Burlington remains identified
Human remains found in the 900 block of South Main Street in Burlington on March 7 have been identified as a man reported missing nearly four years ago.
The Iowa State Medical Examiner identified the remains as Troy Daugherty, 54. He was reported missing in July 2020.
The death is being investigated by Burlington police. Autopsy and toxicology reports are pending.
West Prairie and Southeastern continue football co-op
Two western Illinois school districts have agreed to a two-year extension of their football cooperative.
The West Prairie and Southeastern districts have combined their football programs for the past three seasons, and the team made the playoffs each of those years.
West Prairie Athletic Director Jason Finch said it would be difficult to field a football team without the cooperative agreement.
Sandburg awarded nursing shortage grant
Carl Sandburg College is getting $96,401 from the Illinois Board of Higher Education to help combat the state’s nursing shortage.
The grant is to increase the number of registered nurses to meet the demand of the workforce. The state awarded $1.4 million in nursing shortage grants this year to a dozen institutions, which is nearly double what was awarded last year.
Grants were awarded through a competitive application process where institutions submitted enrollment, retention, completion and job placement rates of their students during a multi-year period, plus how grant funds would be used to enhance their program’s efforts to close equity gaps and improve student success.
According to a release from IBHE, Sandburg will use the funds for simulation equipment, to cover costs of testing and student fees, and to continue focusing on African-American student retention.
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