NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • YATES CITY – During a search for explosive devices at a Yates City residence, a local man was arrested for illegal-drugs possession. Zachary R. Cassel, 33, was found shortly before 11:30 p.m. Nov. 22 on the back porch of a residence in the 400 block of S. Dixon St., according to a Knox County Sheriff’s Office report. In one of Cassel’s pockets was a clear baggie that contained a white substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine. Also found was a glass pipe. Cassel was…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • HANNA CITY – A Yates City man was accused of drunken driving after being found asleep at the wheel of a vehicle at an intersection south of Hanna City. A Peoria County Sheriff’s Office deputy was dispatched shortly before 4:45 a.m. Nov. 8 to Lancaster and Harkers Corner roads. There the deputy found Kaden M. Runyon, 21, inside a 2013 Chrysler 300 off the roadway at the northeast corner of the intersection, a Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report stated.The vehicle gear shift was in…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports Incidents & AccidentsStark County 12-2 – Driver Daniel E. Hartman, 60, Galva, reportedly backed into a parked vehicle owned by Carley McKenzie, 26, of Kewanee in the 700 block of E. Main St. in Toulon. No tickets were issued but damage was estimated at over $1,500.12-2 – Gustavo Gutierrez-Verduzco, 43, of rural Toulon, was issued a notice to appear for allowing dogs to run at large and for failure to inoculate his pets. The Stark County Sheriff’s Office has received ongoing complaints from Toulon residents…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • YATES CITY – A Yates City man was accused of numerous crimes in Peoria and Knox counties, including forgery and theft. Zachary R. Cassel, 33, was arrested Nov. 1 at a residence in Yates City, according to a Knox County Sheriff’s Office report. He was wanted on Knox County warrants for forgery and theft, and Peoria County warrants for retail theft, driving with a suspended license and improper turn-signal use. The Peoria County charges are related to incidents that took place in August and…

• • • While firearm deer season was not super-exciting for our crew, we did get a charge out of the Cat Rescue of 2025. On Nov. 11, our dog chased a black cat up a maple tree in the back yard. On Nov. 14, the cat was still in the tree, meowing pitifully. While this did not cause me to lose sleep, other worried members of the family demanded action. One rescue attempt involved a blanket over the cat and an ill-fated grab that made the silly thing shimmy up a higher, less steady branch. There she sat for…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Incidents & AccidentsStark County11-14 – Rennel F. McChristian, 34, of Peoria hit a deer on Illinois Route 17 near the 500E intersection. No injuries were reported but the 2016 BMW sustained estimated damage over $1,500.11-18 – Nasir A. Silas, 18, Bloomington, was cited for speeding 80 mph in a 55 zone and for driving while his license was suspended. His vehicle was towed and impounded.11-20 – Michael S. Purdy Jr., 28, Castleton, was ticketed for stopping, standing, or parking in a prohibited area and driving on…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • ELMWOOD – An Elmwood driver struck another vehicle, then drove away and later threatened to run over someone, according to authorities. Scott A. Doubet, 76, was behind the wheel of an eastbound 2018 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that hit a parked 2009 Ford Mustang at 6:15 a.m. Nov. 12 in the 400 block of E. Main St., an Elmwood Police Department report stated. Doubet did not stop following the accident. A 23-year-old Elmwood woman owned the Mustang. A neighbor, a 30-year-old man, heard the…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • GALESBURG – A Williamsfield man was among four people arrested in connection with the theft of firearms from a Victoria-area residence. Cory B. Tucker, 42, was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and possession of methamphetamine regarding the incident that happened Sept. 29. He also was wanted in a separate theft case in Knox County. The arrests announced Nov. 20 came after investigators searched an East Galesburg residence Nov. 3 and found 17 stolen firearms hidden in attic insulation, along with ammunition and other…

By JEFF LAMPEFor The Weekly PostELMWOOD – The Elmwood School Board on Monday celebrated good report cards – for its schools.The latest Illinois State Report Cards recognized Elmwood High School as exemplary, an award given to the state’s top 10% of schools. The junior high and elementary school were rated as commendable, the second-highest distinction. “We would like to recognize and celebrate the outstanding dedication of our high school staff,” Board President Jessica Reyling said. “This recognition reflects the countless hours your spend supporting students, collaborating with colleagues and fostering a learning environment where every student can thrive.” Monday’s meeting included…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post ALEDO – The official-misconduct case against the former Williamsfield school superintendent will continue, but not for another couple of months. Mercer County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Durbin rejected arguments from defense attorneys and ruled probable cause exists to proceed with the prosecution of Tim Farquer. The Mercer County School District superintendent is accused of accessing student health records inappropriately. “I would remind that this is a preliminary hearing, and the burden (of proof) is as low as it can go,” Durbin said Nov. 14 in court. “I will find for probable cause, and that Mr….