Dec. 5, 1984: Although the news did not come as a complete surprise, employees at the International Harvester Farmall plant in Rock Island were still disappointed to hear the plan would close. Officials with the company were scheduled to meet with employees to reveal their plans for the 1,650 workers who would be unemployed, but Don Keding of rural Long Grove was one of many affected who said it would be tough to find a new job. “It’s going to be damn tough to find something that will even come close to giving workers the fringe benefits and high salaries that major manufacturing has provided in this area.”

I was asked to speak last month at the annual conference of the National Freedom of Information Coalition. My remarks boiled down to a simple message: The public needs more information about their governments, not more secrecy from their governments.

Editor’s note: Scott County supervisors on Nov. 7 approved these priorities of the Iowa Urban County Coalition for taxpayer-funded lobbying of state legislators during the 2025 session. The coalition is comprised of supervisors from Linn, Black Hawk, Dubuque, Johnson, and Scott counties.

"It is not too early to get those holiday gifts wrapped. Here is the perfect solution ..."

"The work and generosity of these businesses, organizations, and individuals, improve our community and our community events, one tree, even one string of lights, at a time.  What a wonderful community we live in! Thank you ..."

Tubbs family honored for initial pledge for bandshell fund drive

Former NSP owner Bill Tubbs’ Impressions column appeared for 53 years on this page. Bill passed away Sept. 20. Here's an excerpt from Nov. 28, 1984.

Nov. 28, 1984: Marc Brown, author and illustrator of the popular “Arthur” children’s books, paid a visit to John Glenn Elementary School. He talked about his writing process, and made a large drawing based on student suggestions. Brown said he knew he wanted to be an artist when he was in second grade. “I promise I’ll keep writing more books if you guys go to the library to read them once in a while,” Brown told the students.

In August, the Eldridge council adopted a social host ordinance, holding adult property owners liable for underage drinking in their homes.

Nov. 20, 1974: North Scott sophomore Lisa Lau was surprised to learn that her prize-winning recipe for cheesecake cookies was selected to be in Better Homes & Gardens magazine. Lau won the cake and cookie division in the Milk Made Magic contest, sponsored by the Scott County Dairy Association, and prepared the cookies for judging at the Iowa State Fair. Several judges in that competition were associated with the magazine. Lau received a $50 check from the magazine for printing her recipe. 

A Celebration of Life gathering for Joyce E. DeCock, 75, of Long Grove, will be held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Long Grove Community Center. Chambers Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

A funeral service for Lee Warren Muller, 95, of Walcott, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at Calvary Church of Walcott. Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 8, from 3-5 p.m. at the church. Bentley Funeral Home, Durant, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A memorial Mass celebrating the life of Carroll Lee "Cary" Vis,  92, of Eldridge, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Long Grove. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass on Monday at the church. Burial will be in St. Ann's Cemetery. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A memorial Mass celebrating the life of Kenneth D. Kelly, 72, of Eldridge, will be held at noon on Saturday, Dec. 14, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Long Grove. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A funeral service for Dennis Edward O’Connor, 64, of Davenport, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery, Long Grove.

Joyce E. Wulf, age 92, of Walcott, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at Better Living of Walcott.  Cremation rites have been accorded. In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held at this time.  Memorials may be made to Walcott Fire Department or the Walcott American Legion, Post # 548 in her memory. Memorials and cards may be mailed to Jennifer Peterson, P.O. Box 85, Keithsburg, IL, 61442.  Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

Lance C. Frye, 77, of Davenport, passed away Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at his home surrounded by his beloved family.  A celebration of life will be held on Friday, Dec. 6, from 3-7 p.m. at the Rolling Meadows Event Center; 657 S. 16th Ave., Eldridge.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Lance’s name may be made to the North Scott Boys’ Basketball Program, Hospice Compassus, or to Lighthouse Homecare.

Gary Ewoldt, 81, formerly of Eldridge, died after a year-long illness at his home in Chandler, Ariz., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, with his wife Carol at his side.

A celebration of life for Lance C. Frye, 77, of Davenport, will be held from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Rolling Meadows Event Center, 657 S. 16th Ave., Eldridge. Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Larry F. Nagle, 88, of Long Grove, died peacefully, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Zoey Jean Ann Carney, 12, of Eldridge, will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 29, from 4 until 7 p.m. at the church, with additional visitation held from 9 until 10 a.m. Saturday morning.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to establish a memorial in Zoey’s honor at a later date. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Zoey died on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, following a courageous battle with leukemia.

Mary M. Schneckloth, 82, a former resident of Eldridge, died on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the Kahl Home for the Aged in Davenport, where she had resided for several years.

Sue Ann Bader, 92, of Eldridge passed away on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Grand Haven, Eldridge. The family will greet friends on Friday, Nov. 29, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge. A private family service will be held at a later time. Inurnment will take place at Walcott Cemetery at a later date.

A celebration of life for Mary M. Schneckloth, 82, formerly of Eldridge, will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov.. 30, at Lady Di's, Park View. A private family funeral service will be held at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge.

A funeral service and Mass of Christian Burial for Larry Francis Nagle, 88, of Long Grove, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Long Grove. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 29, from 4-7 p.m. at the church, with a prayer service and  time of sharing at the conclusion. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to Mass on Saturday at the church. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.