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News and updates from around the region.
WIU’s official enrollment down, administration striving for turnaround
![Justin Schuch, WIU’s Vice President for Student Success. “We hope that the campus should really sit around 6,000 [to] 6,500. When you think about personnel power, our facilities, that’s the number the institution should be at,” Schuch said.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7712bbc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1500x924+0+0/resize/1760x1084!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2d%2F47%2F720634a24e23a2208e9de4786ef2%2Fjustin-schuch-sept-2025.jpg)
Western Illinois University’s official headcount this fall is 5,337. That’s a drop of 995 from last fall, when enrollment was 6,332.
Justin Schuch, WIU’s Vice President for Student Success, said the senior class is the largest one among current students, so there might be a dip in enrollment again next fall. But he said the administration is striving to reverse course.
“We hope that the campus should really sit around 6,000 [to] 6,500. When you think about personnel power, our facilities, that’s the number the institution should be at,” Schuch said.
“While we would love to be higher than that, and we will certainly strive, a realistic number is more around 6,000 [to] 6,500 for us for the foreseeable future.”
Al Sears Music Fest in Macomb: Jazz, R&B, and the American Songbook
The Al Sears Music Fest will return Sept. 19-21 with a variety of performances in downtown Macomb.
“I see the Al Sears Music Festival as really an amplification of what we are already doing in Macomb, which, in the region, is unique for the live music that’s available every single night,” said Whitney Ashe, President of the music fest.
The event begins with a concert by the WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19 at American Legion Post 6, 221 E. Washington St.
Performances on Saturday and Sunday will be held at the Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St.
Hancock County group makes donations to the fight against cancer
The non-profit group Hancock County Fights Cancer donated $22,700 to a pair of organizations this year:
- Helping Us Give Support received $13,600. HUGS provides financial assistance to families in Hancock County that are affected by cancer
- Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital received $9,100
Hancock County Fights Cancer will hold its 12th annual tribute from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, September 20 at The Legacy Theater in Carthage.
It’s free and open to the public.
Statewide organization honors SRC board trustee Linda Butler
A longtime member of the Spoon River College Board of Trustees is being recognized by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.
ICCTA President Jim Reed presented an award to Linda Butler of Rushville for her 30 years on the SRC board.
During those three decades, Butler has worked with four presidents and participated in three presidential searches.
She served two terms as board chair, three as vice chair, and a single term as the board secretary.
Butler was appointed to the board in 1995 to fill a vacancy. Since then, she’s been elected to five regular terms.
Before joining the board, Butler was director of the SRC Foundation, a job she started in 1990.
Butler is Vice President and Trust Officer at Rushville State Bank.
Campaign underway for New Philadelphia stamp
An online campaign calls for creation of a postage stamp to commemorate the founders of New Philadelphia in western Illinois.
Frank and Lucy McWorter were the first Black people to plan and legally register a town in the United States.
New Philadelphia is in Pike County. It was founded in 1836.
Coalition to work on revitalization of Burlington’s Roosevelt Avenue
A new partnership of local governments, an economic development organization, and the Highway 61 Coalition will work to develop, revitalize, and reconfigure the Roosevelt Avenue corridor of Highway 61 through Burlington.
The group includes Greater Burlington Partnership, Des Moines County, the city of Burlington, and the city of West Burlington.
Grow Greater Burlington, the economic development division of the Greater Burlington Partnership, has hired the civil and structural engineering firm, Snyder & Associates, to help develop a plan to present to Iowa’s Transportation Commission.
The goal is to enhance the ease of navigation for residents and travelers, improve safety conditions, better support the area’s local businesses, and elevate the overall aesthetic of one of the community’s most traveled corridors.
The partnership is seeking public input. A form to submit feedback on the project is available on the Greater Burlington Partnership’s website.
Two public input sessions are scheduled. The first is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29. More information is available online.
Family still seeking answers, arrests in 2000 homicide of McDonough County teen
Stephanie ‘Stevie’ Borders had just turned 18 when she left her parents’ Bushnell home to listen to a band at a local bar on Sept. 9, 2000. Her body would be found eight months later, concealed in a well off a gravel road north of Avon.
Illinois State Police say Borders’ death is a drug-induced homicide — and the concealment is part of the crime. But 25 years later, no one has ever been held accountable.
McDonough County sheriff: Colchester murder an ‘absolute whodunit homicide’
McDonough County Sheriff Nick Petitgout has released more information about the investigation into the murder of Cheyenna Decker of Colchester early this year.
“You’re talking about an absolute whodunit homicide. Those are extremely hard, and in our area just don’t happen very often,” said Petitgout during a briefing Tuesday morning at Macomb city hall.
He said personnel from the sheriff’s department, the Macomb police department, and Illinois State Police spent “thousands upon thousands man hours” investigating the case over a five-month period.
Macomb Police Chief Jeff Hamer concurred, saying his department’s training room was filled with investigators for hours, days, weeks, and months on end as they worked to solve the case.
“Cheyenna mattered to all of them. They didn’t want to give up,” Hamer said.
The chief praised the teamwork used to solve the case.
Officer-involved fatal shooting in Des Moines County ruled legally justified
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office says a Des Moines County sheriff’s deputy was legally justified in shooting to death a man last month.
The office based its conclusion on a review by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
CTE programs coming to SRC’s new Macomb campus
Spoon River College President Curt Oldfield said he is especially proud of the investment the college made in career and technical education with its new Macomb campus.
“As our community grows and develops in the future, those hands-on jobs are going to be vital for the economy of the Macomb area,” Oldfield said. “Spoon River College wants to be a vital partner in creating that workforce of the future.”
He said the community college has been engaged in ongoing talks to create a regional CTE program for high school students.
When will beef prices drop? We asked a rancher, a butcher and an economist
From his corner booth at the Barton Creek Farmers Market, Jim Richardson sells beef, pork, chicken, eggs, milk and cheese.
His beef products include stew meat, steak and ground beef. And lately they’ve become pricier.
“I went up roughly a dollar a pound," Richardson said. "My processor went up that much or more. So without kind of keeping up, it erodes your profitability.”
Richardson Farms isn’t the only purveyor that’s had to raise beef prices recently, either. The average retail price of beef, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is now $9.69 per pound – the highest ever.
SRC Macomb campus ribbon cutting: ‘It feels great to be able to celebrate with the community’
Spoon River College bought a former retail building on Macomb’s east side in 2006 with the dream of turning it into the college’s new Macomb campus.
Nearly two decades later, that dream has finally come true and was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.
“It feels great to be able to celebrate with the community because it really is the community’s college,” said SRC President Curt Oldfield.
“And it’s great to be able to have everybody here to see this space and to know that it’s got a lot of life left in it and we’ll be impacting students for a long time in the future.”
Henderson County man arrested for stalking high school student
A 69-year old western Illinois man is accused of stalking a student from Illini West High School in Carthage.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says officers from the Carthage Police Department arrested Jeffrey Vaughn at his home in Lomax.
He is charged with stalking.
The sheriff’s department says the school received several inappropriate voicemails over the holiday weekend.
An investigation led to Vaughn’s arrest. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation and arrest, and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest.
Vaughn is in the Hancock County jail awaiting an initial court appearance.
Dedication ceremony planned for Harrel W. Timmons Galesburg Regional Airport
The city of Galesburg will hold a dedication ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 at the Harrel W. Timmons Regional Airport during the annual National Stearman Fly-in.
The city council approved a resolution last year naming the airport after Timmons, a local aviation leader who founded Jet Air Inc., the airport's fixed-base operator, in 1969. Timmons served as its president until his retirement in 2023.
Timmons was also instrumental in the airport's recent upgrade by the Federal Aviation Administration to a regional airport, which opens the door for increased services and funding.
The airport is home to the National Stearman Fly-in. Timmons has been a member of the National Stearman Board of Directors since its inception in 1971, as well as a member of the Stearman Foundation Board of Directors.
The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony.
Macomb business development district approved
The Macomb city council voted 7-0 to approve creation of a business development district.
“This is a way for us to make sure that Macomb is moving forward,” said second ward city council member John Vigezzi. “The funds that are coming in will help us bring in more stores like TJ Maxx.”
The district includes commercial corridors such as Jackson Street all the way through town, North Lafayette Street, the courthouse square, and small portions of Washington and Carroll streets.
City leaders believe the district will spur economic development and help them address blighted areas.
Truck hits train near Abingdon, driver seriously injured
The driver of a pickup truck was seriously injured Sunday after striking a train at a railroad crossing north of Abingdon.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded at 6:50 p.m. to the accident in the 200 block of Knox Highway 5.
The driver of the pickup was transported from the scene for medical treatment.
The crash remains under investigation by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Jack C. Harlan Jr. asked motorists to use caution when approaching railroad crossings, and to never assume a track is clear.
Two teens arrested in Galesburg shooting
Two teenagers are in custody following a shooting Thursday afternoon in Galesburg that wounded one person.
Police believe the shooting happened in the 1100 block of East Berrien Street. They were called to the nearby 300 block of Lombard Street at around 2:24 p.m. for a report of shots fired.
A short time later, a gunshot victim arrived at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. The victim was taken to OSF St. Francis in Peoria for treatment of a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Later in the afternoon, police located two suspects.
Marques McClendon, 19, and Darius Holloway, 18, were arrested and charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated battery with a firearm, and reckless discharge of a firearm.
The investigation into this matter is ongoing, and anyone with information should contact the Galesburg Police Department at (309) 343-9151, or the Galesburg Area Crime Stoppers at (309) 344-0044. Tips can also be left using the p3 mobile app or by clicking on the submit a tip on the Galesburg Police Department Facebook page.
Applications open for Ameren bill payment assistance
Income-qualified customers who have fallen behind on their energy bills can now apply for up to $150 in payment assistance from Ameren through their local Illinois LIHEAP agency.
The new program is in addition to a total of $58 million in assistance already distributed this year, according to a release from Ameren.
“Our Illinois LIHEAP partners are stepping up to help us distribute much needed bill payment grants to customers who are experiencing financial difficulties due to higher electricity prices,” said Joe Solari, vice president of customer experience at Ameren.
Solari is encouraging customers who have fallen behind on their bills to reach out to local LIHEAP agencies to determine their eligibility. Western Illinois Regional Council manages LIHEAP in west central Illinois.
Knox County board approves bid to upgrade voting equipment
The Knox County board approved a bid of nearly half a million dollars from Government Business Systems to upgrade aging voting equipment, but the county will have to finance the purchase and pay interest on it because it was not budgeted for.
WIU granted authority to borrow from its Foundation
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed SB 1310, which allows Western Illinois University to borrow up to $2 million from the WIU Foundation.
The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
WIU President Kristi Mindrup said it’s not yet clear whether the borrowing will be necessary.
“We’ll be watching our cash flows throughout the year. It’s nice to have that option as a possibility,” she said.
Any loan from the Foundation would have to be repaid within five years.
McDonough County jury finds Smith guilty but mentally ill in murder case
A McDonough County jury found a Macomb man guilty but mentally ill in the murder of his cellmate in the county jail.
The verdict against Timothy Smith, 41, was announced Wednesday afternoon following a three-day jury trial.
Smith is scheduled to be sentenced in mid-October. He faces 20 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Unloaded gun brought onto Macomb school bus
Macomb School District 185 Superintendent Patrick Twomey notified parents via email on Wednesday that a student brought a gun onto a school bus.
“We had an isolated incident this morning involving an alleged unloaded bb gun with a very young student on a school bus,” Twomey wrote.
He said the child had no ill intentions, and there was no danger to that student or others.
Twomey said the issue has been “completely resolved.”
Galesburg non-profit news startup to ‘add another layer’ to local coverage
It’s a story we all know too well.
Newspapers that served local communities for generations are now “ghost newspapers,” with no local staff.
But news startups across the region — including Community News Brief in Macomb, The Burlington Beacon, and Pen City Current in Fort Madison — have launched to fill voids.
Now, there’s a new startup in Galesburg, called Galesburg Community News. It’s a non-profit digital news source that plans to focus on non-partisan coverage in four main areas — business, education, government, and arts and events. The news sources also plans to provide crime and courts coverage.
Two arrested, one injured in Abingdon armed robbery
Two people are in custody at the Knox County jail following the armed robbery of a home on Jared Street in Abingdon on Monday night.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a robbery in progress at 7:12 p.m. A victim at the scene had sustained multiple injuries after being assaulted during the robbery and was later treated for facial fractures and broken ribs at a local hospital.
Deputies determined the suspects fled the scene in a red vehicle. Through witness statements and security footage, deputies identified the suspects as Anthony J. Williams, 48, and Mandy L. Bailey, 49, both of Galesburg.
Williams and Bailey are charged with armed robbery, home invasion, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, and possession of a controlled substance.
Engineering firm evaluating redevelopment options for dilapidated portion of Galesburg’s Sandburg Mall
While no formal cleanup or demolition plans have been submitted to the city at this time, the current owners of a large, unused, and dilapidated portion of Galesburg’s Sandburg Mall have taken some initial steps to address the future of the property.
“The city has had initial conversations with representatives of Galesburg Investment LLC,” Steve Gugliotta, the city’s director of community development, told TSPR. “They have hired an engineering firm to evaluate potential redevelopment options and that firm and subconsultants have been on site.”
Crash closes westbound I-74 between Woodhull and Galesburg
Westbound Interstate 74 at the 40 mile marker between Galesburg and Woodhull is closed this morning due to a semi traffic accident.
The shutdown could last hours, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes. The Sheriff’s Office says U.S. Highway 34 at exit 46 is the best alternative for northbound and westbound traffic.
Illinois State Police are investigating the crash.
Graham Health System invests in Spoon River College healthcare program
A $250,000 donation from Graham Health System to the Spoon River College Foundation will support the School of Nursing and Allied Health Learning Lab at the new SRC campus in Macomb.
“We’ve had a great partnership with Spoon forever, and we’ve got a need and will have an ongoing need for nurses and lab techs and on the radiology side, and so it’s just a natural fit,” said Bob Senneff, CEO of Graham Health System. “We really have a symbiotic relationship between education and healthcare, and as we continue to grow and the college continues to grow, we’ll grow together.”
Senneff said Graham also donated $500,000 to SRC a couple years ago to fund scholarships for students in healthcare fields.
WIU president: ‘Are we ready to evolve?’
As Western Illinois University enters its 126th year, President Kristi Mindrup wants to focus on the institution’s future instead of dwelling on the recent past.
“Are we ready to let go of what we were, and to lift up where we are now, in order to evolve into what we will be?”
That’s what Mindrup asked the audience that gathered for the annual University Assembly on Friday morning.
At the end of the assembly, Mindrup put the question directly to those in attendance in the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall.
“Are we ready to evolve?” she asked. After a momentary pause, the audience responded with applause.
Macomb on cusp of creating business development district
The Macomb city council will be asked early next month to approve creation of a business development district that city leaders say will spur economic development.
The proposed district focuses on commercial corridors such as Jackson Street all the way through town, North Lafayette Street, the courthouse square, and small portions of Washington and Carroll streets. The city believes the district will help spur economic development.
A map and other information about the district can be found on the city of Macomb website.
Galesburg mayor accepting applications for Ward 1 seat
Mayor Peter Schwartzman is inviting residents of Ward 1 to apply for an open seat on the Galesburg city council.
Schwartzman is looking for applicants who have a history of community engagement and a working knowledge of city government and current events.
Bradley Hix stepped down from the Ward 1 council seat this week because he is moving outside the city limits. He had served in the role since 2019.
Schwartzman will nominate a candidate to serve the rest of Hix’s term, which runs through April 2027. The city council must approve the nomination.
To receive an application, contact the city clerk’s office or email the mayor at pschwart@ci.galesburg.il.us. Applications are due by 10 p.m. Sept. 3.
Parents awarded $248K in legal expenses in Galesburg disability education rights lawsuit
A federal judge has ordered Galesburg District 205 to pay more than $248,000 in attorney fees and other costs to the parents of a child with disabilities after siding with them in a civil rights lawsuit over the child’s educational placement.
Superintendent John Asplund said the district may appeal the order.
Beekman running for state senate seat in western Illinois
A retired Illinois State Police master sergeant wants to represent portions of western Illinois in the state Senate.
Brad Beekman is seeking the Republican nomination in the 36th District. The seat is currently held by State Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island. Halpin is an attorney who is running for reelection.
Beekman said Illinois needs to bring its spending under control. He said the state spends money on some things that don’t benefit its citizens, such as providing sanctuary to illegal immigrants.
“We spend money to keep them here, house them here, educate them recently, and I just think that we have to be responsible in making them law-abiding citizens of Illinois before we do those services for them,” he said.
Macomb native to lead the park district: ‘I think it’s a great community’
The Macomb Park District has a new executive director.
Blake Severs said he cares about the people in Macomb and surrounding communities, and wants to provide them with something special.
“Being a Macomb native, being from this community, I really appreciate what this city has given to me, my family, my friends. I think it’s a great community so I wanted to bring that back,” he said.
Severs was born and raised in Macomb. He went to the University of Nebraska, where he got a degree in psychology. He stayed in Nebraska until 2016, when he came back to Macomb to work as an EMT and medic.
Severs then joined the park district as the superintendent of support services in 2022. In that role, he oversaw the Ball Fore facility and was in charge of safety and security for the district.
MDH to close Monmouth convenience clinic, expand sports medicine and rehab
Changes are coming to McDonough District Hospital’s Monmouth location.
MDH’s Convenience Clinic, located at 2 Americinn Way in Monmouth, will shift operations to the main hospital campus in Macomb.
The Monmouth clinic opened in late 2022, offering care five days a week for treatment of illnesses and minor injuries, as well as appointments for sports medicine and rehabilitation.
MDH now plans to expand its sports medicine and rehabilitation footprint in the Monmouth clinic.
CEO Bill Murdock said MDH evaluates operations and efficiency in all its clinics.
“In Monmouth we looked at volumes and our Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation continues to grow. Our goal is now to increase the amount of available physical therapy appointments and programs offered within our Monmouth Clinic,” Murdock said. “We recently hired additional physical therapists, and we will renovate the clinic to create additional space for patients’ therapy needs.”
The Convenience Clinic’s last day of operations in Monmouth will be Aug. 29.
Murdock said employees of the Monmouth Convenience Clinic will have the option to transition to other positions with MDH.
Macomb to finalize Chandler Park redesign plans
Macomb is ready to finalize its plans for redesigning Chandler Park, but not much is changing from the initial plan.
The city council agreed to pay $194,000 to Peoria-based Farnsworth Group to fine-tune those plans, after the company came up with the new layout that was unveiled to the public in December 2024.
City Administrator Scott Coker said it’s a matter of addressing the details such as the design of the new performance space.
Charges against Hayes dismissed in Macomb homicide
Prosecutors are dropping the murder case against one of the people charged in a Macomb homicide.
In a release, McDonough County State’s Attorney Matt Kwacala said the charges filed against Sean Hayes, 37, of Macomb cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt and are being dismissed.
Kwacala said more evidence and information has come in regarding the shooting death of Bryson Saddoris, 21, late last month.
Knox County YMCA to receive $900K in bond funds designated for Galesburg community center
Despite concerns about barriers to membership and transportation, the Galesburg city council approved a $900,000 grant agreement with the Knox County YMCA to support a capital project that includes construction of a childcare area and renovation of existing space for a teen room.
The vote was 5-2, with Ward 2’s Wendel Hunigan and Ward 4’s Dwight White opposing.
One-time city funding for the project comes from the $5 million in general obligation bond funds issued in 2023 for the acquisition, construction, or renovation of an existing facility for the purpose of a community center.
Monmouth council approves grocery tax ahead of state changes
An ordinance unanimously approved by the Monmouth city council will impose a 1% tax on gross receipts from grocery sales as the state of Illinois suspends that tax on Jan. 1, 2026.
As the state shifts the burden to local government, municipalities are required to pass ordinances restoring the Municipal Grocery Retailers' Occupation Tax and Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax in order to maintain that revenue.
For the city of Monmouth, the measure protects $360,000 in revenue generated by the tax that supports services including public safety and infrastructure and ensures no increase in the overall tax rate.
Knox County Sheriff’s Office seeks tips on Soangetaha burglary
The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in solving the burglary of collectible diecast cars, framed pictures, and keys to numerous vehicles in the area of Soangetaha Country Club.
The burglary occurred between the evening hours of Aug. 15 and Aug. 16.
Items reported stolen include five to ten collectible diecast cars, one Maserati keychain, two to five framed pictures, and eight keys to numerous vehicles.
An individual is offering a reward of $1,500 per key returned and $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
Anonymous tips can be submitted online or by calling the Sheriff’s Office at (309) 345-3733.
Burlington recognized for excellence in financial reporting
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the city of Burlington.
The award is for the city’s annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
The report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.
The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.
Celebrating the Grand Theatre’s 100th anniversary: ‘Keokuk is proud of our historic theater’
Keokuk is preparing to celebrate the centennial of the Grand Theatre.
It opened in 1925, a time when Calvin Coolidge was president, The Great Gatsby was published, and the Charleston was all the rage on dance floors.
The Grand Theatre was built to replace another entertainment venue, the Keokuk Opera House, which dated back to 1880.
“In 1923, on December 7th, it burnt to the ground right after a production,” said Dianne Stanley, the theater manager.
“And the businessmen in this town decided that we had to have a big live theater in Keokuk, and so by January of ’25 it was built.”
Another Republican to run for Illinois governor as election season begins
More Republicans are entering races for statewide office after an initially slow start in announcing candidates for the 2026 election.
Illinois Republicans held their annual events around the Illinois State Fair on Thursday, with former Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy launching a U.S. Senate campaign and Ted Dabrowski, the president of conservative research group Wirepoints, announcing he will launch a campaign for governor in the coming weeks.
The men enter the 2026 race a week after the window opened for candidates to begin collecting signatures that are due to the State Board of Elections at the end of October.
Downstate judge rejects Texas request to round up quorum-breaking Dems in Illinois
A downstate judge has rejected Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit seeking an order for Illinois law enforcement to arrest and return to the Lone Star state Democratic legislators who are staying in Illinois in order to prevent a controversial vote to remap congressional districts as requested by President Donald Trump.
Adams County Judge Scott Larson ruled Wednesday that the Illinois circuit court “does not have the inherent power to initiate, consider and determine” whether the Texas Democrats are in Illinois “for the purpose of willfully evading” warrants issued by Paxton.
Dozens of Texas Democrats have taken refuge in Illinois this month with the support of Gov. JB Pritzker to deny Republicans a quorum needed during its special legislative session to approve new congressional maps.
Macomb city leaders seeking public input on proposed sports complex
As Macomb city government leaders continue studying the idea of building an indoor sports complex, some say it’s time to hear more from the public.
First ward city council member Justin Schuch suggested the city hold a couple of community sessions to give the public a chance to weigh in on the idea.
“I’ve had multiple people just feel like there’s not an opportunity for the community to actually say any thoughts at this stage, and I hope that we figure out how to do that,” Schuch said.
The facility would host youth tournaments for basketball and volleyball. Other events might include trade shows, graduations, and concerts.
Western Illinois meeting on chronic wasting disease in deer
A public meeting will be held in western Illinois this fall to provide information about chronic wasting disease in deer.
It begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 at John Wood Community College, 1301 S. 48th St. in Quincy.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will discuss the disease’s effect on free-ranging deer populations and give updates on its efforts to manage the disease.
IDNR staff will also answer questions.
Chronic wasting disease has been detected in 25 Illinois counties, most recently in Adams and three other counties in February 2025. The IDNR said CWD is a fatal neurological disease that threatens the long-term health of white-tailed deer in the state.
New law seeks to coordinate human trafficking response in Illinois
A bipartisan bill aimed at streamlining Illinois’ response to human trafficking was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday.
The law lays the framework for a coordinated trauma-informed response across state agencies to better address the varied needs of victims of human trafficking, which includes crimes of sex and labor trafficking.
“It is a modern form of slavery, that’s what it really is; you’re treating a human being like a piece of property, rather than a human being,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said.
Illinois firefighters to get college credit for training
A bill signed by Illinois’ governor provides a benefit to firefighters.
Republican State Representative Dan Swanson of Alpha sponsored the measure, House Bill 1149.
He said it allows career and volunteer firefighters to apply for college credit for training.
“It’s a way to encourage people to join the fire department,” Swanson said, noting the amount of training done on weekends and nights.
The new law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
Kids Market in downtown Burlington
The Jefferson Street Farmers Market in downtown Burlington will spotlight young entrepreneurs on Thursday, August 14.
The Kids Market in the 600 and 700 blocks of Jefferson will feature booths run by more than 50 kids.
They’ll be selling food, handmade goods, original artwork, and more.
The market runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
GOP candidate for 17th Congressional District is active early this election cycle
Dillan Vancil said he got into the race because entrepreneurship is the toughest thing he's ever done, and he wants to make it easier to happen for his kids.
“We need to make it easier to start small businesses to grow,” said Vancil. “The American dream is slowly dwindled away because all the red tape and regulation that we have to jump through to get anything done.”
Vancil cited conversations with economic developers who lament a lack of electrical power supply and lack of housing as reasons they cannot not attract major manufacturers to Knox County.
Knox County man killed in side-by-side crash
A Gilson man is dead after his side-by-side utility vehicle collided with a car in Knoxville on Tuesday afternoon.
The crash happened around 3:54 p.m. in the 1600 Block of U.S. Highway 150 East.
According to a release from the Knox County Sheriff’s’ Office, an orange Kubota side-by-side crossed the road southbound in front of an eastbound silver Chrysler sedan, resulting in the collision.
The driver of the Kubota, a 75-year-old man from Gilson, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Chrysler, a 24-year-old man from Galesburg, was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The Sheriff’s Office's Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash.
Galesburg’s iconic Mother Goose sculpture migrates to new home
Mother Goose’s wings are dramatically outstretched and she wears a pointed bonnet tied at the neck.
Two children are nestled in front of those unfurled wings – clutching and staring intently at an oversized book.
Every bit of this whimsical scene is rendered in steel.
Quincy man arrested in child pornography case
A Quincy man is charged with two Class X felony counts of dissemination of child pornography.
David Tournear, 29, is being held in the Adams County jail.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office said investigators from his office and the Adams County Sheriff’s office searched Tournear’s home in the 2500 block of Cedar Street last week.
He was taken into custody after they found evidence of child sexual abuse material.
Each charge against Tournear is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Macomb police officers promoted
The Macomb Police Department promoted two officers during a ceremony at city hall on Tuesday morning.
Officer Renata Sturlic is now a sergeant.
Sgt. Troy Shoudel is now a lieutenant and was appointed to the position of operations commander. He replaces Tom Duvall, who is retiring.
Seven injured in Lee County crash
Two vehicles collided Saturday at the intersection of State Highway 16 and 240th Avenue in Lee County, injuring a total of seven people.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash around 5:16 p.m. Two people were airlifted to regional trauma centers.
The roadway was temporarily closed, but has since reopened. Iowa State Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash. No other details have been released.
Illinois Arts Council promotes regional approach: ‘It’s only going to get better’
The Illinois Arts Council is marking a milestone while implementing a new approach to supporting the arts throughout the state.
“We’ve had 60 years of funding the arts here in Illinois,” said Executive Director Joshua Davis-Ruperto during a reception in Macomb. “We’ve given out over half-a-billion dollars to artists and arts organizations that support communities here in Illinois.”
The state arts agency is promoting a new organizational structure designed to help it better serve people throughout Illinois. The IAC divided the state into different regions, each with a program director. The regional approach is designed to provide the arts council with a greater understanding of communities and what’s happening in them.
Monmouth alumni circulate petition to save humanities programs
A group of Monmouth College alumni, friends, and supporters is circulating a Save the Humanities at Monmouth College petition.
That's in response to the proposed elimination of ten majors, primarily in the humanities and social sciences, following an academic program prioritization process at Monmouth this year.
"We the undersigned are a group of former majors, minors, friends and supporters of departments, students who benefited from humanities classes at Monmouth College, and those generally concerned with the maintenance of the institution’s longstanding commitment to the liberal arts," reads the petition addressed to the college's president, board of trustees, and faculty senate.
State fair season for Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri
State fairs are getting underway in the tri states.
The Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri state fairs all take place this year from Aug. 7-17. They highlight the agriculture industry in all three states.
The Illinois State Fair in Springfield will also include concerts from artists such as Sheryl Crow, the Black Crowes, and Snoop Dogg.
The Iowa State Fair takes place in Des Moines. It will include concerts by the likes of Def Leppard, Megan Moroney, and Pitbull.
The Missouri State Fair in Sedalia will include concerts by John Anderson, Blues Traveler, and Josiah Queen.
New bus routes for Macomb schools
A new school year is about to begin in Macomb School District 185.
This year, for the first time in decades, the school district will be running its own bus system.
The district said all routes and bus stops have changed, so it’s imperative for parents to review their children’s routes.
That can be done in the Skyward system on the district’s website.
Monmouth College phasing out ten majors, enhancing other programs following academic prioritization process
Colleges and universities across the country are facing the combined pressures of shifting student demographics, declining enrollment, and skepticism about the value of higher education.
Against that backdrop, Monmouth is phasing out ten majors and enhancing other programs based on student interest and market demand, following a months-long academic program prioritization process. Six faculty positions are being eliminated as part of the academic restructuring.
Illinois EPA will be in Quincy to collect household hazardous waste
Quincy is one of eight locations where the Illinois EPA will hold a household hazardous waste collection event this fall.
The single-day collection is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Adams County Highway Department, 101 N. 54th St.
It’s open to all Illinois residents. Registration can be done online and is required.
Lists of items that will and won’t be accepted can be found on the Illinois EPA’s website.
Burlington city employees getting 1.5% salary increases
The Burlington city council has approved 1.5% cost of living and market adjustment salary increases for all part-time and full-time city employees.
“This is to enhance our recruitment and retention efforts and in keeping with the council's strategic goal number one, which is to invest in our organizational health and excellence,” said City Manager Chad Bird.
The council approved Memorandums of Understanding between the city and AFSCME Local 828, Local 301 IAFF, CWA Local 7176, and all non-union employees for the salary adjustments.
Bird said the annual estimated cost of the salary boost is $275,000.
Monmouth to seek OSLAD grant for Citizens Lake
The Monmouth city council endorsed a 2025 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant application, with the intent of improving the city-owned Citizens Lake property on the west edge of town.
The proposal includes the addition of a 1,500-foot, ADA-compliant pedestrian trail, educational signs, birdhouses, shade trees, and benches.
The total project cost is estimated to be $250,000.
The city plans to hold public hearings this month and seek letters from local organizations in support of the proposal.
Macomb breaks ground on park named after its first Black police officer
Macomb celebrated the start of construction of William H. Thorpe Park, which is named in honor of the city’s first Black police officer, during a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday.
“Bill was well-deserving. Bill was what we call, what is the measure of a man. He was a man that persevered, stayed the course, and did his best,” said his nephew, Carl Thorpe.
Monmouth public square construction update
As part of an ongoing streetscape beautification project, Porter Brothers Construction will soon begin excavating the curb around the Monmouth public square's center circle to replace the curb and ADA ramps.
Orange barrels will mark the work zone, with equipment and trucks frequently moving in and out.
This phase of construction will significantly narrow lanes, requiring drivers to slow down and exercise extreme caution to ensure safety.
The city of Monmouth is warning there will be traffic delays and asking residents to plan accordingly.
Reconstruction of Market Alley is set to begin within a couple weeks.
The contractor will excavate the alley and install temporary gravel paths to maintain foot traffic for businesses.
Businesses along Market Alley will be updated on the timeline and impacts as details are finalized.
The streetscape beautification project is funded by a $3 million Rebuild Illinois grant and local dollars.
Macomb water mains broke due to age, changing conditions
The two main pipes for feeding water to the city of Macomb broke on Saturday, leading to the request for residents to limit their non-essential water usage.
“We’ve been having issues with main breaks this time of year with changing water temperatures and changing soil moisture conditions. It’s just a bad time of year,” said Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann, who also said both of the pipes were old.
She said one of the pipes that crews repaired over the weekend is a 20-inch line that broke near the Everly Park pond, not far from the water plant. The other is a 16-inch line that broke inside the plant.
Crews repaired the lines by Sunday morning, and Ohrtmann said the city did not come close to needing to issue a system-wide boil order.
“We were working very, very hard to avoid that situation, and we never got to the point where we thought we were going to have to pull the trigger,” she said.
Ohrtmann said residents limited their water usage on Saturday, and that helped avoid the need to issue a boil order.
She said they were able to isolate one of the water mains and keep feeding water to the city while they worked to repair it.
Laid-off WIU librarians honored with ‘a very prestigious award’
The nine laid-off faculty librarians at Western Illinois University are collectively winners of the Illinois Library Association Illinois Academic Librarian of the Year award.
Burlington police investigating shooting, victim in stable condition
Burlington police are investigating a shooting that happened on Sunday night.
Officers responded to the 1100 block of Cedar Street at 10:12 p.m. for a report of up to 15 shots heard in the area.
They found shell casings in the area and evidence that a residence had been struck by gunfire.
While investigating the scene, they were notified that a gunshot victim was being treated at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center for a wound to the abdomen.
The victim is in stable condition.
Police say the have executed search warrants at multiple residences in the area. They have recovered multiple firearms, ammunition, and extended magazines as a result.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Burlington Police Department at (319) 671-7001 or Crime Stoppers at (319) 753-6835.
UPDATE: Macomb water main breaks fixed
UPDATE: The Macomb water main breaks have been fixed, and the water usage advisory has been lifted.
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The city of Macomb Public Works Department is asking all residents and businesses to immediately limit non-essential water usage following multiple water main breaks that are currently impacting the local water supply.
At this time, there is no boil order in effect. By limiting the amount of water used, residents are helping us prevent the need to issue a system-wide boil order.
Crews are actively working to locate and repair the damaged mains, but until full service is restored, the community’s cooperation is critical to maintaining water pressure and ensuring that essential services have the water they need.
Residents are asked to take the following actions:
• Postpone laundry, dishwashing, and other high-water-use activities
• Turn off irrigation systems and avoid outdoor watering
• Take shorter showers and reduce faucet use where possible
• Report visible leaks or breaks
"We understand this is an inconvenience, and we appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation," said Alice Ohrtmann, Public Works Director. "Our top priority is restoring full service as quickly and safely as possible."
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Please monitor this post, as well as the city of Macomb website www.cityofmacomb.com and local news outlets for updates.
Air quality alert in effect due to wildfire smoke
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Air Pollution Action Day, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Alert, for Friday Aug. 1 due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Widespread ozone and/or particulate levels are expected to be at or above the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category of the Air Quality Index for all or almost all of Illinois and for all of Iowa.
Children and adults with pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
Everyone should reduce prolonged heavy exertion outdoors.
Air quality forecasts, AQI cautionary statements, current air quality, and tips on how you can reduce your emissions can be found at www.airnow.gov/.
New Macomb water plant: ‘This is a go’
The Illinois EPA has approved giving Macomb a State Revolving Fund loan for construction of a new water plant.
“This is a go,” said Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann.
She said the loan is for $37 million with $6 million in principal foregiveness,
Meet the young scientists tracking near-earth asteroids at Knox College this summer
Three dozen scientists from all over the world have been in Galesburg this summer tracking near-earth asteroids and charting their paths for centuries to come.
They spend their days at Umbeck Science and Mathematics Center at Knox College, whether that’s in the classrooms there or on the roof, using the telescope at the Knox Observatory.
Promotions for Macomb police officers
The Macomb Police Department will hold a promotion ceremony for two officers.
Officer Renata Sturlic is being promoted to sergeant, and Sergeant Troy Shoudel will be promoted to lieutenant and appointed as operations commander.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12 in the Community Room at Macomb city hall.
The public is invited to attend.
Capital campaign to begin for $3M Macomb center honoring C.T. Vivian
Wednesday, July 30, marked the 101st anniversary of the birth of the Reverend Dr. C.T. Vivian, the civil rights leader who grew up in Macomb.
“One of America’s greatest citizens was from right here,” said Byron Oden-Shabazz, founder and president of the C.T. Vivian Foundation. “Who was a better citizen of Macomb than C.T. Vivian?”
Oden-Shabazz said the foundation plans to begin a capital campaign to pay for construction of a cultural center at the site of Vivian’s boyhood home on East Adams Street. He estimated the project will cost $3 million.
Quincy man sentenced in child pornography case
A Quincy man pleaded guilty to two counts of dissemination of child pornography.
A judge this week sentenced Timothy Mason, 43, to 18 years in prison.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office said investigators searched Mason’s home in May.
Mason was arrested after evidence of child sexual abuse material was found.
The Adams County Sheriff’s office assisted with the arrest.
The attorney general’s office co-prosecuted the case with the Adams County state’s attorney’s office.
McDonough County back-to-school fair
All McDonough County students and families are welcome to attend a back-to-school fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Macomb Middle School, 1531 S. Johnson St.
While supplies last, there will be free school supplies, hygiene products, clothes, and shoes. There will also be community resource tables, games, physicals, and immunizations.
Scan the QR code to register for physicals, immunizations & transportation. Transportation is available from Bushnell, Colchester, and Good Hope.
Contact Abby Beck at abeck@roe26.net or 309-575-3257 with questions.
Location change for Macomb Downtown Summer Concert
Due to the inclement weather on Wednesday, July 30 the location of Downtown Summer Concert Series performance has been changed.
The WIU Jazz Combo will perform at noon today at the Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St.
Flood watch in effect
The National Weather Service says repeated rounds of storms could result in flooding of low-lying and urban areas, or where heavy rain has recently fallen.
Rises on area rivers, streams, and creeks are also possible.
Southeast Iowa pharmacy owner sentenced for stealing pills
A Fairfield man was sentenced to four years of probation for stealing thousands of pills from a pharmacy he owned and operated.
Bryan P. Vander Linden, 43, admitted that from June 2022 to at least November 2023, he took prescription pills from Summit Pharmacy in Fairfield for his own use.
In total, Vander Linden obtained more than 3,500 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills, which are Schedule II controlled substances, and more than 400 carisoprodol pills, which is a Schedule IV muscle relaxant.
Vander Linden was ordered to pay a $9,500 fine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Two men arrested, charged in Macomb shooting death
Two men are accused in a homicide in Macomb over the weekend.
Sean Hayes, 37, and Morgan Bearce, 24, both of Macomb, are each charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of obstruction of justice.
Meet the new executive director of the Buchanan Center for the Arts
Ann Tenold Rogan was born and raised in Monmouth, and is excited to return to the Maple City to serve as executive director of the Buchanan Center for the Arts.
“I found myself coming back more often as I got older, and there was just something about Monmouth that felt comfortable. It wasn’t really nostalgia. It was just more of being part of a community," she said.
See the potential in 11 Fort Madison properties
This week, you can see the potential of downtown Fort Madison by stepping inside 11 available properties.
The “See Yourself Here” tour is self-guided. Attendees can meet with property owners as well as imagine possibilities in the empty spaces.
The tour is from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 31, during the Downtown Summer Market.
In addition to the tour, a new online resource page has been created to support current and future entrepreneurs. Visitors will find entrepreneurial tools and other resources.