BREAKING NEWS/EXPANDED INFORMATION: As reported first earlier on QuadCities.com, Mississippi River cleanup champion Chad Pregracke and a newly formed foundation unveiled conceptual plans tonight (March 18) for repurposing the I-80 bridge over the Mississippi River into a wildlife crossing and pedestrian parkway called Bison Bridge. Pregracke, president/founder of Living Lands & Waters, joined fellow members of the new Bison Bridge Foundation at East Moline’s Rust Belt to announce the grassroots effort and professional concept for the existing Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge. “I truly believe... Read More

A little ol’ thing like a global pandemic didn’t stop companies from growing and building in the Quad-Cities and Clinton areas in 2020. Recent investment in the six counties along the Mississippi River, including the Q-C region, has been recognized by Site Selection Magazine as part of its 2020 Governor’s Cup Awards. The economic development publication annually ranks metropolitan and micropolitan areas by number of projects per capita and total number of projects. The Q-C and Clinton areas earned high rankings for project growth in the Mississippi River Corridor, awarded to the top metro... Read More

Western Illinois University denounces and condemns all forms of racism, hate, and discrimination. I am deeply saddened and affected by the recent violence and racism against the Asian and Asian American community. These acts, no matter where they take place, affect members of our Leatherneck family, and we stand with our students, faculty, and staff. Hate, racism, threats, sexism, anti-immigrant sentiments, and violence have no place at our University, in our community, and in our society. We remain committed to ensuring that our University remains safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Any member of... Read More

Playcrafters Barn Theatre is still searching for its happy ending. The 107-year-old former dairy barn (4950 35th Ave., Moline), used as a theater since 1960, has been shuttered for a year now due to Covid-19. Plans for a 2021 reopening were thrown out of whack with a Valentine’s Day disaster, as pipes froze and a valve ruptured during February’s spell of bitterly cold temperatures, flooding the entire first floor of the building and causing about $35,000 in property damage. “My wife and I were going out to late lunch, and I got a text from a board member,” Playcrafters board president Bruce... Read More

Like most of her work this past year, Lindsay Hocker has been mainly at home as marketing specialist for Black Hawk College, Moline. This week, she’s attending the virtual national conference for the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR), and the 33-year- old Milan native was honored as the group’s 2021 National Rising Star. The only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges, NCMPR has more than 1,700 members from nearly 650 colleges across the U.S. and Canada. “As a newspaper... Read More

Things are looking up for KONE Corporation’s Quad-Cities manufacturing plant, as the firm has landed a huge contract to provide 130 new energy-efficient escalators across the Washington, D.C. region. KONE, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry with operations in Coal Valley, on U.S. 6, recently won a $179-million, seven-year contract from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to modernize and replace escalators in 32 Metrorail stations. The company’s escalator plant in Coal Valley will produce equipment for the project, which is expected to be completed... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: All Iowans could be eligible to get the covid-19 vaccine as early as April 5, if all goes according to plan, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said in a virtual press conference this afternoon. Reynolds said she talked to President Biden’s covid transition team on Tuesday, at which point they said vaccine production was going to be ramping up in the coming weeks, allowing states to be able to begin scheduling potential times for vaccines. Reynolds also addressed computer problems the state had been having with its covid data base and said they had been fixed, and should not impact... Read More

Augustana College, Rock Island, has received a $298,827 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and has hired a new program director for sexual violence prevention and education — Zachary Draves. In this role, Draves will work with others from across campus to coordinate and enhance Augustana’s response to sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.  The grant period covers three years. “The DOJ requires that campuses who are funded with a grant develop and implement targeted and campus-wide initiatives for students, faculty, staff and administration to address... Read More

The Quad City Botanical Center is taking orders for its annual Plant Sale, with curb side plant pick up Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8. Friday pick up is for members only 3 PM – 7 PM. Saturday pick up is for the general public 9 AM – 12 PM. Members and the public are invited to pre-order plants by April 18. Details about plant pick up are on the website’s plant sale page, qcgardens.com/plant-sale This year, approximately 50 different varieties of annuals and perennials are included in the sale. Individual plants are available for sale from $3.50 – $12.50 with a majority of the... Read More

Genesis recognized National Heart Month in February by highlighting life-saving treatments now available to patients in the region with significant heart conditions. Three treatment innovations available to Genesis heart patients are the Abiomed Impella pump; Inari blood clot removal devices; and the WATCHMAN™ implant. Here is more about each of the treatments and devices: Abiomed Impella Pump: The Abiomed Impella pump, called “The World’s Smallest Heart Pump” is a small device with a large impact. The Impella pump is designed to assist circulation during the cardiogenic shock condition... Read More