DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 9, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims held the Kane County Cougars to one run in 5 2/3 innings to win his Midwest League debut, and right-handers Tyler Brunnemann and Andrew Walter combined to finish the 3-1 win for the home team in front of 2,727 at Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday night.

After earning a win for the first time in exactly two years Saturday, Sims (1-0) won consecutive outings for the first time in his six-season professional career. He allowed eight hits and three walks while striking out three batters in his longest start since July 16, 2011, when he pitched six innings for a win with the Lynchburg Hillcats, the Atlanta Braves Class-A Advanced affiliate in the Carolina League.

Kane County (13-5 second half, 58-30 overall) threatened to score in the first inning against Sims, who recorded one out before a single by designated hitter Ben Carhart and consecutive walks to catcher Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Cael Brockmeyer. But third baseman Jeimer Candelario lined to first baseman Chase McDonald, who stepped on first base for the inning-ending double play to keep the 0-0 tie.

Quad Cities (11-8, 46-42) took its first lead of the series in the second inning against Cougars right-hander Daury Torrez (9-4). McDonald and right fielder Ronnie Mitchell lined consecutive singles to center field, and designated hitter Brian Holberton grounded an RBI single to center field that scored McDonald. Catcher Brett Booth singled home Mitchell for a 2-0 lead.

The River Bandits added to the lead in the fourth inning, as third baseman Tyler White hit a leadoff double, Holberton singled and Torrez hit Booth with a pitch to load the bases. With one out, left fielder Marc Wik hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring White for a 3-0 lead. The three runs against Torrez were the first earned runs against him in four second-half starts. He allowed six hits and walked one batter while striking out five in five innings. Two of his four losses this season have come against Quad Cities.

Sims allowed at least one hit in each of the first six innings, but did not allow a run through the first five. He picked off Cougars right fielder Kevin Brown after a second-inning single, and Booth threw out center fielder Trey Martin trying to steal after a single in the third.

The Cougars outhit the River Bandits, 11-6, but did not reach the scoreboard until the sixth inning, when Schwarber hit a leadoff double, advanced to third base on Brockmeyer's flyout to center field and scored on Candelario's single into center field. Sims left after a two-out walk put the tying run at first base, but Brunnemann came in to get shortstop Carlos Penalver on an inning-ending flyout to right field.

Brunnemann allowed a seventh-inning single by left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. but picked him off first base. With one out in the eighth inning, Brockmeyer singled, and Candelario doubled to right field, putting the tying run at second base. But Brunnemann struck out second baseman David Bote and got Brown to fly out. Walter finished a 1-2-3 ninth inning by fanning Dunston for his eighth save.

Quad Cities will seek to hand Kane County its first second-half series loss in the rubber match at 7 p.m. Thursday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer (1-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Juan Paniagua (5-3).

Issues disaster proclamation for seven counties, temporarily suspends certain transportation weight restrictions, asks FEMA to conduct damage assessment

(DES MOINES)  - Today, Gov. Terry E. Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for seven counties in response to the ongoing flooding and severe weather beginning June 26, 2014, temporarily lifted certain transportation weight restrictions and requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct assessments in 20 counties impacted by the June 26 and continuing storms.

The counties included in today's disaster proclamation are Audubon, Grundy, Ida, Jasper, Keokuk, Poweshiek and Washington. The governor's proclamation allows State resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of these storms.

Also today, Gov. Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency to temporarily suspend Iowa Department of Transportation weight restrictions in Plymouth and Sioux counties.

The proclamation will temporarily lift certain transportation restrictions on the movement of loads related to the repair of damage sustained to the railroad operated by D & I Railroad and owned by the State of South Dakota. The damage was caused by the June 14, 2014, and continuing severe storms. The suspension of weight provisions applies to loads transported on Iowa Highway 3, Iowa Highway 10 and Iowa Highway 12 in Plymouth and Sioux counties and excludes other Iowa roadways and interstate systems. D & I Railroad provides shipping service to multiple area companies, including agriculture and ethanol producers.

In addition, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) made a request today to FEMA to conduct damage assessments in 20 counties impacted by the June 26 and continuing storms. The damage assessments, which will primarily cover public infrastructure, will be conducted jointly by FEMA, HSEMD and local officials. Results of the damage assessments could be used to determine if a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration is warranted. Damage assessments will be conducted in the following counties: Audubon, Black Hawk, Butler, Cedar, Des Moines, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Mahaska, Muscatine and Poweshiek.

This is the fourth such request that HSEMD has made to FEMA to conduct damage assessments as a result of June severe weather.

NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley announces Board President, Max Ewalt, has stepped down as of June 10, 2014.  Max has served NAMI GMV as Board President for five years. He began work as President of the Board of Directors in 2009 when the organization was still named NAMI Scott County and has been instrumental in facilitating our merger with NAMI Rock Island County to become a NAMI of the Greater Mississippi Valley. NAMI GMV now serves the Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities and outlying areas, including Scott, Clinton, and Muscatine counties in Iowa and Rock Island, Mercer and Henry counties in Illinois.

The Board of Directors and members of NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley expresses their sincere appreciation to Max for his 5 years of service, dedication, and leadership.

Michael brings extensive experience and leadership to guide the organization forward into the future.

Michael shares, "Over the next 2 years we hope to build a strong bi-state board, continue to expand NAMI's education and support programs into Rock Island and Muscatine, and increase our advocacy efforts by working with local service providers, our legislators and the Statewide affiliates."

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