I experienced my first Farm Progress Show two weeks ago, taking in the sights and sounds of the three-state exposition near Amana on a leisurely afternoon with my dad. It was a memorable September day for both of us.

Oct. 13, 1999: Plans for a controversial apartment complex near Sheridan Meadows would move ahead after the developer withdrew plans for a rezoning of the property, which was already zoned for multi-residential. For now, according to Eldridge economic development director Dick Kvatch, the developer planned to begin grading the land and would request a building permit for an initial 88 units. Opponents of the project said they wanted the city council to control Eldridge’s growth.

Donald Trump has suddenly found a new cause: John Deere workers.

The first full-time newspaper job I took after graduating college in the early 1990s resulted in the biggest disparity between what I would be paid and how hard and long I had to work in my entire career.

State Auditor Rob Sand recently did what no statewide elected official in Iowa has done in a long time – he brought attention to problems in nursing homes.

"Donald Trump portrays immigrants as drug dealers, child traffickers, or low-wage workers. He never discusses the immigrants coming here who start companies ..."

"Iowa Republicans have enacted a 6 week abortion ban, banned books, rolled back child labor regulations, and are actively pushing our tax dollars from public to private schools, but somehow they claim I’m one with a 'dangerous agenda' ..."

"The upcoming election has politicians running for greed, power and self recognition, or politicians running for compassion, dignity and love of America ..."

Bill used to occasionally chide me about the length of the stories I wrote, but something tells me he wouldn't be complaining today, because this one's about him. I don't think just a few words are going to cut it.

Today, we are honoring the life of an extraordinary man. To many he was defined by his role in community journalism, and through his philanthropic efforts, and by his involvement in Rotary and the church. But to my sisters and me, he was Dad. Our best teacher, most dedicated coach, mentor, sounding board, our biggest cheerleader and supporter and our safest safety net.

A funeral service celebrating the life of Dorothy E. Marten, 96, of Eldridge, formerly of rural Donahue, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery.

A memorial service celebrating the life of David Mark Schnorrenberg, 82, of Park View, will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Private burial with military honors will be held in the Rock Island National Cemetery.

A funeral service for Jane Ann Mumm, 72, of McCausland, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Burial will follow in the McCausland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9-10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

A Celebration of Life open house for Sue Ellen (Coder) Knapper, 66, of McCausland, will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Trimble City View, 701 12th St., Moline.

A funeral service for JoAnn Jeanette Franzen, 87, of Davenport, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 14, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Ruby Ferris of Eldridge will celebrate her 95th birthday with an open house. All friends and relatives are invited to join her starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13, at the Walcott American Legion. No gifts, please.

Evelyn Irene Ruehmann Schlunsen, 107, of Davenport, passed away, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, at Silvercrest in Davenport. There will be no services. Her final resting place will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Runge Mortuary is assisting her family with arrangements.

Christie Lee Risley, 72, of Davenport, died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at Genesis East Medical Center, Davenport. Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Nov. 3, from 1-3 p.m. at the Masonic Center, 511 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Davenport. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A Celebration of Life for Rita Eckhart of McCausland will be held Oct. 13 at the Davenport Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 4444 W. Kimberly Road. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., with the service at 11 a.m. A dinner will follow at the church.

A funeral service for Connie Sue Hodge, 61, of Centralia, Mo., formerly of the Quad Cities, was held at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home, Centralia. Visitation was two hours prior to the service on Monday at the funeral home. Burial was in Locust Grove Cemetery, Sturgeon, Mo.

Visitation for Steven John “Pete” Corson, 70, of LeClaire, will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. A graveside funeral service will follow in Salem Lutheran Cemetery, Princeton.

Bill Tubbs, 75, former publisher, philanthropist and longtime supporter of the North Scott community, passed away on Friday, Sept. 20, at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison surrounded by loved ones.

Carol Jane (Groenwoldt) McCleary, 90, passed away Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Genesis East Hospital, Davenport.

Jack Hill, 85, of Iowa City, died peacefully Sept. 7, 2023, surrounded by his family at home. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City, as part of the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.

Bill Tubbs, 75, former publisher, philanthropist and longtime supporter of the North Scott community, passed away on Friday, Sept. 20, at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison surrounded by loved ones.