I got to thinking this morning about the word “community.” This is a word I try to avoid, even though I work for a “community newspaper.” The Associate Press Stylebook, a standard reference for journalists, does a decent job explaining why. It advises:

Nov. 4, 1976: There would be a run-off in Eldridge, as none of the three candidates running to fill a vacancy on the city council earned a majority on Election Night. Gary Ewoldt and Frank Pancratz advanced to the run-off, with just nine votes separating them in the official Election Night tally.

"Local city government should always be transparent, especially with public records ..."

"A very smart man told us a long time ago that Democrats and the Left only have 'one playbook,' and what they have done for public schools they want to do for everything. They have a history of failure ..."

This year, Lancer Productions is going to the dogs.

I hereby present my list of endorsements.

Nov. 2, 2011:  The North Scott football team carried a very special flag into the postseason – a Lancer flag that was flown in Iraq the same day as the Homecoming game, Sept. 16. A group of soldiers from the Mount Joy Army Aviation Facility had been stationed in Iraq since January, and with so many of them having ties to North Scott and the football team, Todd Isley thought it might be a morale booster to have a Lancer flag on base. His wife and football coach Kevin Tippet arranged for flags to be sent to Isley in Iraq, and they were flown during a mission. “Our kids have to understand that there are people giving up a lot so that we can have some of the freedoms we enjoy,” said Tippet. “Seeing this flag and hearing how soldiers halfway across the world are rooting for them helps them understand the big picture a little bit.”

"Iowa’s future is on the ballot. Examine the records, understand the proposals, and consider their impact on Iowa families and future generations ..."

"On Nov. 3, look beyond party politics and vote NO on Amendment 1 to preserve flexibility and accountability for future generations ..."

"Recent comments by my opponent have raised questions about the security of Scott County land records and suggested that the county’s Information Technology Department had recommended that the Recorder’s Office move its records to another company ..."

A funeral service for Bill R. Burton, 89, of Eldridge, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Guess who is celebrating a birthday?  

Carolyn K. Carstens, 86, of LeClaire, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at The Summit in Bettendorf.

Celebrating a milestone!

Dick Cole will celebrate his 90th birthday with a cake birthday party on Sunday, Nov. 8. All friends and relatives are invited to join him from 1-4 p.m. at the Long Grove Community Center, 114 N. First St., Long Grove. Dick would love to see you there! No gifts, only your presence.

James Dennis “JD” Marken, 86, of Eldridge, formerly of Savanna, Ill., passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 13, 2026, with family and his beloved cat “Kitty” at his side.

Robert Mark Tomsche was born on Dec. 27, 1955, in Wells, Minn.  He passed away on Oct. 19, 1926.

Bruce Mohr passed away June 28, 2026, in Cañon City, Colo., of cancer with his family nearby.

Ida E. Winckler, 88, formerly of Davenport, and, in recent years, Independence, died Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.  Services to celebrate her life were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady St., Davenport.  Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Weerts Funeral Home, Kimberly at Jersey Ridge, in Davenport.  Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery, Davenport.  Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

A funeral service celebrating the life of Ida E. Winckler, 88, of Independence, formerly of Davenport, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be Friday, Oct 16, from 4-7 p.m. at Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport.

Tracy Joy Regan Brinkmeyer, age 46, of Orono, Minn., passed away peacefully on Oct. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn.

Randy George Claeys, 38, passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Bettendorf. A celebration in honor of his life was Friday, Oct. 9, at 10 a.m. at The Runge Mortuary. Visitation was Thursday, Oct. 8, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the mortuary. Interment was at the National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to Randy’s family.

Alan Clayton “Tater” Kent, 79, of McCausland, passed away at his home on Oct. 2, 2026.

Funeral services for Viola Faye Spinsby, 92, of Davenport, were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. Burial followed at Glendale Cemetery, LeClaire. Family greeted friends on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mark Alan Beitel, age 64, of rural Stockton, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.  Cremation rites have been accorded.  Burial of his cremated remains will take place at a later date next to his parents in the Walcott Cemetery. A Celebration of Life luncheon will be held at the Walcott American Legion on Saturday, Oct. 17, starting at 11 a.m. Memorials can be made to the Walcott American Legion Post #548, Walcott Legion’s Auxiliary and Walcott Fire Dept. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.