Quad Cities uses three-run sixth inning to snap six-game losing streak at Kane County

GENEVA, Ill. (May 4, 2015) - Right-hander Austin Chrismon became the first Quad Cities River Bandits starter to pitch seven innings in a game this season, and left fielder Derek Fisher hit a go-ahead two-run double in a three-run sixth inning that gave the visitors a 3-1 victory over the Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark and season-high sixth straight win Monday night.

Eight different River Bandits had a hit in the team's 11^th comeback victory of the year. After losing its last six games at Kane County last season, Quad Cities (19-6) won Monday to remain perfect in five road series openers this season and opened a five-game first-place lead in in the Midwest League Western Division. Quad Cities' six-game winning streak is its longest since six straight wins last May 27-June 1.

Chrismon (3-1) allowed one run on five hits in the first three innings, but after allowing an infield single to start the fourth inning, he set down the next 12 batters in order. He was charged with one earned run on six hits and no walks with one strikeout in seven innings. Right-hander Jose Montero worked around a single in the eighth inning to toss two scoreless innings for his fourth save. In the last seven games, the River Bandits (19-6) have allowed eight total runs, and just five earned runs in 65 innings for a 0.69 team ERA in that span.

Opposite Chrismon, Cougars right-hander Markus Solbach (1-2) held the River Bandits to one hit, one walk and no runs through the first five innings. Kane County (11-14) gave Solbach a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Right fielder Josh Elander hit a one-out single to right field and went to second base on a groundout by center fielder Colin Bray. Shortstop Ryan Gebhardt reached on an infield single to the left side to put runners at first and third bases, and second baseman Cody Regis hit an RBI single through the right side of the infield, before designated hitter Steve McQuail flied out to end the inning.

In the pivotal top of the sixth inning, shortstop Kristian Trompiz hit a leadoff single to center field and on a pitch in the dirt by Solbach, Trompiz ran for second base, where he dodged Gebhardt's tag. Right fielder Bobby Boyd grounded out to Regis to advance Trompiz to third base. First baseman Jamie Ritchie then drew a full-count walk, before Fisher hit the first pitch from Solbach to the warning track in left-center field to score Trompiz and Ritchie with the tying and go-ahead runs, respectively. Second baseman Mott Hyde, the reigning Midwest League Player of the Week, then singled to center field, and after Bray's throw to the plate, Fisher avoided the tag of catcher Jose Queliz to make it 3-1. Third baseman Nick Tanielu followed with a single to chase Solbach, who was charged with three earned runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Right-hander Jency Solis came in to get catcher Jacob Nottingham to ground into an inning-ending double play.

The Cougars bullpen worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings. In the seventh inning, Solis allowed a leadoff single to designated hitter Sean McMullen but picked him off first base. Left fielder Jason Martin then walked, and Trompiz was hit by a pitch, but a strikeout and fielder's choice ended the inning. In the eighth inning, right-hander Cody Geyer allowed a one-out walk to Hyde and singles by Tanielu and Nottingham to load the bases, before McMullen lined to first baseman Marty Herum for an inning-ending double play. In the ninth inning, right-hander Nick Baker allowed Martin's leadoff single before Queliz threw out Martin at second base on a missed bunt by Trompiz. Boyd added a two-out double, but Baker struck out Ritchie to end the inning.

Winners of seven straight road games with an 11-2 overall record on the road this season, the River Bandits continue their series in Kane County at noon Monday. River Bandits right-hander Daniel Mengden (1-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Brent Jones (1-2).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits will give away five new Mini Rita Grills next Thursday on Rita de Mayo presented by Bud Light and 7G Distributing. The amusement rides will open on Total Turf and Landscape Night and a Thirst-Day with $2 drink specials presented by 104.9 The Hawk, ESPN 93.5 and the River Cities' Reader. IHMVCU members can purchase buy-one-get-one free tickets at the box office. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. 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.

IowaNEXT Will Strengthen and Grow Iowa's Cultural and Sports Attractions Attracting Tourism, Creating Jobs and Generating Economic Opportunity Statewide

 

Tuesday, May 5, 2015 - Today, Team Iowa Sports, joined by Iowa's leading sports brands, announced their support of new efforts to advance the IowaNEXT plan, a comprehensive, common-sense program to provide greater public funding for sports, arts and cultural attractions throughout the state.

A senate study bill introduced in the Economic Growth Budget Sub-committee by Senator Bill Dotzler (D-Waterloo), will advance Governor Branstad's vision to improve quality of life for Iowans and generate economic opportunity through increased tourism. Members of Team Iowa Sports will join with other supporters to testify in support of the legislation at a subcommittee hearing today.

"Throughout the United States, and throughout the Midwest, people and businesses are relocating to dynamic communities with exciting cultural amenities, entertainment and attractions that contribute to a better quality of life," said David Adelman, spokesman for Team Iowa Sports. "In today's market, Iowa must do a better job if we hope to retain the people we have and attract more residents, businesses and tourists to grow our economy. IowaNEXT is a logical, common sense plan to help our state achieve this goal and we support Senator Dotzler's efforts today to advance this mission."

As it is envisioned, IowaNext will provide increased funding and focus for public parks, historic sites, museums, festivals and those attractions that enrich a community and draw visitors. Importantly, the plan would also create a recurring funding stream to support the retention and attraction of high quality events that put Iowa on a national stage and retain Iowans. IowaNEXT would help support events like NCAA Regional men's and women's basketball events, NASCAR and IndyCar racing, Olympic trials for wrestling and track & field and other smaller regional events while establishing the foundation to attract more nationally-televised events.

According to a report by the National Governors Association, "By investing in the arts and incorporating arts and culture into their economic development plans, states can reap numerous benefits?economic, social, civic, and cultural?that help generate a more stable, creative workforce; new tourism; and more livable communities.

About Team Iowa Sports

Team Iowa is a consortium of Iowa sports commissions and convention and visitors bureaus across the state to promote Iowa as a premier destination for sports activities. The Consortium works to promote and market sporting events drawing from local, regional and national interests. It also stimulates a healthy lifestyle for the youth in the community by encouraging their participation and attendance at sporting events.

###

Local Coalitions Can Now Apply for Funding to Improve Soil Health, Preserve Clean Water, Combat Drought, Protect Wildlife Habitat

DENVER, Colo., May 4, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today an investment of up to $235 million to improve the nation's water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. The funding is being made available through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the newest conservation tool of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

RCPP, created by the 2014 Farm Bill, empowers local leaders to work with multiple partners?such as private companies, local and tribal governments, universities, non-profit groups and other non-government partners?along with farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to design solutions that work best for their region. Local partners and the federal government both invest funding and manpower to projects to maximize their impact. This will be the second round of projects funded through RCPP. The RCPP program helps USDA build on already-record enrollment in conservation programs, with over 500,000 producers participating to protect land and water on over 400 million acres nationwide.

"This is a new, innovative approach to conservation," said Vilsack. "This initiative allows local partners the opportunity to design and invest in conservation projects specifically tailored for their communities. These public-private partnerships can have an impact that's well beyond what the Federal government could accomplish on its own. These efforts keep our land and water clean, and promote tremendous economic growth in agriculture, construction, tourism, and other industries."

Vilsack continued, "We had tremendous interest from local partners when we first launched this program last year. In this new round of applications, we'll be looking for even greater emphasis on expanding partnerships that break down barriers, work across boundaries, leverage resources and create new opportunities for innovation."

Secretary Vilsack made the announcement at a signing ceremony in Denver for the Colorado Pressurized Small Hydropower Partnership Project, a 2015-funded project that focuses on water quantity resource concerns in Colorado. The project, which will receive $1.8 million in NRCS support alongside local partner investments, will facilitate the conversion of flood irrigation systems to more resource-efficient pressurized irrigation systems with integrated hydropower.

"USDA continues to look for new opportunities to address drought across the West. RCPP projects like this one in Colorado highlight the work the NRCS is doing with partners to increase efficiency while supporting production," Vilsack said.

In January, USDA delivered first round funding to 115 high-impact projects, including the Colorado project, across all 50 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

One of these projects, "Securing Private Working Forests to Benefit Longleaf Pine, Threatened and Endangered Species, and Military Readiness," will restore approximately 20,000 acres of longleaf near as many as seven military installations across the country through the purchase of conservation easements. The project will enhance longleaf forests while also increasing the forested buffer around military bases. Longleaf forests produce valuable products, such as high quality wood and pulpwood for paper, that are important to rural economies. Also, these forests are home to many rare species, and by restoring the habitat on which they depend, their populations will grow.

Another project, "The Tri-State Western Lake Erie Basin Phosphorous Reduction Initiative" brings together more than 40 partnering organizations from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana to reduce the runoff of phosphorous to waterways in the western basin of Lake Erie. The lake has suffered from nutrient pollution for years, including last year's water crisis that left 400,000 residents in the Toledo, Ohio area without water to drink, bathe or cook. From providing clean drinking water to employing thousands of people in the tourism industry, the health of Lake Erie affects nearly every aspect of life in the region. This project will target funding to the streams and rivers that have the largest impact on water quality in the lake.

In January, USDA announced $394 million in awards in the first round of RCPP applications (which represented two years' worth of funding for fiscal years 2014 and 2015).

Today's announcement was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The 2014 Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life.

USDA is now accepting proposals for RCPP. Pre-proposals are due July 8, 2015. For more information on applying, visit the RCPP website.

ITHACA, NY (05/04/2015)(readMedia)-- Caitlin Walton, a junior music education major in the School of Music at Ithaca College, has been selected to serve on the 2016 Senior Class Gift Committee.

By contributing to the Ithaca College Annual Fund through the Senior Class Gift Campaign, seniors continue the college's tradition of providing a foundation for a lifetime of learning that fosters intellect, creativity and character in an active, student-centered learning community.

For over 30 years graduates have left their legacy at Ithaca College by participating in one of the oldest traditions on South Hill: the Senior Class Gift Campaign. Each year, members of the graduating class join together in honor of their graduation to help support, enrich and enhance the IC experience for current and future students.

###

From day one, Ithaca College prepares students for success through hands-on experience with internships, research and study abroad. Its integrative curriculum builds bridges across disciplines and uniquely blends liberal arts and professional study. Located in New York's Finger Lakes region, the College is home to 6,100 undergraduate and 460 graduate students.