Bushnell murder court case continued
The case has been continued until mid-February for a teenager charged in a Bushnell murder.
Davin Purden, 18, was in court this week for a brief appearance. Public Defender Stephanie Hilton asked for and was granted the continuance by Judge Nigel Graham.
Purden and Nicholas Lafary, 18, are each charged with first-degree murder in the death of Travis Purden, 43, in early June.
Both teens have pleaded not guilty.
Lafary is due back in court early next month.
Transition coming for Great River Health nutrition services workers
Data released Tuesday, Dec. 19 under Iowa’s Working Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act caused some confusion in southeast Iowa.
The Act requires employers with more than 100 employees to give 60 days notice of mass layoffs, and the data showed nearly 70 Great River Health employees in West Burlington and Fort Madison were being laid off early next year.
But hospital spokesperson Angie Budnik said no one is losing their job.
She said people who work in nutrition services for Great River Health are transitioning to become employees of food service provider Aramark.
SRC Foundation receives largest-ever gift from an individual
The first person to enroll in and graduate from Spoon River College is making another mark at the school.
Lynn McPheeters pledged $500,000 to establish a scholarship for students entering career and technical education programs, which are ineligible for federal financial aid.
SRC said it’s the largest gift an individual has ever given to its foundation.
McPheeters, who was a first-generation college student, graduated from the school in 1962 when it was known as Canton Community College.
He went on to become Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Caterpillar, Inc.
Preservation grant for opera house in Beardstown
Landmarks Illinois has awarded grants to ten preservation projects across the state, including one in west central Illinois.
The Heritage Preservation Foundation in Beardstown will receive $1,650. The money will go toward an updated fire alarm system at the Beardstown Grand Opera House, which was built in 1872.
Today, the building is used as a retail and community theater space.
Landmarks Illinois is a membership-based, historic preservation nonprofit organization.
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