Franklin County Sheriff’s Report

BENTON – The public is reminded that all parties are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

11-19-17 at 12:24 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on ll. Rt. 14 at
North Thompsonville Road. A 2007 Dodge Ram driven by Brian S. Adams age 45 of Dahlgren was west bound on Rte 14 and impacted a 2011 Ford Taurus driven
by Jeffrey S. Jackson age 47 of Manteno, ll. There were no injuries and Brian
Adams was cited for operating an uninsured vehicle and for failure to reduce
speed to avoid an accident.

11-22-17 at 5:12 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash in Royalton. A
2002 Pontiac driven by Samantha D. Samples age 16 of Royalton was south
bound on North Main St., when a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Zachary L. Staggs age 16 of Royalton was east bound on 2 nd St. and attempted to cross Main St. in front of the Pontiac, causing the crash. Samantha Samples was transported to a local hospital by Abbott’s EMS with major injuries. Zachary Staggs was uninsured and was ticketed for failing to yield right of way.

11-25-17 at 1:35 am Deputies responded to a disturbance reported in the Gun
Creek Campground at Rend Lake. The investigation resulted in the arrest of James D. Long age 36 of Galatia for driving while license suspended and driving under the influence.

11-25-17 Deputies responded to a reported disturbance at a residence in rural Benton at 10:58 pm. The investigation resulted in the arrests of Brandtlee A. Brown age 19 of Benton, Ashton R. Crawford age 18 of Benton, Elissa C. Brown age 18 of Benton and Nicholas H. Goffinet age 19 of Benton for illegal consumption of alcohol. Also charged with underage drinking were four juvenile males and two juvenile females. The juveniles were released to their parents or guardian. This incident is still under investigation and more arrests and charges are possible.

11-25-17 at 8:20 am Deputies responded to a reported domestic dispute at the Rend Lake Marina. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Koltyn W. Irvin age 28 of Benton for violation of bail bond (domestic battery).

11-27-17 at 1:11 am a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrests of David M. Cloe age 47 of West Frankfort for felony driving while license revoked and Suzanna M. Kraus age 58 of Marion, who was wanted for possession of a controlled substance.

11-27-17 at 9:15 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on ll. Rt. 149 1/4 mile west of Parrish Circle. A 2010 Buick Lacrosse driven by John A. Raski age 75 of Zeigler was stationary in a construction zone, traveling east bound, waiting for the flagger to signal proceed. A 2005 Buick Rendezvous SUV was also east bound, driven by Carl R. Trusty age 82 of Zeigler failed to stop and rearended the Lacrosse. There were no injuries and Carl Trusty was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

11-27-17 at 11:52 am a traffic stop on Rt. 37 south of Benton resulted in three arrests: Travis K. Hicks age 31 of Belleville was wanted on a warrant charging possession of methamphetamine. He was also charged with driving while license revoked. Also arrested was Stephanie M. Carr age 28 of West Frankfort who was wanted for two failure to appear warrants on traffic charges. Also arrested was Amy E. Newton age 30 of West Frankfort. She was wanted on a failure to appear warrant for possession of methamphetamine and new charges for possession for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and for attempting to smuggle drugs and drug contraband into the county jail. (class 1 felony).

11-27-17 at 1:29 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on ll. Hwy. 154 two miles west of ll. Rt. 37. A 1997 Plymouth Breeze driven by Jonathan R. Lowery age 21 of Benton was east bound on Rt. 154 when it left the north side of the roadway, then over corrected, traveling back across both lanes of traffic and striking a guardrail. The driver was ejected from the vehicle. The driver received major injuries and was air lifted to an out of state hospital. The driver will be ticketed for operating an uninsured vehicle and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

11-30-17 at 5:11 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Licata Road and Mine 24 Road. A 2014 Mazda driven by William J. Franklin age 21 of Benton was traveling west of Licata Rd., lost control leaving the roadway on the north side, striking a sign, mailbox and then down into a ditch. The driver was initially transported by Abbott’s EMS to a local hospital with major injuries. He was later transferred to an out of state trauma center. He has been ticketed for no valid driver’s license and failure to reduce speed to avoid and accident. The crash is still under investigation as alcohol if believed to have been a factor.

11-30-17 at 7:07 am Deputies responded to a reported suspicious person at Payne’s Service Center in Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of David M. Rector age 32 of Eldorado on a Hamilton County theft warrant.

11-30-17 at 6:53 pm Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in rural West
Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jared E. Shoraga age 39 of West Frankfort for domestic battery, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence and endangering the life and health of a child.

WARRANTS

11-27-17 Shane M. Tate age 26 Benton. Failure to appear for aggravated battery.

11-27-17 Trent R. Potts age 29 of Mulkeytown. Domestic Battery and unlawful restraint

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11-27-17 Darian L. Miller age 23 of Belle Rive. Failure to appear for transmitting H.I.V. and possession of drug paraphernalia.

11-29-17 Ryan H. Murphy age 37 of West Frankfort. Domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery.

11-30-17 Ali R. Boczek age 19 of Dubois. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

11-30-17 Cody L. Summers age 18 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on traffic charges

Bomb threat at Capitol

SPRINGFIELD –  There was a bomb threat this afternoon at the Illinois State Capitol.  The all clear was given around 5:30 p.m.

Please click on the link below for the story and video from Leslie Fannon of WCIA in Champaign.

http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/local-news/bomb-threat-at-capitol/874941541

RLC Child Psychology decorates for Festival of Tree event

INA, IL – Students enrolled in Dr. Jeannie Mitchell’s Child Psychology class decorated a Christmas tree in the spirit of Jack Skellington and the film “The Nightmare Before Christmas” for the Festival of Trees event in Mt. Vernon, proceeds of which benefit Spero Family Services. Pictured is, in alphabetical order, Courtnee Bradham (Waltonville), Robyn Burzynski (Opdyke), Bayley Eubanks (Sesser), Kamber Pyszka (Scheller), Alicia Rutherford (Mt. Vernon), Randi Smith (Marion), Danielle Sitzes (Cisne), Karrina Stanley (Mulkeytown), Kayla Tindall (Sesser), and Katlyn Weis (Coulterville).
(RLC Public Information)

Benton Police make three arrests over the weekend

BENTON, IL- On December 1st, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Virginia Street in reference to a criminal trespass complaint.
Upon investigating, police arrested Jennifer R. Shelton, age 28, of Benton for criminal trespass. Shelton was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On December 1st, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 800 block of Highland Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.
Upon investigating, police arrested Brandon Rodriguez, age 30, of Ellenboro, NC for domestic battery. Rodriguez was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On December 2nd, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 400 block of Lickliter Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.
Upon investigating, police arrested Zachary Odam, age 30, of Benton for domestic battery and unlawful restraint.
Odam was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Franklin County Bicentennial Ceremony – Location Change/Schedule

Franklin County Government officials will hold a ceremony on Monday, December 4th, 2017 at 12:00 PM at the Franklin County Courthouse to honor the Illinois Bicentennial as well as the Bicentennial of the County of Franklin. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event on the NORTH lawn/entrance of the Franklin County Courthouse located at 1 Public Square in Benton, IL

Schedule of Events

 Opening Remarks & Welcome – Randall Crocker, Chairman of the County Board

 Flag Raising Ceremony – American Legion #280, VFW #2671

 Pledge of Allegiance – State Representative David Severin

 National Anthem – Jaidyn M. Buckingham

 History of Illinois Remarks – Bob Rea

 Resolution Presentation – Illinois Bicentennial – Jim Muir, Circuit Clerk

 History of Franklin County Remarks – John Gulley

 Resolution Presentation – Franklin County Bicentennial – Keith Jones, Treasurer

 Closing Remarks – Randall Crocker, Chairman of the County Board

Major warehouse fire in Mt. Vernon

Mt. Vernon Register-News photo

MT. VERNON- Mt. Vernon Fire Department responded to a large fire at around 12:45 p.m. Saturday at a warehouse at 13th Street and Logan Street.

Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent said the warehouse was being used by Kendrick Paper Stock Co. to store cardboard, paper and other materials.

Please click on the link below to follow this story from the Mt. Vernon Register-News.

http://www.register-news.com/news/major-fire-breaks-out-at-th-and-logan/article_f498b2c4-d799-11e7-b814-4b8f2bb5df4e.html

Marion Mayor Bob Butler to retire

MARION – A long time icon in Southern Illinois politics Marion Mayor Bob Butler will be retiring from office effective January 31, 2018.

Please click on the following link to read the statement issued by Mayor Butler to WSIL-TV.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36972647/marion-mayor-bob-butler-to-retire-in-january

 

Franklin County to hold Bicentennial ceremony for County and State

BENTON, IL- Franklin County Government officials will hold a ceremony on Monday, December 4th, 2017 at 12:00 PM at the Franklin County Courthouse to honor the Illinois Bicentennial as well as the Bicentennial of the County of Franklin. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event on the south lawn of the Courthouse. The event schedule will include guest speakers, presentation of proclamations, and a flag raising ceremony.

GOP lawmakers, pro-life groups sue state over taxpayer-funded abortion measure

SPRINGFIELD – A group of Republican Illinois lawmakers and pro-life organizations are suing the state of Illinois in an attempt to block controversial new legislation that would allow taxpayer dollars to be used to pay for elective abortions in the state.

The Thomas More Society said it filed the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs and taxpayers across the state today in Sangamon County Circuit Court to halt implementation of House Bill 40.

“The people of Illinois totally reject taxpayer-funded abortions,” Thomas More Society Special Counsel Peter Breen, who drafted the lawsuit, said in a statement. Breen also is a Republican state representative from Lombard.

Please click on the link below for the full story from Illinois News Radio Network.

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/gop-lawmakers-pro-life-groups-sue-state-over-taxpayer-funded/article_cb6106c0-d5f7-11e7-9ecf-0bbd0fbfaf53.html

 

Sen. Fowler hosts first Veterans Advisory Committee

MARION, IL – On November 27th, Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) hosted his first-ever Veterans Advisory Committee at the Carnegie Library in Marion, inviting local veterans and veteran service providers throughout the region to join him for a discussion about the issues important to the veterans in the 59th Senate District.

“Our veterans give so much to our nation and ask for so little in return. We have a responsibility to ensure that their voice is heard and their needs are represented,” said Sen. Fowler. “Yesterday’s event was about giving our veterans a platform to openly discuss the issues that matter to them and provide me with feedback on the needs of our veterans.”

Almost 30 veterans and veteran service providers joined Senator Fowler for his first meeting, discussing issues including housing for veterans, healthcare access, available services provided by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the need for skilled and basic care providers, honor flights and concealed carry issues.

“I’m excited about taking what I heard from our discussion, moving forward and doing more to ensure that we’re taking care of the brave men and women who have already sacrificed so much so that we can have the opportunities and freedoms we enjoy today,” said Sen. Fowler. “This is just the first of what I hope is many conversations, and I’m excited to take what I heard in our meeting and work to better represent the interests of our veterans in state government.”

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News