20 May 2013

Gov Branstad signs three bills into law

By Tim Albrecht

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

Senate File 432 -  An Act relating to the administration of the tax and related laws of the department of revenue, including administration of income taxes, sales and use and excise taxes, an environment protection charge, and property taxes, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

Senate File 433 - an Act relating to the requirements and administration of the targeted jobs withholding credit pilot project and including applicability provisions.

Senate File 436 - An Act relating to the historic preservation and cultural and entertainment district tax credit by modifying the definition of substantial rehabilitation, the qualifications for certain projects, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

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20 May 2013

Grassley backs legislation to reform system for prosecuting sexual assault in the military services

By Grassley Press

Thursday, May 16

WASHINGTON -- Senator Chuck Grassley is an original cosponsor of legislation introduced today to reform the military justice system and remove decisions about taking cases to special or general court martial out of the chain of command, giving discretion to military prosecutors except in uniquely military cases such as disobeying orders or going AWOL.

"This legislation responds to sexual violence inside the military and the fact that it's gone unaddressed both at risk to and hurting the reputation of the courageous and outstanding men and women who serve our nation in the armed forces," Grassley said.  "This reform would go a long way to seeing sexual assault crimes fully prosecuted in a timely way and in military courts."

The legislation - the Military Justice Improvement Act - is sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.  An identical bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Dan Benisheck of Michigan.

In addition to removing prosecution questions from the chain of command for certain crimes punishable by one year or more in confinement, the measure would:

  • Codify Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's proposed changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 60 so that the convening authority may not set aside a guilty finding or change a finding of guilty to a lesser included offense.  It also would alter Article 60 to require the convening authority to prepare a written justification for changes made to court martial sentences.
  • Provide offices of the military chiefs of staff with authority and discretion to establish courts, empanel juries, and choose judges to hear cases.

The proposal does not amend Article 15, so commanding officers still would be able to order non-judicial punishment for offenses not directed to trial by the prosecutors.

In a report of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office released last week by the Department of Defense, an estimated 26,000 cases of sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact occurred in fiscal year 2012, a 37 percent increase from fiscal year 2011.  Overall rates of reporting dropped from 13.5 percent in 2011 to 9.8 percent in 2012.  In 2011, victims reported 3,192 out of 19,000 incidents.  Victims reported 3,374 out of 26,000 incidents.  The number of perpetrators convicted of committing a sexual assault increased from 191 in 2011 to 238 in 2012.  The conviction rate dropped from one percent in 2011 to 0.9 percent in 2012.

The report also said that of the 3,374 total reports in 2012, 2,558 reports were unrestricted, which means they were actionable.  Of the unrestricted reports, 27 percent were for rape, 35 percent were for abusive and wrongful sexual contact, and 28 percent were for aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault.  Remaining cases were for aggravated sexual contact, nonconsensual sodomy, indecent assault, and attempts to commit those offenses.  The report said that across the military services, 74 percent of females and 60 percent of males perceived one or more barriers to reporting sexual assault.  Of victims who reported a sexual assault, 62 percent indicated they perceived some form of professional, social, and/or administrative retaliation.

In introducing the Senate bill today, Gillibrand said that a separate report, released last month by the Department of Defense, found that more than one in five female service members reported experiencing unwanted sexual conduct while serving in the military.  The findings came from responses to the Health-Related Behaviors Survey of Active Duty Military Personnel for 2011.

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20 May 2013

RIVER BANDITS TAKE TIGHT FINALE AT WISCONSIN

By Marco LaNave
Hauschild and Neely combine for 4 2/3 shutout innings to finish rubber match of awkward plays

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (MAY 16, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits only had a three-run fifth inning for their offensive output at Wisconsin Thursday afternoon, but left-hander Colton Cain, right-hander Mike Hauschild and right-hander John Neely combined to keep the home team to a single run in a 3-1 win in the deciding game of a three-game series at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

In a game with five errors, two unconventional double plays and other assorted oddities, the starting pitchers - Cain for Quad Cities and right-hander Austin Blaski (2-1) for Wisconsin began by matching each other with four scoreless innings. Quad Cities loaded the bases in the fourth inning on a walk, single and Blaski's first of two errors on bunt attempts. With the bases loaded and no outs, catcher Roberto Pena grounded to shortstop Orlando Arcia, who tagged out baserunner Jesse Wierzbicki going from second to third, and then tagged Miles Hamblin, who had only gone a short distance from third base. Quad Cities right fielder Ariel Ovando struck out swinging to end the inning still in a scoreless tie. The River Bandits (23-16) had their first quirky defensive play in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Timber Rattlers second baseman Chris McFarland grounded to second baseman Austin Elkins, who misfired over the head of Wierzbicki at first base, but Pena grabbed the carom from the first-base dugout screen and fired to Wierzbicki, who tagged out McFarland after he had turned toward second base.

In the fifth inning, Elkins drew a leadoff walk and moved to second base on a single by left fielder Jordan Scott. When center fielder Teoscar Hernandez put a bunt to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound, Blaski fielded the ball and threw it past third baseman Jose Sermo, which allowed Elkins to score and each runner to advance two bases. Shortstop Carlos Correa brought in Scott with a groundout, and Hamblin singled home Hernandez for a 3-0 advantage. Wisconsin answered in the fifth inning when Arcia hit a leadoff single against Cain, and left fielder Tyrone Taylor hit an RBI double to left-center field. After Cain retired right fielder Michael Reed on a groundout, manager Omar Lopez brought in Hauschild - the first second starter of a tandem to enter in the middle of an inning this season. Center fielder Mitch Haniger singled to put runners at first and third base before Hauschild induced an inning-ending double play, keeping it 3-1. Hauschild also escaped a second-and-third, one-out jam in the seventh by getting Reed to line out and Haniger to fly out.

Each team made the final out of its ninth inning by catching a baserunner going past third base. Right-hander Jono Armold induced a one-out ground ball by Hernandez that led to a force out at second, a late throw to first and a throw to get Ovando rounding third. Neely allowed two walks in the bottom half, before Haniger to hit a two-out grounder that caromed off third baseman Ryan Dineen into shallow left field, where Correa stopped it and threw to Dineen, who ran down Arcia and threw to Pena for the final out as Arcia left the basepath.

Thursday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Friday, May 17. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Friday, May 17. The River Bandits begin a four-game series with Beloit at 7 p.m. Friday, when Quad Cities left-hander Brian Holmes (3-2) and right-hander Jordan Jankowski (2-0) will face Snappers right-hander Seth Streich (3-2).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits begin their next home stand Friday, May 17, with Petrolpalooza Night - when berm tickets are 10 cents lower than the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline at BP, and bleacher tickets are 10 cents below the price of a premium unleaded gallon. Friday will also feature a Fireworks show presented by Eastern Iowa Toyota Dealers, WLLR and WQAD. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

20 May 2013

Negotiation and Peacebuilding Series Postponed

By Jennifer Christiansen

Building Peace in the Middle East, schedule for June 11, June 18, June 25th and July 2nd at the Moline Public Library, is being postponed.  This series of events, presented by Dr. Arthur Pitz, will be rescheduled this Fall.  For further information, contact the Moline Public Library at 309-524-2470.

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20 May 2013

Illinois State Military Museum and Living Historians Honor Armed Forces Day

By Illinois National Guard PAO

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/16/2013)(readMedia)-- The Illinois State Military Museum and the Illinois National Guard and Militia Historical Society's Living History Detachment observed Armed Forces Day May on 18 with special exhibits, equipment displays and demonstrations by re-enactors in period uniforms.

The Illinois State Military Museum displays the history of the Illinois National Guard from 1723 to the 21st Century. Located two blocks north of the intersection of MacArthur Blvd. and North Grand Ave. in Springfield, Ill., the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 1-4:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For further information about the museum call (217) 761-3910 or visit http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/museum/. Like the museum on Facebook at www.facebook.Illinois.State.Military.Museum. To learn more about Illinois National Guard history visit http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/History/.

For additional information, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs office at 217-761-3569.

Become our Facebook Fan!

www.facebook.com/illinoisstatemilitarymuseum

20 May 2013

Folksinger Lil' Rev Returns to the Moline Public Library

By Jennifer Christiansen

The Moline Public Library and Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities welcome folksinger Lil' Rev back to the area as he presents "Fiddler on the Roof Meets O Brother Where Art Thou?" on Wednesday, June 5th at 7:00 p.m.at the Moline Public Library, 3210 - 41st Street.  This program of Jewish and Yiddish folk music from the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and music historian is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact the library at 309-524-2470.

Through a colorful prism of American roots influence, Lil' Rev will perform Jewish Blues, Bluegrass (or as he likes to call it, Jewgrass!), Country Western (look out Kinky Friedman, here comes Lil' Rev!) and original songs played on the guitar, ukulele, mandolin, harmonica and banjo.  Lil' Rev will seamlessly weave a tapestry of Yiddish, Israeli, Chasidic, and American folk songs into a rich gumbo of story, song, and lore for the whole family.

This event is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities and Friends of the Moline Public Library.

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20 May 2013

TENTATIVE AGENDA SCOTT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS May 20 - 24, 2013

By Renee Luze-Johnson

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Committee of the Whole  -   8:00 am

Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

1. Roll Call:  Sunderbruch, Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, Minard

Presentation

2. Introduction of the newest Chief Judge of Iowa's 7th Judicial District, Judge Marlita Greve.

Facilities & Economic Development

3. Approval of temporary road closures for The Quad Cities Air Show on June 21-23, 2013. (Item 3)

4. Approval of transfer of properties to City of Bettendorf, the Davenport Community School District, Neighborhood Housing Service of Davenport, Ecumenical Housing Development Corporation and  Habitat for Humanity of the Quad Cities. (Item 4)

Human Resources

5. Approval of personnel actions.  (Item 5)

Health & Community Services

6. Approval of tax suspension request. (Item 6)

Finance & Intergovernmental

7. Approval of purchase of Cisco network maintenance. (Item 7)

8. Approval of vehicle replacement for Sheriff's Office. (Item 8)

9. Approval of FY13 year-end fund transfers. (Item 9)

10. Approval of a budget amendment to the FY13 County Budget. (Item 10)

11. Approval of the abatement of delinquent property taxes for the City of Bettendorf as recommended by the Scott County Treasurer. (Item 11)

12. Approval of the abatement of delinquent property taxes for parcel 030335002-1L as recommended by the Scott County Treasurer. (Item 12)

13. Approval of the assessment of election costs for the City of Dixon special election on May 7, 2013 for $933.01. (Item 13)

14. Approval of beer/liquor license for Perfect Value Liquor Mart and Argo General Store, and approval of cigarette/tobacco permits for Mt. Joy, BP/Amaco, Casey's General

Store #1068, Perfect Value Liquor Mart and Locust Mart.

15. Update of County Strategic Plan.

16. Other items of interest.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Regular Board Meeting  -   5:30 pm

Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

20 May 2013

FDA APPROVES NEW TREATMENT FOR ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS

By Zero - the end of prostate cancer

The FDA has approved Bayer and Algeta's drug Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride, formerly known as alpharadin) to treat men with symptomatic late-stage (metastatic) castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to bones but not to other organs. It is intended for men whose cancer has spread after receiving medical or surgical therapy to lower testosterone.

Xofigo binds with minerals in the bone to deliver radiation directly to bone tumors, limiting the damage to the surrounding normal tissues. It is the second prostate cancer drug approved by the FDA in the past year that demonstrates an ability to extend the survival of men with metastatic prostate cancer.

Patients who are interested in finding out where and when newly FDA approved drug Xofigo will be available can call 1-855-696-3446 (1-855-6Xofigo) or visit the website www.xofigo.com.

20 May 2013

Simon's college scorecard resolution passes committee

By Rick Martin

Lt. Governor urges House to pass transparency measure

SPRINGFIELD - May 16, 2013. Following its unanimous passage from the House Higher Education Committee, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is encouraging the full House to pass House Joint Resolution 33. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Naomi Jakobsson (D-Urbana), urges all colleges and universities in the state to prominently feature a link to federal College Scorecard information on the school's website.

"A college credential is a prerequisite for in-demand jobs in our economy, but college affordability is a barrier for many students," said Simon, the state's point person on education reform. "Making it easier for college-seeking students to access the federal College Scorecard means vital information - like average cost and completion rates - is readily available to help students find a college or university that fits their needs and their budget."

In her first two years in office, Simon visited each of the state's 48 community colleges and 12 public universities. Students at each campus identified affordability as a major barrier to their college success. The College Scorecards clearly identify average costs, graduation rates, loan default rates, and areas where students can better estimate costs based on their personal goals.

HJR 33 not only encourages degree and certificate-granting institutions in Illinois to link to the federal College Scorecard, but also to work together across institutions to design and publish an Illinois College Scorecard with data that supplements the federal data. Simon intends to create a working group this summer to design the Illinois version.

"By making this information accessible and easy-to-understand, we demystify the costs of a higher education and move closer to enrolling and graduating more students," said Simon. "I thank Rep. Jakobsson for sponsoring this resolution and for her leadership on education issues."

The federal college scorecard can be found here.

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20 May 2013

Farm Progress Show Concert Announced

By Dena Morgan

2013 Farm Progress Show to Feature Chris Cagle Concert


Country music star Chris Cagle will perform in concert Aug. 28 on the Farm Progress Show stage in Decatur, Ill. The concert is sponsored by Syngenta, Farm Progress Show and Richland Community College.

DECATUR, ILL., (05/16/2013) - Country music artist Chris Cagle will perform in concert on Wednesday, Aug. 28, following the second day of the 2013 Farm Progress Show. The Farm Progress Show is scheduled for August 27, 28 and 29 in Decatur, Ill.

"The Farm Progress Show and Richland Community College, along with presenting sponsor Syngenta, are excited to host a concert again this year," said Don Tourte, vice president of Penton/Farm Progress. "This is an event that everyone loves ? Farm Progress Show exhibitors and visitors and residents of Decatur."

"Syngenta is honored to welcome Chris Cagle to the 2013 Farm Progress Show performance stage in Decatur," said Chuck Lee, head of corn for Syngenta. "Chris signed his first record deal in 2000, the same year Syngenta was formed. Since then, Chris has worked tirelessly to produce multiple hits for country music fans, just as Syngenta has worked tirelessly to develop multiple chart-topping genetics, traits, seedcare and crop protection products for America's farmers. We respect Chris' determination and talent, and we couldn't think of a more appropriate venue for this collaboration than the Farm Progress Show."

"Richland Community College, host to the 60th annual Farm Progress Show, is excited to announce the talent for this year's concert.  Country music is the sound of America's heartland and we are pleased to work with Syngenta and the Farm Progress Show to bring Chris Cagle in concert to Richland Community College.  The concert held during the Farm Progress Show provides an opportunity for all residents of our community to connect with the Farm Progress Show," said Dr. Gayle Saunders, President of Richland Community College.

The concert, sponsored by Syngenta, will open its gates at 5 p.m. Brushfire, a popular Illinois country band, starts the concert prior to Cagle's scheduled 6:30 p.m. performance. The concert will be held at Richland Community College, just south of the Farm Progress Show exhibit field.

The Nation's Largest Outdoor Farm Show
The Farm Progress Show is the nation's largest outdoor farm show. Highlights include side-by-side field demonstrations of combines, tillage tools, and precision agriculture and GPS equipment. The Farm Progress Show includes an 86-acre exhibit field filled with more than 500 exhibitors. Exhibitor displays from the nation's leading large and shortline equipment manufacturers, seed and crop protection companies, educational institutions, livestock equipment manufacturers and many additional agriculture input suppliers are showcased at the show each year. Farmers and ranchers from around the nation and world attend the event.


More About Chris Cagle
The three most important things to Chris are family, ranch and music. Chris has enjoyed much success in the music industry including two gold albums, two No. 1 albums and 12 charted songs. Those songs include "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out," "Chicks Dig It," "What a Beautiful Day," and "What Kinda Gone." After enjoying years in the spotlight, Chris retreated to Marietta, Okla., to reconnect with his roots. In 2012, he released his latest album "Back in the Saddle," which includes the song "Got My Country On."

Ticket Information
Ticket prices are $18 in advance and $25 at the gate. Tickets may be ordered online at eTix.com. All tickets are general admission and lawn seating. Concert admission is separate from show admission. The public is welcome. There are no ticket refunds or exchanges. Additional show and concert information is available at www.FarmProgressShow.com.

Don't miss the show
The 2013 Farm Progress Show takes place in Decatur, Ill., Aug. 27, 28 and 29. The exhibit field is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for ages 13-17, and ages 12 and under are free. Discounted advance adult admission tickets are available now on the show's website. For a full schedule of events and more detailed information, visit www.FarmProgressShow.com. The concert is a separate event, and a separate admission ticket is needed.

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