by Steve Dunford

FREEMAN SPUR, IL –  In a busy twenty-four hours for local fire departments, West Frankfort fire fighters were called to a fully involved structure fire on Lake Creek Road, just north of the village of Freeman Spur, yesterday afternoon around 4:30 p.m.

It was another MABAS box alarm, as Benton, Zeigler, Williamson County, West City, Johnston City, and Ewing-Northern were called to the scene.

The amount of loss is undetermined.

Press release from Franklin County Sheriff, Donald Jones

7/7/ 17 at 10:49 am, Deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash on Illinois 14, one-half mile west of Rend City Road.  A 2014 Victory motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Route 14, behind a 2014 Toyota Sienna.  The motorcycle rear ended the Toyota.  Nichole Broenking, 37 of Pinckneyville was uninjured.  The motorcycle rider Joseph Phelps, 41 of DuQuoin, received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital.  He was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, operation of an uninsured vehicle, and a violation of drivers license classification.

7-9-17 at 3:13 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Orient Blacktop at intersection with Orient Road. A 2003 Hyundai Elantra driven by Brittany M. Hickman Age 22 of West Frankfort was west bound and failed to stop at the intersection, coming to a halt in a ditch. There were no injuries. The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

7-9-17 at 4:33 pm a traffic stop at the North Marcum Beach resulted in the arrest of Joshua C. Watkins Age 39 of Carmi. Watkins is a registered sexual predator and was charged for being within a public park. This charge is a class A misdemeanor.

7-9-17 at 9:03 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort that resulted in the arrest of Christopher R. Brinkmeier Age 44 of Benton for misdemeanor criminal damage to property.

7-9-17 at 11:00 pm Deputies responded to a reported dispute at a residence in Orient.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of Dakota Joly McClure Age 26 of Kansas City, Missouri. She was arrested as a fugitive that had absconded from parole on the state of Missouri. The investigation also resulted in the recovery of a 2007 Honda TRX250 ATV reported stolen July 8^th in rural West Frankfort. On 7-11-17 Bryan E. Hollis Jr. Age 29 of Orient was charged with theft.

7-10-17 at 4:22 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in Freeman Spur that resulted in the arrest of Ronnie Absher Age 47 of Freeman Spur for Domestic Battery.

7-11-17 at 4:41 pm Deputies responded to a four vehicle crash on IL. Rt. 37 at Yellow Banks Road. A 2008 Ford Crown Vic driven by Malissa L. South Age 50 of Christopher was east bound on Yellow Banks Road. She had stopped, intending to proceed east across Rt. 37 onto Rumblers Crossing. The Ford pulled into the path of a south bound 2000 Chevrolet driven by Joshua J. Martin Age 38 of Johnston City. The Ford struck the

Chevrolet pushing it into a 2006 Chrysler driven by Christina Sue Orcutt-Silva Age 33 of Christopher. The Chrysler had been north bound and was stopped in traffic waiting to make a left turn into Yellow Banks Road. The Chrysler was forced by the impact into a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Pick-Up that was behind the Chrysler. The Pick-Up was driven by Jimmie R. Rodgers Age 25 of Cisne. All the vehicles received major damage, but only minor injuries were reported with all refusing medical treatment with West Frankfort Fire E.M.S. that had also responded to the scene. The driver of the Ford Crown Vic, Malissa South, was ticketed for failure to yield right of way.

7-12-17 at 1:25 am Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Benton that resulted in the arrest of the Dustin R. Swain Age 23 of Benton for domestic battery. Swan is charged as a felon as well as being a parole violator.

7-12-17 at 9:00am Deputies responded to a reported suspicions person in the North

Sandusky Campground of Rend Lake. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Steve D. Bratton Age 57 of Woodlawn. Bratton was charged with being a convicted child sex offender loitering with a public park. The charge is a class A misdemeanor.

7-12-17 at 8:31 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in Valier that resulted in the arrest of Dennis C. Donaldson Age 47 of Valier for domestic battery.

7-13-17 at 3:12 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on State Hwy. Rt. 37 north of Benton. A 1999 Toyota Camry driven by Kathryn F. Wilkerson Age 32 of Benton was south bound on Rt. 37 when the driver lost control, left the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned. The driver received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott’s E.M.S. She will be cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and for driving while license suspended.

WARRANTS

7-10-17 Jason S. Lyell Age 42 of Christopher. Failure to appear on unlawful interference with public utility.

7-10-17 Devin A. O’Daniell Age 23 of Royalton. Failure to appear on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge.

7-10-17 Donna S. Carroll Age 33 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for obstructing identification.

7-11-17 Melissa L. Fears Age 27 of Granite City. Failure to appear on traffic charges.
7-13-17 Kristen L. Clevenger Age 29 of Sesser. Unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

7-13-17 Brooke A. Burnett Age 31 of Herrin. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

7-13-17 Antwon M. Brown Age 28 of Carbondale. Failure to appear on a retail heft charge.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff Don Jones