Courts, Police & Fire

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

University police detain man with toy gun on campus

URBANA – University of Illinois police have detained a Champaign man with a toy gun on campus.

 

Jon White victim reaches tentative settlement with Urbana school district

URBANA – Another of the victims of former Urbana school teacher Jon White has reached a tentative settlement with the Urbana school district.

The child will receive $390,000 in present value money, according to the terms of an agreement filed in Champaign County Circuit Court on Tuesday.

Champaign has long history of being reshaped by fire

Almost from its beginnings, downtown Champaign has been regularly remade by fire.

The Nov. 7 blaze that destroyed the 1870s-vintage Metropolitan Building was the latest in a series of fires that was at once a loss and an opportunity. There is hardly a block of the city's downtown district that hasn't been touched by flames, and its appearance has evolved as a result.

Danville businesses cited for liquor license violations

DANVILLE – Nine local businesses were cited for liquor license violations Nov. 6 after allegedly selling alcohol to minors.

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission and the Danville police conducted an undercover operation earlier this month.

Mahomet man, woman face drug charges

URBANA – A Mahomet man and woman are due in court next month on felony drug charges.

Timothy Kilman, 43, was arraigned Monday on a Class 1 felony charge of possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

Local men accused of selling crack cocaine

URBANA – Two local men face federal drug charges accusing them of selling crack cocaine.

Pierre D. Blake, also known as "K.D.," 28, whose last known address was in the 1000 block of North Walnut Street, Champaign, was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on two counts of distribution of more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, a count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Second Urbana man arraigned in apartment burglary case

URBANA – A second Urbana man is accused of an apartment burglary last month.

Harrison Burnett, 20, who listed an address in the 1600 block of Melrose Valley Court, was arraigned Tuesday on a Class 1 felony charge of residential burglary and a misdemeanor charge of trespassing.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Another Jon White victim reaches tentative settlement

URBANA — Another of the victims of former Urbana school teacher Jon White has reached a tentative settlement with the Urbana school district.

The child will receive $390,000, according to the terms of an agreement filed in Champaign County Circuit Court on Tuesday.

Young vandals sentenced to probation in Mahomet case

URBANA – A Mahomet couple whose home was vandalized by several underage drinkers while they were away expressed disappointment at the sentence four of them received Monday.

"They were given a gift today," Joan Gorsuch said of the plea agreements entered into by four of 10 young people accused of damaging her rural home as she, husband Neil and their two sons vacationed in Europe in late June 2007.

Jury: Squad-car death an accident, motorcyclists' a homicide

URBANA – A Champaign County coroner's jury ruled Monday that the death of a Rantoul man who died in police custody was an accident.

Deputy Coroner Bill Fabian said Darren Wilson, 40, of 1125 Bel Air Drive, died of cocaine intoxication. He was pronounced dead at 9:11 p.m. July 18 at Carle Foundation Hospital, less than two hours after Rantoul police were sent to a fight at his home.

Traffic coping after section of Neil Street closed

CHAMPAIGN – Two southbound lanes of Neil Street in downtown Champaign were closed by the city Monday afternoon – and could remain closed for an extended period – because of concerns that a fire-damaged law-office building could collapse into the street.

The city closed Neil Street near the building, just south of the intersection with Main and Church streets, at 1 p.m. Monday. The sidewalk on the west side of Neil was also closed.

Man arraigned on sex assault, probation revocation charges

URBANA – A former Champaign man accused of rape and probation violation in separate cases was arraigned Monday on local charges after being extradited from Indiana.

Michael S. Jackson, 23, who formerly lived on Summit Ridge in Champaign and most recently lived in Indiana, was arraigned Monday on two felony counts of criminal sexual assault and, in a separate case, a petition to revoke his probation on a misdemeanor trespassing case.

Man accused of battery, home invasion

CHAMPAIGN – A Burbank man is accused of forcing his way into a Champaign apartment and beating his ex-girlfriend, who is three months pregnant.

Robert R. Delgado, 52, who listed a Burbank address, was arraigned Monday on charges of home invasion and aggravated battery to a pregnant person.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Hazards from fire close section of Neil Street

CHAMPAIGN – A section of Neil Street is being closed due to possible hazards from a fire that destroyed one building and damaged others Nov. 7.

Champaign fire officials announced Monday that the closure was to be completed Monday afternoon.

Engineers take another look at shared wall

CHAMPAIGN – A fire truck was once again at the scene of downtown's Metropolitan Building Sunday, but only for a structural check.

Engineers hired by the law firm Dobbins Fraker Tennant Joy & Perlstein re-inspected the shared wall between the firm and the Metropolitan Building, which was destroyed in a Nov. 7 fire. The law firm's three-story building at 215 N. Neil St. was heavily damaged in the fire.

St. Joseph woman hurt in Interstate 74 crash

URBANA – A St. Joseph woman was injured Sunday when the car she was riding in was sideswiped by another car.

Illinois State Police at Pesotum said Ashley A. Stephens, 23, of Tilton, was driving east on Interstate 74, just east of Urbana, about 6 p.m. Sunday when she changed from the left to the right lane.

Vandals spray-paint apartment buildings, car

URBANA – Two apartment buildings and a car near the University of Illinois campus were spray painted by vandals Saturday.

Police said an apartment building in the 800 block of West Illinois Street, owned by Campus Property Management, was spray-painted between 3 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. A 2007 Hyundai parked outside was also vandalized, police reports said.

Metropolitan Building visitors revisit memories of 'grand lady'

We asked you to send us your memories of the Metropolitan Building after fire destroyed it on Nov. 7. Notes arrived from several eras – the late 1920s and '30s, the '50s and '60s, '80s and '90s.

From the popcorn wagon outdoors to the high ceilings upstairs, the building held a special place in the hearts of residents for a variety of reasons.

Here are excerpts (You can read more — or add your own — by clicking on this link):

Champaign police seek info on teens throwing bricks at buses

Champaign County Crimestoppers and Champaign police investigators are seeking information about youths throwing paving bricks at buses.

At 1:11 a.m. Nov. 8, police officers were sent to Market Street and Bradley Avenue in Champaign. They were told that four or five youths were seen standing on the southwest corner of the intersection. As three Lincolnland Express buses went through, one of the youths was seen throwing a paving brick that shattered the windshield of one. Another brick shattered two full-size passenger windows of another. Some of the passengers were sprayed with glass. One passenger was hit by a brick and suffered minor facial injuries.

Woman accused of stealing from church due in court

URBANA – A woman who used to work for an Urbana church is due back in court in December after being charged with stealing thousands of dollars from the church.

Christel Spellmeyer, 32, now of Cape Coral, Fla., was charged in September with theft over $10,000 and unlawful use of a credit card in connection with money taken from the credit card of the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, 602 W. Green St., U.

Man sought in Urbana robbery try

URBANA – An armed robber got away with no money after the intended victim refused to hand over his wallet at an Urbana gas station Saturday night.

The attempted robbery occurred about 5:30 p.m. outside Circle K at 1821 S. Philo Road, U, police said.

Traffic stop yields two arrests for drugs

URBANA – Two women from Champaign-Urbana were arrested for having marijuana packaged for sale following a traffic stop in Urbana.

A car with an expired registration was stopped near Lierman Avenue and Washington Street at 9:38 p.m. Friday, according to an Urbana police report.

Wintry conditions cause several vehicles to leave Interstate 74

ST. JOSEPH - Slushy road conditions sent several vehicles off Interstate 74 early Saturday evening.

State police were called to the area between St. Joseph and the overpass about 7 p.m. Saturday.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

No injuries reported in house fire in north central Champaign

CHAMPAIGN – No major injuries were reported Saturday night from a fire that significantly damaged a residence on Beardsley Street.

Champaign Deputy Fire Chief Tim Wild said firefighters were called out at 9:14 p.m. to 205 W. Beardsley St.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Urban League closes in wake of financial woes, investigations

CHAMPAIGN – The 45-year-old Urban League of Champaign County closed its doors Friday.

The closure comes on the heels of mounting financial problems, state and federal investigations and a soon-to-be-released audit for fiscal 2006-2007, according to a press release from the organization late Friday night.

Judge excuses Covenant from turning tax money over for now

URBANA – Provena Covenant Medical Center can hang onto its multimillion-dollar tax refund from Champaign County for now, a Champaign County judge has ordered.

The Urbana hospital is also excused – for now, at least – from paying its 2007 property taxes, until the Illinois Supreme Court either resolves whether Covenant qualifies for a religious or charitable tax exemption or declines to hear the case.

UI student accused of selling LSD from her dormitory

CHAMPAIGN – A University of Illinois student is accused of selling LSD from her dorm.

Alyssa Kruse, 18, of Hopkins Hall, was arraigned Friday on a Class 2 felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance.

Chicago man receives 3-year term in Urbana abuse case

URBANA – A Chicago man who fondled a woman as she slept in bed with her husband was sentenced Friday to three years in prison.

Keith Harris, 42, had been convicted in September of criminal sexual abuse by a Champaign County jury for an act on July 5 at a home in Urbana.

Champaign County Board member faces battery charge

URBANA – A Champaign County board member has been criminally charged for slapping a man in the face at a grain elevator last month.

Christian Doenitz, 47, a Republican from District 1 in rural Mahomet, was charged Friday with misdemeanor battery by special prosecutor James Dedman, an Urbana attorney.

Additional sexual misconduct charges filed against Ogden man

URBANA – Additional charges of inappropriate sexual conduct with children have been lodged against an Ogden man.

Bobby Morris, 39, appeared in Champaign County Circuit Court Friday to be arraigned on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, a misdemeanor.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Urban League of Champaign County closes after 45 years

CHAMPAIGN – The 45-year-old Urban League of Champaign County closed its doors Friday.

The closure comes on the heels of mounting financial problems, state and federal investigations and a soon-to-be-released audit for fiscal 2006-2007, according to a press release from the organization late Friday night.

"From a financial standpoint, it was a very simple decision. There was no alternative. From an emotional perspective and a loss to the community, it was an incredibly difficult decision," said interim Executive Director Sandra Jones.

Two Central High School students arrested following school fight

CHAMPAIGN – Police arrested two Central High School students following an after-school fight Friday afternoon.

Sgt. David Griffet said an officer witnessed the two 15-year-old boys fighting at the corner of Church and Lynn streets.

Urban League's announcement

Release from the Urban League of Champaign County issued at 11 p.m. Friday.

"The Board of the Urban League of Champaign County announces its decision to close the League as of November 14, 20008. The Board recognizes the import of the decision for the community and arrives at this juncture with the deepest regret over the loss of an organization devoted to equal rights and individual skill and opportunity development. It wishes to thank those agencies, organizations and governmental entities who have worked to help transition services for those citizens served by the League. It is in the best interest of the community and the clients served to maintain viable programs in settings that can adequately sustain such programming. The transfers arranged collaboratively with every agency and funding entity accomplish this important objective, a top priority of the Board.

Shots fired into Champaign apartment; none injured

CHAMPAIGN – Police are investigating a home invasion in which shots were fired into a Champaign apartment Wednesday night.

Someone apparently forced open a door to an apartment at 88 West Apartments, 2001 Moreland Boulevard, C, at 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, according to Champaign police Lt. Jon Swenson. The unknown person fired three shots into the apartment, he said.

Police looking for youths who threw bricks at buses

CHAMPAIGN – Police are investigating a report of youths throwing bricks at buses in Champaign last weekend.

At 1:11 a.m. Saturday, officers were sent to Market Street and Bradley Avenue in Champaign. They were told that four or five youths were seen standing on the southwest corner there.

Champaign County court roundup

URBANA – A Rantoul woman who pleaded guilty to having cocaine on two different days in June was sentenced Wednesday to just over eight years in prison.

Judy Richardson, 38, whose last known address was in the 200 block of Winding Lane, pleaded guilty in late September to possession of a controlled substance in two separate cases.

26 cited for underage drinking in Saturday bar check

CHAMPAIGN – Police cited 26 people for underage drinking in a Campus/Tap bar check over the weekend.

State troopers and Champaign police conducted the detail Saturday, resulting in 26 citations for possession or purchase of alcohol by a minor 18 to 20 years old, one for public urination and one for resisting a peace officer.

Gifford man crashes vehicle near Rantoul

By The News-Gazette

RANTOUL – A Gifford man was treated and released from Carle Foundation Hospital Thursday after his car went down a creek embankment south of Rantoul.

Tuscola man arrested for DUI after crash

MOUNT ZION – A Tuscola man was arrested Thursday night for driving under the influence after hitting two marked police cars in Macon County.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Engineer: Metropolitan neighbor's wall needs major work

CHAMPAIGN – A three-story law-office building at 215 N. Neil St. damaged in last Friday's fire at the Metropolitan Building "is not safe" and will require major repairs before it can be used again as a place of business.

That's among the findings made by structural engineer John Frauenhoffer, who inspected the building for the city and delivered a report to the city's fire department Wednesday.

Autopsy: Smoke caused deaths in Gibson City fire

GIBSON CITY – Preliminary autopsy results show that the victims in a fatal fire Tuesday morning died from breathing smoke and soot.

Ford County Coroner Doug Wallace said Shanna Radakovich, 14, and Madisyn Moore, 13, died from carbon monoxide intoxication due to breathing smoke and soot in the fire Tuesday morning at 614 E. 11th Street, Gibson City.

Police called to Jefferson Middle School to help quell fights

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign police were asked to intervene in two apparently unrelated student fights at Jefferson Middle School Wednesday.

Champaign police spokeswoman Rene Dunn said police were called to the school at 1115 S. Crescent Drive about 10 a.m., after two 13-year-old girls battered an assistant principal who had tried to break up a fight the teens were having.

Champaign County courts

URBANA – A Champaign man with a history of felony convictions was sentenced Monday to nine years in prison for aggravated battery.

Shatez Long, 36, who listed an address in the 1400 block of Joanne Lane, pleaded guilty in September to hitting Champaign police Officer Kevin Olmstead with his fist on June 16.

Woman reports robbery attempt

URBANA – A Bondville woman foiled a would-be purse snatcher in Urbana on Wednesday night.

The 48-year-old victim was leaving an office of the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, on the west side of Sunnycrest Plaza, about 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, according to Urbana police Sgt. Dan Morgan.

Two Champaign men accused of two counts of armed robbery

CHAMPAIGN – Two Champaign men are accused of robbing two other men with a knife to get money for drugs, according to a prosecutor.

Arraigned Wednesday on Class X felony charges of armed robbery were Richard Hensler, 20, who listed an address in the 800 block of West Springfield Avenue, and Aaron Donaldson, 20, who listed an address in the 2400 block of North Neil Street.

HIV-positive man gets prison sentence

URBANA – An Urbana man infected with HIV has been sentenced to prison for having unprotected sex with a woman.

Raymond Walker, 54, whose last known address was in the 1300 block of Silver Street, pleaded guilty in September to criminal transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus, a Class 2 felony, admitting that he had sex with a woman on multiple occasions in January when he knew he was infected.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Law office building's common wall with Metropolitan "not safe"

CHAMPAIGN – A three-story law office building at 215 N. Neil St., damaged in last Friday's fire of the Metropolitan Building in downtown Champaign, "is not safe" and will require major repairs before it can be used again as a place of business.

 

Gibson City shocked by deaths of teen girls in house fire

GIBSON CITY – Counselors and teachers were to be available as needed today to help Gibson City Middle School students cope with the tragic deaths of two fellow teens.

Madisyn Moore, 13, and Shanna Radakovich, 14, were pronounced dead at 5:45 a.m. and 5:56 a.m. Tuesday, respectively, according to Ford County Coroner Doug Wallace. Their cause of death has not been determined, and autopsies were set for today, he said.

State grant allows for extra patrols by Danville police

DANVILLE – About $81,000 in state grants could force local drivers to slow down, wear their seat belts and drive sober this holiday season.

City police will be out this week monitoring seat-belt usage in eight locations throughout Danville in anticipation of holiday patrols that begin next week.

Pizza delivery man robbed by two men

CHAMPAIGN – A Champaign man delivering pizza was robbed by two men in southwest Champaign on Monday night.

The 27-year-old victim made a delivery in the 4500 block of Graves Court about 6:15 p.m. Monday, according to Champaign police spokeswoman Rene Dunn.

Fire destroys garage in Danville; no injuries reported

DANVILLE – No injuries were reported Tuesday night after a fire destoryed a garage.

Danville firefighters were called out about 8 p.m. to 24 Alexander St. for a garage fire.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Two girls killed in Gibson City house fire

GIBSON CITY – Two girls died early Tuesday as a result of fire in the basement of a Gibson City home.

Killed were Shanna Radakovich, 14, and Madisyn Moore, 13, according to Gibson City Police Chief Steve Cushman. The 14-year-old was spending the night with her friend, he said.

Orpheum Children's Science Museum dealing with fire damages

CHAMPAIGN – The Orpheum Children's Science Museum hopes to reopen Wednesday after cleaning up damage from Friday's downtown fire.

Burning embers from the now-destroyed Metropolitan Building blew onto the Orpheum's roof during the fire, melting the rubber membrane in at least 10 places and burning two holes through the roof.

Metropolitan fire damage tops $3.5 million

CHAMPAIGN – The fire that destroyed the Metropolitan Building caused more than $3.5 million in damage. What caused the fire remains unknown.

The Champaign fire department released the damage figure Monday afternoon.

Police investigate armed robberies

CHAMPAIGN – Police are investigating reports of two separate armed robberies in Champaign.

A sandwich shop was robbed Sunday night, according to one police report.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Champaign police seek unauthorized users of credit card

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign police are looking for help finding the person or people using a lost or stolen credit card.

On Oct. 1, a Champaign man reported to police that his credit card was missing after his credit-card company alerted him about unauthorized purchases made with it in late September. Champaign police obtained surveillance video from the Rantoul Wal-Mart showing two women thought to have used the card.

Owners of building next to Metropolitan get look at damage

CHAMPAIGN – A stately looking grandfather clock given to a former partner in one of downtown Champaign's premier law firms by a longtime client was the only thing working there Sunday.

Fire that consumed the Metropolitan Building at the southwest corner of Church and Neil streets Friday morning heavily damaged the three-story building immediately south that houses the law firm of Dobbins Fraker Tennant Joy & Perlstein.

"I just hope it's salvageable," Renee Monfort said Sunday of the building at 215 N. Neil St. of which she owns a third. "The firefighters and the wind saved our building."

Monfort is one of seven lawyers in the firm, which was established in 1894 and has been at its North Neil Street location since 1990. They hope to find out today from structural engineers if the north wall is strong enough to allow the building to stand. Until that's done, damage estimates are an exercise in futility.

Greasy rags spark fire in Champaign County satellite jail dryer

URBANA – Greasy rags from the kitchen at the Champaign County satellite jail caused a fire in a dryer there Sunday afternoon.

Staff at the jail at 502 S. Lierman Ave., U, got the fire out with an extinguisher, but Urbana firefighters were called about 3:10 p.m. to get the smoke out.

Urbana teen reports two men robbed him of cash Saturday

URBANA – An Urbana teen reported he was robbed of cash Saturday by two men.

An Urbana police report said the 18-year-old reported he was beaten and robbed in the 1800 block of South Philo Road about 12:10 p.m., but he didn't call police until about 8 p.m.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Fire-ravaged site's co-owner: 'I would love to rebuild'

CHAMPAIGN – One of the co-owners of the building destroyed by fire early Friday said he hopes to rebuild on the downtown site.

Jeff Mellander was painstakingly renovating and redeveloping the 1870s-era building – which has been called variously the Metropolitan Building and the Bailey-Rugg building – with his partners, Bob Ballsrud and George Grubb.

Now the building is in ruins, and an adjacent building at 215 N. Neil St. that houses the Dobbins Fraker Tennant Joy & Perlstein law firm is heavily damaged on its third floor.

Cause of downtown fire won't be known for days

CHAMPAIGN – As cleanup neared completion Friday evening, pedestrians stopped to look at the new gap in downtown Champaign's skyline.

The Metropolitan Building, located at the southwest corner of Church and Neil streets, was destroyed by fire shortly after 5 a.m. Friday, collapsing under the flames. Because the 1870s-era building was undergoing an extensive renovation, it lacked the same fire protection features as a normal building.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is yet unknown.

Battling blaze from on high proves taxing

CHAMPAIGN – It's easy for some to minimize what firefighters do.

Hey, they get two days off out of three, are paid fairly well and get a great pension, right?

Then a major fire erupts.

And for Wally Worley, a Champaign Fire Department engineer on Ladder Co. 161, doing his job meant he was climbing a ladder eight stories high in the air, wearing gear and an air pack that weighs about 70 pounds total, and directing water into an inferno.

Downtown Champaign suffered a similar blow 21 years ago

CHAMPAIGN – "Big fire, big water." That's what the current Champaign fire chief, Doug Forsman, says about putting out Friday's fire downtown.

Twenty-one years ago, on Dec. 27, 1987, the date of the last big downtown fire, it was the same thing, big water, recalls the chief at that time – Doug Forsman.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Roads open, cleanup finished at site of downtown fire

CHAMPAIGN —  Neil and Main streets were reopened just after 8:30 p.m. Friday following an early morning fire. No injuries were reported.

Church Street, however, will remain closed between Randolph and Neil streets as a fire crew mans the site overnight.

The Metropolitan Building, located at the southwest corner of Church and Neil streets, was consumed by fire shortly after 5 a.m. Friday and was a total loss. The building, built in the 1870s, was undergoing an extensive renovation.

Tank mishap temporarily closes U.S. 150

MAHOMET – An anhydrous ammonia tank on a truck turned on its side Friday afternoon, temporarily halting traffic on U.S. 150.

Mahomet police blocked the east-west lanes of U.S. 150 between Prairieview and Barker roads about 3 p.m. Friday after the tank turned on its side. The truck was westbound on U.S. 150 and hauling two small farm anhydrous tanks and made a U-turn in the roadway, said Mahomet Officer Ike Beers.

Metropolitan owners shocked over loss of 'jewel'

The owners of the Metropolitan Building had put their "heart and soul" into the renovation that was just months from completion, until the building collapsed today.

Bob Ballsrud, who owns the building with George Grubb and Jeff Mellander, said he learned of the fire by phone at about 6:10 a.m.

One Main worker becomes firefighter

CHAMPAIGN – Tim Kauffman was one of the heroes of this morning's downtown fire.

Kauffman is an assistant building and operations employee at One Main, across the street from the Metropolitan Building that was destroyed by fire this morning.

Champaign school district files plans for reform

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district will assign staff members to students who are failing a class or missing school, use MySpace to contact truant students, provide more cultural training to teachers and give more information and support to parents of black special-education students.

Those measures are a few outlined by the district in a plan to speed up its progress on meeting consent decree goals at the high schools and in special education. The "acceleration plan" was filed earlier this week with the federal district court.

Man due back in court in home repair fraud case

URBANA – A Champaign man is due back in court later this month with an attorney after being arraigned Wednesday for felony home repair fraud.

Jon Boyter , 52, of the 1600 block of Maynard Drive, is accused of taking money from a Savoy man for repairs that were never done or were done less than satisfactorily.

Jury fails to reach verdict; retrial set

URBANA – A Homer Glen man is tentatively scheduled to be retried in January after a Champaign County jury could not reach a verdict Thursday in his criminal sexual assault trial.

Judge Jeff Ford declared a mistrial for David Sexauer, 24, after a jury deliberated a total of seven hours Wednesday and Thursday, then told the judge they didn't think they'd ever agree on a verdict.

Champaign County Court roundup

URBANA – In Champaign County criminal cases resolved recently with guilty pleas or sentences imposed by judges:

– Trudy McDade, 45, who listed an address in the 1300 block of Sunset Drive, Champaign, was sentenced to two years of first offender probation for possession of a controlled substance. McDade, the former village clerk in Tolono, admitted that she had a small amount of powdered cocaine in her purse on Jan. 8.

Farmers, firefighters work to save grain from blaze

THOMASBORO – Nearly 30 firefighters spent more than eight hours Thursday saving thousands of bushels of corn from a fire after a dryer unit malfunctioned in a grain bin.

Thomasboro firefighters were called out at 1:30 p.m. to 1473 County Road 2500 North, where a grain bin owned by Ehler Brothers was on fire.

Farmers, firefighters work to save grain from blaze

THOMASBORO – Nearly 30 firefighters spent more than eight hours Thursday saving thousands of bushels of corn from a fire after a dryer unit malfunctioned in a grain bin.

Thomasboro firefighters were called out at 1:30 p.m. to 1473 County Road 2500 North, where a grain bin owned by Ehler Brothers was on fire.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Rejected Rossville fire tax increase may get 2nd chance

DANVILLE – Rossville Area Fire Protection officials plan to ask voters again in April for a tax increase to pay for a new fire station after the same question was defeated Tuesday night by 13 votes.

Dean Grimes, president of the Rossville Area Fire Protection District board, said that because the vote was so close, the board will definitely consider asking voters again in the April consolidated election to consider a property-tax increase.

Rankin fire station plans move forward with voter approval

DANVILLE – Thanks to 206 voters, the Rankin Fire Protection District can now build its new station.

"It's just a big relief to know that we'll be able to do this and correct a lot of problems we have," said Ellen Theesfeld, board secretary.

Woman recovering after being attacked in her home

URBANA – An Urbana woman was recovering this morning from injuries she sustained after being attacked in her own home Wednesday evening.

Cornbelt firefighters' dismissals stand

MAHOMET – Despite firefighters' pleas – and statements made by their families and community members – the Cornbelt Fire Protection District Board decided on Wednesday to uphold a decision to remove three volunteer firefighters from the department.

Chris Craig, Luke Turner and Darren McCoy were dismissed from the department. Their firings, Craig said, came about because they were marked present for calls they didn't attend. Before the decision, Craig and Turner asked the board to reconsider and pointed out that mistakes about attendance are common. McCoy wasn't at the meeting.

Sex offender being held in Ford County Jail for extradition

PAXTON – Paxton police have arrested a sex offender who escaped from community custody in Washington state and are holding him for failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 3 felony. Officers received information Monday that Christopher R. Adams, 23, had been living at 742 N. Market St. for the past 30 days, Police Chief Bob Bane said.

Police arrested Adams at the residence Monday. Adams was wanted on a Department of Corrections warrant out of King County, Washington.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Police identify body; death ruled drowning

MONTICELLO – The Piatt County sheriff's office and death examiner are investigating the apparent drowning of a Monticello man.

Sheriff's Sgt. Ryan Leary said a man whose body was found in the Sangamon River just south of Bridge Street outside the Monticello city limits Monday morning has been identified as Lance W. Potter, 35.

Court roundup

URBANA – The following criminal cases were resolved recently in Champaign County Circuit Court with sentences imposed by judges or guilty pleas:

– Paul McGee, 47, of the 1100 block of Prairieview Drive, Rantoul, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison for unlawful use of a credit card. He pleaded guilty to using his late mother's credit card in December to buy items at Wal-Mart in Rantoul. Testimony at his sentencing revealed that McGee ran up charges on her other credit cards while she was in a nursing home.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Name of young victim of Jon White will remain undisclosed

URBANA – The name of a child victim of Jon White will remain undisclosed in potential settlement documents involving the girl and her family and the Urbana school district, according to a ruling made Monday by Champaign County Judge Brian McPheters.

White is a former Urbana teacher convicted of 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, including eight in Champaign County, and now serving a 60-year prison sentence.

Arnette gets 65 years for murdering his wife, concealing body

URBANA – A Champaign County judge said Naomi Arnette's death should be a message to other victims of domestic violence that they must speak up.

"They don't have to put up with it. It is a serious and ongoing problem in our country. You will be heard," Judge Tom Difanis said Monday morning, seconds before sentencing Mrs. Arnette's estranged husband to 65 years in prison for her murder and concealing her body afterward.

Man charged with attempted sex abuse

URBANA – A convicted sex offender was arrested and accused of sending text messages arranging to meet a teenage Champaign girl.

Kevin Kryzanski, 33, who listed a Paxton address, was arraigned Monday on a charge of attempted aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Two men facing drug charges

CHAMPAIGN – Two men face drug charges after police saw a suspected drug deal in Champaign.

Arraigned Monday in Champaign County Circuit Court in Urbana on Class X felony drug charges were James Ellis, 34, who listed an address in the 1900 block of Joanne Lane, Champaign, and Andre Washington, 28, who listed an address in the 1200 block of Lierman Avenue, Urbana.

Teen vandals to clean, repaint Georgetown park items

GEORGETOWN – Three teens caught vandalizing park equipment last month will have to clean park equipment and repaint the picnic tables, Mayor Darrell Acord said Monday.

The teens were photographed by video surveillance cameras defacing park equipment with markers two weeks ago, Acord said.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Arnette gets 60 years for murder of estranged wife

URBANA – A former Sadorus man convicted of murdering his estranged wife and hiding her body will spend the next several decades behind bars.

Champaign County Judge Tom Difanis Monday sentenced Robert Arnette, 39, to 60 years in prison for the murder of Naomi Arnette to be followed by another five years for concealment of a homicidal death. He'll have to serve 100 percent of the murder sentence and at least half of the concealment sentence.

Body discovered in Monticello

MONTICELLO — A body was found in an area near the Sangamon River off County Farm Road in Monticello on Monday morning.
Sgt. Ryan Leary of the Piatt County Sheriff’s Department said the male
body was discovered by an unknown person at 9:16 a.m.

Deputies looking into stabbing of three men

SAVOY – Champaign County sheriff's deputies are trying to find out what prompted a woman to stab three men early Saturday at a Savoy apartment complex.

Sheriff's Lt. Allen Jones said deputies learned that a fight started with about 20 people in the parking lot of The Village at Colbert Park off Old Church Road in Savoy about 1:10 a.m. Saturday. A group approached a car that three men were in, then the fight spilled out of the car, Jones said.

Urbana police seek information on residential burglary

Champaign County Crimestoppers and Urbana police this week are seeking help in solving a residential burglary in the 700 block of West Stoughton Street in Urbana.

Residents left their apartment about 10 a.m. Oct. 24 and returned about noon to discover several electronics items were stolen, including a 42-inch Panasonic flat-screen television, a Hewlett-Packard laptop computer and two iPod music players. Also taken were a black bag containing paintball equipment, such as a paintball gun, gun parts and paintball clothing.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Family-court judge faces public criticism

URBANA – A Champaign County judge is under public attack for a second time in four years for the way he administers family court.

Signs urging voters not to retain Arnold Blockman appeared early this week in different cities in the 6th Judicial Circuit, where voters will decide if Blockman should serve another six years.

Blockman, of Champaign, was elected in 1996 and retained in 2002.

Mundelein man faces drug charge

URBANA – A 20-year-old Mundelein man faces a Class X felony drug charge after a campus traffic stop Thursday night.

Robert Burns was arraigned Friday in Champaign County Circuit Court in Urbana on a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Minor injuries reported in two-car collision

CHAMPAIGN – Police reported only minor injuries in a two-car collision at the intersection of Springfield Avenue and Third Street Friday afternoon.

A little after 3 p.m., police were called to the intersection after a car crashed into a black Ford Explorer that was southbound on Third Street, knocking the SUV onto its side.

Five-car accident causes minor injuries

CHAMPAIGN – Police reported minor injuries in a five-car accident on Church Street and Prospect Avenue Friday morning.

At 11:16 a.m., Margaret Yeh was southbound on Prospect Avenue when she "disregarded a traffic signal" and hit a second vehicle that was westbound on Church Street, said Champaign Police spokeswoman Rene Dunn.

Rantoul man arraigned on arson charge

URBANA – A Rantoul man charged with setting fire to his girlfriend's home faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Robert M. Harris, 36, who was living with Stephanie Lientz at 1331 Cypress Lane, was arraigned Thursday on a residential-arson charge accusing him of setting fire to the home on Wednesday. Although the charge is a Class 1 felony, Harris would have to be sentenced as a Class X felon because of his record, according to Assistant State's Attorney Dan Clifton.

Firefighters keeping eye on charred grain elevator

THOMASBORO – An accidental fire that destroyed a landmark elevator south of Thomasboro rekindled Thursday night.

Thomasboro Fire Chief Paul Cundiff said the fire at the Sharp's Crossing elevator broke out in the rubble about 10 p.m. Thursday. It was still smoldering today, he said.

Urbana 15-year-old charged with robbery, intimidation

URBANA – One of two Urbana teens who allegedly robbed another Urbana teen on a city street last week has been charged with robbery and intimidating a youth who was a witness to it.

Herbert C. Shah III, 15, of the 1600 block of Ivanhoe Way, Urbana, was arraigned Thursday in Champaign County Circuit Court for armed robbery and aggravated robbery stemming from an Oct. 20 attack on a 14-year-old in the 600 block of East Fairlawn Avenue, Urbana. Because the charge is armed robbery, Shah's case is automatically transferred to adult court. Should he be convicted, he faces penalties ranging from 21 to 45 years in prison.

Two taken to hospital after accident on I-74

CHAMPAIGN – Two people were hurt Thursday morning in an accident on Interstate 74 that temporarily closed westbound lanes west of Interstate 57.

According to a state police report, Nathaniel Johnson, 52, of Pickens, Miss., was driving a semitrailer truck and entered the westbound lanes of I-74 from I-57 when Cyndy D. Woodard, 41, of Dewey failed to slow down and collided with the rear of Johnson's trailer.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Car-truck accident closes I-74 west temporarily

CHAMPAIGN – Two people were injured in an accident on Interstate 74 Thursday morning that temporarily closed the westbound lanes west of Interstate 57.

Nathaniel Johnson, 52, of Pickens, Miss., was driving a semitrailer truck and entered the westbound lanes of I-74 from I-57, according to a state police report, when Cyndy D. Woodard, 41, of Dewey, failed to slow down and collided with the rear of Johnson's trailer.

Fire destroys Thomasboro grain elevator under demolition

THOMASBORO – A longtime Thomasboro landmark in the process of being demolished burned to the ground Thursday.

Firefighters were called to the Sharp's Crossing grain elevator, about 2 miles south of Thomasboro, around 10 a.m.

LeRoy man charged in rape, murder of sister-in-law

LEROY – A 21-year-old LeRoy man was formally accused Wednesday of the murder and rape of his sister-in-law.

Jason Marksteiner was charged Wednesday in McLean County Circuit Court with murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault, accusing him of raping, beating and choking 19-year-old Jodi McGrew of Hallsville on Tuesday morning.

I-74 lanes reopened following accident

CHAMPAIGN – The westbound lanes of Interstate 74 have been reopened  after a 10:30 a.m. accident Thursday involving a semitrailer tractor truck and another vehicle. Lanes had been closed for about an hour.

Illinois State Police Sgt. Bill Emery said preliminary information was that people were injured but it was not known how many.

Urbana power outage closes middle school

URBANA – Urbana Middle School closed early Thursday due to a power outage.

From about 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. about 2,200 people were without power in the area. Power was restored to all but about 100 customers around 11 a.m., according to Ameren spokesman Leigh Morris. The remaining 100 customers were expected to have their power restored mid-day.

Rantoul man held in mobile home fire

RANTOUL – A Rantoul man is in the Champaign County Jail this morning on preliminary charges that he set fire to his girlfriend's mobile home an hour after being served with an order of protection she had obtained against him.

Rantoul police Detective Rodney Sullivan said Robert M. Harris, 36, was arrested about 7:40 p.m. Wednesday for arson and violation of an order of protection in connection with a fire that started about four hours earlier at 1331 Cypress Lane, the home he shared with Stephanie Lientz and her two teenage daughters. No one was home at the time of the fire.

Champaign County courts

URBANA – In cases resolved recently in Champaign County Circuit Court with guilty pleas or sentences imposed by judges:

– Paul Karsh, 48, whose last known address was in the 1400 block of West William Street, Champaign, was resentenced to three years in prison for unlawful restraint. He was found to have violated the probation he received in April by failing to get an alcohol evaluation. Court records indicate Karsh, who has a history of mental difficulties, pleaded guilty in April to threatening his 83-year-old mother with a knife and holding her in her home against her will in December 2007.

Pizza delivery driver robbed

CHAMPAIGN – A pizza deliveryman was robbed and threat- ened with being shot while making a delivery in Champaign.

The pizza deliveryman was taking an order to an address in the 100 block of East Garwood Street at 8:49 p.m. Tuesday, according to a Champaign pol- ice spokeswoman Rene Dunn.

Champaign man convicted of pot possession

URBANA – A Champaign County jury Wednesday convicted a Champaign man of possessing cannabis intended for sale, but acquitted him of a more serious charge alleging he also had cocaine for sale.

Fabian Willhite, 27, who listed an address in the 200 block of East Clark Street with co-defendant Rheta Roberts, is to be sentenced Dec. 19 by Judge Tom Difanis. He faces penalties ranging from probation to one to six years in prison.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Suspicious mobile home fire under investigation in Rantoul

RANTOUL – Rantoul police and fire officials are investigating a suspicious mobile home fire Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the home at 1331 Cypress Lane at 3:50 p.m.

UI urges vigilance following Halloween threat

CHAMPAIGN – Campus police are reminding people who plan to be on Green Street on Halloween to be careful, but not to panic, in the wake of a shooting threat discovered earlier this month.

A note was found on Oct. 5 in a bathroom at the University of Illinois Undergraduate Library in which the author threatened to shoot someone on Green Street on Halloween night.

Arcola minister faces gun-related charges after search

TUSCOLA – An Arcola minister is due back in court next month on a charge that he possessed firearms illegally.

James Robert Goolsby, 57, of Hindsboro, minister of the Calvary Temple Church in Arcola, was arrested Oct. 15 at his home following a search by Douglas County sheriff's deputies.

LeRoy man charged after DeWitt County woman found dead

LEROY – An autopsy was scheduled this morning for a DeWitt County woman who was discovered dead Tuesday morning, the victim of an apparent assault, on the south side of LeRoy.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man was being held at the McLean County Jail on murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault with a weapon charges in connection with the woman's death.

Rural residents get alert on rise in shed burglaries

Champaign County Sheriff Dan Walsh wants the public to help his office nab rural thieves.

Walsh sent out letters to rural county residents Tuesday, asking for help in catching thieves taking all-terrain vehicles, quality power mowers and similar machines from farm sheds.

Powder scare turns out to be nothing more than energy drink

RANTOUL – A powder in a post office drop box was found to be a harmless energy drink.

"It was a powdered sport drink," Susan Litterly, customer relations specialist for the U.S. Postal Service in Springfield, said today.

Petersburg woman picked to fill 4th District Appellate vacancy

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court has assigned a Menard County judge to serve on the 4th District Appellate Court in Springfield.

Carol Pope, 54, of Petersburg will begin Dec. 1, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Robert Cook of Quincy, who will turn 65 in November.

Villa Grove man killed after cigarette ignites oxygen tank

VILLA GROVE – A Villa Grove man died early Tuesday morning after an explosion at his home.

Ronald Hooker, 65, was pronounced dead at 2:40 a.m. at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, according to a news release from Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Workers investigate white powder in Rantoul postal box

RANTOUL – Emergency workers are investigating a white powder found in a blue U.S. Post Office drop box in Rantoul, at the intersection of Frost Avenue and Abram Drive.

The Champaign Fire Department hazardous materials team and Rantoul police and fire departments are investigating. Combined, there were almost 20 officers on the scene late Tuesday afternoon. They cordoned off a two-block area near the postal box.

Clinton woman dies in apparent assault in LeRoy

LeROY – An autopsy was scheduled Wednesday morning for a Clinton woman who was discovered dead Tuesday morning, the apparent victim of an assault, on the south side of LeRoy.

McLean County Coroner Beth C. Kimmerling said police were called to a report of an assault at a house in the 300 block of South White Street in LeRoy at 6:17 a.m.

Villa Grove man dies after explosion

VILLA GROVE – A Villa Grove man died early Tuesday morning after an explosion at his home.

Ronald Hooker, 65, was pronounced dead at 2:40 a.m. at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, according to a news release from Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup.

Three accused of stealing identity to get medicine

URBANA – Three people are accused of using someone else's identity to get drugs and or medical services.

Joseph Denton, 23, who listed an address in the 500 block of East Park Street in Champaign, was arraigned Monday on a charge of financial identity theft. Denton was posing as a University of Illinois student to get free medical services, according to UI police.

Coroner attributes boat death to carbon monoxide

HAMMOND – The Moultrie County coroner said that a 63-year-old Hammond man who died on a boat Sunday morning apparently died from fumes of carbon monoxide from the boat's engine.

According to a Moultrie County coroner's report, Harold and Katana Ponder of Hammond went to the Findlay marina and spent Saturday night on their boat at Lake Shelbyville. The couple left both the boat's engine and air-conditioning unit running throughout the night, the report said.

No charges filed in Urbana woman's death, but probe ongoing

URBANA – The Champaign County state's attorney won't charge an Urbana man in connection with the weekend death of his girlfriend, but the investigation into the death is continuing.

Julia Rietz ordered Charles Laroe, 25, of the 2600 block of Brownfield Road, released from jail early Monday afternoon, declining to charge him criminally at this time for the death of April Ruthann Rahming, 23.

Man found with missing teen

VILLA GROVE – A 25-year-old Robinson man, formerly of Villa Grove, is being held in Douglas County Jail after being found with a missing girl in Crawford County.

The missing 16-year-old Villa Grove girl was returned home by deputies from the U.S. marshal's office Monday morning. She had been reported missing by her parents on Oct. 16. She had been registered with the Missing Children's Organization.

Local man facing new burglary charge

URBANA – A Champaign man sentenced to prison earlier this month for burglary was charged Monday with another burglary that occurred two days after his guilty plea.

Jonathan Fondia, 35, who listed addresses on Williamsburg Drive and East Tremont Street in Champaign, was charged with burglary for entering the Colonial Pantry, 211 W. University Ave., C, on Oct. 11, intending to steal.

Police investigate home invasion

CHAMPAIGN – Police are investigating a home invasion in which marijuana was stolen at gunpoint.

Two unknown men entered an apartment in the 500 block of South Third Street and displayed a gun about 8:30 p.m. Friday, according to Champaign police spokeswoman Rene Dunn.

'Smash-and-grab' burglary investigated

URBANA – Police are investigating a "smash-and-grab" burglary at an Urbana business.

Someone broke a window at the Urban Beauty shop, 1502 N. Cunningham Ave. in the Northgate Plaza, at 11:45 p.m. Thursday, according to Urbana police Sgt. Dan Morgan.

Cell phone store burglarized

CHAMPAIGN – Police are investigating a "smash-and-grab" burglary to a cell phone store in Champaign.

Officers responded to a burglary alarm at the Sprint PCS store, 61 Marketview Drive, C, at 5:39 p.m Sunday, according to a Champaign police report.

Man accused of drug sale near church

URBANA – A Rantoul man accused of selling cocaine near a church is scheduled to be back in court Nov. 18.

Christopher Morton, 26, of County Road 3000N, was charged Monday with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. He is alleged to have sold a half-gram of cocaine to a source working with Rantoul police at his home on Sept. 19. His home is within 1,000 feet of a church, which makes the offense a more serious felony.

Champaign man out on bond arrested again

UBANA – A Champaign man out on bond on a drug charge was arrested again over the weekend on another.

Everett M. Townsend, 29, of the 1200 block of Carver Drive, Champaign, faces six to 30 years in prison if convicted of his latest charge of possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Arrestee in fatality released; investigation continuing

URBANA – An Urbana man arrested over the weekend in connection with the death of his girlfriend was released early Monday afternoon from the county jail.

Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz said early Monday afternoon that she will not be filing any charges at this time against Charles Laroe, 25, of the 2600 block of Brownfield Road, related to the death of April Ruthann Rahming, 23.

Champaign police seeking info about Bank Champaign robbery

Champaign County Crimestoppers and Champaign police are seeking information regarding a recent bank robbery.

Police were sent to the Bank Champaign branch at 5 Convenience Center Drive at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 14 on a report of a robbery.

Two treated, released after four-vehicle collision

SAVOY – Two people were treated and released from an area hospital Saturday after a four-vehicle chain-reaction collision.

Champaign County sheriff's Sgt. Dan Coile said Roberta Winterbottom, 56, of Tolono ran into the back end of a southbound pickup that was stopped behind two other vehicles on U.S. 45 at Church Street. The pickup then hit a car in front of it and that car hit another car in front of it.

Burglars take cash drawers, clothes, watches

URBANA – Police are investigating a "smash-and-grab" burglary at an Urbana business.

Someone broke a window at the Urban Beauty shop, 1502 N. Cunningham Ave. in the Northgate Plaza, at 11:45 p.m. Thursday, according to Urbana police Sgt. Dan Morgan.

Girl, 15, reports rape in Champaign park

CHAMPAIGN – Police are investigating the reported rape of a teen girl in Douglass Park.

A 15-year-old Champaign girl told Champaign police officers Sunday evening that she had been assaulted in the park three nights earlier, according to Lt. Joe Gallo.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Fire in Danville causes $17,000 in damage to house

DANVILLE – A fire early Saturday morning caused an estimated $17,000 in damages to a two-story house in Danville.

Danville firefighters responded to the 1700 block of Robinson St. about 2 a.m. Saturday, where they found smoke coming from the rear of the house, Capt. David Brady said.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Woman killed in Saturday accident on Willow View Road

URBANA – A 23-year-old Urbana woman died Saturday morning after an accident on Willow View Road.

April Rahming was pronounced dead at 3:41 a.m. Saturday after an accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, according to a release by Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup.

Amber alert for Chicago boy

CHICAGO – An Amber Alert has been issued for a 7-year-old Chicago boy.

The Illinois State Police sent out the alert about 7 p.m. Friday for Julian King, who is described as a black male, 4-feet-11-inches high, 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Two injured in fire that gutted Danville apartment building

DANVILLE – Two Danville residents were injured in a fire that gutted an apartment building on Thursday night.

The fire at 501 N. Hazel St. was reported at 9:32 p.m. When firefighters arrived, heavy flames were coming from the large two-story, wood-frame structure, Capt. Dave Milholland said.

Rantoul man faces charges of sex abuse

URBANA – A Rantoul man is accused of sex abuse of a teenage girl in Rantoul.

Jason Tatar, 30, who listed an address in the 600 block of East Sangamon Drive, Rantoul, was arraigned Friday on two counts of Class 2 felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Champaign County Circuit Court

URBANA – Two local men were sentenced for federal drug crimes and a third was sentenced for having counterfeit currency.

U.S. Central District of Illinois Chief Judge Michael McCuskey on Thursday sentenced Jollar Reynolds, also known as "J.R.," 49, with a last known address in the 400 block of East Illinois Street, Urbana. to 10 years in federal prison.

Champaign County Circuit Court

URBANA – Two men were sentenced Friday for unrelated drug and theft crimes.

Judge Heidi Ladd sentenced James J. Driver, 19, whose last known address was in the 1400 block of Summit Ridge, Champaign, to four years in prison with credit for 67 days already served.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Call to Crimestoppers leads to arrest

CHAMPAIGN – A former Urbana man already sentenced to 20 years in prison for one drug crime is accused of again having drugs and also fighting with police.

Shamere Douglas, 20, whose last known address was in the 1100 block of Dodson Drive in Urbana, was sentenced in absentia on May 21 by Judge Heidi Ladd to 20 years for delivery of a controlled substance. The judge said Douglas would have received a maximum sentence of 12 years if he had showed up for the sentencing hearing. She also issued a warrant for his arrest.

Man already in prison charged in separate robbery

CHAMPAIGN – An Alton man now in prison for a bank robbery in Staunton has been charged with the armed robbery of an Ogden business.

The Champaign County State's Attorney has charged John W. Beck, 41, with armed robbery, the sheriff's office announced Thursday.

Georgetown library to host annual safety fair

GEORGETOWN – The Georgetown Public Library will host its annual safety fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the library, 102 W. West St.

Participants include: Georgetown Police Department; Georgetown Lions Club on bicycle safety; Georgetown Ambulance Service with free blood pressure checks; Georgetown Fire Department with fire trucks, equipment and Illiana Safe House; American Legion Post 203 Auxiliary; Georgetown Ladies Community Club on health issues; Georgetown-Ridge Farm FFA; and the Vermilion County Sheriff's department with Drug Abuse Resistance Education information and a K-9 unit demonstration. Also available will be information on computer and Internet safety. Call 662-2164 to learn more.

Tax boost would pay for existing Rossville firehouse

ROSSVILLE – Voters in northern Vermilion County will decide whether to pay for an already completed fire station.

The Rossville Area Fire Protection District board of trustees was planning to institute a special tax levy that would generate additional property tax dollars to be used specifically to pay off a low-interest, 20-year loan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural-development program. Later, it found out the special tax levy would be illegal if used for paying a mortgage. This created the need to issue bonds in order to pay off the fire station loan, according to Dean Grimes, fire district board chairman.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Spire put atop Champaign County Courthouse

URBANA – Downtown Urbana denizens got a taste of the future Wednesday as the Champaign County Courthouse was topped off.

UI announces police chief selection

URBANA – Barbara O'Connor has spent most of her life in her home state of Massachusetts but said she's ready for a change of scenery – in the Midwest.

O'Connor, 47, director of public safety at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst since 2001, was announced Wednesday as the new University of Illinois police chief, pending approval by UI trustees in November. If approved, she will begin her duties Jan. 1 and earn $160,000 annually.

Champaign man escapes fiery crash

SAVOY – A Champaign man escaped a fiery crash at a railroad crossing in Savoy early this morning.

Champaign County sheriff's Sgt. Will Davis said Michael S. Newton, 19, of the 3600 block of Marjorie Lane, Champaign, was driving south on Dunlap Road and turned to go east on Curtis Road at 1:09 a.m. today. As he was turning, his van went out of control and struck a railroad crossing sign post head on, the sergeant said.

Former Champaign man murdered in Indiana

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana authorities are investigating the murder of a former Champaign man.

Indiana state police at Bloomington, Ind., were sent to a home near Ellettsville, northwest of Bloomington, just after 9 a.m. Sunday, where they found the body of Steven J. Morris, 59, of Lafayette, Ind., according to Sgt. Curt Durnil, public information officer for the state police post.

Handgun, cocaine found in trash net felony charges

Accused faces mandatory prison term if convicted of either offense

URBANA – A handgun and about 3 ounces of cocaine found in a Champaign man's trash has resulted in him being charged with two felonies.

Man charged in break-in of neighbor's apartment

URBANA – An Urbana man is due back in Champaign County Circuit Court next month after being charged with breaking into his neighbor's apartment. Starlon Burnett, 21, of the 1600 block of Melrose Valley Court, was charged Wednesday with residential burglary and criminal trespass to residence for entering another apartment in the 1600 block of Melrose Valley Court intending to steal.

Assistant State's Attorney Dan Clifton said the victim came home Tuesday and heard a noise in his spare bedroom and saw a door kicked open. He went outside and saw Burnett with his PlayStation console, which he grabbed from him. Judge Richard Klaus set Burnett's bond at $5,000 and ordered him back to court Nov. 25.

Reconvened Vermilion coroner's jury finds jail death a suicide

DANVILLE – A Vermilion County coroner's jury on Wednesday ruled that the death of a 43-year-old Georgetown man who hanged himself at the Vermilion County Jail in August was a suicide. The jury reconvened to deliver the verdict in John Dale King's death because a dual verdict, which they rendered on Oct. 15, is not recognized. Jurors had ruled that Mr. King died from hanging and that his death was an accidental suicide.

But Coroner Peggy Johnson said there can only be a single manner of death – homicide, suicide, accident, natural causes or undetermined.

Savoy man faces charge in Kankakee County

KANKAKEE – A Savoy man faces a felony charge in Kankakee County accusing him of sexual abuse of a girl there last month.

Jose E. Davila, 29, of Savoy, is due to return to Kankakee County Circuit Court for a status hearing Nov. 18, according to the circuit clerk's office. He was indicted on Friday for aggravated criminal sexual abuse and attempted child abduction, according to Assistant State's Attorney Brenda Claudio. Davila was released after posting bail on $150,000 and is due to return to court Nov. 18, she said.

Champaign County courts

URBANA – The following Champaign County criminal cases were recently resolved with guilty pleas:

– Marcus I. Robinson, 18, of the 300 block of Weathering Drive, Mahomet, was sentenced to two years of probation and 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor disorderly conduct in two separate crimes.

California couple injured in crash

DANVILLE – A California couple was involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident late Wednesday night.

Myra and Greg McAbel were eastbound on Interstate 74 in a semitrailer when the power steering went out, according to an initial report by the state police.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Teenager robbed at bus stop over video game in Urbana

URBANA – An Urbana teenager reported he was robbed at gunpoint at an Urbana school bus stop.

 

Massachusetts official chosen as new UI police chief

URBANA – The director of public safety at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst will be the new police chief at the University of Illinois, pending approval by UI trustees.

Barbara O'Connor, police chief at the Amherst campus since 2001, will begin her UI duties on Jan. 1, according to a UI release. She succeeds Oliver J. Clark, who retired in 2005. Kris Fitzpatrick and Jeff Christensen had filled the interim position since then.

Police issue 35 tickets for underage drinking at 3 bars

CHAMPAIGN – Police issued 35 tickets for underage drinking as a result of the latest campus bar checks in Champaign.

Champaign police and state troopers conducted a joint Operation Campus/Tap detail Friday. The program, which provides money to hire back officers through a grant from the U.S. Department of Juvenile Justice, is intended to reduce underage drinking. The campus portion focuses on college-age youths, while the tap portion is aimed at high-school-age youths.

Urbana man facing multiple charges

URBANA – An Urbana man is accused of attacking a woman, having drugs and fighting with police in Urbana.

Officers were called to a house in the 1200 block of East Green Street at 8:10 a.m. Tuesday, according to an Urbana police report.

Former Marine gets 10 years for having meth

URBANA – A former Casey man who had served in Iraq was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to buy methamphetamine.

U.S. Central District of Illinois Chief Judge Michael McCuskey on Tuesday sentenced Gregory Glosser, 46, to 10 years and one month in prison for attempted possession of more than 500 grams of meth with intent to distribute it.

Champaign man faces residential burglary charges

URBANA – A Champaign man is due back in court next month on charges alleging he entered a home, stole items and used a victim's debit card.

Arraigned Tuesday on charges of residential burglary, burglary and financial identity theft was Andrew James, 28, who listed an address in the 1200 block of West Beardsley Avenue, Champaign.

Champaign County courts

URBANA – The following criminal cases were resolved recently in Champaign County Circuit Court:

– A jury acquitted Tommy Johnson, 25, of the 1600 block of Short Street, Rantoul, of home invasion following a two-day trial.

Attorney checking on legality of messages on Tolono building

TOLONO – A Tolono appliance shop owner who has been painting messages on the side of his building may be ordered to stop.

The village board on Tuesday discussed whether to take action against Mark McLane, the owner of Eagle Head Enterprises in downtown Tolono.

Champaign man arraigned on burglary charges

URBANA – A Champaign man is due back in court next month on charges alleging he entered a home, stole items and used a victim's debit card.

Arraigned Tuesday on charges of residential burglary, burglary and financial identity theft was Andrew James, 28, who listed an address in the 1200 block of West Beardsley Avenue, Champaign.

Drug case against Champaign priest continued

URBANA – It will be at least early next year before there's any resolution of the case of a Catholic priest from Champaign accused of using and dealing cocaine.

The Rev. Christopher Layden, 33, formerly a resident of the Newman Center on the University of Illinois campus, made his first court appearance Tuesday morning since being charged in Champaign County Circuit Court on Sept. 11 with delivery of cocaine and possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

ACH Food Co. pump burns, causes slight damage

CHAMPAIGN – A small fire at ACH Food Co. caused about $8,000 worth of damage outside the plant Tuesday afternoon.

Champaign firefighters were dispatched at about 4:30 to the fire at 710 N. Mattis Ave., C. Capt. Bob Quinlan said it started because of a malfunctioning pump. The oil going through the pump wasn't moving fast enough, so heat built up around it. Insulation around the pump's pipes caught fire, Quinlan said.

Problems after accident blamed in Hoopeston boy's death

CHAMPAIGN – A 12-year-old Hoopeston boy's death was caused by medical complications following a car-bike accident that occurred about three weeks ago, the Champaign County coroner said.

Coroner Duane Northrup on Tuesday released the autopsy results for Colby Haskins, who died late Sunday night at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Case of priest facing drug charges continued

URBANA – It will be at least early next year before there's any resolution of the case of a Catholic priest from Champaign accused of using and dealing cocaine.

The Rev. Christopher Layden, 33, formerly a resident of the Newman Center on the University of Illinois campus, made his first court appearance Tuesday morning since being charged in Champaign County Circuit Court on Sept. 11 with delivery of cocaine and possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

Classmates mourn on news of Hoopeston boy's death

HOOPESTON – When Debbie Klaber thinks of Colby Haskins, she can't help but picture the 12-year-old's "big beautiful smile."

"Whenever he walked into a room, that's what he had on his face: a big smile. It just lit up the room," said Klaber, Colby's sixth-grade teacher at John Greer Elementary School.

Fire destroys filled truck at Bell Sports facility in Rantoul

RANTOUL – A late-night fire destroyed a semitrailer truck loaded with sporting goods, damaged an adjacent truck trailer and caused slight damage to a nearby building in south Rantoul.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, said Rantoul Fire Chief Ken Waters. Firefighters were called to the Bell Sports storage facility 906 Eagle Dr., Rantoul, at 11:30 p.m. Monday. When firefighters arrived, one semitrailer backed up to a loading dock was fully involved in flames, with some of the fire spreading to a second trailer and a nearby building.

Fire destroys 1 mobile home; 2nd damaged

RANTOUL – Fire destroyed one mobile home and a neighboring mobile home received fire damage Monday morning just south of Rantoul.

Firefighters were called to a blaze at Lot 51 of the Fountain Valley Trailer Park, east of U.S. 45, just south of Rantoul, at 9:40 a.m. Monday, according to a fire department report.

Champaign County court roundup

URBANA – An Urbana man who admitted sexually molesting a child under the age of 13 faces up to 25 years in prison when he's sentenced later this year.

Kethan Garlick, 29, of the 700 block of Scovill Drive, pleaded guilty Friday in Champaign County Circuit Court to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

Home invasion and robbery investigated

URBANA – Police are investigating a report of a home invasion and robbery in Urbana.

Two men entered an apartment in the 1300 block of South Lierman Avenue, Urbana, at 3:50 p.m. Saturday, according to an Urbana police report. One of the intruders punched a man who was in the apartment. During the scuffle, a stainless steel necklace with a diamond-studded cross was stolen, the report said.

Trio from Mississippi charged with possessing cannabis

URBANA – Three Mississippi men were charged Monday in Champaign County Circuit Court with having about 20 pounds of cannabis plants in their car.

Charged with possession with intent to deliver cannabis were Frederick Levy, 40, Darius Davis, 28, and H.B. Hudson, 52, all of Pickens, Miss.

Fisher man accused of committing sexual act with teen

URBANA – A Fisher man is due back in court next month after being charged Monday with having sex with a teen.

Chad Hewerdine, 27, was charged Monday with criminal sexual assault for an act that allegedly occurred Friday at a home in Fisher.

Woman faces charges after fight over ex-boyfriend

URBANA – A Champaign woman who police say beat a Rantoul woman Saturday over a man they both like has been charged with a Class X felony.

Ashley Bituin, 22, who listed an address in the 2500 block of West Springfield Avenue, was charged with home invasion. She is alleged to have entered a home on County Road 3000N just before 10 p.m. Saturday wearing a ski mask and beating up the 19-year-old woman living there.

Champaign man held on $200,000 bond on sex charges

URBANA – A Champaign man is due back in court Nov. 25 on charges he forced a woman to have sex with him.

Orville Chapple, 53, who listed an address in the 300 block of North Third Street, was arraigned Monday in Champaign County Circuit Court on a single count of criminal sexual assault alleging that he had sex with a woman against her will in her home on Oct. 8.

Monday, October 20, 2008

UI's emergency notification plans get routine tweaks

URBANA – Brian Kucic is enrolled in the emergency notification system at the University of Illinois, where he is an administrator at the National Center for Supercomputer Applications.

"Especially in today's environment, you want to be notified if there is a danger," Kucic said.

Kucic's daughter is a student at Northern Illinois University, where Steven Kazmierczak of Champaign shot 21 people, five fatally, before he killed himself on Feb. 14.

"It's a big concern," Kucic said of the need for campus emergency alerts.

The UI continuously practices and revises its emergency plans, including an alert last week regarding a violent threat for Halloween night.

Fire reported at mobile home park south of Rantoul

RANTOUL – Firefighters were called to the scene of a mobile home fire at about 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Fountain Valley mobile home park just south of Rantoul.

Firefighters from Thomasboro were assisted by Rantoul Fire Department personnel battling the fire, which was reported at 51 Fountain Valley.

Police seek information on burglary in Savoy

Champaign County Crimestoppers and the Champaign County sheriff's office are seeking information on a commercial burglary in Savoy.

At 4:30 a.m. Thursday, a burglary was reported at the Sonic drive-in restaurant, 101 Calvin Drive, Savoy. Sometime before then and after 11:36 p.m. Wednesday, somebody broke the glass on the front door to the business. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.

Three teens accused of stealing from Urbana neighbor

URBANA – Two men and a teen were arrested for breaking into a neighbor's apartment and stealing property.

Arraigned Friday on felony charges of residential burglary were Michael R. Patterson, 27,  and Justin L. Clark, 17, who both listed an address in the 1100 block of West Hill Street, Urbana.