Breaking News
Responsibilities: Setting up LiveU. Running the camera for the live shots. Shooting footage for VOSOT's. Editing VOSOT's. Writing script. Interviewing officials.
Fire at Hannibal motel under investigation
Crews responded to a fire Thursday night at the Best Way Inn motel in Hannibal. The call came in shortly after 11:30 p.m. Marion County Ambulance and Hannibal Police and Fire departments were on the scene early Friday morning. Hannibal Fire Chief, Mike Benjamin told WGEM News that they saw black smoke and flames upon arrival, but were able to put out the fire within about 10 minutes. Benjamin said the building where the fire broke out was unoccupied and used for storage. Benjamin said there were no injuries or fatalities. Crews also responded to a fire at the motel on October 17. Investigators called that fire “incendiary in nature.” Benjamin would not comment on any possible cause of the fire but said investigators had been called.
Drowning at Wakonda State Park
Authorities have released the name of the man who drowned in Agate Lake at Wakonda State Park Monday afternoon. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 79-year-old Larry H. Morriss, of Canton, Missouri, drowned after apparently falling through the ice. “Someone at the park saw a person in the water and contacted the park ranger,” Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Eric Brown said. Jonathan Conrad with The Missouri State Highway Patrol said it appears that Morriss was walking on the ice while ice fishing when he fell through. When they arrived they found a man in his 70’s face down in the water. Officials believe he may have been there for less than an hour. Authorities warn that ice may be very thin after several days of temperatures well above freezing. They urge people to stay off the ice.
Fire damages Keokuk City Hall, WW II Purple Heart salvaged
Keokuk City Hall was damaged by fire Tuesday evening leaving city leaders scrambling to find a temporary place to conduct the public’s business. Firefighters were called to the building at 415 Blondeau St. at approximately 7:40 p.m. following a report of a fire in the rear of the building, according to a dispatcher. Lee County Emergency Management Director Steve Cirinna told WGEM News that firefighters arrived on scene to find flames showing and smoke pouring out of the building.Crews had the fire out around 9:00 p.m.Mayor Tom Richardson was among those who rushed to the scene.“The fire department came to me and said it’s down, we’ve got it down. Is there anything you really want out of your office? I said, ‘I just have my dad’s Purple Heart from World War II in a display and I wanted it out.’ They went in and got it out,” Richardson said.City officials said damage was significant enough that city hall will not be accessible for use in the immediate future. “It started in the back as far as we can tell and worked its way to the front. There’s major damage. They did get our servers out. That’s a good thing even thought we do back them up through the cloud every night,” said Keokuk City Administrator Cole O’Donnell. O’Donnell said Thursday’s City Council meeting will go on as scheduled. He said he would let people know where it will be held once they determine a location.The investigation into the cause of the fire was still ongoing Tuesday night.
No injuries were reported.
Packages
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255 Street- Dangerous Road
Road 255th in the Van Buren Township of Lee County Iowa is known among residents as flat out dangerous. In this package we talk to a resident who lives on the road and a board member who thinks it's time for change.
VOSOT
Responsibilities: Shooting footage Editing. Writing script. Interviewing subjects
Annual Taste of Palmyra festival
In Palmyra, Missouri, downtown came alive Monday night for the 12th Annual Taste of Palmyra. 101 vendors lined Main Street offering different foods, crafts, and activities for kids.One business owner says the event is such a big deal, he opens his business on a day he is usually closed. “It’s nothing to see several hundred people to walk through on a Monday night,” said Rebel Pig Owner Doug Dry. “In addition to that it’s just amazing, the opportunity, it gives for repeat business and for new customers to see who we are and learn about our product and things like that. ”
The event chairman estimates that roughly 2,000 people attended the event
Nursing home resident gets ride of a lifetime
A nursing home in Palmyra is doing more than just giving regular care to its residents. Wednesday, 86 year old Bonnie Slates got the ride of a lifetime at Maple Lawn Nursing Home. She got the chance to ride a motorcycle again, something she used to do with her husband. “We did a lot of it,” said Slates. “We went to South Dakota. We went to see the heads of the presidents. We went wherever we wanted to go on it.” “If you can take five minutes, ten minutes, out of your day to put a smile on their face…when she come off that motorcycle I was in tears because she was smiling from ear to ear,” said Brenda Beck with the nursing home. Officials with Maple Lawn say they hope to do more things like this for their residents.
Hannibal Park and Rec announces light winners
Hannibal Parks & Recreation announced he winners of their fourth annual Hannibal Holiday House decorating contest Friday. Officials say photos of houses and commercial buildings were submitted for judging by city officials. The People’s Choice award was chosen through votes on the Hannibal Parks & Recreation Facebook page and the Mayor’s Choice award was chosen by Mayor Jim Hark. Officials say the winners will receive a sign donated by Park Place Sign Systems and a prize package from FACT (Families and Communities Together).