Featured stories

New equipment for Eldridge Fire Department

A new LUCAS device will provide automated chest compressions for Eldridge firefighters. The equipment was purchased with donations from First Central State Bank, Eldridge, a Moonlight Chase grant from the Eldridge North Scott Chamber of Commerce, the North Scott Rotary, and the Vis family's memorial for retired high school counselor, Carroll Vis, 92, of Eldridge, who died Dec. 4.
Scott County Board of Supervisors

$136K contract to get water out of courthouse basement

Scott County supervisors will try again to eliminate standing water in the courthouse subbasement. They hired Reed Construction for $136,600 to tackle infiltration they now believe is from groundwater, not rainfall.

Scott County library offers digital literacy lessons for free

The Scott County Library will host a digital literacy program, Tech Connect. All sessions listed will be held at the Eldridge branch.
Eldridge City Council

Eldridge holds off on detention pond issues

The Eldridge City Council will hold off on any decisions regarding city management of detention ponds until at least March, when a lawsuit by residents of the Blackhawk Hills Condo Association is scheduled to move forward in court.

Scott County Republicans bring Jan. 6 defendant to Davenport

Scott County Republicans welcome convicted Jan. 6 defendant Leo C. Kelly, to a private Pints and Politics discussion, 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, at Thunder Bay Grille, 6511 N. Brady St., Davenport.

River Action presents QC Environmental Film series beginning Jan. 19

The Quad City Environmental Film Series kicks off Jan. 19 with five films at the Figge Art Museum auditorium, and a sixth special presentation at St. Ambrose University’s Galvin Fine Arts Center.

River Action seeks river heroes for Eddy Award nominations

Nominations are due Jan. 24 for River Action’s 25th Annual Eddy Awards.

Third annual Eagle Fest soars in LeClaire Saturday and Sunday

The Third Annual LeClaire Eagle Fest is scheduled Jan. 18-19 and offers free activities and events celebrating the annual bald eagle migration overhead.
Sheriff & Police news
View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the Jan. 15 NSP!

View the Scott County Sheriff's report from the Jan. 15 NSP!

Sports
Wrestling

Team title triumph

153.5 team points is good enough to compete for a title in some Iowa high school wrestling tournaments.
Girls' Wrestling

Rose rises to the top

Harmony Hansel started it one-for-one last year. On Friday, Maddie Rose made it two-for-two.
Boys' Basketball

'We are going in the right direction'

While moral victories don’t count for much in the standings, Lancer coach Shamus Budde sees the progress in his basketball team.
Girls' Basketball

Lancers suffer winless stretch

North Scott’s girls’ basketball team took to the court three times last week, but came out on the wrong end of all three decisions.
Bowling

Home meet heats up winter

Lancer bowlers had to wait until 2025 for their first home meet, but when it arrived, they welcomed Muscatine and Durant to Big River Bowling for a tri-meet.
Opinion
1985: Louis Bellson joins North Scott jazz band on auditorium stage
Jan. 16, 1985: Moline native and world-renowned drummer Louis Bellson and the Northern Illinois University jazz ensemble played a concert in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. The North Scott jazz bands served as a warmup act. The students also had the opportunity to attend workshops with Bellson and members of the NIU band during the day.
Bravo for North Scott High School choir’s winter concert
"The dedication and talent of the North Scott Choir, along with the guidance of Mr. Skyles and Mrs. Potts, are a true testament to the value of the arts in our schools and community ..."
Whittington’s health freedom advocacy will serve Iowa
"Katie’s conservative values very much qualifies for the job ..."
Worrisome Whittington
"Whittington is worrisome to our Iowa farmers, whom she will be representing in rural Clinton, Jackson, and Scott County. Farmers want freedom to farm, not more legislation ..."
Kash Patel would bring vengeance to the FBI
"I urge Senators Ernst and Grassley to reject Kash Patel’s nomination. This is not about partisanship; it’s about protecting the integrity of our democracy and the safety of the American people ..."
Snowmobilers: Please observe property signs
"The snow season is just beginning and private property owners simply ask their land be respected.  Please, heed the no trespassing signs in all seasons, - they are posted for a reason and ask permission to use property that does not belong to you ..."
Jan. 6 truth changes in the telling
"Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in late 2024, after president-elect Trump appointed her as ambassador to the United Nations ..."
2000: George W. Bush flies in to share Dole endorsement
Jan. 12, 2000: Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who was seeking the Republican nomination for the presidency, made a campaign stop at the Davenport Municipal Airport. He joined by Sen. Charles Grassley and former candidate Elizabeth Dole, who had both endorsed Bush.
Trump immigration agenda tops to-do list
Q: What’s on Congress’ to-do list?
NSP reader delivers memories from his Wilton route
"I thought I would like to share my experience living in Wilton.  I was born in Wilton on June 15, 1939.  My dad and mom were Harry and Violet Amerine ..."
Announcements
Death Notice: Pamela Cosselman
A service celebrating the life of Pamela J. "Pam" (Geary) Cosselman, 68, of Davenport, formerly of Eldridge, will be held at noon on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Obituary: Randall "Randy" Burmeister
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Randall Roland Burmeister, who departed this life in the comfort of his own home on January 1, 2025, at the age of 75. Graveside services will be held in honor of Randy's life at Inland Cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at 1 p.m., (weather permitting), followed by memory sharing and a luncheon at the American Legion in Bennett.
Meyers mark 50 years of marriage Dec. 27
David and Linda Meyer of Maysville celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 27.
Obituary: Lois Seibel
Lois A. Seibel, 87, of rural Walcott, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at the Summit of Bettendorf.
Obituary: Paul Claeys
Paul Claeys, 75, of Long Grove, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, following a brief illness.
Death Notice: Lois Seibel
A funeral service for Lois A. Seibel, 87, of rural Walcott, will be held at noon on Friday, Jan. 3, at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Maysville Cemetery.
Death Notice: Paul Claeys
A Memorial Mass for Paul David Claeys, 75, of Long Grove, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 30, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Long Grove. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, with Masonic and Eastern Star services following at 5 p.m.
Obituary: James DeFrieze
Memorial services for James Michael DeFrieze, 34, of Des Moines, formerly of Davenport, will be 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, at Heritage Wesleyan Church, Rock Island, located at 4801 44th St., Rock Island. Family will greet friends on Friday, Dec. 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. He passed away on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Des Moines.
Obituary: Jason Coussens
Jason Donald Coussens, age 51, of Blue Grass, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at his home.  Private family services will be held.  Burial will take place in Blue Grass Cemetery.  Memorials may be given to Blue Grass Fire Department or the Handicap Development Center, Davenport in his memory.  Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Obituary: Gary Fick
Gary A.  Fick, age 70, of New Liberty, passed away Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  A visitation was held from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20, at Bentley Funeral Home, Durant.  A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Durant.  Burial took place in Walcott Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to Durant Ambulance in his memory.  Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Obituary: Duane Amhof
Duane Alan Amhof, 63, of Fort Dodge, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 12, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals, where he was surrounded by his loving family at the end of his long health battle.
Obituary: James Lincoln
James “Jim” Lincoln, age 87, of Walcott, passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at his home.  A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 27, at United Methodist Church of Wilton.  A visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m., prior to the service.  Military honors will be accorded by the Durant American Legion.  Private burial will take place in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church of Wilton, Durant American Legion or UnityPoint Hospice.  Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Death Notice: James Lincoln
A funeral service for James "Jim" Lincoln, 87, of Walcott, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at the United Methodist Church of Wilton. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Friday at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the Durant American Legion, and private family burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. The Bentley Funeral Home, Durant, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Death Notice: James DeFrieze
A memorial service for James Michael DeFrieze, 34, of Des Moines, formerly of Davenport, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Heritage Wesleyan Church, 4801 44th St., Rock Island. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 27, from 5-7 p.m. at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. 
Death Notice: Gary Fick
A funeral service for Gary A. Fick, 70, of New Liberty will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Durant. Burial will be in the Walcott Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 20, from 5-7  p.m. at the Bentley Funeral Home, Durant. 
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More local news

Foreign disease protection, grain indemnity among House ag priorities

Rep. Mike Sexton, chair of the Iowa House agriculture committee said his early priorities for the upcoming legislative session include a grain indemnity bill, an elimination of the wool checkoff program and preparations for foreign diseases that would impact livestock.

Vilsack commends USDA rules that impact poultry workers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture finalized a third regulatory reform under the Packers and Stockyards Act, with the latest regulation giving greater stability and fairness to chicken farmers working for major meat companies, according to an announcement Tuesday.

EPA confirms additions to Iowa impaired waters list

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency affirmed its November decision to add seven additional segments to Iowa’s list of impaired waters, following a public comment period.

Lawmakers ask Regents to reject UI proposal for new school

Two Iowa lawmakers have urged the Iowa Board of Regents to deny the University of Iowa’s request to form a new school that would include programs in African American studies, gender, sexuality and women’s studies, Native American and Indigenous studies and more.

Wilton chef cooks up a presidential meal

Wilton resident Darren “Mac” McCleary has always considered himself to be a capable chef, handling any meal that comes his way. This has included meals involving special guests, ranging from former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to actor Clint Eastwood. The story of one surprise guest, however, has stuck with McCleary for over 15 years now.