Jason Parrott

Keokuk could get some financial help from some of its employees.

The city’s current contract with the firefighter’s union runs out June 30, 2013.  It is the only contract in place for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2012.

Keokuk is currently in negotiations with the unions representing police officers, employees at the wastewater treatment plant, and the general union, which includes parks, streets and cemeteries.

The firefighters are offering to give up the 3% raise its members are in-line for come July 1.

Former Hamilton School Board Member Dion Gregory will not go to prison after being found guilty, in March, of felony Criminal Sexual Abuse involving a minor.

He will have to serve two months in the Hancock County Jail and two years of supervised probation, which includes sex offender treatment.

Gregory must also pay $9,600 in fines, fees and court costs. 

He was found guilty in a stipulated bench trial before Associate Judge Richard Gambrell.

Gregory’s wife and his victim, a juvenile male, each made an impact statement during the sentencing hearing.

The victims of a boat collision early Saturday morning near Burlington have been identified.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the bodies of Matthew House, 21, Jacob Boyd, 22, Caitlyn Atchley, 20, and Blake Eakins, 21 were found Sunday morning.  They were all from Burlington.

The agency says the collision occurred in the O’Donnell Slough area of the Mississippi River.

Keokuk Police Chief Tom Crew used Thursday night’s city council meeting to announce his retirement.  His final day on the job will be June 28, but he will officially leave the payroll on July 6.

Crew has been with the Keokuk Police Department for 25 years.  He worked his way through the ranks, serving as patrol officer, captain and assistant chief along the way.

Crew has led the department for the last seven years. 

His time in local law enforcement also included a stint as commander of the Lee County Narcotics Task Force.

The 3rd time was the charm in Fort Madison’s attempt to land some state funding for a proposed sports complex.

The Fort Madison Sports Complex Committee applied for nearly $900,000 through the Vision Iowa Board’s Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Committee.

The group walked away with nothing but advice and recommendations after its first two presentations to the CAT Committee.

The third trip, though, led Vision Iowa to agree to enter into negotiations with the sports complex committee to determine how much state funding would be provided.

Southeastern Community College will soon have to fill another vacancy in a key position.

Dr. Phil Thomas has informed the college that he is resigning effective August 15.  He has served as Vice President for Teaching and Learning for the last two years.

Thomas has not identified his new employer as its Board has not yet voted on his appointment.  He expects a public announcement to be made after May 25.

Thomas sent an email to faculty and staff on Wednesday that said he would stay with SCC through a visit by the Higher Learning Commission August 13-14.

The Keokuk School Board will get some help in its search for a new superintendent.

Doctor Lora Wolff is stepping down June 30 to take a teaching position at Western Illinois University.  The school board officially accepted her resignation Tuesday night.

Shortly after that vote, the board agreed to hire Ray & Associates to assist in the search process.  The Cedar Rapids-based firm already handles Keokuk’s contract negotiations.

Lee County could update a policy that affects every one of its employees.

Safety Coordinator BJ Stephens says she would like to do a complete re-write of the county’s safety plan.  She says it would cover every aspect of county government by creating a streamlined approach to handling issues that multiple departments must address.

Board of Supervisors Chairperson Janet Fife-LaFrenz says the goal is “to make our environment that our people work in and our residents come in to visit a very safe one.”

The Burlington School District is updating its policy on bullying and harassment.  The changes are based on a recent site visit by the Iowa Department of Education.

Human Resources Director Laurie Hempen says the agency wants Burlington to expand the list of situations that could be considered bullying or harassment.  She says the additions include gender identity, political party, physical attributes, and ancestry.

Hempen says the policy already covered situations including race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.

Keokuk has started talking about developing its own multi-sport complex.

The discussions began with a request to upgrade Rees Park.  Mayor Tom Marion says the idea is to prepare the park for softball games or practices.

“We will put the fencing back up and we will disc the infield,” says Marion.  “We will also bring some clay sand and put it on the infield and fix the bleachers.”

The city council reached a consensus to proceed with the project, which could cost several thousand dollars.