Mt. Vernon / Jefferson County Daily Record - Oct. 5, 2011

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

    Travis L. Deloch, 19, of the 800 block of South 21st Street, was arrested at 12:40 a.m. Sunday on a charge of contempt of court. Bond was set at $10,000.
    Justin M. Brown, 28, of the 1100 block of South 17th Street, was arrested at 8:03 p.m. Saturday on a charge of aggravated battery in a public place.
    Tashia R. Mcclain, 23, of the 1700 block of South 12th Street, was arrested at 4:13 p.m. Saturday on a charge of retail theft.
    Brandon Paul Carello, 26, of the 16400 block of North Illinois Highway 37, was arrested at 3:41 p.m. Saturday on charges of retail theft and criminal trespass to land.
    Jeffery W. Johnson, 45, of the 300 block of Halia Crest, was arrested at 6:03 a.m. Saturday on a charge of aggravated driving under the influence. Bond was set at $15,000.
    Eldon E. Millman, 31, of the 800 block of Maple Street, was arrested at 4:24 p.m. Friday on a charge of aggravated battery with a weapon that is not a firearm.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Arrests

    Bradley A. Kelley, 46, of the 19700 block of North Miller Lake Lane, was arrested at 6:57 a.m. Saturday on charges of criminal sexual assault and domestic assault with intent to cause bodily harm.  viTFt

Kinmundy Man Killed When Run Over on Kinoka Road; Circumstances Leading Up to Incident Remain Under Investigation

An investigation is underway to determine what happened leading up to a 50-year-old Kinmundy man being struck and killed while lying on the Kinoka Road in rural Kinmundy Monday night. Kevin Williams was taken from the scene to Salem Township Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Williams was struck by a pickup truck driven by 59-year-old Alan Webster of Turner Road in Louisville. Webster reported he was westbound on Kinoka Road, when he came across someone lying in the roadway in his lane of travel. He said by the time he saw the man it was too late to stop. Marion County State's Attorney Matt Wilzbach says the big question is why Williams was lying in the road. He reports Williams had apparently been a passenger in a car driven by his girlfriend, 38-year-old Cindessa Easley of the same address in Kinmundy. She told investigators the two got into an argument and Williams asked to get out of the car. She stopped and let him out. After driving away a short distance, Easley said she turned around and arrived just after Williams had been struck by the Webster pickup truck. Wilzbach says deputies and State Police Crime Scene Investigators are still trying to confirm Easley's story and says at this point homicide has not been ruled out. A State Police Accident Reconstructionist is also assisting in the investigation. Wilzbach says there were indications both Williams and Easley had been drinking. Marion County Deputy Coroner Troy Cannon says Williams was pronounced dead as a result of massive trauma to the head and chest consistant with the accident. Wilzbach reports the Williams family did not want an autopsy completed. The State's Attorney plans to go along with their wishes unless an autopsy becomes necessary to provide evidence in the case. Wilzbach feels if there were any prior injuries they probably could not be separated from those sustained when Williams was run over by the pickup truck. The accident occurred a quarter mile west of Baylis Road. Meanwhile, Easley was later arrested for aggravated battery when reportedly becoming unruly while being treated in the Salem Township Hospital Emergency Room. She was taken to the hospital after reportedly fainting at the scene of the accident. Easley is accused of scratching the left arm of a hospital employee trying to control her, resulting in a cut and bleeding from the employee's left arm. Easley also reportedly resisted sheriff's deputies who escorted her out of the hospital and took her to the Marion County Jail where she remains Tuesday morning.  oxL2A

Coroner's Office Still Trying Determine Cause Of Death of 23 Day Old Centralia Girl

Marion County Deputy Coroner Troy Cannon says an autopsy conducted today (Monday) was inconclusive on the cause of death of a 23-day-old Centralia girl. Cannon reports Taniya Mathews was not breathing when brought into the emergency room of St. Mary's Hospital by her mother, Tiesha Matthews, early Saturday morning. The baby was pronounced dead after the emergency room staff was unable to resuscitate the child. Cannon says there were no signs of foul play. He says the baby appeared to be in good health other than having trouble keeping formula down. He hopes toxicology tests will help pinpoint the cause of death. Cannon notes the baby had vomited prior to being found and possibly could have died from choking.  RHiJD

Marion County Police Beat for Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

A 20-year-old Centralia woman remains in the Marion County Jail after being arrested on a probation hold. Taylor Rogers of Ruth Ann Drive was arrested by Centralia Police. 29-year-old Brandon Black of North Broadway in Salem is being held on an outstanding Williamson County traffic warrant. Black was arrested after Salem Police were called to investigate a suspicious person in the Wal-mart parking lot. Salem Police say late night patrols in Bryan Memorial Park following recent vandalism has resulted in two arrests. 21-year-old Daniel Zimmermann of West Spruce in Salem was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on $100 bond. 22-year-old Amelia Peters of Hotze Road in Salem was given a notice to appear in court for possession of synthetic cannabis. 32-year-old Jarid Lichtenfels of Maplewood in Salem was arrested by Salem Police for alleged disorderly conduct. Lichtenfels is accused of cursing and making threats outside the Anthony Hotze home on North Ohio Street. He was released after posting $100 bond. 31-year-old Vanessa Schmitz of West Sixth in Centralia posted $250 bond and was released after being picked up on an outstanding small claims warrant. The Marion County Sheriff's Department has received reports from Pepsi that two vending machines have been stolen. One was taken from Dave's Auto Body Shop on Route 37 North in Kell and from the former Mac's Drive In south of Salem.  WDvin

Jefferson County Fiscal Committee discusses budget

The Jefferson County Fiscal Committee on Monday continued with in-depth budget discussions.

The committee gave unofficial nods to a number of budget expense increases, but also hesitated over a few line items.

Within the judges’ budget, a $5,000 increase is being asked for in the juvenile detention line item because of the four young men charged with the May 31 shooting death of cab driver Charles Ellis.

Board Chairman Robert White said the county is looking for new ways to increase its revenue, and a price increase to all marriage licenses may be seen in the future.

He said Marion County raised its license cost to $50, but Jefferson County isn’t likely to follow suit.

“Ours are now $25, and may increase to $30,” he said. “For copies, we may start charging $12 for the first copy and $6 for the second.”

He said based on this year’s marriage licenses, that would increase the county’s revenue by at least $12,000.

Fiscal Committee chairman John Keele supported the move, saying it was a small fee increase that could really help the county.

The committee also gave the nod for a part-time assistant to the Supervisor of Assessments for about $16,000 to stay in the budget.

Board member Ted Buck said Supervisor of Assessments Steve Lueker desperately needs assistance.

Don Rector, board member, said Lueker goes above and beyond his job duties.

Board member Robert Knutson raised a discussion of how much the County Board plans to invest in its facilities.

“I would like to avoid the perception that we need a sales tax increase,” he said.

Buck said the board spends approximately $30,000 a year on maintenance from the county’s contingency fund.

Knutson said he believes it is important for the board to make a commitment to county facilities, and brought up the possibility of installing a pitched roof on the courthouse.

“It’s become painfully obvious that we’ve got some issues that are going to be pretty costly,” he said.

The Fiscal Committee also informally agreed that administrative assistant Suzy Tate’s title should be changed to executive assistant and that she should receive a raise.

White said Tate is a valuable employee to the county.

The Sheriff’s Office Committee on Wednesday will discuss the budgets within the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.  U5NAM