Three people were seriously injured in an early morning crash July 4 in Franklin County.

According to a report from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, John M. McCrelles, 51, of Ohatchee, AL was traveling westbound on Park Street Road and failed to stop at the intersection of Route 148 and struck a small pickup truck being driven by Jonathan A. Hood, 22, of Tamaroa, IL, who was southbound. The Park Street/Route 148 intersection has been the site of several serious accidents in the past.

McCrelles, and a passenger in his vehicle, Jeffrey S. Boatwright, 29, of Wellington, AL, received major injuries and were transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. Hood also received major injuries and was air evacuated to an out-of-state hospital. The crash is still under investigation and citations are pending.

On June 29, 2018 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Route 14 and Central Street.

During the stop, Benton Police K9 “Ranger” alerted on the odor of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.   Upon investigating, police arrested the driver Jason Pruitt, age 33, of Madison IL for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and driving while license revoked.  Pruitt was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 29,2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the area of the intersection of East Main and McLeansboro Street in reference to a verbal altercation.

Upon investigating, police arrested Adam J. Matthias, age 29, of Benton for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

On June 29, 2018 Benton Police arrested Dennis C. Summers, age 24, of Bonnie, IL on an active Franklin County warrant for petition to revoke.

Summers was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

CARBONDALE — Local legislators are calling for the removal of Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn after documents revealed the extent of his involvement in a reallocation proposal and a bill to separate the Edwardsville and Carbondale campuses.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Staff Report

A motion has been filed asking for a new trial for Brian Pheasant, the 45-year-old Christopher man convicted in the Oct. 31, 2016 shooting death of his wife, Beth Pheasant.

Following a two week jury trial, Brian Pheasant was convicted on May 22, 2018 in the death of his wife.

Defense attorney Paula Newcomb filed the motion June 20 asking for a new trial and a hearing date has been set for July 13 at 1 p.m.

Brian Pheasant is also scheduled to appear for a sentencing hearing on July 27 at 1 p.m.

Independence Day is approaching and that means it’s time for fireworks displays.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Another Illinois case dealing with mandatory union fees is getting the go-ahead for reconsideration from the U.S. Supreme Court, and it could mean a refund of billions of dollars in fees unconstitutionally forced from government workers.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Justice Anthony Kennedy announced Wednesday that he is retiring from the Supreme Court, a move that will give President Donald Trump a chance to replace the pivotal justice and solidify a more conservative majority on the court that plays a crucial role in American life

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

A case that split the U.S. Supreme Court along ideological lines generated fresh partisan reaction Wednesday.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

CHICAGO — The Supreme Court’s ruling in an Illinois labor case gave Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner a rare victory in his campaign to weaken public-worker unions and something to tout in a tough re-election battle.

Here’s a link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.