Police seek leads in Illinois bald eagle shootings

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Police are asking for the public's help in their
investigation into two recent shootings of bald eagles in southern
Illinois.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation,
the first shooting was reported Feb. 5. A mature bald eagle was found
injured in Louisville near the Little Wabash River. An x-ray found the
eagle was shot. The bird is recovering at a wildlife rehabilitation
center.

The second shooting was reported Feb. 24 in southern Richland County. A dead bald eagle was found and an x-ray showed it was shot.

Federal law protects bald eagles. Violators face up to a year in prison
and fines of up to $100,000.

State and federal officials are offering a $1,000 reward for information
leading to an arrest and conviction in the shootings.

http://goo.gl/z8j1g

26 indicted on meth-related charges

BENTON — A federal grand jury in Benton has charged 26 Southern Illinois residents with meth-related offenses in an indictment that was
suppressed until Wednesday so arrests could be made.

Seven of those named were charged with conspiracy to manufacture
methamphetamine, Stephen R. Wigginton, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced.

They are Gary D. "Chuck" Parini, 38, of Bush; Brittaney M. Howell,
Johnston City; Jennifer L. Wilkie, 40, West Frankfort; Michael E.
Stroud, 42, Carterville; Elaina M. Holland, 32, Freeman Spur; Craig E.
Stumpe, 46, Freeman Spur; and Nicholas C. Biggs, 22, Royalton.

Those charged with providing pseudoephedrine to meth manufacturers are:
Richard E. Larson, 51, Benton; Amy J. Melvin, 34, West Frankfort; Amy J.
Innis, 37, Zeigler; Joshua Murphy, 33, Zeigler; Christa L. Gray, 26,
Valier; Melody J. Kostanek, 38, Marion; Jason E. Curry, 40, Christopher;
Rebecca S. Pena, 55, Johnston City; Melissa A. Pena, 21, Johnston City;
Lee Haught, Johnston City; Jeri Haught, 43, Johnston City; Sheila R.
Haught, 53, Johnston City; Sean J. Riley, 30, Johnston City; Casey A.
Riley, 29, Johnston City; Tina M. Monteith, 29, Herrin; Devin D. Duncan, 28, Herrin; Betty Colp, 24, Herrin; Tina K. Hill, 46, Creal Springs; and Gynelle L. Ledbetter, 41, Creal Springs.

Those charged with conspiracy to manufacture meth face a term of 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. Those charged with
providing pseudoephedrine pills to others face a term of up to 20 years
in prison and a $250,000 fine.

http://goo.gl/4yltN

Police seek leads in Illinois bald eagle shootings

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Police are asking for the public's help in their
investigation into two recent shootings of bald eagles in southern
Illinois.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation,
the first shooting was reported Feb. 5. A mature bald eagle was found
injured in Louisville near the Little Wabash River. An x-ray found the
eagle was shot. The bird is recovering at a wildlife rehabilitation
center.

The second shooting was reported Feb. 24 in southern Richland County. A
dead bald eagle was found and an x-ray showed it was shot.

Federal law protects bald eagles. Violators face up to a year in prison
and fines of up to $100,000.

State and federal officials are offering a $1,000 reward for information
leading to an arrest and conviction in the shootings.

http://goo.gl/z8j1g

Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Record - March 15, 2012

Police Department Arrests

Adreyon C. Gordon, 36, of the 1900 block of Perkins Avenue, was arrested Tuesday at 11:57 a.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $7,500 and Gordon was released.

Colton W. Campbell, 19, of the 300 block of East Charles Street, McLeansboro, was arrested Tuesday at 4:54 p.m. on a charge of theft.

Jermaine T. Brown, 25, of the 600 block of South 17th Street, was arrested Tuesday at 7:12 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended or revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Brown was released.

Russell L. Warren, 25, of the 100 block of North Highland East, was arrested at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of contempt of court. Bond was set at $1,500 and Warren was released.

Amanda R. Leek, 25, of the 2700 block of Leroy Drive, was arrested at 2:45 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of resisting, obstructing or disarming an officer. Bond was set at $1,000.

Maurice L. James, 51, of the 1600 block of Cherry Street, was arrested at 2:56 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of contempt of court. Bond was set at $2,000.

Julian M. Payne, 26, of the 3300 block of Wildrose Drive, was arrested at 3:47 a.m. Wednesday on an in-state warrant and charges of resisting, obstructing or disarming an officer, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug equipment.

Katrina M. Steifel, 35, of the 2200 block of Casey Avenue, was arrested at 3:47 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Jennifer A. Moon, 39, of the 1600 block of South 13th Street, was arrested Friday on a charge of disorderly conduct. Bond was set at $1,000.

James M. Hicks Jr., 20, of the 1300 block of South 12th Street, was arrested Sunday at 6:20 p.m. on a charge of aggravated domestic battery.

Meghan J. Reeves, 20, of the 1300 block of South 12th Street, was arrested Sunday at 1:48 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery.

Jerry A. England, 35, of the 300 block of South Second Street, was arrested Sunday on a charge of contempt of court.

http://goo.gl/u6TBw

'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.

http://goo.gl/Ugohl

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.

http://goo.gl/EhqJY

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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