Monmouth teens charged with attempted murder
Two Monmouth teens face attempted murder and other charges following an early morning shooting last weekend.
Cayden J. Bell, 19, and Nathan A. Perez, 18, were arrested following a shooting around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, in the 500 block of East Broadway in Monmouth.
A 21-year-old Monmouth man suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken for treatment to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He is expected to survive his injuries.
Bell and Perez are charged with attempted first degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
Perez is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm while ineligible for a FOID car.
Bell is being held on $500,000 bond and Perez on $750,000 bond, both in the Warren County jail.
New contract for Macomb firefighters
The three-year deal will give the employees a 2.5% pay raise for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on May 1. It also gives them a 3% raise in the second year and 3.5% in the final year.
In addition, firefighters will receive a $2,500 bonus to be paid in May.
The city council approved the contract unanimously.
The city said the pact also includes language that clarifies some terminology, modifies pronouns to be gender neutral, and removes references to the recently eliminated position of deputy chief.
Reynolds to invest $100 million in Iowa tourism
Gov. Kim Reynolds has launched “Destination Iowa” in an attempt to attract visitors and new residents to the state.
The program will provide $100 million in grants to cities, counties, non-profits, and other organizations to help them move forward on “shovel-ready” projects and attractions.
Grant applications will be accepted beginning May 9.
Galesburg business incentive programs target underserved
The city of Galesburg launched several new business incentive programs that aim to encourage start-ups from underserved populations and areas of the city.
The city is now taking applications for minority and women-owned start-ups and from businesses looking to buy or rent commercial real estate on the city’s south side.
A fourth program, in urban agriculture, is expected to launch soon.
Galesburg will invest up $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the programs in each of the next three years.
The new programs were approved by the city council earlier this year. Details and applications are on the city’s website.
Macomb woman fires shot at husband
A Macomb woman is accused of firing a shot from a handgun at her husband early Tuesday morning.
McDonough County Sheriff’s deputies said they responded to a call from 620 Flint Road in rural Macomb. The man told them the two had been drinking when she fired at him.
Nickie Daniels, 48, is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm.
Deputies said they found several other firearms at the scene.
Macomb apartment building damaged in fire
A fire caused an estimated $45,000 damage to an apartment building in the 500 block of West Elting Street in Macomb.
Neighbors called firefighters to the scene during the noon hour on Monday, April 4.
Crews found smoke and flames coming from the rear apartment and were able to extinguish the fire in about ten minutes.
One cat died in the fire. Two others survived. No injuries were reported to people.
The fire department said the fire was unintentional, though the cause remains under investigation.
Galesburg approves terrace gardening ordinance
After months of back and forth, the city of Galesburg has an ordinance on the books that will allow -- but regulate -- terrace plantings.
The ordinance establishes criteria for planting and landscaping in the city-owned but homeowner-maintained strip of land between sidewalks and streets.
City manager Todd Thompson said the new ordinance is more permissive than the existing city code, which required homeowners to complete landscaping agreements.
The issue grew out of a complaint lodged against one homeowner’s terrace plantings that revealed ambiguities about city policies.
Many Galesburg residents spoke out in favor of allowing terrace plantings, saying planting pollinators and ornamental is more environmentally friendly and unique than just turf grass.
There won’t be restrictions on what residents can plant in terraces, as long as height and setback guidelines are followed.
Bustos invites congressional art competition entries
U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos, (D-Moline) invites high school students from across Illinois’ 17th Congressional District to submit their original artwork for the annual Congressional Art Competition.
Any high school student from the district is eligible. To enter, students must submit a digital form through Congresswoman Bustos’ website, and also send a digital version of their art to Artwork.Bustos@mail.house.gov. All entries will be posted online for the public to vote for the eventual winner.
One winning piece of artwork from each House district will be selected to be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington for the next year.
Submissions will be accepted through April 21. Students are limited to one entry each.
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