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