Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that she has nominated eight students from Northwest and Central Illinois for admission to United States Service Academies for the class entering in the fall of 2023. These are the final service academy nominations Bustos will make as a Member of Congress. Over the last decade, Congresswoman Bustos has had the honor of nominating 91 highly-qualified young people from Illinois’ 17th Congressional District for attendance at four service academies: the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force... Read More

Opening its eagerly awaited 46th season with what the British Theatre Guide calls “spectacle worthy of a rock video,” Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse will treat patrons to an audience with the Queen – or rather, simply Queen – in the Quad Cities premiere of WE WILL ROCK YOU. Running through March 11, this high-energy celebration of the legendary rock and pop band boasts two dozen timeless hits including “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions,” “Somebody to Love” and the iconic title tune and will be brought to stage life by an exceptional... Read More

The Rock Island Rockswrestlers took 7th out of 26 teams at the Mahomet-Seymour Tournament this week. Battling it out with state ranked wrestlers in all 3 classes of IL, and MO, the following Rocky wrestlers placed in the top 8: Sammy Niyonkuru 3rd, Truth Vesey 3rd, Daniel McGhee 3rd, Amare Overton 3rd, Steven Marquez 2nd, Andrew Marquez 2nd, and Eli Gustafson 4th.  Read More

Congratulations to the students and directors selected to the 2023 South East Iowa Band Association (SEIBA) Honor Band! The Festival is sponsored by the South East Iowa Band Association and is a one-day event, held at the University of Iowa School of Music. Our musicians will travel to Iowa City and participate in a full day of rehearsal and performance on Saturday, January 21st. Students selected include: Sudlow Jude Elliott, 8th Grade, Bb Clarinet Maya Gibson, 8th Grade, Bb Clarinet Spencer Hall, 7th Grade, Tenor Sax Manny Leveridge, 8th Grade, Percussion Natalie Sharp, 8th Grade, Bb... Read More

The Bettendorf Public Library is hosting free musical programs designed to introduce listeners to the beauty of classical singing. From January through May, Opera Quad Cities will be offering monthly introductory experiences with classical singing. On Thursday, January 12th at 7:00 PM, the series kicks off with “Operatic Comedy” and will guide attendees through the context and poetry of opera and art songs. Registration is not required for this free program which will be held at the Bettendorf Public Library located at 2950 Learning Campus Dr. in Bettendorf.  The mission of Opera Quad Cities... Read More

Governor Kim Reynolds today announced a second round of grant awards targeted at supporting child care slots through meaningful business incentives. A total of $443,234 will be awarded through Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support five projects involving 11 participating businesses that will help create 77 new child care slots. The grant will help increase flexibility in how child care slots can be supported or expanded through employer-sponsored child care. Employers will partner with local and regional child care centers to increase... Read More

Renew Moline has announced the selection of Bush Development as its partner to give new life to 1701 5th Avenue in Moline. The property was formerly the headquarters of the Riverstone Group and includes a two-story 35,064-square-foot building and a parking lot directly north of the building. The Riverstone Group donated the property to Renew in August 2022 to spur new life and economic development into downtown Moline. The Executive Committee of Renew Moline’s Board of Directors approved the selection of Bush Development at its  January 11, 2022 meeting. “Renew Moline is pleased to announce... Read More

Stay at home vacationers and retirees will not want to miss the Bettendorf Public Library’s Community Connections event on Thursday, January 19th at 1:30 PM. The program will feature veteran journalist Jonathan Turner as a knowledgeable and friendly guide to all that is great about the Quad Cities. Mr. Turner will be discussing his new book “100 Things to Do in the Quad Cities Before You Die” at the event which will be held at the Bettendorf Public Library located at 2950 Learning Campus Dr. in Bettendorf. Community Connections is a monthly program series that highlights local interests and... Read More

One of Project NOW’s newest fleet additions is literally a life saver. Project NOW’s new refrigerated box truck began hitting the streets last fall to help those facing food insecurity. The truck, which is grant funded, is being used as a mobile food pantry—providing food to areas that have been defined as “food deserts.” Those areas include the west end of Rock Island, the Floreciente neighborhood, East Moline, and Silvis. According to our Community Services Director, Ron Lund, we have already provided 40 tons of food (80,000 pounds) in the community through pop ups, drive-throughs,... Read More

Blue Cat Brewing Company, a staple in downtown Rock Island for almost three decades, closed on New Years Eve 2022. It’s safe to say this decision was not made due to poor beer quality. The classic brew pub was awarded six awards in this year’s World Beer Championship, an award for each beer they entered. In a statement made by their Brewmaster, Charlie Cole, in a Facebook post in December; the brewery cited lack of restaurant management and damage from burst water pipe as their reason for closing. The statement also included that they are unaware if this closure is temporary or permanent. The... Read More