The Scott County Sheriff's Office would like to introduce a new procedure for applying for weapon permits. Effective February 5th, 2014, Weapon Permits may be ordered online and now have the option to pay using a credit or debit card.

Prior to the new system, Scott County Residents applied in person using paper applications during business hours for weapon permits. The online system allows applicants to apply online 24 hours a day / 7 days a week and from the convenience of your home. There is a $4.00 convenience fee for applying online plus any credit or debit card fees that may apply.

For those citizens who may not have access to an Internet connected device, you may apply in person at the Scott County Sheriff's Office inside the Scott County Courthouse where we will place a kiosk for weapon permit applications. Paper applications will no longer be accepted.

All orders require a valid e-mail address or phone number to communicate the status of your order. You will be notified via e-mail and/or phone whether your application has been approved, denied, or require additional information. Once approved applicants are required to appear in person to the Sheriff's Office to show your valid I.D. and training documentation.

There will be a press conference on Wednesday February 5th, 2014, at 10:00 am in the Sheriff's Office Pavilion Conference Room to demonstrate the online application system.

More information may be found on our webiste after Wednesday February 5th, 2014 at
http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/sheriff/weapon_permits.php.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on a new report from the Congressional Budget Office showing that the new health care will damage economic growth.  The report is available here.

"You can read dozens of analyses of the health care law, and some are clearly biased.  The Congressional Budget Office is the independent authority turned to by Congress.  According to CBO, the law will hurt economic growth, cause the loss of 2.5 million jobs, and add $1 trillion to the deficit.  No doubt, too many people lacked health insurance before Obamacare and needed help.  But Obamacare upends a big part of the economy while trying to achieve its goals.  Congress and the President should abandon Obamacare.  We ought to help the uninsured without disrupting jobs and adding debt."

Visit every floor, peek into closed rooms, and satisfy curiosity through this all-access pass to the Brucemore Mansion during the Nooks and Crannies Tour - March 6 and 20 at 6:00 p.m. Marvel at the Skinner pipe organ room, discover the architectural oddities in the attic, and experience the sight and sound of a "rain storm" in the basement Tahitian Room. Examine the superior craftsmanship and learn about ongoing preservation work. The tour is not recommended for children under ten or individuals who have difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Admission is $15 per person and $12 per Brucemore. Space is limited; purchase tickets online at www.brucemore.org or by calling (319) 362-7375.

The Nooks and Crannies Tour is part of Brucemore's Thursday Night Lineup. Every Thursday night Brucemore will feature a different specialty tour focusing on topics for all interests, including arts and culture, Midwestern industry, gardening, landscape design, architecture, preservation, behind-the-scenes at Brucemore, and growing up in the early twentieth century. For more information on the Thursday Night Lineup or other upcoming tours, visit www.brucemore.org or call (319) 362-7375.

About Brucemore

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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Think a zero-trans-fats label means there are no trans fats in your food? Think again. Your food can have up to 0.5 grams of trans fats per serving and still boast it's trans-fat-free.

With all of the chatter and uncertainty around trans fats, we think the subject warrants a little more exploration, so we created the Trans Fats: Moving Off the Menu webcast with a powerhouse of food experts to cut through the confusion and find out what's really important when it comes to trans fats. Whether you are a professional working in the food industry or a concerned consumer, our webcast will give you straight talk on the subject and answer questions like:

  • What are trans fats and why were they developed in the first place?
  • What is the difference between naturally occurring trans fats and man-made trans fats?
  • If I grew up my whole life eating trans fats, am I in trouble?
  • What are some common foods that contain trans fats that may surprise me?
  • Besides looking for trans fats on the nutrition label, what are the hidden names for trans fats so I can look for them in the ingredient list?
  • What are good substitutes for trans fats?
  • What's going on with the FDA's proposed rule against trans fats, and how will this affect the food I eat?

Join us Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 2-3 p.m. Central (3-4 p.m. Eastern) for some straight talk on the subject.

PELLA, (02/04/2014)(readMedia)--  Central College freshman Emma Simmons, native of Davenport, competed in the Region V Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in Lincoln, Neb. the week of Jan. 20. KCACTF is an annual festival dedicated to celebrate and improve the quality of collegiate theatre, while providing professional opportunities. The Region V festival drew 1,525 students from 81 colleges and universities.

Simmons was one of 316 nominees for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. The scholarship provides recognition, honor and financial assistance to outstanding student performers who wish to pursue further education.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. 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. Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Please visit the college website at www.central.edu.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and a bipartisan group of six other governors from Midwestern states today sent a letter to President Obama urging him to take action to address the shortage of propane supply and subsequent price increases.

The governors who signed the letter are: Gov. Terry E. Branstad (R-Iowa), Gov. Sam Brownback (R- Kan.), Gov. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.), Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio), Gov. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) Gov. Rick Snyder (R-Mich.) and Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.).

The governors write, "As governors of Midwestern states impacted by the recent extreme cold temperatures, we request your immediate assistance to address the current propane supply shortage and subsequent price increases. The significantly lower-than-average temperatures that continue to hit our region are resulting in greater demand for already strained propane supplies.

"We would encourage your entire Administration, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the USDOT, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and any other relevant Federal agencies to take every possible action to help increase propane supplies through every means of transport. We encourage you to explore regulatory waivers aimed at increasing the supply of propane in our states, including an extension of the hours of service waiver and temporarily waiving weight limits on the interstate highway system. Such actions would continue to help fill critical gaps between supply and demand.  We would also encourage the SBA to ease loan requirements that can help entities within our communities respond to and recover from this propane shortage."

For more information, please visit www.Governor.Iowa.gov/Propane.

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Enjoying a healthy snack at least twice a day can help stabilize your blood sugar, curb hunger and fight cravings for unhealthy food. To avoid getting so famished that you'll be tempted to overeat at mealtime, plan to have a snack in the midmorning and again in the midafternoon. Make your snacks count by following these tips:

Choose a protein- and fiber-rich snack. Pairing vegetables or whole grains with lean protein can keep cravings at bay. Try a snack roll-up made with all-natural, lower-sodium turkey or ham slices, Dijon mustard, and a slice of reduced-fat Swiss cheese. Or enjoy hummus with celery sticks, bell pepper slices, or broccoli or cauliflower florets. Nonfat plain yogurt with fresh berries and nuts or whole grain crackers with almond butter are other healthy choices.

Read packaged snacks labels carefully. If you're on the go and don't have time to prepare a healthy snack, bars and smoothies can be a good option, but be sure to check the ingredients list to make sure they don't contain any artificial flavors or sweeteners. The South Beach Diet 100-Calorie Snack Bars and Smoothies are free of artificial sweeteners and flavors and they contain at least 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein per serving to keep you satisfied.

Plan your snacks in advance. South Beach Diet calls this Strategic Snacking. If you invest in a lightweight, reusable lunch bag and stock it with small zip-seal bags filled with healthy snacks such as part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks, cut-up veggies, almonds or walnuts, or hard-boiled eggs, you can resist the urge to hit the vending machine.

Sticking to a healthy snacking routine will help you stay on track with your weight-loss goals, and the South Beach Diet provides nutritious and delicious options with snacks you'll love.

Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa

Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee

"Privacy in the Digital Age: Preventing Data Breaches and Combating Cybercrime"

Tuesday, February 4, 2014.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding today's hearing to examine the well-publicized recent commercial data breaches.  We're still learning all the details, but it's clear these and other breaches have potentially impacted millions of consumers nationwide.

Today we have the opportunity to learn about the challenges that both industry and law enforcement face in combatting cyber-attacks from well organized criminals. The witnesses have a unique ability to provide us various important perspectives as we consider the government's role in securing sensitive data and crafting a breach notification standard.

I hope to learn where the committee's expertise could be helpful in combatting future attacks.   Furthermore, I'd like to use this hearing to explore areas of common ground, so we can determine what might be accomplished quickly.

In most cases, thankfully, businesses are able to prevent the relentless attacks against their networks.  This is due to comprehensive security programs coupled with law enforcement's diligent work.  However, the data breaches at Target and Neiman Marcus demonstrate that even companies with vast resources can suffer serious attacks with the potential to harm their customers.

One defensive tool that's been discussed is updating payment card technology.  Retailers and card issuers are preparing to transition away from decades-old technology.  This is a positive step in the right direction.  However, it's a bit troubling that it's taken so long to implement this technology.  Many fraudulent transactions might have been prevented had this occurred already.  But this alone won't provide complete security, as I'm sure we'll hear today.

Criminal hackers aren't quitters.  They continue to find ways to break into company networks.  As the Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned, attacks like those recently suffered will continue.  So companies must be vigilant in defending their systems, as well as in taking steps after an attack to warn customers and limit the damage.

Unfortunately, it may be days, weeks, or months before a business realizes it's been attacked.  And if a hacker can breach a large business's security system, then it's obvious that smaller businesses are threatened as well.  It's important we remain mindful of the differences in businesses and the resources they have available as we go forward.

It's been a couple of years since the committee last considered data security legislation.  In that time, we've learned a lot about this subject thanks to the broader cybersecurity conversation.  The proposals offered by the administration and Congress, along with other government initiatives, can be helpful for us as we consider how to proceed on legislation.

Currently, there are at least four pieces of data security and breach notification legislation in the Senate, with possibly more to come as other committees begin their work.  While these bills would establish national security standards, they take different approaches.  This offers us the chance to examine the effects of each, which is a good thing.

In the past, I've expressed concern with approaches that don't provide businesses the flexibility they need to secure their data.  We must avoid creating a one-size-fits-all security requirement, particularly if it fails to account for businesses of different sizes and resources.   An inflexible approach could lead to businesses focusing on merely completing a checklist of requirements in order to avoid liability, instead of doing what makes sense to secure customer information in their particular circumstances.

On this point, I hope to learn how the government can better partner with the private sector and law enforcement to strengthen data security.  The government has a strong interest to work together with industry, given the impact cyber-attacks have on the nation's economy.

Fostering a greater public-private approach to cybersecurity was recognized in last year's Executive Order from the President on Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity.  The Executive Order stated that strengthening cybersecurity can be achieved through government partnership with private business.

As a result of the Executive Order, we should review the National Institute of Standards and Technology ongoing partnership with owners of critical infrastructure.  This partnership will create standards, guidelines, and best practices for businesses to implement on a voluntary basis. 

There's already bipartisan support for this approach. Senators Rockefeller and Thune have introduced a bill to enshrine the National Institute of Standards and Technology role in creating a cybersecurity framework.  This is just one model for government action focused on securing critical infrastructure.  It's worth considering how this approach might work in this particular context.

The recent breaches also draw attention to the need for a uniform, federal notification standard.  There's been little suggestion that the public failed to receive news about these recent breaches.  However, we once again see the difficulties faced with a patchwork of state laws.  Companies must ensure compliance, while also investigating ongoing threats.

I've supported creating a federal notification standard to replace the laws in 46 states and the District of Columbia.  It makes sense.  If done correctly, it would ease compliance costs for businesses, particularly since the current laws are ever changing.  A federal standard would also ensure consumers are notified of breaches that could result in financial harm or identity theft. 

But if the standard for notification is crafted too broadly or the penalties for failure to notify are too harsh, there's a risk for consumer over-notification.  Businesses may choose to issue notice of even trivial breaches.  Just as there's a potential for harm when a victim is not notified of a breach, over-notification can lead to harm or apathy.

Further, a notification law must recognize the resources available to different businesses.  While companies like those before us today were quickly able to comply with existing law, many smaller businesses would face a more difficult experience.

There's widespread support for a national breach notification standard.  As a result, we should ask whether it's appropriate to separate this issue from other aspects of the ongoing data security debate.  This might provide the chance to take action quickly, as we continue work on other issues.

Thank you again, Mr. Chairman.  I look forward to exploring these issues and working with you and others.

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DES MOINES, IA (02/04/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair, Tractor Supply Co. and WHO News Radio 1040 are searching for six farm families to recognize with the Way We Live Award at the 2014 Fair, August 7-17. These families must exemplify farm values derived from hard work and a love for the occupation of farming.

To enter, submit an entry form along with a 500-1500 word essay describing how living on a farm and choosing the occupation of farming has shaped the family's life. All entries must include a family picture that illustrates the family's commitment to their farming operation. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Iowa State Fair website: http://www.iowastatefair.org/competition/the-way-we-live-award/. All entries must be postmarked or e-mailed to ebrewer@iowastatefair.org by May 1.

Nominated families should show dedication to animal agriculture in their daily lives and in the lives of their family members. Winners will receive a prize package including $250 cash, Fair admission tickets, parking, Fair food tickets and recognition during the Fair in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center.

Eligible families must be residents of Iowa whose farming operation is centered on animal agriculture and may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

Send entries to:

The Way We Live Award

Iowa State Fair

PO Box 57130

Des Moines, Iowa 50317-0003

Or e-mail all materials to ebrewer@iowastatefair.org

For questions about the award, contact Emily Brewer at 515.262.3111 x244 or ebrewer@iowastatefair.org.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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The nation's largest auto show producer, Motor Trend Auto Shows, announces the 20th anniversary of the Iowa Illinois Regional Auto Show, coming to the Davenport RiverCenter Friday through Sunday, Feb. 7-9. The event, which showcases 2014 vehicles, and some 2015 models is a joint effort of auto dealers of 18 counties in
Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Show times are:

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 7-8 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 09 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Special events during the show include :

Friday is Quad City Times Day at the show. Special promotions are planned.

Because of the anniversary celebration on Saturday there will be face painting and balloon artists from 12p-4p

Sunday: Family Day -- Kids 12 and under free with paid adult.  Personal appearance by famed cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants sponsored by MediaCom 12p - 4p. There will be a petting zoo, including a kangaroo, professional balloon artists making animal characters for kids and performing magic tricks, and exotic animals from the Niabi Zoo.

28 Domestic & Import Manufacturers - over 150 vehicles

"Luxury Row Showcase"

Every guest can sign up for a free one year subscription to Motor Trend Magazine Subscription

FREE opening day tickets and coupons at participating Hy-Vee locations. While supplies last, restrictions apply.

More info, discount tickets and coupons online at QuadCityAutoShow.com

Proceeds from the Auto Show benefit the Iowa -Illinois Regional Auto Show Scholarship Fund. Over $250,000 has been given to college bound and trade school students to date. $30,000 is expected to be given at this year's VIP Premier Event.

For more information, visit www.quadcityautoshow.com or call Nissi Marketing at (563) 388-6744

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