Mathis pleads not guilty in Macomb police shooting
The man accused of shooting two Macomb police officers on Sept. 4 has pleaded not guilty.
Shaiking Mathis, 38, was in court on Sept. 30 for a preliminary hearing.
Following testimony by Illinois State Police at the hearing, Judge Nigel Graham found probable cause to charge Mathis with eight offenses, including aggravated battery to a police officer.
Mathis also asked for a jury trial. He remains in the McDonough County jail after being denied pretrial release.
His next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29.
Both officers are recovering from their injuries.
OSF to expand Galesburg emergency department
Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year on a 7,000-square-foot expansion to the emergency department at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg.
The $5 million project will add one additional triage room and six more treatment rooms.
OSF said the redesign will enhance care and improve patient experiences.
The project is expected to take 18 months to complete. The emergency department will remain open during construction, but traffic may be rerouted to a different entrance during the first phase of construction.
Legionella mitigation underway in West Burlington
Health officials are taking action after a resident of an long-term, assisted living facility in West Burlington tested positive for Legionella, and the bacteria was also detected in the water supply.
The resident of the Klein Center tested positive for Legionella after developing pneumonia-type symptoms.
Water was shut off to the household where the person resided and residents were provided bottled water for drinking and hygiene use, per the guidance of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition, the water supply is being disinfected and bacterial filters have been installed on all the showers and faucets at the facility.
Burlington Public Library seeks mural proposals
The Burlington Public LIbrary is requesting proposals from student artists for a new mural in the library’s teen area.
The project is in partnership with the Art Center of Burlington, the Burlington Community School District Art Department, and TICOS (Teens Inspiring Change, Optimism & Service).
This permanent mural will be an opportunity for up-and-coming artists to showcase their talent while helping to bring public art to the library.
Students aged 21 and younger are asked to submit landscape designs of Burlington in Manga, a Japanese comic book style.
Submissions will be accepted through Dec. 20. The committee will choose a design early next year.
For questions regarding this project please contact the library’s Teen Specialist, Becky Ruberg, via email at rruberg@burlington.lib.ia.us.
Reception for new Fort Madison Police Chief
The city of Fort Madison will host a public reception to welcome its next police chief at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 in council chambers.
Cody Potthast will be sworn in next month. He has served as a captain for the Fort Madison Police Department since January 2022, and formerly worked for the Nebraska State Patrol.
Potthast will succeed Chief Mark Rohloff, who is retiring.
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