Month: June 2025

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • BARTONVILLE – A single-vehicle accident west of Bartonville led to a hospital visit for a Hanna City woman.At 5:15 p.m. June 6, Heather M. Williams was driving a westbound 2013 Dodge van that swerved to miss an oncoming 2106 Ford sport-utility vehicle in the 8700 block of W. Lancaster Rd., according to a Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report. The other driver was Tyler B. DeSantis of Washington, who said he was not paying attention and drifted across the center line. Williams overcorrected, and her…

By Nick Vlahos GALESBURG – On the witness stand Monday, Karen Doubet implicated her goddaughter in the death of former Maquon Police Chief Richard Young. The long-anticipated trial of Marcy Oglesby began in Knox County Circuit Court almost 33 months after she was arrested, in October 2022, when Young’s decomposing body was found in a Maquon storage unit. Oglesby is accused of poisoning Young’s food and drink over time, then hiding Young’s body. Young’s autopsy revealed possible lethal levels of a drug found in over-the-counter eye drops. Oglesby and Doubet, who resided together with Young, were charged with first-degree murder….

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Traffic citations &Ordinance violations 6-14 – Zachary T. DeWeese – Driving 15-20 mph above limit.6-15 – Taran L. J. Kindred – Driving 21-25 mph above limit. Incidents & AccidentsStark County 6-8 – Thomas A. Null, 58, Bradford, was cited for driving on an expired vehicle registration.6-9 – Trevor L. Shimmin, 25, Normal, was ticketed for speeding 67 mph in a 55 zone and for driving without vehicle insurance. He was released with a court date.6-10 – Grace N. Bach, 22, Princeville, was cited for speeding 74…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • PEORIA – A Princeville-area woman was arrested after she abandoned a damaged vehicle on a Peoria thoroughfare, then claimed she wasn’t the driver, according to authorities. Peoria police responded about noon May 27 to the 8800 block of N. Orange Prairie Rd., where they found a 2012 Nissan Leaf stopped in the farthest-right southbound lane. The vehicle’s front passenger-side tire was deflated and the rear passenger-side rim was damaged, a police report stated. A witness reported a woman fled the scene on foot into…

Free concerts and family events at Bishop Hill for annual festival BISHOP HILL – The annual Midsommar Music Festival returns here on June 21. Highlights of the traditional Swedish holiday festival include free concerts in the park, a Swedish Maypole celebration and more. Attendees are asked to bring their own lawnchairs to better enjoy the day’s concerts. Celebrating Midsommar, one of the two most popular holidays in Sweden – the other being Christmas – is a very ancient practice, dating back to pre-Christian times. It has its roots in pagan rituals to welcome summer and the season of fertility. In…

By JOHN A. BALLENTINEFor The Prairie News TOULON – The Toulon City Council on Monday passed a motion to hire Peerless Well and Pump, Inc., of Dubuque, Iowa, to perform necessary repairs on the city’s No. 1 well. Total cost is not to exceeed $45,000 for Peerless to pull the well parts out, including the pump, and replace it with a new one if required. During the council’s May meeting, Mayor Larry Hollis said an immediate repair was required for a leak in well No. 1. At that time, an estimate was to be obtained for the cost of a…

By JOHN A. BALLENTINEFor The Prairie News TOULON – After a closed session Tuesday evening to discuss the purchase of real property, the Stark County Board of Supervisors hired the services of an architect firm. Board Chair Kari Bush said Mackinaw-based Atelier, P.C.was hired to design the new highway building.No other details on plans for the new building were provided during or after the board meeting.This was the board’s eighth closed-session discussion on the topic of purchasing real property since May 2024. In the closed session Tuesday were board members Bush, Vice-Chair Robin Nowlan, Tom Howes, Jamie Schaffer, Adam Wilson, Melissa…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post ELMWOOD – A new restaurant in Elmwood is receiving some city financial assistance for its signage.During its meeting June 3, the Elmwood City Council approved a $1,027.57 tax-increment-financing grant to Otera Brinson, proprietor of Elmwood Junk Food Café, 102 W. Main St. That’s half the cost of the sign and installation, according to Amy Davis, the city economic-development director. Elmwood Junk Food Café opened June 4. Chicago-style hot dogs, baked potatoes with toppings and meatball submarine sandwiches are among the menu items. The cafe occupies space a Subway restaurant once filled. “This building came open…

Rambling through central Illinois, pondering fathers. • • • For a long time, Father’s Day was an issue for me. My Dad was 12 hours away and getting him a card and gift required foresight – not my strength when it comes to most things outside of work. Too many times FedEx rushed him cards or Amazon overnighted gifts. Then there was the envy. Seeing other sons and dads fishing, golfing and grilling made me jealous. No card or gift can replace the simple satisfaction of time together. Worse yet was the guilt of having left the family, heightened on…

Traffic citations &Ordinance violations 6-8 – Emily J. Burdett – Uninsured vehicle.6-8 – Thomas A. Null – Expired registration.6-9 – James D. Stutler – Uninsured vehicle.6-9 – Trevor L. Shimmin – Uninsured vehicle, driving 11-14 mph above limit.6-9 – Aaron T. Arduini – Speeding 25-34 mph over limit. Misdemeanors &Felonies6-2 – Criminal misdemeanor – Caleb A. Deck – Escape: Did not report to Stark County Jail on June 2 at 9 a.m. and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Incidents & AccidentsStark County6-2 – Melvin O. Rodriguez Espinoza, 19, Wyoming, cited for driving without vehicle insurance, while his license…