Year in Review: Top Stories in Quad-Cities A3, A10-A12
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2018’s top Year in review: Top stories area soccer in Quad-Cities A3, A10-A12 all-stars B5 Mr. Trump went to Washington. And he changed it. A8 MOLINE, ILLINOIS Sunday, December 30, 2018 | QCOnline.com | $3.00 Record harvests mightn’t matter Illinois farmers’ profits uncertain in trade tension SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Il- linois farmers are hoping ten- sions between the U.S. and its trade partners dissipate after record-yielding harvests in 2018. Illinois produced the most soybeans of any state in the country while ranking second in corn production, The State Journal-Register reported . But farmers have been significantly affected by President Donald Trump’s tougher stance on trade and retaliatory tariffs from China, Canada, Mexico, the Euro- pean Union and other key trade partners. “Now, unfortunately, we find out very quickly how reliant we’ve become on being able to JESSICA GALLAGHER / [email protected] move our products internation- Grandmother of Hawk Newberry, LaDina Bell and cousin Niya Newberry hold each other July 31 at the memorial of Hawk Newberry who ally,” said Mark Gebhards, execu- fell into the Mississippi River a week earlier on July 24. Family and friends continued to search after recovery efforts were suspended tive director of governmental af- July 30, including removing debris from underneath the docks. On Aug. 5, Hawk’s body was pulled from the river at Muscatine. fairs and commodities for Illinois Farm Bureau. “And it was a heck of a hit for us this past year.” The U.S. Chamber of Com- merce says that $6.7 billion of Illinois exports are threatened by the emerging trade war. THE YEAR In 2017, China accounted for 25 percent of the state’s agricultural exports, including $1.75 billion in soybeans and more than $500 mil- THAT WAS ... lion in corn. When China wasn’t buying this year, many farmers 2018GEROLD SHELTON | [email protected] had to store excess crops for win- ter and hope the tariff situation efore we enjoy the fun niority, securing the position is resolved. and excitement of a of Democratic Congressional “You see more and more of new year, let’s take a Campaign Committee Chair. that,” Gebhards said. “That’s an B look in the rearview Democrats expanded their example of our farmers saying, mirror and see what trans- number of seats on the Rock ‘OK, I’m going to try and hold on pired during the year that is Island County Board. to this product as long as I can about go into the history books. In our local schools, leader- to get a better price’ and, again, This year end wrap-up will ship changes were plentiful. hoping that this foreign market take a look at the major events The Rock Island-Milan School comes back for them and leads to that happened right here in the district and the Moline-Coal a higher price.” Quad-Cities, mainly on the Il- Valley School District hired Many farmers welcomed linois side, rather than what new superintendents. Black Trump’s actions after years of played out on the national Hawk College hired a new frustration with partners like stage. president. China. And some things have Traffic was a nightmare The future of minor league happened that could be seen throughout the area this sum- hockey in the Quad-Cities was as positive: Trump reached an mer, thanks to several ongoing in doubt as the Quad City Mal- agreement with Mexico and projects. But construction on lards folded, but a new team, Canada to replace the North TODD MIZENER / [email protected] John Deere Road finally was the Quad City Storm, was put American Free Trade Agree- completed and part of 19th A Moline firefighter directs the ladder truck while battling the fire into place by the local owner- ment, and tensions may be Street in Moline reopened as which destroyed the Captain’s Table Restaurant on River Drive in ship group of Ryan Mosley and thawing with China, which has progress on the new Interstate Moline late Monday night, Jan. 15. John Dawson. begun to buy U.S. soybeans once 74 bridge became increasingly Although this story won’t again. apparent. Summer brought the un- cials debated what to do with delve deep into the world of “We hope we’re headed in the We said goodbye to the home expected tragedies: the sepa- the structure after the new Jus- sports — our friends in the right direction with some of and fashion store Younkers; rate river drownings of two tice Center Annex was ready sports department will be these purchases,” Gebhards said. bid a fond farewell to Geof- children and the death of two to open. As we leave 2018, the happy to help you there — it is Illinois is the largest export- frey the Giraffe, the mascot people after a large limb broke courthouse still stands, al- worth noting the area has two ing state in the Midwest and the for Toys R Us; and the city of and fell on fireworks spectators though plans are in the works state championship softball fifth-largest exporting state in Moline lost Best Buy and is on the lawn of the Rock Island for demolition. teams, Rock Island and Rock- the United States. Illinois Farm losing Kmart. Although some County Courthouse. We can’t forget November’s ridge. Bureau statistics show that the business closed their doors, Many a story about the fate midterm elections. U.S. Rep. These stories and more high- state’s farmers export 40 percent others opened them, including of the Rock Island County Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, was light the year-end roundup, of their corn, 34 percent of their Costco, Hurts Donut and two Courthouse graced the pages re-elected to her seat and is which you’ll find on Page A3 pork and 6 percent of their soy- new Starbucks. of this paper as county offi- rising to the upper tier of se- of today’s paper. beans to NAFTA countries. Are there really 2 million people in Times Square? But 1 or 2 million people in relatively small space. niques to calculate crowd sizes. city expected “up to 2 million Experts say no way; New York’s Times Square for New The real Times Square ball The crowd estimates come from people in Times Square itself,” a Year’s Eve? As Snoop would say, drop crowd likely has fewer than the New York City Police Depart- bow-tie-shaped zone running five more like 100,000 you must be sippin’ on gin and 100,000 people, crowd science pro- ment, according to the Times blocks between Broadway and 7th juice. fessor G. Keith Still said. Square Alliance, which runs the Avenue. MICHAEL R. SISAK Crowd-size experts scoff at “Generally, people are overesti- ball drop. New York University professor Associated Press those mammoth figures — floated mating crowd sizes by 10- to 100- In recent years, the department Charles Seife, a mathematician annually by city officials and event fold,” said Still, who teaches crowd estimated that 2 million people and journalist who explored sta- NEW YORK — Ryan Seacrest organizers — saying it’s impossi- science at Manchester Metropol- had packed into Times Square. tistical manipulation in his book and Anderson Cooper will be ble to squeeze that many of even itan University in England and Mayor Bill de Blasio used a big there. Snoop Dogg, too. the skinniest revelers into such a trains police departments on tech- number again Friday, saying the See TIMES SQUARE, Page A2 Keep up with the news INDEX WEATHER Business C1-3 Daily Record A5 Sports B1-8 High: 41 Low: 30 ClassifiedC5-12 Dear Abby A9 Sudoku A9 Mostly sunny.. / Club Calendar C4 Nation&World B9 Travel B12 00 24 7 Full report B12 1 Crossword C10 Obits A4, A6-7 Viewpoints B10-11 QCOnline.com VOLUME 140, ISSUE 52 S.