24 Nov 2014

USDA Disaster Assistance to Help Thousands of Honeybee, Livestock and Farm-Raised Fish Producers

By USDA Office of Communications

2014 Farm Bill Program Offers Producers in Over 40 States Relief for 2012 and 2013 Losses

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2014 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA today announced that nearly 2,500 applicants will receive disaster assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) for losses suffered from Oct. 1, 2011, through Sept. 30, 2013.

The program, re-authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides disaster relief to livestock, honeybee, and farm-raised fish producers not covered by other agricultural disaster assistance programs. Eligible losses may include excessive heat or winds, flooding, blizzards, hail, wildfires, lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, and diseases, or in the case of honeybees, losses due to colony collapse disorder. Beekeepers, most of whom suffered honeybee colony losses, represent more than half of ELAP recipients.

"As promised, we're making sure that thousands of producers who suffered through two and a half difficult years without Farm Bill assistance, are getting some relief," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Once the Farm Bill was restored, not only did we implement the disaster assistance programs in record time, we're issuing payments less than three months after the enrollment deadline. The funds will hopefully help producers with some of the financial losses they sustained during that time."

The Farm Bill caps ELAP disaster funding at $20 million per federal fiscal year. To accommodate the number of requests, which exceeded funds available for each of the affected years, payments will be reduced to ensure that all eligible applicants receive a prorated share of assistance.

ELAP was made possible through the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. 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 in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

To learn more about USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) disaster assistance programs, visit the FSA factsheet page at www.fsa.usda.gov/factsheets or contact your local FSA office at http://go.usa.gov/pYV3.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

24 Nov 2014

Jacob Logan wins Outstanding Attorney Award in mock trial

By Laura Billingsley

PELLA, IA (11/24/2014)(readMedia)-- Jacob Logan '18, a member of the Central College Mock Trial Team, won the Outstanding Attorney Award at the Creighton University BlueJay Open on Nov. 22. Logan, a first-year student, was the second highest-ranking attorney for the entire tournament.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics. Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. The college is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southeast of Des Moines. Learn more at www.central.edu
24 Nov 2014

Boys & Girls Clubs to Present Awards to Area Children at Holiday Ball

By Mark McLaughlin
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - The Holiday Ball of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley (BGCMV) will be held Saturday, December 13, and will feature music, dancing, fine dining, and cocktails. But for five extraordinary Quad-Cities children, the highlight of the event will be the Club Member of the Year Awards, honoring them for observing the values of the Boys & Girls Clubs.

The Holiday Ball will be held at the Isle of Capri, 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, IA. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktail receptions for the general public, as well as a VIP and Sponsor reception with Special Guest Chad Pregracke, Founder of Living Lands and Waters and CNN's 2013 Hero of the Year. Guests can bid on a selection of Silent Auction items, and art pieces and ornaments made by BGCMV members will also be for sale.

The dinner and presentation begin at 7 p.m. A steak dinner with a vegetarian option will be served, with gourmet cupcakes for dessert. The emcee will be KWQC news anchor Morgan Ottier. During the presentation, the winners of Club Member of the Year Awards will be announced and introduced. Later, partygoers can dance to the music of the band Ear Candy from 8:30 to 11 p.m.

"We welcome the community to the Holiday Ball," said Tim Tolliver, Chief Executive Officer of the BGCMV. "The funds raised by this event will help the Clubs to reach more young people, maintain the Clubs that they enjoy, and provide them with services to enhance their lives."

The awards ceremony will follow the same format as the Oscars, Tolliver noted. "The names of the nominees in each category will be read and the winners will be announced," He said. "The five winners will be there to accept their awards in categories following the Five Core Values emphasized by the Boys & Girls Clubs. These categories are Character and Leadership Development; The Arts; Sports, Fitness and Recreation; Education and Career Development; and Health and Life Skills."

Tolliver added that the results of this year's Literacy Challenge will be shared during the presentation. "Members of the BGCMV are given free books, donated by the community," he said. "They've been keeping track of how many pages they've read. Those who have made the greatest progress will be recognized at the Holiday Ball."

Registration for the Holiday Ball is $100 per person. To register, call (309) 757-5777 or visit the Holiday Ball page on the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley website: www.bgcmv.org/portal/holiday-ball

An Evening to Remember
The Holiday Ball will honor 20 years of serving young people in the Quad-Cities area. "It's like a big birthday party," Tolliver said. "We will be holding the Holiday Ball every year from now on, so we want the first one to make a memorable impression."

As part of the evening's entertainment, the Metropolitan Youth Program will dazzle guests with their outstanding drumline skills. The Program is headquartered at 712 8th St., Rock Island. "The young people who belong to this group are highly skilled and their performance will be one of the highlights of the evening," Tolliver said.

The event's Special Guest, Chad Pregracke, has dedicated his life to cleaning up the Mississippi River and other waterways. His efforts are organized through his nonprofit organization, Living Lands & Waters. For his contributions to his country, Pregracke was named 2013 CNN Hero of the Year.  

"Chad was in his teens when he realized that the Mississippi River needed help," Tolliver said. "He decided to fix the situation, and at age 23, he founded Living Lands & Waters. He serves as an excellent role model for today's youth and we are proud to have him as our Special Guest."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley, as a chartered member of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is a tax-exempt organization, duly qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with Federal law. For more information on the BGCMV and their work in the community, call (309) 757-5777 or visit www.bgcmv.org.
24 Nov 2014

KISS Volunteer Party

By KISS Hope Creek

Thanks to all who volunteered to help the public understand the value of  HOPE CREEK in this election. We are having a volunteer thank you party and invite you to attend.

Saturday, Nov 29th at On the Rock

(Previously Martinis On The Rock)

4619 34th St, Rock Island, IL 61201

Pizza Provided 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

(Drinks on your own)

Band starts at 8:00 PM

We will be in the Outside Patio room with the band

24 Nov 2014

Call today to order a Holiday Ticket Pack with gnome & sweater T-shirt!

By River Bandits
One package includes 4 box seats and 4 Ferris wheel ride tickets for any 2015 River Bandits home game, a Rascal Holiday Gnome and a limited edition River Bandits sweater T-shirt ($49 plus shipping). Another package includes a book of 10 upper box seat vouchers for 2015, a Rascal Holiday Gnome and 2 River Bandits sweater T-shirts ($99 plus shipping). More »
24 Nov 2014

Governor and Lt. Governor Announce More Home Base Iowa Communities and Certified Higher Academic Military Partners

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced Union County, Mitchell County, Dubuque County and the City of Marion have met the criteria to become designated as Home Base Iowa communities. Today they also announced all three Regents Institutions?University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa? Hawkeye Community College and University of Dubuque have become designated as Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partners (CHAMPs).

Union county, Mitchell County, Dubuque County and the City of Marion join the four existing communities - Greene County, Howard County, Clarke County and Floyd County - in becoming certified Home Base Iowa Communities. To become a Home Base Iowa Community, an area must meet the following criteria: 10% of its businesses sign on as Home Base Iowa Businesses; local government supports the effort; signage indicates the community is a Home Base Iowa Community and the community creates local incentives that offer additional benefits for Veterans and that complement those in the statewide Home Base Iowa Act.

"With almost 600 veterans hired through Home Base Iowa thus far, our Veterans jobs initiative is a growing success," said Branstad. "As these additional communities, Union County, Mitchell County, Dubuque County and the City of Marion have demonstrated, Iowans are embracing this initiative to create communities that are attractive to Veterans and to provide transitioning military members with every opportunity for success."

Five additional Home Base Iowa CHAMPS--the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College and University of Dubuque?join the three existing HBI CHAMPs?Upper Iowa University, DMACC and Mount Mercy University. The Home Base Iowa CHAMP program allows Iowa colleges and universities to become certified for their ability to educate and assist veterans on campus. The certification will help attract veterans leaving the service to Iowa and help academic institutions market their campus as veteran friendly. To become a Home Base Iowa CHAMP campus, education institutions must meet criteria in each of the three categories: On-Campus Veteran Resources, Mindfulness of Service Member Transitions and Financial Considerations.

"Governor Branstad and I are pleased to see the continued support Home Base Iowa is receiving across the state," said Reynolds. "Today's announcement of additional Home Base Iowa Communities and Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partners ensures service members transitioning to civilian life have welcoming communities, educational resources and jobs?all here in Iowa."

MORE INFORMATION ON EACH OF THE HOME BASE IOWA COMMUNITIES 

The Union County Home Base Iowa Taskforce created a "Veterans Support Fund" in which a qualifying veteran can receive up to $2,000 to reside in Union County and be employed by a Union County Home Base Iowa Business. Additionally, qualifying veterans may receive up to $5,000 through the Southern Iowa Council of Governments Housing Trust Fund Military Homeownership Program, leveraging the state-wide incentive package.  Media and the public are welcome to attend the formal announcement event on Thursday, December 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Greater Regional Medical Center MAP Conference Room, located at 1700 W. Townline St. in Creston. Questions on the local package should be addressed to the Union County Development Association.

Mitchell County is pleased that Home Base Iowa businesses in Mitchell County represent 1,149 jobs and 30% of the total employment base. These businesses provide fulltime employment opportunities with wages at or above the county - wide median and offer their employees extensive benefit programs. The Mitchell County Home Base Iowa Fund, with local support from our banking community, Shop On State, the Foundation for the Enhancement of Mitchell County and Mitchell County offers an additional $1,000 in down payment assistance toward the purchase of a new home for Veterans who choose to live and work in Mitchell County.  Questions on the local incentive package should be directed to the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission.

The Marion Economic Development Company was successful in partnering with over 60 Marion companies signing on to the Home Base Iowa initiative. The City of Marion is one of the fastest growing cities in Iowa. Considering itself particularly welcoming for families, its  incentive package includes vouchers and discounts to enjoy any of the municipal recreation opportunities in the community, and additional items to ensure a welcoming and seamless transition for military. Marion Economic Development Company should be contacted for additional information on local incentives.

Twenty-nine employers in Dubuque County signed on to become Home Base Iowa Businesses by pledging their commitment to hire Veterans. Dubuque County's incentive package includes relocation, career and education assistance. Questions on the local incentive package should be directed to Greater Dubuque Development.

BACKGROUND ON THE HOME BASE IOWA ACT

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launched the Home Base Iowa initiative in November of 2013 at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge. Branstad and Reynolds named Congressman Leonard Boswell and Casey's CEO Bob Myers the co-chairs of the initiative.

The Home Base Iowa Act was signed into law on May 26, 2014. It passed the Iowa Senate 46-0 and the Iowa House 94-2. The Home Base Iowa initiative does the following:

  • Fully exempts military pensions from state income tax.
  • Gives veterans, their spouses and dependents in-state tuition at Iowa's colleges and universities.
  • Allows Iowa's licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.
  • Allows private-sector companies to follow the public sector's lead by allowing a preference in hiring and promoting veterans.
  • Eliminates the special plate issuance fees charged for plates associated with military service.
  • Expands eligibility for the Military Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.  Additional funding for the program is provided in a separate appropriations bill.

In addition to the Home Base Iowa Act, Branstad also signed Senate File 2352 in 2014.

Senate File 2352 an Act relating to the additional homestead credit for certain disabled veterans and including effective date and applicability provisions.

For more information on Home Base Iowa, please visit www.HomeBaseIowa.org.

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24 Nov 2014

Black Friday at Atom Studio + Gallery

By Atom Studio + Gallery

Please Join us this Friday from 11 am to 9 pm. Escape the Black Friday crowds and do your shopping at Atom Studio + Gallery located in Bucktown Center for the Arts.  Avoid lines and start your Christmas shopping in a relaxed environment.  Give your family and friends a gift of art that will last a lifetime. Atom Studio + Gallery offers a wide variety of original artwork for home and businesses. All the work and commissioned work is available for sale. There are class schedules available for people of all abilities and ages. Gift certificates will be available for the January and February classes and make great stocking stuffers for those who can be hard to shop for.

Don't miss the opening reception for the holiday Angels Among Us juried show, held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Friday, November 28th. Art from a wide variety of talented artists, interpreting the theme "Angels Among Us," will be showcased on the second floor of Bucktown in the Midcoast display area, through December 31st.  Featured artists include; Dan Johnson, Brad Bisbey, Tracy Lorentzen-Hein, Catherine Moneysmith, Rose Moore, Gloria Burlingame, Jeanne Omelia, Judy Gray, Rich Clewell, Deb Doehler, Peggy Graton, Kim Aust, Susan Long, and Heather Sturtewagen.

24 Nov 2014

Names Released - Fatality Accident - 29000 blk 240th Ave

By Ryan Lage

The driver of the 2005 Buick passenger car who was fatally injured on 11/22/14 was identified as William P. Flenker, 84, from rural Long Grove.

The driver of the semitrailer was identified as Ryan E. Wilson, 19, from Bettendorf. He was uninjured in the accident.

The accident remains under investigation.

24 Nov 2014

5,310 Watch Streaking Mallards Down Rush, Take Over First Place

By Brian Lavelle

MOLINE, Ill. (November 22, 2014) - Joe Perry scored two goals including the game winner and Evan Mosher made 34 saves as the host Quad City Mallards (7-3-3) defeated the Rapid City Rush (5-9-1) 3-2 Saturday night in front of 5,310 fans.  With the win the Mallards moved into first place in the EHCL's Central Division, extended their winning streak to three games, matched a league season best by stretching their regulation unbeaten streak to eight games (5-0-3) and completed a two-game weekend sweep of the Rush.

Perry tipped in his second goal of the night at 3:04 of the third period to give the Mallards a 3-1 lead.  That goal would stand up as the difference after Brandon Martell's wrist shot from the left point brought Rapid City back with one at 13:22 of the third.  Mosher and the Mallards held off the Rush the rest of the way, even after Rapid City pulled goaltender Etienne Marcoux for an extra attacker with 1:11 remaining in the game.

Perry opened the scoring from the left wing circle at 5:17 of the first period.  The Rush was shorthanded when Daniel Tetreault pounced on a rebound to even the contest at 9:28 of the first.

At 11:42 of the second period Johnny Rogic finished off a 2-on-1 rush to break the 1-1 deadlock and put the Mallards on top for good.  Mosher was at his busiest in the second, turning 16 shots to keep the Mallards in front.

Tonight's throng was first crowd of over 5,000 to attend a November Mallards home game since 5,010 saw the Mallards drop a 4-3 United Hockey League decision the Rockford IceHogs at the iWireless Center on November 4, 2007.

Earlier Saturday goaltender John Curry was recalled from the Mallards by the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, forward Todd Fiddler was placed on the Mallards' reserve list and forward Logan Nelson and goaltender Parker Milner were activated from reserve.

The Mallards return to action tomorrow on the road against the Missouri Mavericks.  The Mallards next play at home next Saturday night, November 29, at 7:05 p.m. against the Mavericks.

Tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including next Saturday night's tilt- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.
21 Nov 2014

Volunteers Needed

By Dr. Jeffrey Bassman

LeClaire Information Center Volunteers Needed! Contact Cindy Bruhn at info@visitleclaire.com or 563-650-7963 to volunteer.

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