Herb Trix

UnityPoint Health and South Dakota-based Sanford Health have called off plans to merge. In June, the two regional health care systems announced plans to combine, and create one of the largest non-profit health care systems in the country.  

Health authorities in the Quad Cities are trying to spread the word about the dangers of vaping. The Tobacco Free QC coalition has published a resource guide that's available to schools, parents, or anyone might consider vaping. 

The Iowa State Auditor is going to look into the recent sale of a former school in Davenport. Wednesday, Rob Sand confirmed his office has been contacted about the Lincoln School and the board of education's decision to sell it for $30,000, even though there were several much higher offers.

The annual effort to give bicycles to needy children for Christmas is underway. On Tuesday, for the 19th year, Bikes for Brains started raising money.

The effort to reduce violent crime in the Iowa Quad Cities has resulted in charges against 19 people. Tuesday  the US Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa announced 19 men face a total of 38 gun, robbery, and drug charges.

Sixty three years after it was founded, the Stanley Foundation in Muscatine has changed its name. It’s now called the Stanley Center for Peace and Security. 

The search is officially underway for a new superintendent for the Bettendorf schools. The board of education has hired a consultant to help, and last week approved the search process.

Illinois and the Quad Cities have a lot riding on next year’s census. That was the message Friday in Rock Island from a panel of leaders from education and social service agencies.