National Guard Armory in Macomb damaged by fire
A fire on Saturday morning, Nov. 25, caused an estimated $150,000 damage to the National Guard Armory, 135 W. Grant St. in Macomb.
No one was injured in the fire, which appears to have started in a locked storage room. Firefighters who forced their way into the room found a smoldering fire from electrical charging equipment and stored batteries.
The cause remains under investigation by the Macomb Fire Department and the Illinois National Guard.
Federal disaster declaration for June derecho
Federal disaster assistance is now available to producers who suffered damages during the late June derecho that blew through western Illinois.
The United States Department of Agriculture has issued a disaster declaration for Hancock and McDonough counties. It includes the contiguous counties of Adams, Fulton, Henderson, Schuyler, and Warren.
Farmers in those counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans.
Those eligible should contact their local USDA Service Center to ask questions or file a Notice of Loss.
WIU doubles Giving Tuesday goal
Western Illinois University more than doubled its goal for Giving Tuesday, raising $61,243 within 24 hours.
The global fundraising initiative is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
WIU also had record number of donors, with 314 people contributing.
The funds will go toward programs and special projects.
Woman’s body found in Plymouth house fire
Foul play is not suspected in the death of a woman whose body was found in a burning house in Plymouth.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department said fire departments were called to the home in the 100 block of Marion Street.
Firefighters found the body of Amy Aleshire, 58 inside the home.
An autopsy conducted on Thursday found she died of natural causes.
Investigators are still trying to determine what started the fire.
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