EAST MOLINE, Illinois (May 2020) — Earlier this month, the Rock Island County Fair Board voted to cancel the 2020 Rock Island County Fair, originally scheduled for July 14-18. “This decision was made for the health and safety of our fairgoers, exhibitors, participants, volunteers, staff and animals. It was not made lightly,” said Gin Wray, fair manager. “We are devastated to cancel a family-fun event that has taken place in our community for 150 years but look forward to using this as an opportunity to strengthen our offerings for the 2021 RICO Fair.” Last year marked the official 150th... Read More

You’ve seen the signs, you’ve heard the names, maybe you’ve met the candidates. Jenni Swanson and Don Mewes. Now, you get to learn a little bit more about them. In today’s Rock Island County elections, there aren’t many contested seats, particularly in the big cities, but there is one city contest which has been especially competitive – the race for fourth ward alderperson in Rock Island between Swanson and Mewes. So, in the interest of providing a fuller look at the election, we’ve asked both candidates to answer a handful of questions to help you, the voters, become better acquainted... Read More