On this Memorial Day, it’s important to not only remember those who’ve paid the ultimate price while serving our country, but it’s vital to recall other crucial parts of our lives, also gone. Remember in the “before times,” when going out to hear live music – packed in with hundreds or thousands of other boisterous fans – was a thing we could do? Seeing a favorite artist perform live is a thrill like no other (for me, Paul McCartney last June in Moline is but one example). Hearing that performer’s live album is a special, satisfying memento that attempts to capture that uniquely... Read More

As we approach Phase 3 – Recovery in the State plan to Restore Illinois, the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department is making plans in accordance with the Governor’s guidelines. Phase 3 is tentatively scheduled to begin May 29th. If Phase 3 is put in place, the Department will begin modified programming for groups up to 10. The following sports activities will be offered: mini youth sports skills outdoor camps including basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, xc/running, pickle ball, tennis and golf. All programs will be limited to small groups and have safety guidelines in place. Registration... Read More

MACOMB, IL – A Western Illinois University alumna has been awarded a United States Department of Energy, Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) award to study at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory this summer and fall. Hannah Drake, a 2016 WIU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in forensic chemistry, is currently pursuing a PhD in chemistry at Texas A&M University, specializing in light responsive materials for gas storage and separations. She is in her fourth year of doctoral study, studying under Professor Hong-Cai Zhou, who is considered to be one of the world experts... Read More

Since March, the Quad-Cities has been singing the quarantine blues. And due to the dissonant chords of Covid-19, that beloved music will be silenced later this year, as the 35th-anniversary of the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is canceled. Though it initially pushed back the fest from the July 4th weekend, to Sept. 18-19, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society board decided “that it is in the best interest of our fans, artists and vendors to cancel a live Festival until the ongoing pandemic is far behind us,” president Bob Clevenstine posted on mvbs.org. The potential for a second coronavirus... Read More

Following Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ lifting of restrictions for public openings this week, the Figge Art Museum (225 W. 2nd S., Davenport) will reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 9 and to members-only on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7. Admission will be free in an effort to create a no-touch visitor experience and visitors will be required to reserve a time slot prior to their visit. New policies and procedures designed to keep the museum staff and visitors safe upon reopening will be shared soon, according to Figge marketing director Natalie Dunlop, The Figge Cafe will remain closed in... Read More

Just 13 months after famed aviator Charles Lindbergh visited the Quad-Cities, Charles Lindberg was born Sept. 11, 1928 in Rock Island. He received his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College, where he was debate team captain, in 1950. Charles and his younger brother Peter (a 1961 Augie alum) would profoundly influence the private Rock Island school for years to come, including a new $18-million center for health and human performance that’s now going up — to help prepare students for growing career fields. While site work for the 52,000-square-foot Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for... Read More

Rock Island Library is offering curbside service! The Rock Island Public Library will introduce contact-free curbside pick-up for library materials beginning Tuesday, May 26. There will be no public access to library buildings during this phase of the library’s gradual reopening plan. Curbside pick-up will be available during limited hours by appointment only at the Rock Island Public Library Downtown and Southwest locations. Materials must be requested in advance, either through the Library’s online PrairieCat catalog, or with staff help via phone, email, and Ask a Librarian chat. Library... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center (GBCC) at Western Illinois University is accepting applications for its annual Black Alumni Scholarship. The scholarship is open to full-time, currently enrolled, students with a GPA of 2.5 or better, and a record of community service. New, incoming, first-year and transfer students are also eligible to apply. The application deadline is Aug. 1. “Scholarships provide an opportunity for many students to earn an education,” said Brandon Smith, a graduate student with the GBCC. “Without assistance from an outside source, most... Read More

MACOMB, IL – As the COVID-19 pandemic has altered nearly every aspect of higher education delivery, Western Illinois University College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Sue Martinelli-Fernandez has taken steps to promote work by CAS faculty and students beyond the traditional classroom. Martinelli has been working since late April with several campus offices to develop a college-based podcast series. She collaborated with the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research, uTech and Tri States Public Radio to set up the series “CAS Chats,” which already has two episodes on file and... Read More

MACOMB, IL – When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and St. Paul School Principal Laura Cody was looking for ways to reach students, she came up with a unique idea that includes assistance from two Western Illinois University students. Before the pandemic began, Laura had been trying to find a way to get her son Drew, a junior Spanish education major, into St. Paul’s classrooms to teach her elementary school students Spanish. Drew had been tutoring at Spoon River College as part of his WIU Spanish class and enjoyed the opportunity. “I wanted to try and get him more experience in the classroom,... Read More