Motor Vehicle Accident on I-57 North of Salem

Salem Fire and EMS are currently responding to an accident on Interstate-57 north of the Salem exit, number 116. Preliminary reports indicate the accident involved a red Chevy Volt on the northbound lanes of the interstate, and possibly a black vehicle that is currently at the Salem Chevron Station in Salem. However Police and Fire have been asked to respond to the southbound lanes. Illinois State Police are responding to the accident. There are no details on how many people were involved in the accident, or if there are any injuries reported. We now have reports of several small accidents with cars skidding off the interstate, and requesting police assistance. When we have more information, we will let you know. full story

No New Speed Limit for Kinmundy Streets

Speed limits on Kinmundy city streets will remain unchanged. The City Council went into further discussion on changing the current speed limit from 30 miles-per-hour to 25 miles-per-hour at Thursday's City Council meeting. Mayor James Mulvaney told the council that he had reservation on the matter, saying it's difficult to enforce a 30 mile-per-hour speed limit, much less a 25 mile-per-hour speed limit. He says he has feedback from the community, saying the citizens do not want the speed limit lowered. "In the 20-years I have been on the Council, I've probably had more feedback from the community on this particular item than anything, and they're like if you're driving over the 30, write us a ticket. That's their thoughts, and one person said that. Just pay attention to your own driving", said Mulvaney. Mulvaney also says if the speed limit was changed, then more things would have to be done, such as installing new speed limit signs all over town. The Council agreed that the speed limit needs to be enforced more in town. The police would need to use discretion in issuing a citation, whether it's a warning or a violation. Mulvaney believes when the word gets out that the police are cracking down on speeding, then people will start slowing down when in town. The Council approved to block 3rd and Monroe Street for the Kinmundy Community Sale/Auction on Saturday, March 20th. The auction is sponsored by Baylis Auction Service. 3rd and Monroe would be blocked from in front of the Kinmundy Community Center to the Kinmundy Christian Church, with access to the post office. The Council approved a motion to allow $200 to be used from the general fund to be used for advertising for the Kinmundy Thunderbird Festival on July 13th and 14th. So far the festival will feature local food vendors, children activities, and a possible flea market. The Council has been discussing having a dance on the night of the 13th for the community as well. - http://goo.gl/aXQLF

Absentee Voting for March 20th Primary Begins Thursday

CHICAGO (AP) - Voters can begin absentee votingThursday for Illinois' primary election. The primary is March 20. Voters will choose candidates for state legislative and congressional seats, among other elected offices. Absentee voting can be done in person or by mail. The Illinois State Board of Elections says the voter must complete an application. In many cases, absentee ballots are used by members of the military who are not living in their home state. But state officials say that a voter can request an absentee ballot at a polling place as well. No reason is needed. Early voting starts on Feb. 27 and ends March 15. - http://goo.gl/C175r

Marion County Police Beat for Thursday, February 9th, 2012

A 48-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Centralia Police for alleged possession of a controlled substance. Kenneth Thornton of Watts Lane allegedly had the synthetic drug 'bath salts' in his possession. 34-year-old Sandra Young of Avery Branch Road in Mulberry Grove was arrested by State Police on an outstanding Marion County misdemeanor warrant. 37-year-old Cheri Jahraus of South Marshall in Salem posted $120 bond and was released after being arrested by State Police for alleged driving under the influence. - http://goo.gl/7U9c6

Former Fairfield High School Teacher Receives Three Year Prison Term On Sex Abuse Charges

FAIRFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A former southern Illinois high school teacher has been ordered to spend three years in prison on charges related to sexual misconduct with one of her female students in 2010. Thirty-three-year-old Haven Kirkpatrick of Fairfield apologized to the judge before also being sentenced Wednesday in Wayne County to four years of supervised release after her prison term. Additionally, she was fined $3,000 and was ordered to pay the family of the now-18-year-old victim more than $500 in restitution for counseling and medical expenses. Kirkpatrick was convicted in October of eight counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. She was serving as a health and gym teacher at Fairfield Community High School when the alleged sexual misconduct took place. She was arrested in July 2010. - http://goo.gl/PVwf0

Governor Hopes To Address Caterpillar's Concerns

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - A spokeswoman says Gov. Pat Quinn hopes to address some concerns about Illinois' business climate that Caterpillar Inc. cited in its decision not to build a new plant in the state. Spokeswoman Brooke Anderson yesterday said Quinn plans to announce pension and Medicaid reforms later this month. She declined to provide details. Peoria-based Caterpillar says it ruled Illinois out of plans to relocate a factory and 1,400 jobs from Japan over logistical problems and ongoing concerns about Illinois' business climate. Caterpillar explained its decision in an email to Peoria County leaders. The county was one of fewer than a dozen Illinois locations trying to win the new plant. In the email, the company says proximity to Caterpillar's division headquarters in Cary, N.C., was also a key factor. - http://goo.gl/7tBhx

IDES Garnishing Tax Returns of Unemployment Cheats

CHICAGO (AP) - The Illinois Department of Employment Security plans to garnish the state tax returns of people who wrongfully collected unemployment insurance. The agency on Wednesday said the initiative will save the state $40 million per year. IDES Director Jay Rowell says the agency also will seek to garnish federal tax returns to recover $158 million from people who refuse to enter into a payment plan. Unemployment insurance benefits are funded through business contributions, so Rowell says stopping fraud and recovering improper payments reduces the cost of doing business in Illinois. - http://goo.gl/iJekd

Illinois Fourth In Nation In Wind-Farm Capacity

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) - Illinois is now fourth in the nation in terms of wind-farm electric capacity behind Texas, Iowa and California. That's according to David Loomis, director of the Center for Renewable Energy at Illinois State University. Loomis spoke to about 300 people attending a wind farm conference in Normal on Wednesday. The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reports that Loomis says the wind energy of all states equals about 40,000 megawatts, which roughly equals electric production in Illinois from all sources, including nuclear and coal. Loomis calls the growth in wind energy "phenomenal." The center estimates the overall economic impact of Illinois wind farms at more than $4 billion. That includes income from about 11,000 construction jobs, about $10 million to landowners who lease land for turbines and $22 million in tax revenue. - http://goo.gl/hcnpy

Marion County Police Beat for Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

A 27-year-old Salem man has been arrested by Salem Police early Wednesday morning for alleged aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. Christopher Short of South Broadway was initially spotted allegedly screaming in front of the Red Roof Storage units on South Broadway while carrying a butcher knife. Salem Police later found Short inside the narby Casey's General Store. He still allegedly had the knife in his possession. Police say Short did not threaten anyone in the store or the officers taking him into custody. 27-year-old Eddie Bender of North Walnut in Centralia posted $500 bond and was released for failure to pay on a possession of cannabis conviction. State Police arrested two Little Rock, Arkansas residents on drug charges following an initial traffic stop for speeding. The driver, 23-year-old Darrell Crenshaw, posted $300 bond for alleged driving under the influence of drugs and possession of cannabis. A passenger, 20-year-old Stephanie Sibounheuang posted $150 bond for possession of 2.5 to ten grams of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating two criminal damage to property complaints. Michael Wilkins of Jett Lane in Salem reported someone ran through a fence to one of his fields. Jerold Mulvaney of Woods Lane in Centralia reported two tires slashed on his car sometime on Saturday. - http://goo.gl/Iyc99

Salem Man Sentenced to Three Years In Prison For Forgery; Marion County Court Report

A 31-year-old Salem man has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty in Marion County Court to a forgery charge. Nathan Jean of West Olive was given credit for time served and ordered to complete one year of mandatory supervised release once he is released from prison. 43-year-old Vett Bates of Broadway in Centralia pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis. He was ordered to serve 45 days in the Marion County Jail and fined $100 and cost. 31-year-old Joshua Grutzius of Selmaville Road in Salem entered a negotiated plea to a reduced charge of misdemeanor resisting a peace officer. Grutzius was ordered to forfeit his bond as fine and cost and given credit for time served. He is accused of shoving and physically resisting being handcuffed by Sheriff's Deputy Vernon Rose last July. 72-year-old Joye Lyons of North Bryan in Alma has pleaded guilty to an assault charge. Lyons is accused of swinging a metal rod at Doug Schoreck placing him in apprehension of a battery. She was placed on one year court supervision, pay court costs and undergo drug evaluation and treatment. A charge of assaulting a peace officer was dropped as part of the plea. Two people face new charges in Marion County Court. Bond was set at $7,500 for 38-year-old Jason Booth of Woods Lane in Centralia after he was charged with possession of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $2,000 for 22-year-old Terry Hamburg of North Park in Central City after he was charged with battery. Hamburg is accused of striking Ashley Allgood in the face with his hand on January 21st. If released on bond, Hamburg was ordered to have no contact with Allgood. - http://goo.gl/5j4l8