Sometimes you hear something so bonkers it just makes you laugh. To wit: Republican candidate for governor Zach Lahn’s proposal, in a recent debate, to eliminate property taxes on single-family homes. “I don’t believe you should be renting your home from the government,” Lahn said.

Oct. 24, 2001: The Scott County Health Department held a press conference regarding the county’s bioterrorism preparedness plan in the wake of an anthrax scare across the country. “Anthrax is the ‘threat du jour,’ but the risk appears to be very small,” said Dr. Louis Katz, county medical director. “I think whatever groups are doing this have recognized the true nature of terrorism. It’s more the perceived threat than the reality.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 2201, the school funding bill, into law on Feb. 26. The 2% increase in per-pupil funding for the 2026-27 school year works out to $160 more per student. When the decline in public enrollment is taken into account, it’s a statewide increase of $17 million from last year’s allotment.

"We are writing to give our vote of confidence and endorse Dr. Nikhil Wagle for the Iowa State Senator District 47 position ..."

"If elected to serve in the Iowa State Senate, Nikhil Wagle will actively work across the aisle to find common ground on public education ..."

"Toby Paone is ready to be your next county recorder with a proven record of government experience ..."

"Amendment 1 does not reduce your taxes. What it does is put a lock on not being able to adjust the tax rate promptly, to avoid deficits for the state ..."

"Let’s put individuals in office that will work for us, not themselves ..."

"The proliferation of political ads is both astounding and infuriating. I have worn out the mute button simply because I don't believe a word in any of them and no longer care to listen to such despicable nonsense ..."

"Republicans haven’t earned the right to be re-elected ..."

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.

Richard A. Rekemeyer, 80, of Maquoketa, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Mercy One Genesis East Campus, Davenport.

Patricia Ann Bruner, 91, passed away at home on Sept. 23, 2026. Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded, and a celebration of life will be held Oct. 18 at the Crane & Pelican in LeClaire.

A funeral service for Viola Faye Spinsby, 92, of Davenport, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf.  Burial will follow in Glendale Cemetery, LeClaire. Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 12, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

A celebration of life for Randy George Claeys, 38, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Interment with military honors  will be in Rock Island National Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 8, from 4-8 p.m. at the mortuary.

Jack Bergert Sr. will celebrate his 90th birthday on Saturday, Oct. 24. All friends and relatives are invited to join him from noon – 4 p.m. at DeWitt United Methodist Church, 222 12th St., DeWitt. Lunch will be provided.

Janet “Jan” Nelson passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in DeWitt.

Jamie Peterman, 39, passed away on Sept. 22, 2026, leaving behind family, friends, and countless others whose lives were touched by her kindness and enormous heart. A celebration of Jamie’s life will be held on Oct. 10, from 1-5 p.m. at the McCausland Fire Station. The address to the fire station is 307 N. Salina Street, McCausland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sophia and Emma Dexter Educational Fund.

Jack Steven Davis, devoted father of Trudi Davis, Becky Rosazza, Bridgette Davis, and Margaret Davis, and son of the late John J. Davis and Blondena L. Ward, died on Sept. 24, 2026. Born on Aug. 29, 1949, Jack was a proud graduate of the North Scott High School Class of 1967. Jack was married first to Dot Kohler and later to Cindi Davis, with whom he remained friends long after their divorces. Jack took pride in being a dad and grandfather, and in his work as both a union meat packer at Oscar Mayer and later a custodian at St. Ambrose University. Jack’s work ethic and commitment to providing for his family were admirable.