Plane crashes into Arizona mountain; fires burning

An airplane crashed Wednesday evening into a rugged mountain east of Phoenix, creating a small wildfire that crews were unable to immediately reach, Arizona officials said.

The aircraft, possibly twin-engine, crashed around 6:30 p.m. in the Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction, said spokesman Elias Johnson of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

A man who said he witnessed the impact told CNN that a mushroom cloud of flames lit up the evening sky.

It's a six-hour hike to the site and crews were uncertain how many people were on the plane or its destination, Johnson told reporters. He indicated crews will be in a recovery operation.

A ranger dropped near the scene saw a tire from the plane that suggests it was not a commercial aircraft, he said.

"This is some of the toughest country you can experience," Johnson said. There were at least two debris fields. "That plane is all over the place up there."

Kevin Cunningham, 44, of Apache Junction, said he was talking on the phone from his back porch and saw the crash a few miles away.

"The flames lit up the mountain," said Cunningham, adding the plane appeared to be flying level before the crash. "I didn't see where it was in distress."

The photogenic peak is popular with hikers and horseback riders, the resident said.

"Somebody didn't know the mountain was there or they had false readings," Cunningham speculated.

CNN's Phil Gast contributed to this report.

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Marion County Police Beat for Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

A 27-year-old Kinmundy man was taken to the Marion County Jail after being arrested for alleged domestic battery. Quinton Nix of West First Street was arrested by sheriff's deputies.

A 26-year-old New Baden woman is being held in lieu of $15,000 bond on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for alleged domestic battery.

Kristine Randall of East Hanover was transferred from the Clinton County Jail.

27-year-old Devon Hidlebaugh of North Elm in Centralia was arrested by Centralia Police on an outstanding Coles County warrant.

35-year-old Chad Wolfe of Chicago was arrested for alleged driving under the influence of drugs after his car came to rest in a ditch after running off the Kinoka Road west of Interstate 57. Wolfe was given a notice to appear in court.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Mt. Vernon Projects Making Progress

Infrastructure projects on the west side of town are moving forward, with two expected to go out for bid in January.

"On the Veterans Memorial Drive and Davidson project, we expect to receive the permit Dec. 1," City Manager Ron Neibert said. "We spoke to them last week, and they said it would be to us by Dec. 1."

The city has been waiting on permits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for construction of the extensions of South Davidson and Veterans Memorial Drive, which will allow for traffic from the new interchange to travel behind Wal-Mart and up to South Davidson. South Davidson now ends between Wal-Mart and Kohl's Department Store.

"I'm hoping to have the request at the second (city council) meeting in December or the first one in January to authorize us to go out for bid on the project," Neibert said.

In addition, sewer and water lines for the Veterans Memorial Drive/Davidson extension are expected to be ready for construction as well, with design engineering complete.

"Again, I hope that in January or February to be able to go out for bid," Neibert said.

Construction work is also expected within the next few weeks on the Times Square Mall water tower. CB & I of Plainfield was chosen to construct the new tower in July, with a bid of $989,300 — well below the estimated $1.2 million for the project.

"They are still working on some issues with the shop drawings and foundation," Neibert explained. "We hope to have those issues rectified next week and they should begin the actual construction shortly thereafter."

Work is still underway by the city to obtain right-of-way for the widening project on South 34th Street, and Neibert said he is beginning to look to the Comprehensive Plan for the next projects to present to the council.

"We're looking, trying to decide which ones identified in the plan to implement next," Neibert said. "We want to keep projects going in cycles, and it's almost time to start the next projects going."  http://bit.ly/tmFEds

Salem High School Open, With Precautions, Following Bomb Threat

Salem Community High School is open Wednesday following a bomb threat found at the school Tuesday afternoon. Superintendent Brad Detering says the school put it's emergency response plans into effect. "We were notified of a potential bomb threat that was written ona wall at 2:50 Tuesday afternoon. We secured the area and contacted law enforcement immediately.Secretary of State was contacted and bomb sniffing dogs were dispatched. Tuesday evening all buildings were swept and found to be clean. At that point in time the buildings were cleared for occupancy by law enforcement," said Detering. Detering says entrance to the school this morning is limited through doors 1, 11 and 16. "This morning we are taking safety precautions in terms as students come in we are taking a look in backpacks and duffel bags. We understand that they have them at home andneed to bring them back and that certainly is not aproblem. Once students are check in for the morning, it's back to educating kids," explainedDetering. Detering says police were assisting with checking students into the building. The district requested that students leave backpacks or duffle bags at home if at all possible. Detering says the safety of the students is the top priority in the school district and they are satisfied that every possible step has been taken to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff. He notes they have a plan in place to respond to hazards and threats and that plan was followed. Detering says Salem Police are currently investigating who may have been responsible for the bomb threat.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0