News

Macomb, IL 61455 – Low-income households in four western Illinois counties can apply for heating assistance beginning Sept. 1. The Western Illinois Regional Council is taking appointments for residents in Hancock, Henderson, Warren and McDonough counties. Coordinator Tina Lovejoy says the assistance levels will be about the same as last year's, even though the cost of fuel is expected to increase. Emergency assistance is available for those who have been disconnected by a utility firm or for those whose heating fuel suppliers refuse to deliver.

Keokuk, IA – Several Southeast Iowa school districts are included on a federal academic watch list. The Keokuk, Fort Madison, and Burlington school districts are on the 2005 "Schools in Need of Assistance" list based on last year's test scores. Schools are placed on the federal list if a portion of their students fail to meet proficiency standards for two years in a row. Iowa Department of Education spokesperson Kathi Slaughter says schools will have a more difficult time getting off the list as standards continue to increase. Listed below are those on the list from Southeast Iowa.

Mt. Sterling, IL – Two federal grants will help Brown County firefighters and ambulance personnel. Fire Chief Brian Gallaher says $114,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will replace or update the breathing apparatus for the county's fire protection district. He says some new masks will be purchased, while others will be updated to meet current standards. Gallaher says the second grant, for $110,000, will purchase a new ambulance for the Brown County Ambulance Service. It will replace a van-type ambulance with more than 200,000 miles on it.

Blandinsville, IL – Blandinsville's village president is being remembered as someone who always kept active. Fred Hofmeister, 66, was pronounced dead Monday night at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. He had been flown there after complaining of chest pains. McDonough County Sheriff Mike Johnson considered Hofmeister a close personal friend. Johnson says Hofmeister was an avid golfer who kept his yard in great shape. Johnson says Hofmeister's death is a tragic loss for the village. Hofmeister had served as Blandinsville's village president since 1997.

August 7, 2005 – A review of the news of the previous month from the Tri States Public Radio listening region.

Macomb, IL – Macomb is close to having a new liquor code. It could be approved by aldermen as soon as next week. It will contain numerous changes, including a couple that were approved by aldermen this week. One will put convenience stores under a separate license category than package liquor stores. The other calls for a 10% increase to the license fee charged to bars, hotels, and service clubs. Until now, no such hike was in the proposed new code. Both changes were approved on votes of 5 to 2.

Lee County, IA – The recent rain may provide a boost to soybean crops in Lee County. After several months of high temperatures and little rainfall, the sky has opened up for farmers over the past few weeks. Lee County extension director Bob Dodds says the rain should have a positive impact on the county's soybean crop. Dodd's says the recent rain should also provide farmers with more hay to cut for their livestock. He says the rain may not be enough to turn around the corn crop, though, especially with rainfall levels about 8 inches below normal.

Canton, IL – The Spoon River College Board has approved a budget for the current year that's 3.5 percent above last year's. The $14.5 million spending plan includes two new associate degree programs. College spokeswoman Anna Buehrer says one is in medical record-keeping. She says both physicians and insurance companies have asked for that training to be made available. The other is a business management program which is partially geared toward entrepreneurs. Buehrer says that will give them the skill to capitalize on their innovation.

Macomb, IL – The possibility of pesticide-free food is appealing to a growing number of comsumers. WIU Profefssor of Agriculture Jerry Vigue says soybeans grown using organic methods bring a much higher price per bushel than conventionally-grown soybeans. He says the University's Allison organic farm allows researchers to learn from mistakes, and pass on knowledge to individual farmers who want to try organic farming. Vigue says it's important for farmers to know their market and have a transition plan for the three years it takes to switch from conventional to organic farming.

Rushville, IL – Rushville's waste treatment plant has been named as one of the best-run facilities in Illinois. Just two plants in the state were honored by the U.S. EPA. The recognition praises the plant for removing an average of 95 percent of pollutants from the incoming wastewater. Wastewater Superintendent Drew Seal says efforts to cut the inflow of groundwater in to the old mains helped the plant do so well. In addition, the plant was expanded in preparation for the juvenile correction center northwest of town.