Dylan Smith

1 day ago | wgem.com | Dylan Smith

MACOMB (WGEM) - A demographic “cliff” is forcing many colleges and universities across the U.S. to adjust for the future, including Western Illinois University. “In a sense, it’s population decline,” said WIU President Kristi Mindrup. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, college enrollment rates of recent high school graduates between 16 and 24-years-old are at a ten year low with roughly 61% enrolled as of Oct. 2023.

4 days ago | wgem.com | Dylan Smith

BUSHNELL, Ill. (WGEM) - A new restaurant is opening in Bushnell Wednesday morning. Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Kim Pierce confirmed a ribbon cutting will be held at 10:45 a.m. for Archie’s. Pierce said the Archie’s is located in the former Dairy Queen building at 139 Green St. and is an expansion of a business in nearby Fulton County. Pierce said the owners renovated the building that had sat empty for a few years.

1 week ago | wgem.com | Dylan Smith

MACOMB (WGEM) - A woman who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection to stabbing and killing her husband was sentenced to four years in the Illinois Dept. of Corrections Friday morning. Portia Garrison, 33, must serve 50% of the sentence, however, she gets credit for the 844 days she’s spent in the McDonough County Jail. McDonough County State’s Attorney Matt Kwacala said Garrison will essentially check in and then check out of the IDOC.

1 week ago | wgem.com | Dylan Smith

MACOMB (WGEM) - With the Illinois legislative session coming to a close on Saturday, May 31, one bill up for discussion is one that would allow some community colleges the ability to offer bachelor’s degrees. Introduced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in February, the bill has a target population of prospective students who can’t afford to go to a four-year university.

1 week ago | wgem.com | Dylan Smith

COLCHESTER, Ill. (WGEM) - McDonough County Sheriff Nick Petitgout has confirmed that the man who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Saturday, May 24 was a suspect in a homicide case that has gone on for over four months. Petitgout said law enforcement developed 35-year-old Eric M. Warren-Spears as a suspect roughly one month ago. According to Petitgout, Warren-Spears called 911 on Saturday around 7 a.m. and said he was suicidal and armed with a gun.