Clark Co., IL. (ECWd) – During yesterday’s court hearing, Summer Shaw, former Clark County Circuit Clerk employee and the daughter of the Circuit Clerk entered a guilty plea to a Class 4 Felony of “Theft of less than $500 from the government.”

She was sentenced to:

• 30 hours of public service
• payment of costs
• payment of restitution
• 24 months of probation/special conditions
• with a “withhold judgement/2nd chance” provision, which means if she is successful in all of the above, there will be no finding of guilty by the Court

Shaw was charged after an investigation into a complaint that her mother (and Circuit Clerk) Kathy Ramsey had clocked her in and out of work at the Circuit Clerk’s office at times she was not present and not working. See this previous article (here).

Ramsey entered a Not Guilty plea and demanded a trial by jury. Arraignment was waived and further pre-trial is scheduled for February 22, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Clark County Courtroom 2.

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SALINE CO., Ill. - Captain Kelly Hodge, District 19 Commander, announced the results of an Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrol which was conducted in Saline County on Friday, December 18, 2015.

Below are the results; scroll down.

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The Illinois State Police (ISP) reminds those who drink and drive that future patrols will be conducted. The ISP will continue to work to save lives by taking DUI offenders off the road, arresting them, and locking them up. This project was funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Safety.

WABASH CO., Ill. - The Illinois State Police (ISP) announced the results of a Roadside Safety Check (RSC) held during the late evening hours of Saturday, 12/19/2015, and early morning hours of Sunday, December 20, 2015.

The detail was conducted at Illinois Route 15 and Southgate Drive in Mt. Carmel by ISP District 19 officers.

Alcohol is involved in nearly 40 percent of fatal crashes in Illinois. RSCs are designed to remove alcohol-impaired drivers, however, when other violations are observed such as driving with a suspended or revoked license, operating a vehicle without a valid registration or valid proof of insurance, or safety belt violations, enforcement action may be taken.

A total of 270 vehicles were checked and the following citations were issued at the Roadside Safety Check:

EDWARDS CO., Ill. - Probable cause was found this morning to bind over a Wabash County miscreant for trial under current court case in Edwards.

Unfortunately for the public at large, Justin Koonce, 34, of Mt. Carmel, is only charged with one felony at the present time: Unlawful Use of Weapons, a Class 3 felony in which it's alleged that Koonce, on December 17, had in his possession a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches (sawed-off shotgun).

Koonce is the guy who prompted a big stand-down in West Salem last week at the Country Market, which he owns after having purchased it from the Alumbaughs, long-time operators of the place. Locals tell us it's gone downhill since Koonce has been in charge, and that he'd been sleeping on a mattress in the back and allegedly cooking pot brownies in the grocery's kitchen, which used to be a nice place to get a hot meal.

Reported drugs and other items were said to have been seized in the raid of the place, but no charges have been forthcoming on those.

Koonce was already in trouble in Wabash County after an incident in which he was popped on a motorcycle allegedly running 98 in a 55 mph zone in that county, with a 12-year-old on it, and with no helmet on the kid.

Koonce has a long and ridiculous criminal history; the latest arrest might actually get him put behind bars for some kind of meaningful term, since it's Mike Valentine at the prosecutorial helm.

He pled not guilty this morning at a preliminary hearing and formal arraignment was waived. The next court setting will be on delivery day for this next issue, January 5. Be sure you pick up the current edition (in Edwards County, at Bruce Lee's in Albion and Liquor Barn in Grayville), or log on to our e-Edition at this link, and be watching for the next one, January Special Edition 2016!

WABASH CO., Ill. - There were fewer arrests this past weekend in Wabash County than in previous weeks, but some were a little more meaningful.

On Thursday of last week (December 17), Mt. Carmel Police arrested Michael A. Hurst, 46, of Mt. Carmel, after they were notified of a retail theft at Family Dollar, this according to Mt. Carmel Police logs. Mt. Carmel Police responded and found Hurst inside of his vehicle. It is alleged that he stole a pair of pliers from the store. A search was conducted and a new pair of pliers was found on Hurst. Hurst was arrested and charged with retail theft. Hurst was also found to be in possession of a stun gun, which was confiscated by the police. Hurst was transported to the Wabash County Jail and held pending the posting of bond.

Also on Thursday, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jacob Hattaway, 19, of Mt. Carmel, after he was stopped in the 200 block of West 3rd Street. During the traffic stop it was determined that Hattaway was driving on a suspended license. Hattaway was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged with driving while suspended and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Hattaway was held pending the posting of bond.

Nothing was reported on Friday, Dec. 18. However, there was a little bit of activity on Saturday, the 19th.

On that day, Mt. Carmel Police were called to the Safe Haven Women's Shelter early in the morning reference an assault. Tina R. Birkhead, 46, has been accused of threatening a staff member with bodily harm. Birkhead was located not far from the shelter and placed under arrest, and was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged with Assault. Birkhead was being held in the Wabash County Jail pending the posting of bond.

Sarah Kocher

And then an out-of-towner was busted later on that same day. Sarah M. Kocher, 35, of Olney, was arrested after she was stopped for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop K-9 Ace and handler Sgt. Steve Perry arrived on scene, where Ace alerted on the vehicle, leading officer to believe narcotics were in the Kocher vehicle. A search was conducted and suspected cannabis was located along with a smoking device and open alcohol. Kocher was arrested and charged with illegal transportation of alcohol, possession of cannabis, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Kocher was transported to the Wabash County Jail and held pending the posting of bond.

EFFINGHAM, Ill. - Captain Kelly Hodge, District 12 Commander, announced the results of an Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrol which was conducted in Effingham and Clay Counties on Friday, December 18, 2015.

Results are as follows (scroll down):

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EFFINGHAM, Ill. - The Illinois State Police (ISP) District 12 has released enforcement figures from the Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols which were conducted on Wednesday, December 20 in Effingham and Fayette Counties.

Results are below (scroll down):

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is urging motorists to respect the Move Over Law and to use caution when approaching stationary authorized emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights or any other emergency equipment on the interstates and roads.

The Move Over Law (Scott’s Law) was enacted in 2002 in memory of Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department who was struck and killed on December 23, 2000, by an intoxicated driver on the Dan Ryan Expressway while assisting at a crash scene. The law requires motorists to yield to emergency vehicles, including highway maintenance vehicles displaying oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.

Scott Gillen

Governor Rauner acknowledged the Move Over Law in a Proclamation signed on December 21, 2015. The Proclamation coupled with HB 246 initiated by State Representative Brian Stewart underscores the importance of the Mover Over Law. “Illinois emergency and highway workers are continuously exposed to the dangers of being hit by motorists,” said Governor Bruce Rauner. “The Move Over Law is critical to the preservation of the lives of our public servants and the safety of all motorists. It is my hope that through education and enforcement, motorists will use caution, slow down and move over when approaching stationary emergency vehicles."

Most recently, a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver failed to move over and caused a fiery crash on I-88 near Aurora killing 39-year-old Tollway worker Vincent Petrella and severely injuring ISP District 15 Trooper Douglas Balder. This crash has become part of an alarming series of incidents involving CMVs striking ISP, Illinois Department of Transportation and other emergency vehicles. In recent years ISP Troopers James Sauter and Kyle Deatherage were also killed by CMV drivers violating the Move Over Law.

The Move Over Law requires drivers to change lanes (if safe to do so) or reduce speed and proceed with caution when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing warning lights. Violators of Illinois’ Move Over Law can be fined not less than $100 or more than $10,000 and have their driver’s license suspended for up to two years if the violation involves injury to another.

SALINE CO., Ill. - Saline County State’s Attorney Mike Henshaw is planning to file a lawsuit on behalf of Saline County against Illinois Department of Revenue Director Constance Beard and Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler‐Munger to recoup funds owed to Saline County that have been withheld by the State of Illinois since last July.

The lawsuit, which was  approved unanimously by the Saline County Board at its December 22, 2015 meeting, seeks a court order compelling the State of Illinois to pay amounts owed to Saline County from the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund.

Since July, 2015, the State of Illinois has failed to make the required statutory reimbursements from that fund to Saline County for the salaries of the State’s Attorney, Public Defender and Supervisor of Assessments.

The amounts owed to Saline County were in excess of $73,000 as of November 30, 2015, and continue to grow.

The county board voted unanimously last night (Tuesday, December 22) to file the lawsuit against the state.

However, they forgot one little thing: They're operating without a budget themselves, and because of that, there's a dearth of funds.

How that impacts the situation as it stands is this: Today, Assistant State's Attorney Jayson Clark went to file the suit and as part of that, he has to serve summons on the Office of the Comptroller in Chicago. The summonses cost $120 service fee. However, the county doesn't have any money to fund the service of the summonses....not because of the state's failure to reimburse funds, but because they're operating without a budget. So as of today, no summonses can be served, because the county failed to pass a budget by Dec. 1 as required by law. The county has no money to pay their current bills, which includes the cost of suing the state as the board approved on Tuesday.

State's Attorney Mike Henshaw has advised that he will pay the $120 and not even ask for reimbursement.

It's unclear how, exactly, the county is going to proceed at this point.

CUMBERLAND CO., Ill. - A single vehicle accident on the Montrose Blacktop yesterday resulted in a DUI for the driver.

The crash occurred on the blacktop at Cumberland County Road 350 North, four miles north of Montrose, at 9:37 p.m. last night (Tuesday, December 22).

Illinois State Police who worked the crash say that a black 2010 Chevrolet Traverse being driven by Dori Kay Cash, 26, Toledo, was traveling north on the blacktop at that location when she drove left (west) across the oncoming (southbound) lane of traffic, off the shoulder and into a ditch, before coming to rest in a ravine on the west side of the roadway.

There were no passengers in Cash's vehicle.

Cash was transported to Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital in Mattoon by ambulance.

She was later cited for DUI Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident, and Not Wearing a Seatbelt.

MARION CO., Ill. - A Salem man is deceased following a single-vehicle accident on Illinois 37 in Marion County last night.

Illinois State Police in District 12 report that Michael G. Becker, 46, of Salem, was driving a 2005 black Dodge Ram Crew Cab pickup southbound on 37 two miles south of Salem at 8:57 p.m. last night, Tuesday, December 22.

While approaching C J Heck Road, the truck left the roadway right into a steep ditch. It impacted the ditch embankment and became airborne. The truck landed and proceeded to enter into another steep ditch. The truck then rolled out of the ditch into the southbound lane of traffic, where it came to a rest.

Becker was transported by ambulance to Salem Township Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased.

MARION,  Ill. - The situation with the nephew of a Marion radio show host has prompted a response from Williamson County State's Attorney Brandon Zanotti.

Zanotti has addressed the matter of Monica Zukas' nephew, who, it's been alleged, was locked in a closet at his school as a punishment (for what, it's not been made public; only that it was in a learning disorder/behavioral disorder classroom). The boy was traumatized and the matter became very public, exposing what some of our schools resort to in these types of classes and situations.

Here's Zanotti's press release:

Earlier this fall, allegations were made that a student at Marion Junior High School was being placed in an isolation room as part of punishment for his classroom behavior. The Marion Police Department and its investigators conducted an extensive investigation into these allegations, interviewing multiple witnesses. The findings from that investigation were forwarded to the Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office for review. Upon receipt of the investigation results, the State’s Attorney’s Office requested further information and has spent the past several weeks diligently reviewing the case and conducting legal research into possible courses of action. There is no question that the student was held in the isolation room and that many of the administrative procedures under the Illinois School Code concerning isolation rooms were likely not followed. The question then becomes whether the acts of the teacher rose to the level of criminal behavior under the criminal code. Based upon the conclusions reached from the investigation and review, at this time no charges are being filed against the teacher. The family of the student is petitioning the State Board of Education for an investigation that could provide administrative remedies. The State’s Attorney’s Office will cooperate fully with the State Board of Education should it be needed for their investigation. The family is also pursuing civil remedies. We have regularly met with the family of the student, and met with them earlier this week to discuss the outcome of the Marion Police Department investigation and our review and research. In order to preserve the integrity of the civil case and the administrative investigation, we have no further comment at this time.

The situation is not over, according to family. There is only so much that the State Board of Education can do. The matter continues forward...and we will keep you posted.

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MARION, Ill. - Marion Police have issued information on a shooting that took place in that Williamson County town early this morning.

At approximately 12:00 a.m. today (Thursday, December 24), the Marion Police Department responded to the 100 block of East Allen Street for a 911 call of shots fired.

Responding officers discovered that multiple shots had been fired toward a residence within that block. Several shots actually struck a residence. The residence was occupied at the time of the shooting, however, thankfully, no injuries were reported.

Marion Police Investigators were called to the scene and the investigation is currently ongoing at this time. It is believed that the tenant of the residence was the intended victim and that this was not just a random incident.

Anyone having any information about this incident or information about the identity of any persons involved is asked to contact the Marion Police Department immediately at (618) 993-2124.

FAYETTE CO., Ill. - A man reaching for his cell phone yesterday was the first action leading to a vehicle overturn in Fayette County that lead to serious injuries.

The accident occurred on U.S. Route 51 at County Roade 1125 North in the Woodyard Area of Fayette County at 12:17 yesterday afternoon, Friday, December 25.

At that time, Illinois State Police say, Wyatt W. Summann, 21, Shobonier, was the driver of a black 2003 Chevy Impala on 51. He stated to ISP that he was attempting to get his phone and took his eyes off of the roadway driving into the left side ditch where the car struck a culvert and overturned straight up landing on its top.

Summann was ejected due to not wearing a seatbelt and a passenger, Cheyenne M.D. Haxton, 23, Vandalia, had to be extracted.

Both were transported by Air Evac for their injuries. Summann was subsequently transported to a Springfield hospital and Haxton to Barnes in St. Louis.

Summann was cited for No Valid Insurance, Improper Lane Usage, Cell Phone Use and Not Wearing seatbelt.

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EFFINGHAM CO., Ill. - A fatal two-vehicle collision east of Teutopolis yesterday claimed the life of an 85-year-old Montrose man but left a Sigel woman uninjured.

The accident occurred at the intersection of 1500th Avenue and 1950th Street approximately one mile east  of Teutopolis in Effingham County, at 4:02 p.m Friday (December 25).

Illinois State Police from Dist. 12 in Effingham report that 85-year-old Edwin E. Ebbert of Montrose was was traveling eastbound on 1500th Avenue on a 2015 Honda scooter when he failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of 1500th Avenue and 1950th Street.

A 1999 Chevy Malibu being driven by Logan M. Bueker, 22, of Sigel, was traveling southbound on 1950th Street and struck Ebbert in the intersection.

Ebbert was pronounced dead on scene; Bueker was not injured.

No citations have been issued.

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CUMBERLAND CO., Ill. - A bicyclist from Wichita, Kansas, was struck by another vehicle yesterday as he was traveling through Cumberland County.

The accident occurred on U.S. 40, a quarter-mile west of Illinois 130 in Greenup, Cumberland County, at 5:42 p.m. yesterday (Friday, December 25).

At that time, said Illinois State Police who worked the accident, Minaho Deng, 25, of Wichita, was traveling east on US 40 just west of Illinois 130 in the eastbound lane on a green Genesis V2100 bicycle.

A blue 2002 Hyundai, being driven by Darren Everett Duvall, 32, of Greenup, was also traveling east at the same location behind Deng.

Deng was wearing dark clothing with no reflective attire on his person or on the bicycle with only a small light on the rear of the bicycle. Duvall was unable to see Deng until it was too late and struck the bicycle in the rear.

Deng was airlifted to Carle Hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries; no citations have been issued.

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MARION CO., Ill. - Five people from Kentucky are dead after an incident with high water on a Marion County road.

Marion County Coroner Tony Cannon is advising that the three adults and two children were swept off the road near Patoka last night (Saturday, December 26), at about 7:30 p.m., and their vehicle carried into the East Fork Creek, which was full from the incessant rains we've been experiencing in southern Illinois since yesterday at about noon.

The vehicle was swept about 150 to 200 feet downstream and became lodged, this while first responders were reporting to the scene. However, the car dislodged, then sank. right after a firefighter, the first of many first responders toned out to the location, arrived.

Dive teams worked on the vehicle to recover it and the bodies of the victims, this for several hours after the incident.

The vehicle was traveling from Kentucky to Minnesota; the names of the victims are being withheld for now pending notification of the rest of their families.

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SEE UPDATE BELOW ORIGINAL POST:

EFFINGHAM, Ill. - Illinois State Police District 12 advise motorists to beware of water-covered roadways.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is closing a section of Illinois Route 45 in Effingham County due to water over the roadway in the area of Effingham County Road 500 north (southern Effingham County).

IDOT will erect signage closing Route 45 at the junction of Route 45 and Route 37. The closure will extend south from that junction to an area just south of Route 45 at Effingham County Road 500 north.

Additional precipitation is expected and motorists should use caution to avoid hydroplaning. Never cross into standing or moving water. If a flooded roadway is encountered, turn around and find an alternative route. Be especially alert for possible flooded areas during low light hours. Illinois State Police District 12, includes Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Marion, and Richland counties.

UPDATE 6:45 P.M:

Due to flood waters over the roadway at Illinois Route 45 at Effingham County Road 500 North, road closure to through traffic is in effect for northbound traffic at the junction of Route 45 and U.S. 50. (Flora).

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY ILLINOIS STATE POLICE DIST. 12: Illinois Route 45, north of Effingham County Road 500 N.

MARION, Ill. - A tanker overturn more than two hours ago is still causing grief in Marion this evening, Sunday, December 27.

According to our Williamson County correspondent, southbound traffic is backed up and being diverted at mile marker 52 on old Route 13 and motorists are being told to take Route 148 as an alternative, this after a tanker carrying LP gas overturned two to three miles south of old Route 13.

Our correspondent spoke with an officer from Marion Police Department, who said they were just now beginning to evacuate houses in the area, this shortly before 10.

Marion Fire department could not give our correspondent an exact time of their tone-out. Our correspondent was told that the report wouldn't be finished "til it was over."

More as we get it; keep checking back.

MARION, Ill. - The situation with a rolled-over tanker carrying propane in Marion last night was resolved in the early-morning hours today (Monday, December 28).

The tanker with its LP load overturned on Illinois 13 in Marion last night and snarled traffic for hours.

A volunteer evacuation was prompted when it became clear that the removal of the truck and its load might pose a problem for those in the area surrounding the rollover site.

Being called a "volunteer safety evacuation," the notice was issued later into the evening hours, with Marion Fire Department and Marion Police going door to door. The evacuation was for those within a half-mile of the semi-tanker crash along 57 in the Hunter's Run subdivision including Westminster Drive and the NEW old Hoods Woods overpass. The Marion Senior Citizen Center opened its doors to those who wish to relocate. At 1 a.m., though, it was sparsely occupied.

At approximately 1:25 a.m. the evacuation was lifted and a few minutes after that the crash site was cleared. The tow for the tanker had to be called for all the way from Paducah, Kentucky, making the cleanup laborious.