The Macomb City Council’s General Government Committee, chaired by Alderman John Vigezzi, met last month to discuss a hot topic facing communities throughout the U.S.: data centers.

And the verdict of the committee? Changing Macomb’s zoning code so data centers will not be allowed within Macomb’s city limits at this time. According to Vigezzi, the decision to vote “no” on data center development reflects concerns about protecting Macomb’s residents, natural resources and long-term economic interests.

“Before approving projects of this type, we must carefully consider their potential impact on electricity costs, water consumption, infrastructure, the environment and the quality of life of our community,” he added.

“Economic development should benefit Macomb residents today and for generations to come.”

At Monday’s Macomb City Council meeting, aldermen heard the first reading for an ordinance to change the zoning use matrix to remove the other uses not generally permitted in the use matrix, including data centers. The discussion will move forward to the Committee of the Whole next week and then go before the Macomb City Council once more, according to City Administrator Scott Coker.

Recently, the question of data centers within the community elicited concerns when a public hearing for a battery storage center was announced. This raised questions about a possible data center as the property owner has proposed another site in Macomb, coupled with the recent vote-down by a majority of the McDonough County Board for a moratorium on data centers.

The Macomb Planning Commission public hearing, which was originally set for Sept.

23, was canceled as the city had incorrectly published the notice.

That September hearing was for a special use permit to allow a battery energy storage system, which currently has solar panels in place, at 901 E. Street (off of East University Drive, just north of the Wheeler Street housing development) for IAG Investments LLC, owned and managed by Anthony Donato of Chicago. Donato is also the CEO of Donato Solar and GAIL Technology, which is a data-center company. There are currently three warehouse-style buildings on the property.

Donato Solar has another proposed project – the “Macomb Wear Solar Project” – which, according to the public notice paperwork filed in March, will power four buildings that will be built to house data centers within city limits. According to that notice, two service panels will be installed on each data center building and four padmounted Ameren transformers (points of interconnect). The new solar facility would impact 28.2 acres of land currently zoned for agricultural special use (the southwest intersection of South Johnson Street and Wear Avenue), across the street from the Macomb Senior High School and Macomb Middle School campuses.

Macomb Mayor Mike Inman stressed there are currently no proposed data centers under review by city staff. There are battery storage projects under consideration; however, they are subject to review by the planning commission, as well as the council, he added.

The land at both Wear Avenue and near University Drive is owned by IAG Investments, and leased for Donato Solar LLC.

Donato Solar submitted an application to the Rural Business-Cooperative Service’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for loan and grant funding for the Wear Street project. According to his LinkedIn profile, “Donato Solar is the investor and developer of solar fields throughout Illinois, with 40MW of developments planned for 2023-2024 with the goal of planning, developing, and owning 100MW of solar fields by 2025, while GAIL Technology “represents the future of solar farm development and datacenter operations.”

Late last year in Fulton County, Donato Solar requested the Fulton County Zoning Board of Appeals approve a change of property from Agriculture Conservation to Industrial zoning. The plans were to develop 32 acres within a much larger property parcel near Spoon River College and Lake Wee-Ma-Tuck in Canton. The company said they would have two pole buildings for the data center, which would be surrounded by ground-mount solar panels to provide all the energy needed and a closed-loop cooling system. During the hearing the company was asked repeatedly about water withdrawal and noise levels. Donato Solar did not have a lease or ownership of the property and replied to questions saying that negotiations for the land were moving forward. That resulted in the Zoning Board voting “no” on the request.

The workshop, “Cybersecurity in the Age of AI: Protecting Your Business in a Changing World,” will be presented by Tahir M. Khan, associate professor in the Department of Computer Sciences and interim director of the WIU Cybersecurity Center at Western Illinois University.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to change how businesses operate, it also creates new opportunities to improve cybersecurity and protect important information. Understanding these changes can help businesses make informed decisions, protect their data and create safer digital workplaces.

During the workshop, attendees will learn how to identify cybersecurity risks, understand how AI is changing online security and explore practical ways to protect their businesses.

Topics will include protecting private information, recognizing potential fraud and using effective strategies to keep business systems and data secure.

The workshop is designed for business owners, employees and professionals who want to strengthen their cybersecurity knowledge and take steps to protect their organizations as technology continues to evolve.

Admission is free for Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce members and $10 for nonmembers.

Registration is available at bit.ly/ChamberCyber. For more information, contact the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce at info@macombareachamber.com.

Following an almost 40-minute discussion on the termination of the district's contract with the Regional Office of Education #26 for its ALOP program, a motion to stop participating in the mentorship initiative failed in a 6-1 vote at Monday evening's Macomb Community Unit School District (MCUSD) No. 185 Board of Education meeting. Larry Adams cast the lone "yes" vote to stop the program after this school year.

Superintendent Mark Twomey advocated to terminate the district's participation in the program because of the cost. He explained that the $250,000 a year to take part impacts the school's Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) from the state. If the program was no longer part of the district, that $250,000 would be restored, Twomey stated. ALOP (Alternative Learning Opportunities Program), which is funded through the Illinois State Board of Education EBF program, has provided two student advocates at Macomb Middle School and Macomb High School since 2024. Each advocate has a case load of up to 32 students who have been identified as needing a boost in order to be academically successful. Students are referred to the program, and with parent/ guardian consent, the student advocates will meet with their students on a weekly basis to check in (and more as needed) and review the student's success plans and goals set at the beginning of the year, provide academic assistance when concerns arise and serve as a resource. According to Mandy Kreps of ROE26, the program addresses the most common concerns that most school districts face, and as such, it provides more intensive support to at-risk students as the advocates are dedicated to this mission.

Board Member Kristin Terry kicked off the discussion, sharing that she has been contacted by parents who are concerned about the district discontinuing the program. Board Member Emily Sutton said before the motion to terminate the program, which was later made by Adams, she'd like to see more data on the impact the program is having – or not having – on students.

Board Member Robin Severs also asked if the motion could be tabled so more information could be provided for the Board to further evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Board Member Justice Keene added that he doesn't want to see students left behind.

During the discussion, Twomey told the Board that when the Regional Office of Education asked Macomb and Canton to pilot ALOP because they are the two largest districts in the ROE, they were told it would be "almost free."

Because of the district's participation, he said Macomb received about $250,000 less in EBF because that money went to the ROE instead, along with the ROE's additional EBF funding.

"A 2020 change gave ROEs a code that treats them like school districts in the funding formula. ALOP now draws more than $100 million a year from EBF statewide," he stated. "About 100 districts dropped from Tier 2 schools back to Tier 1 last year, which I attribute to the funding of ALOP.

"I don't have anything bad to say about ALOP as a program, I just object to how it is funded," Twomey added.

"Continued support is unconscionable for me as a superintendent. But in the end, it's up to the Board."

Sutton also noted that the safety research she had done points to more adults working one-on-one with students who have needs, which is what the advocates do.

"What if this is a super successful program and we don't know it?," she asked. "If it is, it is worth a quarter of a million dollars."

Currently, ALOP will remain in place until the end of the 2026-2027 school year. If the district decides to no longer participate, the contract will be terminated in May 2027.

Twomey urged an early decision so staff and families can plan. The matter will be brought up again at the November Board of Education meeting.

District Transportation Video Update: Investigation Leads to Discovery of Issue with Current Video Monitoring System on School Buses In other business, the superintendent shared that following a discipline issue last month on a bus carrying the football team, the district uncovered an issue with the video recording system on the bus. Parent Karen May had filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the transportation video from the bus on Sept. 4 and Sept. 11; however, when the video was pulled for another behavior incident unrelated to the football team, the video stream started over, which deleted video from Sept. 4 and 11, he explained.

Three football players were disciplined after allegations that some team members possessed alcohol on a bus following an out-of-town game. This led the administration to pull the video, only to find a glitch in the system. As a result, the district is purchasing a new wireless video system that will allow video to be stored for at least 45 days, and have the availability to be downloaded directly to the transportation manager's computer.

"I want to start by saying the incident on the bus was thoroughly investigated and the case is closed.

It was during that investigation, officials found what the official called a material weakness in our transportation camera system," Twomey explained during the meeting.

"Each bus has its own DVR, and under the current setup, when staff pull a DVR to download video and then put it back, it starts recording over again so anything other than what you downloaded is lost."

The new system is expected to be put into place within the next two weeks.

Board Action

The Board accepted the audit for FY26, which ended June 30, and approved Title 1 improvement plans for Lincoln, Edison and Macomb Middle schools.

The school safety recommendations were set to be acted upon; however, the superintendent explained he is waiting on a few more pieces of information to present to the Board from Paul Timm, a nationally-known school safety expert who visited the district last month, along with a few other security-related professionals. The school safety recommendations will be brought forward for action at next month's Board of Education meeting.

Discussion Items & Strategic Plan Presentation Student of the Month

Marc Simmons, the son of Michelle and Robert Simmons, was selected as the September Senior of the Month.

Simmons is a four-year member, including two years as captain, of the MHS cross-country team; is a two-year member of the swim team; and a four-year member of the tennis team, serving as captain for three years. He is a member of the MHS Marching Band, and an active member of the Spanish Club, the Ping Pong Club and Student Council. He is a volunteer tennis and cross country coach for local youth camps, and has volunteered for numerous school activities. Simmons has earned numerous honors, including Tennis MVP Award and First Chair Award, among many others.

2027 School Board Election

Petitions to run for the MCUSD 185 Board of Education are now available at the Macomb School District Office, 325 W. Washington St., or from the Office of the McDonough County Clerk at the McDonough County Courthouse. The filing period is from Nov. 16-Nov. 23, with petitions due to the Clerk's Office by 4 p.m., Nov. 23.

School-Based Mental Health Services Update

Centerstone of Quincy has hired a therapist, and is currently conducting interviews for a second therapist, to provide mental health services to approximately 57 students in the district. The organization is funded through Medicaid and private insurance services, and is set to provide two licensed therapists to serve close to three percent of the district's students who are identified as needing mental health assistance. The sole responsibility for the district is to provide designated office space for the therapists, as well as space within each school building for their sessions with students.

Strategic Plan Presentation: Kaitlyn Bagley, Edison Reading Coach, and Sarah Nelson, Lincoln & Edison Math Coach Bagley and Nelson, through their work with students and teachers to improve reading and math literacy, told the school board Monday evening that Lincoln students in kindergarten, first and second grade showed growth in the first quarter. The pair also described how they work with teachers to build on what is taught in the classroom, and provide guidance and assistance to the teachers.

The pair attend grade-level team meetings at Lincoln, where the teachers go through test results to find skills students missed and plan how to reteach them, they explained. The coaches also sit in on intervention meetings, which are used to determine whether a student getting extra reading or math help should continue with the extra help, if they're improving or if a different approach is necessary. If students aren't showing growth after six weeks, the coaches develop a new plan.

The district is in its second year with its K-5 math curriculum and is adopting a new reading curriculum this year. Bagley said the goal is a common pathway and common language for students moving from MacArthur to Lincoln to Edison.

To measure the students' progress, Bagley and Nelson combine test scores with teachers' classroom observations to determine if there is improvement. During the first quarter, kindergarten students are showing a 23 point improvement in reading skills and a 14 point improvement in math skills and first graders have bumped their reading skills up 14 percent and math 12 percent, while second grade students have had an eight percent jump in reading improvement and a 10 percent increase in math.

The pair will present on the Edison coaching program at a future Board meeting.

The resolution passed Monday evening sets Nov. 17 for a public hearing on the Star Bond plan. The proposed economic development district, which totals 103 acres, is anchored by an indoor sports complex at the intersection of East Jackson Street and Bower Road. The resolution also identifies Russell Group Construction & Development of Davenport, IA as the project’s master developer. In order to apply for state funding the city has to have a master developer in place.

Sam Russell, whose father founded the company in 1983, was on hand to witness the council action. He said, “We believe in your vision and we’re excited to play a role.”

In other business, the City Council held a public hearing on its Illinois Environmental Protection Agency lead service project plan.

Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann said the city would begin the plan in March 2028. There are 656 lead-lined service pipes in Macomb, primarily in older homes and said 250 lines would be repaired each year for five years at a total cost of $23.2 million.

Ohrtman said Macomb received a starter grant of $1 million.

Mayor Mike Inman said, “There are ways of mitigating some of these costs.” A study by the consultants Baxter and Woodman indicates Macomb can apply for state revolving funds. There is an April 2037 deadline to replace the lead service lines.

Aldermen voted to authorize contract negotiations with A. Epstein and Sons to prepare a community travel plan to all schools. Ohrtmann said Macomb was awarded a $100,000 Safe Routes to School grant and that an additional $100,000 grant has been budgeted. She said Epstein would prioritize all routes and cite sidewalks that need attention.

The council approved three grant awards from the Residential Rehabilitation Program: Helen Thorpe will receive up to $5,000 from the East Side Tax Increment Finance District to replace the porch and deck at the rear of 1501 E. Pierce St. and remodel three bedroom windows; Thorpe will also receive up to $2,132 from the East Side TIF to remodel three bedroom windows at 513 N. Scotland, and Kali Shelton will receive up to $5,000 from the West Side TIF for siding, roofing and new gutters at 336 W. Jefferson St.

Aldermen also approved the purchase of a small property east of Thorpe Park for $1,500 to be used for overflow parking.

The Levy discussed was set at PTELL rate of 2.7% increase. In monetary funding would equal $368,458.

Markley discussed the changes to the corporate fund to be increased by $3,924 and the general assistance to be increased by $5,019. She said the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund contribution would be reduced by $1,000 and the liability insurance fund would also be reduced by $1,000.

Markley said she would also increase the audit fee $1,000. A final action will taken at the next Township meeting, scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16.

City Township Assessor Glenda Bryan told the board change of assessment letters have been sent out. Bryan also said the deadline for any appeals is Nov. 10 and those applications for appeals should be turned in to the Supervisor of Assessments Office in the County Courthouse.

There are many reasons people fall into the political camps that they do: historical ties to one party, focus on a particular issue, or generally liking one approach over another.

For those who like: endless wars that sap tens of billions of our tax dollars, high gas prices—even higher diesel prices, tariff-related price increases, higher healthcare costs, higher insurance premiums, high mortgage interest rates, huge government deficits, 1,100 acre data centers swallowing our farmland, unregulated AI, and tech billionaires, then vote Republican.

If you like supporting Russia in its war with Ukraine, hamstringing Ukraine’s defenses, and sending tens of thousands of U.S. service members to fight yet another war in the Middle East, then vote Republican.

If you like the apparent corruption of Trump administration officials and the endless breaking of the law, then vote Republican.

But if you don’t like higher gas prices, inflation, a war in the Middle East, and unchecked data centers and AI, then consider voting Democrat.

I don’t agree with all the bits and pieces of the Democratic party, but I want a change. The Democrats are not blameless. They have pushed up deficits too, and sometimes I think they go too far. But the Democrats are the only choice we have now for moving beyond this chaos. I don’t want tech billionaires, an increasingly incoherent President, and a do-nothing Congress making decisions about our future. It’s obvious that the general welfare of the people is last on their list of concerns.

I’m not voting for any of Mr. Trump’s enablers. I’m voting for those who will work for the people. I’m voting for Democratic candidates. Richard Chamberlain Colchester, Illinois

During the Oct. 12 Colchester Fire Protection District Board of Trustees meeting, newly-appointed Chief Jared Dixon, and fellow firefighter Corey Bueker, resigned from their posts at a Colchester Fire Protection District meeting following a purported inappropriate remark made by a prospective trustee. A special meeting was held Wednesday, Oct. 21 where the Board voted to accept Dixon’s resignation. The Board also unanimously voted to appoint CFD Assistant Chief Michael Dewitt, who is a full-time Macomb firefighter, as the interim chief.

Following the Oct. 12 meeting where Dixon had verbally resigned, The Community News Brief (CNB) reached out to Dixon for further comment. He stated he did not wish to speak on the matter; however, he provided his official letter of resignation to the CNB last Saturday. Dixon said in his letter that "… this is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. It has been a true passion of mine to serve as a firefighter and emergency medical technician in my community."

"It is difficult to walk away but I know in my heart that it is the right thing to do for my mental and physical health. I can no longer tolerate the conflict between the board of trustees and the department members," he continued.

Dixon thanked Altenbern and Cale for their service on the Board, and firefighter Rodger Hodges for recruiting him to the department.

However, the former chief pointed to Weaver as one of the reasons for tendering his resignation.

"The continued disrespect to the department during recent events has ended my desire to be a member of this department," he concluded. "It has been an honor serving you (the Colchester community) for the last eight years. The members of the department should not have to fight with the Board of Trustees to better the department and become compliant with governmental agency standards. It should be a team effort for improvement, not a fight on every front."

Dixon was also present at the Oct. 21 meeting; however, he did not speak during public comments and had nothing further to add after the meeting. His letter of resignation was read aloud by Fire Board Interim Chair Mike Weaver, who had been singled out in much of the letter, to start the meeting following public comments.

Several members of the department, which is composed of 15-19 volunteer firefighters, were present at Wednesday’s special meeting. The Colchester Fire Protection District is led by a volunteer board whose members are appointed by the McDonough County Board. Besides Weaver, other trustees include Debbie Cale, treasurer; Steve Altenbern, and prospective trustee John Purdy.

Oct. 12 CFD Meeting Leads to Chief’s Resignation Weaver said Dixon, who was not present at the Oct. 12 as he was currently on shift in his role as a McDonough County Sheriff's deputy, entered the meeting to ask what was going on after a firefighter contacted him about a remark made by prospective trustee Tim Smith, who has since withdrawn his nomination. Weaver said Smith apologized to the firefighter, and told Weaver he would no longer seek the appointment.

Weaver also noted he would not have allowed the appointment to move forward had Smith not bowed out.

"I paused the meeting after the remark was made and told everyone present that it was inappropriate and comments like that were not allowed," Weaver explained. "While Tim apologized, she did state that if he was going to be a trustee, she would not continue with the department. He didn't want her to quit, so he returned his paperwork and took himself out of the running. County Board Chair Eric Blakeley was also made aware, and removed Tim from consideration."

According to Weaver, when Dixon arrived after the initial exchange, after some backand- forth, he verbally presented his resignation. An official letter of resignation was later submitted to the board.

"When Jared interrupted the proceedings (on Oct. 12), I told him he was out of line.

He told the trustees he'd had enough of this department and we'd have his resignation the next day," Weaver said. "I did not ask for his resignation, and when he verbally resigned of his own accord, we took him for his word."

Dixon was appointed chief in July after the resignation of former chief Robert (Robbie) Phelps, who had served as chief for 26 years. Dixon had been a member of the Colchester Fire Protection District since October 2018. He served as a captain under the Phelpses before being promoted to the assistant fire chief. In June, Dixon had brought forward to the Board allegations, reportedly from other members of the department, about Phelps and his brother, Michael, who served as an assistant chief.

A financial audit by a Macomb CPA, along with the district's attorney reviewing books and other paperwork, resulted in no findings against Phelps. Neither Robbie, nor Michael, nor any other member of the department, has been charged with any wrongdoing. The matter has since been turned over to the Illinois State Police for review; however, the ISP is unable to share at this time if an official investigation will move forward.

Oct. 21 Public Comments

A handful of individuals spoke during the public comments portion of the Oct. 21 meeting, including McDonough County Sheriff Nick Petitgout, who apologized on behalf of the sheriff's office and the county for the conduct of his deputy at the board's previous meeting.

"I know some things happened at the last meeting involving my deputy. He was in uniform, and he and I are going to work that out. I will apologize on behalf of the sheriff's office and the county. That's why I'm here,” the sheriff said. “A public meeting is a public meeting, you're supposed to conduct yourself in a certain way.”

Dixon’s parents, Susan and Todd Dixon, also spoke, with Susan noting the Board should not have allowed Joe Campbell (the former Board chair) to take part when the two people accused in the alleged missing property concerns were his stepsons. She accused the board of trying to cover up the losses.

"You are called the Board of Trustees, and I have lost the trust and respect for you.

Mike, you yourself said we all need to do better. Do what is right for this department, and let people who want to work to improve and work with the members get on this board. I think you should respectfully step down," Dixon said.

Todd Dixon also added, “first off, Jared knows he stepped out of line, but it's pretty pathetic that we had to come to this.” He asked numerous questions during his comments, which are not answered during the public comments section of a meeting, noting “the taxpayers deserve answers."

EMT Carter Willdrick spoke to assure Colchester residents that the department's level of care has not changed. He said four members who are currently serving as EMTs are also in classes to become certified firefighters.

"We are trained, and we will provide the best care we can for everybody," Willdrick said.

Upcoming Events: 10/24 – Mystery Dinner “Sock Hop” at the VFW 10/24 – Bushnell Christian Church Trunk or Treat 4-6pm @ the church 10/27 – Friends Feeding Friends at the CCC 4:30-6:30 proceeds to EMS and Bushnell Fire and Rescue 10/30 – VFW Trunk or Treat – East Park 5-8pm 11/21 – Noodles and Neighbors at the CCC, details below A warm fall meal for our Community – Friends Feeding Friends is happening! Enjoy a comforting menu of Pork Roast, potatoes, green bean casserole and cinnamon roll on Oct. 27 at the Community Christian Center. Donations accepted but not expected. All are welcome – every income, every neighbor. Come for food, fellowship and a place where neighbors become friends. Proceeds to benefit the EMS and Bushnell Fire and Rescue.

Halloween is almost upon us – I see lots of great yards around town with fabulous decorations, spooky and sweet, trick or treat! A few things to remember if you have ghosts and goblins at your door – they are there for the treats and not the judgement. Trick or Treaters come in all shapes and ages. Halloween trick or treating for the City of Bushnell are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 & 31 from 6-8 pm. Please leave your light on if you want to treat our ghosts and goblins in town! Please keep in mind – The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy, might have poor fine motor skills; The child who does not say “Trick or Treat” or “Thank You” might be nonverbal; The child who looks disappointed when they see your bowl might have an allergy; The child who isn’t wearing a costume, might have sensory processing disorder or autism; The person who looks too old to be trick or treating, might be developmentally delayed. Please be accepting, patient and kind. Also, only stop and knock on those houses with lights on and/or inviting decorations up. The Bushnell Haunted House is up and running, and a scare you can’t miss! It’s located at The Pigg Farm, south of Bushnell, 20320 N. 1700th Road. Admission is $10 and open Oct.23 & 24 and Oct. 30 & 31 from 7-11pm. Stop by if you dare!

Election day is fast approaching folks. Vote for whoever YOU think will do the job at hand. Research those candidates and their beliefs. It’s important to vote for YOUR choice and your vote is needed. There are a lot of local elections being decided and your vote could make the difference for our state and Community. Bushnell’s polling place is the Recreation Center, please take the time to get out and vote!

On Saturday, Nov. 21 – “Noodles and Neighbors – A Night of Thanksgiving” is happening at the Community Christian Center in Bushnell. Dinner is at 5:30 pm with Anticipation Ministries playing at 6 p.m. The dinner menu includes: Chicken and Noodles, Beef and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Smothered Green Beans, Coleslaw and Dinner Rolls and Deserts provided by the congregation. Everyone is welcome! Come enjoy a delicious meal, uplifting music and a time of fellowship as we give thanks together!

Take care and be safe – Robin Wilt

McDonough District Hospital's Board of Directors voted 5-1 at its monthly meeting held Oct. 19 to approve a resolution authorizing the sale of hospital district land at Candy Lane and Grant Street in Macomb to Jackson and Lauren Kane for $82,800.

Board Chair Dan O'Neill described the property as two acres. No one spoke during the public hearing on the sale, which opened the meeting.

Lauren Kane, thanked the board "for considering that and for your patience with the process."

"She and her husband have a grand plan for that property," O'Neill said. He did not describe the plan.

Board member Ryan Riggins asked whether the board had already voted on the sale. O'Neill said it had. A hospital staff member said the board had previously agreed to, or voted on, the price, and the resolution was a separate action.

Members Seth Minter, Kathy Newman, O'Neill, JoEllen Pensinger and Riggins voted yes, with Jere Greuel being the only ‘no’ vote.

After the vote, Greuel raised a point of order and asked whether the sale required a two-thirds vote. Kim Thorman, administrative assistant, said the board has eight members, a quorum is five, and six directors were present.

Radiation Oncology's Future Interim CEO Wanda Foster said HSHS has decided to sell the radiation oncology building three doors west of the hospital at 401 E. Grant Street. She said hospital officials planned to tour the suite later in the week with two other regional CEOs "to look at any opportunities that there may be there."

Foster said the hospital hopes the current provider can stay. She believed he has practiced there since 2009.

O'Neill said medical staff strongly favor keeping the service.

"If somebody comes up with a few million bucks, we'll be more than happy to accommodate them, but it's a very expensive undertaking," he said.

Dr. Mary Kathleen Lockard, who gave the medical staff report, said many physicians have patients who use the service and the general consensus is that "it would be a loss for the community to lose that." Foster concurred and said the cost makes it uncertain whether buying the operation or a new machine is in the hospital's best interest.

Other updates

• Hospital officials continue meeting with the hospital's EMS group about ambulance service and hope to reach a resolution within the next month.

• The hospital is in discussions to provide wound care at Culbertson Hospital, starting at a half-day per week.

• Demolition of the MDH Medical Arts Building, the former office space east of the hospital, began Monday. Foster said she did not know of a plan for the site beyond clearing it.

CEO Search

Pensinger, who reported for the CEO search committee, said the search firm will finish interviews Monday, Oct. 26. She said the firm plans to present its top eight candidates to the committee on Nov. 2.

The committee will cut the list to five for two-hour interviews, then to three finalists, Pensinger said. Finalists will visit the hospital and Macomb in December.

Pensinger said the committee plans to bring the board a final recommendation the week of Dec. 14.

She said every candidate has rural hospital leadership experience. The willingness to relocate to the Macomb area is a non-negotiable for the committee.

Revenue Cycle Team Reports Wins

Vice President Brittany Doll, who leads the hospital's revenue cycle steering committee, said the committee has been celebrating a few "wins" lately.

First, the number of days between a patient's discharge and a final bill dropped from about 11 or 12 in July to 7.4 last week.

The dollar value of discharged but unbilled accounts fell from $1.55 million on Monday last week to about $387,000 that Friday.

Doll reported that Terry Hostert and the group have added new error types to its weekly registration error report so staff can catch inaccurate patient registrations before bills go out. She said an inaccurate registration leads to a denial, and fixing a registration up front is easier than working a denial afterward.

She said the hospital is near the final steps to hopefully post coding positions to bring coding back in-house from an outside vendor, which she called "very expensive" and which offers little support for the local economy, or quality control on the hospital side.

Provider coding education is also coming, Doll said. "Hopefully, by the end of the year, we'll at least have the kickoff." An outside company will train 29 providers on both the clinic and hospital sides in new coding regulations and specialty coding. Doll said it is "really nice when we can come together as a group" to work collaboratively and support physicians.

"I'm finally starting to feel more confident since July.

Employees are involved and bringing ideas forward," Doll said. She is also getting more messages and emails asking whether she knew about one issue or another. "And to me, that's a sign that people are invested," she said.

The board also approved an updated banking resolution on a 6-0 roll call vote, then went into closed session to discuss personnel and collective bargaining matters. No action was taken.

The next meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 16 at 5:30 pm in the MDH Board room.

Back when Griswold was a junior at Southeastern High School, she joined the Hancock County CEO program, looking to start some kind of business. Because of her softball experience, that became the genesis for her business, Zoey’s Zone, which involves pitching lessons for young girls, aiming at the 10 year old and under set, developing both their skills and their enthusiasm for the game itself.

“Outside of school with softball, I was always a pitcher,” Griswold said. “So I decided to do some pitching lessons.”

After high school, she went to Saint Louis Community College and was pitching for the team when fate intervened.

“I had some elbow issues. I had to get surgery which took me out of my own softball career,” she explained.

Pitching lessons blossomed into full range coaching, including forming a 10 and under team, under the Legacy name.

“I grew up in Plymouth and wanted to play travel softball. Then there wasn’t a lot of opportunity for me around the area. Locally, there weren’t really any teams for me to join,” she noted.

With that in mind, along with some help from her father, Chad Griswold, she decided to change that.

“I think it’s kind of cool to bring something to Plymouth and then, like Hancock County in general, that we haven’t really ever had before,” Griswold shared. “Growing up, I always kind of wished I had that opportunity. So it’s really nice to be able to give the girls in our community, like from my old high school and just from Hancock County in general, to give them that opportunity that I wish I had back when I was their age growing up playing.”

Coaching a team of her own was just a part of the story. She also became the pitching coach for the West Prairie/Southeastern softball co-op. This fall, Griswold brought two tournament events to Chris Miller Memorial Ballpark in Plymouth. She credited parents with being huge in the effort.

“The parents are a huge part of the fundraising part of it,” Griswold said. “They do everything as far as the food and getting everything we need for that to go so well. They do a great job with that.”

Griswold’s adversity also has played a role in her career choice.

“I’ll get my exercise science degree (at WIU) and go to QU for their physical therapy program. So I’ll be in school a bit longer for that,” she added.

Even after she gets her physical therapy professional degree, Griswold has no intention of stopping coaching.

“Coaching is for sure something I want to keep doing on the side of everything,” she said.

Visit “Zoey’s Zone” on Facebook for more information.

I’ve been working cleaning up the garden, and cutting unwanted brush along some fences. The autumn olive and wild honeysuckle are really a problem. While the birds are happy to eat the red berries, I’m unhappy that the growth of the two species are taking over the woods, and are a real nuisance in the fence rows. Birds spread the berry seed!

I have only seen one wooly worm to get a prediction of upcoming winter weather. It had a black head and the rest of it was brown. Someone asked me if I was sure it was its head that was black, and yes it was unless it was crawling backwards. Anyway, from the wooly worm forecast I predict a mild winter. However, the picture of I have of 5 doesn’t show that color of black and then all the rest of the worm is brown, so don’t count on me.

I saw the huge pile of corn on the ground at the shuttle east of town. On an errand drive to Adair FS, I saw so many trucks dumping corn and it was transferring to the pile outside. Farm Week headlines yesterday were “Grain storage capacity ample this harvest.”

Farm Week “urges documenting dyed diesel use on roads.” That is the red dyed diesel and there is a lot of confusion about paying the road taxes.

Well, now I come down to me driving a car I traded for.

It’s not new, it’s used but is “different.” I hadn’t driven at night, but a couple weeks ago when I was getting ready to leave Macomb it was dark! I decided I should put on the dome light to help me find the keys I had dropped. I was pushing all kinds of buttons, and finally got one of the dome lights to come on, found the keys, tried to shut it off by pushing the button, tried another button and the sun roof began to open!

I got it closed again and decided to just drive home with the dome light on and read the “book” then. One final try found I had to push the dome light harder to get it to shut off. l tell you that story in case you see a car driving with the dome light on...it’s me.

Oh, my niece from Texas stayed overnight on her way to Princeville. We were visiting about the windmills that have gone up around the area, and she related this story. She said she was driving near her home in Texas, and had a friend in the car who looked at the windmills and said, “You know, I bet those people living near them are really uncomfortable because those big blades turning would make it so much colder for them.”

Hadn’t thought of that!

Sharon Chenoweth is a resident and farmer of McDonough County. Her column focuses on rural life and will be featured every other week in the Community News Brief Friday Edition.

Win. Hosting the program’s “Pink Night” activities for breast cancer awareness, the Spartans also took care of business on the court, defeating the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) from Jacksonville 25-14, 25-17.

It was B-PC’s first varsity win in 105 weeks, or 735 days. The last victory for the Spartans came on Oct. 12, 2024 when they defeated North Greene (White Hall) 25-17, 25-18 in tournament action at Beardstown.

ISD slipped to 8-13 with Monday’s loss. After pushing three matches to three sets in recent competition, B-PC won the opening set in a match for the first time all season before completing the sweep in set two.

Stats for the Spartans included the following: Brynlee Beekman – 16 set assists, 3 kills and 2 digs Kendyl McCleery – 3 kills and 4 service aces Justice Klinedinst – 9 kills, 10 digs, 1 service ace and 1 set assist Mylee Chenoweth – 20 digs, 1 kill and 1 service ace Jules Kreps – 14 digs, 1 kill, 1 service ace and 2 set assists Aubrey English – 5 digs and 1 kill Jada Bell – 3 digs Hazel Farwell – 1 kill, 1 block and 1 dig Bailey Joiner – 1 kill and 1 service ace Amelia Carley – 1 dig The Spartans (1-27) will head to Liberty for Illinois High School Association Class 1A Regional that begins Oct. 26.

B-PC, the No. 15 seed, faces No. 2 seed Barry Western (23-5) at 6 p.m. before No. 7 seed Payson-Seymour (14-18) faces No. 10 seed Camp Point Central (7-20).

The following day, No. 3 seed Liberty (24-6) will play No. 14 seed Griggsville-Perry/Meredosia-Chambersburg (2-22) prior to No. 6 Rushville-Industry (18-12) facing No. 11 seed Brown County (10-15) for the third time this season.

The semifinals are slated for Oct. 28 with the title contest scheduled for Oct. 29.

The regional champion advances to sectional play at Concord Triopia that begins Nov. 3. Regional champions from Augusta Southeastern, Greenview and Franklin will join the Liberty winner in battling to reach the Elite Eight.

On Monday, Macomb lost at Liberty (24-6) 25-16, 25-18.

Stats for the Bombers included the following: Clairissa Thompson – 2 kills Anistyn Lovell – 2 kills, 7 digs and 13 set assists Reva Koeppen – 9 kills and 7 digs Jersee Mills – 4 kills, 2 total blocks and 12 digs Myleigh Lovell – 2 service aces and 4 digs Ashtyn Shoopman – 2 total blocks Kate Rector – 4 digs Emery Mealiff – 2 digs On Tuesday, Macomb defeated Mendon Unity for the second time this season, notching a 25-17, 25-19 road win over the Mustangs (10-19).

Stats for the Bombers included the following: Graham – 7 kills Anistyn Loverll – 2 kills, 2 digs and 24 set assists Koeppen – 9 kills Mills – 7 kills and 5 digs Shoopman – 4 kills Rector – 2 service aces and 3 set assists Mealier – 5 service aces Myleigh Lovell – 10 digs The Bombers (17-12) wrap up the regular season this weekend, heading to Quincy for tournament action Friday and Saturday.

Macomb is scheduled to face Breese Mater Dei (25-3) and Lincoln (6-20) on Friday before playing Rochester (23-6) and Troy Triad (17-10) on Saturday.

On Oct. 26, the Bombers will head to Carthage to begin Illinois High School Association Class 2A Regional competition.

Macomb, the No. 7 seed, will face No. 9 seed Farmington (4-29) with the victor advancing to play No. 2 seed Quincy Notre Dame (22-9) in the first semifinal at Carthage on Oct. 27.

The second semifinal will have No. 3 seed Illini West (24-9) facing No. 6 seed PORTA/A-C Central (14-14).

The semifinal winners will play for the regional championship on Oct. 29 in Carthage with the victor advancing to sectional play in Farmington on Nov. 3.

Our Sports Coverage continues through page 22 in this issue.

Thanks for Reading!

This welcoming, hands‑on event offers participants the chance to exchange native seeds, learn practical techniques, and connect with others who care about restoring Illinois’ natural landscapes.

Locally collected seeds from a variety of prairie and woodland habitats will be available, and attendees are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and gather inspiration for their own native plantings. Expert Master Naturalists will be on site to share seed‑collecting tips, planting techniques, and guidance on choosing species that support pollinators and local ecosystems.

“This event began as just a get-together with friends who were interested in growing native landscapes to share what they had and what they have learned. I’m thrilled at how this effort has taken off. We are now in our 6th year, and last year more than 100 native species seeds were collected and shared.”

Said Cindy Owsley, Master Naturalist and host of the event.

Participants are invited to bring their collected native seeds to share, but participation does not require bringing seeds — everyone is welcome to join, learn, and take home native seeds to start or expand their landscape. Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch to enjoy while talking with other seed enthusiasts. Registration is required at go.illinois.edu/SeedShare. We will send the address and directions to registrants before the event.

The Native Seed Share is part of Extension’s ongoing commitment to community conservation and environmental education across west‑central Illinois. For more information on local conservation events and programming, visit illinoisextension. edu/HKMW.

The McDonough Choral Society has announced upcoming auditions for soloists to perform in its annual presentation of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.”

In-person auditions will take place Oct. 26 and Oct. 28 at Wesley United Methodist Church, located in Macomb. Audition material will consist of solo selections from Part I of “Messiah,” which covers the nativity and prophecy sections of Handel’s famous oratorical work.

For vocalists unable to attend the in-person sessions, video auditions are also being accepted via email through Oct. 26.

Selected soloists will participate in a dress rehearsal scheduled for Dec. 7, leading up to the main concert performance on Dec. 14 at Wesley United Methodist Church.

Interested singers can sign up for an audition slot or find submission details by scanning the QR code featured on the McDonough County Choral Society’s official announcement flyer or by contacting organization organizers.

I’m 49, single, and I’m debt-free except for my home. I just found my dream car from when I was a kid. It’s a studio-accurate KITT car from the old television series “Knight Rider.” It’s a replica, not one of the cars they used on the show, and the price is $52,000. I make $120,000 a year, plus bonuses. My net worth is a little over $1 million, including home equity, 401(k) and about $110,000 in liquid savings.

Part of me is a little hesitant to buy it, because of how hard I worked to save up the money. What do you think?

Can I afford the car?

Matt

Dear Matt,

This is so cool, man! If I remember, the car in the original “Knight Rider” series was a modified 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, right? I’m a car guy, so trust me, I understand what you’re feeling right now. I love shiny things with wheels that make lots of noise.

But, I’ve got to be honest with you, man. Right now, $52,000 is a fairly big chunk of money in your situation.

Here’s what I’m measuring this against, and I’m going to use a burn-the-moneyin- a firepit scenario. If you use $52,000 to start a fire in your firepit, are you going to feel it financially? Does your life change dramatically?

Maybe not, but you’d be down to about half of your liquidity.

And, we’re talking about a very unusual collectible here. By comparison, I’ve got a buddy who collects cars, and he’s got one that was actually used and driven in the Tom Cruise movie “Days of Thunder.”

I’m afraid the resale value on the car you’re talking about — because it’s a replica — would be pretty small. And that might be a problem in terms of any valuation of it in the future. Can you “afford” it?

Technically, yes. The only thing is the price represents a large amount of your savings. Still, it’s not going to cause you to go bankrupt, especially with your income and overall financial situation.

So, when it comes right down to it, you can blow $52,000 and still be okay.

You’ve worked hard, saved big and earned it. Enjoy your KITT!

— Dave *Leadership and small-business expert Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored eight national bestselling books, including EntreLeadership, and is a host of The Ramsey Show and The EntreLeadership Podcast.

Each year, the Chamber recognizes outstanding contributions through three awards: Business of the Year, Service Organization/ Non-Profit of the Year, and Citizen of the Year. The Chamber Board of Directors will review nominations and select recipients.

Anyone may submit a nomination. Nominees should be recognized for their contributions to the Macomb area community in 2026.

The award categories recognize the following: Business of the Year: A Chamber-member business in the Macomb area that demonstrates qualities such as growth, innovation, excellent customer service, employee development, or community involvement.

Service Organization/ Non-Profit of the Year: A Chamber-member organization that makes a meaningful community impact through innovative or exemplary services and a positive environment for staff or volunteers.

Citizen of the Year:

An individual who demonstrates professional excellence, leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

Nominees must meet the eligibility requirements for their respective categories. Self-nominations are not permitted. Previous award winners are generally ineligible for three years.

Written nominations should be emailed to steven@macombareachamber. com no later than November 27, 2026. Those submitting nominations in multiple categories must send a separate email for each award.

The Chamber encourages community members to take this opportunity to recognize those whose work, service, and dedication help make the Macomb area a stronger place to live and work.

For more information about the awards or nomination eligibility, contact Steven Brody, Executive Director of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, at steven@macombareachamber. com.

Let’s look at these areas of need and some possible protection solutions:

• Protecting your income – An injury or severe illness could prevent you from working for some time.

And if that happened, your family’s finances could become strained. To help guard against this possibility, you may want to consider disability income insurance.

Your employer may offer some type of coverage, but it’s likely to be short term and may not be enough to help close the income gap you might face, so you may want to consider purchasing your own policy.

• Protecting your family – If you were no longer around, how would your family’s lifestyle be affected?

Could they stay in the same house? Could your children afford college or another type of post-secondary education? If you have adequate life insurance, the answer to these questions can be “yes.” Again, you might get some coverage from your employer, but it may be insufficient, so you may want to explore additional protection through a personal policy. In determining how much coverage you’ll need, you’ll want to weigh several factors: size of mortgage and other debts, number of children, spouse’s income and needs, and the legacy you’d like to leave.

• Protecting your goals – You may have some important financial goals, such as sending your children to college and achieving a comfortable retirement. To protect these goals, you’ll need strategies to help prepare for them, which could include investing in an education savings plan and contributing regularly to your IRA and 401(k) or other retirement plans.

• Protecting your financial independence – Hopefully, you will be able to remain financially independent your entire life. But this independence could be threatened by the need for some type of long-term care. Consider this: A private room in a nursing home costs, on average, more than $116,000 a year, while the services of a home health aide are more than $75,000 a year, according to Genworth, an insurance company.

Medicare generally does not cover these costs or types of needs and would typically only pay for a short period. You might be left with significant bills or creditors and possibly dependent on family or loved ones.

To help protect yourself from these threats, you may want to consult with a financial professional, who can offer long-term care solutions.

• Protecting your legacy – When you work hard your whole life, you may want to leave something behind to your loved ones. A comprehensive estate plan can help ensure your family — and the charitable groups you support — will receive the resources you’d like them to have. An estate plan can be somewhat complex, involving various documents and arrangements, including a will, living trust and various powers of attorney, so you’ll need to work with a qualified legal advisor, and possibly your financial professional.

As we’ve seen, “protection” can take many forms.

So, try to follow all the protection strategies you need to enjoy the life you’ve envisioned for yourself and your family.

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C., Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C., and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.