Fifty years ago the Vietnam War was winding down, but time on the nightly news that previously reported war casualties and updates, was filled with the latest twists and turns of the Watergate investigation which would lead to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in August 1974.

Sept. 19, 1973: A busy agenda at the North Scott School Board meeting saw the seating of two newly elected members, Robert Carter of rural Princeton, and Dr. Marvin Elliott of Long Grove. The board also voted to proceed with a $1.2 million bond issue for the construction of a junior high, with an election to be held some time in November.

The river means something different to everyone. For many, it is a spiritual place for meditation and retreat. Others think of recreation and family outings (for me, it’s one of my favorite places to walk my new puppy, Bailey). At times, the river is a source of anxiety as flooding becomes a more regular concern.

On Aug. 17,  2023, more than one hundred people gathered at the Beit Shalom Jewish Community building in Davenport, Iowa, to view in person, a physical artifact of the Holocaust: an authentic World War II rail car bound for permanent display at the Danville Station Museum in Danville, Iowa.

"Still, the legislative work of 2020 and resulting changes to policy are, today, reshaping the landscape of problematic commercial dog breeding in Iowa and will continue to do so in the years to come ..."

"We have seen too many of these pointless Republican shutdowns before.  Quit wasting taxpayer money on this political sideshow and do your job ..."

"The law is dangerous because it will weaken public schools, which are the great equalizer in our country.  Weakening public schools by diverting funds together with banning books and muzzling teachers will lead to weakening our democracy too ..."

Put this in the category of small annoyances, the absence of printed roster sheets at athletic contests, especially high school sports. It started with Covid and then became a fact accomplished, replaced by QR codes which navigate your smart phone to electronic rosters.

Sept. 12, 1973: As the Iowa Highway Commission worked to finalize its plans for the proposed Highway 561, which would run north-south from Interstate 80 to the Wapsipinicon River, the Eldridge City Council learned that two east-west roads between Eldridge and Mt. Joy could be affected. As proposed, the new highway would stub off Lincoln Road and East Blackhawk Trail. The council wanted assurances that drivers would be able to cross the highway at these junctions.

Over the last several years, I have had the pleasure of watching the evolution of The Scott County Youth Justice & Rehabilitation Center, which has been a true testament of what authentic youth and family engagement should look like.

A funeral service and Mass of Christian Burial for Dorothy Mae "Dort" Beert, 92, of Eldridge, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Long Grove. Visitation will be two hours prior to Mass on Saturday at the church. The Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Kevin D. Miller, age 65, of Dixon, passed away on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at Wheatland Manor with his wife by his side after a courageous 28-month battle with Glioblastoma IV, a brain cancer. Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport. Visitation was from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, Sep. 17, at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Burial was in Allen’s Grove Cemetery, Dixon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dixon Fire Department or North Scott FFA.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Janice Schebler, 92, of Davenport, were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.  The livestream may be viewed, and remembrances expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. Burial was in Holy Family Cemetery, Davenport.  Visitation was from 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Ruff Life Dog Rescue of ILLOWA or the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

A funeral service for Evelyn A. Gullion, 86, of Davenport, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Burial will follow in Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Thursday at the mortuary.

A funeral service celebrating the life of Janice Ruth Schebler, 92, of Davenport, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. The service will be livestreamed at the funeral home's website. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Raymond “Ray” and Sherrill “Sherry” Peters of Park View will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a road trip to St. Louis, Arizona, Las Vegas and South Dakota.

Larry D. Frazee and Elizabeth A. “Betty” Frazee will celebrate their 80th birthdays with a family dinner.

Jack Hill, 85, of Iowa City and formerly of Long Grove, died peacefully on Sept. 7, 2023, surrounded by his family at home.

Nelda Elfrieda Cassidy, age 99, of Walcott, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.  Cremation rites have been accorded.  A private family graveside service will be held at a later date in Maysville Cemetery.  Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

James “Jim” C. Belk Sr., 91, of Long Grove, passed away on Sept. 6, 2023, at Select Specialty Hospital in Davenport. Family received guests for visitation from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Weerts Funeral Home. A funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, also at Weerts Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the McCausland Fire Department. Online, condolences and fond memories may be expressed at www.weertsfh.com.

Linda K. Tank, 82, of Davenport, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospital.  A memorial visitation to honor her memory was held on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Weerts Funeral Home.  Memorials in Linda’s name may be made to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Carl “Rodney” Lodmell of Gilbert, Ariz., formerly of Blue Grass, age 92, passed away at his home on Monday, July 17, 2023, with his wife and son by his side.

Berniece “Bea” Schoop, 94, of DeWitt, passed away peacefully, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, at Genesis Medical Center-East, Davenport.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Roger D. Woomert, 80, of Princeton, was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. Burial was in Rock Island National Cemetery, where military rites were conducted. Visitation was Sunday, Sept. 10, from 2-6 p.m. at the funeral home.

A funeral service for Kevin Dale Miller, 65, of Dixon, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport. Burial will be in Allens Grove Cemetery, Dixon. Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.