News

Burlington, IA – Burlington residents have several options to choose from to fill several open seats on the city council. Nine candidates returned their nominating petitions to the city clerk's office in time to run for three open city council seats. With that many candidates, a primary election will be held October 11th to narrow the field to six for the November general election. The three incumbants are each seeking re-election. Four former city council members are also in the race. The three council seats each carry a four year term.

Macomb, IL – A paint recycling program will begin soon in Macomb. Chad Bratz of the Tri-County Resource and Waste Management Council says equipment is being installed and a grant has purchased a truck. The vehicle will be used to collect paint and electronic goods from drop-off points in seven western Illinois counties. Bratz says the paint will be mixed and then sold in five-gallon buckets. He says the goal is to keep paint out of landfills. The electronic goods will be recycled in Peoria. The operation is housed in Macomb's Business and Technology Center.

Pike County, IL – Illinois was home to the first U.S. town founded by an African-American. That former slave's name was Frank McWorter - or Free Frank as he became known. The town's name was New Philadelphia and it was located in western Illinois' Pike County. The town faded into the prairie many years ago. Archeologists are now digging through the site, seeking artifacts that might provide some clues into what life was like in antebellum New Philadelphia.

Keokuk, IA – Two pieces of city property in Keokuk could be officially sold within the next few weeks. The city council has authorized the mayor and city clerk to sign a development agreement with a Wisconsin-based group that wants to build a Hampton Inn Hotel in Keokuk. The group will pay about $135,000 for 1.5 acres of land where the Keokuk Saddle Club once stood. Mayor Dave Gudgel says the sale should be finalized Tuesday morning.

Mount Vernon, IA – A college professor from Eastern Iowa plans to run for Congress next year. Dr. David Loebsack teaches political science at Cornell College in Mount Vernon. He says he will run as a Democrat for the 2nd district seat Republican Congressman Jim Leach has held for nearly 30 years. Loebsack says he chose to run because voters have told him that a change is needed in Washington DC. He says he supports at least a $2 increase in the federal minimum wage. The general election is more than a month away.

Macomb, IL – Macomb has started the process of redrawing its wards, though the most difficult work is still ahead. The city must add two wards to its current total of five because its official population now tops 20,000. Attorney John McMillan has talked to aldermen about some of the issues related to the topic, but it will now be up to the city to deal with the tough task for drawing the new boundary lines. First Ward Alderman Charles Gilbert would like to see the project completed well in advance of the next city elections.

Macomb, IL – Western Illinois University is opening its doors to college students who are affected by Hurricane Katrina. Displaced students from storm ravaged areas who wish to be admitted to Western will receive the in-state tuition rates and will be eligible for Western's Cost Guarantee program. President Al Goldfarb says "It's essential for colleges and universities to open their doors to help in any way possible." Goldfarb says Western will also help its students who are members of National Guard and Military Reserve units being called to duty for hurricane relief efforts.

Quincy, IL – A workforce consultant believes schools must focus on a more general approach to education. Former Congressman Steve Gunderson says future jobs will be knowledge-based, so schools must prepare all of their students for continual learning. Gunderson believes America can develop the talent need to maintain the lead it holds in the world's workforce. However, he says students must learn a different set of skills. Gunderson shared his insights with the Western Illinois Workforce Investment Board.

Keokuk, IA – The impact of Hurricane Katrina is creating uncertainty at the gas pumps for residents across the Tri-State Region. By Wednesday afternoon, gas prices varied from town to town and from pump to pump. In Hamilton, IL, a gallon of unleaded plus was about $2.85 while in Alexandria, MO, it was about $2.74. Several gas stations in Keokuk were right in between those prices. The highest price was at the Keokuk Hy-Vee Station, where a gallon of unleaded cost $3.20. Taped to each gas pump was a note explaining the increase.

Macomb, IL – This year's liberal arts lecture at Western Illinois University will examine why the humanities matter in a science-dominated world. The speech will be given by English professor Karen Mann, who will use film clips to illustrate her points. She believes scientists and humanists see the world differently, but she says there are similarities between the groups. Her presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday September 7 at the University Union Grand Ballroom. The annual presentation is now named the John Hallwas Liberal Arts Lecture.