One dead in Mount Vernon house fire

MOUNT VERNON - Officials from the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office have been called in to investigate a house fire that killed one man overnight in Mount Vernon.

The fire happened at 1218 South 23rd St. Firefighters were called to the scene at 9:54 p.m. Sunday and found the house was engulfed by flames and smoke on three sides, said Lt. Scott Pennington of the Mount Vernon Fire Department.

Firefighters were able to enter the house through the back, and that's when they found that the home's occupant, a man whose identity has not been released, perished in the fire.

One of the fire department's oxygen tanks exploded while crews were battling the blaze, but other than a minor foot injury, no firefighters were seriously hurt in the event, Pennington said. - http://goo.gl/IlFEB

Centralia Family Escapes Safely From Fire That Destroyed Their Home

A Centralia family escaped safely as their home went up in flames early Monday morning. Centralia fire officials say the home occupied by the Jason Ashford family was fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival. Ashford's wife had woke up and discovered the house was on fire. She got out safely with her husband and two children. Fire officials say the single story home had smoke detectors, but they apparently were not working. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire was so hot, it melted siding on two adjoining homes. All available firemen were called in to help fight the blaze. They report no problems in fighting the fire. Firemen were on the scene for about three hours. The Red Cross was called in to assist the family. They were not able to save anything from the burning home. The house is owned by Steve Castleman Reality of St. Louis and Carbondale. - http://goo.gl/tQTGn

Marion County Police Beat for Monday, January 16th, 2012

A 38-year-old Odin man has been arrested for alleged possession of a controlled substance. Rickey Leak of West Chestnut was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies. 63-year-old Larry Logue of Hill Street in Alma was arrested by Kinmundy Police for alleged failure to register as a sex offender. This is the second time in a week Logue has been picked up on the charge. 23-year-old Nicholas Beck of St. Louis posted $150 bond and was released on a charge of driving on a revoked license. The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating a criminal damage to property complaint in Sandoval. Jason Carroll of West Missouri Avenue reported tires were slashed on his car.

Read full article at http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=31116

Ashley Man Killed In Saturday Morning Washington County Wreck

A 22-year-old Ashley man was killed in a single vehicle crash in Washington County early Saturday morning. The Washington County Sheriff's Department say Holden Cameron died from trauma to the head. The car he was driving crashed on the Radom Road a mile south of Ashley. A passenger in the car, 21-year-old Kimberly Loos of Pinckneyville, was airlifted from the scene of the accident to St. Louis University Hospital. The sheriff's department reports the car left the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned at around two Saturday morning. Cameron was reportedly not wearinghis seatbelt. - http://goo.gl/Kvea5

Missouri hunters kill 239,000 deer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's Conservation Department says hunters took nearly 239,000 deer during the 2011-2012 firearms hunting season.

Conservation officials said the season's total was up about 7,400 from last year, but roughly 13,000 below the 10-year average.

Jason Sumners, a deer biologist with the Conservation Department, says this year's sharp departure from the 10-year average reflects a decline in deer populations in parts of central and northern Missouri.

At the same time, Sumners says deer numbers in southern Missouri continue to increase gradually. - http://goo.gl/lKxHs

Small plane missing off Mass. coast is sought

BOSTON -- Crews are searching for a small plane that might be missing off the coast of Cape Cod.

Coast Guard officials say the Federal Aviation Administration notified them Sunday morning that the crew of a four-seat airplane reported smoke in the cabin, then lost communication with the FAA.

The plane had been flying from Martha's Vineyard to Hyannis, about a 20-minute flight. It wasn't immediately clear how many people were on board.

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center reports it received no reports of downed aircraft or any indication that the plane's beacon had gone off.

A Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft, helicopter and boats were out Sunday afternoon in search of the plane. - http://goo.gl/XV3DK

Ashley Man Killed In Saturday Morning Washington County Wreck

A 22-year-old Ashley man was killed in a single vehicle crash in Washington County early Saturday morning. The Washington County Sheriff's Department say Holden Cameron died from trauma to the head. The car he was driving crashed on the Radom Road a mile south of Ashley. A passenger in the car, 21-year-old Kimberly Loos of Pinckneyville, was airlifted from the scene of the accident to St. Louis University Hospital. The sheriff's department reports the car left the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned at around two Saturday morning. Cameron was reportedly not wearing his seatbelt.  full story

Illinois Creates New EPA Website

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The state of Illinois has a new website for businesses that need to request permits from the state's Environmental Protection Agency. Gov. Pat Quinn's office says the new online portal cuts down on bureaucracy and is more user-friendly. The website lets applicants track the progress of their permits. Quinn signed the public act creating the website last summer. It's one of several measures that affect environmental permits in Illinois. The website has application forms that can be edited, saved and submitted online. There are application checklists, instructions and guidance. full story

Three People Face New Drug Charges In Centralia

Two passengers in a car involved in a traffic stop in Centralia have been formerly charged with drug offenses. 20-year-old Zachary Weaver of County Highway 18 in Centralia was charged with unlawful delivery of cannabis. Bond was set at $1,500. The person he allegedly sold the drug, 26-year-old Jacob Heern of South Maple in Centralia, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. Bond for Heern was set at $6,000 on all pending cases. The driver of the car, 25-year-old Curtis Jones, Junior of Dimick Street in Centralia, posted $150 bond was released for driving on a revoked or suspended license. Bond has been set at $15,000 for a 41-year-old Junction City man charged with three drug offenses following a traffic stop by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies. Rodney Williams of Tyler Street faces two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance for possessing narcotic drugs without a prescription and for unlawful possession of ten to 30 grams of cannabis. The public defender was appointed to represent him. - http://goo.gl/PlIAq

Marion County Police Beat for Saturday, January 14th, 2012

A 22-year-old Salem woman who is a participant in the Marion County Drug Court program is being held in the Marion County Jail for a program violation. Abbey Hargis of North Lincoln was arrested at the probation department. 27-year-old Dale Wessel of North Walnut in Centralia is being held on a petition to revoke his probation. He was arrested at the courthouse. 49-year-old Earl Wollitz of Patterson Street in Centralia remained in custody Saturday morning after being arrested by Centralia Police on an ordinance violation warrant. A 26-year-old Springfield man, Jonathan Tunson, posted $300 bond after being arrested at the courthouse on a petition to revoke his probation. Salem Police are investigating the theft of fishing equipment from a boat owned by Doval McLean of North Ohio Street. - http://goo.gl/2VK3h