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

Thursday, April 25th, 2024
	LIVE: TV6 Investigates Talks: Updates on turmoil at Davenport’s city hall Jenna Jackson sits down with Investigative reporter Matt Christensen as they break down the ongoing battles at Davenport’s city hall.
	Hoops in the Heartland announces new venues for next two tournaments A women's basketball tournament that has been held in the Quad Cities since 2016 won't return until 2027.
	Bears unveil $5 billion plan for lakefront stadium and seek public funding to make it happen The Chicago Bears unveiled a nearly $5 billion proposal for an enclosed stadium next door to their current home at Soldier Field as part of a major project that would transform the city’s lakefront, and they are asking for public funding to help make it happen
	Rock Island Library PALS hosting pay-what-you-can book sale The two-day sale runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 26 and 27. It's hosted by PALS, the Library Foundation's volunteer group.
	Narratives QC hosts first Creative Arts Showcase to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month It will be an evening of spoken word and poetry at the free event on May 1. Organizers say it's about celebrating art's impact on young adults' mental health.
	Women's basketball leaves Moline after 9 years After nine years of the Moline arena hosting the Missouri Valley Conference’s Hoops in the Heartland Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament, the ball will be in a different court the next two years. The conference announced Thursday it’s adopting a rotating cycle of hosting cities, with Evansville, Indiana (Ford Center) hosting the 2025 tournament, Iowa City/Coralville (Xtream Arena) in 2026, and returning to Moline’s Vibrant Arena at The MARK in 2027. Officials say the rotation will allow the conference to gain national brand visibility in new communities while allowing student-athletes to experience new venues. The event has been held at the Vibrant Arena at The MARK since 2016, the longest-standing hosting venue in the tournament’s history. “On behalf of our Board of Directors and professional team, we look forward to hosting the Missouri Valley Women’s Basketball Tournament in 2027,” Dave Herrell, president/CEO of Visit Quad Cities, said in a Thursday release. “We have always prided ourselves on serving and prioritizing student-athletes, which will continue to be our focus. Hoops in the Heartland continues to fulfill our mission and drive value for our region’s sports tourism goals.” A Hoops in the Heartland women's basketball game this past March at Vibrant Arena at The MARK. Recognizing the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, Herrell expressed respect for the conference's decision to rotate the tournament during the next contract cycle. He added, “We're ready to offer our support and expertise to our colleagues in Evansville and Iowa City/Coralville.” In 2024, the Missouri Valley Conference (along with the ACC, A-10, Big East, Pac-12, and SEC), was one of only six conferences where the women’s basketball championship was played at a neutral site, separate from the men’s championship and on a different weekend. “We are thrilled to continue to provide our women’s basketball student-athletes with the opportunity to be showcased in a neutral-site, stand-alone tournament,” Valparaiso President José D. Padilla, board chair of the Missouri Valley Conference, said in a MVC release. “The next three years will give us the opportunity to grow the Missouri Valley Conference’s national brand through visibility in new communities while affording our student-athletes the chance to experience new conference tournament venues. I know the conference office staff, member institutions, and our championship site hosts will work diligently to continue to provide a first-rate student-athlete and fan experience during our women’s basketball tournament.” All 12 MVC women’s basketball teams will compete in the four-day tournament, with four opening-round games on Thursday, four quarterfinal games on Friday, two semifinal games on Saturday, culminating in a Sunday championship game in each of the next three seasons. The league tournament champion earns an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. “We’re excited about developing new relationships and growing the sport of women’s basketball in the region,” MVC Commissioner Jeff Jackson said. “The championship rotation model includes three great venues and three great communities who share the Conference’s goal of prioritizing women’s basketball.” Action during the 2022 women's basketball tournament at The MARK in Moline. Beyond the excitement of the competition, the tournament brings substantial economic growth to the QC, with the 2023 event alone generating a local economic impact of $1.9 million, underscoring the importance of regional sports tourism, the Visit Quad Cities release said. Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament was at Vibrant Arena at the MARK from Thursday-Sunday, March 14-17, 2024. This year marked the ninth consecutive year of this event’s QC residency, affirming its status as the nation’s longest standalone neutral site women’s basketball tournament.
	Living Lands and Waters to plant two millionth tree Living Lands and Waters will be holding a ceremony for the planting of their two millionth tree as part of their MillionTrees Project at Arconic in Riverdale, Iowa on April 26 at 2 p.m. This significant milestone marks a moment of achievement in the ongoing effort to enhance river ecosystems and support biodiversity. Since the initiation of the MillionTrees Project in 2007, LLW has been committed to the ambitious goal of planting native trees to restore and revive river landscapes. The MillionTrees Project not only aims to combat the decline in tree diversity along the shorelines of the Midwest’s major rivers but also addresses crucial environmental issues such as habitat loss, erosion control and water pollution. Arconic, formerly known as Alcoa, is a site of special significance for LLW. It has supported of the organization since its beginning and played a pivotal role in enabling the realization of its mission. The planting ceremony will commemorate this partnership and celebrate the collective efforts toward environmental stewardship. LLW Founder Chad Pregracke expressed gratitude for the longstanding collaboration with Arconic, says, "Arconic was there for Living Lands & Waters from day one, over 26 years ago and LLW wouldn't be where we are today without the solid support of partners like them. Their commitment to our cause has been instrumental in our journey towards restoring America’s rivers." “Our commitment to the environment, recycling and sustainability runs deep at Arconic,” says Jeff Weida, Vice President of Manufacturing Davenport Works. “We are proud of our nearly three-decade-long partnership with Chad and Living Lands & Waters and many of our employees who have planted trees through LLW’s program.” The MillionTrees Project underscores the importance of tree planting in preserving ecosystems, supporting wildlife habitats, mitigating climate change and fostering community engagement. Through initiatives like the distribution of free tree seedlings and volunteer-driven planting events LLW engages thousands of individuals annually to contribute to the MillionTrees Project mission. To get involved in the MillionTrees Project email dan@livinglandsandwaters.org. For more information about Living Lands and Waters click here.
	Illinois sends $7.8M for Rock Island veterans housing project Community Home Partners is leading the project and says it will address specific housing issues veterans face.
	Arsenal to unveil WWI-era tank, one of three left in existence A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mark VIII Liberty Tank will be held on April 30.
	Bettendorf man sentenced for child pornography, gun charges Jakob Paul Newberry, 29, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for receiving/distributing child pornography and gun-related charges.
	Davenport announces new summer concert series The Riverfront Improvement Commission, Common Chord and the City of Davenport have announced that The Big 9 Summer Concert Series will be coming to the Davenport riverfront this summer. The Big 9 Summer Concert Series is the new summer concert model. It replaces the former Music on the River series. It will debut Memorial Day weekend at Veterans Memorial Park. Nine concerts will be held at various locations along Davenport's nine miles of riverfront. A view of the "Abbey Road" tribute concert Aug. 7, 2021 at Rock Island's Schwiebert Riverfront Park. Riverfront Community Engagement Coordinator Stephanie Bley says, "This new programming model allows for the opportunity to showcase many of our local artists, as well as small businesses, while also shining light on different areas of our beautiful riverfront. By expanding our programming, we hope to reach a wider demographic of Davenport residents. There is truly something for everyone." For a full detailed schedule and event updates click here or here. For more information contact Bley at stephanie.bley@davenportiowa.com or call 563-888-3022.
	Man charged with forgery of checks stolen during break-in A Davenport man was arrested after police say he walked into a bank with a forged check from a business he burglarized.
	Bettendorf names new boys' basketball coach Alvin Vesey will become the new head coach for the boys' basketball team pending school board approval.
	Moline-Coal Valley District named Innovative District for 2024 Model Schools Conference The district will present "Prioritizing Culture to Drive Student Achievement" at the conference.
	Rock Island Spring Garage Sale and Vendor Fair moved to May 4 The Rock Island Parks and Recreation Spring Community Garage Sale and Vendor Fair has been postponed due to the projected forecast. It will now be held on May 4 at Upper Longview Park in Rock Island from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Search for a great deal or hidden gem! There will be over 6,000 square feet of shopping for toys, decorations, furniture, homemade goods, vendors and more at the garage sale and vendor fair. The vendor row will include garage sale vendors, craft vendors and makers' market. For more information call 309-732-7275. For inclement weather call the rain line at 309-732-7246.
	Vote for the best plant-based meals at Vegan Chef Challenge Attention local foodies! There’s a new contest coming that lets you vote for your favorite vegan dishes in the Quad Cities. The first Davenport Vegan Chef Challenge starts on May 1st and ends on May 31st. Area chefs will be competing with creative and delicious plant-based menu items. Diners can click here to find a list of participating restaurants and menu items. Votes can be entered at the restaurants or on the website. All entries must be in by May 31st. Participating restaurants include: NEST Café Cocina Verde Flavors of India Crane & Pelican Café Girl + Food by Cafe Fresh North Street Treats LLC Cavort Libations & Bites Bayside Bistro Revive Cafe The winning dishes will be announced in June.
	JCPenney apartments plan advances at Moline council Turning the downtown JCPenney building into 32 residential units cleared its first hurdle. Moline City Council endorsed the $6.8 million redevelopment proposal at its meeting Tuesday night.
	Vibrant brews more business, fewer branches Moline-based Vibrant Credit Union is closing branches but opening coffeehouses. That’s just a function of where the growing financial institution is choosing to spend its resources, reflecting customer behavior, and redirecting investment to a better savings account. Last fall, Vibrant Credit Union decided it was time to start offering members something they couldn’t find at any other local financial institution: interest on savings and checking balances that adds up to more than a handful of pennies a year. The Vibrant Credit Union headquarters is at 6600 44th Ave., Moline. Interest rates on consumer borrowing, especially car and home loans, have risen significantly over the last 2+ years as the Federal Reserve has raised the federal funds rate to combat inflation, according to Vibrant. At the same time, interest rates on consumer deposits—the funds that financial institutions use to make many of those loans—have remained stubbornly low. Most big banks still offer just 0.01 percent annual percentage yield on consumer savings—meaning that if you deposit $10,000 in a savings account, by the end of the year, you’ll earn a single dollar in interest. Put that same $10,000 in Vibrant’s new Preferred Savings account, and you’ll earn $450, at a 4.5% interest rate. Further, the account has no monthly service fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no hidden conditions about setting up direct deposit or making a certain number of debit card transactions each month to qualify. Matt McCombs, credit union CEO, said recently that since last October, Vibrant has seen $75 million in new deposits, including an additional $26 million in deposits in February alone from current and new members. Vibrant CEO Matt McCombs with a refurbished VW van (which has been used as an ice cream truck) at Vibrant's Moline headquarters (photo by Jonathan Turner). Membership has been pretty flat, he said, growing just about 100 new members a month. “If you’re looking for a place where you have 16 branches in town, we’re not gonna be the right spot, and we accept that,” he said. “We’re there for individuals looking for a place to support their community, but actually are giving a big value proposition.” The current total membership is just shy of 50,000. Since 2005, total assets have more than doubled from $400 million to over $1 billion today. “Over the last few years, we’ve taken a long hard look at where we’re spending our members’ money and how well that aligns with what they actually want us to spend money on,” McCombs said. “For instance, a decade ago, more than half our members did at least some of their banking in person at one of our branches. Last year, that number was down to about 16 percent, and it’s continuing to drop. “So we asked, what if we invested more in the technologies and services our members are actually using—like our online banking platform and our call center? What if we repurposed some of those spaces that were being underutilized as branches and turned them into revenue-generating coffee shops that also offer video banking? What if we close some of those branches outright and use the savings to pay our members more interest on their deposits?" Closing branches In the past year, Vibrant has closed branch locations in Davenport, Des Moines, Bettendorf and Geneseo. This past December, it opened its third Vibrant Coffeehouse & Kitchen (after Moline and Des Moines) in the renovated Bettendorf building, 3230 Ridge Pointe, off Belmont Road. In December 2023, Vibrant opened its third Coffeehouse & Kitchen in its renovated former branch at 3230 Ridge Pointe, Bettendorf (photo by Jonathan Turner). Part of the change in business model is to improve return on investment for customers, and to not have buildings that people don’t use, McCombs noted. Vibrant closed its branches on Davenport’s Brady Street and in Geneseo, in February/March. All employees were transferred to other locations (mainly near SouthPark Mall and HQ), McCombs said. Part of the sprawling Vibrant headquarters off John Deere Road in Moline (photo by Jonathan Turner). “We’ve yet to close a branch that didn’t involve employees coming over,” he said. The only remaining branches are at its huge headquarters (6600 44th Ave., Moline), next to which the Moline coffeehouse is; near SouthPark at 4400 16th St., Moline, and Danville, Ill. There’s a Vibrant ATM only at 2365 11th St., Rock Island. Vibrant has invested more in technology. They have interactive teller machines, where you can talk to a teller by video, and make deposits and withdrawals. They have six ITMs total, open for the past 12 months. An interactive teller machine (with video) at a Vibrant drive-up lane at the Moline HQ. There are two inside the Moline headquarters building, two at drive-ups there, and one each at the Bettendorf and Des Moines coffeehouses. The Vibrant Coffeehouse & Kitchen in Des Moines' East Village. “We’ll continue to roll out ITMs at our coffeehouse locations,” McCombs said. Technologically, Vibrant plans to improve the call center to include text to chat, and have an AI chat feature on its website. “It’s not that you don’t want to talk to a person, but sometimes you just want the answer faster,” McCombs said. “We’re starting to use an AI function as well.” The call center is now open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 8:30 to noon. “The reality is, most banking today is transactional,” including direct deposits, McCombs said. “What I believe most people are looking for is: easy, quick, no friction convenience.” A lockbox bar in the Vibrant headquarters (photo by Jonathan Turner). “If you have a need and you can hit a button and talk to a person when they need it, I think people are looking for help when they need it, but they’re trying to navigate most transactions without that,” he said. “I want people involved -- one, in making my community better. Two, I want people available if I have a need,” McCombs said. “People want to support local business, as long as it’s not at the expense of price and convenience.” Vibrant also plans to introduce new certificates of deposit, for at least nine months, at 5.75% interest, McCombs said. A large common area in the Vibrant headquarters, a former Sam's Club that the credit union invested $15 million in renovations, opening in October 2022 (photo by Jonathan Turner). It devotes energy and investments into building up the service channels its members prefer to use, especially its digital banking platforms and its Moline-based call center. “It’s a matter of understanding our strengths and doubling down on them,” says McCombs. “If we’re going to invest our capital and resources, we’re going to invest it in price return for the consumer, and invest it back in our community,” he said. They’re at 160 total employees (not including coffeehouses), of which 145 are at the HQ. Crystal Milburn started three months ago as Vibrant’s new brand manager, in charge of advertising across all media (print, digital, etc.). Brand manager Crystal Milburn (center) with Vibrant employees Jerica Minton (left) and Janet Figueroa, at the credit union branch at the headquarters (photo by Jonathan Turner). “We’re doing a combination of things to get our name our there,” she said, noting she also does social media for Vibrant. “We’re gonna get into areas where we haven’t tried so much in the past. We’re trying out a multitude of things and we’re having some early success.” Name is everywhere The credit union has had astronomically better brand awareness since 2022, when it acquired naming rights to the former TaxSlayer Center (1201 River Drive, Moline) for $4 million over 10 years, and effective Sept. 1, 2022 it became Vibrant Arena at The MARK. It also helped support and design renovations to the arena. The Vibrant Arena at The MARK, 1201 River Drive, Moline (photo by Jonathan Turner). In fall 2022, it opened the Moline coffeehouse, in summer 2023 the Des Moines coffeehouse, and last fall put its name and logo on the new Vibrant Music Hall – in the western Des Moines suburb of Waukee — which opened on Nov. 5 with Grammy-nominated rock band Needtobreathe. Live Nation Entertainment owns the venue, the company’s first in Iowa. Vibrant plans to increase coffeehouse locations to 10 in the next few years, across Iowa, McCombs said. There aren’t any more specific QC locations in the works yet, with the next one planned to open in Waukee, in summer/fall 2025. “What we’ve seen in the Quad Cities is a strong appreciation that something like this got built here,” McCombs said of the Moline coffeehouse. “This is normally what you would see get put into somewhere in Iowa. We’ve invested in an area, this location has people here constantly.” Vibrant Coffeehouse & Kitchen is next to the credit union headquarters, 6600 44th Ave., Moline. Vibrant sees consumers are more willing to fragment their business in financial services -- no different than in health care, where you use specialists for different things. “We started to build our business around this idea, what is Vibrant’s value proposition?” McCombs asked. “Every move we made over the last four years was to put us in a position of, we are the best place in town to keep your deposits.” McCombs believes consumers will always want to go local, but not at the expense of price or convenience. Vibrant decided where to focus as a specialty. “We don’t have to be the best place in town for lending – consumers have all sorts of choices,” he said. “When they’re thinking of refinancing or buying a house, they go to Google and see what’s the best rate? What we wanted to figure out is being the best places for deposits. That’s our specialty.” An overlook at the Vibrant headquarters honors Terry Brahm, who's been involved with the credit union over 50 years, including serving as president and CEO nearly four decades, until 2014 (photo by Jonathan Turner). “The days of getting all your financial needs met by a single institution are over,” McCombs added. “When someone wants to buy a house, they can get on Rocket Mortgage. When they want to buy a car, they go straight to the dealership. We don’t mind if our members get the best deal on their loans from someone else, because that means we’re able to give them the best deal on their deposits.” Even given the rise of so many online-only financial institutions, he also sees an important place for credit unions like Vibrant. The view from the Brahm Overlook (photo by Jonathan Turner). “In general, people prefer to do business with local people,” McCombs said. "When they have questions, they want to be able to talk with someone they know. They want to support local jobs. They're just not going to do it at the expense of passing up a much better deal online. Our savings and checking options give people an excellent reason to keep their money here in our communities.” Shelves with games for Vibrant employees at HQ. “Most people are saying, I want a branch on rare occasions, and I want to find the right value proposition,” he said. Inspiring students Vibrant also has worked with Junior Achievement of the Heartland in preparing its new JA Inspiration Center, in the southwest corner of the Vibrant Corporate Center. This state-of-the-art learning center (to open in October 2024) will be designed to empower and inspire young minds as they prepare to embark on their professional journeys. The JA Inspiration Center will provide a vital place of learning, discovery, and empowerment, housing its capstone programs JA BizTown and JA Finance Park and serving more than 8,000 4th – 9th grade students annually. Site of the new JA Inspiration Center, in the southwest corner of the Vibrant Corporate Center, 6600 44th Ave., Moline. The 13,000-square-foot area will increase the space for capstone experiences by 30%, and allow JA to reach an additional 3,000 students each year. JA serves students in 24 counties in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Many Vibrant staff have volunteered for JA over the years, and they anticipate an increase with the Inspiration Center right there, McCombs said. “Our employees are extremely excited about that side.” Vibrant and JA both emphasize financial literacy and helping people save more money. “Our goal is, how do we help consumers make better choices?” he said. “We couldn’t think of a better thing to invest in, in our community to help shape the future of what the Quad Cities looks like over the next couple decades than to be part of the JA Inspiration Center," McCombs said last September. A full-size basketball court in the Vibrant Corporate Center, former home to a Sam's Club (photo by Jonathan Turner). “JA is one of the most impactful organizations in our community,” he said after a press conference then. “When we found the challenges they were looking at for a new home, the amount of cost and energy it would take just to get the facility, takes away from the program.” “The world is changing and banking as an industry is changing dramatically,” he said. “Technology is making its true impact on banking.” To learn more about the JA Inspiration Center, and to donate to the capital campaign, visit the JA website HERE.
	Comfort Dog Millie joins Sterling Police Department The Sterling Police Department has a new staff member – Comfort Dog Millie! Millie (Sterling Police Department) Millie, a golden retriever, came to the Sterling Police Department on Friday, April 19. She comes from Harvestime Kennel in Menasha, Wis., and her AKC name is "Harvestime's One in A Million". Currently, she’s eight weeks old. Millie is replacing Comfort Dog Brinkley, who will be retiring on June 12th. A meet and greet/retirement party will be announced later. "We are excited to welcome Comfort Dog Millie and Community Service Officer Mary Toth to the Sterling Police Department,” said Chief Alex Chavaria. “They will continue to build on our commitment to community policing by way of positive interactions with the citizens of Sterling through our Comfort Dog Program. We wish Brinkley and CSO Tekla Martin a happy retirement and we thank them for their commitment to the Sauk Valley Area over the past seven years."
	4 Your Money \| Inversion We keep hearing talk about the Fed cutting rates this year, but there hasn't been as much talk about a recession. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, is here to share if this trend concerns him and how it may impact viewers’ investment decisions.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for April 25, 2024 Officials in Galesburg have received a $650,000 grant to help improve housing, and Davenport approved a pay raise for Mallory Merritt.
	Iowa legislature sending board and commission cuts bill to Gov. Kim Reynolds Gov. Reynolds originally proposed the bill, which the House and Senate passed, eliminating, merging and reducing membership of several state commissions.
	Pay It Forward: Giving a pet a loving home Ginger Phelps has a love for four-legged friends and does all she can to give the best care to pets, earning her the Pay It Forward award.
	Cook review: 'The Greatest Night in Pop' will take music lovers back What fun for any music lover, regardless of age or genre preference. “The Greatest Night in Pop” is so darned much fun you may find yourself watching it again. It’s a good excuse to get your music-aficionado friends and family together so you can bring back memories to older viewers and explain to younger watchers just what made these stars so great. 'The Greatest Night in Pop' (IMDb) Director Bao Nguyen captures the excitement, the disorder, and personalities that played into the making of the famous “We Are the World” charity single recorded by a “supergroup” of musicians known as USA for Africa in 1985. Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson wrote the tune, which was produced by Quincy Jones and Omartian for the “We Are the World” album. After the success of a similar British initiative in which a group of musicians recorded “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” musician Harry Belafonte decided it would be a good idea to create an American single to address the famine in Africa. We see first-hand how the writing happened, and Richie guides us through the whole process, from the lyrics to the performance and recording session. Nearly every A-lister agreed to be part of the project. Here’s an incomplete list of other folks you’ll see and hear: Ray Charles, Jackson, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Richie, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, and Stevie Wonder. Richie, who always has seemed to be a nice guy, is wonderfully conversational, and Huey Lewis joins with some memories of his own. I love the way the various egos managed to collaborate while sometimes butting heads. Some were star-struck – Lauper asks for autographs – while others grumbled about how long it took. This is a kind of musical time capsule that will transport even younger viewers back to the sounds and sights of the 1980s. 3 ½ stars Running time: One hour and 36 minutes. Rated: PG-13 for coarse language. Streaming on Netflix. Watch the trailer here.
	Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley, will open for the season after storm repairs After repair of snow damage, Niabi Zoo will open for the season on April 30. Niabi Zoo Foundation has partnered with Niabi Zoo as repairs and replacements have been made to damaged areas from the January snowstorm. More than $12,000 from personal donations and $50,000 from Modern Woodman, which will support the reconstruction of the Bald Eagle Exhibit, has been raised, according to a letter from the zoo. Kito the rhinoceros relaxes in the shade at Niabi Zoo (photo by Linda Cook.) "The zoo staff worked more than 35 hours nonstop to move animals, clear snow, and secure enclosures. Your donation immediately supports this recovery. We appreciate your consideration in donating toward this effort," the letter says. 61st year for Niabi Zoo Niabi Zoo will open its 61st year on Tuesday, April 30, at 10 a.m. "While there is much work to do, the zoo welcomes visitors to enjoy its 40 acres of habitats, sure to make you smile," the letter says. "The more than 600 animals cannot wait to see you, too! Though the zoo experience may be a little different this year, the zoo and the foundation are excited to get things ready for the best experience possible. Thank you for being patient as the zoo recovers." African Painted Dogs The Niabi Zoo Foundation Established in June 2020, the Niabi Zoo Foundation has worked with the zoo and the Forest Preserves to fulfill the goal of bringing a grand plan for the future of the zoo to life. The foundation has supported exhibits such as the White Rhino, African Painted Dogs, and Prairie Dog Town. Other support areas included Virtual Education, Spineless Wonders Graphics, Zoo Computer Server, and Aid to Ukraine Zoos. The next big goal is the Grizzly Bear. The Foundation successfully held its first Zoopocalypse 5k in October of 2023. In October 2024, another run through the zoo will be held to fund the Grizzly Bear Exhibit. Fennec Foxes "Working with the Niabi Zoo staff for the last four years has been incredible. Their knowledge, compassion, dedication to the animals, conservation, and education are profound. They all hold award-winning accomplishments, and their service and knowledge span the world. This inclusive education benefits Niabi Zoo and our community. Please consider meeting them someday for an inspirational experience." said Krisan Steiger, chair of Niabi Zoo Foundation.
	Pay it Forward \| Offering up a loving home for pets in need Ginger Phelps is a self-proclaimed pet sitter who helps the community by helping lost or homeless pets find a home.
	Davenport City Council approves pay agreement with interim city administrator Mallory Merritt will receive a pay increase and back pay until November.
	Davenport city council votes to approve pay raise for interim city administrator Despite pushback from the public the council voted to increase Mallory Merritt's pay and back pay. Merritt also announced she will not apply for a full-time role.
	Weekend Rundown with WLLR \| April 25, 2024 There are many family-friendly events going on this weekend, and we've brought in Dani Howe from WLLR to break it down.
	Bettendorf union teachers upset over proposed $350 base pay raise for next school year School staff and parents said the amount does not keep Bettendorf competitive with area districts.
	Carbon Wolves Pause, For Now As the dust settles from our most recent battle against the hazardous and unnecessary CO2 pipelines, I find myself weary, but nevertheless the war against the pipeline continues.
	“A Supergroup of Contemporary Improvisers” Brings Guitar Minimalism to Life at Rozz-Tox on May 4 There are a number of fine performances scheduled at Rozz-Tox as detailed on their Web site, but the arrival of the Bill Orcutt Guitar Quartet on May 4 is unique even by the standards of that most eclectic of QC venues.
	Behind the State Medical Board Wall, We Have Perfected Communism was born on August 13, 1961. This was the day that construction of the Berlin Wall began. It was a symbol of the Cold War. It cast a shadow upon the first 28 years of my life, as prime-time news images were burned into my memory of daring escapes, and of East German citizens tragically gunned down by East German soldiers.
Wednesday, April 24th, 2024
	‘Experience of a lifetime’: An inside look at the 59th Honor Flight of the Quad Cities The 59th Honor Flight of the Quad Cities took their first trip of the year to Washington, D.C. Tuesday and TV6 went along for the ride to capture their experience.
	Operation Prom gives Davenport students look at dangers of drinking and driving Davenport students got a very real look at the dangers of drinking and driving.
	23 million Americans at risk of losing affordable internet by end of April If the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) expires at the end of April, 23 million Americans may not be able to afford internet access in their home.
	Davenport City Council approves pay agreement with interim city administrator Mallory Merritt will receive a pay increase and back pay until November.
	Davenport to operate pools at full capacity this summer Despite several years of hiring issues, the City hired 65 lifeguards and other park staff to work at the Annie Wittenmeyer and Fejervary pools.
	Bettendorf union teachers upset over proposed $350 base pay raise for next school year School staff and parents said the amount does not keep Bettendorf competitive with area districts.
	Illinois Community College Board boosting access to workforce training The board received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for those efforts.
	Galesburg receives $650,000 housing grant The City can use the money to help low-income homeowners create safe living conditions.
	Iowa DCI: Body found near intersection where missing Sac County man's semi truck was discovered Someone found a body in a Sac County field near the intersection where missing Iowa man David Schultz's truck was discovered back in November.
	Davenport City Council approves contract for City Administrator recruitment, Merritt to continue in Interim City Administrator position, council rules The Davenport City Council met Wednesday night and among the agenda items. plans were discussed for how the City of Davenport plans to find a new, permanent City Administrator.
	Illinois could fund schools to teach climate change A bill in Illinois could require the state board of education to have instructional resources and other material available to teachers to help them deliver lessons about climate change. State lawmakers would have to set money aside for it. Schools across Illinois are already required to teach about the topic as part of the science requirement. Supporters of the bill say it's meant to help teachers with the curriculum that's vital for students. The bill would also ensure the state's current standards on climate change stay in place.
	Illinois considers new higher education funding Illinois Senate Republicans are calling foul about a proposed funding model for higher education. As Our Quad Cities News Illinois Capitol Bureau correspondent Theodora Koulouvaris explains, the proposal would change the way universities get support from the state.
	Davenport approves new employment agreement for interim city administrator Members of the Davenport City Council approved a resolution for a new employment agreement for interim city administrator Mallory Merritt. The resolution passed in an eight to two vote. The deal supersedes any prior agreement made between Merritt and Davenport, including a memorandum of agreement signed last November. Residents addressed concerns of conflict of interest between Merritt and her husband, who is also a city employee. Alderwoman at Large Jazmin Newton addressed concerns of Merritt's salary rateand the steps needed for the City moving forward. According to council members, Merritt will not be applying for the position and hopes to have the position filled permanently by September 1.
	Davenport council approves interim city administrator agreement on 8-2 vote Davenport Interim City Administrator Mallory Merritt will continue in her role until a new permanent administrator begins, the council determined in an 8-2 vote on an employment agreement with her on Wednesday.
	Helping grow downtown: Moline approves first step toward new apartments in old JCPenney building The project comes after numerous new businesses, including Atlas Collective, have opened in the area.
	Bacon lovers, rejoice! May 1 is Illinois Bacon Day Bacon lovers can go hog wild now that Illinois has a day to celebrate their beloved bacon. A joint resolution has designated May 1 as Illinois Bacon Day. Illinois pork producers will head to the state capitol to hand out BLT sandwiches to legislators and discuss the role pork production plays in Illinois. While Illinois Bacon Day is a day for celebration, it's also meant to bring attention to hurdles faced by pork producers, including market fluctuations, pork prices, high feed costs and other factors. For more information, click here.
	'Operation Prom' teaches Davenport North students the dangers of drinking and driving The initiative brought students together with first responders to recreate a serious traffic crash scene to educate students about the danger of drinking & driving.
	Township in Clinton will discuss fire services, public input sought The Clinton County Deep Creek Township Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, April 29, at Northeast High School Media Center (through the main entrance), 3690 Highway 136, Goose Lake. (Getty) The trustees plan to discuss efficiencies in the current fire district structure and services in the Deep Creek Township. They intend to look at the current fire service provided by Preston Fire Department, Miles Fire Department, as well as the capabilities of the Goose Lake Fire Department, Charlotte Fire Department and the Andover Fire Department. They plan to discuss mutual aid and agreements for providing fire services in the township, and possible changes as to which fire departments will provide future fire services and where they will provide services. The trustees will seek public input on these and related topics. The public can join the meeting on Zoom here. Meeting ID: 880 8220 8819, Passcode: clinton23 After the discussion, the trustees may take action on what services and agreements they wish to adopt for the township’s fire services, the release says.
	Davenport city council approves new agreement for interim city administrator The Davenport City Council voted to approve a new agreement with Interim City Administrator Mallory Merritt.
	QC high school stages scenario for prom safety Davenport North High School collaborated with the Davenport Fire and Police Departments to teach students about the consequences of drunk driving. Students participated in a planned program that was a scenario showing teens in a car accidentcaused by drunk driving. Officers and firefighters showed what life-saving measures might take place during an accident. Theater students who played roles in the program said they hope their classmates will rethink potentially dangerous choices. Davenport Police also had a guest speaker to talk about their personal experiences with teens and drunk driving.
	City of Muscatine continues environmental push Muscatine is asking residents to continue supporting environmental protection throughout the year by picking up trash or planting a tree.
	‘Cutting the whole farm in half’: Farmer frustrated Iowa not passing eminent domain protections House lawmakers passed a bill to make private use of eminent domain more difficult, but senate Republicans refused to take up the bill.
	Severe t'storms and heavy rain possible this weekend After some nice weather Wednesday and Thursday, all eyes shift to the potential for severe storms and heavy rain this weekend. A weather pattern is setting up for the chance of severe storms AND heavy rain Friday through Sunday. As of now the biggest threats for severe weather look to be Friday evening and Sunday. All types of severe weather will be possible as a potent storm comes in 2 waves into the middle part of the country. Aside from the severe t'storms chances, heavy rain is a good bet with some computer models suggesting more than 3" of rain this weekend.
	Galesburg Public Library welcomes public back to new location The Galesburg Public Library is welcoming the community back to a larger building on Wednesday.
	Sushi Staples no longer wishes to withdraw guilty plea Staples is no longer seeking a reconsideration of her sentence.
	'Operation Prom' teaches Davenport North students the dangers of drinking and driving The initiative brought students together with first responders to recreate a serious traffic crash scene to educate students about the danger of drinking & driving.
	How Iowa's new private school voucher program is impacting Clinton schools The Clinton Community School District is losing 37 students next year which means they also lose out on more than $240,000 in state funds.
	Davenport woman misused money meant to pay victim's taxes, police allege A 37-year-old Davenport woman faces a theft charge after Davenport Police allege she took a victim's money and did not use it to pay the victim's taxes as agreed, court records show. Latisha Griffin faces a felony charge of second-degree theft, according to court records. Latisha Griffin (Scott County Jail) Detectives with the Davenport Police Department investigated the report of a theft on April 26, 2023, in connection with the business of Boss Tax and Accounting Services LLC, Davenport, according to arrest affidavits. Police allege Griffin offered tax services to a victim, and said the victim had a tax liability of $8,788. Griffin offered to pay the tax liability for the victim if the victim provided her with the money, police say in affidavits. The victim provided Griffin with a payment of $8,788 on April 26, 2023, at 12:58 p.m., court documents show. The victim was provided a receipt indicating a payment of $8,788 with the account reference of $40 to Iowa for 2022, $457 to Illinois for 2022, $4,159 to IRS for 2022 and $4,132 for 2021. In affidavits, police allege Griffin “was entrusted with this money by the victim in order to pay the victim’s tax liability.” Griffin took possession of the money and used it “in a manner inconsistent with or in denial of the trust of the victim’s rights to the property,” police allege in affidavits. Griffin did not pay the victim’s tax liability, police say in affidavits. The victim received notice from the IRS and incurred penalties for non-payment, then had to acquire additional funds to pay the tax liability and took a loss of $8,788 for the full amount of money in (Griffin’s) possession, according to affidavits. Griffin, who was released on bond, is set for a preliminary hearing April 30 in Scott County Court.
	700 gallons of fertilizer spills in Burlington, unknown amount reaches Hawkeye Creek 700 gallons of fertilizer fell off a truck before an unknown amount spilled into a nearby storm sewer. Hawkeye Creek flows into the Mississippi River.
	Quad-City artist brings life and business to East Moline The effort to bring more business and projects to downtown East Moline is continuing with artwork from a Moline native. Artist Nayely Cortez grew up in Moline and is helping small businesses by attracting more customers with her artwork on exterior windows. Painted cultural pieces can be found on exterior windows of small businesses on 15th Avenue in East Moline. "A lot of my friends always said I was good at art, but I never really showed my talent to people," Cortez said. Cortez' children even saw her talent, and it eventually sparked into something positive for downtown East Moline. "They love it," Cortez said. "They brag about me all the time to their friends and their school." A local organization is hoping it brings more business to the area. Cortez collaborated with East Moline Main Street, a volunteer organization dedicated to the revitalization of the community through shared resources. Main Street obtained a Secure Arts Dollars Grant from Quad City Arts allowing Cortez to show her artwork, and potentially teach students as well. "Usually it's something to do with the business," Cortez said. "Like if it's food, I'll advertise that, so it's more of an advertisement for them. It just attracts people. This is a great community and I feel like everybody gets together here. Everyone it kind of like a family." "We've reached out to Blackhawk College to get Nelly some help," Patricia Hansen, East Moline Street President, said. "We would have the students experience what it's like to work on windows, and see if maybe that's their niche. Students would be alongside a paid artist, so we're trying to make it a community project." East Moline is planning to launch its revitalization project in the near future, provided partly by a nearly $24 million Federal Raise Grant. "Until then, we just wanted to add something extra," Hansen said. "I really hope that people come down, not only to the events but just to enjoy the art." East Moline Main Street will host events in the future celebrating cultural holidays, attracting individuals to 15th Avenue, where most small businesses are located. "These types of events help offset those types of increases," Gracie Macias, Vice President for East Moline Main Street, said. "There's a lot of individuals that we heard comments from last year saying they've never been down here. A lot of our local businesses were very successful that day and that's what we're hoping for this year as well." With the addition of Cortez' artwork, Main Street believes their events and projects will attract more customers for small business owners in East Moline. "They liked my artwork because I put a lot of detail in their business," Cortez said. "I put a lot of life into it as you can tell, so that's how it kind of started and it just continued on." East Moline Main Street will host their 2nd Annual Cinco De Mayo Taco and Margarita Festival on Saturday, May 4 from 12:00-8:00 p.m. For more information, click here.
	Moline City Council approves plans to buy new fire truck The vehicle will cost a little over $2 million and will have a 100-foot ladder. It's expected to arrive in 2027.
	32 apartment units planned for former JCPenney building in downtown Moline Final city council approval for the project is expected on Tuesday, May 7.
	Quad City Storm begins search for new head coach The Quad City Storm is undergoing a search for a new head coach.
	Illinois sending $7.8M for veteran housing in Rock Island Community Home Partners is leading the project and says it will address specific housing issues veterans face.
	Preview of pop-country superstars Lonestar in the QCA After more than 30 years of hits, pop-country superstar group Lonestar is coming to the QCA April 27, and Our Quad City News reporter Sharon Wren spoke with the one of the group's founding members about their new music and what to expect when the band takes the stage at Rhythm City Casino Resort. For show and ticket information, click here..
	Traffic Alert: Green Belt Trail closure Beginning Wednesday, the Green Belt Trail will be closed, according to city officials. This is for crews working on culvert repairs near the Highway 61 Bridge.
	'Color Outside The Lines' concert supporting QCA students with disabilities Student musicians from the QC Rock Academy are partnering with QC Custom Tees for a night of music on April 25. All proceeds will benefit Penguin Project of the QC.
	Tapestry Farms hosting Spring Fling benefit in Bettendorf Enjoy an evening of food, drinks, a silent auction, live music and more on April 26 to benefit Tapestry Farms, the QC's nonprofit urban farm assisting refugees.
	US Army Corps of Engineers to host 2 events to gather public input on habitat rehabilitation projects on Mississippi River Opportunities for the public to learn more and provide feedback will be held on April 30 and May 1, in two locations to highlight the different projects.
	Sushi Staples no longer wants to withdraw plea Staples is no longer seeking a reconsideration of her sentence.
	California girl jumps the shark in Monster Jam Ashley Sanford is racing through life, achieving her full-throttle dreams behind the wheels of dragsters and monster trucks. The fun-loving, 30-year-old native of Fullerton, Calif., is one of the competitors in Monster Jam, which returns to the Vibrant Arena at The MARK on Saturday, May 4 for two shows. Ashley Sanford was the Monster Jam Rookie of the Year in 2023. Sanford tames the mighty Megalodon truck. Of her shark-themed behemoth, she said Wednesday morning: “I know for me, Megalodon is just such a beautiful fit. I am a beach girl. I'm a southern California girl. I grew up just being absolutely entranced by sharks. We celebrate Shark Week in my house; blue is my favorite color, the list just goes on.” Her favorite Megalodon maneuvers are getting on the truck’s back wheels and pointing up, jumping in the air, and turning over while airborne. “I love doing sky wheelies, something about getting the shark, like breaching the water,” Sanford said. “I think it looks good for that reason and it's really fun to do.” She was also honored last year as Monster Jam’s Rookie of the Year. "I pulled that off last year, my very first year competing,” Sanford said. “I had a handful of other rookies I was up against who all really brought it. So for me personally winning, it was a huge achievement because I was up against some really incredible drivers and I knew it wasn't gonna be easy to claim the win over them. “So it just really shows the blood, sweat and tears were worth it and getting that award showed that year, I'm doing all right, kid,” she said. Though the majority of Monster Jam drivers are male, Sanford loves to see the progress of women in the field. Sanford drives Megalodon in Monster Jam. “It's exciting to see that it is growing and we welcome all the ladies who are interested,” she said. Sanford is especially proud to have succeeded as a woman in the male-dominated fields of drag racing and monster trucks. “It is such an honor. I grew up with my dad competing and watching men compete, but I also grew up not feeling any different and being told I wasn’t any different for being a female in a male-dominated world,” she said. “I was always encouraged to just chase my dreams and these goals I had and so getting into this world and really see I am the minority here. “I have always been one to embrace it. And it is exciting too. We have so many little girls coming out to Monster Jam shows now that they can look up and see girls can do anything.” Her father was always supportive when she grew up drag racing. “He saw the drive inside of me. He saw the fire in my eyes and, I mean, it spoke for itself,” she said. “And so he was always encouraging.” Thrill of 300+ mph Sanford used to compete in Top Fuel Dragsters, and the fastest she’s raced is 323 miles an hour. She was eight years old when she tried her first dragster. At 18, Sanford was competing as a Top Fuel Dragster, and by the time she was 25, she was competing in Australia and all over the U.S., “just an absolute dream come true,” she said. Sanford grew up drag racing in southern California. Sanford got hooked on really high speeds, because “I’ve got screws loose, once again for me, that was an exciting opportunity and something I was called to that just felt so right. And it was, it was a great opportunity I had and learned a ton and definitely one of the coolest race cars I'll ever get to compete in.” “I’ve always been a fan, going to Anaheim stadium, my home track, to watch some of the best growing up,” she said of Monster Jam. “I reached out to former Monster Jam driver Becca McDonough a few years back and asked how she got started because I just knew I needed to find a way behind the wheel. She led me in the right direction to fill out an application that got me on a call with Keith Speller. I tried out right before the pandemic.” Monster Jam driver Becca McDonough “I was fan of all females who competed in the male-dominated motorsports industry,” Sanford said. “And so I had started following her for years and years and was a fan of her clothing company and reached out to her and she was the person who helped me point me in the right direction to be a Monster Jam driver.” “Dreams do come true as long as you don’t give up on them,” she said. Going to Monster Jam University Sanford first tried out for Monster Jam in December 2019, shortly before the world shut down due to COVID in March 2020. "The tryouts are intense and I mean, it's a blast,” she recalled. “Your very first audition, you actually go out and you do just mock interviews and this is just really a personality interview more than anything… “Then you get to go do the fun stuff, you get to go do the driving style interview, it's just getting behind the wheel and seeing if you're comfortable and confident in a monster truck,” Sanford said. “Going over the basics and we do a two-foot jump, that feels like it's 20 feet because you have never been in a monster truck before.” Monster Jam University is a training program at a dirt field in Paxton, Ill. “It's so cool and exciting. And if you're lucky enough after that, then you get to go to Monster Jam University.” "It was more fun than intimidating. I've always just been in awe of any kind of race vehicle,” she said. “That's just the way I'm wired. So for me, it was just kind of getting in that seat was just one of those, this is meant to be like, let's go see what we can do.” The Monster Jam University training program is for a few weeks. “It is a very fun but intense. Once again, a training program where you really get to know everything about these Monster Jam trucks and getting to know them inside and out and really pushing the confidence of how you are behind the wheel and going over, you're a Monster Jam driver. What's the whole event look like for you? You have to drive a whole show. We do run-throughs and run-throughs.” Monster Jam University (powered by University of Northwestern Ohio) is a dirt field in Paxton, Ill. (a half hour north of Champaign) has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of Monster Jam. Under the watchful eye of “The Professor,” 12-time World Champion Tom Meents, athletes hone their skills and abilities in hopes of following along in the footsteps of those who have built Monster Jam into the pinnacle of competition excellence. Sanford loves sinking her teeth into monster trucks. Starting there with Meents (on his property), “that was my first weekend that I really felt all the excitement and anxious nerves building up but at the same time, we are lucky as new drivers,” Sanford recalled. “I had Tom and at my very first event and he very much held my hand to get through it and I'd say looking back now, the rest of history because I am just having too much fun on my own now.” Doing what she loves She turned 30 this past January, while on tour. “So I got to ring in my birthday doing what I love and it was pretty epic, because on my 29th birthday I got my very first event overall win,” Sanford said Wednesday. “So it was a really epic birthday weekend.” Before the 1 p.m. Moline event on May 4 is a Pit Party, 10:30 a.m. to noon, where you can see the massive trucks up close, meet your favorite drivers and crews, get autographs and take pictures. This fun-filled experience is the only place to get an insider’s look at how these 12,000-pound trucks are built to stand up to the competition. There is also a 7 p.m. show, and tickets for Monster Jam are $22 and $27 (Pit Party passes are $20 each), available HERE.
	Former Dubuque pastor arrested, accused of abuse 40-years ago A former Dubuque pastor accused of sexually abusing children has been arrested in Florida.
	'Color Outside The Lines' concert supporting QCA students with disabilities Student musicians from the QC Rock Academy are partnering with QC Custom Tees for a night of music on April 25. All proceeds will benefit Penguin Project of the QC.
	Man arrested after fleeing Galena police, crashing vehicle while under the influence Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop when 21-year-old Joseph Oimoen fled the scene. He later crashed his vehicle and was taken into custody.
	Moline-Coal Valley School District named Innovative District The Moline-Coal Valley School District will be designated as an Innovative District at the 2024 Model Schools Conference, according to a news release from the district. The annual conference is hosted by the Center for Model Schools and celebrates excellence and innovation in education by highlighting practices that inspire and empower educators worldwide. “Leaders create the conditions for systemic change in districts to spark change that meets the needs of students and staff,” said Dr. Joshua P. Starr, Managing Partner, Center for Model Schools. “We look forward to learning more about their coherent strategy for organizing the system to implement their vision.” (left to right): Dr. Brian Prybil, Deputy Superintendent, Lynsy Oswald, Principal of Hamilton Elementary and Steven Etheridge, Principal of Bicentennial Elementary (Moline-Coal Valley School District) "We are truly honored to be acknowledged as an Innovative District at the 2024 Model Schools Conference," said Dr. Rachel Savage, Superintendent at Moline-Coal Valley School District. “I am beyond proud of the way our teachers and leaders pour into our students every single day and remain laser focused on improving their schools, because our kids deserve the best. I am incredibly grateful to serve among them.” The Moline-Coal Valley School District will present "Prioritizing Culture to Drive Student Achievement" at MSC 2024 in June, speaking before over 5,000 educators to show how to maximize personalized learning. Dr. Brian Prybil, Deputy Superintendent, Lynsy Oswald, Principal of Hamilton Elementary and Steven Etheridge, Principal of Bicentennial Elementary will give the presentation.
	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: AARON SPICER, 37, 5’7”, 200 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes. Wanted in Rock Island County for two counts of probation violation on charges of possession of meth and felony theft. Wanted by Bettendorf Police for failing to appear in court on a charge of fraudulent practice 3rd Degree. AMBER WOODS, 35, 5’11”, 270 pounds, brown hair, green eyes. Wanted in Rock Island County for failing to appear in court on a charge of delivery or possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. Aaron Spicer (L) and Amber Woods (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.
	Tapestry Farms hosting Spring Fling benefit in Bettendorf Enjoy an evening of food, drinks, a silent auction, live music and more on April 26 to benefit Tapestry Farms, the QC's nonprofit urban farm assisting refugees.
	Serving educational excellence at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington Southeastern Community College (SCC) has been serving the needs of students in the Burlington area for over 100 years.
	Cicada broods crossing over in Illinois for the first time in 200 years An entomologist at Augustana College said there will be trillions of cicadas emerging this summer.
	$8.5M Rock Island housing project to serve veterans A new $8.5-million housing development on the west side of Rock Island will be the first in the city specifically designed for veterans. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) recently awarded $7.8 million to Community Home Partners (CHP) to support a pioneering housing initiative in Rock Island dedicated exclusively to veterans. A conceptual rendering of the types of subsidized veteran homes, which will be rented. The new project, set to provide 25 modern rental homes across four acres of land, will provide much-needed housing solutions tailored to the unique needs of veterans, according to the managing entity of Rock Island Housing Authority. “The city of Rock Island for a number of years has been committed to helping veterans any way we can, and when this project came forth, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to coordinate our efforts with Community Home Partners and making this a reality,” Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms said. The property – on 31st Avenue, just west of 11th Street – was donated to CHP by the city, and they’re responsible for raising the rest of the funding privately (through banks and investors), said John Chow, CEO of Community Home Partners. The housing development site is along 31st Avenue, Rock Island, just west of U.S. 67 (11th Street). “It takes a village. This project isn't just about building homes; it's about forging communities and providing stability and support for those who have served our country,” he said, noting there’s a great need for permanent homes for veterans. “Our veterans gave so much in service to our nation, and it's our honor to give back by providing the community support and individual space they deserve,” he said. The detached homes will be very small, typically 450 or 650 square feet, expected to be built from fall 2024 to 2025, and the site will include a 2,000-square-foot support services building with representatives from Veterans Affairs, Community Health Care and employment agencies, Chow said. There’s an existing Community Health Care clinic close by, at 2750 11th St. “We are working very closely with other support agencies in our community,” Chow added. “We want to bring in the entire team.” Rents will typically be no more than 30% of a veteran’s income, and the CHP site is designed to be a mixed development, with a variety of income levels, he said. “It’s going to be quality product – with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances.” Community Home Partners CEO John Chow There also may be an option after several years for the renters to buy a home on the site, Chow said. “I would love to be able to offer homeownership for the veterans, sell it below market rate.” “We are very excited to announce this project in support and honor of our veterans,” CHP Board President Dave Emerick said. “This development is another example of CHP's commitment to building neighborhoods to enhance the community and provide stability for those seeking housing assistance.” A concept rendering of the types of homes to be built as part of the $8.5-million project. “We extend our gratitude to all sponsors, partners, and supporters committed to making this visionary project a reality, ensuring every veteran has the opportunity to thrive each day,” the CHP release said. For more information on Community Home Partners, click HERE.
	Agatha Christie radio plays open in Moline A trio of plays by Agatha Christie take over the Black Box Theatre stage opening Friday, April 26. At 1623 5th Ave., Moline. Agatha Christie’s “Murder in the Studio” comprises three radio plays: Personal Call sees James Brent haunted by his dead wife when he receives a mysterious telephone call, seemingly from beyond the grave. Yellow Iris marked Hercule Poirot's debut appearance on radio in which the famous detective is called to the hotel Jardin des Cygnes to solve an old case in which a cold-blooded killer escaped justice and slipped through his fingers. Butter in a Lordly Dish sees eminent prosecution barrister Sir Luke Enderby get his comeuppance in one of Christie's most gruesome and horrifying murders. “We have done a lot of radio plays at The Black Box, but this is the first time we are looking into the Agatha Christie archives,” said director/designer Lora Adams. “I can only imagine the BBC radio audiences’ reactions to the ends of each of the plays. Comeuppance for all the evil deed doers, but how do they get their ‘just desserts’?” said Adams. The cast includes Matt Walsh, Max Robnett, Jason Platt, Tyler Henning, Andrea Moore, Michelle Bailey, and Denise Yoder, with sound design by Doug Kutzli. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 26, 27, May 2, 3 and 4, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. Tickets are $16, available HERE.
	Former JCPenney building in Moline to get new life as commercial/residential space The Moline City Council took a major step towards renovating the former JCPenney building in the city’s downtown into 32 residential units at its most recent meeting. The city council unanimously endorsed a proposed $6.8 million Redevelopment Plan and Economic Incentive Agreement, the first hurdle toward project approval. The building was built in 1956 as a JCPenney department store, which closed when it moved to South Park Mall in 1972. The two-story building has a basement and totals about 35,000 square feet. About 50 staff members from the RiverStone Group worked at the location from the late 1980s to 2019. The company donated the building to Renew Moline in late 2022. Renew Moline chose Bush Construction as its partner in early 2023 to maximize the development potential of the site and enhance the Fifth Avenue corridor. The project includes adding a third floor and constructing studio, one- and two-bedroom units, along with first-floor commercial space. The proposed project was approved by the City of Moline Plan Commission in February 2024. “This building has served two uses over its history, and we are pleased to pass this building to Bush Construction to begin the third,” said Greg Derrick, Renew Moline Board Chairman. “Renew has worked to secure a quality development partner to deliver a model of urban living to the community. We are looking forward to bringing new residents downtown.” The redevelopment will invest in Fifth Avenue, supported by a newly created tax increment financing (TIF) district, like the ones created by other districts over the last 30 years to support downtown redevelopment. Under the terms of the agreement, Moline will provide a loan to close a funding gap that will be repaid by the project through TIF. The project will provide leased parking spaces for tenants in a nearby lot and add bike racks on the Fifth Avenue side and landscape improvements on 17th Street. The project helps the city’s goal of creating more housing, especially in areas served by public transportation. “This project supports all three of the city’s Strategic Plan Pillars of creating quality places, stimulating private investment and building infrastructure smartly,” said Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati. “We are happy for the partnership with Renew Moline and Bush Construction and look forward to seeing the project completed.” The 17th Street and Fifth Avenue area has seen plenty of new activity in the past five years, with the opening of the Axis Hotel and the Fifth Avenue Syndicate and the recent additions of the Atlas Collective coffee and bookshop and the Sound Conservatory in the Carnegie Library. “We are excited to add new residents to this area and continue to build on downtown Moline’s success,” said A.J. Loss, Bush Construction president. The city council is expected to give the project final approval by the next meeting on May 7. Renew Moline expects to transfer the property to Bush in the next few weeks. Construction is planned for a late 2024 start.
	Quad City Storm looks for new head coach The Quad City Storm is looking for a new head coach.
	Viola under boil order The maintenance project became bigger than expected and disrupting some service.
	FIRST ALERT DAY: Multi-day severe weather event likely A First Alert Day has been issued by the TV6 First Alert weather team
	Atkinson water shut off for day Some people in Atkinson, Illinois, had their water turned off Wednesday. A boil order will follow.
	Raising Illinois Forum to give info on upcoming legislation The Western Illinois University Parent Ambassadors are holding a Raising Illinois Forum on Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m. on the Quad Cities campus, 3300 River Drive in Moline. This event is hosted and sponsored by SAL Community Services, Floreciente Association and the WIU Parent Ambassadors. WIU Ambassadors and Raising Illinois will lead a discussion where participants will receive information about upcoming legislation and hear community testimonies and Raising Illinois initiatives. Raising Illinois aims to create an equitable and cohesive system of support for expecting families, infants, toddlers and community members where they live.Registration is required, as dinner will be provided to all attendees. Call Jesse Rojo at (503) 840-2209 or email jrojo@raisingillinois.org to register.
	Water to be shut off in parts of Atkinson Wednesday, boil order to follow All residents north of Route 6 and to the west of State Street will be impacted.
	Morel mushroom season has arrived, where to find the vegetable Sightings of these mushrooms have been noted as far south as Dallas City, and as far north as Hanover, Illinois.
	Quad City Storm begin search for new head coach The Storm announced on social media Wednesday morning they are moving on from Dave Pszenyczny after six years with the team.
	Friends of Moline Parks to hold launch party The new Friends of Moline Parks and Recreation Foundation will hold a Launch Party on Thursday, May 9, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Pour Bros. Craft Taproom (1209 4th Ave., Suite 2, Moline). The Launch Party will include a silent auction and Think and Drink Entertainment’s Parks and Recreation trivia from 7-9 p.m. In addition, Pour Bros. will be donating 10% of that day’s drink sales to the foundation. Established in 2023, the Friends of Moline Parks and Recreation Foundation was created to support the city of Moline Parks and Recreation Department and their mission to enhance community wellness and quality of life by providing diverse recreational experiences, exceptional park programs, and well-maintained facilities, according to a city release Wednesday. The Foundation is a registered nonprofit organization, led by a 100% volunteer Board of Directors, comprised of Moline residents. The Foundation hopes to bring awareness to Moline Parks and Recreation’s projects, facilities and programs as well as help financially support scholarships for Moline youth to participate in free or reduced Parks and Recreation programming, capital improvement projects and more, the release said. Prospect Park in Moline, in the fall. The Friends of Moline Parks and Recreation Foundation’s mission is to promote the development and sustainability of parks, trails, green space, park facilities and recreation through advocacy and financial support, volunteer opportunities and recognition. Parks and Recreation operates 23 Moline parks, over 700 acres of parkland, more than 16 miles of bike and pedestrian trails, Riverside Riverslide, and Greenvalley Sports Complex. For more details about the Launch Party, visit the Facebook event page. For more information on the new foundation, click HERE.
	Green Belt Trail in Muscatine closed for culvert repair Muscatine is getting in on the spring repairs, this time near the Highway 61 bridge. A news release from Muscatine City Hall says the Green Belt Trail will be closed on Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25 for a culvert repair. The Sewer Department will be working on repairs to the culvert near the Highway 61 bridge.
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities headlines for Apr. 24, 2023 The village of Atkinson is cutting some water, Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane is under investigation, and City of East Moline is experiencing a spring pick up delay.
	US Olympic Swimming Trials fan events to include Eiffel Tower replica, swim-up bar, concerts In less than two months, the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials will be in Indianapolis for nine days.
	Autism acceptance walk set in Rock Island The Autism Society of the Quad-Cities (ASQC) will host a walk to celebrate autism acceptance onSaturday, April 27, at Augustana College’s PepsiCo. Center, 1025 30th St., Rock Island, a news release says. The free event will be from 9-11 a.m. with the walk set to begin at 9:30 a.m. (autismqc.org) April is Autism Acceptance Month, and ASQC partners with the Autism Society of America this month and year-round to recognize and support the variety of experiences in the autism community. The ASQC believes the world should recognize and accept the ways the autism community experiences and improves life in the Quad-Cities, according to the release. One in 36 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than seven million people in the United States are on the autism spectrum, the release says. Recognizing this, the ASQC continues to see the need for education, support and advocacy in the Quad Cities to maximize the potential of people with autism. The ASQC was founded in 2004 and is a non-profit charitable organization affiliated with the Autism Society of America. For more information, contact autismqc@gmail.com.
	AEDs to be installed at three popular Muscatine Parks and Rec locations AEDs will be installed by the City of Muscatine at Kent Stein Baseball Park, Muscatine Soccer Complex and Riverside Park.
	West Liberty High School students plant over 50 trees, complete projects for Earth Day This year, the students of West Liberty truly went above and beyond in encompassing the spirit of Earth Day.

Thursday, April 25th, 2024

Wednesday, April 24th, 2024