Month: February 2025

Weekly newscast found on YouTube By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – Students who produce the Princeville School District’s new internet-based news program appear to have learned a few things on the job. It also appears they might be learning how to handle at least a minor level of fame. “They’re kind of a little bit like local celebrities,” said Kelly Jenkins, the district’s technology coordinator. “People see them uptown at Casey’s and recognize them from the news.” The faces of 326 News are anchors Lily Garcia and Mazie Streitmatter, sports reporter Noah Geiger and roving reporter Harper Francis. But…

By JOHN A. BALLENTINEFor The Prairie News WYOMING – Stark County special education teacher Leslie Rennick has been selected as the 2025 Northwest Illinois Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education. Rennick, who is one of 13 finalists for Illinois Teacher of the Year, was recognized on Monday by the Stark County School Board with a Pride and Excellence award for the ISBE honor she received on Feb. 14. She teaches in Stark County Elementary School. “I am very excited and very proud to represent Stark County,” Rennick stated. “I’ll be representing Stark County/Northwest Region at the…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Prairie News For the second season in a row, Galva won its first game in the Class 1A boys basketball state tournament. Blake Stahl had 29 points and 10 rebounds Monday night to lead the host Wildcats past Kewanee Wethersfield 63-39 in a Savanna Regional opener. The victory sent Galva (22-7), the fourth seed in its Pecatonica sub-sectional, to a regional semifinal scheduled for Wednesday night at West Carroll against No. 5 Sterling Newman. The regional title game is set for 7 tonight (Feb. 28), also at West Carroll. JP Sloan had 13 points and six assists…

By JEFF LAMPEFor The Prairie News GALVA – Zach Anderson has a straightforward goal as the new football coach at Galva High School. “I was always told by the coaches when I played (at Galva) that we may not have been very good and we may not have won many games, but you knew you played Galva because we knew how to hit,” Anderson said. “That’s something I want to bring back more than anything. “I’m not saying we’re going to go out and win eight games our first year. At the end of the day, it’s about going out and being…

By CAROL TOWNSENDFor The Prairie News GALVA – The Henry-Stark County Health Department has hired Kyla Carlson to work as a new mental health counselor at the Galva Elementary School. The school has set up an office for Carlson, who will offer counseling to students in both the elementary and junior-senior high school. The School Board heard at its meeting Monday that nine families are ready to start counseling. “It will nice to have this here so families will not have to travel,” Elementary School Principal Adam Norway said. The board also approved the hiring of Zach Anderson as high…

Traffic citations &Ordinance violations 2-19 – Henry L. Alexander, Jr. – No valid registration.2-23 – Renee B. Zakas – Driving 15-20 mph above the limit.2-23 – Derek R. Johnson – Driving on a suspended license. Incidents & AccidentsStark County 2-18 – Nicole L. Lee, 32, of Kewanee was involved in a deer-related vehicle accident on Illinois Route 93 west of the Modena Blacktop. No injuries were reported but estimated damage to the vehicle was over $1,500.2-19 – Alexander H. Lewis Jr., Bryant, cited for driving without a valid registration. He was issued a court date to appear.2-21 – Linda S….

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Police reports• FARMINGTON – A fire at a residence southeast of Farmington destroyed a recreational vehicle and a detached garage. At least $73,000 in damage was estimated. The blaze began about 11:30 a.m. Feb. 17 at 24019 W. Moul Rd., according to the Farmington Community Fire Protection District. The RV and the garage were engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. A Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report stated the property owner noticed a circuit breaker in the RV was flipped, and he reset it. About 30 minutes…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Incidents & AccidentsStark County2-8 – Christian L. Kenogle, 54, of Joliet, was involved in a deer-related vehicle accident on Route 93 and 1300E. No injuries reported but estimated vehicle damage was over $1,500.2-9 – Nicholette C. Williams, 24, Phoenix, Ariz., cited for speeding 93 mph in a 55 zone and issued a court date to appear.2-10 – Kevin L. Code, 32, Peoria, was cited for improper lighting and driving while his license was suspended. He was also arrested on three outstanding warrants for failure to appear…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Police reports • ELMWOOD – A dog was killed but no people were injured in a fire at an Elmwood residence, according to authorities. The blaze began about 1:45 p.m. Feb. 6 at 403 W. South St., according to Elmwood Fire Chief Bob Tannock. When firefighters arrived, significant smoke and fire were emanating from the rear of the residence. The fire spread to the attic. The resident wasn’t home, but five dogs were rescued. Damage was estimated at $35,000, according to Tannock. Firefighters from the Akron-Princeville,…

Rambling through central Illinois, amazed at how much misery February can pack into its few days. • • There is reason for optimism as this week draws to an end, bitterly cold though it was and full of political upheavals that have some smiling and others grimacing. In this ode to hope, we start with ex-Hanna City Mayor Fred Winterroth, whose dogged 20-year pursuit of a 25-mile rails-to-trails conversion is still alive. “The only thing I can verify is that I have not given up on it,” Winterroth said Tuesday. “The communities and government agencies are not involved anymore. If it…