12 Aug 2015

LeClaire Civic Club Food Drive

By Jackie Stepaniak,

A community food drive will be coordinated by the LeClaire Civic Club during the Labor Day weekend, at its location at the start of the town's business district on Highway 67 or 127 North Cody Road.


On September 4th, the club will collect non-perishable items, and cash donations, from 5-7PM in its parking lot in the 100 block of South Cody Road.  Donors will be able to drive up, drop-off, and never leave their car.  Smith noted "it coincides with 'First Friday' in LeClaire, an evening when our downtown restaurants and businesses 'roll out the welcome mat to visitors.'"  The next morning, Saturday, September 5th from 9-11AM, will be a second collection time.  "We hope that while running errands, our friends and neighbors will see us and make a donation, too" said Smith.


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12 Aug 2015

Governor Signs Landmark Public Safety Bill

By Catherine Kelly

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner signed SB 1304 today to create the Police and Community Improvement Act.

"Today we are taking steps to strengthen the relationship between our law enforcement officers and the public they protect with the Police and Community Improvement Act," Governor Rauner said. "As a society, we must ensure the safety of both the public and law enforcement. SB 1304 establishes new and important guidelines and training for police departments and their officers, while protecting the public by prohibiting officers from using excessive force.  I thank the legislators who sponsored this bill. It will have a lasting and positive impact on the people of Illinois."

Additional Background: Illinois is the first state in the country to pass comprehensive legislation that include procedures for police departments that utilize body cameras; establish reporting requirements for officers who make stops or arrests; crisis intervention and racial sensitivity training; and prohibits excessive force like choke holds.

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12 Aug 2015

Stately Old Estate Showing Her Age

By Jill Weitzel
August 12, 2015, Bettendorf, IA - Workers from Bi-State Masonry have begun a $25,000 masonry and brick repair project at the historic Joseph Bettendorf Mansion that overlooks downtown Bettendorf. The grant from the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation was received by Rivermont Collegiate, the current owners, and is the first-phase in a total repair and restoration project that will cost an estimated $180,000. All funds are being privately raised and any company, group, or individual wishing to contribute should contact the school.

The 100 year-old structure built between 1914 -15 is listed on the National Historic Register and holds great significance in the Quad Cities community. It has served since 1972 as the home of Rivermont Collegiate (formerly St. Katharine's-St. Mark's) the only independent and religiously unaffiliated college prep school in the Quad Cities.

Contact Rivermont Collegiate at 563-359-1366. Visit www.RivermontCollegiate.org<http://www.RivermontCollegiate.org
12 Aug 2015

Governor Takes Bill Action 8/11/2015

By Catherine Kelly

CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner took action today on the following bills:

 

Bill No.: HB 1490

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 1530

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 2543

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 2705

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 3172

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 3304

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Vetoed

Effective Date: Immediate

Note: Veto message is below.

 

Bill No.: HB 3531

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 3684

An Act Concerning Children

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 3967

An Act Concerning Civil Law

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: SB 13

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: SB 201

An Act Concerning Criminal Law

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: SB 653

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

 

Bill No.: SB 1335

An Act Concerning Children

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: SB 1763

An Act Concerning Children

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016, except that Section 20 takes effect on June 1, 2016

 

Bill No.: SB 1775

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

 

Veto Message for HB 3304:

 

To the Honorable Members of

The Illinois House of Representatives

99th General Assembly:

 

Today I veto House Bill 3304 from the 99th General Assembly, which changes the composition of the Department of Children and Family Services Children's Advisory Board, for technical reasons.

 

The changes in House Bill 3304 are included in Senate Bill 13, which I signed into law.  House Bill 3304 is therefore moot.  I thank the sponsors of House Bill 3304 and Senate Bill 13 for their efforts.

 

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House 3304, "AN ACT concerning state government", with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bruce Rauner

GOVERNOR

 

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12 Aug 2015

BANDITS' SPECIAL JERSEYS AMONG LEADERS IN MILB VOTE

By Rick Martin

The River Bandits are the only team with two jerseys among the top 10; voting continues until Aug. 25

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 11, 2015) - A pair of River Bandits one-time jerseys are among the leaders for the best specialty jersey in Minor League Baseball. In a field of 124 specialty jerseys in MiLB.com's Jersey Joust at MiLB.com/jersey, fans nationwide have ranked the team's 2014 Autism Awareness photo jerseys second overall and the 2015 Boy Scouts jerseys ninth overall, as of Tuesday morning.

The Jersey Joust contest runs until Aug. 25, and fans may vote online following the link at riverbandits.com or at MiLB.com/jersey. Fans may vote for their favorite jersey among randomly selected pairs, or follow the "Find A Jersey" or "View Leaderboard" links at MiLB.com/jersey to locate the River Bandits' jerseys and be taken to a jersey voting matchup that includes one of those jerseys.

On each night the River Bandits players wore the specialty jerseys, proceeds from an auction at Modern Woodmen Park went to benefit Quad Cities-area charities. Proceeds from the Autism Awareness photo jersey auction supported the Quad Cities Autism Center, and proceeds from the Boy Scouts jerseys went to benefit the Boy Scouts of America ILLOWA Council.

"Specialty jerseys and auctions are not just highlights on our promotional schedule, but are always among our favorite charitable activities," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "Those specialty jerseys are not only fun, they have already made a difference to people in the Quad Cities, and we encourage fans to celebrate that impact by voting for the Autism Awareness jerseys and Boy Scouts jerseys in the online Jersey Joust."

The River Bandits wore Autism Awareness photo jerseys Aug. 8, 2014, for the team's third annual photo jersey auction and fifth annual Autism Awareness Night at Modern Woodmen Park. The front of the jersey included a pattern of blue, red, and yellow jigsaw puzzle pieces, which are symbols of autism awareness. The jersey backs had numbers featuring fan-submitted photos of those affected by autism. The River Bandits' 2013 edition of the Autism Awareness photo jerseys and auction received a Golden Bobblehead Award for the Best Charity Promotion or Event in Minor League Baseball. This season, the River Bandits wore special caps for an in-game auction on Autism Awareness Night Aug. 7. The proceeds of the annual Autism Awareness Night auctions have benefited the Quad Cities Autism Center.

On June 19 this season, the River Bandits wore their first-ever Boy Scouts-themed jerseys for Boy Scouts Night June 19.  The torso of the jersey was tan on the front, and the back resembled a green Boy Scouts backpack, with numbers in the middle. The green sleeves included the Boy Scouts emblem and the American flag on opposite shoulders.

"Each year we work with our charitable partners to find creative ways to raise awareness and benefit the Quad Cities community, and our specialty jersey auctions give our fans a memorable way to support their neighbors in the Quad Cities," said River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser. "It is a treat every summer to see our players wear unique jerseys, and see our fans meet and get autographs from the players whose jerseys they just bought for a great local cause."

The River Bandits and Modern Woodmen Park have been recognized several times nationally in recent seasons. This year, the team's name was voted as one of the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball in a Sporting News contest. In May, the team's logo was voted among the top eight - and the best in the Midwest League - in Baseball America's Logo Mania, and Modern Woodmen Park's R.I.A. Federal Credit Union Hon. Lane Evans Patriot Seats were voted the No. 2 Best Seats at any minor league ballpark in the country - and the top view of any ballpark at the Class-A and short season level - by fans on MiLB.com. In June, fans voted Modern Woodmen Park the "Best of the Ballparks" in a contest featuring all 30 Class-A ballparks at BallparkDigest.com.

12 Aug 2015

TINCAPS SURGE TO 11-INNING, WALK-OFF WIN OVER BANDITS

By Marco LaNave
No-hit for five innings, Fort Wayne overcomes four errors and a 3-1 deficit to take series opener

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (August 12, 2015) - Fort Wayne TinCaps center fielder Michael Gettys hit a single to center field in the bottom of the 11th inning, scoring left fielder Franchy Cordero from second base with the winning run in a 4-3 victory Tuesday night over the Quad Cities River Bandits, who lost a 3-1, seventh-inning lead in the teams' first meeting in two years at Parkview Field.

Playing their 16th extra-inning game - the team's most since 2009 and tied for the most in the Midwest League this season - the River Bandits (29-15 second half, 74-38 overall) lost consecutive games for the first time since July 17-18. The second-half Eastern Division-leading TinCaps (27-17, 59-53) won their eighth straight home game and fourth straight in walk-off fashion despite committing four errors.

River Bandits right-hander Justin Ferrell and TinCaps All-Star left-hander Thomas Dorminy dueled for four scoreless innings before Quad Cities took the lead in the fifth. Second baseman Jose Fernandez reached on a two-out error by second baseman Luis Urias, catcher Garrett Stubbs walked, and third baseman Luis Reynoso singled to center field to score Fernandez for an unearned run.

Quad Cities added to the lead against Dorminy in the sixth inning. Left fielder Drew Ferguson hit a leadoff single into center field, and shortstop Kristian Trompiz put down a sacrifice bunt along the first-base line, which Dorminy bobbled before he could make a throw. Center fielder Ramon Laureano singled on a sharp ground ball that deflected off third baseman Luis Tejada's glove, loading the bases with no outs. After first baseman Bryan Muñiz dropped an RBI single into center field, Dorminy stranded the bases loaded with consecutive strikeouts and a groundout. Dorminy allowed two runs - one earned - on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings.

Ferrell had a career-high eight strikeouts without allowing a hit through the first five innings. With a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth, he allowed the first TinCaps hit when catcher Jose Ruiz led off with a double to left-center field. After a sacrifice by Urias and a walk by designated hitter Josh VanMeter, the TinCaps attempted a one-out double steal, but Stubbs threw to Fernandez to get VanMeter, while Ruiz scored to make it 2-1. Ferrell completed the inning, allowing one earned run on one hit and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings.

The River Bandits restored their two-run lead against TinCaps right-hander Aaron Cressley in the seventh inning. Reynoso led off with an infield single to deep third base - his season-high third hit - and reached third base when Tejada made an errant throw to first base. Designated hitter Trent Woodward then rolled a ground ball up the third-base line for an infield single and RBI to make it 3-1.

Fort Wayne tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning against right-hander Ryan Thompson. Right fielder Franmil Reyes and Cordero started with consecutive singles. After Gettys struck out, on another double steal, Stubbs threw to Trompiz near second base, but the shortstop dropped the ball before making a throw to home plate, so Reyes scored and Cordero reached second base. First baseman Trae Santos then skipped a game-tying single past Trompiz in a shifted position to the right of second base.

The River Bandits put a runner at third base with one out in the ninth inning, and the TinCaps loaded the bases against right-hander Angel Heredia (4-3) with two walks and a hit batter in the bottom of the ninth inning, but neither team scored. After TinCaps right-hander Yimmi Brasoban (4-3) worked a scoreless 11th inning, Heredia began his third relief inning by striking out Reyes, before Cordero doubled to left-center field past Laureano, and Gettys followed with a single into center field, scoring Cordero for the TinCaps' only lead and a 4-3 win.

The River Bandits continue their series in Fort Wayne at 6:05 p.m. Central Wednesday, when River Bandits right-hander Dean Deetz (1-0) is scheduled to face TinCaps right-hander Pete Kelich in the latter's Midwest League debut.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits have two specialty jerseys in MiLB.com's Jersey Joust contest to decide the best specialty jersey in Minor League Baseball. Visit riverbandits.com for a link to vote until Aug. 25 for the 2014 Autism Awareness Jersey and 2015 Boy Scouts Jersey. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

12 Aug 2015

Registration Closes August 16 For Metabolic Syndrome Class In Quad-Cities

By Craig Cooper

DAVENPORT, Iowa - August 11, 2015 -- Registration will close Sunday, August 16 for the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) program being offered to residents of the Quad Cities. To apply for the free program, go to www.genesisphilanthropy.org.

If clinically qualified, selected registrants can participate in a free 10-week intervention. Individuals participating in the 10-week program need to have access to a computer with high speed Internet (many libraries offer this service).

The MetS initiative includes a program called Naturally Slim™ and has been offered to employees of Genesis Health System since 2009.  Since 2009, more than 55% of the Genesis employees who had MetS in 2009 no longer have metabolic syndrome because of the healthy lifestyle techniques taught by the Naturally Slim™ class.

Each weekly session is about 30 minutes long (the first "kick-off" session is 90 minutes), which can be viewed via the web at any time throughout the week.  The value of this program is $500.  Only those who can commit to completing the 10-week program will be accepted.

The last group participating in the MetS initiative and Naturally Slim™ lost a total of 1,015.3 pounds. There was an average weight loss of 14.6 pounds and 47 participants lost more than 10 pounds. Other highlights from the last MetS Initiative group were a 63 percent reduction of high blood pressure and a 48 percent reduction in triglycerides.

Genesis Philanthropy MetS Initiative is now accepting applications from individuals interested in participating in the program who live or work in the greater Quad Cities. Financial need will be a consideration for selection.

To learn more about the regional impact of a charitable investment in Genesis Philanthropy, contact Missy Gowey, Executive Director, (563) 421-6860.

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12 Aug 2015

Iowa State Fair Honors Veterans

By Mindy Williamson

DES MOINES, IA (08/11/2015)(readMedia)-- On Monday, August 17, the Iowa State Fair will honor active and retired military throughout the day. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, August 13-23.

Veterans will be honored with discounted gate admission on Veterans' Day, August 17. With a military I.D., retired and active members of the armed forces and their spouses will receive $8 gate admission from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Veterans' Day will also feature special patriotic programming. Throughout the day Fairgoers can enjoy performances such as a military tribute concert honoring Iowa's veterans as well as performances by the 34th Army Band and Iowa Military Veterans' Band.

# # #

12 Aug 2015

Governor Branstad announces appointments to Iowa's boards and commissions 8/11/2015

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Governor Terry E. Branstad today announced appointments to Iowa's boards and commissions.

The following individuals' appointments are effective August 6, 2015, unpaid, and are not subject to Iowa Senate confirmation:

 

 

College Student Aid Commission

Amy Brace, Ankeny

 

Mississippi River Parkway Planning Commission

Lisa Walsh, Burlington

 

Juvenile Justice Advisory Council

Karen Jones, Glenwood

 

Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board

Linda Frederiksen, Bettendorf

 

State Board of Health

Michael Kanellis, Iowa City

 

South Central Regional STEM Advisory Board

Amber Pargmann, Ottumwa

 

Northwest Regional STEM Advisory Board

Eric Forseth, Sioux Center

 

 

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12 Aug 2015

Dedication of Chris Craft Boat Now on Display at the Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClaire, Iowa

By Cindy Bruhn
LeClaire, Iowa. The public is invited to the Buffalo Bill Museum, 199 Front Street, LeClaire, Iowa, on Sunday, August 23 at 1pm for the dedication of the 1939 Chris Craft Runabout donated by the Suiter family in the River Pilot's Pier. Light refreshments will be served.
With legendary local banker and river enthusiast Glen Suiter's passing in May of 2013, the Suiter family has decided to honor Glen and his passion for boating, the Mississippi River, and the rich history that the LeClaire Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClaire, Iowa offers visitors. The Suiter Family has generously donated Glen's historical, artisan Chris Craft wooden boat for display at the museum to add to their growing collection of fascinating cultural artifacts.
The artisan (Pre-War) 1939 Chris Craft Utility Series 15.5' Runabout was built to fare the lakes and rivers of a nation moving up stream. Chris Smith, founder of the company that would one day bear his name, started his business with the vision of building a boat that was as versatile and reliable as the public demanded it. Originally intended for hunters and fishermen, the Chris Craft line soon expanded eventually earning it the distinction as the largest mahogany boat manufacturer in the world. With the United States recovering from the pains of the Great Depression, Chris Craft built the Utility Series to be both practical and affordable. During the years of World War II, Navy sailors became familiar with Chris Craft designs as the company produced more than 10,000 wooden landing craft for WWII vessels to aid in the war effort.
The boat donated to the Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClaire, Iowa by the Suiter family is a fully restored example of the American craftsmanship that to this day sets a Chris Craft apart. The JV II, as this vessel was named, was powered by an original Gray Marine 4-cylinder engine that produced 60 HP allowing it to reach a top speed of 40 mph. In 1971, Chris Craft discontinued their mahogany hulls, "woodys" as they were called, for newer fiberglass designs.
The "woodys" soon became highly sought after by collectors and boat enthusiasts alike. The JV II, like its neighbor, the Lone Star Wooden Hull Stream-powered Vessel, spent its final operating years along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi. How fitting it is to be back in the port of LeClaire along side another wooden hull vessel of such great distinction.
Today, the museum welcomes nearly 22,000 visitors a year from all over the United States and at least 20 foreign countries. It operates 7 days a week, primarily through the efforts of volunteers, and remains a popular tourist destination along the I-80 corridor.
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