On February 4th, 2023 at approximately 9:45 p.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Joplin and Grand Street. Through investigation, police arrested Devin L. Eubanks, age 26, of Sesser for driving while license suspended. Eubanks was provided a copy of his citation and was later released from the scene.

On February 4th, 2023 at approximately 11p.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 700 block of West Main Street. Through investigation, police arrested Audrey C. Shadowens, age 21, of Herrin for driving while license suspended. Shadowens was provided a copy of her citation and was later released from the scene.

On February 7th, 2023 at approximately 1:30 a.m., Benton Police arrested Michael S. Newberry, age 38, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear for retail theft. Newberry was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On February 7th, 2023 at approximately 9:15 p.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 700 block of North Ninth Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. Through investigation, police arrested Samantha D. Thebeau, age 31, of Benton for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Thebeau also had an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear for theft. Thebeau was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Lawyers for R. Kelly early Friday asked a federal judge in Chicago to sentence the disgraced R&B singer to about 11 years in prison for his conviction last year for repeatedly sexually abusing his teenage goddaughter and others on videotape decades ago.

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SPRINGFIELD — Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s second-term legislative agenda will kick off in earnest next week as he proposes his fifth annual state budget to lawmakers in the General Assembly.

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