WIUM Local

A new study says “extreme storms,”  with over three inches of rainfall,  in the Midwest have doubled in frequency over the last 50 years. The study ties that frequency to an increased risk of flooding.

The study sponsors say flood mitigation efforts begin at home.

Rainfall can be absorbed by plants and soil anchored by deep root systems. Some simple measures can greatly reduce the amount of run-off that leads to flooding.

Natural Resources Defense Council Policy Analyst Karen Hobbs says a neat, green lawn is terrible at retaining water.

The victims of a boat collision early Saturday morning near Burlington have been identified.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the bodies of Matthew House, 21, Jacob Boyd, 22, Caitlyn Atchley, 20, and Blake Eakins, 21 were found Sunday morning.  They were all from Burlington.

The agency says the collision occurred in the O’Donnell Slough area of the Mississippi River.

The Monmouth-Roseville School Board believes the district's  Response to Intervention program deserves more time to prove its worth.
      
Superintendent Paul Woehlke says,  despite budget concerns, it's a good move to retain the seven aides in the program.

The goal of RTI is keep students who are failing academically in regular classrooms.

The “Just Vote No” committee formed earlier this year in the Bushnell-Prairie City School District. It was composed of parents opposed to a three-district school consolidation measure on the March ballot that included the district. The measure went down to defeat in two of the three districts.

Committee members said the campaign had a positive impact because it focused more attention on the needs in the B-PC district, particularly in the area of the curriculum.

B-PC Superintendent David Messersmith says the members are becoming more involved with the school district.

The Western Illinois Museum is making sure its own history is remembered.

The museum was first housed on the third floor of Sherman Hall at Western Illinois University, which is where a reception and fundraiser took place to celebrate the museum's roots.

The event included a presentation called Stories from the Past by Museum Board Member Jackie Thompson and another called The Museum Today by Museum Board Chair Lois Lueck. There was also a silent auction.

Keokuk Police Chief Tom Crew used Thursday night’s city council meeting to announce his retirement.  His final day on the job will be June 28, but he will officially leave the payroll on July 6.

Crew has been with the Keokuk Police Department for 25 years.  He worked his way through the ranks, serving as patrol officer, captain and assistant chief along the way.

Crew has led the department for the last seven years. 

His time in local law enforcement also included a stint as commander of the Lee County Narcotics Task Force.

The 3rd time was the charm in Fort Madison’s attempt to land some state funding for a proposed sports complex.

The Fort Madison Sports Complex Committee applied for nearly $900,000 through the Vision Iowa Board’s Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Committee.

The group walked away with nothing but advice and recommendations after its first two presentations to the CAT Committee.

The third trip, though, led Vision Iowa to agree to enter into negotiations with the sports complex committee to determine how much state funding would be provided.