BREAKING NEWS: Rock Island has stopped exploring selling off its water and sewer services to a private company. The city issued the following statement this afternoon: “The Rock Island City Council is suspending further exploration into the privatization of the City’s water and sewer utilities. The elected officials and staff of the City of Rock Island are continually looking for ways to provide high quality and cost-efficient services to its citizens.  For the past 18 months, the City has gathered information related to the potential privatization of the City’s water and sewer... Read More

EXCLUSIVE: Thurgood Brooks, who recently led the charge to pass The Resolution to improve relations between police and the Rock Island community, is considering a run for lllinois State Representative for the 72nd District, which includes the Quad-Cities. The current representative, Mike Halpin, announced today he would be leaving the seat to run for State Senate. Brooks, who was narrowly defeated in the Rock Island Mayoral election earlier this year, has been extremely active in the community, from his work as a football coach with Rock Island High School to his various charitable projects and... Read More

“Be Kind.” “You are Enough.” “We are in this together,” are just some of the many positive messages you’ll see at Rock Island High School. The idea came from Rock Island High School teacher Kelly Young. Mrs. Young was starting to accumulate several inspirational t-shirts. So she decided to start wearing them once a week at work, every Tuesday. “The idea is to wear shirts with inspirational or supportive text to show students we care,” said Mrs. Young. After she started getting students complimenting and noticing her shirts she thought why not... Read More

For years, Moeller Nights’ GARP Fest has rocked the barn at Codfish Hollow Barnstormers in rural Maquoketa, quickly becoming recognized as one of the Midwest’s best events. But on short notice this year, the barn made the difficult decision to temporarily cease performances, leaving the beloved festival without a venue. After cancelling last year due to the pandemic shutdown, this comes at a challenging time. Responding quickly to the closure of GARP’s original venue, Davenport-based River Music Experience has stepped in as a co-producer to bring the festival to Rock Island. RME and Moeller... Read More

The Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team performs FREE water ski shows every Wednesday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at 44th Street and the Rock River, Rock Island, IL, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Shows are free, but donations are accepted at DONATIONS – VENMO – @Backwater-Gamblers.  Read More

Everything about Mary Francis is big and boisterous – her brassy, unpretentious personality, her infectious laugh, her sense of fun, her voluptuous figure, and her passion for burlesque and the Quad-Cities. The founder and leader of Mary Quite Contrary’s House of Burlesque (launched in late 2019), Mary is celebrating all things Q-C in a new “Stay Classy Quad-Cities” show Saturday, Aug. 28, at 8 p.m., at the Spotlight Theatre, 1800 7th Ave., Moline. In addition to the flaming-red-haired Mary, performers are Sassy LaShay, Wicked Jezebel, Moira Mayhemm, Randi Sinclare, Lola Lament, Nova Foxglove,... Read More

Bring your pup for a dog-gone good meet-up with other pups on National Dog Day, Thursday, August 26. From 8:30 to about 9:30 am, library staff will be hanging around the Eleanor Wallace dog run to offer a story, craft, and a treat for all very good dogs, Free, no reservation needed. Hasselroth Park is at 28th Street and 78th Avenue West in Rock Island. It’s next to the Alan Campbell Sports Complex.  Read More

Bring your pup for a dog-gone good meet-up with other pups on National Dog Day, Thursday, August 26. From 8:30 to about 9:30 am, library staff will be hanging around the Eleanor Wallace dog run to offer a story, craft, and a treat for all very good dogs, Free, no reservation needed. Hasselroth Park is at 28th Street and 78th Avenue West in Rock Island. It’s next to the Alan Campbell Sports Complex.  Read More

Monday August 23rd at 6 p.m. at 1528 3rd Avenue in Rock Island, Thurgood Brooks (former Mayoral candidate and one of the authors of “The Resolution”) will be presenting his revised initiative to the Rock Island City Council during the public comments section of the meeting. The purpose of “The Resolution” is to improve police and community relations in Rock Island. This public presentation by Thurgood Brooks will be highlighting the progress of this initiative to the Rock Island City Council and residents. After several rounds of discussion with city officials since June 2020, “The Resolution”... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Monday August 23rd at 6 p.m. at 1528 3rd Avenue in Rock Island, Thurgood Brooks (former Mayoral candidate and one of the authors of “The Resolution”) will be presenting his revised initiative to the Rock Island City Council during the public comments section of the meeting. The purpose of “The Resolution” is to improve police and community relations in Rock Island. This public presentation by Thurgood Brooks will be highlighting the progress of this initiative to the Rock Island City Council and residents. After several rounds of discussion with city officials since June... Read More