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News Releases -
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Written by Jo Cohrs
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Monday, 03 October 2011 12:28 |
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Winnie's Wishes, a resale shop and more, is opening at 902 East River Drive in Davenport on Saturday, October 8th. Store hours will be Mon - Fri from 10am until 4pm and on Saturdays from 9am until Noon.
All sales at Winnie's Wishes are to benefit “Winnie’s Place” (a shelter for women – with or without children - who are homeless or victims of domestic violence).
We lift up the women we serve of Winnie’s Place and help make woman’s wishes come true!
Winnie’s Wishes would be a great opportunity for Bible Study groups or Woman’s groups to volunteer. Help hang, price or display items and know that it benefits women and children who have been homeless or domestic violence victims! By the way, women in shelter will SHOP the store at no cost – whether it be for clothing when they first enter or after completing the nurturing programs at Winnie’s to help furnish their new apartments. Winnie’s Wishes is there to SERVE. Would you like to volunteer?
For more information, please call (563) 323-5007 or visit www.winnieswishes.com
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News Releases -
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Written by Janet Masters
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Monday, 03 October 2011 12:19 |
Fall into defensive driving habits to reduce the risk of deer-car collisions
Madison, Wis. (September 29, 2011) – Fall has arrived, and so has the time when motorists in many states are more likely to encounter deer on streets and highways. Unfortunately, these meetings often result in a serious traffic accident.
Hundreds of thousands of animal-vehicle crashes occur each year, the majority with deer. This results in millions of dollars of damages, injuries and in some cases, even death.
Sometimes these accidents are unavoidable, particularly during the fall months into early winter when deer are active and breeding. However, attentive drivers can take several simple precautions to reduce the likelihood of these encounters resulting in a traffic accident.
For 2010, American Family customers in the company’s 19 operating states submitted claims for animal-vehicle crashes totaling nearly $84.5 million, with Wisconsin ($23.4 million), Missouri ($15.7 million) and Minnesota ($10.9 million) reporting the highest numbers, accounting for more than 58 percent of claims, with an average cost per claim of $2,573 (see chart below for statistics on the top 12 states among the 19 states in which American Family operates).
Here are some defensive driving tips to help avoid deer-vehicle accidents:
• Fasten your seatbelt. It’s simple common sense and the best defense in the event a crash is unavoidable.
• Pay attention to deer-crossing signs.
• Be especially alert at dawn and dusk. These are the times deer are most active.
• If you see one deer, expect more to follow. Deer typically travel in single file.
• If you see a deer on the road, brake firmly and blow your horn.
• If a crash is unavoidable, don’t swerve! Studies show the most serious crashes occur when motorists swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or object, or roll over.
One preventative measure you might hear about is the use of deer whistles. Deer whistles produce ultrasonic noise when the vehicle they are attached to exceeds 30 mph. The idea is the deer will be warned upon hearing the noise. It’s unclear whether deer hear the noise, but regardless, studies show the whistles have no effect on deer behavior, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
If you do strike a deer, contact the authorities. You may be legally required to report an accident with significant vehicle damage, depending on state laws. Also contact your insurance company to report your claim. Collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive section of your auto insurance policy. Since comprehensive coverage is optional, be sure to check your auto insurance policy for specific coverages.
2010 American Family claims for animal hits*
Ranked by number of claims
State Number of Claims Cost of Claims
Wisconsin 9,051 $23,449,682
Missouri 6,060 $15,748,155
Minnesota 4,366 $10,910,038
Kansas 2,366 $6,677,384
Illinois 1,807 $4,805,393
Iowa 1,770 $4,675,789
Ohio 1,206 $3,001,267
Indiana 1,193 $3,024,176
South Dakota 1,154 $2,777,437
Nebraska 904 $2,553,822
Colorado 832 $2,797,008
North Dakota 698 $1,637,216
Average cost per claim $2613
*Top 12 states
Based in Madison, Wis., American Family Insurance offers auto insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance, health insurance, business and farm/ranch insurance in 19 states. American Family insurance ranks 358th on the Fortune 500 list and is the nation's third-largest mutual property/casualty insurance company |
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Written by Grassley Press
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Monday, 03 October 2011 11:53 |
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WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa has asked the top watchdog of stimulus money whether the office received any indications of problems regarding now-defunct energy company Solyndra and whether the watchdog office plans to take any action going forward to try to account for the $528 million in stimulus funds awarded to the company and now lost.
“The stimulus funds always needed aggressive oversight,” Grassley said. “Whenever tax money goes out, especially in the billions of dollars, there’s tremendous potential for waste, fraud and abuse without checks and balances. The stimulus oversight office should do everything it can to fill in the knowledge gaps regarding what happened to the $528 million in stimulus funds given to Solyndra.”
Grassley wrote to the chairman of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, which oversees the implementation of the $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law by President Obama in February 2009. Grassley has worked to ensure the board’s independence as he has raised specific projects to the board’s attention, including stimulus funds misused by the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
The text of Grassley’s letter on Solyndra is available here. |
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Written by Katelyn Tye
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Monday, 03 October 2011 11:11 |
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At sundown this Wednesday evening, the Jewish community will commemorate the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
I extend my warm wishes to communities everywhere as they prepare for the start of this special holiday.
Rosh Hashanah is an opportunity for the Jewish community in Illinois and around the world to come together in prayer, to reflect on the past year, and to celebrate with family and friends.
To everyone observing the High Holy Days I want to wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
Shana Tova Umetukah.
Sincerely,
Governor Pat Quinn |
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