Editorials are falling out of favor at many American newspapers, for various reasons, including a desire not to upset and chase away readers.

This column originally appeared Sept. 2, 2020

This column originally appeared Dec. 18, 2019

July 20, 2016: The North Scott trapshooting teams claimed six national titles at the Scholastic Clay Target Program National Championships in Marengo, Ohio. They competed against more than 2,600 shooters from 30 states.

If a gaffe is when a politician tells the truth, as journalist Michael Kinsley famously wrote, what do you call it when a bureaucrat blurts out the real story about a politician?

"Instead of regarding the pressure to get vaccinated as  an attempt to take away freedom, those who are hesitant to get the shots should accept their social responsibility to do their part to keep themselves and their fellow citizens healthy ..."

"A huge thank you to the many community members listed below that worked so hard for the past 14 months to plan the Sesquicentennial events. ..."

"Our last election trashed the well-worn process and introduced the predictable dominance of the alpha figure in the election of those who decide our livelihood ..."

As noble as the intentions of those who told Scott County supervisors to send $32 million pandemic aid back to the federal government are, we would be better served if the supervisors put the money to good use.

July 14, 1971: A new Olympic-size swimming pool was dedicated at Scott County Park. Performing the ribbon cutting duties were George Theunen, chairman of the Scott County Board of Supervisors, and John McCormick, chairman of the Scott County Conservation Board.

A funeral service for Debra S. Weston, 65, of Eldridge, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 30, at the Pape Funeral Home, Clinton. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery. 

A funeral service for Daniel W. Ion, 52, of Princeton, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. Burial will be in the McCausland Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 27, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date for Gene L. Buckland, 80, of Davenport. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A celebration of life for Larry Henry Koberg, 72, of Walcott, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 31, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Burial will be in the Walcott Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, July 30, from 3-7 p.m. at the mortuary.

Shirley Arp was born in an old farmhouse on her grandfather’s farm near Probstei in Scott County on Aug. 9, 1931, to Leilla Wulf Arp and Theodore H. Arp.

Jane Cronkleton, formerly of Donahue, will celebrate her 100th birthday July 31, 2021.

Shirley Louise (Balsar) Lucas of Davenport will celebrate her 90th birthday with an open house on Sunday, July 25. All friends and family are invited to call from 1-3 p.m. at Eldridge United Methodist Church, 604 S. 2nd St., Eldridge. No gifts, please.

Raymond V. Eickstaedt, 95, of Bettendorf, passed away on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Funeral services were held at the Runge Mortuary on July 20, with a visitation beginning at 10:30 and a service starting at noon. He was laid to rest at the Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.

Marilyn Marie Farley, 85, of Davenport, passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021. Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, July 19, at the Runge Mortuary. The Funeral Service was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, in the Runge Mortuary Chapel. Marilyn was laid to rest at Rose Hill Cemetery in Buffalo. Memorials may be made to the Calvary Lutheran Church in Buffalo. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.

A funeral service for Raymond V. Eickstaedt, 95., of Bettendorf, will be held at noon on Tuesday, July 20, at the Runge Mortuary. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery.

A funeral service for Marilyn Marie Farley, 85, of Davenport, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, in the Runge Mortuary Chapel, Davenport. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Buffalo. Visitation will be Monday, July 19, from 4-7 p.m. at the mortuary.

Joseph and Leatha Hutson of Donahue will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house on July 24. All friends and family are invited to call from 2-5 p.m. at the Long Grove Community Center.

Robin Duncan of Bettendorf and Jarod Meyer of Eldridge are engaged to be married.

Nathan McMurrin, 89, of Davenport, passed away on June 27, 2021, in Usk, Wash.

Katherine and Frederick Hess of Camanche are the parents of a daughter born at 7:41 a.m. June 1, 2021, at Genesis East Medical Center, Davenport.