NORRIS CITY, Ill. - Another major drug discovery has been made in White County with the help of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force.

Sheriff Doug Maier said that yesterday (April 18) at approximately 12:30 p.m., his office, along with the drug task force and the Norris City Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence located at 311 N. Powell Street in Norris City. Erica Lynn Roberts lives at that address, said Maier.

The search warrant was issued to locate illegal drugs and related items at the residence. No response at the residence resulted in a forced entry into the home. No subjects were located inside the residence.

The following items, said Maier, were located and seized from the residence:

7.2 grams of ice (crystal meth)
A large number of prescription pills (morphine, diazepam and hydroxyzine)
5 grams of cannabis
Numerous cannabis plants growing in the garage area
One 22-cal pistol
Over $5,000 cash

The report has been forwarded to State's Attorney Denton Aud for criminal charges. This is the second search warrant served this week in ongoing efforts to combat the drug problem in White County. A substantial amount of illegal drugs has been taken off the street due to this effort. Maier said his department anticipates several arrests as a result as well.

Jon Ealey

CARMI, Ill. - In what was possibly the precursor event that lead to the big drug bust in Norris City mentioned earlier, Carmi police report that a little discovery of alleged crystal meth was made in town yesterday afternoon.

Tessa Pierce

Carmi PD reports that at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, they were called to the parking lot of Pundrake gas and convenience store on Fifth Street, in reference to a disturbance.

The subjects involved were Jon A. Ealey, 27, of Oak Street in Carmi, and Tessa S. Pierce, 20, of Omaha.

Ealey was stopped in the parking lot and was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear. A search incident to arrest produced two cannabis pipes and some portable scales.

Pierce, who was the passenger in Ealey's vehicle, was arrested for Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after crystal meth and a meth pipe were found in her purse, according to police reports.

They were both taken into custody, and Pierce was able to post $2000 cash bond; Ealey remains in custody on a $500 cash bond.

Jeffrey Churchwell

In another incident in Carmi a bit later, a call at about 6 p.m. came in to city police regarding an incident of criminal trespass, assault and disorderly was reported at a residence on 5th Street in Carmi.

Upon arrival, authorities arrested Jeffrey Churchwell, 45, of Illinois Street in Carmi on just those charges.

He remained locked up as of this evening, Thursday, April 19.

FLORA, Ill. - Here's your City of Flora Police Department report from April 4 through 14, 2018, as provided by Chief John Nicholson.

Wednesday, April 4 at 7:35 pm, Flora Police arrested Derek Koch, 36, of Flora for Possession of Methamphetamine, following a traffic stop in the 200 block of Railroad Street. Koch was transported to Flora Police Department for booking procedures and then transferred to Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Tuesday, April 10 at 7:02 pm, Brett Conard, 28, of Flora was issued a citation for Operating Uninsured Vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 100 block of Vincennes Ave. 

Wednesday, April 11 at 2:31 pm, Tyler Stewart, 32, of Flora was arrested for Driving While License Revoked, following a traffic stop on North Olive. Stewart underwent booking procedures at Flora Police Department and was released with a Notice to Appear.

Wednesday, April 11 at 11:04 pm, Flora Police arrested Evangeline Fopay, 36, of Flora for Driving While License Suspended, following a traffic stop in the 300 block of North State Street. Fopay was taken to Flora Police Department for booking procedures and released with a Notice to Appear.

Thursday, April 12 at 7:19 pm, Derek VanMeter, 35, of Flora was arrested for Driving While License Suspended, following a traffic stop in the 900 block of North Main Street. VanMeter underwent booking procedures at Flora Police Department and was released with a Notice to Appear.

Saturday, April 14 at 1:07 am, Flora Police arrested Dalton Zimmerman, 25, of Schaumburg for Driving Under the Influence, Improper Lane Usage, Illegal Transportation of Alcohol and Operating Uninsured Vehicle, following a traffic stop on West North Avenue. Zimmerman underwent booking procedures at Flora Police Department and was released with a Notice to Appear. William B Krantz, 28, of Louisville was also issued a citation for Illegal Transportation of Alcohol, during the traffic stop. 

Saturday, April 14 at 6:27 pm, Flora Police arrested Christopher Streight, 35, of Flora on a Clay County Warrant for Failure to Appear on the original charge of Filing a False Police Report. Streight was transported to Flora Police Department where he was able to post the necessary cash bond and was released with a court date.

Saturday, April 14 at 9:18 pm, Flora Police arrested Cole Hosselton, 29, of Flora for Use of Intoxicated Compound, following an incident in the 100 block of North Locust Street. Hosselton underwent booking procedures at Flora Police Department and was released with a Notice to Appear.

CLAY CO., Ill. - Just a quick update to let you know that all your sharing did the trick this week: Joely the dog has been found.

Joely was in the car that went out of control while passing on U.S. 45 near the racetrack between Louisville and Flora, along with two others, William Viehmeyer and Randall Helms, this occurring Tuesday evening (April 17) just after 7 p.m.

Viehmeyer, the owner of Joely, lost his life in the crash; Helms was seriously injured.

Joely was thrown from the vehicle along with the two men. She was observed running from the location of the wreck, and so the word went out on social media to keep an eye out for her, as she was apparently okay but likely scared out of her wits.

This afternoon we received notification from the Clay County Animal Rescue and Shelter (which is where Viehmeyer got Joely) that the doggo had been located and has been reunited with her family.

You all are to be congratulated for spreading the word and the posts. People don't know to keep an eye out for a missing beloved pet unless that word is spread around. You did it, Joely is safe, and there's a family grieving over the loss of Mr. Viehmeyer, but relieved that at least the pup from CCARS that he was kind enough to become a guardian to is now back in her loving home. THANK YOU, READERS!

Xzavier Gibbs

SALINE CO., Ill. - Saline County State's Attorney Jayson Clark has announced the sentencing of a young man whose actions with the various thugs around Harrisburg has terrorized the populace for years.

Clark said that on Wednesday, April 18, Xzavier B. Gibbs, 20, of Harrisburg, entered pleas of guilty in Saline County Circuit Court to Aggravated Robbery (a Class 1 felony) and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (a Class 4 felony).

Judge Todd Lambert sentenced Gibbs to 11 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with 2 years mandatory supervised release (parole) on the Aggravated Robbery charge, and Judge Walden Morris sentenced Gibbs to 2 1⁄2 years in IDOC, with 1 year mandatory supervised release on the Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon charge.

The sentences imposed by Judge Lambert and Judge Morris are to be served consecutive to one another and consecutive to a previous sentence imposed in a Gallatin County case.

Gibbs received a combined total of 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections from all of the Saline and Gallatin county cases.

Mark Johnson

CARMI, Ill. - Carmi police had a relatively uneventful day Wednesday, April 19, by comparison to recent stretches of theft reports, drug activity, and the like.

Yesterday's single report out of the city of Carmi involves a local with a couple of warrants, Mark Johnson.

At just shortly after noon yesterday, an officer observed Johnson, 55, while the officer was on Shipley Street. The officer said Johnson was at the rear door of Johnson's trailer on the 800 block of Shipley. The officer knew Johnson to have an active White County warrant, so he exited his vehicle and hollered at Johnson.

Johnson walked toward the officer, who informed Johnson that he had the warrant; the officer verified this with dispatch and was told there was a $500 cash bond plus fees.

The officer transported Johnson to the city/county jail, but while there, was informed that there was also an active Hamilton County warrant for FTA and the bond amount o that one was $300 cash plus fees.

Johnson remains at the county jail as of this afternoon.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As the first wave of the 10-year Firearm Owners Identification card come due for renewal, Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz is urging FOID card holders to apply early to remain active.  

“We expect tens of thousands of renewal applications to come in over the next few months,” Schmitz said. “We recommend gun owners get their renewal applications in at least one to two months in advance so we have adequate time to process them and get a new card out before expiration.” 

More than 50,000 FOID cards are due for renewal between June 1 and August 1. The General Assembly amended the state’s law that requires gun owners to carry a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card in 2008, allowing the cards to be valid for ten years. 

The Illinois State Police (ISP) oversees the FOID card system and issues the cards. They’ve already sent renewal notices to people whose cards will expire June 1. 

Applicants can visit the ISP’s Firearm Services Bureau website at www.ispfsb.com to renew online. Anyone who needs assistance with FOID card renewal, and those who prefer paper applications, can call 217-782-7980 and select menu option 0. 

Applicants should make sure the name and address on FOID applications match the records on file for them at the Secretary of State’s Office, otherwise the renewal process will be delayed.

Thomas Schaefer

WILLIAMSON CO., Ill. - Williamson County State's Attorney Brandon Zanotti has announced sentencing of a young man arrested earlier this year.

Zanotti announced that on April 20, 2018, Thomas Schaefer, 26, of Marion pled guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a class 2 felony, and was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On January 17, 2018, Marion police received a tip that Schaefer was present at the Gray Plaza Motel in Marion. Police responded due to Schafer having an active “failure to appear” warrant. Once on the scene, Schafer was apprehended. During a search of his person, a handgun was discovered. Due to previous felony convictions, Schaefer is not allowed to own or be in possession of weapons. 

In addition to the eight years in DOC, Schaefer also pled guilty to a 2016 forgery case to four years in DOC. Those sentences will be served concurrently. In addition, Schaefer will be under mandatory supervised release for two years following his release.

The investigation was handled by the Marion Police Department. Assistant State’s Attorneys Sean DeMello and Becky Ray led the prosecutions on these cases.

“Our office is continuing to put felons in possession of guns behind bars," said Zanotti. "I commend the Marion Police Department and Assistant State’s Attorneys DeMello and Ray for working together to get a dangerous criminal off our streets. We have a long way to go, but any illegal gun activity will not be tolerated.”

WILLIAMSON CO., Ill. - It's a brief - but interesting - Felony Friday for Williamson County court action, and here it is in all the crim glory Felony Friday has to offer.

That thur pot in tha boots

Bridget K. Reeder, 24 of West Frankfort, has been charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Illegal Transportation of Alcohol. According to court files, on April 10, Reeder was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Michael A. Perkins, 38 of West Frankfort. Perkins was stopped by Marion Police for traffic violations. As the officer about to approach the vehicle he could see the couple making furtive movements. Perkins was found to be driving on a revoked license. In the passenger floorboard near Reeder was a bottle of vodka with broken seal that was three-quarters full. Reeder was still reaching around in the car so the officer ask her to step out of the vehicle. She was placed in handcuffs and into the squad car. Perkins was also placed under arrest. The officer also smelled cannabis and during a search found a cigarette pack in the front passenger floor containing 1.8 grams of meth only accessible to Reeder. During transport, Reeder stated she had cannabis hidden in her boots. Jail staff retrieved a baggie containing 6.3 grams of cannabis, for which Reeder was not charged.

Michelle L. Carter, 34 of Elkville, was charged April 16 with Possession of Methamphetamine less than 5 grams and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 

Lots of Forgery

Two former Marion men are wanted on five counts each of Forgery. Nicholas A. Jones, 36, and Payton C. Guy, 21, are currently said to be residing in Melbourne, Florida, according to a forwarding address from a former employer of Jones and GPS from a vehicle the two bought from Auto Credit and never returned. The two are said to have written several forged checks from stolen checks out of Arkansas. Other charges include Deceptive Practice, Possession of Stolen Checks and Theft by Deception. Investigation by Energy Police and Marion Police Detective.

Dope and violence

Karen R. Bryant, 41 of Herrin, and codefendant Haley M. Thompson, 25 of Herrin, are both charged with Possession of Methamphetamine less than 5 grams. Arresting agency Illinois State Police.

Victor G. Lane, Jr., 26 of Marion, is charged with Aggravated Domestic Battery/Strangle. Arresting agency Marion Police.

Darek A. Stutz, Jr., 20 of Marion, is charged with Aggravated Battery/Pregnant/Handicapped and Domestic Battery/Bodily Harm. Arresting agency Marion Police.

Michael A. Carver, 32 of Marion, is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine less than 5 grams and Aggravated Fleeing/two or more  Control Devices.

Kelly Danielle Tickner, 27 of Pittsburg, is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine between 5 and 15 grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Ammunition/ FOID. Arresting agency Marion Police.

Felony Dispositions 

Cameron E. Adams, 37 of Fresno, Texas, was found guilty of Robbery and amended charges from Armed Robbery/Armed with Firearm; he was sentenced to 3 years in DOC with credit for 104 days served.

Jason C. Spiller, 37 of Herrin, was found not guilty of Domestic Battery/ Other Prior.

DUIs

Cassidy M. Hill, 19 of Marion, 2 counts. Arresting agency Carterville Police 

Donna L. Taitt, 50 of Hurst, 2 counts. Arresting agency Johnston City police 

Ashley L. Byrne, 27 of Carterville, 2 counts. Arresting agency Marion Police 

Leeangelo J. Garrett, 39 of Denver, Colorado, 2 counts. Arresting agency Energy Police 

DUI Dispositions 

Richard A. Cavanaugh, 42 of Herrin, 2 counts DUI; charges dismissed 

Jessi M. Hurley, 37 of Johnston City, DUI; charges dismissed 

Robert J. Stone, 26 of Johnston City, 2 counts; DUI charges dismissed 

Cathy J. Fike, 67 of Herrin, 1 count DUI Alc/Intox Compound; Drug charges dismissed 

Amber D. Lawson, 26 of Johnston City, 2 counts DUI; charges dismissed 

Mathew A. Mitchell, 26 of Carterville, 2 counts DUI; was found guilty on one count and sentenced to 12 months probation and 7 days in jail. Count 2 was dismissed

WILLIAMSON CO., Ill. - Two men from Paris, Illinois, up in Edgar County, were in a vehicle involved in a collision with another, being driven by a Marion man, in Williamson County yesterday.

Illinois State Police in District 13 DuQuoin said the accident occurred in the northbound lane of Interstate 57 at milepost 50 yesterday, Saturday, April 21, at 4 p.m.

Preliminary investigative details indicate that a 2015 Kenworth in 5-axle box combination being operated by Robert L. Abernathy, 70, of Paris up in Edgar County, and a Cadillac being driven by Harry L. Crisp II, 82, of Marion, were northbound at that location. With Abernathy was a passenger, Dale R. Thomas, 63, also of Paris.

The Kenworth was in the left lane passing the Cadillac and came back over into the right lane too soon.

The Cadillac swerved to avoid the Kenworth's trailer, which was encroaching into his lane. Then Crisp overcorrected and struck the right side of the Kenworth's trailer near the rear tandems.

The Cadillac exited the roadway, rolled over, and came to rest upright after striking a tree.

The Kenworth was driven from the scene, however, the Cadillac had to be removed from the scene due to severe damage.

All lanes remained open during the crash investigation and scene cleanup.

Abernathy was cited for Improper Lane Usage.

Both Abernathy and Thomas were uninjured; Crisp, however, had to be transported via ambulance to a local hospital with unspecified injuries.

WILLIAMSON CO., Ill. - The Illinois Department of Transportation would like to alert motorists traveling on Interstate 57 northbound and Interstate 24 eastbound in Williamson County Illinois of an upcoming lane closure.

Beginning tomorrow (Monday, April 23, 2018) at 8:00 a.m., I-24 eastbound will be reduced to one lane at SN 100-0060 which carries I-24 eastbound over I-57 northbound in Williamson County.

The I-24 eastbound lane closure will include the use of concrete barrier. During the closure of this lane on I-24 eastbound, I-57 northbound will be reduced to one lane intermittently with the use of daytime lane closures and flaggers.

This closure is necessary to facilitate the repair of the bridge parapet and rail.

The road is expected to be open by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2018.

IDOT reminds motorists that they should use extreme caution through this work and be aware of speed reduction and traffic control devices.

PALESTINE, Ill. - Palestine Police Chief Jeff Besing has reported two incidents his department has been working over the past several days.

The first involved juveniles and a stolen debit/credit card.

Besing said that on Friday, April 20, he received a report of the card being stolen and approximately $700 in cash withdrawn from ATMs from locations in Palestine and Robinson.

Upon viewing surveillance footage from both locations, Besing identified three suspects. Taken into custody on arresting charges of Class 4 felony Identity Theft and Unlawful Possession of another's credit/debit card, which is a Class A misdemeanor, were: Cody Longest, 19, of Robinson, and two male juveniles, one, age 14, from Robinson, and one, age 17, from Oblong.

The juveniles were detained and released to their parents, with information being filed with the state's attorney for juvenile petitions. Longest, however, was charged, processed and held pending bond.

Besing said his department is also investigating a residential burglary that occurred sometime between 9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, and 7:30 a.m. Friday, April 20. It's reported that person(s) unknown entered the garage area of a residence in the 500 block of West Harrison Street and removed two olive drab-green Plano tubs containing coin collections, jewelry and other personal mementos. Anyone having information pertaining to this burglary is being asked to contact Chief Besing at 618-586-2464 or by calling the Crawford County Crimestoppers Hotline at 1-888-596-7867.

Daniel Desper

WHITE CO., Ill. - If you're going to question your neighbor's property line, be sure you're straight when you do it, and you don't have evidence of NOT being straight in your car.

Of course, hindsight is always 20/20, and that's all that paragraph amounts to: Hindsight for a man who was arrested Friday afternoon in White County.

White County Deputy Randy Graves responded to a call from Brittany Strean Friday afternoon, April 20, at approximately 4:08 p.m., wherein she was making a report of a person attempting to put a fence on her property.

Strean said that she owned the property at 1322 West Sycamore Street in Carmi; she said her family had purchased the property from Gene Desper, who is now deceased. Gene Desper, Strean said, owned property next to Strean, but Strean was unsure of the property line.

On Friday, Daniel Desper, 26, of Carmi, had arrived to place t-posts into the ground. Desper couldn't provide the location of the survey pins; he was able to provide paperwork showing proof of ownership, but couldn't show where the property line was. Graves advised Desper if he could locate the survey pins, it would be the location of the property lines. Desper was unable to locate any pins, so he advised he would leave and check further into the matter.

Graves, however, reported that because he knew Desper and the passenger in his vehicle, Adam Kleine, he felt like neither of them had valid Illinois driver's licenses, so he ran both subjects as they were getting back into the vehicle they'd arrived in, and both came back as revoked drivers.

Along with that, Desper came back as having an arrest warrant out of Jackson County.

While Graves was conferring with dispatch, Desper drove off, headed east on Sycamore. Graves activated his lights and initiated a traffic stop. When he got Desper pulled over, Desper advised that he knew he was driving revoked. He might not've known that his 2017 traffic warrant out of Jackson was going to carry such a high bond, however: $500 cash. Desper was arrested and placed in the cruiser.

While Desper was being prepped to be toted off, Graves checked the passenger compartment of Desper's vehicle and located something in the glove box: A black case with "Ego" written on it. Inside the case was a glass smoking pipe with white residue. The residue field-tested positive for meth. The case and pipe were placed into evidence.

Desper's now facing a felony Possession of Meth charge to go along with the misdemeanor DWLS and the warrant arrest out of Jackson, as well as a civil charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. As of this morning, he was still locked up at the White County jail in Carmi.

An incident earlier on Friday was reported at 9:35 a.m., when Graves responded to the Stanley Poshard residence in reference to a burglary.

Poshard advised that some time after 8 p.m. the night before, someone entered into his wood-sided shed. The door to the shed was locked. The lock was bent but was still attached to the door. Poshard advised how a person would have entered into the building, which will not be described here.

However, inside were multiple tools, and Poshard said that an old plastic case of rusty tools were taken from inside the building. He advised that these weren't worth much, but the other missing items were: two Stihl chainsaw, one being an MS391 25-inch with serial number 503265330.

Poshard told Graves that he also believed someone had entered his residence, noting that there were drawers open that he always left shut.

Anyone with any info on this burglary is encouraged to contact local law enforcement to make a report.

PALESTINE, Ill. - Palestine Chief of Police Jeff Besing has announced the offering of a reward following a burglary this past week.

Besing said that the Crimestoppers board has authorized a $500 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the residential burglary that took place in the 500 block of West Harrison Street last week as reported at this link Sunday.

You do not have to give your name when providing information on crimes advertised through Crimestoppers.

JEFFERSON CO., Ill. - Illinois State Police District 13 is currently on scene of a two-semi crash, I-57 northbound milepost 85 (Jefferson County).  

The right lane is currently closed.  

The lane closure is anticipated to last for an extended period of time.

Be watching for updates.

Attorney General alleges transportation company engaged in discrimination, harassment and invaded privacy of student customer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Attorney General Lisa Madigan today filed a lawsuit against a transportation company for discrimination and harassment against customers and their families.

Madigan filed the lawsuit in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois against Champaign, Ill.-based Suburban Express Inc. and owner Dennis Toeppen, alleging that Toeppen and Suburban Express discriminated against customers on the basis of race, national origin and religion, harassed customers with public shame and ridicule, and intentionally compromised customers’ personal information. Suburban Express is a company that provides bus services to students at colleges and universities in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana to the suburban Chicago area and Chicago airports.

According to Madigan’s complaint, Toeppen engaged in discrimination against customers, including a December 2017 mass-marketing email to customers that touted bus rides with, “Passengers like you. You won’t feel like you’re in China when you’re on our buses.”

Madigan’s lawsuit also alleges Suburban Express encourages its employees to avoid certain students who appear not to speak English when distributing coupons for bus services. The lawsuit also alleges Toeppen posted a video mocking students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, complaining that English is not the primary language spoken in one of the undergraduate residence halls offensively imitating an Asian accent.

“Suburban Express and Dennis Toeppen have engaged in illegal discrimination and harassment against college students and their families,” Madigan said. “I am asking the court to take immediate action to prevent further harm to people who have been targeted by Suburban Express and its owner, and my lawsuit seeks to shut this company down for good.”

According to Madigan’s complaint, Toeppen goes to extreme lengths to ban and publicly shame or embarrass customers who have posted negative online reviews, mistakenly tried to use the wrong bus ticket or offended Toeppen in other ways. He responds to negative online reviews by ridiculing and insulting customers, sometimes encouraging potential employers to avoid hiring them or universities not to enroll certain students. Toeppen also publishes web pages attacking individual customers and has published full credit card numbers, bank account numbers and other personal information.

Along with her lawsuit, Madigan also filed a motion for a temporary restraining order asking the court to take immediate action to force the owner of Suburban Express to stop publishing customers’ personal financial information, stop harassment toward customers, and stop forcing them to accept unfair contract terms. Her lawsuit seeks to put Suburban Express out of business.

The case is being handled by the Attorney General’s Special Litigation Bureau and Civil Rights Bureau. The Civil Rights Bureau enforces state and federal civil rights laws to prohibit discrimination in Illinois and advocates for legislation to strengthen those laws. Madigan encourages people who want to file a complaint to do so online or by calling her Civil Rights Hotline at 1-877-581-3692.

Bureau Chief Jeanne Witherspoon and Assistant Attorneys General Thomas Verticchio, Elizabeth Hady and Matthew Chimienti are handling the lawsuit for Madigan’s Special Litigation Bureau. Assistant Attorneys General Jeffrey VanDam and Alison Hill are handling the lawsuit for Madigan’s Civil Rights Bureau.

CLAY CO., Ill. - Clay County Sheriff Andy Myers has released a brief department activity report for April 17 through 19, and here it is.

April 17, Kyle Locklear, 28, Marion, was arrested on an outstanding Clay County warrant for Failure to Appear on the original charge of Retail Theft. Bond set at $2,500.00 (10 percent), plus $75.00 warrant fee. He appeared in Clay County Court and was released.

April 17, Clay County Sheriff's Deputy arrested Chad Wiley, 46, Clay City, for Domestic Battery. Wiley appeared in Clay County court and bond was set at $2,500.00 (10 percent). He posted bond and was released.

April 18, Michael S. Funk, 29, Breese, was arrested on an outstanding Clay County warrant for Petition to Revoke Probation on the original charge of Retail Theft. Bond set in the amount of $10,000.00 (10 percent). He is currently incarcerated in the Clay County Jail.

April 18, Terry Knolhoff, 47, Coffeen, was arrested on an outstanding Clay County warrant for Failure to Appear on the original charge of Obstructing Identification. Bond set in the amount of $3,000.00 (10 percent), plus $75.00 warrant fee. He posted bond and was released.

April 19, Clay County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Brian Louis-Jacques, 39, Clay City, for Driving While Driver's License Suspended, Operation of Vehicle when Registration is Suspended and Operating an Uninsured Motor vehicle. He was given a Notice to Appear and released.

WHITE CO., Ill. - White County Sheriff Doug Maier has announced an upcoming drug take-back date for his county.

Maier announced this morning that this coming Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the White County Sheriff's Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 15th opportunity in 7 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the White County Sheriff's Department at 108 N Main Cross St., Carmi.

The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps; only pills and patches.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last fall, Americans turned in 456 tons (912,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,300 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 14 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 9 million pounds - more than 4,500 tons - of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else's medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines - flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash - both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more info about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 28 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.

UPDATE: Saline County has identified the driver as Henry E. Brokaw.

Below is the original post.

SALINE CO., Ill. - Illinois State Police worked a single-vehicle accident this afternoon in Saline County that occurred about three-quarters of a mile south of Carrier Mills.

ISP reports that the wreck occurred on U.S. 45 at 1:01 p.m. today (Monday, April 23).

At that time, ISP said, a black 2007 Chevy minivan being driven by a 64-year-old male from Paducah, Kentucky, was northbound on 45 and attempted to pass another vehicle at a high rate of speed.

The minivan ran off the west side of the roadway, but continued northbound on that side, striking a tree.

The driver, who remains unnamed, was fatally injured in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Saline County Deputy Coroner.

ISP was assisted at the scene by Carrier Mills Fire Department, Saline County Sheriff's Department, Saline County Coroner, Transcare Ambulance, Saline County Ambulance, and Winters Towing.

WABASH CO., Ill. - Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan has released information regarding activity his department was engaged in over the weekend and right up through to today, April 23…and it was filled with the same kind of nonsense seen in other counties this past weekend.

Carmi residents busted in Wabash on the way to 420 party

Ryan Weccele

Lynn Shiever

Some people just don’t understand that they need to take exceptional care when traveling with weed…since it’s still not completely decriminalized in Illinois.

Either that...or just party at home, alone, if you're not going to be more careful in your excursions.

This was evidenced when, on Friday, April 20 at 7:01 p.m., Wabash County deputies stopped a black Pontiac for speeding on Highway 1 just south of Keensburg. 

Eric Shiever

During the stop, K9 Roy was utilized for a free air narcotics sniff and alerted on the Pontiac. Subsequently, deputies found approximately 46 grams of cannabis. 

The occupants of the vehicle advised they were headed to Carmi for a 4-20 party. Taken into custody were Ryan J. Weccele, 20; Lynn E. Shiever, 55; and Eric Bryce Shiever, 20, all of Carmi. 

The trio have been charged with Cannabis Delivery, a Class 3 felony. Weccele and Eric Shiever posted $1000 cash bond; and Lynn Shiever was released on her own recognizance. 

Out-of-county warrant

Jessica Bilotta

On April 21 at 1:43 p.m., the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office made a traffic stop at E 400 Rd. and Highway 1 for a traffic violation. A passenger in the vehicle, Jessica Bilotta, 29 of Mt. Carmel, was taken into custody on an out-of-county warrant. Bilotta later posted a $375 cash bond. 

Busted for Burglary

Jered Wagner

On April 22 at 1213 p.m. the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jered W. Wagner, 34, of Keensburg. Wagner had an active warrant for Burglary with bond being set at $3,000 cash. Wagner is accused of entering a building in the rural Keensburg area in the early morning hours on April 10, with the intent to commit a felony or theft. Wagner remains in the Wabash County Jail.

Lil Chelse, busted again

Chelse Wilkinson

On April 23 at 2:04 p.m., the Wabash County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the Mt. Carmel Police Department, stopped a 2007 Chevy Tahoe reference a reckless driving complaint from the Gibson County Sheriff's Office (Indiana).

K9 Ace was requested for a free air narcotics sniff and alerted on the vehicle. Deputies and officers discovered hypodermic syringes and an unknown substance.

The driver, Chelse Wilkinson, 25, was taken into custody and charged with Possession of Hypodermic Syringes.

Wilkinson was released on a $150 cash bond; further charges are pending.