Hancock County, IL – Soliders from the 224th Engineer Battalion are slated to be home in less than one week. One county will show its appreciation for the men and women next month. A steak dinner is scheduled for January 7 at the Hamilton VFW while a dance will take place January 14 at the Bott Center in Warsaw. Jim Wright is helping organize the events. He says the idea is to show the soliders from Hancock County, that have been serving in the Middle East, that the community is proud of them. Tickets for both events are on sale, while cash donations are also being accepted.

Macomb, IL – Regional school superintendent Bob Baumann plans to forward his recommendations on a Hancock County school convergence to Springfield this week. The Carthage, LaHarpe and Dallas City school districts want to form a single high school district of almost 500 students. Each town would maintain an elementary school district. Baumann says the Commititee of Ten from the three schools put forth convincing evidence. He says the new high school would offer a better curriculum and allow teachers to teach in their major field.

Macomb, IL – A portion of a former hotel in downtown Macomb could be converted into condominiums. The plan involves the top three floors of the Lamoine Hotel. There will be up to 15 units. The preliminary price range is from about $143,000 to nearly $250,000. The east side of the building will include a courtyard and parking for residents. Balconies and possibly canopies will be added to the building, but developers want to maintain the characteristics of its exterior. The project is being done by Naperville-based Emerson-Hurst LLC.

Bushnell, IL – One of the Republican candidates for McDonough County Clerk has withdrawn from the race. Susie Brown of Bushnell says she wants to spend more time with her family. She says campaigning required her to attend a lot of events. Brown says she also chose to drop out for the good of the Republican Party. Heer decision clears the primary field for Gretchen DeJaynes, who currently works in the County Clerk's office.

Fort Madison, IA – Southeast Iowa residents now have better access to emergency medical transportation. An Air Evac Lifeteam air ambulance base is now in place at Fort Madison Community Hospital. Area manager Jeff Call says there are 60 such bases in 11 midwestern states. He says the goal is to provide rural residents with access to emergency air transportation if a major trauma center is not nearby. Call says the Air Evac service can respond to accidents or emergencies and transfer patients from hospital to hospital.

Macomb, IL – Candidate for Illinois governor Bill Brady wants to improve the state's climate for business. Speaking in Macomb before going to a fundraiser, the Bloomington Republican state senator called for improving the transportation infrastructure, including building roads, keeping Amtrak and improving the waterways for barges. Brady says the state must show fiscal restraint to improve its financial integrity. He also called for revamping the workers compensation laws and changing the regulations on medical malpractice.

December 8, 2005 – Rich Egger talks to Brian Padget of the Senior Health Insurance Program in Illinois about Medicare Part D.