Featured stories

Sisler hearing rescheduled

Eldridge council members are rescheduling a closed meeting for police chief Joe Sisler to continue defending his job performance. The 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6, meeting at city hall was …

Letts man dies after escaping rollover

Muscatine deputies found the body of   Letts man in a Creek Bed away from a rollover accident, Nov. 27, Sheriff Quinn Riess said. Quinn provided the following report. At 9:13 p.m., …

$2,000 scholarships available for MCC ag students

The first 25 students who enroll full-time in one of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges’ Agriculture AAS degree programs will receive an automatic $2,000 scholarship to offset the cost of their …

No-see-um bites fuel Iowa deer disease outbreak

An outbreak in Iowa this year of a disease that causes deer to bleed internally and often results in death is poised to be the second-worst since the first known outbreak occurred 11 years ago, …

Republican women pick Eldridge's Michelle Crawford to lead in 2024-25

Eldridge resident Michelle Crawford was elected 2024-2025 president of the 600-member Iowa Federation of Republican Women, a political group founded in 1938.

No injuries in Nov. 30 Park View fire

A Thursday morning fire damaged a home in the 200 block of Shawnee Circle in Park View.
Eldridge City Council

Million-gallon leak leads to $11K sewer bill

An irrigation line leak at R&L Carriers’ 300 Slopertown Road sent 1.4 million gallons into a ditch, and ran up an $11,540 sewer bill.
Eldridge City Council

Cheek walks out of meeting

Eldridge council member Bruce Cheek condemned fellow council members and city staff, and insulted former mayor Marty O'Boyle, before leaving Monday's council after nine minutes.
Sheriff & Police news
View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the Dec. 6 NSP!

View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the Dec. 6 NSP!

Sports

Iowa hunting, fishing license sales begin Dec. 15

Iowans can buy 2024 resident hunting, fishing and other licenses on Dec. 15.   Licenses purchased for 2023 expire on Jan. 10. The menu of license options includes the popular Outdoor Combo …
Boys' Basketball

Lancers are 'we over me'

Even after one game, it’s easy to get excited about what this North Scott boys’ basketball team can be.
Girls' Basketball

The West/North Split

North Scott girls’ basketball opened up conference play last week with a Davenport double against West and North — two schools that might be on the top and bottom of the Mississippi Athletic Conference standings in February.
Boys' Wrestling

Embracing the underdog role

North Scott boys’ wrestling is entering the 2023-24 season as the underdogs.
Bowling

Rolling to a solid start

It is year 15 of the North Scott High School bowling program, and the pins still don’t stand a chance.
Opinion
Jimmy Carter’s religious values informed his policies
Back in March, one of the items in my daily Religion News email was entitled, “Jimmy Carter’s religious values were never far from his presidency or his policy.” The essay was by Lovett H. Weems Jr., who was a United Methodist pastor in Mississippi during the Carter presidency and now is professor emeritus of church leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
2008: Boldts mark 100th harvest by hand-picking corn
Dec. 10, 2008: The Boldt family, who farmed near West Lake Park, always celebrated the end of the harvest by picking the last few rows of corn by hand to honor their ancestors. This year was a special harvest, as it marked the 100th year the farm was owned by the family. This year’s hand pickers included Mike Fink, Jared Boldt, Jake Peeters, Jorden Boldt, Kylie Boldt, Bonnie Boldt, Kaylee Wulf and Jerry Boldt.
Gov. Reynolds shows courage with DeSantis endorsement
" ... It took a lot of courage for Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to endorse Ron DeSantis. Why? Because she had to weigh the endorsement against the likelihood of threats once Trump the thug vented his rage ..."
Biden restored functioning government
"President Biden’s driving force from day one has been to save our democracy ..."
Thanks to Hometown Holidays visitors and volunteers
"Another successful Hometown Holiday is in the books! We are thankful Mother Nature cooperated. We are also so thankful to all of the local businesses and organizations that donate their time and efforts into helping us provide a free event for families ..."
Seeds of Davenport disclosure were planted at North Scott
Taxpayers in the city of Davenport wouldn’t know this, but a lawsuit filed against the North Scott School District in the late 1980s led to the law which required the disclosure last week of the $1.6-million buyout of their now-former city administrator, Corri Spiegel.
1973: Nixon energy warning cancels Eldridge holiday lights
Nov. 28, 1973: The Eldridge Businessmen’s Association cancelled an order for new lighted Christmas decorations. President Richard Nixon had called for a ban on decorative Christmas lighting in a speech on the energy crisis.
Beware social governance and diversity overreach
ESG stands for environmental, social, governance. Large corporate directors and business investors, with indirect input from the federal government, designate these scores based on how well the person or small business or company adheres to a number of policies, such as green, climate change-inspired policies, opposition to the use of fossil fuels, opposition to production agriculture, opposition to gun manufacture, beliefs about racial equity informed by Critical Race Theory (CRT), including anti-racism, white privilege, etc., support for abortion on demand and/or adherence to LGBT ideology.
Iowa Republicans ignore local control
"If Sen. Cournoyer wants to micromanage local spending maybe she should run for a local office instead of tying local elected officials’ hands ..."
Around the world in 87 days
Twice, I copped a ride with my friend, John Ockenfels, of Swisher, near Cedar Rapids, to Rotary events, first at Cleveland, Ohio, in 2016, and then Erie, Pa., in 2018. During those flights he told me of his dream to fly around the world in a single-engine airplane. Yeah, right, I thought – but John was serious.
Announcements
Obituary: Dennis Fahrenkrog
Dennis Arlo Fahrenkrog passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, with his family by his side.  There was a visitation from 8:30 a.m. till 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Runge Mortuary, followed by a funeral service at 10a.m. in the Runge Chapel.  Burial was in Davenport Memorial Park.  Condolences may be shared at www.rungemortuary.com.
Obituary: Donna Furrow
Donna M. Furrow, 83, of Park View, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at her residence.
Obituary: Joann Gottschalk
Joann Delores Gottschalk, 90, of Ottumwa, died at 5:35 a.m. Nov. 26, 2023, at Iowa Jewish Life Center in Des Moines.
Obituary: Melvin Hill
Melvin G. Hill, 86, of Eldridge, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at Harmony Utica Ridge Davenport.  Visitation was 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport.  The funeral service followed at 12 p.m. Tuesday in the Runge Chapel.  Burial was in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Pleasant Valley.  Memorials may be made to Alzheimer Association, ATTN: Megan Olsen, 1225 E. River Dr., Suite 130, Davenport, IA 52803.  Please share condolences at www.Rungemortuary.com.
Obituary: Carol Klemme
Carol Ann Klemme, 88, of Long Grove, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Genesis East Medical Center.  Services were Thursday, Nov. 30, at 12 p.m. at The Runge Mortuary. Visitation was Thursday from 10 a.m. until the noon service, at the mortuary. Her final resting place was in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorials may go to McCausland Fire Department. Online condolences may be left at rungemortuary.com.
Obituary: Schary Shouse
Schary L. Shouse, 75, most recently of Chesterton, Ind., passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, at Residences at Coffee Creek in Chesterton.
Death Notice: Eldon Lindsey
Eldon L. Lindsey, 76, of Eldridge, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at his home. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Death Notice: Ruth Petersen
A funeral service for Ruth L. Petersen, 88, of Davenport, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will in the Maysville Cemetery. 
Death Notice: Melvin Hill
A funeral service for Melvin G. Hill, 86, of Eldridge, will be held at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 5, in the Runge Chapel, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Tuesday at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
Marvin Reimers to celebrate 90th birthday with party
Marvin Reimers, of 9540 New Liberty Road, Maysville, will celebrate his 90th birthday with a party on Sunday, Dec. 3. Friends and family are invited to call from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Walcott Coliseum. Becky Plays will perform. No gifts, please.
Obituary: Dwight Dickman
A funeral service for Dwight J. Dickman, 84, of Eldridge, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, with Pastor Sara Olson-Smith officiating. Visitation was Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 4-7 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Garnavillo (Iowa) Community Cemetery.
Death Notice: Carol Klemme
A funeral service for Carol Ann Klemme, 88, of Long Grove, will be held at noon on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Thursday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery.
Obituary: Harry Arp
Harry Arp Jr., 92, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 15, at Genesis East. He was born on the family farm on Blackhawk Trail Road near Eldridge, the son of Harry and Leona (Dreyer) Arp, on Nov. 4, 1931.
Obituary: Kenneth Mickelson
Kenneth “Ken” Francis Mickelson, a devoted husband, loving father, and cherished member of his community, peacefully passed away on Nov. 16, 2023, in Wilmington, N.C. He was born on March 21, 1951, in Davenport. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Roseland Mickelson and Mercedes McAllister Mickelson and infant sister Marleen.
Obituary: Dennis Schmidt
Dennis L. Schmidt, 75, of Eldridge, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, surrounded by his family. A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, at the Runge Mortuary, with visitation two hours prior to the service. He will be laid to rest at Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made in his name to the Eldridge VFW. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.
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More local news
GOP caucus sticks with tradition Republicans caucus 7 p.m., Jan. 15, in the party’s traditional manner: Individual votes for presidential preferences, along with votes to choose precinct and convention leaders, and make platform suggestions to the county convention.
Webster fundraiser features Vivek Ramaswamy Vivek Ramaswamy will join Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann to raise funds for state Sen. Scott Webster, 6-8 p.m., Friday. Dec. 8 at the Dahl Old Cr Home, 5215 Grand Ave., Davenport.
Democrats caucus at Davenport North, Jan. 15 Scott County Democrats will caucus for everything but a presidential pick at a single location Jan. 15: Davenport North High School.
Supervisors reject tied recount in Pleasant Valley school board race On a 3-2 vote, Scott County supervisors Monday rejected a canvass of a recount that ended in a tied Pleasant Valley school board race.
Full-time food returns to Rustic Ridge A new chef is in town at Rustic Ridge golf club in Eldridge.
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