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

Thursday, March 28th, 2024

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House fire displaces three in Monmouth

A second-floor house fire has left three people displaced in Monmouth. Fire officials have deemed the fire to be accidental.

KWQC TV-6  Davenport says it fast-tracked reinspection before evacuating 4th St. building KWQC TV-6

Davenport says it fast-tracked reinspection before evacuating 4th St. building

Nicole Gleason told the aldermen Wednesday that staff called engineering firm Shive Hattery the day they had concerns. They evacuated 401 W. 4th St. the next day.

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8 staff members injured following large fight at Mary Davis Detention Home in Galesburg

According to the Knox County Sheriff's Office, at least 10 juveniles were fighting staff, leading to eight staff members and two juveniles being injured.

OurQuadCities.com Bettendorf employees earn state awards OurQuadCities.com

Bettendorf employees earn state awards

The City of Bettendorf has announced that two employees within its Public Works Department and Parks & Recreation Department have earned awards from the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA,) according to a news release. On Wednesday, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Jason Manfull and Recreation Coordinator Isaac Jacobs were honored at the Annual IPRA Best of the Best Banquet in Des Moines. Parks Maintenance Supervisor Jason Manfull, left, and Recreation Coordinator Isaac Jacobs (City of Bettendorf) The T. Ray Frame Park Maintenance Award went to to Manfull. This award is given to an outstanding maintenance person with a Parks and Recreation Department who has demonstrated a high level of skill in his/her work, goes beyond what would be considered adequate or expected in the position, and shows a devotion on and off the job. “Congratulations to Jason on this well-deserved honor,” said Brian Schmidt, public works director. “This recognition validates his passion, commitment, and hard work to his profession. I’m proud to have such an outstanding person leading a team of dedicated staff in maintaining our parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas into excellent shape around our community.” The Dr. Carol Hanson Young Professional Award went to Jacobs. The award is given to a professional who has exemplified commitment and outstanding service to the leisure services profession and to the IPRA. “Isaac is a huge asset to the Parks & Recreation Department,” said Kim Kidwell, culture andrecreation director. “He is constantly looking for ways to improve programs and experiences.Isaac is here for the kids and is a compassionate, quiet leader - never expecting recognitionbecause he feels he is just ‘doing his job.’ I am so proud of him and this IPRA honor is welldeserved.”

OurQuadCities.com 'Bettendorf Talks' premieres at SXSW OurQuadCities.com

'Bettendorf Talks' premieres at SXSW

There’s a new silly, sweet workplace comedy – set and filmed in the Quad Cities -- that’s working to find its place in the TV universe. The 18-minute pilot for “Bettendorf Talks,” shot in the area in February 2023, premiered earlier this month at SXSW in Austin, Tex. Described by its team as a sharp and smart show-within-a-show, “Bettendorf Talks” is both a witty workplace comedy and the newest (and most unlikely) local talk show to come out of the titular Midwestern Quad City. Hosted by the has-been comedy duo TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi (who star as hilarious caricatures of themselves), the two attempt to mount a hit show in search of a sliver of their former glory. David Pasquesi, left, and TJ Jagodowski in the pilot for "Bettendorf Talks." Each episode in the planned series will follow the ensemble for one day of the writing, producing and airing of our program as TJ and Dave grapple with how to live in these new, lesser roles, the team around them deal with the talk show host and his sidekick, as Margaret fights to keep the show going because it’s always one day away from being canceled. A review at gbvreviews.com said: “The pilot episode is a lot of fun, with Pasquesi playing a surly falling-star talk show host trying to regain some of his former glory by working in a smaller-area market and wanting to be anywhere but there, and Jagodowski as his naïve co-host who seems happy to be working anywhere. “The members of the ensemble cast, which includes Tim Kazurinksy as a TV station owner, all invest their characters with a likable charm — even the curmudgeonly Pasquesi is someone viewers can get behind.” Pasquesi (who plays the “Bettendorf Talks” host) is a Second City alumnus and film, television and stage actor, best known for playing the husband of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Selina Meyer on the Emmy-winning "Veep" on HBO. He was Andrew Meyer in 15 of the series' 65 episodes, from 2013-2019. Dave Pasquesi has played the husband of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Emmy-winning lead in HBO's "Veep." Pasquesi is half of the comedy duo TJ and Dave. He has performed on stage at the Steppenwolf, Goodman and Victory Gardens theaters. His TV acting and writing credits include "Book of Boba Fett," “She-Hulk,” and “At Home with Amy Sedaris.” Jagodowski is also a Chicago-based veteran actor and improvisor, and alum of Second City. TJ was one of the Two Guys in the Sonic TV commercials for 17 years. Jack C. Newell directed the 18-minute pilot episode. Director of “Bettendorf Talks” is Jack C. Newell -- a writer, producer, and director, whose feature film credits include “42 Grams,” “Monuments” and “Open Tables.” He started the film school at The Second City, and is the co-founder of Destroy Your Art. His films have screened theatrically, and premiered at various film festivals and on all major streaming platforms. Recently completed films include “How (not) to Build a School in Haiti” and “Monuments” (Nashville Audience Award ‘20). TJ and Dave wrote “Bettendorf Talks” and set it here partly because they knew the area and wanted it to take place in a smaller town, not Chicago. A view of the Abraham Lincoln statue in Davenport's Bechtel Park, next to the Government Bridge, seen in "Bettendorf Talks." "We wanted a real blue-collar sensibility, that these were salt-of--the-earth people," TJ said in a recent interview. "Where real people still live." Though it’s a tremendously popular workplace comedy set in a smaller city (Scranton, Pa.), “The Office” wasn't a major influence on their show, he noted. "It was like, what's the nearest place that sounds funny? The Quads sound funny and blue collar, and there's five of them," TJ said. "Bettendorf has a nice sound to it. And we can get there." The city of Bettendorf logo seen in the pilot for the new show. “There are next to no shows that take place in middle America where people are allowed to have their small victories,” Jagodowski added. “There hasn’t been a show in almost 50 years that has been in a small-town talk show. We also have a fun opportunity to have big stars come on and improvise a talk show interview as town locals.” The Bettendorf connection The magic part of the story is the fact that the pilot’s producer, Shane Simmons, is a 38-year-old Bettendorf native. He’s a producer and actor in Chicago, who’s also produced Kendall Goldberg’s debut feature “When Jeff Tried to Save the World” and Stephen Cone’s “Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party.” Bettendorf native Shane Simmons is producer of "Bettendorf Talks." Simmons runs Elevated Films Chicago as its executive director, where they create unique independent film events and develop resources and hands-on opportunities for youth filmmakers. He had worked with Newell a lot, who brought him the “Bettendorf Talks” script. Coincidentally, Newell didn't know Simmons was from Bettendorf, and that he graduated in the same high school class as filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Filmmakers and Bettendorf natives Scott Beck, left, and Bryan Woods co-own the Last Picture House movie theater in downtown Davenport. The first film Simmons acted in was one of their early ones, and "the rest is history -- we became really good friends,” he said last week. "We went to college together; I moved to Chicago, they went to L.A. and have been making stuff here ever since.” "The best thing about it for me is the people," Simmons said of the QC, where his parents remain. "I need there to be good people, that I grew up with. Growing up in the Quad Cities, to be able to make movies in the Quad Cities, it was a playground. We could do anything we wanted to. We could call the cops and say we needed a cop car, or to shut down an alley and you could do it." "It was so special we were making movies there and I've always held that with me," he said.  "It was a dream come true to bring a production back to the Quad Cities," Simmons said, noting he last filmed here about 15 years ago. A view of the new and old I-74 bridges in "Bettendorf Talks." "To bring everybody back, and show people -- see guys, see how great it is?" he said. "With everybody being so wonderful and accommodating, just feeling special that we were making something unique in what I've always known as being a wonderful place." An easy, fun shoot Jagodowski people they met while filming here could not have been nicer. They shot the fictional talk show (at the “Bettendorf” station KBET) at WQAD's studio in Moline. "They were super, super gracious about it all," TJ said. They filmed there over four days at all hours of the day, including in meeting rooms and hallways. At one point or another, they were in each of the main five cities filming, Simmons said, and there's lots of potential for more of that if the show is picked up. There are 14 people in the cast, based in Chicago, and a crew of about 25-30, including post-production work. A scene from "Bettendorf Talks." TJ and Dave have never performed their comedy act in the QC. They worked with Bob Kelly, co-owner of ComedySportz Quad Cities, to find filming locations. "If not for Bob, we would not have had the location we ended up with or as easy a time as it turned out to be. He was incredible," TJ said. They didn't really improvise at all for "Bettendorf Talks," sticking to their script. If they continue the series, TJ said they might incorporate some improv. The group stayed at the Stoney Creek Inn in downtown Moline, but Jagodowski said one drawback was they couldn't find an Illinois-side restaurant that served dinner at 10 p.m. or later. "We had to order from Davenport or Bettendorf when we wanted our late meal," he said. "You should lose your incorporation as a city if you don't have a 24-hour diner, at least one." "It was affordable to get a bunch of hotel rooms, without a doubt," TJ added. They really liked Biaggi's, Central Standard and Olive Tree for food. Simmons comes back often to visit, including seeing the Last Picture House movie theater (co-owned by Beck and Woods). Pasquesi, right, plays the talk show host and Jagodowski his sidekick. “It was dreamy shooting it in the Quads,” Jagodowski added. “The whole cast and crew stayed at the same lodgey hotel. The cast took dinners together at the end of shooting days in a forgotten room at the end of a long hallway with meals from the only restaurant still delivering. The shooting days were rewarding as hell. “Everyone, in every position, was kind and professional and fun,” he said. “It was a joy to start each day and really gratifying at the end of the day to have watched people do such good work. I loved it and would love to do it a bunch more times.” “It was truly a collaboration with our small and very talented cast and crew,” Pasquesi said by email. “The production mirrored the best qualities and big heart of a small town/small operation.” Sadieh Rifai plays the showrunner in the show within a show. “I’ve been very lucky in my career to work on some incredible projects, but nothing came close to how much fun I had on Bettendorf Talks,” actress Sadieh Rifai (who plays Margaret, showrunner of the show) said by email. “This is easily the most enjoyable and hysterical set I’ve ever been on with the absolute best cast and crew. It was a dream opportunity!” The comedy style “Bettendorf Talks” harkens back to the Johnny Carson era of "The Tonight Show," and "the lively art of conversation," Jagodowski said. "There are absolutely absurdist moments," he said of the style of humor in the show. At one point, they put on old barrister wigs and agree you don't argue which is the best of the Quad Cities, since "that is immediately a legal violation," TJ said. "We'll take a laugh wherever we can get it." TJ and Dave have been proving for 20+ years that there is an audience that appreciates honest characters and relationships in their comedy, according to a show statement. “With ‘Bettendorf Talks,’ we are transforming that sensibility into a workplace comedy -- a talk show on one level and the relationships of people who make the show on another. “The characters are idiosyncratic but believable,” their statement says. “Their wants of falling in love or trying to make their mark are as universal as wants get and, therefore, completely relatable. This show is a culmination of this decades long collaboration with a proven chemistry and a track record for delving into character and relationships in a way that few others can or do. “In a world where 90% of communication is done electronically and at a distance, where people talk past each other but not to each other, that leaves a vacuum. And we, like nature, abhor that. So, a show that investigates the old-fashioned idea of people sitting down and talking, the lively art, seems to us to be apropos.” “The show explores fame and our society’s outweighed value on it, as well as how difficult it is to really communicate with each other despite our best efforts,” Jagodowski said. David Pasquesi, left, appeared in a 2020 episode of ABC's "The Conners," with Sara Gilbert and Jay R. Ferguson (Eric McCandless via Getty Images). “TV talk shows no longer entertain…they seem to be more about marketing. This one attempts to actually entertain,” Pasquesi said. “Additionally, I think the idea of a talk show filled with people incapable of communicating on a personal level, is an interesting setting.” “I love this show because it's set in a small town but the characters and story appeal to people everywhere,” Nnamdi Ngwe, who plays a writer on the show, said by email. “This is the kind of show that excited me as an artist as well as a fan of TV. It was a dream come true working on this comedy with a cast and crew full of mad geniuses. It was a warm set full of laughs and I'm sure the audience will be able to tell how much fun we had.” “I play Emma, one of the (two) writers of the show. Her big city dreams turned out to be Quad City dreams and they are coming true before her very eyes,” said Emma Pope. “Working on Bettendorf Talks was like being at sleepaway camp where we get to do the coolest project together during the day and then eat takeout food from Moline, Illinois and laugh together all night.” Next steps Simmons said attendance at the SXSW premiere was packed both nights, including Liz Gilman of Produce Iowa. "She's been very supportive. Everybody's been trying to make it happen," he said. A bunch of the "Bettendorf Talks" crew at SXSW in Austin, Tex., on March 11, 2024. There were six TV pilots shown in the festival, a relatively new category. Simmons said they’re trying to sell the show and get an agent to represent it. “The biggest thing is we got the attention. Having the South by Southwest name attached to it, it gets people to know who we are and we made this thing, and what Bettendorf is,” he said. These conversations take a long time to reach fruition, Simmons said. Jagodowski said the first step was to show it, and make connections, to gain support and awareness. “The TV world is still a very traditional world. They are big, big companies, and they require a certain flow to things,” Simmons said. 'Saturday Night Live' alum Tim Kazurinsky plays the station owner in "Bettendorf Talks." Perhaps the biggest name in “Bettendorf Talks” is Tim Kazurinsky, 74, who plays the absent-minded station owner and was on SNL for three seasons in the ‘80s. “Type-casting I guess. It was totally a dream job,” he said of the new show by email. “How often in life do you get the chance to hang out with people you love and admire...in an attempt to create a funny show that will hopefully distract people from the horrors of life right now?”

OurQuadCities.com OurQuadCities.com

Nahant Marsh volunteer open house

Nahant Marsh Education Center is hosting an open house on April 13, starting at 9 a.m. The marsh is located at 4220 Wapello Avenue in Davenport. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet marsh staff and volunteers that are involved in environmental conservation and education. Nahant's staff will share the wonders of our local ecosystem and volunteer opportunities that give community members a chance to make a difference in conservation and education. There are multiple volunteer programs for all interests and skill levels. Attendees are welcome any time between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be provided. Between meeting staff, exploring the education center, walking on the trails, and learning how to get involved, there is something for everyone. The event is free for all community members. To learn more about Nahant Marsh, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved click here.

OurQuadCities.com East Moline man faces felony charges after Davenport gunfire OurQuadCities.com

East Moline man faces felony charges after Davenport gunfire

A 20-year-old East Moline man faces felony charges after gunfire earlier this month, police allege in arrest affidavits. Quantrelle Tapia (Scott County Jail) Quantrelle Tapia faces charges of attempted murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon – injure/provoke fear, court records show. Gunfire in Davenport Shortly before 12:45 a.m. March 17, Davenport Police were dispatched to the M Lounge, 217 N. Brady St., for a report of gunfire. Officers found three .380 automatic casings and 22 9mm shell casings, affidavits say. Multiple cars were damaged from the gunfire. Surveillance footage, obtained from multiple places, shows the incident. Tapia was armed with a .380 automatic pistol concealed on his person while at the M Lounge bar. After an altercation involving a co-defendant, Tapia and the co-defendant left the bar with security, police allege in affidavits. Officer say in affidavits that, when the two were in front of the M Lounge, they got into an argument with the victims. Affidavits show Tapia produced the pistol from his person and chased the victims across Brady Street as they were retreating to their car. Tapia fired three rounds at the victims as their backs were turned, police allege in affidavits. He was about 20 feet from the victims in a direct line of fire unbroken by any cover or concealment objects when he fired the rounds. “As the victims took cover, (Tapia) can be observed moving his firearm and taking direct aim at the victims as they were moving to cover behind a vehicle. (Tapia) shot at the victims with the intent to cause their death without any circumstances that would justify (Tapia’s) actions,” according to affidavits, which show Tapia “was positively identified by surveillance footage and the defendants’ actions were all captured on video.” Tapia, who is being held on $25,000 cash-only bond in Scott County Jail, was arrested on a warrant. He is set to appear for a preliminary hearing April 5 in Scott County Court.

KWQC TV-6  Ranch Riders annual Easter egg hunt benefit to be held Saturday KWQC TV-6

Ranch Riders annual Easter egg hunt benefit to be held Saturday

It's the 39th annual event that benefits the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities. The hunt at Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds is free but an entry donation of $3 per child is suggested.

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Engineering report: Davenport apartment on 4th Street could collapse with no warning

The new details from city officials come just a day after residents in 18 units were vacated from the downtown building.

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From Indianapolis to Los Angeles | Actress Katy O'Brian discusses breakout lead role alongside Kristen Stewart

The IU graduate and former Carmel police officer discusses growing up in Indiana, bodybuilding and co-starring with Kristen Stewart in "Love Lies Bleeding."

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

Bettendorf police are investigating a shooting incident resulting in one person hospitalized, and a home in Monmouth is a partial loss after a fire Wednesday night.

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Fight at a juvenile detention facility leads to injury of mutiple staff members

An overnight fight at a Knox County juvenile detention facility leads to multiple staff members getting injured with some having to be taken to the hospital.

OurQuadCities.com OurQuadCities.com

CO2 pipeline forum set for Port Byron

A discussion about a CO2 pipeline will be held Wednesday, April 3, in Port Byron, according to a news release. "What You Need to Know - Updates on Carbon Capture & Sequestration/CO2 Pipelines; Efforts in Springfield -What We Can Do Right Now" will be presented by Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance and the Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at River Valley District Library, 214 S. Main St., Port Byron, in the second-floor meeting room. An elevator is available. Port Byron residents weigh in on CO2 pipeline. (OurQuadCities.com) The discussion will focus on major issues for Illinois citizens regarding carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). Wolf Carbon Solutions intends to refile an application with the Illinois Commerce Commission for a carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline planned to cross the Mississippi River north of Port Byron, continuing southeast through Rock Island County into Henry County and further south, the release says. "Just as with carbon dioxide pipelines, there are significant regulatory gaps at both the Federal and State levels concerning CCS and how this technology would impact property owners and groundwater resources including a significant lack of knowledge about how to stop CO2 sequestered underground from leaking," according to the release. Carbon dioxide at high levels in the air is toxic to the body and long-term health impacts can result. The U.S. Pipeline Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration is working on updated CO2 pipeline standards based on concerns from a 2020 CO2 pipeline rupture a mile from Satartia, Mississippi, the release says. According to the release, "This community was not included in the company modeling for being at any risk. However, 200 people were evacuated and 45 went for hospital emergency treatment. Some individuals have lingering health issues from being in the CO2 plume area. High-pressure carbon dioxide pipelines are much more hazardous than oil or methane (natural gas) pipelines partly because of the much higher pressure in the pipeline." Other issues, including land impacts, and legislative efforts in Springfield, will be discussed at this free public information meeting.

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Pay It Forward | Fundraising for an after-prom to remember

Jeri Elam is on the after-prom committee for Davenport North and Central High Schools. Her help with fundraising for the event earned her the Pay It Forward award.

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Pay it Forward | Putting in the time to bring Davenport students one night to shine

News 8's Morgan Strackbein caught up with Holly Green as she starts her annual after-prom fundraising campaign for Davenport Central and North High Schools.

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Weekend Rundown with WLLR | March 28, 2024

There are many family-friendly events going on this weekend, and we've brought in Dani Howe from WLLR to break it down.

Quad-City Times Quad-City Times

Colona murder trial put off; attorneys' offices too short-staffed

A bench trial on a murder case for a Colona man charged in Henry County has been pushed back. It had been scheduled for late April.

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Colona council discusses ways to draw more police officers to city

Colona aldermen on Monday discussed amending the city's ordinance for lateral transfer of police.

Quad-City Times Quad-City Times

Pending Death Notices for the Quad-Cities, March 28, 2024

Carole L. Brown, 79, of Davenport, Iowa, died Friday, March 22, 2024, at Bickford of Davenport. Cremation will be directed by Cremation Society of the Quad Cities.

Quad-City Times Quad-City Times

Attorneys to look over Geneseo solar plans

WHAT WE KNOW: Geneseo aldermen voted to learn more about a proposed second solar array last month.

River Cities' Reader River Cities' Reader

Two Currents in a Dark Circle: Staghorn and Aseethe at Rozz-Tox, April 19

Take this as an early warning: If you're into the cerebral, more experimental side of heavy music, you may want to snap up tickets for what (at the time of writing) looks to be the only show at Rozz-Tox in April

River Cities' Reader River Cities' Reader

Ballet Quad Cities' "Dorothy Goes to Oz" and "Snow White," April 13

Audiences may not hear the familiar strains of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or “Someday My Prince Will Come.” But they'll certainly be treated to music- and dance-filled enchantment when a pair of legendary heroines join forces in the one-act ballets Dorothy Goes to Oz and Snow White, the Adler Theatre's April 13 pairing of family-friendly works by the professional talents of Ballet Quad Cities.

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Why Davenport ordered an apartment building to be evacuated

A report from structural engineers said the building is in such poor condition that it could partially collapse.

Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

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Davenport council member responds to House hearing on City's settlement payments

City staff did not comment on the hearing when News 8 reached out.

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Davenport considers lowering property tax rate

The proposed change, which would go into effect in July, would be 17 cents lower.

OurQuadCities.com State auditor questions Davenport's accountability and transparency OurQuadCities.com

State auditor questions Davenport's accountability and transparency

Davenport finds itself at the center of a fight that reached state lawmakers. The issue pits the city against several private citizens, media outlets and Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand, centering around settlement payments to former city employees like former city administrator Corri Spiegel. Corri Spiegel (City of Davenport) The Iowa House Government Oversight Committee heard testimony this morning about the city of Davenport not releasing a demand letter from Spiegel to the city, which is thought to have led to a more than a $1 million payout to her. Some community members shared their frustrations tonight with the city's current state. Alderwoman at large Jazmine Newton says it's time for change. "I do think that Davenport needs to do better, and the only way Davenport can do better is for this council to take the lead and work together to ensure that Davenport is working for the people," Newton said. Auditor Sand questions the city's accountability and transparency after approving taxpayer dollars towards those separation agreements. "When we're in the course of a special investigation audit, we're going to ask for the records that we think are relevant to helping us understand and clarify for the public what happened with their tax dollars," Sand said. Iowa Freedom of Information Council member Randy Evans testified in front of the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee, expressing frustration. The committee members were troubled that the city is fighting efforts by the Iowa Freedom of Information Council to intervene in that court case to make arguments to the court while that letter should be made available to the public and why transparency is so important in this particular instance Right now, Davenport is taking a man named Ezra Sidran to court to keep Spiegel's demand letter to the city from being released and the Iowa Freedom of Information Council is trying to intervene. "To bring the lawsuit against Dr. Sidran who is not represented by an attorney and I don't think that's a coincidence. I think they could've brought the lawsuit against the FOI council who has asked for the same letter," Iowa Freedom of Information council member Randy Evans said. "They could've brought it against any media that asked for a letter but the city chose an individual that doesn't have an attorney." There is a hearing on that lawsuit on Friday in Scott County. A ruling is not expected immediately.

KWQC TV-6  US Army Corps of Engineers holds ribbon cutting for new USACE Motor Shop KWQC TV-6

US Army Corps of Engineers holds ribbon cutting for new USACE Motor Shop

The US Army Corps of Engineers held a ribbon cutting for a new motor shop at the Mississippi River Project Office in Pleasant Valley.

Quad-City Times Woman allegedly shoots teen in the foot during altercation Quad-City Times

Woman allegedly shoots teen in the foot during altercation

A Bettendorf woman has been arrested for allegedly shooting a teenager in the foot during an altercation on Wednesday, Bettendorf police said.

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Davenport City Council approves 1-year agreement with Humane Society of Scott County

After the City of Davenport and the Humane Society of Scott County have been at odds for over a month, regarding a contract disputes for animal control services, a resolution approving a one-year agreement been the two parties was approved at Davenport’s city council meeting.

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31-year-old woman charged for shooting 17-year-old in foot

31-year-old Tanasha Robinson was taken into custody after a shooting Wednesday afternoon in Bettendorf, according to an arrest affidavit.

Quad-City Times 4 people killed and 7 wounded in stabbings in northern Illinois, with a suspect in custody Quad-City Times

4 people killed and 7 wounded in stabbings in northern Illinois, with a suspect in custody

Authorities say four people have been killed and seven have been hurt when a man went on a stabbing rampage across multiple locations in a northern Illinois community. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd says that a suspect is in police…

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Sterling police officers reunite with dog saved from fire

According to Sterling police, Shango has made a full recovery after he was resuscitated by Officers Alex Kraus and Justin Hackbarth.

KWQC TV-6  Bettendorf woman arrested, shoots teen in foot, police say  KWQC TV-6

Bettendorf woman arrested, shoots teen in foot, police say

A Bettendorf woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after police say she shot a teenager, seriously injuring them.

OurQuadCities.com What's next for evacuated Davenport apartment tenants? OurQuadCities.com

What's next for evacuated Davenport apartment tenants?

People who lived in the apartment building at 4th and Ripley streets were left grabbing whatever they could on March 26, and now they're not only frustrated but worried about where they'll next call home. For now, those evacuated tenants are living in a hotel, where they can stay for free until the end of the month. One of those tenants is Lamonde Lathan-Berge, who's unsure what the future holds for him. Burge called the Schricker apartment building at 401 W. 4th St. home for eight months until the city forced an evacuation after failed inspections. "I'm 23 years old. I work hard for my money so this is definitely stressful for me," Lathan-Berge said. "It really caught me off guard because they told me I had to be out. I grabbed anything that was essential to me, and I had to be out by 4:30 p.m., and they told me this at 3:47 p.m." Lathan-Burge says he had a feeling something like this was about to come. "My floor was kind of starting to sink in," Lathan-Berge said. "I went to one of the other apartments because they offered me to switch apartments, and I went in there, and all the floors were cracked up. It was kind of like an earthquake hit it, almost." People forced to evacuate are now staying at the Relax Inn Hotel on North Brady St. They can stay for free up until Sunday. After that, they will need to find somewhere else to stay. (Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com) "I'll have to return to my mother's house for the time being until I find another apartment," Lathan-Berge said. Lathan-Berge says he's upset with the city of Davenport about how it's handling housing, especially after the building collapse that happened in May 2023. "I'm frustrated with Davenport because this happened with that building, and you would think with the people's lives being lost, they would have taken some steps to make sure things like this wouldn't happen again," Lathan-Berge said. Protestors outside Davenport City Hall on March 27. (Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com) OurQuadCites News also reached out to the Salvation Army to see how they're helping. Kelle Larned, the program and operations director, says the Salvation Army received a grant from Davenport to help people with living costs. They've received a few calls from people needing help on March 27. One needed rent assistance. Another was looking to stay longer at the Relax Inn Hotel. The Salvation Army says if they receive a call, they'll take names and address needs.

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4 people killed and 5 wounded in stabbings in Rockford

Four people were killed and five were wounded in stabbings in Rockford on Wednesday, authorities said.

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Iowa state legislators hold government oversight hearing on Davenport settlement agreements totalling almost $2M

The hearing comes after numerous allegations have been made that the City of Davenport violated Iowa's open records law by keeping the settlement process a secret.

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1 person injured in Bettendorf shooting

Bettendorf police claim there was an altercation between two people that escalated into one person being shot.

KWQC TV-6  Local districts react to Governor Reynolds signing AEA reform bill KWQC TV-6

Local districts react to Governor Reynolds signing AEA reform bill

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed the Area Education Agency Reform that passed Tuesday in the Senate. The amendment increases salaries for new teachers and includes $14 million in funding for education support personnel such as paraprofessionals.

KWQC TV-6 New law benefits students and teachers, governor says, but legislator leader is skeptical KWQC TV-6

New law benefits students and teachers, governor says, but legislator leader is skeptical

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed AEA reform that also raises the minimum teacher pay.

KWQC TV-6 State Auditor calls out delayed payments for contraception for sexual assault victims KWQC TV-6

State Auditor calls out delayed payments for contraception for sexual assault victims

“The trauma and the pain that the Attorney General’s decision is putting victims through in this case literally makes my skin crawl,”

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Iowa attorney general not finished with audit that's holding up contraception money for rape victims

Her office said the audit, which Bird announced when she took office 14 months ago, is in its “final stages” and that a report would be released soon.

OurQuadCities.com Iowa approves new education funding package OurQuadCities.com

Iowa approves new education funding package

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed off on modifying the formula for Area Education Agencies for special education. The biggest change will be how the agencies are funded by the state. The agencies will get 90% of the current funding for special education services. School districts will be in charge of the other 10%. A division of special education will be created under the umbrella of the Department of Education. The move also establishes a higher starting salary for new teachers and a higher minimum salary for teachers with experience. The changes will take effect beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

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Davenport officials explain why apartment building was evacuated

Engineers recommended the evacuation due to the conditions of a wooden wall believed to be of structural importance to the building.

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Sterling police officers reunite with dog rescued from house fire

Shango was resuscitated after being pulled from a house fire in December.

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1 person injured in Bettendorf shooting

Bettendorf police claim there was an altercation between two people that escalated into one person being shot.

OurQuadCities.com Roof main concern for vacated Davenport apartment building OurQuadCities.com

Roof main concern for vacated Davenport apartment building

Following the City of Davenport vacating the apartment building at 401 W. 4th St. due to structural issues, Our Quad Cities News dug deeper into this story and found out about problems engineers say make the building so dangerous. As Our Quad Cities News reporter Jackson Rozinsky discovered, one of the biggest concerns focuses on the roof.

KWQC TV-6  Rockford police: 4 dead, 5 hurt after stabbing attack KWQC TV-6

Rockford police: 4 dead, 5 hurt after stabbing attack

Rockford police ask the public to avoid the area of Eggleston Road and Cleveland Avenue due to an ongoing investigation.

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US Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District opens new facility

The new motor shop in Pleasant Valley, Iowa is meant to keep 12 lock and dam sites operating smoothly from Dubuque all the way down through Missouri.

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Iowa state legislators hold government oversight hearing on Davenport settlement agreements

Two Davenport residents are suing the City, alleging it violated open meeting laws in paying out $2 million to three former employees.

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Anamosa sewage discharge reaches Wapsipinicon River in Iowa

The Iowa DNR believes that around 50,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into a storm drain leading to the Wapsipinicon River.

KWQC TV-6  1 person injured Wednesday in Bettendorf shooting KWQC TV-6

1 person injured Wednesday in Bettendorf shooting

One person is in custody, police said.

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4 people killed and 5 wounded in stabbings in Rockford

Four people were killed and five were wounded in stabbings in Rockford on Wednesday, authorities said.

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Davenport man sings national anthem at first game in Iowa Hawkeyes' March Madness run

CJ Parker has opened up numerous games at Carver-Hawkeye arena but said the first game of the NCAA Tournament had a different energy.

KWQC TV-6  Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate KWQC TV-6

Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate

The governor’s office announced the pair’s resignations within hours of each other nearly two weeks after Crosetti Brand was released from Stateville Correctional Center.

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Kraft Heinz in Muscatine receiving portion of $170 million grant to reduce carbon emissions

A portion of the grant funding will go to the company's Muscatine plant.

OurQuadCities.com Hop over to Bunnies, Baskets and Brews! OurQuadCities.com

Hop over to Bunnies, Baskets and Brews!

Hop on over for an adult Easter egg hunt and help a great cause! Hauberg Estate Executive Director Deb Kuntzi joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about Bunnies, Baskets and Brews. For more information, click here.

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Iowa holds statewide tornado drill Wednesday morning

The drill was a part of Severe Weather Awareness Week in the state.

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2 Galesburg men arrested on federal drug charges

Investigators say they seized more than five pounds of meth, several firearms and four pounds of marijuana.

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UnityPoint Health seeing rising volume of colon cancer cases

Medical experts say cases are becoming more frequent in adults younger than 50 years old.

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Muscatine hosts new resident orientation

The next orientation is set for October.

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Anamosa sewage discharge reaches Wapsipinicon River in Iowa

The Iowa DNR believes that around 50,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into a storm drain leading to the Wapsipinicon River.

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Dig in to QC Restaurant Week!

Come hungry and explore the diversity of food in the QCA! Visit Quad Cities President and CEO Dave Herrell dropped by Our Quad Cities News with all the info on QC Restaurant Week. For more information, click here.

OurQuadCities.com 4 Your Money | 0% OurQuadCities.com

4 Your Money | 0%

Here in the United States, it seems the market is very focused on rate cuts. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, joins us to share if other countries are cutting rates and how this dynamic affects us here at home.

OurQuadCities.com One person shot in Bettendorf shooting OurQuadCities.com

One person shot in Bettendorf shooting

Police are on the scene at Hillside and Hawthorne Drives in Bettendorf near the former site of Old Chicago. Our Quad Cities News received confirmation that one person was hit by a bullet during a shooting incident. We will keep you updated as we receive more information.

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Arrowhead Ranch to end residential programming in April

Officials with the nonprofit cited financial difficulties as the reason for the closure.

OurQuadCities.com United Way chief writes children's book OurQuadCities.com

United Way chief writes children's book

Rene Gellerman has put her pen where her passion is. President/CEO of United Way Quad Cities for the past five years, she has penned a new children’s book that will be published this September by Texas-based Lucid Books. Inspired by the QC, local students and her own kids, the book aims to inspire others. The 32-page story -- "Adventures of Kids United: The Glass Bridge" -- is aimed at 4-to-9-year-olds, and centers on themes of unity, teamwork, and community betterment. It’s envisioned to be the first in a series. Rene Gellerman at her office at United Way QC in Bettendorf, March 26, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Turner). "I love to write, and I always thought someday I will write a book about my life," Gellerman said Tuesday. "I'm not quite ready to do that. When I meet with kids -- I learn about their life, all the great work we're doing to try and empower these kids, it just never feels like enough. "I want to inspire kids to think about dreaming big and to realize the power that they have to control their future and their community," she said. "This book is really about that, to help kids see themselves as change-makers. If they want things different in their community, they have the power to do that." Gellerman worked for the Quad Cities Chamber for 12 years (last as senior vice president, overseeing the Q2030 strategic plan), and has been head of United Way QC for five years. She's written local op-eds over the years, but this is her first hand at a book. Between her husband David (CEO of Hawkeye Commercial Real Estate) and herself, they have five grown children, represented as characters in the book. "Each one of them has their own unique gifts," Rene Gellerman said. “I have a son who's an engineer, so he's a builder in the book. I have a daughter who's creative and artistic. They mirror the skills and unique abilities of my kids." She hasn't hired an illustrator yet, which will be chosen by the publisher. She was referred to Lucid Books through her husband -- its owner is a friend of his, and they're in an entrepreneurial professional development group. “Rene is a dedicated advocate for community empowerment and positive change,” Lucid posted on the company Facebook page March 12. “Drawing inspiration from her own experiences and fueled by a desire to inspire others, Rene embarked on her journey as an author. Her debut book reflects her belief in the power of storytelling to ignite curiosity, foster generosity, and promote teamwork among young readers.” Making education a priority Gellerman was driven to write a kids’ book last fall, after United Way staff discussed how to inspire the community to prioritize education. She was inspired by a 4th grader named Naomi at Madison Elementary in Davenport, who's on the cover of the United Way "Rise United" brochure. Gellerman has read to her and other students every week at Madison and Fillmore, as part of the volunteer "Read United" program. "When you hear about the challenges they have faced in their young lives, because they live in communities of poverty and the cyclical, generational situations that families live in," she said. "When you hear those stories, for me I am so moved and so motivated to get these kids on a different trajectory." Gellerman has been head of the local United Way for five years. Many imaginative, fearless young kids already feel they can create epic change, Gellerman said. "I want to empower that and continue to motivate them to be that pathway. As we get older, we lose that belief in ourselves and our ability." “Adventures of Kids United” is based in the QC, and the titular bridge is based on the Davenport Skybridge. The kids find their way through the bridge, which takes them to a landing where they meet characters from outer space. One is Mary Marvelous, who shares with them "in other worlds, people work together and they make their communities better," Gellerman said. Her spaceship breaks down in the story, and the kids in the book work together to fix it. "Even at a young age, they can help their neighbors and see how it contributes to the bigger picture," she said of the book's lessons. Her characters end up becoming superheroes. Kids in grade school have unlimited imagination and dreams, regardless of their race or socio-economic background, Gellerman said. She's planning to get her book in every 3rd grader's hands (3,000 in Rock Island and Scott counties), and she will donate all proceeds from their sale to United Way. Gellerman hopes to get sponsors and donors to make that happen for all 3rd graders. It's long been a United Way goal to improve reading levels for local 3rd graders, which is a key factor in whether they will go on to graduate high school. Why not become a teacher? Gellerman never considered a career in education. "I so admire teachers -- the work they do and the responsibility that they have," she said. "To the kids, to the future, to the families. I don't have the patience to do that. It takes such unique and special skills to be that kind of role model. I'm not equipped to do that. "But I hope I can leave my mark in this community, that I was someone who wore my heart on my sleeve," Gellerman said. "I demonstrated that commitment to education and to empowering kids.” In the past five years, she's given United Way a larger focus on education. About 45 percent of United Way revenue and staff goes to education (other pillars are health and income), including the addition last October of a new vice president for early childhood learning and education. Cassie Stewart joined United Way QC last fall as its first new vice president for early childhood learning and education (photo by Jonathan Turner). Cassie Stewart of Muscatine is a former Davenport principal – two years at Madison Elementary and two before that at Pre-K Children’s Villages program. "She's doing great. She's working on rolling out a new program for parent engagement, parent workshops," Gellerman said. "I believe that education is the number-one way that we will fight poverty in our community," Gellerman said. "The more that we can prioritize education as a community, the better our families are gonna do, and I think the more successful our communities will be in attracting businesses and people. People want to live in a place where their kids are going to succeed." United Way works to ensure kids have what they need so they can learn while they're in school. Gellerman wants to fill the resource gap in schools, easing challenges they face. "Sometimes we get caught up with the problem, this kind of problem being so big that we get paralyzed and what I'm trying to do is look at, we have a big vision but we have to take steps along the way," she said. "We have to work with that child one on one and that's a role United Way is moving into." Working in partnership The nonprofit aims to provide resources like books in Title 1 schools that are not as well off, and many students who are struggling the most. United Way partners with other nonprofits -- like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and Girl Scouts -- to fill those needs in schools. There's a new United for Schools program at Madison and Washington Elementary in Moline, a concept they've been incubating for two years (one year in Moline), Gellerman said. The program works with those nonprofits and schools to fill needs of the kids, and United Way is the liaison to nonprofits, freeing up teachers and administrators to educate. "And we take on the coordination of services," she said, noting a winter coat drive at schools. United Way QC helped celebrate Read Across America Day (and Dr. Seuss' birthday) on March 1, 2024. "We are seeing anecdotal improvement in attendance, reading proficiency, behavioral issues, so we are bringing caring adults into the school, working with kids," Gellerman said. They plan to expand that program to six other schools within three years. "It could be a catalyst for other schools and kids. This is a model that's being used in other parts of the country and it's working." United Way also recently completed a big book drive, that collected 20,000 books, being given to a variety of organizations to get into the hands of underprivileged kids. Focusing on Pre-K In addition to the focus on 2nd to 4th grades, the key to solve that issue is before kindergarten, Gellerman said. That includes getting more kids into pre-K programs, and the better that goes, the more likely they are to be reading at level by 3rd grade, she said. United Way helped coordinate a book drive at area Hy-Vee stores that collected 20,000 donated books. There are about 1,000 kids who start kindergarten in the QC with no preparation to start school, Gellerman noted. "If we could change that, we will change the trajectory of that generation of kids." Pre-K has been a focus of the Women United donor network for years, empowering parents to be their child's first and best teacher; providing scholarships and subsidies for families who can't afford child care. In the last 10 years, Women United has raised about $5 million in that area, Gellerman said. "We have to make this a priority for our community because education starts at birth," she said. "A child's brain is 90% developed by the time they're 5. You think about the public resources we invest in our kid and it doesn't even start until they're 5." Need for more reading volunteers Read United always needs more volunteers and the next Day of Caring is April 25, with a strong focus on education, such as reading and other activities, Gellerman said. Read United is as much about building relationships with students and instilling confidence in their abilities, as it is improving their reading skills, she said. "Having them meet someone different from their family, and paying attention to them, encouraging them," Gellerman said, noting she's gotten great feedback from the kids. Read United has been seeking 300 more volunteers to pair up with students as reading mentors to help get them back on track in school. Since it began in 2022, the program has been a community-wide effort to address a drop in youth reading proficiency. “All students deserve success in school, but the reality is, only 55% of Quad Cities third graders are reading at grade level,” said Marci Zogg, United Way’s vice president of community impact. “Read United offers a unique opportunity for community members to be a hero for struggling readers, instilling a lifelong love of reading.” Volunteers can choose from 16 participating schools in Scott and Rock Island counties and volunteer in 30-minute weekly blocks at a time during school hours that line up with their schedules for the rest of the school year. Click here to learn more about becoming a reading volunteer with Read United.

KWQC TV-6 KWQC TV-6

Traffic alert: Clinton closing lanes on Bluff Blvd.

Iowa American Water crews will repair a water main at Terrace Drive.

KWQC TV-6  Iowa forward, Patrick McCaffery enters transfer portal, reports say  KWQC TV-6

Iowa forward, Patrick McCaffery enters transfer portal, reports say

University of Iowa men’s basketball forward, Patrick McCaffery has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to reports.

OurQuadCities.com Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know! OurQuadCities.com

Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know!

Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives.  It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: CHRISTIAN BEARD, 26, 5’10”, 140 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes. Rock Island County warrant for failure to appear/armed violence. SHERRY GRAY, 47, 5’1”, 130 lbs., black hair, brown eyes. Scott County warrant for sex offender registration violation and sex offender provide false information. Christian Beard (L) and Sherry Gray (Crime Stoppers) You have a week to contact police for an elevated reward. Call the tip line at (309) 762-9500. All tips are anonymous.

KWQC TV-6 WATCH: Governor Reynolds signs AEA reform bill KWQC TV-6

WATCH: Governor Reynolds signs AEA reform bill

On Wednesday, Governor Reynolds signed the Area Education Agency reform bill that passed in the Senate on Tuesday.

KWQC TV-6 Ice Cube offers $5 million to Caitlin Clark to play in Big3 League KWQC TV-6

Ice Cube offers $5 million to Caitlin Clark to play in Big3 League

Clark would be the first woman to join the league as a player.

KWQC TV-6  Kwik Trip discontinues bagged milk KWQC TV-6

Kwik Trip discontinues bagged milk

The company said the cost to replace old equipment for a product not selling well prompted the discontinuation.

OurQuadCities.com QCSO names new youth ensembles director OurQuadCities.com

QCSO names new youth ensembles director

The Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association (QCSO) on Wednesday announced the appointment of Hisham Bravo Groover as assistant conductor of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles. He has also recently been announced as a newly hired assistant professor of music and director of orchestral studies at Augustana College. Groover will start in the position this July. “We are thrilled to welcome Hisham to the Quad Cities,” QCSO executive director Brian Baxter said on the QCSO website. “His depth of leadership and experience will resonate and continue to build on the positive momentum and impact of the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.” Like the QCSO music director and conductor, Mark Russell Smith, Groover currently lives in Minnesota where he serves as artistic director and principal conductor of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Conductor of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS), music director and conductor of the Buffalo Community Orchestra, and assistant conductor of the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre. Additional experiences include roles as associate conductor of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, assistant conductor of the Arapahoe Philharmonic, assistant conductor of the Lamont Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre (all in Colorado), and conductor of the University of Iowa Chamber Orchestra. “Hisham displays impressive versatility in his concerts, equally at ease with pops and educational programs as he is with masterworks,” the QCSO release says. He has also conducted and assisted in several opera productions, including Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Strauss Jr.’s Die Fledermaus. "Thoughtful in his programming, Hisham aims to create concerts that resonate with modern audiences," the QCSO release says. In 2024, he conducted a program that integrated the music of Hildegard von Bingen, Steve Reich, and Charles Ives with Mozart’s Requiem. Recently, Groover has competed in two international conducting competitions. In 2023, he was invited to the 1st International Ferenc Fricsay Conducting Competition in Szeged, Hungary. In 2022, he was a semi-finalist in the Princess Astrid International Music Competition in Trondheim, Norway. Benjamin Firer is serving as interim conductor for the QC Youth Symphony Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic for the 2023-2024 season. Grrover is also a violinist and has studied with several pedagogues, including Michel Boris Zaitzeff, Ching-Yi Lin, and Mark Rush. As a conductor, he has studied with Leonid Grin, Kevin Noe, William LaRue Jones, and his principal mentor, Mark Russell Smith. Groover will begin his role as QCSYE music director and QCSO assistant conductor in July 2024. Benjamin Firer will remain as interim Youth Symphony Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor through the end of the 2023-2024 season. Firer was named interim conductor last July, after the departure of Ernesto Estagarribia, who joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Estigarribia is professor of conducting and orchestra director at the Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music, and served the QCSO role four years. The Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles (QCSYE) program consists of four youth orchestras for students in grades 2-12. Under the direction of the outstanding QCSYE conducting staff, members have the opportunity to perform great orchestral repertoire with the most talented young musicians in the area and learn from the mentorship of professional musicians from throughout the region. Ensemble members come from the greater Quad Cities, as well as other communities in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois. For more information on the youth program, click HERE.

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Coralville man being honored for rescuing 8-year-old boy from Iowa River in 2022

Wegayewu Faris was fishing along the Iowa River when he noticed an 8-year-old boy struggling to swim. He was able to help save him but drowned due to the current.

OurQuadCities.com $8.5M 'Rebuild Downtown' R.I. to start April 8 OurQuadCities.com

$8.5M 'Rebuild Downtown' R.I. to start April 8

After more than two years of planning and fundraising, the city of Rock Island is planning to launch its $8.5-million Rebuild Downtown project on Monday, April 8. According to Public Works director Mike Bartels, the hope is to finish the multi-layered reconstruction and streetscaping work by the end of this year. A new roundabout in downtown Rock Island, at 18th Street and 2nd Avenue, is among the many project elements. At its meeting Monday, March 25, the City Council awarded the contract to Valley Construction, Inc. of Rock Island, in the original bid amount of $8,467,987.41 and authorized the City Manager to execute the contract documents and Public Works to continue to value engineer the project and execute necessary change orders to reduce construction costs to $8,223,523.89 or lower. “It’s great to reach consensus around the improvements our community is excited about making downtown,” Rock Island Downtown Alliance executive director Jack Cullen said Wednesday. Improvements downtown (including this reconstructed 2nd Avenue, removing the pedestrian plaza) are expected to start April 8, 2024. “This is the largest investment in downtown’s public infrastructure in a generation, and it’s not the end of the story. This is just the start – where the improvements need to start in the core of downtown and where we hope to continue block by block.” Cullen noted the main goals for the downtown project since day one are: Enhance public spaces Encourage private investment Improve quality of life for downtown workers, business owners, residents and visitors An invitation to bid was advertised on Jan. 25-26 and the following contractors submitted bids: McCarthy Improvements, Langman Construction, and Valley Construction. Bidders submitted on a base bid and six alternates as follows: • Base bid: removal of the Great River Plaza, reconstructing 2nd Avenue between 18th and 19th streets as a festival street; reconstructing 18th St., 1st to 3rd avenues; reconstructing 3rd Ave. from 18th to 19th streets; replacing water mains, sanitary sewers and storm sewers under 18th St., 2nd Ave. and 3rd Ave.; ADA compliant sidewalks; pedestrian lighting: street landscaping and entryway arch. • Alternative 1: reconstruction and reimaging of Arts Alley, at 1719 2nd Ave.• Alternative 2: reconstructing 3rd Ave. between 17th and 18 streets; replacing water mains, sanitary sewers and storm sewers; sidewalks; pedestrian lighting and street landscaping,• Alternative 3: Installing the dog park at 3rd Avenue and 21st St.• Alternative 4: Reconstruction of the alley, between 3rd/4th Ave. and 20th/21st St.• Alternative 5: Remove parking lot at 18th St. and 2nd Ave. and replace with green space.• Alternative 6: Placing lights on the WHBF Tower. A planned lighting of the WHBF Tower was estimated to cost $6.9 million alone. Based upon the base bid costs, Valley Construction was the low bidder with a base bid amount of $7,563,699.31, which exceeds the project’s original secured funding of $7,267,181. A summary of Valley’s bid amounts follows:• Base Bid -- $7,563,699.31• Alternative 1 -- $657,887.35• Alternative 2 -- $1,318,303.55• Alternative 3 -- $674,574.30• Alternative 4 -- $129,314.25• Alternative 5 -- $246,400.75• Alternative 6 -- $6,909,535.00• Total (Base + Alternatives): $17,499,714.51 Preliminary value engineering was initiated between staff, the Rock Island Downtown Alliance (RIDA) and Valley to reduce costs towards the secured funding amount. The Downtown Alliance expressed their desire to accept Alternatives 1 (Arts Alley) and 5 (green space at 18th Ave. and 2nd St.) and discard Alternatives 2, 3, 4 and 6. Lighting of the WHBF Tower will not be part of the downtown project (photo by Jonathan Turner). Valley’s bid costs for this scope of work is $8,467,987.41. To lower costs, the following are planned to be eliminated from the project: temporary planters, pop-up stage, dumpster enclosure, in-street lights, vendor stall, postcard wall, green screen and lawn play structures. The planned Arts Alley murals will not be part of the current project, but may happen later. Preliminary value engineering discussions have resulted in a reduction of project costs (construction and engineering) to $8,223,523.89. Planned murals for the reimagined Arts Alley will not be part of the current project. The revenue sources for the project funding are: • TIF #1 Downtown funds -- $1,556,342.89• American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) -- $3,900,000• Rebuild Downtown Grant -- $3,000,000• Illinois Tourism Grant -- $267,181.00 Funding totals -- $8,723,523.89 After more than six months in operation, the new Downtown Alliance Ambassadors have been circulating through the downtown Special Service Area weekdays and occasional weekends, performing hospitality and cleaning services under the direction of operations manager De’Andre Robinson. A current parking lot at 2nd Avenue and 18th Street will be converted into green space. From greeting visitors and giving directions to collecting litter and removing graffiti, ambassadors are the organization’s eyes, ears and boots on the ground, according to the RIDA website. The Downtown Alliance uses a GPS-integrated mobile software application to track its activities. In the first six months using the system (Sept. 7, 2023-Feb. 29, 2024), the team made more than 2,300 logs. For more information on RIDA, visit its website HERE. To learn more about the Rebuild Downtown project, including lots of visuals, see the City Council’s presentation HERE.

OurQuadCities.com Monmouth residents can get spring cleanup help from the Fighting Scots OurQuadCities.com

Monmouth residents can get spring cleanup help from the Fighting Scots

Monmouth residents who need help with spring cleaning can get assistance from the Fighting Scots. The Monmouth College football team’s Spring Cleanup Day is Saturday, April 13 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. For 15 out of the past 16 years, the team has been helping area residents with household spring cleaning and yard work chores. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the event in 2020. The team’s help is offered free of charge and open on a first come, first served basis to people living within the Monmouth city limits. Both players and staff members participate in the event. Residents must supply any materials or equipment to complete the tasks, such as cleaning supplies, trash bags or tools. They can help with yard work, window cleaning, furniture moving or any other spring cleaning projects. Photos and videos from the cleanup may appear on the Monmouth website and social media accounts. Contact Coach Jack Healy at mhealy@monmouthcollege.edu or call (309) 457-2163 to sign up. Requests should include the address of the cleanup location, a telephone contact number, the name of the person who will be onsite on April 13 and a description of the cleanup job. The team will haul trash to the street but will not take anything in a vehicle to a waste collection site or other drop off site. Coach Healy will assign players to projects, depending on the jobs requested. The deadline to sign up is Thursday, April 11. Click here for more on the Cleanup Day.

KWQC TV-6 Muscatine 911 part of state tornado drill KWQC TV-6

Muscatine 911 part of state tornado drill

The drill gave businesses, schools, daycares and other facilities the chance to practice their severe weather procedures.

KWQC TV-6  2 indicted in federal Knox County drug case KWQC TV-6

2 indicted in federal Knox County drug case

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into the two men has been ongoing for the last year.

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Iowa DNR advises people to stay out of Wapsipinicon River after wastewater discharge

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is advising nature enthusiasts to stay out of the Wapsipinicon River downstream from Anamosa as it investigates a wastewater discharge at a city facility, according to a news release from the department. The City of Anamosa notified the DNR Manchester Field Office of a wastewater discharge due to equipment failure at the wastewater plant lift station on Wednesday, March 27. The discharge was discovered at about 8:15 a.m. and it’s estimated that up to 50,000 gallons of untreated sewage flowed into a storm drain leading to the Wapsipinicon River. City officials say the equipment has been repaired and cleanup efforts are underway, according to the release. Downstream recreational users should stay out of the Wapsipinicon River at this time. Currently, no dead fish have been found and the Iowa DNR will follow up with the city to assess the situation. If you see a release after hours, call the DNR’s emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694 or click here. Reporting a spill quickly helps DNR staff identify the cause of an incident.

OurQuadCities.com Moline driver charged for striking pedestrian in Davenport OurQuadCities.com

Moline driver charged for striking pedestrian in Davenport

An 18-year-old Moline man faces charges after a car struck a pedestrian in a Davenport parking lot in 2023, according to court records. Landkin Krakliow (Scott County Jail) Landin Krakliow faces a felony charge of willful injury - causing bodily injury and an aggravated misdemeanor charge of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, court records show. In affidavits, police allege Krakliow was driving a black Ford Fusion in the parking lot in the 100 block of West River Drive, Davenport. A witness saw Krakliow in the parking lot increasing the speed of his car just before he hit a pedestrian, police allege in affidavits, which show another witness reported hearing a disturbance just prior to the person being struck. The victim suffered injuries that required hospitalization. Krakliow's actions caused the risk of serious injury to the victim, police say in affidavits. Krakliow, who was arrested on a warrant, was released on bond. He is set for a preliminary hearing April 5 in Scott County Court.

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Annual education study highlighting the need for teachers in Illinois

This report also said low pay and burnout are common reasons teachers vacate their positions. Substitutes are also lacking in the state of Illinois.

KWQC TV-6  Arrowhead CEO says legislation led to closing residential youth facility KWQC TV-6

Arrowhead CEO says legislation led to closing residential youth facility

Arrowhead Youth & Family Services CEO Luis Moreno said “insurmountable financial challenges” is compelling the shuttering of the only Quad City Area center that schooled, housed and counseled youth.

KWQC TV-6  ImpactLife having Jake Owen ticket giveaway KWQC TV-6

ImpactLife having Jake Owen ticket giveaway

The country music artist will perform April 19 at Rhythm City Casino.

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Galesburg men indicted on drug, firearm charges

Two Galesburg men have been indicted for distribution of methamphetamine throughout Knox County and surrounding areas. Knox County Sheriff Jack C. Harlan, Jr. on Wednesday announced the federal indictments of two men over the course of a longstanding investigation by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Galesburg Police and the FBI. On March 19, 2024, Michael A. Villarreal, 49, of Galesburg, and Casey D. McGee, 53, of Galesburg, were indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois in Peoria for the distribution of methamphetamine throughout Knox County and surrounding areas, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Office. Michael A. Villarreal of Galesburg The federal investigation has been ongoing for the last year and has covered most of Knox County. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized over five pounds of meth, multiple firearms, and four pounds of cannabis. During the course of the investigation, they learned that approximately two to five pounds of methamphetamine a month was being distributed throughout Knox County and surrounding areas, the release said. Casey D. McGee of Galesburg The following are charges against the suspects: Michael A. Villarreal, 49, of Galesburg: Two counts Distribution ofMethamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Casey D. McGee, 53, of Galesburg: Possession with Intent to DistributeMethamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by the FBI TOC West, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Galesburg Police Department, and the Quad Cities United States Attorney Office. No other information was available at this time.

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Iowa lawmakers investigate settlement payments to former Davenport employees

Hearings are taking place later this afternoon to discuss how Davenport leaders handled these payouts.

OurQuadCities.com Learn about clothing and culture at Windmill Cultural Center, Fulton OurQuadCities.com

Learn about clothing and culture at Windmill Cultural Center, Fulton

The next Miller Program at the Windmill Cultural Center in Fulton, Ill. focuses on the clothes we wear and why they matter.  “The Life Cycle of Clothing” will cover how modern culture changed from mostly handmade items to ones designed to only last a short time before being discarded. Erika Holst, Curator of History at the Illinois State Museum, will speak about examples of garments and clothing artifacts from the 19th century; how it was created, mended, remade, washed and eventually recycled. Modern attitudes about “fast fashion” will be discussed and compared to the “old fashioned way.” The presentation will be on Tuesday, April 9, starting at 6 p.m. at the Windmill Cultural Center, 111 – 10th Avenue in Fulton, across from de Immigrant windmill. Miller Programs are held monthly and are free for the public. The Center is accessible to persons with disabilities and light refreshments will be served after the presentation. For more information, click here, visit the Windmill Cultural Center and de Immigrant Windmill Facebook page, Visit Fulton Facebook page or call (563) 249-6115.

KWQC TV-6  Walgreens closing at Brady and Locust in Davenport KWQC TV-6

Walgreens closing at Brady and Locust in Davenport

The pharmacy had closed Nov. 17.

Quad-City Times Arrowhead Ranch in Coal Valley closing residential programming in April Quad-City Times

Arrowhead Ranch in Coal Valley closing residential programming in April

Arrowhead plans to continue providing its Day Reporting Center program but will close the residential program on April 23.

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Deere will lay off more than 300 Waterloo workers indefinitely April 29

A John Deere spokesperson said 308 production employees will be laid off. Employees reportedly learned of the layoffs in meetings with factory leaders Tuesday morning.

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Davenport man arrested following tow truck vs. pedestrian crash

52-year-old Granvell K. Ramey of Davenport has been arrested after police say he was texting when he ran over a woman with his tow truck and fled the scene.

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Gilda's Club QC saw big growth in programs, attendance in 2023

Gilda's Club Quad Cities is looking back at 2023, a year that saw impressive growth in programs and attendance. The group creates a sense of community and solidarity through its programs. They expanded last year, offering 657 free programs, an increase from 166 programs in 2022, and saw a 61% increase in program attendance. (Gilda's Club) (Gilda's Club QC) "Our Clubhouses, located in Genesis West and UnityPoint—Trinity, have become bustling hubs of activity, serving as a comforting sanctuary for individuals undergoing treatment and their loved ones," said Joy Bush, Executive Director at Gilda's Club Quad Cities. "We're not just providing programs; we're creating a home away from home, offering solace, companionship and a sense of belonging during challenging times." Gilda's Club Quad Cities has been a lifeline for people dealing with cancer for 25 years, supporting not only patients, but their friends and family, including kids and bereaved, with a variety of programs, including support groups, educational workshops, healthy lifestyle activities, social gatherings and resource referrals. For more information on Gilda’s Club QC and its programs, click here.

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New president named for Monmouth College

Patricia Draves has been named the 15th president of Monmouth College. A veteran higher education leader and former chemistry professor at Monmouth, Draves was unanimously chosen president by the Monmouth College Board of Trustees after an extensive national search, according to a Wednesday release. Since 2017, Draves has served as president of Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Patricia Draves has been named the next president of Monmouth College, to start in July. "There are special places that prepare students for very meaningful careers and for rich lives to serve and to lead others. Monmouth College is one of those places," she said in Wednesday’s announcement. "Monmouth graduates do wonderful and great things. Being selected to be part of the team that leads this College is such an honor. I'm excited about working with the Monmouth faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends to move this outstanding college forward." Draves will begin her presidency in July. She succeeds Clarence R. Wyatt, who has been the college's 14th president since July 2014 and will retire at the end of this school year. "We look forward to Dr. Patricia Draves' leadership as the 15th president of Monmouth," said Monmouth Board of Trustees Chair Mark Kopinski '79. "Her groundbreaking work as a college president and academic leader, along with her track record of developing innovative student-centered programs, has distinguished her in higher education. The entire Monmouth community is excited that she is again embracing the College's tartan as our new leader." Dr. Clarence Wyatt has served as Monmouth president for 10 years (PRNewsFoto/Monmouth College) Draves will be the second female president in the college’s 171-year history, after Sue Huseman, who served from 1994–97. Huseman retired in 2017 as president of University of Maine at Machias. At Graceland, Draves' legacy includes the Blue, Gold & Bold Plan, which established a new academic model by awarding all of the university's undergraduate students a second major in transformational leadership. Draves also helped the university raise more than $55 million and successfully guided it through the global COVID pandemic. Before serving as Graceland's 18th president, Draves was vice president for academic affairs at University of Mount Union in Ohio from 2006-17. "Monmouth had an impressive and deep pool of candidates who expressed interest in the presidency or were nominated for the presidency," said Monmouth Board Vice Chair Ralph Velazquez Jr. '79, who led the 10-member presidential search committee. "Dr. Draves emerged as the clear choice for the presidency, and we are excited for the future of Monmouth under her leadership." Draves' more than 30-year career in higher education also includes serving as a faculty member and administrator at the University of Central Arkansas. A Rhode Island native, Draves earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, and holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Husband is an alum Draves' husband, Jeff, is a 1985 graduate of Monmouth College who served with her on the college's chemistry faculty during the couple's first stint in Monmouth. They have twin boys, William and Benjamin, who are both liberal arts college graduates. They were blessed with a daughter, Alison, who they lost in 2007. Patricia Draves and her husband Jeff, who's a 1985 Monmouth College alum. "Jeff and I are so excited to start this new journey," said Draves. "I fell in love with Monmouth more than 30 years ago, whether it was coming to Homecoming or to other college events with Jeff. Monmouth was such a welcoming community to us, and it was a place where we loved raising our children. "I look forward to returning to this community as not only president of the college but also as a citizen of the city of Monmouth. I have been impressed with the community's strong level of support for the college, and I look forward to working with other community leaders on projects that will advance the college and the region." Draves is the third Monmouth president with previous experience at the position, joining David Wallace, who was president of Muskingum College before being named Monmouth's first president (1856-1878), and Duncan Wimpress, who was president of Monticello College before being named Monmouth's seventh president (1964-70). Draves is the first Monmouth president who formerly served on the college's faculty.

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Tower work may cause outages for KWQC

The tower is on ‘aux’ meaning we are on the air, though on a lower power mode as of about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. As of now the time of completion is unknown.

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3 Things to Know | Quad Cities morning headlines for March 27, 2024

Iowa lawmakers are investigating a settlement to former Davenport employees, and a suspect has been charged in a vehicle accident on Rockingham Road.

OurQuadCities.com Brown Bag Lunches back at Bettendorf Public Library OurQuadCities.com

Brown Bag Lunches back at Bettendorf Public Library

The Bettendorf Public Library has a great way to start the weekend a little early once a month – Brown Bag Lunches! Music fans bring their own lunches to the Bettendorf Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus Drive, for a live music performance that will help make those last few hours of the workweek better. Concerts are open to all ages and start at 12 p.m. Coffee and water are provided and there’s no need to register in advance. Spring dates are: April 5, featuring Cherry and Jerry: Ragtime Music May 10, featuring Forrest McCurren Duo Click here or call (563) 344-4175 for more information about Brown Bag Lunches and other library events. Click here for more information about the Bettendorf Public Library.

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Police: Man struck pedestrian while driving tow truck in Davenport

The crash happened earlier this month.

Quad-City Times SUSHI, etc. by m.j's opens in downtown Davenport Tuesday Quad-City Times

SUSHI, etc. by m.j's opens in downtown Davenport Tuesday

Sushi lovers rejoice — there's a new option in downtown Davenport!

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Human trafficking forum set in Clinton

The Franciscan Peace Center, in collaboration with the Clinton Area Anti-Human Trafficking Committee and the Clinton Police Department, is proud to announce the rescheduling of "Community Conversations: A Forum on the Landscape of Human Trafficking in Clinton," which will take place on Tuesday, April 2, according to a news release. The event was originally planned for January during Human Trafficking Awareness Month but was postponed due to inclement weather. The event aims to shed light on the critical issue of human trafficking and foster a community-wide dialogue on its presence in Clinton. The program will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clinton, 309 30th Ave. N., Clinton, from 6:30-8 p.m., and will feature speakers who are actively involved in combating human trafficking in our community: Deputy Police Chief James Ballauer Corp. Joshua Winter, Clinton Police Department rep to the Blackhawk Area Task Force Officer Chris Robertson, school resource officer at Clinton High School. They will share their insights, experiences, and knowledge to help community members better understand the local landscape of human trafficking. The event will provide an opportunity for open discussions and the exchange of ideas on how to address and prevent human trafficking in Clinton. Marsha Thrall, the director of programming at the Franciscan Peace Center, emphasizes the significance of this event in dispelling misconceptions about human trafficking and taking proactive measures against it. "Community Conversations will serve as a platform to clarify misconceptions surrounding human trafficking. By fostering open dialogue and understanding, we can collectively work towards creating a safer and more informed community," said Thrall. This forum is a collaborative effort between the Franciscan Peace Center, Clinton Area Anti-Human Trafficking Committee, and the Clinton Police Department, reflecting the shared commitment of these organizations to promote awareness, education, and action against human trafficking. The Franciscan Peace Center, established by the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, integrates spirituality with the mission of promoting nonviolence, advocating for various social justice issues, including immigration reform and human rights. Individuals who are interested in becoming a part of the Clinton Area Anti-Trafficking Committee are invited to participate in monthly meetings held on the first Monday of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at The Canticle, 841 Thirteenth Ave. N., Clinton.  For more information, contact Marsha Thrall at mthrall@clintonfranciscans.com.

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UnityPoint Health seeing rising volume of colon cancer cases

Medical experts say cases are becoming more frequent in adults younger than 50 years old.

WVIK Farmers urge legislators to pass Farm Bill WVIK

Farmers urge legislators to pass Farm Bill

One Iowa farmer wants policymakers to "quit playing politics" and pass the Farm Bill.