As the calendar turns to 2024, it’s time to wrap up the year that was in the Galesburg area. New life and jobs for an old Galesburg factory, health care expansion, the retirement of a legendary coach and the debut of several popular chain restaurants dominated the headlines in 2023.
Following is a recap of WGIL’s Top 10 Stories of 2024, as voted on by the members of the news staff.
1. Manufacturer plans $50M expansion, creating 150-180 new jobs
A company that specializes in the production and distribution of crafted meat snacks announced in October plans of nearly $50 million expansion project in Galesburg, a move that’s expected to create between 150 and 180 manufacturing jobs and breathe new life into the unused portion of the former Maytag facility.
Galesburg aldermen at the Oct. 7 meeting of the Galesburg City Council approved $1 million development agreement with Thrushwood Farms Quality Meats, Inc., a subsidiary of Western Smokehouse Partners.
Western Smokehouse Partners has executed a 10-year lease for 179,000 square feet of the former Maytag facility on Monmouth Boulevard. The move will allow for expansion of food production operations and initially create 150 – 180 new manufacturing jobs and generate $45 – $50 million in investment.
“We believe in the potential of this community and are excited to create new jobs that will provide stability and prosperity for local families,” said Matt Bormann, chief executive officer, Western Smokehouse Partners. “This project will not only increase our production capacity but also strengthen our ties to the community, fostering a collaborative environment.”
2. New $22 million Galesburg Public Library opens
The Galesburg Public Library celebrates its 150th anniversary by opening a brand new $22 million facility on Wednesday, April 24 at 264 W. Main St.
The 68,000 square foot building features five study rooms, a children’s library, a teen zone, a community room, a fireplace alcove, an art exhibit wall, and a reading balcony.
The new library was largely funded by a 15.3 million dollar Public Library Construction Act Grant and over four million dollars raised by the community.
Laurie Muelder, president of the library’s Board of Trustees, describes the new library as a facility that goes beyond her expectations.
3. End of an era: Massey retires as Streaks coach
Evan Massey’s legendary run as girls basketball coach at Galesburg High School came to an end after 46 years.
The third-winningest coach in Illinois girls basketball history announced he was stepping down on Feb. 26. His departure left the girls basketball program at GHS looking for its first new coach since 1978 when Massey took over a program still in its infancy. Former Streaks player Lexi Demott was named the new coach on April 8.
During his storied 46-year run, Massey guided the Silver Streaks to a record of 1,018-397— a winning percentage of 71.9%. In December 2023, Massey joined an exclusive four-digit win club that has been achieved by just three other girls coaches in Illinois, and only four for boys and girls basketball combined. The only other Illinois girls basketball coaches to secure 1,000 career victories are both retired — Dorothy Gaters of Chicago Marshall with 1,153 wins and David Power primarily of Fenwick with 1,020 wins.
Massey’s teams advanced to eight Elite 8 state tournament appearances—highlighted by a second (1999), a third (1996) and two fourth-place trophies (2000 and 2001). He also guided the Streaks to 13 Western Big 6 Conference championships, more than any other league school.
District 205 announced in April the competition court in John Thiel Gymnasium will now be called “Evan Massey Court at John Thiel Gymnasium.”
4. Local health care options expand/move
After the closure of Cottage Hospital rocked the local health care scene in 2022, existing providers and locations in Galesburg continued to evolve and adapt to patient needs in 2024.
Canton-based Graham Medical has opened facilities in Galesburg each of the last three years and shows no signs of stopping. In 2024, Graham opened at three new locations in Galesburg — a convenient care, primary care, specialty care, imaging center and endoscopy center at 2028 N. Seminary St.; Galesburg GMG South – Primary and Convenient Care Clinic at 455 E. Third St.; and Knox and Fulton County Wound Clinic & Hyperbaric Medicine at 1174 N. Seminary St.
Meanwhile in October, OSF HealthCare announced a $5 million, 7,000 square foot expansion of the Emergency Room at St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. In January, OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center started to offer radiation oncology services.
On Nov. 8, the community got its first look at Galesburg’s new VA outpatient clinic during a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The newly established Lane A. Evans Community Based Outpatient Clinic is located at 1090 W. Carl Sandburg Dr., Suite 100, site of the former Bergner’s store at Sandburg Mall.
The new Galesburg VA clinic will lease nearly 20,000 square feet of the Bergner’s building. The move will allow the Galesburg VA clinic to nearly double in size and provide additional services.
The new space will provide primary care, radiology, audiology (including an audiology booth), optometry, laboratory testing, expanded physical therapy and mental health services and telehealth capability. There is also space provided to expand the provision of some specialty care in the future.
5. Man guilty of murder in death of Knox County Deputy
On Feb. 29, a Henry County jury found Daylon K. Richardson, 24, of Granite City, guilty of murder in the April 29, 2022, death of Knox County Deputy Nicholas Weist.
The jury opted not to select the lesser charge of aggravated reckless homicide.
The jury also found that Weist was a peace officer performing his official duties, which enhances the penalty from 20 to 60 years to a mandatory natural life in prison.
Richardson faced murder charges after an April 29, 2022, car chase from Galesburg into Henry County that ended after Weist put down stop sticks on Rt. 150 at Alpha. Richardson’s vehicle struck him and overturned. Richardson was apprehended in a field after fleeing on foot.
6. Restaurants coming and going …
Dunkin’ and Chipotle, in. Happy Joe’s and La Cantinita, out.
It was an active year for restaurant news in the Galesburg area. Among the most anticipated openings in Galesburg in 2024 included the arrival of a Dunkin’/Baskin-Robbins store’ on Aug. 5 at 955 N. Henderson St. and a Chipotle Mexican Grill on Dec. 19 at 2210 N. Henderson St.
A Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop is expected to open in late February in the same complex as Chipotle, while a Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is expected to open at a yet to be determined location in Galesburg sometime in 2025.
Among Galesburg-area restaurants to debut in 2024 were Po Boy BBQ at 2203 US 150; D Bone BBQ 1315 E. Losey St.; and Carnival Delights at 234 E. Main St. in downtown Knoxville.
Meanwhile, Happy Joes Pizza & Cream — a popular Galesburg pizza parlor for more than five decades — closed its doors at 1727 N. Henderson St. in September.
And La Cantinita Cafe & Tequila Bar, 240 E. Simmons St., suddenly closed after just more than a year under new ownership.
7. Sandburg celebrates opening of new Science & Technology Center
On Oct. 29, Carl Sandburg College held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting for its new Science & Technology Center. A crowd of about 200 alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members explored the $27 million, 46,733-square-foot facility, which officially opened its doors in August for the start of the fall semester.
“Science and technology are the transformational tools which are going to bring our world to life in the next century,” President Dr. Seamus Reilly said. “And it is critical that we have the best tools, the best spaces, the best collaborative teaching environments for our students and our staff and faculty so that we can flourish. I think we have accomplished that here in opening this building today.”
PHOTOS: Science and Technology Center Ribbon Cutting
Work on the two-story S+T Center began in early 2023, and it features dramatic views of Lake Storey on the inside edge of the campus. The new building houses classrooms, laboratories, offices and clinical areas for Sandburg’s health professions, natural sciences, nursing and dental hygiene programs. It also includes a business center and wellness suite for student use, allowing specialized spaces for students to focus on their academic success and mental health.
8. Judge rules in favor of parents in Galesburg D205 federal lawsuit
A federal judge reversed a previous administrative ruling and ordered Galesburg District 205 to keep a student with disabilities in the Galesburg school system instead of a school in Peoria.
The judgment, filed Dec. 6 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by the child’s parents.
WGIL reported on Oct. 11 that attorneys representing Galesburg school board member Pamella Bess-Tabb and her husband filed a federal lawsuit against District 205 and the Illinois State Board of Education, claiming they failed to guarantee their child an appropriate education as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
According to court documents, the parents initiated the lawsuit to enforce their child’s “right to attend school along with children who do not have disabilities, and with appropriate supports and services.”
The case contended District 205 was in error when it adopted an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to send the student to a school for children with disabilities located in Peoria.
9. (tie) Fuel leak temporarily closes Lake Storey
A diesel fuel leak that forced the city of Galesburg to close Lake Storey to all water access in February stemmed from a generator malfunction in a surplus state property near Carl Sandburg College.
Cathy Kwiatkowski, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, said the diesel leak that was discovered Feb. 8 stemmed from a generator malfunction in a CMS State of Illinois surplus property at 2100 S. Lake Storey Road. The leak occurred due to a sudden and unforeseeable malfunction of the fuel pump.
The spill was estimated to be relatively small — less than 300 gallons and impacting less than 5% of Lake Storey. The City of Galesburg temporarily closed Lake Storey to all water access — including boating, swimming, and wading — in the wake of the recent diesel fuel leak near the lake.
Lake Storey reopened for water access on March 2.
9. (tie) D205 approves $15M project for new warehouse, turf fields, athletic facility upgrade
The District 205 Board of Education approved specifications for Northside Construction Projects at Galesburg Jr./Sr. High School at the Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, meeting. Pictured is a proposed athletic addition to Wicall Gym. (Sketch provided by District 205)
This fall, the District 205 Board of Education approved a $15 million construction project at the Galesburg Jr./Sr. High School campus that will result in a new district warehouse/maintenance facility along, major improvements to an athletic complex, and artificial turf for varsity baseball and softball facilities.
The project will include:
- A new 25,000 square foot pre-engineered building with dock and covered parking for the district warehouse. The former Rose Hoben Welch School on West Dayton Street would be demolished to make room for the facility. The warehouse will replace most of what the district uses at Hawthorne Center, with expanded food storage facilities, an office area, and some other amenities.
- New artificial turf fields at both Jim Sundberg Field and the GHS varsity softball diamond, replacing grass/dirt surfaces. The bid also includes an additional parking lot northeast of the baseball stadium.
- A 26,000 square foot expansion and other improvements of Wicall Gym. That project would include a new large wrestling practice facility; a new weight room; an indoor artificial turf area for indoor practices for football, baseball, softball, or other sports. Also included are batting cages additional restrooms, and other amenities. Wicall Gym also would receive air-conditioning.
Work on the baseball and softball fields will start after the completion of the 2025 season, and the Streaks would play on artificial turf starting with the Spring 2026 seasons.
Other notable stories in 2024
- Emergency demolition under way on downtown Galesburg building damaged by fire; future of structure in doubt
- Mayoral rematch set in 2025: Peter Schwartzman vs. John Pritchard
- City to recognize local aviation icon with naming of Harrel W. Timmons Galesburg Regional Airport
- Juvenile attack leaves staff members injured at Mary Davis Detention Home in Galesburg
- ‘It’s going to be good.’ Investor buys vacant portion of Sandburg Mall
- Rebuild over remodel: Soangetaha opts for modern clubhouse
- Sold: Local developer secures former Churchill School
Looking back: Transition, demolition and expansion: Here are some of the stories most talked about in Galesburg in 2023
Notable deaths of 2024: Remembering influential Galesburg-area people we lost this year
