The groundbreaking last Tuesday for the North Scott YMCA is a moment I'd like to freeze in time. The opening is a year away, but it will be hard to top the aura of goodwill from Tuesday's overcast and end-of-March-chilly afternoon.

“You can’t rollerskate in a buffalo herd.”

April 10, 1996: North Scott area runners Arnie Kundel, Mike Feldpausch, Dave Zimmer and Jack and Dale Keppy were headed to Massachusetts to live out a shared dream of running in the Boston Marathon. “I know a lot of people who tried to qualify and didn’t, and it’s very unusual for five people from this area to get the job done,” said Jack Keppy.

At first, I thought it must be a typo:  A bill in the Iowa Senate moved out of subcommittee last week with the votes of far-right Republican Sen. Jim Carlin and Iowa City progressive Sen. Joe Bolkcom.

I am a person who is positive about every aspect of life. I like writing. I always wanted to be a great writer. Six months ago I came to the United States from my home in the Philippines. I have experienced a lot of things during this pandemic, and we all know that this is the world that we have right now.

This week the Iowa Department of Revenue officially extended the filing and payment deadline to June 1, 2021 for 2020 individual income tax returns and first quarter estimated income tax payments for individuals. The extension does not include business filers and other tax types for individuals.

House Republicans have been aggressive in addressing child care access this session.

This week was the twelfth week of the 89th General Assembly that ended with the second “funnel” deadline. This deadline requires that most bills, except those dealing with the state budget or taxes, must pass either the House or Senate and then make it through committee in the other chamber in order to continue to still be considered for this session.

"This has nothing to do with fraud or election security. It's pure and simple voter suppression. Remember that when you're standing in a long line to vote ..."

"Owners of real estate desire their property to be valued highly for market purposes while at the same time wanting that identical  property assessed low for tax purposes. You can't have it both ways ..."

John Webster Miller, 92, of Eldridge, died Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Due to Covid concerns, a private family service will be held, with a celebration of life including friends at a later date. The service will be livestreamed for those not in attendance. A link can be found on the Runge Mortuary and Crematory website. 

Pamela “Pam” Ann Murphy, 72, of Davenport, formerly of Dixon, passed away Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, at her home surrounded by her adoring family.

Donald A. Decker, 81, of Eldridge, formerly of Davenport, died Sunday, March 28, 2021, in his home.

Hope “Deborah” Lauthen, 64, of Iowa City, passed away at her home on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.

A time to gather and celebrate the life of Matthew J. Dittmer, 64, of Eldridge, will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. Thursday, April 8, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, downtown Davenport. There will be a time of prayer and sharing held at 6 p.m.

A funeral service for Homer Christner, 90, of Walcott, was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, at the Runge Mortuary. Visitation was two hours prior to the service on Tuesday at the mortuary. Burial was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

A funeral service for Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Mangels, 81, of Eldridge, was held Saturday, April 3, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Visitation was two hours prior to the service on Saturday at the mortuary. Burial was in the Maysville Cemetery.

A celebration of life service for Ted Allen Brockhouse, 62, of Davenport, formerly of Princeton, will be held at a later date.

A private service celebrating the life of Doris A. Brandts, 90, of Blue Grass, will be held at a later date. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A time to gather and celebrate the life of Matthew Joseph Dittmer, 64, of Eldridge, will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, April 8, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. A time of prayer and sharing will be held at 6 p.m. 

A memorial Mass for Pamela Ann "Pam" Murphy, 72, of Davenport, formerly of Dixon, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 8, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 7, from 4-6  p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, where a prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to Mass on Thursday at the church. 

A private service celebrating the life of Doris Brandts, 90, of Blue Grass, will be held at a later date. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A celebration of life service for Ted Allen Brockhouse, 62, of Davenport, formerly of Princeton, will be held at a later date.

A funeral service for Hope "Deborah" Lauthen, 64, of Iowa City, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 9, at the Lensing Funeral Home, Iowa City. Visitation will be one hour prior the the service on Friday at the funeral home. Social distancing guidelines are in place and masks are required. For those unable to attend, the service will be available on Zoom. On the Lensing website, go to Deb's obituary page and click on the Tribute Wall. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City.

A funeral service for Homer Christner, 90, of Walcott, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Tuesday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.