Patrick Stout News Today

The Community News Brief is harnessing the journalism expertise that’s still in Macomb to fill the local newspaper void.

The Community News Brief is harnessing the journalism expertise still in Macomb to fill a local news void.

The Community News Brief is harnessing the journalism expertise still in Macomb to fill a local news void.

Too close for comfort? The McDonough County Voice How things have changed: They stripped the masking tape off the chairs in the main courtroom designating social distance boundaries. Members of the McDonough County Board, 20 of them, were once again packed side by side. They all took off their masks after taking their seats. This is an example of the new CDC-approved post-vaccination public gathering policy. Quite a change from having some public officials sit in the audience just to maintai...

Two new township tax assessors needed By Patrick Stout, Correspondent MACOMB — Macomb City Township Assessor Deanna Crawford told her township board this week that two of the five township assessors in the county plan to retire by 2022. Efforts will be made to elect or appoint replacements for those retiring. Crawford said she has received all assessment books. She said that she has driven one section of her township and has verified land measurements. The township assessor has begun work on ...

6,500 residents vaccinated

5,336 shots given to county residents

Recovered outnumber new COVID cases

Two lives saved at McDonough District Hospital By Patrick Stout Voice Correspondent MACOMB — The McDonough District Hospital Board of Directors heard Thursday about the efforts of Dr. Nicholas Viyuoh, Dr. James Lee, and Dr. Shea Trost in saving the lives of a mother and child. Hospital CEO Brian Dietz related the story to the board. He said it was confirmed by Chief Medical Officer Ed Card and by Hospitalist Director Jack McPherson. Dietz also reported hearing many compliments this week from ...

By Patrick Stout Voice Correspondent MACOMB — "It started with people asking questions. Then we received an  avalanche of checks." Major Allen Otto described the circumstances that led the Salvation Army to exceed its Christmas goal and end up with $115,983. Otto totaled up donations in January. He said mid-December resulted in $80,000 in contributions in 17 days. Of the total, Otto said $36,698 came in the form of red kettle donations at local stores. "Some groups saw we were in trouble in ...