Macomb, IL – A recycling center for the western Illinois region has been collecting more than expected during its first month of operation. The Tri-County Resource and Waste Management council's new center collects only paint and electronic goods. Coordinator Chad Bratz says he expects no reduction in the amount handled because people are accumulators by nature. The center has shipped about 19 tons of electronic waste to Peoria for recycling or re-sale. It has also collected about 12 tons of paint that will be mixed into a neutral color for re-sale.

Keokuk, IA – Residents in Lee County elected mayors and city council members during the Municipal elections in Iowa. In Keokuk, Mayor Dave Gudgel earned two more years in office. Steve Ireland was also victorious in the race for the mayor's office in Fort Madison.

A complete listing of the winners in Lee County follows.

Keokuk
Mayor
66 % - Dave Gudgel
34 % - Gordon Blankenship

At Large
67% - Doug Matlick
33% - Jon Warren

Ward 1
Unopposed - Michael O'Connor

Ward 3
Unopposed - Mike Baum

Burlington, IA – Voters in Des Moines County chose three members for the Burlington City Council and also decided the fate of a public measure in West Burlington.
Current Burlington Mayor Mike Edwards topped the city council contest with 24% of the votes. He was followed by former mayor Tim Scott with 22%. The third and final seat available went to Garry Thomas with 19%. Others in the contest were Chuck Griffin with 15%, Richard Eckhardt with 11%, and incumbent Chris King with 9%.

Rushville – Schuyler County's appointed state's attorney will run for a full term on her own. Teena Griffin was appointed to the position in April when her predecessor became a circuit judge. Griffin says the major problems the county faces include domestic violence, drug use and underage drinking. She wants to partner with local groups to address those issues. Griffin was an assistant state's attorney in McLean County when she was named to the Schuyler post. Griffin is a graduate of Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois.

Keokuk, IA – There are many candidates seeking office in the upcoming city elections throughout Southeast Iowa. One race is for the mayor's office in Keokuk. Incumbent Dave Gudgel and newcomer Gordon Blankenship, Sr. are vying for the 2 year term. Gudgel has served as mayor for 4 years. Keokuk is one of a handful of larger cities in Iowa that still operates with a full time mayor.

You can hear Jason Parrott's preview of the mayor's race in Keokuk by clicking on the audio link above.

Macomb, IL – Macomb will not award a towing contract to the only business that submitted a bid for the work. Cale's Auto Body Garage and Towing was willing to pay $1,200 for the contract to tow junk and abandoned vehicles and those being held for evidence. But the city says Cale's is violating zoning laws with its site on West Jackson Street. Aldermen voted 4-2 against giving the contract to Cale's, saying it would be wrong to hire a company that's violating city rules. The police department had hoped the city would contract out the work because it lacks the manpower to deal with it.

Havana, IL – An Illinois state grant will pay for research to find out how many Asian Carp there might be in the Illinois River. Jim Sneed of Carp Protein Products says his firm is considering a plant which would reduce the fish to a protein additive for sale on the international market. Sneed is finalizing his business plan and will be seeking grants and investors. He says the protein will go first to Asia. He says an American market could be developed later. He's also working on a use for the parts of the fish that are not used for food.

Galesburg, IL – A workforce study of nine western Illinois counties shows a need for more students to finish high school ... and take at least two years of additional schooling . Dr. Richard Judy did the study for the Workforce Investment Board. He says current trends show the region will not have enough trained workers for the number of jobs available by the year 2012. Judy says the aging of the region's population makes it even more important that younger workers receive the training needed to maintain the economy.