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🌱 How Rock Island neighbors filled an emergency shelter with warmth and generosity
Morning Rock Island! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Rock Island neighbors filled an emergency shelter with warmth and generosity
- What changed for Rock Island schools and libraries this week?
- What we know about the fire at Rock Island’s Cody Apartments
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Rock Island? Post it to Rock Island photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Rock Island.
- Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 37 and low of 28 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 40, low: 34.
- Thursday: Becoming windier; a.m. rain, with a high of 42 and low of 9 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
1. Rock Island emergency shelter successfully houses 55 people (kwqc.com) — Rock Island’s emergency shelter effort kept 55 people safely indoors as temperatures plunged below zero, thanks to a partnership between the city, Project NOW, and the MLK Center. Organizers say the only real challenge was finding room for the huge volume of donated food and supplies, highlighting just how strongly residents stepped up for vulnerable neighbors. 
2. December 15 recap: Quad-Cities news you may have missed today (qconline.com) — Rock Island residents get several key updates in this Quad-Cities news recap, including recent Rock Island-Milan School District personnel actions and confirmation that Rock Island Public Library services continue at the Watts-Midtown and Southwest branches. The roundup also touches on federal legislation, local grants, school boards, and concerns about an Iowa community center’s finances.
3. No injuries reported in Monday morning fire at Cody Apartments in Rock Island (qconline.com) — A Monday fire at the Cody Apartments in Rock Island resulted in no reported injuries, according to local fire officials, offering reassurance to nearby residents. While details are limited, the incident underscores the importance of fire safety awareness in multi-unit housing across the city.
4. Garber to lead Harvard beyond 2026-27 academic year (harvard.edu) — A Rock Island native, Alan Garber, will continue serving as Harvard University’s president beyond the 2026–27 academic year, extending his leadership at one of the world’s top universities. The article highlights his local roots, his long Harvard career, and his efforts to promote open inquiry, campus reforms, and major research initiatives during a challenging period for higher education.
5. The 2025-2026 Augustana College Vikings basketball team is ready to be introduced (rockislandtoday.com) — Rock Island basketball fans can size up the new Augustana College Vikings roster, which includes hometown players Cam Atkinson and Marieon Anderson. The 25-player squad opens its 2025-26 season Dec. 19 against Calvin, aiming to improve on last year’s 17-10 record.
📸 Around Rock Island
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Rock Island
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
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Inspections Commission
Rock Island, IL Calendar
6:00 pm -
Special City Council Meeting
Rock Island, IL Calendar
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Tuesday December 23
📣 Rock Island Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Gingerbread Houses
Moline Public Library , 3210 41st Street , Moline
5:00 pm -
Park Board Meeting
Rock Island Fitness & Activity Center , 4303 24th Street , Rock Island
5:30 pm -
COW-Council
Moline, IL Calendar , 619 16th St. , Moline
6:00 pm -
Write Now! Writer's Group
Moline Public Library , 3210 41st Street , Moline
6:30 pm -
Winter Band Concert
Central High School PAC
7:00 pm -
Rock Island Conservation Club
Rock Island Conservation Club , 2421 Big Is Pkwy , Milan
7:30 pm -
Special Event Committee
Moline, IL Calendar , 619 16th St. , Moline
9:00 am -
Get Grinched Deliveries
Moline, IL Calendar , Your House! , Moline
9:00 am -
Novel Naptime Book Club
Moline Public Library , 3210 41st Street , Moline
9:30 am -
Lunch & Bingo
Riverside Garden Center , 3450 5th Avenue , Moline
11:00 am
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
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
- I was always taught that, when you’re parking in front of someone’s house, you do not block access the the front walk.
Clearly, many people have not been taught this. It sucks to have to tromp through the snow because my walk has been carelessly blocked by someone’s… (Nextdoor Keystone)
- Augustana College posted a job opening for Assistant Director of Athletic Communications - Augustana College in Rock Island. Apply here.
- Molly Maid posted a job opening for Professional House Cleaner in Moline. 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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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