Man gets prison for Knox County jail arson
A man was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for setting a fire in the Knox County jail.
Anthony Williams, 45, was being held on charges of theft and aggravated fleeing when he set the fire that damaged a jail cell door, according to Knox County State’s Attorney Jeremy Karlin.
Williams was charged with aggravated arson because others were present at the time of the fire.
He pleaded guilty in that case. As part of the plea deal, the other charges were dismissed.
Macomb city clerk honored
Melanie Falk’s first day on the job at Macomb city hall was July 19, 1982.
She was hired as a secretary in the zoning and assessor’s office.
Four years later she transferred to a secretarial position in the clerk’s office, she was appointed deputy city clerk in 1994, and in 1999 she ran for and won the election for city clerk. She's now in her sixth, four-year term in that position.
In recognition of her 40 years of service, Mayor Mike Inman issued a proclamation declaring July 19, 2022, as Melanie Falk Day in Macomb.
Federal prison for Burlington meth dealer
A Burlington man was sentenced to 210 months in prison after pleading guilty to meth distribution charges.
Jose Luis Escundino Romayor, 37, was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release after his prison term.
According to court documents, police informants in Des Moines County purchased “ice” methamphetamine from Romayor on multiple occasions.
Officers seized more than two kilograms of meth and a firearm during the investigation.
Romayor admitted to regularly receiving large amounts of drugs to sell in the area.
Administrative hires at Culver-Stockton
Culver-Stockton College has announced several new administrative hires.
Belle Cowden is the college’s new Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies. She previously was director of online learning at the University of Southern Indiana.
Adam Duesterhaus is now Vice President for Advancement. He comes to Culver-Stockton from United Way of Adams County, where he was Director of Development and Communications.
And Timothy Williams was named Assistant Dean of Student Life. He previously was Chief Operating Officer for the Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson City.
Ramp closures near Monmouth
Pavement patching and resurfacing on the ramps at the U.S. Route 34 and 67 intersection near Monmouth began Friday.
The ramps will be closed between 6 p.m. Fridays and 6 a.m. Mondays for several weeks. Closures at other times can be expected too and detours will be posted.
Work should be finished by the end of August, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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