Workers lay brick for the walls of the new Armstrong Elementary School as work progresses on the nearly $9 million facility. The two-story, two-section building is expected to be ready for the start of school next fall. For additional photos, click on the "Read More" link below.

Two bikers enjoy a fall ride along the Mississippi Riverfront trail in Bettendorf before colder temperatures curtail such activities. Click on "Read More" for an additional photo of the bike/pedestrian trail.

The trombone section leads the BHS Marching Band in the annual Bettendorf Halloween Parade Saturday night (10/30). Band members dressed in their Halloween costumes for the parade, which drew a sizeable number of political candidates as the November 7 election approaches.

With the MAC title on the line, North Scott turned the tables on Bettendorf Friday (10/27) using a tough running game and rock solid defense to post a 17-0 win.

The Lancers finished the season unbeaten at 9-0 and head to a playoff contest against Iowa City High next Wednesday. Bettendorf, ranked number one in the 4A state poll all season, will take its 8-1 record against 7-2 Muscatine in a first-round playoff game Wednesday at TouVelle Stadium.

Bettendorf managed a net 1 yard rushing in the first half, and trailed 3-0 at the break. In the second half, the Lancers rode on the back of their fullback Brodie Ambrose who rumbled for a 9-yard touchdown in the third period and then broke a 41-yard scamper as time wound down in the fourth quarter.

Bettendorf was playing the second game without returner and receiver Colin Sandeman who is nursing a knee injury suffered in practice. The Lancers, ranked third in the latest 4A poll, were without their starting quarterback who was out with an illness.

BETTENDORF COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BETTENDORF, IOWA

Unofficial Minutes of the October 16, 2006 Board Retreat (pending Board approval)

The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, State of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for a Board retreat meeting at the Administration Center, 729 21st Street, Bettendorf, Iowa, on October 16, 2006. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. Members present: Directors Anderson, Crockett, Ehrmann, Justis, Mayer, Tinsman and Weigle. Other officials present: Marty Lucas, Superintendent; Dr. Carol Webb, Assistant Superintendent; Kevin Hatfield, Principal of Neil Armstrong; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; and Monica Poe, Board Secretary.

Motion by Director Crockett, seconded by Director Ehrmann, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 7-0

Unofficial Minutes of the October 16, 2006 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education (pending Board approval)

The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, State of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for their regular Board meeting at the Administration Center, 729 21st Street, Bettendorf, Iowa, on October 16, 2006. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m., and the Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Monica Poe, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law. Members present: Directors Anderson, Crockett, Ehrmann, Justis, Mayer, Tinsman and Weigle. Other officials present: Marty Lucas, Superintendent; Dr. Carol Webb, Assistant Superintendent; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; Cindy Ferguson, BEA Representative; Nick Hunt and Cara Voelliger, Student Representatives; and Monica Poe, Board Secretary.

Motion by Director Crockett, seconded by Director Ehrmann, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 7-0

Motion by Director Weigle, seconded by Director Crockett, to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 7-0.

The Bettendorf Park Board recently held a public hearing on plans for development of a new 4-acre neighborhood park, north of Field Sike Drive, in the ValleyWynds subdivision. The land was donated to the city as part of the subdivision development, and the park board has budgeted $275,000 for the project. Work is expected to begin next summer with completion in the fall of 2007.

Bettendorf's scheduled Trick-or-Treat night will be Tuesday, October 31, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Bettendorf Jaycees' Halloween Parade will be Saturday, October 28, beginning at 7:15 p.m. from Middle Park. The parade route follows Spruce Hills Drive west to 18th Street, south on 18th Street to Middle Road and Middle Road back to Middle Park at 23rd Street.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Dayman. Members present: Adams, Dayman, Huegel, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr and Witters. Absent: None. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Dan Bischoff, Chris Harvey, Brian Strusz, Steven Cotton, Daelyn, Sherry, and Timothy Zaruba, Mary Jo Gruneich, Dan Bischoff, Leigh Butler, and Ray LaFrentz.

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

The bright yellow and orange leaves of a tree in Devils Glen Park contrasts with the deep blue fall sky. With much colder temperatures and recent rain, many of the trees have dropped their leaves.