Two pediatric hepatitis cases in western Illinois
The Illinois Department of Public Health is investigating nine suspected cases of severe hepatitis in children reported so far this year.
All were hospitalized, one needed a liver transplant, and two-thirds tested positive for adenovirus, a common virus that causes cold- and flu-like illness.
Two of the nine cases have been in western Illinois, but an IDPH spokesperson declined to confirm exactly where, citing patient confidentiality.
Nationally the CDC is investigating around 180 pediatric hepatitis cases reported in the last seven months.
The CDC is also working with state health departments to identify additional cases, and what’s causing them.
IDPH is advising healthcare providers to be on the lookout and report potential cases of hepatitis in children to public health authorities.
Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to be aware of hepatitis symptoms and contact healthcare providers with concerns.
For more information, go to:https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2022/han00462.asp
Keokuk bank robbery suspect in custody
A man suspected of robbing Two Rivers Bank & Trust in Keokuk on April 26 has been taken into custody.
Keokuk police arrested Casey Alexander Young, 37, of Keokuk, on Wednesday. He is charged with robbery in the first degree.
Police say search warrants executed during the investigation implicated Young in the crime.
WIU secures funds to upgrade heating plant
Western Illinois University will receive $2.8 million in state funding to pay for work at its heating plant building in Macomb.
The upgrades include masonry work on the exterior, replacing the roof, structural repairs, and drainage work.
The university ranked the repairs as one of its top priorities because the plant provides central steam service for the entire Macomb campus and is in need of updates to continue operating efficiently.
Western is hoping other deferred maintenance projects will also receive state funding soon.
Three firearm seizures in Hancock County
Hancock County Sheriff Travis Duffy reported three incidents in the last week that involved the seizure of firearms.
Lance Hocker, 26, of Fort Madison, was pulled over for expired registration and arrested for DUI. Officers also found a pistol in the vehicle and charged him with unlawful use of a weapon.
Brandon Bough, 29, of Basco, was arrested for DUI after a report of a domestic disturbance. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon after officers found a pistol in his vehicle.
In the third incident, officers were investigating a report of a missing juvenile from Hamilton. The juvenile was located near Nauvoo in the company of Niccolo Moylan, 19, who was in possession of a pistol. He was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
West Prairie school district hires principals
The district is bringing in a pair of new principals for next school year.
Jimmy Heuer will oversee the junior-senior high school. He was previously assistant principal at Macomb Junior High.
Kim Spiker will serve as principal for North Elementary School in Good Hope. She comes to West Prairie from Farmington, where she was the student success coordinator.
In a release, West Prairie said each has more than 25 years of experience in education, mostly in the classroom.
Pool opening delayed in Burlington
Burlington’s Dankwardt Pool will not open on Memorial Day as planned.
City officials said issues with the pool’s liner could delay opening until June 10.
That also means the first session of swimming lessons will be cancelled this year, but the city will be offering refunds.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from 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.