WIU student arrested on child pornography charges
Bond is $50,000 for a Western Illinois University student who was arrested on child pornography charges.
Macomb police said they executed a search warrant on the Thompson Hall dorm room of Oscar Herrera, 19, of Chicago following an investigation into the dissemination of child pornography through an online platform.
They said evidence they gathered indicated Herrera was in possession of child porn. He was arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography with the Intent to Distribute.
Western’s Office of Public Safety assisted with the search warrant.
Building purchased for Children’s Inspiration lab
The Burlington STEM foundation has purchased the Craftsman Press Building at 203 N. 3rd St.
The plan is to turn the space into the Children’s Inspiration Lab, which will provide hands-on activities for learning about science, technology, engineering, math, and visual and performing arts.
The foundation will take ownership of the building this summer. Renovations are expected to take several years.
Burlington man sentenced in kidnapping
A Burlington man was sentenced in Iowa District Court to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping, attempted murder, and willful injury and intimidation.
Wesley Chamblee, 31, was arrested in September after shooting one victim, then kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and driving her at gunpoint to rural Louisa County.
Chamblee shot the ex-girlfriend after she escaped from the vehicle.
Following a high-speed pursuit, Chamblee was apprehended in Johnson County, where he still faces charges.
Federal loans for severe storm recovery
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for parts of western Illinois following the severe storms that hit the region on April 4.
The declaration includes Fulton, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler, Warren, Peoria, and Tazewell counties.
Residents and businesses can apply for low-interest loans for damages not covered by insurance.
Staff from the US SBA have started a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at St. David Village Hall to help people fill out applications.
It is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The center will close permanently at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24.
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