State Representative John Cavaletto Speaks About Truancy Bill

State Representative John Cavaletto says a house bill being introduced that should alleviate problems with truancy. Cavaletto sponsored a bill last year that was signed into law that redefines a chronic truant as a student who has just nine days of unexcused absences a year rather than 18. However the law failed to make the change in the Juvenile Court Act.

House Bill 306 is hoping to take care of the problem. Cavaletto's hope is to bring chronically truant students to the attention of districts, and regional offices, when they might still have an opportunity to keep them on track. "We wanted to develop it, to coincide with the Juvenile code. So we want to amend the Juvenile code to make sure that both are the same, the state of Illinois and the Juvenile code both to nine-days of truancy. So then the courts can handle the situation also. This is only about catching kids early in their truancy, and trying to save them. I've talked to the people in the juvenile system who agreed with the bill, and they want to coincide with the state of Illinois law, and that's what we're going to do", said Cavaletto.

The Regional Offices of Education suggested this change for consistency purposes. During debate on the bill, representatives from the City of Chicago questioned the legislation as "a reason to send kids to jail." Cavaletto said the purpose of the legislation is to catch kids early in their truancy and trying to save them from future problems. The bill now moves on to the Senate for their consideration.  full story

Bills to Tax Ammo, Register Guns Pass Illinois Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - An Illinois House committee has approved legislation requiring registration of handguns and creating a new tax on ammunition. Both bills passed 7-4 Wednesday and now go to the House floor. Lobbyist Todd Vandermyde of the National Rifle Association opposes both measures. He says requiring handgun registration would cost money for law-abiding citizens without affecting people who have guns illegally. But Democratic Rep. Will Davis of Homewood says registration would help police track guns that were purchased legally but later sold and used in a crime.

Vandermyde also argued it would be unconstitutional to tax ammunition. The sponsor disagreed, however. Democratic Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago says a 2 percent tax would raise money for trauma centers in high-crime areas. full story

National Weather Service Determines Harrisburg Tornado EF-4, Curfew In Effect Beginning at 6:00pm Tonight

HARRISBURG, Ill. (AP) - The National Weather Service has given the deadly tornado that leveled parts of the southern Illinois community of Harrisburg an EF-4 rating. EF-4 is the second-highest rating given to twisters. The rating is assigned to storms based on damage they cause.

Meteorologist Rick Shanklin said Wednesday that the storm was 200 yards wide with top winds up to 170 miles per hour. Harrisburg Police Chief Bob Smith has issued a curfew for the city, beginning at 6:00pm Wednesday evening, and lasting through 6:00am Thursday morning. He says an evacuation of the city has been completed. Smith warned against would-be looters, saying they will be prosecuted. Harrisburg Fire Chief Bill Summers says parts of the city are "like a war zone." Summers says rescue teams from many neighboring towns responded after the storm. The twister struck the city at 4:56am Wednesday.   full story

Branson hospital treated 33 people after tornado

BRANSON, Mo. -- A hospital in Branson treated 33 people in the hours after a tornado hit the tourist destination.

A spokeswoman for Skaggs Regional Medical Center says most of those treated early Wednesday suffered only cuts and bruises.

One person who was injured when a roof collapsed was transferred to a Springfield hospital.

Spokeswoman Michelle Leroux (LA-roo) says the hospital's urgent care department treated four people for minor injuries.

The hospital was not damaged. Leroux says power was out at two non-clinical buildings but otherwise the hospital is operating. - http://goo.gl/kXA6b

Thousands without power after Southern Ill. storm

HARRISBURG, Ill. -- Emergency crews are working to assess the damage after strong storms hit Southern Illinois, downing power lines and leaving thousands of electric customers without power.

WSIU Radio reports that authorities in Saline County are asking residents to stay off the streets while emergency workers deal with the storm's aftermath. There are reports of damage in Harrisburg, and the school superintendent there has canceled classes Wednesday.

Ameren Illinois reports that service is out to about 13,000 customers, including more than 6,000 in Saline County.

Harrisburg is about 110 miles southeast of St. Louis. - http://goo.gl/VVNF7

Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County Police Arrests Daily For February 29, 2012

Natasha A. Hill, 27, of the 600 block of South 23rd Street, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of drugs. Bond was set at $3,000.

Joshua R. Williams, 21, of the 4400 block of Logan Street, was arrested Monday at 3:07 p.m. on an in-state warrant. Williams was released.

Sam Gabbart, 31, of the 300 block of North Jackson Street in Dix, was arrested Monday at 5:56 p.m. on a charge of stalking.

Kaitlyn M. Welch, 18, of the 300 block of North Sixth Street in Bonnie, was arrested Monday at 10:42 p.m. on a charge of obstruction of justice.

George W. Flanders, 19, of the 300 block of North Sixth Street in Bonnie, was arrested at 4:58 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of failure to report as a sex offender. - http://goo.gl/L0k23