(Kansas City, Kan., November 24, 2010) - EPA Region 7 has ordered Heartland Plating Co., of Bettendorf, Iowa, and its owners to immediately address a series of issues related to the improper storage and management of hazardous wastes at the metal electroplating facility.

Last month, EPA representatives inspected Heartland Plating's operations at 3900 Elm Street in Bettendorf, and documented throughout the facility spilled and abandoned materials for which the company's representatives could not provide complete and accurate hazardous waste determinations.

Based on container labels and information provided by Heartland employees, EPA inspectors were able to determine that the company was storing or treating a number of wastes, including chromium, zinc, cyanide, cobalt, potassium permanganate, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.

A unilateral administrative order issued today in Kansas City, Kan., requires Heartland Plating and its owners, Marion Patigler and the Estate of Gerhard Patigler, to take several immediate actions to address violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

The order directs the respondents to refrain from removing or relocating materials currently located at the facility until EPA determines the waste is being handled safely; immediately certify compliance with hazardous waste regulations or halt the generation and management of wastes until such certification can be made; identify all solid and hazardous wastes currently being treated, stored or disposed at the facility; and restrict access to areas of the property where solid and hazardous wastes have been stored or disposed, and to areas where hazardous material has been released.

Additionally, the respondents are ordered to formulate a plan for proper management or disposal of all solid and hazardous wastes at the facility in compliance with RCRA regulations, and to conduct an investigation to determine if wastes have migrated off the site. They must also undertake an immediate cleanup of any hazardous releases on the property, as well as a cleanup of the building and any surrounding areas that may be contaminated.

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Learn more about EPA's civil enforcement of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act:

http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/rcra/index.html

The Chordbuster Chorus promotes a cappella, barbershop-style harmony singing as a way of enriching people's lives.

"I can't think of a better way to get into the Christmas Spirit."  Patrick Stinson, Showboat Artistic Director and star of It's a Wonderful Life continues, "With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping we get lost in looking for deals and making sure our list is completely checked and we forget about the spirit of the holiday season.  It's A Wonderful Life is a fantastic reminder of why we go through the hassle to find the deals and the right gift for our loved ones.  In fact the first gift one should give is the gift of the Christmas spirit by attending our show."

Before It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play begins the audience is welcomed in with Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters and as the show starts the applause sign flashes and all are transported to a 1940's radio studio complete with a foley artist creating live sound effects and a children's choir proving background music.

A local cast of over 40 performers fill out the ensemble. "Rehearsals have been going great.  We started working on the show the first week of November and since early in the rehearsal process moments have been coming together and it's like I'm on the set with of a 1940's radio studio." says cast member and the show's music director Doug Kutzli.

Tickets for It's A Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play are available at the Showboat Box Office, hours are Fridays 4- 7 and Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 4 or by calling (563) 242-6760, and anytime online at www.clintonshowboat.org.  Tickets are $15.00 and season tickets for the 2011 Summer Season are available at a $20 discount until the show closes.

The Showboat is also kicking off its 2011 fundraising drive with this show.  "Tickets only cover about 70 percent of our operating costs.  Being a non-profit organization with the mission to bring quality professional theatre to Clinton we cannot do this without the community's help."  states Stinson.

The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre has been in residence on the City of Clinton Showboat for over 20 years bringing the area tomorrows stars today.  Many of today's Broadway stars have graced the Showboat's stage in the last 20 years including 2000 and 2001 alum Jill Paice (Broadway's Curtains) and the 2003 alum Bryan Lefeber (Cirque's Love).  The Showboat has several sponsorship levels with many great incentives.  "Anyone can sponsor any amount and it will be used wisely to bring great theatre and arts education to the Showboat."  said Stinson.  The Showboat's website www.clintonshowboat.org has more information about sponsorships, incentives, and even a link to pledge online as well.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT premieres a brand new public affairs program on November 25th at 6:30 pm. "The Cities" will be a weekly look at issues, events and newsmakers in and around the Quad Cities. The program will be hosted by Jim Mertens. Guests for the first show includes newly elected Illinois State Representative Bobby Shilling and his wife, and 'Mr. Thanksgiving', Bob Vogelbaugh.

"This show has been the pipeline for some time, but first we had to get through the license transfer and move our offices before we could get it on the air," said WQPT General Manager, Rick Best.  "Now that everything is in place, we are very excited to begin production on "The Cities."  The program is being supported in part by a grant from the Victor and Doris Day Foundation.

"The Cities" joins other new local programs on WQPT including "WIU Presents," an hour long performance program provided by Western Illinois University; the second season of "Get Movin'," a children's exercise and healthy living program hosted by Jennifer Neal and "Out and About"  a weekly look at events coming up in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas.

Host Jim Mertens is known in the Quad Cities as the morning anchor for WQAD.   "I think this type of longer format public affairs programming is missing in the Quad Cities.  We hope the audience will help us form the show so we can showcase the important issues... and great community programs... that we either don't realize exist or simply take for granted," said Mertens. "Not to be Pollyanna about it, but each week we hope to discover not only what is happening in the Quad Cities, but what could happen to make it a better place."

"The Cities" will be taped at Fusion Communications in Davenport, Iowa and will air on WQPT Thursdays at 6:30 pm. Starting in mid December WQPT will also repeat the program on Sundays at 5:30 pm.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University, located in Moline, Illinois.

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