District 224 EAV to increase 11.2% By CAROL TOWNSENDFor The Prairie News GALVA – The closure of one of Galva’s tax increment finance districts will result in an influx of money for the school district. The board on Monday approved a tentative Fiscal Year 2025 tax levy that shows an 11.2% increase and will trigger a Truth in Taxation hearing on Dec. 15 at 6:55 p.m. Superintendent Joe Becker said all of that increase is due to an increase in equalized assessed value of property in the school district. Most notable is an influx of $8 million in EAV due to…

By JEFF LAMPEFor The Prairie News The face of law enforcement in Stark County changed dramatically on Nov. 10. Wyoming Police Chief James Tiller announced his immediate retirement on Nov. 10 and Stark County Sheriff Steve Sloan announced his planned retirement at the Nov. 10 meeting of the Stark County Board.Tiller is moving to West Virginia and his retirement was effective last week. Wyoming is advertising for a replacement, according to Mayor Jim Mercer. “I talked to the county and we’ve got it covered three days a week and the county will cover the rest of the week until I get…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Incidents & AccidentsStark County10-19 – A 16-year-old Wyoming teen was involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident at the intersection of 600N and 200E.10-20 – Eric P. Rose, 43, Dahinda, ticketed for speeding 73 mph in a 55 zone.10-20 – A possible blackmail was reported by a Wyoming resident in the 700 block of N. Galena Ave.10-21 – Robert C. Boatman Jr., 41, Toulon, was arrested for aggravated battery to a peace officer.10-22 – Larry G. Anderson, 73, Bradford, was cited for driving without a valid registration…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • PRINCEVILLE – At least one vehicle was burgled and stolen in a Princeville incident that remains under investigation, apparently. The incident was reported about 7 a.m. Oct. 12 in the 300 block of S. Walnut Ave., according to a Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report that was redacted almost completely. Two victims were listed, one from Laura and another from Princeville. Another apparent vehicle burglary and theft was reported about 2½ hours later along Illinois Route 8 east of Oak Hill, according to another redacated…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports• FARMINGTON – A tree-trimming dispute outside a local residence resulted in a Farmington man threatening to shoot a city worker, according to authorities.William S. Balagna, 75, received a notice to appear in Fulton County Circuit Court in Lewistown following the incident around 9 a.m. Oct. 2 in the 500 block of E. Fulton St., according to a Farmington police report.A 23-year-old city public-works employee was attempting to trim trees that were hanging over the sidewalk when Balagna told him to stop. According to the victim,…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Galva ReportOfficer dispatched:10-27 – to speak to a resident in the 300 block of NW 1st Ave. who reported their cat had ran away the previous day. The cat returned home.10-27 – After a traffic stop in the 800 block of W. Division St., Laura McNeeley, 63, Galesburg, was cited for operating a vehicle when registration suspended for mandatory insurance.10-27 – to Galva City Hall to speak to a walk-in complainant about a neighbor dispute. .10-27 – to the 100 block of NW 7th Ave. for…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Galva ReportOfficer dispatched:10-20 – to meet with a resident at the Galva Police Department to discuss a civil stalking/no-contact order.10-20 – to stop a vehicle in the 300 block of SE 2nd St. The suspect vehicle fled and disobeyed several stop signs before coming to a stop in the 400 block of SW 1st Ave. After resisting officers, the driver was taken into custody. As a result, Richard Ortiz, 30, Galva, was arrested for aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude the police, felony driving while license…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • WYOMING – A suspect was arrested regarding an August incident in which a vehicle left a road north of Princeville and crashed into a vehicle parked in a driveway. A Stark County Sheriff’s Office deputy took Joshua M. Belville, 34, of Wyoming into custody about 9:15 p.m. Oct. 2 following a traffic stop. Belville was suspected of crashing his vehicle Aug. 19 in front of a residence in the 22800 block of Illinois Route 91, then leaving the scene. The northbound 2016 Jeep Cherokee…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports• ELMWOOD – An Elmwood man was accused of violating an emergency order of protection, among other crimes. Dalton L. Sander, 20, was arrested Sept. 27, two days after he was accused of harassment through electronic communications, according to a redacted Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report. That incident involved Facebook. The order of protection was issued the same day.Sander was accused of violating the order about noon Sept. 27 at a residence in the 400 block of N. Pleasant View St., according to an Elmwood police…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • YATES CITY – A Yates City woman reported two television sets were stolen from her residence.The apparent burglary took place sometime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sept. 22 in the 300 block of S. Dixon St., according to a Knox County Sheriff’s Office report. Missing from the 25-year-old victim’s living room was a 55-inch wall-mounted Roku Smart TV. A 65-inch Roku Smart TV placed atop a dresser was missing from a bedroom. Total value was $700. There were no signs of forced entry,…