Ky. popcorn plant moves some operations to Ill.

MURRAY, Ky. -- A western Kentucky popcorn plant shifted some operations to Illinois in the months after a fire destroyed the business's processing and packaging center.

Ellis Popcorn owner Ann Kelly Ellis says she bought a popcorn plant in Ridgway, Ill., in December and immediately started operations there. Ellis told the Murray Ledger & Times the first shipments went out about 10 days after the purchase ( http://bit.ly/z39KOS).

Ellis said the October fire caused irreparable damage to the west side of the building in Murray and forced the move.

"The time necessary to rebuild at that site was such that it made more sense for me to locate and purchase an existing popcorn plant so we could more quickly accommodate our customers," she said.

The business's receiving station and bin field were undamaged in the fire.

Landscape, Materials and Design owner John Homa of Hazel bought the damaged popcorn plant. Homa said he hopes to be a distributor of Ellis's Blue Ribbon Popcorn to serve a customer base in northwestern Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana. He also wants to use the building to expand his landscaping business.

"Murray's been good to me," said Homa. "So my intentions are that the demand has been put on me to expand, and so what I'm doing is basically giving individuals what they want." - http://goo.gl/rUrBB

Marion County Police Beat for Friday, February 24th, 2012

A 30-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Centralia Police for alleged domestic battery. Joshua McDonald of West Broadway was taken to the Marion County Jail early Friday morning. 19-year-old Cody Rigney of South Walnut in Centralia remained in custody Friday morning on an outstanding failure to appear in court warrant for criminal damage to property. Bond on the warrant is set at $7,500.

A 21-year-old Centralia man was arrested by Salem Police for no valid drivers license following a traffic crash Thursday. Police report a truck driven by Joshua Hickey of North College sideswiped a car parked in the 100 block of North Washington Street. A second count of possession of drug paraphernalia was added after a cannabis pipe was allegedly found in Hickey's possesion when he was being booked into the Marion County Jail.

47-year-old Connie Hoover of South Hickory in Centralia posted $200 bond and was released after being arrested on a Marion County ordinance violation warrant.

19-year-old Elizabeth Raker of Pocahontas posted $150 bond after being arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies for alleged illegal consumption of liquor by a minor. - http://goo.gl/MAqFn

Vandalia Man Tased Twice Before Being Taken Into Custody At Patoka Home

A 33-year-old Vandalia man was tased twice before being arrested on multiple charges after Marion County Sheriff's Deputies were called to a battery complaint early Friday morning. When Hank Stout of South Seventh was finally taken into custody, he was arrested for alleged battery, resisting a peace officer, and possession of a controlled substance.

Deputies say Stout aggressively came to the squad car when they arrived at the home of Christopher Richardson on Railroad Street. After grabbing the open door and preventing the deputy from shutting it, Stout allegedly became verbally aggressive and abusive. He was eventually tased the first time and fell to the ground. However, Stout continued to refuse to be handcuffed and was tased a second time before being placed in the squad car.

Stout was visiting Richardson when a disagreement developed and Stout allegedly struck Richardson in the head. The drug charge was added after Stout was allegedly found in possession of four narcotic drugs without a prescription. - http://goo.gl/dVWrF

Judicial candidates evaluated

MT. VERNON - The Illinois State Bar Association has released its peer evaluation for judicial candidates.

"Evaluation ratings, which are the result of an in-depth review of candidates, are the opinion of the Illinois State Bar Association," information from ISBA states. "The Judicial Advisory Poll ratings do not reflect the opinion of ISBA, but rather of those attorneys who participated in the poll."

The ratings are prepared by the ISBA Judicial Evaluations Committee based on a review of the candidate's background and qualifications. Committee members interview each candidate before recommending a rating to the full committee.  The advisory poll is mailed to ISBA members in the circuit or district for each candidate.

"Attorneys are asked to respond only if they have sufficient knowledge about a candidate's qualifications for judicial office to give a fair, informed opinion," information on the poll states. "Seven questions on the ballot measure such qualities as legal ability, integrity, impartiality and judicial temperament."

The two ratings are "recommended" or "not recommended" based on whether those turning in a poll ballot agree the candidate meets the acceptable requirements for the office. The ISBA ranks those candidates with a 65 percent or higher rate for "yes" responses at recommended; those receiving less than 65 percent are rated at not recommended.

For the Fifth Appellate District election, both candidates Judy L. Cates and Stephen P. McGlynn — earned a "highly qualified" rank from the ISBA and are recommended.

Cates earned a 70.09 percent ranking on meets the requirements of the office; a 77.06 ranking on integrity; 65.73 ranking on impartiality; 94.21 on legal ability; 66 percent on temperament; 90.35 on court management; 94.76 on health; and 87.5 percent on sensitivity.

McGlynn earned a 70.28 percent on meets requirements of office; 82.49 on integrity; 69.95 on impartiality; 74.42 on legal ability; 85.94 on temperament; 86.68 on court management; 94.58 on health; and 81.21 on sensitivity.

Eleven candidates are running for judge in the Second Judicial Circuit. Of those, five received "not recommended" ratings — Rhonda Blades, Paula Newcomb, Troy "T.J." Parrish, Kent Renshaw and C. Stephen Swofford.

Blades was rated with 54.90 percent for meets requirements of office; 78 percent for integrity; 76 for impartiality; 54.9 percent on legal ability; 74.51 percent for temperament; 64.71 for court management; 94.12 for health; and 92.16 for sensitivity.

Eric J. Dirnbeck received a "recommended" rating. He was rated with 98.46 in meets requirements of office; 98.46 for integrity; 95.38 for impartiality; 93.85 for legal ability; 96.92 for temperament; 98.44 for court management; 96.92 for health; and 96.88 for sensitivity.

L. James Hanson was rated "recommended." He received 72.73 for meets requirements of office; 82.95 for integrity; 74.71 for impartiality; 92.02 for legal ability; 80.90 for temperament; 75.28 for court management; 96.55 for health; and 88.75 for sensitivity.

Newcomb was ranked at 13.51 percent for meets requirements of office; 30.14 percent for integrity; 55.71 for impartiality; 18.92 for legal ability; 50.68 for temperament; 11.27 for court management; 68.57 for health; and 69.01 for sensitivity.

Parrish was ranked at 58.46 for meets requirements of office; 62.5 for integrity; 69.84 for impartiality; 70.77 for legal ability; 83.08 for temperament; 68.25 for court management; 93.65 for health; and 82.54 for sensitivity.

David L. Piercy was "recommended" and received 95.16 for meets requirements of office; 98.39 for integrity; 96.77 for impartiality; 93.55 for legal ability; 95.16 for temperament; 96.72 for court management; 98.39 for health; and 98.39 for sensitivity.

Renshaw was ranked at 20.83 percent for meets requirements of office; at 52.05 for integrity; 48.61 for impartiality; 22.97 for legal ability; 49.32 for temperament; 34.72 for court management; 76.81 for health; and 59.15 for sensitivity.

Swofford was ranked at 38.46 for meets requirements of office; 54.55 for integrity; 52.63 for impartiality; 64.10 for legal ability; 39.74 for temperament; 55.26 for court management; 77.63 for health; and 56.58 for sensitivity.

Nicole Villani was rated "recommended." She was ranked with 68.83 for meets requirements of office; 69.62 for impartiality; 58.97 for impartiality; 81.01 for legal ability; 72.15 for temperament; 85.33 for court management; 93.67 for health; and 74.67 for sensitivity.

T. Scott Webb was rated "recommended." He was ranked 94.29 for meets requirements of office; 97.14 for integrity; 97.22 for impartiality; 100 percent for legal ability; 94.44 for temperament; 97.22 for court management; 100 percent for health; and 94.44 for sensitivity.

Jo Beth Weber was rated "recommended." She was ranked 79.37 for meets requirements of office; 98.41 for integrity; 90.48 for impartiality; 66.67 for legal ability; 90.48 for temperament; 90.32 for court management; 98.41 for health; and 96.77 for sensitivity.

"Through these polls and evaluations, voters are provided the opportunity and responsibility of selecting qualified individuals to serve as judges to assure effective administration of our system of justice," said Illinois State Bar Association President John Locallo of Chicago. - http://goo.gl/ekQ7L

Ill. has money for specialty crop projects

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has given Illinois $630,000 to use to try to establish new markets for produce grown in the state.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture said Thursday the money is part of the USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Acting Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Bob Flider says the money will help improve the state's specialty crop sector. He called it a priority.

The state department will use the money to fund in-state specialty crop projects. Grant applications are being accepted by the department until March 15.

Proposed projects will need to meet one or more of a handful of criteria. They include increasing consumers' awareness and consumption of specialty crops and improving the distribution system for such crops. - http://goo.gl/Dp9kr