Rock Island County is at a “crisis point” in regard to covid-19 cases, according to health department officials. Currently, a record 92 patients are in Rock Island County hospitals with COVID-19. In addition, the health department reports 114 additional cases. The total number is now 7,783. “This is a jump of 16 patients (in area hospitals) from Sunday to Monday,” said Nita Ludwig, administrator, Rock Island County Health Department. “We know our hospital systems sounded alarms earlier this month when the number of patients was lower. Now, we are at a crisis point with... Read More

In already busy Genesis Medical Center emergency departments, staff are beginning to notice an increase in one group of patients who do not have COVID-19 symptoms. Genesis emergency department staff have observed higher numbers of patients who have behavioral health issues or have overdosed on, or are impaired by, drugs or alcohol. Treating the patients takes staff attention and resources at the same time the staff are treating large numbers of patients with COVID-19 or other conditions or injuries. “If someone had mental health or addiction issues before the outbreak of the coronavirus, it isn’t... Read More

We all want things to get back to normal as quickly as possible. We look at other countries like Australia and New Zealand and they’re already having big sporting events and concerts and leading normal lives again. I want the same. I want to have my jobs and income fully back, I want to be able to go out and see friends, I want my son and his friends to be able to play soccer games again, I want my friends who own businesses to be able to open them up and keep them open. And that can happen here, but it’s going to take some sacrifice and some work. And now’s the time to... Read More

Quad Cities Chamber President and CEO Paul Rumler released a video today calling on the United States Congress to pass a new stimulus bill of covid-19 relief measures to help struggling local businesses and employees. (Paging Cheri Bustos…) The Chamber released the following statement: At the Quad Cities Chamber, we believe it is essential to protect the health of all Quad Citizens as well as our livelihoods, and we need legislation that does both. In response to recent input from business leaders and new mitigations in Illinois and Iowa, the Chamber is urging Congress to pass COVID-19... Read More

The light on Hickey Brothers Cigars & Hookah Lounge is being snuffed out. This weekend will be the last in operation for the Rock Island fixture, which has been a part of the downtown for over two decades, according to a social media post. The business, owned by local entrepreneur Michelle Royal, had been struggling this year due to covid and the various restrictions put in place to combat the spread of the virus. On Nov. 3, they made an announcement on Facebook and started a funding drive to stay open, however, it unfortunately fell short. The announcement read as followed: Its with a... Read More

Tiphanie Cannon, owner of Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie in downtown Davenport, and her dedicated staff, made the day of hundreds of health care workers today, delivering them free sandwiches and lunch as part of their Adopt A Nurse program! As reported first on QuadCities.com, Cannon asked customers to spend $10 per employee, for Oh So Sweet to make and deliver individually boxed lunches consisting on one of their popular sandwiches, a giant cookie, chips and a pickle. On Nov. 17, Cannon had over 300 sandwiches delivered to Trinity campuses in the Quad-Cities, and today, they delivered 540 boxes... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: All bars and restaurants are going to carry-out and drive-thru only, all casinos and theaters are shut down, many grocery stores and other retail outlets are restricting their hours, high school sports are being put on hold, and many other changes are hitting the Illinois Quad-Cities as part of statewide mandates in effect today, as announced in Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s press conference this afternoon, which just ended. According to the most recent available statistics, the Quad-Cities’ region is at a 15.6 covid positivity rate with a rolling seven-day average... Read More

We’re all maps of our experiences, our lives a tapestry of our time spent. Every second, every moment of them. Those reflections of paths taken and choices made, big and small, lead to who we are, in ways big and small. Those decisions can be huge – who we decide to love, to marry, to live with. Or they can be small – the places we frequent, the habits we hold, the culture we imbibe. For more than a decade, Caribou Coffee was a huge part of the mural of my life, and my son’s. And while the closing of a coffee shop may seem small in the larger picture of things, it’s still something. Something... Read More

The Western Illinois University School of Global Education and Outreach has transitioned to become the Center for Global Studies. The Bachelor of General Studies degree program has moved from within the department under the umbrella of University Libraries. “We plan to bring some exotic and exciting culture, some charisma, and some energy to the campus by broadening our outreach to become truly global,” said Center Executive Director Randy Glean. The office provides services to international students, as well as hosts unique cultural activities and educational learning experiences.... Read More

Covid-19 is now the third-highest cause of death in Illinois, according to statistics announced one day before additional statewide coronavirus mitigations are slated to go into effect. As businesses and workers gird themselves for financial hardships the federal government and both political parties have ignored in lieu of political games, Illinois was hit with its highest single-day death count since mid-May, suffering 168 new coronavirus-related fatalities, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Thursday, 14,612 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases were reported, and the... Read More