Dec. 15, 1999:  Students at North Scott High School began a Key Club, which was a high school organization sponsored by Kiwanis International. Club members planned to wrap Christmas presents as a fundraiser and were looking for more projects. “It’s nice to get together to serve the community and not expect anything in return,” said club vice president Jill Pearson.

The North Scott Community School District is excited to announce the launch of a comprehensive strategic planning process. This process aims to create a clear and focused road map for the district over the next 3-5 years. This initiative will guide our efforts to ensure student success, enhance community engagement, and foster continuous improvement in our schools. 

American voters were under a lot of stress leading up to the Nov. 5 presidential election. That stress has continued since Donald Trump received less than 50 percent voter support. Hence, the majority of citizens are not wed to his unending plethora of promises.

"According to Adobe Analytics, Black Friday shoppers spent a record $10.8 billion this year. Silly me, I thought the economy was terrible ..."

Dec. 5, 1984: Although the news did not come as a complete surprise, employees at the International Harvester Farmall plant in Rock Island were still disappointed to hear the plan would close. Officials with the company were scheduled to meet with employees to reveal their plans for the 1,650 workers who would be unemployed, but Don Keding of rural Long Grove was one of many affected who said it would be tough to find a new job. “It’s going to be damn tough to find something that will even come close to giving workers the fringe benefits and high salaries that major manufacturing has provided in this area.”

I was asked to speak last month at the annual conference of the National Freedom of Information Coalition. My remarks boiled down to a simple message: The public needs more information about their governments, not more secrecy from their governments.

Editor’s note: Scott County supervisors on Nov. 7 approved these priorities of the Iowa Urban County Coalition for taxpayer-funded lobbying of state legislators during the 2025 session. The coalition is comprised of supervisors from Linn, Black Hawk, Dubuque, Johnson, and Scott counties.

"It is not too early to get those holiday gifts wrapped. Here is the perfect solution ..."

"The work and generosity of these businesses, organizations, and individuals, improve our community and our community events, one tree, even one string of lights, at a time.  What a wonderful community we live in! Thank you ..."

Tubbs family honored for initial pledge for bandshell fund drive

Kenneth D. Kelly, 72, a resident of Eldridge, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

Carroll L. “Cary” Vis, 92, of Eldridge, died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, at MercyOne Genesis, Davenport, surrounded by his family.

Joyce E. DeCock, 75, of Long Grove, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at her home.

Lee Warren Muller, 95, of Walcott, passed away Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Better Living of Walcott.  A visitation was held from 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at Calvary Church of Walcott.  A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 9, at the church.  Memorials may be made to the Walcott American Legion or Calvary Church of Walcott.  Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

Margaret “Rusty” (Bossert) Porth, longtime resident of Calamus and DeWitt, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Dec. 5, 2024, at Vitality Senior Living in St. Simons Island, Ga.

A funeral service for Dennis Edward O’Connor, 64, of Davenport, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery, Long Grove.

A Celebration of Life gathering for Joyce E. DeCock, 75, of Long Grove, will be held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Long Grove Community Center. Chambers Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

A funeral service for Lee Warren Muller, 95, of Walcott, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at Calvary Church of Walcott. Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 8, from 3-5 p.m. at the church. Bentley Funeral Home, Durant, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A memorial Mass celebrating the life of Carroll Lee "Cary" Vis,  92, of Eldridge, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Long Grove. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass on Monday at the church. Burial will be in St. Ann's Cemetery. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A memorial Mass celebrating the life of Kenneth D. Kelly, 72, of Eldridge, will be held at noon on Saturday, Dec. 14, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Long Grove. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A funeral service for Dennis Edward O’Connor, 64, of Davenport, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery, Long Grove.

Joyce E. Wulf, age 92, of Walcott, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at Better Living of Walcott.  Cremation rites have been accorded. In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held at this time.  Memorials may be made to Walcott Fire Department or the Walcott American Legion, Post # 548 in her memory. Memorials and cards may be mailed to Jennifer Peterson, P.O. Box 85, Keithsburg, IL, 61442.  Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

Lance C. Frye, 77, of Davenport, passed away Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at his home surrounded by his beloved family.  A celebration of life will be held on Friday, Dec. 6, from 3-7 p.m. at the Rolling Meadows Event Center; 657 S. 16th Ave., Eldridge.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Lance’s name may be made to the North Scott Boys’ Basketball Program, Hospice Compassus, or to Lighthouse Homecare.

Gary Ewoldt, 81, formerly of Eldridge, died after a year-long illness at his home in Chandler, Ariz., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, with his wife Carol at his side.

A celebration of life for Lance C. Frye, 77, of Davenport, will be held from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Rolling Meadows Event Center, 657 S. 16th Ave., Eldridge. Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.