News

Macomb, IL – About 100 people gathered in Macomb for the annual rally and march in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blacks and whites got together outside the courthouse, where they held hands and formed a large circle for the opening prayer. They then marched from that downtown location to Mount Calvary Church of God in Christ on the city's east side.

Fort Madison, IA – The future of a community center for Lee County residents with mental health and other developmental disabilities could become more clear by the end of the month. CPC Administrator Jim Posz says a conference call between the state and mental health case workers from across Iowa is set for January 31. He says the call will focus on a proposed loss of federal funding that currently covers part of the cost of county residents attending shelthered workshops.

Macomb, IL – McDonough County is working to ensure that all future rural home sites meet the requirements of its subdivision ordinance. Plat Officer and County Engineer Tom Hickman says some sites have been built on that are not on a public road. He says state requirements for a rural home include being on a public road, or having an easement to insure access. Hickman says he and some county board members will attend a plat seminar next month. The county board is also expected to revisit its subdivision ordinance.

Fort Madison, IA – The Fort Madison City Council may have to lay off workers to balance the city's budget for next year. City Manager Bill Kelly says Fort Madison is facing a $650,000 deficit in its general fund, which includes the police and fire departments. Kelly is recommending eliminating the jobs of 3 fire fighters, 3 police officers, and the parks and recreation director to cover the shortfall. He says the city's budget cannot be balanced by reducing line items used for day to day operations.

Carthage, IL – The administrator of Memorial Hospital in Carthage will work on a statewide group that will try to gain support for the problems of small and rural hospitals. Ada Bair will serve on the Small Hospital Steering Committee of the Illinois Hospital Association. Bair says financial viability is the major problem facing rural hospitals, with some state payments up to six months late. Bair says another problem is finding staffers with the required technical skills.

Fort Madison, IA – A legislative forum in Fort Madison focused on the future of thes maximum security prison within the city. Fort Madison Mayor Steve Ireland and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tracy Vance says keeping the prison in Fort Madison must be the top priority for city leaders this year. Democratic Senator Tom Courtney of Burlington says keeping the prison in Fort Madison must be a priority for all of Southeast Iowa. He says some lawmakers want to wait until Governor Tom Vilsack, who is from Southeast Iowa, is out of office before making a decision on the prison.

Macomb, IL – Some McDonough County Board members are unhappy with the way pay hikes were distributed in the new budget. Facing a lean year, the board budgeted a 33.3 percent pay hike for employees. However, Circuit Clerk Kim Wilson gave two of her employees ten percent raises, and she says others averaged about six percent. Wilson says she has long-term employees who were being underpaid. Her salary money comes from the county general fund and from office fee income. Harwick told Finance Committee members elected officers have a wide leeway in how they run their departments.

West Burlington, IA – Iowa's Governor says increasing the price of cigerettes will have a positive impact on the health of Iowa's residents. Governor Tom Vilsck wants the Iowa Legislature to hike the tobacco tax by $0.80. He says the proposal is about saving lives. Vilsack says the tax increase could generate $129,000,000, which he says would be used on health care issues. That includes helping small businesses provide better health insurance, funding the mental health system, and putting money back into the Senior Living Trust fund.