DES MOINES, Iowa - Today, Iowa Secretary of State candidate Brad Anderson announces his plan to increase turnout in Iowa's elections and his goal to be number one in the nation in voter turnout within a decade.  Anderson's announcement includes a partnership with Mike Draper, owner of Des Moines' iconic t-shirt store RAYGUN.  Draper designed a limited edition t-shirt available on www.AndersonForIowa.com to coincide with the announcement.

"Iowa has a proud reputation for civic participation, but there is always room to improve when it comes to voter turnout," said Anderson.  "I believe the time has come for Iowa to take the reigns as number one in the nation in voter turnout, and I have a plan to get us there within the next decade."

Since 1980, Minnesota has led the nation in turnout in 13 of 17 elections - including the last nine straight election cycles. [Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 12/16/08; University of Virginia Center for Politics, 11/11/10; Washington Post, 3/12/13]  In 2012, Minnesota led the nation with turnout of 76.1% of eligible voters.  This means Iowa would have needed 43,423 more voters to vote during the last presidential election in order to take the reigns as the national leader in voter turnout.

"Minnesota has done a terrific job in turning out voters, and I give their Secretary of State Mark Ritchie a lot of credit for making civic participation a top priority," said Anderson.  "That said, Minnesota has had their turn - it's now Iowa's turn to be number one."

Anderson is excited to partner with RAYGUN's Mike Draper on a limited edition t-shirt highlighting the campaign.  "Mike is a highly creative, talented guy and I am grateful he shares my passion for voting rights and civic participation," said Anderson.  The shirt will be available for a limited time for all contributors who donate at least $30 to Anderson for Iowa. 

"If there's one thing I take seriously, it is Iowa's perpetual competition with Minnesota," said Mike Draper, founder of RAYGUN. "We finally have someone running for Secretary of State that is committed to closing the voter turnout gap. All we need after doing that is a nationally syndicated public radio show and we can declare victory."

ANDERSON 5-STEP PLAN TO BEAT MINNESOTA IN VOTER TURNOUT:

• Step 1: Simplify the Vote by Mail Process. Currently, Iowa voters must fill out a form and request to vote by mail for each election.  Anderson supports allowing voters to sign up to vote-by-mail and check a box to automatically receive a ballot in the mail every election.  This will save local auditors time processing requests and boost turnout among voters who regularly vote by mail but sometimes forget to request ballots ahead of time.


• Step 2:  Online Voter Registration. Currently 13 states offer online voter registration and there is no reason Iowa should remain on the sidelines.  Online voter registration has proven to be secure and saves local auditors time and taxpayers money.  In this day and age, we pay our bills and even get drivers licenses online, so we can find a way to harness the power of the Internet to register to vote.


• Step 3: Create and Promote an Election Info Hub. Work with local auditors to provide a one-stop Election Information Hub for voters to check on accurate dates, times and polling locations for local and statewide elections.  Utilize social media and traditional media outlets to promote the Election Information Hub to Iowa voters.


• Step 4: Reduce Number of Elections. Reduce voter fatigue and apathy by reducing the number of elections.  Over the last year many voters in Iowa were asked to vote in more than a half-dozen separate elections, ranging from special elections, to school board elections to municipal elections to runoff elections.  Combining many small elections into larger elections will increase turnout and save taxpayers time and money in the process.


• Step 5: Do No Harm. Over the past several decades Iowa Republicans and Democrats have passed and signed laws to make it easier to vote.  Rather than chipping away at our voting laws and passing expensive, unnecessary bills that would make it more difficult for Iowans to vote, as Secretary of State I will devote our time and resources to finding ways to strengthen the integrity of our elections and get more Iowans to turnout for our elections.

On Tuesday, 12/17/13 at approximately 8:25 a.m., the Scott County Sheriff's Office took a report from a concerned citizen of a suspicious person and vehicle near the Neil Armstrong Elementary School in Park View. The suspicious person and vehicle resembled some of the same characteristics as those reported recently in rural Scott County and Davenport. The vehicle was gone upon the Deputies' arrival, but the citizen had obtained a plate number.

The subject was found to be from the Clinton area. A Scott County Detective along with the assistance of a Clinton Police Detective followed up on the reported information. It was found that the subject had legitimate business in the area and is no longer being looked at as a suspicious person.

The Scott County Sheriff's Office appreciates the efforts of the citizen in this circumstance and encourages citizens to be vigilant and immediately report suspicious information, especially related to activity around schools or involving children.

Ridley Scott, Mark Gordon and Simon Kinberg on Board to Produce New film of One of the Most Successful Novels of All Time

SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 19, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After a highly competitive bidding process, Fox has acquired film rights to the iconic mystery novel "Murder on the Orient Express" from Acorn Productions Ltd/Agatha Christie Ltd, the UK based rights holding production arm of RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq:RLJE). With more than two billion books sold, Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time, and "Murder on the Orient Express"is one of her most popular novels. The 1934 novel features her internationally renowned detective, Hercule Poirot, investigating a murder on the Orient Express.

Though no decision on writers or casting have been confirmed yet, Ridley Scott (Black Hawk Down, Gladiator), Mark Gordon (Saving Private Ryan) and Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes) will be producing the film.

Miguel Penella, CEO of RLJ Entertainment, said, "Since acquiring a majority share of Agatha Christie's literary estate in February 2012, we have worked closely with Mathew Prichard, Agatha's grandson, to find the right studio and filmmakers to grow the Christie brand. We are excited to be working with Fox as well as Ridley Scott, Mark Gordon and Simon Kinberg to produce a new, star-studded adaptation of one of the most well-known mystery novels of all time."

Founded by Robert L. Johnson, RLJ Entertainment owns a 64% share in Agatha Christie Ltd, which manages Christie's extensive literary works including more than 80 novels and short story collections, 19 plays, a film library of nearly 40 TV films, and iconic characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Agatha Christie's grandson, Mathew Prichard, is Chairman of Agatha Christie Ltd.

"Murder on the Orient Express" was previously made into a 1974 film directed by Sidney Lumet. The film received six Oscar nominations, including best actor for Albert Finney as Poirot, and winning best supporting actress for Ingrid Bergman. The all-star cast of suspects also featured Lauren Bacall, Jacqueline Bisset, Colin Blakely, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Michael York.

Additionally, David Suchet portrayed the popular Belgian detective in all 70 television adaptations of Christie's Poirot stories, including "Murder on the Orient Express" in 2010. The final five Poirot television mysteries aired in the U.K. in 2013 and will debut in the U.S. in 2014. In Sept. 2013, Agatha Christie Ltd and RLJ Entertainment announced the first fully-authorized new Agatha Christie novel to be released in September 2014. Bestselling author Sophie Hannah is writing the novel featuring Hercule Poirot.

Hilary Strong, Managing Director of Acorn Productions, and WME negotiated the deal for RLJ Entertainment.

RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq:RLJE) is a premier independent licensee and distributor of entertainment content and programming in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia with over 5,300 exclusive titles. RLJE is a leader in numerous genres via its owned and distributed brands such as Acorn (British TV), Image (feature films, stand-up comedy), One Village (urban), Acacia (fitness), Slingshot (faith), Athena (documentaries), Criterion (art films) and Madacy (gift sets). These titles are distributed in multiple formats including DVD, Blu-Ray, digital download, digital streaming, broadcast television (including satellite and cable), theatrical and non-theatrical.

Via its relationship with Agatha Christie Limited, a company that RLJE owns 64% of, RLJE manages the intellectual property and publishing rights to some of the greatest works of mystery fiction, including stories of the iconic sleuths Miss Marple and Poirot. And through its direct-to-consumer business, RLJE has direct contacts and billing relationships with millions of consumers.

RLJE leverages its management experience to acquire, distribute and monetize existing and original content for its many distribution channels, including its nascent branded digital subscription channels, and engages distinct audiences with programming that appeals directly to their unique viewing interests. RLJE has proprietary e-commerce web sites for the Acorn and Acacia brands, and owns the recently launched Acorn TV digital subscription service.

Acorn Productions Ltd is the UK based rights holding production arm of RLJ Entertainment, Inc (Nasdaq:RLJE) a premier independent licensee and distributor of entertainment content and programming in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia with over 5,300 exclusive titles. Acorn Productions Ltd manages the rights to Foyle's War and the Agatha Christie estate.

Agatha Christie is known throughout the world as the Queen of Crime. Her books have sold over a billion copies in English with another billion in foreign languages. She is the most widely published author of all time and is outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. She is the author of 80 crime novels and short story collections, 19 plays, and six novels written under the name Mary Westmacott.

Agatha Christie's first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was written towards the end of the First World War, in which she served the VAD. In it she created Hercule Poirot, the little Belgian detective who was destined to become the most popular detective in crime fiction since Sherlock Holmes. It was eventually published by Bodley Head in 1920.

In 1926, after averaging a book a year, Agatha Christie wrote her first masterpiece. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was the first of her books to be published by Collins and marked the beginning of an author-publisher
relationship that lasted for 50 years and well over 70 books, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was also the first of Agatha Christie's books to be dramatized -- under the name Alibi -- and to have a successful run in London's West End. The Mousetrap, her most successful play of all, opened in 1952 and is the longest-running play in history.

Agatha Christie was made a dame in 1971. She died in 1976.

Mallards Fall to Chill 3-2

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (December 18, 2013) - Ryan Berard, Martin Hlinka and Kyle O'Kane scored for the host St. Charles Chill and Robert Moss made 36 saves as the Chill defeated the Quad City Mallards 3-2 Wednesday night.

The Chill ripped off three straight goals after Matt Boyd swooped in on goal to bury Gergo Nagy's centering pass and give the Mallards a 1-0 lead just two minutes and 19 seconds into the game. Berard evened the score at one by rifling the puck in under the crossbar from the slot exactly nine minutes later.

Hlinka tipped in a Steve Makway blast to give the Chill a 2-1 lead at 3:38 of the second period. O'Kane scored the third consecutive Chill goal- and what would prove to be the game winner- on the power play from the slot at 14:34 of the second.

Thomas Frazee sparked Mallard comeback hopes with a shorthanded goal from the right wing circle with just over four minutes left in the third period, but Moss and the Chill held off the Mallards the rest of the way, even after Quad City pulled goaltender Ty Rimmer for an extra skater late in the contest.

The Mallards return to action Friday night in Tulsa against the Oilers. The Mallards next play at home Saturday evening at 7:05 p.m. against the Chill. The first 1,000 fans through the doors for that game will receive free Mallards knit caps courtesy of CBS 4 and the Bier Stube.

Tickets for Saturday's tilt and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

One Day Only: Save Big on Mallards Tickets with $100 Ten-Packs on December 26

MOLINE, Ill. (December 17, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards will offer fans the chance to purchase ten-packs of tickets for just $100- a savings of up to $70- for one day only on Thursday, December 26, the Mallards announced today.

Fans who take advantage of this special post-Christmas offer can purchase 10-packs for any seat (except for those on the glass) for this significantly reduced rate and use their 10-pack tickets for any regular season home game- whether those tickets are used for ten different games, all for the same game or anything in between- subject to availability.

The deeply discounted ten-packs will be available exclusively at the Mallards' business office at the iWireless Center or over the phone by calling 309-277-1364 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on December 26.

The discounted ten-packs will enable fans to take in any of a series of attractive post-Christmas Mallards home dates. The Mallards will take the ice at the iWireless Center five times in January, eight times in February and on eight occasions in March. The Flock will play a total of 14 weekend home games over the final three months of the regular season.

Heemskerk Called Up to AHL's Iowa Wild; Meadows Signed

MOLINE, Ill. (December 18, 2013) - Goaltender Thomas Heemskerk has joined the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild on a professional tryout agreement from the Quad City Mallards and the Mallards have signed goaltender Mike Meadows, the Mallards announced today.

Heemskerk, 23, has gone 5-1-3 with a 2.92 goals against average and a .909 save percentage in ten games with the Mallards this season. This is Heemskerk's second call-up to Iowa this season. The Chilliwack, British Columbia, native served as back-up in two games for the Wild last month.

The 6' 0", 200-pound, Heemskerk went 14-17-3 with a 3.10 goals against average and a .906 save percentage in 38 games with the ECHL's San Francisco Bulls last season. Heemskirk also played in a pair of games for the Worcester Sharks of the AHL last year. Heemskerk gave up just two goals while making 27 saves to post a 1.79 goals against average and a .931 save percentage during that AHL stint.

Heemskerk began his professional career in 2011-12 with the ECHL's Stockton Thunder, for whom he turned in a record of 13-12-0 along with a 3.27 goals against average and a .893 save percentage in 25 games. He also saw AHL action for Worcester as a rookie, taking the ice in four games and registering a 2.14 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.

Heemskerk turned pro after four years in the major junior Western Hockey League. In his final WHL campaign, he finished second in the league in minutes (3,841), third in saves (2041) and fifth in wins (36) while recording a 2.94 goals against average, a .908 save percentage and a pair of shutouts in 65 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors.

The 2010-11 season was the second straight campaign during which Heemskerk landed among the league leaders. In 2009-10, while tending goal for the Everett Silvertips, he topped the Western League in save percentage (.927), finished third in goals against average (2.34) and was tied for seventh in shutouts (4) while going 24-12-4 in 42 games. Heemskerk's efforts helped the Silvertips earn a share of the United States Division title. Heemskerk joined Everett midway through the 2008-09 season after spending his first year and a half in the WHL with the Kootenay Ice.

Meadows, 20, joins the Mallards after most recently playing for the Quad City Junior Flames in 2011-12 when the 5' 9", 180-pound goaltender posted a 3.39 goals against average and a .904 save percentage in 37 North American 3 Hockey League games.

The Mallards return to action tonight against the Chill in St. Charles. The Mallards next play at home Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the St. Charles Chill. The first 1,000 fans through the doors for that game will receive free Mallards knit caps courtesy of CBS 4 and the Bier Stube.

Tickets for Saturday's tilt and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are approaching their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.