Darby Sparks
Investigative Reporter
Davenport, Iowa
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Darby Sparks is an investigative reporter who comes to the Quad Cities from Altoona, Pennsylvania where she worked at the CBS affiliate WTAJ.
Darby’s specialty is in long form reporting with a focus in crime, malpractice and misconduct. During her two and a half years of experience prior to coming to KWQC, she worked on a missing persons series called “Have You Seen Me.”
Darby’s main goal is to dig beyond the surface, to find the “why.” Her favorite kind of stories are character driven and full of detail. She is always looking for a new lead so don’t hesitate to email her at darby.sparks@kwqc.com.
McAllister was 22 at the time of his disappearance, and his family and friends are desperate for answers.
For Galesburg, a community of just over 30,500 people, the first two months of 2021 was a shocking reflection of a national trend.
There is a heavy police presence in the Davenport historic district.
In the presser, police did not say who the remains may belong to but said they have interest in ties to another investigation.
Regarding the weekend’s arrests, Galesburg Police Chief Russ Idle stated, “officers with the Galesburg Police Department continually work to keep our community safe. I’m grateful for the dedicated service of our officers that led to positive outcomes during several challenging encounters this past week.”
According to the release, 32-year-old Cordell McDowell was sentenced to two years in federal prison on Wednesday, March 17, for not reporting to the residential re-entry center in Davenport in 2020.
According to the Davenport Police Department, 54 cars were stolen throughout the city in the month of January and 33 in February, making 87 cars in total that were stolen in Davenport between January 1 and February 28.
In Mayor Acri’s letter on behalf of the city, she states that Moline has been waiting since 2004 for WIU to commit to expanding their presence in the Quad Cities to no avail.
14-year-old Jamon Winfrey, referred to by friends and family as “Snoop,” was only in the 8th grade. Police believe Winfrey was involved with the situation surrounding the shooting—which occurred on the 1300 block of Farnum Street—however, it is important to remember that he was just a kid.
One of the biggest impacts that COVID-19 has had on our country is job loss. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance--a program that provides temporary income to people who have lost their jobs to the pandemic under the CARES Act of 2020-- was put into effect to help those who were laid off or forced into quarantine over the past year.
While these victims are not to blame for the outcome, the fact is that car theft is a major problem in our community right now and it forces us to have to be extra cautious.
A homicide that occurred yesterday afternoon marks the second in Davenport so far this year.
Iowans who apply for disability benefits might be mentally or physically unable to work, but state protocol requires each and every case to undergo an in-depth review when deciding whether or not the applicant should receive payment.
35-year-old Ryan Muckelston has been missing for almost a month. His mother, Jennifer Muckelston-Nauman, says that she, his sister and three children are all worried sick, and say they fear he disappeared involuntarily.
A woman accused of stabbing a 14-year-old back in December appeared in Rock Island County Court on Tuesday, February 9 for a preliminary hearing.
According to court documents, 61-year-old Cindy Williams, of Moline, has been charged with Theft by the Rock Island County Court after it was discovered by her employers that she had stolen more than $10,000 dollars through an audit made in October.
A locked car means a safer city, which is why police across 25 departments have partnered up for a new initiative called “Lock it Down, Quad Cities” to remind everyone to never leave their cars unlocked again.
Last January, Illinois legalized recreational marijuana in the hopes that revenue from the sales tax would help fund state and local programs. KWQC spoke with local municipalities about those finances.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Department made an arrest over the weekend following an incident of alleged kidnapping and assault, according to a press release on the department’s Facebook page.
Police in Davenport took to the streets to raise awareness over the new “Lock It Down QC” initiative.
5-year-old Taylor was full of smiles. Her mother Maggie says she was bright for her age and loved to read.
The incident involving Blunk began around 4 a.m. Sept. 22.
25-year-old Carlos Maxfield, Jr. has been charged with controlling a firearm and using it as a weapon to intimidate after an incident involving shots that were fired in a convenience store parking lot.
TV6 Investigates looked into some of the myths and questions surrounding the vaccine circulating on social media.
Jails and prisons provide the perfect environment for a virus to spread with overcrowding and constant traffic.
Deputies say 39-year-old Justin Chambers was last seen on Nov. 18.