One month later: Fatal hit and run of pedestrian remains unsolved in Jo Daviess County

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

JO DAVIESS COUNTY, Ill. - The Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office is still asking for the public's help one month after a woman was found dead near Warren. On the morning of Aug. 29, the Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office responded to Illinois Route 78, just northwest of Warren, for an unresponsive woman laying in … Continue reading One month later: Fatal hit and run of pedestrian remains unsolved in Jo Daviess County

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

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

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

Criminal case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle continued for 90 days

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - The criminal case against a former deputy charged in the death of Jackson Kradle is continued for 90 days. Matthew Herpstreith, 44, appeared in court Friday for a pretrial status hearing alongside defense attorney Joe Nack. Special Prosecutor Charles Colburn represented the State. Herpstreith faces multiple felony charges including Reckless Homicide … Continue reading Criminal case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle continued for 90 days

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