'American Idol' finalist tweets that he's gone

Jermaine Jones is apparently out on "American Idol."

The 25-year-old vocal instructor from Pine Hill, N.J., tweeted Tuesday night that he no longer would be on the Fox singing contest.

He wrote on his official "Idol" Twitter account: "Ahttp://www I will no longer b on the show." The post and Jones' official "Idol" Twitter account were later deleted.

A Fox spokeswoman declined to comment on the matter or confirm his tweet.

The so-called "gentle giant," as he was dubbed by "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, was among the show's viewer-selected top 13 finalists after the judges gave him a last-minute spot among the 11th season's top 13 male semifinalists.

He was among the bottom three vote-getters last week after performing Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me Off My Feet" but advanced to the group of top 12 singers.

"Idol" contestants in the past have been disqualified when the show deems that their work or personal history is an issue.

Corey Clark was disqualified for concealing his arrest record during the second season in 2003. Frenchie Davis was also dropped from "Idol" that year because of her previous appearance on an adult website.

During the eighth season in 2009, Joanna Pacitti was shown advancing to the top 36 semifinalists after "Hollywood Week" but was later replaced. Pacitti released an album in 2006 and had ties to 19 Entertainment, which produces "Idol" with FremantleMedia North America.

Chris Golightly was dropped from the top 24 semifinalists in the ninth season in 2010 because he didn't disclose that he had a previous record contract.

In contrast, the singing competition allowed past finalists like the sixth season's Antonella Barba and the seventh season's David Hernandez to stay on after racy photos that appeared to be Barba leaked online. Hernandez was revealed as having once worked as a nightclub.

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Centralia Man Dies After Motorcycle Crashes Along Green Street Road

A 58-year-old rural Centralia man has died after his motorcycle ran off the Green Street Road east of Central City this afternoon. Marion County Deputy Coroner Roger Sutherland says David Kendall had been in poor health and it appears the death may have been from natural causes because injuries from the accident were minimal.

Sutherland says no other vehicle was involved when Kendall's cycle ran off the side of the road. He was found lying in a driveway only ten feet from where the cycle came to rest. Sheriff Jerry DeVore says witnesses indicated Kendall's motorcycle ran off the road for no apparent reason.

The wreck occurred on a straight section of roadway near the former Jim's Trailer Sales business. Efforts to revive Kendall at St. Mary's Hospital were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at 2:15Tuesday afternoon. The wreck had occurred about an hour earlier. Sutherland said the family requested no autopsy be completed. He reports the only visible injuries from the accident were skinned elbows and legs and a small skinned area on his forehead. Sutherland says Kendall suffered from a bad heart and diabetes.

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Centralia Man Charged With Six Counts of Home Repair Fraud in Marion County Court

A Centralia man running a roofing company has been charged in Marion County Court with six counts of home repair fraud. Mark Timmons of Hester Street is accused of taking over $1,000 from three people for roofing work that was never completed. Three of the charges state Timmons took the money without intending to perform the work. The other three say Timmons falsely promised prompt performance. The three victims named in the charges are Beth McFarland, Deborah Cobb and Mike Heinrich. State's Attorney Matt Wilzbach says he has received a few other reports with similar complaints against Timmons that could lead to additional charges.

He reports those who have a complaint against Timmons should first contact the police department in their jurisdiction and not directly call the State's Attorney's office. Information obtained by the Marion County Sheriff's Department indicate Timmons' state roofing license expired on June 30th of last year. His bond had expired in April and his insurance had lapsed in 2010. Sheriff's deputies say they had warned Timmons last October to finish a project where he had left part of a roof only covered with tar paper. At the time of his arrest at his home on Sunday, the work still had not been completed. Bond for Timmons on the charges was set at $10,000.

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Governor Quinn to Appeal FEMA Denial of Disaster Assistance

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn says he'll appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency's denial of assistance to homeowners affected by the southern Illinois tornado. Quinn issued a statement Monday saying he informed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano of his decision.

Meanwhile, Sen. Dick Durbin and other lawmakers plan to meet with FEMA Director Craig Fugate (FYOO'-gayt) on Wednesday to challenge the decision. Quinn says Illinois is doing everything it can to help communities hit hard by storms on February 29th, including the Saline County town of Harrisburg, where seven people died and 98 homes were destroyed by an F4 tornado. But he says some assistance needed by residents is available only through a federal disaster declaration. FEMA says there's enough private insurance and other resources for Illinois to recover.

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Illinois State Police Seize Eleven Pounds of Cannabis in Effingham County

A routine traffic stop in Effingham County leads the Illinois State Police to seizing a large amount of cannabis. A state trooper stopped a grey Ford Escape, driven by 35-year-old Jason E. Dipietro of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Tuesday March 6th for speeding.

The trooper made observations that lead to a search of the vehicle. The search revealed ten-bags of cannabis weighing 11.3-pounds in the vehicle. Dipietro was charged with possession of cannabis and cannabis trafficking. He is being held on $250,000 bond in the Effingham County Jail.

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Marion County Police Beat for Monday, March 12th, 2012

A 17-year-old Central City man remained in the Marion County Jail Monday for alleged aggravated battery and domestic battery. Jacob Schleuter of North Park was arrested by Central City Police.

A 26-year-old Mt. Vernon man is being held for alleged domestic battery and resisting arrest. Christopher Bratton of South 18th is accused of grabbing and choking Elizabeth Walton of North Sycamore Street at her home following an altercation. Walton eventually was let go and was able to call police.

An 18-year-old Kinmundy man was arrested over the weekend for alleged domestic battery. Rickey Recter III of Krutsinger Road is accused of grabbing 19-year-old Ashley Sturdivant of the same address by the throat and choked her. Recter had already left the home by the time deputies arrived. He was stopped walking a short distance away.

20-year-old Warren Telford of East Baseline Road in Walnut Hill was arrested by Junction City Police for violation of the 0 tolerance law and fleeing police. He was released after posting $120 bond.

The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft of copper and damage to an electric meter at a home on North Oak Street in Patoka just purchased by Kay Cain. The sheriff's department is investigating a criminal damage to property complaint.

William White of Copple Road reported the vinyl was pulled back off of an outbuilding in an apparent attempt to see what was inside. White reported no entry was gained.

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Illinois' 2012 Spring Trout Fishing Season Opens April 7th

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Monday the 2012 spring trout fishing season in Illinois will begin Saturday, April 7th at 5:00am. The IDNR stocks more than 60,000 rainbow trout each spring in bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted. The trout program is funded by those who use the program through the sale of inland trout stamps.

To participate in the trout fishing program, anglers must have a valid Illinois fishing license and an inland trout stamp. The annual fishing licenses for the 2012 season are valid through March 31st, 2013. Anglers may not take trout from any of the stocked sites from March 15th to the opening of the season on April 7th at 5:00am. Anyone attempting to take trout before the legal opening will be issued citations.

During the spring trout season the daily possession limit for trout is five fish. Local stocked sites in southern Illinois include: - Jefferson County: Mount Vernon Game Farm Pond - Marion County: Boston Pond at Stephen A. Forbes State Park - Wayne County: Sam Dale Conservation Area Trout Pond Illinois fishing licenses and inland trout stamps are available at DNR Direct license and permit locations, including bait shops, sporting goods stores and other retail outlets. Fishing licenses and trout stamps can also be purchased by using a credit card through DNR Direct online via the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov, or by calling DNR Direct toll-free at 1-888-673-7648. For more information about the trout stocking program, contact the IDNR Division of Fisheries at 217/782-6424 or check the web site at www.ifishillinois.org.  

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Centralia City Council To Consider Fining Those Allowing Cats To Run At Large

Owners of cats in Centralia could be fined for allowing them to run at large.  The Centralia City Council Monday night will be asked to modify the animal control ordinance to establish a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $250 upon conviction.   The ordinance would apply to any owner or keeper of a cat who has been informed either verbally or in writing that a property owner or person with lawful possession of a property does not want the cat on that property. 
 
Animal Control Officer Bobby Patton II is suggesting the change because the reports of stray cats are increasing in the city.  Centralia cat owners are reminded that even if kept indoors, cats are required to be licensed and must show proof that their vaccinations are current.

http://goo.gl/wAl4e

East St. Louis Mayor Limits Liquor Sales After Shootings

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - The mayor of East St. Louis says the city is limiting alcohol sales after several incidents of weekend violence. Mayor Alvin L. Parks Jr. released a statement Sunday saying the city would suspend all non-casino sales of liquor after 1 a.m. until further notice. He says he's doing so to "re-stabilize the community's health and safety."  

The move followed a series of shootings outside East St. Louis clubs, including the Sunday death of a 23-year-old man who police say was shot as he walked to his car. East St. Louis has instituted similar alcohol restrictions before.  

The city of 27,000 has been grappling with a high murder rate and the city's night clubs have particularly been under scrutiny.  U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he wants the businesses to close earlier.

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Cocaine sent to U.N. headquarters

More than 35 pounds of cocaine was discovered in at least one bag that turned up at the United Nations headquarters in New York, police said Thursday.

The narcotics were uncovered on January 16 inside hollowed-out books that had been shipped from Mexico City in a bag made to look like a diplomatic pouch, according to New York police spokesman Paul Browne.

"The actual pouch is blue and has a U.N. symbol, a lock and seal, and words like "Diplomatic Mail," Browne said. "This bag was white instead of blue and had no locked seal and no wording of any kind."

The bag was being screened at the United Nations' postal receiving center when the cocaine was discovered.

It lacked a destination address and was without a return address, Browne added.

U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said, "This was not connected to the United Nations, and that's why the host government, the city authorities, in the shape of the NYPD, were brought in to assist."

He said that it "was not a diplomatic pouch."

In a written statement, Nesirky noted that "two suspicious mail bags were intercepted."

Authorities have not located the intended recipient, he said.

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