Court docs reveal more details about charges against Mercer County Schools employees

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MERCER COUNTY, Ill. - Court documents obtained Thursday have revealed more details about criminal charges filed against the Mercer County School District Superintendent and two employees. On Thursday, court records show all three district employees were formally charged with Official Misconduct, a Class 3 Felony. In addition, all three were charged with Unauthorized Access to … Continue reading Court docs reveal more details about charges against Mercer County Schools employees

Mercer Co. Schools Superintendent, two employees, charged with official misconduct

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ALEDO, Ill. — The Mercer County School District Superintendent and two employees were charged with official misconduct Wednesday after police say they illegally accessed students' medical records. According to Aledo Police and the Mercer County State's Attorney, investigators collected enough evidence to execute a search warrant at the district's office in Joy on Wednesday, where … Continue reading Mercer Co. Schools Superintendent, two employees, charged with official misconduct

‘We have to extend grace’: Former President Barack Obama speaks out in aftermath of Charlie Kirk assassination

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ERIE, Pa. - Former President Barack Obama discussed the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination during a formal conversation on Tuesday, Sep. 16, at the Jefferson Educational Society in Pennsylvania. https://videopress.com/v/aQmaEUqV?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Obama talks about political violence with Steve Scully at the Jefferson Educational Society (Barack Obama) The transcript. "Well, we are certainly at an inflection … Continue reading ‘We have to extend grace’: Former President Barack Obama speaks out in aftermath of Charlie Kirk assassination

New cause of death sealed from public for man found in Galesburg drainage ditch 7 years ago

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

GALESBURG, Ill. - A second autopsy for a man found dead in a Galesburg drainage ditch in 2018 uncovered a new cause of death, but remains sealed from the public on the seventh anniversary of his death. https://kylejbales.com/2026/04/30/tyler-smith-part-two/ Tyler Smith, 23, was reported missing in Galesburg on the morning of Sep. 15, 2018, after he … Continue reading New cause of death sealed from public for man found in Galesburg drainage ditch 7 years ago

Utah man could face death penalty if convicted for Charlie Kirk assassination

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

UTAH COUNTY, Utah - A Utah man charged in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk could face the death penalty if convicted at trial. Tyler Robinson, 22, faces multiple felony charges including Aggravated Murder and Obstruction of Justice. He is accused of shooting and killing Kirk during a scheduled public event on the campus … Continue reading Utah man could face death penalty if convicted for Charlie Kirk assassination

Dispatch audio captures response to Charlie Kirk assassination, search for suspect

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

OREM, Utah - Conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed at a speaking event in Utah Wednesday in an apparent political assassination. It happened around 12:23 p.m. on the campus of Utah Valley University located in Orem, Utah where Kirk was hosting hundreds of students for a scheduled event on his … Continue reading Dispatch audio captures response to Charlie Kirk assassination, search for suspect

Retiring chief defends police department’s handling of murder investigation

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ROCK FALLS, Ill. - Less than one month before retiring from the Rock Falls Police Department, Chief David Pilgrim wants to set the record straight on an investigation resulting in the dismissal of first-degree murder earlier this year. Pilgrim has been with the Rock Falls Police Department since 2001. He was appointed Chief in early … Continue reading Retiring chief defends police department’s handling of murder investigation

Rock Falls Police Chief to announce retirement amid fallout from flawed investigation

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ROCK FALLS, Ill. - Rock Falls Police Chief David Pilgrim is soon expected to announce his retirement amid the fallout from a flawed investigation earlier this year. Click here to see an update to this story. More than one alderman told me Pilgrim notified city council of his decision last week. Pilgrim has been with … Continue reading Rock Falls Police Chief to announce retirement amid fallout from flawed investigation

First-degree murder charge dropped for Rock Falls man after flawed investigation

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ROCK FALLS, Ill. - A first-degree murder charge in connection to a fatal stabbing in Rock Falls was dismissed after details of a flawed investigation conducted by police were revealed during pretrial. Click here to see an update to this story. https://kylejbales.com/2025/09/03/retiring-chief-defends-investigation-resulting-in-dismissed-first-degree-murder-charge/ Kyle Cooper, 36, of Rock Falls, was set to stand trial on one … Continue reading First-degree murder charge dropped for Rock Falls man after flawed investigation

Suspect arrested for the murder, kidnapping of Trudy Appleby

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MOLINE, Ill. - A man has been charged for the murder of Trudy Appleby 29 years after her disappearance. On Aug. 21, 1996, Appleby was 11 years old when she was last seen near her Moline home where witnesses saw her getting into the passenger side of an older model, gray vehicle driven by an … Continue reading Suspect arrested for the murder, kidnapping of Trudy Appleby