Two People Arrested for Drugs and Sexual Assault in Jefferson County

Detectives from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department located a large amount of drugs while investigating a sexual assault case Monday afternoon. Detectives were called to 4588 East Dix-Irvington Road in northwestern Jefferson County around 3:40pm.

They were executing a search warrant for evidence pertaining to a sexual assault case when officers located more than 500 pounds of cannabis, estimated at $16,685, and other drug paraphernalia inside the home. Officers arrested a male juvenile for criminal sexual assault, and are currently being held in Juvenile Detention pending a bond hearing. 39-year-old Richard M. Foutch, Jr. was arrested and charged with the manufacturing and delivery of cannabis over 500-grams.

Foutch is currently being held in the Jefferson County Justice Center pending a bond hearing. The Jefferson County Animal Warden seized four-dogs and a snake from the property for safe keeping. The case is still under investigation. full story

State Says it's Testing for Tritium near Reactor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Workers from Illinois' Emergency Management Agency are collecting water and vegetation samples to check for radioactive tritium around a northern Illinois nuclear plant. Agency Director Jonathon Monken said Tuesday that there's no reason to believe harmful levels of tritium were released from a stalled reactor at the Byron Generating Station.

One of the site's reactors shut down automatically Monday after an off-site power failure, and steam was vented to reduce pressure on the reactor. Federal and company officials said the level of tritium released with the steam was safe. Monken says it's his agency's public duty to verify current levels of tritium in the area, and results should be available within a few days. Exelon Energy officials say they traced the power failure to an electrical insulator in a switchyard.  full story

One Person Killed in Clay County Crash Monday Afternoon

One person was killed in the result of a collision in Clay County Monday afternoon. The accident occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 45/50 and Stanford Road near the Clay County Hospital at 3:47pm.

The Illinois State Police say 30-year-old John Paul Loveless of Cape Girardeau, MO was traveling westbound on U.S. 45/50 in his white 2008 Volvo truck-tractor semi. 86-year-old Eugene England of Flora was stopped northbound on Stanford Road, preparing to cross U.S. 45/50. England did not yield to Loveless' vehicle, and began to cross the highway. Loveless did not have time to stop, and struck England's vehicle on the passenger side. England died of his injuries sustained in the crash. State Police made no mention of any citations issued, or a further investigation into the crash.

The Flora Police Department, Clay County Hospital Ambulance, Flora Fire Department, and the ESDA were on the scene with the State Police handling the accident. Traffic was detoured for about two-hours around the crash site.  full story

Jefferson County Sheriff to Award One $500 Scholarship

The Illinois Sheriff's Association announced Monday it will be awarding over $53,000 in college scholarships throughout Illinois during the 2012-2013 school year. Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch will be awarding one scholarship in the amount of $500. To apply for the scholarship, visit the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department at 911 Casey Avenue in Mt. Vernon, or apply online at www.ilsheriff.org. Students must complete the application, answer the essay question, and return all documents to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office by March 12th. The scholarship is to be applied to tuition, books, and fees only. The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the state of Illinois, and must be a permanent Illinois resident. For more information, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department at 244-8004, your high school advising center, or college financial aid office.  full story

Carlyle Lake Fishing Prospects Outstanding for 2012

Carlyle Lake officials say there will be plenty of fish to catch this spring. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division recently provided results of the annual 2011 fall survey of Carlyle Lake and these results indicate that fishing prospects are outstanding for the upcoming season. The department says the amount of large mouth bass, white bass, and crappie fish was excellent, the amount of catfish and sauger fish were good, and the amount of bluegill fish was very good. Most fish in the lake were between five-inches and fifteen-inches long. Most fish also weighed in anywhere from two-pounds to ten pounds each. For more information, please contact the Carlyle Lake Project Office at (618) 594-2484, or email at carlylelake@usace.army.mil.  full story

Marion County Police Beat for Monday, January 30th, 2012

A 22-year-old Centralia man who allegedly grabbed the handle of a gun in his waist band following a disagreement has been arrested for aggravated assault and on an Illinois Department of Corrections warrant. Centralia Police say Travis Wooters of South Brookside was arrested early Monday morning after those at the Shawn Claybourn home on North Lincoln Street reported that Wooters had threatened to shoot Claybourn. Wooters reportedly got back into his vehicle after showing the gun handle and was picked up later by police. A 20-year-old Farina man who allegedly promised to return to the Huck's Store in Centralia to pay for $20 in gas and never did has been arrested for theft. Centralia Police say Cody Bushue of South Poplar was stopped early this (Monday) morning and asked why he had not returned to the store after several hours. Police report Bushue was taken to the Marion County Jail after making several phone calls at the Centralia Police Station and was unable to come up with the cash. Bushue had initially told the store clerk he had forgot his wallet at the Centralia Recreation Center. Two others remain in jail on outstanding misdemeanor warrants. They are 23-year-old Christopher Ray of South Hickory in Centralia and 73-year-old Kenneth Ray of West Fourth in Centralia. 43-year-old Dennis Lee of Third Street in Flora posted $500 bond on an outstanding traffic warrant and was released. The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating a theft of money from a soda machine outside the Walnut Hill Barbershop. There was no apparent damage to the machine and it appears entry may have been made with a key. About $30 was stolen. - http://goo.gl/B9j97

Marion County Sheriff's Deputy Finds Three Pounds Of Cannabis During I-57 Traffic Stop

A 21-year-old Alexandria, Louisiana man was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies Sunday morning after three pounds of cannabis was allegedly found in the trunk of his car. Samuel Tucker was stopped at the Interstate 57 rest area south of Salem. The department was trying to locate a vehicle involved in a reckless driving complaint at the time. Tucker was initially stopped for not having a front registration plate. As the Marion County canine was sniffing around the car, Tucker allegedly admitted to a State Trooper who came to provide assistance that he had a small amount of cannabis in the car. After Tucker allegedly produced a small amount of cannabis, the search continued and the three one pound bricks of cannabis were allegedly found in the trunk. Deputies say two were in a suitcase and the third in a grocery sack. Tucker later allegedly told police he was on his way to Chicago to sell the drug. The cannabis, the vehicle, and $441 in Tucker's possession were all seized. Deputies hope to seek forfeiture of the 2002 Chevy Monte Carlo that Tucker was driving. A female passenger in Tucker's car was released after questioning. The traffic stop occurred at 7:40 Sunday morning in the northbound rest area. - http://goo.gl/5TJ31

Marion County Police Beat for Sunday, January 29th, 2012

A 21 year old Centralia man is being held in the Marion County Jail for alleged domestic battery. Centralia Police arrested Dustin Wilson of South Maple after responding to a domestic battery in progress. Police say Wilson entered the Donna Campbell on South Maple Street without permission, pulled Campbell off the couch and pushed her outside, and later when she came back into the home allegedly picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Wilson then allegedly dumped a glass of milk on Campbell. 30-year-old Doneka Jones of East 13th in Centralia is being held in lieu of $3,000 bond for failure to appear on an unlawful possession of controlled substance charge. Salem Police arrested 23-year-old Andrew Howell of Salem Mobile Home Park for alleged disorderly conduct when he allegedly refused to leave the Guesthouse Inn when asked to do so. 23 year old Adam Joseph Felton of Meridian Road in Sandoval was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence by Illinois State Police. Felton posted $100 and driver's license and was released. 33 year old Kristy Lauren Marshall of East Nollman in Centralia was arrested for driving on a revoked driver's license by Illinois State Police. Marshall posted $150 cash and was released. - http://goo.gl/b0tUL

Illinois Trying to Add More Female Prison Guards

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - State officials are looking for ways to increase the number female prison guards. The (Decatur) Herald-Review reported Sunday that the Illinois Department of Corrections wants to boost female and minority recruitment within the department. Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano says female guards are critical at both male and female prisons. The state operates all-female prisons in Lincoln, Decatur and Dwight. The announcement comes after a recent report by the Chicago-based John Howard Association on the Dwight Correctional Center. The watchdog group said that it received reports of inappropriate behavior from male correctional officers at the all-female prison. The watchdog group's report alleges that "inmates expressed distress over lack of privacy." Corrections officials say the ratio of male to female guards throughout Illinois' prison system is 5.4 males to 1 female.  full story

Illinois Governor Faces Hurdles As New Legislative Session Looms

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - It's tough being governor of a state weighed down by debt, overdue bills and rising expenses. It's even tougher when lawmakers seem happy to ignore your ideas when it suits their mood. That's the situation facing Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. The Chicago Democrat has seen his share of legislative victories, but he has also seen lawmakers ignore his budget proposal, routinely overturn vetoes and brush aside proposals like consolidating small schools. As Quinn prepares for his State of the State address, he faces twin challenges. He must come up with proposals to ease the state's massive financial problems and a strategy to increase his ability to enact those proposals. The governor says he has a strong relationship with the General Assembly.  full story

Local energy-efficient businesses earn award

MOUNT VERNON - Energy-efficient efforts by Mount Vernon businesses have earned the city the ActOnEnergy Most Progressive City Award.

The award was presented by Ameren Illinois to Mount Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley in recognition of 19 Mount Vernon businesses that completed 26 ActOnEnergy projects between June 1, 2010, and May 31, 2011, according to George Justice, manager of Ameren Illinois Division VI.

"It's wonderful," Chesley said. "Through what I call a powerful partnership between the city and its businesses and industries, we are creating awareness, saving energy and helping the environment."

The projects, which received almost $265,000 in ActOnEnergy incentive payments, resulted in a savings of 4.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year for the businesses.

"That is enough electricity to meet the demands of 470 single-family homes for a year," Justice said. "Through these projects, power plant emissions and carbon footprints are reduced, resources are conserved and businesses become more competitive, all of which benefit employees, consumers and the community at large."

ActOnEnergy offers business customers - including private schools and nonprofits - energy efficiency incentives for lighting, refrigeration, motor systems and HVAC systems.

Incentives also are available for retro commissioning, multi-family buildings, commercial kitchen equipment and hotel and motel guest room energy management systems.

ActOnEnergy also offers a program for grain and livestock farmers, providing incentives for lighting upgrades, livestock waterers and such high-efficiency equipment as circulation fans, water heaters and exhaust fans.

Since ActOnEnergy was launched in 2008, the amount of annual incentive dollars available to business customers has grown from $3 million to $19.2 million. full story

Ten Hour Standoff Ends In Edwardsville When Truck Driver Shoots Himself In The Head

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A nearly 10-hour standoff with aMetro-East truck driver who rammed into a trucking facility has ended after the man shot himself in the head. The 51-year-old from Alton has been taken to a St. Louis hospital for treatment.

His condition wasn't immediately available Saturday afternoon. Authorities say he rammed his truck into the Schneider National trucking facility in Edwardsville at about 2 a.m. Saturday. He's a driver for Schneider. The crash ignited a fire that burned itself out. Police received a 911 call from the driver at the time of the crash saying he had no intention of being taken into custody alive.

Police say he shot himself just before noon. Madison County state's attorney Tom Gibbon says about 50 emergency responders were at the scene. - http://goo.gl/3BFbY

Waltonville High School Homecoming King and Queen candidates

The Waltonville High School Homecoming King and Queen candidates are, front row from left, Mallory Owens, Hannah Herzing, Shelby Majewski and Caitie Wisniewski; back row from left, Jacob Phillips, Dan Halleran, Dylan McLean and Blake Tepovich. The event, which is sponsored by the Waltonville High School Student Council, will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. on Jan. 28, with coronation at 10 p.m.  full story

Marion County Police Beat for Saturday, January 28th, 2012

A 38-year-old Centralia woman remains in the Marion County Jail on a petition to revoke her probation. Bridget Dahn Bone of South Poplar was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies. 21-year-old Michael Naugle of East South Street in Irvington posted $250 bond and was released after being arrested by sheriff's deputies on a petition to revoke probation. 25-year-old Derek Caswell of South Broadway in Salem posted $750 bond and was released after being arrested on an outstanding warrant for domestic battery. The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating the attempted theft of a large electric motor from outside Phillips Electric Motors on Route 37 South in Kell Thursday night or early Friday morning.  full story

Irvington Man Arrested for Alleged Prostitution and Armed Robbery

A 27-year-old Irvington man has been arrested by Centralia Police for alleged prostitution and armed robbery. Jeffrey Fleming of Sixth Street said he had made an agreement at a bar to perform a sex act on a 35-year-old Centralia man. The two later went to the Centralia man's room at the Centralia Motel where the act allegedly occurred. Fleming said he grabbed the agreed upon $20 from a table in the room when the man refused to pay. A scuffle ensued. Fleming eventually was able to run from the room. Police had initially been called to the motel room after the occupant called police to say a man had just broke through the door and put a knife to his throat. Fleming was taken to the Marion County Jail, pending the setting of bond.  full story

Huck’s Convenience Store robbed in Mt. Vernon

MT. VERNON — The Huck’s Convenience Store at 201 Main Street was robbed Thursday night.

According to police reports, the clerk contacted police shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday to report a black woman in a dark blue hooded sweatshirt had robbed the store at knife point. She allegedly displayed the white handled knife during the robbery.

Police responded and discovered the suspect fled on foot south bound from the store in the area between Silver Streak and Life Star Ambulance.

At this time, police are still searching for the suspect, according to Mt. Vernon Police Chief Chris Mendenall.

Anyone with information about the incident are asked to contact the Mt. Vernon Police Department at 242-2131 or the Jefferson County Crimestoppers at 242-8477. Anyone who shares information with Crimestoppers does not have to leave a name or telephone number and can remain anonymous. Any information that leads to an arrest may make the caller eligible for a cash reward.  full story

Illinois Leading The Charge For Renewable Energy

Illinois is among the top states in the nation when it comes to renewable energy. Kevin Borgia, with the Illinois Wind Energy Coalition, says recent growth will have a strong impact in Southern Illinois. "The primary beneficiaries are going to be rural communities that are going to get new jobs, new economic development, new payments to new farmland and land owners, and new property-tax revenue. That's going to be a huge infusion for those communities", said Borgia. Borgia says increased renewable energy could also translate to stable energy costs for homeowners and businesses. That means it could ward off more potential rate hikes. Illinois added more turbines than any other state last year and ranks fourth in the nation when it comes to overall wind energy.  full story

Chicago O'Hare International Airport Still 2nd Busiest U.S. Airport

CHICAGO (AP) - New figures from the Federal Aviation Administration show Chicago's O'Hare International Airport remains the second busiest in the nation. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest by number of arrivals and departures, despite a decline of 2.7-percent in 2011 from the previous year. Traffic was also down at O'Hare, dipping 0.4-percent to nearly 879,000 takeoffs and landings. The figures were released Thursday by the Federal Aviation Administration. Worldwide, O'Hare ranks third busiest by passenger numbers behind Atlanta and Beijing. O'Hare is undergoing a $15 billion expansion. The city reached a deal in March with United and American Airlines on funding for a second phase of expansion involving construction of a new runway and other upgrades. Under the deal, Chicago issued $1-billion in bonds to pay for the work. - http://goo.gl/xEqtC

State Board of Education Approves Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Recommendation

The Illinois State Board of Education approved a Fiscal Year 2013 State General Funds budget recommendation of nearly $265.2 million. This is a 3.9-percent increase over the current year.

The proposal is about $426 million less than funding received in Fiscal Year 2009. State funding for education has been reduced by about $650 million dollars since 2009. The Board approved the recommendation Thursday. The Board's recommendations include new line items to support comprehensive reform initiates under way in Illinois. Continued work will ensure the state meets criteria outlined for the federal waiver to the No Child Left Behind law.

The Board's recommendation provides increased funding for specific items, such as $19.9 million for early childhood education, $7 million for bilingual education, and several reform initiatives already under way in Illinois. Board members are recommending an increase of $201 million in General State Aid during FY-13.

Recommendations include $5.8 million increase for State Assessment tests, $4.1 million to support new principal and teacher mentoring, and $3 million for improvement strategies and interventions.

Other recommendations include $2.8 million to pay incentives for recently-consolidated districts, $2 million toward training educators on Common Core Standards implementation, and $1 million toward support and resources for the growing population of homeless students in Illinois schools.

The Illinois State Board of Education will provide its budget recommendation to the Governor and General Assembly for consideration as part of the overall State FY2013 state budget. The Board's budget proposal is posted on www.isbe.net/budget. - http://goo.gl/ewG7j

High Illinois Farm Prices Could Last Through 2012

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) - Some experts believe this year's rising farmland prices in central Illinois could continue for at least the next year. Land sales companies say farmland prices in the region increased by more than 30 percent in 2011 to an average of more than $10,000 an acre. That mirrors a trend across the Midwest of rising land values based on high prices for crops such as corn and soybeans and interest among investors. Dale Aupperle is president of Heartland Ag Group in Forsyth. He told The Herald & Review newspaper in nearby Decatur that crop prices should stay high over the next year and keep land prices up. Roger Hayworth of Farmers National Co. says the high prices are convincing growing numbers of land owners to sell. - http://goo.gl/XI16V

Salem Police Warn Citizens of Medicare Scam

The Salem Police Department received a Fraud Alert message from the Department of Aging. There is a scam making its way through Illinois in which a caller claims to work for Medicare and is verifying the victim's personal information, including bank account information, for newID cards. Please be aware that Medicare will not transact business this way. If Medicare issues new cards, they will send them by mail. Attached is a link to the National Council on Aging with the current TOP 10 scams facing seniors today. - http://goo.gl/7RW4K

Marion County Police Beat for Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Two people remain in the Marion County Jail Thursday morningon outstanding warrants. 21-year-old T.J. Robert Chumley of Pinckneyville was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies on an outstanding felony failure to appear in court warrant. 54-year-old June Boston of West McCord in Centralia was arrested by Centralia Police on an outstanding traffic warrant. 28-year-old Edward Wallis of Front Street in Iuka posted $150 bond after being arrested by sheriff's deputies for alleged driving on a suspended license. The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft of three electrical motors from an oil field lease on Snyder Road in rural Centralia. Oelze Oil Field Equipment of Nashville placed the value of each of the motors at $400 each. The theft occurred late Tuesday or Wednesday morning. - http://goo.gl/LSzYJ

Ron Stephens Resignation From State House Partially Result Of Bankruptcy Filing

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - When Republican state Rep. Ron Stephens announced last year he was leaving the Illinois House, he would only say he was doing so for personal reasons. The Belleville News-Democrat reports Stephens filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection before leaving office. Stephens said Wednesday the bankruptcy filing was a contributing factor in his decision to resign. Stephens, of Greenville, said he is not proud of taking the step. However, he says he and his wife, Lisa, are repaying 100 percent of their debt. Stephens and his wife filed their bankruptcy petition on May 6 in federal court in East St. Louis. On Sept. 12, Judge Laura K. Grandy approved their bankruptcy plan, under which the couple is to pay $241,500 to a bankruptcy trustee over five years. A primary battle had shaped up between Stephens and John Cavaletto of Salem after both were placed in the same district following redistricting after the 2010 U.S. Census. However, the potential showdown failed to materialize when Stephens stepped down. Cavaletto ended up with no primary competition and no Democrat filing against him. - http://goo.gl/C8bM7

16 Percent Of Homes Sold In Illinois In Third Quarter 2011 Were In Foreclosure Or Bank Owned

CHICAGO (AP) - Sixteen percent of homes sold in Illinois in the third quarter of 2011 were in foreclosure or owned by a bank. That's according to a report released Thursday by Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac. The company says the total number of foreclosures sold from July through September last year was 6,537 and the average sale price was $133,121. The number of foreclosure sales dropped almost 20 percent from the third quarter of 2010 because of paperwork processing problems that delayed many foreclosures. Nationally, foreclosure homes accounted for 20 percent of all residential sales in that same period. The highest percentage of foreclosure sales were in Nevada, California and Arizona. RealtyTrac says foreclosures continue to be an excellent bargain for many people. - http://goo.gl/0Bz7M

Bill Would Make Search Warrants Public Unless A Court Order Stipulates Otherwise

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A bill introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives would codify a 2007 opinion by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan that search warrants are considered public records unless a court order specifically stipulates otherwise. The Herald & Review in Decatur reports that state Rep. Michael Zalewski filed the bill late last week. The Riverside Democrat's legislation followed recent court decisions that found the public and news media have no right to read search warrants in cases such as the 2009 deaths of five members of a family in Beason in central Illinois. An appellate court in 2010 upheld the judge's decision in that case. Madigan's opinion five years ago said that warrants should be open to public inspection once returned to court unless a judge found a compelling reason to seal them. - http://goo.gl/sTb4l

Panel Suggests $1 Increase In License Plate Fee To Encourage Useage of Electric Cars

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A state panel is suggesting a $1 increase in Illinois license plate fee to encourage usage of electric cars. The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reports that the recommendation is included in a report forwarded to members of the Illinois General Assembly and Gov. Pat Quinn by the state's Electric Vehicle Advisory Council. The panel suggests the money raised be used to help pay for rebates and grants for alternative fuel vehicles. The $1 increase would bring Illinois' standard license plate renewal cost to $100 annually. The panel was formed last year as part of a legislative initiative designed to make Illinois a center for electric vehicle use and manufacturing. The panel says its recommendations are designed to get 100,000 electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2015. - http://goo.gl/konZI

Salem Burglary Broken Up Tuesday Night

Salem Police arrested a 25-year-old Salem woman on several charges when she allegedly in the process of breaking into a neighbor's home. Ashley Allison of South Lincoln had allegedly broken a window in the front door and was trying to pry open the door at the George Snodgrass home on South Lincoln Street when police arrived. Allison was arrested for alleged possession of burglary tools, criminal damage to property and failure to appear in court on a reckless driving charge. Bond on the warrant is set at $10,000. Police had responded to the Snodgrass home when a witness called to report the alleged burglary attempt. The incident occurred at 10:06 Tuesday night. - http://goo.gl/OxYRv

Lawmakers Look To Reduce All-Time High Prison Population

Springfield, IL -- More people are gettinglocked up in Illinois and now lawmakers must find a way to cut the costs,. John Maki, with the John Howard Association, says the answer is to only imprison violent offenders and seek diversionary programs for others. "Prisons are best served if we use them to place violent people, people who pose real violent threats to public safety. Most people who have drug problems or who have mental illness, they can be dangerous, but prison is not the best place for them", said Maki. The Inmate population is at an all-time high with corrections facilities at 144-percent over capacity. Representative Art Turner has proposed a bill that would begin to address the issue. - http://goo.gl/otVr8

Security guard shoots man at St. Louis MetroLink station

PAGEDALE, Mo. -- Police are investigating after a security guard at a St. Louis County light rail station shot a man who was involved in a scuffle.

The shooting happened Tuesday evening in Pagedale. The security guard, employed by a private company that contracts with Metro, saw two men involved in a disturbance. One of the men had a gun.

Police say the guard shot the armed man. He is hospitalized but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. His gun was recovered at the scene.

Names of the guard and the man who was shot have not been released. - http://goo.gl/d84Ka

New Ill. law: Schools have to redesign report cards for parents

CHICAGO -- Schools and districts will have to offer parents more user-friendly reports with academic information, demographics and education statistics under a new law signed by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Schools already have to send so-called report cards, but advocates of the legislation say they're hard to read, long and not easy to compare to other schools.

Examples of the revamped reports were printed in color and featured pie charts.

The law takes effect immediately. The report cards will be available in the 2013 to 2014 school year for elementary, middle and high schools.

Quinn signed the law Tuesday.

He says he didn't think there would be any additional costs occurred in implementing the bill. - http://goo.gl/sJqKe

Ill. man with revoked license gets 4 years in prison for driving mower

ALEDO, Ill. -- A judge in western Illinois has handed down a four-year prison sentence for a man caught driving a riding lawnmower with a revoked license.

Mercer County Judge Greg Chickris sentenced 43-year-old William White on Tuesday. It's the sixth time White has been sent to prison.

Defense attorney Dan Dalton argued that he'd never seen someone sent to prison for driving a mower. But the judge countered that he'd considered a variety of factors, including White's prior crimes.

The Rock Island Argus reports that White has 57 previous felony and misdemeanor convictions, starting when he was 15 years old. Court records show the latest was White's eleventh conviction for driving on a revoked license. He's also been convicted six times for driving under the influence of alcohol. - http://goo.gl/yMRd1

University of Illinois President Apologizes About Emails

URBANA, Ill. (AP) - University of Illinois President Michael Hogan has apologized for anonymous emails sent to faculty from his former chief of staff's computer. Hogan told faculty leaders Monday he regrets that the emails embarrassed the university. The News-Gazette in Champaign reports that Hogan says the emails were his responsibility as president. When questioned about whether there was an ethical lapse on his part, Hogan pointed to a recent report that found no evidence he did anything wrong. The report found former chief of staff Lisa Troyer wrote emails signed as if they came from an anonymous faculty member. The emails were intended to sway faculty on an enrollment management plan that some have opposed. Troyer resigned but has denied writing the emails. - http://goo.gl/ocaEh

Marion County Police Beat for Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

A 26-year-old Centralia man has been arrested for aggravated battery. Tod Allen Vernor of Linden Street was taken into custody following an altercation at the Hide Out Tavern in Junction City. 32-year-old
Billy Joe Smith of Bryan Street in Salem posted $300 bond and was released on outstanding Fayette County felony warrants. He was arrested by sheriff's deputies. 28-year-old Jerold Phillips of Moonglow Road in Centralia posted $100 bond after being arrested by the Marion County Sheriff's Department on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal damage to property.
Salem Police report a car reported stolen just before midnight was found five hours later parked at the Salem Super Wal-mart store. Jeb Harrell of Farina reported the car was taken from an alley off the 100 block of West Main Street. Police say the car was not damaged. No one was around the vehicle. Salem Police are investigating the theft of a tool box from the Shane Garrison residence in the 11-hundred block of North Jefferson Street in Salem. - http://goo.gl/4pQss

Mt.Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Arrest Record - January 24, 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

• Nashanda N. Feggins, 24, of the 4000 block of Willow Springs, was arrested at 2:23 a.m. Friday on a probation violation. Bond was set at $3,000.
• Matthew R. Phillips, 19, of the 400 block of North Sixth Street, was arrested Friday at 8:33 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery. Bond was set at $5,000.
• Christopher S. Campbell, 22, of the 100 block of Linnview Drive, was arrested Friday at 12:15 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended or revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500.
• Adam M. Skortz, 25, of the 800 block of South 21st Street, was arrested at 10:03 p.m. Saturday on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender. Bond was set at $20,000.
• William L. Bell, 52, of the 300 block of South Eighth Street, was arrested Friday at 10:38 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500.
• Edward R. Heider, 52, of Millstadt, was arrested Saturday at 12:49 p.m. on a charge of aggravated battery. Bond was set at $1,500 and Heider was released.
• Christopher W. Urba, 49, of Bluford, was arrested at 3:25 a.m. Saturday on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $10,000 and Urba was released.
• Marcus D. Collins, 57, of the 700 block of Herbert Street, was arrested at 3:34 a.m. Sunday on a charge of criminal trespass to state property. Bond was set at $1,000 and Collins was released.
• Jeremy A. Terry, 26, of the 1000 block of South 21st Street, was arrested Saturday at 4 a.m. on a charge of criminal trespass to state property. Bond was set at $1,000 and Terry was released.
• Michael G. Kuschel, 42, of the 400 block of North Ninth Street, was arrested Saturday at 10:56 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $5,000 and he was released.
• James M. Hicks, 20, of the 1300 block of 12th Street, was arrested Sunday at 1:36 a.m. on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $1,500 and Hicks was released.
• Bobby D. Gregory, 21, of the 900 block of Salem Road, was arrested Sunday at 4:05 a.m. on a charge of aggravated battery.
• James E. Holenka, 30, of the 700 block of South 21st Street, was arrested at 8:32 a.m. Sunday on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender.
• Jason P. Hunt, 31, of the 600 block of Harrison Street, was arrested Sunday at 7:15 p.m. on a charge of contempt of court. Bond was set at $2,500.
• Mary L. King, 28, of the 700 block of South 20th Street, was arrested Monday at 3:03 a.m. on a charge of contempt of court. Bond was set at $1,000.

Jefferson Co. Sheriff's Office Arrests

• David L. Puckett, 33, of the 19100 block of East Third Street in Opdyke was arrested Friday at 1:03 p.m. on charges of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident with damage, driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of stolen property, driving with a suspended or revoked license, resisting, obstructing or disarming an officer and motor vehicle theft. Bond was set at $100,000.
• Steve G. Wilson, 37, of the 5700 block of East Richview Road in Woodlawn was arrested Sunday at 4:20 p.m. on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $1,000 and Wilson was released.

Illinois State Police Arrests

• Scott Wuebbles, 44, of Valley View, was arrested Sunday at 1:36 a.m. on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $1,000 and Wuebbles was released.
• Dustin A. Powers, 21, of the 2900 block of Brownsville Road, was arrested Monday at 3:03 a.m.. on an in-state warrant. - http://goo.gl/kPYFZ

Romney had Swiss bank account, but now closed

WASHINGTON -- Advisers to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney are acknowledging that he once had a Swiss bank account but that it was closed in 2010 as prepared to enter the race for the White House.

The Swiss account is listed on Romney's newly released 2010 federal income tax return. It had been opened by a Boston lawyer who oversees the Romney family investments and a blind trust containing millions of dollars in assets.

Romney's net worth is estimated at as much as $250 million.

R. Bradlford Malt, the trustee, said Tuesday that he closed the account in early 2010 because "it just wasn't worth it." He acknowledged that the account might be inconsistent with Romney's political views. Malt has dropped other investments that conflict with Republican Party views. - http://goo.gl/NdU9o

Marion County Police Beat for Monday, January 23rd, 2012

A 36-year-old Centralia woman escaped injury, but was jailed on multiple charges after her car crashed into a power pole at 8th and Elm in Centralia just before midnight Saturday night.
Centralia Police say Patricia Gregory of Devonia Drive knocked down the pole and street light, with the live power lines falling across her car. Reports indicate Gregory was able to get out of the car without electrical shock. She was ticketed for driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, no mandatory auto insurance, and on outstanding Marion and Clinton County warrants. A 25-year-old Centralia man had to be tazed twice as Centralia Police were attempting to take him into custody on Saturday on outstanding Marion and Clinton County warrants.
Shane Littleton of South Hickory remained in the Marion County Jail Monday morning on the two warrants as well as a new charge of resisting arrest. Centralia Police say they initially were called to a domestic disturbance at Littleton's home. He allegedly fought with police when they attempted to handcuff him. He eventually was taken to the ground, but had to be tazed twice before allowing police to complete the handcuffing process.
Three others remained in jail Monday on outstanding warrants. 28-year-old Amber Foltz of North Park in Central City is being held on an outstanding DUI warrant. 20-year-old William Timms of South Cherry in Centralia was arrested on a Marion County ordinance violation warrant. 41-year-old John Brumfield of North Maple in Centralia is being held on an outstanding St. Clair County warrant. 38-year-old Lashanda Webb of East Rhodes in Centralia posted bond on a Jasper County traffic warrant and was released. Bond was set at $150.
The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating a residential burglary at the Nancy Smith home on North Merritt Street in Odin. A flashlight, food, and candy are missing along with $16 taken from her purse. The burglary was reported at 2:28 Sunday afternoon. - http://goo.gl/cIrL5

Durbin: For-Profit Colleges Target Veterans

CHICAGO (AP) - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says more must be done to make sure for-profit colleges with higher costs and default rates don't unfairly target U.S. veterans. The Illinois Democrat and several veterans who say they fell victim to aggressive recruiting by some of the schools spoke at a forum on the issue Monday in Chicago. Veteran Bernetta Garrett told the meeting that one for-profit school pushed her to upgrade her degree until she was tens of thousands of dollars in debt. And she says she still couldn't get a job after completing her education. Durbin says he's introducing legislation designed to reduce incentives for for-profit colleges to aggressively recruit veterans. - http://goo.gl/PaHRc

Church shooting apparently accidental

WENTZVILLE, Mo. -- Police in the St. Charles County town of Wentzville now believe a shooting inside a church was an accident.

A man was struck by gunfire Saturday night at St. Patrick's Catholic Church during a trivia night to raise money for a Wentzville woman with cancer. A shot rang out at the same time balloons were being popped near the end of the evening. Everyone inside the church was interviewed and searched.

But on Sunday, a man came forward and indicated that the shooting was unintentional. Police did not elaborate. Authorities have not determined if charges will be filed.

The 23-year-old man struck by the bullet is in serious but stable condition. - http://goo.gl/YLLda

1 dead, 2 in custody after St. Louis gun battle

ST. LOUIS -- Two people are in custody in St. Louis after a body was found inside a car following a gun battle.

Reports that the Sunday night shooting happened on the city's north side. A caller told police that several people in a car began shooting at people, and those people shot back.

Police spotted the suspect car and followed it, and a chase began. The car stopped after hitting spike strips put down by police. The driver tried to run but was captured.

In the front seat of the car, police found a man who had been shot in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A third passenger was also taken into custody. - http://goo.gl/vHClL

Lightning Strike Causes Damage At Three Homes in Kinmundy; No Other Damage Recorded From Heavy Storm Activity

A lightning strike Sunday night caused damage at three homes near the Fifth and Madison Street intersection in Kinmundy. Kinmundy-Alma Fire Chief Kevin Day says lightning appears to have hit the corner of the Chris Patton home at 504 South Madison near the satellite dish and then spread through the ground to the other two homes. Fortunately, there were no fires inside any of the homes. Day says the electrical wiring burned in the Patton home and they lost all of their electronic devices that were plugged in at the time of the strike. The lightning also damaged items plugged into the electrical system at the Kevin Hollowell home at 203 Fifth Street. While the lightning caused no damage inside the Jake Brimberry home at 109 Fifth Street, it did cause a natural gas line outside near the meter to rupture. Fire was coming out of the ruptured line when firemen arrived. However, Day says it was far enough from the home not to cause any concerns. They left the fire burn until Atmos Gas could arrive to shut off the line. Day feared more problems from having the gas spewing into the air. The fire calls came in at 10:48 Sunday night. Some fire equipment remained on the scene until 12:20 Monday morning when the gas line was turned off. Day thinks the lightning may have been able to travel between the homes because of the saturated ground conditions. Assistant Chief Richard Day says they had plenty of help to be able to survey potential problems from the lightning strike inside all three homes. The damage was the only reported in Marion County related to the line of heavy thunderstorms that crossed the area Sunday night. The storms blew into the county with strong winds. 83-hundredths of an inch of rain was recorded at the Alma Weather Station, 78-hundredths at the Centralia Water Plant, and only one-tenth of an inch at the Salem Water Plant. No storm warnings were issued for Marion County. Severe thunderstorm warnings were posted for Jefferson and Wayne County, but so far there have been no reports of any serious damage. - http://goo.gl/zwfTK

State officials want to hire conservation police

CHICAGO -- Officials with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources say the agency wants to hire conservation police officers.

State officials have scheduled a Thursday presentation in Chicago on the topic.

Applicants must have a two-year degree with three years of consecutive experience as a police officer or a four-year degree from an accredited university.

Then they'll have to take a swim test and undergo a background check, among other things. The job also requires weeks of training.

Conservation police officers enforce criminal, vehicle and drug law in Illinois state parks. Their duties include patrolling on Illinois lakes and rivers to check boating safety and watercraft registration. - http://goo.gl/iEA3J

Drew Peterson TV Movie To Air On Lifetime

The story of former Illinois police sergeant and murder suspect Drew Peterson airs on Lifetime this weekend. Rob Lowe plays the controversial ex-cop suspected in the death and disappearance of this third and fourth wives. The 2007 disappearance of Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, touched off an investigation that prompted authorities to reopen the case involving the accidental drowning of Peterson's third wife, Kathleen Savio. Peterson has repeatedly denied involvement in both cases, but was indicted in 2009 and charged with Savio's murder. He is currently awaiting trial. Last year, Peterson tried, unsuccessfully, to stop production on the TV movie about his case. "Drew Peterson: Untouchable" airs tonight at7 pmon Lifetime.  full story

Marion County Police Beat for Sunday, January 22

A 21-year-old Centralia woman is in the Marion County Jail on alleged drug charges. Shea Leigh Terry of Wabash Street in Centralia was arrested for alleged possession of methamphetamine, possession of meth precursors, possession of less than 2.5 grams of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies. 36-year-old Patricia Adele Gregory of DeVonia Street in Centralia was arrested by Centralia Police for alleged driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and on Marion and Clinton County warrants.

She remains in the Marion County Jail. Centralia Police arrested 25-year-old Shane Alan Littleton of South Hickory Street in Centralia on Marion and Clinton County warrants and for alleged resisting arrest. He remains in the Marion County Jail. - http://goo.gl/whzTt

Centralia, Big Muddy, Vandalia Prisons Among Overcrowded in State

All three State Correctional facilities in the area are housing well over the number of prisoners they were designed to handle. The Centralia Correctional Center currently has 1,534 inmates, 161 percent over the design capacity of 950.

The Big Muddy Correctional Center at Ina has 1,922 inmates, 202-percent of the design capacity population of 952.

The Vandalia Correctional Center has 1,720 inmates, 156-percent of the design capacity of 1,100. Statewide, Illinois prisons have 15,000 more inmates than they were designed to hold.

The Department of Corrections say even though all the prisons are well over their design capacity, they are within the prisons' "operational capacity" even as some inmates are held in non-traditional areas such as gymnasiums.

Meanwhile, some Illinois lawmakers have been meeting with the Governor's staff in hopes of coming up with a way to address prison overcrowding by the end of the spring session. They include alternatives to incarceration, such as treatment instead of prison for low-level drug offenders.

A spokesperson for Governor Pat Quinn says he is working with lawmakers for'safe, sustainable prisons'. The prison population has grown by seven percent in two years, since Democratic Governor Pat Quinn shut down an early release program for good conduct after the AP reported a secret plan that pushed inmates out even faster.

Some of those released under the program committed more crimes. 48,620 are currently incarcerated in the state's prison system. - http://goo.gl/O8msM

Marion County Police Beat for Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Five people remained in the Marion County Jail Saturday morning after being arrested on Friday on outstanding warrants.

25-year-old Jeffrey Fleming of Sixth Street in Irvington and 18-year-old Briton McCray of South Brookside in Centralia were both picked up on outstanding felony warrants by the Marion County Sheriff's Department.

29-year-old Sarah See of Ticklin Road in Odin was arrested by Sheriff's Deputies on an outstanding DUI warrant. 20-year-old Andrew Flippen of East 15th in Centralia is being held on a small claims warrant. 18-year-old Brandon Marcum of West Noleman in Centralia was arrested on an ordinance violation warrant.

Both Flippen and Marcum were arrested by Centralia Police. full story

Patoka Man Killed in Backhoe Accident North of St. Elmo

A 44-year-old rural Patoka man was killed in a backhoe accident on a Fayette County Road five miles north of St. Elmo. Fayette County Coroner Bruce Bowen says John Cade, Junior was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:43 Friday morning. Bowen reports Cade lost control of the backhoe as it was traveling down a gravel road and overturned in the roadside ditch. Bowen says Cade was an employee of an oil field service equipment company and was in the process of transferring material from one site to another. No one else was in the backhoe when the accident occurred on Fayette County Road 200 E a half mile south of 2450 N. Bowen reports more information will be released on a cause of death following an autopsy that is expected to take place Saturday afternoon at St. Anthony's Hospital in Effingham. Since the accident occurred while Cade was working, OSHA is also involved in the investigation.  full story

Ice Covered Roads Claim Life of Centralia Man, Secondary Roads Still Icy Saturday Morning

Freezing rain is blamed for causing multiple accidents Friday night, including one that took the life of a Centralia man on Interstate 57 in western Clinton County.

State Police say 21-year-old Maurice Currie was a rear seat passenger in a vehicle driven by 19-year-old Gavan Hooper of Mt. Vernon. Hooper and three other passengers in the car were injured and taken to Belleville Hospitals.

They are identified as 20-year-old Dwayne Moore and 22-year-old Theodosia Hooper of Mt. Vernon and 20-year-old Shantae Harris of Hammond, Indiana. All of their injuries were classified as non-life threatening.

State Police say the wreck occurred after a SUV driven by 89-year-old John Barr of Nashville left the road and struck the center median guardrail. Barr then crossed both eastbound lanes of traffic and came to rest partially in the right lane of traffic.

A vehicle driven by 71-year-old Larry Kogl of Atwood, Kansas struck the Barr vehicle in the rear as he tried to change lanes to avoid the crash. Kogl then struck the right rear of the Hooper car in the other lane as it was drastically reducing speed to try and avoid the crash.

State Police say numerous other vehicles had run off icy sections of the road in the vicinity of the crash. The freezing rain left motorists stuck for hours in traffic on Interstate 70 in parts of Fayette and Effingham Counties. Area police departments say the major highways are mostly clear of ice this morning, but secondary roads remain extremely slick and hazardous.

Untreated parking lots and sidewalks are also extremely hazardous. Interstate highways in Fayette and Effingham Counties north to the Chicago area are still reported to have scattered slippery spots. - http://goo.gl/JSB10

Illinois Lawmakers Seek Prison Crowding Fix

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers say they hope to come up with a way to address prison crowding by the end of this spring's session. There are 48,620 prisoners in a system designed for 33,700. The population has grown by seven-percent in two years, since Democratic Governor Pat Quinn shut down an early release program for good conduct after the AP reported a secret plan that pushed inmates out even faster. Some released under the program committed more crimes. Rep. Dennis Reboletti is an Elmhurst Republican who has been meeting with Quinn's staff. He suggests alternatives to incarceration such as treatment instead of prison for low-level drug offenders. Quinn has previously said he supports such ideas. His spokeswoman says he is working with lawmakers for "safe, sustainable prisons."  full story

Illinois State Police Handled Over 38,000 Incidents, Seized Over $600,000 in 2011

The Illinois State Police in Effingham conducted a summary of district activity for 2011. State Police handled 38,023 incidents in 2011, with 18,097 citations for seatbelt and speeding violations. There were 368 drivers arrested for driving under the influence, 575 citations for other alcohol violations, and 953 criminal arrests. Eleven-hundred pounds of cannabis was seized, estimated at $1.6 million, and 136 kilos of cocaine seized, estimated at $13.6 million. $618,174 were seized in other criminal activity. District 12 troopers handled 1,087 crashes. District wide, there were 31 fatal crashes, claiming 35 lives. Alcohol was a factor in nine-crashes. Preliminary ISP statistics show 832 fatal traffic crashes, with 915 fatalities during 2011. Through partnerships with the Illinois Department of Transportation and area local law enforcement agencies, 12 fewer people lost their lives on Illinois roadways than in 2010. Locally, District 12's fatalities declined from 41 in 2010 to 35 in 2011.  full story

Marion County Crimestoppers Asking for Help in ATV Theft in Rural Alma

The Marion County Crimestoppers is asking the public to help solve an ATV theft in rural Alma. A black 2008 Polaris Sportmen 800 CC four-wheeler was taken from Greenridge Road in rural Alma between January 13th and January 19th. The owner is offering a $500 reward for information resulting in the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft. Anyone with information is urged to call the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 548-2141, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-499-UTEL (8835). All calls to crimestoppers are anonymous.  full story

Illinois Ranks 3rd in Green Building Nationally

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois is on the U.S. Green Building Council's list of the top ten states for green buildings. Illinois ranks third on the nonprofit group's list, behind the District of Columbia and Colorado. The list ranks states for the number of commercial and institutional green buildings per capita based on the 2010 U.S. Census. Illinois has 34.5 million square feet of green building space, or 2.6 feet per capita. Doug Widener is president of the council's Illinois chapter. He says the state's high ranking marks the diversity of those in Illinois who understand the significance of green building's environmental, economic and social impacts.  full story

Illinois Pair May Have Died from Drug Complications

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - Authorities say two people whose bodies were found sitting side by side in a southern Illinois home may have died from drug complications. The bodies of 46-year-old Ward Noeninger and 39-year-old Lisa Patterson were found early Wednesday at a Belleville home. St. Clair County Coroner Rick Stone says autopsies performed Thursday were inconclusive. Toxicology results are pending. Noeninger's father, James Noeninger, found the bodies when he went to check on his son, who had a long-term medical condition. James Noeninger tells the Belleville News-Democrat that his son had a brain tumor and was told three years ago that he had six months to live. It isn't clear when the pair died. There were no signs of any injuries.  full story

East St. Louis Police Chief Resigns Again, Pleads Guilty

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - The East St. Louis police chief has resigned for the second time in three years after he was caught in a federal sting operation.
Former Police Chief Michael Baxton pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to stealing four Xbox games that federal agents put in a car.
Baxton resigned as chief on Wednesday. He previously resigned as East St. Louis police chief in 2009 after his performance was called into question.
Baxton also served as police chief in Alorton, but a state board barred him from law enforcement because of a 1982 robbery conviction.
He was recertified by a St. Clair County judge in November because the conviction was wiped off the books in 1989 leaving him with no criminal record.
Baxton faces up to 15 years in prison. - http://goo.gl/T487I

Two local Mt. Vernon men arrested

MT. VERNON - Two city men were arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop Wednesday morning.

Mt. Vernon Police Department officers pulled over a vehicle driven by Michael Cole, 52, and occupied by William C. Spears, 25, at the intersection of 20th and Logan Streets shortly before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, said Detective Capt. Ron Almaroad.

"The passenger fled when the officer stopped the car," he said. "The person who fled was stopped within one block. While he was running, he was discarding what appears to be methamphetamine."

Cole was arrested on charges of driving with a revoked license, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug equipment.

In 1990, he was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on drug possession charges. In 2000, he was found guilty of domestic battery causing bodily harm, a Class A misdemeanor.

In 2004, he was found guilty of possession or manufacture of less than or equal to 15 grams of methamphetamine, a Class 2 Felony, and failure to report to a penal institution or report for periodic imprisonment, a Class 1 felony.

He was charged with driving with a revoked license in 2008, and in 2011, was again charged for the same offense, a Class A misdemeanor, and found guilty.

Spears on Tuesday was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance, obstructing justice by destroying evidence and resisting arrest.

In 2005, Spears was found guilty of possession of less than 2.5 grams of cannabis, a Class C misdemeanor; he was also found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a Class A misdemeanor.

He was found guilty of driving on a suspended license in 2006, a Class A misdemeanor. Also in 2006, he was found guilty of possession of less than 2.5 grams of cannabis, a Class C misdemeanor.

In 2010, he was found guilty of knowingly damaging property of a value of less than $300, a Class A misdemeanor, and criminal trespass of a building, a Class B misdemeanor. - http://goo.gl/JSSFA

Salem Man Injured When His Pickup Runs Into Creek

A 24-year-old Salem man has been injured in a one vehicle crash at the Radio Tower and Baker Road intersection northeast of Salem. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Curtis Denzik of Oglesby Street was westbound on Baker Road when he failed to negotiate the turn onto Radio Tower Road, went into the creek, with his pickup coming to rest on the passenger side.
Denzik was able to get out of the truck on his own. He was taken to Salem Township Hospital for treatment. The wreck occurred just after midnight Thursday morning. - http://goo.gl/IBGZV

Sandoval Village Board Discusses Three New Businesses and Hires Two Part-time Police Officers

Sandoval will soon have three new businesses in operation. Mayor Ron Kretzer says Granny's Donuts opened on U.S. 51 South this week. A grand opening scheduled at noon Saturday.
Gifts and More has opened in the former barbershop building on Main Street. Kretzer says the new owners of Taylor Made have taken applications for jobsand plan to reopen in later February or March.

The Sandoval Village Board has hired two part-time police officers. Zach Lowery of Salem will be paid $9 an hour and $10 an hour after completing the part-time police officer school.
The board also made a committment to hire Garrett Wade within the next 30 days. Kretzer reported that the village is maintaining a positive cash flow, but there are still some issues that need to be addressed. He is not recommending that the village join the Route 50 Coalition because of the $1,000 they would be asked to commit to the lobbying effort for the four lane highway from Lawrenceville to Lebanon.
The board was told $3,421 has been raised for upkeep of the cemetery from the recent Chilli Supper. - http://goo.gl/rufjJ

Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Record Jan. 19, 2012

MT. VERNON - Mt. Vernon Police Arrests

• Jacob D. Nichols, 23, of the 3000 block of Jamison Avenue, was arrested Tuesday at 4:03 p.m. on a charge of aggravated domestic battery. Bond was set at $20,000.
• Jessica L. Marten, 27, of Fairview Heights, was arrested Tuesday at 6:54 p.m. on a charge of theft of labor or services. Bond was set at $1,000.
• Dasmin Q. Young, 21, of the 1000 block of Prairie Avenue, was arrested at 11:08 p.m. Tuesday on charges of residential burglary and contempt of court. Bond was set at $35,000.

Thefts

• A resident in the 2400 block of Casey Avenue told police someone stole his Xbox at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.
• Tuesday at 3:04 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of Salem Road told police someone stole her trash can.
• Police responded to a report of a cab customer not able to pay at 3:32 p.m. Tuesday.

Incidents

• Personnel at King City Liquors told police someone paid with bad checks at 12:04 p.m. Wednesday.
• Police responded to a report of the sound of gunshots in the 200 block of North 11th Street at 2:08 a.m. Wednesday.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Arrests

• Michael A. Tolka, of the 600 block of Oak Avenue, was arrested Tuesday at 9:10 a.m. on an in-state warrant.

Fires

• Woodlawn Fire Protection District personnel responded to a report of a tractor trailer parked on the shoulder beneath the I-64 overpass on fire at 6:32 a.m. Tuesday. - http://goo.gl/fR7sT

Illinois inmate pleads guilty: 'I strangled my cellmate'

JOLIET, Ill. -- A life sentence has been handed a convicted murderer who pleaded guilty to strangling his cellmate in 2009.

Richard Conner, who is serving a life sentence for the 1991 murder of a Chicago jewelry store clerk, was placed in a Stateville Correctional Center cell with Jameson Leezer, who was near the end of his five-year sentence for car theft.

The 37-year-old Leezer was transferred to Stateville from the medium-security prison in Pinckneyville, after allegedly making lewd comments to a prison guard. Prison records labeled Leezer, described as a member of a white supremacist gang, as vulnerable.

Connor was transferred to Stateville after attempting to hang himself at the super-maximum-security Tamms Correctional Center.

Platek said after the murder, Connor, an African American, came out the cell saying "'I strangled my cellmate." - http://goo.gl/lWvAd

Sandoval Mayor Expresses Concern About Proposed New Grade School

Sandoval Mayor Ron Kretzer says he supports the need for a new grade school, but does have some concerns about the project. He talked about those concerns at Wednesday night's village board meeting. At the top of the list is the impact the increased property taxes will have on village residents. Kretzer also wants to make it clear the village will not be responsible for constructing new roads or sewer lift stations that might be required if the new grade school is constructed next to the Junior-Senior High School. The board has not yet decided where the new grade school would be built if approved by voters on March 20th. Kretzer fears a big increase in property taxes if the proposed two-million dollar bond issue to pay for the 25-percent local share of the cost of the new grade school is combined with a 1.1-million dollar health life safety bond issue to replace the windows in the junior-senior high school building. No vote is needed for the school board to approve the window replacement project. School district officials have said the alternative to constructing the new grade school is to pay twice as much in local property taxes to make four million dollars in needed health life safety improvements to the current grade school building that would not need voter approval. Kretzer is questioning why everything needs to be fixed now and hopes the school board will look at delaying the window replacement project. - http://goo.gl/Ofi1W

Illinois Backlog of Unpaid Bills Nears $8.5 Billion

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka says the stack of unpaid bills in her office tops $4.2 billion and even more bills are piled up in other government departments. She said Wednesday the state's overall backlog is about $8.5 billion. That means organizations that provide services for the state, from businesses to hospitals to charity groups, must wait months to be paid for their work. Topinka's office is still paying bills that date back to September 1st, four and a half months ago. Illinois is behind on its bills even after officials cut spending and raised taxes. Topinka's report predicts the backlog will continue at similar rates. Some officials want to borrow money so state government can pay its vendors, but Topinka argues against more borrowing.  full story

Attorneys: Teen May Get Deal in Clock Factory Fire

PERU, Ill. (AP) - Attorneys say they expect to work out a plea deal for a teen charged in a fire that destroyed part of a massive clock factory in northern Illinois. Attorneys told LaSalle County Judge Daniel Bute on Tuesday that they anticipate an agreement by the time the 15-year-old Peru youth returns to court next week.

The boy is accused of helping set fire to the Westclox building on New Year's Eve. He is not subject to prison time in the Illinois Department of Corrections. But that's not the case for his alleged accomplice.

A La Salle County grand jury on Tuesday returned a one-count indictment against 17-year-old Steven Gallacher of La Salle on a charge of aggravated arson.

Gallacher will appear Thursday before a judge, who may schedule a jury trial. - http://goo.gl/IUPnX

Mo. student loses driving rights for Confederate flag

REPUBLIC, Mo. -- A southwest Missouri student lost his driving privileges at school for flying a Confederate flag on his truck.

The Republic school district twice suspended Riley Collier's driving privileges because of concern that the flag distracted some students and was offensive to others.

Collier says he does not understand why he can't fly the flag while driving to and from Republic High School. He does not consider the flag racist. He says it's about history and the way of life where he grew up.

Republic School District Superintendent Vern Minor says he can't talk about the situation because it involves a student. - http://goo.gl/mMZ1A

Illinoisans urged to take part in earthquake drill

CHICAGO - Authorities want more Illinoisans to register for the "Great ShakeOut."

It's not a new dance or exercise craze. It's a multistate drill meant to raise awareness about potential earthquakes in the region.

More than 152,000 Illinois residents have already signed up to participate in the second annual "Great Central U.S. ShakeOut" on Feb. 7. The drill starts at 10:15 a.m.

The director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Jonathon Monken, says the mantra of earthquake preparedness is "Drop, Cover and Hold On."

That is a reminder for people during an earthquake to drop to the floor, take cover under something sturdy and hold on to it until the shaking stops. - http://goo.gl/2aMIG

Autopsy Shows Centralia Woman Found Dead in Alley Apparently Died From Natural Causes

Preliminary autopsy results indicate a 62-year-old Centralia woman found dead in a city alley Monday morningdied from natural causes. Mary Brenton of South Poplar Street was pronounced dead on the scene by Marion County Deputy Coroner Roger Sutherland after her body was found lying face down in the middle of an alley about a half-block from the Huck's Store at Calumet and Poplar. The coroner's office reports pending toxicology and microscopic examination, the preliminary results show that Brenton died of a massive heart attack due to extreme blockages of coronary arteries and resulting enlargement of the coronary walls. There was also a significant amount of fluid surrounding the heart, making it work even harder, and ultimately contributing to her death. The examination revealed no signs of foul play. Brenton appeared to have been walking the short distance home with groceries she had bought at the Huck's store when she collapsed. - http://goo.gl/wi4uy

Illinois Family Escapes Italian Cruise Disaster

RICHMOND, Ill. - Three members of a McHenry County family were among the thousands of people aboard a cruise ship that ran aground the Italian coast of a Tuscan island, killing at least eleven people.

Jim Salzburg says the scene on the Costa Concordia was "complete chaos." The 71-year-old Richmond man was taking a 16-day trip with his 70-year-old wife Josephine Salzburg and their 39-year-old daughter Mary-Jo Salzburg. Salzburg says "everybody was just running around looking for a lifeboat." The three were able to put on life jackets and secure spaces on a lifeboat to escape the Friday accident.

They were home in Richmond by Sunday evening. Jim Salzburg says the family is lucky to be alive. Richmond is near the Illinois and Wisconsin border, about 65 miles northwest of Chicago.  full story

Marion County Police Beat for Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating a burglary at the Tonya Allen residence on North Main Street in Sandoval. Allen reported medication was stolen. Two persons were arrested on Monday on outstanding warrants. 20-year-old Andrew Dixon of East McCord in Centralia is being held on outstanding Marion, Clinton, and Illinois Department of Corrections warrants. 21-year-old Thomas Garrison of North Boyd Road in Mt. Vernon is being held for failure to appear in court for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and obstructing justice. - http://goo.gl/BeRnH

Woman Found Dead in Centralia Alley, Heart Attack Suspected

A 62-year-old Centralia womanwas found deceased Monday morning in an alleyway about a half block south of the Huck's Store at Calumet and South Poplar Street on the south side of Centralia. Deputy Marion County Coroner Roger Sutherland says it appears Mary Brenton of the one-thousand block of South Poplar suffered a heart attack. However, because she had no previous history of health problems an autopsy will be performedTuesday to confirm a cause of death. Sutherland says Brenton was apparently walking the short distance home after going to the Huck's Store when she fell face down in the alley. Employees say Brenton had been in the store around 7:15 am. She wasn't found until around 9 am, indicating she had apparently fallen at least an hour before being discovered. Sutherland says Brenton's purse and the groceries she had purchased were lying beside her. - http://goo.gl/eSDIU

Severe Weather Pushes Through Area, Hail Reported In Some Areas But No Structural Damage

Two lines of strong thunderstorms triggered severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings across South Central Illinois Tuesday morning. Parts of Clinton and Washington County were placed under a tornado warning, when National Weather Service doppler radar indicated rotation in some of the strongest thunderstorms. The storms also produced hail in many places, including dime size in Salem and inch size in both the Aviston and Carlyle area. Several accidents were reported during the height of the storm activity, including two reports of cars being at least partially blown off the road. Iuka Police report 46-year-old Linda Shehorn of Tree Farm Road in Iuka lost control while traveling on the Iuka Road just south of U.S. 50. She escaped injury, but her car ended up in the roadside ditch. The Clinton County Sheriff's Department also had a report of a car that left the Shattuc Road. Once again there were no injuries. There have been no reports of any structural damage. There have been reports of periodic power outages in the Sandoval and Tonti area. The Salem Water Plant recorded 1.06 inches of rain and the Centralia Water Plant 1.18 inches of rain. The heavy rains resulted in a small and urban flood advisory to be issued for Marion, Clinton, Fayette, Bond and northern Washington County that expired at 8:30 Tuesday morning. - http://goo.gl/2SrHH

Mt Vernon/Jefferson Co. Daily Arrest Record - Jan 17 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

- Roberto M. Roman, 23, of the 100 block of Welkins Street, was arrested Saturday at 12:17 a.m. on a charge of criminal damage of state property. Bond was set at $10,000.
- Michelle A. Baker, 36, of the 300 block of North Fifth Street, was arrested Saturday at 7:47 p.m. on a charge of retail theft.
- Sherry L. Thomas, 57, of the 2400 block of Perkins, was arrested Sunday at 12:27 a.m. on a charge of aggravated battery. Bond was set at $30,000.
- Rachel Lynn Mooney, 34, of the 600 block of South 18th Street, was arrested at 1:51 a.m. Sunday on a charge of driving with a suspended or revoked license. Mooney was released.
- Ashley N. Jenkins, 23, of the 1100 block of South 23rd Street, was arrested at 2:15 a.m. Sunday on a charge of driving with a suspended or revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Jenkins was released.
- April D. Derry, 32, of the 14600 block of North County Farm Lane, was arrested Sunday at 8:14 p.m. on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Derry was released.
- Owen L. Buchanan Jr., 37, of the 800 block of South 21st Street, was arrested at 12:24 p.m. Monday on a charge of domestic battery.
- Kathern L. Nason, 33, of the 16500 block of North Illinois Highway 37, was arrested at 12:35 a.m. Monday on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Nason was released.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Arrests

- Trynesa P. Thrailkill, 42, of Columbus, Miss., was arrested Saturday at 2:15 p.m. on a charge of contempt of court. Thrailkill was released.
- Woodrow W. Tharp, 42, of St. Louis, was arrested at 2:37 a.m. Sunday on a charge of illegal possession of ammunition with no FOID and two in-state warrants.
- Lisa Taylor, 18, of the 17000 block of North Illinois Highway 37, was arrested Monday at 2:16 a.m. on a charge of resisting, obstructing or disarming an office. Bond was set at $1,000.
- Zachary L. Ford, 18, of the 17000 block of North Illinois Highway 37, was arrested Monday at 2:17 a.m. on a charge of resisting, obstructing or disarming an office. Bond was set at $1,000.   full story

Boy, 15, tells police he fatally shot sister

OZARK, Ark. -- Authorities in western Arkansas say a 15-year-old boy has confessed to fatally shooting his older teen sister and that they are investigating the death as a homicide.

Franklin County Sheriff Anthony Boen says the brother appeared remorseful when he told investigators that he killed his 16-year-old sister on Sunday morning. Boen says he doesn't believe the shooting was an accident and that the teen didn't say why he shot his sibling.

Authorities found the girl's body in a bedroom at the family's home near Ozark. No one else was there.

Boen says the siblings' parents were out shopping when the shooting happened.

The boy's name has not been released because he's a juvenile. He's in custody in a nearby county and is expected to go before a judge Tuesday. - http://goo.gl/9SxE1

Illinois man killed neighbor with hammer over $20 debt

PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. -- A 31-year-old central Illinois man has been arrested and charged in the hammer-bludgeoning death of his 81-year-old neighbor over a $20 debt.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reports ( http://bit.ly/yr90ZW) that police in Peoria Heights arrested Joshua Peecher early Sunday and charged him with murder and possessing a stolen vehicle.

Police Chief Dustin Sutton says Peecher killed his neighbor Billy Price with a hammer on Thursday. The neighbor had borrowed $20 from Peecher. The police chief says Peecher was angry about the unpaid debt. He says Peecher stole Price's vehicle after the murder.

An autopsy Saturday found Price died of multiple head injuries.

Peecher is in custody at Peoria County Jail. - http://goo.gl/8yGGl

Falling television kills 4-year-old girl

UNIVERSITY PARK (AP) - A suburban Chicago girl has died after a television fell on her, the third such fatality in recent months.

Authorities say 4-year-old Gianna Hadjis of University Park died Sunday afternoon at a nearby hospital after the accident at her home.

University Park Police Chief Mel Davis says the girl was struck by a box-style TV when it fell in what appeared to be "a horrible accident." He says adults were present.

Falling TVs have caused two other child deaths in the Chicago area recently. A 3-year-old Englewood girl died in November and a 6-year-old Arlington Heights boy died in October. - http://goo.gl/bT9Nm

1 dead in hunting accident in western Illinois

WILLIAMSFIELD, Ill. -- Authorities say a 34-year-old man died after being shot in a hunting accident in western Illinois Sunday afternoon.

The Knox County coroner's office pronounced the man dead at the scene in rural Williamsfield. The man was one of three deer hunters in the area.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says a 59-year-old man from Trivoli was taken to a hospital for reasons unrelated to firearms.

The Knox County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois Conservation Police are investigating. - http://goo.gl/EWX4m

Dad dies while ice fishing with son in Knox County

VICTORIA - Authorities say a man is dead following an ice fishing accident in western Illinois.

Knox County Sheriff's Department officials say a 50-year-old man was pulled from Long Lake near Victoria Sunday afternoon and pronounced dead several hours later at a nearby hospital.

The man and his son were ice fishing. The son left the lake and came back to find a hole in the ice and fishing equipment partially submerged.

Dive teams from Peoria County and Coppas Creek assisted the Knox County Sheriff's Department.

The weather Sunday was sunny with highs in the upper 30s. - http://goo.gl/DpAeW

One dead in Mount Vernon house fire

MOUNT VERNON - Officials from the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office have been called in to investigate a house fire that killed one man overnight in Mount Vernon.

The fire happened at 1218 South 23rd St. Firefighters were called to the scene at 9:54 p.m. Sunday and found the house was engulfed by flames and smoke on three sides, said Lt. Scott Pennington of the Mount Vernon Fire Department.

Firefighters were able to enter the house through the back, and that's when they found that the home's occupant, a man whose identity has not been released, perished in the fire.

One of the fire department's oxygen tanks exploded while crews were battling the blaze, but other than a minor foot injury, no firefighters were seriously hurt in the event, Pennington said. - http://goo.gl/IlFEB

Centralia Family Escapes Safely From Fire That Destroyed Their Home

A Centralia family escaped safely as their home went up in flames early Monday morning. Centralia fire officials say the home occupied by the Jason Ashford family was fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival. Ashford's wife had woke up and discovered the house was on fire. She got out safely with her husband and two children. Fire officials say the single story home had smoke detectors, but they apparently were not working. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire was so hot, it melted siding on two adjoining homes. All available firemen were called in to help fight the blaze. They report no problems in fighting the fire. Firemen were on the scene for about three hours. The Red Cross was called in to assist the family. They were not able to save anything from the burning home. The house is owned by Steve Castleman Reality of St. Louis and Carbondale. - http://goo.gl/tQTGn

Marion County Police Beat for Monday, January 16th, 2012

A 38-year-old Odin man has been arrested for alleged possession of a controlled substance. Rickey Leak of West Chestnut was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies. 63-year-old Larry Logue of Hill Street in Alma was arrested by Kinmundy Police for alleged failure to register as a sex offender. This is the second time in a week Logue has been picked up on the charge. 23-year-old Nicholas Beck of St. Louis posted $150 bond and was released on a charge of driving on a revoked license. The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating a criminal damage to property complaint in Sandoval. Jason Carroll of West Missouri Avenue reported tires were slashed on his car.

Read full article at http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=31116

Ashley Man Killed In Saturday Morning Washington County Wreck

A 22-year-old Ashley man was killed in a single vehicle crash in Washington County early Saturday morning. The Washington County Sheriff's Department say Holden Cameron died from trauma to the head. The car he was driving crashed on the Radom Road a mile south of Ashley. A passenger in the car, 21-year-old Kimberly Loos of Pinckneyville, was airlifted from the scene of the accident to St. Louis University Hospital. The sheriff's department reports the car left the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned at around two Saturday morning. Cameron was reportedly not wearinghis seatbelt. - http://goo.gl/Kvea5

Missouri hunters kill 239,000 deer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's Conservation Department says hunters took nearly 239,000 deer during the 2011-2012 firearms hunting season.

Conservation officials said the season's total was up about 7,400 from last year, but roughly 13,000 below the 10-year average.

Jason Sumners, a deer biologist with the Conservation Department, says this year's sharp departure from the 10-year average reflects a decline in deer populations in parts of central and northern Missouri.

At the same time, Sumners says deer numbers in southern Missouri continue to increase gradually. - http://goo.gl/lKxHs

Small plane missing off Mass. coast is sought

BOSTON -- Crews are searching for a small plane that might be missing off the coast of Cape Cod.

Coast Guard officials say the Federal Aviation Administration notified them Sunday morning that the crew of a four-seat airplane reported smoke in the cabin, then lost communication with the FAA.

The plane had been flying from Martha's Vineyard to Hyannis, about a 20-minute flight. It wasn't immediately clear how many people were on board.

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center reports it received no reports of downed aircraft or any indication that the plane's beacon had gone off.

A Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft, helicopter and boats were out Sunday afternoon in search of the plane. - http://goo.gl/XV3DK

Ashley Man Killed In Saturday Morning Washington County Wreck

A 22-year-old Ashley man was killed in a single vehicle crash in Washington County early Saturday morning. The Washington County Sheriff's Department say Holden Cameron died from trauma to the head. The car he was driving crashed on the Radom Road a mile south of Ashley. A passenger in the car, 21-year-old Kimberly Loos of Pinckneyville, was airlifted from the scene of the accident to St. Louis University Hospital. The sheriff's department reports the car left the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned at around two Saturday morning. Cameron was reportedly not wearing his seatbelt.  full story

Illinois Creates New EPA Website

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The state of Illinois has a new website for businesses that need to request permits from the state's Environmental Protection Agency. Gov. Pat Quinn's office says the new online portal cuts down on bureaucracy and is more user-friendly. The website lets applicants track the progress of their permits. Quinn signed the public act creating the website last summer. It's one of several measures that affect environmental permits in Illinois. The website has application forms that can be edited, saved and submitted online. There are application checklists, instructions and guidance. full story

Three People Face New Drug Charges In Centralia

Two passengers in a car involved in a traffic stop in Centralia have been formerly charged with drug offenses. 20-year-old Zachary Weaver of County Highway 18 in Centralia was charged with unlawful delivery of cannabis. Bond was set at $1,500. The person he allegedly sold the drug, 26-year-old Jacob Heern of South Maple in Centralia, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. Bond for Heern was set at $6,000 on all pending cases. The driver of the car, 25-year-old Curtis Jones, Junior of Dimick Street in Centralia, posted $150 bond was released for driving on a revoked or suspended license. Bond has been set at $15,000 for a 41-year-old Junction City man charged with three drug offenses following a traffic stop by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies. Rodney Williams of Tyler Street faces two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance for possessing narcotic drugs without a prescription and for unlawful possession of ten to 30 grams of cannabis. The public defender was appointed to represent him. - http://goo.gl/PlIAq

Marion County Police Beat for Saturday, January 14th, 2012

A 22-year-old Salem woman who is a participant in the Marion County Drug Court program is being held in the Marion County Jail for a program violation. Abbey Hargis of North Lincoln was arrested at the probation department. 27-year-old Dale Wessel of North Walnut in Centralia is being held on a petition to revoke his probation. He was arrested at the courthouse. 49-year-old Earl Wollitz of Patterson Street in Centralia remained in custody Saturday morning after being arrested by Centralia Police on an ordinance violation warrant. A 26-year-old Springfield man, Jonathan Tunson, posted $300 bond after being arrested at the courthouse on a petition to revoke his probation. Salem Police are investigating the theft of fishing equipment from a boat owned by Doval McLean of North Ohio Street. - http://goo.gl/2VK3h

Centralia Man Whose Home Burned In Meth Lab Fire Sentenced To Four Years In Prison

A 32-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a meth lab that exploded, setting off a fire that destroyed his home. Ronald Carter of Cormick Street entered an alford plea in Marion County County Friday for unlawful use of property. The plea means Carter admits prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him, but he still denies guilt. He was also ordered to complete two years of mandatory supervised release after being released from prison on the Class Two Felony charge. As part of the negotiated plea, a Class 'X' charge of aggravated participation in meth manufacturing was dropped. Carter was one of four people charged in connection with the meth operation following the September first fire. One person, 21-year-old Joshua Benjamin of South Cherry Street, was badly burned in the fire. He initially fled the scene, but was later located receiving hospital treatment. The charge Carter entered the plea said he allowed use of his residence as a location for meth manufacturing after becoming aware of the activity. Centralia Fire officials estimated the home sustained $35,000 to $40,000 damage in the fire. - http://goo.gl/wFzBx

Fire Destroys Leah's Flowers and Gifts in Mt. Vernon

Fire destroyed a Mt. Vernon business Friday night. Mt. Vernon city firemen report flames were showing through the windows when they arrived at Leah's Flowers and Gifts at 1113 Veterans Memorial Drive. Firemen were hampered by a double roof on the building. The store was closed for the day and no one was inside. Damage is estimated at $100,000. Firemen say nothing could be removed from inside the building because of the intensity of the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The extreme cold temperatures caused water from the fire fighting efforts to freeze. While several firemen fell on the ice, there were no injuries. No other buildings were threatened by the fire. The fire alarm came in at 6:18 Friday night, with firemen remaining on the scene for four and a half hours. There were reports flames from the fire could be seen from a mile away. Jefferson Rural Firemen joined Mt. Vernon City Firemen in fighting the fire. Centralia city firefighters and Waltonville firemen remained at the Mt. Vernon fire stations to handle other calls. - http://goo.gl/e1kcw

Cattle Truck Overturns South of Alma, Some Cattle Killed

A semi truck hauling cattle overturned on its side on Illinois Route 37 near the Kenco Road south of Alma Friday morning, setting off a nearly six hour effort to free the cattle trapped inside.

The driver of the truck, 35-year-old Daniel Shepard of Elwood, sustained minor injuries and was taken to Salem Township Hospital for treatment. The final tally on the cows showed 11 killed and 31 who were cut out of the trailer alive. An estimated 25 to 30 volunteershelped cut open the trailer with arotary saw to get the cows out. State Police say earlier reports that some of the cows escaped wereincorrect.

The cause of the wreck remains under investigation. The truck's steering system will be studied on Tuesday as a possible cause. No tickets have been issued at this time, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The wreck occurred at nine Friday morning. Cattle were still being removed in the early afternoon hours. The trailer was eventually rolled back over and removed by a tow truck at 3:15 Friday afternoon. State Police were joined on the scene by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies, Kinmundy-Alma Firemen, and Marion County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency personnel. - http://goo.gl/nY72p

Former Big Muddy Correctional Center Inmate Can Sue Over Unwanted Haircut

CHICAGO (AP) - Dreadlocks, Bob Marley and an unwanted haircut.

Those are the unlikely subjects of an opinion issued on Friday by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. The three-judge panel devotes 11 pages to explaining why a former inmate at Illinois' Big Muddy Correctional Center, Omar Grayson, can go ahead and sue a prison officer who forced him to shear his thick, braided locks.

The opinion even includes a photograph of Reggae superstar Marley to illustrate what dreadlocks look like. Marley died in 1981. Grayson's a member of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem and claimed the haircut violated his religious rights. The appellate court notes the prison allows committed Rastafarians to keep dreadlocks but appeared to discriminate against other religions that also hold long hair in high esteem. - http://goo.gl/os1I6

Clinton County Sheriff's Department Investigating Attempted Burglary Friday Afternoon

The Clinton County Sheriff's Department is investigating an attempted burglary that occurred Friday afternoon on Beaver Road northwest of Carlyle. The attempted burglary occurred around 12:40pm. The sheriff's department reports nothing was taken in the attempt, but it was reported as a forced entry on the property. The suspect was seen driving away in a full-size, dark-colored older model SUV. If you have any information, you are asked to call the Clinton County Sheriff's Department at 594-4555. - http://goo.gl/FXO1I

Clinton County Man Killed in Head-On Crash Thursday Afternoon

A 50-year-old New Baden man has died in a head-on crash on Illinois Route 4 in Madison County. State Police say Vincent Terrie drove into the path of an on-coming semi during a 'white out' late Thursday afternoon. The driver of the semi, 44-year-old Steven Lynch of Shipman, told police it appeared that Terrie lost control prior to crossing into the path of the truck. Lynch said he was unable to avoid the crash. Terrie was pronounced dead on the scene. Lynch refused hospital treatment. No citations were issued. State Police say the roadway was snow covered and strong winds were causing blowing snow at the time of the crash at 4:20 Thursday afternoon. - http://goo.gl/enNR8

Marion County Police Beat for Friday, January 13th, 2011

Two people were being held in the Marion County Jail Friday morning after being arrested on outstanding warrants. 21-year-old Shaunito Thomas of North Elm in Centralia is being held on outstanding misdemeanor and traffic warrants. He was arrested by Centralia Police. 43-year-old John Keith Wilkins of East Third in Centralia was arrested at the courthouse on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. 20-year-old Myron Cunningham of East Second in Centralia was arrested following a court appearance on a petition to revoke his probation. He posted $1,000 bond and was released. - http://goo.gl/YlDHZ

Morning conditions cause multiple accidents

MT. VERNON — Minor motor vehicle accidents abounded Thursday morning after roads began to get slick from snowfall.

Mt. Vernon Police Department officers responded to a report of a
two-vehicle accident in the 4100 block of Veterans Memorial Drive at 7:18 a.m. No injuries were reported.

Officers who responded to that accident reported another minor
two-vehicle accident occurred at 7:46 a.m. at the intersection of
Veterans Memorial Drive and South 42nd Street.

At 7:54 a.m., police responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident at
the intersection of 42nd Street and Lincolnshire Drive, where no
injuries were reported.

One vehicle ran off the road at 8:34 a.m. in the 2400 block of
Brownsville Road; no injuries were reported in that accident.

Another motor vehicle accident occurred on Veterans Memorial Drive, this time in the 2900 block, at 9:18 a.m.; no injuries were reported in the two-vehicle accident.

At 11:57 a.m., MVPD personnel responded to a report of a one-vehicle accident in the 700 block of Old Fairfield Road. No injuries were
reported at the collision.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report of a
one vehicle accident, a red Blazer stuck in the ditch, at 7:38 a.m. on
Richview Road between Woodlawn and Mt. Vernon.

The National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky., issued a winter weather advisory that was in effect until midnight Thursday, warning of some snow accumulation and icy roads after nightfall. - http://goo.gl/3Sku6

Perry County Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty to Indecency Charge

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A southern Illinois sheriff is scheduled for trial in March on public indecency charges. Perry County Sheriff Keith Kellerman pleaded not guilty Thursday in St. Clair County to an ordinance violation of indecent conduct and requested a jury trial. Caseyville police say the 48-year-old sheriff and another man were arrested in December after an officer contends he saw them engaging in a sex act in a station wagon in a parking lot outside an Irish pub. Kellerman told the Belleville News-Democrathe's still sheriff. He declined to discuss the case. The other defendant, 31-year-old J. Ian Stennett of Collinsville, pleaded guilty Thursday to the indecency charge and was fined $100. Kellerman's trial is scheduled for March. - http://goo.gl/aNQvE

Former Greenville Correctional Center Guard Sentenced For Smuggling

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - A former guard atthe Greenville Correctional Centerhas been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in a federal lockup for taking thousands of dollars in bribes to smuggle cigarettes to a prisoner. Twenty-six-year-old Dreaux Perkins of Greenville apologized in court Thursday to his family for the crimes a prosecutor says he carried out to feed a gambling habit. Perkins pleaded guilty in September to five federal charges linked to his accepting cash and cigarettes from inmate Khalat Alama's relatives or an intermediary. Perkins admitted then smuggling the smokes into the federal lockup in Greenville. Perkins acknowledged lying to the FBI when he denied the smuggling and got a $2,000 bribe that he then lost at a casino. Alama has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing Jan. 26. - http://goo.gl/QZP4d