News

Fort Madison, IA – County leaders took a step forward in trying to improve communication within Lee County government. The recent spat between the Board of Supervisors and a coalition of elected leaders developed, in part, over a lack of dialogue between the two sides. Board Chairman Rick Larkin says a department head meeting, which was held Tuesday to open the lines of communication, went very well. Much of the discussion focused on the budget, the response to property tax bills, and the future of the county jail. More than a dozen department heads attended the meeting.

Lee County, IA – A food tour set to take place in Lee County will highlight foods that are grown locally. The Buy Fresh Buy Local tour will take place Saturday, September 17th. Spokesperson Krista Perkins says the event will showcase opportunities to buy locally-grown fruits, vegetables, and meats. Perkins says buying food that is grown locally provides a boost to the regional economy. The tour stops are Dave's Old Fashioned Meats in Montrose, as well as Faeth Orchards and Kathy's Pumpkin Patch. Each site will be open from 8 AM until 6 PM.

Macomb, IL – A group of about 220 Hurricane Katrina victims is expected in central Illinois soon. The Salvation Army plans to house about 150 of them at its summer camp northwest of Peoria. Others will be placed at Illinois Central College or in part of a Peoria retirement home. Plans are for the evacuees to be transferred to longer-term housing arrangements if possible. Some will be seeking jobs. Salvation Army Captain Owen Thomas says the goal will be to move the evacuees back to the New Orleans area when it's safe to do so.

Macomb, IL – Two Macomb firefighters will help with the relief efforts in areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Ryan Hotz and Dan Meyer will head south on Wednesday. They will be gone for at least 30 days. Hotz and Meyer say they will provide basic first aid and other assistance. They volunteered for the duty after the International Association of Fire Chiefs and FEMA put out a message seeking assistance from two-person teams from fire departments. The city will be reimbursed for their salaries.

Macomb, IL – The Western Illinois Regional Council will administer a grant to rehabilitate homes in four western Illinois towns. Coordinator Kevin Wiehardt says the program will replace roofs, heating systems, siding or plumbing to help stabilize neighborhoods and make the homes saleable for 30 or 40 years. The work will be done on homes occupied by the elderly, children or the disabled. Wiehardt says it will be harder to stretch the $1.47 million grant this year because of competition for building materials after Hurricane Katrina.

Keokuk, IA – Certain types of storage units may soon be prohibited in parts of Keokuk. The Keokuk City Council has approved the first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit the use of large tractor trailers for storage purposes in commercially-zoned districts. Mayor Dave Gudgel says the goal is to stop these containers from being located along the Main Street corridor. In the proposal's current form, the storage units would also be banned in areas several blocks from Main Street, due to current zoning boundaries.

Colchester, IL – The rapid rise in petroleum prices had a bit of an impact on the annual show hosted by the Argyle Antique Gas Engine Association. Vice President Steve Ingles believes the higher prices made it too expensive for owners of antique cars and tractors to haul in as many of their collectibles as they had in the past. He says in recent years around 400 antiques have been displayed. This year the figure was around 320. But Ingles says attendance was still strong. He says the flea market was packed and people also showed up for events such as the garden tractor pull.

Macomb, IL – The colors of the rainbow will be aglow in the skies over Macomb this weekend. The 19th annual Macomb Balloon Rally will be held Friday and Saturday. This year's theme is the Macomb Monster Mash. Balloon pilots will try to hit a Halloween-shaped target with styrofoam skulls on Saturday. In addition, the popular balloon glow will be held Saturday night. The hot air balloons will light up Vince Grady Field beginning at 7:30 p.m. 29 balloonists are expected to participate in this year's rally.

September 1, 2005 – Western Illinois University English professor Karen Mann and Philosophy & Religious Studies professor John Simmons join Rich Egger to talk about the John Hallwas Liberal Arts Lecture, which will be presented by Mann on September 7.

August 25, 2005 – Western Illinois University President Al Goldfarb joins News Director Rich Egger to discuss what's new at Western as another school year begins.