Area news briefs

Driver strikes cop car, charged with DUI

GALESBURG — Police arrested a Galesburg driver Sunday night after he blew through a stop sign, collided with a squad car and proceeded to lead officers on a short chase before pulling over several blocks from where the initial wreck occurred.

Chad G. Gustafson, 28, appeared in Knox County Circuit Court on Monday afternoon via video after his arrest the night before. The arresting officer observed a strong odor of alcohol coming from Gustafson’s breath and an open bottle of alcohol in the car. Gustafson complied when asked to undergo a field sobriety test, but refused to take a Breathalyzer test.

He was charged with leaving the scene of a vehicle accident, aggravated fleeing and eluding police, driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal transportation of alcohol, failure to signal a turn and three stop sign violations.

Check galesburg.com for more on this story.

Dog death protesters meet with prosecutor

PEKIN — A woman is entitled to her day in court on charges she intentionally starved two dogs to death. A group of protesters promises to be there.

Regina Robards, of South Pekin, is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 4 for the first time on the felony charges filed late last month. Her case apparently won’t slip quietly by the group that gathered Monday for the second time outside the Tazewell County Courthouse with posters and calls that justice be done.

The protesters, totaling nine Monday, suggested punishments for Robards, including time in jail and many hours of community service, when they met — after their brief rally ­— with the county prosecutor assigned to the case.

Check pekintimes.com for more on this story.

Child hospitalized after school bus accident

GOOD HOPE — One child was transported to McDonough District Hospital after a West Prairie school bus slid off the roadway Monday morning.

According to a news release from the McDonough County Sheriff's Office, Brenda J. Thompson, 48, was turning left from a private drive after 7 a.m. along East 1400th Street in Good Hope when the bus slid off the roadway because of snow and ice.

Fourteen children were on the bus, driven by Thompson, of Good Hope. One 11-year-old was taken to MDH with neck pain and the others were transported to school a short time later.

Check mcdonoughvoice.com for more on this story.