To commemorate the official opening of the SECC, a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Thursday May 19th at 10:00am. The SECC/EOC is located at 1100 E 46th Street, Davenport. Parking is available in the adjoining lot or Dee Bruemmer Public Works Building lot. Brief remarks will be made by the SECC.

Director Brian Hitchcock, SECC Chair Tom Sunderbruch, Architect Michael Cox from Wold and Associates and Contractor Terrence Larson from Larson and Associates. Immediately following will be the actual ribbon cutting ceremony along with a photo opportunity with elected and public safety officials.

Chair Tom Sunderbruch said "The construction of this new building is a symbol of the collaboration of our local governments. We are proud to provide quality dispatch services and improved public safety to our community"

The Scott Emergency Communication Center (SECC) was formed in December, 2007 when Scott County, City of Davenport, City of Bettendorf, MEDIC EMS, and the Emergency Management Agency entered into an intergovernmental agreement (aka 28E Agreement) for the purpose of providing public safety dispatch and communication services. The Public Safety Dispatchers were consolidated in July, 2010. This ribbon cutting ceremony marks the relocation of all county wide dispatch services along with the opening of the building.

Additional questions can be directed to the SECC at 563-484-3000 or secc@scottcountyiowa.com

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Tour the blossoming gardens and lush terrain during the specialty tour? Brucemore in Bloom, Tuesday, June 7 and Thursday, June 9 at 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, June 11 at 9:30 a.m. During the 90-minute tour, the Brucemore garden staff will trace the development of the gardens from the original plan conceived by prominent landscape architect O.C. Simonds to the integration of function, recreation, and entertainment in Mrs. Douglas' vision for the country estate in the 1930s. View current plants and landscape techniques that continue to help preserve the historically accurate prairie style design by Simonds.

Admission is $10 per person and $7 per Brucemore member. Space is limited. Advance ticket purchase required. Call (319) 362-7375 or visit the Brucemore Store to purchase tickets.

Brucemore, Iowa's only National Trust Historic Site, is located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The grounds are open and free to the public from dawn until dusk.

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Washington, DC - May 11, 2011 - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced the three winners of the 2011 annual Congressional Art Competition, "An Artistic Discovery".

Krista Stork, a junior from Dubuque Hempstead High School, won first place for herpiece "Why Poverty". Lisa Davis, a senior from Dubuque Wahlert Catholic High School, received second place for her piece "Individuality is the Movement". And Brock Cavett, a junior from Davenport North High School for his piece "The Hardest Thing in Life ".

"Each year, talented students from across Iowa submit great artwork to the Congressional Art Competition - and this year was no different," said Rep. Braley. "I'm proud to announce the winners of this year's competition and I extend my congratulations to the eight semi-finalists."

This year, Rep. Braley's office accepted submissions online and allowed constituents to vote for their favorite artwork. More than 1,500 people voted online. The full list of winners and semi-finalists, as well as the online gallery of submissions, is posted on Rep. Braley's website at: http://go.usa.gov/jrA

The winner of this year's competition will receive two roundtrip plane tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Capitol. The Congressional Art Competition, initiated by Congress in 1982, is a nation-wide high school arts competition sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. One piece from each Congressional district is displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. for a year.

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Homecoming Ceremony Set for May 14 for Units in Milan, Galesburg and Macomb

MILAN , IL (05/11/2011)(readMedia)-- Approximately 440 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers who served in Sinai, Egypt assisting with the 1979 Egypt and Israel peace treaty agreement, will return to Illinois this weekend. A homecoming ceremony for units with 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment in Milan will take place at 10:00 a.m. May 14 at armories in Milan, Galesburg and Macomb.

The Soldiers mobilized in May 2010 as part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO). The international peacekeeping force oversees the terms of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. For three decades the MFO has carried out its mission and has proven successful. The desire of peace on the part of both Israel and Egypt, combined with the effectiveness of the MFO, has resulted in a durable and lasting state of peace between the two nations.

"Our Soldiers did an outstanding job accomplishing their mission," said Lt. Col. Maurice Rochelle of Flossmoor, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery commander. "There were no major accidents, incidents or casualties during our deployment and we succeeded in every facet of our mission. I am proud of the work these Soldiers have done representing Illinois and their families should be proud of them as well."

The Milan-based 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment includes the Forward Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Milan; Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Milan; Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Milan; Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Macomb and Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Galesburg.

This is the first time the battalion has deployed as a single unit. While the mobilization included units from northwest Illinois, Soldiers are from all areas of Illinois.