Lawsuit alleges Shannon officials directed police chief to offer deal to woman claiming sexual harassment

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SHANNON, Ill. - A lawsuit filed in federal court last month alleges Village officials directed Police Chief Mike Lewis to offer a deal to a woman who claimed she was sexually harassed by a board trustee. In early September, Village President Ryan Shaner says Lewis was suspended for five days due to job performance. Last … Continue reading Lawsuit alleges Shannon officials directed police chief to offer deal to woman claiming sexual harassment

Morrison Chief issues statement regarding video of officer’s interaction with suspect

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MORRISON, Ill. - Morrison Police Chief Michael Moon issued a statement this week regarding an interaction caught on camera between an officer and a suspect. The majority of the interaction was captured on video by a neighbor of where the incident occurred in the 500 block of N Base Street, according to witnesses and police. … Continue reading Morrison Chief issues statement regarding video of officer’s interaction with suspect

Village of Shannon releases closed session minutes regarding former police chief

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SHANNON, Ill. - After formally accepting the resignation of their police chief Tuesday night, the Village of Shannon has released minutes from closed session meetings discussing his job performance. Click link below to read the latest developments. https://kylejbales.com/2025/10/15/lawsuit-alleges-shannon-officials-directed-police-chief-to-offer-deal-with-woman-claiming-sexual-harassment/ Michael Lewis was employed as Chief of Police from Nov. 7, 2023 thru Sep. 16, 2025, according … Continue reading Village of Shannon releases closed session minutes regarding former police chief

Village President: Shannon’s Police Chief resigned voluntarily despite intent to fire

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SHANNON, Ill. - Village of Shannon President Ryan Shaner maintains Police Chief Mike Lewis voluntarily resigned last month despite his intent to fire him. Read the latest update below. https://kylejbales.com/2025/10/08/village-of-shannon-releases-minutes-from-closed-sessions-involving-former-police-chief/ On Sep. 17, Shaner announced he had accepted Lewis' resignation as Chief of Police. Adding, there was also an ongoing criminal investigation, but he could … Continue reading Village President: Shannon’s Police Chief resigned voluntarily despite intent to fire

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. Tyler Smith, 23, was reported missing in Galesburg on the morning of Sep. 15, 2018, after he failed … Continue reading New cause of death sealed from public for man found in Galesburg drainage ditch 7 years ago

State agency affirms paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead violated local EMS policies

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A letter sent from the Illinois Department of Public Health says a local EMS organization identified violations in connection to an off-duty paramedic on the day Jackson Kradle was killed. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) declined to comment further about the case but did confirm the … Continue reading State agency affirms paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead violated local EMS policies

‘Not on my watch’ Pt. II: Preparing, executing inquest into death of Jackson Kradle

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A small town attorney and a rural Illinois county coroner secured a homicide verdict through an inquest into the death of Jackson Kradle more than two months before any criminal charges were filed. Watch Part 2 of 'Not On My Watch' https://youtu.be/I-cRKsCQBv0?si=0Xo0f73CPC18T49v In the early morning hours of July 28, 2024, … Continue reading ‘Not on my watch’ Pt. II: Preparing, executing inquest into death of Jackson Kradle

‘Not on my watch’: Meet the Coroner who broke Jackson Kradle homicide case wide open

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A family and community were rocked one year ago after an 18-year-old Mt. Carroll man was found dead in the road. Parade in Shannon, Ill. (Janessa Anderson) The man who died was 2024 West Carroll High School graduate Jackson Kradle, who had recently turned 18 when he was struck and killed … Continue reading ‘Not on my watch’: Meet the Coroner who broke Jackson Kradle homicide case wide open

Court docs confirm suspect had already been jailed for stolen truck used in multi-county pursuit

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

FREEPORT, Ill. - Court documents confirm suspect involved in pursuit-turned-shooting in Savanna last month had already been arrested and charged for stealing same truck used in the pursuit. Mark Feltmeyer, 59, of Freeport, who was shot by officers in Savanna after leading them on a multi-county pursuit last month, appeared in Stephenson County court on … Continue reading Court docs confirm suspect had already been jailed for stolen truck used in multi-county pursuit

Suspect involved in Savanna shooting, pursuit was granted pretrial release 3 days prior

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SAVANNA, Ill. - The suspect involved in a pursuit-turned-shooting with police in Savanna last week was granted pretrial release on a previous charge three days prior to the incident. Mark Feltmeyer, 59, of Freeport, who was shot by officers in Savanna after leading them on a multi-county pursuit last week, was booked into the Stephenson … Continue reading Suspect involved in Savanna shooting, pursuit was granted pretrial release 3 days prior