WIUM Local

One member of the Keokuk City Council wants residents to address a growing nuisance.

City code requires residents to trim their trees so they do not block sidewalks or extend out over city streets.  The excessive limbs can damage larger vehicles like fire engines and garbage trucks.

1st Ward Alderman Mike O’Connor says there are too many properties, throughout Keokuk, where the trees are out of control.

He wants to put the entire city “on notice” to deal with these overgrown trees.

Burlington’s search for a new police chief has reached the “Final Four” as the Civil Service Commission has certified the eligibility of four finalists.

Two of the finalists are currently employed by the city of Burlington: Lt. Darren Grimshaw and Major Doug Beaird, who is currently serving as interim police chief.

The other two finalists are from outside of the region.

Zim Schwartze is a former emergency management and public safety coordinator in Missouri and Charlie Dennis is a former police chief in Arizona.

The Keokuk School Board could hire a new superintendent as early as this weekend.

The panel will interview six candidates during special meetings on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

The school district will not identify the finalists.  The meetings will also be off-limits to the public per agreements between the candidates and the firm handling the search process.

The district received more than 40 applications. 

Carthage is being pro-active by encouraging water conservation by a combination of mandatory and voluntary measures.

Businesses are required to stop watering their lawns.

Second-ward Alderman Gary Smith says the city is concerned since the level at the city's lake has fallen by five feet recently.

He expects businesses will honor the ban. Smith says, “We've had good luck in the past and I think we'll probably not have any problem this time.”Businesses that ignore the order could be subject to fines.

The Dudley Street Skate Park will have to wait for concrete ramps and other structures from a California manufacturer.

Park District Director Ray Peterson says those structures are expected to arrive September 16.

He says, “Unfortunately, when you make that order you get in line. And when you're dealing with the number one supplier in the United States, a few days makes a difference on when you got in line, apparently.”

Peterson also says the district cannot invoke a penalty clause in the contract with the manufacturer since the delay is just a matter of production.