Two Rivers YMCA in Moline is offering courses in swimming, youth sports, and more! The pandemic has certainly changed many aspects of our lives, but one thing has not changed: The Y is for everyone – especially families! At the Y, 2040 53rd Street, Moline, they are committed to providing SAFE programs that keep kids and families active, healthy, and connected. The cold weather is coming and going to parks and other outdoor family activities will be coming to an end. With many precautions in place, the Y is a safe, clean, and reliable place to bring the kids for a fun addition to your day. For... Read More

Due to an executive order by Mayor Matson, effective today, October 20, 2020, masks will be required in all City buildings. This includes all Davenport Public Library Branches. Masks will be available at the Welcome Desk upon arrival for free of charge to anyone who may need one.  Read More

I’m sick of the politics. I’m sick of the politicians. With more people struggling than ever, with more businesses closing, with the covid numbers increasing yet again, just like the scientists predicted (amazing how you can listen to intelligent, learned people and get accurate predictions on what’s likely to happen, isn’t it?), IT’S TIME TO PASS ANOTHER STIMULUS BILL TO HELP PEOPLE STRUGGLING FROM COVID. I wrote another story today, one of probably over 100 this year, about a business closing down due to covid. This time it was Big Swing, in downtown Rock Island,... Read More

Rock Island’s Big Swing Brewing Company, 113 18th Street, announced today they will be closing immediately. In a video released on social media, the restaurant and brewing company housed in the old Blue Cat Brewing Company spot made the announcement. Over a montage of pictures of the staff and patrons, the message scrolled: “And suddenly you know, it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings… “We will miss each and every one of you, and from our family to yours… “We have shared many laughs over burgers, tears over drinks, dancing... Read More

There’s no place like the Raven’s Grin Inn, about an hour north of the Quad-Cities, and Joshua Bentley of East Moline is helping make sure that the unique 19th-century mansion stays open in the future. The leader of the goth rock band Pitch Black Manor, Bentley is assisting the closed year-found attraction with fundraising. If you donate at least $5 on Raven’s Grin Inn’s Paypal, get a free download of the band’s Halloween-themed album “Monster Classics,” which was released over the summer. “This is a culturally relevant experience near the Q-C that needs to stay in business,”... Read More

We have been wearing masks for a few months, so let’s bring out our best masks for a Mask-erade Party! Big Swing Brewing Company (113 18th Street Rock Island) proudly presents 10 Days of Halloween, which kicks off this Tuesday Oct 20 and continues through Saturday Oct 31. Events will take place every day, like ‘Fright Nite Flicks with Hot Chocolate & Smores,’ ‘Halloweenie Pet Costume Parade,’ and even a ‘Spooky Dinner Party with Ghoulish Grub.’ The fun wraps up on Saturday Oct 31 with the ultimate Mask-erade Halloween Party. Enjoy great food, live music and even prizes for the... Read More

MOLINE, IL – A collaborative research paper about Quad Cities bicycle trails by one Western Illinois University graduate student and one alumna, along with their professor, has been projected to “make a major contribution to the field,” with its findings related to diversity among those who use the trails. Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA) graduate student Sadie Parker, of Redlands, CA, and RPTA alumna Haily Hinson, of Hohenwald, TN, are in the process of making edits to their paper, “Spatial Accessibility of Bicycle Routes in the Quad Cities: Impacts for Environmental... Read More

The Quad-Cities ranks number 79 among the top 150 best places to live in the nation, and the sixth most affordable, according to U.S. News & World Report. The report, released this week, represents a pretty good win in economic development. U.S. News analyzed 150 metro areas in the U.S. to find the best places to live, based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people’s desire to live there. The report used 2019 figures, showing the Q-C with a 4.2% unemployment rate (it was twice that as of August 2020), metro population of... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Two members of Western Illinois University’s Housing staff have been honored at the national level for their work to make the University’s campus safer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistant Director of Residence Life Jessica Butcher and Assistant Director of Residential Administration Bridget McCormick were honored by the Heroes Program of the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I). The program recognizes the leadership of campus professionals during times of significant challenge. Butcher and McCormick were nominated for the... Read More

Writer/Director/Producer Dan Partland will be guesting on the local podcast Weekly Wilson on Thursday, October 15th, talking about his documentary “Unfit.” “Unfit was the #1 rental on Amazon and brings together many of the nation’s leading psychiatrists to discuss Donald J. Trump’s mental health. Dan Partland has been a director/producer/writer of both documentary films & television for over 20 years. In the 15 years that the Emmys have recognized primetime nonfiction series, Partland’s shows have been nominated for best in class 5 times, and in 3 different sub-genres; Reality,... Read More