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 ..."

Lancer Productions’ presentation of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” opens this weekend, and I have much to report.

The images are grim, and the April 10 first-person report from the Amnesty International fieldworker inside Gaza is sickening:

April 18, 1984: Doug Otto was hired as the fourth superintendent in North Scott’s history. Otto was currently serving as the superintendent at Rockridge, Ill., and would replace Robert “Bear” Stevens, who was taking a position as superintendent in Glenbard, Ill.

The 14th week included a lot of floor debate as we work through bills going through both the House and the Senate.

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.

Kyle and Kerri Rehn of Eldridge are the parents of a son born March 9, 2024, at Genesis East Medical Center, Davenport.

A funeral service and Mass of Christian Burial for Dolores Marie "Dot" Cassidy, 93, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 19, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport. Visitation will be be 30 minutes prior to Mass on Friday at the church. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Geoffrey and Krista Nitzschke of Cottage Grove, Minn., are the parents of a son born at 11:38 p.m. Feb. 26, 2024, at Woodwinds Hospital, Woodbury, Minn.

Laura Frances “Fran” Huff, 98, passed away on April 3, 2024, at Illini Restorative Care in Silvis. A visitation will take place on April 13 at Weerts Funeral Home from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  A service will follow at 1 p.m.  Burial will take place at Davenport Memorial Park.  Memorials may be left to King’s Harvest Pet Rescue or River Bend Food Bank.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.weertsfh.com.

A funeral service for Laura Frances "Fran" Huff, 98, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Davenport Memorial Park.

A celebration of life for Lisa Maude (Buchheit) Williams (Silverthorn), 57, of Eldridge, will be Friday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf.