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NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Week of 5-15-26 Peoria County Report5-1 – Joshua M. Belville, 34, of Wyoming surrendered shortly before 10 a.m. at the Peoria County Jail regarding a warrant related to 2025 vehicle-related offenses, according to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.Galva ReportOfficer dispatched:5-4 – to the 700 block of NW 4th St. to assist a citizen suffering from an apparent mental-health crisis.5-4- to the 500 block of SE Industrial Ave. to speak to a subject about an ongoing property-line dispute.5-4 – to the 800 block of NW 3rd Ave….

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports Week of 5-14-26 • FARMINGTON – A vehicle chase that exceeded 100 mph began in Farmington and ended north of Hanna City following an on-foot pursuit of the driver. Johnie K. Burton, 25, of Hanna City was driving a 1995 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck a Farmington police officer clocked at 59 mph in a 35-mph zone shortly after 2:30 a.m. April 19 on East Fort Street, according to a report. The officer pursued Burton into a parking lot. The vehicle began to stop, then accelerated…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Galva ReportOfficer dispatched:4-6 – to the 700 block of NW 4th St. to assist a subject suffering from an apparent mental-health crisis.4-6 – to check the welfare of a resident who activated a medical pennant alarm on SE 6th Ave. It was an accidental activation.4-6 – While patrolling, officer located a utility wire down across the roadway in the 100 block of Main St. It was found to be a cable wire and was removed.4-6 – to assist Henry County with a traffic stop in the…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • YATES CITY – A traffic stop in Yates City resulted in a local man’s arrest for failure to appear in court regarding a drugs-related case. Chance D. Blankers, 38, was driving a northbound GMC pickup truck when a Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled it over around 8 a.m. March 23 on Kellogg Street near Ames Street. The truck’s rear license plate bore an expired sticker, according to a sheriff’s-office report. A check revealed Blankers was wanted in Fulton County, where he was charged…

Galva ReportOfficer dispatched: 3-30 – to the east edge of town for a reckless driving complaint. Officer located the suspect vehicle at a local business. The driver was advised of the complaint and no signs of impairment were detected.3-30 – to the 400 block of NE 6th Ave. for a disabled tractor trailer blocking both lanes. An oversize wrecker was contacted for removal.3-30 – to the 800 block of NE 2nd St. for a civil standby to retrieve property.3-30 – to the 100 block of NE 9th St. for an illegal-burning complaint. Officer found a tree stump burning and spoke…

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…