30 Jan 2012

Iowa Supreme Court Requests for Further Review

By Iowa Judicial Branch

The Iowa Supreme Court recently issued orders granting or denying applications for further review in 32 cases.

DENIED:

NUMBER	COUNTY	CASE NAME

09-1460	Muscatine	State v. Enriquez
10-0286	Polk	State v. Stephen
10-0304	Polk	State v. Winfrey
10-0586	Pottawattamie	Sempek v. State
10-1161	Iowa	State v. Dayton
10-1254	Black Hawk	State v. Williams
10-1466	Jones	Am. Testing & Training, Inc. v. Div. of Labor Servs.
10-1511	Benton	State v. Parker
10-1583	Polk	State v. Singh
10-1608	Marshall	Greene v. Heithoff
10-1642	Polk	State v. Little
10-1665	Black Hawk	State v. Winters
10-1828	Polk	Ravenwood, LLC v. Koethe
10-1848	Polk	State v. Burton
10-1952	Clay	State v. Roberts
10-1960	Black Hawk	Matlock v. State
10-2046	Linn	State v. Fox
10-2056	Woodbury	Rains v. Grieve/RBC Capital Market Corp. v. Grieve
11-0009	Black Hawk	State v. Sanford
11-0047	Wright	Leliefeld v. Liberty Mut. Ins.
11-0121	Polk	Titan Tire Corp. v. Labor Comm'r
11-0191	Allamakee	Lange v. Diercks
11-0254	Pottawattamie	Freeman v. Presley
11-0276	Polk	Am. Tower, L.P. v. Local TV Iowa, LLC
11-0379	Polk	Hicok v. EAB
11-0515	Boone	In re Marriage of Diersen
11-1726	Wapello	In re K.H.

GRANTED:

NUMBER	COUNTY	CASE NAME

09-0146	Marshall	State v. Jones
10-0511	Johnson	State v. Clark
10-1278	Boone	Flynn Builders, L.C. v. Lande
10-1911	Polk	Ennenga v. State
11-0095	Cass	ACLU v. Records Custodian

Further Review Results

January 11, 2012

December 19, 2011

November 29, 2011

October 19, 2011

September 14, 2011

August 23, 2011

July 22, 2011

30 Jan 2012

King Center opens the Ida Robinson Banquet room

By Martin Luther King Jr. Center, Inc.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center is pleased to announce the opening of the Ida Robinson Banquet Room honoring 40 years of dedicated service from Mrs. Robinson to the King Center and the City of Rock Island. Ida Robinson will leave the King Center for the final time as a full time employee on Tuesday January 31. Ida has been essential in establishing the King Center as a trusted resource due to her diligence, dedication, honesty, and integrity. Ida earned a reputation as a community legend by surpassing any duties in her job description in pursuing her desire to enrich our community. She leaves behind a legacy honored with a brand new plaque dedicating the room.

This beautiful new banquet and conference center, created with the King Center's renovation and expansion in 2011, is available for rent. The 3,700 square foot room is ideal for weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, corporate meetings, fundraisers, or other celebrations.

The room has natural lighting and a neutral color palate, making it easy-to-adapt for any occasion. The room can be divided in half creating two separate event areas or kept open to accommodate 450 people using theatre style seating or 200 people using round tables that seat 8 people each.

A full-service kitchen with commercial stove, warmers, freezer, and refrigerator

is also available. The King Center welcomes clients to provide their food as well as its preparation in our kitchen. They are also able to help select a caterer from a list of preferred partners provided upon request or clients can select their own.

Alcohol service is allowed with proper licensure, insurance, and notifications. A list of approved caterers of alcohol can be provided by the King Center

The King Center offers the following rental rates commiserate with the quality of the new facility yet still highly comparable to similar Quad City facilities:

• $ 250 per 3 hours to groups (3 hour minimum); $100 per each additional hour.

• $ 200 per 3 hours to nonprofit organizations with proof of valid and current 501 c(3) status; $75 per each additional hour.

• An additional and separate $100 required as a refundable cleaning and security deposit.

• Usage of the kitchen is an additional flat rate of $50.

The Ida Robinson Banquet Room is available Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 9:00 pm and Friday - Sunday 8:00 am - 12:00 am.

Please call the King Center at 732-2999 to make your reservations or for more information

26 Jan 2012

DAVENPORT MAN SENTENCED FOR MAINTAINING A DRUG HOUSE

By Kevin E. VanderSchel

DAVENPORT, IA - On January 26, 2012, Roger Dengler, age 55, of Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment for maintaining a drug house announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Chief United States District Judge James E. Gritzner also sentenced Dengler to two years supervised release following imprisonment and to pay $100 to the Crime Victims Fund. On March 7, 2011, Dengler pled guilty to maintaining a drug house.

During the summer of 2006, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Quad Cities Metropolitan Enforcement Group conducted an investigation into the distribution of marijuana and cocaine in the Davenport area after seizing 80 pounds of marijuana from a hotel room.

During the course of the investigation, police learned that Dengler, a 36 year employee of the United States Postal Office, allowed various members of the conspiracy access to his home to store cocaine and marijuana. Marijuana was transported from Denver, Colorado to Dengler's home concealed in tires. Once it arrived in Davenport, Dengler, and others, would break down the tires, retrieve the marijuana, weigh and repackage it, then distribute it to various customers in the Davenport area. Cocaine was also transported from Denver to Davenport and stored in Dengler's home. In exchange for the use of his home, Dengler received cocaine and marijuana.

During the course of the conspiracy, Dengler stored at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana in his home.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Quad Cities Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's
Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

26 Jan 2012

AARP Statement on today's HF561 Senate Subcommiittee Hearing

By Ann Black, AARP

Des Moines, January 26, 2012 -- AARP today urged the Iowa Senate Commerce subcommiteee chaired by Senator Matt McCoy (D-Des Moines) to listen to and act on behalf of the interests of Iowa ratepayers rather than the powerful utility company lobby as they consider changing Iowa law to allow advance ratemaking for new nuclear power as proposed in HF 561.

The question for AARP is not whether or not Iowa should consider building a nuclear power plant, the question is whether we should change the way Iowa builds and pays for multi-billion dollar utility projects and who bears the cancellation risk for these ventures.

There has been a lot of discussion about this amendment and how it supposedly protects consumers. It needs to be stated clearly and publicly that neither AARP nor any other opposing consumer or business group concerned about this legislation has had part in crafting this amendment. If this is bill passes, then Iowa ratepayers are in serious trouble.

A recent Iowa Utilities Board staff memo analysis of amended HF 561 confirms AARP's concerns that this version not only fails to protect consumer interests, the proposed changes it makes to Iowa law would actually create incentives for utilities to behave in a manner contrary to the public interest.

For example, the IUB staff memo says that HF 561 "would shift nearly all of the construction, licensing and permitting risk associated with one or more nuclear plants from the company to its customers." The legislation does this by pre-approving spending and guaranteeing utilities can recover pre-approved prudent costs, "including a profit on capital investments." (Page 3, section 3)

AARP is concerned about keeping utility rates affordable and accessible, especially for for aging Iowans on fixed incomes. November 2011 data shows that despite the fact that Iowa had a relatively mild winter, near record numbers of Iowans were still behind on their utility bills.

AARP opposes the language of the HF 561, which the IUB staff memo confirms significantly shifts risks from utility companies and their shareholders to ratepayers. We've heard the comment, "what's a dollar or two dollars more a month to meet Iowa's future demands."

First, no one knows if the cost will be a dollar or two more or $20 or more a month. Plus, Iowa's future demands haven't been defined for the legislature yet. A report from the $15 million-taxpayer-funded project approved two years ago for MidAmerican to study Iowa's energy needs hasn't been released yet. These are the unknowns. Legislators need to consider what we know about this issue.

Iowans, especially those on fixed incomes are already struggling with already utility costs;
Iowans care about this issue - more than 1,000 have called the Iowa Senate since the opening of the session to oppose this legislation;
A majority of Iowans 50 and over - 72 percent according to a spring 2011 AARP poll by Selzer & Co. - are opposed to this legislation;
And, nearly 6 in 10 of those surveyed indicated they would be less likely to vote for a candidate for state office who supports this legislation.

HF561 is a game changer and an expensive raw deal for ratepayers. We urge you to stand with Iowa ratepayers and oppose this bad deal for all consumers - residential, commercial and industrial.

--Anthony Carroll, AARP Iowa Associate State Director for Advocacy

Ann Black

AARP Iowa Associate State Director for Communications

600 E. Court Ave.

Des Moines, IA 50309

515-697-1003/515-707-1287 (cell)

ablack@aarp.org

26 Jan 2012

Illinois National Guard Soldiers Fight, Gain Confidence

By Illinois National Guard PAO

Nation's Premier Combatives Training Prepares Soldiers for the Unexpected in Combat

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/26/2012)(readMedia)-- A group of spectators gathered staring intently, clenching their teeth, pumping their fists in the air, and yelling as they encircle two warriors standing toe to toe; knowing that it will soon be their turn to step inside the circle. Those gathered were cheering for their fellow Soldier to take down his/her attacker by successfully completing a clench and ending the barrage of punches.

A total of 22 Soldiers from Iowa and Illinois National Guard units came to the Illinois Military Academy (IMA) at Camp Lincoln in Springfield Jan. 23 to 27 to receive instruction in one of the premier combatives locations in the country. The goal is to become level one certified within the Modern Army Combatives Program.

"We were the first National Guard site to hold a level-three combatives program class outside of United States Army Combatives School (USACS) at Fort Benning, Ga.," said Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Luca of Carrollton with 935th Aviation Support Battalion in Chicago, working for the Modern Army Combatives Program. "No other National Guard unit has ever done that. I know not too many Regional Training Institutes have a combatives program."

The Illinois Army National Guard Modern Army Combatives Program is conducted at the IMA and can provide housing, food, and combatives training at one site. In addition to the first-class facilities, the instructors, which include Staff Sgt. Steven Owen of Moline, Staff Sgt. Nick Grant of Caseyville, Sgt. First Class Robert Fehrholz of Springfield, Staff Sgt. Jae Russell of Springfield, Staff Sgt. Josh Lipa of Mount Zion, Sgt. Bernard Dickneite of Mount Vernon and Luca. Many of these Soldiers are award winning and have won several combatives tournaments themselves.

The Modern Army Combatives Program is in response to the ever-changing environment that Soldiers have found themselves in while in combat.

"We have found through reports that Soldiers go into a room and if their weapon misfires they don't know what to do," said Luca. "Or sometimes they are doing detainee operations and the detainee tries to go after them and they are not real sure what to do."

Life on the battlefield changes, which means techniques used by our military must adapt.

"The old hand-to-hand that we used to learn is not conducive to what is going on in the battlefield," said Fehrholz, a recruiter in the Recruiting and Retention Command and combatives instructor. "We are trying to teach them how to keep someone controlled, detain them, and get a dominant body position on them so they can hold them until backup shows up."

This has become such an important initiative that the Army has made learning it mandatory.

"The Army demands that there will be a level-one certified Soldier in each platoon, one level- two certified Soldier in each company, one level-three certified s Soldier in each battalion, and one level-four certified Soldier in each brigade," said Luca. "It's a pyramid training structure that guarantees that Soldiers are getting trained on combatives."

With that structure in place the Army can validate that collective learning is taking place. This training ensures that each Soldier can handle themselves in the midst of combat; ultimately instilling confidence.

"One of the things this combatives program does is instill confidence in Soldier; especially those who have never been punched or done ground grappling," said Luca. "They have a sense of confidence when they come into those situations. They know that, in the instance where this might happen, they have these skills to rely on and are not just fighting blind."

"It did give me confidence," said Spc. Katie A. Kastel of Bourbonnais with Company E, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Joliet. "I had all these big instructors telling me even though I was little that I did a really good job. It makes me want to go back to my unit and teach others what I learned. I encourage other smaller people out there not to be afraid. I think it's something every Soldier needs to know."

Story by Sgt. Jesse Houk, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

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26 Jan 2012

Local students named to Augustana College fall term Dean's List

By readMedia Newswire

ROCK ISLAND, IL (01/26/2012)(readMedia)-- Nearly 900 students have been named to the Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2011 fall term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

From your area, students who have earned this honor include :

Christopher Atha from Bettendorf, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Katelyn Benge from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Allie Bierhaus from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Elementary Education/Spanish.

Tyler Cowherd from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Elizabeth Kuster from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Creative Writing.

Muna Omar from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Biology.

Anthony TouVelle from Bettendorf, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Anna Tunnicliff from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Junior majoring in History.

Peter Wessels from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Senior majoring in Business Administration-Finance/Accounting.

Moselle Singh from Le Claire, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Anthropology.

Thomas Harris from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Biology.

Gaetano Iaccarino from Davenport, Iowa, a Senior majoring in Music General/Anthropology.

Kelsey Lovaas from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Business Administration-Advising/Accounting.

James Wiebler from Davenport, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Biology.

Anthony Ash from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Accounting/Business Administration-Finance.

Alannah Golden from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Elementary Education.

Benjamin Knapper from Davenport, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Richard Rector from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Anna Rusch from Davenport, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Business Administration-Advising.

Ingrid Schneider from Davenport, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Alexander Wenskunas from Davenport, Iowa, a Senior majoring in Political Science.

Adam Bengfort from Davenport, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Zain Dada from Davenport, Iowa, a Senior majoring in Biology/French.

Kylie Koger from Davenport, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Classics.

Manisha Kumar from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Pre-Medicine/Biology.

Jacob O'Rourke from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Accounting/Economics/Business Administration-Finance.

Shelby Womack from Davenport, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine.

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Pre-Teaching English.

Leo Anderson from Rock Island, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Business Administration-Advising.

Jessica Bacon from Rock Island, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Angela Bahls from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Commmunication Sciences and Disorders/Psychology.

Nicholas Cummins from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Biology.

Tonnie Farwell from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Accounting.

Clare Kilbride from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Anna Letendre from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Business Administration-Marketing/Psychology.

Nathaniel McDowell from Rock Island, Ill., a Senior majoring in English/Philosophy/Classics.

Amie Rogers from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Art.

Rosalie Starenko from Rock Island, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Erica Aten from Coal Valley, Ill., a Senior majoring in Psychology.

Elaine Guthrie from Coal Valley, Ill., a Senior majoring in Biology.

Crystina Mayfield from Coal Valley, Ill., a Senior majoring in French/Africana Studies/Classics.

Andrew Shearouse from Coal Valley, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Brandy Blakeney from East Moline, Ill., a Junior majoring in Mathematics/Scandinavian.

Michael Kautz from East Moline, Ill., a Junior majoring in Accounting/Business Administration-Finance.

Eryn Maccabee from East Moline, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in English.

Leart Neziroski from East Moline, Ill., a Junior majoring in Pre-Medicine/Biology.

Lindsey Sikorski from East Moline, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Astrid Tello-Rodriguez from Milan, Ill., a Junior majoring in Psychology.

Micaela Terronez from East Moline, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Kelsey Winter from East Moline, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Biology.

Samantha McGreer from Illinois City, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Samantha Ott from Milan, Ill., a Senior majoring in Sociology-Social Welfare.

Laurel Williams from Milan, Ill., a Senior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders/English.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine/Psychology.

Kayla Ferguson from Orion, Ill., a Junior majoring in Creative Writing.

Alyssa Zwicker from Orion, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Psychology.

Courtney Brown from Port Byron, Ill., a Senior majoring in Biology.

Douglas Peters from Port Byron, Ill., a Junior majoring in Neuroscience.

Tyler Richards from Port Byron, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Business Administration-Advising.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Spanish.

Jacob McManus from Reynolds, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Alexandra Jones from Sherrard, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Biology.

Lauren Reid from Sherrard, Ill., a Senior majoring in Business Administration-Marketing/Communication Studies.

Chelsea Vickerman from Silvis, Ill., a Junior majoring in Business Administration-Advising.

Rebecca Anderson from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a Senior majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine.

Jessica Scheckel from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a Junior majoring in Biology/Psychology.

Nathan Woeber from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Jennifer Youngs from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a Senior majoring in Psychology/Political Science.

Sarah Riedel from Long Grove, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers nearly 90 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 287 faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of approximately 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.

26 Jan 2012

FOREST CITY MOVING EQUIPMENT BUSINESS EARNS IOWA FARM BUREAU'S RENEW RURAL IOWA ENTREPRENEUR OF MONTH AWARD

By Rick Martin

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Jan. 26, 2012 - Whether it's moving massive structures such as wind turbine equipment, hauling out water vessels in Alaska or engineering a unique system to plant trees at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, HMR Supplies prides itself on solving literally the nation's biggest moving and transportation challenges. The Forest City company's commitment to innovation has helped it earn the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Month award.

HMR Supplies is an original equipment manufacturer that provides products for the heavy transport industry, including structural movers, large construction equipment moving or transportation of oil field, cement, marine and wind industry products.

The company started when founder Ron Holland of Forest City needed to raise his home to put in a basement. Holland ended up buying the house-moving business he used in 1977 and from there, began manufacturing Holland Dollies for resale. In 1999, Ron's son, Chris, brought new skills to the company that he learned while studying electrical engineering at Iowa State University. Chris and his wife, Natalie Hammer, helped turn the small manufacturing company into a global industry powerhouse, which still operates out of Forest City.

In addition to creating innovative products that move large loads, the company is hiring. Natalie said the company currently employs 18 people and hopes to grow to 50 in the next five years. "We're helping bring people back to Iowa to work and raise their families," said Natalie. "It's part of the rural brain gain."

Winnebago County Farm Bureau member Randi Benson said companies like HRM are vital to the rural area. "Without agriculture and businesses like this, there wouldn't be a Main Street in Forest City," said Benson. "It keeps the community going."

Renew Rural Iowa (RRI) is an IFBF initiative supporting new and existing businesses through education, mentoring and financial resources. The next Renew Rural Iowa Business Success Seminar takes place February 15th at the Muse-Norris Conference Center in Mason City. For more information, go to www.renewruraliowa.com.

-30-

26 Jan 2012

his Week in Downtown Davenport: 1/26 - 2/1

By Downtown Davenport Partnership

Downtown Davenport is loaded with events this week, but first, we'd like to open with some big news. Restoration St. Louis has begun its $4.5M renovation of the historic Renwick Building! Eighteen beautiful market-rate apartments and new commercial space are on the way, and we couldn't be more excited.

The good news doesn't end there, because Downtown Central Perk just celebrated its grand opening in the historic Bayer Building at 226 West 3rd Street! The coffe shop features vegetarian and vegan entrees, as well as direct trade coffees and more.

The coffee shop is a major component of the Bayer Building's ongoing restoration, that once completed, will also boast a restored façade and additional market-rate apartments. Check out our photo album and this QC-Times article, too.

If you're planning a wedding, don't miss the Jaycees Bridal Expo at the RiverCenter this weekend! Next door, the Tribute National Talent Contest will be in full swing at the Adler Theatre.

Celebrate our local artistic and musical talent during the Augustana Sights & Sounds Final Friday event at Bucktown! This unique photography exhibit will make for a special night, and if you're still not familiar with Final Friday, check out this video made by our friends at Star Dog Gallery.

River Roots Live veterans, The Giving Tree Band, are headlining a gig at River Music Experience! Local favorite Tim Stop will also be performing at RME, and fans of electro-funk should grab tickets now to see Eliot Lipp on Wednesday. There are a whopping eight FREE events this week at RME! Bring the family down to give the Community Drum Circle a try, too.

You've probably heard of Carnival in Rio and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but are you familiar with Fasching and Karneval? Learn all about these fascinating events at the German American Heritage Center, and mark your calendar to catch their next showing of The White Rose film, as well.

Support our youth by attending the Young Artist Exhibit opening at the Figge, and if you're in the mood for a sporting event, attend a hockey game at River's Edge. Last, but not least, don't forget that you can still shop for groceries at the Freight House Farmers Market all winter long indoors.

See you downtown!

This Week's Events: January 26 - February 1

Thursday, January 26

$2,800 Bank It Blackjack Tournament

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: Registration 5 p.m. Tournament 6 p.m.

Price: $20 entry fee

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