MercyOne urges you to ring in the New Year responsibly
Whether you’re hosting or attending a New Year’s Eve party, everyone has an important job: Help keep drunk drivers off the road so we can all make it home safely on New Year's Eve. If you’re going out to ring in the New Year and plan to drink alcohol, make sure you have a designated driver to get you home safely at the end of the night. If you’re hosting a party, prepare plenty of food and non-alcoholic drink options for your guests, especially for the designated drivers. If you’re a designated driver,
QCAR Celebrates Excellence and Leadership at Annual Holiday Party & Installation Dinner
The Quad City Area REALTORS® (QCAR) hosted its Annual Holiday Party and Installation Dinner, bringing together REALTOR® members, and business partners for an evening of celebration, recognition, and leadership transition. The event highlighted outstanding achievements within the organization and formally installed the 2026 Board of Directors. QCAR extends its sincere thanks to all who attended and helped make the evening a memorable success. 2025 QCAR Award Recipients QCAR proudly recognized the
CCC Nursing Club supports local organizations
– The Clinton Community College (CCC) Nursing Club has a long-standing tradition of serving and supporting the local community through meaningful outreach and volunteer efforts. Clinton Community College is one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, and its Nursing Club continues to exemplify the college’s commitment to service, compassion, and leadership. Each year, the CCC Nursing Club hosts its popular Spooktacular event on campus. This family-friendly fundraiser offers a safe and enjoyable Halloween
Ascentra Invites Santa to Deliver Angel Tree Gifts for Boys & Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley
Several Quad Cities children will feel the holiday spirit this year thanks to the support of Ascentra Credit Union.Children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley requested toys and clothing through an Angel Tree coordinated by the organization. For the third consecutive year, Ascentra has agreed to fulfill those gift requests. Santa Claus, along with Ascentra staff volunteers, will again be on hand to surprise the children with their gifts.“The holidays are about coming together and caring
MercyOne announces top baby names in 2025
MercyOne Birth Centers helped thousands of babies make their 2025 debuts in our hospitals across Iowa. The top names statewide were Theodore, Oliver, Jack/Jackson, Charlotte and Emma. MercyOne’s top baby names follow the national trends reported by babycenter.com for 2025. The site reports Noah, Liam and Oliver as the most popular boy names, with Olivia, Amelia and Sophia leading the girls’ list. Choosing a baby’s name is the first gift you give your child and something they will carry for the
Junior Achievement of the Heartland to Host Annual JA Bowl-A-Thon to Benefit Student Financial Liter
Junior Achievement of the Heartland is excited to roll out its annual JA Bowl-A-Thon, taking place in February and March 2026 at bowling alleys throughout its 24-county region. This high-energy fundraising event brings together local businesses, community members, and supporters for a great cause — helping young people build essential life and career skills. This year’s Bowl-A-Thon holds special significance, as JA of the Heartland celebrates its 70th anniversary of empowering students across eastern Iowa
Camanche Middle School and High School Launch First-Ever J-Team Week
Camanche Middle School and Camanche High School are introducing an expanded learning experience when students return from winter break. From January 5–9, both schools will step away from typical schedules and participate in J-Term, a week designed to help students explore future careers and community involvement in meaningful, hands-on ways. This is the first combined program of its kind in Eastern Iowa. At the middle school, students in grades 5–8 will choose an area of interest and spend the week
2025 CCC Quiz Bowl Results
Easton Valley took home the 1st Place trophy, winners of the 2025 Clinton Community College Academic Quiz Bowl. Started in 1985 as a question and answer, fact and trivia competition, Quiz Bowl is a fast-paced competition for area high school teams. CCC, one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, hosts the event awarding the first and second place teams Paul B. Sharar Foundation scholarships for their school. Teams from area high schools compete annually for the top award, answering questions in topics
SKB Cyber COO Earns Advanced CMMC Certification
SKB Cyber is pleased to share that our Chief Operating Officer, Keith Brooks, has earned his CMMC Registered Practitioner Advanced (RPA) certification. This accomplishment reflects Keith’s commitment to staying at the forefront of cybersecurity and federal compliance requirements.For businesses that must meet CMMC standards, especially those supporting federal contracts, this certification matters. The RPA credential allows Keith to guide organizations through the entire preparation process, helping them
Ascentra Scholarship Program Offers $15,000 in Scholarships for 2026 School Year
In 2026, a total of $15,000 in scholarships will be awarded to 15 Ascentra student members to help offset the costs of attending postsecondary education through a college, university or trade program.The program includes awards for three distinct types of students.Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to high school student members planning to enter college.Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to non-traditional student members aged 19 or over planning to attend higher education.Five $1,000
Turning Around Trouble: How to Adapt a Struggling Business for Today’s Market
When most entrepreneurs think of buying a business, they imagine something healthy — customers, revenue, and clear processes. But sometimes the best opportunities come wrapped in difficulty. Acquiring a struggling business can be a strategic move, offering assets, customers, and infrastructure at a discount — if you know how to stabilize and adapt it. TL;DR Buying a struggling business can be profitable if you: Assess the real causes of decline (not just surface symptoms). Negotiate smartly
Expand with Confidence: Planning Tools Every Small Business Needs
When you’re at a turning point—hiring your first employee, testing a new product, or entering a fresh market—the right opportunity can spark major growth. But even promising ventures carry risk. For small business owners, the challenge isn’t just acting boldly—it’s acting wisely. Whether you're launching a second location or expanding your service offering, the steps you take now can shape your trajectory for years to come. The good news? With practical planning, you can lower risk, increase clarity, and
The 2025 Local Buyer: Sharper Needs, Higher Stakes
By now, you've probably sensed it: local customers aren't just evolving — they're pivoting fast. The rules that worked five years ago don't just feel stale. They feel invisible. What's replacing them? Demands that are sharper, more human, and more digitally entangled than ever. In 2025, expectations aren’t quietly rising — they’re sprinting ahead of most small businesses. What follows is a beat-by-beat breakdown of what real people want now, and how you — the local business — can meet them where they
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CCC offers community heritage bus tour on June 10
The Clinton Community College Diversity Team is collaborating with the Gateway History Club, Grow Clinton, and City of Clinton to offer bus tours highlighting our community’s heritage. Clinton Community College, located at 1000 Lincoln Blvd in Clinton, is one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. The community bus tours are free and will be 9 – 11:30 a.m. starting at Clinton Community College. A 30 minute presentation will be held in the CCC Auditorium before departing on the tour. Registrations
CCC Offers Community Heritage Bus Tours
The Clinton Community College Diversity Team is collaborating with the Clinton Historical Society and City of Clinton to offer bus tours highlighting our community’s heritage. Clinton Community College, located at 1000 Lincoln Blvd in Clinton, is one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. The community bus tours are free and will be 9 – 11:30 a.m. starting at Clinton Community College. A 30 minute presentation will be held in the CCC Auditorium before departing on the tour. Registrations will be
Unlocking Success in Alternative Wellness Practices: Essential Strategies for Your Journey
Embarking on the journey to establish your own alternative wellness or clinical practice is a thrilling yet multifaceted adventure. Imagine crafting a sanctuary where holistic healing and integrative health converge, offering your clients a haven of wellness. The road to this dream is paved with strategic planning and meticulous decision-making that can turn your passion into a thriving business. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the essential steps and strategies needed to launch a successful
Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant: All You Have to Do Is Ask Acrobat’s Generative AI Document & PDF Tool
Adobe Acrobat has long been an invaluable tool for business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees all over the world thanks to its wide array of PDF generation and editing tools. Now, Acrobat AI Assistant offers new benefits for businesses of all sizes. Acrobat AI Assistant’s revolutionary software can transform your business with its incredible features: Enhanced Document Understanding: The AI Assistant utilizes machine learning algorithms to understand the content and structure of PDF documents
Essential Strategies for Health-Based Business Success
Starting a business in the health industry can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience. Not only do you get the satisfaction of helping people improve their health and well-being, but you also have the potential to make a significant impact on your community. However, starting a business is no easy feat, and it requires a lot of planning, hard work, and dedication. In this article, we offer some great tips for starting a successful health-based business.Health-Based Ventures to Consider The
Elevate Your Business: Embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Marketing
In the ever-evolving business world, incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into marketing strategies is essential for small businesses, going beyond moral responsibility to become a key business strategy. This article dives into DEI's vital role in marketing, providing small businesses with practical methods to weave these values into their branding and operations. Adopting this strategy boosts creative potential, widens customer reach, and fosters greater brand loyalty.Understanding DEI's
