You Don’t Need a Ticket to Enjoy Saturday’s Wine Walk






Downtown Geneseo will be busy Saturday during the inaugural Geneseo Wine Walk — but organizers say the event is designed to be more than just a tasting experience for ticket holders.

While Wine Walk tickets include wine samples at participating stops throughout downtown, many businesses, restaurants, pop-ups, and entertainment options will still be open and available to the public throughout the event.

In other words: you can still come downtown, shop, eat, listen to music, and enjoy the atmosphere even without participating in the official wine tasting portion.

The event features more than 15 stops spread throughout downtown Geneseo, with participating businesses including retailers, restaurants, boutiques, florists, artists, and specialty shops.

Visitors can also expect:

  • Live music throughout downtown from 3–6 p.m.

  • Lacy’s Ditch performing at Central Bank Pavilion from 6–8 p.m.

  • Pop-up vendors and makers at multiple locations

  • Downtown restaurants and bars open during the event

  • Extended foot traffic and evening activity throughout State Street

Several businesses will also feature additional vendors or specialty experiences during the event.

At Gaslight Grocer, visitors can find pop-ups from North Street Treats, Leaf Livestock, NOSH, and Dragonfly Flower Farms..

Reap & Sow will feature pop-ups from Taylor & Co Flowers, Mary Kay, A Spotted Apron, and The Well Studio.

Even businesses not serving wine are expected to benefit from the increased downtown activity, creating a broader “sip, shop, and explore” atmosphere throughout the evening.

According to event materials, State Street will be closed for portions of the event to create a more walkable downtown experience.

Participating locations include businesses such as:

  • Geneseo Brewing Co

  • Pegasus Fine Gifts

  • Katsch Boutique

  • Urban Farmhouse

  • The Ugly Duckling

  • Designs on the Boulevard

  • Four Seasons

  • Anthology for Books

  • Village Florist

  • The Cellar

  • Geneseo Art League

  • Chicago Street Decorating on State

  • Barney’s Korner Grill

  • Raelyn’s Pub & Eatery

  • Leaman’s Bar & Grill

  • Habanero’s Mexican Grill

  • Sugar Maple Golf Course

  • Stumphy’s Restaurant & Bar

The Chamber information booth and ticket check-in will be located near First Street.

For residents who may not drink alcohol — or simply didn’t want to purchase a tasting ticket — organizers say the event can still serve as a chance to experience downtown Geneseo, browse local businesses, enjoy live music, and support the community atmosphere surrounding the inaugural event.

Letter to the Editor: Concerns About Rushed School Solar Decision

I understand why the school district is interested in the proposed solar project, and I appreciate that financial projections and estimated savings have been presented. Still, I can’t help feeling like this decision is moving far too quickly for something involving such a large financial commitment.

The proposal was first introduced just a couple months ago, and now a final decision is expected by June. For a project expected to impact the district financially for years — even decades — that feels rushed.

My concern isn’t really about solar itself. If the numbers work long term, great. But right now, the district is already operating at a deficit, and we’re talking about spending hundreds of thousands of dollars based largely on predicted future savings. Those projections may turn out to be correct, but they are still projections.

I’m also uncomfortable with the fact that only one vendor proposal appears to have been seriously considered. When public money is involved, especially at this scale, I think taxpayers should expect multiple bids, comparisons, and more time for review.

At the end of the day, I simply think decisions this large deserve a slower, more deliberate process — one that gives both board members and the public enough time to fully evaluate the long-term financial impact before moving forward.

Laura Bennett

Small Towns Across America Facing Growing Police Recruiting Challenges

For generations, small-town policing was often viewed as a stable and respected career built around community relationships, long-term service, and local pride.

Today, however, communities across the country are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit the next generation of officers.

While large-city staffing shortages often dominate national headlines, many smaller departments say they are facing the same challenges — often with fewer resources and a much smaller hiring pool.

Police leaders nationwide point to several contributing factors, including increased retirements, fewer applicants entering the profession, and intense competition between agencies for qualified candidates. Smaller communities can face an even steeper uphill battle when competing with larger departments offering higher salaries, signing bonuses, expanded benefits, or specialized career opportunities.

Geneseo Police Chief Casey Disterhoft said the hiring landscape has changed dramatically from earlier in his career.

“We’re in a time that I’ve never seen before,” Disterhoft said. “For me, it is what I would consider a hiring crisis.”

Disterhoft noted that departments across Illinois are often pursuing the same limited pool of applicants at the same time.

“Everybody’s trying to get good people and we’re all reaching through the very limited amount that’s out there,” he said.

The decline in testing participation has been especially noticeable in smaller communities.

“There was 40, 50, 60 people doing it,” Disterhoft said. “Now there’s like five if we’re lucky.”

Experts say modern policing has also evolved significantly over the last two decades. Today’s officers are expected not only to respond to emergencies and enforce laws, but also to build community relationships, navigate complex social situations, communicate effectively under pressure, and serve in increasingly visible public-facing roles.

At the same time, workforce expectations have shifted broadly across many industries, particularly among younger workers prioritizing flexibility, work-life balance, and alternative career paths.

For small-town departments, even one open position can place additional strain on scheduling, overtime, training, and coverage.

Still, many communities believe small-town policing continues to offer advantages that larger agencies cannot always replicate — including closer community connections, greater day-to-day visibility, and the opportunity for officers to become deeply involved in the communities they serve.

As departments nationwide continue searching for solutions, many smaller agencies are increasingly focusing on recruitment strategies centered around community culture, long-term career development, and quality of life in hopes of attracting candidates interested in community-centered policing.

 

Tails and Ales Trail to Benefit Henry County Humane Society


A new community fundraiser combining classic cars, local bars, games, and live entertainment is set to roll into Henry County next month.

The first-ever “Tails and Ales Trail” will take place Saturday, June 6, with proceeds benefiting the Henry County Humane Society locations in Geneseo and Kewanee.

The rally-style event will begin in Kewanee at Wiebler’s at 11:30 a.m. Participants will then travel to several area stops throughout the day, including Mick’s, Bushy’s Pub Stop, and Swanny’s, before ending at Raelyn’s.

Organizers say a cash award will be paid out to one participant based on the total number of entries.

Vehicle registration is currently $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the event.

In addition to the trail itself, organizers are planning an evening of activities at Raelyn’s to keep the party going after the rally concludes.

A bags tournament is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in the pavilion, and organizers are currently working to secure a live band to perform beginning around 7 p.m. Raffle baskets will also be available during the event.

The fundraiser aims to support the ongoing work of the Henry County Humane Society while creating a fun, community-centered event for animal lovers, car enthusiasts, and local businesses alike.

Participants can register online by clicking here.

To the Graduates: A Letter From Your Hometown

We saw you—long before caps and gowns and graduation announcements.

We saw you when your feet barely touched the floor at the elementary lunch tables. We saw you at Green Machine games under Friday night lights, in packed gyms, on stages, in uniforms, in band tees, in work shirts with name tags. We saw you behind the counter at Culver’s, walking State Street with your friends, driving the same few roads over and over again— because for a while, this was your whole world.

We saw you grow up in a place where people still wave when they pass you. Where your last name means something. Where somebody always knows your parents. Or your grandparents. Or your story.

A place that quietly carried you long before you understood what that meant.

And now—just like that—you’re stepping out of it.

Out of the routines. Out of the familiar. Out of the place that, whether you realized it or not, has been shaping you this whole time.

Geneseo is not a loud place.

It doesn’t demand attention. It doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It shows up in steady ways. Quiet ways. The kind that don’t always feel important until you leave and realize not everywhere works like this.

Not everywhere rallies for its own the way this town does. Not everywhere fills the streets for a parade, packs the stands, or builds something together just because it matters. Not everywhere feels like people are paying attention.

But here— they were.

People noticed the effort you put in, even in the small moments. When you stayed late. When you did something small that turned out to mean something bigger.

This town carried belief in you during moments when you struggled to find it yourself. And that stays with you.

You carry the rhythm of this place. The expectations without words. The understanding that being part of something means showing up for it— event when it’s inconvenient, even when no one asks you to.

You carry the sidewalks of State Street. The noise of a game night. The stillness of a Sunday morning. The feeling of walking into a place and being known without having to explain yourself.

That experience changes you. And it doesn’t leave.

No matter where you go next—whether it’s five miles away or five states away—this place goes with you.

In how you treat people. In how you work. In what you expect from a community—and what you’re willing to give back to one.

And someday—maybe sooner than you think—you’ll find yourself in a place that doesn’t feel quite right yet.

Too fast. Too impersonal. Too unfamiliar.

And without even realizing it, you’ll start looking for pieces of this.

For eye contact. For consistency. For people who mean what they say. For something that feels a little slower, a little steadier, a little more real.

That’s when you’ll understand it: Geneseo didn’t just raise you.

It rooted you.

It gave you something to measure the rest of the world against.

Because this isn’t just where you’re from. It’s part of how you move through the world.

So go—build something, chase something, become something. Go make a life that stretches beyond these streets.

But when you do, carry this place with you—not just in memory, but in how you show up wherever you land.

Because that’s how it lasts.

Not in the buildings. Not in the streets. But in you.

And no matter how far you go, no matter how much changes, no matter how long it’s been—

There will always be a place where your name still means something. Where someone will say, “Oh, I know them,” and smile.

We’ll be here—same streets, same corners, same quiet pride—watching the next group grow up the way you did. And there will always be a place for you here.

Because once a place helps shape you like this, it never fully leaves.

And neither do you.

—Geneseo

GHS Bass Fishing Team Wins Regional Title

Geneseo High School’s bass fishing team competed at Regionals recently, joining a field of 19 boats with two students competing per boat.

GHS students Jace Wainscott and Byrer Uthoff earned a first-place regional finish, bringing home plaques and medals for their performance on the water. Wainscott also received an additional medal for catching the biggest fish of the competition.

The team is coached by Mr. Nick Verbeck.

Geneseo School Board Recap: Retirements, Solar Energy, and Career Education

The Geneseo Board of Education meeting on May 14 featured recognition for longtime educators, discussion surrounding a proposed district solar project, and updates on district finances .

The meeting began with recognition of Pinks’ Bus Service’s 80th anniversary, along with acknowledgment of seven retiring educators who collectively represent decades of service to Geneseo schools. Those recognized included Kathy Buysse, Scott Christensen, Darren Hall, Larry Johnsen Jr., Dean Johnson, Stephen LaCroix, and Bob Thomas.

Consultant Mike Ellis of E-Quantum Consulting was present to answer board questions about the proposed solar project at the middle school. The proposed project carries an estimated cost of approximately $569,000, with projected rebates totaling roughly $227,000. Renewable energy credits could further offset costs with a projected payback period of around 9.5 years.

Board members discussed multiple logistical considerations tied to the project, including panel placement, fencing requirements, electrical infrastructure complications, and whether alternate locations near athletic facilities or parking areas may be preferable. District officials also discussed the need to gather additional competitive quotes before moving forward. A formal vote on the project will take place during the June 11 meeting after revised estimates and updated information are reviewed.

District financial updates showed sales tax revenue increasing approximately 17% year-over-year, while the district’s expense budget remains on track.

The board also discussed the district’s ongoing education fund deficit and measures being explored to improve long-term sustainability. District leadership indicated stabilization efforts will likely require a combination of cost-saving measures, staffing adjustments through attrition, and continued operational review rather than a single-year solution.

Additional financial discussion centered around an interfund loan resolution tied to the education fund, with more than $2 million in working cash expected to be temporarily transferred to the education fund before eventually being repaid.

Superintendent reports also included information on an upcoming Career & Technical Education Center dedication ceremony on May 19 at 1:30.

District officials also discussed an intergovernmental agreement with Riverdale, Annawan, and Cambridge that would allow students from those districts to participate in Geneseo’s Building Trades program through the Career & Technical Education Center. Administrators indicated approximately seven non-Geneseo students are currently expected to participate. District leadership emphasized the partnership would not reduce opportunities or available spots for Geneseo students, but instead helps strengthen and sustain the program through broader regional participation.

The board additionally completed or reviewed several routine annual items, including administrative contracts, cafeteria meal pricing, transportation contracts, handbooks, policy updates, and the tentative amended FY26 budget.

The Geneseo Education Foundation was also recognized for donating nearly $62,000 in grants to the district.

Further information on the proposed solar project is forthcoming.

Geneseo City Council Discusses Infrastructure Costs, Rail Plans, and Police Recruitment Challenges




The Geneseo City Council meeting on May 12 featured major discussions surrounding rising infrastructure costs, the future possibility of passenger rail service in Geneseo, ongoing public works projects, and growing concerns over police recruitment and retention.

Former Alderman Roodhouse with Major Johnson

The meeting also marked a transition on the council, as Alderman James Roodhouse concluded eight years of service on the council. Mayor Sean Johnson thanked Roodhouse for his dedication to the city, praising his precision, professionalism, and continued service to the community through his role with the Geneseo School District.

Major John and Alderman Arnold are sworn in

Former Geneseo police officer Chavez sworn in

Mayor Sean Johnson and Alderman Craig Arnold were officially sworn in following their reelection victories, while Michael Chavez was later appointed to fill the vacant Ward 2 council seat. Chavez, a longtime Geneseo police officer, was praised by the mayor for his commitment to the community and public service background.

Chamber Reports Strong Event Participation

Chamber officials introduced new Executive Director Lindsie Akers, who officially began the role May 4. Chamber President Jenna Rushing highlighted Akers’ background in marketing, event management, and communications.

The Chamber also reported strong attendance at recent downtown events. Organizers said Art Walk benefited significantly from the addition of the Farmers Market downtown, while more than 400 tickets were sold for the upcoming Wine Walk. Rushing said 28 businesses are participating in the event.

North State Street Construction Continues

IMEG Engineering discussed progress on the North State Street reconstruction project, noting that sewer work has been completed and crews are now installing the water main. Ogden Avenue has reopened following utility work near the high school.

Officials said the project remains on an aggressive timeline, with hopes of reaching significant completion before the start of the school year.

The city is also continuing work on Well 33, though delays with IEPA permitting continue to slow activation of the new water source.

Sidewalk Project Sparks Budget Concerns

A lengthy discussion focused on the Chicago Street sidewalk project after final engineering estimates came in significantly higher than the city’s original preliminary estimates. Engineers explained the increase was largely tied to ADA compliance issues discovered during final surveying.

Council members questioned why the costs were not identified earlier, while engineers explained that preliminary budgeting estimates are often developed before full site surveying occurs. Mayor Johnson acknowledged the frustration but noted the issue stemmed from final elevation measurements showing portions of the roadway were slightly outside ADA compliance standards.

The council ultimately approved a bid of approximately $184,000 for the construction costs, including spending roughly $42,000 above the original budget estimate.

Pedestrian Bridge Costs Rise

The council also revisited concerns regarding the proposed pedestrian bridge near Richmond Hill. Engineers explained that updated Illinois Department of Natural Resources floodway requirements forced major redesign changes, including raising the bridge nearly six feet to eliminate any measurable floodwater rise during major flooding events.

Officials expressed frustration with what they described as inconsistent state-level regulatory interpretations and increasing project costs. Mayor Johnson said the city remains in a difficult position because the current crossing area lacks a safe pedestrian route.

Further discussion on bridge costs and potential grant support is expected later this month.

Passenger Rail Discussion Expected This Summer

City Administrator Brandon Maeglin reported that IDOT is expected to visit Geneseo in the coming months to formally discuss the long-discussed passenger rail proposal that could bring a rail stop to the city.

Officials said the city would eventually need to decide whether it is willing to commit to building and maintaining a rail depot if the project moves forward. Mayor Johnson emphasized that while the concept is exciting, the long-term financial obligations could significantly affect future city capital planning.

Council members also discussed gathering additional public input before making any long-term decisions regarding the project.

Police Recruitment Becoming Increasingly Difficult

Mayor Johnson and Police Chief Casey Disterhoft described growing challenges in recruiting police officers, calling the current hiring environment one of the most difficult they have seen.

Officials said departments across Illinois are competing for a shrinking pool of applicants, with some agencies offering large signing bonuses and other incentives. The city recently formed an ad hoc committee to explore ways Geneseo can remain competitive in both recruiting and retaining officers.

Additional Updates

Additional updates during the meeting included:

  • Work beginning on full rehabilitation and painting of the North Water Tower

  • Delivery of the city’s new jet truck for sewer maintenance

  • Upcoming ribbon cutting plans for the Richmond Hill Park stage project

  • Approval of a $50,000 revolving loan fund request for DeSplinter Electric to assist with parking lot improvements following reconstruction of its tornado-damaged facility