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🌱 How a 550-acre Rock Island wetlands reserve could take shape
Rock Island, Illinois Patch AM: a 5 min readMorning Rock Island! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a 550-acre Rock Island wetlands reserve could take shape
- See what’s being unveiled at Schwiebert Park later this month
- Where you can donate to Rock Island’s MLK food drive
Today's riddle: I Am not animal, vegetable, or mineral. I don’t eat, but need to be fed regularly to stay alive. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Friday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 70 and low of 50 degrees.
- Saturday: Breezy and warmer, temps: high: 80, low: 45.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy and not as warm, with a high of 68 and low of 41 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. City and Augustana College share plans for proposed Rock Island 550-acre land, water reserve (kwqc.com) — Rock Island officials and Augustana College are working together on a proposed 550-acre land-and-water reserve in the city’s southwest wetlands, and residents are being invited into the planning process. At a public meeting on campus, leaders outlined ecological studies, student involvement, and future chances for community feedback that will shape long-term management of the site. 
2. Sculpture Garden Dedication in Honor of Dean and Deb Mathias (rcreader.com) — Rock Island residents are invited to a noon dedication of a new cycling-themed sculpture and pollinator garden honoring Dean and Deb Mathias at Schwiebert Park on Friday, May 29, 2026. The seven-piece bicycle sculpture, supported by local arts and cycling groups, celebrates the couple’s leadership in building a welcoming cycling community and advocating for better trails. Attendees can enjoy light refreshments and are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
3. Arc of the Quad Cities hosts MLK Food Drive (kwqc.com) — Rock Island residents can support a two-week MLK-inspired food drive by dropping off nonperishable items or monetary donations at local libraries, Hy-Vee stores, and Arc of the Quad Cities sites. Several Rock Island locations, including The Arc and Watts, are collection points, and people with disabilities will help collect and distribute donations to area food pantries through May 20.
4. Quad Cities 3rd grader going to national competition with her squirrel-deterring invention (weareiowa.com) — A Rock Island 3rd grader at the Rock Island Center for Math and Science is heading to a national Invention Convention with her clever squirrel-deterring “Buster’s Nut Bar.” Inspired by damage to her family’s patio furniture, she built a nut-filled box and antler setup that keeps local squirrels happily occupied. Her project impressed judges at state and is one of just 25 nationwide advancing to nationals.
5. Seven-Time Felon to Federal Prison for Stealing Guns (ottumwaradio.com) — A 29-year-old Rock Island man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after admitting to stealing multiple firearms from a Waterloo, Iowa home and possessing them as a felon. Federal authorities say several guns were recovered during a traffic stop, and the case was part of a broader national violent-crime initiative.
📸 Around Rock Island
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Rock Island
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
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Soccer-JV Girls @ RI - Stadium TIME 8:00 AM-TBA (Game)
RI - Stadium Location:
8:00 am -
Softball-V Girls @ RI - Frances Willard TIME 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (Gam
RI - Frances Willard Location:
10:00 am -
Softball-S Girls @ RI - Frances Willard TIME 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (Gam
RI - Frances Willard Location:
10:00 am -
Softball-S Girls @ RI - Frances Willard TIME 12:00 PM-2:00 PM (Game
RI - Frances Willard Location:
12:00 pm -
Softball-V Girls @ RI - Frances Willard TIME 12:00 PM-2:00 PM (Game
RI - Frances Willard Location:
12:00 pm -
Tennis-V Boys @ Dixon High School TIME 4:00 PM-6:00 PM (Game)
Dixon High School Location:
4:00 pm -
Track and Field-JV Boys @ Moline Sr High School TIME 4:30 PM-TBA (G
Moline Sr High School Location:
4:30 pm -
Baseball-S Boys @ RI - Saukie Field TIME 4:30 PM-6:30 PM (Game)
RI - Saukie Field Location:
4:30 pm
Saturday May 9
Monday May 11
📣 Rock Island Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Track and Field-JV Boys @ Conant High School TIME 4:30 PM-TBA (Game
Conant High School Location:
4:30 pm -
Track and Field-V Boys @ Conant High School TIME 4:30 PM-TBA (Game)
Conant High School Location:
4:30 pm -
Girls Soccer: Northeast vs Davenport West (Varsity)
Davenport West High School
5:00 pm -
Girls Soccer: Northeast vs Davenport West (Junior Varsity)
Davenport West High School
6:30 pm
Friday May 8
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My front window is busted out just the plastic .
Please anyone can someone help fix it ? Please (Nextdoor Longview)
- NANA Regional Corporation posted a job opening for Court Security Officer in Rock Island. Apply here.
- O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Parts Specialist in Rock Island. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rock Island here.
Ok Rock Island! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Fire (Thank you Steve H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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