Inauguration ceremony scheduled for WIU president
Western Illinois University will hold an inauguration ceremony for President Kristi Mindrup.
The event is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, in the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall on the WIU Macomb campus.
Mindrup became interim president on April 1, 2024, and was named president on Dec. 6, 2024.
She is the first woman to serve as WIU’s president.
Trial date scheduled in Lewistown homicide
The jury trial for a man accused in a New Year’s Eve shooting death in Lewistown is scheduled to begin Nov. 17.
Nicholas Pratt, 33, of Ipava is charged with two counts of murder, one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, and two counts of endangering the life or health of a child.
He’s been denied pretrial release.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were called to the 500 block of South Main Street on the evening of December 31.
They found Levi Blair, 39, of Canton, who had been shot in the head.
He was pronounced dead at Graham Hospital in Canton.
Hammond announces reelection campaign
State Representative Norine Hammond of Macomb (R-94) said she will seek another term in office.
Hammond said she’s worked to ensure the region’s concerns are heard, and said many of the bills she’s sponsored begin with ideas from constituents.
Her priorities include supporting agriculture, improving rural infrastructure, and advancing education.
Hammond is in her eighth term. She’s currently the Deputy Minority Leader of the House Republican Caucus.
Halpin running for another term
State Senator Mike Halpin of Rock Island (D-36) said he will seek reelection in his western Illinois district.
Halpin is an attorney who’s in his first term in the Senate. He previously served six years in the Illinois House.
He is Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, and said he has championed reforms to help universities and students.
Halpin also said he’s worked for services for veterans, and supported a property tax refund plan.
Sandburg among first to be part of Common App
Through a pilot partnership with the Illinois Community College Board, Carl Sandburg College is one of the first community colleges in the country where students can apply through the Common App, a platform that streamlines the college application process while providing resources and guidance to make college more accessible for students.
This is the first targeted effort by Common App to include colleges such as Sandburg that offer primarily associate-level degrees. The partnership is part of Common App’s Next Chapter, which aims to increase access by closing the gap in low- and middle-income students applying through Common App.
Sandburg was joined by fellow Illinois institutions Sauk Valley Community College, Rend Lake College, and Black Hawk College in the initial cohort for the 2024-2025 application season.
Grants awarded for Illinois libraries
The Illinois Secretary of State is giving out $20 million in grants to more than 600 public libraries across the state.
Libraries throughout western Illinois are among the recipients. They include:
- Galesburg Public Library: $44,326.70
- Warren County Public Library District: $24,825.73
- Macomb Public Library District: $22,638.30
- Rushville Public Library: $4,432.38
Much of the funding will be per-capita grant awards, which will go toward programming, purchasing books, and other materials.
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