State Says it's Testing for Tritium near Reactor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Workers from Illinois' Emergency Management Agency are collecting water and vegetation samples to check for radioactive tritium around a northern Illinois nuclear plant. Agency Director Jonathon Monken said Tuesday that there's no reason to believe harmful levels of tritium were released from a stalled reactor at the Byron Generating Station.

One of the site's reactors shut down automatically Monday after an off-site power failure, and steam was vented to reduce pressure on the reactor. Federal and company officials said the level of tritium released with the steam was safe. Monken says it's his agency's public duty to verify current levels of tritium in the area, and results should be available within a few days. Exelon Energy officials say they traced the power failure to an electrical insulator in a switchyard.  full story

One Person Killed in Clay County Crash Monday Afternoon

One person was killed in the result of a collision in Clay County Monday afternoon. The accident occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 45/50 and Stanford Road near the Clay County Hospital at 3:47pm.

The Illinois State Police say 30-year-old John Paul Loveless of Cape Girardeau, MO was traveling westbound on U.S. 45/50 in his white 2008 Volvo truck-tractor semi. 86-year-old Eugene England of Flora was stopped northbound on Stanford Road, preparing to cross U.S. 45/50. England did not yield to Loveless' vehicle, and began to cross the highway. Loveless did not have time to stop, and struck England's vehicle on the passenger side. England died of his injuries sustained in the crash. State Police made no mention of any citations issued, or a further investigation into the crash.

The Flora Police Department, Clay County Hospital Ambulance, Flora Fire Department, and the ESDA were on the scene with the State Police handling the accident. Traffic was detoured for about two-hours around the crash site.  full story

Jefferson County Sheriff to Award One $500 Scholarship

The Illinois Sheriff's Association announced Monday it will be awarding over $53,000 in college scholarships throughout Illinois during the 2012-2013 school year. Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch will be awarding one scholarship in the amount of $500. To apply for the scholarship, visit the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department at 911 Casey Avenue in Mt. Vernon, or apply online at www.ilsheriff.org. Students must complete the application, answer the essay question, and return all documents to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office by March 12th. The scholarship is to be applied to tuition, books, and fees only. The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the state of Illinois, and must be a permanent Illinois resident. For more information, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department at 244-8004, your high school advising center, or college financial aid office.  full story

Carlyle Lake Fishing Prospects Outstanding for 2012

Carlyle Lake officials say there will be plenty of fish to catch this spring. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division recently provided results of the annual 2011 fall survey of Carlyle Lake and these results indicate that fishing prospects are outstanding for the upcoming season. The department says the amount of large mouth bass, white bass, and crappie fish was excellent, the amount of catfish and sauger fish were good, and the amount of bluegill fish was very good. Most fish in the lake were between five-inches and fifteen-inches long. Most fish also weighed in anywhere from two-pounds to ten pounds each. For more information, please contact the Carlyle Lake Project Office at (618) 594-2484, or email at carlylelake@usace.army.mil.  full story

Marion County Police Beat for Monday, January 30th, 2012

A 22-year-old Centralia man who allegedly grabbed the handle of a gun in his waist band following a disagreement has been arrested for aggravated assault and on an Illinois Department of Corrections warrant. Centralia Police say Travis Wooters of South Brookside was arrested early Monday morning after those at the Shawn Claybourn home on North Lincoln Street reported that Wooters had threatened to shoot Claybourn. Wooters reportedly got back into his vehicle after showing the gun handle and was picked up later by police. A 20-year-old Farina man who allegedly promised to return to the Huck's Store in Centralia to pay for $20 in gas and never did has been arrested for theft. Centralia Police say Cody Bushue of South Poplar was stopped early this (Monday) morning and asked why he had not returned to the store after several hours. Police report Bushue was taken to the Marion County Jail after making several phone calls at the Centralia Police Station and was unable to come up with the cash. Bushue had initially told the store clerk he had forgot his wallet at the Centralia Recreation Center. Two others remain in jail on outstanding misdemeanor warrants. They are 23-year-old Christopher Ray of South Hickory in Centralia and 73-year-old Kenneth Ray of West Fourth in Centralia. 43-year-old Dennis Lee of Third Street in Flora posted $500 bond on an outstanding traffic warrant and was released. The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating a theft of money from a soda machine outside the Walnut Hill Barbershop. There was no apparent damage to the machine and it appears entry may have been made with a key. About $30 was stolen. - http://goo.gl/B9j97

Marion County Sheriff's Deputy Finds Three Pounds Of Cannabis During I-57 Traffic Stop

A 21-year-old Alexandria, Louisiana man was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies Sunday morning after three pounds of cannabis was allegedly found in the trunk of his car. Samuel Tucker was stopped at the Interstate 57 rest area south of Salem. The department was trying to locate a vehicle involved in a reckless driving complaint at the time. Tucker was initially stopped for not having a front registration plate. As the Marion County canine was sniffing around the car, Tucker allegedly admitted to a State Trooper who came to provide assistance that he had a small amount of cannabis in the car. After Tucker allegedly produced a small amount of cannabis, the search continued and the three one pound bricks of cannabis were allegedly found in the trunk. Deputies say two were in a suitcase and the third in a grocery sack. Tucker later allegedly told police he was on his way to Chicago to sell the drug. The cannabis, the vehicle, and $441 in Tucker's possession were all seized. Deputies hope to seek forfeiture of the 2002 Chevy Monte Carlo that Tucker was driving. A female passenger in Tucker's car was released after questioning. The traffic stop occurred at 7:40 Sunday morning in the northbound rest area. - http://goo.gl/5TJ31

Marion County Police Beat for Sunday, January 29th, 2012

A 21 year old Centralia man is being held in the Marion County Jail for alleged domestic battery. Centralia Police arrested Dustin Wilson of South Maple after responding to a domestic battery in progress. Police say Wilson entered the Donna Campbell on South Maple Street without permission, pulled Campbell off the couch and pushed her outside, and later when she came back into the home allegedly picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Wilson then allegedly dumped a glass of milk on Campbell. 30-year-old Doneka Jones of East 13th in Centralia is being held in lieu of $3,000 bond for failure to appear on an unlawful possession of controlled substance charge. Salem Police arrested 23-year-old Andrew Howell of Salem Mobile Home Park for alleged disorderly conduct when he allegedly refused to leave the Guesthouse Inn when asked to do so. 23 year old Adam Joseph Felton of Meridian Road in Sandoval was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence by Illinois State Police. Felton posted $100 and driver's license and was released. 33 year old Kristy Lauren Marshall of East Nollman in Centralia was arrested for driving on a revoked driver's license by Illinois State Police. Marshall posted $150 cash and was released. - http://goo.gl/b0tUL

Illinois Trying to Add More Female Prison Guards

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - State officials are looking for ways to increase the number female prison guards. The (Decatur) Herald-Review reported Sunday that the Illinois Department of Corrections wants to boost female and minority recruitment within the department. Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano says female guards are critical at both male and female prisons. The state operates all-female prisons in Lincoln, Decatur and Dwight. The announcement comes after a recent report by the Chicago-based John Howard Association on the Dwight Correctional Center. The watchdog group said that it received reports of inappropriate behavior from male correctional officers at the all-female prison. The watchdog group's report alleges that "inmates expressed distress over lack of privacy." Corrections officials say the ratio of male to female guards throughout Illinois' prison system is 5.4 males to 1 female.  full story

Illinois Governor Faces Hurdles As New Legislative Session Looms

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - It's tough being governor of a state weighed down by debt, overdue bills and rising expenses. It's even tougher when lawmakers seem happy to ignore your ideas when it suits their mood. That's the situation facing Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. The Chicago Democrat has seen his share of legislative victories, but he has also seen lawmakers ignore his budget proposal, routinely overturn vetoes and brush aside proposals like consolidating small schools. As Quinn prepares for his State of the State address, he faces twin challenges. He must come up with proposals to ease the state's massive financial problems and a strategy to increase his ability to enact those proposals. The governor says he has a strong relationship with the General Assembly.  full story

Local energy-efficient businesses earn award

MOUNT VERNON - Energy-efficient efforts by Mount Vernon businesses have earned the city the ActOnEnergy Most Progressive City Award.

The award was presented by Ameren Illinois to Mount Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley in recognition of 19 Mount Vernon businesses that completed 26 ActOnEnergy projects between June 1, 2010, and May 31, 2011, according to George Justice, manager of Ameren Illinois Division VI.

"It's wonderful," Chesley said. "Through what I call a powerful partnership between the city and its businesses and industries, we are creating awareness, saving energy and helping the environment."

The projects, which received almost $265,000 in ActOnEnergy incentive payments, resulted in a savings of 4.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year for the businesses.

"That is enough electricity to meet the demands of 470 single-family homes for a year," Justice said. "Through these projects, power plant emissions and carbon footprints are reduced, resources are conserved and businesses become more competitive, all of which benefit employees, consumers and the community at large."

ActOnEnergy offers business customers - including private schools and nonprofits - energy efficiency incentives for lighting, refrigeration, motor systems and HVAC systems.

Incentives also are available for retro commissioning, multi-family buildings, commercial kitchen equipment and hotel and motel guest room energy management systems.

ActOnEnergy also offers a program for grain and livestock farmers, providing incentives for lighting upgrades, livestock waterers and such high-efficiency equipment as circulation fans, water heaters and exhaust fans.

Since ActOnEnergy was launched in 2008, the amount of annual incentive dollars available to business customers has grown from $3 million to $19.2 million. full story