Cops: Man arrested after threatening responders

Charges are pending against a Mount Vernon man whom police say threatened officers trying to help him after he crashed his pickup truck Thursday near Rend Lake.

Michael Glenn Craddock, 60, is accused of threatening to shoot officers and other emergency personnel who responded to the single-vehicle crash on Illinois 154 near the turn off to the Rend Lake Golf Course at 1:30 p.m., Illinois State Police District 13 spokesman David Sneed said.

Craddock was traveling eastbound on Illinois 54 when, witnesses said, he turned on his right turn signal. Although there was no road to the right, Craddock made the right turn and crashed when his vehicle went down an embankment toward the lake.

When police and emergency personnel responded to the crash, he allegedly threatened to shoot them, Sneed said.

Police were able to subdue Craddock and he was taken to Franklin Hospital in Benton for treatment and later airlifted to a St. Louis-area hospital.

A gun was found inside the vehicle, along with evidence of alcohol and drugs, Sneed said. - http://bit.ly/HPKIEj

St. Louis woman charged with attacking waitress at Fairview Heights Red Lobster

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS -- One of four woman accused of attacking a Red Lobster waitress who brought them the wrong order was charged Thursday with two felonies.

Ania D. Wilkes, 20, of 861 Cernicek in St. Louis, faces single counts of aggravated battery and mob action in connection with the Dec. 30 attack at Red Lobster at 110 Ludwig Drive, according to Fairview Heights police. She was not in custody.

The public helped police identify three of the suspects, including Wilkes, through a cellphone video of the altercation that was broadcast on local television and news websites. Wilkes is the first suspect to be charged, but more charges are expected, police said. - http://bit.ly/HhQykO

MV fire chief urges residents to be mindful of storm warning sirens

MT. VERNON - Thunderstorm and tornado warning sirens should always be taken seriously, said Kevin Sargent, Mt. Vernon Fire Department assistant chief.

"If you hear the siren, unless it's on the first Tuesday of the month, please take them seriously," Sargent said. "At any moment, anything can change, as the people in Harrisburg and more recently in Opdyke have learned."

Sargent said springtime weather in Southern Illinois is always volatile, as warm and cold airflows collide with violent results, but added the severe weather has kicked off early.

"This bad weather all started so early, it's got everyone on heightened alert," he said. "Everybody's on edge a little bit."

He said though the National Weather Service is running a pilot program in some areas with different language for tornado warnings, the sirens here in Mt. Vernon have not changed.

A severe thunderstorm warning is issued by the National Weather Service when radar or a trained storm spotter indicate a thunderstorm producing hail one inch or larger in diameter, and/or winds exceeding 58 miles per hour, information from the National Weather Service website states.

"Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advance warning," information states. "(Warnings) are usually issued for a duration of one hour."

If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for Jefferson County, the sirens are activated for five minutes on a high-low frequency, Sargent said.

"It kind of sounds like the siren on a fire truck," he explained.

A tornado warning, similarly, is issued by the NWS when a tornado is indicated by radar or sighted by spotters. They are usually issued for a duration of around 30 minutes. A tornado warning will include where the tornado was located and what towns will be in its path, information states.

"If we get a tornado warning, then at that point, we activate the siren for the entire length of warning at constant wail mode," Sargent said. "There's no change in the tone with a tornado warning."

He said he hopes people understand that as technology advances, the sirens will be able to give people more ample time to take cover.

"Some people complain about the sirens," he said. "But at any time, a tornado can develop." - http://goo.gl/bLdh7

Power outages in Mt. Vernon caused by collision

MT. VERNON — About 2,400 Ameren Illinois customers lost power at about 11:45 a.m.

Leigh Morris, spokesperson for Ameren, said customers in central Mt. Vernon on Broadway from 27th Street to Potomac Boulevard were affected.

Ameren does not know what caused the outage, but said a significant number of customers' power had been restored.

"We do have folks working to isolate the outage," Morris said. "We certainly regret the disruption the outage causes."

Power was restored to all but one customer at 12:10 p.m.

The Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn on Potomac Boulevard was the single business to remain without power, which Ameren hopes to restore as quickly as possible, Morris said.

Morris said he recieved reports a dump truck or some kind of large motor vehicle hit one of the sub transmission lines on Eagle Court and that there was an exposed line on the ground and a few broken crossarms, which could be the possible reason for the outages. - http://bit.ly/HgvIDk

Commission offers annual report

MT. VERNON -The Mt. Vernon Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission worked to counteract violence and drug use in the community and celebrated black history in 2011, according to its annual report.

The annual National Night Out was a success with more attendees than ever before, said Mt. Vernon Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission Chairman Rolland Mays.

In addition, the commission worked in conjunction with City Schools District 80 to reward the winners of an essay contest during a Black History Month program held Feb. 23 at the Casey Middle School gymnasium.

"The city was nice enough to give us $200, which we donated to District 80," Mays said. "It was given in $25 awards to the young folks who wrote essays."

Mays said he is in discussion with the art department at Mt. Vernon Township High School to see if the commission can include visual arts in the Black History Month program next year.

The commission participated in a workshop with United States Attorney Steve Whittington, Mays said, in which hate crimes were discussed.

Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley thanked the commission for its hard work.

"We don't give enough recognition to our boards or committees," Chesley said. "I want to express deep appreciation for your 13-member committee. I really do appreciate all that you do for the city of Mt. Vernon, the sincerity with which you do it and the hard work with which it's done."

Mays thanked Brandon Bullard and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce for putting together the report books at no cost to the city of Mt. Vernon.

The report included the commission's bylaws and mission statement, which is, "We are a diverse group of caring people who foster understanding and promote equality to share a better future for our city."

The members of the commission are Brandon Bullard, representing the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce; Mike Green, representing City Schools District 80; Dr. Michael Smith, representing Mt. Vernon Township High School; James Malone, representing the Jefferson County Chapter of the NAACP; Robert Whiteside, representing a religious organization; Nicole Villani, as a representative for the Jefferson County State's Attorney; Ron Neibert, representing the City of Mt. Vernon; Mt. Vernon Police Department Chief Chris Mendenall; and Mt. Vernon Fire Department Chief Jim Brown.  

At large members include Rolland Mays, Angie Moore, Oscar Brown and Brenda Cain. - http://goo.gl/vv1XD

Farmers get early start on spring planting

MT. VERNON - Balmy temperatures are tempting Jefferson County farmers to plant early this spring.

At least one farmer took the plunge as early as March 8, said John Kabat, a farmer, Mt. Vernon Township High School FFA sponsor and Rend Lake College Board of Education member.

"I don't think anybody has ever planted that early before in this region," he said.

Kabat, his father and his brother, all farmers, are spreading herbicide this week before planting corn, several weeks earlier than usual and months earlier than last year due to heavy rain in 2011.

"Usually, the last frost is April 15," he said. "I don't even pay attention to that counter now, and the 10-day forecast is showing that through April 15, there won't be a frost."

He said he usually plants his corn the last week in April. The guideline for safe planting is that the ground temperature should be at least 55 degrees about four inches deep, Kabat said, but it's consistently been 65 to 70 degrees.

While the temperature has been safely warm for farmers to plant, some are holding back until April 15 because of the conditions of their crop insurance, he said.

"If you plant before April 15, the crop insurance won't pay for your seed if you need to replant," Kabat said, adding that seed corn is about $200 a bag. "The farmers who don't want to lose money are waiting for April 15."

He said he knows some of the more than 800 farmers in Jefferson County have taken that chance in order to have their crops harvested in June or July before the summer heat kicks in.

"Heat is always worse than water," he said. "With the heat of July and August getting up to 100 degree temperatures, getting out in the fields will beat the heat longer."

In addition to allowing farmers to have their corn completed growing before August, Kabat said the early planting and harvesting could help those who wish to plant a second crop like soybeans.

"Farming is the biggest gamble you take in life," he said. "You take out a $80,000 to $100,000 loan, and then you put seed in the ground, and you've got to pay that back." - http://goo.gl/waA3Q

Mt. Vernon - Jefferson County Daily Arrest Record for April 3 2012

MT. VERNON - Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

Thomas Collins Jr., 33, of Rinard, was arrested Friday at 3:09 a.m. on charges of contempt of court and possession of cannabis. Bond was set at $3,000 and Collins was released.

Jeffery A. Panzier, 47, of Ashley, was arrested at 3:41 a.m. Friday on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $3,000 and Panzier was released.

Robin L. Smith, 38, of the 1000 block of South 20th Street, was arrested Friday at 9:32 a.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $5,000 and Smith was released.

Joevon C. Taylor, 27, of the 300 block of Castleton Street, was arrested Friday at 3:53 p.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $3,000 and Taylor was released.

Lucas L. Shelby, 30, of the 1900 block of Casey Avenue, was arrested Friday at 4:03 p.m. on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $1,500 and Shelby was released.

Tyren C. Trimble, 19, of the 700 block of South 22nd Street, was arrested Friday at 6:25 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Trimble was released.

Christopher L. Fisher, 28, of the 4100 block of Willow Springs, was arrested Friday at 7:47 p.m. on charges of domestic battery and unlawful restraint. Bond was set at $5,000 and Fisher was released.

Clinton W. Eilerts, 33, of the 3400 block of East Bishop, was arrested Saturday at 3:02 p.m. on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $3,000 and Eilerts was released.

David R. Rodriguez, 20, of the 1500 block of Shawnee, was arrested Saturday at 3:47 p.m. on a charge of theft.

Robert J. Souden, 24, of McLeansboro, was arrested Sunday at 9:43 a.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Souden was released.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Arrests

Velvia Foree, 17, of the 17000 block of North Illinois Highway 37, was arrested Friday at 6:57 p.m. on charges of battery and obstructing, resisting or disarming an officer. Foree was released.

Todd A. Jackson, 45, of the 800 block of South 10th Street, was arrested Saturday at 4:40 p.m. on a charge of criminal trespass to land. Bond was set at $1,500 and Jackson was released.

Amber M. Phillip, 28, of Centralia, was arrested Saturday at 9:23 p.m. on a charge of criminal trespass to land. Phillips was released.

Kathy L. Milner, 43, of Bluford, was arrested at 12:06 a.m. Sunday on two in-state warrants. Bond was set at $8,500 and Milner was released.

Linda C. Bockhol, 58, of Alma, was arrested at 3:06 a.m. Sunday on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $3,000. - http://bit.ly/HbqAiy

Illinois economy weak but warming

SPRINGFIELD – A key measure of the state's economy showed positive signs of growth in March.

The University of Illinois Flash Index inched above the 100 point level, indicating growth conomy for the first time since September 2008.

Economist J. Fred Giertz, who compiles the index for the university's Institue of Government and Public Affairs, said the breaking of the 100 barrier is "good news" for the economy.

Despite the positive mark, Giertz warned the state's recovery from the recession remains "anemic, primarily because the Illinois unemployment rate remains higher than the national average.

"It will likely be at least a year or two before unemployment rates in the 6 percent range are achieved," Giertz said.

The index is a weighted average of Illinois growth rates in corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income. All three components of the index were up in real terms in March compared to the same month last year with the largest percentage increase registered by corporate receipts. - http://bit.ly/HVgLAw

Week dedicated to public safety dispatchers

MT. VERNON - The second week of April is dedicated to public safety
telecommunicators with National Telecommunicators Week, April 8 though 14 this year.

"They are the voices you speak with first in the event of a crisis,"
Wease said in a press release. "They are the calming voices who do their jobs behind the scenes 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Telecommunicators serve the citizens by answering their request for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services by dispatching the appropriate assistance as quickly as possible."

Patti Wease, the telecommunications supervisor for the Jefferson County 911 Dispatch Center, has worked as a dispatcher for about a decade. She is among both full-time and part-time employees at the center, including
Wease, Connie Mays, Patty Scheppel, Dawn Westerman, Jason McIlrath, Travis Settle, Ryan Meador, Mallory Adams and Kristina Draege.

The Mt. Vernon Police Department employs eight full-time dispatchers and one part-time employee in that capacity, said MVPD Chief Chris Mendenall.

Both city and county dispatchers have a number of computer programs at their disposal, including Emergitech, computer aided dispatch, an automatic phone number and location identifier, the Law Enforcement
Agency Data System and IWIN, which allows officers to talk with dispatch through their in-vehicle computers.

"They are that vital link between the citizens or victim and the public
safety provider who may apprehend a criminal, save their possessions from fire, save their life or the life of a loved one," Wease said in a press release. "Please commed the Jefferson County Sheriff's Telecommunicators, your life line when an emergency arises." - http://goo.gl/Hm5AP

Another winning Mega Millions ticket emerges in Illinois

EAST PEORIA (AP) — Illinois had at least one other big winner in the
weekend's record Mega Millions lottery jackpot.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reported Sunday that a ticket worth $250,000 was sold at a gas station in the central Illinois city.

That ticket matched five numbers, but not the Mega Ball.

The three biggest winners of the $640 million jackpot have so far stayed out of sight. They are to get $213 million before taxes. The winning Illinois ticket was bought at a convenience store in the small town of Red Bud near St. Louis. The others were sold in Maryland and Kansas. - http://goo.gl/nqKec