Top Stories
April 8, 2023 | By Muddy River News
QUINCY — Blessing Hospital recently met one of its most helpful patients, and he isn’t human. Manikins are models of the human body that can be used for medical training. Most manikins resemble a 180-pound male patient who is about six feet tall. Blessing’s newest silicone manikin, Oscar, is different from these other mankins. Oscar…
Read Full Article April 8, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
MRN Editor David Adam talks to Kent Snider of Ron Snider Auto Sales about the car business and being a part of a multi-generational family business. Mercantile Bank sponsors the Business Spotlight.
Read Full Article April 7, 2023 | By Muddy River News
QUINCY – The Adams County Coroner has released the following information regarding the two men found deceased in separate apartments on Spring Street.On Wednesday, April 5, the Coroner’s Office was notified of two bodies found in apartments at 1303 Spring Street. Pronounced dead at the scene were Bradley J. Seager, 61, and Edward A. Day,…
Read Full Article April 6, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — No chads are hanging, no Brooks Brothers are rioting and the Supreme Court won’t get involved (we hope). The Adams County Clerk’s office began Thursday the process of sorting out the votes still arriving via the U.S. Mail, as long as they have been postmarked by Election Day, April 4. Three election judges…
Read Full Article April 6, 2023 | By Muddy River News
QUINCY — Ten arrests were made Tuesday by the Quincy Police Department as part of a criminal narcotics enforcement detail. A coordinated effort with QPD, the Illinois State Police, Adams County Sheriff’s Department and West Central Illinois Task Force conducted the detail, targeting people who possess and/or distribute illegal narcotics in Quincy and Adams County.…
Read Full Article April 6, 2023 | By Noah Klauser
CANTON, Mo. — Nobody experiences life without loss, but the support of our community and those closest to us helps us get through those times. Luke and Audrey Barton lost their house in Canton in a fire on March 20. The building and everything inside was lost, including the family’s pets. Andrew Redmon, Audrey Barton’s…
Read Full Article April 6, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent
MONROE CITY, Mo – Monroe City voters approved the $6.7 million bond to benefit the Monroe City R-I elementary school in Tuesday’s election. The money will be used to complete the south wing of the school by adding 11 classrooms to house grades 1-4, hallways and two full sets of restrooms. The bond will also…
Read Full Article April 5, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — Two men were found dead Wednesday morning in separate apartments in the same building on Quincy’s north side. Adams County Coroner Scott Graham and officers with the Quincy Police Department were on the scene late Wednesday morning to remove the bodies from the building. Four apartments are in the building at 1303 Spring.…
Read Full Article April 5, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
Ryan Niekamp talks to Bob Gough about the situation in Quincy’s 7th Ward and how his office will proceed, according to state law, to handle a close election. Bob also chats with Laura Sievert with the Quincy Society of Fine Arts about the Illinois Creative Recovery Grants that her organization is helping distribute throughout West-Central…
Read Full Article April 4, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY – Seventh Ward challenger, Republican Tim Siemer, had a 55 vote lead going down the stretch Tuesday night, but the early voting numbers came in and that gave the incumbent, Democrat Ben Uzelac, a fighting chance. And as of now…that race is tied. Adams County Clerk Ryan Niekamp said he was declaring a tie…
Read Full Article April 4, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY – Three incumbents and one newcomer won seats on the Quincy School Board Tuesday. Quincy School Board President Shelley Arns and board members Jim Whitfield and LaTonya Brock retained their seats and Curtis Sethaler will join them. Whitfield was the leading vote-getter, followed by Arns, Sethaler and Brock as they took the top four…
Read Full Article April 4, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — The purchase of the City Hall Annex building by the Quincy Township inched closer to a conclusion Monday night. Quincy Mayor Mike Troup then proposed spending township money to help solve some of the city’s housing issues. Before the weekly Quincy City Council meeting, aldermen first handled business as the Quincy Township board.…
Read Full Article April 4, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — The aldermen in Quincy’s 7th Ward announced during Monday night’s meeting of the Quincy City Council that bids to complete work on four blocks of Payson Avenue have come in under projections. “Jack (Holtschlag) and I have some really awesome news to report tonight,” Ben Uzelac, D-7, told aldermen. “A project that we’ve been…
Read Full Article April 3, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Anna Crane took off for Los Angeles when she was 19 years old to chase a career as a drummer, but when the pandemic hit, she briefly considered coming back to Quincy. “I did actually have a moment of doubt,” said Crane, a 2010 graduate of Quincy High School. “My main source of…
Read Full Article April 3, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — Adams County Circuit Court Judge Scott Larson has set a hearing for April 11 regarding a temporary restraining order filed against the estate of Tim Bliefnick. Attorneys Gerald Timmerwilke and Erin Wilson-Laegeler representing the estate of the late Rebecca Bliefnick entered the order to freeze Tim Bliefnick’s assets on March 20, and Judge…
Read Full Article April 3, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — A Quincy business offering on-demand help with everyday tasks is launching a recycling pick-up program in response to the discontinuation of the City of Quincy’s curbside recycling program. JustTasking, which started in August 2022, will deliver recycling totes directly to the doorsteps of Quincy residents for a one-time set-up fee of $20. Residents…
Read Full Article April 2, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
PALMYRA, Mo. — A review of three years of text messages between Palmyra teachers and administrators on a school-issued cellphone revealed multiple racial and homophobic comments, as well as comments showing disrespect and disregard for some of the students under their supervision and the teachers they worked with. The texts were provided to Muddy River…
Read Full Article April 2, 2023 | By Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips
Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips take you to the Gardner House Museum, which is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It is a two-story, “L” plan, Federal style painted brick dwelling, with Greek Revival style detailing. It is six bays wide and has a side-gable roof. It also once housed a tavern located on a north–south stage…
Read Full Article April 1, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Three of the five defendants allegedly involved in the death of Taurean Snoddy pleaded not guilty on Friday during an arraignment in the Marion County Courthouse. Snoddy was found lying unresponsive in the street in the 1200 block of Lyon on the night of Jan. 25. After CPR was performed, he was…
Read Full Article April 1, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
Bob Gough interviews all seven candidates for Quincy School Board.
Read Full Article March 31, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra School Board met in special session Thursday night and accepted the resignations of four staff members, including the former high school football coach and his replacement. A press release issued Friday afternoon from the Palmyra School District said Mark Hoerr, Tyler Krietemeyer, Kevin Miles and Marty Smyser had resigned “effective…
Read Full Article March 31, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent
NEW LONDON, Mo. — The Ralls County Courthouse was evacuated Friday afternoon after a fire started because of what is believed to have been caused by a lightning strike. New London Fire Department Safety Officer Brian Reed said courthouse employees called emergency services reporting that fire was coming out of the outlets and smoke was…
Read Full Article March 31, 2023 | By BRENT CLAIR, METEOROLOGIST
Read Full Article March 31, 2023 | By Noah Klauser
QUINCY — Real world connections and experience are essential for lawyers to provide the service they need to their clients. Having these real world connections and experiences is why the Quincy University mock trial team welcomed the opportunity to talk Thursday afternoon with Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White. She was joined by Eugene…
Read Full Article March 30, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — A large full-color mail piece showing support for the three incumbents and one newcomer who are candidates for the Quincy School Board hit voters mailboxes this week. Quincy School Board President Shelley Arns, board members Jim Whitfield and LaTonya Brock and newcomer Curtis Sethaler are featured on the 11-inch by 13-inch piece printed…
Read Full Article March 30, 2023 | By Noah Klauser
CANTON, Mo. — Social media nowadays is full of edited and filtered photos. People spend their time making changes to their appearance or removing objects in the background to get the best picture they can. That doesn’t happen on BeReal. BeReal, founded in 2020 by French former GoPro employee Alexis Barreyat, sends its users one…
Read Full Article March 29, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — The former Golden Corral restaurant is going to be converted into one of the fastest growing independent plasma collection operators in the nation. ImmunoTek, which has 30 plasma collection centers throughout the central and eastern United States, is renovating the former restaurant at 3908 Broadway. A Stamford, Conn., corporation named 3908 Broadway Street…
Read Full Article March 29, 2023 | By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
CHICAGO — Longtime Commonwealth Edison contract lobbyist Jay Doherty thought he was merely reminiscing and giving advice to a colleague and friend in a February 2019 meeting set up by ex-ComEd executive Fidel Marquez. But Marquez was wearing a hidden camera, having just a few weeks prior agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation of…
Read Full Article March 29, 2023 | By Steve Eighinger
QUINCY — Aiden McDonnell says it’s no secret why the Quincy Derby is such an ongoing success. “The support of so many groups and businesses is the reason by it has not only lasted so long, but why it is so popular and why it continues to grow,” said McDonnell, assistant director of the event…
Read Full Article March 28, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — Mayor Mike Troup provided the majority vote needed to provide $100,000 in Downtown Rental Rehabilitation TIF funding to Terrell and Vicky Dempsey for renovations of four upper-story apartments at 234-236 North Sixth. The Dempsey’s law office is on the first floor of the building. They are also putting in $159,740 of private financing…
Read Full Article March 27, 2023 | By Jay Redfern, WGIL Radio
GALESBURG, Ill. — You don’t have to leave Galesburg to experience the best pizza in Illinois or one of the top 100 pizzas in America. Yelp recently released its Top 100 Pizza Places for 2023, and baked at 57 S. Seminary in Galesburg comes in at No. 40 overall and No. 1 in Illinois. Yelp, the mobile app that…
Read Full Article March 26, 2023 | By Muddy River News
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A Mount Sterling, Ill., man has been charged with attempted murder after authorities in Florida claim he almost drowned a security guard in a swimming pool at a condominium. Seth Beavers, 33, of Mount Sterling is charged with attempted murder. Deputies with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department in Crestview, Fla.,…
Read Full Article March 26, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
MRN Editor David Adam talks to Tiramisu’s Ilija Cucuk about running downtown Quincy’s Italian restaurant staple, the location on the square and why people continue to “come enjoy, come eat.”
Read Full Article March 26, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Megabus, which offers city-to-city bus tickets for as low as $1 throughout North America, is expanding its service to 48 Midwest cities beginning Monday, March 27. Quincy, Hannibal, Mo., and Canton, Mo., will benefit from this expansion. Through a new partnership with Iowa-based Burlington Trailways, Megabus will offer a daily trip from Cedar Rapids,…
Read Full Article March 25, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Regional law enforcement agencies from around Quincy gathered on a dreary, rainy morning to say goodbye to one of their officers. More than 50 officers from the Quincy Police Department, along with officers from the Illinois State Police, Adams County Sheriff’s Department and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, lined the road leading to the…
Read Full Article March 25, 2023 | By Muddy River News
Video from WIU. MACOMB, IL — The Macomb Police Department (MPD) is investigating the report of a shooting that occurred off campus in the early morning hours on Saturday, March 25. A caller reported to MPD that a shooting occurred in the 500 Block of North Johnson Street. The Macomb Police Department has confirmed one…
Read Full Article March 24, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — Tim Bliefnick remained silent, but attorney Casey Schnack entered a “not guilty” plea for her client in the first-degree murder case of Rebecca Bliefnick before a crowd of about 50 people in Adams County Circuit Court Friday afternoon. Judge Robert Adrian asked, “Not guilty, Miss Schnack?” Schnack replied, “Yes, your honor.” Rebecca Bliefnick,…
Read Full Article March 24, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
Video provided by Randy Industries. QUINCY — A packed house turned out to watch and listen to six of the seven candidates for Quincy School Board discuss why they wanted the public’s votes on April 4. Incumbents Shelley Arns, Jim Whitfield and LaTonya Brock, who are campaigning as one slate of candidates, appeared along with…
Read Full Article March 23, 2023 | By Muddy River News
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Willie Hedden, 43, a former sergeant at the Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mt. Sterling, was sentenced on March 22 to six years’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for civil rights deprivation resulting in bodily injury and death and obstruction of justice offenses in connection with the…
Read Full Article March 23, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — An Adams County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment Thursday morning in the case of Tim Bliefnick, who is charged with two counts of murder in the Feb. 23 shooting death of his estranged wife, Rebecca Bliefnick. The grand jury met for about three hours Thursday and heard evidence on 38…
Read Full Article March 23, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — The decision to consolidate multiple departments as well as rising costs of materials and construction has turned a new Quincy School District facility into an eight-figure project. At Wednesday night’s Quincy School Board meeting, board members unanimously voted to accept the low bid from Maas Construction of $7,050,000 to build what is now…
Read Full Article March 22, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — The HyVee grocery store at 3700 Broadway will be adding a Wahlburgers restaurant next month. District Store Director Tad Gallaher said the grand opening is set for April 18 as the store is being remodeled. It will be the fifth HyVee in Illinois to have a Wahlburgers, with the others in Bloomington, Peoria,…
Read Full Article March 22, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — A Quincy man who allegedly hit a man in the head outside a Quincy bar, causing him to be sent to Blessing Hospital, pled not guilty Tuesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court. Judge Tad Brenner arraigned Bryan Paden, 40, who appeared with attorney Nick Rober. He has been charged with two counts…
Read Full Article March 22, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — A Springfield man defending himself in a November 2021 sexual assault case said Tuesday afternoon he wanted to defend himself in two other felony cases — and a judge granted his wish. Bradley Yohn, 36, appeared before Judge Tad Brenner in Adams County Circuit Court with his attorney, Public Defender Todd Nelson, for…
Read Full Article March 21, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
PALMYRA, Mo. — A special meeting of the Palmyra School Board has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Superintendent Jason Harper told Muddy River News Tuesday afternoon that four staff members with the Palmyra School District were placed on paid leaves of absence on Tuesday. He provided no other information about the suspended educators. Harper…
Read Full Article March 21, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — The first three downtown concerts in a five-concert series lined up for this summer received approval from the Quincy City Council. Aldermen unanimously voted Monday to approve the use of the city’s empty lot at Fourth and Maine for the Gem City Summer Concert Series, lined up by On the Rail restaurant owner…
Read Full Article March 21, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Several speakers during the public forum at Monday’s Quincy City Council meeting talked about issues such as gas leaks, holes in the ceilings and a lack of response from landlords in the homes they are renting. Alderman John Mast (R-5) then asked Chuck Bevelheimer, director of planning and development, what the city’s next…
Read Full Article March 21, 2023 | By Muddy River News
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Todd Sheffler, 54, of Mendon, a former lieutenant at the Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mt. Sterling, Illinois, was sentenced Monday to 20 years of imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release, for civil rights deprivation resulting in bodily injury and death and obstruction of justice in connection with…
Read Full Article March 20, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — A Quincy business recently received $400,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as part of the expansion the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program, which creates a talent pipeline of diverse candidates in construction and the building trades. “We do more of the training to prepare folks who are looking to get…
Read Full Article March 20, 2023 | By Ashley Conrad, Daily Muddy Host
Time to get your tickets for the annual Quincy Notre Dame/Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools Mega Raffle. QND Foundation Director Kurt Stuckman talks to Ashley Conrad about the kick-off of this annual fundraiser to benefit local Catholic education.
Read Full Article March 19, 2023 | By Ron Kinscherf, Muddy River News
QUINCY — A series of downtown concerts lined up for this summer could be in limbo because of a potential development at the site of a former Quincy hotel. Scott Edlin has the lineup of performers set for On the Rail’s Gem City Summer Concert Series. Deposits have been paid. Contracts are signed. Security is…
Read Full Article March 19, 2023 | By Ron Kinscherf, Muddy River News Correspondent
Ron Kinscherf talks to Mark Christensen about teaching golf and game’s status in our area.
Read Full Article March 18, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent
HANNIBAL, Mo — All in-person employees working at the SC Data Center facility in Hannibal, also known as Swiss Colony, will become home agents in the next several months. Representatives at SC Data Center, Inc., headquartered in Monroe, Wis., said Thursday the Hannibal facility at 3201 Palmyra Road will close on May 31. The call…
Read Full Article March 17, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
UPDATE: Adams County Coroner Scott Graham issued a press release at 4:45 p.m. Saturday identifying the man who was killed as Flint C. Reed of Camp Point. CAMP POINT, Ill. — An unidentified man died at about noon Friday in Camp Point when he was struck by an Amtrak train traveling from Chicago to Quincy.…
Read Full Article March 17, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Judge Roger Thomson put the trial for Bradley Yohn, a Springfield man defending himself in a November 2021 sexual assault case, on the May 8 jury docket — 545 days after Yohn allegedly committed the crime. Yohn, however, told Thomson at the conclusion of Thursday afternoon’s motion hearing in Adams County Circuit Court…
Read Full Article March 17, 2023 | By Noah Klauser
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Locals have come to appreciate the historic look of buildings in downtown Hannibal Part of the city’s history is maintained through its architecture. These old buildings don’t last forever, though. As they get older, they require renovations to keep them in good condition. One such building is the Main Street Bed and…
Read Full Article March 17, 2023 | By Muddy River News
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Alex Banta, 31, of Quincy, a former correctional officer at the Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mt. Sterling, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for civil rights deprivation resulting in bodily injury and death and obstruction of justice in connection with the…
Read Full Article March 16, 2023 | By Muddy River News
PLEASE READ THIS CAUTIONARY NOTE: Readers should understand this story also contains photos of dead animals. This may offend some readers. Muddy River News believes it is necessary to show the photos to explain what happened at the coyote hunt. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Humane Society of the United States released Wednesday the results of a February undercover…
Read Full Article March 16, 2023 | By Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois
Trial’s second day included hours of opening arguments, first witness CHICAGO – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan isn’t set to go on trial for racketeering and corruption charges until next summer, but his decades of power in Illinois government and politics loomed large Wednesday as opening arguments got underway in a related case. Madigan’s name…
Read Full Article March 16, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Carter Cox, senior at Hannibal High School, stood before the Hannibal Public School Board Wednesday night to talk about his experience in carpentry class. Cox learned about roofing, electrical work, building projects, and more in the class taught by Chad Kistler at the Hannibal Career and Technical Center. In carpentry, students tackle…
Read Full Article March 15, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — A $7.5 million plan to build 34 two-story residential townhomes and a community building received assistance from the Quincy City Council on Monday night. HW Ventures, LLC, a corporation owned by Quincyans Justin Wollbrink and Jerry Holtschlag, asked for financial incentives from the city for this development at 203 S. Eighth and 218-224…
Read Full Article March 14, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — Tim Bliefnick will remain in the Adams County Jail until at least next week when a grand jury will hear the evidence against him to decide if he will be arraigned. Bliefnick, 39, made his first appearance in Adams County Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon with attorney Casey Schnack in Courtroom 1A before Judge…
Read Full Article March 14, 2023 | By Muddy River News
Saw your coverage of Becky’s tragic death and wanted to provide you with a statement from the family which was issued after Tim Bliefnick’s arrest yesterday. We appreciate your continued coverage of this story. While we remain heartbroken, we are thankful to the Quincy Police Department and all who have worked tirelessly in service of…
Read Full Article March 14, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Quincy’s Target store is expected to open in August. Quincy Mayor Mike Troup said he had reached out to Target Corporation in Minneapolis last week, hoping he could give an update about construction at the 36th and Broadway site as part of the State of the City speech he delivered on Friday to the…
Read Full Article March 14, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Quincy Mayor Mike Troup took time Monday night during the Quincy City Council meeting to thank the Quincy Police Department for its work in making an arrest Monday as part of the investigation of the death of Rebecca Bliefnick, while also asking for prayers for her family. “It’s clear that everyone here on…
Read Full Article March 14, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — The squeaky wheel got the grease … and an apology. Katie Stegner made repeated attempts last week to complain to city officials about the lack of handicapped accessibility at the city’s two recycling drop-off sites — 12th and Locust and the HyVee grocery store on Harrison. She also voiced her concerns in a letter to…
Read Full Article March 14, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Adam Yates, chief of the Quincy Police Department, says it will take a minimum of six weeks for license plate readers to be installed on city rights-of-way and at least two months to install them at Illinois Department of Transportation easements after the Quincy City Council unanimously approved the cameras at its Monday…
Read Full Article March 14, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
PLEASE READ THIS CAUTIONARY NOTE: Readers should understand this story contains descriptions of sexual abuse. This may offend and shock some readers or be painful to survivors of sexual abuse or assault. Muddy River News believes it is necessary to report this information as a warning and a reminder of what comprises sexual abuse and the importance of protecting children and supporting…
Read Full Article March 14, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Sitting on a small table beside the front door at Sarah’s Place, a no-cost home for patients on hospice, is a book filled with stories written about the lives of those who have stayed there. From detailed accounts written by the families to a thank-you gratefully scrawled on a napkin before leaving…
Read Full Article March 13, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — Quincy Police Chief Adam Yates said the evidence in the case of Rebecca Bliefnick’s death pointed Quincy Police detectives in the direction of her estranged husband after days of conducting the investigation. “We looked at all leads and information from the public, and after following the evidence, this is what led to the…
Read Full Article March 13, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — The Quincy City Council will vote Monday night on a petition to divide two lots into 35 lots on property at 203 S. Eighth and 218-224 S. Ninth, then it will vote on two resolutions to provide funding as part of a $7.5 million proposal to construct 34 two-story residential townhomes and a…
Read Full Article March 13, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — Tim Bliefnick has been charged with two counts of first degree murder and one count of home invasion in the shooting death of his estranged wife, Becky Bliefnick. He was taken into custody by Quincy Police Monday morning. QPD will have a news conference with more details later this morning. Becky Bliefnick, a…
Read Full Article March 13, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Two Quincy women who have spent most of their professional careers helping women have joined to breathe new life into a long-time downtown Quincy business. JFM SAL, LLC, a corporation managed by Jeanine Frericks-Moss and Sara Lepper, bought the Silhouette Shoppe, 117 N. Sixth, on Jan. 27 from Linda Simons. The store, which has…
Read Full Article March 12, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
Quincy Mayor Mike Troup talks about his State of the City speech and discusses with MRN Editor David Adam about the city’s need for hotels, jobs and housing, as well as the most important question: When is Target going to open? Muddy River News This Week is brought to you by Harvey’s Furniture.
Read Full Article March 11, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent
HANNIBAL, Mo. — A former Hannibal councilman expressed concerns during Tuesday’s meeting of the Hannibal City Council regarding the council’s behavior, specifically referring to Feb. 21 meeting. Jim Van Hoose watched the meeting on the City of Hannibal’s YouTube channel, where each meeting is live-streamed. He was specifically concerned with the behavior of the several…
Read Full Article March 11, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
Quincy Mayor Mike Troup gave his annual State of the City speech that lasted about 20 minutes on Friday, March 10 to members of the Quincy Exchange Club at the Elks Club, then took questions from the audience for another 20 minutes.
Read Full Article March 11, 2023 | By Ron Kinscherf, Muddy River News Correspondent
Creative Garden Services was started in August 1998 by Carol Rakers. She has been in the green industry since 1983. Creative Garden Services, CGS, has 10 full-time employees and three seasonal employees. TI-Trust sponsors the MRN Business Spotlight.
Read Full Article March 10, 2023 | By Muddy River News
QUINCY — A youth pastor at a Quincy church was arrested on Tuesday on sexual abuse and pornography charges. An investigation began in January after law enforcement agencies were contacted by a parent of a juvenile who had disclosed possible sexual abuse by a youth pastor at Hope Lutheran Church, 1739 Harrison. During the investigation, multiple…
Read Full Article March 10, 2023 | By Noah Klauser
QUINCY — Families often experience challenging circumstances such as divorce and adoption that can leave a lasting impact on children. Hobby Horse House has provided support to those families for more than 20 years. Hobby Horse House is a non-profit child welfare agency stationed in Jacksonville, but it provides services to 33 counties, including Adams…
Read Full Article March 9, 2023 | By Muddy River News
QUINCY — A Quincy woman and a teenage male were taken into custody after a report of shots fired was called into the Quincy Police Department late Wednesday afternoon. Officers from the Quincy Police Department were dispatched at 4:49 p.m. Wednesday, March 8 to the 1100 block of Lind for a shots fired call. Callers…
Read Full Article March 9, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — The health of the Quincy Park District’s finances was evident Wednesday night when the Quincy Park Board to approve more than $700,000 in projects through the city. Million Construction submitted the low bid of $262,390 for a parking lot addition at Moorman Park, the largest project on the list. The popularity of the…
Read Full Article March 8, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Ryan Schmidt fought through the tears and emotions to talk to his son before he was taken away to prison. “I am extremely hurt and angry with your actions, Hayden,” he said. “As hard as it is for me to do, I have to forgive you, and I still love you.” Appearing before…
Read Full Article March 7, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — A Quincy man faces up to five years in prison when he gets sentenced on May 5 after agreeing to plead guilty for threatening a public official. As part of a straight plea, Chaeto Nichols, 18, had one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony, and a misdemeanor charge…
Read Full Article March 6, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Angela Caldwell gave her appointment to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners one more try. “I had already decided that if it didn’t happen tonight, that was it,” she said. The third time turned out to be the charm. The Quincy City Council voted 7-6 to approve Mayor Mike Troup’s appointment of…
Read Full Article March 6, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Jessica Hawkins sees the hopelessness of addiction every day outside the windows from her desk at F&M Bank on Broadway in Hannibal. “It’s heartbreaking to see people hurting like that. They look lost,” she said. Hawkins, a member of Consumed International Ministries, is working with her church to bring hope to Hannibal…
Read Full Article March 6, 2023 | By Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips
Mark McDonald and Randy Phillips take you to Quincy University’s North Campus, where the school’s broadcasting department is putting together regular content in its state-of-the-art facility. Dot Foods brings you Muddy River Gems.
Read Full Article March 5, 2023 | By Muddy River News
LORAINE, Ill. — A Loraine man was killed in a traffic crash that happened Saturday night at Illinois Route 336 and East 1500th Street in Loraine. Deputies with the Adams County Sheriff’s Department learned at approximately 8:37 p.m. about a two-vehicle crash. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies found the two vehicles in the northbound lane…
Read Full Article March 5, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
Bob Gough talks to energy consultant Reg Ankrom about the City of Quincy’s aggregation policy and what those “opt-out” letters that residents recently received mean. FROM A NEWS RELEASE: The City of Quincy’s municipal electric aggregation program, paused since March 2022, will resume in April under a new contract with Constellation NewEnergy for electric supply…
Read Full Article March 4, 2023 | By Ron Kinscherf, Muddy River News Correspondent
Dale Koontz Builder of Quincy celebrated 50 years in business on March 1. The custom home building and remodeling company was founded by Dale and Donna Koontz in 1973. Over the last 50 years DKB has been responsible for a number of subdivisions and developments in Quincy, including Cambridge Estates, Tuscany Fields and Wildhorse for…
Read Full Article March 3, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — Evidence gathered at the scene of a fatal shooting and from other locations has been sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab in Springfield. Quincy Police sent an update to local media Friday morning regarding the investigation into the shooting death of Feb. 23 shooting of Rebecca Bliefnick. The 41-year-old mother of…
Read Full Article March 3, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
NORMAL, Ill. — It took nearly all of the two-and-a-half hours the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team had between Class 2A state tournament games Thursday to come to grips with the fact the Raiders weren’t coming home as champions. Once the Raiders accepted that reality, they finished an incredible two-year run the most fitting…
Read Full Article March 3, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Deep in the history of Pike County near Barry, Ill. is a site that was once a township named New Philadelphia. Founded in 1836, the town was the first platted and independently registered by a free African American before the Civil War. His name was Frank McWorter and he came from Kentucky…
Read Full Article March 2, 2023 | By Ron Kinscherf, Muddy River News Correspondent
QUINCY — Everybody in the Adams County Courthouse’s courtroom 2A could sense the happiness as Jennifer Fischer announced 122nd and 123rd graduates of the Court’s Drug Program, Darrell Conner and David Day. “We love it. We love seeing that success,” Fischer said. “We like seeing them change their lives and just be a more productive…
Read Full Article March 2, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Sources have told Muddy River News that an agreement has been reached in the labor dispute between members of United Steelworkers Local 11-205 and management at Hannibal’s Continental Cement plant. About 100 workers took to the picket line on February 22 over multiple issues with management. The contract between the union and…
Read Full Article March 1, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — Quincy Police started executing a search warrant Wednesday morning at 1641 Hampshire, the home of the estranged husband of a Quincy woman who was killed last week. Police Chief Adam Yates confirmed the search of a home at 1641 Hampshire and a car outside the home. Muddy River News has learned the home…
Read Full Article March 1, 2023 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
QUINCY — Quincy’s lone primary on Tuesday saw Jake Reed score a convincing win over Natalie Thompson in the city’s Sixth Ward. Reed, who won the Republican primary with 68 percent of the vote, will face Democrat Patty Maples in the April 4 general election. Maples was appointed to fill the term when Katie Awerkamp…
Read Full Article February 27, 2023 | By Muddy River News
QUINCY — Adam Yates, chief of the Quincy Police Department, said he’s making no apologies for being “tight-lipped” about the investigation into last week’s fatal shooting of Rebecca Bliefnick. He wants Quincyans to know that “homicide investigations are complex, difficult and take time,” and his department has “only one chance to get it right.” Yates…
Read Full Article February 27, 2023 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
QUINCY — Mike Tyler, deputy chief for the Quincy Police Department, had a simple three-word resolution when explaining a recent rash of vehicle thefts and burglaries in Quincy. Lock. Your. Doors. Tyler issued a press release Monday morning to local media outlets explaining that five vehicles were stolen from various locations around the city last…
Read Full Article February 27, 2023 | By Tom Ortbal
The program for a Breakfast Kiwanis meeting a few years ago was a presentation on the basics of performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). I listened to the presentation by Fire Chief Joe Henning and participated in the simulation of CPR. As I recall, I didn’t quite get it right at first. I wasn’t exerting enough pressure on the chest…
Read Full Article February 26, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent
LAGRANGE, Mo. — It was 13 hours that Kris “Tanto” Paronto, and the rest of the CIA annex security team, held off terrorist in Benghazi, Libya on Sept. 11, 2012, helping to save 20 lives. Tragically losing their lives that day were J. Christopher Stevens, Sean Patrick Smith, Ty Woods, and Glen Doherty. Paronto relived…
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December 06, 2023
DAILY MUDDY: Riverfront update and paying for legal help
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