Keokuk woman killed in Hancock County crash
Illinois State Police are investigating a fatal one-vehicle accident in Hancock County.
Authorities responded to the crash around 12:01 a.m. Sunday, April 13 the 1700 block of East County Road 1500 North in rural Carthage.
A Toyota sedan traveling eastbound left the roadway, struck a tree, and rolled several times, according to a release from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office
Sherry Crowell, 22, of Keokuk, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, Riley Cramsey, 18, of Carthage, and a juvenile passenger sustained serious injuries and were life-flighted to Iowa City.
Charges in the crash are pending, according to the sheriff’s office.
Collins to join Greater Burlington Partnership
A Macomb native and Republican Iowa State Representative will be the new executive director of economic development for Greater Burlington Partnership.
Taylor Collins represents Iowa House District 95. Beginning May 1, he will lead Burlington Greater Partnership’s efforts to attract and retain business, support entrepreneurship, and promote job growth.
“We’re so excited to welcome Taylor to the team. He brings a powerful combination of strategic insight, deep public policy experience, and a genuine passion for Southeast Iowa,” said Amy O’Brien, President & CEO of the Greater Burlington Partnership. “His proven leadership at the state level will be invaluable as we boldly work to grow and strengthen our economy.”
BTown Pride, which organizes Pride on the Riverfront and advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community in southeast Iowa, condemned the decision.
“Representative Collins has a legislative record that includes supporting policies that have directly harmed all Iowans, most notably women, people of color, those with disabilities, economic instability, mental illness, and the LGBTQIA+ community,” a statement reads.
Chronic wasting disease detected in Adams County
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said chronic wasting disease has been detected in Adams County.
CWD is a neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer. It’s always fatal.
The disease has also been detected in 25 counties across northern Illinois.
The Adams County case is the first one documented in western Illinois, and it’s the farthest south it’s been detected.
The IDNR said the Adams County case of CWD was detected and confirmed through diagnostic testing from routine surveillance of hunter-harvested deer.
Knox County now using JustFOIA for public records requests
Knox County now has a modern method for processing public records requests for the County.
The county is now using JustFOIA software to modernize and streamline the process.
Officials say the new software, which is also what the city of Galesburg uses, will allow for smoother processing of requests along with quicker responses.
The portal is now available on the county’s website and ready for use.
Pike County man sentenced in sexual exploitation case
A western Illinois man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child.
Anthony Westemeyer, 37, of Nebo, created a coercive environment of physical and emotional abuse, according to federal prosecutors. They say he forced the minor through threats of violence to engage in sexual acts while being filmed.
Westemeyer also paid other men to participate in the abuse.
The case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Justice Department initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Pike County officials assisted with the investigation.
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