NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Fire destroys garagein Princeville • PRINCEVILLE – Fire destroyed a residential garage in Princeville and caused more than $25,000 in overall damage, according to authorities. A Peoria County Sheriff’s Office deputy noticed smoke emanating about 12:15 a.m. May 25 from the detached garage at 215 W. Main St. Not long thereafter, flames engulfed it. At least eight people inside the nearby residence evacuated. The homeowner said he was tending to an automobile in his driveway when he turned on the headlights…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Prairie News PEORIA – For years in Stark County, Jason Musselman led a double life, according to criminal prosecutors and his victims. They said he damaged dozens of other lives in the process. As a result, Mussleman will be kept behind bars for what will likely be most of his remaining life.During a hearing Wednesday morning in U.S. District Court, Judge James Shadid sentenced Musselman to 35 years in federal prison. Late last year, the 35-year-old Toulon resident pleaded guilty to three felony child-pornography charges. A one-time pillar of the community, Musselman received a 25-year sentence for production…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – A white automobile parked earlier this week in Stacy Mueller’s driveway sported a window sticker that stated “LOVE.” Replacing the “O” was a silhouette of what appeared to be a dog or cat.What Peoria County law-enforcement officials accuse the Princeville dog groomer of doing might be considered the opposite of adoration. Mueller, 41, was arrested May 11 and booked in the Peoria County Jail on 12 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. According to court records, Mueller posted $750 bond the following day. Her arraignment is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. June 8….

Stark County’s Johnston qualifies in four events after missing last year By JEFF LAMPEFor The Prairie News FARMINGTON – In the immediate aftermath of her 400-meter sectional race on May 10, Lindley Johnston was unhappy. Frustrated. But not heartbroken. No, that was last year when a foot injury kept the Stark County track and field phenom from even trying to qualify for the state meet. “It absolutely broke her heart that the foot wouldn’t hold up for her last year,” Stark County Coach Clint Terwilliger said. “So this has been on her mind since last May. I can guarantee you that.” Evidently…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Traffic citations &Ordinance violations 5-2 – Mark R. Hammerich – Failure to reduce speed.5-11 – James F. Burt – Driving 15-20 mph above limit.5-9 – Ashley N. Bankes – Driving 15-20 mph above limit.5-14 – Candy A. Taylor – Operating an uninsured vehicle.5-14 – Serena M. Black – Driving 15-20 mph above limit.5-15 – Alexander W. Clawson – Operating an uninsured vehicle.5-14 – Kayla M. Damer – Operating an uninsured vehicle.5-15 – Cristal Morales-Garcia – Operating an uninsured vehicle.5-6 – Christie…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Police reports • PRINCEVILLE – A man was transported to a Peoria hospital following a two-vehicle accident south of Princeville. About 8:30 a.m. May 3, Chance W. Pulley of Princeville was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu south on Princeville-Jubilee Road at Legion Hall Road when it rear-ended a stopped 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. Its driver was Stephanie N. Murphy of Princeville, a Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report stated. Pulley said a deer distracted him and he didn’t see Murphy’s vehicle had stopped….

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Jury trial scheduled for man accused of murder• PEORIA – A jury trial is scheduled July 10 for a Peoria man accused of shooting and killing a woman from Princeville. Walter J. Artis Jr. pleaded not guilty April 27 in Peoria County Circuit Court. Earlier, a grand jury indicted Artis on three counts of murder, one count of aggravated battery and one count of home invasion in connection with the slaying of Alexis Boland. Artis, 26, was arrested April 14 in…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Traffic citations &Ordinance violations4-19 – Chandra B. Bond – Driving 21-25 mph above limit.4-19 – Jacqueline K. Sturgis – Driving 21-25 mph above limit.4-19 – Tiffany R. Altorfer-Short – Driving 21-25 mph above limit.4-21 – Kevin J. Johnson – Driving 15-20 mph above limit.4-21 – Hansaben P. Patel – Driving 11-14 mph above limit.4-19 – William C. Gross – Disregard an official traffic control device.4-18 – Mornessah C. Johnson-Hicks – Speeding 35+ mph over the limit. Incidents & Accidents4-18 – A…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Police reports• MAPLETON – A Hanna City man died last week after the motorcycle he was riding struck a deer.Todd Sweet, 51, was pronounced dead at 11:23 p.m. April 17 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. The accident happened about 5:30 a.m. April 15 in the 10600 block of Lancaster Road north of Mapleton. According to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood, Sweet was transported to St. Francis in serious condition. Despite emergency and critical care, his condition continued to…

Traffic citations &Ordinance violations 4-4 – Bradley J. Arbeiter – Driving 15-20 mph above limit.4-4 – Kevin D. Elgin – Driving 11-14 mph above limit.3-28 – Brooklyn M. Carlton – Driving 15-20 mph above limit.4-13 – Alecia D. Dozard – Driving 21-25 mph above limit.4-15 – Kaitlyn E. Silvaggio – Driving 21-25 mph above limit.4-15 – Kylie J. Stabler – No valid registration.4-17 – Ryan M. Shirley – Driving 15-20 mph above limit.4-6 – Jennifer M. Nighsonger – Speeding 26-34 mph over limit.4-8 – Jeremiah D. Starbuck – Speeding 35+ mph over limit.4-11 – Samuel P. Rees – Speeding 26-34…