WIUM Local

Hancock County will soon be in the market for a new ambulance coordinator. The Health and Miscellaneous Committee voted unanimously to give Perry Cameron until Tuesday, July 17th, to resign.

If  he does not, the full county board will vote that evening on whether to fire him.

Committee Chair Dan Asbury has been frustrated by a lack of progress in making improvements to the service.

He says, “I think we're hearing about lack of leadership and morale is bad and staffing is an issue. We just think it's time for a change.”

An award winning reporter and former long-time host of Morning Edition on Tri States Public Radio has passed away.  

Don Johnson was 69.

Johnson worked at the Macomb Journal when former News Director Bill Wheelhouse brought him to Tri States Public Radio. Wheelhouse has said he hired Johnson because he constantly scooped the competition.

Johnson was known for his easy-going ways and his mellow voice. He retired from Tri States Public Radio in January 2008 after 20 years on the air. Shortly thereafter he took a job at the e-waste recycling center in Macomb.

Colchester residents say they won't be able to afford sewer rates of $50 per month.  That's the maximum amount the city would have to charge if it has to finance the entire $4.2 million dollar cost of a sewer repair project that is being mandated by the federal EPA.

The city held a public hearing as part of the grant application process. The city is hoping to qualify for at least $1.1 million from the USDA's Rural Development program. The application must be completed by July 15th.

The American Red Cross offers tools to help families and individuals prepare for disasters. A new free online site offers help for organizations-schools, businesses and non-profits.

LaMoine Valley chapter Program Director Kayla Daudelin says some disasters can't be avoided. She says the Insurance Information Institute says 40% of businesses fail after a natural or manmade disaster.

The first step to prepare is taking the self-assessment test.

The head of a state panel on police officer training now says facilities in Macomb and Urbana can co-exist. 

It appeared the facility at the University of Illinois was about to close this summer. But the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board said Monday July 9 that it has come to an agreement with the U of I to keep that facility’s doors open.

Executive Director Kevin McClain said U of I President Robert Easter initiated talks with members of the board to explain the role of its Police Training Institute, repairing a relationship he described as "dormant."