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Healthcare in southeast Iowa is about to get stronger. The Board of Directors at Fort Madison Community Hospital (FMCH) has signed an affiliation agreement to join Great River Medical Center as partners under the Great River Health System corporate umbrella. The agreement will become effective Wednesday, August 1. This partnership, of two independent healthcare organizations, will position southeast Iowa as a regional hub for high-quality primary and specialty care, provided through a local health system.

The announcement was first made in December of 2017 that FMCH and Great River Health System were exploring the possibility of an affiliation. At that time, both facilities began what ultimately became a seven-month review of operating and governing documents to determine the viability of a partnership.

“The agreement represents a collaborative understanding of the industry, our patients, and our communities. Partnership will create promise that the very best coordinated and comprehensive health care can be found right here in southeast Iowa. It’s a new day; we simply can’t let history stand in the way of our future and doing what’s best for our patients,” commented Jeremy Alexander, CEO at Fort Madison Community Hospital.

Both healthcare organizations, as part of Great River Health System, will maintain their identities including names, boards of directors, and administrative teams.

“Having a shared vision will help us provide higher quality health care. This partnership will create a stronger, local health system solely dedicated to serving the southeast Iowa region,” expressed Matt Wenzel, CEO at Great River Health System.

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A group of business owners and citizens gathered at the Burlington Library last night to take part in phase two of a project to revitalize the riverfront and downtown Burlington. Phase one took place last fall with a public meeting to get ideas from people. Those ideas became concepts that were presented at the meeting last night.

Burlington Planning Direct Charlie Nichols said the first meeting had a lot of input on the riverfront.

Business people in attendance expressed concern that repurposing some of the buildings on main street may take away from the investment that have made on Jefferson Street. Impact 7 and Confluence are two companies working with town officials to create a long term strategy for the downtown area. Representatives from the two companies said the idea was to enhance not detract from current investment in the downtown and the plan is to attract more people and business to the area as well.

The town has already gotten Brownfield Grants from the EPA, and a Tiger Grant for more than 12 million dollars to focus on the downtown area. Some of that money has already been used for the flood wall and ongoing projects in the area. Some of the grant money has been used to do soil and other testing at sites in Burlington to ensure it is safe and can be included in the plans for the area.

According to studies, Burlington will see about a 1% growth in population. Those new residents are going to be looking for walking and bike trails as well as a vital downtown with business and residential space. The plan takes a long term look at what that space would look like using the historical buildings that already exist in the downtown area and adding amenities that would encourage growth.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to look at concepts and offer ideas and input, following a brief presentation about the work that has been done and is underway in downtown Burlington.

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Kimberly Barrows

The Burlington Police Department took 43 year old Kimberly Barrows into custody at 12;30 Wednesday morning. Barrows has been charged with multiple drug offenses. Possession of marijuana and methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as unlawful possession of prescription drugs. Additional charges include giving a false ID to law enforcement and a warrant from Des Moines County.

Levi Eipert

39 year old Levi Eipert was arrested at 11:23 Tuesday night by the Burlington Police Department on a charge of possession of meth. He was transported to the Des Moines County jail and held on $1000 bond

Diamond Coleman

Diamond Coleman has been taken into custody by the Des Moines County Sheriff’s office on a warrant. The 24 year old was arrested on assault charges on the 18th. The warrant is for a parole violation from a 2014 guilty plea for forgery and carries a $10,000 bond.

Dustin Holmes

33 year old Dustin Holmes has been arrested for a violation of his parole by the West Burlington Police Department. Holmes was on parole for second degree arson. His bond has been set at $10,000 and he is being held in the Des Moines County Jail.

William Bandy

In April of this year, 29 year old William Bandy was charged with domestic abuse assault by the Burlington Police Department. According to court records, he failed to appear in court and a warrant for his arrest was issued on July 11th. The Burlington Police Department transported Bandy to the Des Moines County Jail on $5000 bond.

Jose Murillo

23 year old Jose Murillo was taken into custody for voluntary absence from custody by the Burlington Police Department. Murillo is being held on $200 bond at the Des Moines County jail. Court records show that he plead guilty to a charge of voluntary absence from custody in May 2017.

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Glen Cable

The Burlington Police Department has taken 28 year old Glen Cable into custody for a warrant that was issued on November 3rd of 2017 for failure to appear for a compliance hearing on a charge of OWI first offense. Cable was held at the Des Moines County Jail on a $500 bond.

Lewy Leasure

39 year old Lewy Leasure was taken into custody by the Burlington Police Department Wednesday night. Leasure was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear for a compliance hearing on a June of 2017 guilty plea for possession charges. He was held at the Des Moines County Jail on $1000 bond.

Cody Pedigo

The Burlington Police Department arrest 21 year old Cody Pedigo Wednesday evening. Pedigo is charged with Domestic Abuse Assault and was held on no bond pending a court appearance. Court records indicate that a no conact order was issued in the case. Pedigo was released from custody at around 10 Am today (Thursday).

Brandon Hand

A warrant had been issued for the arrest of 30 year old Brandon Hand on a charge of first degree harassment on the 24th based on an investigation by the Burlington Police Department. Hand was taken into custody yesterday (Wednesday) and transported to the Des Moines County Jail on a $2000 bond.

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Dustin Rogers

The Lee County Narcotics Task Force reports the arrest of a Keokuk man on felony drug charges.

27 year old Dustin Rogers, 27 from Carroll St in Keokuk was arrested on

July 26nd at his residence on felony drug charges.

Rogers is charged with three counts of delivery of methamphetamine less than five grams within 1000 feet

of a public park, second or subsequent offense, class C felonies with enhancements. If convicted, Rogers faces up to 105 years in a state correctional facility.

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Daniel McCarty

44 year old Daniel McCarty was on probation for conviction on a second degree theft charge. According to court records a warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of violation of probation. McCarty was taken into custody by the Burlington Police Department Thursday (Yesterday) at 3:25 in the afternoon. He was held at the Des Moines County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Dallas Estlick

Bond was set at $5000 for 18 year old Dallas Estlick on a charge of possession with intent to deliver marijuana. He was arrested Thursday (yesterday) at 8:28 in the evening by the Burlington Police Department. Estlick was taken to the Des Moines County Jail pending his initial court appearance.

Charie Willits

40 year old Cherie Willits was arrested Thursday at 11:37 PM by the Burlington Police Department on three drug related charges. Willits is charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of prescription drugs. She was held at the Des Moines County Jail on $1000 bond.

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State Auditor Mary Mosiman has been on the job for five years.  She dropped by the KBUR Studio to talk about her role in Iowa’s Government.

Mary Mosiman – Iowa State Auditor.

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22-year-old Megen Clark and her 10-month old child were found safely in McBee, South Carolina.

Pictured: Daniel Lee Cluney

A missing Burlington woman and child have been safely located in South Carolina.

Burlington police say 22-year-old Magen Clark and her 10-month old daughter, who had been listed as missing persons in Des Moines County were found unharmed on Friday.

Clark and her daughter had apparently moved into a trailer in South Carolina with 32-year-old Daniel Lee Cluney, who was wanted on several felony warrants in Iowa. After a tip was received by Burlington police, the Darlington County Sheriff’s office in South Carolina was able to locate all three at a trailer home in McBee, South Carolina. Authorities say she appeared to be there voluntarily.

Cluney was arrested and will be extradited back to Des Moines County where he will face charges of burglary, going armed with intent, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. His bond has been set at $37K.

If convicted on all charges Cluney could receive up to 35 years in prison.

The Iowa State Patrol says an 18-year-old Brighton woman has died after her car was hit by a train in Mount Pleasant.

The Iowa State Patrol says the crash happened just after 1 a.m. Saturday morning at the North Iris Street train crossing on the west side of Mount Pleasant.

A report by the State Patrol says Lydia Johnson, of Brighton, tried to drive around crossing gates when her car was hit by a westbound train. The patrol says the gates were down and lights were flashing when the incident happened.

The crash remains under investigation.

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David Pennington

The lee County Sheriff’s office has arrested 47 year old David Pennington from Alexandria Missouri on a violation of probation charge. He was on probation for an original charge of possession of a controlled substance for which he received a five year sentence.

Miguel Alvarez

The Lee County Sheriff’s office arrested 25 year old Miguel Avarez from Fort Madison for failure to appear. According to court records Alvarez was facing charges of eluding, he also has pending cases in Lee County for criminal mischief and interfering with official acts. Alvarez was held at the Lee County Jail.

Danielle Smith

30 year old Danielle Smith from Fort Madison was arrested on a warrant for violation of her probation on a charge of forgery. Smith was taken to the Lee County Jail and held on a $10,000 bond. Court records indicate that she received a five year sentence in October of 2016 after pleading guilty.

Kristen Atterberg

35 year old Kristen Atterberg was taken into custody by the Lee County Sheriff’s office on charge of possession of contraband in a correctional facility at 2:15 this (Monday) morning. Atterberg from Keokuk was held at the Lee County Jail pending an initial court appearance.

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Three people have been arrested on drug charges at Starr’s Cave Park.

Authorities say Des Moines County Conservation Officer John Mercer was patrolling on foot at Starr’s Cave Park on Saturday, when he came upon a group of six people on an unmarked trail. Officer Mercer smelled marijuana at the scene and began to questions the suspects. Under questioning 20- year-old Blaine Burford admitted to being in possession of marijuana and surrendered it to the officer. A second suspect 22-year-old Manuel Gonzalez also surrendered a baggie with marijuana to Officer Mercer.

According to the court documents, all six suspects returned to the Nature Center parking lot with Mercer where he was joined by other officers. A search of Gonzalez’s backpack turned up more baggies of marijuana, a vape device, and a scale. A third suspect Shelby Chane Swore-Ross was also searched and found in possession of marijuana as well.

All three suspects were arrested and taken to the Des Moines County Jail. While in transport, Burford admitted to having a large quantity of marijuana still in his possession. Officers pulled over and took a large baggies of marijuana from the suspects underpants. Burford had a total of 33 grams of marijuana, and was charged with possession with intent to deliver. His bond was set at $5000.

Gonzalez had a total of 4 grams of marijuana, baggies and a scale and has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and sale and manufacturing and was held on $5000 bond. Swore-Ross was charged with possession and held at the Des Moines county Jail on $1000 bond.

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Burlington Police and the Fire Department responded to a car fire at 317 4th street today.  A late model Saturn reportedly began to smoke and caught fire.  No injuries were reported and the fire was extinguished without incident, within minutes.

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Marc Davis

30 year old Marc Davis has been arrested twice in a matter of just 28 hours. According to a police report from the Des Moines County Sheriff, Davis was involved in an incident that took place that the Mediapolis FastBreak on the 28th at around 3:00 in the afternoon. In that incident, Davis was seen threatening another man and then driving off in a late model Lincoln. He was arrested on a witness report for simple assault and riving while barred and held on $2000 bond.

Then on the 29th at 7:19 PM, Marc Davis was arrested for posts and messages that were made on facebook, including one post where Davis admitted to the incident on the day before. The threats including offering the victim $100 to meet him and fight him, as well as threats to kill him. The police report says text messages were also sent to the victims phone. Davis was subsequently charged with first degree harassment, taken to the Des Moines County Jail and held on another $2000 bond.

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There may be another substantial water rate increase coming — aside from the annual 3% increase Burlington residents have come to expect.

The Burlington City Council heard a presentation from consultant HR Green, who says Burlington’s wastewater treatment plant will need nearly $6M in upgrades as a result of Iowa DNR regulations over the next several years — which could raise the city’s water rates by around 10%.

City manager Jim Ferneau told council members the current structure of 3% annual rate increases won’t be enough to cover all the work that needs done.

“This is a significant thing,” Ferneau said. “I don’t know that there’s any way we’re going to be in a position to talk to DNR and ask them to  continue to work with us on a 3% annual rate increase…given that we’re working on sewer separation issues, as well as this…which in and of itself is a 10% rate increase.”

The work would include both biological and chemical nutrient removal improvements at the Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant aimed at removing phosphorus and nitrogen from the water before its released into the Mississippi River.

The work would include both biological and chemical nutrient removal improvements at the Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant aimed at removing phosphorus and nitrogen from the water before its released into the Mississippi River.

Improvements would include biological processes in existing tanks for nitrogen removal, adding a chemical process for phosphorus removal, building a chemical storage building, and adding an additional digester. The total cost to add the processes into the existing facility will be around $5.8M. Additional operating costs of around $300K per year are also expected to impact budgets.

The accident rate among Des Moines County employees doubled for the fiscal year that ended in July. The annual safety report was presented at Tuesday’s board of supervisors meeting by Angie Vaughn.

“We had 26 total accidents, 12 were reportable, 5 were lost time. 60 lost days and 51 restricted days,” Vaughn said during her report.

That compares to between 12 and 15 recorded accidents in each of the previous three years. Vaughn attributed the jump to altercations between jailers and inmates at the Des Moines County jail in early 2018. During that time period the jail had record numbers of inmates incarcerated, with spikes of more than 100 in the facility, which has 68 beds and 10 extra in intake.

Supervisors approved hiring additional jailers, and administrators reviewed procedures following a serious assault on two correctional officers in January. Vaugn says since then the number of incidents have dropped back to normal levels.

Supervisors also approved approval of an agreement for design services for the Highway 99 bridge project, and applying for a transportation safety grant at Tuesday’s regular meeting.

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Casey Davis

35 year old Casey Davis of Keokuk was arrested by the Keokuk Police Department on two charges.

Davis was taken into custody in the 1100 block of exchange street and charged with willful injury and a

Davis is also charged with delivery of less than five grams of methamphetamine, a class C felony.

If convicted, Davis faces up to 10 years in a state correctional facility. Willful injury is a class D felony and carries a maximum five year prison sentence.

Davis was transported to the Lee County Jail to await his initial court appearance.

***story updated from previous verion

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Heritage Museum

If you drive along north fourth you will no doubt notice the scaffolding around the Heritage Museum. Robin Schneiderman, Co-Director with the Des Moines County Historical Society says the building is the society’s biggest asset and it must be maintained. The current work being done is part of a multi-phase plan.

Gutters on the building are repaired and realigned as needed and three foot of slate on the building is being repaired or replaced as needed as well. The work on the building is scheduled for eight weeks, with weather and materials that may cause a potential delay.

The gutter and other work was the result of water leaking behind and ruining the sandstone façade of the building. Schneiderman says there are plans to work on the roof at a later date. This phase of the project comes with a $313,000 price tag with the work being done by Renaissance Roofing. The company works with historical buildings to restore them.

As always the Historical Society is looking for donations to help the work they do. You can visit the website at dmchs.org to donate or learn more about the organization. The museum is open during the renovation with it’s regular hours.

The accident rate among Des Moines County employees doubled for the fiscal year that ended in July. The annual safety report was presented at Tuesday’s board of supervisors meeting by Angie Vaughn.

“We had 26 total accidents,” Vaughn told county supervisors during her report on Tuesday. “12 were reportable, 5 were lost time with 60 lost days and 51 restricted days.”

That compares to between 12 and 15 recorded accidents in each of the previous three years. Vaughn attributed the jump to altercations between jailers and inmates at the Des Moines County jail when the number of inmates spiked to more than 100 in early 2018.

Supervisors approved hiring additional jailers, and administrators reviewed procedures following a serious assault on two correctional officers in January. Vaugn says since then the number of incidents have dropped back to normal levels.

Supervisors also approved approval of an agreement for design services for the Highway 99 bridge project, and applying for a transportation safety grant at Tuesday’s regular meeting.

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As Iowan’s prepare for back to school, the annual Tax Free weekend will offer them some savings on items they need.

This Friday and Saturday, the States 6% sales tax is suspended on certain items. Some of the items include Clothing: Including work and school uniforms, diapers, and coats. Under $100 per item and Footwear: Including sandals, hiking boots and cowboy boots. Under $100 per item.

According to the website offers.com, people are most likely to spend money at Walmart, Kohl’s and Target this weekend. However, people can also save the 6% at local stores as well. For a complete list of items you can visit the website tax.iowa.gov (or click here).