Mosquitoes in Warren County test positive for West Nile
The Warren County Health Department is reporting that West Nile virus positive mosquitoes have been detected in the county.
Batches of mosquitoes collected June 20 tested positive for the virus, according to the health department.
Most people infected with West Nile do not show any symptoms. However, severe illness is possible.
Health officials say the best way to prevent West Nile disease is to reduce exposure and take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Man arrested in Heritage Days burglary
Macomb police said they arrested a suspect in a burglary near the community’s annual Heritage Days festival.
Police were called to the area of Chandler Park on Saturday, June 24 to investigate a break-in to a locked, enclosed trailer.
About $600 worth of alcohol was missing from the trailer, along with a large speaker used at the festival.
Police later arrested Mark Wiltermood, 46, of Macomb.
He is charged with burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property.
Federal drug sentence for Burlington man
A Burlington man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for charges related to drug trafficking.
Officers purchased meth from Robert Gantz, 39, with the use of a confidential source.
Then they searched his vehicle and found a handgun with an obliterated serial number, two loaded magazines, and drugs including meth and marijuana.
Gantz admitted he was involved with distributing meth in southeast Iowa.
The investigation was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.
OSF expanding radiation oncology in Galesburg
Construction is beginning on a linear accelerator as part of a project to offer radiation oncology services at OSF Saint Mary Medical Center in Galesburg.
OSF is building a vault that will house the linear accelerator for external beam radiation.
Those treatments are less invasive and destroy cancer cells while protecting normal tissue.
It’s expected to be available to patients in September.
Burn ban in Warsaw and Hamilton
The Warsaw Rural Fire Protection District and the Hamilton Fire Department have issued burn bans for the cities of Warsaw and Hamilton, and for all outlying areas covered by the departments.
The ban includes residential fire rings and pits, and fireworks of any kind in residential areas.
The burn ban is in effect until further notice.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.