MACOMB, IL – Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 19, several offices and service areas at Western Illinois University will have extended hours in preparation for the Fall 2020 semester, which begins Monday, Aug. 24. Because of COVID-19, masks are required to be worn on campus. Additional information about the University’s pandemic plan is available at wiu.edu/coronavirus. The University Bookstore will open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21. The hours for Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23 are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The University Union is open from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, from 7 a.m.-12:30 a.m.... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Western Illinois University Food Pantry will resume full operations for all students, staff and faculty from noon-5 p.m. Thursday Aug. 27. Due to the ongoing health crisis, the pantry has updated its policies and procedures to keep all patrons and volunteers safe and healthy while visiting the WIU Food Pantry. Health precautions: • All patrons will be required to wear an appropriate facial covering while at the food pantry • Social distancing will be required while visiting the food pantry • Hand sanitizer will be available to use while visiting • Volunteers will... Read More

MACOMB, IL – For the second time in two years, Western Illinois University senior broadcasting major Devin Brooks has been one of five national winners awarded the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Mid-America EMMY Foundation Walter Cronkite Scholarship. Brooks, of St. Louis, MO, is a student anchor, reporter, executive producer and web producer for NEWS3, the student-produced newscast in the WIU Department of Broadcasting and Journalism He is pursuing an emphasis in news and performance, and is minoring in sociology. This summer, Brooks completed his third summer internship... Read More

Saturday In The Arts is a weekly feature covering an impactful trend, personality, organization or overarching theme in the Quad-Cities arts and entertainment community.   As the Quad-Cities and nationwide Hispanic population has exploded since 2000, Hola America  News this month is celebrating 20 years as the area’s influential bilingual newspaper and a positive force for information, cultural pride and public service throughout the region. “The 20th anniversary of Hola America News is a testament to its hard work and longstanding importance in the media for both Latinos and the community... Read More

Rock Island-based Royal Neighbors of America is celebrating its 125th anniversary and the centennial of women’s suffrage in the U.S. The anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s passage is on Tuesday, Aug. 18, while Women’s Equality Day, Wednesday, Aug. 26, represents the date when the amendment was officially signed. Royal Neighbors also is proud of the fact it was among the first women-led insurers that supported suffrage when it was founded in 1895, 25 years before the women’s right to vote was ratified. The company’s early members were active in supporting the suffrage movement from its... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Just as the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many programs on the Western Illinois University campus and around the world, University faculty and administrators have jumped in to help many students who were scheduled to begin internships that were erased by the coronavirus. One of those students is Clint Ratkovich, a senior engineering technology student, of Crete, IL. Ratkovich, who is also a member of WIU’s football team, was originally scheduled to complete his nine-week internship at LyondellBasell, but campus officials worked together to create an internship position for... Read More

As bars and restaurants have been back open in the Quad-Cities, the two major movie multiplexes in the area plan to reopen this month, both with new health and safety restrictions. Cinemark, at 3601 E. 53rd St., Davenport, will open Aug. 14, and Regal, at 4100 38th St., Moline, will be back and running Aug. 21. Cinemark is doing a phased reopening nationwide – 16 theaters are now open, with 43 more on the 14th and the rest by Aug. 31 – and Regal is reopening all its U.S. locations on the same day. “There’s nothing quite as powerful as great cinematic storytelling on the big screen,” Cinemark... Read More

Things are not looking good for this fall in regard to covid-19. Numbers are spiking, the government has been pathetically inept in terms of dealing with the crisis, and the economy is once again on the verge of completely tanking. Unemployment is up, some industries are shut down through the end of the year, and others are teetering on the precipice of being shut down, maybe for good. I don’t know about you, but I’m so pessimistic I’m starting to stock up on toilet paper. That’s why it’s more important than ever to shop at your locally-owned small businesses now. Local... Read More

In recognition of the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the Bettendorf Public Library will be hosting a historical performance on August 26th at 7:00 PM. Historian Laura F. Keyes will perform as suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton in a live virtual presentation. The performance is free thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library. Registration is required and can be made by calling the 563-344-4179 or by visiting http://events.bettendorflibrary.com/event/4454379. Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for equal rights for women for over fifty years. Upon her death in... Read More

Bold colors and dramatic imagery swim from the paintings of Bettendorf native and marine life artist Brian Buckles. The sea life captured on canvas by Buckles reflects his fascination with these creatures – mostly sharks, but sea turtles, dolphins and sea otters as well — and his passion for raising awareness and funding for the “proper management of marine life for generations to come,” according to a statement on his website. Buckles’ paintings are featured in a new show, “Art for the Sea” at Beréskin Gallery and Art Academy, 2967 State St., Bettendorf. The opening reception... Read More