Times Square Mall sale announced

MT. VERNON — — The Times Square Mall has been sold to Pine Tree Commercial Realty LLC, The Sansone Group and Wanxiang America Real Estate Group.
Mid-America Real Estate Corporation’s Investment Sales Group announced the recent sale of the Mt. Vernon shopping center. Ben Wineman of Mid-America Real Estate exclusively represented the seller, while both buyers represented themselves in the transaction. 
Kasia Yuska with Dodier and Company, representing Mid-America Real Estate of Oakbrook Terrace, said the price of the purchase was not disclosed.
Bruce Boruszak, executive vice president at Pine Tree Commercial Realty LLC, said he is excited about the opportunities for the mall, but that no changes would happen immediately.
“We are excited about Mt. Vernon, and we are excited about the property,” Boruszak said. “We will work to improve the property as the years go by.”
He said though the mall is owned by a different group of companies now, rents for its businesses will stay the same for the time being.
“All the businesses are operated pursuant to their individual leases,” he said. “They will stay the same, they are subject to their leases. With new ownership comes new ideas, so to speaks, but it’s not like we come in and change all the rents. That does not happen.”
Boruszak said Pine Tree Commercial Realty, based out of Northbrook, owns a number of commercial real estate properties, including another mall outside of Cleveland, Ohio.
He said the property in Cleveland was “de-malled,” and turned into three different shopping centers, but the company has no plans to do the same to Times Square Mall.
“We are excited,” he said about the sale. “We hope the future is bright for everyone.”
Times Square Mall is a 269,328-square-foot enclosed regional shopping center located at the southeast corner of Broadway and 42nd Street in Mt. Vernon, a regional retail hub about 80 miles east of St. Louis.
Sears, JC Penney, Dunham Sports and Peebles anchor the center, which is further complemented by national retailers GNC, Maurices, Claire’s, Bath & Body Works, Glik’s, Shoe Sensation, Subway and Wendy’s. full story

Mt.Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Record - June 7, 2012

MT. VERNON - Mt. Vernon Police Department

Thefts

• Monday at 11:06 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of South 16th Street told police someone stole his air conditioning unit.
• Monday at 1 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of North 10th Street told police someone used their bank account information online.
• A resident in the 600 block of South 23rd Street told police there was fraudulent action on his bank account at 8:57 p.m. Monday.

Incidents

• Monday at 7:37 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of Lamar Avenue told police someone slashed her tires.
• Police responded to a report that a man was struck by another individual while he was at the Post Office at 12:57 p.m. Monday.
• A resident in the 300 block of Marteeny told police at 5:39 p.m. Monday someone shot their dog.
• Police responded to a report of an illegal burn in the 1100 block of South 25th Street at 7:01 p.m. Monday.
• Monday at 8:16 p.m., a resident in the 1100 block of South 23rd Street told police someone broke into their house.
• Police responded to a report of the sound of a gunshot near Veterans Park at 11:42 p.m. Monday.  full story

Mt.Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Arrest Record - June 2, 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

Roberta J. Stone, 39, of the 100 block of East Opdyke Avenue, was arrested Thursday at 7:08 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery/bodily harm. Bond was set at $3,000.

Christopher P. Kackowski, 23, of the 100 block of Grant Street, was arrested Thursday at 11:42 a.m. on charges of driving with a suspended license and aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $3,000.

Hank W. Warren, 26, of the 700 block of Salem Road, was arrested Thursday at 3:43 p.m. on a charge of retail theft. Bond was set at $1,500 and Warren was released.

Michael D. Simrell, 52, of the 300 block of South 44th Street, was arrested Friday at 12:43 a.m. on a charge of disorderly conduct. Bond was set at $1,000.

Albert W. Mahoney, 48, of Homosassa, Fla, was arrested Friday at 12:42 a.m. on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $2,500.

Jesse R. England, 42, of the 300 block of Opdyke Avenue, was arrested Friday at 11:56 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Arrests

Benjamin M. Smith, 30, of the 900 block of North Sixth Street, was arrested Thursday at 1:01 p.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $5,000 and Smith was released. Full Story

Daily Arrest Record - June 1, 2012 Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

• James E. Johnston, 48, of the 2200 block of Casey Avenue, was arrested at 5:58 a.m. Wednesday on charges of bringing a controlled substance into a penal institution, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacturing methamphetamine, methamphetamine precursor, possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials and possession of methamphetamine. Bond was set at $50,000.
• Michelle L. Fields, 37, of the 1300 block of South 24th Street, was arrested at 1:34 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $7,000 and Fields was released.
• Theodore R. Jefferson, 23, of the 1300 block of 10th Street, was arrested at 3:26 p.m. Wednesday on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $5,000 and Jefferson was released.
• Tracey L. Corhn, 27, of the 500 block of Short Street, was arrested at 4:38 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disorderly conduct. • Travis L. Deloch, 19, of the 800 block of South 23rd Street, was arrested at 7:37 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Deloch was released.
• Timothy L. Boyd, 24, of the 600 block of South 18th Street, was arrested at 8:48 p.m. Wednesday on charges of domestic battery/bodily harm and possession of cannabis.
• Randal C. Hester, 41, of the 600 block of Main Street, was arrested at 12:50 a.m. Thursday on charges of domestic battery/bodily harm and assault.
• Edgar I. Merced, 25, of the 1200 block of South 25th Street, was arrested at 1:41 a.m. Thursday on a charge of residential burglary.
• O.J. Simmons II, 27, of the 700 block of Conger Street, was arrested at 4:01 a.m. Thursday on a charge of driving with a suspended license. Bond was set at $1,500.
• Angel M. Jackson, 18, of the 300 block of South 44th Street, was arrested at 4:37 a.m. Thursday on a charge of criminal trespass to state land. Bond was set at $1,000.
• Roberta J. Stone, 39, of the 100 block of East Opdyke Avenue, was arrested Thursday at 4:37 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery/bodily harm.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Arrests

• Philip G. Wilkerson, 29, of Benton, was arrested at 9:28 p.m. Wednesday on charges of driving with a suspended/revoked license and criminal trespass to land. Bond was set at $2,500 and Wilkerson was released. - http://bit.ly/JRfB07

Daily Record - May 17, 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

Daniel B. Williams, 26, of the 600 block of South 19th Street, was arrested Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. on a charge of resisting a peace officer. Bond was set at $1,000.

Thefts

Tuesday at 11:31 a.m., an employee of a business in the 3200 block of Broadway told police an item had been rented and never returned.
Incidents

Police responded to a report of a battery in the 900 block of Wescott Street at 6:14 p.m. Tuesday.
A resident in the 900 block of South Sixth Street told police there were five people fighting at 8:07 p.m. Tuesday.

Tuesday at 11:52 p.m., police responded to a report of an attempted robbery in the 1000 block of South 20th Street.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Arrests

Aaron X. Collins, 21, of the 800 block of South 22nd Street, was arrested Tuesday at 3:37 p.m. on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $75,000.

James B. Lockwood, 24, of the 14300 block of East Loyola Road, was arrested Tuesday at 7:27 p.m. on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $40,000.

Charles L. Whipple, 41, of Woodlawn, was arrested Wednesday at 4:28 a.m. on charges of criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to a residence, aggravated battery of a peace officer, criminal damage to property and resisting/obstructing an officer.

Incidents

A resident in the 200 block of West James Street told police someone damaged items in her house at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday. Full Story

Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County Arrest Record - May 16, 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

    Tyson A. Carlos, 24, of the 1000 block of Southgate Drive, was arrested Friday at 3:57 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Carlos was released.
    Shannon L. Taylor, 33, of the 600 block of South 22nd Street, was arrested Saturday at 3:10 a.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $5,000 and Taylor was released.
    Bryant M. Harris, 39, of the 1400 block of South 12th Street, was arrested Saturday at 4:38 a.m. on charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Bond was set at $10,000 and Harris was released.
    Jonathan M. Gresham, 21, of the 1400 block of South 34th Street, was arrested Saturday at 5:49 a.m. on charges of domestic battery and criminal damage to property. Bond was set at $3,000 and Gresham was released.
    Edward K. Taylor, 27, of the 2000 block of Herbert Street, was arrested Monday at 8:38 p.m. on charges of violation of bail bond.
    Shawn M. Montaleone, 29, of Ina, was arrested Tuesday at 1:26 a.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Montaleone was released.
    Brandan L. Hankins, 31, of the 500 block of Broadway, was arrested Tuesday at 2:10 a.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Hankins was released.
    Owen L. Buchanan, 37, of the 800 block of South 21st Street, was arrested Tuesday at 3:13 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery with physical contact.
    Etoria D. Bradley, 28, of Cahokia, was arrested on charges of driving with a suspended/revoked license and violation of bail bond.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department Arrests

    Benjamine Stuckey, 22, of the 700 block of South 15th Street, was arrested Friday at 11:25 a.m. on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $1,500 and Stuckey was released.
    Cody L. Hicks, 19, of Bluford, was arrested Friday at 2:07 p.m. on a charge of criminal trespass to land. Bond was set at $1,500 and Hicks was released.
    Brian W. Gregory Jr., 19, was arrested at 3:57 p.m. Friday on a charge of criminal trespass to land. Bond was set at $1,500 and Gregory was released.
    Laura M. Vailes, 33, of Broughton, was arrested Saturday at 1:29 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500.

Illinois State Police Arrests

    Cheryl L. Shultz, 37, of Dickeyville, was arrested Friday at 9:18 a.m. on an out-of-state warrant. Shultz was released. - Full Story

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

Mt. Vernon Police Department

Arrests

• Lorie L. Sherman, 39, of the 1600 block of South 13th Street, was arrested Saturday at 4:49 p.m. on a charge of retail theft. Bond was set at $7,500.
• Tashira L. Deloch, 21, of the 800 block of South 21st Street, was arrested Sunday at 5:51 a.m. on charges of battery making physical contact, criminal trespass to a resident with a person present, and knowingly damaging property.
• John R. Moore, 41, of the 1100 block of South 22nd Street, was arrested Sunday at 10:07 p.m. on a charge of theft of labor, services or property.

Thefts

• Police responded to a report that a customer of United Taxi got out without paying near the 3300 block of Broadway at 5:35 p.m. Sunday.

Incidents

• A resident in the 200 block of Opdyke Avenue told police someone tried to break into her home at 4:03 p.m. Sunday.
• Sunday at 7:32 p.m., a resident in the 1300 block of Casey told police three young men were throwing rocks at him.
• Police responded to a report of four young people climbing the back of J.L. Buford Intermediate Center at 11:06 p.m. Sunday.
• An employee at the Hucks at 1801 S. 10th St. told police two people were fighting in a vehicle at 11:29 p.m. Sunday.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Arrests

• David Lambus, 19, of Ina, was arrested Saturday at 5:07 p.m. on charges of aggravated battery of a police officer, resisting or obstructing an officer and obstructing a peace officer.
• Renard M. Waters, 62, of Dix, was arrested Sunday at 9:06 p.m. on a charge of false report of an offense.
• Warren Reich, 55, of the 14500 block of North Old Centralia Lane, was arrested Sunday at 10:07 p.m. on a charge of aggravated driving under the influence with no valid driver’s license.

Incidents

• A resident in the 6200 block of East Dayton Drive in Woodlawn told police at 7:10 p.m. Friday that his neighbors were shooting off guns, and when he went and asked them to knock it off, they refused and one man shoved him.
• Saturday at 3:19 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of West Third Street in Ina told police someone broke the windows out of his shop.
• Police responded to a report that two rooms were ransacked in a residence in the 600 block of West South Avenue in Bluford at 9:50 a.m. Sunday.  - Full Story

Mt. Vernon Arrest Record - May 8, 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department

• Jerold C. Ellis, 21, of the 2900 block of Brownsville Road, was arrested Friday at 3:36 a.m. on charges of violation of an order of protection and domestic battery. Bond was set at $6,500 and Ellis was released.
• Jesse R. Greenwood, 27, of the 200 block of Cottonwood Drive, was arrested Friday at 5:22 p.m. on a charge of violation of an order of protection. Bond was set at $3,000 and Greenwood was released.
• Johnny L. Webb Jr., 41, of the 1300 block of Harlan Road, was arrested Saturday at 6:29 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Webb was released.
• Marie E. Anderson-Hernandez, 19, of Salem, was arrested Saturday at 12:19 a.m. on a charge of retail theft.
• Amanda R. Ortiz, 22, of Olney, was arrested Saturday at 1:45 a.m. on an in-state warrant and a charge of probation violation. Bond was set at $1,500 and Ortiz was released.
• Joey R. Fairchild, 24, of the 1900 block of South Ninth Street, was arrested at 3:44 a.m. Saturday on a charge of disorderly conduct. Bond was set at $1,500 and Fairchild was released.
• Robert E. Coulson, 30, of the 2400 block of Casey Avenue, was arrested at 8:10 a.m. Saturday on a charge of disorderly conduct. Bond was set at $1,000 and Coulson was released.
• Tirita L. Pryor, 23, of the 1600 block of South 12th Street, was arrested Saturday at 7:37 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Pryor was released.
• Khirece D. Tucker, 20, of the 400 block of Forest Avenue, was arrested Sunday at 1:09 a.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $3,000 and Tucker was released.
• Somer M. Lowry, 30, of Benton, was arrested Sunday at 3:40 a.m. on charges of resisting a peace officer, retail theft and aggravated battery of a police officer. Bond was set at $30,000.
• Matthew J. Anderson, 33, of Sparta, Mo., was arrested Sunday at 5:57 a.m. on a charge of violation of bail bond.
• Leslie A. Courtney, 25, of the 1000 block of George Street, was arrested Sunday at 3:13 p.m. on charges of aggravated battery of a peace officer and resisting/obstructing an officer. Bond was set at $50,000.
• Willie B. Wallace, 63, no address listed, was arrested Sunday at 5:49 p.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended license. Bond was set at $1,500.
• Montrell D. Williams, 18, of the 1000 block of South 25th Street, was arrested Sunday at 6:08 p.m. on a charge of theft. Bond was set at $1,000.
• Jerry A. England, 35, of the 300 block of South Second Street, was arrested Sunday at 9:01 p.m. on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $1,000.
• John C. Benjamin, 24, of Dix, was arrested Monday on a charge of interfering with a report of domestic violence.
• Wanda M. Feggins, 49, of the 700 block of Conger Avenue, was arrested Monday at 1:40 a.m. on a charge of criminal trespass to land. Bond was set at $1,000.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

• Khayman G. Collins, 19, of the 100 block of Cottonwood, was arrested at 5:37 a.m. on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $1,000 and Collins was released.
• Codey R. Tate, 19, of the 19200 block of East Sandpiper Road, was arrested Saturday at 8:18 a.m. on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and consumption/possession of an intoxicating compound. Bond was set at $3,000 and Tate was released.
• Jennifer Y. Hernandez, 28, of the 700 block of South 22nd Street, was arrested Saturday at 6:23 p.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $5,000 and Hernandez was released.

Illinois State Police

• Leigh Messamore, 20, of West Frankfort, was arrested Saturday at 4:45 a.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Messamore was released.
• Ladarrin E. Grayer, 22, no address listed, was arrested Sunday at 3:22 p.m. on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $1,500 and Grayer was released. Full Story

Indianapolis police: Boy 4, fatally stabbed

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis police say a 4-year-old boy who apparently suffered multiple stab wounds has died and his 14-year-old cousin was being questioned by detectives.

Police spokesman Kendale Adams said officers were called about 11 p.m. Saturday to an apartment, where they found the bleeding boy and he was rushed to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Adams said in a statement early Sunday that officers subsequently found the boy's 14-year-old female cousin, covered in blood, on a city street afterward. The statement said officers took the cousin to police headquarters for questioning. Police said they had made no immediate arrest, but the investigation was continuing.

Authorities say the victim and his 11-year-old sister were apparently at their grandparent's apartment at the time, but further details weren't released. - http://bit.ly/IQOKh7

Proposed I-64 interchange near O'Fallon is 'top priority' for region, planners say

A proposed interchange on Interstate 64 at Rieder Road is the top priority for the region and construction may begin as soon as 2014, according to project managers.

The $15.3 million interchange is part of an overall $59.1 million proposed project, which includes improvements to Interstate 64, Rieder Road from Scott Air Force Base to Highway 50 and Cardinal Creek gate at the base.

The interchange would mean significant changes for the area, including likely industrial development north of the interchange and east of the current city limits of O'Fallon.

Geri Boyer, co-owner of Kaskaskia Engineering Group in Belleville which is managing the project for St. Clair County, said progress on the project has gone surprisingly quickly --partly because similar studies had already been done on the area during the construction of nearby MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah.

Proponents of the project believe it will provide SAFB with direct access to the interstate, accommodate heavy traffic on nearby roads created by development west of the interchange, and be cheaper than redesigning the Illinois 158 interchange at an estimated cost of $50 million.

The Federal Highway Administration has already given its conditional approval for the construction of the interchange.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has earmarked $28.2 million of the cost through its Aeronautics Transportation Improvement Program and SAFB has budgeted $2.3 million for the gate's improvements. Approximately $28.6 million of the project remains unfunded.

In anticipation of potential development, the City of O'Fallon has placed 6,000 feet of water lines along Shiloh Valley Township Line Road just north of I-64 and east of the city. Another project placed 8,000 feet of water lines from the intersection of Shiloh Valley Township Line Road and Rieder Road to Highway 50.

O'Fallon leaders believe a host of industries could develop near the site, such as the transportation, logistics and technology industries -- utilizing those industries' experts already housed nearby at SAFB.

St. Clair County already owns much of the land south of the interchange, but land north of the proposal is within the O'Fallon facilities planning area and likely will be annexed into O'Fallon. - http://bit.ly/JetzGF