Altona
CRIME & SAFETY
Galesburg Firefighters Battle Early Morning Blaze on E Main Street
The Galesburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 1715 E Main Street today, July 24, 2024, at 2:16 AM. The response included all three stations and the 11 personnel on duty. Upon arrival, personnel encountered heavy fire conditions coming from multiple windows on the first floor of the residence. Battalion Chief Brackett established command, and fire crews used multiple hose lines to bring the fire under control from the exterior. Crews were then able to gain access to the residence to extinguish the fire. Four occupants, who were asleep at the time of the fire, were able to evacuate prior to the Fire Department’s arrival. They were evaluated by Galesburg Hospitals’ Ambulance Service (GHAS) personnel on scene and released; no injuries have been reported. The Red Cross has been contacted and is providing additional assistance to the displaced occupants. An emergency callback of off-duty fire personnel was initiated to provide additional resources at the scene as well as emergency coverage for the city. The residence was determined to be a total loss. Preliminary damage is estimated at $30,000. Galesburg Fire Investigators have determined the cause of the fire to be unintentional.
Two Henry County residents get federal prison time for ‘particularly sophisticated’ scheme
Two residents of the Henry County area are now in federal prison after they pleaded guilty in 2023 and 2024 to what federal prosecutors claim was a scheme defrauding local banks out of loan money. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 46-year-old Eric Jones of Colona, and 38-year-old Mitchell Melega, formerly...
Missing N.Y. man, later pronounced dead, found in Peoria area by Knox County deputies
A man reported missing from New York state was found in the Peoria area — with the help of regional search and rescue teams, including Knox County’s — but ended up passing away. Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins says the search was Tuesday, after he was contacted...
District 205 teacher pleads not guilty to felony theft charge
A Galesburg School District teacher charged with felony theft, six years after she pleaded guilty to similar charges in another case, is pleading not guilty. Michelle White, 54, made the plea in Knox County Court Wednesday afternoon, where she also asked for a trial by jury, and waived her right to a preliminary hearing.
Kewanee police blotter for June 24
A damage-only traffic accident was reported in the 200 block of Elliott Street. John A. Wilson, 63, Kewanee, was arrested for assault, resisting, and criminal damage following a report of assault in the 600 block of East Second Street. He was transported to the Henry County Jail. Police responded to...
Galesburg Police Invite Community to Chief’s Corner on July 30th
The Galesburg Police Department is set to hold a ‘Chief’s Corner’ event later this month, providing an opportunity for residents to engage directly with Police Chief Russell Idle. Scheduled for July 30, 2024, at the Hy-Vee on North Henderson Street, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM, the session will open the floor to topics surrounding community safety and any pressing concerns citizens might have. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to foster open communication between the community and law enforcement, aiming to address and mitigate local safety issues collaboratively. All interested individuals are encouraged to attend and participate in the dialogue.
Kewanee Fire Department Announces Additional Emergency Burn Days
The Kewanee Fire Department has announced additional emergency burn days in the City of Kewanee. The Kewanee Fire Department has scheduled extra burn days for residents to dispose of landscape waste following the recent EF-1 tornadoes. Residents can burn tree limbs and brush on July 27th and 28th, and August 3rd and 4th, if weather permits. Safety guidelines include maintaining fires at a maximum height of four feet and ensuring they are at least 10 feet away from structures. Regular burn rules apply, and all fires must be attended to until they are extinguished. Kewanee Public Works has cleared trees from roadways, allowing roads to be open for travel. Residents are encouraged to take tree branches and limbs to the old Kewanee Hospital site on West Division Street. City officials said it may be months before they can collect all the tree debris from the curb.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.