New Position Will Coordinate Ongoing USDA Support for Active Duty Military and Veterans

Des Moines, Iowa, Nov. 14, 2014 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced Karis T. Gutter, a Marine Corps Reserve veteran and current USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS), as the first USDA Military Veterans Agricultural (MVA) Liaison. The MVA Liaison will coordinate USDA leadership across the Department to provide information, resources and support for active duty military and veterans interested in agriculture. The MVA Liaison will also have authority to facilitate formal relationships between USDA and other government agencies and non-profit organizations to strengthen USDA support for veterans.

Deputy Secretary Harden made the announcement at the Farmers Veterans Coalition and Drake University Agriculture Law Center's inaugural national conference in Des Moines, Iowa.

"Many of America's veterans come from our rural communities, and are often drawn back to the land upon returning to civilian life," said Deputy Secretary Harden. "Veterans are key to building our future generation of farmers, land stewards and conservationists. USDA already has a number of initiatives to help veterans find meaningful work in agriculture upon returning home, but this new position will help coordinate our efforts and make programs easier to navigate. I look forward to Karis' leadership as we continue to support America's heroes."

Gutter, native of Terry, Mississippi (pop. 1,099), began his career in public service as an enlisted United States Marine Corp Reservist. Gutter served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps as a communications and field radio operator for six years and participated in humanitarian relief in support of September 11 and Hurricane Katrina. Prior to his USDA service, Gutter worked for the Hinds County Board of Supervisors in Mississippi and on Capitol Hill as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02).

"Serving as USDA's first Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison is a great honor," said Gutter, who is also attending the Iowa conference. "As a Marine, I know military veterans have unique skills, training and perspective. My job is to make sure military veterans have full access to USDA's resources and services to help them succeed in civilian life."

The USDA Military Veteran Agriculture Liaison, which reports directly to the Office of the Secretary, is a new position created by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill also authorizes USDA to offer priority preference to veterans in several programs including the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) and the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.

Since 2009, USDA has invested in housing, job training and financial assistance for veterans including:

  • Providing safe and sound housing through Rural Development's Rural Housing Service by making 9,301 single family guaranteed housing loans, 952 direct home loans, 766 home improvement loans and 1,445 home improvement grants to veterans and their families.
  • Investing over $2 million to training and experience for over 600 veterans through the Veterans Fire Corps, many of which become permanent Forest Service employees. There are over 10,000 veterans employed across USDA.
  • Partnering with the Corporation for National Service (CNCS) and other federal agencies to develop the 21st Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) to create opportunities for veterans to restore and conserve natural resources. Earlier this week, USDA and CNCS announced the project locations of expanded 21CSC opportunities in 11 states. In addition, the Forest Service invested over $21 million in FY14 and leveraged $18 million from partners to engage approximately 11,000 youth and veterans in training and employment opportunities.
  • Closing 689 Farm Service Agency Farm Ownership Loans (totaling $106.8 million), 3,881 traditional Farm Operating Loans, (totaling $236.4 million) and 592 microloans (totaling $11.3 million) to veterans. Recently, the Farm Service Agency announced it would recognize leadership positions in the military as a way to satisfy experience requirements when applying for microloan funds.
  • Investing $5.4 million to veterans through Farm Service Agency Emergency Loans and over $1.1 million in Conservation Loans.
  • Launching a dedicated website for veterans and military families about available federal nutrition programs.
  • Chartering the USDA Veterans, Reservists, and Military Families Task Force (VRMF) to strengthen and coordinate programmatic and outreach efforts across the Department to better serve military and veteran families.
  • Integrating veterans into USDA efforts for new and beginning farmers.

Today's announcement of the Military Veteran Agriculture Liaison 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.

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CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today made the following statement on the passing of former Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne:

"Jane Byrne leaves a legacy of tireless service to Chicago that will never be forgotten.

"Her work on behalf of the city's children and underserved communities has meant thousands of Chicago citizens are better off today because of Jane's heartfelt dedication.

"The city's first and only female mayor, Jane Byrne was a barrier breaker and a role model for countless women who had stared too long through the glass ceiling.

"She brought transparency to the city budget process, was Chicago's first mayor to march in the Gay Pride Parade and was the nation's first big-city mayor to successfully enact a ban on handguns.

"Renaming the Circle Interchange in honor of the former mayor has rightfully placed Jane Byrne among the city's iconic leaders.

"Jane Byrne was a fearless trailblazer who has made our state a better place. She will be missed. Our thoughts are with her daughter Kathy, grandson William and their entire family today."

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Representatives from Royal Neighbors of America surprised Kit Evans-Ford, Rock Island, with a check for $5,000 from its Nation of NeighborsSM Program . Founder of Testimonies of Hope: The Intercultural Christian Devotional Community, Kit also established Overcoming the S.T.O.R.M.: A Program for Women Healing from Sexual Violence. The funds will help Kit launch retreats and an annual conference for girls and women focused on using the arts for healing and hope; further develop her inspirational social media sites; and expand her S.T.O.R.M. program with a webinar series.
Kit, a survivor of sexual assault herself, has worked relentlessly in service to women and girls in the U. S. and around the world. She is a former international development worker who has met many inspiring people in her travels. As a result, she has brought hundreds of individuals together through Testimonies of Hope, an online community that provides safe spaces for women of all ages to share their stories. Through her various programs, she empowers women and girls to build their self-esteem, self-worth, personal growth, and community leadership.

Read the story and see pictures here.

Focusing on its history of standing strong for women, Royal Neighbors has given more than $1.5 million to nearly 1,200 families and individuals in reaching their goals and rebuilding their lives through its Nation of Neighbors Program. The program, which was launched in 2007, demonstrates Royal Neighbors' vision of protecting women financially and empowering them to improve their lives, families, and communities, the philosophy on which Royal Neighbors was founded more than a century ago.
Through the 2014 program, determined women of strength and courage are empowered with financial assistance to achieve their full potential, realize a sense of renewed personal growth, and give back to their communities.

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance organizations, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, term, final expense, and universal life. One of the most financially secure insurance carriers in the industry, it has the financial strength and stability to ensure its nearly 200,000 members are protected when the expected, and unexpected, happen. In addition to insurance products, Royal Neighbors provides member benefits at no additional cost which currently include scholarship opportunities, health and retail discounts, and participation in volunteer activities that give back to communities through the organization's local chapters. Royal Neighbors' philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of NeighborsSM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.


Royal Neighbors is headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ. For more information, visit www.royalneighbors.org or call (800) 627-4762.

ROCK ISLAND, Illinois - More than 100 at-risk girls will have Christmas brought to them in a unique way.

For the fourth year in a row, Ganson's Neighborhood Bakery & Café has partnered with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois to bring a holiday celebration to girls who otherwise may not have the opportunity.

The Christmas program will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014.

"Every child deserves to have Christmas," said Senior Membership Outreach Manager at Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois Missy Sweeney.

Sweeney works with area schools to determine which girls qualify as the most at-risk and invites them to attend the annual Christmas celebration with Santa, gifts, dinner and cookie-decorating.

"Some of these girls get forgotten about, and we want to make sure they know they're worthy to have an unforgettable Christmas," said Sweeney.

Organizers hope each girl can unwrap a Christmas gift and feel special.

"It makes me teary-eyed just thinking about all the smiles on the girls' faces when they get a present just for them," said Sweeney.

New, unwrapped gifts for girls in grades K-5 can be dropped off before Sunday, November 23, at the Girl Scouts Program Center located at 2011 Second Ave. in Rock Island, or at Ganson's Neighborhood Bakery & Café also in Rock Island.

Financial contributions are also accepted to offset costs for the annual Christmas program which is free for all girls who attend.

"This is a great opportunity for the community to make a difference in the lives of more than 100 girls who deserve to know they're cared about this holiday season," said Sweeney.

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GRADE 6 - PRINCIPAL'S LIST
Sydney Andersen
Lily Beardsley
Annabelle Bishop
Brock Clark
Ella Darrow
David Dierickx
Anna Do
Joseph Dockery-Jackson
Dana Egan
Grace Ekstrom
Anthony Guzzo
Errin Hoffman
Emily Klauer
Luke Lofgren
Casey Magee
Janie Martens
Jackson Marx
Margo Maynard
Morgan Moore
Jacob Morel
John Nonnenmann
Zachary Otten-Thoms
Jack Patting
Miriana Peterson
Brook Pickslay
Audrey Reynolds
Stephanie Ruiz
Isabelle Smith
Billy Taylor
Brianna Waller

GRADE 6 - HONOR ROLL
Kaden Boden
Lucy Evans
Caleb Habel
Billy Hayes
Jack Janssen
Seth Paniamogan

GRADE 7 - PRINCIPAL'S LIST
Emma Cowles
Tyler Estes
Jaylen Gore
Adam Hyder
Gianna Jewhurst
Madilynn Klauer
David Moens
Grace Moore
Megan Tanghe

GRADE 7 - HONOR ROLL
Alexandra Amacher
Grace Anders
Erik Coulter
Ted Fogel
Timothy Marolf
Margaret Schaecher
Daniel Smith
Collin Snyder
Tony VanDeWalle
Vanessa Verschoore
Alexis Wilkens

GRADE 8 - PRINCIPAL'S LIST
Emma Beardsley
Gabe Beardsley
Chloe Boyd
Anna Darrow
John Do
Anthony Dockery-Jackson
Sydney Elliott
Jonathan Fernandez
Grant Florence
Parker Georlett
Lauren Hird
Hannah Luppen
Olivia Manternach
Aaron Mickelson
Haley Mosley
Paige Nimrick
Taylor Parker
Faith Pickslay
Mary Powers
Vanessa Reger
Ava Reynolds
Lily Schoeck

GRADE 8 - HONOR ROLL
Jonathan Berry
Emily Elliott
Nate Maynard
Isabella Milani
Claudia Ruiz
Lillian Steffen
Logan Swartz
Natika Woods
Kaitlyn Zonnevylle

The Principal's List requires a GPA of 3.5 to 4.0. The Honor Roll requires a GPA of 3.0 to 3.49

Now is your chance to submit an idea for a baseball that the River Bandits can sell in the team store! Kids 14 and under can show off their artistic skills in our Design-A-Baseball contest. Five finalists will be chosen and their designs will be voted on by the fans with the winner's design being manufactured into a real ball. The entry form is available here. For any questions, contact Jen Adamczyk. More »
Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Coping with the Cost of Care

Muscatine, Iowa (November 2014) - Gilda's Club and Susan G. Komen are partnering to offer Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Coping with the Cost of Care. This free educational workshop is designed for people living with cancer and their loved ones. Participants will gain practical advice on how to navigate the numerous and complex challenges of managing the cost of cancer care. Our featured speaker will be Ruth Laabs-Wilcox, LMSW This workshop will take place on Tuesday November 18th at 6:00 PM at 1st Presbyterian Church 401 Iowa Avenue
(Gathering Room 2nd Floor.)

Advanced registration is preferred as dinner is included. For more details and registration call Gilda's Club at (877) 926-7504

NAMI Schedules New 2015 Programs

DAVENPORT, Iowa (November 13, 2014) - The National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Mississippi Valley affiliate (NAMI) has received four grants to support an expanded program schedule for Rock Island County.

NAMI has received grants from the following Rock Island County-based foundations: The Doris and Victor Day Foundation - $5,000; Rauch Family Foundation I - $2,000; Rock Island Community Foundation - $2,500; and The Moline Foundation - $1,000. These grant dollars will be used for program coordination and outreach for referrals to new classes.

NAMI continues its Family-to-Family education programs with a spring class scheduled March 3 to May 18, 2015, at Black Hawk College, Moline. For a complete list of 2015 programs and for registration information, please visit www.namigmv.org.

NAMI provides free education and support programs to individuals and families living with mental illness. It serves residents within in Muscatine, Clinton, Scott Counties in Iowa and Mercer, Henry, Rock Island Counties in Illinois. NAMI programs are nationally-developed and designed to educate persons about the biology of mental illness, latest research, treatment options, as well as coping and communication skills important for supporting their loved one's recovery.

About NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley

One in10 children and one in four adults experience a mental health disorder in any given year. Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by the age of 14. NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This grassroots organization complements the work of mental health professionals by providing support, education and advocacy to individuals and families living with mental illness. NAMI works cooperatively through the Quad Cities Community Mental Health Initiative, serving residents in Muscatine, Clinton, Scott Counties in Iowa and Mercer, Henry, Rock Island Counties in Illinois.  Additional information is available at 563-322-8870 or www.namigmv.org.

 

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ROCK ISLAND, Illinois - The Hungry Hobo announced the re-grand opening of its West Locust store. The store is located at 1432 W. Locust in Davenport, and open Monday through Friday from 10:00A to 10:00P, Saturday from 10:00A to 9:00P, and Sunday from 11:00A to 9:00P. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place with the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce on Friday, December 5th at 4:00P.

"While we're in the process of expanding our concept in Eastern Iowa, we also need to make sure our stores in the Quad Cities continue to be as inviting as possible." said Pryce T. Boeye, President and CEO of the company. "In this case, we were able to refurbish our West Locust store, which was opened roughly 10 years ago. We've also taken this opportunity to incorporate some of our new décor package, which debuted with the opening of our LeClaire store in 2011."

The Hungry Hobo is a chain of sandwich shops that was created in 1973 by Jim Gende, Ray Pearson, Joe Gende, and Tom Spero. The concept specializes in sliced-to-order and grilled sandwiches, baked potatoes with a variety of toppings, chef-prepared soups, shredded-lettuce salads, and desserts that are baked daily in The Hobo Bakery. They have 13 convenient Quad-City area locations, accept all major credit cards, deliver box lunches and party items, and have made their everyday menu available for delivery through www.good2goqc.com. They also have a smart phone app and mobile rewards program, and have been voted Best Deli, Best Deli Sandwiches, and Most Distinctly Quad Cities Fast Food. For more information, visit www.hungryhobo.com, www.facebook.com/hungryhobo, and www.twitter.com/hungryhobo11.

 

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November 12, 2014 - An Illinois community college graduate can expect a total lifetime earnings gain of over $570,000.

SPRINGFIELD - A new study released today by the Illinois Community College Board finds that an Illinois community college education increases earnings for workers, even during a recession.

For Illinois community college graduates, the return on investment equates to a total lifetime earnings gain of over $570,000 and an average annual rate of return of 14.2%.  In fact, taking courses at an Illinois community college increases a student's earnings 25.3% over pre-enrollment wages.

"Graduating from an Illinois community college pays off," said Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson, executive director of the Illinois Community College Board.   "With a rate of return of over 14%, investing in an Illinois community college education provides a far greater financial return than home ownership or even the stock market."

Illinois community colleges add skills to our workforce and boost business competitiveness.  Nearly 9 out of 10 Illinois community college graduates remain in Illinois after completing college and contribute to the state's economy.

"The state's investment in community colleges stays right here in Illinois," said ICCB Chairman Alexi Giannoulias.  "Illinois community college graduates generate billions of dollars in state and federal tax revenues and provide a skilled workforce for the jobs of the 21st century."

As major employers and business entities, Illinois community colleges generate substantial economic benefits for communities through local expenditures and employment.  According to the report, in fiscal year 2012, Illinois community colleges generated a total economic output of $3.1 billion and almost 51,000 jobs.

"Community colleges are the lifeblood of many local communities in Illinois," said Dr. Anderson.  "Investing in Illinois community colleges is not only good for students, but also good for local communities that benefit from significant economic growth and job creation."

"Overall, this study clearly demonstrates that, for a small investment, Illinois community colleges are unmatched in their long term payoff to Illinois' students, employers, and local communities," said Giannoulias.

The economic impact study was conducted by Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies.  The study is unique from many other state and national higher education economic impact analyses because student-level data was matched with employee-level wage data to determine student economic impacts through their employment and earnings gains.

The Illinois Community College Board is the state coordinating board for community colleges. Illinois is home to 48 community colleges in 39 districts and has the third largest community college system in the nation serving nearly 1 million residents each year in credit and non-credit courses.

For more information, including a copy of the full report, visit http://www.iccb.org/eis.html.

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