Blake Sammann
Anchor
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Blake Sammann is the Weekend Anchor at WGEM News.
He’s a graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism where he anchored, reported and produced for KOMU, the NBC affiliate in Columbia.
During his time in mid-Missouri, Blake reported on everything from President Trump’s visit to Columbia to the scandal that led to the resignation of then-governor, Eric Greitens.
Born in France and raised in London, Blake moved to the suburbs of northern Chicago in 2006 where he attended New Trier High School and became an avid Bears fan.
When he’s not at the station, Blake enjoys working out, playing golf, spending time with friends and family and exploring all possibilities the Tri-States have to offer.
Updated: Jul. 1, 2022 at 7:27 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
James Vincent ‘Vince’ Dreier, age 44, of Mystic, CT, formerly of Quincy, died on June 29, 2022 in his home in Mystic, CT. Services are in care of Duker & Haugh Funeral Home.
Updated: Jul. 1, 2022 at 6:52 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
With so many hitting the road this weekend, authorities are warning drivers to be careful.
Updated: Jul. 1, 2022 at 4:30 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Missouri State Highway troopers said it happened on U.S. 36 just west of Monroe City, Missouri, around 10:58 p.m.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 5:36 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Adams County election officials say with so much going on at the national level they are expecting people will want to get out and make their voices heard.
Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 6:19 AM CDT
|By Jessica Beaver and Blake Sammann
Police said it happened at 1401 South 24th Street around midnight.
Updated: Jun. 20, 2022 at 5:27 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Those at Quanada say sexual assault survivors are better protected after Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker signed two measures into law Thursday.
Updated: Jun. 17, 2022 at 7:18 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Severe storms rolled through the Tri-States overnight Thursday into Friday morning, downing power lines, uprooting trees and dumping rain.
Updated: Jun. 16, 2022 at 8:56 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
There is a chance for your middle through high school athletes to have their physical done for free this summer.
Updated: Jun. 15, 2022 at 8:22 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Staff at Buff City Soap’s new Quincy location say their grand opening should be a busy one.
Updated: Jun. 14, 2022 at 6:43 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Members of the Quincy Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police also had lunch with 10 of the athletes.
Updated: Jun. 13, 2022 at 7:03 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
With a heat wave moving into the Tri-States, local garden experts are weighing in on how you can keep your home green.
Updated: Jun. 7, 2022 at 4:18 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
If you’re planning to vote in Iowa’s primary election Tuesday, those at the Lee County auditor’s office said they have some reminders.
Updated: Jun. 6, 2022 at 7:41 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Now that teenagers are out of school for the summer, police say they need to be careful when they’re out on the roads.
Updated: May. 27, 2022 at 3:56 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Congresswoman Mary Miller stopped in the Tri-States on Friday, touring John Wood Community College’s Workforce Development Center in Quincy.
Updated: May. 27, 2022 at 3:47 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Officials said it can house up to four people and give them immediate access to help for up to 24 hours as nurses and staff on site can connect clients with specialized care, medication and psychiatric help.
Updated: May. 10, 2022 at 8:23 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
The nationwide formula shortage is affecting different parts of the Tri-States in different ways.
Updated: May. 10, 2022 at 6:17 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann and Ryan Hill
Quincy firefighters said they got on scene at 607 5th Street just after 4:00 a.m..
Updated: May. 6, 2022 at 7:31 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Send your birthday and anniversary wishes, along with how to pronounce names, to birthdays@wgem.com.
Updated: May. 6, 2022 at 7:27 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Send your birthday and anniversary wishes, along with how to pronounce names, to birthdays@wgem.com.
Updated: May. 6, 2022 at 5:19 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
The Adams County Sheriff’s Department says an elderly Payson resident died after a single-vehicle crash Thursday evening.
Updated: May. 4, 2022 at 10:17 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Data shows Missouri has one of the highest veteran suicide rates in the country.
Updated: May. 4, 2022 at 9:43 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Work is underway to expand a sober living space in Hannibal.
Updated: Apr. 26, 2022 at 10:48 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann and Makenzi Henderson
The police and fire board gathered for a special meeting Tuesday afternoon to finalize procedures and arrangements.
Updated: Apr. 21, 2022 at 6:43 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Thursday was a day of celebration for a recovering addict in Quincy as people packed an Adams County courtroom to see her graduate from drug court.
Updated: Apr. 13, 2022 at 6:58 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Organizers said over the next five days, about 700 players from all across Illinois will compete on 90 tables to see who will walk away with the top spot.
Updated: Apr. 13, 2022 at 5:40 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Quincy police have arrested two people allegedly responsible for a shots fired incident that took place in Quincy early Monday evening.
Updated: Mar. 31, 2022 at 9:07 PM CDT
|By Nick Karlik, Hunter Willis and Blake Sammann
A section of one of Fort Madison’s busiest thoroughfares will be shut down Friday as crews start work on the third phase of the Business 61 reconstruction project.
Updated: Mar. 29, 2022 at 5:23 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Authorities said the blaze broke out around 4:00 a.m. at a property at 4th and Cherry.
Updated: Mar. 25, 2022 at 5:15 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Due to it’s location and history, city officials say 732 Avenue G has long been a prime target for redevelopment.
Updated: Mar. 24, 2022 at 7:51 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Lee County authorities say severe weather can strike anywhere and at any time so people need to know what to do when the weather turns ugly.
Updated: Mar. 24, 2022 at 7:48 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
The project of adding 1,000 people to Fort Madison over the next four years is officially underway after community members held their first meeting this week.
Updated: Mar. 23, 2022 at 5:10 PM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
The department's first ever K9 unit arrived Wednesday, marking a new chapter in the department's history.
Updated: Mar. 21, 2022 at 4:28 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Chaddock officials say their plan to build a center to train educators on their treatment approach is getting a boost from the federal government.
Updated: Mar. 15, 2022 at 7:59 AM CDT
|By Blake Sammann
Authorities say the incident is a tragedy that could happen to anyone as many of Pike County’s highways are surrounded by big trees.
Updated: Mar. 10, 2022 at 6:42 AM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Chief Jerrell Jones said Dylan Lovato, of Beach Park, Illinois, was in custody and awaiting charges after he allegedly shot a male acquaintance of a woman who told police Lovato was her ex-boyfriend.
Updated: Mar. 4, 2022 at 6:11 AM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Mayor Matt Mohrfeld said if everything goes the city’s way, a judge could award the city ownership of the property at 736 Avenue G.
Updated: Mar. 3, 2022 at 5:59 AM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Central Lee, Keokuk and Fort Madison all got $40,000 awards for their STEM education efforts.
Updated: Mar. 3, 2022 at 5:48 AM CST
|By Blake Sammann
For the last couple of years the city has been working to turn the four lane highway into a three lane conversion.
Updated: Feb. 22, 2022 at 11:08 AM CST
|By Jim Roberts and Blake Sammann
A 15-year-old boy who was arrested last week killed his grandfather by hitting him in the head with his gun.
Updated: Feb. 17, 2022 at 10:29 AM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Traffic briefly stopped on Illinois Route 96 Thursday morning as authorities cleared the scene of a multi-car crash.
Updated: Feb. 17, 2022 at 6:23 AM CST
|By Blake Sammann
The winter storm set to move into Tri-State communities Thursday morning is sparking a wave of preparations among local leaders and residents.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2022 at 8:09 AM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Mark Kempker said the Hannibal Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 201 Dowling around 2:05 a.m..
Updated: Feb. 14, 2022 at 4:50 AM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Florists say they’ve been working for the past week to make sure everyone has the flowers they need for their Valentine’s Day sweetheart.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2022 at 8:51 PM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Authorities have identified the body as 27-year-old Carthage resident Darren K. McGrew.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2022 at 10:43 PM CST
|By Blake Sammann
By 10:00 p.m., main thoroughfares like Broadway and Maine Street were covered in a thick layer of white powder.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2022 at 9:55 PM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Village leaders in Hull, Illinois, said they’ve made progress in slowing down some the traffic that comes blasting through their home.
Updated: Jan. 31, 2022 at 10:47 PM CST
|By Blake Sammann
A 10 percent raise for all Lee County employees and a 45 percent raise for sheriff Stacy Weber is now in the proposed budget after a vote at Monday morning's special board of supervisors meeting.
Updated: Jan. 31, 2022 at 10:43 PM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Mayor Matt Mohrfeld has set a goal of attracting 1,000 people to the city over the next four years.
Updated: Jan. 28, 2022 at 11:10 PM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Rebecca Bowker will be running to represent Iowa’s 100th House district.
Updated: Jan. 28, 2022 at 11:09 PM CST
|By Blake Sammann
Local advocates say the city has been without a homeless shelter since 2016.