In this column on April 7, about the YMCA groundbreaking, I lifted up good things happening in our community – a time to celebrate. Much has been accomplished, but a few items remain on my bucket list:

The halls of North Scott High School are filled with talented, intelligent and selfless individuals. I’ve witnessed it first hand, and consider it a privilege to share their accomplishments and success stories with the community.

April 21, 1971: North Scott athletic director and head track coach Donald Schmelzer asked for a formal hearing to protest his firing. While superintendent Melvin Heiler said the dismissal was due to a “public relations situation with a student and the public,” Schmelzer stated that he did not believe he had been given sufficient cause. The North Scott Education Foundation stated they also believed he had been fired unjustly.

“Now before we get into this debate tonight, let me be clear. If you support law enforcement — truly support law enforcement, you will be voting ‘yes’ tonight. If you stand up tonight and say you support law enforcement, your words will become meaningless with a ‘no’ vote on this bill. Actions speak louder than words.”

Iowa’s 91 House and Senate Republican legislators want to outlaw classroom discussion of topics like racism and sexism (HF 802).  Furthermore, Iowa’s GOP attempt (HF 222) to ban discussion of the slavery-oriented 1619 Project book reveals their pro-white bias.

We are in the homestretch of the 110-day legislative session! This week we debated bills, moved governor appointments to state boards and commissions and advanced budget bills in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

F 342 - Back the Blue. This week, we passed legislation to follow through on our promise to support law enforcement.

This week I would like to provide an update on a bill that I mentioned a few weeks ago. We have now passed HF 857 which was formerly HF 787. The bill creates the Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Fund and Program to be administered by IEDA (Economic Development) in consultation with IDALS (Agriculture).

"Human rights and treating each other with mutual respect should be the norm ..."

"If we don’t acknowledge that junior/senior high students can and do detect similarities and differences among those around them, we are doing them and ourselves a disservice ..."

Dudley and Marilyn Townsend of Eldridge will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary with a family celebration.

Patricia Shreffler of Davenport will celebrate her 80th birthday with a card shower. Cards may be sent to her at 4023 Lillie Ave. #407, Davenport, IA 52806.

Cody Rasmussen and Katherine Noack of Long Grove are the parents of a daughter born at 4:47 p.m. April 10, 2021, at Trinity, Bettendorf.

On April 6, 2021, the world lost an amazing man.  He left us way too soon and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

On Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, Dick McCleary, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed from this life at 89 years of age.  Dick was born May 14, 1931, to Egbert and Norma (Meinburg) McCleary.  He was the grandson of Fritz Meinburg, a mayor of Rockingham (prior to its annexation to Davenport), Iowa.

A funeral mass for Elaine M. Konrardy, 83, of Davenport, was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf. Burial was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation was Tuesday from 8-10:30 a.m. at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport.

Vernon Eugene Meier, 90, of McGregor, formerly of Davenport, died Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded, with no services or burial. The Runge Mortuary, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A Celebration of Life for Judith Rae Steward, 78, of Long Grove, was held from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at Lady Di’s Park View Inn, Park View. Visitation was Friday, April 16, from 4-6 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.

A Celebration of Life service for Marilyn Deegan, 76, of Maquoketa, will be  held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, at the United Church of Christ in Maquoketa. A gathering of family and friends for fellowship and music will be held from 5-9 p.m. at the Maquoketa Art Experience.  A private family visitation was held, and cremation has taken place. Carson Celebration of Life Center, Maquoketa, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A funeral service for Kathleen M. "Kathy" Phinney, 85, of Lexington, Ill., will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, at Calvert-Johnson & Musselman Memorial Home, Lexington. Burial will be in the Lexington Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, April 23, from 4-7 p.m. at the memorial home.

Vernon Eugene Meier, 90, of McGregor, formerly of Davenport, died Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded, with no services or burial. The Runge Mortuary, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A funeral Mass for Elaine M. Konrardy, 83, of Davenport, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be Tuesday from 8-10:30 a.m. at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. The service will be livestreamed on the Runge Mortuary Facebook page.

Private funeral services will be held for Errol D. Walker, with burial with full military honors at Rock Island National Cemetery. The Davenport Police Department will host a Celebration of Life for family and friends at a later date. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Spencer and Addy Faust of Eldridge are the parents of a son born at 1:47 p.m. March 29, 2021, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City.

Charles “Chuck” William Schiele, age 83, of Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Durant and Iowa City, passed away unexpectedly on April 11, 2021, in Kansas City. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 16, in the Durant Cemetery, Durant, where many of his family members are also laid to rest. A reception at the Durant Community Center (605 5th Ave.) will immediately follow the services.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to University of Kansas Center for Advanced Brain and Neurological Care. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.