Flames from the Kewanee Boiler office lit up the night and smoke poured from the structure. The November fire was one of the biggest local stories of 2023, as was the subsequent arrest of two teens in connection to the fire. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

As we begin a new year in 2024, it is customary to look back at the year just ended and recall the stories that were important to remember or had an impact on our lives.

This is The Kewanee Voice’s first ‘Year in Review’ and is abbreviated by the fact that the community’s first non-profit, online news source didn’t arrive on the scene until May, five months into the year. For more on that, Kewanee Voice Managing Editor Susan DeVilder has posted a related story with a list of the top 10 stories which received the most views, according to Google.

Here’s The Kewanee Voice’s top 10 stories of 2023.

In 2023, we saw the official end to the COVID-19 pandemic on May 11. Locally, seniors at both Kewanee and Wethersfield who had spent the better part of their four years in high school dealing with remote learning, social distancing and face masks took part in unrestricted graduation ceremonies.

Outdoor activities where we could all gather once again blossomed in 2023. Kewanee held its first Pride Fest at Northeast Park in June organized by the Kewanee Commission on Human Relations. Commission Chair and fest committee member Taurean Bond explained “Our vision is to empower each individual in attendance to feel they are able to express themselves and celebrate not only themselves but each other, as well as education and support services.”

Kewanee’s first Pride Fest was held at Northeast Park in June. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

In addition, the Prairie Chicken Festival observed the 10th anniversary of Kewanee’s historic murals in July, and the U.S. Marine Corps Band finally made it for Hog Days after several postponements. The Human Relations Commission also organized the city’s first Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on East Third Street in September and the second annual Enchanted Pumpkin Festival drew a crowd downtown in October.

Two stories had the highest story counts for the year and a third story captured most of the attention. In July, an Alabama firm announced it had leased the 33-acre site of the former Kewanee Boiler Company with plans to build a solar array on the property.

That inspired Mark Mikenas, president of the Kewanee Preservation Society to come up with the idea of creating a Kewanee Boilermakers Memorial on a triangular lot along Rose Street once used by the Boiler company for parking and not included in the solar project. Plans call for landscaping the site with a large sign, restored boilers and other items to recognize the contributions of those who worked at the plant for decades.

The Kewanee Voice covered its first breaking news story when, on Saturday, Nov. 4, fire destroyed the former administrative building just across the tracks on the main plant property. The quick arrest of two teenagers who were charged with setting the fire, was the most viewed story of the year, according to Google Analytics.

In November, members of the Kewanee Education Association had a good reason to give thanks after voting to ratify a new contract after months of picket lines, attending school board meetings, and negotiations which began in April. The Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the new three-year pact with pay increases retroactive to mid-August, when the union’s previous contract expired.

Members of the KEA picketed outside the Kewanee Administration building in August. Mediation for the contract was underway as teachers and staff worked into the school year without one. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

Yard signs supporting teachers popped up all over town, something that didn’t go unnoticed by KEA president Ruth Kapacinskas who said “We are incredibly grateful to the Kewanee community who rallied around us. We are humbled by the tremendous outpouring of support. Thank you for standing by us during this time. We look forward to continuing to work together to make sure all our students receive the high-quality public education they deserve.”

In July, the two-year-old case of Jerni Warner came to a close when the 19-year-old was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Warner was 17 when she was charged as an adult with two felony counts of Aggravated DUI in the deaths of Garry and Leah Kelly, both 42, of Moline. The fatal crash occurred just outside of Kewanee on Sept. 5, 2021.

Garry and Leah Kelly of Moline lost their lives when their motorcycle was hit head on by a vehicle operated by a Kewanee teen. The case against Jerni Warner dragged on for almost two years. [Submitted photo]

The couple was driving home on Garry’s motorcycle after spending some time in Kewanee when a vehicle operated by Warner crossed over the center line and struck them. The couple were pronounced dead at the scene. After Warner failed to show for a Sept. 27, 2021 court appearance, a warrant was issued for her arrest.

An arrangement was made for her to turn herself in and she pleaded not-guilty to the two counts of Aggravated DUI at an arraignment at the Henry County Courthouse on Oct. 14. Warner was confined to the Mary Davis Detention Home in Galesburg and held on a $1 million bond. The negotiated plea came after an almost two-year court case that began in October of 2021. After a series of defense motions and rulings by the Court, the case came to a close on July 6. The fully negotiated plea included two years of mandatory supervision upon release and a $15,000 fine.

The year also saw many fundraising events as the community stepped up to help three men dealing with major medical issues.
In November, Police Chief Nick Welgat, who had been battling cancer for three years, resigned and the city council approved the appointment of Deputy Chief Stephen Kijanowski as the police department’s new chief. Before a council chambers filled with his family and friends, Welgat expressed his gratitude to Mayor Gary Moore, City Manager Gary Bradley and the City Council for their support since his cancer diagnosis. He said from his tenure as chief he has some “sweet memories, and a tinge of regret.” Welgat said he had hoped for a long career as chief, but “Life has other plans.” Now, he said, he will devote “every ounce of my energy” to his family and loved ones.”

Kewanee Police Chief Nicholas Welgat and Deputy Police Chief Stephen Kijanowski hug after an emotional farewell during a city council meeting. Welgat, who is battling cancer, resigned in 2023, turning the reigns over to Kijanowski.

One chair at the city council table was vacant for over five months as City Councilman Steve Faber dealt with failing lungs and finally underwent a rare double lung transplant at a Chicago hospital on July 15.

Two days after being placed on the National Donor Registry, a potential match was found in Florida where a 35-year old man who had been killed in a car crash, had donated his organs, including both lungs, which turned out to be a perfect fit for Faber.

Shown, Peggy and Steve Faber. Kewanee Councilman Faber made headlines in 2023 after undergoing a double lung transplant. [Photo by Dave Clarke]

After an arduous stay in the hospital, a rehab facility and undergoing rigorous physical therapy, Faber finally came home on Dec.1 saying the anonymous man who donated his lungs and other organs which saved other recipients as well, represented the true spirit of giving we need to remember at Christmas.

Faber, who said one of the things he missed most was being involved in person in city council meetings, was glad to be back in his seat for the Dec.11 meeting.

Several fundraisers were also held for Chris Woods, a former Kewanee police officer and now School Resource Officer at Wethersfield CUSD #230, who is also fighting Stage 3 colorectal cancer. Fortunately, he has been able to remain on duty at the school while undergoing treatment.

In November, the Kewanee School Board named Kewanee High School Principal Rebecca Baney as the district’s first female superintendent to succeed Dr. Chris Sullens who will retire at the end of this school year.

KHS Principal Rebecca Baney and Supt. Dr. Christopher Sullens- Baney was hired as Kewanee School District’s first female superintendent in 2023. [Photo by Michael Berry]

Mrs. Baney has been a teacher and administrator in the Kewanee School District for 23 years. After earning her teaching degree at Indiana State University, she joined the Kewanee High School faculty as a sophomore English teacher and was principal at Belle Alexander School. She is also the first female principal in the history of Kewanee High School.

Kewaneeans who are upset with the quality of streets in the city will have the chance to put their money where their mouth is in March. The City Council voted last month to ask the voters to approve increasing the local sales tax rate by half a cent, to raise money for street and sidewalk repairs. That question will be on the ballot in the March 19 general election.

Other stories worthy of note in 2023 included a new Dollar General store on North Main Street providing a source of groceries and helping to alleviate a “food desert” for residents on that side of town.

Gustafson Ford installed Kewanee’s first charging stations for electric vehicles on the former city parking lot at First and Chestnut Street acquired by the dealership this year. Stations were also installed in Gustafson’s lot on Lexington Avenue. Kurt Gustafson said, “EV is not going to fit all customers. But there are customers it will make sense for.” He said his is the only dealership between the Quad Cities, Peoria and Chicago to sell and service Ford electric vehicles.

And finally, we said good-bye to three people who could legitimately be called pillars of the community — Bud Johnson, longtime owner of the Wanee Theater; Linda Bolls, who served the community in many ways, particularly as head of the Kewanee Salvation Army, and Jim Golby, Superintendent Emeritus who led the Kewanee School District for four decades and laid the foundation for the district of today. They, and many others, will be sorely missed.

Many other important and interesting stories, features and columns graced The Kewanee Voice website and Facebook page during the last eight months of 2023- too many to be mentioned here. Keep viewing and see what’s news in 2024. You won’t be disappointed.