Experienced Wives Win Top Honors in Iowa State Fair Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Leslie Eichelberger of Muscatine won first place in the Ladies' Husband Calling contest judged Friday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Second place was awarded to Bonnie Swalwell Eilert of Newton, and third place went to Rose Beauregard of Center Point.

Complete results below:

1) Leslie Eichelberger, Muscatine

2) Bonnie Swalwell Eilert, Newton

3) Rose Beauregard, Center Point

4) Lori Frank, Sterling, Va.

5tie) Marge Mefferd, Des Moines

5tie) LeAnne Hewitt, San Benito, Texas

6) Sheryl Beals, Colfax

7) Virginia Stone, Waukee

8) Michelle Redman, Dauphin Island, Ala.

9) Melissa Longnecker, Des Moines

10) Lisa Snodgass, Indianola

The contest was part of "Rural Americana Olde Tyme Competitions" in Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall. A first prize of $5 and ribbons were awarded to each class.

Farmers Test Their Skills in Iowa State Fair Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Teams of farmers competed in the Adult and Youth Farmer's Challenges on Thursday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

In the Adult division, each male/female team competed in six farm-related events such as bale throwing, egg gathering and an obstacle course, and were awarded points for their placement in each event. The team with the most points at the end of the challenge was named the Farmer's Challenge Champion and received a $300 cash award.

In the Youth division, teams of two boys and two girls competed in bale toss, egg gathering, bale shuffle and obstacle course competitions.

Complete results below:

ADULT FARMER'S CHALLENGE

1) Luke Wilson, 35, Prairie City, and Andrea Wilson, 36, Prairie City

2) Steven Allgood, 26, Eddyville, and Devan Voss, 24, Eddyville

3) Zach Mosbey, 23, Hedrick, and Ashley Mosbey, 25, Hedrick

YOUNG FARMER'S CHALLENGE

1) Hunter Hamilton, 18, Lone Tree; Savannah Keitzer, 16, Mediapolis; Mikayla Dolch, 18, Villisca; and Seth Weirup, 16, Delmar

2) Jay Spitler, 18, Belmond; Cody Bonnstetter, 18, Belmond; Rachel Freland, 18, Prairie City; and Kallie Malloy, 15, State Center

3) Bobbi Fogle, 17, Oskaloosa; Carey Stroh, 16, Peru; Justin Rottinghaus, 17, La Porte City; and Joshua Sunberg, 17, Red Oak

"Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair. The 2014 Fair ended August 17. The 2015 Iowa State Fair is set August 13-23. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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Quad Cities strikes out 14 times in 4-2 loss

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (August 18, 2014) - Andrew Thurman tossed six strong innings but the Quad Cities River Bandits offense struck out 14 times in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Cedar Rapids Kernels, who won their season-high seventh game of the season Monday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Cedar Rapids starter Chih-Wei Hu (6-1) gave up a lone unearned run on three hits over six innings to earn the win. The Taiwanese right-hander struck out eight without walking a batter, and only allowed Quad Cities to put runners in scoring position in one inning. The River Bandits have now fanned 45 times over the last four games, in which they've gone 1-3, losing all three contests by two runs or less.

Shoddy defense helped the Kernels get the scoring started in the second. Thurman got the first two outs of the inning on a strikeout and dribbler back to the mound before a throwing error on Quad Cities shortstop Thomas Lindauer allowed Cedar Rapids center fielder Zack Larson to reach first. A double off the bat of Logan Wade brought Larson all the way around to score the first run of the game. Wade came home when the next batter, J.D. Williams, tripled to right-center to make it 2-0. Both runs were unearned off Thurman (5-9), who took the loss despite fanning seven against zero walks with three runs, one earned, on six hits in six innings.

Quad Cities was able to get on the board in the fifth for the only time against Hu. An error on Cedar Rapids third baseman Jonatan Hinojosa placed J.D. Davis on first. Marc Wik then tried to bunt him over, but popped the ball up in the air. That forced Davis to hold at first, and when the ball dropped to the turf, Hu threw him out at second on a 1-6 fielder's choice. Brett Booth singled to put runners on first and second with one out, and then James Ramsay lifted a double to center to score Wik and cut the Kernels' lead to 2-1. Ramsay finished 2-for-4 with both of Quad Cities' runs batted in.

With Hu out of the game and the score 3-1 Cedar Rapids in the seventh, Quad Cities was helped when Davis reached first on an error, this one by Cedar Rapids second baseman Ryan Walker. Wik struck out, but Davis stole second during Booth's at-bat, which ultimately ended in another strikeouts. Ramsay then singled up the middle to bring home Davis and trim the Cedar Rapids lead to one. However, Cedar Rapids reliever Brandon Bixler got Thoams Lindauer to pop out to second on a 3-2 pitch to end the threat.

Kernels reliever Dallas Gallant gave up a double to Chase McDonald in the eighth, with a wild pitch advancing the River Bandits' designated hitter to third, but struck out A.J. Reed to end the River Bandits' chances in that frame. Gallant fanned both Ryan Bottger, who had entered the game for Davis in the bottom of the seventh and Wik, before yielding a single to Booth with two outs in the ninth. Gallant picked up his fifth save by getting Ramsay on strikes to end the game.

The Kernels improved to a season-best six games over .500 at 66-60, 34-21 in the second half while Quad Cities dropped to 61-64, 26-30. The River Bandits are scheduled to send Blaine Sims (3-4, 4.30 ERA) to the mound tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. against Cedar Rapids' Kohl Stewart (3-5, 2.42).

UP NEXT: The season's final homestand opens with MidAmerican Energy Day and Family Sunday presented by KWQC and B100 at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 24. Pregame autographs are at 12:30 p.m., Bark in the Park means dogs are welcome to the Modern Woodmen Berm, and Kids Run the Bases after the game. The River Bandits are then home through Aug. 29. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

 

Bill No.: HB 3681

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Exempts certain payment system operators from licensure by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 3798

An Act Concerning: Government

Changes quorum requirements for certain state boards.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 4535

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Exempts applicants with an advanced degree from an accredited U.S. educational institution from an English proficiency test prior to licensure as an architect or engineer.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

 

Bill No.: HB 4653

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Enhances penalties for domestic battery offenders with similar prior convictions in other jurisdictions.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

 

Bill No.: HB 4741

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Changes current law to allow current and former military members between the ages of 35 and 40 to apply for a position as a firefighter.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 4782

An Act Concerning: Civil Law

Extends the amount of time condominium associations have to lease certain units.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

 

Bill No.: HB 5488

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Requires that the Continuity and Record Evaluation patient care needs assessment tool be identical to the version used by the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5678

An Act Concerning: Education

Allows the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees to sell, lease or transfer and convey specified property.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5681

An Act Concerning: Education

Requires the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees to hold one quarterly meeting at the Quad Cities campus each year.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5697

An Act Concerning: Public Aid

Permits military dependents to remain eligible for and receive disability services if the military member is reassigned out of state.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5742

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Authorizes Illinois Department of Public Health to designate a hospital as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital if certain requirements are met.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

 

Bill No.: HB 5785

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Streamlines the process for consolidating certain units of local government.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5856

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Permits voters to vote to dissolve and consolidate their fire protection district with an adjoining district.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

 

Bill No.: HB 5935

An Act Concerning: State Government

Makes technical changes to the Illinois Department of Human Services Home Services Program and creates the Home Services Medicaid Trust Fund.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 125

An Act Concerning: Government

Provides for the lending or donation to a presidential library or museum items linked to President Barack Obama's service as an Illinois State Senator.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 3440

An Act Concerning: Public Health

Amends the Illinois Rural/Downstate Health Act regarding Access Fund.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

 

Bill No.: SB 3504

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Requires insurance companies to issue notifications to consumers regarding mine subsidence coverage.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

 

Bill No.: SB 3554

An Act Concerning: Education

Adds a non-voting member to the Illinois Purchased Care Review Board.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

 

 

 

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Matt Flinner ? "one of the best mandolin players ever," according to Downbeat magazine ? is coming to Iowa for a show, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, when the Bucktown Revue Presents an Evening With The Matt Flinner Trio.

The Trio will play an hour-long set headlining a special music-only edition of The Bucktown Revue.
Marc and Brandi Janssen from Iowa City will perform in the first half of the show, along with solo banjoist Jon Eric, Q-C bluegrass favorites Milltown, and the Barley House Band.
Each Matt Flinner Trio concert features three "music du jour" tunes. Trio members draw inspiration from the community they're visiting and write a new instrumental for debut that evening.
The Bucktown Revue is a monthly variety show recorded live for Internet broadcast, featuring music, poetry and humor held at Davenport Junior Theater, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport. 

Tickets are $20 and may $12 and may reserved online at the Bucktown Revue's website, and paid for at the door.
Matt Flinner Trio: www.mattflinner.com/trio/
QUAD CITIES, USA: On August 20, 2014, fifteen local John Deere Employees will have the opportunity to help brighten up a homeless shelter with a fresh coat of paint and a splash of color.

The Family Service Center is a 108-year-old building that requires a lot of maintenance. Over 100 people live here every day, and 55%-60% of them are children.

Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator, states "We do our best to make the surroundings at the shelter as beautiful as we can on a very limited budget. When a homeless family enters our shelter, we want them to know they are important to us and deserve to have nice surroundings during their fresh start."

John Deere will supply the volunteers, Valspar provided the paint, and United Way manages the program.

The press is invited to share the experience with our volunteers on Wednesday.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 20, 2014

10:00am - 3:00pm

LOCATION: Family Service Center, 301 W. 6th

Street, Davenport, IA 52803

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Braley joined by Stabenow, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, at events in Des Moines, Boone and Springville

Des Moines, IA - Today Bruce Braley highlighted the importance of the bipartisan Farm Bill and a strong Renewable Fuel Standard to Iowa's economy at events in central and eastern Iowa with U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Braley and Stabenow visited FEC Solutions in Des Moines, the Iowa State University BioCentury Research Farm in Boone, and the Linn Co-Op Oil Co. Elevator in Springville.

"When it comes to protecting Iowa agriculture jobs, there's a clear choice in the race for US Senate," Braley said. "I worked across the party divide for three years to help pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, and I've fought to protect the job-creating Renewable Fuel Standard from the EPA's proposed cuts. State Sen. Ernst, on the other hand, stands with the Big Oil interests backing her campaign against the Farm Bill and is 'philosophically opposed' to the job-creating RFS. I grew up in rural Iowa, worked in ag jobs growing up, and will always work to put the 75,000 Iowans whose jobs depend on renewable energy first."

Bruce has a strong record of promoting Iowa agriculture and fighting to grow Iowa's rural economy. He worked for three years across party lines to pass the bipartisan Farm Bill that is critical to Iowa jobs and Iowa's farming communities.

He has also fought staunchly to protect the RFS; according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, nearly 75,000 Iowa jobs are connected to renewable fuels. Late last year, Braley was the only member of the Iowa U.S. House delegation to join Governor Terry Branstad at an EPA hearing where they spoke out against the EPA's proposed cuts. In November 2013, Braley teamed up with Republican Rep. Steve King to host an event with Iowa State's Bioeconomy Institute to explain to Congressional staff the importance of keeping the RFS at its current levels. At Braley's request, Iowa consistently has had representation at Congressional hearings examining the future of the RFS. And early this year, he helped deliver 100,000 signatures to the EPA urging them to maintain a strong RFS.

In contrast, State Sen. Ernst would put Tea Party obstructionism before Iowa: Ernst would have opposed the Farm Bill, is "philosophically opposed" to the RFS, and her spokesperson said that "in a perfect world...she would support doing away with the (RFS)."

New Laws Improve Procedures for Reporting and Resolving Problems with Individuals in Nursing Homes or Community Settings

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed two new laws that protect vulnerable adults and senior citizens across Illinois. The new laws improve procedures for reporting and resolving problems with individuals in nursing homes or community settings. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve safety, care and quality of life for Illinois' senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

"Protecting our most vulnerable family members is one of the most important duties we have," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws will help ensure that our older adults and individuals with disabilities receive the highest quality of care no matter where they choose to live."

"The health and safety of our loved ones in nursing homes and long-term care facilities is one of our top priorities," Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said. "New means of accepting and compiling complaints about a nursing facility will help the Department better identify new ways to investigate and substantiate anonymous complaints, ultimately helping to ensure quality care for residents."

"The law to expand the authority of the long-term care ombudsman will make sure that older adults and persons with disabilities ages 18 to 59 who live in a community setting and receive medical assistance waiver services and managed care services receive the same advocacy rights and quality of life protections as people who reside in nursing homes around the state," Department on Aging Director John K. Holton said. "Furthermore, this law now allows for ombudsman to have unrestricted private communication with any consenting resident without the additional consent of a legal guardian."

House Bill 5703, sponsored by State Representative Michael Unes (R-Pekin) and State Senator Julie A. Morrison (D-Deerfield), allows complaints about a nursing home or long-term care facility to be submitted electronically to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). It also requires that complainant questions be provided on the IDPH website, along with notification that complaints made with less information are far more difficult to respond to and investigate. IDPH will annually review the complaint process and produce reports for long-term care advisory boards and councils, who can provide suggestions on how to investigate and substantiate anonymous complaints while eliminating frivolous ones. HB 5703 takes effect immediately.

"These are common sense reforms that allow for a better complaint and response process," Representative Unes said. "This will make for a more fair procedure to investigate complaints and provide for facilities to better understand the complaints made with Public Health."

Senate Bill 798, sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and State Representative Naomi Jakobsson (D-Urbana), expands the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program to include advocacy for individuals in the Adult Protective Services program. The new law also allows ombudsmen more open access to individuals living in community-based settings and allows the ombudsman to report any business-related offense directly to the Attorney General or the county state's attorney. The new law is effective Jan. 1, 2015.

"This law expands the long-term care ombudsman program, enhancing its capabilities, reach and coordination with other agencies," Senator Steans said. "It's good news for senior citizens and families navigating the often confusing world of long-term care, and it's an essential part of Illinois' ongoing nursing home reforms."

"With this new law, the ombudsmen will be able to have direct contact with our citizens living in community-based settings," Representative Jakobsson said. "That direct contact will enable the ombudsmen to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves."

Governor Quinn also today signed Senate Bill 2958, sponsored by Senator Steans and State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), which creates a three-year pilot program for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to administer medication in a limited setting under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. This will help fill the immediate need for more healthcare professionals created by the Affordable Care Act. The law is effective immediately.

In 2013, Governor Quinn signed legislation to create the state's first-ever Adult Protective Services Unit to ensure that every allegation made by those who are elderly or disabled is thoroughly investigated. The Governor has increased eligibility levels for households to qualify for programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Illinois home Weatherization Assistance Program for those who need assistance paying heating bills during winter months, with a priority given to households containing elderly members, persons with a disability or young children.

The elderly are often the targets of financial exploitation. Over the years, Governor Quinn has signed legislation that strengthens training standards for employees of financial institutions who have direct contact with customers, increased the penalties for financial exploitation of the elderly or those who are disabled, and for the Illinois Department on Aging to receive reports of elder abuse or neglect from senior service providers via the internet. He also signed legislation allowing the state to freeze a defendant's assets if he or she is charged with financial exploitation of the elderly, giving law enforcement a chance to obtain reports of elder abuse or neglect.

Governor Quinn issued an executive order to strengthen protections for adults with disabilities who are suspected victims of mistreatment in state-operated facilities and to ensure that potential cases be properly reviewed and referred to the appropriate authorities.

The Governor has proclaimed July "Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in Illinois" every year since 2009.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/18/2014)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard's 129th Regional Training Institute Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, commissioned 18 Soldiers as second lieutenants during the OCS graduation ceremony at Springfield High School, Aug. 17. To meet the commissioning requirements, an officer candidate must complete more than 658 hours of classroom and field instruction. Candidates are evaluated on leadership abilities along with academics. They must also complete many physical and mental tasks, such as road marches and tactical exercises. One traditional class is held one weekend a month for 16 months with two weeks of continuous annual training. The accelerated class is completed in 57 consecutive days out of state. The 129th has commissioned 2,310 officers from the program.

The five newly commissioned accelerated program officers are:

• 2nd Lt. Sonji Davis of Waukegan, Illinois, with the 1244th Transportation Company in North Riverside, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Reasudeen Katideen of Rockford, Illinois, with Company A, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Mattoon, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Michael McPeek of Springfield, Illinois, with Company A, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Mattoon, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Matthew Mullins of Normal, Illinois, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 33rd Military Police Battalion in Bloomington, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Jeremy Wenthe of Carterville, Illinois, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Illinois

The 13 newly commissioned traditional program officers are:

• 2nd Lt. William Adkins of Nokomis, Illinois, with Detachment 1, Company A, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Sullivan, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Martin Anderson of East Peoria, Illinois, with the 5th Civil Support Team in Bartonville, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Joseph Hahn of Deerfield, Illinois, with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Milan, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Matthew Maddox of Troy, Illinois, with the 445th Chemical Company in Shiloh, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Carlos Ortiz of Princeville, Illinois, with the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Forward Support Company in Milan, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Brian Ramirez of Chicago, with Company B, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Elgin, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Sarah Roth of Chester, Illinois, with the 445th Chemical Company in Shiloh, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. David Smejkal of Wheaton, Illinois, with Company C, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Kankakee, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Kevin Spears of Edwards, Illinois, with Company C, 1st Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Litchfield, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Andrew Trine of Sherman, Illinois, with the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Support Company in Milan, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Brandi Tyne of Urbana, Illinois, with Company A, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Mattoon, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Alfred Vidrio of Aurora, Illinois, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Machesney Park, Illinois

• 2nd Lt. Juan Villa of Peoria, Illinois, with the 5th Civil Support Team in Bartonville, Illinois

Outstanding OCS graduates were awarded the following:

• 2nd Lt. Juan Villa received the Erickson Trophy after being named the class distinguished honor graduate for top overall cumulative performance in leadership, physical fitness and academics.

• 2nd Lt. Matthew Maddox received the Leadership Award for the highest overall leadership evaluation score over the entire OCS program.

• 2nd Lt. William Adkins received the Physical Fitness Award for the highest average score on the OCS Army Physical Fitness Test.

• 2nd Lt. Carlos Ortiz received the Academic Award for holding the highest academic average in the class.

Individual high-resolution photos of each Soldier are available, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

Lionel Young is a high energy performer, classically trained violinist, with a bent for the blues attitude. Fans of the driven Young, love his distinctive brand of blues on the electric violin. His show features not only Young originals but interpretations of blues classics by Willie Dixon, Leadbelly, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

His band, the Lionel Young Band (LYB), are winners of numerous awards for best in and around the Colorado region and have won the 2011 International Blues Challenge (IBC) band competition. Add in Lionel's victory at the 2008 IBC in the solo-duo category, and that makes Lionel Young the first double champion in the history of the IBC.

You have an opportunity to see Lionel and the LYB, at The Muddy Waters, 1708 State Street, Bettendorf, IA on Thursday, August 21. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. with a $5 per person cover charge.

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Climate Change Has Led to Increases in Ticks, Mosquitos & Poison Ivy

DES MOINES, Iowa - Tomorrow in a statewide conference call with Iowa media the Iowa Wildlife Federation will release a report detailing the increases in ticks, mosquitos, fire ants and poison ivy due to climate change.  The report, titled "Ticked Off - America's Outdoor Experience and Climate Change," was produced by the National Wildlife Federation, which includes 49 state affiliates and more than four million members committed to protecting wildlife and connecting Americans with nature.

Leading the call will be Joe Wilkinson, President of the Iowa Wildlife Federation.  Joining Wilkinson will be Dr. Yogesh Shah, Associate Dean of the Department of Global Health at Des Moines University, and Frank Szollosi, Regional Outreach Manager for the National Wildlife Federation based in Ann Arbor, MI.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19TH:

WHAT: Statewide conference call with reporters to release the report "Ticked Off - America's Outdoor Experience and Climate Change"

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