Jan. 3, 2001: The LeClaire Ambulance Service was suspended for failing to comply with an agreement with the Iowa Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. The service had already been under probation for allegedly failing to respond to some calls, but the suspension came following an investigation involving a heart attack victim in Bettendorf. The LeClaire Ambulance reportedly took 23 minutes to respond, rather than dispatching another ambulance service closer to the patient’s location. Ambulance officials began an appeal process, but in the meantime, Medic EMS would respond to calls. LeClaire Ambulance officials said that would likely increase response times, because Medic was not familiar with their area. more

As we wind down the year, America is winding up to celebrate an important milestone in our nation’s history. On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. more

It’s Christmas time, and you’ve got the entire holiday package wrapped up in a big, red bow: more

"Why would an electric company want to build a peak power plant on A-P agricultural-preservation farmland ..." more

"Trump’s posts promoted violence, misinformation, and fear, in contrast to the themes associated with the religious figure celebrated on Christmas Day ..." more

Spend too much time thinking about something, worse, trying to pin it down in writing, and you risk losing it. Words are an excellent way to communicate something to others but a very poor way of communicating something to yourself. Try and you introduce a whole mess of confusion; you replace your experience of something with a shadow of your experience. more

Dec. 29, 2010: While Scott County had a white Christmas, it came at the cost of a Christmas Eve snowstorm that dumped nearly seven inches of snow in the area. Many families had to adjust holiday plans due to treacherous driving conditions. more

"A responsible next step for would be a formal resolution with specific details, multiple readings, public discussion, and separate votes. This is where the community still has a voice ..." more

"Mr. Dockery made an important point: if fiscal responsibility with taxpayer dollars is the primary concern, then taxpayers should be allowed a direct voice in such a significant decision ..." more

"We cannot look to D.C. for solutions. It seems the Administration either doesn’t recognize the problem or doesn’t care or both ..." more

"Iowa’s record has not always been this bad. Remember Governor Robert Ray and the way he treated immigrants.  Democracy needs our vote ..." more

"Ultimately, Democratic voters want to understand how the review reflects on the party’s leadership and seek admissions from leaders recognizing their shortcomings in addressing the wants and needs of Democratic voters ..." more

It’s a busy time of year, getting ready for the holidays at home and end-of-the-year projects at work, but I had a few stray thoughts I wanted to empty out of my notebook this week. more

Dec. 20, 2000: Twenty-one Alan Shepard Elementary School students were briefly hospitalized after a bus they were riding in slipped off an icy road and overturned near Cody and East LeClaire Road. The driver encountered a snowplow and attempted to move further over to the side of the roadway when the accident occurred. Another bus driver, who happened to be nearby, as well as residents in the area helped evacuate students from the overturned bus as the Eldridge Fire Department and Medic EMS responded. The students were all taken to the hospital for evaluation, though no serious injuries were reported. School counselors also visited with the students at the hospital to help calm some nerves and fears. District officials said they were pleased with the response from the driver and emergency personnel. more

I think about the poor children this time of year, kids in poverty. I won't use the word "underprivileged." That word makes it easier to ignore the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering of children in a situation they did not construct. It's a word that falsely hints that the group specified has a few of the items your children treasure. It is easier to ignore the fact that basic human needs are unattainable when a group is defined by one sterile word with 15 letters. more

Members of Progressive Action for the Common Good sent the following letter to the Scott County Board of Supervisors regarding a proposed energy peaking plant near Maysville. more

"Oregon was the first state to pass the Death with Dignity Act in 1997. In the nearly 30 years since, there has been no evidence of abuse or wrongdoing. Why do we force Iowans to travel out-of-state to access these medical services ..." more

"Recently Republican State Senator Kerry Gruenhagen announced his intention to run for re-election in District 41, which includes Cedar County and parts of Scott and Muscatine counties. The odd thing is, that of the several votes he claims to be 'proud' of, each one by itself is a reason not to vote for him ..." more

My brother turned 21 last Wednesday and I bought him a set of whiskey tumblers. He can now drink legally, which means he ought to start drinking civilly.  more

Dec. 10, 1975: The 55,000-gallon water tower that had stood in the center of Eldridge since 1929 was dismantled and moved. The tower was purchased by the Davenport YMCA and would be used for reserve storage at Camp Abe Lincoln. more