Top Stories

There will be two run-off elections for Macomb city council seats.

The closest race in the February 26 primary took place in the Ward 2, where Western Illinois University student Steve Wailand edged incumbent Kay Hill, 17 to 16.

However, County Clerk Gretchen DeJaynes pointed out that in order to win outright in the Macomb primary, a candidate must earn 50% of the vote plus one. In the second ward, 33 votes were cast, which means 16.5 is equivalent to 50%. The “plus one” brings the threshold to 17.5 votes needed to win.

Victims’ advocates remain concerned about what will happen to a historic piece of legislation.

The USDA says it’s changing  the rules of its aid program commonly known as “food stamps” to help crack down on fraud.

The agency is expanding its legal definition of “trafficking” to crack down on people exchanging food stamp benefits for cash.

The McDonough County Sheriff’s Department said members of a Bushnell family face numerous methamphetamine-related charges after a search warrant was executed at their home early Sunday.

Those arrested at the house at 793 North Sperry Street are Virgil Raines, age 50; Brenda Raines, age 50; and Travis Raines, age 22.

The sheriff’s department said three others were arrested in Macomb: Daniel Raines, age 24; Timothy Raines, age 23; and Tiffany Raines, age 21.