Galesburg man charged with courthouse threats
A Galesburg man is charged with felony disorderly conduct for making threats to workers at the Knox County courthouse.
Matthew Sullivan, 30, reportedly called the traffic office at the courthouse about ongoing cases and threatened to “shoot up” the courthouse.
Knox County Sheriff Jack Harlan put the courthouse on lockdown until the situation was under control and Sullivan was found at a Galesburg residence.
Local counties at high COVID levels
Much of the area is at warning levels for COVID-19 transmission.
Knox, Warren, and Fulton counties are at high levels, while McDonough, Henderson, and Des Moines counties are at medium level.
The elevated COVID levels and rising flu levels are leading to increased respiratory illness and increased hospitalizations
ICU beds are around 90 percent utilized in the region.
Public health officials are reminding residents to get tested, get vaccinated, get flu shots, and stay home when ill.
WIU president to host international students
Some international students at Western Illinois University might not get to go home for the holiday season. But they will get a holiday meal because President Guiyou Huang will host international students at the president’s residence on Tuesday, December 20, 4-6 p.m.
President Huang also invited international faculty so that they can share their experiences with the students. Huang said it will be a chance for everyone to enjoy a nice meal and spend time with others from an international background.
Western reported enrolling more than 1,100 international students this fall, an all-time high for the institution.
Arrest in video game console theft
A Burlington man and a juvenile were arrested after a theft at the Henderson County Library in Biggsville.
Trevor Howell, 18, and the juvenile were meeting people at the library for the sale of a video gaming console. But a scuffle ensued and Howell and the juvenile fled in a vehicle, later throwing the console out the window.
Deputies stopped the vehicle in rural Gladstone, according to a release from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects are charged with robbery and obstructing justice by destroying evidence.
Galesburg tourism award
The Galesburg Tourism and Visitors Bureau won an Illinois Excellence in Tourism Award at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism last week in Chicago.
The awards are to honor marketing efforts that promote attractions and events in Illinois.
The Galesburg organization won for Best Social Media Marketing in its class, for promotions related to the Scenic Drive.
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