26 Nov 2012

Royal Neighbors to name $10,000 surprise Nation of Neighbors recipient during special Rock Island High School awards ceremony

By Lynnette Meincke
Description: Medellion_c_letterhead

(Rock Island, IL)– Royal Neighbors of America will make a surprise visit to Rock Island High School to present a check for $10,000 to Teresa Babers and her daughter, Jasmine. The funds from the organization's Nation of NeighborsSM Program will help Jasmine enhance the magazine, "LOVE Girls," which she publishes with her fellow students. Jasmine and her team are dedicated to empowering young women through the quarterly magazine.

Jasmine, a junior, founded the magazine last year when she decided to start a non-profit to help girls with self-esteem. In the past year, she has not only published her magazine, but also has been involved in several community service projects. LOVE stands for "lead," "overcome," "value," and "empower." The magazine features articles on topics such as careers, fashion, hair care, makeup, and community service.

Cynthia Tidwell, Royal Neighbors President/CEO, and staff from the Royal Neighbors Home Office will present the check to the Babers and the editorial team during a special awards ceremony at the school.  Rock Island School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Oberhaus and High School Principal Tim Wernentin will also be in attendance to present the school's "Whatever It Takes" award  to the young magazine entrepreneurs.

What: Surprise $10,000 check presentation

Where: Rock Island High School, 1400 25th Avenue

When: Monday, November 26, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Contact: Sarah Reemtsma, (563) 343-7770

Focusing on its history of standing strong for women, Royal Neighbors has given more than $1 million to assist 900-plus families and individuals in reaching their goals and rebuilding their lives through its Nation of Neighbors Program. The program, which was launched in 2007, demonstrates the neighbor-helping-neighbor philosophy on which Royal Neighbors was founded in 1895.

Through the 2012 program, determined women of strength and courage are empowered with financial assistance to achieve their full potential, realize a sense of renewed personal growth, and give back to their communities. Each year, Royal Neighbors members and sales agents across the country are asked to nominate individuals they know who want to change their lives for the better. A panel reviews each nomination and determines the recipients and the monetary amounts awarded.

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance companies, exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance products to fulfill financial needs of growth, savings, and protection. Members receive valuable benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization's local chapters to help make a difference in their communities. The organization's philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of NeighborsSM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with branch offices in Mesa, AZ, and Austin, TX, Royal Neighbors serves more than 200,000 members and is licensed to do business in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, call (800) 627-4762, or visit www.royalneighbors.org.

END

26 Nov 2012

IOWA FARMERS SPRING 'FREE GROCERIES FOR A YEAR' ON TWO LUCKY IOWANS

By Rick Martin

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Nov. 21, 2012 - Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, two lucky Iowans from Ottumwa and Osceola will enjoy "Free Groceries for a Year!" from the Iowa Farmers Feed US grocery sweepstakes offered by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and grocery partner, Fareway Stores, Inc.  The two winners, whose names were drawn at random from more than 93,000 Iowa consumer registrations during October, are Stacey Manternach of Ottumwa and Mark Mason of Osceola.

Stacey Manternach of Ottumwa may be a teacher, but she's also an Iowan who is always open to learning. She visited the Iowa Farmers Feed US website (www.farmersfeedus.org/ia) after learning about the opportunity to win $5,000 in free groceries. Once there, she also learned more about the people who raise the food she finds at the store.

"I was very impressed with the website and I liked being able to learn more about the families and farmers featured there," said Manternach. "I liked learning about their histories and being from Iowa, I have the upmost respect and appreciation for our farmers. I started by visiting the farmer closest to me, which was Tim Kaldenberg who raises cattle near Albia."

The website features beef cattle, corn, dairy cattle, hog and soybean farmers from across the state, each sharing information about their farm and family. The campaign also featured the farmers on Facebook and Twitter.

"My family was involved in the Iowa Farmers Feed US project because we understand that while not everyone is involved in raising food, nearly everyone is interested in seeing how animals are cared for, how crops are raised and how we protect Iowa's soil, air and water," explained Justin Dammann, who raises cattle, corn and soybeans in Page County. "The website offers that opportunity for people throughout Iowa, many of whom have never been on a farm."

Manternach agreed, "I didn't know a lot about farming before this and it was neat to learn how Iowa leads the nation in many areas." She also is thinking about how she can use the site and its information in her classroom. "I have so many students who are interested in farming and agriculture, I would like to find some classroom opportunities to use this information," she said.

Although the winners have been chosen, Iowans can still visit www.farmersfeedus.org/ia to learn about Iowa agriculture and take virtual tours of different types of family farms. Additional Iowa agriculture groups supporting this initiative include the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Midwest Dairy.

-30-

About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

20 Nov 2012

Penny Vacek's scheduled Listening Posts

By Grassley Press

Penny Vacek -- Senator Chuck Grassley's Regional Director based in Davenport -- will be holding open office hours in Cedar and Scott counties on November 26 and office hours in Louisa, Des Moines and Lee counties on November 27. These open office hours are designed for Iowans to have local access to casework assistance and an opportunity to express points of view or concerns directly to a staffer for Senator Grassley.

More Information about Penny Vacek's schedule follows here:

Monday, November 26, 2012

8:00-9:00 a.m.                Cedar County, Lowden City Hall, 501 Main Street, Lowden

10:00-11:00 a.m.            Scott County, Walcott City Hall, 128 West Lincoln Street, Walcott

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

8:30-9:30 a.m.                Louisa County, Columbus Junction City Hall, 232 2nd Street, Columbus Junction

10:30-11:30 a.m.            Des Moines County, Mediapolis Public Library, 128 North Orchard, Mediapolis

12:30-1:30 p.m.              Lee County, Fort Madison Public Library, 1920 Avenue E, Fort Madison

Grassley's offices in Iowa regularly help constituents contact federal agencies to sort through problems with Social Security payments, military service matters, immigration cases and other matters. His state offices are located in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City and Waterloo.

Here is a comment from Senator Grassley about the staff open office hours:

"Open office hours are designed to help more Iowans access the assistance that is available from the office of their United States Senator.  I hope anyone with federal agency-related casework will take advantage of Penny's visits."

For more information please contact Senator Grassley's Davenport office at 563-322-4331.

-30-
20 Nov 2012

Former Mortgage Pool Servicer Indicted on Federal Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Charges

By Val Quast
DAVENPORT, IA - On November 19, 2012, Thomas Richard Jager, age 64, of Bettendorf, Iowa, made an initial appearance in federal court on an indictment charging thirty-two counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. United States Magistrate Judge Thomas J. Shields set trial for January 7, 2013, and the case was assigned for trial to Chief United States District Judge James E. Gritzner.

The indictment alleges that starting on approximately January 1, 2008, and continuing to on or about July 31, 2010, Jager and his mortgage servicing company, Whitehall Funding, Inc., then located in Davenport, Iowa, devised and participated in a scheme to defraud in connection with his certain mortgage pools serviced by Jager and Whitehall. The indictment further alleges that Jager drafted and faxed false remittance reports to investors in the mortgage pools and submitted false end of the year reports to mortgagors. The indictment also alleges that Jager improperly transferred funds received from mortgagors to Jager's personal accounts, and in one instance used mortgagor and investor funds to make a payment of $137,660.97 to pay off Jager's own home equity loan. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of certain real and personal property.

The indictment is merely a charging instrument. Jager is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If convicted, Jager faces a penalty on each wire fraud count of up to thirty years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, or both fine and imprisonment, a period of supervised release of up to five years, a special assessment of $100, restitution to victims, and forfeiture of assets. If convicted on the money laundering count, Jager faces a penalty of up to ten years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both fine and imprisonment, a period of supervised release of not more than three years, a special assessment of $100, restitution, and forfeiture.

This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa, and is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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20 Nov 2012

Muscatine Man Sentenced to 188 Months in Prison for Marijuana Offense

By Val Quast
DAVENPORT, IA - On November 19, 2012, Jorge Luis Melendez, age 58, of Muscatine, Iowa, was sentenced to 188 months imprisonment for conspiring to distribute marijuana, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. United States District Judge John A. Jarvey also sentenced Melendez to six years supervised release.

Melendez agreed with others to distribute marijuana from January 2011 through May 2011. Melendez directed co-conspirators to transport multiple loads of marijuana from Rockford, Illinois, to Davenport, Iowa. Melendez was responsible for conspiring to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana over the course of the conspiracy.

The case was investigated by the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

###
19 Nov 2012

Around the Nation, Communities Come Together to Support Troops, Veterans, this Thanksgiving

By Move America Forward
All over the country you can read about how local communities are doing wonderful things, coming together, to support the troops around the Thanksgiving holiday. 

At the Bob Hope USO room at LAX International Airport "about 300 military troops deploying across the U.S. and around the world will celebrate an early Thanksgiving dinner. The USO Thanksgiving dinner for members of all branches of the military is sponsored by USO supporter, The Gary Sinise Foundation, which is dedicated to honoring veterans, first responders, their families and those in need."

In Virginia,the USO is supporting the families of troops. "Through donations to the Turkeys for Troops program, the United Service Organizations' USO-Metropolitan Washington will prepare Thanksgiving gift baskets for military families in need."

In Dana Point, California, an annual event called "Turkey Trot for the Troops" helps raise money with a race.

"Event organizer, the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, has earmarked proceeds to go toward supporting the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group's efforts to show our active duty 5th Marines the community's appreciation and lend support to them and their families whether in-country or deployed."

These are all great things that supporters are doing across the country to support their local troops and military families.

But remember that while it's wonderful to do something for troops returning from war, or their families, there is nothing the average citizen can do to help the 67,000 troops who are thousands of miles away, unable to be home for Thanksgiving, because they're DEPLOYED in Afghanistan.

Not to worry, there is good news! You CAN help those troops overseas, by send care packages, offered by Move America Forward.

It's the only way to send support to the troops who are in harm's way, ON TURKEY DAY!
19 Nov 2012

Muscatine men sentenced to prison for methamphetamine offenses

By Val Quast

DAVENPORT, IA - On November 16, 2012, Mark Eugene Ball, age 28, of Muscatine, Iowa, was sentenced to 105 months imprisonment for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. United States District Judge Stephanie M. Rose also sentenced Ball to 5 years supervised release.

Ball agreed with others to manufacture methamphetamine from February 2009 through February 2012. Ball distributed significant quantities of methamphetamine to multiple customers in both Illinois and Iowa over the course of the conspiracy.

The case was investigated by the Muscatine County Narcotics Task Force and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

DAVENPORT, IA - On November 16, 2012, Jorge Carrango-Valencia, age 28, of Muscatine, Iowa, was sentenced to 168 months imprisonment for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. United States District Judge Stephanie M. Rose also sentenced Carrango-Valencia to 5 years supervised release.

Carrango-Valencia agreed with others to manufacture methamphetamine from February 2009 through February 2012. Carrango-Valencia directed co-conspirators to pick up loads of methamphetamine and deliver them to the Muscatine, Iowa area. Carrango-Valencia personally distributed over 30 kilograms of methamphetamine over the course of the conspiracy.

The case was investigated by the Muscatine County Narcotics Task Force and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

###

19 Nov 2012

NAACP to Host Press Conference Following Meeting with Gov. Terry Branstad on Felony Disenfranchisement

By Jessica Neal
Who:
Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP; Kameron Middlebrooks, NAACP Midwestern Regional Director; Dedric Doolin, National Board Member; Arnold Woods, Iowa and Nebraska State Conference President; Members and Leadership from Iowa NAACP Branches
What:
President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous, leadership from the Iowa State Conference and Iowa NAACP branches, will meet with Governor Terry Branstad on Monday to discuss Iowa's felony disenfranchisement structure, as well as other key issues affecting Iowa's African American population?including, Iowa prison disparities and employment practices within the state government.
All attendees will be available to speak with members of the press after the meeting and during the press conference.
The NAACP Restore the Votes Campaign aims to restore the rights for millions of citizens formerly convicted of felonies.  Currently, more than 4.4 million citizens who are no longer incarcerated are disenfranchised
In 2011, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad reinstated felony disenfranchisement restrictions that former Governor Tom Vilsack eliminated in 2005. Since 2011, an estimated 8,000 former offenders have been released and only 12 of those citizens have been able to restore their rights.
The NAACP felony disenfranchisement campaign was launched in October following the NAACP's delegation at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.  As part of the visit, the delegation held a panel discussion on felony disenfranchisement and the attack on voting rights in states across the nation.
When:
November 19, 2012
12:00 pm
Where:
Iowa State Capitol Building
Supreme Court Consultation Room
1007 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA
All meeting attendees will be available to speak with members of the  press during the press conference.
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
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19 Nov 2012

Congress Updates Whistleblower Protections with Grassley Bill

By Grassley Press

The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 is on its way to the President's desk to be signed into law.  This legislation updates a 1989 law to protect federal employees who speak out about wrongdoing in government agencies.

Here is the text of Grassley's comments:

 

This week the Senate gave final approval to the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012.  It's on its way to the President's desk to be signed into law.

This bill strengthens the Whistleblower Protection Act to better protect federal employees who come forward to disclose government waste, fraud, abuse, and other wrongdoing.  I coauthored this bipartisan enhancement bill this year, and I coauthored the 1989 Whistleblower Protection Act that it updates.

The update is an important step forward.  Additional improvements are still needed to make sure intelligence community whistleblowers get the protection they deserve for uncovering fraud deep within the bureaucracy.

The public interest is served by whistleblowers inside the federal government who have the courage to stand up and speak out about wrongdoing, mismanagement, and waste.  One of the first whistleblowers I ever worked with from the federal government, and he was an employee of the Defense Department, said whistleblowers were guilty of "committing truth."

We need that truth in Washington.  We need the accountability that whistleblowers help to bring.  I will continue to advocate for whistleblowers in and outside of government, wherever tax dollars and the public good is at stake.
16 Nov 2012

Davenport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison as an Armed Career Criminal

By Val Quast
DAVENPORT, IA - On November 16, 2012, David James Baber, age 44, of Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to 200 months imprisonment for the crime of being a career criminal in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose also sentenced Baber to serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment and pay $100 towards the Crime Victim Fund.

Baber previously had pled guilty to the charge of being an armed career criminal in possession of a firearm. His 200-month sentence consisted of 12 months for violating conditions of his previous term of supervised release relating to a federal conviction for attempting to aid the escape of a federal prisoner, plus a consecutive 188 months for the new offense of possessing a firearm as an armed career criminal.

The new offense occurred on January 31, 2012, when Davenport, Iowa, police officers investigating a complaint that Baber had assaulted a person with a firearm, stopped Baber and found him in possession of a stolen .22 caliber revolver. Baber was classified as an armed career criminal because he had three or more prior convictions for crimes of violence.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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