Month: March 2023

Farmington mayoral and Williamsfield school board Farmington mayor Stufflebeam, Zessin vie for position By JEFF LAMPEFor The Weekly Post FARMINGTON – Two candidates are vying to become mayor of Farmington in the April 4 election. Kenn Stufflebeam, 55, was elected as mayor in 2013 and then stepped down June 11, 2015, to be replaced by Kent Kowal. On March 5, 2022, Stufflebeam came full circle, leaving his position as an alderman to serve as acting mayor when Kowal left the position. Stufflebeam is a key account manager for Cintas, and he and wife Anne have two daughters, Meredith and Alexis. Chadric…

Deficits outweighed survey results By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – More than 83 percent of survey respondents wanted the Princeville Aquatic Center to remain open. But the Princeville Village Board deemed the swimming complex a luxury its community cannot afford.With a 5-0 vote March 21, the board decided to close the aquatic center permanently. Mounting financial losses influenced the decision. Minimum-wage increases, higher materials costs and expenses for necessary upgrades were factors. The complex was projected to be more than $100,000 in the red to enter the upcoming summer season. The facility that’s about a quarter-century old always has…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Maquon body confirmed as Richard A. Young GALESBURG – It’s been assumed the decomposing body found last autumn in a Maquon storage unit was that of the former village police chief. On Tuesday, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it.DNA testing revealed the remains are those of Richard R. Young, 71. A Maquon woman, Marcy L. Oglesby, has been accused of concealing Young’s death, but earlier this month a Knox County judge dismissed murder charges filed against her. The judge determined…

Incidents & AccidentsStark County 3-16 – Ryan C. Snider, 43, Wyoming, was involved in a deer-related vehicle accident at 800E and 300N. No injuries reported. The driver was charged with driving while his license was suspended.3-16 – A domestic problem was reported in the 300 block of Peoria St. in Bradford. The incident was investigated by the Stark County Sheriff’s Department. Galva ReportOfficer dispatched: 3-13 – to Wiley Park for a complaint of a loose dog. Officer was not able to locate it.3-14 – to speak with a subject by telephone about a trespass notice that had been placed against…

Rambling through central Illinois, pondering the latest headlines outlining the end of our world. • • • The band is getting back together in Farmington. After an estimated 40-year absence, Farmington will have a community band this spring and possibly this summer. Farmington High School Band Director Allison Smith has been organizing the new group, which has its first concert next Thursday (March 30) at 7 p.m. in the Farmington High School auditorium. “Our first rehearsal only had 12 people attend, but it has grown since then and we’ve had 38 people interact with our group since then,” Smith said. “While…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post GALESBURG – Marcy Oglesby still faces charges in connection with the death of a Maquon man last year. But first-degree murder no longer is among them. During a hearing March 16 in Knox County Circuit Court, Judge Andrew Doyle granted a motion to dismiss four charges against Oglesby. Her 51st birthday is April 2. Oglesby was accused of using eye drops to poison to death someone believed to be former Maquon Police Chief Richard Young. Oglesby is alleged to have hidden Young’s body in a Maquon storage locker for almost a year. It was discovered…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post BRIMFIELD – The sports cooperative between Brimfield and Elmwood high schools will continue for at least two more academic years. Without discussion, the Brimfield school board voted 6-0 during its meeting March 15 to authorize co-op renewal. Students from Brimfield and Elmwood still will combine to form teams in baseball, cross country, football, softball and track and field. The schools also share a spirit-squad team. The future of the co-op has been deliberated at board meetings of both districts. Last month, Elmwood school-board members voted 5-1 to renew the co-op for 2023-24 and 2024-25. The…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – Some educators and students have called for a new Princeville School District student cellphone policy. The policy proposed during a school-board meeting March 14 allows high school students to check cellphone messages in hallways during passing periods. Currently, students are prohibited from carrying cellphones during school hours. They must be off and stored in lockers or vehicles. “That wasn’t happening, and quite honestly, it wasn’t going to be feasible if we continued down that path,” Junior-Senior High School Principal Rich Thole said. A committee of 20 students and seven staff members formed in…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Police reports • FARMINGTON – A traffic stop in Farmington resulted in the arrest of a Bellevue man wanted by Peoria County law-enforcement authorities. Andrew J. Chiarvalle, 35, was driving a 2009 Ford Ranger pickup truck when a Farmington police officer stopped him about 12:15 p.m. March 11 at Main Street and Barlow Road. Chiarvalle was traveling 47 mph in a 30-mph zone, according to a Farmington Police Department report. Chiarvalle also had an outstanding warrant for larceny. He posted $605…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Traffic citations &Ordinance violations3-8 – Todd C. Schafer, Speeding 35+ mph over the limit.Incidents & Accidents Stark County3-6 – A deer-related vehicle accident occurred on 1500E just east of the intersection of 1425N. The driver involved was Sharon Shaner, 66, of Bradford. No injuries were reported but the vehicle sustained estimated damages over $1,500.3-9 – A domestic problem was reported and handled in the 100 block of W. Main St. in Toulon.3-10 – Melody A. Kent, 28, Galva, turned herself into…