Galesburg Local News

20/08/2024

EXPANDING HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IN RURAL KNOX COUNTY: Frontier Communications has announced that it has received $6.5 million in Connect Illinois grant funding to expand high-speed fiber broadband service to rural areas within Knox County.

This funding, provided by the Illinois Office of Broadband, is complemented by an additional $1.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds committed by the Knox County Board. The combined financial support aims to accelerate the expansion of Frontier's fiber-optic network in the region.

The project is expected to bring fast and reliable internet connectivity to over 700 homes and businesses in rural Knox County. According to Frontier, this expansion will significantly boost economic and educational opportunities for residents in these underserved areas.

Veronica Bloodworth, chief network officer at Frontier, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “Our Connect Illinois grant and partnership with Knox County will allow us to advance our fiber build to meet the critical connectivity needs of rural residents and businesses. We are dedicated to bringing the people of Knox County the high-speed fiber internet they need to succeed in the digital economy. That’s what Frontier’s purpose, 'Building Gigabit America,' is all about.”

Knox County Board Chairman Jared Hawkinson also commented on the initiative via social media, expressing his support for the project. "Glad our Knox County Board is helping make significant progress in providing internet access to areas with limited or no connectivity," he stated.

This latest grant is part of a broader effort by Frontier, which has secured over $32 million in Connect Illinois funding this year to enhance broadband infrastructure across the state.

20/08/2024

POLICE REPORT ILLEGAL FI****MS SEIZURE: Late Friday night, Galesburg police responded to a disturbance in the 900 block of East Brooks Street. According to a press release from the Galesburg Police Department, officers arrived at the scene around 9:58pm and identified Leslie Mixon, a 60-year-old resident, as the individual who had allegedly fired several rounds from a firearm in his backyard.

Police noted that Mixon is a convicted felon and subsequently took him into custody. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Following Mixon’s arrest, the police obtained a search warrant for his residence. The department states that this search led to the discovery and seizure of a substantial number of fi****ms, including four handguns, one AR-style rifle, five shotguns, five rifles, and several rounds of ammunition.

Mixon has reportedly been charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm. He is currently held at the Knox County Jail pending further court proceedings.

“The Galesburg Police Department takes the safety of our community very seriously,” said Police Chief Russell Idle in the press release, expressing the department's satisfaction with the removal from the community of what they described as fifteen illegal weapons.

20/08/2024

UPDATE FROM MAYOR SCHWARTZMAN: Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman took to social media late last night to share several updates about ongoing projects and recent achievements in the city.

Among the highlights, he announced that the city has officially acquired the property at 29 Public Square, the former site of The Broadview. This acquisition has been in the works for some time and now paves the way for the city to begin redevelopment efforts on what the mayor referred to as a "major asset."

In his update, Mayor Schwartzman also highlighted the city's strategic planning process, which has involved both the City Council and administration. He noted that the final report from this effort should be available within the next month and is expected to guide future city initiatives.

The mayor also addressed the recent growth and diversification of the Galesburg Police Department. Since 2021, the department has expanded from 41 to 52 sworn officers, a 27% increase. The force has become significantly more diverse, with an increase in female and minority officers. Mayor Schwartzman emphasized that increasing diversity within the department has been one of his top priorities.

In addition, Mayor Schwartzman mentioned that the city government recently completed an energy audit, a first in recent memory. Early indications from the audit suggest that there are many opportunities for cost-effective modifications that the city could pursue in the near future.

The mayor also touched on two items previously reported by Galesburg Local News: the city secured a stable three-year electricity rate for its governmental operations as part of a new consortium agreement and the salaries of the mayor and city council members will remain unchanged in the coming year.

20/08/2024

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES ENERGY AGREEMENT: In a City Council meeting last night marked by unanimous decisions, the Galesburg City Council approved a new municipal energy agreement with Direct Energy, a move expected to save the city approximately $61,000 over the next three years.

"It looks like we've locked in a very good rate for the next three years for the city energy," Mayor Peter Schwartzman told Galesburg Local News after the meeting. "That's for things like the firehouse, the City Hall... things like that."

The agreement, secured through consultation with the Illinois-based Stone River Group LLC, will provide electricity to city-owned properties at a fixed rate, with solar-powered properties benefiting from an index rate to apply all credits.

The council also approved several other measures without dissent. This included a proposed ordinance to reduce the number of available Class A-1 liquor licenses following the recent closure of La Cantinita, setting salaries for the Mayor, Council Members, and City Clerk for terms beginning in May 2025, and appointing Davis & Campbell LLC as the new City Attorney.

The need for new legal representation was prompted by a former attorney moving out of state, and the decision ensures legal counsel is available at City Hall five days a week.

In addition, the council approved an annual maintenance agreement with ProPhoenix Corporation to support the Galesburg Police Department’s records management software, ensuring continued operation of public safety systems.

The only point of mild disagreement came in relation to Ward 3 Alderman Evan Miller, who repeatedly pushed for salary proposals on their first reading to be brought forward for final votes. Some aldermen expressed concerns that moving too quickly could limit public input, but the meeting otherwise proceeded smoothly, with all measures passing by a 7-0 vote.

19/08/2024

TOMPKINS STREET CLOSURE: Starting tomorrow, Tompkins Street in Galesburg will be closed to all but local traffic between Academy and Holton Streets, according to an announcement from the city administration.

The closure, scheduled to begin at 7:00am, is intended to allow for pavement repairs. The work is expected to continue until 3:00pm on Friday, provided weather conditions permit. Local drivers are advised to plan accordingly during the repair period.

19/08/2024

KNOX COUNTY DEMOCRATS EXCITED FOR CONVENTION: Knox County Democrats are excited about the start of their party's national convention in Chicago. The party's local office has opened at 4-L Plaza, 261 North Broad Street, in the shopping center that includes Kehoe Eye Care just north of the tracks.

“We’ve got a good candidate who is sparking a lot of new momentum and a younger generation,” says volunteer Kris Reed McGill.

She feels that voting for Democrats is important for the protection of women’s rights. “I’m doing this for my granddaughters because it is their future,” she says.

The office is filled with lawn signs, t-shirts, and buttons available to citizens who make donations.

Knox County Board Member Pamela Davidson, who chairs the local chapter of the party, is currently in Chicago as an official Democratic National Convention delegate.

The Democrats are seeking volunteers to staff the office and extend the hours it can remain open.

The Republican Party has also established a local office across the street from Iron Spike Brewing Company, but its open hours appear to be more limited at this juncture as it too seeks volunteers. We will cover their operation in the near future.

19/08/2024

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT: The Galesburg City Council is scheduled to hold a meeting tonight at City Hall from 6pm. The following are items which appear to be matters of significant public interest, in the order in which they are scheduled to be discussed:

Liquor License: a proposed ordinance to reduce the number of available Class A-1 liquor licenses in the city. The ordinance, which comes with the backing of the Liquor Commissioner and the City Clerk, follows the recent closure of La Cantinita at the end of July, prompting the removal of one license from the city’s inventory. If approved, the change would allow interested businesses to apply for a new Class A-1 license through the Liquor Commissioner and City Council in the future.

Elected Officials' Salaries: review ordinances that propose setting the salaries for the Mayor, Council Members, and City Clerk for terms beginning in May 2025. The proposal, recommended for approval, ensures that these salaries are established well in advance, as required by law, and remain unchanged during the officials' terms. While the salaries for the Mayor and Council Members are expected to stay the same, the City Clerk's salary is proposed to align with other department directors, reflecting a 4% annual increase over the four-year term. This adjustment mirrors the approved salary schedule for all full-time city employees.

Energy Consultant: expected to approve a proposal for energy consultation services from The Stone River Group LLC, a local Illinois-based firm. The city has relied on DaCott Energy Services for consultation since 2010, but recent changes in the company's structure prompted the switch to a local consultant. The Stone River Group LLC will be tasked with negotiating energy suppliers for municipal energy and aggregation agreements. Their proposal includes comprehensive services, such as data analysis, pricing optimization, and contract negotiation.

Municipal Energy Agreement: expected to approve an agreement with Direct Energy to supply electricity for city-owned properties, following a recommendation from city officials and their new energy consultant, The Stone River Group LLC. This decision comes as the city's current energy contract is set to expire in September 2024. The city has historically worked with consultants to secure competitive electricity rates, and this year is deemed the optimal time to renew contracts. The proposed 36-month agreement with Direct Energy, based on favorable pricing obtained by the consultant, is anticipated to save the city approximately $61,000 over the term of the contract, compared to the utility default rate. Additionally, properties utilizing solar power will benefit from an index rate to ensure all credits are applied. Due to the volatile nature of energy prices, the final pricing will be confirmed on the day of the City Council meeting, with the agreement to be signed the following morning if approved.

New City Attorney: set to approve an agreement with Davis & Campbell LLC for legal services, appointing the firm as the new City Attorney. Under the proposed contract, legal services will be billed at an hourly rate depending on the attorney handling the case, with no additional benefits included. Attorney Daniel Alcorn will serve as the lead counsel for the city, with attorney Christopher Jump taking on a senior role in the representation. Davis & Campbell LLC will staff the City Attorney's office at City Hall five days a week, providing comprehensive legal services and representation for the city of Galesburg.

Police Records Software: expected to approve an annual maintenance agreement with ProPhoenix Corporation to support the Galesburg Police Department’s records management software. The agreement amounts to nearly $100,000 and covers the continued operation of the department’s proprietary Records Management System (RMS) and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) products. These systems enable officers to monitor call statuses, access detailed call information, and complete police reports in the field. Additionally, the software provides state interface capabilities for license and registration inquiries. If approved, the new agreement will be in effect until September 13, 2025.

18/08/2024

WALGREENS UNDER PRESSURE: Walgreens has announced plans to close 150 stores across the United States by the end of this month as part of cost-cutting measures. This decision follows a significant drop in profits, partly due to reduced demand for Covid-related services and lower consumer spending.

The company, the second-largest pharmacy store chain in the United States, has not yet disclosed the specific locations of the stores that will close, which leaves some uncertainty about whether or not the two Walgreens outlets in Galesburg will be affected.

The closures are part of a broader strategy to address underperformance in some of the firm's nearly 9,000 stores nationwide.

Walgreens' management has indicated that even stores not immediately slated for closure will face operational changes aimed at improving their performance, and if these changes are unsuccessful, more closures could follow.

18/08/2024

VEHICLE THEFT IN KNOXVILLE: In the early hours of Wednesday, August 14, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a vehicle theft in Knoxville.

Several deputies and investigators were deployed, and the investigation led to the recovery of the stolen vehicle in Peoria, Illinois.

The Sheriff’s Office says that it has identified suspects and is actively pursuing leads to determine their identities.

18/08/2024

PUBLIC MEETING ON COOKE PROPERTY PARK DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: Next Tuesday, Galesburg residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the future of a new park development during a public input meeting organized by the city of Galesburg. The meeting is scheduled for 6:00pm in the gymnasium at Learning Connections of Galesburg, located at 849 South Henderson Street, according to the city administration.

The meeting will focus on the proposed Cooke Property Park Development project, which is planned for an open lot at 652 West Second Street. The city was awarded a 2024 Open Space and Land Acquisition Development (OSLAD) grant to help fund the park's construction, according to the city.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $1 million dollars, with half covered by the grant and the remaining half provided by the city of Galesburg.

The proposed improvements for the park include a playground, picnic shelter, restrooms, a walking path, a parking lot, and a trailhead.

Representatives from Farnsworth Group, the design firm involved in the project, are scheduled to present imagery of potential facilities and amenities for community feedback. The director of parks and recreation, along with the city engineer, is also expected to be available to answer questions and provide additional information.

18/08/2024

FATAL SHOOTING IN GALESBURG: A Galesburg man died Saturday night after being shot multiple times in his home, according to local authorities.

Police were called to 1435 Moshier Avenue around 8:30pm in response to reports of a shooting. Upon entering the residence, officers found Heath D. Williams, Sr., who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Officers administered life-saving measures before transporting Williams to St. Mary Medical Center Emergency Room.

Despite efforts to save him, Williams was pronounced dead at the hospital at approximately 11:30pm.

The Galesburg Police Department is leading the investigation into the shooting, with support from the Knox County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police, and the Knox County State's Attorney's Office. Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident or any potential suspects.

18/08/2024

Galesburg Local News took the past week off but will resume reporting next week. Actually we were very productive this past week but needed to devote extra time to other responsibilities. Those other projects are now in better shape and we can turn our attention back to Galesburg and Knox County news. Our next Weekly Edition will be delivered to its subscribers by email on August 26.

11/08/2024

Putting together tomorrow's Weekly Edition. We are now just a whisker short of having 300 people on our email list.

07/08/2024

NEWS VIDEO: Ward 1 Alderman Bradley Hix volunteers to be attacked by a police dog.

Galesburg Alderman Bradley Hix volunteers to be attacked by a police dog.

07/08/2024

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN GALESBURG: The National Night Out held in Standish Park this evening was blessed by cool summer temperatures, allowing dozens of local residents to interact with law enforcement officials and other organizations.

One highlight was when Ward 1 Alderman Bradley Hix volunteered to take on the role of a criminal suspect for the police dog demonstration.

"Probably the first and only time that I'll ever voluntarily get attacked," Hix joked shortly before suiting up in protective gear.

Among the attendees were Congressman Eric Sorensen, Mayor Peter Schwartzman, City Manager Eric Hanson, and several aldermen.

Police Chief Russell Idle explained to Galesburg Local News that while National Night Out is an annual event with a decades-long history, he brought it to Galesburg beginning in 2020 and each year since.

"It's all about providing information and resources," Idle says, "You've got [Department of Children and Family Services] out here talking about youth issues and taking care of our children, OSF talking about health, the karate groups out here talking about fitness and self-defense, cheerleaders out here talking about civic engagement... It's all about the community coming together collaboratively just to make Galesburg a better place to live."

06/08/2024

FORMER SEW WHAT SET TO BECOME WATER STORE: Last evening the City Council granted zoning permission for the former Sew What Alterations shop to become a new business which will sell purified and alkaline mineral water.

This building, which is located at the intersection of Seminary and North Street, may be familiar to older residents of Galesburg as the former site of a Domino's Pizza outlet.

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on July 9 and unanimously recommended approval of the zoning amendment, and the city administration was also in favor.

It is not immediately clear when the water store will open its doors and what products and services it will offer.

04/08/2024

It looks like next week we will be busier than this past week. Some scheduled events appear likely to produce news stories. Let us know if you want to be on the email list for the Weekly Edition.

04/08/2024

HARD-FOUGHT PERMIT FOR SOLAR ARRAY: After an eight-month struggle with the Knox County Zoning Department, Wataga resident Craig Dietz reports that his rooftop solar array was commissioned and activated this week.

The Zoning Department initially denied the application due to its interpretation of regulations governing “setback” requirements—rules on the minimum distances that a building or structure must be from property lines, other structures, or natural features.

Dietz strongly disagreed with the zoning officers’ interpretation of the regulations, and he ultimately won approval through several rounds of discussions and an appearance before the Zoning Board of Appeals.

He remains unhappy with the fact that he was required to pay a $500 fee to launch his appeal.

Dietz believes that his ultimate victory may facilitate permissions for other landowners in Knox County to build solar arrays on their own structures.

“After about 10 years,” Dietz reports, “the investment will be paid back and my electricity bill will be approximately $20 per month to maintain connection to the grid.”

02/08/2024

HEAT WAVE THROUGH WEEKEND: Galesburg is expected to endure a three-day heat wave starting tomorrow. On Monday the high temperature may reach around 92 degrees.

The city administration has announced that Waste Management will begin all routes in Galesburg 30 minutes early on Monday. Refuse should be placed at the curb by 5:30 am.

After Monday the rest of the week is forecast to return to mild summer temperatures.

29/07/2024

EAST GALESBURG GARAGE THEFT AND OTHER FELONY CASES: Our roundup of new Knox County felony cases this week includes no violent crimes. While this is obviously good news for the community, it may simply reflect the fact that many of the new felony case files were not publicly available this morning.

Jeffery D. Butts and Jacob W. Schleich of Galesburg were charged with breaking into a garage in East Galesburg with alleged intent to commit burglary. Butts previously appeared in this column about a month ago on charges of allegedly causing more than $500 in damage to a video game gambling machine at a shop in Knoxville.

Sarah B. Johnson of Galesburg allegedly tried to make off with goods valued at under $300 from Target.

Finally, there were three driving-related cases.

Ryan Lane of Chicago is charged with DUI. He apparently has two other similar cases against him and had his license suspended at the time of the most recent allegations.

Eric Marshall of Galesburg allegedly failed to report a fatal accident. The files do not make clear when and where this fatal accident occurred.

Alexis Kirk of Farmington, Illinois, was allegedly caught driving on a suspended license.

Important Notes: Suspects are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, and charges might later be dropped. This list includes all publicly available new felony cases in Knox County, excluding those cases which do not appear to significantly compromise public safety.

28/07/2024

Now compiling the Weekly Edition, set to go out tomorrow morning. Send us your name and email address if you'd like to receive it for free.

25/07/2024

MILLER HELPS OUT WITH STORM CLEANUP: Ward 3 Alderman Evan Miller personally visited the homes of local elderly and disabled people today to help them out with storm cleanup, according to resident Stephanie Godsil.

Godsil offered this photo of the alderman at work in the yard, using equipment which he brought with him.

“Without his help we couldn't afford the cleanup,” she comments. “He really cares for his ward.”

25/07/2024

BRENT ZHORNE OFFERS COMMON SENSE CANDIDACY FOR COUNTY BOARD: Republican Brent Zhorne is running for a District 2 seat on the Knox County Board as a conservative candidate, by which he means the promotion of common sense and practical approaches.

Now retired, Zhorne has had a varied career as a radio and television reporter, managing a cable television system, and teaching at a high school.

“I have experience in business and I have experience in other areas,” he says. “I want to take that experience and apply it to the County Board.”

As for the themes of his campaign, he cites transparency in government at the top of his list. He believes that the County Board can make improvements in terms of explaining its policies and making available more materials for public scrutiny.

Second, he believes that additional funding should be made available for law enforcement, including a larger budget for the Sheriff’s Office and upgrades to security at the Mary Davis Home. “They need more resources,” he says. The County Board has responsibility for “keeping the bad guys away from us with the County Jail and keeping the bad kids away from us and trying to rehabilitate them with the Mary Davis Home.”

Third, he wishes to see the Nursing Home maintain its excellent services.

Finally, he believes that the concerns of the rural communities of Knox County should be better understood and addressed. “Our economy depends largely on agriculture,” he observes.

In what he recognizes may be an unpopular view in some quarters, Zhorne expresses opposition to the development of wind farms. He has concerns about their long-term environmental impact and believes that they damage the aesthetic quality of the landscape.

He feels quite differently about solar energy farms, though, which he would be happy to support, especially on land which is not suitable for agriculture.

Also, while he supports the effort to bring high-speed internet to the rural regions of the county, he questions the need to run fiber optic cables to every single house in light of the high costs. “That last mile of coverage may be able to be done wirelessly for a lot of our rural areas.”

This is Zhorne’s second attempt to win a seat on the County Board. He hopes to be successful this time by making an effort to visit most of the homes of district residents and explain his purposes in person.

District 2 covers the eastern half of Galesburg. The other candidates running for the two seats available in the district are Republican Jennifer Fredrick and Democrats Erin Pugh and David Amor.

25/07/2024

DEDICATED SHERIFF’S DEPUTY FOR EAST GALESBURG: Last night the Knox County Board accepted an agreement which will post a Sheriff’s Office deputy in the village of East Galesburg for up to 22 hours per month.

County Board Member Joshua Kramer, who serves as chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Justice, says that the reasons for deploying a dedicated deputy to the village include enhancing the law enforcement presence as well as carrying out tasks such as posting zoning notices.

“This will definitely benefit their community,” says Kramer.

East Galesburg previously had its own police department, but all of its officers resigned in November 2019. Two years later the police force was officially disbanded with local leaders citing cost as the reason.

The population of East Galesburg is about 600 residents.

25/07/2024

COUNTY BOARD ACCEPTS KARLIN’S EARLY RESIGNATION: The Knox County Board last night formally accepted the early resignation of State’s Attorney Jeremy Karlin, effective at the end of the day on September 4.

Karlin is leaving the office early for personal reasons.

Board Chairman Jared Hawkinson noted that his resignation cannot be rescinded.

Hawkinson added that he will seek to have a temporary replacement authorized by the time that Karlin steps down. His opinion is that the office of State’s Attorney “requires leadership of some kind at the top level.”

Board Member Robert Bondi offered a tribute to Karlin’s work, saying, “I appreciate all he’s done for us [and] wish him well.”

While it is unclear who might step into the office temporarily from September, Ashley Worby is running unopposed to become the State’s Attorney on a regular basis after the elections.

23/07/2024

FATHER SHOOTS SON AND OTHER FELONY CASES: In our roundup of new Knox County felony cases, we begin with last week’s case of a father accused of shooting his son.

Brian Swise has been charged with aggravated domestic battery and possession of a firearm by a felon. The charge sheet contradicts the police press release by asserting that the victim, Brett Swise, was shot twice, not three times. It adds that the gunshot wounds were delivered to the abdomen and an arm.

Cassandra M. Riley allegedly created quite a ruckus at St. Mary’s Emergency Room. The charges include threatening public officials, yelling racial slurs at a doctor, kicking a male nurse in the ribs while pinching and scratching other nurses, and spitting at someone.

George Glenn Sutton Jr. is a convicted s*x offender who allegedly failed to properly register. He is also charged with arguing with a group of people, brandishing a Ta**us G2c 9mm handgun, and chasing them. As a convicted felon, it would have been illegal for him to possess a gun.

While the files are sparse on details, Bryan Cornell is charged with allegedly invading the home of another man and causing him some unspecified injury.

There are two cases involving violations of protection orders.

London Travell Golden allegedly drew near a person he was not supposed to approach and then allegedly compounded this offense by threatening two other people through email and social media, demanding that they not press charges against him. He also allegedly waited outside the home of one of the people he attempted to intimidate.

Also, David A. Pacheco, who apparently has no fixed address, makes his third appearance in this column, this time charged with violating a protection order by nearing a certain address and person. It also seems that upon a brief release from Knox County Jail, he then allegedly failed to return when he was required to do so.

Charles A. Graves, who has a previous conviction for domestic battery, is facing the same charge for grabbing the arm of a household member.

Another individual making his third appearance in our various reports is Jonathan W. Straughter. He—along with Sean Lamonte Straughter—is charged with possession of over 500 grams of cannabis with alleged “intent to deliver.”

In April, we reported on charges of criminal s*xual assault against Jonathan W. Straughter for allegedly having s*x with a woman who is “unable to give knowing consent.” Last October, he was the victim of a shooting on the 100 block of North Seminary Street.

Finally, Samantha L. Miller is facing charges of allegedly using someone else’s credit card to try to purchase a meal at Opie’s Bar & Grill.

This time all of the cases involved people who are residents of Galesburg.

Important Notes: Suspects are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, and charges might later be dropped. This list includes all publicly available new felony cases in Knox County, excluding those cases which do not appear to significantly compromise public safety.

21/07/2024

Although national news has been a bit more dramatic than local news in Galesburg this week, we are still preparing to send out our Weekly Edition tomorrow morning.