Lee County, IA –
Lee County
The Lee County Sheriff's Office has a new deputy.
Joseph Hambleton is an Army veteran who served a tour of duty in Iraq.
He was born and raised near Davenport, Iowa.
Sheriff Jim Sholl says Hambleton is already on the job and will attend the training academy next year.
Hambleton was hired to fill a vacancy in the department.
Keokuk, IA
A change in city code regarding where alcohol can be consumed should not affect how the Keokuk Police Department handles special events.
Chief Tom Crew says his officers know what to do.
"It is basically the same as we have been doing for the last 25 years," says Crew, "so it should not impact us anymore than it has done in the past."
Crew says alcohol-involved events would still require off-duty police officers and roped-off sections.
The Keokuk City Council has started the process of making it legal to hold a special event where alcohol will be served on public property, specifically in Rand Park.
The final votes could take place on Thursday, December 15.
Lee County, IA
One Lee County department hopes to save some money by not replacing an employee.
The Board of Supervisors has agreed to allow Treasurer Janet Strunk to promote a current employee to a deputy, or salaried, position.
She can also hire a part-time employee to help with property tax collection.
Strunk says these moves will cost her about $10,000, but she says she will save $40,000, annually, by not replacing a retiring employee.
Keokuk, IA
The Keokuk School District plans to rebid some work at one of its elementary schools.
Separate bids will be sought, early next year, for general renovations at George Washington Elementary and for a sprinkler system.
The general renovations include new carpet, ceilings, lighting and piping.
They will not include the replacement of the boiler system or the multi-purpose room's floor or the addition of a security system and surveillance cameras.
Cost estimates are being developed.
The current timeline calls for the work to take place next summer.