- Throughout 2020, Iroquois Memorial Hospital saw the community's growing need for after-hours healthcare services to treat patients of all ages for minor illnesses and injuries. So, on November 9, 2020, the 24/7 all MD staffed IMH Prompt Care opened its doors to the public. Each patient who visits IMH Prompt Care receives quality, one-on-one care from highly skilled professionals, and with great success, they recently celebrated treating their 10,000th patient, just two short years later. Danielle McGee, MD, and Jayme Lottinville, RN, BSN, were on staff when the 10,000th patient, Victor Cardenas, Jr., came on Saturday morning, February 11, 2023. Victor was happy to be the 10,000th patient and staff presented him with an IMH gift bag to show him their appreciation for choosing IMH. Providing the benefits of both a primary care clinic and an ER without the ER cost, our MDs are always here to treat a wide range of minor illnesses and injuries, even if you have never been a patient at IMH. This includes but is not limited to infections, lacerations, sprains, and dislocations. Just in case your illness or injury is more serious than you initially thought, IMH Prompt Care is located directly adjacent to the 24/7 Emergency Department, making IMH the one-stop location for all of your healthcare needs, along with on-site pharmacy (during normal business hours), labs, and testing. “Prompt Care’s success over the past two years is a testament to the support and dedication of the people in this community. This service is thriving and now plays a vital role in providing a convenient healthcare option for families around the clock, whether local or visiting from out of town. We thank you for your continued support of IMH and are eager to continue expanding services to meet your needs,” says Michelle Fairley, IMH Chief Nursing Officer. You can utilize this convenient service by coming to the South entrance of Iroquois Memorial Hospital’s main campus. To learn more, visit imhrh.org or call 815.432.7762

The Watseka Family Festival Committee is proud to announce the entertainment lineup for the 2023 festival. The Multi-Platinum-Selling country music superstar Josh Turner has been one of country music’s most recognizable voices, selling more than 8.5 million units and amassing more than 2.5 billion global streams. Turner will be headlining on Saturday, August 26, 2023. Opening for Turner, a Southern Illinois native turned Nashville star, Drew Baldridge! Baldridge’s viral hit, “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” has amassed over 260 million TikTok impressions and has been streamed over 65 million times within a year. 

Headlining Friday, August 25, is Silver Bullet STL, which offers a show-stopping 10-piece tribute to the music of Bob Seger. Peoria Based Anthem Rock band, Revel in Red will be opening the show. 

The concerts will take place at the Watseka American Legion Park in Watseka, IL, on August 25 & 26, 2023. Gates will open at 4 PM each night. Friday Night, the concert will begin at 7 PM and Saturday at 7:30 PM. General Admission to Friday Night will be $10; there is a $5 discount (online only) if you purchase Saturday Night and Friday tickets. If purchased in advance, General Admission for Saturday Night is $20, and Party Pit (the section closest to the stage) will be $25. Saturday Night tickets will increase by $5 on August 26, 2023. 

All tickets for Saturday Night, purchased in advance or online, will include parking (which will be $5 on Saturday and is Free on Friday). Chairs are allowed in designated areas of the General Admission area on both nights. Tickets for both nights will be available online at www.watsekafamilyfest.com starting on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 8 AM. 

Other activities during the festival include a carnival, craft-flea markets, a car show, a bags tournament, a beer garden, food vendors, and more. There is no entry fee to attend any activities outside of the concerts. Once available, details on all events can be found at www.watsekafamilyfest.com. 

On January 23rd, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Broc M. Klecan, age 22, of Milford. According to police reports, Klecan was charged with domestic battery and endangering the life of a child. Klecan was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

On January 23rd, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Garret J. Coffey, age 38, of Thawville. According to police reports, Coffey was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and driving while license revoked. Coffey was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

On January 24th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police returned from the Champaign County Jail with Jeremy L. Bruens, age 43, of Milford. According to police reports, Bruens was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with possession of methamphetamine less than 5 grams. Bruens was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

On January 26th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested David R. Blair Jr, age 43, of Onarga. According to police reports, Blair was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with possession of methamphetamine less than 5 grams. Blair was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains in lieu of bond.

On January 26th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police returned from the Kankakee County Jail with Bret A. Johnson, age 29, of Pembroke. According to police reports Johnson was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with failure to appear for aggravated fleeing an eluding a peace officer. Johnson was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains in lieu of bond.

On January 27th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Martha J. Trammell, age 46, of Danforth. According to police reports, Trammell was charged with driving while license suspended. Trammell was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she posted the required bond and was released.

On January 27th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Malik S. Noye, age 20, of Georgetown. According to police reports, Noye was wanted on a Vermilion County warrant for weapons offenses. Noye was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he was later extradited to Vermilion County.

On January 28th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Kalena C. Creekmore, age 20, of Milford. According to police reports, Creekmore was charged with DUI/alcohol, speeding 26-34 miles an hour above the posted limit, and operating a vehicle with only one taillight. Creekmore was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she posted the required bond and released.

On January 30th, 2023, Eric R. Hoffman, age 38, of St. Peters, MO, turned himself in to the Iroquois County Jail on an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a possession of stolen vehicle charge. Hoffman posted the required bond and was released.

Accidents:

On January 29th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police investigated a single vehicle accident that occurred on County Rd 2900 N approx. 1/4 mile east of County Rd 1300 E. According to police reports, a vehicle being driven by Mary Patterson, age 60, of Williamsburg, VA was traveling east on 2900 N. Patterson lost control of the vehicle due to icy road conditions and slid across the roadway and entered the north ditch. The vehicle sustained over $1500 in damage. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

On January 29th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred on County Rd 2900 N approx. Yd mile east of County Rd 1300 E. According to police reports, a vehicle being driven by Jeffrey A. Reyna, age 67, of Watseka was traveling west on 2900 N and following a vehicle being driven by Jessica L. Gigl, age 30, of Watseka. Gigl had stopped to check on a vehicle that slid into the north ditch when Reyna could not stop due to the icy conditions, striking the rear of Gigl’s vehicle. There was over $1500 in damage to both vehicles. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.