Rich Egger

4 days ago | tspr.org | Rich Egger

Macomb will get some outside help as it looks to create a Business Development District. The city council agreed to hire the Illinois-based firm Jacob and Klein, LTD. The firm specializes in helping Illinois communities create and manage Tax Increment Finance districts and other business incentive programs, such as BDDs.Mayor Mike Inman said the state law to create these districts is complicated. The firm will help ensure the city does everything correctly.

5 days ago | tspr.org | Rich Egger

Ryan Taylor and Nicole Kehrer were interested in buying an old church building. They wanted a place they could call home, and a place where they also could create art. They found what they were looking for in western Illinois. Unloved propertiesTaylor said the couple from Denver, Colo., spent more than five years talking about buying an old church building. They spent three years actively looking. “We had been looking all around the country for a church to give some love to,” he said.

1 week ago | tspr.org | Rich Egger

A McDonough County judge sentenced a Macomb woman to what amounts to time served for the February 7, 2023, stabbing death of her husband. Judge Nigel Graham sentenced Portia Garrison, now 30, to four years in prison. She is required to serve 50% of the sentence, with credit for the 844 days she has already served in the McDonough County jail. She was also ordered to pay $9,762 in restitution to the family of the victim, Ricky Haymer, 27.

1 week ago | tspr.org | Rich Egger

The demolition of more dilapidated houses around Macomb should begin by the end of June. The city council agreed to hire Macomb-based Stoneking and Sons Demolition and Excavating to demolish up to 23 houses. The company submitted the low bid of $153,000. Three other businesses also submitted bids. Second ward city council member John Vigezzi said it will be nice to see dilapidated houses torn down.

1 week ago | tspr.org | Rich Egger

A man who was a suspect in the murder of a Colchester woman early this year has taken his own life. Erick Warren Spears, 35, called the county’s emergency dispatch center at around 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, saying he was suicidal. McDonough County Sheriff Nick Petitgout said deputies went to his home and tried to contact him. They then entered the apartment and found his body. Spears lived at 596 N.