McDonough County reports case of whooping cough
A case of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has been confirmed at West Prairie Junior-Senior High School in Colchester.
The McDonough County Health Department said the respiratory illness is highly contagious. It is working with the school district to prevent the illness from spreading.
The department said if you have been exposed to pertussis and have a cough, stay home from school, work, and other activities and events, and make an appointment to see a healthcare provider.
Pertussis typically begins with cold-like symptoms. It can be especially dangerous for infants and people with weakened immune systems.
Mental health forum planned in Galesburg
Mayor Peter Schwartzman will host a public forum on mental health at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 in the community room at the Galesburg Public Library.
The forum is an opportunity for residents and mental health providers to discuss challenges they are facing, as well as potential collaborations that would improve levels of care.
Schwartzman is encouraging attendees to review Bridgeway’s Community Needs Assessment in advance. The study conducted earlier this year identifies behavioral health and substance use needs in Knox County.
“Maintaining good mental health is a challenge for all of us given the stressors in all of our lives. It is important for our community to work together to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need to thrive,” Schwartzman said in a release. “Please come out and share your thoughts and help create a healthy pathway for all in our community.”
Drones to enhance ag education in Keokuk
Agriculture students at Keokuk High School will soon be using drone technology.
The ag department was awarded an $8,000 grant through the Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEA) Regional Planning Partnership (RPP) program.
“This generous funding will be used to purchase four state-of-the-art agriculture drones,” Brady Martin, KHS Agriculture instructor and FFA advisor, said. “This will bring cutting-edge technology into the classroom and enhance student learning opportunities in agricultural sciences.”
The drones will allow students to explore the practical applications of drone technology in agriculture, including precision farming, crop monitoring, livestock management and environmental stewardship.
Celebrating a century of Burlington City Hall
The city of Burlington will mark the 100th anniversary of its historic City Hall building with a special celebration.
The event will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 at City Hall, 400 Washington St.
Construction on the building began in May 1923. It was officially dedicated
on Dec. 23, 1924.
To celebrate, guests are invited to join guided tours of the building, showcasing its history and architecture. Cake and punch will also be provided.
Monmouth Resource Center now open
The Jamieson Community Center’s new Monmouth Resource Center is now open at 1120 S. Main St.
It includes Jamieson’s thrift store and food pantry in the former Tom and Linda’s grocery store.
The new, renovated space was made possible by a gift from the Pattee Foundation.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The new space will also create a new position for a dedicated resource person who will assist local families and connect them to the right community resources.
The food pantry will continue to use a “choice” model, allowing families to shop for food their families will eat.
Proceeds from the thrift store support community programs. Donations are accepted only on Mondays and Thursdays.
New sublease agreement for MACVB
The Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has a new sublease agreement with the city of Macomb.
It allows the MACVB’s offices to remain in the Thomas C. Carper Amtrak station downtown. The bureau will pay the city $300 per month. The rent will be reviewed annually.
The agreement also allows the MACVB to occupy the parts of the building that formerly housed a store for Western Illinois University merchandise.
The agreement runs through the end of February 2029.
Galesburg tables video gaming moratorium
The Galesburg city council tabled a vote on an ordinance limiting the number of video gaming licenses.
City staff drafted an ordinance that would limit, or put a moratorium on the number of gaming licenses, similar to limits that are put on liquor licenses. Currently there are around 190 gaming terminals at 35 establishments.
The ordinance was considered on first reading Nov. 4, with significant discussion.
At this week’s council meeting, City Manager Eric Hanson said the city is still working to modify the ordinance based on that discussion, and asked if the council would consider tabling it.
The council will again consider the ordinance at its Dec. 2 meeting.
Arts survey underway in Burlington
A team of University of Iowa graduate students is conducting a community input survey to gather information on the arts and culture ecosystem in Burlington and West Burlington.
The survey, “Voice Your Vision,” invites residents to share their ideas, perspectives, and aspirations for the future of arts and culture initiatives.
The survey can be accessed at https://bit.ly/surveyBWB
The students will use the survey results to create a plan that aligns arts and culture initiatives with the needs and interests of the Burlington and West Burlington communities.
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