Families can enjoy a brunch buffet on the Sky Deck before the River Bandits game Sunday, May 12

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 18, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits will host their second annual Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 12. Individuals and families can now reserve tickets for a special brunch buffet on the Modern Woodmen Park Sky Deck before the 2 p.m. game between the River Bandits and the Peoria Chiefs.

The pre-game brunch buffet will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Modern Woodmen Park Sky Deck overlooking downtown Davenport and the Mississippi River.

"Families in the Quad Cities area can make so many memories at Modern Woodmen Park throughout the year, and the Mother's Day Brunch is another great way for families to share a special day at the ballpark," said team owner Dave Heller. "The River Bandits are excited to see this special event return after last year's memorable event, and we are delighted that families can treat their mothers to brunch and a baseball game - all in one fun-filled, affordable package!"

Tickets for the all-you-can-eat brunch must be purchased in advance by Monday, May 6, and are $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 10 and under. The ticket includes Sky Deck admission for the River Bandits' 2 p.m. game against the Peoria Chiefs as well as the pregame brunch. The brunch menu includes waffles, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits & gravy, garden salad, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, glazed ham, meatloaf, macaroni & cheese, french fries, chicken nuggets, assorted cookies, fresh fruits, mini desserts and muffins, water and orange juice.

The Sky Deck, which was completed during the 2011 season, is a climate-controlled environment that features large glass windows offering a beautiful view of the ballpark, downtown Davenport, and the Mississippi River.

"It's very exciting to be able to celebrate a holiday as special as Mother's Day at Modern Woodmen Park and include it with a baseball game," said River Bandits General Manager Harold Craw. "Our ballpark is a great venue for annual and special occasions, such as our Bandits Race to Home 5K, Frost Fest and Valentine's Day Dinner, and it is great to make the Mother's Day Brunch one of those occasions for a second year in a row."

Reservations must be made by Monday, May 6, for the Mother's Day Brunch by calling 563-324-3000. Please ask to speak to either Amy, Andrea or Shauna.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park for a six-game home stand beginning Thursday, April 25, with Manti Te'o Night and a Thirst-Day with $2 drink specials presented by Rock 104-9, the Quad Cities' CW, and the River Cities' Reader. 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.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits will make one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is scheduled to open in early June, along with a dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft this June and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

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DECORAH, IA (04/18/2013)(readMedia)-- Tyler Hagy, Luther College senior from Muscatine, Iowa, will star in the upcoming play "Arcadia" presented by Luther College Visual and Performing Arts.

Hagy, son of Mark and Deb Hagy of Muscatine, is a 2009 graduate of Muscatine High School. He is a studying music education and theatre and dance performance at Luther.

Thought by many to be one of the best plays of the 20th century, Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia" will be presented May 1-4 by Luther College's Department of Visual and Performing Arts.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 1-4 with an additional matinee performance at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4. All performances will take place in the Jewel Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the Luther campus.

Tickets are $10 and are available at the Luther Box Office, (563)-387-1357 or boxoffice@luther.edu, Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with extended hours on Thursdays 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Premiered in 1993, "Arcadia" is set in Sidley Park, a fictional country estate, and moves back and forth between the year 1809 and the present. The residents of Sidley Park include Thomasina, a 13-year-old girl, her tutor Septimus, her commanding mother Lady Croom and an assortment of other residents and visitors, including "mad, bad and dangerous to know" Lord Byron. In alternating scenes, the 21st century descendants of the 19th century family entertain two rival researchers who are visiting Sidley Park to piece together puzzles of the past.

Stoppard is said to have been inspired to write the play after reading the best-selling book "Chaos" by James Gleick. The play is filled with references to Newtonian physics, mathematics and the second law of thermodynamics. "Arcadia" also delves into landscape architecture, Romantic poetry and the nature of time by juxtaposing past and present, art and science, and order and disorder in a witty and exhilarating theatre piece.

The play is being directed by visiting artist Kristen Underwood, who says, "one of the things that makes the play so entertaining is watching the people from the past puzzle over the future, while the people from the future try to piece together the past."

The cast, comprised of Luther students, includes Anna Murray as Thomasina Coverly, Nelson Schreen as Septimus Hodge, Maxwell Lafontant as Jellaby the butler, Tyler Hagy as Ezra Chater, Lucas Chase as Richard Noakes, Elisabeth Athas as Lady Croom, Josh Harper as Captain Brice, Holly Fusco as Hannah Jarvis, Bryce Muenchow as Bernard Nightingale, Maggie Sulentic as Chloe, Tim Komatsu as Valentine and John Werner appearing as both Gus Coverly and Augustus Coverly.

The production is also made possible by collaboration with Lisa Lantz, Luther assistant professor of theatre, managing costume design and construction; Tom Berger, technical director, managing scenic design and construction; and Jeff Dintaman, Luther professor of theatre, managing lighting for the performance.

Luther students collaborating on the production include Alex Klyn, stage manager; Mim Harries, props; Chelsey O'Connor, lighting and design; Josh Dale, sound and Becca Chapin, hair and makeup.

April 18, 2013 - The Bemidji State University women's track team is competing with 37 members on its roster for the 2012-2013 season. The team was ranked 11th in the preseason NSIC coaches poll.

 

In his 23 years as head coach for track and field at Bemidji State, Craig Hougen has earned six NSIC Coach of the Year honors.

For more information about Beaver track and field, visit bsubeavers.com.

Members of Bemidji State University's women's track and field team are listed below, by hometown

 

MINNESOTA

Alexandria |56308| Tess Boucher, sophomore, nursing; distance

Andover |55304| Mackenzie Haupert, junior, exercise science; distance

Argyle |56713| Nicole Crummy, freshman, undecided; distance

Becker |55308| Nikki Anderson, freshman, elementary education; hurdler, multi

Bemidji |56601| Mikayla Connell, freshman, nursing; distance

Big Lake |55309| Sara Churness, senior, physical education; distance, jumper

Bingham |56118| Emily Turner, sophomore; biology; distance

Blaine |55434| Kayla Alexander, sophomore, sport management; hurdler

Blaine |55449 | Marisa Olgrady, junior, sociology; pole vault

Braham |55006| Austyn Eng, freshman, mass communication; distance

Chisholm |55719| Tia Lindberg, junior, criminal justice; sprinter

Coon Rapids |55433 | Emily Paquin, sophomore, biology; distance

Crookston |56716| Ciara Brewster, freshman, nursing; thrower

Cyrus |56323| Tina Larson, senior-captain, early childhood education; distance

Dawson |56232| Sara Melom, freshman, elementary education; sprinter, jumper

Duluth |55811| Sonja Barr, freshman, nursing; sprinter

Elk River |55330| Dani Detloff, freshman, undecided; sprinter, jumper

Esko |55733| Jolynne Denman, freshman, english; distance

Faribault |55021| Jessica Meyer, sophomore, elementary education; distance

Faribault |55021| Sammie Taube, sophomore, physical education; distance

Floodwood |55736| Ashley Larva, senior-captain, social work; hurdler

Fridley |55432| Carly Schwint, sophomore, nursing; sprinter, jumper

Grand Rapids |55744| Jessica Cagle, junior, criminal justice; thrower

Grand Rapids |55744| Brittany Koss, freshman, nursing; distance, jumper

Grand Rapids |55448| Gina Padrnos, junior, exercise science; thrower

Grove City |56243| Denna Hegg, sophomore, undecided; thrower

Hutchinson |55350| Caitlyn Quast, sophomore, marketing communication; pole vaulter

Owatonna |55060| Bethany Thompson, senior, physical education; jumper

Rosemount |55068| Kaneeshia Johnson, freshman, business administration; sprinter, jumper

Tamarack |55787| Taylor Sautbine, senior-captain, exercise science; hurdler, multi

DELAWARE

New Castle |19720| Jamie Piatt, sophomore, biology; thrower

IOWA

Davenport |52803| Melissa Youngblut, freshman, elementary education; sprinter

NORTH DAKOTA

Grand Forks |58203| Sydney Lund, freshman, undecided; sprinter

Wahpeton |58075| Kasey Lasch, sophomore, undecided; distance

Williston |58801| Hailey Horob, freshman, psychology; pole vault

PENNSYLVANIA

Thorndale |19372| Stephanie Price, junior, biology; thrower

ARIZONA

Scottsdale |85260| Phuong Dy Le, sophomore, exercise science; pole vault

About Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University, located in northern Minnesota's lake district, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling approximately 5,000 students, the University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and 11 graduate programs encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. The University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. University signature themes include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and global and multi-cultural understanding.

For further information about the University, visit http://www.bemidjistate.edu.

Become a fan of Bemidji State University on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BemidjiState or follow us on Twitter at @BemidjiState.

--bsu--

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Branstad will make his tax returns available to members of the media tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m. The governor's chief of staff, Jeff Boeyink, and the governor's accountant, Jamie Ward, will conduct the briefing.

 

Gov. Branstad is committed to openness and transparency, and makes his tax returns available annually.

 

Details are as follows:

 

Friday, April 19, 2013

 

1:30 p.m. Jeff Boeyink and Jamie Ward hold media briefing on Gov. Branstad's tax returns

Q:        Why do you support the Keystone XL Pipeline?

A:        The crude oil pipeline from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast called the Keystone XL pipeline would provide 830,000 barrels of crude oil a day and help to counteract insufficient domestic oil supplies and reduce America's dependence on less reliable foreign sources.  The way I see it, the energy and economic development benefits of this pipeline are too important to delay any longer.  Keystone XL contributes to a necessary, three-pronged approach for America's energy policy.  We need to develop traditional oil and gas resources in America.  We need development, production and use of alternative renewable fuels.  We need to conserve energy.  What's needed now is an increased supply of oil.  The Keystone XL pipeline would help maintain adequate crude oil supplies for U.S. refineries and let us decrease dependence on foreign crude oil supplies from the Persian Gulf and Venezuela.

Q:        What have you done to advance this pipeline?

A:        In March, I voted for an amendment offered by Senator John Hoeven to the Senate budget resolution.  The amendment expressed support for the approval and construction of the pipeline and passed with a bipartisan vote of 62 to 37.  It was mostly a symbolic vote because the budget resolution does not become law and isn't binding.  But the vote demonstrates strong support within the Senate for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Q:        How has President Obama delayed the Keystone XL?

A:        Authority for siting oil pipelines generally lies with the states, but the construction of facilities at the U.S. border for exporting or importing petroleum or other fuels requires a Presidential Permit issued by the Department of State.  In this case, consideration has been drawn out, most likely to try to stop the pipeline from being built.  In 2008, TransCanada applied for a presidential permit from the State Department to construct and operate the pipeline.  In January 2012, the State Department recommended that the Presidential permit be denied.  The same day, the President stated his determination that the Keystone XL pipeline project would not serve the national interest.  This year, in January, the Governor of Nebraska approved a proposed reroute of the Keystone XL pipeline to avoid the Sand Hills due to the area's unique soil properties.  So, TransCanada reapplied to the State Department in May 2012, along the new route through Nebraska.  This year, in March, the State Department released a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the new Presidential permit application.  The report basically found that the pipeline would not accelerate greenhouse gas emissions or significantly harm the environment along its route.  A final decision from the State Department and the Obama Administration on whether to grant the Presidential permit is expected after expiration of the comment period for the draft SEIS at the end of this month.

Monday, April 15, 2013
SpectiCast and Eagle Rock Entertainment partner to bring this digitally remastered classic concert film, ROCKSHOW, back to the big screen in over 750 cities worldwide for the first time in over 20 years.

Philadelphia, PA - SpectiCast, in association with Eagle Rock Entertainment, is pleased to announce ROCKSHOW, a film depicting the legendary Paul McCartney and Wings on their epic 1975-1976 Wings Over The World tour. This galvanizing performance will premiere on the big screen in theaters in the UK on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 and worldwide beginning on Thursday, May 16, 2013. Although filmed on this tour at the enormous Kingdome in Seattle, ROCKSHOW, originally a cut down version of the concert, was not premiered until November 1980 in New York and April 1981 in London.
The film will premiere in the UK on Wednesday May 15 and at BAFTA in London on the same day.  Paul McCartney will be in attendance at the red carpet event. For the rest of the world, fans will have a unique opportunity to see the film beginning the very next day, Thursday, May 16.  The film will be shown at nearly one thousand playdates at theaters in over 700 cities worldwide, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cape TownSydneyRomeWarsawBucharestPrague, HamburgSan Paolo, Rio DeJaneiro, Buenos Aires, and many other cities across the U.S, Mexico, Asia, Europe, and South America.  These special theatrical presentations will include a bonus 12-minute interview with McCartney.
For Wings Across America, Paul brought with him one the most sophisticated and dazzling rock shows of the mid-Seventies (it was a time when nobody worried about extravagance or expense) and the band would eventually perform to more than 600,000 people at 31 shows in the US and Canada, ending with three mind-bending nights at The Forum in Los Angeles. It's no exaggeration to say that the demand that greeted Paul McCartney & Wings (Linda McCartney, Joe English, Denny Laine and Jimmy McCulloch) in the spring of 1976 as they embarked on what would become their one and only North American tour was overwhelming.  Having released four consecutive chart busting albums including Red Rose Speedway, Band on the Run, Venus and Mars and Wings at the Speed of Sound - not to mention 1973's Academy Award-winning James Bond theme "Live and Let Die" - Paul's solo career was in full flight... and having not performed in the States for 10 years, either solo or with The Beatles, excitement had reached fever pitch.
Now Paul gives fans the chance to be able to immerse themselves in a concert that is destined to live forever.
@PaulMcCartney
Tickets for ROCKSHOW are available at participating theater box offices and online at http://www.rockshowonscreen.com. This digitally enhanced film event will be screened in over 750 select theatres across the world.
ABOUT THE FILM
SETLIST                       
1.-3. "Venus And Mars"/"RockShow"/ "Jet"
4. "Let Me Roll It"
5. "Spirits Of Ancient Egypt"
6. "Medicine Jar"
7. "Maybe I'm Amazed"
8. "Call Me Back Again"
9. "Lady Madonna"
10. "The Long And Winding Road"
11. "Live And Let Die"
12. "Picasso's Last Words"
13. "Richard Cory"
14. "Bluebird"
15. "I've Just Seen A Face"
16. "Blackbird"
17. "Yesterday"
18. "You Gave Me The Answer"
19. "Magneto And Titanium Man"
20. "Go Now"
21. "My Love"
22. "Listen To What The Man Said"
23. "Let 'Em In"
24. "Time To Hide"
25. "Silly Love Songs"
26. "Beware My Love"
27. "Letting Go"
28. "Band on the Run"
29. "Hi, Hi, Hi"
30. "Soily"
Running time: 141 minutes, including an exclusive 12-minute prerecorded interview with Paul McCartney only available as part of the theatrical release.
About Eagle Rock Entertainment
Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV and Digital Media in the world. Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programmes, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle's TV library features over 2,000 hours of programming and there are over 800 titles currently available worldwide on DVD, Blu-Ray and digitally.
About SpectiCast
SpectiCast is the fastest growing all-digital private network company in North America, distributing film, cultural arts events, and alternative content to both theatrical and non-theatrical venues.
SpectiCast's distributes 3D and 2D content over several digital media platforms including DCP, Blu-ray and its proprietary Digital Theatre Network™ to deliver the highest quality digital audiovisual experience using the industry's most advanced technologies. SpectiCast provides exhibitors with a low cost and high quality digital deliver system to exhibit the world's best independent film and alternative content. For distributors, producers and content rights holders, SpectiCast provides access to hundreds of art house, independent, and chain theaters as well as performing arts centers, museums, schools, and other non-traditional exhibition venues over a network that has world-wide reach. SpectiCast is a privately owned and operated firm based in Philadelphia, PA.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Grassley, Cassidy Seek Answers from Georgia Hospital on Discount Drug Program

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Rep. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana today asked a Georgia hospital for details of its use of a federal discount prescription drug program, known as 340B.  They wrote to the Columbus Regional Healthcare System after a hospital executive said during a public interview that the hospital does not receive a "windfall of profits" from participating in the program and puts the proceeds into the hospital.

"When I looked at three North Carolina hospitals' use of this program, the numbers showed the hospitals were reaping sizeable 340B discounts on drugs and then upselling them to fully insured patients to maximize their spread," Grassley said.  "If 'non-profit' hospitals are essentially profiting from the 340B program without passing those savings to their patients, then the 340B program is not functioning as intended.  Our inquiry into the Georgia hospital will help us continue to examine hospitals' use of the 340B program."

Cassidy said, "As a physician who has spent 20 years caring for the uninsured, I recognize the value and importance of the 340B drug discount program. Given this importance, we must be sure that its good work is not threatened by those who misuse. Our common goal must be better care for those who are less fortunate."

The 340B program requires drug manufacturers to give deep discounts on certain outpatient drugs to hospitals that serve large numbers of uninsured and under-insured patients.  Grassley and Cassidy are among the members of Congress who are concerned that hospitals increasingly appear to be making sizeable profits from the program at the expense of Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance.  The federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) conducted poor oversight of the program for a long period but is beginning to exert more scrutiny under pressure from Congress.

The Grassley-Cassidy letter to Columbus Regional Healthcare System is available here.

A Grassley letter to HRSA earlier this month citing the three N.C. hospitals is available here.

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Thursday, April 18, 2013

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairman, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, co-chairman, of the Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today made the following comments on a new Government Accountability Office report, "Status of Funding, Equipment, and Training for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative."  The report is available here.

Senator Feinstein said: "We must ensure the expedited delivery of our security assistance to the Caribbean in order to counter the drug trafficking threats facing the United States and our partners in the region. As our counternarcotics enforcement efforts increase in Mexico and Central America, it is critical we remain committed to the Caribbean to ensure the drug trade does not return."

Sen. Grassley said: "Drug trafficking organizations are good at shifting their operations and trafficking routes to the paths of least resistance.  When we cracked down on the drug traffickers in Mexico, they increased their presence farther south in the countries of Central America.  Now, as we help Central America strengthen its counternarcotics efforts, we have to make sure we don't squeeze the balloon in Central America and shift drug trafficking operations back into the Caribbean. The GAO report shows that the funding Congress allocated to help the Caribbean countries shore up their counternarcotics efforts is being put to use at a slow speed.  The U.S. government needs to ensure that needed new programs are set up as soon as possible and ready to receive U.S. funding.  Enabling these programs will give Caribbean nations a needed boost in fighting the drug trafficking that damages their countries and the United States.  Using the money already allocated is important in light of sequester-related security reductions in the Caribbean by the Coast Guard and other U.S. entities."
He Lists 3 Major Consequences for Sufferers

There are at least two aspects of a misdiagnosis that can cause patients harm, says Dr. Steven Hotze.

"First, it means you are not being treated for what's actually causing illness; second, a misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatments and medicines with side effects that can cause you harm," says Dr. Hotze, founder of the Hotze Health & Wellness Center, (www.hotzehwc.com), and author of "Hormones, Health, and Happiness."

"But there's a quality of life issue that's important as well. Many of my patients are women at or near middle age, and they often suffer from a multitude of symptoms including fatigue, low body temperature, brain fog, weight gain, loss of libido, hair loss and depression. Too often, they're told by their physician that 'nothing is wrong.' "

Women are more apt than men to pay attention to their bodies - and they're right for doing so, he says. A women's body includes a much more complex hormonal balancing act, with dramatic swings involved in the menstrual cycle.

Often, the women who come to him with that litany of symptoms do have a medical issue: hypothyroidism. Hotze calls it a "hidden epidemic" because it is so frequently un- or misdiagnosed.

The condition means the thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone, which affects hormone regulation. Hypothyroidism affects women seven times more frequently than men, Dr. Hotze says.

He reviews three ways in which a missed hypothyroidism diagnosis can affect a patient's life:

•  Living with unrelieved symptoms. When a person experiences the constellation of symptoms associated with hypothyroidism and is told by multiple doctors that it's  "just a normal part of aging," the future can seem bleak. Many physicians will order blood work and tell the patient she's fine because the results are "normal." However, 95 percent of people tested for hypothyroidism fall within a range considered normal. Also, keep in mind that two different labs testing identical blood samples can provide different results.

•  Prescribed unnecessary medication with undesirable side effects. Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Paxil, Effexor, Zoloft and Fluoxetine - these are just some of the antidepressants that one in four women take, according to a recent report from MedCo. One in 10 Americans, or 30 million people, are taking pills to fight depression, and 30 percent of the women aged 35 to 60 who are taking them are doing so because of misdiagnosed hypothyroidism. Antidepressants can have numerous side effects, from nausea and irritability to sexual dysfunction and homicidal or suicidal thoughts.

•  Uncomfortable, unhealthy physical changes. Untreated hypothyroidism  causes weight gain, which can further affect a person's emotional health. The weight gain comes with all the risks any excessive weight brings, from diabetes to heart disease.

"It has long been a cliché in our society that 'pills are not often the answer for our mental and physical wellbeing,' yet pharmaceutical companies continue to dominate treatment in our country," Dr. Hotze says. "Hormone replacement therapy, as long as bioidentical hormones are used, has been proven to be a healthy and effective treatment for women suffering hypothyroidism."

The distinction between synthetic and bioidentical hormones is important, he says; the latter have the same molecular structure as the hormones that are found naturally in the body, which means bioidentical hormone treatments cannot hurt patients. Counterfeit hormones - those that do not perfectly match the molecular structure of hormones in one's body - can be dangerous, he says.

"Hypothyroidism and aging share an important common denominator - diminished or faulty hormone production -- so it's easy to see how doctors can miss a diagnosis," Hotze says. "But that makes it all the more important for physicians to listen to their patients, and that takes time. Hormone replacement therapy using bioidentical hormones help patients who are suffering extreme symptoms in both cases."

About Steven F. Hotze, MD

Dr. Steven Hotze is the founder and CEO of the Hotze Health & Wellness Center in Houston, Texas. He's a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy and the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, and is the former president of the Pan American Allergy Society. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas. Dr. Hotze and his wife of 44 years have eight children and 16 grandchildren.

State Readies Personnel, Resources to Assist Local Governments

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today declared a state of emergency as state agencies prepared to provide assistance to local governments throughout the northern half of Illinois dealing with severe river and flash flooding. The state of emergency ensures that state resources are activated and that the federal government is aware that a disaster declaration is likely. It also allows the state to request resources as needed, such as personnel and equipment. State and local emergency personnel have been on the ground in hardest hit areas since early this morning.

"Heavy rainfall over the past few days has created dangerous flooding in areas across the state," Governor Quinn said. "Everyone should stay home and off the roads if possible. To ensure safety as these storms continue, people should be alert and avoid flooded areas."

For flood safety information and real-time updates please visit Ready.Illinois.gov, and for traffic updates please visit GettingAroundIllinois.com/gai.htm.

The State Incident Response Center (SIRC) is active and is coordinating the state's response to the floods:

·       Illinois Department of Central Management Services is monitoring conditions at state facilities to ensure state agencies can continue to provide critical services to the public and is prepared to procure flood-fighting supplies if needed.

·       Illinois Department of Transportation is ensuring public safety through road closures, message boards and other road-closure assistance to affected communities.

·       Illinois Department of Corrections will have 30 inmates at the Pittsfield Work Camp in Pike County assist with filling sandbags for local public safety officials.

·       Illinois Department of Public Health is providing local public health departments, hospitals and medical offices in the affected areas with information on tetanus shots.

·       Illinois State Police is assisting motorists stranded by floodwaters and working with local public safety officials on road closures.

·       Illinois National Guard is coordinating with IEMA in the event troops are needed to assist flooded communities.

·       Illinois Emergency Management Agency is coordinating the state's response and has deployed staff throughout the affected areas to assist local officials.

·       Illinois Department of Natural Resources dispatched conservation officers to Sycamore to assist with evacuation of residents in a flooded mobile home park.

·       Office of the State Fire Marshal is coordinating with fire departments throughout the state to assess any flood-related issues they're experiencing.

·       American Red Cross has opened shelters in Roanoke, Oglesby and Lisle and is continuing to assess the need for shelters and other assistance.

More information about the state's flood response and flood safety is available on the Ready Illinois website at Ready.Illinois.gov.

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