NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.  Traffic Citations8-3 – Melvin Johnson – Unlawful use of cannabis, expired registration and improper traffic lane usage.8-5 – Ian W. Bliss – Unlawful use of cannabis and improper traffic lane usage. Incidents & AccidentsStark County7-29 – Jordan P. Jones, 32, Washington, cited for improper lane usage and operating an uninsured vehicle.7-29 – Rachael D. Haiduk, 21, Peyton, Colo., cited for speeding 71 mph in a 55 zone.7-30 – James S. Harlan, 47, Toulon, was arrested and charged with domestic battery. He was later extradited to the…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Police reports• EDWARDS – An Edwards man was accused of criminal damage to property in connection with an apparent domestic dispute. Christopher E. Schmidt III, 28, was arrested about 3:45 a.m. July 20 at a residence in the 8800 block of Illinois Route 8, according to a heavily redacted Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report. A deputy had been dispatched there to check on the welfare of an unidentified female. The incident involved a firearm and a 2022 Buick Encore sport-utility vehicle, the report indicated. Schmidt received…

Correction In the July 26 issue of The Prairie News, the Stark County Sheriff’s Office provided incorrect information that David F. Prindiville, 50, Toulon was ticketed for speeding 55 mph in a 40-mph zone. Jacob R. Prindiville, 25, Toulon received the citation. NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.  Traffic Citations7-23 – Micah R. Davis – Driving 15-20 mph above the limit.7-26 – Malik K. Jordan – Driving 15-20 mph above the limit.Misdemeanors/Felonies6-24 – Criminal felony – Todd A. Stenger – Possession of methamphetamine. Incidents & AccidentsStark County7-20 – At 11:45 p.m. on…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Police reports • FARMINGTON – A Farmington man who led police on a high-speed chase was accused of multiple crimes, including an illicit-drugs offense. A Farmington police officer saw Eric F. Brand, 43, driving a 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck about 5:30 p.m. July 8 on Barlow Road. The officer knew Brand’s driver’s license had been revoked since 2018, according to a police report. Brand then didn’t use a signal when he turned north on Main Street. The officer pursued Brand’s vehicle north of Farmington on Knox…

July 15 storm spawned 3 local tornadoes By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post Storms that passed through the area July 15 spawned at least three tornadoes in northern Peoria and eastern Knox counties. No injuries were reported. The longest-lasting tornado touched down about 8:15 p.m. near Monica, where it damaged a couple of roofs and trees, according to the National Weather Service office in Lincoln. Several large trees were damaged as the tornado progressed about 4¼ miles east-southeast before it dissipated about 8:19 p.m. just south of Princeville. Peak windspeed was estimated at 80 mph. The Weather Service used various metrics,…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – More municipal money will be spent on the shuttered Princeville Aquatic Center. But not much more, and not with majority support from village trustees. Village President Jeff Troutman broke a 3-3 tie July 16 to approve paying for a survey of the aquatic-center property. An attorney for a not-for-profit group that seeks to reopen the swimming-pool complex asked the village to fund the survey, according to Troutman. The survey might cost about $1,000; Troutman said he didn’t know the exact figure. But in the 10 months or so since trustees voted to close…

By JEFF LAMPEFor The Weekly Post ELMWOOD – Elmwood CUSD 322 students will have new after-school care providers for the 2024-25 school year. The Elmwood School Board on Monday approved a three-year after-care program with the Greater Peoria YMCA. The YMCA will replace Right at School, which handled after-school programing last year.“I think it will be a better service for our families,” said Joel Schmieg, who was presiding over his first meeting as superintendent. Schmieg noted that the YMCA is a partner in a proposed Wellness Center in Elmwood, which could offer expanded programming down the road if the facility is built….

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • BRIMFIELD – A North Dakota woman was suspected of drunken driving following a single-vehicle accident in Brimfield. A 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe sport-utility vehicle driven by Jodi E. Phillips, 38, of Williston was found about 9 p.m. July 9 in a ditch in front of Casey’s, 215 E. Knoxville St. A Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report about the incident was heavily redacted, but Brimfield firefighters and BYE Ambulance Service responded.Phillips was arrested and transported to the Peoria County Jail. She was accused of driving under…

By NICK VLAHOS andJEFF LAMPEFor The Weekly Post The eerie sound of tornado sirens wailing Monday night were a precursor to high winds that left damage in their wake across the area. Storms felled trees, flooded roads and disrupted electricity service for thousands. Farmington was among the hardest-hit communities. Power poles on Main Street, Knox Road 2300 East and Industry Road were broken, according to the Fulton County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency. Power lines and tree branches also were felled, but no building damage or injuries were reported, Farmington Police Chief Chris Darsham said. According to the police chief, tornado sirens…

By JEFF LAMPEFor The Prairie News WYOMING – The Stark County School Board on Monday approved a plan to add vape detectors to restrooms in the Junior-Senio High School. Principal Megan McGann recommended adding vape detectors to reduce the number of incidents and increase student security. Heart Technologies will install the vape detectors for $35,083. The board also approved athletic/activity fees for the upcoming year. The cost is $60 per student and capped at $120 per family. The free and reduced fee will be $30 per student and $60 per family. Superintendent Brett Elliott reported that work on the new gym…