Fatal forklift accident at Burlington factory
The Burlington Police Department is investigating a forklift accident that left one person dead.
Sam DeJanes, 64, was first taken to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center. DeJanes was later taken to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, where he was pronounced dead.
The accident happened Tuesday afternoon at Industrial Service Corporation.
Galesburg hires finance director
A Galesburg native will lead the city’s finance department.
Jennifer O’Hern, a graduate of Knox College and Western Illinois University, will begin June 17 as Director of Finance, overseeing accounting services such as utility billing, banking, budgeting, payroll, and purchasing
O’Hern most recently served as the District Accountant for Moline-Coal Valley Community Unit School District, preparing the annual budget, audit, and monthly financial reports, and supervising the business office.
She has over 16 years of experience in all areas of governmental finance.
Solar farm planned at Spoon River College
Spoon River College is making plans to install a solar farm at its campus in Canton.
“The solar farm would create about 95% of the energy usage the Canton campus has,” said SRC President Curt Oldfield.
He said the college would sign a power purchase agreement with an outside company. That business would own, install, and maintain the solar panels, and SRC would buy power from them at a reduced rate.
The goal is to have the farm online by early 2026.
Oldfield said the idea came from a look into how the college could be more efficient.
Keokuk sets schedule for summer meal program
The summer meal program offered by the Keokuk School District will run on Mondays through Fridays from June 3 through July 26.
- 11:30 a.m. to noon, Keokuk Middle School, 2002 Orleans Avenue
- 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Kilbourne Park at 20th and Bank Street
- 11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., Keokuk Park Apartments at 868 Johnson Street Road
- 12:40 p.m. to 1:10 p.m., Triangle Park at Fifth and Grand Avenue
Meals are free to all children ages two to 18. No identification is required.
Adults can purchase meals for $4.85 only at the middle school.
All meals must be consumed on site.
The local program is part of the National School Lunch Program run through the USDA.
West Nile virus detected in Morgan County
West Nile virus has already been detected in mosquitoes in western Illinois this spring, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The batch of mosquitoes was tested in Morgan County. It’s one of the first batches in the state to test positive this year.
IDPH said confirmation of West Nile virus in the state comes two weeks earlier than last year.
The department urges people to wear insect repellent and to eliminate standing water around their home.
Common symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks.
More severe symptoms are possible, especially for people older than 60 and those with weakened immune systems.
Six deaths in Illinois last year were attributed to the virus.
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