MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Employment of emergency management directors is projected to grow six percent in the next nine years, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 1,000 openings for emergency management directors projected each year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Western Illinois University’s Emergency Management (EM) program will host an Emergency Management Day on Wednesday, Oct. 20 for prospective students to learn more about the degree program within WIU’s School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA). The event will be... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Kelly Severs, former multipurpose building coordinator and student athlete success coach at Spoon River College (SRC) in Canton, has been named the Western Illinois University College of Education and Human Services development director, effective Oct. 12. Severs served in her role at SRC since June 2020. As the multipurpose building coordinator, one of her roles was leading large-scale athletic fundraising efforts and working with coaches and staff to generate new fundraising initiatives. Severs also coordinated with marketing to create content for fundraising efforts.... Read More

Western Illinois University alumna Nissi Shalome is realizing her theatrical dream after being named to the cast of the national tour of “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.” Shalome, who received her BFA degree in musical theatre in 2019, landed the position of “swing,” which means she must learn the parts of six cast spots in case someone is unable to go on stage. There are three Donna Summer characters in the cast, the young “Duckling,” the older “Disco Donna” and the modern day “Diva Donna,” and Smith must learn the “Disco”... Read More

A 2020 Western Illinois University School of Agriculture alumna has been named one of four winners statewide of an agricultural grant which helps support and retain new teachers. Anna Shupe is in her second year teaching in the Paris (IL) School District. She was recently named a winner in the Illinois Agricultural Education Teacher Grant Program. The grant was given to four Illinois agriculture teachers who are in their first-fifth year of teaching. She will receive $2,000 a year for the next five years, as long as she continues teaching agriculture in Illinois. “I applied for this grant... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University is waiving the $30 application fee for domestic undergraduate students who apply to WIU (wiu.edu/apply) between Oct. 1-31. High school seniors and transfer students, as well as those applying through the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) program, who apply for admission to Western for the Spring 2022 and Fall 2022 semesters, will have the application fee waived during the fee waiver month beginning at 12 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. To apply, visit wiu.edu/apply. For more information about WIU scholarships, visit wiu.edu/scholarships.  Read More

BREAKING NEWS: California is becoming the first state to mandate covid-19 vaccines for kids attending school once the shots are federally approved for their age groups, and with Illinois following many of the same paths as the most-populous U.S. state, could Illinois be next? Several school districts in California are already requiring the vaccine for students, and the statewide mandate will begin for grades 7-12, then move to K-6, by summer 2022, pending FDA approval of the vaccines for those age groups. “These requirements are working, across the country,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said.... Read More

Congratulations to Rock Island High Schoolers senior Aaron York and freshman Chase Hadley for advancing to the Illinois State Golf Sectionals! They will compete at Sectionals on Monday, Oct. 4 at Morris Country Club in Morris, IL. Good luck! #ThisHouseRocks  Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Free flu shot clinics will be held on the Western Illinois University Macomb and Quad Cities campuses next month for all students, faculty, staff and retirees. WIU-Macomb Clinics Students only* (University Union Concourse): 1-3 p.m. – Tuesday, Oct. 12; Wednesday, Oct. 13; Tuesday, Oct. 19; Wednesday, Oct. 20; and Friday, Oct. 22. * Valid WIU ID required. Employees & Retirees* only (Q-Lot drive-through/walk-up – rain location: Union Heritage Room): 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Thursday, Oct. 21. * Insurance card & valid WIU ID required. WIU-Quad Cities Clinic... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: With Illinois covid-19 numbers finally starting to trend in the right direction, will Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker relax any of his mandates and restrictions regarding masks and other measures about the virus? Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady spoke with media today, and was cautious about any removal of mask mandates, and in fact talked about the potential for a return to more restrictions if numbers take a downtown when colder weather sends more people indoors. “First of all, as always, this is the first day we have been back down in this substantial... Read More

Parents and other caregivers now have two options for storytimes at the Rock Island Public Library. In addition to the library’s ongoing virtual storytimes, offered at 10:30 am on Tuesdays via Facebook Live, the library has begun a limited in-person Friday storytime at the Rock Island Public Library Southwest branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. The in-person version will be offered at 10:30 am October 1. Whenever possible, the in-person storytimes will be offered outside. If conditions require moving inside to the Southwest Library Community Room, masks will be required for all patrons over age 2.... Read More