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

Friday, May 17th, 2024
	Police in central Iowa charge a teenager with second-degree murder The fifteen-year-old suspect allegedly assaulted a health center staff member in Johnston, Iowa. This attack led to the staff member's death.
	Planned dispensary under construction in Milan Construction on Tech Drive in Milan is planned to be a cannabis dispensary and future construction is expected for a craft growing facility, a village official said.
	Workers at Davenport Starbucks vote to form union It's the state's second unionized Starbucks, following a successful union drive in Iowa City.
	Pending Death Notices for the Quad-Cities, May 17, 2024 Bruce H. Droessler, 79, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at home. Arrangements are pending at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.
	Geneseo anticipates longer timeframe for State Street project The North State Street project may take longer than expected, possibly into next spring.
	Pending Death Notices for Muscatine, May 17, 2024 Barbara F. Switzer, 81, of Moline, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis, Illinois. Arrangements are pending at DeRoo Funeral Home, Moline.
Thursday, May 16th, 2024
	MLK Center hosts 4th annual community bike ride Bikers took a ride around the City of Rock Island for the fourth annual community bike ride hosted by the MLK Center.
	College savings spending bill on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk The law would allow parents to roll over unused money in a college savings account to an IRA.
	Davenport schools honoring retiring faculty members About 50 staff members are retiring this year.
	Quad Cities Flood Resiliency Alliance holds meeting on Quad Cities Climate Assessment A Quad Cities Flood Resiliency Alliance meeting was held Thursday where a presentation of QC Climate Assessment was given.
	Pleasant Valley Jr. High student headed to Scripps National Spelling Bee 12-year-old Parthasaradhi Katreddy is a seventh grader at Pleasant Valley and is headed to the Scripps National Spelling Bee later in May.
	Hearing-impaired Burlington man dead after being hit by garbage truck An Iowa State Patrol crash report says a garbage truck was backing up on Isabella Avenue when the pedestrian was hit.
	New details on future I-80 bridge The bridge spanning LeClaire and Rapids City will have a bike and pedestrian path.
	Rock Island names its next police chief Rock Island Interim Police Chief Tim McCloud will take over the full-time position, pending city council approval.
	The Heart of the Story: Teen racer takes on the big boys Our Quad Cities News is partnering with award-winning journalist Gary Metivier for The Heart of the Story. Each week, Gary showcases inspiring stories of everyday people doing cool stuff, enjoying their hobbies, and living life to the fullest. Stories that feature the best of the human condition. We begin this weekly series with a father and daughter dirt track team making big moves. They spent several summers on the road going from city to city and track to track. He is in the pit crew and she is in the driver's seat. They are creating memories they will never forget. Gary Metivier has The Heart of the Story in the video above, and even more about her story and what happens next on YouTube. you can also listen to the extended versions on his podcast. The Heart of the Story with Gary Metivier is available on all platforms -- and now Our Quad Cities News. Watch on YouTube \| Listen on Apple \| Listen on Spotify \| Listen on Podbean
	Salute to First Responders: Brennan Kennedy Brennan Kennedy was honored for his service as this month’s winner of SERVPRO and Fox 18’s Salute to First Responders. "This is truly an honor," Kennedy said. "I had no idea this was going on and this is a definite surprise." Maybe it shouldn't be. Kennedy was already honored as the Rock Island Fire Department's Firefighter of the Year. "I've been a paramedic for a long time and a fireman for a long time," Kennedy said. "I have a great passion for it." Whether its his battalion chief who nominated him or Rock Island Fire Chief Bob Graff, Kennedy's work ethic stands out to them. "He continues to train constantly to improve himself and takes that training back and shares it with his peers," Graff said. "And not only develops himself, but develops the department." Kennedy volunteers for some of the department's specialty teams -- and he's now a fire investigator, too. "I have a lot of irons and a lot of fires with some other stuff outside of the emergency calls and I work hard every day," Kennedy said. "It's very fast-paced." SERVPRO presented Kennedy with $100 toward the charity of his choice and a gift card as well.
	Remains of Whiteside Co man killed in Korean War identified Old U.S. Army Corporal, Richard Seloover’s remains have been identified.
	Ethics investigation opened on Iowa Democrat running for Congress An Iowa Congressional candidate will now officially face an ethics investigation.
	Suspects still at large after break in at Tap 22 Tuesday Tap 22 Bar and Grill in Silvis is working to find out who’s responsible for a break-in at their business early Tuesday morning. The staff members staff say Tuesday’s incident is the first time they ever had a break-in.
	Rock Island County, LeClaire partner on I-80 bike/pedestrian path Rock Island County and the City of LeClaire have agreed to partner on a bicycle and pedestrian path on the new Interstate 80 Bridge, according to a news release. The path is currently in the design phase. The bridge path will connect the Great River Trail on the Illinois side of the river to paths on the Iowa side, including those being planned in the City of LeClaire. “We recognize this as a tremendous, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help further expand an already robust trail system that our county and region are known for, far and wide," said Rock Island County Board Chairman Richard “Quijas” Brunk. Letters of understanding with the Illinois Department of Transportation have been authorized by both the Rock Island County Board and LeClaire City Council. Each letter commits to a 50% responsibility for maintaining the path once it is built, similar to the arrangement for the multi-use path on the new I-74 Bridge between Bettendorf and Moline. “We are thankful to the Iowa and Illinois Departments of Transportation for their consideration of including this trail in the planning of the new I-80 bridge and we are excited about the prospect of joining our city’s expanding trail system with the trail system across the river.," said LeClaire Mayor Dennis Gerard. For more information, call Brunk, in the Rock Island County Administration Office at 309- 558-3605 or at rbrunk@rockislandcountyil.gov, or Dennis Bockenstedt, city administrator, at LeClaire City Hall at 563-289-6004 or dbockenstedt@leclaireiowa.gov
	Rock Island County and City of LeClaire partner on new bicycle and pedestrian path Rock Island County and LeClaire Iowa have agreed to partner on a bicycle and pedestrian path on the new I-80 bridge.
	Deere & Co. earnings report signals slowdown Deere & Company's latest earnings report signals a slowdown in the future. The company's stock dropped almost 5 percent after the report. John Deere (deere.com) Deere beat its earnings target for the second quarter. However, the company now projects slower sales the rest of the year. Higher interest rates and lower commodities prices could keep farmers from buying new equipment. "Borrowing money is just costing more and you're looking at some of the anticipated struggles that farmers are looking at this year," said Nate Kreinbrink, of NelsonCorp Wealth Management. "It doesn't look to be a profitable year, as we're seeing kind of some tough projections for corn, for soybeans, and then just production costs fuel remaining higher." Farming income is expected to slide about 25 percent this year compared to last year.
	Move on 'paws': QC animal shelter seeks donations to repair new facility Managers of King's Harvest Pet Rescue recently acquired a larger building to house its animals. (Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com) They planned to move this spring, but the move was put on hold because the building needs hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs. The heat and air conditioning systems are in need of a complete overhaul. The price tag: $200,000. "It's frustrating and a little disheartening because there's so many animals that need their lives saved," said King's Harvest Pet Rescue Assistant Director Julie Velazquez. "We just don't have the capacity for them. We would love to take everyone in, but we can't." (King's Harvest Pet Rescue construction, Davenport) Too many dogs, cats, and other animals. It's been a nationwide issue for animal shelters. Shelters across the country, and here in the Quad Cities, are filling up. "During the COVID pandemic, during shutdown, lots of people were home. They were able to adopt pets and dogs," Velazquez said. "Now they're starting to get back into the workforce. Not always having to work from home and they're just calling in saying they don't have time for their pets." (Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com) Rising costs and pets not being spayed or neutered because of a veterinarian shortage are also factors. This is why King's Harvest acquired a larger building that can hold twice as many animals. However, managers have to wait until the heat and air systems are taken care of. "It's a really huge project that we are taking on, but it is absolutely necessary because right now we can house about 24 dogs and there we can house 50," Velazquez said. "Right now, I think we have 50 cats up for adoption. We will be able to have room for probably twice that many there." (Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com) The shelter's new location will be at 21110 Holden Drive in northern Davenport. Managers seek donations to speed up the moving process. They hope to move in as soon as possible to help fill the need. "We will be able to take in more animals. Save more lives," Velazquez added. (Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com) Shelter managers are taking donations on the King's Harvest website here. Their goal is to move in by August, but it could take longer - maybe until the end of the year.
	Armed Forces Day - Arsenal forecast Things are looking really good this weekend in the Quad Cities...and it's Armed Forces Day on Saturday! That means there's a lot going on at the Rock Island Arsenal. There's a kids' run, 5k and 10k to kick things off in the morning. Then, it's fun for the whole family with a big carnival/festival/music etc. scheduled for Saturday. The weather looks fantastic, with sunshine and highs well into the 80s.
	Suspect in Rock Island Auction Barn fire appears in court One of the three suspects accused in the February Rock Island Auction Barn fire appeared Thursday in Rock Island County Court. William Kosgard IV appeared for a pretrial conference. The prosecution told the court it was working on a restitution package. William Kosgard IV (Rock Island Police Department) The judge scheduled final pretrial conferences for June 13. Matthew Wooddell and Kadon Svec are the other suspects in the arson case. Prosecutors say they set the barn on fire, and the blaze destroyed the building and killed a cow. Svec and Woodell are set for pretrial conferences on May 30 in Rock Island County Court, court records show.
	Orpheum Theatre announces return of 'Throwback Thursdays' Free movies will be shown every Thursday this summer, minus the Fourth of July.
	Rep. Feenstra acknowledges D.C. ‘craziness’ but is optimistic about this major agreement U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra is optimistic about a new Farm Bill.
	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.
	Iowa law changed to protect more pedestrians The current law only defines pedestrians as people on foot, meaning those in wheelchairs and strollers are left out.
	H-A-R-D W-O-R-K paying off: Pleasant Valley Jr. High student headed to national spelling bee 12-year-old Parthasaradhi Katreddy is a seventh grader at Pleasant Valley and is headed to the Scripps National Spelling Bee later this month.
	NAI Ruhl Commercial Company hosts annual market report event More than 300 people attended the ninth annual Market Report Event hosted by NAI Ruhl Commercial Company on May. 15, at the Rhythm City Casino.
	Painting gold: Burlington Girl Scout earns highest award, creates mural for mental health According to NAMI, 73% of adults see a decrease in depressive symptoms when enjoying art. It's what inspired Kaylee Kramer to paint the walls of The Capitol Theater.
	Milan restaurant closes indoor dining after armed robbery Milan restaurant Bowlyou has closed its dining room for the safety of the staff, following an armed robbery across the street earlier this week.
	Dunkin' hosting annual 'Cop on a Rooftop' fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics All donors will receive a coupon for a free doughnut, and anyone donating $10 or more will also receive another coupon for a free medium coffee.
	Iowa law changed to protect more pedestrians The current law only defines pedestrians as people on foot, meaning those in wheelchairs and strollers are left out.
	MUGz Homebrew Collaboration Tappings ending out QC Craft Beer Week Head over to Davenport's Endless Brews on Friday, May 17, and Sallie's in Rock Island on May 18 for some homebrews made in collaboration with QC breweries.
	Volunteers help Moline Parks and Rec plant 100 trees The department is working to replace trees lost to the 2020 derecho or insect infestations.
	Milan restaurant near where armed robbery took place closes dining room due to safety concerns Bowlyou is located across the street from Walgreens in Milan, where an armed robbery took place on Sunday.
	Fatality crash reported in Des Moines County, Iowa State Patrol says A fatal crash was reported in Des Moines County by the Iowa State Patrol.
	Traffic Alert: Temporary closure at North 13th Street and 4th Avenue North, Clinton A traffic alert for Clinton drivers.
	Wilton completes 23 projects during United Way of Muscatine’s Day of Caring The day of caring exemplifies Living United when volunteers and community groups help out those in need.
	Davenport Starbucks votes to unionize The location on 53rd and Elmore is the second in the state to unionize, following a successful union drive in Iowa City.
	2024-25 Broadway at the Adler Theatre season unveiled The Adler Theatre is set for the 2024-25 season, featuring a Tony award-winning Best Musical.
	Broadway at Adler announces next season The day after it hosted a dazzling performance of the Broadway tour of “Chicago,” the Adler Theatre announced 2024-2025 Broadway at the Adler Theatre season on Thursday. The ’24-‘25 season features five Quad Cities premieres, including a Tony Award-winning Best Musical. The season starts with everyone’s favorite ogre in “Shrek: The Musical,” continuing with “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” a celebration of the undisputed Queen of Rock ‘n Roll. The Adler kicks off 2025 with the 2019 Tony-winning Best Musical, “Hadestown,” followed by “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” based on everyone’s favorite romantic comedy, and the fetch “Mean Girls,” from the creative and hilarious mind of Tina Fey. You can make your holidays a little merrier by adding “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” to your subscription. Current subscribers can renew their subscriptions now until June 14, while sales for new subscriptions begin on Tuesday, June 24. On-sale dates for individual show tickets will be announced at a later date. "Chicago" the musical played the Adler Theatre May 15, 2024. The dates are: SHREK THE MUSICAL Thursday, October 10, 2024 TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL Wednesday, October 30, 2024 HADESTOWN Wednesday, January 15, 2025 PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL Wednesday, February 12, 2025 MEAN GIRLS Thursday, March 13, 2025 Special Holiday Add-On Show: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Saturday, December 28, 2024 The only way to guarantee seats to this incredible lineup is to become a season ticket holder starting as low as $235 for five shows, that’s only $47 per show, with no additional fees. Enjoy the many exclusive benefits of being a subscriber including the best seats at the best prices, a guarantee of the same great seats to each season show, the option to renew those seats from year to year, and first options on upgrading seats. Subscribers also receive additional special ticket offers and the chance to purchase tickets to add-on shows before the general public. Subscription tickets are mailed to each subscriber prior to the performance to avoid box office lines and lost ticket insurance is included at no additional charge. For more information on becoming a season subscriber, call the Subscriber Hotline at 563-326-8522 Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or click HERE.
	Hearing-impaired Burlington man fatally struck by garbage truck An Iowa State Patrol crash report says a garbage truck was backing up on Isabella Avenue when the pedestrian was hit.
	Tim McCloud named Rock Island Chief of Police Tim McCloud has been named Rock Island Chief of Police, pending council approval.
	New mobile photo booth opens in the Quad Cities The photo booth trailer offers a fun experience to capture memories for events such as weddings, graduation parties and more.
	8th annual Mercado on Fifth returns next week The 2024 season is set to kick off Memorial Day weekend and will last until late September.
	Tim McCloud named Rock Island Chief of Police Rock Island City Manager Todd Thompson selected Interim Chief of Police Tim McCloud to lead the Rock Island Police Department as chief, pending approval by city council on Monday, May 20, according to a media release from the City of Rock Island. Once approved, Chief McCloud will be sworn in during the meeting.
	Waka Flocka Flame, Tree0nine Fest coming to The Rust Belt The Rust Belt will host the first-ever Tree0nine Festival, featuring Waka Flocka Flame on June 28-29.
	Rock Island chooses new police chief Rock Island City Manager Todd Thompson has chosen Interim Chief of Police TimMcCloud to lead the Rock Island Police Department as chief, pending approval by citycouncil on Monday, May 20. Once approved, Chief McCloud will be sworn in during themeeting. Interim Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud McCloud began his law enforcement career with the Rock Island Police Departmentin April of 1994. He rose through the ranks of the police department, serving as detectivefrom 2002 to 2006, sergeant from 2006 to 2009, and lieutenant from 2009 until 2021 whenhe was appointed as deputy chief of police. He was appointed interim chief of police April26, after the retirement of former Chief Richard Landi. “Tim McCloud will serve as a strong and reliable chief of police for the City of RockIsland,” Thompson said in a Thursday city release. “He brings three decades of experience, integrity, vision and collaboration to the job. His approach to community policing and leadership will serve the department and community well.” Over his 30-year tenure with the Rock Island Police Department, McCloud has served in a variety of roles, including: Narcotics and vice officer Feld training officer Range officer Emergency response team member Methamphetamine response team member Detective Rock Island High School liaison Commander of the Juvenile Investigations Unit Commander of the Honor Guard Agent in the Office of Professional Standards Accreditation manager Commander of the Technical Services Division Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division Watch commander for the Patrol Division Chief McCloud obtained a master’s degree in law enforcement and justice administrationfrom Western Illinois University in 2010. He is a 2013 graduate of the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation National Academy, and obtained certification through the IllinoisAssociation of Chiefs of Police in 2020. “I consider it to be the highest honor and privilege of my career to be serving as your chiefof police,” McCloud said. “I look forward to strengthening our partnership with themembers of this great community to help make Rock Island the safest it’s ever been."
	Figge Art Museum releases report on the economic impact of art in the Quad Cities The study says the arts generate $29 million in annual economic activity.
	Court documents: Ex-executive director of Freight House Farmers’ Market enters new plea agreement In May, court documents showed that Beaman entered into a new plea agreement.
	QC arts leaders review economic impact Arts and culture not only feed the soul, they feed families with financial support they need to survive. The Quad Cities cultural landscape is growing and a hallmark of the area, and needs more support from the public and private sectors, according to a Thursday morning presentation. Randy Cohen, vice president of research for Americans for the Arts, spoke at a breakfast meeting at the Figge Art Museum on Thursday, May 16, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). AccelerateVQC was offered free by Visit Quad Cities and Quad City Arts, in the lobby of the Figge Art Museum, featuring a talk by Randy Cohen, vice president of research for Americans for the Arts. He presented results from the organization’s 2023 study, 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 led collection of 2022 data and survey responses from arts organizations and event attendees in Rock Island and Scott counties. 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. Visit Quad Cities president/CEO Dave Herrell speaks at the Figge Thursday, May 16, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). “Arts and culture continue to shape our regional destination,” Dave Herrell, president/CEO of Visit Quad Cities, said Thursday. “Our region’s creative energy is one of our brand pillars. We recognize how vital arts and culture is to not only our visitor economy, but to our overall economy.” It’s pivotal in shaping the perception of the Quad Cities, and helps attract residents, tourists and businesses, Herrell said. “I think a lot has been accomplished but a lot can and will be done,” he said of strengthening the arts sector. “It’s a brand differentiator. We can use it to elevate our story even further than we already are.” Quad City Arts executive director Kevin Maynard (photo by Jonathan Turner). Visit QC is grateful for its relationship with Quad City Arts, Herrell said, praising its executive director Kevin Maynard. “He’s doing an amazing job,” he said, also noting other leaders of the Quad City Symphony, the Figge, the Putnam and Ballet Quad Cities who attended the Thursday talk. “The people leading arts and culture in our community are wonderful people, and they are assets.” Quad City Arts led collection of the arts and culture data, and surveyed 808 audience members. 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, 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. The Quad City Symphony under the baton of music director Mark Russell Smith. 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. $151 billion impact nationwide 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. “AEP6 sends a strong signal that when we support the arts, we are investing in both economic and community well-being,” the study said. Randy Cohen speaks Thursday on the Americans for the Arts study (photo by Jonathan Turner). Cohen was last at the Figge in 2014 to talk about a prior Americans for the Arts study. The pandemic was really brutal on all arts organizations, forcing many to close and never reopen, he said, noting nonprofit arts organizations lost jobs at five times the rate as other nonprofits. A positive trend because of the pandemic was people making their own art at home, Cohen said. Over a third of Americans took up some new art, music, craft, or cooking during the pandemic, and he took up knitting. Economic impact of arts organizations includes not only all the employees of the facility or group, but the related businesses that serve patrons – such as food, drink, lodging, transportation, child care, and program designers and printers. “All of that has an economic impact,” Cohen said, noting they take a very conservative approach, only including nonprofits. Chalk Art Fest will next be held June 22-23, 2024 at Schwiebert Riverfront Park in downtown Rock Island (Quad City Arts). The 2023 QC survey heard back from 51 organizations, and there were no estimates made for non-respondents. Total economic activity in 2022 was $29 million – $16.3 million by the arts groups themselves and $12.8 million by audiences (470,000 attendees). “That’s a myth-buster for folks,” Cohen said. “We all appreciate the value of the arts, but this shows us they are businesses, that employ people locally, that purchase goods and services from other businesses in the community.” “Arts organizations are good business citizens,” he said. The QC arts industry was responsible for 712 jobs (among survey respondents) in 2022. The government revenue (local, state and federal) produced by QC arts organizations was $6.2 million. $27 per person per event The audience spending showed a typical person spent $27.18 per event, not including the cost of admission – including food, transportation, parking, merchandise and child care, Cohen said. Nationally, Americans for the Arts did 224,000 audience surveys. One of his favorites was a farmer in Wisconsin, who paid someone $60 to milk his cow while he went to the theater. Twenty percent of QC arts attendees came from outside the area, and 80% of those said they came specifically for the arts event, Cohen said. Andy Schumm performs with his band at the 2023 Bix Jazz Festival in Davenport. The survey also asked attendees about the impact of their experience – biggest responses said it’s a source of pride in the community and it’s important this experience or venue be around for future generations. “That tells me that the arts aren’t just a one-time transactional moment, but part of our story here – it’s our history and our heritage,” Cohen said. “It’s where we’ve been in the Quad Cities, where we are and where we’re going.” The arts improve the image and identity of the community, he said. In Illinois, the arts industry has a $36.1 billion economic impact and in Iowa, $5 billion – bigger than construction, education and agriculture, Cohen said. Murals painted for Alternating Currents in 2023. “The next time you hear somebody talk about, I don’t know about arts funding – we gotta focus on business and commerce and industry. Arts are business and industry,” he said. There’s a causal relationship between growth in arts jobs and growth in all employment, Cohen said. “To innovate, we need creative people and arts and culture drives creativity,” he said. “That’s why we’re paying attention to this.” The Conference Board research shows that creativity is one of the top skills business leaders are looking for, Cohen said. The QC is the 88th city he’s made a similar presentation, of the 373 regions participating in the national study. It’s related to the importance of arts education – young people with experience in the arts tend to perform better academically, Cohen said. That cuts across all socio-economic backgrounds. He noted that when 2013 Nobel Prize winner Thomas Sudhof was asked who his most important teacher was, he replied it was his bassoon teacher. “He went on to describe how it was his arts education that gave him the habits of life that made him a great scientist – drive for excellence, visual thinking, pattern recognition, perseverance and problem solving,” Cohen said. "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" at Music Guild in November 2023. Among many benefits to local arts and culture are: Building empathy and understanding Improving personal well-being Keeping residents spending locally Driving commerce to other local businesses Increasing pride in community and creating more livable communities Sparking creativity and innovation Quad City Arts also is now co-producing “Talking Art” on WVIK. In the latest episode, Maynard talks with Marc Zyla, principal horn of the QCSO. Cohen also will be keynote speaker at the Quad City Arts Celebration of the Arts, tonight at the Bend Event Center, East Moline. To see the whole national arts study, click HERE.
	Burlington girl scout earns highest award, paints mural for community mental health According to NAMI, 73% of adults see a decrease in depressive symptoms when enjoying art. It's what inspired Kaylee Kramer to paint the walls of The Capitol Theater.
	Moline Public Library to host book sale All earnings from the book sale will benefit programs and services at the Moline Public Library.
	Alabama man makes first appearance in Rock Island County on murder charge An Alabama man accused of a killing on May 4 in East Moline made his first appearance in court on Thursday.
	89-year-old Dixon man charged with criminal sexual assault of a child A Dixon man was arrested and charged with criminal sexual assault of a child, according to a media release from the Dixon Police Department.
	Boil order for Village of Cordova Some residents in the Village of Cordova are under a boil order.
	OSF teams up with Monmouth College to offer new nursing degree program It’s called the 3+1 nursing program, which will begin in fall 2025.
	LIVE TV6 Investigates Talks: What is FOIA? Jenna Jackson sits down with Investigative reporter Matt Christensen and Investigative producer Heidi Knecht as they break down the Freedom of Information Act or FOIA.
	Caitlin Clark prepares for Indiana’s regular season home opener After an up-and-down performance in a loss against the Connecticut Sun, Caitlin Clark is hoping to bounce back and earn her first WNBA win with the Fever on Thursday night.
	Atlanta Dream moving two games vs Caitlin Clark-led Fever to NBA arena To accommodate much larger crowds, the Atlanta Dream are moving their two regular-season home games against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever to the home of the NBA Hawks.
	Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut helps ESPN set viewership record for league game on network ESPN’s broadcast of the Connecticut Sun’s game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever had the highest viewership for a WNBA game on the network.
	Deere & Company reports quarterly income of $2.370 billion The second quarter income is slightly down from a reported $2.860 billion reported in the second quarter last year.
	First Central State Bank holding a fundraiser for the DeWitt Police Foundation The Taco Tuesday fundraiser will feature Happy Joe's Taco in a Bag on June 4.
	Here's a look at John Deere's Q2 earnings Deere & Co. earned $2.37 billion, or $8.53 per share, this quarter. Last year it earned $2.86 billion, or $9.65 per share, during the same timeframe.
	Monmouth College senior, Rahm Pandey, keeps perfect attendance record Over the course of his four years at Monmouth, the classics and accounting major has attended roughly 1,500 class sessions without missing a single one.
	John Deere Pavilion opens new toy exhibit While the John Deere Pavilion has been known for 27 years for displaying the Moline-based equipment maker’s big machines, its newest feature showcases trademark products on a much smaller scale. “From the Toybox: A Century of John Deere Toys” is a new permanent exhibit opening at the northwest corner of the pavilion (1400 River Drive, Moline) on Friday, May 17, reflecting the history and evolution of John Deere toys. The new John Deere toys exhibit opens Friday, May 17, 2024 at the John Deere Pavilion in downtown Moline (photos by Jonathan Turner). It is a celebration of imagination and play, featuring about 40 rare and vintage toys from the John Deere Archives. “They’ve never been on display. That’s been one of our goals – we have all these amazing artifacts, but the public can’t see them,” Brandon Jens, Deere’s branded properties manager, said Thursday. “It’s supposed to be a representation. We don’t have every single toy that’s John Deere.” There are about 40 toys to be displayed, including three ride-on toys -- a 1912 John Deere Junior wagon, a 1960s pedal tractor and a 2001 electric-powered Gator. There are about 700 Deere toys in the archives, including multiples of a lot of them. Brandon Jens, Deere’s branded properties manager, speaking on Thursday, May 16. The exhibit will take visitors on a nostalgic journey through the past 100+ years, exploring how John Deere toys have reflected the changes in the real-life machines that inspire them. From the first cast-iron tractor models to the modern die-cast and plastic replicas, the exhibit will display the craftsmanship and innovation that have made John Deere toys a favorite among generations of collectors and enthusiasts. The exhibit will also highlight the stories and memories behind the toys, revealing how they have influenced and inspired people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether they are family heirlooms, childhood treasures, or creative tools, John Deere toys have a special meaning for everyone who owns them. They started assembling the toy exhibit 18 months ago and reached out to collectors, asking them what their favorites were, said Neil Dahlstrom, branded properties & heritage manager, who oversees the company archives. “They all had different stories,” he said. “It’s got different meanings for everyone. The one toy that made everyone’s list was the Ertl John Deere toy tractor Model A from 1947 and we have one in the exhibit.” Assembling the new exhibit on Thursday, May 16, 2024. “It started the relationship with Ertl – it was made in the Ertl family basement in Dyersville,” Dahlstrom said. The National Farm Toy Museum is there. A toy tractor box from Ertl (16 times its actual size) has been painstakingly recreated for the new exhibit, he said. “We tried to make this as authentic as possible.” Deere Store discounts The John Deere Store next door will have 20% off all merchandise in the store today through Saturday, Jens said. Once a month, they will have a featured toy and for May and June that will be a “Field of Dreams” tractor that will be on display at the pavilion front desk. In July, the store will discount Deere LEGO sets. The “Field of Dreams” tractor (made by Ertl) is based on the real one used in the 1989 classic film. The toy of the month will be featured at the pavilion front desk, and the store will have a discount on it for sale. A 2001 electric-powered toy Gator, seen in front of the pavilion's 1960 John Deere 4010 tractor. “We have an opportunity to swap things out,” Jens said of rotating the toys displayed after six months. “We could put more Christmas-oriented toys there.” There are a lot of versions of toy tractors, Dahlstrom said. Others include toys based on lawn and garden equipment, snowmobiles, Gators, teddy bears and a Barbie. The Deere hat display (which also is permanent) was in the area where the toybox is now. You can download the Visit John Deere mobile app, click on the pavilion and learn much more about each toy featured. “What’s gonna be fun is we’re goona learn so much,” Dahlstrom said. “People are gonna come in and tell us about the toys we don’t know about. Now we know they go back to at least 1912, that’s a lot of time to cover.” Deere’s collection has built up mainly from acquiring toys, he said. A 1912 John Deere Junior wagon is among three ride-on toys that will be displayed on a platform in the exhibit. “We just wanted to see grandma and grandpa talking to their grandkids about these toys, and we just wanted to have fun with it,” Dahlstrom said. “Not overcomplicate it and not showing a lot.” There is a tee marker from the first John Deere Classic in the exhibit. “We have everything from a 1912 John Deere wagon, to our latest toys we sell in the John Deere Store next door,” Jens said. The new exhibit will be permanent at the John Deere Pavilion, 1400 River Drive. “It’s multi-generational – we know people have their great memories of their own John Deere toys, so it really hit from kids to older folks,” he said. “I think kids will love it; I think adults will love it,” Jens said. “It will bring that nostalgia to us who are older, but it will be eye-opening for smaller kids to see what toys might have looked like. A lot of them look the same – a tractor’s a tractor.” Deere has been working with Milan-based Edwards Creative Services on assembling the exhibit. For more information on John Deere Pavilion (which is free to the public), click HERE.
	Some Cordova residents under boil order until further notice Residents along 2nd Steet South from 13th Street until the dead end are under a boil order until further notice, officials say.
	Burlington man dies after being thrown from truck Heisel’s pickup rolled after being hit, and he was thrown from his truck, according to the crash report. He died at the crash site.
	Davenport Starbucks becomes second in Iowa to unionize The downtown Iowa City store was the first in the state to unionize when it did so last year.
	Talk to Rock Island's mayor and officials at 'Rock Island Unplugged' In an effort to encourage open dialogue between Rock Island officials and residents, the City is holding another "Rock Island Unplugged" event.
	Former Freight House director enters new plea agreement, with additional stipulations Beaman is accused of using the nonprofit's funds for personal purchases as its executive director. An earlier plea agreement was rejected by a judge in April.
	Quad Cities region Real Estate May update The monthly real estate update looks at the latest real estate trends in the Quad Cities Metro and across the region.
	Deere Q2 results top Street but it cuts profit outlook again as farmers buy fewer tractors Deere cut its profit outlook to $7 billion from a previous range of $7.50 billion to $7.75 billion. Prior to that, the company had forecast a 2024 profit between $7.75 billion and $8.25 billion.
	Iowa State University Extension history of Master Gardener Program, plant sale Spring is in full spring, so it is safe to dive into gardens for the planting season.
	Morning Sun motorcycle crash victim flown to hospital Fire crews set up a landing zone for the helicopter to land at the Morning Sun Elementary School.
	Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law consolidating Iowa's mental health system Reynolds described the current mental health system as "disconnected," adding these changes will provide a "unified behavioral health system."
	Cook review: 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' rules with action Action, drama, wonderfully developed characters and an ending that guarantees there could be more of the same … what more could you want from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes?” 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' (IMDb) If you count the 1968 “Planet of the Apes” with Charlton Heston, there are now 10 films set in this universe. You certainly can see this without enjoying prior offerings. At least for this latest series, I highly recommend getting caught up before you see this one, because its characters and situations all hinge on what came before. Caesar once was the leader of the apes. Now he is gone, and the world has evolved – or devolved – since his death. Noa (Owen Teague, “It,”) lives in a village with other apes who speak. The apes live peacefully until, one day, invaders on horseback ride in and decimate the village, taking all survivors prisoner. Noa, who ends up on his own, makes the acquaintance of an orangutan, Raka (Peter Macon) who teaches Noa about Caesar’s beliefs. The leader of the invading army is Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand,) who utters the same words Caesar did but twists them to match his own agenda. Noa also meets Mae (Freya Allan,) a human, who joins Noa and Raka in their journey to the home of Proximus. There’s one other human at the settlement: William H. Macy plays a man who assists the apes, who have not yet learned to read books. I like the way his character philosophizes that nothing will change, so he might as well settle into his role as a teacher in a comfortable home full of books. The CGI is nearly seamless, the characters are realistic and relatable, the action almost nonstop, and surprises abound. Also, I saw in on an IMAX screen, and enjoyed being immersed in this world. It’s one of the finest of the “Apes” films. 3 ½ stars Running time: Two hours and 25 minutes. Rated: PG-13 for violence. In theaters. Watch the trailer here.
	More details released on Rock Island's weekend homicide Omari Braxton was trying to stop a fight when he died.
	Deere reports $2.37 billion second-quarter earnings Deere & Co. on Thursday reported fiscal second-quarter earnings of $2.37 billion. The Moline-based company said it had net income of $8.53 per share. The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 13 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $7.86 per share. “John Deere’s second-quarter results were noteworthy in light of continued changes across the global agricultural sector,” chairman and chief executive officer John C. May said in a news release. “Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team, we continue to demonstrate structurally higher performance levels across business cycles and are benefitting from stability in construction end markets amid declining agricultural and turf demand.” The agricultural equipment manufacturer posted revenue of $15.24 billion in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $13.61 billion, also exceeding Wall Street forecasts. Ten analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $13.26 billion.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for May 16, 2024 Parts of Atkinson are under a boil order, and the USPS is halting some operations in Milan as the company switches over to larger delivery rooms.
	Registration for Bettendorf 4th of July parade open Registration has opened for Bettendorf's 4th of July parade. Stepping off Thursday, July 4 at 10:00 a.m., the parade procession begins at the intersection of 23rd St. and State St. Entrants can register here. Participants are encouraged to register early, since there are a limited number of spots available. 2024 4th of July parade route (City of Bettendorf) If you know someone who has made significant contributions to the quality of life in Bettendorf, you can nominate them to be the 2024 Grand Marshal! Nominees must be a current or past resident or have brought some distinction to Bettendorf. Nominations can be emailed here or sent to this address: Angie Sharp, Community Engagement Manager Bettendorf City Hall 1609 State St. Bettendorf, IA 52722 The deadline for nominations is Sunday, June 9. For more information, click here.
	Weekend Rundown with WLLR \| May 16, 2024 There are many family-friendly events going on this weekend, and we've brought in Dani Howe from WLLR to break it down.
	Madison Elementary Bead Club students donate $250 to Sleep in Heavenly Peace The Madison Elementary Bead Club was able to sell $250 worth of handmade jewelry at the school’s fine arts fair, which it donated.
	American Cruise Lines reports Duchess, Countess scrapped American Cruise Lines purchased the American Queen Cruise Lines’ fleet in a bankruptcy auction in March.
	Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs social studies education bill Opinions from community leaders, lawmakers and the education field are mixed on the new law, which requires dozens of topics to enter the curriculum.
	Consultants recommend downsizing NorthPark Mall, encouraging housing development A new report by a city-hired consultant recommends demolishing an under-used portion of NorthPark Mall and encouraging new entertainment and housing developments.
	'Worst decision they ever made;' Residents hit hard by Hy-Vee's plan to close Rockingham Road store "Some of the people who work in that store are like family," Samantha Gaskill said. "I know them by their first names. Now they're going to close it down."
	Pending Death Notices for Muscatine, May 16, 2024 Kenneth A. Chacon, 67, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Select Specialty Hospital, Davenport, Iowa. Cremation will be directed by Mississippi Valley Cremation & Direct Burial, Moline.
	Pending Death Notices for the Quad-Cities, May 16, 2024 Kenneth A. Chacon, 67, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Select Specialty Hospital, Davenport, Iowa. Cremation will be directed by Mississippi Valley Cremation & Direct Burial, Moline.
Wednesday, May 15th, 2024
	Future of policing unclear as local departments face significant drop in applicants While current staffing remains relatively intact, police departments say they are facing a significant drop in those wanting to join.
	Iowa introduces Jan Jensen as its new women’s basketball coach While the last 48 hours have been filled with emotion for Jensen, she is excited for the next chapter in her career.
	DuTrac Community Credit Union holds ribbon cutting for mobile branch DuTrac Community Credit Union held a ribbon cutting for the new DuTrac Mobile Branch in the Hy-Vee parking lot at 1823 E. Kimberly Rd.
	Rock Island residents encouraged to ‘ask questions, get answers and provide input’ at Rock Island Unplugged event In an effort to encourage open conversations between Rock Island officials and residents outside the city hall setting, the city said they will hold another Rock Island Unplugged event, this time featuring Mayor Mike Thoms and department directors.
	Hy-Vee sponsoring its 14th Honor Flight in September About 80 Vietnam veterans will be on the flight.
	Rock Island High School hosts culture festival The event highlights diversity within the food and community.
	Plan paused until 2025 to move some operations away from Milan USPS processing center The U.S. Postmaster General said all plans to move operations from nearly 60 distribution centers will be paused until at least Jan. 1, 2025, including in Milan.
	Galesburg mayor says he’s seeking second term Peter Schwartzman Mayor of Galesburg announced he will be seeking a second term as mayor.

Friday, May 17th, 2024

Thursday, May 16th, 2024

Wednesday, May 15th, 2024