Good Hope, IL – Illinois Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke believes his department fared well in this year's state budget. The agency will get more than $100 million. Hartke says the budget includes more money for a program to teach children across the state about agriculture. He says most children live in urban areas and thus don't gain much exposure to the agriculture industry, which is directly or indirectly related to one out of every four jobs in the state.

Macomb, IL – Bill Edley is stepping down from the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees because he's taken a job with the Illinois Department of Corrections. State employees are not allowed to serve on the board. Edley was named to Western's board late last year. The former state lawmaker was supposed to serve until 2011. It will now be up to the governor to appoint a replacement. No timetable is set for doing so. In his new job, Edley will work with the DoC budget. He will be paid $95,000 per year.

Keokuk, IA – Mike Ellerman has been serving as Keokuk Catholic Schools Administrator for a little more than a month. He says he has been trying to meet with families and members of the community since he took the job. He says several changes are in store for Cardinal Stritch and St. Vincents, including a new pre-school and day care. Registration for Keokuk's Catholic Schools will take place next week.
You can hear a portion of Jason Parrott's interview with Mike Ellerman by clicking on the audio link above.

Keokuk, IA – Mike Ellerman has been serving as Keokuk Catholic Schools Administrator for a little more than a month. He says he has been trying to meet with families and members of the community since he took the job. He says several changes are in store for Cardinal Stritch and St. Vincents, including a new pre-school and day care. Registration for Keokuk's Catholic Schools will take place next week.
You can hear a portion of Jason Parrott's interview with Mike Ellerman by clicking on the audio link above.

Keokuk, IA – Mike Ellerman has been serving as Keokuk Catholic Schools Administrator for a little more than a month. He says he has been trying to meet with families and members of the community since he took the job. He says several changes are in store for Cardinal Stritch and St. Vincents, including a new pre-school and day care. Registration for Keokuk's Catholic Schools will take place next week.
You can hear a portion of Jason Parrott's interview with Mike Ellerman by clicking on the audio link above.

Keokuk, IA – Mike Ellerman has been serving as Keokuk Catholic Schools Administrator for a little more than a month. He says he has been trying to meet with families and members of the community since he took the job. He says several changes are in store for Cardinal Stritch and St. Vincents, including a new pre-school and day care. Registration for Keokuk's Catholic Schools will take place next week.
You can hear a portion of Jason Parrott's interview with Mike Ellerman by clicking on the audio link above.

Keokuk, IA – Mike Ellerman has been serving as Keokuk Catholic Schools Administrator for a little more than a month. He says he has been trying to meet with families and members of the community since he took the job. He says several changes are in store for Cardinal Stritch and St. Vincents, including a new pre-school and day care. Registration for Keokuk's Catholic Schools will take place next week.
You can hear a portion of Jason Parrott's interview with Mike Ellerman by clicking on the audio link above.

Fort Madison, IA – The Lee County Board of Supervisors has agreed to a three month pilot program that would put a medicine-dispensing machine in the home of a county resident with a disability. C-P-C Admnistrator Jim Posz says the equipment was recommended by a case worker because the client has trouble remembering when to take their pills. Posz says the machine will say when it is time to take the medicine and it will prevent someone from taking extra doses. Posz says this could save the county money by cutting the number of house calls made by case workers.

Carthage, IL – The regional school superintendent wants Hancock County school districts to take a close look at all their reorganization alternatives. Bob Baumann has scheduled a meeting next month for school board members, superintendents, and interested citizens. He says state funding is not keeping up with school costs, and the number of pupils will drop more than 20 percent over the next 13 years. Baumann says school consolidations or convergences are being discussed by several Hancock County districts. He wants school leaders to consider all their options.

LaHarpe, IL – The LaHarpe Carnegie Library staff will open a time capsule this weekend as part of the town's Summerfest activities. Director Monica Carpenter says the capsule was placed 100 years ago when construction began on the library building. Newspapers of the era report it contains pictures of the town's buidings and a telephone listing, among other items. The capsule will be opened about 11 a.m. Saturday, shortly after the town's Summerfest parade. She says a new capsule will be put in the cornerstone next spring at the anniversary of the opening of the library.