In July the last remaining structure of what was Lombard College was demolished after sitting unused for 20 years. The Old Lombard Gymnasium – or the Zephyr Dome to some – needed millions for renovations and wasn’t feasible for the district to maintain a single-use structure. Since the district accepted $1 million in 2000 to build a new gym, the district would have to pay the state back that money plus interest just to inhabit the building – plus an additional $2-3 million to renovate it. The building had not had water, heat or electricity running to it in over a decade. Deemed unsafe, the building’s only occupants had been a population of bats living in it the past 12-plus years. Solar panels will be installed in the space where the gym once stood.
In June, a Canton woman died after a weekend motorcycle crash likely caused by freshly-mowed grass clippings. The crashed occurred on Saturday, June 8th. 59-year old Cheryl Zeglen was pronounced dead on Monday, June 11th at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
On Sunday, June 9th, the small Knox County community of Rapatee was rocked by an explosion that completely leveled a house at around 11:30 am. The explosion was heard as far away as Maquon and Fairview. Two victims were inside the home at the time: 77-year-old Wanda Swain and 51-year-old David L. Swain Jr. The Swain’s dog who was found in the rubble also died. Responding to the scene was the Fairview, Maquon, London Mills, and Farmington Fire Departments, the Knox County and Fulton County Sheriff’s Departments, Illinois State Police and the state fire marshal. No foul play was suspected in the explosion. Eight other structures suffered damage that morning as well. The state fire marshal in September said the cause of the fire is undetermined and the case had been closed.
Another top-2019 story: a local rivalry that existed for nearly 60 years ended on Monday, December 16th when the Churchill Junior High Boys took on the Lombard Junior High Boys for the final boys’ basketball matchup before the two schools merge next school year. With 5 seconds left in the 7th-grade game, Churchill in-bounded the ball to Cody Jones who drove down to halfcourt, dished a pass to a streaking Jamar Range for the game-winning layup as the buzzer sounded. Churchill 7th grade won 29-28. Churchill 8th grade then won 34-18.
