http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=newsLocal news from the south-central Illinois areahttp://www.wjbdradio.com/images/wjbd_logo_small.pnghttp://www.wjbdradio.comWJBD Online13573http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20280Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:30:55 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20280The City of Centralia has officially issued a "Snow Emergency," beginning at 7 p.m. Monday. City officials made the announcement today in anticipation of 3-5 inches of snow from a major winter storm system. Residents are asked not to park their vehicles on snow routes to make snow removal easier for work crews and prevent vehicles from being "walled in" with the white stuff. Residents should avoid parking their vehicles on heavily used roads and those marked with "Snow Route" signs. Centralia Police Chief Larry Evans is politely asking for residents to heed the Snow Route signs. He says police do have the authority to tow or ticket vehicles that are a hindrance to work crew efforts, but it will only be done as a last resort if the vehicle's owner cannot be located. The Snow Emergency will continue through 7 p.m. Tuesday. For additional information on Snow Routes in Centralia, you can call the city offices at 532-7622. The Village of Odin has implemented snow routes as well through 7 p.m. Tuesday.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20281Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:28:33 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20281Bond has been set at 150-thousand dollars for a 34-year-old Centralia man who has been charged with home invasion following a weekend incident. Michael Renfrow of South Hickory is accused of entering the home of Nellie Shoots on East Tonti Road in Salem and punched Shoots in the chest and threw her to the floor. If released on bond, Renfrow was ordered to have no contact with the victim or her residence. The public defender was appointed to represent Renfrow. A preliminary hearing has been set for March 2nd. A 24-year-old Centralia man has been charged with residential burglary. Shane Peak of North College is accused of entering the home of Charles McDaniel on North College Street in Centralia with intent to commit a theft. The Public Defender was appointed to represent Peak. Bond has been set at 15-thousand dollars for a 26-year-old Salem woman who has been charged with forgery. Rachel Crain of Lazy Acre Road is accused of forging a check for 120-dollars on the account of Terry and Laura Crain. She will be represented by the public defender. 32-year-old Ann marie Antonaccio of North James in Centralia has been charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Antonaccio is accused of possessing less than 15 grams of a controlled substance. The public defender was appointed to represent Antonaccio. Bond has been set at two-thousand dollars for a 36-year-old Odin man formally charged in Marion County Court for alleged reckless conduct and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Michael Butler of Wortby Street is accused of throwing a lock box against a wall that bounced off and struck four year-old Joshua Butler in the mouth, cutting his lip. Butler also allegedly had a cannabis pipe in his possession. A 19-year-old Centralia woman, Andria Smith of South Elm, has been given a notice to appear in court after being charged with battery. She is accused of repeatedly striking Chandra Lipscomb in the head with her hands. 19-year-old Kelly Taylor-Schulte of South Hickory in Centralia has been charged with criminal damage to property for damaging a window owned by Chandra Lipscomb on South Maple in Centralia. 20-year-old Kenneth Clark of Mulberry Street in Sandoval and 20-year-old Eric Kirgan of Jefferson Street in Junction City have been charged with unlawful consumption of liquor by a minor. http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20279Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:23:32 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20279State Senator John O. Jones and State Representative John Cavaletto fear the State Supreme Court decision last week ruling the Medical Malpractice legislation unconstitutional will hit rural areas like South Central Illinois particularly hard. Cavaletto met with the Southern Illinois Hospital Association after the decision was announced. He says the members were scared about the consequences. "It's a situation that's going to hurt us," he says. "Insurance costs will rise on hospitals and doctors will rise...we need to take a good look at it because it's running a lot of doctors out and the prices go up, so it comes back to us." Cavaletto notes since the now overturned law passed, five-thousand more doctors were licensed in Illinois, three new insurance companies were offering coverage and ten existing insurers dropped their rates by five to more than 30 percent. Jones fears that the rural health care system will be on the brink of extinction like it was in 2004 and make it very hard to recruit physicians. Both Jones and Cavaletto applauded Southern Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier for the dissenting opinion in the case. They will ask legislative staff and supporters of medical malpractice to examine the dissent for options and ideas that might be available to once again try and reform the system.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20278Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:18:57 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20278A dozen people attended a weekend meeting to learn more about Salem's Community Garden that will become a reality this spring. Marion County interim University of Illinois Extension Advisor Lynn Weiss says interest appears to be good...with 14 already signed up."Not only will it give unity as far as the community is concerned, there's also the resurgence of locally grown foods and people want to do some kind of home preservation," she says. "Some people just want to give back to the community." Weiss says the raised garden spots are being put into place on the Community Garden that will be located on a vacant lot just west of the Bryan Bennett Library on South Pearl Street."They're 4' X 12' or 4' x 20'," she says. "The whole raised bed concept is much more consolidatedso you don't have any walkways inbetween - you also have better drainage and aeration with less pest and weed problems." Weiss says in the future they hope to add a storage building, benches and a reading area for youngsters and 4 by 4 foot garden spots for kids. To sign up or for more information on the Community Garden you can call the extension office at 548-1446.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20277Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:14:14 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20277A bio-mass to energy plant could be coming to the westside of Salem. The President of Mid-West Ag Energy Chris Daniels says they are partnering with Vieste Energy LLC of Chicago in trying to obtain matching grants to make the project a reality. He says the project would take 60 of the 138 acres set aside for the proposed ethanol plant on the South Hoots Chapel Road behind the vacant Quebecor building. "The biomass energy plant actually uses agricultural waste or woodchips that would normally be refuse and turns it into electrical power" he says. "Their concept is to put a 60 megawatt plant there and sell the electricity directly to the grid." Daniels says the Bio Mass plant could generate enough electricity to power a city the size of Salem. He says the Bio Mass plant doesn't mean an end to consideration of an ethanol plant in the future. "The ethanol plant could possibly be benefitted by a biomass plant," he says. "It could reduce what is one of our highest costs - natural gas." Daniels says the biggest problem facing construction of the ethanol plant remains the credit crisis that has dried up funding for the projects nationally. Daniels emphasizes the Bio-mass plant is in the very early stages of study and there is no timetable for the project at the present time.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20276Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:28:42 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20276Former Centralia City Manager Gail Simer was injured in a weekend accident in front of her home. Centralia Police say Simer was standing next to her SUV that was parked in the 700 block of South Hickory when it was hit by a passing car. The impact pushed Simer's SUV into her and then drug her a short distance. The driver of the car, Jeffrey Parker of Oklahoma Road in Nashville, was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Simer and Parker were both treated and released at St. Mary's/Good Samaritan Hospital. One of the passengers in Parker's car, 16-year-old Jamie Miller of Gillmore Street in Centralia, was also hurt. Miller was initially taken to St. Mary's/Good Samaritan Hospital and then airlifted to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. Two other passengers in Parker's car, 17-year-old Kayla Hernandez of Wabash Avenue in Centralia and 25-year-old Blake Spear of Gilmore Street in Centralia, were checked on the scene but not hospitalized. Simer's husband Rich was also standing near their SUV but was not injured. The wreck occurred at 8:38 Saturday evening.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20275Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:26:12 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20275The Centralia City Council will debate stricter standards on dogs at large within the city during tonight's 6 p.m. city council meeting at City Hall. The council may amend the current ordinance to allow city officials a more immediate response to complaints and problems with loose dogs. Proposed changes would impound dogs running at large or not in complete control of their owner. If the dog is reported dangerous to animal control officials, it will always carry that designation and the owner will face additional requirements for the animal's release. Fines are part of the new ordinance as well, with a fine between 150 and 750 dollars for a dog at large not deemed "dangerous" and between 250 and 750 dollars for a dog deemed "dangerous." Also under the proposed changes, if a dog deemed "dangerous" is impounded, it will be spayed or nuetered at the owners expense and the owner will have to provide proof of liability insurance coverage for the animal. If the owner fails to meet the requirements and pay the fines within 10 business days, the dog will be euthanized. If a "dangerous" dog is reported running at large a second time it will be euthanized. City staff say the proposed changes to the ordinance will make the community safer and possibly prevent the dog from causing future harm to another person or animal. The council will also look at stricter requirements for those with home swimming pools. Several employees are scheduled to be honored for years of service to the city.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20274Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:25:22 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20274The Centralia City Council will be asked to appoint a new councilman Monday. 71-year-old Marva Bledsoe is being recommended to fill the vacancy left by the death of Doris Clark. Bledsoe grew up in Centralia and returned to the area in 1999. She's been involved in a number of community activities, including the Second Baptist Church, as a part-time employee of Kaskaskia College and through the Pink Ladies program at St. Mary's/Good Samaritan Hospital in Centralia.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20273Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:24:11 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20273(Springfield, IL) -- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin announced he will chair the Senate campaign for Alexi Giannoulias. Durbin appeared with Giannoulias in Springfield Sunday to make the announcement, as the State Treasurer attempts to claim the seat once held by President Obama. Giannoulias beat out David Hoffman and Cheryle Jackson in the primary, and now must mount a campaign against Republican nominee Mark Kirk. The seat is currently held by Roland Burris, who former Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed to the post prior to his removal from office. Giannoulias and Durbin both continue to play down the connection between the candidate and the financially shaky Broadway Bank, which is owned by Giannoulias' family. The bank entered into a consent decree with federal regulators month. Giannoulias once served as the bank's senior loan officer.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20272Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:02:33 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20272CHICAGO (AP) - Now that the Democrats' nominee for lieutenant governor has dropped out of the race, the next step is up to the Illinois Democratic Party. A tearful Scott Lee Cohen stepped down yesterday, saying he didn't want to jeopardize the Democratic Party ticket. After Cohen won the Democratic nomination Tuesday, word spread that he once was accused of abusing his ex-wife and holding a knife to the throat of an ex-girlfriend. He also admits using steroids in the past. Gov. Pat Quinn would have been paired with Cohen on the November ticket. Quinn issued a statement Sunday, saying Cohen made the right decision for the people of Illinois. The governor has scheduled a morning news conference to comment further. Cohen's resignation from the ticket means state party leaders can replace him on the ballot.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20270Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:10:49 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20270A 22-year-old Salem man was able to run from police on foot following a traffic stop in Salem early Sunday morning. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say they initially stopped the car being driven by Andrew Barringer of North Jackson for failure to dim headlights when required. After stopping the car in the 500 block of North Marion, Barringer allegedly fled on foot through the East Lawn Cemetery. Deputies were joined by Salem Police in trying to track Barringer, but eventually lost his tracks on East Boone Street. Deputies say when located Barringer will be arrested for driving on a suspended license and resisting arrest as well as on an outstanding warrant. Two passengers in the car stayed in the vehicle and were not charged. The vehicle was towed pending Barringer's arrest. If you know of Barringer's whereabouts you are asked to call the Marion County Sheriff's Department or Salem Police.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20269Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:10:02 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20269A 24-year-old Centralia man has been arrested for residential burglary after being caught inside a Centralia home Saturday morning. Centralia Police say Shane Peak of West Third was held by the occupant of the home on North College Street until they arrived and took him into custody. A 42-year-old Centralia woman, Ann Marie Antonaccio of North James, is being held for alleged possession of a controlled substance after being arrested by Wamac Police. 34-year-old Michael Renfrow of East Tonti Road in Salem remains in jail following his arrest by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies for domestic battery. 26-year-old Rachel Crain of Lazy Acre Road in Salem is being held for alleged forgery and felony theft. She was arrested by sheriff's deputies. Four others remain in the Marion County Jail on outstanding warrants. They are 27-year-old David Davidson of Rhodes Street in Centralia who was arrested by Patoka Police on an ordinance violation warrant for failure to pay or appear on a charge of failure to provide vet care to an animal. 36-year-old Mike Hill of Cadet, Missouri was picked up by Junction City Police on outstanding Marion County traffic and ordinance violation warrants as well as a Jefferson City, Missouri warrant. 37-year-old Brian Adams of North Beech in Centralia is being held for failure to pay or appear on a traffic warrant for no insurance and a new charge of driving on a suspended license. 30-year-old Chasity Anderson of West Kell in Centralia remains in custody on a Marion County warrant for failure to appear or pay on a possession of cannabis charge and on an outstanding small claims warrant. 28-year-old Derek James of Hartiman, Tennessee remains in the Marion County Jail for driving on a suspended license. A 17-year-old Centralia man posted bond on three charges following a traffic stop by Junction City Police. Matthew Wright of Breese Street in Central City was arrested for no valid drivers license, driving under the influence of drugs, and possession of cannabis. A passenger, 18-year-old Robert Barton of Barton Road in Sandoval, posted bond for possession of alcohol by a minor. Two others were arrested by State Police for driving under the influence. 29-year-old Russell Cripps of C.J. Heck Road in Salem and 23-year-old Nicole Delaney of Porter Street in Kinmundy both posted bond and were released. 30-year-old Melissa Aguilar of West Whitaker in Salem posted bond after being arrested by sheriff's deputies for driving on a revoked or suspended license. 51-year-old John Barton of Middleton Street in Iuka has been transported to the Richland County Jail at Olney after being arrested by Centralia Police on an outstanding Richland County warrant. 24-year-old Travis Finley of Ferrydale Road in Odin posted 250-dollars bond and was released on a warrant for failure to pay or appear on a residential burglary warrant.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20268Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:03:08 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20268 Two Salem Community High School band students represented the area at the state level. Seniors Rachael Diss and Kacie Daugherty were selected to travel to Peoria for the Future Music Educator's Seminar. The seminar is part of an all-state conference for band students. They were among more than 100 statewide who applied for the program by writing a short essay on their goals and submitting it to the sponsoring Illinois Music Educator's Association. Diss and Daugherty were two of the only 25 students selected for the conference. Both described the four day conference as an enjoyable experience. Diss plays the clarinet and is currently one of the three drum majors for the Salem Community High School band and plans to continue her education at Kaskaskia College and continue at Eastern Illinois University, majoring in elementary education with a minor in music. Daughterty plays both the flute and piccolo and was color guard captain during the last two marching band seasons. She plans to attend Indiana State University with a major in music or math education.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20267Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:01:58 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20267 The Homecoming King and Queen were coronated during Homecoming Activities at Sandoval High School Saturday night. Colby Lyons was named King and Amanda Gore Queen.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20266Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:50:29 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20266Fifteen-hundred Centralia Ameren customers have 7,500 feet of new electrical wire to help service. The new wire was strung along Calumet Street near the Centralia Airport and new Centralia High School campus to replace wire showing normal wear and tear. The cost of the project was placed at a half a million dollars. Ameren says the earlier wires were causing service disruptions to some customers, but says those disruptionsare gone now that the new wiring is in place.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20265Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:49:10 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20265URBANA, Ill. (AP) - A new Web site has gone online that officials at the University of Illinois say will offer information about the school's budget. The online site is called "Stewarding Excellence at Illinois" and is available at http://oc.illinois.edu/budget. School spokeswoman Robin Kaler says the site was created for those interested in the university's budget process. She says it's also for those who want to offer ideas. The Web site is to offer budget updates, documents and schedules for upcoming meetings, along with other information. Visitors also can subscribe to be notified when new information is added to the site.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20264Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:48:02 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20264UTICA, Ill. (AP) - The body of a woman has been found on a river trail at Starved Rock State Park in north central Illinois. Illinois Conservation Police say the body was located Saturday morning as part of a ground search at the park for a missing person. Police say the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say her identity was being withheld and an autopsy was planned for early next week. It was not immediately clear if the woman was the missing person. Conservation police say more than 70 people from 11 agencies were part of the search.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20263Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:46:57 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20263SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The director of the Illinois State Police is asking those celebrating the Super Bowl this weekend not to drink and drive, to choose a designated driver or call a taxi to make sure they arrive home safely. Illinois State Police director Jonathon Monken also says that on Super Bowl Sunday the agency "will remain diligent in enforcing" driving under the influence, speeding, safety belt use, improper lane usage and following too closely. The state police along with the Illinois Department of Transportation say the campaign is called Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. The effort also includes an estimated $350,000 in grants from the transportation department to state police and local law enforcement to increase patrols on Super Bowl weekend.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20258Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:24:13 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20258A vacant home in front of Paws Here Veternary Clinic at 7857 U.S. 50 in Iuka has been destroyed in an early Saturday morning fire. Iuka Fire Chief Leon Duis says the fire appears to have started in a vehicle parked inside the garage of the home. "It burned rapidly up out of the garage into the attic. Once in the attic, with the house facing the south and the strong wind blowing from the north the initial engine on the scene had near zero visibility. After Salem arrived, we were able to get around to the rear of the house and at that point extinguish the fire," Duis explained. Duis says Kinmundy/Alma and Xenia Firemen were also called to bring additional manpower and water to the scene. He reports the fire had already burned through the roof upon their arrival. The fire was first discovered around three this Saturday morning. The last Iuka trucks arrived back in the station at 6:30 Saturday morning. No injuries were reported. The vacant home is owned by the Paws Here Vet Clinic.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20262Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:23:57 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=20262Rain that had fallen across South Central Illinois on Thursday and Friday changed to snow late Friday afternoon. Once temperatures dropped below freezing, the snow began to make area roads slick. The Marion County Sheriff's Department reported more than 20 accidents by early Saturday morning. Salem and Centralia Police also reported several more wrecks blamed on the slick roads. Fortunately, there were no injuries and in most cases the vehicles just slid off the slick pavement. While major highways were mostly wet by Saturday morning, secondary roads remained slushy and slick through the early afternoon hours. The Salem Water Plant recorded 2.25 inches of snow on the ground and the Centralia Water Plant eight-tenths inches. Total precipitation for the two day storm totaled exactly an inch in Salem and nine-tenths of an inch in Centralia. More snow is in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday.