Local Specials

Monmouth College Students Eat Local Year Round

Scott Stuntz — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:26:55 +0000

In the Midwest eating local can seem easy during the summer when farmer’s markets are full of produce. In the winter though, eating locally can be a bit more challenging.

Nonetheless several Monmouth College students are trying to do just that.

The Macomb School Superintendent Finalists

Rich Egger — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 01:31:04 +0000

The three finalists to be Macomb’s next school superintendent have all been to town for interviews with the Board of Education, staff, and the community. Now it’s up to the board to decide who will be the district’s next leader.

New WIU Art Exhibit Explores Violence in Our Culture

Scott Stuntz — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:56:06 +0000

A new exhibit at the Western Illinois University Art gallery features images that might be most familiar from the news, including unmanned drones and Iraqi detainees.

Dominic Sansone uses theses images in his new show "It Shoots Further than We Dream" to explore the role of violence in our culture.

WIRC Holds Annual Project Santa

Scott Stuntz — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:33:58 +0000

During Christmas time, staff members at the Western Illinois Regional Council are especially busy. In addition to their regular jobs, they play the role of Santa and his elves.

The Council provides many things throughout the year for those in need. Help getting food, paying the heating bill, and keeping the lights on.

Turning Around the Downtown

Rich Egger — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 19:36:19 +0000

Macomb is getting ready to work on its courthouse square. Repairs will be made to the streets and possibly the infrastructure underneath. The project gives the city, businesses, and residents a rare opportunity to re-examine the square and ensure it remains vibrant for decades to come.

Independent Stores in an On-Line World

Rich Egger — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 18:51:06 +0000

Once upon a time, browsing through a book or record store was one of life’s simple pleasures. But now many people prefer to browse on-line, which is making it more difficult for independent stores to remain in business, especially in small towns.

But there are independent stores that are finding ways to keep the doors open. One example is Stone Alley Books & Collectibles in Galesburg. Owner Ben “Stone” Stomberg said he once sold comics on-line. But when the Walden Bookstore in town closed, he got a loan and a grant from the city and set up shop on Seminary Street.

“The Game of the Year”

Jason Parrott — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 05:08:57 +0000

Baseball teams from Macomb and Colchester were scheduled to play a five-game series in mid-1921.

The series was tied 2-2 after four games with the deciding 5^th game scheduled for September 11.

The game was played at the Macomb fairgrounds in front of more than 1,600 people.

The contest was about to begin when a car pulled up and three of the infamous Chicago Black Sox (Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ed Cicotte and Swede Risberg) got out and joined the Colchester team.

Farmers Face Drought, Regulations

Jason Parrott — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:58:35 +0000

Steve Newberry of rural Argyle has been farming all of his life. His farm is located down a winding, gravel road just a couple miles west of the Avenue of the Saints in Lee County.

Newberry says his farm has a little bit of everything, including about 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans, 150 head of cattle, and about 7,000 hogs split between two buildings.

He says his passion for farming starts with his love of cattle, likening it to someone who loves to go fishing.

Dig Reveals Info About The Morton Village

Rich Egger — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 21:26:34 +0000

People lived in the area between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers for hundreds of years before Columbus set sail across the Atlantic Ocean. Archeologists are trying to learn more about two particular groups and how they interacted.

The dig is taking place at the Morton Village site, which can be found in a grassy field on a bluff near the Illinois River in Fulton County. Researchers from Michigan State University have come here for the past five summers.

Thousands Show Up for Snake Alley Art Fair

Rich Egger — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 05:24:11 +0000

The Snake Alley Art Fair in Burlington started 45 years ago with just a few people selling work. They hung their art on snow fence that was set up along what's been called the most crooked street in the world.

This year the fair drew around 100 artists who set up booths not just on Snake Alley but also on the adjacent Heritage Hill streets.

They were joined by musicians, food and drink vendors, and thousands of art lovers looking to connect with a painting or a piece of jewelry or some other work of art.