Illinois Man Charged With Having Pipe Bomb

BELLEVILLE, Ill. - A 27-year-old southern Illinois man is being held on a weapons charge after police say they found a pipe bomb in the truck he was riding in.
Christopher Johnson of Belleville is being held on $75,000 bond. He's charged with unlawful possession of firearm ammunition. Belleville police say officers pulled over the truck Johnson was riding in early Thursday, and a police dog signaled that it detected drugs.

While searching the vehicle, officers say they found what appeared to be a pipe bomb. A state bomb squad deactivated the device.
The woman driving the truck has not been charged. It wasn't immediately clear whether Johnson has an attorney. Authorities say additional charges could be filed.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Police Beat For Sunday, December 18, 2011

21 year old Todd Michael Murray of Linton Street in Odin was arrested by Illinois State Police for alleged illegal consumption and possession of alcohol. Murray posted $150 cash and was released.

32 year old Keith Allen Schoreck of West Broadway in Iola was arrested by Kinmundy Police for alleged possession of meth and other controlled substances.

25 year old Dallas Grant Brinkmeyer of South Hickory in Centralia was arrested by Illinois State Police on a Marion County Warrent. Brinkmeyer posted $500.

58 year old Steven Eugene Lague of Alma turned himself in on a Marion County Warrent. Lague posted $200 cash bond.

29 year old Joanna Jessica Sales of West Hickory in Centralia was arrested by Sandoval Police on a Marion County Warrent. Sales posted $150 cash and was released.
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Marion County Police Beat for Saturday, December 17th, 2011

A 41-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Centralia Police for alleged domestic battery. Shawn Sause of Condit Place is accused of grabbing his mother, Connie Sause, around the throat and tearing up the residence. Police say they arrested Shawn when they found him hiding in a closet at the residence. 50-year-old David Mansen of South Poplar in Patoka is being held for possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Central City Police arrested Mansen after he was discovered driving a car reported as stolen from Hertz Rental cars because it had not been returned following the lease period. 33-year-old Robert Honecker of North Marion in Central City remained in jail Saturday after being arrested by State Police for driving on a suspended license and on an outstanding traffic warrant. 26-year-old Jamie Huggins of North Marion in Salem remains in jail after being arrested by sheriff's deputies for retail theft.

The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating criminal damage to a rental property owned by Robert Woodward on the Bannister Road in Kell. The water was allegedly turned on and caused considerable damage.  http://goo.gl/kIvfs

Marion County Police Beat for Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

A 20-year-old Centralia woman has been arrested by Centralia Police for alleged domestic battery. Misty Rhodes of East Noleman is accused of striking Travis Felton of the same address twice during a disagreement Tuesday night. 20-year-old Kyle Nix of Hester Street in Centralia was arrested by Wamac Police for alleged misdemeanor theft. Nix is accused of taking $20 from his mother's purse. 20-year-old Tommy Williams of Greenview Road in Centralia remains in jail after being arrested by sheriff's deputies on an outstanding Clinton County felony warrant. 18-year-old Caleb Webster of Radio Tower Road in Salem posted bond after being arrested by Salem Police during a traffic stop for alleged possession of cannabis. http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Two People Arrested After Centralia Burglary Broken Up

Centralia Police arrested two people after a Centralia maun broke up a burglary in progress when coming home early Wednesday morning. Zamer Burns of Maulding Drive told police he say two men inside his residence who ran on foot. As police were canvassing the area, a 13-year-old juvenile boy was found lying in a field. The boy allegedly had a bag of items with him that he told police had been taken from the Burns home. The juvenile reportedly identified the person with him. 18-year-old Travis Leckrone of Maulding Drive was later located at his home and arrested for alleged residential burglary. Leckrone was taken to the Marion County Jail. The juvenile was released to his mother. Police say all of the items taken from Burns home have been recovered, with the exception of a TV set that is still missing. http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Farmers Pleased with Illinois Business Tax Deal

Springfield, IL -- A tax deal headed to Governor Quinn's desk is putting a smile on the faces of some farmers across the state. Kevin Semlow, with the Illinois Farm Bureau, says an increase in the estate tax exemption gives farmers a chance to keep their farms in-tact when there's a death in the family. "A lot of times what happens is there are many families that sell off parts of their farm to be able to pay and afford the taxes that are due when there is a loss in the family, and this will enable them to keep that farm more intact. Some of these farms have been in their families for three, four, or five generations", said Semlow. The deal to help farmers was tacked onto the tax incentive bill lawmakers passed in an effort to keep Sears and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in Illinois. The bill also extends the Research and Development tax credit for five years and reinstates the Net Operating Loss Deduction. That allows businesses to carry their losses forward in a tough economy.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Authorities release surveillance photos of Collinsville bank robbery

COLLINSVILLE - A man robbed the First Collinsville Bank at 800 Beltline Road about 10 a.m. Monday, inferring a weapon before fleeing with cash, police said. No one was hurt.

The robber wore a gray hooded jacket, blue jeans, a green baseball cap with yellow lettering and sunglasses. He walked out of the bank and left the area in a silver Ford or Toyota sedan. The man was seen at a nearby business prior to the robbery, but was not wearing sunglasses at that time. - http://goo.gl/hpKjw

Whooping cough outbreaks found in Illinois

CHICAGO - Illinois public health officials are alerting residents to a series of pertussis outbreaks in Cook County and the counties surrounding Chicago.

The Illinois Department of Public Health says that as of Tuesday there are nearly 1,150 pertussis cases statewide. There are 275 in Cook County, 227 in McHenry County, 217 in DuPage County and 112 in Lake County. Pertussis is also known as whooping cough. State officials are urging anyone in close contact with a person with confirmed or suspected pertussis to seek medical attention immediately.

The health department says pertussis outbreaks are cyclical and dramatic spikes are reported every four to five years.
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Illinois Senate OKs Tax Breaks for Businesses and Families

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers have approved a $330 million package of tax relief to businesses and individuals. The state Senate approved the business measure 44-9 on Tuesday. The individual tax relief passed 48-4. Both now go to Democratic Governor Pat Quinn, a supporter. Sears and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange see the most benefit. The companies had threatened to leave Illinois without financial help from the state. The legislation offers $100 million in tax relief to them and the Chicago Board Options Exchange. The other measure increases tax credits for the working poor and raises the personal income-tax exemption. http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Centralia City Council Approves Changes to Lake Centralia Leases

The Centralia City Council approved changes to the new Lake Centralia Leases at Monday's City Council Meeting. The Council approved the new lease form at their last City Council meeting. The change includes amending the terms of the lease from a twenty-year lease to a five-year lease with three automatic, successive five-year terms. Attorney Doug McCarty says the changes were made in order to comply with the Plat Act. He states nothing else in the lease has changed, and the new leases do not affect those with prior, existing lease agreements. "The new lease form is for new leasees, or in the case a lease is being transferred. If someone already has a lease under the old lease form, they will continue to be under their own lease form until their term is up, or until the city and that person both agree are willing to enter into a new lease. If someone is already under an existing lease, and they still got time left on that term, that contract, that lease is what they're living under", said McCarty. McCarty says the change was made to make sure that the City was in compliance with the plat map. The Council also approved the city to acquire roadway easement for access to the lake site E-1. The site was originally leased to Donald Brown, and does not have direct access to any public roadway. Brown originally made arrangements with a property owner that did have road access to use his property to gain access to his lease. Since Mr. Brown has passed away, the property owner had denied access to the site. The resolution of the easement will allow access to the site. http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Two Face New Felony Charges In Marion County Court

An 18-year-old Centralia man has been charged with aggravated battery for allegedly punching another person in the face causing a fracture that required reconstructive surgery. Dustin Atchison of Penco Drive had bond set at $10,000 when being served with the new charge while in court this week on another case. The incident allegedly occurred November 19th. The public defender was appointed to represent Atchison. Bond has been set at $20,000 for a 31-year-old Salem man who has been charged with forgery. Nathan Jean of West Olive is accused of forging a $30 check on the account of a family member.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Odin Man Charged with Hit and Run Accident in Centralia

A 27-year-old Odin man has been formally charged in Marion County Court in connection with a hit and run accident in Centralia late Monday night. Shane Lux of Spruce Street is accused of aggravated driving under the influence, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Bond was set at $20,000.
Centralia Police say Lux was westbound on McCord Street just west of Woods Lane when he ran off the right side of the road, struck a culvert at the entrance to MidAm, went airborne, and traveled an additional 46 feet before striking a utility pole.
The impact caused the pole to break in two pieces and spun the Lux vehicle around at a 180 angle. Lux was taken into custody early Tuesday morning. He was not injured in the crash.  http://goo.gl/YKBLB

Regional Superintendent: Thumbs Down to Southern Illinois School Consolidation

Anna, IL -- Four southern Illinois school districts now have to hope the state will give them permission to consolidate. The regional superintendent for Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski and Union counties has denied a request for a four district consolidation. Janet Ulrich says she didn't see enough of a benefit in the plan put forward by the four districts. But local leaders say Ulrich isn't looking at the plan as a whole.
The four districts had been hoping to get the okay to ask voters to approve a school merger. Union County is one of the state's smallest counties; the four local districts were hoping to save money by combining operations. A spokesman at the State Board of Education says they are "reviewing" the consolidation plan. There's no word when a ruling may come.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Failure of Payroll Tax Expansion Could Lead to $1,000 Increase to Illinois Families

Failure by Congressional Republicans to extend the payroll tax cut by the end of the year could force a $1,000 tax increase on 160 million middle income Americans, including 6.5 million families in Illinois. The two-percent tax cut was created in December of 2010, and would expire at the end of the year without Congressional action.
The tax cut provides an estimated $108.6 billion in tax relief to roughly 159 million workers. Economists estimate nearly one-million American jobs could be lost, and another recession could be triggered.
The loss of the tax cut would lead to a reduction in GDP of $128 billion according to the Economic Policy Institute. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that extending the payroll tax cut is more cost effective to promote economic growth and employment.  http://goo.gl/jfqqW

Police ID Woman Killed after Hit-and-Run Wreck

WEST FRANKFORT, Ill. (AP) - Illinois State Police say a 39-year-old West Frankfort woman was found fatally injured along a southern Illinois highway after an apparent hit-and-run accident. Police say Deidra Wilson was struck by a vehicle early Monday on Illinois 149 near Interstate 57 in Franklin County's West Frankfort.

She later died at a hospital. State police say they're looking for a dark-colored 2000 to 2005 Cadillac Deville that might have damage to the right-front headlight and fender and perhaps a damaged undercarriage.

The victim's father, Jack Hood, says his daughter was a mother of four children and a grandmother.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call state police at 618-542-2171.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

March Primary Election Field Set

Three candidates will be vying for the Jefferson County State's Attorney office in the March Primary Election.

Campaigning for nomination will be Democrats Meleah H. Walton and Nobel Y. Dowell, Jr.  Republican Douglas R. Hoffman, who will begin serving Jan. 1 after being appointed to the office, is unopposed.

Treasurer  Dan Knox, a Republican, is also unopposed for an unexpired two-year term. Democrat Karen Herzing Williams, also seeking the treasurer's seat, is unopposed.

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Republican John Scott remained unopposed as did Coroner Eddie Joe Marks, a Democrat.

Board seats for Jefferson County Board are up for election in the primary, with Republican Steve Draege unopposed in District 1, a two-year term; incumbent Joey McDermott, a Republican, running unopposed and Democrat Calvin McClintock running unopposed for his party nomination for a four-year term in District 2.

Two Republicans are running against each other in District 3, Robert D. Knutson and Tommy Hayes, seeking a four-year term. Both are currently on the county board, but will be running against each other due to redistricting.

John Keele, an incumbent Republican, is unopposed in District 4, a four-year term.

Squaring off for the four-year term in District 5 will be Democrats David Stewart and Donald Davis.

The two-year term in District 6 has incumbent Democrat Ted Buck unopposed for his party nomination. Jeff L. Williams and Scott Flota will vie for the Republican nomination in the district.

Jim Laird, a Democrat, is unopposed for the two-year term in District 7.

In District 8, two Democrats, incument Don Rector and Donnie Wilkey, will compete for a two-year term.

Republican Robert J. "Bob" White will be unopposed in District 9, a four-year term.

The two-year term in District 10 has Republicans Robert "Bob" Watt and Curtis "Curt" Grothoff campaigning for nomination.

In District 11, which is being held by Jim Nelson until Dec. 31, two Democrats will vie for the nomination — James Moore and Jeremy Hall square off for their party's nomination in District 11, a two-year term; Republican Tom F. Charleton is unopposed.

District 12 incumbent Republican Scott D. Taaka and Democrat Wayne Hicks are unopposed for the four-year term.  

James H. Malone, a Democrat, is unopposed for the District 13 four-year term.  http://bit.ly/sQ74r9

Four Arrested, Fifth Still Being Sought When Meth Lab Operation Found On Bernard Road

Four people are in custody and a fifth is still being sought as Marion County Sheriff's Deputies and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force combined efforts to locate an on-going methamphetamine operation. It was centered at a camper used at one time for deer hunting in the three-thousand block of Bernard Road just south of Route 161 and west of Interstate 57.
The operation was discovered as sheriff's deputies investigated the source of methamphetamine found on the driver of a car stopped early Monday morning nearby at the Bernard and Medlin Road intersection. 37-year-old Charles Timmons of 17th Street in Wamac was taken into custody for alleged participation in meth manufacturing, possession of a meth precursor, meth conspiracy and use of property for manufacture of meth.
When the alleged meth operation was found at the camper, 19-year-old Elizabeth Bradford of Burge Road in Centralia was taken into custody. She is being held for alleged participation in meth manufacturing, possession of meth precursor, meth conspiracy, and participation in meth manufacturing.
Two men ran from the scene, but were picked up later in the morning when they were found walking along the Bernard Road. 35-year-old Chad Cutler of Belleville and 19-year-old Ryan Jacklin of Condit Street in Centralia are both being held for participation in meth manufacture, possession of meth precursor and meth conspiracy.
The sheriff's department is seeking the public's help in locating a fifth person they believe played a key role in the meth operation. Anyone seeing 28-year-old Daniel Tietsort of Wamac is asked to contact the sheriff's department. In addition, to new meth related charges, Tietsort is also wanted on several outstanding warrants. Sheriff's deputies say the Marion County canine alerted on Timmons' car following the traffic stop.
A search of the car turned up under five grams of methamphetamine under the passenger seat and a baggie of meth in Timmons' front pocket. A combination of finished meth, an active meth lab, and parts from past meth labs were located both inside and outside the camper trailer.
In all, two-thousand grams of meth was seized. Deputies note the meth was being made through the 'bake and shake' method that doesn't need anhydrous ammonia, but has a much greater chance of explosion during the manufacture process.
The State Police Meth Response Team was called in to clean up the meth.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Three Hurt In Green Street Road Accident

Three people were injured in a two car wreck on the Green Street Road at the Norton Road intersection east of Central City late Monday afternoon. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say a car driven by 66-year-old Jesse Hamilton of North Falcon in Bluford had slowed to make a right hand turn off Green Street to Norton Road when he was hit in the rear by a car driven by 33-year-old Charles Berger of Bicknell Street in Centralia. Both drivers escaped injury, but passengers in both cars were hurt. Two persons in the Berger car, 27-year-old Dorothy Berger and two-year-old Dottie Berger of Bicknell Street in Centralia, and a passenger in the Hamilton car, 23-year-old Jocelyn Langford of Norton Road in Odin, were all treated and released at St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia. Berger was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The wreck occurred at 4:36 Monday afternoon.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Police: Woman found dead along highway hit by vehicle

WEST FRANKFORT - A woman found dead along Illinois 149 in West Frankfort early Monday appears to have been struck by a vehicle, according to Illinois State Police officials on the scene.

The incident was reported at about 3:30 a.m. along Rte. 149 near Interstate 57.

State police are continuing their investigation into the matter and have release no further details as of yet.  http://bit.ly/s64Jko

Marion County Police Beat for Monday, December 5th, 2011

A 36-year-old Centralia woman is being held in the Marion County Jail after being arrested by Centralia Police for alleged domestic battery. Rzette Adair of Wright Drive is accused of striking her ten-year-old son during an incident in their home on Sunday. Police reports indicate the boy had run to a neighbor's house after becomming scared.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Murray Center As Well As Centralia And Big Muddy Prisons Top Million Dollar Mark In Workers Comp Awards For 2007 Through 2010

An analysis by the Associated Press finds that a dozen state-government work sites in Southern Illinois, including the Murray Center in Centralia and the Centralia and Big Muddy Prison, account for $41-million in workers' injury-impairment awards in recent years.
That's nearly one-third of all the awards and settlements for state employees injured at work from 2007 to 2010.
The Menard Correctional Center led worker payments at the 12 facilities. Taxpayers paid 19-million dollars on 321 injury claims at the lock-up. The average settlement was $59,175. The Associated Press analysis found $1,476,494 paid out for claims at Murray Center. Of the 128 claims filed, 45 resulted in awards averaging $32,811 dollars. At the Centralia Correctional Center, there were 49 claims and 27 awards totaling $1,055,081. That averages $39,077 per claim. At the Big Muddy Prison, there were 50 claims resulting in 32 awards totaling $1,280,348 or an average of $40,011 per claim. Murray Center was seventh out of 12 in workers comp payouts at Southern Illinois facilities. Big Muddy was tenth and the Centralia Correctional Center 11th. The AP's line-by-line analysis of about 7,800 claims is the first comprehensive review of a program now under federal investigation. It showed $127-million paid on 3,700 state-worker claims during the four-year period. Many were still pending at the end of 2010. Andrew Nalefski is a former arbitrator deciding long-term impairment in injury cases. He says the state did too little to defend against claims. Chicago workers' comp lawyer Gene Keefe says the state is too understaffed to combat them. Anne Spillane is chief of staff to the Illinois attorney general. She counters that the state vigorously defended claims but state law makes it fairly easy to show work contributed to an injury that deserves state compensation.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Fans Help Save Life Of Man Who Had Heart Attack At Centralia-Mt. Vernon Basketball Game

Centralia Fire officials say there is an apparent happy outcome for a 77-year-old man who had a heart attack at Fridaynight's Centralia-Mt. Vernon High School Basketball game. The man was initially helped by off duty firemen, nurses and doctors in the stands who utilized the school's automatic external defribulator. On-duty firemen joined the efforts upon their arrival. The man reportedly began coming around after being loaded in the ambulance and reportedly was talking to emergency room officials at St. Mary's Hospital. He was later airlifted to a St. Louis hospital for treatment. The man's name has not been released because of federal health privacy
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Illinois Pump Failure Wasn't Cyberattack From Russia

CHICAGO - A reported cyberattack on a water district in central Illinois has turned out to be a false alarm. It was set off when an American contractor logged onto the system while vacationing in Russia. Jim Mimlitz of suburban St. Louis says he hopes he'll be able to laugh about it someday. For now, he's puzzled. Why didn't terrorism investigators call him? He says he could've straightened things out quickly. Instead, investigators assumed someone hacked into the system from Russia, causing a water pump to shut down five months later. A blogger spread word of the possible hack. Mimlitz had been on vacation when someone from the water district near Springfield called his cell and asked him to check data on the system. He did, but didn't mention where he was.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Marion County Police Beat For Friday, December 2nd, 2011

A 48-year-old Irvington man has been arrested by Centralia police for alleged possession of a controlled substance. Brad Peters remains in the Marion County Jail. 20-year-old Joshua Lucas of South Pine in Centralia is being held on an outstanding felony warrant. A 42-year-old Texico woman, Rebecca Elliot of Snapdragon Drive, posted $100 bond and was released for alleged driving under the influence. 24-year-old Noah Haynes of Newport Drive in Salem posted $1,000 bond and was released after being arrested by sheriff's deputies for a probation violation. 22-year-old Trent Parker of East Monroe in Farina posted $150 bond and was released on charges of possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Grape Tomatoes Recalled

(Springfield, IL) -- Grape tomatoes in Illinois may be contaminated with salmonella. Front Row Produce is issuing a recall on ten-ounce pint and ten-pound bulk grape tomatoes supplied by Rio Queen Citrus of Mission, Texas. New and safe packages of the tomatoes in stores are marked with a green dot on the bottom of the container. If there's no green dot then customers should not purchase or eat the tomatoes.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Two Bluford Residents Hurt In Jefferson County Wreck

Two Bluford residents were injured in a two vehicle crash at Route 15 and the Harmony Lane east of Mt. Vernon Wednesday afternoon. State Police say 63-year-old Frank Eang of St. Louis pulled from the stop sign on Harmony Lane in front of a car on Route 15 driven by 23-year-old Melissa Dutton of Bluford.
Both Dutton and a passenger in her car, 25-year-old Joshua Coombs of Bluford, were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon for treatment of major injuries. Eang escaped injury. He was ticketed for failure to yield at a stop intersection. The wreck occurred at 1:14 Wednesday afternoon.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Sears Issues Memo To Employees Considering Options to Leave Illinois

Springfield, IL -- In the wake of Illinois' failure to provide tax relief, Sears officials are reminding employees that they're considering options to leave the state. They issued a memo to employees today, saying quote, "Our commitment to you remains the same; to be thorough in our review of all of our options."
The Vice President of Communications Chris Brathwaite penned the memo. He says he hopes lawmakers work out the kinks of the tax deal soon because they have to make a decision on whether to leave or stay by the end of the year.
The Senate passed a plan that would've given the company millions of dollars in tax incentives but the measure overwhelmingly failed in the House.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Union Leaders Call Pension Reform Unconstitutional

Springfield, IL -- Governor Quinn is on board with a legislative plan to stop double-dipping into more than one pension system. If he signs the bill it will prohibit two union leaders from getting payouts from the Teachers Retirement System.
David Ormsby, a spokesperson for the men, calls the move unconstitutional. "The legislation is blatantly unconstitutional because it impairs an benefit that they're legally entitled to", said Ormsby. The union leaders earned the government pension after substitute teaching for just one day. Some lawmakers expressed concern over a potential constitutional breach with the reform but agreed something must be done to end abuse within the system.
The constitution prohibits lawmakers from reducing or tampering with pensions once they've been established. Ormsby says his clients are considering their legal options and prepared to fight the battle in court if that's what it comes down to.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0