Marion County Police Beat for Friday, February 10th, 2012

A 25-year-old Centralia man is being held in the Marion County Jail for alleged aggravated domestic battery. Jared Rich of North James was arrested after Centralia Police were called to an altercation between Rich and his wife at their home. Rich is accused of yelling, breaking household items, choking his wife, and slamming her to the floor. She was reportedly eight months pregnant.

Two others remain in jail on outstanding warrants. 36-year-old Tonya Smith of North Hickory in Centralia was arrested by Sandoval Police on an outstanding felony warrant. 23-year-old Jessica Lee Hammond of North Lincoln in Centralia is being held on an outstanding DUI warrant. 27-year-old Charles Johnson of South Park in Central City posted $500 bond after being arrested by sheriff's deputies for violation of bail bond. 32-year-old Rachael Chappell of East Noleman in Centralia turned herself in on an attachment for contempt.

She was released on $250 bond. 25-year-old Wesley Kretzer of West Depew in Odin posted $250 bond and was released after being arrested by Odin Police for driving on a revoked license.  full story

Salem High Student Expelled for Two Calendar Years for 'Violent Assault'

A Salem High School student involved in a 'violent assault' on another student has been expelled for a period of two calendar years. The school board held a special meeting Thursday night to consider the student disciplinary issue. The expulsion was for gross misconduct by violently assaulting another student. Superintendent Brad Detering says the assault led to severe injury to another student who had to have hospital treatment.

He reported no weapons were involved. The incident occurred just after school in the school parking lot last month. Marion County State's Attorney Matt Wilzbach says the incident also resulted in the juvenile being charged with two counts of aggravated battery. He has been released to his mother pending further court action. Police reports indicate the expelled student apparently was unprovoked before he began beating the other student while he was sitting in the passenger side of a pickup truck.

The victim was eventually knocked to the ground where the assault continued. Wilzbach says there was a cell phone recording made of the attack that has been entered into evidence.  full story

Centralia Township Officials Announce State to Award $2,000 Scholarships

Centralia Township officials announced the state will once again award township scholarships to local area high school seniors. The Scholarship Committee of the Township Officials of Illinois announced seven $2,000 scholarships will be awarded throughout the state in April.

The scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who plan to enroll at an Illinois college as a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree. Those wanting to apply for the scholarship can pick up the application at the guidance office at Centralia High School, or at the Centralia Township business office at 148 South Poplar in Centralia.

A packet can be mailed to you by calling the township office at 532-5000. Applications must be submitted by Midnight on March 1st.  full story

Rend Lake College fires up training feature with Century Mine

A group of coal miners knew exactly how to beat the cold temperatures Wednesday: 30 million BTU of fire fighter training at Rend Lake College.

Nine members of the fire brigade from Century Mine in Beallsville, Ohio, were busy putting RLC’s state-of-the-art training facility to the test in Ina.

The day started with problem scenarios in the 10,000-square-feet mock underground mine at the Coal Mine Training Center. The team then moved out to the mine rescue and safety training facility where it practiced putting out different degrees of fire, in clear and smoky conditions, on the program’s advanced fire training props and inside the fire tunnel.   full story

Motor Vehicle Accident on I-57 North of Salem

Salem Fire and EMS are currently responding to an accident on Interstate-57 north of the Salem exit, number 116. Preliminary reports indicate the accident involved a red Chevy Volt on the northbound lanes of the interstate, and possibly a black vehicle that is currently at the Salem Chevron Station in Salem. However Police and Fire have been asked to respond to the southbound lanes. Illinois State Police are responding to the accident. There are no details on how many people were involved in the accident, or if there are any injuries reported. We now have reports of several small accidents with cars skidding off the interstate, and requesting police assistance. When we have more information, we will let you know. full story

No New Speed Limit for Kinmundy Streets

Speed limits on Kinmundy city streets will remain unchanged. The City Council went into further discussion on changing the current speed limit from 30 miles-per-hour to 25 miles-per-hour at Thursday's City Council meeting. Mayor James Mulvaney told the council that he had reservation on the matter, saying it's difficult to enforce a 30 mile-per-hour speed limit, much less a 25 mile-per-hour speed limit. He says he has feedback from the community, saying the citizens do not want the speed limit lowered. "In the 20-years I have been on the Council, I've probably had more feedback from the community on this particular item than anything, and they're like if you're driving over the 30, write us a ticket. That's their thoughts, and one person said that. Just pay attention to your own driving", said Mulvaney. Mulvaney also says if the speed limit was changed, then more things would have to be done, such as installing new speed limit signs all over town. The Council agreed that the speed limit needs to be enforced more in town. The police would need to use discretion in issuing a citation, whether it's a warning or a violation. Mulvaney believes when the word gets out that the police are cracking down on speeding, then people will start slowing down when in town. The Council approved to block 3rd and Monroe Street for the Kinmundy Community Sale/Auction on Saturday, March 20th. The auction is sponsored by Baylis Auction Service. 3rd and Monroe would be blocked from in front of the Kinmundy Community Center to the Kinmundy Christian Church, with access to the post office. The Council approved a motion to allow $200 to be used from the general fund to be used for advertising for the Kinmundy Thunderbird Festival on July 13th and 14th. So far the festival will feature local food vendors, children activities, and a possible flea market. The Council has been discussing having a dance on the night of the 13th for the community as well. - http://goo.gl/aXQLF