NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Police reports • FARMINGTON – A Farmington woman was cited for falsely reporting her baby girl was abducted by the baby’s father, according to authorities. Story S. Hewitt, 40, called Farmington police about 8:15 p.m. Oct. 26 and reported she had argued with the baby’s father. According to her, he then took the baby from a residence in the 100 block of E. Court St. and told Hewitt he wasn’t bringing her back, a police report stated. Police called the father…

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post Two candidates are running for Knox County Sheriff. Here are questions and answers from the two candidates, Republican Jack Harlan and Democrat James Robertson. Question: Why are you running for Sheriff? Jack Harlan: I served this great nation for over 20 years in peacetime and war and took an oath to serve and protect the Constitution of the United States and the people, just like every current public servant has. We need a strong leader who will ensure all laws are enforced equally, hold people accountable, and protect and defend our Constitutional rights. I know…

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post Most attention will be on major statewide races in Illinois for the upcoming Nov. 8 general election. Illinois leadership roles of governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer will all be decided in less than two weeks, though more and more votes are being cast already in early opportunities. Voters will also voice their opinion on a Workers’ Right Amendment that would “add a new section to the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution that would guarantee workers the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively.” Democrat Tammy Duckworth…

By NICK VLAHOS For The Weekly Post LEWISTOWN – In their jobs at the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Ryan Maricle and Jon Webb have worked side-by-side. In the election for Fulton County Sheriff, Maricle and Webb are on opposite sides. Either Maricle or Webb will become the first new sheriff in Lewistown, the county seat, in 16 years. Four-term incumbent Jeff Standard isn’t running for re-election. Election day is Nov. 8. Webb, a 36-year-old Republican, is a sergeant who helps handle felony investigations, among other duties. A graduate of Lewistown High School and Western Illinois University, Webb was a part-time police…

By NICK VLAHOS For The Weekly Post MAQUON – A woman was arrested Tuesday in connection with a dead body found last week in a storage unit in southern Knox County. Marcy L. Oglesby, 50, of Maquon was accused of concealment of death, a felony, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. To be released from jail, Oglesby would have to pay $1,000 toward her bond. The body was found Oct. 7 among storage units at 105 E. Third St. in Maquon. An autopsy didn’t determine the cause of death, according to Brad Davis, a sheriff’s-office detective. “The body was in…

How to find CNI’s coverage of statewide races By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS On Nov. 8, Illinois voters will cast a ballot on a state constitutional amendment, every statewide constitutional office, every seat in the General Assembly and, in 12 counties, a spot on the state’s Supreme Court.   Ahead of Election Day, the Capitol News Illinois team has – independently or in collaboration with newspaper editors across the state – been working on candidate interviews and policy discussions with those running for some of the state’s most prominent offices. The purpose of this voter’s guide is to link readers to…

Rambling through central Illinois, hoping for rain. • • • The boring Midwest life increasingly looks appealing. We have water to drink, but no hurricanes or worries about rising sea levels. We have invasive Japanese beetles, but no pythons or anacondas. Our big toothy predator is the coyote, no alligators and only occasional bears and mountain lions. … That being said, enough with the red dog. My vehicles are filthy. … And a Princeton group has a solution for another problem in The Prairie State. New Illinois Inc. seeks a new state separate from Chicago and urban Cook County. Writes…

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post ELMWOOD – Since starting the year with a young team and modest hopes, expectations have changed for the Elmwood-Brimfield boys cross country team. The most recent shift came Saturday as the Trojans ran second to Eureka at the Elmwood Invite at Maple Lane Country Club and now rank 9th in Class 1A – up from 21st when the season began. Led by junior Isaiah Hill’s fourth (16:03.2), E-B also got strong races from the rest of its top five: sophomore Mika Nelson (17th, 16:33.8), senior Brendan Williams (23rd, 16:43.7), freshman Aiden Faulkner (26th, 16:47)…

Playoffs at stake for E-B vs. Farmington By JEFF LAMPE and NICK VLAHOS For The Weekly Post RUSHVILLE – One week after being stunned, Farmington went back to its football basics. By piling up 423 yards on 47 carries while completing just two passes, the Farmers (4-2, 4-1 Prairieland) returned to the win column with a 33-16 victory at Rushville-Industry. The result also set up an interesting matchup Friday, as Elmwood-Brimfield (4-2, 4-1) will visit Farmington with a playoff berth and second place in the conference on the line. “It’s probably going to be the best Elmwood-Farmington game since 2017-18,” Farmers Coach…

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post FARMINGTON – Farmington City Administrator Rollen Wright informed the City Council Monday night that the pharmacy at the local County Market store will close on Oct. 17. Wright told the council he was contacted by a representative from Niemann Foods Inc. of Quincy, who informed him that Walgreens had purchased Niemann’s pharmacies. The Farmington store will close at 4 p.m. on Oct. 17 and prescriptions will be transferred to the Canton Walgreens store. Patients can chose another pharmacy but must inform their doctor of their choice. In other business, the council unanimously approved paying…