Stay Updated With the Local News in Illinois

Karen Angotti and Krista Bushmaker are co-directors at Rainbow Riders in Monmouth. The duo stopped by the studio to talk about the impact their program has on the area. Angotti still remembers how it all started 13 years ago. “I met a woman who was a therapeutic horseback riding instructor. When she found out that…

The Monmouth Fire Department held a blood drive Monday night in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The “Riley & Ryder Strong Blood Drive” is named after two local children who have battled with cancer. Riley Thomas, a 12 year old girl from Monmouth, passed away in August of 2016 after a hard-fought battle with…

Founder and Mission Director of Camp Big Sky in Princeville, Brad Guidi, provided insight into what his organization offers, and why he started it 14 years ago. “I’m the sibling and parent of a person with developmental disabilities. My brother Bruce died when I was 15. He was 12. He had been fine up until…

Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico have been devastated by hurricanes in recent months. With that destruction comes people that need help. That is where the American Red Cross comes in. Carissa Doyle, the Major Gift Director for the organization’s local chapter, talked about some of the services they’re providing to help those in need. “We…

A couple of exciting events will be taking place in Galesburg in the coming days. This Saturday, Sept. 23rd, the first ever Food Truck & Art Festival, which was organized by the Young Professionals of Galesburg, will start at 11:00 a.m. and last until 7:00 p.m. Jessica Linder of the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce…

Prairie State Legal Services of Galesburg provides legal services for low-income individuals and seniors in the counties of Knox, Warren, Henderson, and McDonough. Attorney Tracey Mergener described some of the work that her organization does to help those in the surrounding area. “We do not provide criminal work. It’s all civil legal work. We do…

United Superintendent Jeff Whitsitt discussed a recent school board meeting for District 304. The first point that Whitsitt touched on was the district’s budget for the 2017-18 school year after recent legislation for a new educational budget was passed in Springfield. “We were able to present a balanced budget. Not a huge surplus by any…

Amanda Parkins with the Roseville Kids Place made her way to the studio earlier this week to talk about her organization. The Kids Place is located at the Roseville Community Center and is open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Parkins says the staff of about 10 employees currently cares for 57 kids throughout…

Monmouth’s interim City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher highlighted two developments at a recent city council meeting. The city of Monmouth and Smithfield Foods reached an agreement on a 3 million dollar loan to upgrade the north pre-treatment plant. Among the improvements to the plant will be the addition of a second clarifier and replacing the sewer…

Monmouth Police Chief Joe Switzer shared some insight on recent drug activity in and around Monmouth. Switzer has been pushing for the West Central Illinois Task Force, which is made up of various police departments throughout the area, to start working in Monmouth more. Ultimately, Switzer believes the move will pay dividends. “We’re going to…

Monmouth’s Solid Waste Coordinator Chad Braatz wanted to remind citizens of the curbside clean-up that will be going on from Oct. 16th-21st. Some notable items that the city will not pick up during this clean-up include: yard waste, liquid waste such as paint and antifreeze, gasoline, tires, batteries, large auto/truck parts, florescent light bulbs, electronic…

Council Meeting Summary 09.18.2017 – Meeting minutes can be found on the cityofmonmouth.com website after their publication. 1- Presentations or Citizen Inquiries to Council – No citizen inquiries were presented. 2 – MFD August Report – Chief Rexroat presented some of the recent trainings that the Fire Department has been involved in, including helicopter transport that…