21 Jun 2013

Davenport's Meghan Essary Wins Prestigious MSOE Scholarship

By JoEllen Burdue

MILWAUKEE, WI (06/20/2013)(readMedia)-- Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is pleased to announce Meghan Essary, from Davenport, has been awarded a Presidential Scholarship for four years of full tuition. She attended Davenport Central High School and plans to major in industrial engineering at MSOE.To qualify for MSOE's most prestigious scholarship, students needed a minimum 3.80 cumulative GPA and 28 or higher composite score on the ACT (1240 SAT) and be accepted for enrollment by February 1. In addition, the students attended and competed at a scholarship event.

MSOE is an independent, non-profit university with about 2,500 students celebrating its 110th anniversary. MSOE offers 20 bachelor's degrees and nine master's degrees in engineering, business, mathematics and nursing. The university has a national academic reputation; longstanding ties to business and industry; dedicated professors with real-world experience; a 94% placement rate; and the highest average starting and mid-career salaries of any Wisconsin university according to PayScale Inc. MSOE graduates are well-rounded, technologically experienced and highly productive professionals and leaders.

21 Jun 2013

Local Students Receive Academic Honors at Saint Mary's College

By Gwen O'Brien

NOTRE DAME, IN (06/20/2013)(readMedia)-- Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, named the following students to the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester:

Katherine Kautz, daughter of Gregory and Ann Kautz of Bettendorf, IA

Caitlin Poster, daughter of Michael and Kelly Poster of Eldridge, IA

To earn academic honors at Saint Mary's, a student must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale, have at least 12 graded credit hours, no incompletes, and no grades lower than a C.

About Saint Mary's College: Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women's liberal arts college offering five bachelor's degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. The College's single-gender environment has been proven, in study after study, to foster confidence, ethical leadership, and strong academic success. Saint Mary's College ranks among the top 100 "Best National Liberal Arts Colleges" for 2013 published by U.S. News. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary's College's mission is to educate women and prepare them for postgraduate success whether it's a first job, graduate school, or postgraduate service.

21 Jun 2013

Loebsack Statement on the House Farm Bill

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the House voted down the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (HR 1947), the farm bill.

"The inability of the House to come together and move a farm bill forward is inexcusable. I have been calling for a farm bill for over a year now.  Failure to enact a farm bill means jobs in our rural communities are at risk and cuts to rural and farm initiatives critical to Iowa's economy are likely. I stood with the entire Iowa delegation to advance this critical legislation for farmers, Iowa's economy, and families.  The Senate was able to find commonsense compromise.  The House needs to do the same.

"I am deeply concerned with the extreme cuts to anti-hunger initiatives, known as SNAP, that were contained in the bill.  Our economy is still struggling to recover and many families rely on this program to put food on the table and ensure their children do not go to school hungry.  I was the only member from Iowa to cosponsor an amendment to restore these cuts and fought to have it included in the bill. Today's vote shows that restoration of SNAP funding is critical to a farm bill being enacted.

"I am also concerned that this bill would have gutted rural energy measures that are critical to Iowa jobs and energy independence.  There were over 1,600 rural energy projects initiated in Iowa between 2003 and 2012, many stemming from farm bill energy programs. These investments are vitally important to job creation and Iowa's economy.  I led the fight to ensure farmers and rural businesses have continued access to an important energy and economic development tool with my amendment that was added to the bill to strengthen the REAP program.

"I will continue to fight to get a farm bill signed into law that supports families, farmers and our rural economy."

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21 Jun 2013

Northern Illinois University announces Spring 2013 Dean's List

By Brad Hoey

DEKALB, IL (06/20/2013)(readMedia)-- Please review our Spring 2013 Dean's List to identify all students living in your service area; we appreciate your assistance in acknowledging their accomplishments. For additional information, please contact Brad Hoey by phone, 815-753-6667 or e-mail, bhoey@niu.edu.

The following local students were named to Spring 2013 Dean's List at Northern Illinois University:

Wesley Brinkman of Lyndon, IL

Haley Inboden of Sterling, IL

Ashley Vegter of Morrison, IL

Angela Versluis of Silvis, IL

Shawn King of Sterling, IL

Ellen Collison of Clinton, IA

Megan Wilson of Milan, IL

Joshua Screnock of Morrison, IL

Keaston Bonnell of Prophetstown, IL

Gabriela Cason of Morrison, IL

Irlen Carranza of Rock Island, IL

Krista Ramirez of Sterling, IL

Aaron Berogan of Sterling, IL

Abbie Habben of Sterling, IL

Aaron McKeown of Moline, IL

Jessica Davis of Rock Falls, IL

Nathan Asbury of Sterling, IL

Nevin Walker of Rock Falls, IL

Paige Deyo of Lyndon, IL

Ian Andrews of East Moline, IL

Cierria McPerryman of Sterling, IL

Karin Carlson of East Moline, IL

Ashley McMahon of East Moline, IL

Katherine Anglese of Albany, IL

Kara Ford of Fulton, IL

Trevan Burn of Morrison, IL

Dustin Flesch of Port Byron, IL

James Green of Rock Island, IL

Rachel Harris of Fulton, IL

Monte Sunday of Sterling, IL

 

The list is compiled by NIU's academic colleges according to varying criteria. Students enrolled in the colleges of Business, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts, and Health and Human Sciences must meet a minimum semester grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale. Students enrolled in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology must meet a minimum semester grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Located in one of the most dynamic regions of the country, Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a comprehensive teaching and research institution with a diverse and international student body of nearly 23,000.

21 Jun 2013

Gov. Branstad signs bills into law

By Office of the Governor of Iowa

2013 legislative bill action now complete

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed the following legislation into law:

House File 604: An Act relating to the funding of, the operation of, and appropriation of moneys to the college student aid commission, the department for the blind, the department of education, the economic development authority, the department of workforce development, and the state board of regents, and providing for related matters.

View transmittal letter explaining item vetoes.

House File 638: An Act relating to and making appropriations to state departments and agencies from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and the technology reinvestment fund, providing for related matters, and including effective date provisions.

View transmittal letter explaining item vetoes.

House File 648: An Act relating to state and local finances making transfers and appropriations and including effective date and applicability provisions.

View transmittal letter explaining item vetoes.

Senate File 396: An Act relating to government operations and efficiency and other related matters, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

View transmittal letter explaining item vetoes.

Senate File 406: An Act relating to involuntary commitments for persons with substance-related disorders, mental illness, and intellectual disabilities, and providing for the creation of an office of mental health advocate in the department of human rights and including effective date provisions.

View transmittal letter explaining item vetoes.

Senate File 430: An Act relating to appropriations to the department of cultural affairs, the economic development authority, the board of regents and certain board of regents institutions, the department of workforce developments, the Iowa finance authority, and the public employment relations board, providing for other properly related matters, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

View transmittal letter explaining item vetoes.

Senate File 446: An Act relating to appropriations for health and human services and including other related provisions and appropriations, providing penalties, and including effective, retroactive and applicability date provisions.

View transmittal letter explaining item vetoes.

Senate File 447: An Act relating to appropriations to the justice system and including effective dates.

View transmittal letter explaining item vetoes.

Senate File 452: An Act relating to state and local finances by making appropriations, providing for fees, providing for legal responsibilities, providing for certain employee benefits, and providing for properly related matters, and including effective date and retroactive and other applicability provisions.

View transmittal letter explaining item vetoes.

Gov. Branstad has signed all transmittal letters linked above. This concludes legislative action by Gov. Branstad for the 2013 legislative session.

###
21 Jun 2013

Lt. Governor Simon to address teachers, graduates

By Kara Beach

CHICAGO - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, the state's point person on education reform, will deliver keynote remarks at the Associated Colleges of Illinois' Summer Institute for K-12 teachers. Simon will urge teachers in high-need schools to use the Common Core learning standards and encourage them to pilot the state's new math curriculum models come fall. Simon supported the curricula developed by state education authorities to better prepare graduates for college and careers.

 

"We want to put all middle and high school students on track for success," said Simon. "Colleges and employers expect our students to have certain skills, but find too many students are unprepared. The statewide model math curriculum gives educators an additional resource to help prepare students to compete in the global marketplace."

Later Friday, Simon will deliver the graduation speech for the Phoenix Military Academy Class of 2013. Simon will highlight top students, including an Illinois Dream Act scholarship recipient who will testify on behalf of immigrant students in Washington D.C. next week.

 

Friday, June 21

 

EVENT: Associated Colleges of Illinois Summer Institute

TIME: Noon

LOCATION: Trinity Christian College Dining Hall, 6601 W. College Dr., Palos Heights

EVENT: Phoenix Military Academy graduation

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: Phoenix Military Academy, 145 S. Campbell Ave., Chicago

 

###
21 Jun 2013

Beltway Beef

By National Cattlemen's Beef Association

The disappointing news of the week is that the House failed to pass its version of the 2013 Farm Bill. If the bill had passed, cattlemen and women would have been one step closer to having a full five-year farm bill. NCBA President Scott George expresses his disappointment over the House's actions in this week's Beltway Beef.

 

The estate tax, commonly known as the death tax, continues to be an issue which deeply affects farmers and ranchers across the country. Just yesterday, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013. NCBA Past President Steve Foglesong made remarks during the press conference about the importance of repealing this tax once and for all. Read more here.

 

Two new public policy interns have joined the NCBA D.C. office. They will be working alongside NCBA's lobbying team, regulatory experts, communications team and political action committee to ensure legislative and regulatory actions taken inside the nation's Beltway do not negatively affect cattle producers. Read more about these two new staffers in this week's issue of Beltway Beef.

Our columnist this week is Rep. Bob Goodlatte. It's simple; the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) needs to be taken off the menu. Goodlatte explains why in his Beltway Beef column, and talks about his legislation to repeal the RFS. Similar legislation was introduced today in the Senate by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.),  Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.). Read more about the RFS here.

 

Click here to read this edition of Beltway Beef. You can also scroll down to read the articles included in this week's newsletter. Be sure to read the Beltway Beef blog; follow Beltway Beef on Twitter; like us on Facebook; subscribe to us on YouTube; check out our photos on Flickr; and listen to our podcast.

21 Jun 2013

Local Students Named to Dean's List at Taylor University

By Jim Garringer

UPLAND, IN (06/20/2013)(readMedia)-- The following local residents were named to the Spring 2013 Dean's list at Taylor University. Full-time students are named to the Dean's List when they have earned a GPA of 3.60 or higher for the term and at least 12 hours carry credit point values.

Angela Stuedemann, a resident of DeWitt, IA.

Brett Vacek, a resident of East Moline, IL.

About Taylor University: Founded in 1846, Taylor University is an interdenominational liberal arts university of evangelical faith located in Upland, Ind. The 2013 U.S. News and World Report survey America's Best Colleges ranked Taylor the number one Baccalaureate College in the Midwest. It marked Taylor's sixth straight number one ranking and followed 10 straight years of being ranked in the region's top three.

Taylor University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

21 Jun 2013

Grassley works for IRS accountability

By Grassley Press

Grassley Seeks IRS Answers on Potential $70 Million in Union Bonuses

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is pressing for answers from the IRS about why the agency is apparently on track to give $70 million in discretionary bonuses to union members contrary to guidance from the White House Office of Management and Budget and despite providing the union written notice on March 25, 2013, that it intended to eliminate the bonuses.

"The IRS says it's legally obligated to comply with its bargaining agreement," Grassley said.  "But the bargaining agreement says award funding is granted 'within applicable budget limitations' and can be changed with 60 days' notice.  If the IRS thinks it has to pay the bonuses, then why did it give notice in March that it was eliminating the awards?  The IRS needs explain that notice and make it available to the public."

Grassley said he received insight from a person with knowledge of IRS budgetary procedures alleging the agency is failing to take all legal steps to stop the bonuses to union members.

This information follows a revelation several weeks ago that the IRS has paid out more than $92 million in bonuses during the Obama administration.  Lois Lerner is the director of the IRS division that targeted political groups for scrutiny.  She pled the Fifth to avoid answering questions from Congress and is currently on paid administrative leave.  But, since 2009, she received more than $42,000 in bonuses.  Joseph Grant, the former head of the agency's tax exemption division, received $84,000.  Former Acting Commissioner Steven Miller received approximately $100,000 in bonuses since 2009.

An April 4, 2013, directive from the Office of Management and Budget instructs agencies to cease all discretionary bonuses during sequestration.  Grassley wrote to the acting IRS Commissioner this week to seek information about the status of the situation.  His letter is available here.

"The public deserves a full explanation, and I'm working to get it from the IRS," Grassley said.

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21 Jun 2013

4th Recall Since March due to Salmonella Issued by Natura Pet Products

By James Judge

CHICAGO - Doctors from BluePearl Veterinary Partners are urging people to stop using and return or discard certain Natura Pet Products food and treats after the company issued another recall due to potential Salmonella contamination Tuesday.

On March 18, the company issued a voluntary recall due to the presence of salmonella being found during routine testing performed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

On March 29, the company issued an expansion of their original recall citing the same reason as before and adding that the Georgia Department of Agriculture had also confirmed the presence of Salmonella.

On April 19, the company issued a further expansion of the original recall stating the same reasons as before and adding that this was being done out of an abundance of caution.

Most recently, on Tuesday, Natura Pet Products issued a press release recalling specific lots of dry pet food citing the potential for the food to be contaminated with Salmonella, after routine testing performed by the Food and Drug Administration tested positive for Salmonella.

The most current release states, "Natura is voluntarily recalling all products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014."
According to the release, the affected products are sold in bags through veterinary clinics, select pet specialty retailers, and online in the United States and Canada. No canned wet food is affected by this announcement.
People who have the potentially contaminated product should discard it immediately and stop handling it as it poses a risk to humans as well.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Common symptoms of salmonella in pets include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, fever and abdominal discomfort.

"Any time you notice your pet is not acting right, you should take him or her to your family veterinarian as soon as possible," said Dr. Neil Shaw, chief medical officer of BluePearl. "If it is an after-hours emergency, we would be glad to help at any one of our locations."

The affected products are:
BRAND   LOT CODE/UPC/SIZES;     EXPIRATION


Innova Dry dog and cat food and biscuits/bars/treats    All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes     All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

EVO dry dog, cat and ferret food and biscuits/bars/treats       All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes     All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

California Natural dry dog and cat foods and biscuits/bars/treats       All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes     All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

Healthwise dry dog and cat foods        All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes     All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Karma dry dog foods     All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes     All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014

Mother Nature biscuits/bars/treats      All Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizes     All expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Natura Pet Products also said in their release that consumers looking for additional information, product replacement or a refund should call Natura toll-free at 800-224-6123. (Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM CST).



BluePearl Veterinary Partners does not carry any of the recalled products.

About BluePearl Veterinary Partners
Formed in 2008, BluePearl Veterinary Partners is headquartered in Tampa, Fla., and employs more than 1,200 people including approximately 250 veterinarians. BluePearl hospitals are referral-only and don't provide primary care. Most BluePearl hospitals offer 24-hour emergency care services. BluePearl is one of the world's principal providers of approved veterinary residency and internship educational programs. BluePearl also participates in and conducts clinical trials to study the effectiveness of new drugs and treatments, which give clients access to cutting-edge medicine not yet commercially available and improves the quality of care delivered to our patients.
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