Cruise ship briefly seized in Texas

GALVESTON, Texas —U.S. marshals briefly seized a cruise ship in Texas as part of a $10 million lawsuit related to the fatal Italian cruise ship wreck.

The Carnival Cruise Lines ship was seized for several hours Saturday while docked in Galveston, where it was scheduled to leave with 2,700 passengers. Attorneys later reached a deal releasing the ship.

A Texas judge had ordered the seizure to secure the plaintiff's claims against Carnival Corp., the Miami-based parent of the Italian cruise line whose ship crashed in January. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a German citizen who died in the wreck. - http://goo.gl/J8DWS

Nominations being sought for awards

MT. VERNON - The American Heart Association and Peoples National Bank are seeking nominations for Lifestyle Change Awards.

The awards are to be given to individuals who have taken control of their health in areas such as weight loss, exercise habits, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and stress management, information states.

The nominees and winners will be recognized at the American Heart Association's South Central Illinois Heart Walk on April 14 at Veterans Park, information states.

The Lifestyle Change Awards are being nominated across the country in conjunction with the Heart Walk, said Beth Walker of the American Heart Association.

She said anyone who has made a change in their life to better their cardiovascular health can be nominated.

Winners from the past three years of the awards program have taken such steps as joining Weight Watchers, Walker said.

"Peoples National Bank is proud to be partnering with the American  Heart Association on this project," said Hunt Bonan, Peoples National Bank president in a press release. "We hope that there are many nominated for us to recognize at the Heart Walk. Making healthy lifestyle changes is something we want to encourage our employees, customers and community to do."

To nominate an individual for a Lifestyle Change Award, log onto www.southcentralilheartwalk.og and download the nomination form from the front page of the Heart Walk website. Area residents may also pick up nomination forms from any Peoples National Bank locations throughout the region. All applications are due by March 31.

The Heart Walk in Mt. Vernon is sponsored locally by St. Mary's Good Samaritan, and endeavors to raise more than $115,000 for heart disease and stroke research, information states. Companies, groups and individuals interested in participating can sign up at www.southcentralilheartwalk.org or call the American Heart Association at 983-3234.

"The Heart Walk is the signature fundraising event for the American Heart Association in the region," information states. "Participants are encouraged to collect donations on behalf of the American Heart Association. Attendance is free. The event starts at 8 a.m. with registration, education and booth activities. Opening ceremonies start at 9 a.m., and the 2 mile walk begins at 9:30 a.m. with closing ceremonies following." » http://goo.gl/m52eB

14 people shot outside Miami funeral home

MIAMI -- Fourteen people have been shot and two are dead after authorities say gunmen opened fire outside a Miami funeral home.

The Miami-Dade Police Department says shots were fired Friday as services were taking place at the Funeraria Latina Emanuel.

One person died at the scene and another after being transported to a nearby hospital. The injured include a five-year-old girl.

The Miami Herald reports the shots are believed to have come from at least one gunman who drove by the funeral home in a vehicle and began shooting at the crowd.

Witnesses told the newspaper the funeral was being held for 22-year-old Marvin Andre, who was killed in another shooting.
   http://goo.gl/dP2do

Plans for new festival in the works

MT. VERNON - Spring has barely sprung, but the Mt. Vernon Fall Fest committee is well into planning the new festival for October.

"We had about 25 people attend our first planning meeting," said Mt. Vernon Fest Executive Director Bonnie Jerdon. "It was very encouraging."

The Mt. Vernon Fest will be held Oct. 19 through 21, and has obtained its non-profit status. The board for the fest include Chairman Todd Piper, Jerdon, Cyndy Mitchell, Vice Chairman Hank Villani, Chris Collins, Derrick Quitsch, Diane Morris, Debbie Greene, Wes Plummer, Dante Moore and Marcus Holland. There are still seats available on the board as well. In addition, more community members have stepped forward to help with planning of the event, working in the marketing committee, entertainment committee, operations committee and vendor committee. Piper, Jerdon and Villani sit on all committees.

Preliminary plans are calling for live entertainment on the main stage, a beer tent and carnival on Friday, Oct. 19; live entertainment on the main stage, a beer tent, vendors marketplace, chili cookoff, parade, kid's area, carnival, the DMDC car show and the Fall Fest Run on Saturday, Oct. 20.

"This year we are planning events on Sunday for the first time," Jerdon added. Events planned at this time are live entertainment on the main stage, vendors marketplace, kid's area and carnival.

"We're moving things back to the Ninth Street corridor," Jerdon said. "DMDC has also decided to hold their car show during the festival along that area. Having the events along Ninth Street seems to work our best and it's what our participants want."

"We are proposing to change the parade route," Jerdon said. "The parade would start at the library, go up Main Street, turn on 10th Street and go south to Jordan Street and back up towards the high school."

In addition, the main stage and reviewing stand would be at the intersection of Jordan and Ninth streets.

"That's where the bands and entertainment will be," Jerdon said. "We've done the parade the same route for many, many years. We want to change it a bit."

Anyone who would like to learn more about the fest and volunteer opportunities may contact Jerdon at 242-3151 or by email at tourism@mvn.net. - http://goo.gl/ctyDE

Chamber of Commerce holds banquet

MT. VERNON - The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce celebrated a record-breaking year and honored members of the community during its annual banquet on Friday.

"We brought in over 40 new members this year," Chamber Executive Director Brandon Bollard reported.

In addition, Bullard unveiled a new Chamber website.

"This is the official unveiling of our newly designed website, at www.southernillinois.com," Bullard said. "This is the Rolls Royce of Chamber sites."

The new site will be more member and user-friendly, described as "streamlined" for member-to-member communication.

Bullard also announced a newsletter will be going online in the near future, and starting in January 2013, a new billing system will be used for members.

"And, we've put prayer back in our board meetings," Bullard concluded, as members of the Chamber applauded. "Lord knows we need the help."

According to outgoing Chamber President Brett Hall, a more efficient office will be the result of the new billing structure, as well as a better budget. Hall said in the past, the board determines a budget based on what it thinks it will receive. Under the new system, all members will be billed at the same time instead of at various times throughout the year.

"Starting this time next year, we will have the money and an actual budget for it," Hall said.

Hall also noted the record breaking year, with more ribbon cuttings, more participants in the Leadership Academy, more classroom grant awards, more member-to-member sponsors and the new Momentum Summit with leaders at the state, regional and local level participating.

The Chamber also took the opportunity to honor its selected Students of the Year and Rend Lake College Scholarship recipient — Hannah Herzing of Waltonville High School, Kathryn Thomas of Woodlawn High School and Christian Hollenkamp of Woodlawn High School.

Other honorees included Sarah Beard — Ambassador of the Year; the Citizen of the Year — the Rev. Rob Dyer; Small Business Person of the Year — Jim Czerwinski of Magnum Steel; and the President's Award honoree — Continental Tire the Americas.

Hall passed the gavel to the new Chamber president, Kay Zibby and retiring vice presidents and board members were introduced. Retiring vice presidents are Lynn Hutchison, Ambassadors; Zibby, from Educational Clearinghouse Committee; Tom Upchurch from Internal Affairs; Ed Cunningham from Past Presidents; David Keen from Small Business Council and Chris Bernard from the Special Events.
   http://goo.gl/MTSuL

New Illinois law would outlaw having sex with a corpse

SPRINGFIELD - Necrophilia is not illegal in Illinois. Not yet.

A measure outlawing fornication with a corpse, along with banning the unauthorized movement of a corpse, passed the Illinois House, 114-0, Wednesday.

"It's all out of respect for the deceased," said state Rep. Daniel
Beiser, D-Alton, who is sponsoring the legislation.

State laws don't specially address the issue of sex with a corpse, and
prosecutors have resorted to charging suspects with criminal damage to property.

"When you think of that you think of someone going throw a neighborhood and breaking a mailbox or something similar, Beiser said. "We obviously
understand that isn't adequate, that anybody who abuses or mishandles a deceased just demeans the meaning of that person's life. "

If the measure becomes law, sex with a corpse would result in a Class 2 felony, with punishment ranging from probation to seven years in prison. Anyone caught moving a corpse would be face a Class 4 felony, with punishment ranging from probation to three years in jail.

The legislation stems from investigations that found corpses had been moved.

"People were trying to cover up a crime scene and avoid prosecution by actually physically moving the deceased from one spot to another," Beiser said.
   http://goo.gl/AhMh3

Council budgets for cost of demolition

MT. VERNON - Demolishing dilapidated structures is becoming a priority with the City Council as it works on budgeting costs for demolition into the 2012-13 budget.

"We have 30 to 50 properties in the pipeline at this point," City Manager Ron Neibert said. "We'll be carrying over some demolitions scheduled from this fiscal year into next year."

During a budget session on Monday, councilmen David Wood and Dennis McEnaney both expressed a wish to revisit the amount budgeted for demolitions, stating all council members had been receiving calls about wanting to clean up neighborhoods.

The council budgeted $118,000 this fiscal year for demolition of dangerous and dilapidated structures, and $50,000 of the funds will be carried over into the next fiscal year, which begins on May 1. For the previous year, $100,000 was budgeted, going up from $50,000 in the year before that. At this time, $120,000 is being budgeted for demolition in the 2012-13 budget, for a total of $170,000 with the carry-over from this year.

Council members decided to keep the $120,000 in the budget at this time for demolition, however, monies from capital improvements may be used to increase the demolitions to alleviate the back log of properties - a decision that won't be made until the capital projects budget for the next fiscal year is presented for review.
http://goo.gl/npELO

Newspaper finds suspicious test scores nationwide

ATLANTA - An investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows that hundreds of school systems nationwide exhibit suspicious test scores pointing to the possibility of cheating.

The newspaper (http://bit.ly/GNrxOW) examined results on standardized achievement tests for 70,000 public schools. It uncovered high concentrations of suspect scores in school systems from coast to coast.

The analysis doesn't prove cheating. It reveals that scores in hundreds of cities followed a pattern that, in Atlanta, indicated cheating in multiple schools.
    http://bit.ly/GJUPcA

Hike to ancient stone walls Saturday

Carrier Mills-Stonefort High School history teacher Mark Motsinger is
leading a hike Saturday for the River to River Trail Society to three
ancient stone walls in the area.

Everyone is welcome to meet the group 10 a.m. for the "Indian Wall Hike" at Shawnee Mart on state Route 145 in Eddyville and will travel as a caravan. The first stop is the wall at War Bluff in Pope County, then to Millstone Knob in Johnson County and to Stonefort Bluff in Saline County -- the wall from which the village of Stonefort derived its name.

The walls in Southern Illinois have been a mystery to many and a
fascination to Motsinger all his life.

"We know there are at least 10 walls (in Southern Illinois) and there could be others," Motsinger said.

Some, like War Bluff are very apparent and others, like the one at
Millstone Knob, was dismantled and likely used to build other structures at the later American Indian site of Millstone village.

There are other stone walls such as Fort Mountain in Georgia and Hill Fort in Ohio known to have been used as fortifications, but Motsinger and archeologists doubt the stone structures in Illinois served a protective purpose.

"These are ancient walls we have no explanation for," Motsinger said.

They would not have been large enough to protect from attacking humans. More recent walls were built by settlers in the shapes of funnels upon bluffs as though they were used to drive animals over.

The old Southern Illinois walls more likely served a spiritual purpose.

"The general thing now is they were delineated spaces for ceremonial purposes," Motsinger said.

The walls obviously were laborious to build, as would have been other
ceremonial sites throughout the world such as at Medicine Wheel, Wyo., and Stonehenge.

While these walls are no Stonehenge in their scale, they are special places to Motsinger.

"What started the whole thing out was when I was a little kid my dad
took me to Stonefort Bluff. In my mind I thought I was going to see Fort Apache," Motsinger said.

While his imagination had built the wall up larger than what turned out
to be reality, that exposure began a lifetime of researching walls
throughout the midwest that Motsinger intends to present in a book.

The rest of the spring hiking schedule -- with all hikes starting at 10 a.m. unless otherwise noted -- is:

- March 31 -- Herod Bluff and Benham Ridge area led by Eric Johnson. Meet at Herod Post Office on state Route 34.
- April 7 -- Dixon Springs to Lake Glendale led by Bill Gilmour. Meet at the boat ramp parking lot at Lake Glendale, state Route 145 south of Eddyville.
- April 14 -- Cove Hollow lower trail and Cedar Lake led by Anne Gaylord and Don Monte. Meet at the boat ramp parking lot on Boat Ramp Road at Cedar Lake. Take state Route 127 south from Old Route 13 in Murphysboro
8.7 miles to Ramp Road and go east 1.4 miles.
- April 15 -- Work Day on River to River Trail, Camp Cadiz area with
Shawnee National Forest trail crew, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Late arrivals
are welcome, no tools needed, bring water bottles, lunch, sturdy shoes, long pants, long sleeve shirt and gloves. Meet at Camp Cadiz Campground off of Karbers Ridge Road 3 miles west of state Route 1.

- April 21 -- Max Creek Loop "The Vortex" led by Brian DeNeal. Meet at New Simpson Hill School at Tunnel Hill on U.S. Route 45.

- April 28 -- Williams Hill and Sally Hollow led by Brian DeNeal.
Meeting spot to be announced.

- June 2 -- National Trails Day, time and place to be announced.
   http://goo.gl/q2Zk8

Tornado kills one, injures two in Jefferson County

MT. VERNON — One person died and two were injured after a tornado touched down in Jefferson County.

Pat Brown, 60, of 18079 E. Lynchberg Rd., died from injuries sustained during the tornado, said Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch.

He said two people were treated for contusions and bruising at the scene and were released. He declined to identify the two people who were injured.

Three houses on East Lynchberg Road about 3 miles north of Illinois Highway 142 were damaged, one leveled, Mulch said.

“A tornado struck three residences in the 19000 block of East Lynchberg Road,” Mulch said. “One house received very little damage on the outside, but because the wind blew out the windows, it is very badly damaged on the inside. One house was leveled, it’s just a pile of rubble.”

The structure that was destroyed was a double-wide mobile home. The ruins of the home are spread across the street from where it sat, next to a greenhouse that was also destroyed.

Mulch said the tornado on Lynchberg Road was seen by trained storm spotters and local law enforcement. He said two Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies had spotted the storm and were working to track its progress, but they did not see it hit the most-damaged area on East Lynchberg Road.

He said Friday afternoon’s storm approached from the south-southwest and headed north-northeast.

The tornado destroyed the double-wide mobile home and damaged part of a garage structure on the property, but left an Amish school yards away undamaged.

School was in session, Mulch said, while the tornado passed by.

Henry Mast, 6, was one of the students in class who watched the tornado as it moved nearby.

“I saw it, but I didn’t know what it is,” he said, adding that he was frightened.

Friends, family and neighbors worked on Friday to remove valuables and keepsakes from the remnants of the home before night fell.

There was a tornado warning for southeastern Jefferson County until 1:30 p.m. according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky. According to the NWS, at 12:46 p.m., local law enforcement reported a tornado near DuQuoin, moving northeast at 25 miles per hour. There were numerous reports of tornado touch downs and funnel clouds with this storm, which moved northeast into Jefferson County.

Mulch said cells popped up across the county, causing rotation and funnel cloud sightings in several areas.

There was also a severe thunderstorm warning for Jefferson County and the Mt. Vernon area. A severe thunderstorm watch continued until 7 p.m.

full story

Veterans Drive project moving forward

MT. VERNON - After years of planning and design, the extensions of Veterans Memorial Drive and South Davidson Avenue are being bid.

"At long last," Mayor Mary Jane Chesley said. "I've been anxious for this one to happen."

The contract for engineering of the project was awarded in 2010, to Henry, Meisenheimer & Gende, Inc. The project calls for a 5,355 foot extension of Veterans Memorial Drive beyond Wells Bypass in its present five-lane construction to intersect with an extension of South Davidson Avenue in its present three-lane construction. Sidewalks, storm sewer and curbs/gutters are included in the project plans. The pre-bid estimate for the project is $5 million, with $4 million in state funding.

In addition to the roadway extensions, the council has also approved going out for bids on a water main extension along the roadways and a sanitary sewer extension and lift station.

"We would like to be able to open the bids at a special meeting in late April," City Manager Ron Neibert said. "We usually have a special meeting at the end of the month to approve the new budget. Because there are five Mondays in April, there is no way to have the information to present by the second meeting in April, and that would put the award out three more weeks before another council meeting."

Neibert said once the project is bid and construction started, it would take about 12 to 15 months for completion.

Councilman Todd Piper pointed out the extension projects will open about 600 additional acres for development in the area, which has already been designated as a tax increment finance district. Chesley also added the extension project will move some traffic off Wells Bypass, Potomac and Broadway.

Capital funds and capital public utility funds will be used to for the water and sewer portions of the project, which are estimated at about $2 million.

http://goo.gl/hMv0e

Board approves resolution Resolution establishing a Site and Construction Fund

MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon Township High School Board of Education approved the next step toward the construction of a new high school.

On Monday, the board approved a resolution establishing a Site and Construction Fund, to and from which all new-construction-related funds will be deposited and disbursed.

"We've got all those funds on the financial report, well, now we'll have a (Fund) 60 in there," Board chairman Carl Miller said. "That is where the money will go and where the money will be paid out for a 21st century beautiful school."

The board passed a second resolution related to fund management for new school construction.

MVTHS Superintendent Mike Smith said the district advertised for financial advisory services in an effort to have an independent financial advisor in place before the underwriting and sale of bonds.

"We want a third party that's removed from that process so they don't stand to make any money from the sale of the bonds," Smith said. "This is a, as we move forward with subsequent bond sales, they'll tee up those sales. ... They'll help us, if we wish, interview underwriters, ask financial questions, they'll set up the parameters under which they will set up the rates for those bonds, and basically manage that process."

The board approved a resolution to select Kings Financial Consulting as the district's financial advisor services for the financing of the construction of a new high school.
   http://goo.gl/3PaUC

Illinois awards $478K in grants to help veterans

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Illinois officials are announcing nearly $500,000 in grants to not-for-profit organizations which help military veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs said Monday it would award $478,000 to ten organizations for the third quarter of the fiscal year.

The proceeds come from the Veterans' Cash scratch-off lottery ticket that Gov. Pat Quinn pushed for in 2006.

Four times a year the state agency's Veterans Cash Grant Committee reviews applications and awards grants that help address Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder, homelessness, health insurance costs, long-term care and disability benefits.

More than 170 organizations have shared about $9 million in funding so far.

http://goo.gl/2kZ5G

Mt. Vernon City Council to discuss tax increase

MT. VERNON — The city council will be discussing a one-half percent increase to its Municipal and Service Occupation Tax — commonly referred to as Home Rule sales tax — during its meeting tonight.

The council announced its intention to raise the tax during a workshop session last week, stating the increase would be used to pay the debt on capital projects and to undertake additional projects, according to Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.

Capital projects are currently financed through the food and beverage tax, the 2 cent per gallon diesel tax and the telecommunications tax.

"Unfortunately the revenues from those three sources are not enough to cover what we need to be doing," Chesley said last week. "The city is proposing a half-cent increase to sales tax to provide the revenue that we'd be needing to carry on these projects that we so desperately need to complete, particularly in economic development and quality of life."

If approved, the city's tax rate would go from 7.5 percent to 8 percent. Council members have said the rate proposed is less than area cities of comparable size, with Marion, Carbondale and Fairview Height boasting tax rates higher than 8 percent.

The council will also be looking at moving forward on several capital projects tonight, asking for authorization to seek bids for the Veterans Memorial Drive and South Davidson Avenue roadway extension project, the Veterans Memorial Drive and South Davidson water main extension; the Veterans Memorial Drive and South Davidson Avenue sanitary sewer extension and lift station; and the Shiloh Road lift station.

http://goo.gl/2wjLb

Bus tour to retrace Trail of Tears

Bus tour to retrace Trail of Tears

GOLCONDA — The Illinois Chapter Trail of Tears Association is offering a guided bus tour of the Trail of Tears across Southern Illinois on March 24.

The bus tour will begin at 8 a.m. at the parking lot of Golden Circle Senior Center in Golconda, proceed west across Southern Illinois and then return to Golconda.

The eight-hour, 60-mile trip will include on-board trip guides, who will provide historical information about the path of the trail through Pope, Johnson and Union counties. Stops will be made at historic locations on the trail. The tour guides will share Trail of Tears stories along the way.

In 1838 and 1839, the U.S. government forced several groups of Native Americans, the largest group being Cherokee, to leave their homelands in the eastern states and travel to Oklahoma Territory to live. Many died while making this trip. This event and the path of their journey became known as the Trail of Tears.

Registration is required, and seating is limited. Box lunches will be provided. Registration is $30 per person. Checks should be made payable to Trail of Tears Illinois Chapter and mailed to Trail of Tears Illinois Chapter, P.O. Box 313, Anna, IL 62906.

For more information, call Sandra Boaz, chapter president, at 618-833-8216 or Joe Crabb, vice president, at 618-949-3355.

http://goo.gl/PtUsG

Missouri campground deaths may be murder-suicide

BOURBON, Mo. — The weekend killings of a woman and three children at a campground and resort in eastern Missouri was being investigated Sunday as a possible triple murder-suicide.

Crawford County Sheriff Randy Martin told broadcaster KSDK that investigators believe the shootings happened Saturday morning in a remote area along a gravel road at the Blue Springs Ranch & Resort and that the bodies had been there for “hours” when a guest found them about 1 p.m. Each victim sustained one gunshot wound, and a handgun was found close to the bodies, he said.

Asked if he believes the woman shot the three children and then herself, Martin told the station, “We don’t know for sure, but it kind of appears it could be that way. But again the investigation is still kind of early.”  full story

Nebraska gambling measures fizzle in Legislature

LINCOLN, Neb. — A push to loosen gambling restrictions has fizzled this year in the Legislature, despite claims that Nebraska could preserve jobs, generate much-needed revenue for counties and tap into the millions of dollars that are poured into South Dakota and Iowa casinos each year.

Lawmakers have killed a bill this year to let gambling outlets to run more keno games per hour. A legislative panel rejected a constitutional amendment proposal that would have allowed casinos within 60 miles of a border state, unless the border state shared some of its gambling revenue with Nebraska. And a bill that would allow machine bets on past horse races faces an uncertain future as lawmakers mount a filibuster to stall a vote.

Columbus Sen. Paul Schumacher said gambling opponents have pressured lawmakers into defeating many of the proposals at a time when Nebraska could use the revenue. Lawmakers are trying to balance Gov. Dave Heineman’s tax-cut proposal with funding for child welfare, Medicaid payments for hospitals and nursing homes, and other state needs.  full story

Study: Sleepy People Eat 550 Extra Calories a Day

 

If traditional weight-loss diets have failed you, you might just try hitting the sack.

Growing evidence has linked healthy weight with getting adequate sleep, and in a new report presented at the American Heart Association’s annual Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism conference, researchers found that sleep deprivation is associated with overeating. In the study, people who were sleep deprived ate more than 500 additional calories daily.

That’s a lot of calories. It doesn’t take a mathematician to figure out that over time, the excess consumption can translate into unwanted pounds — though the current study was small and short-term and did not measure participants’ long-term changes in weight.

The study’s lead author, Virend Somers, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic, studied 17 healthy but sedentary men and women in a lab clinic for 11 days and nights. The participants agreed to spend the entire study period at the facility, where researchers recorded their every movement, through a special monitor the participants wore, and tallied everything they ate, either from a cupboard in their room or food they ordered. That way, Somers and his team could make relatively accurate calculations of how much energy the participants were taking in in the form of calories and how much they were burning off through activities like walking.   full story

Three injured in crashes in Randolph, Washington counties

Three people received major injuries in two unrelated crashes in Randolph and Washington counties.Illinois State Police responded at 12:35 a.m. Saturday to a crash on Illinois 155 south near Ames Road in Randolph County. Police said the pickup truck drove off the road and rolled several times.

The 18-year-old male driver was flown to St. Louis University Hospital. A male passenger, whose age was not released, was taken to Red Bud Hospital. Both were not wearing seat belts, police said.The investigation is ongoing.Illinois State Police investigated a Friday crash that left an Oakdale man with major injuries.Police responded at 10:20 a.m. to the crash on Illinois 15, east of Coolidge Road, in Washington County. Christopher E. Harkness, 39, was driving a concrete mixing truck, according to police. He was passing a slow moving vehicle when he traveled off the road, returned to the road, lost control and overturned. Harkness was taken to Washington County Hospital and then flown to St. Louis University Hospital. He was wearing his seat belt. Harkness was charged with improper lane usage and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
http://bit.ly/wOv23y

About 1,700 workers take Ford's retirement offers

DETROIT -- About 1,700 Ford Motor Co. factory workers have decided to take early retirement offers and will leave the company by June 1.

The automaker says it will bring back about 250 laid-off employees and hire some replacements at lower wages.

Ford offered the buyouts to all 41,000 factory workers last fall in an effort to cut its skilled trades and production workforces. It offered skilled trades workers like electricians and plumbers $100,000 to retire. Production workers were offered $50,000. The company has about
9,000 skilled tradesmen, which it says is too many.

Spokeswoman Marcey Evans says Ford won't replace all of the retiring workers. New factory hires will be paid around $16 per hour, a little more than half the wage of a longtime union worker. Skilled tradesmen make above $30 per hour, but changes in factory equipment in recent
years have cut the number of workers needed.

Ford is adding thousands of workers this year to help satisfy growing U.S. auto sales. Factories in Wayne, Mich., near Detroit; Louisville, Ky.; Chicago and near Kansas City, Mo. are getting additional workers.

http://goo.gl/bIP57

Police seek leads in Illinois bald eagle shootings

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Police are asking for the public's help in their
investigation into two recent shootings of bald eagles in southern
Illinois.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation,
the first shooting was reported Feb. 5. A mature bald eagle was found
injured in Louisville near the Little Wabash River. An x-ray found the
eagle was shot. The bird is recovering at a wildlife rehabilitation
center.

The second shooting was reported Feb. 24 in southern Richland County. A dead bald eagle was found and an x-ray showed it was shot.

Federal law protects bald eagles. Violators face up to a year in prison
and fines of up to $100,000.

State and federal officials are offering a $1,000 reward for information
leading to an arrest and conviction in the shootings.

http://goo.gl/z8j1g

26 indicted on meth-related charges

BENTON — A federal grand jury in Benton has charged 26 Southern Illinois residents with meth-related offenses in an indictment that was
suppressed until Wednesday so arrests could be made.

Seven of those named were charged with conspiracy to manufacture
methamphetamine, Stephen R. Wigginton, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced.

They are Gary D. "Chuck" Parini, 38, of Bush; Brittaney M. Howell,
Johnston City; Jennifer L. Wilkie, 40, West Frankfort; Michael E.
Stroud, 42, Carterville; Elaina M. Holland, 32, Freeman Spur; Craig E.
Stumpe, 46, Freeman Spur; and Nicholas C. Biggs, 22, Royalton.

Those charged with providing pseudoephedrine to meth manufacturers are:
Richard E. Larson, 51, Benton; Amy J. Melvin, 34, West Frankfort; Amy J.
Innis, 37, Zeigler; Joshua Murphy, 33, Zeigler; Christa L. Gray, 26,
Valier; Melody J. Kostanek, 38, Marion; Jason E. Curry, 40, Christopher;
Rebecca S. Pena, 55, Johnston City; Melissa A. Pena, 21, Johnston City;
Lee Haught, Johnston City; Jeri Haught, 43, Johnston City; Sheila R.
Haught, 53, Johnston City; Sean J. Riley, 30, Johnston City; Casey A.
Riley, 29, Johnston City; Tina M. Monteith, 29, Herrin; Devin D. Duncan, 28, Herrin; Betty Colp, 24, Herrin; Tina K. Hill, 46, Creal Springs; and Gynelle L. Ledbetter, 41, Creal Springs.

Those charged with conspiracy to manufacture meth face a term of 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. Those charged with
providing pseudoephedrine pills to others face a term of up to 20 years
in prison and a $250,000 fine.

http://goo.gl/4yltN

Police seek leads in Illinois bald eagle shootings

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Police are asking for the public's help in their
investigation into two recent shootings of bald eagles in southern
Illinois.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation,
the first shooting was reported Feb. 5. A mature bald eagle was found
injured in Louisville near the Little Wabash River. An x-ray found the
eagle was shot. The bird is recovering at a wildlife rehabilitation
center.

The second shooting was reported Feb. 24 in southern Richland County. A
dead bald eagle was found and an x-ray showed it was shot.

Federal law protects bald eagles. Violators face up to a year in prison
and fines of up to $100,000.

State and federal officials are offering a $1,000 reward for information
leading to an arrest and conviction in the shootings.

http://goo.gl/z8j1g

Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Record - March 15, 2012

Police Department Arrests

Adreyon C. Gordon, 36, of the 1900 block of Perkins Avenue, was arrested Tuesday at 11:57 a.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $7,500 and Gordon was released.

Colton W. Campbell, 19, of the 300 block of East Charles Street, McLeansboro, was arrested Tuesday at 4:54 p.m. on a charge of theft.

Jermaine T. Brown, 25, of the 600 block of South 17th Street, was arrested Tuesday at 7:12 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended or revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Brown was released.

Russell L. Warren, 25, of the 100 block of North Highland East, was arrested at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of contempt of court. Bond was set at $1,500 and Warren was released.

Amanda R. Leek, 25, of the 2700 block of Leroy Drive, was arrested at 2:45 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of resisting, obstructing or disarming an officer. Bond was set at $1,000.

Maurice L. James, 51, of the 1600 block of Cherry Street, was arrested at 2:56 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of contempt of court. Bond was set at $2,000.

Julian M. Payne, 26, of the 3300 block of Wildrose Drive, was arrested at 3:47 a.m. Wednesday on an in-state warrant and charges of resisting, obstructing or disarming an officer, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug equipment.

Katrina M. Steifel, 35, of the 2200 block of Casey Avenue, was arrested at 3:47 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Jennifer A. Moon, 39, of the 1600 block of South 13th Street, was arrested Friday on a charge of disorderly conduct. Bond was set at $1,000.

James M. Hicks Jr., 20, of the 1300 block of South 12th Street, was arrested Sunday at 6:20 p.m. on a charge of aggravated domestic battery.

Meghan J. Reeves, 20, of the 1300 block of South 12th Street, was arrested Sunday at 1:48 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery.

Jerry A. England, 35, of the 300 block of South Second Street, was arrested Sunday on a charge of contempt of court.

http://goo.gl/u6TBw

'American Idol' finalist tweets that he's gone

Jermaine Jones is apparently out on "American Idol."

The 25-year-old vocal instructor from Pine Hill, N.J., tweeted Tuesday night that he no longer would be on the Fox singing contest.

He wrote on his official "Idol" Twitter account: "Ahttp://www I will no longer b on the show." The post and Jones' official "Idol" Twitter account were later deleted.

A Fox spokeswoman declined to comment on the matter or confirm his tweet.

The so-called "gentle giant," as he was dubbed by "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, was among the show's viewer-selected top 13 finalists after the judges gave him a last-minute spot among the 11th season's top 13 male semifinalists.

He was among the bottom three vote-getters last week after performing Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me Off My Feet" but advanced to the group of top 12 singers.

"Idol" contestants in the past have been disqualified when the show deems that their work or personal history is an issue.

Corey Clark was disqualified for concealing his arrest record during the second season in 2003. Frenchie Davis was also dropped from "Idol" that year because of her previous appearance on an adult website.

During the eighth season in 2009, Joanna Pacitti was shown advancing to the top 36 semifinalists after "Hollywood Week" but was later replaced. Pacitti released an album in 2006 and had ties to 19 Entertainment, which produces "Idol" with FremantleMedia North America.

Chris Golightly was dropped from the top 24 semifinalists in the ninth season in 2010 because he didn't disclose that he had a previous record contract.

In contrast, the singing competition allowed past finalists like the sixth season's Antonella Barba and the seventh season's David Hernandez to stay on after racy photos that appeared to be Barba leaked online. Hernandez was revealed as having once worked as a nightclub.

http://goo.gl/Ugohl

Centralia Man Dies After Motorcycle Crashes Along Green Street Road

A 58-year-old rural Centralia man has died after his motorcycle ran off the Green Street Road east of Central City this afternoon. Marion County Deputy Coroner Roger Sutherland says David Kendall had been in poor health and it appears the death may have been from natural causes because injuries from the accident were minimal.

Sutherland says no other vehicle was involved when Kendall's cycle ran off the side of the road. He was found lying in a driveway only ten feet from where the cycle came to rest. Sheriff Jerry DeVore says witnesses indicated Kendall's motorcycle ran off the road for no apparent reason.

The wreck occurred on a straight section of roadway near the former Jim's Trailer Sales business. Efforts to revive Kendall at St. Mary's Hospital were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at 2:15Tuesday afternoon. The wreck had occurred about an hour earlier. Sutherland said the family requested no autopsy be completed. He reports the only visible injuries from the accident were skinned elbows and legs and a small skinned area on his forehead. Sutherland says Kendall suffered from a bad heart and diabetes.

http://goo.gl/EhqJY

Centralia Man Charged With Six Counts of Home Repair Fraud in Marion County Court

A Centralia man running a roofing company has been charged in Marion County Court with six counts of home repair fraud. Mark Timmons of Hester Street is accused of taking over $1,000 from three people for roofing work that was never completed. Three of the charges state Timmons took the money without intending to perform the work. The other three say Timmons falsely promised prompt performance. The three victims named in the charges are Beth McFarland, Deborah Cobb and Mike Heinrich. State's Attorney Matt Wilzbach says he has received a few other reports with similar complaints against Timmons that could lead to additional charges.

He reports those who have a complaint against Timmons should first contact the police department in their jurisdiction and not directly call the State's Attorney's office. Information obtained by the Marion County Sheriff's Department indicate Timmons' state roofing license expired on June 30th of last year. His bond had expired in April and his insurance had lapsed in 2010. Sheriff's deputies say they had warned Timmons last October to finish a project where he had left part of a roof only covered with tar paper. At the time of his arrest at his home on Sunday, the work still had not been completed. Bond for Timmons on the charges was set at $10,000.

full story

Governor Quinn to Appeal FEMA Denial of Disaster Assistance

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn says he'll appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency's denial of assistance to homeowners affected by the southern Illinois tornado. Quinn issued a statement Monday saying he informed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano of his decision.

Meanwhile, Sen. Dick Durbin and other lawmakers plan to meet with FEMA Director Craig Fugate (FYOO'-gayt) on Wednesday to challenge the decision. Quinn says Illinois is doing everything it can to help communities hit hard by storms on February 29th, including the Saline County town of Harrisburg, where seven people died and 98 homes were destroyed by an F4 tornado. But he says some assistance needed by residents is available only through a federal disaster declaration. FEMA says there's enough private insurance and other resources for Illinois to recover.

full story

Illinois State Police Seize Eleven Pounds of Cannabis in Effingham County

A routine traffic stop in Effingham County leads the Illinois State Police to seizing a large amount of cannabis. A state trooper stopped a grey Ford Escape, driven by 35-year-old Jason E. Dipietro of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Tuesday March 6th for speeding.

The trooper made observations that lead to a search of the vehicle. The search revealed ten-bags of cannabis weighing 11.3-pounds in the vehicle. Dipietro was charged with possession of cannabis and cannabis trafficking. He is being held on $250,000 bond in the Effingham County Jail.

full story

Marion County Police Beat for Monday, March 12th, 2012

A 17-year-old Central City man remained in the Marion County Jail Monday for alleged aggravated battery and domestic battery. Jacob Schleuter of North Park was arrested by Central City Police.

A 26-year-old Mt. Vernon man is being held for alleged domestic battery and resisting arrest. Christopher Bratton of South 18th is accused of grabbing and choking Elizabeth Walton of North Sycamore Street at her home following an altercation. Walton eventually was let go and was able to call police.

An 18-year-old Kinmundy man was arrested over the weekend for alleged domestic battery. Rickey Recter III of Krutsinger Road is accused of grabbing 19-year-old Ashley Sturdivant of the same address by the throat and choked her. Recter had already left the home by the time deputies arrived. He was stopped walking a short distance away.

20-year-old Warren Telford of East Baseline Road in Walnut Hill was arrested by Junction City Police for violation of the 0 tolerance law and fleeing police. He was released after posting $120 bond.

The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft of copper and damage to an electric meter at a home on North Oak Street in Patoka just purchased by Kay Cain. The sheriff's department is investigating a criminal damage to property complaint.

William White of Copple Road reported the vinyl was pulled back off of an outbuilding in an apparent attempt to see what was inside. White reported no entry was gained.

full story

Illinois' 2012 Spring Trout Fishing Season Opens April 7th

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Monday the 2012 spring trout fishing season in Illinois will begin Saturday, April 7th at 5:00am. The IDNR stocks more than 60,000 rainbow trout each spring in bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted. The trout program is funded by those who use the program through the sale of inland trout stamps.

To participate in the trout fishing program, anglers must have a valid Illinois fishing license and an inland trout stamp. The annual fishing licenses for the 2012 season are valid through March 31st, 2013. Anglers may not take trout from any of the stocked sites from March 15th to the opening of the season on April 7th at 5:00am. Anyone attempting to take trout before the legal opening will be issued citations.

During the spring trout season the daily possession limit for trout is five fish. Local stocked sites in southern Illinois include: - Jefferson County: Mount Vernon Game Farm Pond - Marion County: Boston Pond at Stephen A. Forbes State Park - Wayne County: Sam Dale Conservation Area Trout Pond Illinois fishing licenses and inland trout stamps are available at DNR Direct license and permit locations, including bait shops, sporting goods stores and other retail outlets. Fishing licenses and trout stamps can also be purchased by using a credit card through DNR Direct online via the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov, or by calling DNR Direct toll-free at 1-888-673-7648. For more information about the trout stocking program, contact the IDNR Division of Fisheries at 217/782-6424 or check the web site at www.ifishillinois.org.  

full story

Centralia City Council To Consider Fining Those Allowing Cats To Run At Large

Owners of cats in Centralia could be fined for allowing them to run at large.  The Centralia City Council Monday night will be asked to modify the animal control ordinance to establish a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $250 upon conviction.   The ordinance would apply to any owner or keeper of a cat who has been informed either verbally or in writing that a property owner or person with lawful possession of a property does not want the cat on that property. 
 
Animal Control Officer Bobby Patton II is suggesting the change because the reports of stray cats are increasing in the city.  Centralia cat owners are reminded that even if kept indoors, cats are required to be licensed and must show proof that their vaccinations are current.

http://goo.gl/wAl4e

East St. Louis Mayor Limits Liquor Sales After Shootings

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - The mayor of East St. Louis says the city is limiting alcohol sales after several incidents of weekend violence. Mayor Alvin L. Parks Jr. released a statement Sunday saying the city would suspend all non-casino sales of liquor after 1 a.m. until further notice. He says he's doing so to "re-stabilize the community's health and safety."  

The move followed a series of shootings outside East St. Louis clubs, including the Sunday death of a 23-year-old man who police say was shot as he walked to his car. East St. Louis has instituted similar alcohol restrictions before.  

The city of 27,000 has been grappling with a high murder rate and the city's night clubs have particularly been under scrutiny.  U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he wants the businesses to close earlier.

http://goo.gl/MMHLD

Cocaine sent to U.N. headquarters

More than 35 pounds of cocaine was discovered in at least one bag that turned up at the United Nations headquarters in New York, police said Thursday.

The narcotics were uncovered on January 16 inside hollowed-out books that had been shipped from Mexico City in a bag made to look like a diplomatic pouch, according to New York police spokesman Paul Browne.

"The actual pouch is blue and has a U.N. symbol, a lock and seal, and words like "Diplomatic Mail," Browne said. "This bag was white instead of blue and had no locked seal and no wording of any kind."

The bag was being screened at the United Nations' postal receiving center when the cocaine was discovered.

It lacked a destination address and was without a return address, Browne added.

U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said, "This was not connected to the United Nations, and that's why the host government, the city authorities, in the shape of the NYPD, were brought in to assist."

He said that it "was not a diplomatic pouch."

In a written statement, Nesirky noted that "two suspicious mail bags were intercepted."

Authorities have not located the intended recipient, he said.

http://goo.gl/UH8Jg

Trail of Tears tour to be offered later this month

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — The Illinois Chapter Trail of Tears Association is offering a guided bus tour of the Trail of Tears across Southern Illinois beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at the parking lot of the Golden Circle Center in Golconda.

The tour will be an eight hour, 60 mile trip with onboard trip guides giving historical information about the path of the Trail through Pope, Johnson and Union Counties. Stops will be made at historic locations along the Trail. The tour guides will share Trail of Tears stories.

In 1838-1839, the U.S. Government forced several groups of Native Americans to leave their homelands in the Eastern States and travel to Oklahoma Territory to live, in which many died during the trip. The event and the path of their journey became known as the Trail of Tears.

For more information call Sandra Boaz, Chapter President, at 618-833-8216 or Vice-President Joe Crabb at 618-949-3355.

http://goo.gl/B9OWR

Centralia Man Arrested For DUI Following Two Car Crash

A 23-year-old Centralia man faces multiple charges following a minor accident on South Elm and Calumet in Centralia late Friday night. Centralia Police say Victor Jenkins of Davis Street hit the rear of a car in front of him driven by 50-year-old Rodney Reuter of Moonglow Road in Centralia.

Jenkins was ticketed for driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and for no insurance. He was taken to the Marion County Jail. Both drivers escaped injury, but a passenger in Jenkins car was taken to St. Mary's Hospital. Police reports indicate 22-year-old Jaimee Maue of South Elm in Centralia was taken to the hospital for treatment of extreme alcohol intoxication. Only minor damage was reported to the two vehicles.

full story

Kell Man Charged With Harmful Material Offense For Sending Lewd Photo Over Cell Phone

Marion County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested a 23-year-old Kell man on a Class Four felony charge of harmful material. Brian Edwards of East Second is accused of sending a pornographic photo of part of his body to a 17-year-old Kell girl and made a suggestive comment in an accompanying text message. The two apparently had become friends earlier on Facebook and police reports indicate Edwards was aware at the time they began talking that the girl was only 17 years old.

Edwards claimed the photo was sent following text messages of a sexual nature that the 17-year-old victim believes may have been sent by a friend. The harmful material charge can be filed against a person over the age of 18 who fails to exercise reasonable care in ascertaining the true age of a minor and knowingly distributes, sends, distributes, or exhibits any harmful material. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor unless the person utilized a computer web camera, cellular telephone, or any other type of device to manufacture the harmful material. In that case, the charge becomes a Class 4 felony.

full story

Marion County Police Beat for Saturday, March 10th, 2012

A 20-year-old Olney man was being held in the Marion County Jail Saturday on drug charges following his arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies.

Nicholas Luther is being held for alleged possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Three others were sent to jail from court on petitions to revoke their probation.

23-year-old Michael Lee Bessette of Kroger Street in Wamac and 20-year-old Brett Lyday of West Chestnut in Odin remain in custody.

24-year-old John Rayford of Forrest Avenue of Mt. Vernon posted $750 bond and was released. Three others are being held on outstanding warrants.

32-year-old Kenneth Asencio of West Tenth Street in Centralia was arrested by sheriff's deputies on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant.

26-year-old Christopher Bratton of South 18th in Mt. Vernon is being held on an outstanding traffic warrant. 73-year-old J.T. Thomas of Chicago was arrested by sheriff's deputies on an outstanding Lake County warrant.

A 20-year-old Michigan City, Indiana man was arrested by State Police on multiple drug charges following a traffic stop. David Gates was ticketed for driving under the influence of drugs, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. He posted $300 bond and was released.

Salem Police arrested a 46-year-old Mexico, Missouri man on multiple charges after receiving a complaint about his poor driving habits. Kenneth Foster posted $150 bond and was released for possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia and for driving while license revoked.

25-year-old Billy Jo Schleuter of South College in Salem posted $150 bond and was released after being arrested by Salem Police for driving on a suspended license.

20-year-old Caleb Bushue of North Poplar in Centralia posted $950 bond and was released after being arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant.

The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft of a laptop computer from the Susan Higgins home on Red Stripe Road in rural Sandoval. The computer was valued at $500.

full story

Quinn Wants To Abolish Lawmakers' Ability To Award College Scholarships

Gov. Pat Quinn says it's time to abolish Illinois lawmakers' ability to award college scholarships to students in their districts. He says the legislative scholarship program has been abuses "over and over again" for decades. Lawmakers have long been criticized for awarding scholarships to children of campaign contributors and other questionable practices. On Friday, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that State Sen. Annazette Collins of Chicago appears to have given scholarships to students who lived outside her district.

She denies any wrongdoing. Quinn said Friday that he's tried for two years to end the practice through amendatory vetoes, and it's time for legislators to but a bill on his desk to "end it once and for all." He also says he thinks any violations of the scholarship rules should be investigated.

full story

Governor Supports Plan To Ban Cell Phone Usage While Driving

Governor Quinn is supporting a plan to ban cell phone usage while driving. The Illinois House has passed a ban that would only allow the phones to be used with a hands free device. Any number dialed would have to be completed through the use of only one button. "Saving lives on the highway and road is very very important, so we should all put our minds and hearts together to carry out this mission of public safety," said Quinn.

Illinois has had less than one thousand highway fatalities for the past three years. Quinn says that's an accomplishment that hasn't been reached since the 1920's in Illinois. However, Quinn says more work needs to be done to make roads safer across the state.

full story

Mascoutah man guilty of porn charges

Jeremy S. Beasley, 22, of Mascoutah, has pleaded guilty to charges of enticement of a minor and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton, announced.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 31. Beasley is detained without bond pending sentencing. He faces ten years to life imprisonment on one count and five to 20 years imprisonment on the other.

On Sept. 6, 2010, Beasley asked an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old girl to send him sexually explicit images of herself. Beasley met and conversed with the person he believed to be a 14 year old girl while posing as a 16-year-old boy on MySpace.

The other violation occurred Aug. 11, 2010, when an officer participating in an Internet undercover operation downloaded 18 images and/or videos containing child pornography from Beasley's computer.

Beasley told law enforcement officers he used a file sharing program to download child pornography. He said his account was set to share, and he knew others could access and download the images.

http://goo.gl/ZTPoy

Woodlawn moves on to title game

Woodlawn's boys basketball team defeated North Shore Country Day, 62-44, to advance to Saturday's Class 1A state championship game.

The Cardinals will play Carrollton, which defeated Illini Central, 45-44, in the other semifinal game.

Saturday's game will be played at 2 p.m. in Peoria. - http://goo.gl/mM9Pu

Centralia Police Investigating Armed Robbery at Sun Loan Company

Centralia Police are investigating an armed robbery that took place at the Sun Loan Company at 330 East McCord in Centralia. Centralia Police say a guy walked in, wearing a partial disguise and displayed a small pistol.

The gunman ran out with an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot to the northeast. Centralia Police searched the area with K-9 units, and locked down the Lincoln School during the search as a precaution due to the school being in the vicinity. No arrests have been made, and the robbery is currently under investigation. The robbery occurred at 2:08 Friday afternoon. full story

Illinois nuclear plant to add 2,000 temporary jobs

CORDOVA, Ill. -- A nuclear plant in northwest Illinois will hire 2,000
temporary workers to perform maintenance and technological upgrades at one of the plant's two reactors.

The Quad Cities Generating Station is located near the city of Cordova
along the Mississippi River.

Communications manager Bill Stoermer says the temporary workers will include millwrights, pipefitters, welders and laborers from the local area and surrounding region. The plant has 900 permanent employees.

Stoermer says the plant's parent company, Exelon, won't disclose the duration of the refueling outage. He says it will start in the next two weeks and is expected to be "very short." He says it won't affect customers. - http://goo.gl/oucTu

Centralia High School Student Charged with Unlawful Possession of Drugs

An 18-year-old Centralia High School student has been formally charged in Marion County Court with unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Jordan Shreve of South Ruth Street is accused of having possession of less than 15 grams of cocaine.

Bond was set at $10,000 and the Public Defender appointed to represent Shreve. He was arrested after an assistant principal at Centralia High School found a baggie of a white powdery substance and a black leafy material hidden in a cigarette package found in Shreve's coat.

Field tests conducted later at the Centralia Police Station indicated showed the substances testing positive for cocaine and cannabis. - http://goo.gl/Fv95k

Centralia Food Mart Raided, Synthetic Drugs Siezed And Owner And Clerk Arrested

Centralia Police raided the Centralia Food Mart Thursday and confiscated a large amount of synthetic drugs found hidden around the building. Both the owner, 32-year-old Sokhjinder Singh of South Elm Street, and a clerk, 18-year-old Ravinder Singh of South Elm Street, were arrested.

Sokhjinder Singh is being held in the Marion County Jail for alleged possession of a controlled substance and operating a public nuisance.

Ravinder Singh is in custody on two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Police say they seized 83 packages of Crystal Clear that field tested for mephedrone and over 600 packages of synthetic cannabis.

Sokhjinder Singh told police he thought the product was legal. Under a new city ordinance, Centralia Police plan to seek immediate and permanent revocation of all of Centralia Food Mart's licenses to do business. - http://goo.gl/tJRkY

State Representatives Pass Cell Phone Ban While Driving Bill

Springfield, IL -- Talking on your cell phone while driving could soon be illegal, unless you're using a hands-free device or speakerphone. State representatives passed the measure today but not without opposition.
 
Opponents say the bill doesn't do enough to address other types of distracted driving, like eating or doing make-up. Representative David Harris, who co-sponsored the bill, says he's troubled by the proposal but admits it's something that must be done. Getting caught texting or holding your cell phone while you're behind the wheel would cost 75-dollars for the first offense, double that for four or more offenses.
 
The idea is to reduce the number of traffic accidents and fatalities as a result of distracted driving. There are exceptions in emergency situations and police officers would be exempt from the law. The plan passed with a 62-53 vote and now heads to the Senate. Senate President John Cullerton has said he'd support the idea. - http://goo.gl/gf4np

Illinois Senators Vote to Cut Their Salaries Again

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers are taking steps to cut their salaries again as the state's huge budget problems drag on. The state Senate approved legislation Thursday that requires legislators to give up 12 days' worth of pay, or about $3,100 each.

The measure would also freeze pay for a variety of state officials. In all, it's supposed to save about $900,000. Democratic Sen. Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge is sponsoring the bill, which passed 52-0 and now goes to the House. This would be the fourth straight year lawmakers have taken a pay cut. The money saved is minuscule compared to the billions of dollars' worth of red ink in the state budget, but lawmakers consider it an important symbol that they're sharing the pain.  full story

Marion County Police Beat for Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Two people remain in custody after being arrested overnight by Centralia Police on domestic battery related charges. 46-year-old Phillip Tally of East Broadway in Centralia is being held in the Marion County Jail for alleged aggravated domestic battery. 19-year-old Micah Phillips of South Elm in Centralia is in custody for domestic battery.

State Police arrested two Peoria residents on drug charges following a traffic stop. The driver, 50-year-old Robert Veasley, was arrested for alleged driving under the influence, possession of cannabis and driving on a suspended license. 24-year-old Jonathan Thomas was taken into custody for alleged possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police say Thomas had a bag in his possession that contained scales, drug paraphernalia, and narcotic drugs that were not prescribed to him.

32-year-old Anthony Sturch of Canton remained in jail Thursday morning after being arrested by State Police on outstanding Tazwell and Perry County warrants. 31-year-old Loshana Lyons of South Main in Sandoval posted $250 bond after turning herself in on a contempt attachment.  full story

Three Escape From Bond County Jail at Greenville; Two Are Later Arrested And A Third Remains At Large

Two of the three inmates who escaped from the Bond County Jail at Greenville early Thursday morning have been apprehended in Indiana. The third remains at large. Bond County officials say 26-year-old Joshua Frith and 21-year-old James Hickman were arrested when Sullivan County, Indiana authorities conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle stolen from Carlyle.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Brian Wilt remains at large. Wilt was being held on forgery charges, Frifth on drug charges and Hickman on sexual abuse charges. The Bond County Sheriff's Department reports the three escaped when a correctional officer unlocked a cell door to deliver items to the cell. The correctional officer was struck and knocked to the floor by one of the inmates.

The inmates escaped through a rear jail door that had been unlocked for maintenance. The sheriff's department then received a report of a stolen vehicle south of Greenville at 4:30 Thursday morning. Carlyle Police observed the stolen vehicle southbound on Route 127 in Carlyle about 15 minutes later.

The stolen vehicle turned onto a side street and the occupants exited the vehicle and fled from the police. Carlyle Police, the Clinton County Sheriff's Department, Bond County Sheriff's Department deputies and canine, Greenville Police canine, and Breese Police searched a large residential area of Carlyle.

At approximately six Thursday morning, two vehicles were reported stolen in the same area of Carlyle. The case remains under investigation by all of the departments and the U.S. Marshalls Service. - http://goo.gl/WNpQW

Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County Arrest Record - March 8, 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

• Jennifer N. Ward, 29, of Granite City, was arrested at 3:51 a.m. Friday on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $1,000 and Ward was released.
• Chad M. Evans, 34, of the 2200 block of College Street, was arrested Friday at 7:10 a.m. on charges of aggravated domestic battery, domestic battery and possession of drug equipment. Bond was set at $12,000 and Evans was released.
• Travis A. Starr, 19, of the 300 block of Caborn Avenue, was arrested Friday at 5:55 p.m. on a charge of shoplifting. Starr was released.
• Jeremy A. Dirks, 20, of the 300 block of Walnut Street, was arrested Saturday at 1:23 a.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Dirks was released.
• Shelly J. Ryan, 20, of the 1000 block of Southgate Drive, was arrested Saturday at 3:19 a.m. on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $3,000 and Ryan was released.
• Devonte C. Patrick, 18, of the 1000 block of South 12th Street, was arrested Saturday at 9:32 p.m. on charges of possession of cannabis and possession of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $20,000.
• Dwight D. Williams, 53, of the 700 block of South 25th Street, was arrested Sunday at 9:28 a.m. on charges of domestic battery and interference with a report of domestic violence. Bond was set at $50,000.
• Travis P. Darden, 33, of the 300 block of South 44th Street, was arrested Sunday at 2:02 p.m. on a charge of theft.
• Kevin D. Sweeney, 66, of the 2200 block of Cherry Street, was arrested Sunday at 6:16 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Sweeney was released.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Arrests

• William D. Deboer, 48, of the 16500 block of North Illinois Highway 37, was arrested Friday at 7:54 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery. Bond was set at $3,000 and Deboer was released.
• Tanya R. Deboer, 36, of the 16500 block of North Illinois Highway 37, was arrested Friday at 4:25 p.m. on a charge of domestic battery. Bond was set at $3,000 and Deboer was released.
• Tredessa Lynn Davis, 29, of the 2300 block of Herbert Street, was arrested Saturday at 2:56 a.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $3,000 and Davis was released.
• Kevin D. Smith, 48, of the 1400 block of White Street, was arrested Saturday at 5:39 a.m. on an in-state warrant. Smith was released.
• Alice F. Patterson, 25, of the 700 block of 22nd Street, was arrested Saturday at 2:44 p.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $1,500 and Patterson was released.
• Rodney W. Bishop, 37, of Ewing, was arrested Saturday at 6:16 p.m. on a charge of contempt of court. Bond was set at $25,000.
• George S. Rush Sr., 50, of Indianapolis, was arrested Saturday at 7:26 p.m. on a charge of contempt of court. Bond was set at $10,000.
• Melvin E. Head, 48, of Dix, was arrested Sunday at 8:11 a.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $5,000 and Head was released.
• Cleshae C. Parker-Brantley, 21, of Opdyke, was arrested Sunday at 5:57 p.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $7,500.
• Deborah L. Joslin, 50, of the 15100 block of North Clear Lane, was arrested at 11:55 p.m. Sunday on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $250 and Joslin was released.
• Jessie W. Howard, 47, of Ina, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Sunday on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $3,500 and Howard was released.
• Melissa L. Allois, 48, of Ina, was arrested Monday at 12:06 a.m. on a charge of violation of an order of protection.  full story

Marion County Police Beat for Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

An 18-year-old Centralia woman was being held in the Marion County Jail Wednesday morning for alleged misdemeanor theft. Katelyn Wollever of Melrose Avenue is accused of attempting to leave the Family Dollar Store on North Elm without paying for two items of clothing. Centralia Police say she surrendered the items to a store employee who stopped her after the anti-theft alarm sounded.

19-year-old Chelsae Cessna of North Walnut in Centralia was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies on a petition to revoke her probation.

34-year-old Helen Rene Hollingsead of South Hickory in Centralia turned herself in on an outstanding Marion County misdemeanor warrant. Two others posted bond on outstanding warrants and were released.

26-year-old Zachary Slater of North Marion in Salem was arrested at his home Tuesday night by Salem Police for failure to appear in court on an aggravated battery charge. He was released on $750 bond.

22-year-old Justin Scott Green of South Pine in Centralia posted $200 after being arrested by Kinmundy Police on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. - http://goo.gl/QBC2x

Rape Victim Supports Strip Club Tax

Springfield, IL -- An Illinois rape victim is supporting a plan to add a five dollar admission fee to strip clubs that sell alcohol. The extra cash will be used to fund rape crisis centers, which Deborah Curington says helped save her life after she was raped. "They helped me connect the dots, and to see that it wasn't my fault because that's what I believed.

I believed that if I had never been there, that would have never happened to me. They helped me reestablish my identity, and face my past, and challenge my beliefs", said Curington. Curington once worked in the strip club industry and says she's seen a direct correlation between alcohol use and the objectification of women. She says she's knows at least ten other former strip club employees who've been raped.

State Senator Toi Hutchison is behind a proposal to raise strip club admission fees. The measure passed in committee yesterday but Hutchison promised to make changes before calling it for a full vote. - http://goo.gl/ns2kL

Three Sentenced To Marion County Jail Terms

A 28-year-old Centralia man has pleaded guilty to false impersonation. Robert Smith of Ronnie Terrace admitted to falsely impersonating a Marion County Sheriff's Deputy to a clerk at the Huck's store in Centralia. He was sentenced to 120 days in jail. The incident occurred on January 15th. A 20-year-old Centralia man has pleaded guilty to one of four burglary charges pending against him. Keith Charlton of East Broadway was placed on four years probation, 180 days in jail, ordered to pay court costs, and make restitution. Charlton admitted entering a car owned by Stacey Jolliff of Dogwood Lane.

Charges of breaking into three other vehicles on Green Street Road east of Central City on the same day last month were dropped. However, Charlton has agreed to make restitution to all four vehicle owners. 31-year-old Matthew Hall of Centralia pleaded guilty to a theft charge.

Hall admitted having possessing of golf equipment belonging to Ian and Brandi King. Hall was ordered to serve 120 days in jail, pay court costs and make $130 in restitution. - http://goo.gl/0ldDP

Tuesday Afternoon Fire Destroys Home East of Mt. Vernon

An early Tuesday afternoon fire destroyed a home in eastern Jefferson County. Jefferson Fire responded to the fire located on Marlow Road west of Marlow and four-miles east of Mt. Vernon.

The owner of the property was burning a fencerow when her home caught on fire. The fire destroyed the home and everything inside. There were no injuries reported. Fire investigators determined the cause of fire was from the burning of the fencerow. The name of the owner of the home has not been released. The fire occurred at 1:38pm Tuesday.    full story

Farmers Question Mild Winter's Effect on Crops

GALESBURG, Ill. (AP) - Agricultural experts in Illinois say they're unsure how this winter's mild weather will affect the planting and growing season. The Register-Mail in Galesburg reports insects have been one concern for farmers. University of Illinois professor Mike Gray says many insects that impact crops don't spend winters in the area, so the mild weather wouldn't affect them.

Gray says the mild weather may lead some insects to appear earlier but he says that doesn't mean there will be more insects. He says that's because the number of adult insects last year was "relatively low." Gray is more concerned about spring weather. The weather has been a bonus for cattle producers. Knox County Cattlemen's Association President Matt Johnson says the weather has let him use less feed and do field work.  full story

Deal with Flora Cable Plant to Bring 1,450 Jobs

CHICAGO (AP) - Officials say a deal between an Illinois power cable manufacturing plant and a Texas company means 1,450 jobs in Illinois and a step toward improving wind energy. The agreement involves Georgia-based Southwire Company, which has a plant in Flora in Clay County, and Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners.

It was announced Tuesday during a wind energy conference in Chicago. Southwire's Illinois plant will manufacture 500-miles of overhead transmission cable to deliver 3,500 megawatts of power from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota to Illinois and beyond. Construction could begin as early as 2014 for the three-year labor agreement.

It'll be called The Rock Island Clean Line Transmission Project. It's expected to cost nearly $2 billion. Governor Pat Quinn says the project provides infrastructure for boosting wind manufacturing.  full story

Illinois Man Abruptly Pleads Guilty in Woman's Attack

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A southwestern Illinois man abruptly admitted in the middle of his trial that he attacked a woman with a baseball bat. Freddie Ross pleaded guilty Tuesday in Madison County to one-count of attempted murder. He made the plea after hearing opening statements and the victim's testimony.

The 43-year-old East Alton man faces up to 35-years in prison. A sentencing date was not immediately set. Authorities have said Ross beat the woman with a bat, threatened her with a knife and said he would suffocate both of them with natural gas. Investigators say he bound the woman to a chair with duct tape and a telephone cord. She eventually managed to escape and call police.  full story

City of Salem to Demolish Two Water Towers Next Week

The City of Salem will begin demolishing two-water towers next week. The city has contracted with Iseler Demolition Inc. for demolition of the elevated water storage towers at Route 37 North and at 1010 South College Street. Iseler Demolition will move supplies in on Monday, March 12th. Demolition will begin on the Route 37 North tower on Tuesday March 13th at 6:30am.

Demolition should be completed by the afternoon. Some temporary road closures will occur during this demolition, however those have not been announced yet. Demolition will begin on the 1010 South College water tower on Wednesday, March 14th at 6:30am. Demolition should be completed by the afternoon. No road closures are anticipated with this demolition. Both demolitions are weather pending and is subject to change.  full story

Waltonville receives grant

MT. VERNON - The village of Waltonville recently received a $130,000 grant to tap into Rend Lake's water supply.

The village received a grant through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a new pump system to hook into the Rend Lake water line along Hall Lane, said Walter Cox of Heneghan and Associates in Centralia.

"The only other thing that causes me — that we're going to talk about with them is 'metering equipment water main upstream,' is, 'the meter stations and the land upon which they are located shall be the property of the district as soon as the system becomes operational and the water main and master meter are accepted by the district'," he said. "... That one, I've got to sort through and figure out how we're going to accomplish that. If you go ahead with the project once we get past the design stage, that's funded through the DCEO grant, but to be able to physically build it, we'll apply for grant funds through them and/or loan and grant funds through Rural Development." - http://goo.gl/rM8t2

Bank of Carbondale robbed; police on scene

CARBONDALE - The Bank of Carbondale was reportedly robbed at about 1
p.m. Monday.

Officers from the Carbondale Police Department were at the bank
facility, located at 216 E. Main Street, shortly after 1 p.m. in
response to the call.

Police on scene aren't commenting on what happened inside, other than to
say the facility was indeed robbed. An officer on the scene told The
Southern Illinoisan the department would be releasing more information
shortly.

Right now there is no word on whether the suspect or suspects involved
in the robbery are in custody. - http://goo.gl/EFoHf

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Faces 13.5% Budget Cut; Director Promises Parks Will Not Close

OTTAWA, Ill. (AP) - The director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says his agency faces budget cuts. The News-Tribune in LaSalle reportsthat DNR Director Marc Miller says Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed budget reduces his agency's spending by 13.5 percent. Miller says that's in addition to cuts in federal money, which are "sizeable." Miller calls the cuts a "responsible measure."

Miller says the agency will suspend publication of its "Illinois Outdoors" magazine. It also will cut programs at outdoors shows and fairs and stocking of private ponds. He does say that parks will "absolutely not" be closed. Miller spoke to media Saturday at the La Salle County Democratic Central Committee annual fundraiser. - http://goo.gl/CXBQz

FEMA Begins Assessment Damage in Southern Illinois

HARRISBURG, Ill. (AP) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency is in southern Illinois to begin assessing tornado damage. FEMA spokeswoman Hanna Vick said Monday that the agency will conduct a preliminary damage assessment of homes and businesses in eight Illinois counties this week.

Next week, it will assess damage to public infrastructure. She says a state and local official will accompany the FEMA assessor as they drive around to survey the damage. The information will be turned over to Illinois officials to help support a request for a federal disaster declaration. Vick says the agency is looking at the magnitude and scope of the damage, uninsured losses and a community's ability to recover.

The agency will survey damage in Gallatin, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union and Williamson counties. - http://goo.gl/Aa9zi

Fire Damages Rural Mt. Vernon Home

Fire damaged a rural Mt. Vernon home Sunday morning. Jefferson Rural Firemen say Digit Williams of 7768 Spring Garden Lane in Mt. Vernon was working outside her home when she heard a popping sound and discovered the fire in the living room. The fire gutted the living room and spread into the attic and roof area above the living room, but was stopped from spreading any further. However, there was smoke, heat and water damage to the rest of the single story home.

Mt. Vernon City and Bluford Firemen were called for mutual aide assistance to bring additional manpower and water to the scene. There were no injuries. Firemen had the fire under control in about a half hour and were on the scene for about an hour and 45 minutes beginning at 9:18 Sunday morning.  full story

Rural Salem Home Rocked By LP Gas Explosion, Both Occupants Escape Injury

A propane gas explosion rocked a rural Salem home early Sunday afternoon. Salem Fire Marshall Bill Fulton says Paul Bumgarner and his son were both inside the home at 2649 Miles Lane north of Nation Road when the explosion occurred. The two escaped injury, but the home received substantial damage. Fulton says the explosion blew out the framing of a sliding glass door, cracked a wall in the dining room, caused a living room window to bow out, pushed a dining room light fixture into the attic and damaged the washer and dryer.

Bumgarner's son put out a small fire near the hot water heater with a fire extinguisher before the fire department's arrival. Fulton says it appears a small piece of gas piping connected to the hot water heater was somehow knocked loose, allowing the propane gas to escape into the air. He notes the elder Bumgarner, who had just returned home, was asking his son about an unusual smell in the home at the time the explosion occurred. Fulton says the LP gas service was turned off along with the electrical box until the gas piping system in the home can be checked for any other problems.

The call came in at 1:30 Sunday afternoon.  Full Story

Altamont Man Killed in One Car Crash in Fayette County

A 20-year-old Altamont man has died as the result of a single vehicle crash in Fayette County. Police say Matt Manley left Illinois Route 40 approximately two miles east of St. Elmo about 3:30 Sunday morning.

His vehicle crashed into a creek bed. Manley was pronounced dead on the scene by the Fayette County Coroner. Two other passengers in the vehicle during the crash were able to get out of the vehicle with only minor injuries and flagged down help from a passing motorist. Illinois State Police are continuing their investigation.  Full Story

Lincoln Tomb Awaits Renovation After Water Damage

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Lincoln tomb is in need of repair. Illinois Historic Preservation Agency spokesman Dave Blanchette says the tomb will undergo $700,000 in structural repairs to fix water damage and other interior damage. Lincoln's tomb is in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery. It is the final resting place of the 16th president, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons. The tomb was dedicated in 1874.

The water damage is most visible on the ceiling of the entrance foyer. Blanchette tells The State Journal-Register there have been problems with the roof since the tomb was dedicated. State officials have released the $700,000 and an Indiana architectural firm is working on the project. Renovations also will include refinishing the tomb's decorative plaster and moldings, marble wall panels and brass plaques.  Full Story

Durbin Tours Damage From Deadly Harrisburg Tornado

HARRISBURG, Ill. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has toured damage caused by a deadly tornado in the southern Illinois city of Harrisburg. Durbin toured the damage in Saline County on Saturday. Durbin says he'll work with members of Illinois' congressional delegation to make sure the area receives the help it needs to recover. Durbin says he's seen tornado damage in the past, but he's "never seen anything this bad."

Six people were killed in the Wednesday storm and about 100people were injured. Durbin visited with a woman who was buried under the rubble of two homes. Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Jonathon Monken accompanied Durbin. Monken credited local emergency workers who responded immediately after the storms. Durbin says federal emergency workers are expected in the area on Monday.   Full Story

Richview Man Arrested For Robbery and Theft

A 23-year-old Richview man has been arrested by Centralia Police for alleged robbery and felony theft. Dustin Atteberry of West Broadway was taken into custody in connection with a purse being stolen from Rejects Bar late Saturday night.

Police reports indicate Atteberry grabbed a purse belonging to Jennifer Casseday of West 17th in Centralia when being kicked out of the bar following a fight. A group chased Atteberry from the bar. Police report after allegedly striking Casseday with the door of his car and nearly hitting Casseday and several others in the area, he fled the scene.

Centralia Police later spotted a car matching Atteberry's pull into a parking spot in the Amtrak lot. When he let, police say what turned out to be Casseday's purse was found lying in the area the car had just left. Atteberry was taken into custody during a traffic stop that following a short time later. Atteberry is also wanted by Wamac Police in connection with two purses allegedly stolen from the Industrial Tavern on February 12th. JelissaMorgan of Clinmar Street in Centralia and Jennifer Barezewski of Isle Street in Sandoval told police they had placed the purses under a table and gone to the bathroom.

They were gone when the two returned. Barezewski later found her purse submerged in a men's toilet with the credit cards and a digital camera missing. An employee of the Industrial later identified Atteberry as the person who took the purses from a video surveillance tape. Atteberry was taken to the Marion County Jail. - http://goo.gl/MSp7t

Marion County Police Beat for Sunday, March 4th, 2012

A 39-year-old Salem woman is being held in the Marion County Jail after being arrested early Sunday morning for alleged disorderly conduct. April Adkins of North Broadway was taken into custody after her car was located in a ditch on Hotze Road northwest of Salem.

22-year-old Josh Wilkerson of Middleton Street in Iuka was arrested by sheriff's deputies for violation of an order of protection. The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating a criminal damage to property complaint. The AC Pit Stop in Walnut Hill reported a front window was broken out. It appears the window was hit by rocks thrown by vehicles in the parking lot. - http://goo.gl/JjdMM

Marion County Police Beat for Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

A 42-year-old Centralia man has been arrested on a petition to revoke his probation. Robert Mifflin of North Gary Street was arrested Friday at the probation office. Two others posted $150 bond after being arrested for driving on a suspended drivers license. 41-year-old Cherl Lynn Wilson of North Vine in Sandoval was arrested by Sandoval Police and 33-year-old Heather Cushman of Farside Lane in Salem by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies.

The Clinton County Sheriff's Department is investigating five vehicle burglaries east of Bartelso. Sheriff's officials say in all cases there were no signs of forced entry. Electronic items and cash were reportedly stolen. The Clinton County Sheriff's Department is encouraging everyone to lock all doors on their vehicles to try and avoid becoming a victim of a burglary.  Full Story

No One Injured When Pickup Overturns In Ditch Near Patoka

Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say no one was injured Friday night when a two vehicle crash pushed a pickup truck into a roadside ditch where it overturned. The wreck occurred on U.S. 51 just north of Burks Road in Patoka Township. Reports indicate 28-year-old Heidi Thompson of East Lair in Vernon looked down when her cell phone rang to see who was calling.

When she looked up, it was too late to stop for a pickup truck that had slowed in front of her to make a left hand turn. Thompson struck the rear of the pickup driven by 28-year-old Derek Byers of West Broadway in Centralia, causing it to run off the road into the ditch. Both drivers and a passenger in Byers' truck, 29-year-old Ryan Collier of Tonti Road in Salem, all declined medical treatment. Thompson was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.  Full Story

This Winter Third Warmest On Record In Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - This winter has been the third warmest on record for Illinois, with the average temperature being 5 degrees above normal. Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel says the average temperature from December through February was 34.2 degrees.

The warmest winter on record was during 1931-1932, at 37.1 degrees. Tying for second warmest were the winters of 1997-1998 and 2001-2002 at 34.5 degrees. This winter in Illinois also had few days with below zero temperatures. The coldest readings were -6 at Elizabeth and Galena in the northwest. Precipitation was close to normal, but much of it fell as rain.Snowfall totals were as much as 75 percent less than normal in northern Illinois and 25 to 50 percent less than normal in central and southern Illinois.  Full Story

Jefferson County Health Department will be hosting a community information meeting

MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Health Department will be hosting a community information meeting to discuss services and disaster preparedness. “The first half of the meeting, we will do several presentations on the services we provide,” said Jefferson County Health Department Director Mark Stevens. “People will be able to ask questions and we will help them with our services. The second half of the meeting will be on disaster preparedness.” Being prepared in the event of a disaster has hit home for many in the wake of the tornado in Harrisburg, and Stevens was in Harrisburg Friday to help with recovery efforts. “Seeing this in Harrisburg, it just emphasizes how important it is to be prepared,” Stevens said.

“During our meeting, we will talk about how important it is to have individual disaster plans and will have kits for people. I will also show people what happens when they are not prepared, through pictures I’ve taken here and information from what’s happened.” Stevens said other agencies will also be available to answer questions and present information on being prepared. “The important thing we already know is our community will come together when a disaster strikes,” Stevens said. “We need to know who volunteers will be and what type of services and skills they provide. If they volunteer early, we can have them organized in advance of a disaster, and we can even provide training for them.” The community meeting will be held 6 to 8 p.m. March 12 at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park.

Display tables with presentations and information on health department services will be highlighted and other agencies will also be giving out emergency care handouts. Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact the Jefferson County Health Department at 244-7134 or visit www.jeffcohealth.blogspot.com.  Full Story

Jefferson County Board approves purchase of new vehicle

MT. VERNON - The Jefferson County Board approved the lease purchase of a new vehicle for a command staff employee at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The county board approved a resolution giving Sheriff Roger Mulch the authority to sign a contract to obtain one vehicle through a lease/purchase program. The vehicle is meant for Capt. Randy Pollard, whose current squad car is in dire need of replacement, Mulch said.

The vehicle to be obtained will be a high-efficiency Dodge Avenger, Mulch said. Board member Don Rector made a motion to approve the resolution with Tommy Hayes seconding the motion. The resolution passed with 12 yes votes and one no vote by board member Jim Laird. Board members Ted Buck and Fred Edwards were not present at the board meeting to make a vote. In addition, the board discussed the possibility of acquiring additional liability insurance to guard against costly lawsuits. Board Chairman Robert White said several board members had expressed concern about the $5 million in liability insurance the county has and whether that is enough in case of a lawsuit.

White said he couldn’t answer how much liability coverage the county could possibly need, though he said the largest lawsuit the county has paid out is $1.5 million to his knowledge. Board Vice Chairman Wayne Hails recommended to table the issue and kick it back to committee, where options could be discussed more extensively. Board member James Malone seconded the motion, and Jeremy Hall, board member, requested additional information, including exclusions to the policy.  Full Story