SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/26/2013)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard's 129th Regional Training Institute Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Camp Lincoln in Springfield commissioned 34 Soldiers as second lieutenants during the OCS graduation ceremony at Springfield High School, Aug. 25.

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.

The 129th has commissioned 2,289 officers from the program.

The six newly commissioned accelerated program officers are:

• 2nd Lt. Dustin Anderson of Preemption, Ill., with Troop C, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Aurora, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Robert Boney of St. Louis, with Company B, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Bloomington, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Amanda Bruni of Troy, Ill., with Company C, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Springfield, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jonathan Logemann of Lancaster, Wisc., with Detachment 1,1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Joliet, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jonathan Miller of Macedonia, Ohio, with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Garrett Nevious of Marion, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Ill.

The 28 newly commissioned traditional program officers are:

• 2nd Lt. Matthew Bisesto of Aurora, Ill., with Company G, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Crestwood, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Tom Boas of Philo, Ill., with Detachment 1, 1544th Transportation Company in Danville, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Logan Burke of Nashville, Ill., with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in West Frankfort, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jose Corona of Aurora, Ill., with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Amanda Day of Peoria, Ill., with the 233rd Military Police Company in Springfield, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Landon Foy of Park Forest, Ill., with the 1244th Transportation Company in North Riverside, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Trevor Garner of Hull, Ill., with the 661st Engineer Company in Sparta, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jason Harrison of Lisle, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

• 2nd Lt. Wade Joiner of Edwardsville, Ill., with the 445th Chemical Company in Shiloh, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Dallin Jones of Paxton, Ill., with Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Benjamin Klingberg of La Grange Park, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

• 2nd Lt. Adam Kowalski of Darien, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Peoria, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Brock Kowske of Chicago, with Company B, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Elgin, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Simon Lee of Chicago, with the 1744th Transportation Company in Crestwood, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Justin Lipes of Roseville, Ill., with Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Bartonville, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Kirby McKee of Huntley, Ill., with Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Woodstock, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Doreen Misiorek of Springfield, Ill., with the 766th Engineer Company in Decatur, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Brandon Nicol of Leroy, Ill., with Company E, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Peoria, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Monica Perez of Mount Prospect, Ill., with the 933rd Military Police Company in Fort Sheridan, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Peter Pogwizd of Chicago, with Troop B, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry Regiment in Dixon, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Robert Reif of Wauconda, Ill., with Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion in Streator, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Antonio Reyes of Chicago, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Chicago

• 2nd Lt. Greg Romanek of Franklin Park, Ill., with Company B, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Bloomington, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. John Schaaf of Moline, Ill., with Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Bartonville, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Erin Speck of LaGrange, Ill., with the 333rd Military Police Company in Freeport, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Keith Stewart of Ursa, Ill., with the 661st Engineer Company in Sparta, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. Jessica Sucic of Moline, Ill., with 2nd Battalion, 123rd Forward Support Company in Milan, Ill.

• 2nd Lt. David Wachtveitl of Springfield, Ill., with Company C, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, 33rd Brigade Support Battalion in Carbondale, Ill.

Outstanding OCS graduates were awarded the following:

• The Leadership Award was awarded to 2nd Lt. Monica Perez of Mount Prospect, Ill., for the highest overall leadership evaluation score over the entire OCS program

• The Physical Fitness Award was awarded to 2nd Lt. Jessica Sucic of Moline, Ill., for the highest average score on the OCS Army Physical Fitness Test

• The Academic Award was awarded to 2nd Lt. Matthew Bisesto of Aurora, Ill., for holding the highest academic average in the class.

• Three Soldiers received honors. The honor award is a calculation of peer evaluations, leadership evaluations, academic evaluations and physical fitness, determining the top three overall officer candidates.

• The third honor was awarded to 2nd Lt. John Schaaf of Moline, Ill., for maintaining the third highest course average

• The second honor was awarded to 2nd Lt. Monica Perez of Mount Prospect, Ill., for maintaining the second highest course average

• The Erickson Trophy was awarded to 2nd Lt. Jessica Sucic of Moline, Ill., for holding the highest academic average in the class and she is also the class distinguished honor graduate.

Red Cross rewards blood donors as summer winds down

PEORIA, Ill. (Aug. 26, 2013) ? With the arrival of Labor Day and the unofficial end to summer, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets to help ensure sufficient supplies over the holiday weekend.

Those who present to donate between Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards, and all donors will walk away with the instant gratification that they may be helping to save more than one life.

"The summer may be coming to an end, but the work of the Red Cross is far from over," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. "As you make plans for this Labor Day holiday, please also make time to give blood and help patients who depend on your lifesaving donation."

While thousands of people answered the call for blood and platelet donations issued by the Red Cross earlier this summer, an urgent need remains for platelets and types O negative, A negative and B negative blood. The summer months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelet donations to keep pace with patient needs.

"Patients in local hospitals often can't take a break to enjoy the holiday," Heiden said. "But blood and platelet donors can give these patients a chance to enjoy this time with family and friends - simply by rolling up a sleeve."

Live a story. Give a story. Donate blood or platelets. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org/summer for more information and to make an appointment to help save lives.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Henry County

Aug. 28 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Sept. 5 from 12-6 p.m. at First United Methodist South Campus Building, 302 N. State St. in Geneseo, Ill.

Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Walgreens, 500 S. Main St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Sept. 9 from 1-6 p.m. at Alpha United Methodist Church, 211 N. Scandia in Alpha, Ill.

Mercer County

Aug. 28 from 2-6 p.m. at Alexis Community Center, 204 W. Palmer Ave. in Alexis, Ill.

Rock Island County

Sept. 4 from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at American Red Cross of Quad Cities, 1100 River Drive in Moline, Ill.

Scott County

Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hy-Vee, 4064 E. 53rd St. in Davenport, Iowa

Whiteside County

Aug. 27 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Sept. 4 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Focus Services, 1100 First Ave. in Rock Falls, Ill.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-forprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The Red Cross is supported in part through generous financial donations from the United Way. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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Traffic Tickets Can Ruin More Than Your Day

By Jason Alderman

We all know that sinking feeling when you get pulled over for a traffic violation. If you're lucky, you might just get a "fix-it" ticket for a broken tail light. But what if it was a more serious offense, like speeding or reckless driving? Depending on your driving record, you could get slapped with a sizeable penalty or even a jail sentence - and your insurance rates will almost certainly go up.

Let's say you absentmindedly ran through a stop sign or made an illegal left-hand turn. You'll probably know right away how much the ticket will cost, but it could take months before your insurance company receives notice of the infraction and adjusts your premium.

If the suspense is killing you, Insurance.com has a handy tool called the "Uh-Oh! Calculator" that estimates the average rate increases for the 14 most common traffic violations. And, if you enter your age, ZIP code, residence type, marital status, length of time with your insurance carrier and current premium, the calculator will generate a more customized estimate based on your personal data.

Some of the average premium increases are pretty shocking:

• Reckless driving: 22 percent
• DUI first offense: 19 percent
• Driving without a license or permit: 18 percent
• Careless driving: 16 percent
• Speeding 30 mph over the limit: 15 percent
• Failure to stop: 15 percent
• Improper turn: 14 percent
• Improper passing: 14 percent
• Following too close/tailgating: 13 percent
• Speeding 15 to 29 mph over limit: 12 percent
• Speeding 1 to 14 mph over limit: 11 percent
• Failure to yield: 9 percent

If you plug in your personal data, the calculator will tell you how many points will be added to your driving record per infraction, as well as information on the state's rules for when driving privileges can be suspended or revoked.

Another company, DMV.org, features a "Ticket Fines and Penalties" tool that provides an even more detailed state-by-state analysis of what various infractions can cost, procedures for paying - or challenging - your ticket, how points are calculated, how long it takes to clear infractions from your record, links to local traffic schools and much more.

So, assuming you're not going to challenge the ticket in court, the damage has been done and your insurance rates will likely climb - what can you do to lower your premium? Here are a few tips:

• Investigate whether attending traffic school will erase the ticket from your record.
• When your policy is up for renewal, get rate quotes from at least three carriers. Talk to an insurance agent or use an online comparison site - just be aware that not every carrier participates in these sites and make sure you're comparing apples to apples, since companies often package coverage differently.
• Another reason to comparison shop: Insurance companies calculate risk differently, so particular traffic infractions might trigger varying increases, depending on the carrier.
• Increasing your deductibles from $250 to $1,000 might lower your premium by 15 to 30 percent.
• Ask about discounts for things like low annual mileage, being over a certain age, good grades, vehicle safety features or buying your homeowners or renters insurance from the same company.

The best way to avoid traffic violation-related rate increases is to not break the law in the first place. But if that horse has already left the barn, arm yourself with information about coverage costs and how you might be able to lower your rates.

MOLINE, Ill. (August 27, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards have entered into an affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Mallards announced today.

"We are excited to announce a new affiliation agreement with the Quad City Mallards," said Minnesota Wild assistant general manager and Iowa Wild general manager Jim Mill.  "The Quad Cities area is a great hockey market and provides the Minnesota Wild organization with another first-class option to develop our players."

Under the affiliation agreement, the Mallards will serve as a resource for the development efforts and personnel needs of both the Iowa and Minnesota Wild.  The agreement allows for Wild prospects to be assigned to the Mallards for developmental purposes throughout the season.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to work with both the Minnesota and Iowa Wild," said Mallards president Bob McNamara.  "The Wild is a strong organization and we are pleased they have recognized the Mallards and coach [Terry] Ruskowski can be valuable assets for their player development system.  We are looking forward not only to working with Wild prospects and playing our part in their development but also to giving the fans of the Quad Cities the opportunity to see those players take the ice for the Mallards."

The Minnesota Wild first took the ice in 2000 and has since proven to be a model of consistency, posting winning records in nine of the last ten seasons.  The Iowa Wild is approaching the start of its first AHL campaign.

The Mallards will open their seventeenth season- and their fourth in the Central Hockey League- when they host the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night, October 19.  Mallards 2013-14 season tickets as well as half season tickets and flex packs are now on sale.  The Mallards offer ticket packages to meet any budget and season ticket holders also receive a host of additional benefits, including a unique season ticket holder Mallards jersey.  More ticket package information is available by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or emailing info@myqcmallards.com.

About the Quad City Mallards
The Quad City Mallards are approaching their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League (CHL).  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League (UHL) from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League (IHL) 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. 

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