News

Macomb. IL – The Macomb Department of Public Works is asking aldermen for permission to upgrade security at the city's yard waste disposal site. The site grinds yard waste into mulch, which is then made available to residents. But Director of Public Works Terry Wrestler says some people are dumping other items such as refrigerators and mattress box springs. Wrestler suggests the city put a fence around the property. He would also like to have the site manned to make sure it's used only by Macomb residents.

Macomb, IL – The Macomb Department of Public Works is asking aldermen for permission to upgrade security around the city's yard waste disposal site. The site grinds yard waste into mulch, which is then made available to residents. But Director of Public Works Terry Wrestler says some people are dumping other items such as refrigerators and mattress box springs. Wrestler would like to put a fence around the property. He would also like to have the site manned to make sure it's used only by Macomb residents.

Galesburg, IL – Knox College will use a $219,000 grant from the Luce Foundation to offer scholarships and other inducements to encourage more women to study the sciences. Dean Larry Breitbord says two scholarships will be awarded in the next two springs. He says the college will also schedule special speakers and create mentoring programs to encourage women students to take physics and computer sciences. He says those are among the college's strongest programs.

Macomb, IL 61455 – McDonough County is asking its insurance carrier to provide an attorney to defend it against a civil rights lawsuit. Two workers say the county infringed on their free speech and took job actions against them when they insisted on something being done when pornography was allegedly discovered on the county engineer's computer. One worker was fired and one was demoted. Citing the specialized nature of the charges, the State's Attorney suggested the county's insurance carrier might provide an attorney. So far the county has not received a reply to that request.

Macomb, IL – McDonough County is still waiting to find out if its insurance carrier will provide an attorney to defend it against a federal lawsuit. The suit filed by former county workers Jeremy Pestle and Bryan Graves charges the county, the board chairman and the highway committee chairman with violating due process and with infringing on free speech rights. State's attorney James Hoyle says he suggested the county use an outside attorney.

Keokuk, IA – Lee County residents will soon have a chance to weigh in on potential changes to some of the rural voting precincts. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing during its July 19 meeting. Two public forums will be held July 21. One will begin at 6 p.m. at the Pilot Grove Savings Bank Community room. The other will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Great River Regional Waste Authority in Fort Madison. The three mergers being considered could save the county about $40,000 when it purchases new voting machines.

Keokuk, IA – The Lee County Board of Supervisors has reached a decision over a recent controversy surrounding vacation time. An employee, who received excess vacation time inadvertantly, will reimburse the county for 129 hours of vacation time. It can be done by giving up vacation time, making cash payments, or a combination of the two. Board chairman Rick Larkin says the deal was agreeable to all concerned. The employee received the extra vacation time because the accrual rate was not changed when the worker moved from part-time to full-time status.

Macomb, IL – Western Illinois University is ready to offer its first doctoral program. The Educational Doctorate degree recently received approval from the North Central Association Higher Education Commission, which is the accrediting agency for colleges and universities. The program will be offered beginning in the spring. It will be administered by the College of Education and Human Services. Dean Bonnie Smith-Skripps says one aspect of the program will focus on some of the challenges facing rural school districts.

Nauvoo, IL – After a 29 year run, the show "The City of Joseph" is being replaced this summer in Nauvoo. Just like "The City of Joseph," the new piece also takes audience members back in time to the middle of the 19th century. In addition, it celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Smith, who founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The new show is called "The Nauvoo Pageant." It features a core group of professional actors supported by a cast of 600 volunteers. The show contains original compositions and arrangements of traditional hymns.

Dallas City, IL – Illinois' commercial fishermen have formed a committee to try changing rules at the state's Department of Natural Resources. Member Henry "Doc" Rockhold says right now, commercial fisheries work under the same "points per violation" system as sport fishermen. He says fishermen who accumulate a certain number of points can have their license suspended. Rockhold says commercial fishermen would prefer to pay fines for lesser infractions, just like automobile drivers do. Rockhold says putting people out of work is not the way to deal with violations.