The Avon School District has been looking for a partner. Last month, voters turned down a three-district consolidation measure the would have combined Avon, Abingdon and Bushnell-Prairie City.
Avon Superintendent Dan Oakley had been in discussions with his counterparts in Abingdon and B-PC on two-district consolidation.
He said the Avon School Board weighed proposals from each of the other districts.
Oakley said the board preferred Abingdon's proposal because it would house the junior high in Avon.
Western Illinois University is known for Sherman Tower and its climbing tower. It might soon be known for a water tower. Talks between WIU and Macomb are ongoing.
Mayor Mike Inman said, “We're hoping to partner with the university on branding the water tower with the university's mascot and logo That, obviously, will be an agreement between us and them but their intention is to underwrite that.”
The project is part of routine maintenance to repaint the tower inside and out this year.
“Pretty Girl” is the name for a playful cat at the McDonough County Animal Shelter. She has called the shelter home since November. Like too many other cats there, she hasn't had a “bite” for adoption.
The Humane Society of McDonough County is hoping a March promotion will encourage more adoptions of cats.
Society board member Kathy Chambers said the group hopes to team up with the county to offer discounted adoption fees on cats for the month.
Carthage is working with the Western Illinois Regional Council to secure a grant for home rehabilitation. The city hopes to secure at least a $250,000 grant.
Mayor Jim Nightingale said the city has successfully applied for federal Community Development Block Grants on three occasions. He said the program does more than spruce up a home.
He said, “It seems like it gives people a little bit more pride and they tend to keep their homes up after they get these improvements. So I think it's a big plus for our community.”
The newest flood map from the Federal Emergency Management Agency expands the flood plain in Carthage. FEMA has been taking advantage of satellite photography and GIS technology to update its flood maps.
Mayor Jim Nightingale said some residents will be surprised by the results.
He said, “There's a lot of questions on this, you know. It's a big part of the center of the city and I think there's people that didn't think they were in a flood plain, which they are.”
