A new department for Rock Island County will be moving into a former automotive repair shop. The newly created Fleet Management Department will be based in the building that housed the Ace Muffler Clinic for 55 years, a news release said. Ace Muffler closed in July of 2023. The county purchased the building for $550,000 in July of 2024, according to the Rock Island County assessor's website . Located at 1429 Fourth Ave., the building sits at the foot of the Centennial Bridge and across the street from the Rock Island County office building. The Fleet Service Center will provide maintenance oversight and routine service of the county's 175 vehicles from numerous offices and departments. Routine maintenance will include oil changes, tire rotation and replacement, alignment and brakes. People are also reading... "Centralized fleet management will ensure that county vehicles are routinely maintained, providing for efficiencies and longevity of the fleet," County Administrator Jim Grafton said. A fleet manager has been hired and additional personnel is expected to be hired in the next few weeks, the release said. Vehicle service is planned to start in January. The former Ace Muffler Clinic in Rock Island will house the Rock Island County Fleet Management Department. Hutchinson Engineering was hired to assist in establishing the new department. Hutchinson has consulted with other local governments, such as Scott County and the city of East Moline, to establish their own fleet management programs. "As we continuously seek ways to improve, Rock Island County is embracing a recognized best practice for local governments — consolidated fleet management," County Board Chairman Richard "Quijas" Brunk said. Drivers have been warned that they could risk serious engine damage if they fail to check their antifreeze levels during winter. Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms unveils the plaque signifying the rededication of Rock Island City Hall on Monday after the completion of a $2.25 million renovation project that included a complete remodel of city council chambers. While taking up carpets during the renovation, workers found terrazzo marble that was kept in place for the flooring to preserve the history of the building. In the city council chambers, a drop ceiling that kept hidden the original 1940s art deco ceiling and the original light fixtures was removed. The original ceiling was painted, and the original light fixtures now use LED lights which brightens the chambers. From left to right are Andrew Dasso, owner of Streamline Architects; Second Ward Ald. Randy Hurt; First Ward Ald. Moses Robinson Jr.; Fourth Ward Ald. Jenni Swanson; Adam Hass, vice president of Valley Construction; Craig DeVrieze, executive director of Illowa Construction Labor & Management Council; Mayor Mike Thoms; former Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert; Fifth Ward Ald. Dylan Parker; Sixth Ward Ald. Mark Poulos; Seventh Ward Ald. Bill Healy. The renovations were paid for with $2 million in ARPA funds and $250,000 from a surplus in the city's general fund. The offices of Community and Economic Development were part of the 2.25 million renovations of Rock Island City Hall. The terrazzo marble floors had been covered by carpet. To preserve the history of the building the floors were kept. Rock Island City Hall was built in 1940. This was the first renovation of the building in more than 84 years. Photos of the mayors of Rock Island hang on the wall inside Rock Island City Hall. Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms, left, and architect Andrew Dasso, right, show the new board room that sits behind city council chambers during an open house on Monday. The chambers had enough space for the builders to make a board room while at the same time only slightly lessening the city council chambers space. Old photos found around Rock Island City Hall are used to decorate the new board room that now sits behind city council chambers. This one is of the Rock Island County Courthouse. Old photos found around Rock Island City Hall are used to decorate the new board room that now sits behind city council chambers. Old photos found around Rock Island City Hall are used to decorate the new board room that now sits behind city council chambers. This one is of the Centennial Bridge, known early on as the Galbraith Bridge, and now call the Stanley Talbot Memorial (Centennial) Bridge. Tim Bain, Rock Island Information Technology Director, works with Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Poulos in the renovated city council chambers on Monday. The city held an open house for people to see the $2.25 million renovations done for the first time since the building opened in 1940. Current Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms greets former Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert during the open house held Monday for the public to see the $2.25 million renovations done to city hall. Schwiebert served as Mayor of Rock Island from 1989 to 2009. Renovated Rock Island City Council chambers. The 1940s art deco ceiling was hidden for many years by a drop ceiling. When workers took that ceiling down, they found the original ceiling and the original light fixtures. The original ceiling and original lights were kept in order to preserve the history of Rock Island City Hall. Photos: Rock Island shows off City Hall renovations Rock Island held an open house Monday so the public could view the $2.25 million in renovations to City Hall, which was built in 1940. Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms unveils the plaque signifying the rededication of Rock Island City Hall on Monday after the completion of a $2.25 million renovation project that included a complete remodel of city council chambers. While taking up carpets during the renovation, workers found terrazzo marble that was kept in place for the flooring to preserve the history of the building. In the city council chambers, a drop ceiling that kept hidden the original 1940s art deco ceiling and the original light fixtures was removed. The original ceiling was painted, and the original light fixtures now use LED lights which brightens the chambers. From left to right are Andrew Dasso, owner of Streamline Architects; Second Ward Ald. Randy Hurt; First Ward Ald. Moses Robinson Jr.; Fourth Ward Ald. Jenni Swanson; Adam Hass, vice president of Valley Construction; Craig DeVrieze, executive director of Illowa Construction Labor & Management Council; Mayor Mike Thoms; former Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert; Fifth Ward Ald. Dylan Parker; Sixth Ward Ald. Mark Poulos; Seventh Ward Ald. Bill Healy. The renovations were paid for with $2 million in ARPA funds and $250,000 from a surplus in the city's general fund. The offices of Community and Economic Development were part of the 2.25 million renovations of Rock Island City Hall. The terrazzo marble floors had been covered by carpet. To preserve the history of the building the floors were kept. Rock Island City Hall was built in 1940. This was the first renovation of the building in more than 84 years. Photos of the mayors of Rock Island hang on the wall inside Rock Island City Hall. Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms, left, and architect Andrew Dasso, right, show the new board room that sits behind city council chambers during an open house on Monday. The chambers had enough space for the builders to make a board room while at the same time only slightly lessening the city council chambers space. Old photos found around Rock Island City Hall are used to decorate the new board room that now sits behind city council chambers. This one is of the Rock Island County Courthouse. Old photos found around Rock Island City Hall are used to decorate the new board room that now sits behind city council chambers. Old photos found around Rock Island City Hall are used to decorate the new board room that now sits behind city council chambers. This one is of the Centennial Bridge, known early on as the Galbraith Bridge, and now call the Stanley Talbot Memorial (Centennial) Bridge. Tim Bain, Rock Island Information Technology Director, works with Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Poulos in the renovated city council chambers on Monday. The city held an open house for people to see the $2.25 million renovations done for the first time since the building opened in 1940. Current Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms greets former Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert during the open house held Monday for the public to see the $2.25 million renovations done to city hall. Schwiebert served as Mayor of Rock Island from 1989 to 2009. Renovated Rock Island City Council chambers. The 1940s art deco ceiling was hidden for many years by a drop ceiling. When workers took that ceiling down, they found the original ceiling and the original light fixtures. The original ceiling and original lights were kept in order to preserve the history of Rock Island City Hall. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Multimedia Editor/Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.SUGAR LAND, Texas, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. AAOI (" AOI ," " we ," " us " or " our ") expects to enter into transactions with holders of its 5.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the " 2026 Notes ") to exchange approximately $80 million principal amount of the 2026 Notes for aggregate consideration consisting of a combination of (i) Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 (the " 2030 Notes "), (ii) shares of our common stock (the " Exchange Shares ") and (iii) cash representing accrued interest on the 2026 Notes and the value of fractional shares, if any (such transactions, collectively, the " Exchanges "). Final terms for the Exchanges will be determined at the time of pricing. The 2030 Notes will be our senior, unsecured obligations and will be equal in right of payment with our existing and future senior, unsecured indebtedness, senior in right of payment to our existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the 2030 Notes and effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. The 2030 Notes will be convertible at the option of holders of the 2030 Notes under certain specified circumstances, as set forth in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes. We will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, based on the applicable conversion rate. Following the completion of the Exchanges, we may engage in additional exchanges or repurchase, induce conversions of, or exercise our right to redeem the 2026 Notes. Holders of the 2026 Notes that participate in any of these exchanges, repurchases or induced conversions may purchase or sell shares of our common stock in the open market to unwind any hedge positions they may have with respect to the 2026 Notes or our common stock or to hedge their exposure in connection with these transactions. These activities may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock and the 2030 Notes we are offering. There can be no assurance that the Exchanges will be completed. The issuance and sale of the 2030 Notes and the Exchange Shares pursuant to the Exchanges are being made in transactions exempt from registration pursuant to Sections 3(a)(9) and 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is acting as AOI's exclusive financial advisor in connection with the Exchanges. Concurrently with the Exchanges, AOI announced today that it intends to commence an offering of shares of its common stock in a registered direct offering (the " Registered Direct Offering "). We intend to use the net proceeds, if any, from the Registered Direct Offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, capital expenditures and working capital. We may also use such proceeds to fund acquisitions of businesses, technologies or product lines that complement our current business; however, we have no present plans, agreements or commitments with respect to any potential acquisition. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is acting as the sole placement agent in connection with the Registered Direct Offering. The Registered Direct Offering is being made pursuant to an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR (Registration File No. 333-283905), which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC ") on December 18, 2024, and became effective immediately upon filing, including the prospectus contained therein. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus relating to and describing the terms of the Registered Direct Offering was filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " Securities Act ") on December 18, 2024, copies of which may be obtained from Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Attention: Equity Syndicate, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716, or by telephone at (800) 248-8863, or by e-mail to prospectus@raymondjames.com . Electronic copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus are also available on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov . The Exchanges and Registered Direct Offering are expected to close concurrently on or about December 23, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. Haynes Boone LLP is acting as legal advisor to AOI and Mayer Brown LLP is acting as legal advisor to Raymond James & Associates, Inc., in connection with the Exchanges and the Registered Direct Offering. This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor will there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "could," "would," "target," "seek," "aim," "predicts," "think," "objectives," "optimistic," "new," "goal," "strategy," "potential," "is likely," "will," "expect," "plan" "project," "permit" or by other similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Such forward-looking statements reflect the views of management at the time such statements are made. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions and current expectations, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: reduction in the size or quantity of customer orders; change in demand for our products due to industry conditions; changes in manufacturing operations; volatility in manufacturing costs; delays in shipments of products; disruptions in the supply chain; change in the rate of design wins or the rate of customer acceptance of new products; our reliance on a small number of customers for a substantial portion of its revenues; potential pricing pressure; a decline in demand for our customers' products or their rate of deployment of their products; general conditions in the internet datacenter, cable television (CATV) broadband, telecom, or fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) markets; changes in the world economy (particularly in the United States and China); changes in the regulation and taxation of international trade, including the imposition of tariffs; changes in currency exchange rates; the negative effects of seasonality; the impact of any pandemics or similar events on our business and financial results; and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our documents filed with or furnished to the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024. More information about these and other risks that may impact our business are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of our quarterly and annual reports on file with the SEC. You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to us as of the date hereof, and qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this press release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations. About Applied Optoelectronics Applied Optoelectronics Inc. (AOI) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced optical products, including components, modules and equipment. AOI's products are the building blocks for broadband fiber access networks around the world, where they are used in the CATV broadband, internet datacenter, telecom and FTTH markets. AOI supplies optical networking lasers, components and equipment to tier-1 customers in all four of these markets. In addition to its corporate headquarters, wafer fab and advanced engineering and production facilities in Sugar Land, TX, AOI has engineering and manufacturing facilities in Taipei, Taiwan and Ningbo, China. Investor Relations Contacts: The Blueshirt Group, Investor Relations Lindsay Savarese +1-212-331-8417 ir@ao-inc.com Cassidy Fuller +1-415-217-4968 ir@ao-inc.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Victor Wembanyama pulled up to Washington Square Park to play chess despite it being a very rainy Saturday in New York City. The French superstar started playing when he was around seven years old, and his love for it is still there even now that he is an NBA star. The San Antonio Spurs center was in town for his team's game against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. After the 97-86 victory, Wembanyama celebrated by asking people on social media for suggestions on the best spots to play chess, which has historically been a popular activity in NYC parks. "I don't know. I was just feeling like it," he told Bleacher Report . "That's enough of a reason." Thanks for everyone who pulled up in the rain 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/qblm9xzOfL He said he lost two games against professionals, but Wembanyama proudly shared that he beat his brother and that victory alone felt like a thousand wins to him. "It was a lot of fun, I learned a lot," he said. A video shared by the official NBA X account showed how rainy it was at the park with puddles everywhere, including the chess table. Wembanyama even had a towel to dry the chess pieces. POV: You’re playing chess with @wemby on a Saturday morning in Washington Square Park ♟️🗽 pic.twitter.com/gnxdvPE69l Despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions, Wembanyama seemed to have enjoyed himself. He shared a photo with more than 20 people standing behind him and thanked everyone who showed up to play. He didn't have much time for more games because the Spurs are heading to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Sunday evening. However, Wembanyama shared an idea for other NBA players who enjoy playing chess. "We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner," he said on X.
SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) Nominates Creative Group Canada for Prestigious Crystal Award SCHAUMBURG, Ill. , Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Group, Inc., a full-service meeting, event, and incentive agency, was recently nominated for a Crystal Award in the category of Most Creative Solution Deployed to Overcome Adversity when war broke out in Israel . THE STORY Janet Traphagen, President of Creative Group, said, "I am so proud of our internal associates and our client's collaboration – the way they quickly pivoted to a new solution during a time of crisis was nothing short of amazing." The client and the qualifiers were thrilled with the newly designed travel experience and the creative thinking involved in bringing this alternative solution to life in such a short timeframe. THE IMPACT About Creative Group Creative Group is a full-service meeting, event, and incentive agency that delivers business results by inspiring people to thrive. An industry leader, Creative Group has been honored with numerous Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) awards and the CMI 25 Award, which recognizes the top 25 most influential meeting and incentive management companies in the U.S. Creative Group was founded in 1970, and has served clients in financial services, life sciences, insurance, manufacturing, retail, technology, automotive, and hospitality. Employing 220+ people, the company is headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois , and maintains offices in San Francisco , Appleton, Wisconsin , and Toronto, Canada . For more information about Creative Group, visit http://www.creativegroupinc.com About the SITE Crystal Awards Recognition Program: Considered the highest honor in the incentive travel industry, the SITE Crystal Awards recognize creative, practical and truly memorable incentive programs that not only keep employees engaged but also drive business results and improve the bottom line. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/creative-group-nominated-for-site-2025-crystal-award-for-most-creative-solution-deployed-to-overcome-adversity-302335550.html SOURCE Creative Group, Inc.CARACAS — Six Venezuelan government opponents who have sheltered for months at the Argentine embassy in Caracas decried Sunday that local police and intelligence agents were stationed outside of it for hours. The move prompted the U.S. government to call it a serious violation of international law and Argentina’s Foreign Ministry to describe it as an act of harassment. Most of the opponents belong to the Vente Venezuela party led by former legislator María Corina Machado. It denounced what it called “a new siege by hooded officials” that began Saturday night and extended into Sunday. The incident occurred hours after Machado called for a massive mobilization on Dec. 1, prompting Venezuela’s minister of the interior to accuse the political leader of being part of a new conspiracy attempt against the government of President Nicolás Maduro. Vente Venezuela said in a statement that the diplomatic headquarters remains without electricity and is surrounded by “regime vehicles” that are preventing traffic from circulating in the area. It said communication signals also were scrambled. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . Argentina’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Saturday that the deployment of armed troops and the closing of streets in the vicinity “constitute a disturbance of security.”. It also called on the international community to condemn the incident, which the U.S. did. On Sunday, the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela posted on X that the U.S. “strongly condemns the acts of harassment against asylum seekers.” “The deployment of armed forces and blockades seriously violate international law,” it said. “We demand that the Venezuelan regime respect its international obligations, cease these intimidating actions and guarantee safe passage for asylum seekers.” Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been broken since 2019. The opposition members entered the embassy in March after the Venezuelan Attorney General’s Office issued arrest warrants and accused them of promoting alleged acts of violence to destabilize the government. In August, Brazil accepted Argentina’s request to guard its embassy after the Venezuelan government ordered the expulsion of Argentine diplomatic personnel following statements by its president, Javier Milei, that he would not recognize “another fraud” in Venezuela after the controversial elections in Jul y. A month later, Venezuela revoked Brazil’s authorization to guard the embassy, alleging it had evidence of the use of the facilities “for the planning of terrorist activities and assassination attempts.” Brazil and Argentina have rejected those accusations.EU universal charger rules come into force
Is he serious? Trump stirs unease with Panama, Greenland ploys
Shares of Secure Energy Services Inc. ( TSE:SES – Get Free Report ) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$16.58. A number of analysts have issued reports on SES shares. ATB Capital raised their target price on Secure Energy Services from C$17.00 to C$18.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of Secure Energy Services from C$16.00 to C$18.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. CIBC boosted their target price on shares of Secure Energy Services from C$15.00 to C$16.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Secure Energy Services from C$17.00 to C$20.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, National Bankshares lifted their price target on shares of Secure Energy Services from C$14.00 to C$17.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Secure Energy Services Secure Energy Services Price Performance Secure Energy Services Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 1st were given a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 1st. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.47%. Secure Energy Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 20.00%. Insider Activity at Secure Energy Services In related news, Director Mark Bly purchased 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 12th. The shares were bought at an average price of C$11.52 per share, for a total transaction of C$115,200.00. Also, insider Llc Tpg Gp A sold 12,725 shares of Secure Energy Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$16.99, for a total transaction of C$216,235.93. In the last three months, insiders bought 34,000 shares of company stock worth $432,346 and sold 55,820 shares worth $817,815. 0.95% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About Secure Energy Services ( Get Free Report Secure Energy Services Inc engages in the waste management and energy infrastructure businesses primarily in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments, Environmental Waste Management, Energy Infrastructure, and Oilfield Services. The Environmental Waste Management segment includes a network of waste processing facilities, produced water pipelines, industrial landfills, waste transfer, and metal recycling facilities. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Secure Energy Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Secure Energy Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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