DAVENPORT, Iowa — Davenport Police confirmed one person is hurt after a shooting.
It happened on the intersection of Vine and West 7th Street just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21.
Several officers were on the scene.
Police said the victim was taken to Genesis East Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Police are not releasing any more information at this time.
ROCK ISLAND, Illinois -- Rock Island County health department workers are protesting what they've called a hostile workplace, arising primarily from one chief nursing officer. Several of them could be seen picketing outside the county administration building Tuesday afternoon and making strong public comments at the start of the county board meeting.
Multiple employees complained that they had reported incidents of harassment and discrimination to the county administrator, chairman of the county board and to the Rock Island board of health. They said their complaints had fallen on deaf ears for the last nine months, driving them to make a public plea.
"We were just so desperate that we had to go public," said health department worker Hilary Knott. "After we had gone through our grievance process and directly talking to the administration, the county and the health department, they would just put little band-aids on and offer solutions that weren't working out," she said.
One former health department worker filed a lawsuit against the county, claiming negative behaviors and verbal assaults from the chief nursing officer that went from uncivil and unprofessional to outright discrimination.
"There is discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, origin and disability at the Rock Island County Health department," said Elvia Ortiz at the public comment session.
"We have been working in a hostile workplace since September of 2018. And I’m ex-military so I’ve got a thick skin. I can tolerate a lot," said another health department worker, Joleen Diehl.
The protesters said they wanted the board to hear their complaints in a very public way. If the county doesn't take corrective action, some health department workers said they thought the county would be on the hook with more lawsuits down the line.
VIOLA, Illinois-- Driving through the crossroads of Mercer County brings you to the heart of Viola. US Highway 67 and Illinois 17 intersect in the middle of downtown. The Mayor of Viola Kirk Doonan that's why revitalizing the area is essential to the village's future.
"Instead of declining, hopefully, we've reached the bottom and we can start increasing," Doonan says.
The mayor of 19 years says he remembers when the buildings downtown were full of life. Now many are vacant and crumbling.
"It's just an unfortunate thing," he says. "A lot of downtowns are suffering from the same thing. We're all 100 years old, 150 years old, and the buildings are in need of some attention."
But the biggest question was what to do with the area.
That was answered by Mercery County Better Together, the University of Illinois Extension Office and one class. Earlier this year, U of I students conducted research and surveys in Viola to find out the best uses for the buildings and lots downtown that the village has bought over the years.
"The point of looking at your downtown is to keep your identity and keep your brand going," says Russell Medley, the University of Illinois Extension Community and Economic Development Educator. "What is the community comfortable with? And how are they going to take this plan and adapt it to their comprehensive plan and their financial planning?"
The 55-page final report concludes that the buildings aren't likely salvageable and should be torn down for new development. That includes a new green space and new buildings.
Missing Attachment Missing Attachment Missing AttachmentDoonan says they're looking at bringing in new businesses, from dentists and chiropractors to ice cream shops and restaurants. He says the village also wants to create a business incubator, where entrepreneurs can bring their ideas to life.
"People think about their downtown as the heartbeat, the lifeblood of their community," says Kyle McEwen, executive director of Mercer County Better Together. "This plan that's been put together reflects the amount of work and research and vision involved, and community feedback involved, in what it really takes to make that step from 'where we are' to 'where we want to be.'"
Doonan says the village is now looking at funding this project, setting long-term goals and attracting investors. He says they'll likely have five-year timelines for each portion of the project. He adds they'll look to use TIFF money and grants to cover the cost over the next 15 years.
QUAD CITIES- Quad City steelworkers may consider a strike vote as soon as the week of May 27, if there is no progress on the on-going contract negotiations.
Arconic union workers held their first regular meeting Tuesday, May 21, since their contract expired the week before with no agreement.
Bargainers agreed to continue the current contract as talks continue.
The local union president says he understands a strike could hurt the pockets of employees and the company but went on to say it's the main tool needed to bargain for a fair contract.
Union workers plan to meet again to discuss a possible strike vote.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Abraham Haines admits he’s grown mushrooms and pot before, but he told WTKR his arrest Monday for allegedly manufacturing meth is all a mistake.
Abraham Haines
“Someone texted me on my phone looking for pot. They said they heard about me through a mutual friend,” said Haines from inside the Virginia Beach Jail.
When he went to get money out, he says he and a friend were stopped by police and handcuffed.
“They said they have been following me for months and that I am making meth,” said Haines.
Norfolk Police say they were conducting a narcotics investigation in their city Monday when it lead them to execute a search warrant in the 4300 block of Tillman Drive in Virginia Beach. During their investigation, they said they discovered items in Haines' home that appeared to be components of a lab used to manufacture drugs.
“They told me I was producing meth, but I have a chemistry set and it’s used to make essential oils and soaps. I’ve been trying to make a little extra money to buy my daughter a gift, so I’ve been selling stuff on Etsy,” explained Haines.
Haines says his 5-month-old daughter was stripped from his arms inside his home Monday.
“Someone called Child Protective Services because they saw chemistry equipment. My neighbors have seen it and even my landlord because I was excited about it” Haines told WTKR.
Law enforcement were outside the auto mechanic's home for hours Monday, dressed in hazmat suits and coming out with bags of materials.
“It was shocking, very scary. I was baffled” said Rhonda Llewelyn, who lives across the street.
Police charged Haines with possession of a controlled substance; manufacturing, sales and possession of a controlled substance; and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
“I catch myself bouncing between rage and sorrow. I’m so sad to think about what my daughter is going through. I think I’ll be in here forever and they will bury me,” stated Haines.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A teenager in Memphis, Tennessee, exceeded the goals he set for himself – and then some.
Tupac Mosley, 17, a Raleigh Egypt High School graduate was not only named valedictorian, but he told WHBQ he received about 50 scholarships for more than $3 million. He said he was accepted into more than 40 colleges. Mosley reportedly chose Tennessee State University where he will major in electrical engineering.
Mosley said his goal was to receive $1 million in college scholarships.
WHBQ reports Mosley became homeless his senior year. “After my father passed, we fell behind on bills and we ended up getting evicted from our home February 21 of this year,” the teen said.
Mosley told the TV station he and his family have been staying at a place called For the Kingdom — a camping site and nonprofit organization that helps urban children and teens.
During his speech at graduation, he thanked his teachers for always believing in him.
The teen had a very important message: “Never let your current situation, whatever circumstances you’re going through, be a mountain that you can’t climb.”
NEW YORK — An off-duty FDNY firefighter was attacked after he defended an elderly couple from a group of teens in New York City Saturday morning, police said.
Police are looking for the group of teens who allegedly attacked an off-duty firefighter in Manhattan (NYPD)
Just before 9:30 a.m., police said the firefighter, 38, intervened after witnessing a group of teenagers harassing an elderly couple in the vicinity of 86th Street and Third Avenue on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
One of the teens sucker-punched the man from behind and pushed him to the ground, then the group repeatedly struck and stomped the man's head and body, according to police.
The victim suffered a concussion to his head and broken teeth, police said. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The group wanted for questioning in connection to the attack are described as three females and three males between 15 and 17 years old.
The victim is now at home recovering.
The Fretwells. (Salem Police Dept.)
SALEM, Ore. – An Oregon mom and her 3-year-old son have not been seen or heard from since May 13.
The family of Karissa Alyn Fretwell, 25, and son William (Billy) Fretwell reported the pair missing last week, the Salem Statesman Journal reports, and Salem police are asking the public to report any information on the two to its non-emergency line, (503) 588-6123.
A friend who regularly watched William tells the newspaper she last spoke to Fretwell May 11 when Fretwell had questions about installing a security camera system; the friend was supposed to watch William May 17 but never heard from Fretwell.
A neighbor tells KOIN that about two months ago, “We heard a man and woman arguing incredibly loud. The man was swearing a lot and there was a kid crying in the background, and the woman was yelling at him to get out of her apartment.”
Authorities aren’t releasing much information, including whether any of Fretwell’s personal belongings are missing, but a white Grand Am registered to her is still parked on the street in front of her apartment, and a green Mercury Mountaineer parked in front of it has a college financial aid application on its passenger seat that appears to have been signed by Fretwell.
Her friend says Fretwell works as an overnight security guard while studying education at Western Oregon University, and adds, “She has a strong work ethic. She’d never miss work.” (Read more missing childstories.)
More From Newser:
Multiple tornadoes this week in parts of the Midwest remind us that the month of May can be violent. One situation that stood out the most from the severe weather coverage this week was the amount of people that were on the roads as tornadoes were touching down around them.
While forecasting tornadoes and notification methods have improved, there are still instances where the public remains uninformed, especially when traveling, that danger is imminent. There are typically two situations you'll find yourself in when it comes to encountering a tornado while traveling. Each scenario has it's own pros and cons, so you'll always want to use your best judgment if you find yourself in this situation.
With little to no traffic around you, the best action to take involves moving away from the storm/tornado at a right angle to the movement of the tornado if at all possible. If a tornado is heading east, drive south as quickly as possible.
In situations that involve heavy traffic that make an escape impossible while the tornado is moving towards you, it's best to abandon your vehicle and seek shelter in a ditch or nearby building. If seeking shelter in a ditch, move as far away from the vehicles as possible, lying flat and covering your head.
While some organizations recommend staying with your vehicle, there are several reasons why this isn't a good idea. For one, the surface area of your vehicle is large and makes it a target for multiple pieces of debris. That debris could even be driven straight through your vehicle if the winds are strong enough. At a minimum, all of the windows will likely be shattered sending glass flying. Remaining with your vehicle should always be a LAST RESORT. If you chose to do so, make sure your seatbelt is fastened.
Remaining in your vehicle can also throw you into the worst case scenario in which your vehicle is lofted high in the air. Vehicles are not designed to withstand a violent drop to the ground. The end result for the majority of cases that involve a vehicle being lifted in the air is deadly. Many became wrapped around trees and unrecognizable, not to mention you'll likely become entrapped with a bunch of other debris.
The reason a ditch or culvert is your best bet goes back to the laws of physics. While you are in that low-lying spot, the majority of the debris will be flying overhead rather than reaching down into the ditch/culvert where you are located. You'll still experience some strong winds, but the more intense winds will likely pass directly over you. While this is not always going to be the case 100% of the time depending on various factors like the depth of the ditch etc, it often yields the best possible survival rate when you encounter this situation.
Don't forget that severe storms often times produce heavy rainfall and you should always be aware of your surroundings. If you notice water that begins rising rapidly, you'll want to move to higher ground, especially if the tornado itself is now a fair distance away. Be mindful that the surrounding area will likely be filled with debris and even electrical lines.
Meteorologist Andrew Stutzke
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A North Carolina daycare is slated to close after six children wandered away from the facility several months ago, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
The paper reports that Pinedale Christian Day Care Inc. voluntarily contacted state officials to inform them that they would end operations by June 11.
The news comes after a Dec. 4, 2018 incident that left leaders at the school “devastatingly embarrassed.”
A group of toddlers managed to slip out of an enclosed playground unnoticed; five of the kids made their way to Peters Creek Parkway, a busy, 55 mph thoroughfare.
“It was disbelief, and it was shocking, and then at some point, it was complete devastation,” Matthew Sink, minister at Pinedale Christian Church, told WGHP after the incident.
Sink said there was a class of 20 children at the playground, who were being monitored by two teachers. Six of the children went through a door, into a church hallway, and made their way to the front doors of the church where they went outside.
From there, five went up a hill and were found alongside – or on – Peters Creek Parkway. One woman reported seeing a boy running down the center lane of the road, then noticed four other toddlers in the care of another driver who pulled over after noticing the children.
A Winston-Salem police officer responding to a different call happened to come across the scene and later found a sixth child at the front doors of the church. The child was so young he was unable to figure out how to open the door to get outside.
The day care, Sink said, was started 22 years ago as a nonprofit ministry of the church.
MILAN, Illinois - The fields at Derrer Farms in Milan look like they're stuck in Winter, when they should be full of fresh life.
Farmer Julie Derrer says in May of 2018, all of her corn and soybeans were planted.
This year, in 2019, she has nearly nothing planted. Just 40 acres of soybeans that could be washed up by rain at anytime.
"It's mud. You can`t get anything in there," said Derrer. "You could get the tractor stuck, you can`t make sure the seeds are going to stay in the ground."
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), only about 9% of soybeans are planted in Illinois right now. That's compared to 79% This time last year.
Meanwhile, 24% of corn is planted in Illinois, compared to 95% this time last year.
In Iowa, Farmers are in a similar situation.
Only about 70% of corn is planted, and 27% of soybeans are planted. The USDA reports says farmers are 1-2 weeks behind schedule.
Preventative Crop Insurance can help cover the cost of crops that are unable to be planted.
"The forecast is two more weeks of rain," said Derrer. "And, our deadline for preventative crop insurance is June 2nd for corn. And its not looking like we are going to get it in so its scary. Its very scary."
Now, many farmers are getting ready to settle.
"Is it enough? We will make it work. We don`t have any other options. But, Its not the same as being able to sell a cash crop," said Derrer.
She told WQAD News 8 that the stress is mounting.
"When you wake up in the morning and the rain is hitting the window again- after how many days? It can take its toll on a psyche." said Derrer.
But, she continues to pray.
"We don`t want people to say 'oh the poor farmers' but its tough. Its tough emotionally, its tough financially - but faith, family, farming, that`s what we try to do.
ROCK ISLAND- Many police and firefighters were in Rock Island for a single car that ran into a tree and proved to be fatal.
Tuesday, May 21, a car rammed a tree at 37th Street and 16th Ave. Police handling the scene confirmed one is dead and another had been taken to a hospital.
Our people on the scene said the car was severely smashed into the tree.
The car was towed away and the streets were unblocked at 7:10 p.m. that evening.
Three fire trucks and three RI police cars could be seen responding to the accident.
Neighbors Tell News 8 that the SUV caught on fire after hitting the tree. They tried putting it out with hoses and several people checked on the passengers before police showed up.
Several people gathered around the accident.
MOLINE, Illinois- Police say a 14-year-old and 21-year-old are charged with theft after leading them on a high-speed chase in a stolen car.
Police arrested Drake Howard 21, after he admitted to being in the back seat of the silver KIA.
A 14-year old was taken to the juvenile detention center.
A third person was also taken into custody, but charges were not filed.
It started after a shots fired call near 59th and Brady Monday, May 20.
Police say the suspects led them on a chase before coming to a stop near Silver Creek Mobile Home Park, then they took off running.
The suspects were later arrested.
Today, May 22, 2019
00:00-06:00
Clear sky
59 °F
Weather forecast from yr.no, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the NRK
