A newly released study by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has attracted media attention for its estimate of cat-caused wildlife mortality. In particular, birds and mammals are among the two hardest hit groups. The median estimate of deaths for birds and mammals combined each year in the United States as a result of outdoor cat predation is 14.7 billion individuals. This new estimate settles any argument as to whether or not outdoor cats impact native wildlife and demands from the public a serious look at how we can protect biodiversity from this introduced predator.

Please consider writing in support of responsibly managing outdoor cats, and urge cat owners to keep their cats indoors.

Key Points:

- Outdoor cats kill 1.4-3.7 billion birds and 6.9-20.7 billion mammals annually in the United States

- Outdoor cats have been implicated in the extinction of 33 species

- Outdoor cats are the #1 source of direct, human-caused bird mortality in the United States

- Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programs have been shown to be ineffective in reducing outdoor cat populations and do nothing to reduce predation pressure on local wildlife

- Feral and free-ranging cats pose a health risk to humans and wildlife for their ability to transmit rabies, toxoplasmosis, and other diseases

- Outdoor cats live traumatic and dangerous lives that average 3-5 times less than those of indoor cats; risks include being struck by cars, eaten by predators, and disease.

Solutions:

The only sure way to protect wildlife, cats, and people is for domestic cats to be permanently removed from the environment. TNR is a failed strategy being implemented across the United States without any consideration for environmental, human health, or animal welfare impacts and can no longer be tolerated. Local governments need to act swiftly and decisively to gather the 30-80 million un-owned cats, aggressively seek adoptions, and euthanize those cats that are not adoptable. Furthermore, pet cats should be spayed/neutered and kept indoors. For their own safety, owned cats need to be licensed and microchipped. Only through proper identification can lost cats be consistently returned to their homes, and no owners need worry about accidental adoption or euthanasia of their beloved companion. It is also time to treat cat owners like we treat dog owners by enforcing anti-abandonment laws and requiring leashes or enclosures for cats outdoors. Lastly, society needs to recognize that excellent pets in need of good homes may be found at local animal shelters and rescue organizations.

American Bird Conservancy Press Release:

http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/130129.html
Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

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NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 11-1398

IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF DIANA L. KIMBRO and STEVEN C. KIMBRO Upon the Petition of DIANA L. KIMBRO

No. 12-0694

IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD vs. GEORGE QUALLEY IV and THOMAS KARL BLEYHL

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he has once again become an original cosponsor of a bipartisan balanced budget amendment.  The bipartisan legislation, H.J.Res. 24 authored by Rep. Jason Amash (R-MI-03), is similar to the measure Loebsack was among the first Democrats in the House to cosponsor last Congress.

"In a time when our economy continues to struggle and we face an unsustainable debt, it is more important than ever that we work toward reducing the deficit over the long run, while simultaneously working to rebuild our economy," said Loebsack.  "I've long said that I'm willing to consider any serious, good faith proposal to reduce the deficit and get our economy back on track. That is why I have supported this bipartisan proposal in the past and am happy to back it once again because it puts less pressure on initiatives like unemployment and food stamps during an economic downturn when lower income and middle class folks need it the most."

H.J.Res. 24 would balance the budget over the business cycle instead of every year in order to allow both spending and revenue policies to be more stable and predictable. It would balance yearly spending to the average annual revenues of the three years prior and allows additional spending for emergencies with two-thirds support from both Chambers of Congress. H.J.Res. 24 would balance the budget within ten years by phasing down the allowable deficit each year in a stable, predicable way that allows current needs to be met during the economic downturn.

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CHICAGO - February 7, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today signed House Bill 190. The governor called for passage of this legislation in yesterday's State of the State address, and has pushed to restore funding to the Department of Children and Family Services for months. Sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge), the bill passed the General Assembly earlier today.

"I applaud the General Assembly for taking action to pass and send a bill to my desk that will put people to work and protect the most vulnerable among us," Governor Quinn said.

"This important measure will allow us to begin construction projects this spring, putting Illinois workers back on the job repairing bridges and improving roads. The bill is part of my agenda to strengthen our economy while rebuilding transportation networks across the state.

"As a result of today's action, hard-working employees at the Department of Children and Family Services will continue their critical work of protecting vulnerable children who have been abused and neglected.

"Thank you Speaker Madigan and Senator Kotowski for your work to pass this important bill."

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Theater Throwbacks
Feb. 14: 6 p.m., 8:45 p.m.
Feb. 17: 4:15 p.m.


Friday
1:40 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Saturday
12:30 p.m., 2:50 p.m.

Sunday
1:20 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
12:30 p.m., 2:50 p.m.

Thursday
1:40 p.m., 4:00 p.m. 




Friday
2:50 p.m.

Saturday
1:40 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Sunday
12:10 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
1:40 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Thursday
12:30 p.m., 2:50 p.m.

ROCKFORD, IL (02/07/2013)(readMedia)-- Jesse Cole a resident of Erie, IL, was named to the Dean's List at Rockford College.

Students attending Rockford College were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2012 semester who earned at least a 3.5 GPA with no grades below "C."

Rockford College's Fall 2012 Dean's List includes those students who meet all requirements at the time the list is compiled. Students who have incomplete coursework as of the date the list is compiled are not be included in the current List. This list should not be considered an official confirmation of award. Official confirmation will be recorded on students' transcripts.

Rockford College is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The College offers approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations, including the adult accelerated degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Arts in Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Rockford College is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and one of only 81 colleges in the nation as a "College with a Conscience," Rockford College currently serves approximately 1,250 full-and part-time students.

Rockford College announced on October 2, 2012 that it will officially change to Rockford University effective July 1, 2013. For more information on the College's transition, visit: http://www.rockford.edu/?UniversityStatus.

CHICAGO - February 7, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement on the passage of House Bill 190. The governor called for passage of this legislation in yesterday's State of the State address, and has pushed to restore funding to Department of Children and Family Services for months. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk.

"I applaud Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and all the members of the General Assembly who today voted to put people to work, and protect the most vulnerable among us. They did the right thing.

"This legislation will allow us to begin construction projects this spring which will put Illinois workers back on the job. As part of our Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, these women and men will be busy repairing bridges, improving roads and strengthening our infrastructure across the state.

"In addition, this bill will enable the Department of Children and Family Services to continue its critical mission of protecting vulnerable children who have been abused and neglected.

"I look forward to signing this legislation."

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The Rock Island County Medical Society Alliance invites you to our

7th Annual "Martini's & Manicures" fundraiser

Friday, March 1, 2013?4 pm to 8 pm
Shangri-la Salon & Day Spa
1570 36th Avenue
Moline, Illinois

Ticket: $20 (includes one drink/wine & international hors d'oeuvres)

These services available by cash or check at the spa:

Mini Manicure (file & polish) $8
Mini pedicure (file & polish) $16
Massage (7 minutes) $7
Brow waxing $8
Paraffin Wax $6
Dry Hair Cut/style $16

Proceeds will benefit:
Winnie's Place
Child Abuse Council of the Quad Cities
Children's Therapy Center of the Quac Cities

Your check is your reservation
Reservations preferred by February 22nd
Checks payable to RICMSA

Mail your check to:
Susan Kruse, 2629 Wood Lane, Davenport, IA 52803
Questions? Call Susan at 563/355-1948

If unable to attend, donations are appreciated

Additional event parking available across the street at Grace Bible Fellowship Church

Name __________________________________________________________________________

# Attending ___________      Phone # __________________________________________

Preferred time

4-5         5-6           6-7          7-8

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Committee of the Whole - 8:00 am
Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

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

Facilities & Economic Development

2. Approval of 28E Agreement between Scott County, Iowa and Clinton County, Iowa,
for roadside management services for Scott County. (Item 2)

3. Approval of the second and final reading of ordinance to rezone a 4.72 acre parcel
located in part of the SE¼SE¼ and the SW¼SE¼ of Section 7 and part of the NW¼
NE¼ and the NE¼NE¼ of Section 18 all in Pleasant Valley Township from
conditional Commercial and Light Industrial (C-2), with a landscaping only use
condition, to Commercial and Light Industrial (C-2), without any use restriction. (Item
3)

4. Approval of the disbursement of the net proceeds from the sale of the Mississippi
Valley Welcome Center property. (Item 4)

5. Approval of the purchase of furniture and installation services from Allsteel, Inc. and
Paragon Commercial Interiors. (Item 5)

Human Resources

6. Approval of personnel actions. (Item 6)

Finance & Intergovernmental

7. Approval of General Policy 13 Tax Compliance Procedures Relating to Tax Exempt
Bonds. (Item 7)

8. Approval of amendment to wireless network for County General Store relocation.
(Item 8)

9. Approval of boards and commission appointments. (Item 9)

10. Approval of Fairyland and Davenport Country Club beer/liquor licenses.

11. FY14 Capital Budget and FY15-18 Program Review.

12. Other items of interest

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Regular Board Meeting - 5:30 pm
Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

Public Hearing

1. Amendment to the County's current FY13 Budget.

2. FY14 Budget.
IRVING, Tex., (February 4, 2013) - Sue Justin, of Your Name Here Specialties, Davenport,
Iowa, earned the certification of CAS administered by Promotional Products Association
International (PPAI; ppai.org), not-for-profit association for more than 10,000 members of the
$16.5 billion promotional products industry.

The Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS), is one of the promotional products industry's premier
professional designations. Individuals with a CAS PPAI certification are seen as industry
leaders?those who have attained a higher standard of professional competence, knowledge
and experience. PPAI industry certification is acquired through a combination of: required
certification classes, demonstrated years of employment in the industry, education, industry
contributions and a successful demonstration of expertise. Certification is maintained through
continuing education to ensure current knowledge and leading-edge professional skills.

The Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS) certification requires 75 hours from a structured
industry approved curriculum, three years of experience in the promotional products industry
and a passing score on the CAS certification exam. The rigorous curriculum required includes
an overview of the promotional products industry, promotional programs, best practices/
supplier-distributor relations, advertising and marketing overview, product safety basics and
business ethics.

PPAI certification demonstrates a commitment to both business excellence and continual
professional growth. A relatively small percentage of professionals hold these certifications and
are known as the industry's innovators and leaders. PPAI certification has been recognized as a
reliable indicator of professionalism and excellence in the promotional products industry.

About PPAI
Since 1903, Promotional Products Association International, a not-for-profit, has been the
standard setting international trade association for the promotional products industry. PPAI
offers education, tradeshows, business products and services, mentoring, technology and
legislative support to its members. Today, PPAI serves more than 10,000 global member
companies who lead the $16.5 billion dollar industry. The multi-billion-dollar industry includes
wearables, writing instruments, calendars, drinkware and many other items, usually imprinted
with a company's name, logo or message. PPAI created and maintains the UPIC (Universal
Promotional Identification Code), the industry's only free identification system and universal
company database. For information regarding PPAI or to learn more about the proven power
of promotional products (including research and case studies), visit the PPAI website at
www.ppai.org.

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