WIUM Local

Perry Cameron has tendered his resignation with the Hancock County Board. The board had given him a week to resign from his position as ambulance coordinator or be fired.

The board was unhappy with progress the district has made in solving a number of problems. These range from sloppy paperwork to crew members who are not keeping up with their required continuing education.

Hancock County's ambulance service has been operating under a “Plan of Corrections” since January to address the problems.

Southeastern Community College has narrowed the field in its search for a new president.

Board of Trustees Chairman Brian Roth says the college received 30 applications from individuals interested in replacing current President Beverly Simone.

Simone is retiring after 6 ½ years with SCC.

Roth says a search committee, consisting of college and community leaders, has identified three finalists. 

He says they were selected based on a review of the candidates and a series of SKYPE interviews conducted Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is confident his state will come out on top when it comes to a proposed $1.5-billion fertilizer plant.

Orascom Construction Industries is said to be considering multiple sites in Iowa for the plant, along with locations in central Illinois and Texas.

Branstad says he has personally talked to representatives of the Egypt-based company about Iowa’s history of honest, reliable government, especially when compared to Illinois.

A judge has tossed out a lawsuit filed by South Morgan Acres, a proposed large-scale hog operation, against Blandinsville Township.

Last month, the township set a weight limit of 20 tons on the road leading to the site in northeast McDonough County. The limit prevents large trucks from getting to the site.

The lawsuit alleges the operation has suffered a financial loss of at least $230,000 since that time.

Beverly Braniff lives near the site of the hog farm. She does not think the lawsuit was filed over the money lost.