Tagged: Around The Region

WEST BURLINGTON, IA

West Burlington will soon be in need of a new police chief.  Current Chief Alex Oblein is stepping down effective June 22 to take a similar job in Piedmont, OK.

Oblein has served as West Burlington’s Police Chief since June 2003.

Mayor Hans Trousil says he will make an announcement about how the city will proceed with the search on Wednesday, April 18.

LEE COUNTY, IA

KEOKUK, IA

Keokuk’s City Planning Commission has signed off on a plan to rezone about two acres of land at 2,600 South 7th Street for heavy industrial use.

The site, which features several metal buildings, is currently owned by State Central Bank, but there is a potential buyer if the rezoning is approved.

Community Development Director Pam Broomhall says the commission would also like to see the neighboring building rezoned for heavy industrial use.

The recommendation now goes to the Keokuk City Council for approval.

WEST BURLINGTON, IA

West Burlington residents can now better protect themselves from a disaster that is all too familiar to this region.

The city joined the more than 600 communities in Iowa participating in the National Flood Insurance Program a couple weeks ago.

City Manager Dan Gifford says there is some farmland next to a stream that is considered at risk of flooding within the city, which could hamper future development.

FORT MADISON, IA

The Lee County Narcotics Task Force has arrested six Fort Madison residents in connection with a methamphetamine manufacturing ring in the city.  They range in age from 21 to 55.

They each face one count of felony conspiracy to manufacture more than five grams of meth.  Several have also been charged with maintaining a drug house and a 24-hour pseudoephedrine violation.

If convicted, the six could each be sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.  Three simultaneous search warrants were executed on Tuesday, March 13.

BURLINGTON, IA

WARSAW, IL

Warsaw could be forced to borrow money to get by while it waits for reimbursements from the state of Illinois.

Mayor Gary Treatch says the state owes the city $52,000.  That represents five months worth of late payments.

He says Warsaw’s general fund is down to @$22,000, which would not cover March payroll.

Treatch says the city could be forced to borrow money against its future property tax revenue to get by until the state catches up.

He says the maximum Warsaw could borrow would be roughly $125,000.

FORT MADISON, IA

LEE COUNTY

The Iowa Department of Transportation is selling some of its property in Lee County.

Bids are due by 1:00 P.M. on March 14, 2012 on a nearly 52-acres piece of property located approximately six miles west of West Point.

The agency says the land has been appraised at $124,200.

The sale must be cash only.

LEE COUNTY

The Lee County Auditor’s Office is looking for someone to help with Election Day preparations.

The department is seeking bids to pick-up and drop-off about 100 pieces of voting equipment, booths and signs.

West Burlington

The Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission is working on a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for its region: Des Moines, Henry, Lee & Louisa Counties.

Executive Director Mike Norris says the goal is to create a single plan for housing, economic development, transportation and infrastructure.

He says the commission received more than 300 online surveys and conducted another 60 interviews as part of the public input phase.

Keokuk

A 6th person has been arrested as part of a meth-making investigation in Keokuk.

Lindsay Riddle, 26, of 1813 Bank Street has been charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine near a city park and in the presence of a minor.

The Lee County Narcotics Task Force says she faces up to 35 years in prison.

Authorities discovered items used in the “shake-and-bake” method of meth production while executing a search warrant at Riddle’s residence last month.

Fort Madison