Galesburg In Focus

State Representative Dan Swanson is joining with Seminary Estates, Hawthorne Inn and Seminary Manor of Seminary Village in Galesburg to host a FREE Veteran & Senior Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 12 at Galesburg Knights of Columbus, 1556 E. Fremont St. There will be health screenings on site, as well as nearly 40 vendors with helpful information about programs and services available to l...

Peoria native Andrew Driscoll was announced this week as the new Executive Director of The Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg.  Driscoll, a resident of Dunlap, has backgrounds both in theatre as an actor among other things, and in business as owner of "The MAXAM Building," among other ventures. Driscoll, who's already on the job at the Orpheum, says he thinks he can meld both backgrounds and make the th...

Amy Cokel, administrative assistant with Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center in Galesburg, joins Galesburg In Focus to discuss how the organization can assist survivors of domestic violence and their children. She discusses how instances of domestic violence increase over the summer. She also talks about their services, The Purple Hanger and the signs that someone you know is being abused and what yo...

In a short period of time, a need growing in this area, and across the nation, is somewhat being addressed -- and pioneered -- in the Galesburg region.  The Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank will soon turn 10 years old.  Will Stevenson talks about its origin story -- and how it's grown beyond serving just babies -- with LeeAnn Porter, founder and Executive Director, on WGIL's Galesburg in Focus.  

Josh Eiker just may be Galesburg’s fastest man EVER. And he has the records and medals to prove it. A 2016 Galesburg High School graduate, Josh Eiker is one of the most talented athletes to ever compete in Illinois track and field. He won state titles in both the 100 and 200 meters both his junior and senior year. Impressively, he did it in Class 2A his junior year and in Class 3A his senior year....

Being diagnosed with cancer can be overwhelming, but you don't have to face the journey alone. A pair of experts with OSF HealthCare in Galesburg and Monmouth join us to discuss what is offered locally. Jennifer Eldridge, Medical Imaging Manager at OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg and OSF HealthCare Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth, talks about the importance of cancer scr...

The Knoxville Community Fund has been in place for a number of years now -- a fund managed through the Galesburg Community Foundation.  In its existence, it's provided funds for a number of beautification projects throughout that city.  The latest of those is now officially done:  the first of two large murals.  The first mural is on an outside wall on the side of Big Catz BBQ. On Galesburg In Foc...

Silvia Foster-Frau is an accomplished, award-winning and still rising journalist at one of America’s most respected and important newspapers. And she got her start right here in Galesburg, Illinois. A 2010 Galesburg High School graduate, Foster-Frau is a national investigative reporter for the Washington Post. As part of her investigative mission, Foster-Frau explores how local, state and federal...

[caption id="attachment_653569" align="alignleft" width="200"] Lew Steinbrecher (City of Monmouth)[/caption] Some big improvements designed to make things safer in downtown Monmouth, as well as more business-friendly, will soon begin.  On Galesburg in Focus, Will Stevenson talked about that and some other issues within the Maple City with Lew Steinbrecher, Monmouth City Administrator.

Jim Sundberg truly needs no introduction to those around Galesburg. He’s generally regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in Major League Baseball history. And he wasn’t too bad with the bat, either. He’s a six-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner, a 3-time American League all-star and a World Champion. He finished his 16-year career having caught more games than anyone in Major League Baseball...

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, so representatives from Bridgeway in Galesburg joined Galesburg In Focus to discuss what services it provides. Among the services offered by Bridgeway are behavioral health services, developmental and intellectual disabilities services and community and center based employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Alyssa Hart, vice president of...

With a fire to a downtown Galesburg building in the recent past, and a more recent fire on N. Broad Street that's been deemed an arson, some may be wondering how it is Galesburg Fire knows one is an arson, while one is still undetermined? On Galesburg In Focus, Will Stevenson talked about fires and fire investigators with Galesburg Fire Chief Randy Hovind, and Galesburg Fire's lead investigator, C...

Pam Gaither, Executive Director of the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, has been on the job now for a little more than four years, helping advocate for businesses in the community, as well as for the community as a whole.  Gather, and Executive Assistant Natalie Clark, talked with Will Stevenson on WGIL's Galesburg in Focus.  

For the first time in 46 years, Galesburg High School has a new girls basketball coach. But she’s no stranger to Silver Streaks fans. Lexi Demott — a former Silver Streaks player and for the last four years an assistant coach under legendary Coach Evan Massey — was named Galesburg’s new head girls basketball coach on Monday, April 8, 2024. She will be just the third coach in program history since...

One of Galesburg’s oldest continuous businesses is almost a hundred years old. But maybe even more impressive is the fact Lindstrom’s TV & Appliance has continued to thrive in a world dominated by big box retailers. Lindstrom’s dates back to 1925 when George Lindstrom took an interest in a new item called “radio.” Now 99 years old and owned by George’s grandson Dick, Lindstrom’s has evolved throug...

The 2024 Western Illinois Builders Association Home Show is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at the Knights of Columbus in Galesburg. There will be kids activities, and you can register to win prizes and talk with experts who can help you make your home a treasure. Kaylee Johnson, executive director of the Western Illinois Builders Association Home Show, joins WGIL's Chris Postin to pr...

National Public Health Week, April 1-7 this year, is a great opportunity to raise awareness about public health. Michele Gabriel and Wil Hayes of the Knox County Health Department join WGIL's Chris Postin to talk about National Public Health Week, and other topics, including: bats, mosquitoes, ticks, Easter Holiday food safety, reproductive and sexual health and more.

Galesburg’s public golf course is officially a hundred years old. Bunker Links, which opened in 1924 on Galesburg’s far north side, is celebrating its centennial season with a variety of events. From parties, to tournaments, to commemorative merchandise and more, there’s no shortage of activities this season at the place Golf Magazine calls one of the Top 25 most underrated municipal golf courses...

A Galesburg man who dedicated most of his life to a career in law enforcement is ready to share his story in the form of a book. David Clague retired as Knox County Sheriff in 2022, ending a 16-year run in the position and a nearly 50-year career in law enforcement. Prior to his time as sheriff, Clague worked for 34 years with the Galesburg Police Department, retiring as a lieutenant in 2007. From...

[caption id="attachment_650291" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Annavey Conlee,Family Practice Physician for OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg[/caption] OSF HealthCare has expanded its women's health services. The practice encompasses all aspects of obstetrics and gynecologic services for women of all ages. Some of the services OSF HealthCare provides include: Obstetrical care...

One of Galesburg’s most well-known and respected fine dining establishments is undergoing some exciting changes. Tabitha and Eric Sundberg have leased The Packinghouse restaurant in Downtown Galesburg since October 2018, but this past December the couple purchased both the business and building from longtime owner Jay Matson. One of the many exciting changes happening at The Packinghouse is a new...

[caption id="attachment_649855" align="alignleft" width="200"] Jimmie Carr[/caption] Jimmie Carr just might have watched more Galesburg basketball games than anyone. A former Streaks player in the late 1950s, a radio broadcaster spanning six decades, and now a super fan, Jimmie Carr has been a fixture around Galesburg High School basketball for more than 70 years. Jimmie played three seasons for l...

Have you ever wanted to spend a day exploring a wonderful destination while rediscovering the past, seeing the future, and living in the moment? What if you could have all of this planned for you while all you need to do is relax and enjoy the experience? Let Golden Tours Midwest make it easy for you. Tracy Ann Drill, founder and tour guide with Golden Tours Midwest, joins WGIL's Chris Postin to t...

Tyler Sherwood, new Major Gifts officer for OSF Healthcare St. Mary Medical Center and Holy Family Medical Center joins WGIL's Chris Postin for Galesburg In Focus. In this episode, they discuss the OSF Healthcare Foundation and its impact on local healthcare as well as the new OSF Healthcare Cancer Institute. [caption id="attachment_649504" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tyler Sherwood, new Majo...

Erica Lawson, director of Marketing & Member Services at the Knox County YMCA joins WGIL's Chris Postin to discusses the annual Support Campaign as well as some youth athletic programs coming up this spring.