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