A 34-year-old Wamac man has been arrested for residential arson in connection with a fire that heavily damaged a neighbor's mobile home late Monday afternoon. Joshua Keebler of Ralston Street was taken into custody Tuesday morning after being questioned by a Deputy State Fire Marshall. Keebler is accused of setting a fire at a mobile home occupied by James and Misty Horton of 132 Ralston Street while they were away shopping. Reports indicate Keebler was seen leaving the area of the Horton mobile home at the same time smoke became visible. Marion County State's Attorney Matt Wilzbach says Keebler admitted lighting a piece of paper on fire with three matches and then threw it down onto a mattress when it started burning. Other witnesses indicated Keebler had made threats to burn the home down following a disagreement with James Horton earlier in the day. Centralia Fire Protection District Chief Greg Earl says they were able to quickly knock down the fire before it spread from the one room. However, there was heat and smoke damage throughout the mobile home and it is expected to be a total loss. No injuries were reported. Keebler remains in the Marion County Jail pending his first court appearance on Wednesday. z1e2o
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Two Big Muddy Prison Employees Face Felony Charges
Two employees at the Big Muddy Correctional Center are being charged in Jefferson County Court at Mt. Vernon with felonies after an internal investigation revealed inappropriate interaction with an inmate. 34-year-old Corrections nurse Kimberly George of Du Quoin is accused of having sex with an inmate who's behind bars for murder and attempted murder. A second employee is also charged. 51-year-old Nova Clarry of Du Quion, a dental hygienist for the DOC, is accused of bringing a cell phone into the facility and giving it to the same male inmate that George allegedly slept with. The employees aren't the only one's who could be in trouble. The inmate, Leslie Matos, is accused of possessing contraband in a penal institution. The Department of Corrections website indicates Matosis now housed at the Pontiac Correctional Center. George and Clarry are both scheduled to appear in court December 2nd. - http://goo.gl/ynyOa
Marion County Police Beat for Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating two residential burglaries and the theft of items from a third home. Ronald Thompson of Echo Lane in Centralia reported entry was gained to his home after the back door was pried open. Beds, dressers and room furnishings were reported missing. Nichole Whiteney of Vernon reported a vacant house she owns on West Effingham Street in Patoka had been entered. Trish Grooms of Green Street Road in Centralia reported several items taken from her residence. A 20-year-old Eldorado woman is being held in the Marion County Jail for alleged felony theft. Brittani Scerba is accused of taking a wallet belonging to Shannon Foster of Pullen Street in Centralia that had inadvertently been left behind on the counter of the Centralia Food Mart on East 15th Street. Centralia Police say Scerba was identified as the person taking the wallet through video surveillance provided by the store. Two others turned themselves in on outstanding Marion County warrants. 22-year-old Joshua Williams of South Brookside in Wamac remains in custody, while 25-year-old Michael Hill of West Georgia in Sandoval was released on 500-dollars bond. - http://goo.gl/jUN92
Centralia City Council Approves Ordinances Regarding Firearms
The Centralia City Council approved two ordinances at Monday night's meetingamending the Centralia Municipal Code regarding firearms.The changes make itillegal to shoot any cross bow, compound or long bow within the city limits. This adds to the stipulation that it is illegal to fire a firearm or air gun within the city limits. The issuance of the ordinance was prompted by an incident in the Raccoon Lake area when someone was shot with a cross bow. Centralia Police Chief Larry Evans says there are a few areas where you can legally hunt with a bow inside Centralia City Limits on the eastern edge of the city. He says before the ordinance passed, there was nothing that limits someone from shooting a cross bow in the area of a home or pedestrian. "I asked for this specifically because in the past we've tried to talk to residence and rationalize with them that it was a terrible idea, but we've encountered some people that are just content that they want to do it, and it's terribly unsafe", said Evans. The new ordinance goes into effect immediately. The board approved two bids for Surplus Real Estate for the sale of property in the city of Centralia. The properties are located at 1029 East Noleman and 218 East 17th Street. The bid amount for the East Noleman property was $100, and the bid for East 17th Street was for $500. An ordinance and purchase agreement will be on the next city council meeting agenda to approve the purchases. The board approved a resolution to accept a bid from Howell Paving, Inc. for resurfacing and storm sewer work at Fowler's Alley, located on the 300 block of East Broadway. The city received a DCEO/CDAP grant for work in the area. Howell Paving, Inc. had the lowest bid of $142,218.40, about $8,000 under the original estimated bid. - http://goo.gl/qlEc0