Knox County jury convicts Fielder on attempted murder, assault charges
Following a jury trial, a Galesburg man was found guilty this week of attempted murder, aggravated arson, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and unlawful restraint.
Jason D. Fielder, 47, was arrested in August 2024 following the violent attack on a juvenile in a Galesburg residence.
Evidence presented at trial showed Field zip-tied the victim during the assault, then tied the victim to a wooden beam in the basement and set a fire in the kitchen.
The state’s case was supported in part by testimony from six expert witnesses, including two forensic scientists, a fire investigator, a digital forensics expert, and two sexual assault nurse examiners.
“This verdict represents the strength of the evidence and the commitment of our office to pursuing justice for victims of violent crime,” said Knox County State’s Attorney Ashley M. Worby. “We are grateful to the jury for their service and to the many professionals whose expertise helped bring this case to a just conclusion.”
Sentencing is scheduled for July 17.
New president for Macomb Board of Education
Macomb school board members chose Kishor Kapale to serve as their president. He has been on the board for six years.
Kristin Terry was also nominated for president. Kapale won the position on a 4-to-2 vote. Kapale, Emily Sutton, Larry Adams, and Robin Severs voted for Kapale. New board members Justice Keene and Nate McGraw voted for Terry, who abstained from the vote.
Kapale replaces previous president Jill Myers, who did not run for reelection to the board.
Emily Sutton will continue serving as vice president. She also was chosen on a 4-to-2 vote over Terry, with the same split in the voting.
Terry was chosen to serve as board secretary on a 5-to-0 vote, with Terry and Keene abstaining.
Previous secretary Jim LaPrad did not run for reelection to the board.
Charges severed in Oglesby case
Charges have been severed in the case of a Maquon woman charged with poisoning the village’s former police chief with eye drops.
That means Marcy L. Oglesby, 53, will have more than one trial.
Her trial on felony charges of forgery and invalid firearm registration could begin as early as next month. But the charges of murder, concealment of a homicide, and aggravated battery with a toxic substance will be tried separately at a later date.
The decomposing remains of Richard Young were found in a Maquon storage unit in October 2022.
Oglesby was initially charged with concealment of a death, but the charges were upgraded as the investigation progressed.
Macomb School District adds sports programs
Macomb Middle School will take a swing at a couple new sports programs.
The Macomb Board of Education agreed to start baseball and softball teams for seventh and eighth graders.
Supporters say the district has the facilities and the interest is high. They also say this will provide another opportunity for students.
The district will try the program for two years.
The estimated first-year cost is around $15,000.
The board approved the plan on a 6-to-1 vote, with Kristin Terry casting the only vote against it.
Help clean up Lake Storey in Galesburg
The City of Galesburg, TROLs Inc., and Hy-Vee Foods Inc. invite residents to the Annual Lake Storey Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 3.
Volunteers should meet at the shelters near the Lake Storey beach area at 10 a.m.
Volunteers will split into groups to pick up trash and debris for about an hour.
Afterward, Hy-Vee will provide a free hot dog lunch.
Two area hospitals receive 5-star rural rating
OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth and Memorial Hospital in Carthage have been awarded five-star ratings from a program recognizing excellence in rural healthcare.
The National Rural Rating System evaluates hospitals based on patient satisfaction, quality of care, and overall hospital performance.
The 5-star rating system ranks rural and critical access hospitals, with five stars being the top ranking and one star being the lowest.
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