Garrison pleads guilty to murder charge
A Macomb woman will be sentenced in May after pleading guilty to a charge of second-degree murder.
Portia Garrison, now 30, was originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of her husband, Ricky Haymer, 27.
Investigators said Garrison stabbed Haymer in the chest with a knife during a domestic altercation in their home at around 5:45 a.m. on Feb. 7, 2023.
He was pronounced dead a short time later at McDonough District Hospital.
E-learning to continue in Macomb schools
The Macomb School District will continue using e-learning days instead of calling off classes for emergencies such as snow or ice storms.
The school board voted to keep e-learning days in place through the 2027-28 school year.
The board also approved a waiver that gives the district the option of using full days instead of half days for school improvement.
Superintendent Patrick Twomey said this gives the district some flexibility, though they plan to continue doing half-days.
Galesburg man arrested for DUI after train hits SUV
A Galesburg man was arrested for DUI and other charges after his vehicle was struck by a freight train.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash around 1:15 a.m. on March 30.
Donell Matthews, 50, had exited his SUV before it was struck by the BNSF train on the tracks near State Street in East Galesburg.
Matthews is also charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident and trespass to railroad property.
No injuries were reported. BNSF traffic resumed after the tracks were cleared.
Western Illinois fire departments receive equipment grants
Fire departments across Illinois will receive state grants to help pay for purchasing small equipment for firefighting and ambulance services.
The money comes from the Small Equipment Grant Program through the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
Grant recipients in western Illinois include:
· Beardstown Fire Department: $25,996
· Good Hope – Sciota Fire Protection District: $26,000
· Little York Fire Protection District: $17,280
· Macomb Fire Department: $24,254.90
· Nauvoo Fire Protection District: $26,000
· Pleasant Hill Fire Protection District: $25,990
· Versailles Fire Protection District: $26,000
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