Guilty plea in Galesburg shooting
A Galesburg man pleaded guilty to an amended charge in a shooting last year.
Per the plea agreement, Tomas Rubio, now 22, was sentenced to ten years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on the amended charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm.
Rubio originally was charged with attempted murder for the March 2024 shooting. He was following the victim’s car on city streets when he fired two shots. One bullet grazed the victim’s left shoulder.
Rubio will get credit for time served in the Knox County jail and must serve 85% of his prison sentence.
WIU residence hall damaged by fire
A fire in a Western Illinois University residence hall on Wednesday night caused an estimated $20,000 in damage.
The fire was contained to a wastebasket in a room on the fourth floor of Grote Hall. However, the Macomb Fire Department said the building sustained fire, smoke, and water damage throughout, and at least two residents were displaced.
The department said the fire was caused by the improper disposal of ignited materials. It ruled the fire was unintentional, but added the resident obstructed the smoke alarm. The department said the Office of Public Safety learned of the fire when the sprinkler system activated the water flow alarm.
One firefighter was taken to a local hospital for observation and later released.
Oglesby trial could begin next month
The trial for one of the Maquon women charged with murder in the death of the village’s former police chief could be scheduled as soon as next month.
Marcy Oglesby, now 52, was charged with murder, aggravated battery with a toxic substance, and concealment of a homicide almost two years ago.
The Knox County State’s Attorney’s Office and Oglesby’s public defenders said it’s possible they could be ready for trial next month, though a subpoena of records from the Knox County Coroner’s Office has not yet been returned.
Judge Andrew Doyle said he doesn’t want the trial to be pushed back to March unless there is no other option.
Karen Doubet, 78, faces the same charges in the case. Doubet was arrested in October 2024. She’s set for a pre-trial conference in March.
Colorado murder suspect arrested in Galesburg
A murder suspect wanted in Denver, Colo., was arrested on a warrant in Galesburg.
London Boyle, 23, was found around 4:16 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13 at a residence in the 1800 block of Grand Avenue.
He was wanted for first-degree murder for a fatal shooting on Nov. 5 in Denver.
Galesburg police are assisting with the investigation.
Medicine disposal site removed from MPD
The Macomb police department no longer has a drop box for old and unwanted medicines in its lobby.
There are a couple other places expired medicines can be taken to in Macomb. They are the McDonough County Health Department, 505 E. Jackson St., and the Hy-Vee pharmacy, 1600 E. Jackson St.
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