A weekly roundup of news from around the region.
Army to discontinue ROTC program at WIU
The U.S. Department of Army is ending the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at Western Illinois University and nine other institutions.
The Army cited a reduction in its civilian workforce.
In a release, WIU President Kristi Mindrup said, “We are disappointed by this unexpected decision by the Department of the Army.”
She said the university will continue to advocate for the program, which will be discontinued after next school year.
WIU’s ROTC program, which began in 1968, currently enrolls 44 students.
The other institutions losing their ROTC programs are Truman State University, University of Northern Iowa, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, California Polytechnic State University, Elizabeth City State University, Saint Augustine’s University, Clarkson University, John Carroll University, and West Virginia State University.
Dual credit now offered for Lee County CEO program
High school students in the Lee County CEO program will now be able to earn dual credit with Southeastern Community College.
“We felt that the ability to offer college credit for participating in Lee County CEO matched the participant’s exposure to this type of high-level experiential learning,” Dr. Kathy Dinger, Keokuk Community School District superintendent, said. “
Lee County CEO provides Central Lee High School, Fort Madison High School, Holy Trinity Senior High School, and Keokuk High School juniors and seniors with real-world experience in entrepreneurship, leadership, and career development.
The application deadline for the program has been extended through July 28. More information is available at leecountyceo.com.
Vitale Foundation awards grants to Orpheum, GCAC
A Galesburg foundation has awarded $75,000 in grants to two arts-related organizations.
The Galesburg Community Arts center will receive $50,000 from the G.L. Vitale Family Foundation for its Imagination Station project.
The Orpheum Theatre will receive $25,000 to upgrade aisle and stair lighting in the historic venue.
The G.L. Vitale Family Foundation focuses on improving quality of life for residents in Knox County.
Pay raises for SRC president, administrators, & professional support staff
The president of Spoon River College is receiving a 3.5% pay raise for the fiscal year that began on Tuesday, July 1.
That will bring Curt Oldfield’s salary to $205,344.
The SRC Board of Trustees’ goals for Oldfield for the new fiscal year include growing student enrollment, developing new career and technical education programs, and maintaining fiscal stability.
During its June meeting, the board also approved pay raises of 3.5% for all other administrators and professional support staff.
The board in May approved a step increase plus 2% for a total increase of 3.58% for members of the SRC Faculty Association, and pay raises of 3.5% for members of the Classified Personnel Association.
Route 67 repair work begins Monday
Repair work on U.S. Route 67 in Warren and Mercer counties is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 7.
The work includes repairs and a deck overlay on the bridge over Toms Creek north of Alexis. Traffic will be controlled by temporary signals.
Additional work includes pavement patching, resurfacing, and guardrail improvements on U.S. Route 67 and Illinois Route 135. The work will require daytime lane closures with traffic controlled by flaggers.
The projects are scheduled for completion by December.
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