News

Macomb, IL – Western Illinois University will borrow up to $11 million to pay for three construction projects. The borrowing will be done through certificates of participation. Student fees will be used to repay the money for two of the projects, which are the construction of a multi-cultural center and improvements to the seating at Hanson Field. Vice President for Student Services Garry Johnson says the university gathered student input about the projects. The third project is construction of a new building for document production and property storage.

Macomb, IL – Macomb will soon know how much it will cost to install a new traffic light and make other improvements at a busy intersection. The city will open bids next Monday for work at what it calls "the Burger King intersection." It's where the fast food restaurant, Wal-Mart, and strip malls are located along East Jackson Street. Aldermen gave themselves power approve a bid during next week's committee meeting. Engineers have estimated the work will cost more than $350,000. The money will come from the city's half-cent sales tax.

West Burlington, IA – Southeastern Community College is still in the market for a new president. SCC's Board of Trustees voted, last night, to hold off on naming a new president. Board President Jeff Heland says the panel is still weighing all of its options, but would not elaborate. The board met for about one hour in closed session before announcing its decision. Prior to that, the public had a chance to offer some final comments. The feedback from that session was split. Several search committee members told the board it had the two best candidates before it, Dr.

Lee County, IA – One Southeast Iowa agency will use the month of October to focus more attention on domestic violence awareness. The Tri-State Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse will hold a family fun day in Keokuk's Rand Park on Saturday afternoon. Outreach services coordinator Tammy Mortimer says the event got its start in 1998. The coaltion will also hold a candle-light vigil in Fort Madison's Central Park on October 25th. Throughout the month, a traveling display of information on domestic violence will be set up in Keokuk, Fort Madison, and Donnellson.

Carthage, IL – Carthage merchants are expecting more than 200 red-hatted shoppers next week. The Chamber of Commerce is working with the Red Hat society on an afternoon of shopping and local history. Economic Developer Brenda Pyatt says some local members of the society attended a similar shopping / history event in Elmwood and thought the concept would work in Carthage. The Oct. 11 event will begin with a luncheon, move to shopping on the square and include tram tours of Carthage historical sites. Pyatt says the success will be measured in part by how many people sign up for the day.

October 2, 2005 – A review of the news of the previous month from the Tri States Public Radio listening region.

Macomb, IL – Western Illinois University is working to make people aware of the Holocaust collection in its library. It offered a viewing of one of the films in its collection, "Hiding and Seeking." The film follows a Jewish family as it struggles to reclaim a stolen past. In discussion after the film, WIU President Al Goldfarb said the film shows how the Holocaust not only destroyed people's lives, but also their history. The Holocaust Media collection is open to the public. It is housed in the Malpass Library.

Nauvoo, IL – Groups of Hancock County businessmen are beginning a series of county-wide networking meetings. Nauvoo Chamber of Commerce president David Miller says his group is working with counterparts in Hamilton and Carthage for breakfast meetings with a business speaker. Miller says the group plans to address both business and countywide issues. The next meeting will be Oct. 11 at 6:30 a.m. at Nauvoo Family Inn and Suites. Miller says the goal will be to end meetings before 8 a.m. so participants can make it to work on time.

Macomb, IL – W.I.U. kicked off its homecoming weekend by announcing it will bring home a big chunk of change for a much-delayed construction project. It's been several years since Western was told it would get money for renovating Memorial Hall. Now, the state says it will release the $12 million needed to upgrade the electrical and heating systems, remove asbestos, and complete other improvements. A ceremony was held outside the building Friday morning to make the announcement. The state says its tight budget prevented it from releasing the money sooner.

Keokuk, IA – The city of Keokuk will soon begin infrastructure work at the site of a future hotel. The city will build an entrance road, add sewer and water lines, and remove trees from the old Joyce Park, which is the future home of a Hampton Inn Hotel. During yesterday's special meeting, the council awarded the construction contract to Keokuk Contractors, who bid more than $350,000. Mayor Dave Gudgel says the city will not spend its own money on this project. The council held off on awarding the contract until adequate work had begun on the hotel site.