A suggested $5 donation will be collected at the door.

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am runs approximately two hours and is not rated.

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am is an intimate and visually rich portrait of Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison that explores her extraordinary life, literary legacy, and enduring influence on American culture.

The documentary features Morrison's own reflections, archival footage, and interviews with writers, artists, and cultural leaders, including Angela Davis, Oprah Winfrey, Walter Mosley, and Fran Lebowitz. It celebrates her groundbreaking work while examining themes of race, history, identity, and storytelling. Featuring original music by Kathryn Bostic and artwork by acclaimed contemporary African American artists, this engaging documentary offers both an introduction to and new insights into one of America's most influential voices.

This screening is part of the Museum's film series exploring literacy and storytelling. Join us for the final film in the series on September 6th for The Thinking Game.

This program is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

The Western Illinois Museum, located at 201 S. Lafayette Street just one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history, culture, and traditions of McDonough County.

The Museum serves as a community gathering place for exhibits, lectures, music, and public programs that connect people through shared stories and experiences.

For a full schedule of events, visit wimuseum. org or follow @wimuseum on social media. For more information, call 309-8372750, text 309-837-2613, or email info@wimuseum.org.

A.A. Milne’s classic “Winnie the Pooh” sentiment will be front and center on stage as local young performers take the spotlight for this year’s Rising Stars Youth Theater Experience. Presented by the Macomb Arts Center, the annual showcase returns to Western Illinois University’s Hainline Theatre with a central theme of gratitude—a lesson woven directly into the original productions.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, July 31, and a matinee at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1.

Admission is $5 at the door for regular tickets, while children ages five and under can attend for free.

This year's showcase features four original short plays, each penned and summarized directly by the student playwrights themselves. First, is “Twin Trade” (by Vada L.): “There are two twins named Dylan and Lucas. They are ungrateful for each other’s talents and they trade places for a day because they think that their talent is harder than their sibling’s. They soon realize that everyone is different and they should be grateful for their own talents and hobbies.”

Next, is “Attitude to Gratitude” (by Charlie S.): “A fun, adventurous story about a cat and a dog who get lost in the woods and find new friends. They learn to become buddies and come home with a better attitude!”

The third play scheduled is called “Finders Keepers” (by Mykka M.): “Finders Keepers is about a jungle where the plants and animals don’t like each other. Animal Benji and Plant Autumn work together to convince the plants and animals that they can work together and that they should be grateful for each other.”

And lastly, “Banished” (by Hannah A.): “Banished is a fantasy story that teaches people that sometimes if you think someone’s evil, it doesn’t always mean they are. You can’t judge a book by its cover just because one bad thing happens. Banished teaches us multiple life lessons, one of which is to be grateful.”

For more information regarding tickets and event details, visit the Macomb Arts Center (macombartscenter. org) ahead of Friday’s curtain call.

Barnside Buds, a farm and garden business operated by Melissa Peterson, is offering farm produce and flower arrangements in Colchester at the intersection of Hwy 136 and South Elizabeth Street on The Shop car detailing business corner lot. Eggs, tomatoes and peppers, as well as freshcut bouquets and larger arrangements in vases are available.

That persistence has led renowned folk songwriter and singer Chris Vallillo of Macomb to the venue of his dreams, the famed legendary Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Take a musical journey with Vallillo of Macomb as he takes the stage at The Steppenwolf Aug. 8-9. Tickets can be purchased at steppenwolf.org/tickets--events/lookout/26-summer/forgottonia.

Vallillo will present 'Forgottonia,' an evolution of the people and places in rural Midwestern America, accompanied by images from award-winner rural photographer Tim Schroll of Colchester. The performance is described by Vallillo as an audio-visual love letter to the region's past, present and future.

In 'Forgottonia,' the storied musician draws on almost 40 years of original material to create a show that tells the story of rural Illinois, and of west central Illinois, an area that, for years, the residents have referred to the region by that name.

The name “Forgottonia' first came to be in 1972 when 16 counties, led by self-appointed governor, Vietnam Veteran Neil Gamm, declared the tonguein cheek creation of the 'independent nation' of Forgottonia, with its capitol being Fandon, Illinois, in protest of the lack of tax dollars returning to the region.

During Vallillo's performances at The Steppenwolf next month, which also will feature noted Chicago musicians Don Stiernberg on mandolin and Marc Edelstein on bass, he will perform several of the songs he has composed that pay tribute to west central and rural Illinois. From 'Silhouette Against The Stars,' which is dedicated to family farms and the farm crisis; 'The Walnut Fiddle,' which was a result of Vallillo's interview with a pre-radio musician in western Illinois, Homer Bedenbender, who was an old-time farmer, blacksmith and fiddle player who made a walnut fiddle in 1930s when he couldn't afford to buy one; and 'The Final Harvest,' which was written about a situation in northern Illinois when a farmer was killed in a rollover accident and the community showed up to harvest fields, with the money going to the family, Vallillo uses his music to tell the story of our region.

'Forgottonia is the hook, but this is really a story about the people, places and culture of old-time Forgottonia,' Vallillo said, as he also starts off the show.

'Forgottonia' is the culmination of four years of worth of work,” he explained. He received funding for the project from the Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) Foreground Rural Initiative Grant in 2022, and the show premiered in 2024 in Western Illinois University's Hainline Theatre. Vallillo got together with his old friend, Schroll, a well-known rural landscape photographer, when he was putting together the IH grant application. Schroll was starting to move away from photography, but Vallillo convinced him to take the cover shot for the CD he was recording at the time.

'This idea had been simmering for two years. I'd done numerous historical- based programs in the past. I had just finished a show dedicated to the songs of the Civil Rights era when I decided to shift gears and get back to my original music, my true love,' he shared. 'I looked at what I've written over the past 40 years and most of my songs were about people of rural Illinois, so I hit upon that idea of using those songs to tell the story of the changes rural Illinois has gone through over the years.'

Vallillo had worked with Schroll before, and he knew he wanted to do a project with his friend because what he does visually is what Vallillo does musically.

'I had to convince him to take the cover shot for the CD but after I got the grant, I convinced Tim to give me access to about 40 of his images and it just grew from there. In the process, I was able to get Tim fired up about photography again. I don't get to work creatively with an artist of Tim's caliber very often and it was a wonderful experience. Eventually, Tim gave me access to over 2,000 of his shots to choose from,' Vallillo explained. 'I pulled together several hundred possible shots, and we got together in his dark room and I played the music and we looked for images to find exactly the right fit. We had a rule that we both needed to agree for a shot to be in the show and we never once disagreed!'

Since that 2024 premiere at the Hainline Theatre in Macomb, Vallillo has been touring “Forgottonia.' across the Midwest. While he has performed the show at least eight times so far, he really was interested in getting into a Chicago venue. However, for a downstate musician, that is no small feat.

'I was going to booking conferences, and was showcasing to theaters, with little luck. It got to the point where I was looking at renting a Chicago theatre and self-producing the show like I did at Hainline,' he said. 'At one point, I asked some people at Illinois Humanities if anyone knew the Chicago theatre scene, and Senior Director of Public Engagement Jane Beachey connected me with Steppenwolf's Creative Producer, Patrick Zakem. That connection opened up the door.

'The Steppenwolf presents 'The Lookout Series,' which produces works from up-and-coming artists. I had a phone interview with Patrick, and then I drove to Chicago, met with Patrick and his staff to see the space and make the pitch,' Vallillo added. 'It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to work there. Without the IH connection and the shameless beating on the doors, it would not have happened. When you live downstate, you have to constantly promote yourself and do whatever you can.'

The Lookout Series is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer, and the theatre itself is celebrating its 50th, so it's a banner year for Vallillo's work to debut at the Steppenwolf. He'll be performing in the theatre's new black box theatre, a smaller, intimate venue.

“The Steppenwolf is my Carnegie Hall. If I had a dream of performing in a Chicago theatre, it would be the Steppenwolf. They are internationally-known for creating and supporting new work,' Vallillo said. 'It's such a huge honor. The Steppenwolf has the best staff in Chicago for staging and lighting, and it's a rare treat to get to work at this level. This is a dream come true.'

From the Steppenwolf, he's taking his act on the road in September to Milwaukee's Midwest Arts Expo, a major booking conference for the Midwest, where he'll stop in 'Forgottonia' around to theaters and performing arts centers across the Midwest. Then it's back to downstate with the show for an Oct. 2 performance at The Legacy Theatre in Carthage. He'll also be performing the show at the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts Feb. 6, and is currently working with the Carbondale Varsity Center to write a grant to host the show in March.

What's next for this musician/songwriter/storyteller who has been touring, performing, hosting shows and cutting albums for over four decades? Vallillo said while he's always thinking about projects, at this season of his life, 'Forgottonia' is the culmination of his work over the years and might be the last 'biggie.' But fans – new and old – need not fear as Vallillo plans on continuing to perform.

“I'll definitely continue writing and performing after the Steppenwolf show,' Vallillo said. “I've been directly involved producing my own work for my entire career and I have no intention of stopping. As I always say, if they don't let you in the front door, kick in the basement window.'

About Chris Vallillo Having spent the last 40+ years in the rural Midwest, he has a natural affinity for American roots music. A master of finger style and bottleneck slide guitar, Vallillo weaves original, contemporary, and traditional songs and narratives into a compelling and entertaining portrait of the history and lifestyles of the Midwest. Perhaps the archaeology degree Vallillo earned at Beloit College (BA Anthropology, 1976) helped him see the important little details of life which imbue his songs with a sense of history. His prairie poet style has been compared to Edgar Lee Masters and Vachel Lindsay and you can hear the strains of the Carter Family and Jimmy Rogers reflected in his writing.

A recipient of a 1986 Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship Award for music composition, Vallillo was a nominee for the Illinois Arts Council’s 1987 Governor’s Award for Individual Artist. In 1987, he conducted the Schuyler Arts Folk Music Project to document the last of the pre-radio generation. These recordings were accepted into the American Folklife Collection at the Library of Congress. From 1990 through 1998 he served as the performing host and co-producer of the nationally distributed, award-winning public radio performance series Rural Route 3 where he performed next to (and with) a virtual who’s who of contemporary and traditional folk musicians.

Always a project-oriented artist, in the early 2000s Vallillo began creating one-man shows using music as the vehicle to explore a subject or theme. His 2008 project, Abraham Lincoln in Song, received the endorsement of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the accompanying CD of music reached #10 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album Chart. In 2016, his latest recording, Oh Freedom! Songs of the Civil Rights Movement charted at #6 on the folk charts and 2018 the show was produced as a fully theatrical performance featuring a band and a live choir.

He twice served as the Illinois State Scholar for the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibit on roots music New Harmonies. In 2013, he released The Last Day of Winter, (#14 on the Folk DJ Charts) and produced the double CD set “Midwest Folklife Festival” for the Illinois Arts Council. He also scored and recorded the music for the documentary film “Witness to History” all while maintaining a full touring schedule. In 2016, his latest recording, 'Oh Freedom! Songs of the Civil Rights Movement' charted at # 6 on the Folk DJ charts. In 2018 he produced Oh Freedom! as a theatrical performance featuring a full band and a 42 voice choir. That show was videotaped and syndicated on Illinois Public television.

Macomb's Newest Venue to Celebrate Official Opening with Ribbon-Cutting

The wait is over!

Macomb's newest venue, The Busted Cup Taproom & Meat Market, an extension of the Burlington, Iowa-based brewhouse, is opening Monday, Aug. 3 after renovations were recently completed to its Lafayette Street location, which was once the home of the locally-owned Forgottonia Brewery. The business will officially open its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. on the first Monday of the new month.

'The Busted Cup Taproom & Meat Market brings together exceptional craft beverages and locally produced meats in a welcoming college-town atmosphere. Rooted in the brewery's passion for quality and craftsmanship, the taproom offers guests a place to relax, connect and enjoy a unique experience,' said The Busted Cup's Marketing Director Megan Bell. 'The taproom features 20 rotating housebrewed beers and handcrafted keg cocktails, while serving classic cocktails and a selection of specialty shots. While the focus is on great brews and gathering with friends, guests can also enjoy a simple, high-quality food menu featuring build-your-own meat platters with locally produced meats from our sister company in Roseville, Illinois, paired with a variety of flavorful sides.'

Adjacent to the taproom, the Meat Market will offer handcrafted favorites including specialty bacon, summer sausages, beef sticks, and other locally produced smoked and cured meats, with rotating selections and seasonal specialties.

'We're excited to open our doors and welcome the community to experience everything The Busted Cup Taproom & Meat Market has to offer,' said owners Brandon and Kathy Bentz.

Business hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday; 4-9 p.m., Monday and Wednesday; and 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The brewhouse is closed on Tuesdays. From noon-4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22, an official grand opening celebration will be held featuring complimentary samples, Busted Cup swag, an opportunity to challenge the brewer to a game of cornhole and giveaways throughout the afternoon.

The Bentzes opened The Busted Cup Brewhouse in the 700 block of Jefferson Street in Burlington in September 2023. The couple also owns Poppie's Specialty Market in the same building as their Burlington restaurant. In addition, they own and operate Fusion Tech in Roseville, which specializes in USDA-approved equipment (slicers, grinders, cutting tables and much more).

The building that houses the new Macomb brewery is owned by LKG, LLC. Lance Murphy of Macomb, one of the partners, told The Community News Brief in an interview in February they decided to purchase the Forgottonia building – what once was home to the well-known Rockin Robin's/ Rockin Records – from its former owners because Murphy and his colleagues are deeply rooted in the community, and felt strongly about preserving a local gathering space for years to come. Forgotonnia closed its doors Dec. 28, 2024 after a five-plus year run. They began looking for a business, preferably a restaurant or brewery, interested in leasing the place. The Busted Cup answered that call.

'As we searched for the right business to invest in, we knew we wanted something welcoming to all ages, space where families and kids could gather during the day, and adults could enjoy a vibrant atmosphere in the evening,' he shared. 'Our partnership with The Busted Cup felt like perfect timing. While we were looking to revitalize the space, they were seeking an opportunity to expand beyond their Burlington, IA home base. We're excited to partner with a respected local business.'

According to the Bentzes, the expansion into Macomb reflects The Busted Cup's continued growth and commitment to delivering authentic craft beer and a memorable taproom experience to the communities it serves.

'Opening in Macomb, Illinois is a big milestone for The Busted Cup,' they said in an earlier interview. 'We're excited to create a fun, relaxed taproom where people can gather, enjoy great beer and make new memories—just like we do in Burlington, Iowa.'

Medicare Wellness Visits play an important role in helping patients stay healthy by identifying potential health risks, closing gaps in care, and creating personalized plans that support long-term wellness. Through meaningful patient outreach, strong provider engagement, and a continued focus on preventive care, Memorial Hospital has helped patients take a proactive approach to their health while supporting the goals of the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).

'This recognition reflects our commitment to providing exceptional care beyond treating illness,' said Karen Bucholtz, Director of Clinic Quality. 'Preventive care is one of the most valuable tools we have to help our patients live healthier lives, and we are proud of our providers and staff for making these important wellness visits a priority.'

IRCCO congratulated Memorial Hospital on this achievement, recognizing the organization's dedication to preventive medicine and improving the health of the communities it serves.

Awards like this reflect the dedication of Memorial Hospital’s providers, nurses, care teams, and support staff who work together every day to help our patients stay healthy, informed, and well. To learn more about Medicare Wellness Visits, visit MHTLC.

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According to Pantry Spokesperson Stephanie Friday, the pantry is planning an open house from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6 at their 102 S. Coal St. location. The public is encouraged to check out their new distribution room, and a number of activities will be held. Regular donations of grocery items and money to Faith Market can be made on Saturday from 10 a.m.noon and on Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m.

Faith Market began its operations last fall. In an earlier story by this reporter, we incorrectly stated that the first operations were at Colchester City Hall. In fact, the pantry began offering a variety of grocery items at the Tabernacle of Faith. In addition, while the service utilized the sanctuary of the church, the church itself does not operate the service.

Progress is coming in stages. As of July 25, Faith Market has opened its main pantry room in the back of the old Colchester Post Office. Entry is now through a ramp into a brightly-lit room with grocery items on new metal shelving.

A single individual was responsible for the renovation of the old facility. Friday indicated that 96 individuals have already been served in July, with another week to go.

Eventually, Friday indicated a soup kitchen is in the process of being created in an adjacent room. Creating an operational kitchen and dining area will take time and additional funding, but it is one of the long-range goals of Faith Market. The pantry is currently working with Midwest Food Bank in Morton, as well as the River Bend Food Bank out of Davenport, IA. When asked about current needs, Friday replied that the pantry always needs canned vegetables and fruit. Fresh sweet corn is now available, thanks to Katie Ruebush and her son, Wyatt. In addition, monetary donations are always welcome.

Faith Pantry has received help from the Tracy Family Foundation (TFF) and its West Central Illinois Gives (WCIL) campaign; the Salvation Army and the McDonough County Health Department, with surplus from its Women Infants and Children (WIC) program. The organization has also applied for a grant through Ameren.

Moving mountains might be a tall task, but there's no doubt that Faith Market is doing its part to supply grocery items for those in need.

The Colchester Fire Department has had more fires smoldering in their own house lately than they've been putting out after contentions were brought forward to fire department trustees last month by firefighter Jared Dixon, who was recently appointed chief.

At a special meeting of the Colchester Fire Department (CFD) Thursday evening, trustees adjourned into executive session for roughly 10 minutes to discuss allegations of misuse of money, tools and fuel, as well as personnel matters.

At the heart of the controversy are brothers Robert (Robbie) and Michael Phelps. Robbie, who is the chief deputy for the McDonough County Sheriff's Office (MSCO), had been with the fire department for 26 years, and had served as chief for 10 years. Michael served as the assistant Emergency Medical Services (EMS) chief for nine years. Both men resigned in late June from the department. Newly- appointed Chief Jared Dixon brought forward allegations, reportedly from other members of the department, to the Board last month. Neither individual, nor any other member, has been charged with any wrongdoing.

According to Robbie Phelps, they plan on bringing a civil lawsuit against the department and the members of the department.

'Based on everything that has occurred, I believe this entire situation became a personal attack against myself and Assistant Chief Michael Phelps for reasons that remain unknown to me,' said Phelps, who shared more with The Community News Brief below. 'From my perspective, the manner in which these allegations were handled appeared to be intended to damage our reputations, end our service with the Colchester Fire Protection District and potentially jeopardize our full-time careers and professional standing within our respective professions.'

At the July 23 meeting, following the closed session, action included accepting Board Secretary Kory Nichols' resignation, and voting to move forward with an external audit. McDonough County Board Chair Eric Blakeley said he would be appointing a new trustee to fill the vacancy left by Nichols.

Acting Board Chair Mike Weaver said the trustees and members have been going through files, with the understanding that an external audit would be recommended if the job was too unwieldy and/or discrepancies were found.

'We said we would do our part, but if the magnitude of this or if a few discrepancies were found, we'd do an audit. At the advice of our attorney, Dustin Clark (of Bougher, Krisher & Clark of Macomb), he is going to hire, and work with, an external auditor on our behalf,' Weaver told the roughly 20 people present at Thursday's meeting. 'There were some discrepancies, but it could simply be the result of sloppy bookkeeping. That's why we need a professional to review everything.'

Weaver added he is also going to push for an audit on an annual basis.

Allegations Explained: A CFD Trustee's Perspective

According to Weaver, who has been serving as a Colchester Fire Protection District trustee since April, Dixon was serving as the spokesperson for others amongst a divided department, Weaver added.

'I believe, and this is just my opinion, members approached him (Dixon) with different allegations. One question was over the memorial fund, another member was questioning the fuel and someone else was questioning missing tools,' Weaver explained. 'I don't know if he was questioning any of it until he was approached by others. He compiled the list of allegations and brought it to the trustees. All I know is some of the members elected Jared to bring these accusations forward. And I have no idea where they were getting this information.'

When asked if there was any proof of wrongdoing by the Phelpses or any other member, Weaver said 'no.'

'How did they know that Robbie and Michael were responsible? That was my question. What was brought forward to us was month-to-month reports that indicated more fuel being used. But the 500-gallon bulk tanks, which are in an alley, had no meters and no locks. Therefore, I didn't understand where they were coming up with the fact that the chief and assistant chief were taking the fuel. There was no proof in that,' Weaver shared. 'Anyone could have rolled up to the tanks and taken fuel. There was no meter, no lock, no fence. Now; however, there is a meter on the tanks, they're locked, the power is shut off when not in use and there is a log book.'

As for the allegation of small hand tools that were missing from the department, Weaver said he's never seen an inventory list, and he has no idea where the members were getting their information that the tools were being used by the two men for their personal use. Weaver also recommended an inventory list for tools, which will be in place soon.

The fire department is composed of 15-19 volunteer firefighters, and is led by a volunteer board whose members are appointed by the McDonough County Board. Besides Weaver, other trustees include Joe Campbell, chair; Debbie Cale, treasurer; Nichols, secretary – until his resignation at Monday night's meeting, and Steve Altenbern.

The final – and most serious - assertion was that money was purportedly missing from the memorial fund account. Weaver said $2,500 was reported to have been missing, but since that initial report it has now been accounted for. Weaver added that the trustees have no idea who has had access to the account over the years as there were no checks-and-balances in place. He's working to change that and move the sole responsibility of department funds under the Board versus department members.

'There is no real undeniable proof that two people are responsible. There is no proof of wrongdoing pointed to any one or two people. There are only allegations or hearsay, and to me this isn't tangible proof,' Weaver stressed. 'However, as trustees, we must do our due diligence, and do our part to review files and receipts. Our fire department attorney and the McDonough County Board have provided guidance, and they're in support of the measures we've taken thus far.'

At this point, the trustees have been the only ones investigating the allegations, and Weaver pointed out, it appears to be a 'divided camp.'

'While I can't say there is any validity to any of the accusations at this point, it has raised questions, so we have to investigate this,' Weaver stressed. 'These are serious allegations against two people who have been a part of this department for many years, and my genuine concern is that we have lost a lot of experience there. My hope is that when all files are pulled and finances are gone through, everyone has receipts for everything and people move forward.

'My goal as a trustee from the get-go was transparency and I don't think there has been a lot of that between members and trustees,' he concluded. 'In a small department like this, that's ridiculous. We need to work together for a common cause. I just don't understand this split.'

Sharing His Side of the Story: Robbie Phelps Speaks Out

Phelps told the CND the alleged discrepancies involving department funds, fuel and tools were brought to light following an accidental personal Amazon purchase on May 25 for a pair of sunglasses and a sunglasses holder was mistakenly made using the fire department's account instead of a personal account. He said the purchase was immediately returned, documented and was going to be disclosed to the Board of Trustees at its June 10 meeting.

'Before that could occur, while we were on vacation, several department members initiated an unauthorized internal investigation into the leadership without Board approval, despite department policy assigning such investigations to the Board. A department member who had authorized access to the department email account received the Amazon receipt and became aware of the transaction. There was no unauthorized access to the account, nor was there any attempt to conceal the purchase. The matter was immediately brought to my attention, and I had intended to disclose the mistake to the Board of Trustees during the next regularly scheduled trustee meeting on June 10 so the Trustees would be aware of the accidental purchase and the corrective action that had already been taken,' Robbie stated. 'I was never provided the opportunity to present the matter to the Board, and at no time did a Board member or the Board secretary reach out to me to ask about this when Jared Dixon brought this forward.'

According to Phelps, the timing of these events is noteworthy. On May 18, one week before the accidental Amazon purchase, the department held its annual nominations and elections for the positions of chief and assistant chief. The members present were given the opportunity to voice concerns, nominate other candidates and express dissatisfaction with the current leadership.

'No member voiced concerns regarding either myself or Michael, and no one nominated another individual to replace them. Jared had expressed interest in the vacant fire assistant chief position and was elected to that office,' he noted. 'I also encouraged another individual to consider serving as chief because of the demands of my fulltime employment.'

Following the election of the chief, assistant chief, and two new captains, the department purchased various pieces of equipment for the officers, including helmets, helmet shields, accountability tags and other necessary items, he shared. Several of the vendors did not offer invoicing, and because the department did not possess a department-issued credit or debit card, the purchases were made using a personal credit card.

'This method of purchasing equipment had been routinely used for approximately three years with the knowledge and approval of the Board of Trustees. Rather than waiting until the next trustee meeting for reimbursement, the credit card balance was initially paid from the department's Memorial Account,' Phelps pointed out. 'The Memorial Account was then reimbursed from the department's primary operating account, consistent with the process that had previously been approved by the Board of Trustees. During that payment process, a personal charge was inadvertently included because the Memorial Account remained designated as the default payment method on the credit card account. Once the mistake was discovered, the funds associated with the personal charge were immediately repaid to the Memorial Account. At no time was there any intent to misuse department funds or deprive the department or the Memorial Account of money for personal benefit.'

As for the fuel, this also stemmed from long-standing department practices that were common among the membership, with numerous members routinely obtaining fuel from the department fuel barrel for legitimate department purposes, including traveling in personal vehicles to training, picking up department parts or equipment and performing other department-related business.

'This practice was not unique to me or to Michael, and had been routinely utilized by multiple members for years, including individuals who later participated in making these allegations. As shared by Trustee Weaver, the department's fuel barrel is not equipped with a metering system or any other accountability mechanism capable of identifying who dispensed fuel, when it was dispensed or how much was removed,' Robbie further went on to say. 'The fuel storage area is also accessible to numerous department members and, at times, members of the public. Consequently, there is no reliable method of determining who may have obtained fuel or when it was used, making it impossible to attribute any alleged discrepancy to any particular individual.'

The final allegation was that members alleged that they (he and Michael) were purchasing tools for personal use, Phelps said. However, all tools purchased during their administration, he stressed, were purchased for department business and had been approved by the Board of Trustees before acquisition.

'The department does not maintain a formal inventory of its tools, and many members are not aware of equipment purchases because they do not regularly attend Board of Trustee meetings where such purchases are reviewed and approved,' he added. 'It has also been common practice for many years for department members to borrow department-owned tools for personal or department-related projects and return those tools upon completion. This practice has been followed by numerous members and was not exclusive to us.'

Phelps said he doesn't know what happened between the members to lead to this investigation because, to his knowledge, there were no underlying conflicts or concerns involving the department's leadership before these events occurred. He said when he and his brother departed for vacation, things within the department appeared to be positive, and no concerns had been raised during the recent officer nomination and election process. Upon his return from vacation, he learned of the allegations, and as a result, he chose to resign from his position as fire chief because he no longer believed he could effectively lead the department under the circumstances that had developed.

'The actions taken by certain members of the department, including what I perceived as backstabbing, acts of insubordination and a complete breakdown of trust within the membership, left me without confidence that I could safely and effectively perform the duties of fire chief,' he said. 'The position of fire chief requires mutual trust and confidence between the chief and the members who are expected to follow his direction, particularly during emergency incidents where decisions must be made quickly and without hesitation. Once it became apparent that certain members no longer trusted my leadership or judgment, I concluded that I could not, in good conscience, continue serving in that role.

'Likewise, because of the manner in which these events unfolded, I no longer had the level of trust in certain members that I believed was necessary to safely lead the department,' Phelps said. 'In my opinion, a lack of mutual trust between a fire chief and the membership creates an unnecessary safety risk that could place firefighters and members of the public in danger. Those circumstances ultimately led to my decision to resign. I did not remain in the position to publicly challenge the allegations because, by that point, the working relationship necessary to effectively lead the department had been irreparably damaged. My decision to resign was not an admission that the allegations were true or that I agreed with the manner in which they were handled. Rather, I believed that without the confidence and trust of the membership, I could no longer fulfill my responsibilities as fire chief in a manner that ensured the safety of everyone involved. After careful consideration, I determined that resigning was the most appropriate course of action under the circumstances.'

Phelps said resigning was one of the hardest decisions he's ever had to make, particularly after devoting 26 years of his life to the department.

'Throughout my tenure, I always attempted to act in what I believed to be the best interests of the department, its members and the community we served,' he said. 'The mistakes that have been discussed were inadvertent, were corrected immediately upon discovery and were never made with any intent to obtain personal financial gain or deprive the department of its funds or property. Actions taken by certain members of the department undermined the fairness and integrity of the process. My understanding is that private meetings were held at a department member's residence, where only selected members were invited to participate, while others were intentionally excluded.

'Despite everything that has occurred, I remain proud of the years I dedicated to the Colchester Fire Protection District and the service that I provided to the community,' Phelps concluded. 'I stand by my record of service and maintain that I always acted in good faith and in what I believed to be the best interests of the department.'

Newly-Appointed Chief Jared Dixon Explains Circumstances, Goals Moving Forward According to Dixon, who is a full-time deputy with the MSCO, multiple members of the department approached him shortly after his promotion to assistant chief with concerns related to an abnormally high volume of fuel and diesel fluid usage, as well as equipment that had been previously purchased that could not be accounted for and unusual purchases on the department’s Amazon account. As those concerns grew, Dixon told The Community News Brief that he helped organize the information and presented it to the Board of Trustees so it could be reviewed.

'My goal was not to accuse anyone publicly, but to ensure the trustees were aware of the concerns and could investigate them appropriately,' he explained. 'I also worked to develop methods of accountability moving forward so these issues did not happen in the future. Once the concerns were formally presented, the Board began looking into the issues and I began developing means to ensure the discrepancies could never happen again.'

Dixon stated that members had made observations, along with discrepancies in financial records and documentation that he and others believed warranted review. The purpose of bringing these concerns to the trustees was to have them independently evaluated rather than ignored, he pointed out.

'Addressing these concerns were not intended to target anyone due to the lack of concrete information, but more so to address flaws in the system and how to fix them moving forward,' Dixon stressed. 'It wasn’t until the extent of the issues that were uncovered and documentation present that concerns on certain individuals came to light.

'The information provided to the Board included documentation and records that we believed justified further investigation. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the trustees, auditors, attorneys and law enforcement, if involved, to determine what the evidence establishes,' he noted. 'I believe it is important to allow those processes to run their course rather than to make personal speculations.'

While some believe the department wanted a change in leadership, Dixon said that while members did not want a change in leadership at the outset, they simply wanted changes to happen within the fire department operations for greater accountability and transparency. Members had recently voted Robbie Phelps to a five-year term as chief, and Michael Phelps to a three-year term for assistant Emergency Medical Services (EMS) chief. Dixon claimed it was only after the allegations were brought forward that the former chief refused to speak with him and other members on how to move forward, and then resigned from the position. His brother followed soon after with his resignation.

Dixon has been a member of the Colchester Fire Protection District since October 2018. He served as a captain under the Phelpses for several years before being promoted to the assistant fire chief. He was recently elected chief by the membership, which was approved by the Board of Trustees.

'My focus is on rebuilding trust, improving communication, strengthening training, supporting our firefighters and EMTs and ensuring accountability and transparency in every aspect of the department. I want our members to feel supported and our community to have confidence that we are serving them with professionalism and integrity,' he said. 'My command staff and I have been working to completely rebuild our training schedule to improve on fire and EMS training to better serve the community. We have reorganized our fire department meetings to allow all of the members to have an opinion and to be involved with and informed on the direction and future of the department. We are also working to improve communication and relations with the Board of Trustees so they are familiar with our operations and are in the know on what is truly going on inside the department.

'Transparency begins with strong policies, accurate recordkeeping, proper oversight, open communication with the Board of Trustees and compliance with applicable laws and department policies,' Dixon added. 'My goal is to foster a culture where questions can be raised without fear, concerns are addressed promptly and decisions are made appropriately and are well-documented.'

Final Thoughts: County Board Chair Eric Blakeley

'This has been a very one-sided situation from the start. There were lots of discussions about various allegations brought forward by the public and members of the FD, but none of the allegations have been 100% proven against either party involved, to date,' Blakeley said.

'I give the trustees a lot of credit,' he added. 'This is a volunteer group of five people. They are working through a large amount of paperwork, trying to prove, or disprove, if these allegations are real or false, and it's a large undertaking.'

Throughout the 19th century, American families had many ways of transforming fabric scraps into useful rugs. The earliest were tongue rugs, consisting of overlapping tongue-shaped scraps that completely covered a background. Button rugs, made from circles of fabric, let the background show. Penny rugs were also made from small, flat fabric circles, but, like tongue rugs, they completely cover the backing fabric.

Despite their name, penny rugs were rarely used as floor coverings; they were more likely to decorate a table, bed or mantel. Fabric scraps could also be made into pictorial hooked rugs, pulled through the backing with a hooked tool, or into braided or crocheted rugs. Rugs like these are still made by hobbyists today, and antique examples sell as folk art. This hand-sewn penny rug, probably made to be used on a table, sold for $125 at Hyde Park Country Auctions.

Q: I am looking for assistance in appraising a rare antique 25-inch Handel table lamp. We also have several additional antique lamps and stained glass.

A: Handel lamps, made from about 1885 to 1933, are prized for decorative glass shades. They were made in several styles, including leaded glass reminiscent of Tiffany lamps, but their reverse-painted designs are the most distinctive. Handel lamps typically sell for high prices, usually more than $500. Some sell for several thousand dollars. The shade’s size, shape, design, and base material can affect the value.

Because Handel lamps are often very valuable, we recommend contacting a national auction house specializing in decorative arts. They can provide free appraisals or advice. They may also be able to provide information about your additional lamps and glass. If you get an appraisal from an auction house, you are not obligated to sell with them.

TIP: Natural dyes were used in early rugs, but the chemical aniline dyes aren’t new. They were used as early as 1870.

CURRENT PRICES

Clock, advertising, Dr. Pepper, Distinctively Different ..., red oval logo, chevron, wood grain style border, 10, 2, 4 bar indices, square, electric, 15 inches, $120.

Furniture, stand, umbrella, Alfred Corneau, Rococo Revival, cast iron, pierced flower scrolls, figural supports, center plaque, Gornau Foundry, 31 x 28 inches, $225.

Music, box, singing bird, two birds, dome cage, wind-up, Germany, early 1900s, 10 inches, $310.

Basket, egg, oak, splint, rib woven, top handle, double woven rim, Mary Causby, 5 1/2 x 6 inches, $2,050.

For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com.

Travelers will still get picked up in Macomb for their round-trip transport to the airport, one of the stress-free things about traveling with Collette and airfare is included. Another great feature of Collette travel is the option to have friends or relatives join the tour from other places!

The tour will start on the island of Malta where travelers will spend four nights in Sliema, a lively resort town on the waterfront promenade.

A ferry ride will deliver explorers to the island of Sicily where a stop at a seaside town will offer a tasty breakfast and a visit to a local farm before settling in for a three-night stay in Ragusa. Many of the places that will be visited are UNESCO sites.

The trip’s final destination is Taormina where an off-road adventure awaits as well as many experiences that will make great memories! A much more complete itinerary is available at https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1457654.

Cindy Cavett, coordinator of the travel program comments, “The YMCA is excited to offer this more in-depth travel option to our community. Smaller group size enables new perspectives and personal adventures!”.

The travel program on August 26 will answer many questions. Call the Senior Center at 309-837-5733 to RSVP.

According to Illinois EPA officials, recent soil sampling off-site of the former Haeger property showed levels of lead higher than Illinois’ safety standards. To help determine the extent of the contamination, the Illinois EPA will test soil from public right‑of‑way areas around the neighborhood beginning Aug. 24. Illinois EPA representatives and City of Macomb staff will be available to answer questions about the project between 4-7 p.m., Aug. 5 in the Macomb City Hall Community Room.

For over 13 years, the former Haeger Pottery factory and office on West Calhoun Street sat empty before it was razed in 2021. All that's left is a concrete lot … but thanks to Prairie Hills Land Bank Authority, a partnership with the Prairie Hills Resource Conservation and Development in Macomb, the property could possibly, in the future, be transformed into a city park if remediation can take place. The property, last appraised at $600,000, was donated in December 2024 to the land bank, which was established Aug. 1, 2025 as a freestanding unit of local government in Macomb and five other communities in west central Illinois (Colchester, Carthage, Dallas City, Monmouth and Manito). The Haeger property is the first project of the newly-created Macomb-based land bank authority.

Prairie Hills submitted a grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Program grant earlier this year to remediate the property to remove lead, arsenic and other contaminants from the soil to turn the area into a park; however, according to Prairie Hills Executive Director Victoria Livingston, the organization did not receive the federal grant. Livingston said they'll re-apply for EPA funding this fall, and continue monitoring other funding sources to remediate the property so it can be turned into green space and potentially a city park.

'We're not giving up on remediation,' she added. 'Hopefully, the state involvement opens some other options as well.'

For more information on the Illinois EPA's sampling in Macomb, visit https://bit.ly /4b1NURk. To learn more about Prairie Hills and their services, visit prairiehillsrcd.org.

This Nature Preserve is 42 acres of beautiful sedge meadow and other wetlands. Owned and protected by our board member Alice Henry.

Over the past 2 years, intensive management has been completed to remove undesirable trees and shrubs to increase sunlight and promote the restoration of the wetlands and a historic oak-hickory grove.

The trails will be tall, unmowed grasses with potential tripping hazards so we rate this tour as Potentially Difficult. If you're looking for a more accessible tour, we recommend the prairie wagon ride on Aug 22nd.

Register for these free tours now at prairielandconservancy.org/events

How, you ask? After working the same idea as a mobile business for two years, Lockwood opened the doors to a “brick and mortar” store at 406 Maine Street in Augusta.

“I originally wanted to start with just a bakery,” Lockwood said. “Then I found a passion for making drinks and being able to authentically create drinks; there are so many varieties and options you can do.

It was a way for my creative side to come out. I wanted to be able to make a difference over something as small as a fancy drink to somebody.”

“I just wanted to be able to make a difference in their day and to be able to just have a positive impact,” she added.

One look at the menu signs on her walls show that she meant business when it comes to variety.

Lotus drinks, loaded tea, a variety of coffees are at the top of her list, mostly health oriented. But she also caters to many people’s sweet tooth vice: ice cream.

Her ice cream case offers an abundant variety from which to choose.

But there’s going to be more, much more, for customers. “We’ll have our bakery display where we will offer anywhere from six to ten different items every week with some of the same being, if they’re super popular, like our cinnamon rolls.

Those will be a staple we have all the time,” she said.

Lockwood aims to rotate some items to continue offering surprises to her customers, giving them all the more reason to come back again and again. This will be already at the business for their opening. But even more is coming.

“We will be doing food as well,” Lockwood said. “But we won’t be starting that until this fall.”

Business hours will be from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., six days a week, with an additional hour on Fridays and Saturdays, open until 8 p.m. The shop will have seating for 20-plus people, employing 12 people.

Michelle Lockwood (Brooke’s mother) will be facility manager, with Kathy Ferguson serving as assistant manager.

“I want my business to be welcoming to anybody that walks through my doors,” Lockwood concluded. “I would not be able to be where I’m at without this community and without my Lord just opening these doors to get where I’m at today.”