Man killed, children injured in UTV accident
An Abingdon man is dead and two children are injured following a utility terrain vehicle accident in rural Warren County.
Troy Simkins, 42, of Abingdon was on 130th Avenue west of Abingdon around 3:45 p.m. Monday when he lost control of the vehicle.
The UTV left the roadway, struck a ditch, and overturned several times, according to state police.
Simkins and a 10-year-old male passenger were ejected from the vehicle.
Simkins was pronounced dead at the scene and the 10-year-old was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A 7-year-old passenger was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Iowa voters decide primary election contests
In southeast Iowa on June 7, Burlington city council member Matthew Rinker defeated restaurant owner T.J. Widbin in the Republican primary for 99th district state representative. Rinker will run against incumbent Democratic State Rep. Dennis Cohoon this fall.
Also in southeast Iowa, Jeff Shipley edged Joe Mitchell in the Republican primary for 87th district state representative. Shipley will face Democrat Mike Heaton in the November election.
Retired Navy admiral Mike Franken defeated former congresswoman Abby Finkenauer and western Iowa physician Glenn Hurst to win Iowa’s Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. In the fall, Franken will face Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, who is running for an 8th term in office. Grassley easily defeated state Senator Jim Carlin in the Republican primary.
Joel Miller topped Eric Van Lancker in the Democratic primary for Iowa secretary of state. Miller will challenge incumbent Paul Pate, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
Macomb buys land for water treatment plant
City council members this week approved the purchase of more than 16 acres at the northwest corner of Grant and Ward streets for its proposed new water treatment plant. The deal is contingent upon the city drilling a test well that produces enough water.
The purchase price is $219,780. City Administrator Scott Coker said $150,000 of that is already budgeted and the rest will come from the city’s water fund.
The city’s goal is to complete the new water plant by 2027. The estimated cost is $20 million to $25 million. City leaders hope to obtain an EPA loan to help pay for it.
Macomb’s current water plant is located in Glenwood Park. City officials said it is aging and sits in a flood plain.
The city currently gets 60% to 70% of its water from Spring Lake. The rest comes from a deep well.
Macomb would get all of its water from deep wells once the new plant is built.
Cottage Rehab is now Advanced Rehab
A physical therapy clinic with locations in Galesburg and Monmouth is rebranding following the closure of Cottage Hospital.
Cottage Rehab and Sports Medicine was established in 2001 as a joint venture between Advanced Rehab and Cottage Hospital.
Now the clinics will transition back to the original name of Advanced Rehab and Sports Medicine.
Patients will see no changes to insurance with the change.
Route 34 repairs begin Monday
Pavement repairs will begin Monday on eastbound U.S. Route 34 between Main Street and Henderson Street in Galesburg.
The work will require overnight lane closures in the eastbound lanes, and intermittent daytime lane closures for patching in the westbound lanes.
Motorists can expect delays and should choose alternate routes when possible. The work is expected to be finished by the end of June.
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