As we enter the new year, The Community News Brief concludes 2025 with part two of our annual year-in-review, focusing on August-December. Tuesday’s edition featured part one that covered January through July. Entering 2026, we remain committed to bringing you the news, events, sports and stories that matter most to our communities. We hope you enjoy this year’s year-in-review.
Week of Aug. 4
A dedication of a new plaque was held at the C.T.
Vivian mural in downtown Macomb, which provides a history of Vivian’s many years of civil rights work.
Rep. Norine Hammond and Sen. Neil Anderson opened their new Macomb office at 325 E. Washington St.
Macomb City Council voted to purchase additional land to support a new water plant. The land was purchased from Cox Construction and the Elizabeth Ann Rapp Trust at $30,000 per acre.
The Reid Brewer Memorial Splash Park opened in Bushnell Aug. 9.
The City of Macomb announced it would move forward with plans to remediate two neglected vacant sites: the former Haeger Pottery and the old Macomb Inn (former Holiday Inn).
Retired ISP Officer Joe Moon announced his bid for McDonough County Sheriff on the GOP ticket, challenging incumbent Nick Petitgout.
Ground was officially broken on the William H. Thorpe Park on Macomb’s east side. The project, which was spearheaded by Thorpe’s nephew, Carl Thorpe, honors Macomb’s first Black police officer.
The life of Billy Clow, who passed away Aug. 17, was remembered Aug. 21 at the “Big Billy Party.” The late Western Illinois University dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) was the driving force behind the new Goldfarb Center for the Performing Arts.
Roxy Fess, 85, of Macomb, self-published her first book of poetry, “Tales from the Home, or Children’s Poems for (Very) Old People.” What started as a project during the COVID19 shutdown in 2020 — and what was originally going to be just a Mother’s Day present from her six adult children — ended up being a published book through Barnes & Noble that highlights the Macomb woman’s daily experiences through poetry living first in Wesley Village and now Grand Prairie, and all the things that go along with aging.
Week of Aug. 18
St. Paul announced the plans for a new parish hall that will be located on the property where the former dental office of Dr. Timothy Fitzgerald once stood. A 200-plus-year-old Burr Oak tree was cut down to make way for the new hall, prompting an outcry from the community.
The Housing Authority of McDonough County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new playground at Prairieview Townhomes. Over $1.6 million in additional improvements are also being made including siding, laundry facilities and landscaping.
The McDonough Choral Society announced that John Orfe would be the next director of the local choral group, succeeding Susan Shoemaker who co-founded the group with her late husband.
Macomb Park District announced Blake Severs as the new executive director.
Week of Aug. 25
Graham Health System invested $250,000 in Spoon River College’s Macomb campus to advance a shared vision of expanding the region’s healthcare workforce. Week of Sept. 1
Spoon River College (SRC) held a ribbon-cutting at its newly renovated, expanded Macomb campus at 2500 E. Jackson St. after completing renovations to the former Value Village building. The $17 million project was funded partly by a Rebuild Illinois grant and significantly expanded space for nursing, welding, new HVAC/robotics programs and more.
Animal Medical Center announced that Dr. Taylor Carey Boyer, a 2020 WIU pre-veterinary graduate, joined the practice.
309 Marketplace announced that a vendor marketplace would open in the former Nostalgia Decor and Gifts.
Tom Duvall signed off after 21-plus years as a Macomb police officer.
The Lamoine announced Susan Creasy was named interim executive director.
The United States Army decided to maintain the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Western Illinois University, with the decision resulting from a “comprehensive review and consideration of feedback from community leaders and key stakeholders.” Week of Sept. 8
Hundreds of area residents and visitors flocked to Chandler Park for Gazebo Art Festival to celebrate the creativity of local artisans. The Best in Show award was given to Mike Ericson and the People’s Choice award went to artist Carrie Depoy.
ADM in Bushnell announced it was shutting its doors as part of a broader plan to streamline its soy protein production network. ADM in Bushnell employed 30-40 workers.
Colchester Labor Day Festival drew rave reviews and a solid financial return, said city officials with city official Catherine Louderman and Mayor Mark Clark planning to attend the annual Fairs and Festivals Convention in Springfield.
Governor Pritzker eliminated the grocery tax in Illinois to ease the financial burden of families. However, Macomb and surrounding areas that depend on the tax for revenue passed ordinances to preserve the grocery tax revenue locally and continued local tax practices.
The Al Sears Music Fest returned for its second year with performances at the Western Illinois Museum and the American Legion, including performances and discussions about Sears’s impact on the music world.
Western Illinois University’s Fall 2025 headcount was released. This fall’s in-person enrollment, as well as online, at both Macomb and Quad Cities campuses, is 5,337 according to the Sept. 12 report. The Macomb campus welcomed 738 new students (freshman, transfer and graduate), while the Quad Cities campus is hosting 36 new students.
Off-campus numbers included 485 students (Macomb) and 63 (Quad Cities). Overall, Macomb students attending solely in-person classes clock in at 2,800, with Quad Cities students attending in-person totaling 178. Students attending completely online, or taking a majority of their classes online, total 2,364.
Week of Sept. 15
TSPR teamed up with StoryCorps “One Small Step” initiative which brings humankind together to discuss their sameness versus their differences by matching applicants with someone with differing viewpoints and sitting down for a civil conversation.
Joanne Findley, music teacher, musician, active volunteer, was honored with the 10th Annual “Facing the Storm” award recognizing her for her humanitarian efforts in her lifetime. Joanne passed away Nov. 27, 2019.
Sheriff Nick Petitgout and Deputy Cody Lovell received the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Lifesaving Award for their quick action on March 24, 2025 when they rescued a local man who was trapped in frigid water after his boat capsized.
The Bushnell-Prairie City School District’s capital project funds held $2.2 million and School Board President John McCleery requested the money be used to improve the school grounds and facilities.
The death of Stevie Borders, who went missing in 2000 and whose body was found eight months later, has never been solved. An in-depth report from Tri States Public Radio Reporter Jane Carlson brought the 25-year-old unsolved crime to the public’s light. State Police say Borders’ death was a drug-induced homicide and the concealment of the body was part of the crime but 25 years later, no one has been held accountable.
Week of Sept. 22
The Macomb Park Board voted to name the new basketball courts at Patton Park in memory of Valencia Pettigrew who served on the park board from 2014 to 2019 and served as the board vice president.
Mayor Mike Inman and former Mayor Tom Carper, along with General Alexander Macomb’s great-granddaughter, Hartley Hobson Wensing, traveled to Washington D.C. where the life and service of Gen. Macomb was recognized. Macomb was the commanding general of the United States Army from 1828-1841 and is the City of Macomb’s namesake.
Macomb Beautiful Association celebrated outstanding landscaping achievements of Jeff and Susan Wherley, Allen and Patti Nemec, Tracey and Todd Hamilton, Kelley Jones, Janet Rauch and Roger White and Nancy Hansen, as well as the businesses MDH Pharmacy and Vitale’s. The Margaret Stover award was presented to MBA member Lana Stocker.
The City of Macomb held a public forum on the proposed sports facility.
Loaves & Fishes announced it would temporarily close for the second time due to lack of funds. Serving an average of 435 families monthly, the organization provides grocery vouchers to those in need.
The American Legion in Macomb announced that it would suspend music concerts amid copyright lawsuit threats.
Week of Sept. 29
The Macomb Police Department hosted a community workshop “World Cafe” to strengthen local dialogue about policing and public trust by focusing on the NAACP’s 10 Shared Principles.
The WIU BOT approved the institution’s Fiscal Year 2026 all-funds budget and also approved the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriated operating budget with the Board okaying an increase of $27.6 million for the operating budget and a FY27 capital budget recommendation of $430.5 million.
Pella Corporation, founded in 1925, celebrated Manufacturing Month and 100 years of collaboration and innovation, a rare achievement reached by only 1 percent of businesses.
The 12th Annual Brix Challenge Fundraiser for the Humane Society kicked off Oct. 1. The annual event has raised close to $200,000 over the past 11 years for the McDonough County Humane Society.
The WIU GIS Center was recognized by Rep. Sorenson for its role in 9-1-1 mapping throughout Illinois.
McDonough County kicked off its Bicentennial Celebration, which will begin Jan. 25, 2026, by releasing a limited-edition Bicentennial Ornament with a 3-D cutout of the historic McDonough County Courthouse.
Twenty students from Horsholm Lille Skole near Copenhagen arrived in Macomb Sept. 30 for the annual Macomb Denmark Exchange Program between Macomb High School and Horsholm Lille Skole. The program has been sending students between Macomb and Denmark for 25 years.
It was announced that after losing their home at the Macomb American Legion due to a national crackdown by BMI in regard to music licensing, Macomb’s Post 6 Big Band and the Lamoine River Ramblers would begin performing at the Park Place and The Wine Sellers, respectively, once a month beginning in October.
Week of Oct. 6 McDonough County highlighted National Manufacturing Month by celebrating the makers and innovators powering Illinois’ fourth-largest manufacturing economy.
The City of Colchester resumed negotiations to sell land to the Colchester Fire District to support an expansion as well as outlining plans for a new police station.
Josh Higgins announced his run for state representative against incumbent Rep. Norine Hammond.
Mayor Mike Inman declared Oct. 8 ‘Jerry Tyson Day’ in honor of the barber’s 70 years of service.
The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 Legislative Luncheon and welcomed more than 120 attendees who heard updates and insights from Rep. Norine Hammond, Rep. Dan Swanson and House Republican Leader Tony McCombie.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of McDonough and Warren Counties, under the umbrella of BBBS-Mississippi Valley in the Quad Cities celebrated its 25th anniversary serving youth in the region.
The nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them is getting ready to grow by one more chapter in Illinois thanks to Emily Sutton of Macomb. Sutton hosted an initial interest meeting to form a Macombarea PFLAG organization.
Week of Oct. 13
Matt Glaser, Macomb’s first American Family Insurance Agent, announced he would retire after 29-plus years.
A memorial was held for Dr. Essie Rutledge celebrating her life’s work and activism which extended far beyond the classroom. Rutledge was a civil rights pioneer and advocate for equality, and was the first African American woman to serve as a department chair at Western Illinois University.
Macomb Police Chief Jeff Hamer announced he would retire after more than 24 years with the Macomb Police Department.
Marshalltown Hammer invested over $5 million to upgrade the Bushnell hammer factory, including a powder coating booth, extensive equipment repairs and purchases and major facility improvements.
With more than seven million participants at over 2,600 rallies in all 50 states, the Oct. 18 “No Kings” Protest was the largest in American history. In Macomb, more than 500 gathered around Chandler Park and the Carper Amtrak Station to make their voices heard.
Western Illinois University’s 13th president’s investiture ceremony took place Oct. 16. Kristi Mindrup was named Western’s 13th president Dec. 6, 2024 after serving as the interim president since April of that year.
The 200-plus-year-old Burr Oak tree cut down to make way for the new hall at St. Paul,
Local business owner Lin Stults and Sarah Ritter, photography manager at Western Illinois University, were honored with the Honorary Alumna Award and Town & Gown Award, respectively, for their exceptional service to the University and Macomb communities.
Week of Oct. 20
Attorney Carissa Ann Bryant announced her candidacy for 9th Circuit Judge, which covers Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough and Warren counties.
The City of Macomb announced that Lt. Todd Tedrow was named as interim police chief after Chief Jeff Hamer announced he would retire in Dec. 2025.
McDonough District Hospital Foundation and the Festival of Trees Committee announced that in place of the Festival of Trees event this year, a special Polar Express-themed Family Fun Night would be held during Dickens on the Square, with the annual gala moved to Spring 2026. The change was made due to electrical limitations this year with the arts center.
A new mural was painted on the wall of the Beef-ARoo restaurant in the former Hardee’s on West Jackson. The colorful graffiti-inspired mural was done by nationally known Dallas artist Jerod DTOX Davies, who has completed murals for such places as the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Mavericks and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Week of Oct. 27
Associate Judge Chad M. Long announced his campaign for Circuit Judge in the 9th Judicial Circuit of Illinois.
Macomb Public Library, one of 1,280 Carnegie Libraries across the U.S., received a $10,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary.
Maggie Lien’s late husband, Chester, spent over 40 years officiating high school and college sports, so it’s fitting that the Macomb woman is paying tribute to the love of her life with a sports-related program at the YMCA of McDonough County. A gift from Maggie in the couple’s names has created the YMCA “Replay Thrift Shop,” which opened Nov. 1.
Week of Nov. 3
The new mural “Freedom Trail: Underground Railroad in McDonough County,” designed and painted by local artist Michael Mahoney, was unveiled in the Thomas C. Carper Amtrak Station. The painting showcases McDonough County’s place in the history of the Underground Railroad.
Local food pantries experienced increased demand with SNAP benefit stoppages that affected 64,000 families in the 17th Congressional District, which includes McDonough and other west central Illinois counties.
Anthony Kosel of Macomb launched a community project to build “little free pantries” stocked with food and essential personal items inspired by his previous work creating little free libraries.
Mayor Mike Inman proclaimed November as Homelessness Awareness month encouraging residents to support the community’s homelessness survivor assistance program. Numerous activities and events were held to raise awareness and understanding of individuals who are unhoused.
The Colchester City Council named Gary Smith as the city’s police chief.
Week of Nov. 10
McDonough County honored its area veterans with events and ceremonies, including the Flags of Love and free meals at local establishments.
The McDonough County YMCA received gymnastics equipment, valued at over $35,000, from the Monmouth YMCA, creating a new collaborative approach, which allows staff and resources to be shared.
Week of Nov. 17
The Bushnell Family Dollar announced it was closing in 2026.
The Brix Challenge, an annual event to raise funds for the Humane Society of McDonough County, raised a record-breaking $38,000, allowing the Humane Society to continue its ongoing programs and services.
Local teen Evelyn Nelson is studying ballet in the Professional Training Division at the prestigious Cincinnati Ballet Co.
Week of Nov. 24
MacArthur School is getting some new playground equipment for the north playground thanks to $350 from the Macomb Educational Foundation and $300 provided by the MacArthur-Lincoln-Edison parent-teacher organization.
The Macomb Planning Commission voted to recommend a special use ordinance to allow a largescale solar farm west of Highway 67.
Loaves & Fishes announced it would re-open Dec. 2, after closing temporarily until additional funds could be raised. The donation-based organization, which provides grocery vouchers, serves an average of 435 families per month.
Construction on WIU’s Goldfarb Center for the Performing Arts (GCPA) continues. The new center is on track to open in Summer 2026.
Belinda Carr, known for her commitment to social justice, equity and community involvement, was honored for her life’s work with a 2025 Raydient Award.
To pay tribute to her late mother, as well as honor her service on the McDonough District Hospital (MDH) Board of Directors, Kathy Neumann and her husband, Marty Maskarenic, have donated funds to restore the second-floor patio at MDH, which has been out of service for several years.
Week of Dec. 1
Cool Bliss Popped Bliss (CBPB) is now open, after a setback with the original retail space. The new Macomb retailer offers 19 popcorn flavors, shaved ice, old-fashioned candy and other treats.
Laura Lant, agronomist at Midwest Grass & Forage in Macomb, received the Mike Plumer Environmental Excellence Award, which honors individuals who demonstrate innovation and leadership in conservation, nutrient management and soil health.
Macomb’s Holiday Light show, which is designed and put together by resident Monte Colley, was moved to Veterans Park. The show runs daily from 5-10 p.m. through Jan. 1.
After a temporary closure so additional funds could be raised, Loaves & Fishes of Macomb reopened Dec. 2. The program is held on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m. at Prairieview Townhomes, 425 N. Prairie Ave., Macomb.
Week of Dec. 8
Beef-a-Roo opened in Macomb to a crowd Dec. 10. Beef-a-Roo, which was founded in 1967, turned the old Hardee’s on West Jackson Street, which had sat vacant for more than 10 years, into its latest Beef-a-Roo location. Serving roast beef, wraps, specialty sandwiches, burgers, chicken and turkey sandwiches, soups, salads and a selection of heart healthy foods.
The Village of Industry created a new position, Deputy Clerk, which includes processing all water bill payments and serving as the main point of contact for residents regarding water bills.
Many area organizations including The Giving Gardens, Humane Society of McDonough County area colleges and universities, food pantries and other non-profit organizations benefited on Giving Tuesday with WIU raising a record high $136,000 and Loaves and Fishes receiving a$10,000 donation if they could match the donation, which they did.
New Freedom Trail Mural unveiled
Belinda Carr honored
Area veteran, Slater Scheurich, and his brotherin- law Danny Barth who is a WIU police officer are working to launch a new organization, The Iron Lantern Foundation, designed to support veterans, first responders and their families.
City Administrator Scott Coker told the Macomb City Council Committee of the Whole that the city could save $380,000 on health insurance next year by switching from Healthlink to Aetna.
Week of Dec. 16
ISP Trooper Tyler Dively, a 2015 MHS graduate, was awarded a Lifesaving Medal by the ISP for his actions on July 10, 2024 which involved administering Narcan to a man following a vehicle accident who fell unconscious due to drug use.
Jeff Hamer celebrated his 24+ years of service at a retirement party on December 12 stating “I’d like to thank the citizens for their trust in me as an officer and ultimately as chief. I just wanted to make a difference.”
Knox County detective, Morgan Jemeson from Macomb, was recognized for her role in investigating complex multi-jurisdictional and federal cases involving crimes against children, including online exploitation, grooming and victim identification.
Macomb City Council voted to pursue a $44 million loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to build a new water plant.
At the December 17 meeting of the McDonough County Board, Roger Ward was appointed to fill a vacancy left by Terra Litchfield who was first elected in 2018.
Week of Dec. 23
WIRC Project Santa delivered 497 gifts and clothing this holiday season to children in McDonough County and delivered another 261 gifts to children in other program counties.
For 2025 , Senior Art Education major Francesca Gabrielle A. Magalang designed the University Holiday card, creating a wintery scene featuring the front lawn of Sherman Hall and Col. Rock IV “Ray”.
West Prairie CUSD #103 Board of Education announced the hiring of Curt Rheingans as the new Superintendent starting July 1, 2026.
Week of Dec. 29
Macomb Food Co-op has moved from their current location on McArthur St. since 2016 to a new location in the former Enchanted Florist building across from Chandler Park.
The Bushnell United Methodist Church celebrated 100 years on June 8 with a celebration featuring the Hinners Pipe Organ, which has also spent 100 years filling the sanctuary with the accompaniment of its many members' voices.
