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Thursday, December 18th, 2025

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Good morning, Davenport. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of December.

COMMUNITY NEWS

  • Laura Lee Smith, a 50-year competitor from Bettendorf, was inducted into the Special Olympics Iowa Hall of Fame—she is the first Scott County athlete to earn this honor—and will serve as a global messenger to inspire the next generation.  KWQC
  • Arconic is set to distribute annual Christmas food baskets to families in Davenport — continuing a long tradition of holiday community support.  The Dispatch Argus
  • On Wednesday, Dec. 10, YWCA of the Quad Cities received a $7,000 donation from Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors to purchase essential hygiene supplies (32,000 diapers, 52,000 wipes, 9,500 pads) for low-income women and families, and volunteers sorted and packaged the items at its Empowerment Center in Davenport.  Quad Cities Business Journal
  • Dress for Success Quad Cities named Mikael Gibson as its new executive director, announced Wednesday, Dec. 17 on Facebook. Gibson brings over 20 years of community service experience (including roles at Black Hawk College and CASI) as she works to expand the group’s support for local women seeking job opportunities.  Quad Cities Business Journal
  • Arconic continues its Christmas tradition by distributing annual food baskets to local families this holiday season. The program supports residents with essential groceries as part of the company's long-standing community outreach efforts.  The Quad City Times
  • Davenport’s iconic skybridge now features a programmable, end-to-end light display funded by the Destination Iowa grant that is part of a $9.6-million project for Main Street Landing. Holiday shows will run through Jan. 3 and adjust to daily sunrise and sunset times.  KWQC

ACCIDENTS NEWS

  • Barrel House in downtown Davenport is temporarily closed after a fire affected its basement storage area; officials say the cause is unknown and inspections are underway.  The Dispatch Argus

BUSINESS NEWS

  • Barrel House in downtown temporarily closed after a fire was reported in its storage basement. The cause remains unknown and officials are checking the building for safety.  The Quad City Times

CULTURE NEWS

  • Icestravaganza returns downtown from Jan. 16-18 at the Freight House Farmers Market, featuring ice sculptures, carving demonstrations & family activities. The event offers free hot cocoa with indoor hours set throughout each day.  KWQC

EDUCATION NEWS

  • Jefferson Elementary handed out 250 food boxes at a drive-through event on Wednesday to help 125 families have meals during winter break when school breakfasts and lunches are not served. Staff & volunteers depend on community donations to support this growing program for future breaks.  KWQC
  • Marcy Mendenhall, SAL Community Services president and CEO, was honored with the Lifetime Dedication Award by the Early Childhood Coalition in Rock Island in October for her lifelong work in early childhood education, and she was named a Woman of Influence by the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal in May.  Quad Cities Business Journal

GOVERNMENT NEWS

  • Iowa has sued Roblox over child safety concerns, with Attorney General Brenna Bird saying the action aims to shield minors + lawmakers have introduced new bills to boost online safety.  KWQC

SPORTS NEWS

  • Jo Wanzell (94) continues to bowl at Leisure Lanes in Davenport with a group of fellow seniors. She bowls three times a week and credits her love of the game and lasting friendships for keeping her active on the lanes.  KWQC

EVENTS

SUBMIT EVENT
  • Rambunctious Live Performance

    7-11 p.m. — Raccoon Motel — Tickets available — Experience the lively sounds of Rambunctious as they showcase their latest hits including Imperfect People.

    Sat, 12/20/25

    View event
  • Davenport Murder Mystery: Catch the Killer!

    4:00 – 5:30 PM — Davenport Streets — Ticket Required — Dive into a thrilling role-playing adventure while solving a murder mystery.

    Sun, 12/21/25

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  • Annual Post-Christmas Show with Rob and Gary

    6-9 p.m. — Bootleg Hill Honey Meads — Cost varies — Enjoy the festive tunes of Rob and Gary as they ring in the New Year a little early.

    Sat, 12/27/25

    View event
  • New Year's Eve Dance Party

    8 PM - 1 AM — Raccoon Motel — Free entry — Celebrate the New Year with a lively dance party atmosphere.

    Wed, 12/31/25

    View event
  • Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Help

    2-3 p.m. — Rock Island Downtown Library — Free assistance — Get hands-on help with job searching and computer skills from experts at Goodwill.

    Mon, 1/5/26

    View event
  • Tuneful Tuesday Series: Grace Notes Flute Quartet

    12-1 p.m. — Rock Island Downtown Library — Free entry — Enjoy a warm and delightful concert by the Grace Notes Flute Quartet with light refreshments.

    Tue, 1/6/26

    View event
  • Quad City Bald Eagle Days

    4-8 p.m. — QCCA Expo Center — General Admission $0.15+ — Celebrate wildlife with live eagle demonstrations and nature-themed exhibits.

    Fri, 1/9/26

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  • BURSTING w/A LIGHT AMONG MANY

    7-10 p.m. — Raccoon Motel — $15.88 — Enjoy an evening with BURSTING and special guests A LIGHT AMONG MANY in a vibrant live music setting.

    Mon, 1/12/26

    View event

REAL ESTATE

SUBMIT LISTING

No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.

JOB BOARD

SUBMIT JOB

No new job posts today. You can submit one here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUBMIT

No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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