Operation Military Kids plans day of support and fun for local military families

The volunteers associated with Operation Military Kids (OMK) of the Greater Quad Cities believe military families deserve a break from the stresses of everyday life; and that's why the local OMK collaborative is hosting Exploring Egypt: Military Family Day at the Putnam Museum & IMAX.

While there is no way to repay military families for the sacrifices of service, OMK organizers are planning to give families a meaningful yet fun way to spend time with other military families.

Military Family Day at the Putnam Museum & IMAX Theater will be Saturday, Feb. 26, starting at 10:30 a.m. At a cost of just $3 per family member, military families will enjoy a private showing of "Mysteries of the Nile" at 11 a.m., followed by lunch and special hands-on sessions.

The afternoon sessions will give military families the opportunity to:

-          Prepare to reunite with returning service members

-          Engage in activities that allow families to better understand the culture of Egypt (where their loved one may be/may have served)

-          Explore the museum and its most popular exhibits

During the day, military families will also be able to learn about community resources, including tools provided by the USO of Illinois, American Red Cross, Army Community Service and others.

Who qualifies as a military family? "If you consider yourself impacted by military service, you're welcome to attend," says Diane Baker, planner of this event and youth development educator with the 4-H Military Programs.

"This event gives military families a chance to support one another," adds Baker. "And it gives the community a chance to show support too."

The Quad-City community is not alone, communities across the country plan similar events. In 2009, over 150,000 youth participated in experiences conducted by state OMK teams in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

OMK is the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support children and youth impacted by deployment. Regardless of whether families are experiencing deployment for the first time, the second time or another in a series of multiple deployments, OMK's goal is to connect military children and youth with local resources in order to achieve a sense of community support and enhance their well-being

To attend Military Family Day at the Putnam Museum & IMAX, military families need to RSVP online - www.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland.

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Washington, D.C. - February 18, 2011.

This week, the U.S. House is considering a budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2011.  The current funding proposal expires on March 4, 2011.  Analysis released today shows that the budget proposal will have a detrimental impact on law enforcement in Iowa.

Harkin's full statement on the budget proposals before Congress can be found here.

"Cutting essential law enforcement funding is not the answer," said Harkin.  "Iowa continues to face a meth problem, with the number of meth labs up 50 percent since 2007.  And, drugs and crime continue to impact our communities.  Cuts to law enforcement will make our streets less safe and our nation less secure.  

"There is no question that the time has come for tough budget decisions, but the smart way to bring down the deficit is for Congress to pursue a balanced approach of major spending cuts and necessary revenue increases."

Below are some specific cuts Iowa will face in law enforcement if the House budget is enacted.

State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance by the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

The House proposal cuts $250 million from State and local law enforcement assistance by the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs (OJP). If enacted, this will result in significant cuts to essential programs that are critical to ensuring Iowa's cities and towns are safe and drug free.  Most significantly, this would inadequately fund the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program.

One of the most important uses of this funding is for multi-jurisdictional drug task forces, which help local law enforcement reduce drug-related violent crime and gang activity in our communities.  Nationally, Byrne/JAG funding leads to over 200,000 arrests, over 50,000 weapons seized, and the breakup of over 9,000 methamphetamine labs each year.

Last year over $24 million in OJP grants came to Iowa, supporting jobs for over 90 Iowans who are directly responsible for making our state safer.  In Iowa, Byrne funded drug task forces:

•    Were responsible for over 2,400 felony arrests;
•    Dismantled 275 gangs;
•    Seized over 8,200 illegal firearms;
•    Seized nearly 20,000 kilograms of illicit drugs, like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine;

These successes show we need to continue to support this program, not cut it back.

Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities

The House proposal would cut $50 million for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. This includes funding for 14 state counter-drug plans and five regional counter-drug training centers, to include the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center (MCTC) at Camp Dodge.  Without this funding, MCTC would be forced to close its doors, and thousands of law enforcement officials would go without necessary training.  Additionally, federal funding for the Iowa Counterdrug Task Force would be cut, effectively shutting down the program.

If this cut were enacted:

•    Nearly 7,000 Iowa law enforcement officials would not receive necessary counterdrug training at MCTC.  
•    State and local law enforcement officials would not receive support such as intelligence analysis and aviation support from the Iowa Counterdrug Task force.  
•    Thirty jobs would be lost at the Iowa Counterdrug Task Force.  
•    Twenty-three jobs would be lost at MCTC.

MOLINE/QUAD CITIES RESIDENTS GETAWAY TO TAMPA BAY

MOLINE, Ill.- Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT), today inaugurates low-cost, nonstop travel service between Moline/Quad Cities, Ill., and theTampaBay, Fla., area.  The company, known for its exceptional travel deals, is celebrating the new service with fares as low as $79.99* each way between the two cities.Guaranteeing the lowest prices on its hotel packages, customers will also save an additional $20* off their air when they book with an Allegiant preferred hotel.

"We are extremely pleased to again expand the Allegiant brand of low-fare, nonstop, jet service in Moline/Quad Cities," Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President, said. "This is an exciting new addition for our airline and our customers as we launch the only low-cost service between Moline/Quad Cities and the Tampa Bay area."

"I am extremely pleased that today Allegiant is starting the much-anticipated service to the Tampa Bay area," Bruce Carter, Director of Aviation at the Quad City International Airport, said.  "With the recent successes of the Las Vegas and Phoenix-Mesa flights, and today's start of the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg service, Allegiant's presence in the Quad City market is strengthened. Our partnership continues to flourish and we hope to see growth for existing and new routes with Allegiant in the future."

The new flights operate twice weekly betweenQuad City International Airport (MLI) and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), with service Monday andFriday. Flights depart Moline/Quad Cities at 5:40 p.m.arriving in the TampaBayarea at 9:10 p.m.Flights depart the TampaBayarea at 3:20 p.m.arriving in Moline/Quad Cities at 5 p.m.(all flight times are local).  The carrier utilizes a full-size, 150-seat MD-80 jet aircraft on the route.  The company also offers nonstop service from Moline/Quad Cities to Las Vegasand Phoenix-Mesa.

With an average 361 days of sunshine each year, the St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is considered the most popular vacation destination on Florida's West Coast.  The area was named among the top beaches in the United Statesand is one of a few destinations to have received the "Blue Wave Award" from the Clean Beaches Council.  In addition to pristine beaches, visitors are within minutes of shopping, amazing golf courses and award-winning resort and dining experiences.

Allegiant is more than an airline, it is a full-service travel company that offers great value to its customers through its hotel and car rental packages.  The company partners with 20 of the TampaBayarea's most exciting hotel properties, including: GrandHyattTampaBay, BarefootBeachResort, HiltonClearwaterBeachResort, Sheraton Sand Key Resort, AldenBeachResort, DonCeSarBeachResort andSirataBeachResort & ConferenceCenter. Allegiant provides low-cost car rental service through its partnership with AlamoRent a Car.

Allegiant's guarantees the lowest price on air and hotel vacation packages through the company's Low-Price Pledge.If the customer finds an air and hotel package for less, Allegiant will issue up to two free roundtrip tickets per itinerary to use on a future Allegiant flight to the same destination.  Allegiant is also rewarding customers who book an air and hotel package through the company with an instant $20 savings on roundtrip airfare, making it even more affordable to book an air and hotel package.

Allegiant's $79.99* one-way fare is limited, not available on all flights and must be purchased by March 2, 2011,for complete travel by Aug. 16, 2011. Reservations may be made through the company's website at www.allegiant.comor by calling the company's travel experts at 702-505-8888.

About the $79.99* one-way fares:

Seats are limited. Fares are one-way and not available on all flights. Must be purchased by March 2, 2011for travel completed by Aug. 16, 2011. Prices do not include PFC, segment tax or Sept. 11th security fee of up to $10.70 per segment. A segment is one take-off and one landing. A convenience fee of $14.99 per passenger will apply when booked on allegiant.com. A convenience fee of $14.99 per passenger, plus $14.99 per segment, will apply when purchased through Allegiant call centers. Purchases made at any Allegiant Airport Ticket Office will not incur a convenience or call center fee. For ticket counter hours of operation, please visit www.allegiant.com. When purchased at the time of booking, a checked bag fee of up to $29.99 per bag will apply per person, per segment. If purchased at flight check-in, a fee of $35 per checked bag, per person, per segment will apply for the first two bags checked. Additional higher fees will apply for three or more checked bags. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply. $20 savings based on a two-night, air plus hotel purchase; valid at select Allegiant hotels. Low-Price Pledge valid on air plus hotel packages only. Competitive price cannot include Allegiant air service.  See www.allegiant.com for details.

Allegiant, travel is our deal.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT), is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix-Mesa, Orlando, Fla., and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.  Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, the company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel-related services.  In 2010, Allegiant was ranked number one for low-cost carriers in Aviation Week's Top Performing Airline study and ranked 25 on FORTUNE magazine's Fastest-Growing Companies list.  Receive breaking news from Allegiant by visiting Allegiant's Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/Allegiantor follow Allegiant on Twitter at twitter.com/allegiantair.

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