The Quad City River Bandits are celebrating the local Hispanic and Latino community with a new 2022 Copa de la Diversión identity… ¡Bandidos del Río! The team is partnering with Group O to celebrate the Quad Cities’ Hispanic/Latino communities this summer by becoming “Bandidos del Rio” for each of the team’s 11 Wednesday home games. During the games, the players will wear special jerseys that include a serape-inspired design on the sleeves and caps featuring River Bandits mascot Rascal wearing a sombrero and mask that also include the serape-inspired design. Check out... Read More

Western Illinois University now boasts a growing population of international students from the Caribbean, with more than 70 students enrolled at Western in the past two semesters. In July 2021, Western Illinois University signed its first MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to assure seamless transfer opportunities for students from 16 Caribbean countries to study at WIU. In addition to the CXC agreement, WIU has established partnerships with Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, Anguilla Community College, Antigua State College, Charlestown Secondary School... Read More

It’s after three o’clock on a Monday afternoon and while most students have left school to go home, a group of students chooses to stay and learn. Laura Irish is a teacher at Rock Island Academy and started the Leopards Who Code club. Just in its first year, already 16 students have signed up. “I have some good social-emotional learning conversations with my students about gaming and apps. They often make me think about things from a new perspective,” said Ms. Irish. The club is for any 3rd-6th grade Leopard who’s interested in learning about technology. The club... Read More

Ryan Warren, a Western Illinois University graduate student in Sociology and a Peace Corps Fellow, from Savannah, MO, has been selected as the Spring 2022 recipient of The Sociological Masters Scholarship Award. This $1,000 award, funded by emeritus WIU faculty members Ken Mietus and Chris Adamski Mietus, is given annually to an outstanding graduate student in the program based on their academic achievement and their application essay regarding how they plan to use their sociology degree. “In her essay, Warren discussed her career goal of becoming an investigative agent within federal law... Read More

Join Downtown Muscatine/GMCCI for this year’s Girls Getaway on April 2. Girls Getaway starts out with a delicious brunch with a complimentary mimosa at the Merrill Hotel in their gorgeous grand ballroom! Enjoy a fabulous style show by The HallTree Boutique and have a chance to win great door prizes from our favorite local businesses! Following the morning program, grab your swag bag and head out for a day of shopping in Historic Downtown Muscatine. Participating stores will have special deals and happenings for you the enjoy! The doors open at 8:00 A.M. Please check muscatine.com and the Downtown... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Group O announced today that Kevin Kotecki has been appointed its new CEO. A visionary leader with a unique combination of skills and accomplishments from both large corporations and entrepreneurial businesses, Kevin will continue the momentum built by Gregg Ontiveros. Gregg Ontiveros’ entrepreneurial spirit and continuous interest in emerging technologies has taken Group O from a $49M company in 1999 to the thriving $900M multi–faceted enterprise it is today. As principal owner, Gregg Ontiveros will continue to focus his time and talents to building new and existing client... Read More

Jorgenson Consulting has been hired to assist the Quad Cities Chamber in finding the next President and CEO. Founded in 1992, Jorgenson Consulting is a national executive search firm focusing on non-profit, economic and community development. In late March, the firm will conduct a series of meetings with the search committee, Chamber staff, members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and a cross-section of community stakeholders to develop a position description that captures the preferred candidate’s desired experience and leadership characteristics. Jorgenson Consulting will complete... Read More

The following article is part of QuadCities.com’s partnership with local music website The Echo. For more, check out theechoqc.com! Nearly one in every five East Moline residents is Hispanic or Latino, so it makes sense there is a solid Mariachi band program at Glenview Middle School, 3100 7th St., East Moline. Formed in 2015 by Richard Clark, who retired last year, the Mexican music program is under the new direction of Monike Hill of Davenport, who has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting and Pedagogy... Read More

Thurgood Brooks is proud to receive the endorsement of Run for Something (RFS), the groundbreaking organization that recruits and supports strong voices in the next generation of progressive leadership. “I am so grateful that Run for Something has endorsed my campaign for Illinois State Representative in District 72. It is very exciting and humbling to be supported among a diverse and young group of over 70 candidates from 28 states. This endorsement will strengthen our campaign advocacy for a clean and green economy, attractive and affordable housing, and healthy and stable communities throughout... Read More

Varieties Nightclub St. Patrick’s Day Bash will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, 822 W 2nd St, Davenport! Drink specials, a drag show, live entertainment and more!    Read More