The recent rainy weather has delayed completion of the new recreation trail through Crow Creek Park, Bettendorf. The new trail starts at Devils Glen Road, connects to the existing trail next to the park's quarry, and then extends east to Middle Road. Eventually the trail is to extend eastward to Valley Drive and the future riverfront trail along the Mississippi River.

Barges loaded with coal get pushed north by a towboat on the Mississippi River at the Interstate 74 Bridge crossing between Moline and Bettendorf. River traffic is in full swing with normal river levels and picture-perfect summer weather.

Bettendorf Public Library Director Faye Clow waves to the crowd along the July 4th parade route through downtown Bettendorf Wednesday. The long-time library head is retiring at the end of the year and served as Grand Marshall of the parade. During her nearly 30-year tenure, the library not only doubled its size, but added many new technology and information services to better serve the community. For additional parade photos, click on the "Read More" link below.

The Centennial Garden in Middle Park (off 23rd Street) provides its own showy "fireworks" of purple, yellow and orange colors. Area gardens and farm fields reflect the ample rain and sunshine so far this growing season. For additional photos of the colorful Centennial Garden, click on the "Read More" link below.

Construction equipment and trucks surround the new Neil Armstrong Elementary School under construction along Central Avenue in Bettendorf. The new nearly $8-million school is expected to be completed by this fall.

The new HyVee Food Store (background) at Devils Glen and Middle Roads opened in May and demolition crews made short work of the old grocery store to make way for additional parking. The new HyVee includes a Starbucks Coffee Shop.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice-President Schurr. Members present: Adams, Huegel, Paulsen, Schurr and Witters. Absent: Adam and Dayman. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Marie Randol, and Chris Harvey.

AGENDA APPROVED: Motion by Witters, second by Adams that the Agenda be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

The summer Bettendorf-Pleasant Valley Youth baseball season is in full swing. Teams play at one of the Crow Creek Park baseball fields on a recent warm sunny evening.

The number of housing starts through April in Bettendorf continues to lag the pace of construction last year, a particularly strong year for homebuilding. The total valuation of new construction – residential, commercial and industrial – through April totaled $18.6 million, compared to $34.6 million for the same period in 2006. For the April and year-to-date construction comparison, CLICK HERE.

A towboat pushing empty barges heads upriver along the Mississippi between Moline and Bettendorf. With spring comes renewed barge traffic on the Upper Mississippi River.