"I would like to express my sincere thanks to the citizens of Eldridge. It was an honor to represent all of you for the past 16 years on the city council. I was a small part of much great progress during those years ..." more

"They helped me tremendously and I want everyone to know there are lots of good kids out there. And three of them came to my house ..." more

Speaker of the Iowa House, state Rep. Pat Grassley, during a speech at Rotary back on Nov. 10, was asked if it would be possible to voice a presidential preference without attending the caucus. His answer was direct: the caucus format will not change. You have to be there in person if you want your vote to count. more

Jan. 11, 1984: The North Scott School Board authorized a study to survey support for a proposed $4 million bond issue that would include a $2.7 million swimming pool at the high school. more

I’m writing to share why I have endorsed Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential primary, why I committed to serve as her statewide co-chair, and why I will be caucusing for her on Jan. 15. more

We are so blessed in Iowa to have the first in the nation caucus.  All the world will be watching Iowa on the evening of Monday, Jan. 15, 2024!  The person who wins the Iowa caucus gets a huge boost going into the New Hampshire primary.  The people in Scott County have an opportunity to influence what goes on in the world with their vote on caucus night. more

I’m looking forward to Iowa’s Jan. 15 caucus and not just for the temporary reprieve from negative political ads. Due to the presidential preference card changes, Democrats will be getting back to basics and expanding opportunities to participate in candidate selection. more

" ... Without proof, you don’t get to say, 'there must have been fraud,' not in a democracy. If you do, you should not participate in an election in America, because you are too weak to accept losing ..." more

"Students are invited to join the Democratic Caucus on Monday, January 15, 2024, at North High School, 626 West 53rd St. Doors open at 6 p.m. ..." more

"If we Americans elect a self-proclaimed dictator to be our president, we will deserve what we get: An end to our democracy ..." more

The morning of Christmas Eve day, I sat toward the front of the church and videoed the choir, of which I am normally a part, as it sang anthems, including the beautiful "Angels Are Making Their Rounds," under the direction of Ryan Riewerts. I was, in the words of Methodist founder, John Wesley, strangely warmed on this day when my energy was low and I was not feeling well. more

Thanks to the 121 letter writers and guest columnists who made our opinion pages in 2023. more

Jan. 6, 1999: After a mild December, January started with a wallop, as 14 inches of snow dropped, followed by heavy winds and frigid temperatures. Several local churches cancelled services and Slagle’s grocery stores in Eldridge and LeClaire closed early for the first time since 1979. more

The Scott County Board of Supervisors is being called to task over the refusal of a majority on the board to accept the report of a 3-person recount board in a closely contested Pleasant Valley School Board race. more

2023 will be in the top 15 for driest years according to the state’s 151 years of records. Despite ongoing record drought – we’ll end the year with 182 consecutive weeks of at least moderate (D1) drought somewhere in the state - Iowa farmers harvested yet another strong, better-than-expected crop. It’s a testament to timely rains throughout the growing season and constant innovation in genetics, traits, technology, practices, and much more. more

"If after hundreds of years of educating our youth in the space of a full five-day week, we have finally discovered that a weekly early dismissal is the answer to better education, then offer it on Mondays ..." more

"Biden is supporting people on the demand side of the economy in the belief that what drives economic growth is the demand for goods and services ..." more

"The Extension Council would like to congratulate Bill Tubbs on being honored as Friend of the First Amendment by the Iowa Freedom of Information Council ..." more

There were a number of items I had hoped to write about at year's end, but time was slipping away before Christmas, and my triple bypass surgery that was to have taken place Dec. 13 was rescheduled Dec. 26 at University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics in Madison due to Covid, which I wrote about in the Dec. 13 NSP. more

Dec. 28, 1983: Princeton, LeClaire and Pleasant Valley firefighters battled a fire early on Christmas morning at the Cole home, five miles southwest of Princeton. The family huddled in a barn as firefighters battled the flames and frigid wind chills. Two rooms and an outside wall were damaged, due to the fire, which was caused by faulty wiring. But there were no injuries, and no presents were damaged. more