A group of good-hearted volunteers in the Quad Cities is welcoming refugees and putting into practice the Biblical injunctions, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen. 4: 9) and "I was a stranger and you invited me in." (Mt. 25:35).

May 1, 1974: A 21-year-old Bettendorf man was seriously injured after he stopped to help another driver change a flat tire along Highway 61 near Interstate 80. A southbound vehicle veered off the roadway, pinning the man between it and the disabled vehicle. The man was taken to Mercy Hospital, where one of his legs had to be amputated.

The 2024 session was a big win for Iowans, and we passed some major legislation to address the concerns of Iowans and the issues important to them. With all these accomplishments, we are looking forward to getting back home to our districts, spending time with our families, and talking with constituents about our successes this year.

"Is it wrong to ask highly paid professionals to TRY to respond in English, even though it might be a broken-English? When they try, I’ll be the first to congratulate them ..."

Thank you to readers who said they appreciated last week's "Impressions" which explained the difficult choices in the Israeli-Hamas War – thanks largely to the teaching pastor, the Rev. Peter Pettit, of St. Paul Lutheran. One reader wrote, "Thanks for your explanation of the Israel/Hamas war. I didn't understand what was going on, but your article helped me to grasp the problem."

April 24, 1974: North Scott teachers were preparing to enter contract negotiations with the district and asked for a $1,000 pay increase, to $8,400 for the 1974-75 school year. Jack Dudley of the North Scott Education Association said the district had not kept pace with the cost of living. Dudley said the average teacher was paid $10,290 in the last school year, which worked out to about $4.82 per hour, assuming a teacher only worked eight hours per day during the nine-month contract period. Starting sweepers at Caterpillar earned $4.95 per hour.

On April 10, the Iowa House passed House File 2641 by a near unanimous 96-aye to 1-nay vote. HF 2641 is the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) departmental bill. The measure proposes a number of changes to the Code that make technical corrections to update Code verbiage, remove dormant or obsolete program and Code provisions, and restructures Code language concerning the Choose Iowa Promotional Program.

House File 2634 removes the $7.0 million cap on the real estate transfer tax (RETT) that is deposited in the housing trust fund (HTF)—resulting in an increase to that fund and affordable housing across the state. The bill passed out of the House Economic Growth and Technology and Ways and Means Committees as well as off the House Floor unanimously.

"... I cannot recommend this play highly enough. It is a testament to the enduring relevance and transformative potential of the theatrical arts ..."

"Volunteers are an essential extension of the Compassus hospice care team. From directly interacting with patients and families to working with care team members behind the scenes to help operations run smoothly, they provide a vital service ..."

A funeral service for Beverly Mae Meyer, 86, of New Liberty, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Bentley Funeral Home, Wilton. The service will be live-streamed on the Bentley Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be in the Dixon Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, May 3, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Francis Claeys of Eldridge will celebrate his 80th birthday with an open house on Saturday, May 11. All family and friends are invited to call from 1-4 p.m. at Rustic Ridge in Eldridge. No gifts, please.

Bill and Sharon Wilson of Atalissa will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary May 4.

Marilyn Kathryn Peters, 87, of Eldridge, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice in Bettendorf.  A memorial service will be Wednesday, May 1, at noon at The Runge Mortuary.  There is no visitation.  Her final resting place will be in Davenport Memorial Park.  Memorials may go to the family.

Leila M. Rekemeyer, age 80, of Walcott, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.  A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 29, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Durant.  A visitation was held from 10-11 a.m., prior to the service at the church.  Burial took place in Inland Cemetery, Bennett.  Memorials may be given to Durant Ambulance or the Walcott Fire Department.  Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

A memorial service for Marilyn Kathryn Peters, 87, of Eldridge, will be held at noon on Wednesday, May 1, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. 

A funeral service for Leila M. Rekemeyer, 80, of Walcott, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 29, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Durant. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Burial will be in Inland Cemetery, Bennett. The Bentley Funeral Home, Durant, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Hallie Hunt of Dixon will celebrate her 80th birthday with a party April 27. Friends may call at the Dixon American Legion, 604 Davenport St., Dixon, starting at 4 p.m.

Tom and Barbara Willis celebrated their 80th birthdays with family and friends on April 21 at Scott County Park.

Gary Stichter, age 87, of Davenport, passed away early Thursday morning, April 18, 2024, at Genesis Medical Center-East in Davenport.

Roger Larry Schemmel, 84, a resident of Davenport, died peacefully on April 21, 2024, at Clarissa Cook Hospice House. Visitation will be at The Runge Mortuary on Thursday, April 25, at 11 a.m., with the service immediately following at noon. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Rose Marie Wright, 94, of Bennett, passed late at night on Thursday, April 11, in Clarissa Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf. Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 17, from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by her funeral services at 11 a.m. at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton. Rev. Dr. Andrew Watkins from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bennett officiating. Burial followed in the Inland Cemetery, Bennett. Lunch was at the Bennett American Legion Hall. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Bennett Ambulance and Fire Department. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

A funeral service and Mass of Christian Burial for Dolores Marie “Dot” (Hogarth) Cassidy, 93, was held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 19, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport. Visitation was 30 minutes prior to Mass on Friday at the church. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, assisted the family with arrangements.

A funeral service for Roger Larry Schemmel, 84, of Davenport, will be held at noon on Thursday, April 25, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. 

A funeral service for Gary Leon Stichter, 87, of Davenport, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, at Risen Christ Lutheran Church, Davenport. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in the McCausland Cemetery. A food and beverage reception will be held at the McCausland Civic Center following the burial. Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, is assisting the family with arrangements.