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Rambling through central Illinois, hoping tornadic activity is over for 2026. • • • There’s nothing like the threat of a tornado to bring neighbors together, standing outside as the storm hastily approaches and sirens wail. At least that was the case last Thursday in our Elmwood neighborhood. People you had not seen outside in months were clustered in front of their homes, looking to the northwest to witness what Mother Nature cooked up this time. Fortunately, for us in Elmwood at least, the storm was not as bad as it sounded. The train-like roar I heard was reminiscent of…

By JEFF LAMPEFor The Weekly Post FARMINGTON – The Farmington City Council agreed Monday to renew a popular redevelopment program, albeit with a few changes. The city will dedicate $75,000 from its downtown Tax Increment Financing district to in-TIF commercial and residential redevelopment projects. Another $25,000 from the city’s general fund will go toward residential redevelopment outside of the TIF district. The council is expected to approve ordinances spelling out the programs at its next meeting on April 20.Mayor Kenn Stufflebeam said the in-TIF total is down from $120,000 last year for two reasons. The first is that last year’s allocation…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post A trio of tornadoes last week in southeast Knox and northwest Peoria counties damaged buildings, trees and power poles. The tornadoes spawned from a storm that passed through the area April 2, according to the National Weather Service office in Lincoln. No injuries were reported, although downed power lines near Laura entrapped a vehicle. In general, the tornadoes moved from the southwest to the northeast. All three touched down within five minutes of each other. At 6:18 p.m., a tornado began near Douglas and damaged an outbuilding along Illinois Route 8. Also damaged were…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • ELMWOOD – Sex toys and methamphetamine were found on the floor of an apparently burgled residence north of Elmwood, according to the victim. The incident in the 900 block of E. Knox Rd. was reported at 11:15 a.m. March 20. According to a Knox County Sheriff’s Office report, the 31-year-old victim was gone for about a week when he returned home and discovered a china cabinet was missing. It was filled with plates, dishes and silverware. According to the victim, his front steps had…

Rambling through central Illinois, still aching after overseeing the planting of 425 shrubs and trees over the weekend. • • • Having lamented seeing too many storefronts go dark, it’s encouraging to write about new businesses opening. So I’m happy to type that, before this month is over, Elmwood will have two more storefronts occupied by businesses. Wednesday was the grand opening for Burrell’s Family Barbershop at 107 W. Main St., the former home to Bees and Blooms flower shop. Owner George Burrell has been cutting hair and instructing barbers for 15 years. Burrell is a Shelbyville native who has…

By MICKI McCARTHYFor The Weekly Post ELMWOOD – This is the fifth year of the annual RUCK 22 – John Pettit Memorial Walk to help bring awareness to veterans suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and veteran suicide.The walk will be held Saturday, May 23, at 7:30 a.m. in Elmwood. “People of all ages are invited to walk to honor those who suffer silently, those we have lost and those we hope to help,” said Brett Powers, event organizer and member of Archie Miles VFW Post 4724. Since the first event in 2021, the RUCK 22 Memorial Walk has raised $35,000,…

Gioannini gift continues to fund education projects at Farmington By JEFF LAMPEFor The Weekly Post FARMINGTON – One measure of true generosity is giving a gift for which you never receive thanks.Anonymous donors, planters of oak trees and those who create endowments and lasting memorials come immediately to mind. So does Annette Gioannini, a long-time Farmington resident who taught briefly for Farmington Central Schools. That, however, is just a part of her legacy. The donation Gioannini made to the school district after her death in 2016 at age 101 has funded hundreds of projects worth $115,961. And that’s just the interest earned…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Prairie News GALESBURG – A Bureau County man implicated in a two-vehicle crash in February that injured an Illinois State Police trooper from Elmwood wants a jury trial. Joseph S. Pruiett, 46, of Wyanet pleaded not guilty March 23 in Knox County Circuit Court to multiple criminal charges that stemmed from the accident. A vehicle Pruitt was driving struck a squad car parked along the Knox-Stark county border. State Police Officer Braden McFall was inside that vehicle. Pruiett appeared in front of Judge Andrew Doyle via video conferencing from a treatment facility, according to Knox County State’s…

By JEFF LAMPEFor The Prairie News TOULON – Circuit Court Judge William Bauer on Monday denied a request for the pretrial release of Alex R. Nowlan of Toulon. Nowlan is facing 12 felony charges in Stark County, including eight counts of possession of child pornography, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful restraint, harass/threaten a person and intimidation/physical harm. Nowlan is being held in the Bureau County Jail and was transported to the Stark County Courthouse for Monday’s review of his case. Also in court was his father, Robin Nowlan, who asked to have his son released to his custody.Bauer denied that…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Peoria County Report3-18 – A Wyoming man arrested in Peoria was wanted in two counties on drugs-related charges.Joshua T. Humes, 44, surrendered at gunpoint about 6:30 p.m. after he ran from the rear of a residence in the 2200 block of N. Flora Ave., according to Peoria police reports. Officers were there investigating atheft. Humes was wanted in Peoria and Tazewell counties for unlawful possession of methamphetamine. He also was wanted in Tazewell County for resisting police. He said he ran because he knew he had…