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=19047Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:44:23 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19047 The Centralia Chamber of Commerce has announced a 5-thousand dollar contribution to the planned Veteran's Tribute Project at Kaskaskia College. The announcement of the donation was made official today. Veterans Tribute Co-Chairman Jim Beasley was delighted with the donation and thanked the Chamber for the contribution. Chamber president Alan Owen says the organization has made donations back to the community from Balloonfest as funds have allowed, and the donation was especially fitting since it coincides with the 20th Anniversary of Balloon fest. The Veterans Tribute will recognize those who have served in a five county area. It will be completed in three phases with an estimated price tag of 700-thousand dollars. Recently multiple townships, cities and counties have passed ordinances endorsing the construction of the project. The next major fundraising opportunity will be the "Ride For Our Veterans" bike around Carlyle Lake on Sunday. For more information on the event, you can reach Ed Kleber at 407-0484.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19046Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:54:45 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19046 A 66-year-old Farina man has entered an alford plea to first degree murder for the June 1992 death of Cheryl McLean of Salem. Judge Patrick Hitpas accepted the plea agreement Friday morning from Gerald Simonson. Under the agreement, Simonson was sentenced to 32 years in prison. But with time served and good time, Simonson will be immediately released from prison. State's Attorney Matt Wilzbach says he agreed to accept the plea with the approval of the McLean family."We balanced the family's wishes with the likelyhood of success and the likely sentence if we were successful," he says. "We also had to factor inthe trial cost, and after weighing all those factorswe felt this was the most just resolution." Wilzbach says the retrial would have cost the county between 20-thousand and 40-thousand dollars, scarce dollars given the County's financial crisis. Simonson's public defender Ericka Sanders still believes her client is innocent of the murder. "It's an alford plea which means he has not admitted guilt, only that the state has enough evidence to convict him," she says. "While we believe we hadplenty ofevidence to convince a jury that he did not do this, an open jail cell after 17 long years in prison is too good to pass up." Simonson's wife, Grace, also still believes in her husband's innocence. "Nobody's going to believe him anyway," she says. "I know the truth, he knows the truth and God knows the truth - he just needs to come home." Simonson says after release from prison, they will move to Minnesota to be with other family members. Some, like her husband, have serious illness. In accepting the plea, Judge Hitpas said he was doing so because the family approved, there were many deceased witnesses that would have made trial extremely difficult 17 years after the murder, as well as Simonson's age and health problems. Simonson will still have to complete three years of supervised release. Simonson's original conviction for the murder was overturned by the Appellate Court based on ineffective counsel. Simonson was being held in the Marion County Jail in lieu of five-million dollars bond pending his new trial. Simonson was indictedby a Marion County Grand Jury in December of 1992, six months afterMcLane was found dead in a yard about 500 yards from the Simonson home. Simonson was later found unconcious on the floor of his garage. Simonson admitted being with McLane the day of her death, but claimed he was also a victim of a crime. Wilzbach, inhis outline ofthe caseagainst Simonson,indicatedprosecution witnesses wouldraisequestions about Simonson's injury and story. http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19040Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:52:34 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19040 Openess in city government became the center of conversation when Salem Mayor Leonard Ferguson sat down with a half dozen people during an open forum at the Bryan Bennett Library Thursday night. Ferguson says he remains unhappy that yearly salary increases for city workers do not come before the council for approval."The thing that's frightening to me is that they have a range," he says. "As long as someone stays in that range, you don't have to tell the public anything for 2-3 years." Ferguson says the city manager does now notify the council of any pay raises, but it is not released publically. He critized the media for not requesting and publishing the salaries of city employees yearly. Ferguson feels the city council is now in compliance with state law over communication by e-mail."The council is very careful," he says. "I don't get anything from the council anymore, so they're probably not emailing each other." Ferguson says he still sends e-mails to all councilmen, but e-mail communication is now limited to just two councilmen. Ferguson says he would have no problem with his e-mails becoming public. He was questioned if the e-mails were limiting discussion that should be done publically at city council meetings. Ferguson didn't think that was the case. The Mayor said he was optimistic about the city's future, with several building projects underway and the opportunity for additional development when the Mitchell Street extension on the southeast side of the Interstate interchange is completed. He notes in the current economic climate and lack of activity in the manufacturing area, the city is now concentrating on attracting new retail businesses.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19045Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:31:43 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19045The Centralia Library is stepping up fundraising efforts to match requirements for major grants that will bring new computers to the Library system. The grants are through the Gates Foundation and will mean 18 new computers for the library system. Library Programming and Public Relations Official Diana Donahoo says the library will be required to match some of the grant funds, which will total 46,800 dollars. "In the first phase we'll have to raise 25 percent, which is $6,500," she says. "In the second phase we'll have to raise 50 percent, which is $10,400." The Library's next fundraising event will be this Saturday from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. at the Regional Library, when the institution will offer "Pictures with Santa." The cost for an 8 by 10 photo poster is 10 dollars. Santa will also read to the children. A food stand kicked off fundraising efforts at the Centralia Children's Halloween Parade and the library is also selling reusable canvas bags. Future plans include a raffle and a cookbook. Donahoo says there are deadlines to raise the funds. "The first phase will have to be met by March 1, 2010," she says. "In the second phase, we have another year to March 2011." She believes the library will meet the grant requirements and the computers are sorely needed. Some have been operating since 2001 and need to be replaced. Donahoo says the Gates Foundation likes to see community involvement and anyone wanting to donate or help can contact the library at 532-5222.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19044Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:26:41 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19044Two people have been arrested after a BB gun was fired out of a passing car at the Junction City Teen Center Thursday. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say the BB struck 15-year-old Derek Kirgan of Jefferson Street in Junction City in the chest, causing a welt but no hospital treatment. 17-year-old Donnie Randolph of South Mulberry in Sandoval was later arrested for aggravated battery and 18-year-old Carolyn Reynolds of the same address for resisting a peace officer. Deputies say the two were located in a car matching the description of the one involved in the shooting. Randolph was surprised when told someone had been struck by the BB bullet.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19043Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:24:52 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19043A 56-year-old Salem man is being held in the Marion County Jail for alleged possession of a controlled substance and aggravated battery to a police officer. Centralia Police say Douglas Davis of West Allman was a passenger in a car during a traffic stop. He initially refused to get out of the car after the driver gave permission to search. After allegedly finding a rock of crack cocaine in the car, Davis allegedly kicked the officer trying to take him into custody. Police later had to apply pepper spray when Davis allegedly caused a disturbance in the holding cell at the Centralia Police station. The driver of the car, 52-year-old Linda Nelson of North Trenary in Salem, was ticketed for improper lane usage.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19042Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:23:16 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=1904257-year-old Ernie Whipple of Salem is being held in the Marion County Jail in lieu of five-thousand dollars bond for failure to appear on a criminal trespass to property charge. 55-year-old Michael Meeks of South Maple in Centralia remains in jail on an outstanding ordinance violation warrant.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19041Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:20:22 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19041A 34-year-old Centralia woman has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a police officer and criminal damage to state supported property after allegedly becoming unruly at the Marion County Jail this (Friday) morning. Jobina Pate of Lakeshore Drive had initially been brought to the jail by Centralia Police for criminal trespass to railroad property and disorderly conduct. After being placed in an interview room, Pate allegedly began throwing chairs around the room and broke a mirror. At that point, Pate was put in a restraint chair. She then allegedly kicked a correctional officer when her foot became free. Correctional officers say Pate eventually was tazed after refusing to cooperate.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19039Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:03:29 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19039A 22-year-old Centralia woman has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to unlawful use of property. Samantha Morris of East Marvin admitted to using a shed at 419 South Oak in Sandoval within her control in March for the manufacture of methamphetamine. A 41-year-old Salem man has pleaded guilty to an amended charge of unlawful delivery of cannabis. John Fodero of Pruyn Street was placed on two years probation, ordered to forfeit his bond as fine and costs, and undergo drug counseling and random testing. Fodero admitted having 10 to 30 grams of of cannabis in May. 19-year-old Kasey Middleton of Rhodes Street in Centralia has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft. Middleton was placed on 12 months court supervision, fined 100-dollars, ordered to make 189-dollars restitution to Susan Nottmeyer. Middleton is accused of taking under 300-dollars in cash from Nottmeyer's wallet when spending a night at her home. 19-year-old Keith Royer was ordered to serve 90 days in jail and was fined 200-dollars for criminal damage to Marion County Housing Authority property. Royer admitted to damaging screen doors and windows at a housing unit in the 600 block of East Kell. A restitution hearing has been set for January 7th. A 19-year-old Centralia man has pleaded guilty to domestic battery. Wade Wilkinson of Hickory Meadows was placed on 18 months probation, fined 100-dollars, given credit for 26 days served in the Marion County Jail, pay 709-dollars in restitution and undergo PAVE counseling. Wilkinson admitted striking Wyant in the face with his fist. A 20-year-old Junction City man has been placed on 18 months probation after pleading guilty to domestic battery. Dustin Higgins of Van Buren Street was also ordered to pay a 100-dollar fine, abstain from drugs and alcohol, undergo PAVE Counseling and have no contact with the victim Danielle Gibson. A 40-year-old Centralia man has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of cannabis. Vett Bates of South Hickory was fined 100-dollars and ordered to serve 60 days in jail. http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19038Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:01:28 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19038A 51-year-old Radom woman has been ordered to pay nearly 424-thousand dollars in restitution as part of a guilty plea in Marion County Court to a felony theft charge. Constance Kwiatkowski pleaded guilty to a charge of taking between ten-thousand and 100-thousand dollars from the Insurance Partnership between January 2006 to July of last year. Kwiatkowski was also placed on four years probation, ordered to pay court costs, undergo counseling as directed and have no contact with the Insurance Partnership. In addition, the court ordered Kwiatkowski to not work as a financial bookkeeper or as a caretaker for the elderly or disabled. Assistant State's Attorney Lisa Rose says as part of the restitution, Kwiatkowski surrendered more than 35-thousand dollars in her 401 K. That leaves Kwiatkowski with 388-thousand dollars to repay. Rose reports the theft of the money came to light when a company official discovered a statement for a debit card opened in the businesses name without their knowledge on a day Kwiatkowski was not at work. An audit that followed revealed how much money Kwiatkowski had taken. Rose says it appears the thefts first occurred in 2004.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19037Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:58:53 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19037Bond has been set at 20-thousand dollars for a 29-year-old Centralia man formally charged in Marion County Court today with three counts of aggravated battery. Walter Mancinelli of North College is accused of biting and striking William Kays in the head and face as well as shoving Dorothy Allison and Roberta Beane. The incident allegedly occured at Skippers Inn on South Locust in Centralia on Wednesday. Mancinelli had the public defender appointed to represent him. He was ordered to have on contact with the victims or Skippers Inn if released on bond.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19036Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:57:34 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19036Congressman John Shimkus voted for final passage of the Unemployment Compensation Extension act Thursday. The bill has already passed the Senate and will now head to President Obama's desk for his signature. The legislation would effectively extend unemployment benefits from 14 weeks to 20 weeks in states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent. Shimkus says many policy decisions in Washington are not conducive to job creation, but assistance is needed for those out of work in bad economic climates. He says a proactive move in the bill is the extension of the homebuyer's tax credit. The extension in the credit will run to May 1, 2010. A homeowner tax credit may also be available to some residents for a maximum 65-hundred dollars, and income limits on tax credits were also expanded.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19035Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:54:59 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19035SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A teenage driver safety program run by the Illinois Department of Transportation has been recognized for using peer programming to try to reduce the number of teen driving-related deaths. The state's Operation Teen Safe Driving program was honored Thursday by the nonprofit Roadway Safety Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration. Under the program, Illinois teens were asked to develop efforts at their schools to foster safe driving.Illinois Department of Transportation traffic safety director Michael Stout says the teen driving program has "helped significantly" with the state's mission to reduce fatalities.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19034Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:53:51 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19034SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Army National Guard says none of its members were at Fort Hood when a gunman shot dozens of people. National Guard Maj. Brad Leighton says it isn't uncommon for Illinois guard troops to train at bases such as Fort Hood. But he says none are there now. Thirteen people were killed in the attack at the central Texas Army base and 30 were injured. The suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was among the wounded and is hospitalized. The family of 21-year-old Pfc. Michael Pearson of Bollingbrook told the Chicago Tribune that he was one of the those killed.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19033Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:51:54 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19033SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois has reached a new milestone: More than 1,000 residents have been hospitalized withH1-N1 since April. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported eight newH1-N1 deaths Friday, bringing total deaths since April to 36. The weekly update of 272 hospitalizations pushed the total over 1,000.In Chicago, health workers have vaccinated more than 42,000 people againstH1-N1 in the past six days at six sites across the city. Chicago has added a seventh location. Vaccine will be offered on the next three Saturdays - Nov. 7, 14 and 21 - from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Malcolm X College. A county-by-county guide to where vaccine is available throughout Illinois is on the state Health Department's Web site.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19032Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:46:54 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19032EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - Sentencing will be in February for an Army veteran who plotted with his wife to bilk the U.S. government by faking paralysis to get disability benefits and avoid being deployed to Iraq. Jeffrey Rush pleaded guilty Friday in federal court in East St. Louis to charges of fraud conspiracy, mail fraud and making a false statement to a federal agency. Rush used to live in Glen Carbon but has since moved to Nashville, Tenn.The Rushes claimed he lost the use of his legs after a November 2004 rollover crash. That was just weeks before his Army company from Kansas was shipped off to Iraq without him. Jeffrey Rush went on to collect federal disability benefits. The couple also tried to defraud through a product-liability lawsuit against Ford over the rollover wreck. Amy Rush already pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19029Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:52:29 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19029The Marion County Health Department has announced it's first public clinic for H1-N1 vaccinations. November 9th from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Salem, health officials will be vaccinating those in priority groups ONLY. Priority groups include: pregnant women, people that live with or care for children less than six months of age, health care and emergency services personnel, people 6 months through 24 years of age and people 25 through 64 years of age with a medical condition that puts them at a high risk for flu complications - such as chronic diseases of the lung, heart, kidneys, blood, nerves, metabolic disorders, and people with a weak immune system or cancer. If you are not in one of the priority groups, you will NOT be able to receive the vaccine. The Marion County Health Department is asking for cooperation and patience from the public. The general public will be vaccinated at later clinics. 2,000 doses will be available at the clinic and WJBD is planning to pass on availability updates for the convenience of residents outside of Salem. The vaccines are free of charge.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19031Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:52:23 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19031Some Centralia residents may have been experiencing collection issues with leaf pick-up in recent days. In efforts to get back on schedule with collection routes, Veolia Waste Management will be working longer hours and dedicating Saturdays to missed collections. Work hours will run 6 a.m. until 5:30 or 6 p.m., depending on the amount of daylight. Effective Thursday November 5th, Veolia will be focusing on Thursday's collection route and will not move on to the next day's route until the collection is complete. The city asks residents to have leaves at the edge of their lawns by 6 a.m. on collection days to ensure pickup. They are also asked not to block leaf piles with vehicles, as those piles will not be collected. For questions regarding Veolia services or to report missed pickups, you may call 888-867-8066.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19030Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:48:29 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19030Some Ameren customers in the Salem area experienced power outages today, after a fire burned through a power line in the area. Ameren officials believe the fire may have been sparked by a weakness in the wire, which can be caused by anything from lightning to the wear and tear of time. The outage was first reported at around 2 o'clock this afternoon and at its height, some 700 customers were out of power. Since then, power has been restored to the affected households.http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19027Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:56:10 CSThttp://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19027The Marion County Health Department continues to conduct H1-N1 flu clinics in County Schools as part of the effort to curb cases of the illness in some of the most succeptible priority groups. Shelley Yoder with MCHD says the majority of schoolchildren have had an opportunity to receive the vaccine. "We started October 21st and we've done clinics at 21 schools," she says. "There are only three schools in Marion County that still need to have their clinics scheduled." Yoder adds those schools will have their clinics shortly. Parents had to sign permission forms and the vaccinations were voluntary. Yoder says response to the clinics has been good. "We've had a very good turnout," she says. "Anywhere from 50 to 75 percent of the student body has returned forms for the vaccines." There have been 23 confirmed cases of H1-N1 in Marion County to date, and statewide nearly 550 people have been hospitalized - with the disease blamed for 22 deaths in Illinois.