creative energy relies on diverse cultural offerings and products supported by investments in local artists and the creative economy,” said Dave Herrell, president/CEO of Visit Quad Cities. “This AccelerateVQC event serves as an opportunity to celebrate the vibrant arts scene in our community and recognize its significant contributions to our economic and social landscape. We believe the Quad Cities is the creative capital of the Midwest.” The report, released last fall, showed that local nonprofit arts organizations had an economic impact of $29 million and 712 full-time jobs in 2022, plus a total of 13,133 volunteers providing 117,498 hours of donated time. Quad City Arts led the local study — which in itself vastly undercounts the true QC economic impact of the arts and culture sector, executive director Kevin Maynard said. First, the Americans for the Arts national study focused on nonprofits, not including popular for-profit venues like Circa ’21, the Adler Theatre/RiverCenter and Vibrant Arena at The MARK. A scene from Playcrafters' "Paint Night." Responses from 373 communities nationwide averaged 43.9%, but the response rate was just 28.5% in the Quad Cities — or 51 of the 179 total eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Rock Island and Scott counties. In 2022, nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences generated $151.7 billion in economic activity nationwide — $73.3 billion in spending by the organizations, which leveraged an additional $78.4 billion in event-related spending by their audiences, the study found. The impact of this economic activity is far reaching, supporting 2.6 million jobs, generating $29.1 billion in tax revenue, and providing $101 billion in personal income to residents. Ballet Quad Cities “AEP6 sends a strong signal that when we support the arts, we are investing in both economic and community well-being,” the study said. On Thursday, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Randy Cohen and fellow participants, exploring the intersections of arts, culture and community development. Breakfast will be provided and registration is free. To register for the Thursday breakfast and learn more, click HERE.
	Get free breakfast if you bike to work Quad Citizens are encouraged to ride their bicycle to the office Friday, May 17, on National Bike to Work Day. The Rock Island Downtown Alliance and Quad Cities Bicycle Club are hosting a free breakfast for bicycle commuters from 6-10 a.m. Friday at Schwiebert Riverfront Park. Participants will be treated to breakfast sandwiches, pastries and coffee from Theo’s Java Café right off the Great River Trail at the entrance to the park, according to a Wednesday release. Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island (photo: Brian Weckerly) “It’s a fun opportunity to engage our regional workforce and also celebrate our community’s wonderful riverfront trail system,” said Jack Cullen, executive director of the Downtown Alliance. “The Quad Cities Bicycle Club is a great organization and we’re proud to partner with them to encourage folks to get out and ride.” Visitors will also get a glimpse of the major Rebuild Downtown construction project across the street from the park. This marks the third consecutive Bike to Work Day event held in downtown Rock Island.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for May 15, 2024 Silvis police are investigating an alleged break-in at Tap 22, and Milan officers are looking for suspects who robbed a Walgreens over the weekend.
	Muscatine School Board discusses new ELA, social studies curriculum choices With the school year nearly over, this month’s school board meeting primarily focused on curriculum changes.
	"A one-stop resource:" Muscatine County Sheriff's Office releases new app Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office has officially released its new app to the public.
	Demo derby comes to fairgrounds in Davenport Midwest Mayhem Demolition Derby returns to the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 18, for another round of the midwest best demolition derby drivers fighting it out for multi-class guaranteed payouts according to a news release. For more information, visit here. Action starts at 6 p.m. with Power Wheels for kids ages 3-10, followed by several classes of demolition derby action. The grandstand opens at 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 ages 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Pit access opens at 3 p.m. with pit passes at $30. Food and drink will be available to purchase at the event. "Graffiti Matt" Scherer will be on hand in the pit area painting cars for those who want a customized paint job on their demo car. For more information, contact him directly here. For all Viola Boyz Demolition Derby 2024 shows, visit here.
	Former Davenport mayor, council member push back against Spiegel's allegations The letter details Corri Spiegel's allegations of harassment and gender discrimination by two former mayors and several former and one current aldermen. Several contest the allegations.
	Quad-Cities courts feel shortage of court reporters, as Black Hawk program aims to help The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job openings for court reporters to average roughly 2,100, each year, until 2032.
	Cop on a Rooftop to benefit Special Olympics Illinois Dunkin’ Donuts and Illinois law enforcement are teaming up to support Special Olympics Illinois! On May 17, stop by any participating Illinois Dunkin' Donuts location from 5:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Law enforcement officers will be rallying support for Special Olympics athletes and the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois with Cop on a Rooftop. Anyone who makes a donation to the Torch Run will receive a coupon for a free donut. Those who donate $10 or more will receive a tumbler (while supplies last) and a coupon for a free medium hot or iced coffee. Help support Special Olympics Illinois at these participating QCA Dunkin' Donuts locations Friday, May 17 for Cop on a Rooftop: 🍩 2711 18th Ave., Rock Island 🍩 3501 Avenue of the Cities, Moline 🍩 1220 18th St., Silvis To donate directly, click here. For more information, click here.
	Pending Death Notices for Muscatine, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 Miranda Rachel Lloyd, age 38, of Muscatine, Iowa, formerly of Wilton, Iowa, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024. Arrangements are pending at Bentley Funeral Home, Wilton.
	Pending Death Notices for the Quad-Cities, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 Miranda Rachel Lloyd, age 38, of Muscatine, Iowa, formerly of Wilton, Iowa, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024. Arrangements are pending at Bentley Funeral Home, Wilton.
	Kewanee man faces multiple sexual assault, abuse charges Charges have been filed in Henry County Circuit Court against a Kewanee man in relation to incidents in April and May.
Tuesday, May 14th, 2024
	Davenport Learning Center set to reopen next school year The center will focus on students with Individualized Education Plans, K-10, as well as high schoolers who are facing long-term suspensions.
	AG Bird joins lawsuits over trucking emission standards set by EPA, California Tuesday Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced the state is joining a lawsuit against the EPA and the State of California.
	Niabi Zoo hosting online auction to help fund repairs needed following January snowstorm Bidding goes live on Wednesday, May 15.
	Hauberg Estate hit by graffiti for 2nd time in 2024 The historic Rock Island location might add more security cameras to deter future vandalism.
	Hauberg Estate hit by graffiti The historic site was targeted by spray paint just a few days before its annual fundraiser.
	Traffic Alert: Rockingham Road Closure Starting Tuesday, Rockingham Road is closed between south Elsie Avenue and South Concord Street.
	Davenport City Council discuss findings from North Park Mall Market Study North Park Mall could be getting a new look, that would include housing and entertainment. The city is considering redevelopment options after hiring a consulting firm to do a market study.
	Quad Cities Salvation Army celebrates success at open house Just last week, organization officials said they provided shelter space for 104 kids.
	Niabi Zoo hosting online auction to help fund repairs needed following January snowstorm Bidding goes live on Wednesday, May 15.
	Illinois honors fallen firefighters The annual ceremony honored 5 firefighters this year.
	Quad City first responders hold annual blue mass The event honors teamwork across emergency departments.
	Traffic Alert: Marquette Street closure Starting Tuesday northbound Marquette Street is closed between west 17th Street and west Locust Street.
	Wait is over for QCA police officer to get a new kidney Corporal Mike Adney started fighting crime for the Clinton Police Department in 2003. He has been a part of the Special Response Team, and he was involved in other divisions over the years. In 2004, he began fighting his own battle: A kidney disease. He started his dialysis treatment this past July. He receives treatment five days a week, three hours each time. That will change on June 13 when Adney undergoes a kidney transplant, and he couldn't be happier. "I feel good, but I will feel awesome after this is done and I can't wait. I'm excited," Adney said. "It's going to be awesome. I look forward to it. There's going to be a lot more family time. There's going to be a lot more quality time with my wife." (Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com) Adney says his kidney disease causes a lot of fatigue. Since his mother had the disease, he learned how to handle it and he learned to stay positive. Adney says his family was his main concern because with his treatment, he needed to really lean on them. He never wanted that. "It's not a burden but they could be doing something else, and I'm keeping them for doing other things," Adney said. "Although, they've been super supportive and super cool. Of course, you have times when your like, 'Man, I wish I didn't have to do it today.'" Despite that, Adney stayed determined to keep a positive attitude, especially since other family members may have the disease as well. "Even though it's hereditary and my kids could very well have it, they get to see, like I did, what the process is and it makes it less scary," Adney said. Adney says he has just over 20 days of treatment left before his surgery. He also looks forward to seeing his family more, being less tired, and growing within the police department. Clinton Police Corporal Mike Adney (Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com) "I feel good, but I will feel awesome after this is done and I can't wait," said Adney. "I'm excited. After this who knows when I'll go back to patrol or if I'll go back to investigations. Whatever they will let me go back to, I'm excited for that." "It's been a lot easier knowing that this is going to happen," Adney added. "It's going to go smoothly because of all the great support that I've had. I just wish there was a way for me to tell everybody how much it meant and made it so much easier to go through this because of all the support from my friends, my family, and folks that I don't even know." Adney will get the transplant in Iowa City. Although he does not know the donor's identity, it is someone who is close to him. He expects his recovery to take around three months.
	Milan Police Department investigating Walgreens armed robbery The Milan Police Department responded to an armed robbery at Walgreens Sunday night. An investigation is now underway to find the suspects who’re responsible for the armed robbery, police said.
	What's the future of NorthPark Mall? Adding housing to NorthPark Mall could be a way to reinvigorate the shopping complex in davenport. Davenport city leaders say they worry about its future as businesses abandon the mall concept.A consulting firm hired by Davenport delivered a presentation to a city planning meeting, focusing on a long-term development strategy for the mall. Two of the five spaces for anchor stores are vacant after Sears and Younkers closed. The consultants say the future of the property involves more than retail, creating new reasons to make it a destination.
	Union pushes for worker protection at Thomson Prison Thomson Federal Prison remains on lockdown more than three weeks after the facility reported guns and cell phones getting inside the prison. Union leaders continue to lobby for changes that protect for workers who are sexually assaulted and harassed by inmates. A state law in Illinois prompted an inmate to plead guilty to exposing himself to a woman who's a corrections officer. Inmate Fred Smith was sentenced to an additional 364 days in prison, the most allowed under the Illinois law. Union leaders want a similar federal law passed that has tougher sentencing guidelines.
	Paul Norton, Bettendorf, designated Heart Safe School Paul Norton Elementary received the designation of being a Heart Safe School through UI (University of Iowa) Stead Family Children’s Hospital and Project ADAM: Iowa Heartland, according to a news release. (Paul Norton Elementary School) Project ADAM helps schools nationwide implement programs to make Automated ExternalDefibrillators (AEDs) readily available by preparing schools for a cardiac emergency throughemergency response plans, staff CPR and AED training, and sudden cardiac arrest awarenesseducation. Becoming a Heart Safe School is one more way to keep the students and staff safe In the Bettendorf Community School District, the release says. Statistically, about 7,000 children and adolescents in the United States experience sudden cardiac arrest each year. Program coordinators at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital offer an initial phone review, aswell as a written review of the school’s current cardiac emergency action plan (EAP) and anonsite emergency drill. A comprehensive EAP may save the life of a student, staff member,parent, or visitor who experiences sudden cardiac arrest. What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) happens when a child or adult experiences a sudden collapsebecause of ventricular fibrillation. This disorganized heart rhythm causes the heart to suddenlystop beating normally, and blood does not pump through the body. Because blood isn’t reaching the lungs or brain, the person suddenly passes out and becomes unresponsive with no pulse and abnormal or no breathing. Warning signs of possible SCA risk: Discomfort, pain, or pressure in the chest during or after exercise Fainting, nearly fainting, or seizure-like activity during or after exercise, emotion orsurprise Excessive, unexpected and unexplained fatigue or shortness of breath with exercise Skipping or racing heartbeats Family history of sudden death before age 50 or heart abnormalities How is SCA treated? An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a device that looks for a shockable heart rhythm and delivers a shock only if needed. It is small, portable, automated, and easy to operate. Voice prompts give instructions, and the AED will not shock someone unless it is needed. Successful resuscitation depends on treatment with CPR and an AED within two to three minutes of the person’s collapse. For more information about the Project ADAM: Iowa Heartland program, visit here. About Project ADAM Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory) began in 1999 after the death of Adam Lemel, a 17-year-old Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, high-school student who collapsed and died while playing basketball. Adam suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), in which ventricular fibrillation occurred, a condition in which the ventricles cannot pump blood into the body. Defibrillation with use of an AED could have saved his life. His parents, Patty and Joe, collaborated with Children's Wisconsin to create this program in Adam's memory. Project ADAM unites healthcare systems across the nation to promote and support implementation of Heart Safe Schools. For more information, visit here. About University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital University of Iowa Health Care has been meeting the needs of children and families since 1919. As Iowa’s only comprehensive children’s hospital and home to the state’s only Level 4 pediatric trauma center, UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital provides care for children from birth to young adulthood. Services range from promoting wellness to the care of general childhood illness, surgery, traumatic injuries, life-threatening and chronic illnesses, and developmental disabilities. As part of University of Iowa Health Care, the state’s only academic medical center, UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital also performs groundbreaking research to help solve the mysteries of childhood diseases, in addition to training the next generation of health care professionals.
	'I'm proud to be an Iowa girl': The legacy Hawkeyes' Lisa Bluder leaves behind Lisa Bluder is an Iowan through and through. "I'm proud to be an Iowa girl leading the University of Iowa," Bluder said at the 2023 Final Four. Bluder is a graduate of Northern Iowa who began her coaching career at St. Ambrose and eventually moved on to Drake. In 2000, she took her biggest job yet -- but she didn't do it alone. Bluder's top two assistants, Jan Jensen and Jenni Fitzgerald, came along for the ride. "She coached me way back when. I saw her in the locker room as a player and she took a chance on this young coach," Jensen said. "They were both with me at Drake for eight years," Bluder said. "I asked them to come over here with me. Jan could've stayed there and been the head coach at Drake." Together, this trio of women turned Iowa into a perennial tournament team. Bluder passed the great C. Vivian Stringer for most wins in program history. She won the Big Ten Tournament a record five times, putting stars on the court every step of the way. But Bluder had bigger goals: "We had a dream. We wanted to make it to a Final Four, we wanted to fill Carver." And sure enough, two decades into their journey, a player special enough came along who could make that dream a reality. Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes took the program to new heights, turning Carver-Hawkeye Arena into the mecca of women's basketball and reaching the Final Four not once, but twice. "She's one of the best coaches of all time," Clark said. "I don't think she always gets the credit she deserves, but she's a Hall of Fame coach -- there's no doubt about that." While they never quite won a national championship together, they put the sport in a spotlight it's never been before. "Yes, you'd love a shiny trophy, but the impact that you had on young women and this sport doesn't get tarnished," Bluder said to her team after Iowa's loss to South Carolina. You can't tell the story of women's basketball without Lisa Bluder. Her final message to fans as the head coach of Iowa women's basketball was to keep doing what they've been doing. "Please come back next year, alright?" Bluder said. "Promise me that you'll fill Carver-Hawkeye Arena again next year." For more Hawkeyes coverage, follow @BlakeHornTV and @HawkeyeHQ on Twitter and Facebook. You can find Hawkeye Headquarters at HawkeyeHQ.com all season.
	'Hike the Hennepin' event coming up on May 19 The total length of May's hike is 4.6 miles.
	Temporary stop sign being placed at Muscatine intersection The stop sign will be placed at the intersection of Bidwell and Leroy streets starting Wednesday, May 15. It may become permanent.
	Explore the Mississippi River with River Action's Summer Education Program Registration for the 2024 Explore the River Series is now open to learn first-hand from experts about the Mississippi River.
	U.S. raises tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles amid mounting threats to local auto industry The rapid emergence of low-priced electric vehicles from China could shake up the U.S. auto industry in ways never seen before. U.S. politicians and manufacturers already see Chinese EVs as a serious threat.
	Monmouth College faculty member will be guest in transatlantic discussion Monmouth College faculty member Robin Johnson will be one of the featured guests of a transatlantic virtual discussion, focusing on how democracy defenders can, and do, win elections. Hosted by the Jefferson Education Society of Erie, Pennsylvania, the event will be held from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, May 15. To hear the discussion, register at this link. Robin Johnson (Monmouth College) A member of Monmouth's political science department who also hosts the Heartland Politics weekly radio show on WVIK-FM, Johnson was chosen to be part of the panel because of what discussion moderator John Austin called his "path-breaking work on how Democrats can and do win in 'Trump country.'" In 2020, Austin founded the Industrial Heartlands Transformation Initiative, a transatlantic collaborative partnership dedicated to closing geographic economic divides and reconnecting residents of rural and former industrial heartland communities to economic opportunity. One of the organizations he pulled into the initiative is the Chicago Council on Global Affairs where, years ago, his work on supporting economic transformation in the Midwest overlapped with Johnson's interests. "The initiative works to return community pride and optimism about the future, and diminish the appeal of polarizing, resentment-driven, isolationist and ethnonationalist political movements that threaten our democracies," said Austin. "There is tremendous concern in the U.S. and across Europe over the rise of nationalist, anti-democratic political movements - and the leaders who stoke voter resentment in their bids to take and keep power." How to fix it Johnson acknowledges the concern, but adds, "There needs to be a realization about what is fueling these movements." "People feel abandoned and left behind as the major economic drivers of their regions have been displaced, many by actions taken by leaders of both political parties," he said. "And, if you talk with people from both sides of the political divide, as I do, you find the same concerns expressed from both sides about the other." A solution, he says, is simple. "Democrats need to go door-to-door and listen to their neighbors," said Johnson. "Restore some old-fashioned campaigning and be the face of the party instead of someone in Washington or Springfield. Instead of top-down campaigning of TV ads and social media, use canvassing to listen and understand rural voters, who are often mischaracterized by the mainstream media." That approach, said Johnson, won't necessarily lead to wins in Republican areas, "but they can reduce the margins." "This isn't just my opinion - it's the advice of dozens of local Democrats who have won in rural and working class districts in the Trump era," he said. "Grassroots-style campaigning is important in order to listen to what folks are saying and trying to find areas of common ground." Can democracy win? Johnson was connected to Austin through Richard Longworth, who visited Monmouth's campus in 2009. Austin was featured in Longworth's book "Caught in the Middle: America's Heartland in the Age of Globalism," which Johnson uses in his "Midwest Politics" class. "John has since spoken with my classes several times, suggested class projects we have collaborated on, and been a guest on my radio show," said Johnson. Austin said a reason behind the May 15 discussion is that "we all need tangible and inspiring examples of where leaders who do want to make a difference in people's lives - and work to strengthen, not weaken, democracy - win over voters and win elections. Even in regions that more often support polarizing populists and authoritarian strongman wannabes." Johnson still believes democracy's track record will win the day. "I'm mildly concerned about the anti-democratic actions from the fringes of both parties but also feel our institutions of democracy have held up pretty well over the years," he said. "I'm confident they will do so in the future." Joining Johnson on the panel will be Georgetown University scholars Lucas Kreuzer and Kamil Lungu - a native of Poland - and Andy Westwood, professor of government practice at the University of Manchester in England. Kreuzer and Lungu will share the findings from their new paper analyzing the Polish election and lessons from the Polish experience relevant for democracy defenders everywhere. Westwood brings similar insights into how regional leaders in struggling England geographies not only win and keep office, but rebuild community pride and economic vitality. In addition to his teaching role in Monmouth College's political science department, Robin Johnson hosts the weekly radio "Heartland Politics."
	Sod harvesting underway after warm winter Davenport-based Seven Cities Sod says they've been able to begin harvesting sooner than ever before in their history.
	Here’s what we know about Iowa attorney general’s trip to support Donald Trump in New York Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird explained her trip to New York to support former president Donald Trump.
	Sod harvesting underway following warm winter Davenport-based Seven Cities Sod says they've been able to begin harvesting earlier than ever before in their history.
	Muscatine unveils renovations to Tom Bruner Field The upgrades cost approximately $2.5 million.
	Niabi holds online auction for storm repairs Niabi Zoo is holding an online auction to raise funds to help cover extensive repair costs. The Coal Valley zoo experienced significant damage to facilities and infrastructure during five days of heavy snowfall between January 8-12, 2024, according to a Niabi release Tuesday. The online auction HERE starts Wednesday, May 15. All proceeds from the auction go directly to the repairs being undertaken at the zoo. Damage from the winter snowfall at Niabi Zoo in January 2024. “This auction has something for everyone. We have wonderful artwork from some of our incredibly talented local artists, as well as trips, sports memorabilia, electronics, fun experiences, and tons of great animal themed baskets and gifts,” Niabi Zoo director Lee Jackson said Tuesday. The winter storm in January hit Niabi with more than 25 inches of heavy wet snow that placed an unprecedented strain on zoo infrastructure and animal habitats, according to the auction website. The most significant damage includes the collapse of the outdoor cathouse enclosures, damage to the American Bald Eagle exhibit, collapse of the Pallas cat exhibit, and roof damage to the aviary and carousel. There was also significant damage to roofs and gutter throughout the zoo as well as the complete destruction of several smaller animal enclosures. Niabi Zoo (OurQuadCities.com) The zoo staff did a heroic job of making sure all of the animals were safely moved to other areas both within the zoo and to other facilities, the site says. No animals or staff were injured during this tragic series of events. You can also make your tax-deductible donations to the Niabi Zoo Foundation, the only official fundraising organization for Niabi. With a contribution to the Foundation, 100% of the funds will benefit the recovery effort and build a better Niabi for generations to come. “Zoo staff have been very busy over the last several months getting everything ready for the comfort and convenience of our guest but there is still much to do,” Jackson said. “We are counting on the continued generous support of this amazing community to help us bring the zoo back from the extensive damage we suffered.” You can also donate on the zoo website HERE.
	Floatzilla to attempt world record for event Organizers hope the 15th annual Floatzilla will break a world record. River Action announced plans that include an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest floating line of canoes and kayaks. The current record is 3,151. About 1,500 canoes and kayaks took part last year. Floatzilla is scheduled for August 16-17. For more information, click here.
	River Action's 'Floatzilla' returning for 2024 Organizers hope to break the world record for largest raft of canoes and kayaks, which currently stands at 3,151.
	Muscatine unveils renovations to Tom Bruner Field The upgrades cost approximately $2.5 million.
	Niabi Zoo hosting online auction to help raise funds from snow storm damages Niabi Zoo said they will be hosting an online auction to help raise funds from significant damage sustained to facilities and infrastructure during five days of heavy snowfall the QCA received between Jan. 8-12.
	Traffic Alert: Whiteside County bridge carrying Yorktown Road over Interstate 88 Beginning Tuesday, work on the bridge carrying Yorktown Road over Interstate 88 will require daily lane closures on I-88, according to public works officials. The bridge, located 4.5 miles west of the U.S. 30 spur interchange (Exit 36), will be closed.
	Illinois AG intervenes into Rock Island-Milan school district FOIA requests The attorney general’s office is intervening in a public records dispute in the Rock Island-Milan School District.
	Iron Tee Golf in Bettendorf opens for business The golf entertainment center has 58 climate controlled bays on its driving range, and each bay can host up to 6 players.
	Milan police investigate armed robbery at Walgreens Milan police say the robbery occurred around 9:50 p.m. on Sunday, May 12. Two masked suspects displayed a handgun during the robbery.
	Tap 22 Grill and Bar victim of break-in attempt According to police reports, Tap 22 Bar and Grill in Silvis was targeted by multiple thieves in a break-in around 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 14. Workers say the suspects were seen on multiple security cameras in the business. Tap 22 opened hours after the break-in attempt. "It's shocking. This is not going to stop us from opening," Bree Schultz, a manager at Tap 22, said. "This actually will make us stronger." Schultz has worked at Tap 22 for over three years, and she was one of the employees who arrived first Tuesday morning. "We started walking, and I was, like, man there's a lot of moisture that's in the door back there," Schultz said. "I started walking closer, and I was, like, oh, no; somebody broke into it." After calling law enforcement, Schultz and one of her coworkers searched the business to see what may have happened. "We walked through the office and just noticed that there was a bunch of bottles of liquor missing," Schultz said. "Nothing that can't be replaced." Despite the break-in happening Tuesday morning, Tap 22 already opened starting for lunch at 11:00 a.m., nine hours after the attempt. "This will not stop any of our customers," Schultz said. "It's actually going to make it bigger. The city of Silvis, they support Tap 100%. The customers love us; the food is good; the service is great. I'm excited to keep having people come in." Schultz says workers depend on Tap 22 to remain open, and as a manager, she does not want to let them down. "It's very important because these days people struggle trying to find jobs and everything," Schultz said. "We all work together as a team, and we all support one another." With hundreds of reactions on social media, Tap 22 is ready to bring in the crowds again. "We're getting our back door boarded up within the hour," Schultz said. "I told you it's not going to stop us." Since the break-in attempt occurred in the early morning hours, none of the employees were present when it happened.
	Chuck Long Charity Auction open now for Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities Bidding for the 27th annual Chuck Long Charity Auction runs until May 18. Proceeds go to the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities.
	Former Davenport alderwoman responds to allegations outlined in $1.6M payout demand letter Former City Administrator Corri Spiegel's letter requesting millions of dollars from the City included allegations of harassment spanning years.
	Light rain totals in the Quad Cities Monday/Tuesday We're drying things out Tuesday night around the Quad Cities. And it shouldn't take long. Rain totals were light Monday and haven't been much heavier Tuesday. Here's a look at rain totals since midnight:

Wednesday, May 15th, 2024

Tuesday, May 14th, 2024