BREAKING NEWS: Gov. JB Pritzker just announced a return to covid mitigations in Illinois due to the huge spikes in infections in the state, especially among unvaccinated people. During an online press conference, Pritzker announced the following mitigations will take place: Masks will be required in all preschool through grade 12 schools, daycares, and indoor sports. There will be no mask requirement for outdoor sports, due to evidence showing infection rates for outdoor sports are low. Pritzker also said free masks and tests would be provided statewide to all schools as needed. Illinois will... Read More

Two years after its Moline theatrical colleague staged it, “Matilda: The Musical” will take its first bow at Quad City Music Guild on Aug. 6-8 and 12-15, at Prospect Park Auditorium, 1584 34th Ave., Moline. Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl (who penned the 1988 children’s book), the Tony Award-winning “Matilda: The Musical” (which debuted on Broadway in 2013) is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With book by Dennis Kelly... Read More

Playcrafters Barn Theatre presents the world wide premiere of… The Whistleblower’s Dilemma by Jim Sederquist Rated PG for Adult Themes Dramedy Directed by Mike Turczynski Man finds fraud in factory. Fraudster frames man. Man conspires with friend on new fraud to frame fraudster and save factory. Concurrently, investigator suspects fraud in factory. Investigator invited by friend’s sister to visit town, but investigator’s manager forbids investigator from formally inquiring about fraud at factory. Man meets investigator. Can the man and the friend forestall the investigator who can’t... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Kirk Hare, Western Illinois University Facilities Management supervisor, has been named the deputy director of maintenance and operations. Hare has served as a supervisor for WIU Facilities Maintenance moving crew since August 2011. He joined the Facilities Maintenance staff as a building service worker in December 2008, serving in that role until his promotion to supervisor in 2011. Hare also owned and operated Pro-Clean in Macomb from 2004-2013. Before joining WIU, he worked as a salesperson for Western Distributing Company in Macomb from 1996-2008, and as the building... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — COVID-19 has created challenges for many college students and their families across the nation, and Western Illinois University is working to ease the financial stress that is affecting its students as a result of the pandemic. According to WIU Financial Aid Director Bobbi Smith, the WIU Office of Financial Aid has in place the financial circumstance appeal to generate a new review of financial aid eligibility using projected 2021 income versus earned 2019 income. “If students and their families have been financially impacted by the pandemic, we encourage our students... Read More

Western Illinois University’s 12th President Guiyou Huang will be hitting the road once again as part of his Inaugural Alumni & Friends Tour, this time heading to Moline, IL, and to Texas. WIU alumni and friends are invited to join Huang, members of the WIU Board of Trustees and Alumni Programs Director Amy Spelman as they stop on Aug. 3 at Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, 1300 River Drive in Moline, IL, from 4-7 p.m. for complimentary social/open house. The tour will continue with four stops in Texas, including Monday, Aug. 30 (San Antonio); Tuesday, Aug. 31 (Austin); Wednesday, Sept.... Read More

Quad City Music Guild will present “Matilda: The Musical” August 6-7-8 & 12-13-14-15, with shows Thur-Fri-Sat at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Prospect Park Auditorium, Moline. Tickets are Adult $16 / Child $11. Call 309-762-6610 or visit qcmusicguild.com for reservations now! Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.... Read More

For Western Illinois University Dance Instructor Donald Laney, investing in the professional lives and summer performances his students are involved in this year is a trait he learned as a young child. Laney has spent much of his time this summer putting many miles on his car, traveling to watch the shows WIU students are performing in across the Midwest. The journey started after Laney spent six weeks this summer teaching at the West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts. At about the same time, he began seeing photographs on social media of the shows his students were part of. “I... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees will hold its annual board retreat Monday-Tuesday, Aug. 2-3 in Riverfront Hall Rooms 103/104 on the WIU-Quad Cities campus. The Board retreat will be live-streamed (audio livestream only) on WIU’s YouTube Channel at youtube.com/user/WesternIllinoisU. The retreat will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2 with a public comment portion, followed by one action item. The retreat will resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3. The retreat is scheduled to adjourn at 2 p.m. No action items are on the Board’s Aug. 3 agenda. The full... Read More

Meli’s Pancake House is wonderful. Today’s breakfast was an impromptu stop at Meli’s Pancake House. I didn’t expect to find a classic diner, however I’m always up for surprises. This isn’t your usual Mom and Pop breakfast place, it’s something more. While the menu is full of the regular staple items, it offers a comfort in knowing anything you choose will be amazing and fit for your needs. Whether a giant stack of fluffier than life pancakes or a perfectly cooked steak and eggs, the staff is there to make sure you’re happy. The decor and feel gives tribute... Read More