Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs today announced the launch of an Iowa Arts & Cultural Recovery Program, with the help of $7 million in federal Covid relief funding. The new statewide grant program will provide short-term relief to arts venues, cultural organizations and creative workers who have lost significant business or income due to the pandemic. “Art, history, culture and creativity are vital to Iowa communities and further promote our overall quality of life,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Right now, many cultural venues are financially at risk, for no other... Read More

The Rock Island County Health Department is reporting three additional deaths from COVID-19: two men in their 70s who had been hospitalized and a man in his 90s who had been living in a long-term-care facility. The number of deaths in the county from this virus, as of Dec. 1, is now 151. “We offer our heartfelt sympathies to their friends and family,” said Nita Ludwig, administrator, Rock Island County Health Department. “Throughout the pandemic, we have a seen about a three-week lag between a surge in cases and an uptick in deaths. We unfortunately are bracing for more COVID-19 deaths in... Read More

UPDATED: Illinois will remain under tier 3 covid mitigations for at least two to three more weeks, and could elevate to a more restrictive level if numbers get worse, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said during his press conference today. Illinois covid numbers leapt back up after a few days of numbers getting better. After yesterday’s report of just 6,190 new cases, today’s report listed 12,542 new cases in Illinois and 125 new deaths over the past 24 hours. It should be noted that today marks six days from “Blackout Wednesday,” that traditional unofficial day of inebriation... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Statewide tier 3 mitigations put in place Nov. 20 will remain in place ‘for the foreseeable future,’ Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said during his press conference today. “We have got to take the time to evaluate any Thanksgiving effect before we make any premature adjustments,” Pritzker said. “I spoke with Dr. Fauci last week, and he said the massive number of indoor gatherings will likely bring another post-Thanksgiving surge, and this is no time to pull back on mitigations.” Pritzker spoke to a number of other doctors and experts, and all agree the... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: The Quad-Cities has reached the “severe” covid outbreak level, according to the latest statistics from the Illinois and Iowa Departments of Health and Covid Act Now, a not-for-profit national data aggregation website affiliated with the medical departments of Stanford, Harvard and Georgetown Universities. Both Scott and Rock Island Counties have spiked up to the “severe outbreak” level, counting cases over the past few days, but NOT including outbreaks expected to bump up after last week’s Thanksgiving social activity trifecta of Black Out Wednesday,... Read More

It is with deep sadness the Davenport Sisters Cities and the Freight House Farmers Market announces the cancellation of the 2020 Christkindlmarkt in its current form.  Christkindlmarkt Quad Cities has grown to be one of the area’s most popular winter-time activities, last year drawing more than 25,000 people to the December holiday event.   Christkindlmarkt Chair Sarah Mullins stated, “While we are disappointed, we, first and foremost, want to do what is best for our community.  Out of deep respect for our healthcare workers, and the health and safety of our guests, we have made... Read More

More people died from covid-19 in Iowa over the last week, and over the past month, than any other time this year, according to new numbers from the Iowa Department of Heath. Today, Iowa Department of Health reported 37 more deaths from covid, pushing the total to 2,349 since the first death on March 24. The new numbers reflect 222 deaths in the last week (Nov. 20-27), making it the highest week yet for covid deaths. The new numbers also reflect 634 deaths reported so far in November, making it the highest month yet, with four days still left to go in the month. Since the beginning of November,... Read More

Get your hustle on for a good cause anywhere you want to be Nov 30 through Dec 5 with the Festival of Trees Holiday Hustle! For more info, check out https://rrhh.ticketleap.com/ Rock River Hospice & Home is hosting a Festival of Trees Holiday Hustle Virtual 5K Walk/Run. The idea is to set your own goal of doing a 5K and do it at your own pace, completing your goal within a week. Walk around your house, the neighborhood, favorite park or on your treadmill, while maintaining social distancing and still have a meaningful walk to honor and remember your loved one(s). With each ticket purchase,... Read More

Looking to escape some Thanksgiving stress and get yourself aligned for the holidays? Check out the Restorative Yoga & Crystal Meditation Workshop 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Friendship Center, 129 W. 2nd St., Muscatine. It’s hosted by Energy 108, and you can get more details here.  Read More

Covid cases continue to soar in Illinois and Rock Island County, and health department officials are dreading the coming two weeks as potential infections from Thanksgiving weekend, Blackout Wednesday and Black Friday gatherings arise. The Rock Island County Health Department is reporting three additional deaths from COVID-19: a man in his 90s, a woman in her 90s and a woman in her 80s, all of whom had been living in long-term care facilities. The number of deaths in the county from this virus is now 140. “We send our heartfelt condolences to their loved ones,”said Janet Hill, chief operating... Read More