WGIL 93.7 FM and 1400 AM

12/05/2025

A powerful moment from the U.S. House floor: Rep. Eric Sorensen honors Galesburg's Jordan Ball, the 26-year-old teacher and coach whose energy touched so many. "He made the room more vibrant just by being in there," Sorensen said—echoing what we've heard all week from his students and colleagues.

Watch the full tribute. Our story on Jordan's life and the community's response: https://www.wgil.com/2025/12/04/news-jordan-ball-galesburg-teacher-coach-dies-26/

12/05/2025

🎼 Congrats to seven talented Galesburg High School musicians selected for the 2026 Illinois All-State Programs. After a rigorous audition process with over 23,000 students statewide, these standouts will perform Jan. 28-31 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Read more: https://www.wgil.com/2025/12/05/7-galesburg-students-selected-for-2026-illinois-all-state-music-honors/

12/05/2025

Prosecutors can now test for DNA in the North Soangetaha Road murder of Georgette Evan Rodrigues. Judge says yes despite defense objections.

Knox County judge authorizes DNA testing of evidence in the murder of Georgette Evan Rodrigues, 67, allegedly killed with a hammer on N. Soangetaha Road.

12/05/2025

🚨 Record Demand Means Round Two: Community Food Drive Returns TOMORROW. 🚚🥫

Galesburg, you crushed the first one—over 3,000 lbs of food + $4,500 raised for FISH of Galesburg Food Pantry. Now, with demand up 20-30% (serving 900+ families!), we're back for more.

Saturday, Dec. 6 | 8 AM - 4 PM
Galesburg: Both Hy-Vee stores & Walmart Supercenter (benefits FISH)
Abingdon: Hi-Lo (supports Abingdon Community Food Pantry)

Tip: Cash/checks on-site—every $1 buys 5x more food! Top needs: stuffing mixes, easy-open cans, cereal, canned fruits/veggies.

"The first drive was amazing... Come fill the brown trucks—we’ve all needed help. Now's our time to pay it forward," says FISH Exec Director Katherine Seguino.

Read the full story + listen to this morning’s interview here:

https://www.wgil.com/2025/12/05/record-demand-calls-for-round-two-community-food-drive-for-fish-returns-tomorrow/

12/05/2025

🏀 Spotlight on a Galesburg legend: Adolph “Ziggy” Hamblin, the forgotten superstar who blazed trails at GHS and Knox College. As the first African-American to play basketball for the Silver Streaks in 1914, Ziggy earned 8 varsity letters across football, hoops, and track—dominating sprints and scoring like a pro. At Knox, he set the all-time record with 16 letters, the only athlete to do so! 🏈

After graduation, he coached West Virginia State to the 1936 Black College National Football Championship. Why isn't his name etched everywhere in Galesburg? Dive into this WGIL exclusive by Evan Massey and Massey Basketball.

Read more: https://www.wgil.com/2025/12/05/adolph-ziggy-hamblin-forgotten-superstar-of-galesburg-and-knox/

12/05/2025

Knox County Real Estate Roundup: Nov. 26 - Dec. 3, 2025
Local homebuyers and investors stayed active in Knox County last week, with 29 property transfers recorded totaling millions in sales.

Check out the full list of residential and agricultural deals right here: https://www.wgil.com/2025/12/05/knox-county-property-transfers-for-nov-26-dec-3-2025-see-a-list-of-home-and-other-sales/

🏡📈

12/04/2025

Choral Dynamics of Galesburg is ready to kick off the holiday season with their annual Christmas production, “The Beauty of Christmas,” this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the historic Orpheum Theatre.

This morning the three first-time producers – Allison Little, Deanna Reynolds, and Becky Brown – joined Galesburg’s Morning News to share details on the show that invites audiences to pause the holiday rush and rediscover the true beauty of Christmas through six themed segments, fresh arrangements of classic carols, choreography by Tim Holmes, and what may be the largest band in the group’s history.

All proceeds benefit FISH of Galesburg, which has already set a new record by raising more than $15,000 in program-ad sales.

Showtimes:
Friday, Dec 5 & Saturday, Dec 6 → 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec 7 → 2 p.m.
Orpheum Theatre

Tickets: galesburgorpheum.org or call 309-342-2299

Listen to the full interview here:
https://www.wgil.com/episode/choral-dynamics-producers-preview-the-beauty-of-christmas-2025/

(Photo: Allison Little, Deanna Reynolds, and Becky Brown in the WGIL studios)

Choral Dynamics of Galesburg

12/04/2025

The Galesburg and surrounding communities are coming together to remember Jordan Ball, the 26-year-old seventh-grade teacher and coach who died Monday in a weather-related accident near Wataga. He filled classrooms and courts with energy and passion. “He made the room more vibrant just by being in the room,” said fellow teacher and coach Jacob Carl.

Our full story on his life, legacy and the support pouring in for his young family. Funeral Sunday in Thiel Gym.

https://www.wgil.com/2025/12/04/news-jordan-ball-galesburg-teacher-coach-dies-26/

12/04/2025

End of an Era: Gray's Sandwich Shop, home of those legendary hand-breaded tenderloins and cheeseburgers, is closing after 41 years in Galesburg.

Owner Keith Gray shares why economic pressures sped up his retirement plans.

Full story from WGIL: https://www.wgil.com/2025/12/04/grays-sandwich-shop-home-of-legendary-tenderloins-announces-farewell-after-41-galesburg-years/

What's your favorite memory from Gray's? 🍔

12/03/2025

“Fireman’s fireman”: Longest-serving Galesburg firefighter Tom “Baughie” Baughman dies at 74 🚒

38½ years — every one on the rescue squad. The guy every rookie wanted to ride with, every veteran wanted inside the fire, and the shift cook who made legendary spaghetti & Polish sausage (as long as nobody made him wash the pots).

He passed away unexpectedly Saturday, one day before the 7th anniversary of his retirement.

Story + tributes from Deputy Chief Brock Schmitt, Randy Fox, John Ring, Dan Simmons and more:
https://www.wgil.com/2025/12/03/firemans-fireman-longest-serving-galesburg-firefighter-tom-baughie-baughman-dies-at-74/ Galesburg Firefighters Association

12/03/2025

The tradition continues Sunday at 4:30 p.m. — Galesburg firefighters “rescue” Santa from the roof of First Mid Bank & Trust to kick off the Holly Days Parade. 🚒🎅

Co-chairs Morgan Seabloom and Abby Colvin Thomas joined WGIL this morning with full details on the “Great Galesburg Bake-Off” theme and everything new this year. The lighted parade steps off at 5 p.m. in downtown Galesburg.

- Watch the interview: https://youtu.be/T1GYVhdXF_k
- Listen anytime: https://www.wgil.com/episode/galesburg-holly-days-parade-bake-off-santa-rescue-2025/

See you downtown Sunday.🎄

12/02/2025

Both occupants of a vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene of a single-vehicle accident around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday on 120th Street, about 1½ miles south of Alexis in Warren County.

Names are being withheld pending family notification. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

Two people died in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon south of Alexis in Warren County. Names withheld pending family notification. Investigation ongoing.