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The city of Fort Madison has a new mayor as the city council appointed Alderman At-Large Brad Randolph to the post during Tuesday night’s meeting.

Randolph served as Mayor Pro Tem under former Mayor Steve Ireland, who passed away last month.  Randolph has been serving as mayor since then.

Randolph says he is both honored and humbled to be Fort Madison’s new mayor.  He says one of his top priorities will be to complete a project near and dear to Ireland’s heart: the renovation of the Santa Fe Depot Complex.

Randolph joined the Fort Madison City Council in 2006.  City staff says he was the only resident to apply to serve as Mayor.

Randolph took the oath of office immediately after his appointment. 

Recording at a farm or livestock facility without the permission of the owner would be illegal under a proposal in the Illinois House.

Representative Jim Sacia (R-Winnebago County) sponsored the measure (HB 5143). He said farmers know what's best for their animals.

"I have been involved in the agriculture community my entire life. I grew up on a dairy farm. I'm a strong supporter of livestock agriculture," Sacia said.

"When people attempt to make farmers look bad in order to further their agenda, that bothers me."

The six men vying to be Burlington’s next city manager have plenty on their schedules while in town this weekend.

The selection process gets underway Friday morning with individual tours of the city.

Each candidate will be joined by a member of the city council and a representative of the Chamber of Commerce.

8:30 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. – William Way

9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. – Ronald Chandler

10:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. – Alan Lanning

12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. – Edward Sadler

1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. – Steven Winger

2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. – James Ferneau

William Way will meet with the city council and the firm working with the city following the completion of the final tour.

CARTHAGE, IL – The Illini West School Board will not put a referendum on a new high school before voters next spring.

MACOMB, IL – Muslims shared the world's grief and horror on 9/11.

Macomb, IL – Phase Two of Western Illinois University's Housing and Dining Services Master Plan calls for closing two housing facilities. Under the plan, Higgins Hall and Lamoine Village would be shut down in the fall of 2012.

Carthage, IL – The Carthage elementary school district will ask for about an 11 percent increase in its tax levy for the coming year.

Beardstown, IL – Several Cass County groups are joining to try out a different approach to soil conservation.

Warsaw, IL – Warsaw's Historical Society is applying for a grant to fix up a building associated with Abraham Lincoln's private secretary.

Carthage, IL – The Hancock County Board has agreed to hold a hearing that could provide bonds for Carthage Memorial Hospital.