Courts, Police & Fire

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Carle will 'vigorously' defend against lawsuit

URBANA – Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Clinic say they will vigorously defend against a federal lawsuit filed by Suzanne Stratton, the hospital's former vice president for research who says she was fired for blowing the whistle on patient safety issues and other problems she found in Carle's cancer research program.

Stratton was fired nearly a year ago, on Nov. 18, 2008, by Carle hospital CEO Dr. James Leonard.

Excerpts of lawsuit filed against Carle Clinic, officials

Some excerpts from the lawsuit filed by Suzanne Stratton against Carle Clinic and officials there:

– Stratton believed Dr. Kendrith Rowland and Carle Clinic were consistently attempting to interfere with the hospital Institutional Review Board's independence to prevent Rowland's protocols from being subjected to full review as required by law. She also believed Rowland was concealing information from the board about adverse events and mistakes made in trials and preventing the board from reporting them to the government as required.

Ex-health district director indicted on 7 counts

URBANA – The former executive director of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has been indicted by a Champaign County grand jury on seven felony counts stemming from his behavior while in office in 2006 and 2007.

State's Attorney Julia Rietz was attending a conference Friday and could not be reached for comment, but Champaign police detective Pat Kelly, who has investigated Vito Palazzolo for more than two years, said Rietz planned to make a statement Monday about the charges against Palazzolo, 53, who was fired in August 2007.

Ex-Iroquois County clerk gets 60 days in jail

WATSEKA – Former Iroquois County Clerk Mark Henrichs must pay back $17,500 to the county in addition to serving a 60-day jail sentence and 30 months of probation, as ordered by Judge William Schmidt during a sentencing hearing Friday afternoon in Iroquois County Circuit Court.

Henrichs was ordered to report to the county jail in Watseka by 9 a.m. Wednesday. He will be eligible for "day-to-day good conduct credit," Schmidt said, which means he could end up serving only 30 days.

3 Urbana residents facing drug charges

URBANA – Three Urbana residents are due back in court next month to face charges that they had cannabis and psilocybin intended for sale in their home.

University of Illinois police Lt. Skip Frost said officers from his department, Urbana and the sheriff's office served a search warrant Thursday afternoon at a home in the 400 block of West Iowa Street in Urbana.

Three businesses found in violation of liquor laws

SPRINGFIELD – Three Champaign County businesses were found to have violated liquor control laws in October.

The businesses were among almost 100 visited by representatives of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission last month.

Champaign man injured in crash

CHAMPAIGN – A Champaign man was treated for injuries he suffered in a traffic accident in northwest Champaign about 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Champaign police spokeswoman Rene Dunn said a preliminary report showed that Onurcan Boke, 20, of the 1100 block of Laura Drive, Champaign, was stopped in traffic in the 2800 block of West Bradley Avenue near Pomona Drive waiting to make a left turn when he was hit from behind by a van driven by Cynthia Sampson, 47, of the 2900 block of Carrelton Drive, Champaign.

Crime report

In crimes reported recently to area police:

CHAMPAIGN

– 0-100 block of Park Street: Vehicle window broken with brick and door handle damaged Sunday.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Former research official sues Carle over firing

URBANA — Suzanne Stratton, the former vice president for research at Carle Foundation Hospital, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the hospital of firing her for alerting authorities to patient safety issues and other problems she found in Carle’s cancer research program.

Fort Hood suspect reportedly shouted 'Allahu Akbar'

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) – Soldiers who witnessed the shooting rampage at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead reported that the gunman shouted "Allahu Akbar!" – an Arabic phrase for "God is great!" – before opening fire, the base commander said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said officials had not yet confirmed that the suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, made the comment before the rampage Thursday. Hasan was among 30 people wounded in the shooting spree and remained hospitalized on a ventilator.

Troubling portrait emerges of Fort Hood suspect

WASHINGTON (AP) – His name appears on radical Internet postings. A fellow officer says he fought his deployment to Iraq and argued with soldiers who supported U.S. wars. He required counseling as a medical student because of problems with patients.

There are many unknowns about Nidal Malik Hasan, the man authorities say is responsible for the worst mass killing on a U.S. military base. Most of all, his motive.

Mahomet murder victim's mother pleads for answers

MAHOMET – Holly Cassano was a single mother devoted to her daughter and her friends. She worked two jobs for a while and was struggling in a relationship with the father of her child.

Exonerated man seeks cash for 27-year sentence

SATELLITE BEACH, Fla. (AP) – No bars or razor wire hold former Florida inmate No. 082629. Instead, William Dillon sits on furniture the color of ripe lemons, surrounded by cheerful animal statues and blooming plants, a prisoner no longer after 27 years.

He could get more than a million dollars in state compensation for his wrongful imprisonment, though how much he'll get – if anything – is up to lawmakers because he has a prior conviction for felony drug possession. A hearing on the matter took place this week in Tallahassee, though Dillon says it's impossible to put a dollar amount on his freedom.

Polygamist sect man convicted of sexual assault of minor

ELDORADO, Texas (AP) – After being duped by false leads and chastised by a court for its handling of polygamist sect children, the state of Texas has won a criminal conviction in its first trial of a sect member charged with sexually assaulted an underage girl.

Raymond Jessop, 38, was convicted late Thursday for having sex with the teen with whom he had a so-called spiritual marriage. He faces up to 20 years in prison when the jury reconvenes Monday to begin deciding his sentence.

Mistrust hinders identification of Cleveland victims

CLEVELAND (AP) – Police say there's only one way for the families of missing women to know for sure if their loved ones are among the victims found in suspected serial killer Anthony Sowell's house: Give DNA samples. But relatives with checkered pasts in the hardscrabble neighborhood seem reluctant to come forward.

Area pastors are urging families to provide DNA samples that could help the coroner's office identify the remains of eight black women, saying that nearly two dozen others are still missing in southeast Cleveland. The coroner's office, meanwhile, tried to calm concerns by promising the samples would not be shared with police.

Emotional Florida sheriff celebrates baby's survival

CHIPLEY, Fla. (AP) – Sheriff Bobby Haddock knew time was running out for a 7-month-old girl missing in the Florida Panhandle.

For five days, searchers had scoured the dense vines and marshes around the baby's rural home, knowing that every hour a child is missing, the chances of finding them alive decreases. But Shannon Lea Dedrick was finally discovered – lying quietly in a 2-foot by 3-foot cedar box that had been shoved under her baby sitter's bed.

2 plead innocent to burglary charges

URBANA – Two men pleaded innocent Thursday in connection with the armed burglary of an Urbana home.

According to an Urbana police report, two men with a firearm forced their way into a home in the 1100 block of North Goodwin Avenue, U., at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, damaging a frame door, a screen door and a doorjamb.

Cause still unknown of residential blaze at Rantoul home

RANTOUL – The cause is still unknown for a fire that caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to a Rantoul home.

Rantoul firefighters, assisted by firefighters from Thomasboro, were called to the blaze at 1228 E. Grove Ave. in Rantoul on Wednesday afternoon.

Property manager to stand trial for forgery

DANVILLE – A local property manager will stand trial on charges that he forged signatures on several real estate contracts and homeowner tax-exemption cards filed with the Vermilion County supervisor of assessments' office in July.

Burger King on Prospect reopens

CHAMPAIGN – The Burger King at 2110 N. Prospect Ave., C, has reopened.

The restaurant closed Tuesday afternoon following a fire.

Police, firefighters to compete

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign police officers and firefighters will compete on the football field Saturday afternoon to help raise money for a planned memorial for officers who died in the line of duty.

12 dead, 31 hurt at Fort Hood; major ID'd as gunman

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — An Army psychiatrist set to be shipped overseas opened fire at the Fort Hood Army post Thursday, authorities said, a rampage that killed 12 people and left 31 wounded in the worst mass shooting ever at a military base in the United States.

The gunman, first said to have been killed, was wounded but alive in a hospital under military guard, said Lt. Gen. Bob Cone at Fort Hood. He was shot four times, and was on a ventilator and unconscious, according to military officials. "I would say his death is not imminent," Cone said.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Burger King on Prospect reopens after fire

CHAMPAIGN — The Burger King at 2110 N. Prospect Ave., C, has reopened following a fire there earlier this week.

Cause unknown for fire that hit Rantoul home

RANTOUL — The cause is still unknown for a fire that caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to a Rantoul home.

Consent decree over for Champaign schools

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district's consent decree is officially over, and now it will be up to the district and the community to ensure Champaign's black students receive an equitable education, without any oversight by the court.

Florida baby missing for 5 days found alive

CHIPLEY, Fla. (AP) – A baby missing for five days was found alive and well under her baby sitter's bed, and Florida authorities said Thursday they plan to charge the sitter, her husband and the child's mother.

Investigators found 7-month-old Shannon Dedrick in a box tucked under a bed surrounded by items intended to hide the child at Susan Elizabeth Baker's home near Chipley, a rural Panhandle town, Washington County Sheriff Bobby Haddock said in an interview early Thursday. The baby was placed in protective custody.

California officials vow changes to parole supervision

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California corrections officials say they're working to improve the monitoring of released sex offenders, responding to a scathing report that cited missed chances to catch the suspect accused of holding Jaycee Dugard captive for 18 years.

The department was slammed in a report released Wednesday by state Inspector General David Shaw for its supervision of convicted sex offender Phillip Garrido, who has been charged with the abduction, rape and imprisonment of Dugard.

Relatives ask how Ohio victims went unnoticed

CLEVELAND (AP) – The discovery of 11 bodies in one home in a run-down neighborhood here has relatives of the presumed victims wondering how such a gruesome scene could have gone unnoticed for perhaps years, and they charge that police ignored their missing person reports.

The man who lives in the home, 50-year-old Anthony Sowell, was ordered held without bond Wednesday on five counts of aggravated murder.

Rantoul man faces life in jail in drug case

URBANA – A Rantoul man faces the possibility of life in prison for having almost an ounce of crack cocaine earlier this year.

A federal jury on Tuesday convicted Howard Baker, 28, of Rantoul, of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine in a trial before U.S. District Court Judge Michael McCuskey.

Sidney man charged with burglary, break-in attempt

URBANA – A Sidney man is due back in court in December after being charged Tuesday with breaking into one home in October and trying to get into a second home in July.

Kamaal Dudley, 18, was charged with residential burglary for an Oct. 13 incident in which a home in the 1300 block of Joanne Lane in Champaign was forcibly entered and a laptop and cash were stolen.

Woman convicted in 2006 Haigh murders

URBANA – Kim Shackelford has a hard time believing three years have passed since her parents were stabbed and bludgeoned to death in their Champaign home.

"I remember the day I found out about my parents like it was yesterday," said Shackelford, the only child of Jerry and Sue Haigh, whose bodies were discovered in their home at 1702 Scottswood Drive, C, on July 4, 2006.

Man gets 60 days in jail for arson

URBANA – A Paxton man who admitted setting fire to a vacant home when he was working as a volunteer firefighter has been sentenced to 60 days in jail.

Andrew Bryant, 21, pleaded guilty before Judge Harry Clem Wednesday to arson, admitting that on May 7 he set fire to a home on County Road 1900 E about a mile east of Ludlow. The house was vacant, Assistant State's Attorney Lindsey Clark said.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

State budget crisis endangers A Woman's Place

URBANA – A Woman's Place could become the latest casualty of the state budget crisis.

The county's only shelter for victims of domestic violence is down to a skeleton staff of six and may have to close if it doesn't get a past-due state payment soon, officials said Thursday.

Firefighters called to Rantoul house fire

RANTOUL — Firefighters from Rantoul and Thomasboro are responding to a house fire at 1228 E. Grove St. in Rantoul.

 

Final approval granted in consent decree settlement

CHAMPAIGN — The Champaign school district’s consent decree case is officially over.

Federal District Court Judge Joe Billy McDade entered an order Wednesday afternoon approving the proposed settlement agreement reached by the school district and the plaintiffs this summer.

Vigil tonight for slain Mahomet woman

MAHOMET — A candlelight vigil will be held Wednesday evening for a woman who was killed in her home.

Jury convicts Myrick in murder of Champaign couple

URBANA — A Champaign County jury needed about two hours to convict Crystal Myrick of the murders of a Champaign couple.

Man charged with burglary to Champaign home

URBANA — A Sidney man is due back in court in December after being charged Tuesday with breaking into one home in October and trying to get into a second in July.

Man sentenced for starting fire while he was a firefighter

URBANA — A Paxton man who admitted setting fire to a vacant home when he was a volunteer firefighter has been sentenced to 60 days in jail.

22-year-old murder victim stabbed multiple times

URBANA – Champaign County sheriff's investigators are looking for help from the public in finding the person or persons responsible for the murder of a Mahomet woman.

Defendant takes stand at Haigh murder trial

URBANA – Champaign County jurors will have to decide Wednesday if they believe Crystal Myrick's denials that she had anything to do with the murders of Jerry and Sue Haigh.

"I wasn't really thinking. I was just so angry at Sean (Kelly). I was making stuff up that I got out of newspapers and off TV shows," said the 32-year-old mother of five, accused of participating in the fatal beatings and stabbings of the Champaign couple in their home on July 1, 2006.

No bond for rapist who had 10 bodies at Ohio home

CLEVELAND (AP) – A rapist who lived at a Cleveland house where 10 bodies were found has been ordered held without bond.

Anthony Sowell appeared Wednesday before Municipal Court Judge Ronald Adrine on five counts of aggravated murder.

3 N.D. students found dead in SUV in pond

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) – Three college softball players found dead after their sport utility vehicle went into a pond on a North Dakota farm during a stargazing trip likely drove straight into the water in the dark, authorities said Wednesday.

Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy said the women's SUV was found resting on its wheels Tuesday in about 10 feet of water hidden by tall grass, with the doors and windows closed.

Autopsy finds Edgewood man drowned

TUSCOLA – An autopsy conducted Tuesday indicated that drowning was the cause of death of a man whose car went into a pond near Tuscola on Monday afternoon.

Calvin Jones, 84, of Edgewood died before two Douglas County sheriff's deputies and two Tuscola firefighters were able to pull him out of the water.

No one injured in fire at North Prospect Burger King

CHAMPAIGN – The Burger King on North Prospect Avenue in Champaign won't re-open until inspections by city and public health officials following a Tuesday afternoon fire.

Champaign Fire Department spokeswoman Dena Schumacher said firefighters were called to the restaurant at 2110 N. Prospect Ave. at 1:04 p.m. Tuesday.

Police issue 32 tickets in Campustown bar check

CHAMPAIGN – Police issued 32 tickets – 29 of them for underage drinking, two for possession of alcohol on public property and one for battery – in a series of bar checks over the weekend.

State and Champaign police conducted the bar checks on Friday and issued the following citations:

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Woman denies having anything to do with murders

URBANA — Champaign County jurors will have to decide Wednesday if they believe Crystal Myrick’s denials that she had anything to do with the murders of Jerry and Sue Haigh.

Investigators seek help from public in solving murder

URBANA — Champaign County sheriff’s investigators are looking for help from the public finding the person or persons responsible for the murder of a Mahomet woman.

Restaurant will be closed till inspection after fire

CHAMPAIGN — The Burger King on North Prospect Avenue in Champaign won’t re-open until inspections by city and public health officials following a Tuesday afternoon fire.

 

Bar checks bring 32 tickets in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN — Police issued 32 tickets — 29 of them for underage drinking, two for possession on public property and one for  battery — in a series of bar checks over the weekend.

Mahomet woman's death probed as homicide

MAHOMET – Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup has identified the woman who was found dead outside Mahomet on Monday morning.

Northrup said Holly Cassano, 22, of Mahomet, was pronounced dead at 2:10 p.m. Monday at her home on Dupage Street in Candlewood Estates, a mobile home park.

Two arrested after 1,455 pounds of pot found

URBANA – Two men are being held at the Champaign County Jail on $150,000 bond each after state police found 1,455 pounds of marijuana inside a rental truck headed from Houston to Danville.

According to a state police report, a state trooper pulled over a rental truck on the Interstate 57 exit ramp to Market Street in rural Champaign at 3:15 p.m. Saturday.

Man's vehicle leaves Interstate 57, sinks in pond

TUSCOLA – An Edgewood man died Monday afternoon when his car left Interstate 57 near Tuscola and was submerged in a pond beside the highway.

Sgt. Bill Emery of the Illinois State Police said Calvin Jones, 84, died before two Douglas County sheriff's deputies and two Tuscola firefighters were able to pull his body out of the water.

Attempted-murder charge brings bail of $1.5 million

URBANA – Bond has been set at $1.5 million for a man arrested Friday on suspicion of attempted murder.

Travionte C. Williams, 18, pleaded innocent Monday afternoon to charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm, both Class X felonies.

Two Danville men hurt in when truck runs into tree

PENFIELD – Two Danville men were injured when their car struck a tree in rural Penfield on Monday morning.

Champaign County Sheriff Dan Walsh said emergency personnel were called to a crash north of Penfield near the intersection of County Roads 3100N and 2700E at 8:10 a.m. Monday.

No one injured in fire at vacant house in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN – A fire in a vacant single-story home caused moderate to heavy damage but no injuries Monday afternoon, the fire department said.

A call came in at 1:55 p.m. that there was a fire at 905 N. Walnut St., C. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke upon arrival, but the blaze was limited to one bedroom.

Crime report

Area police report the following:

Monday, November 2, 2009

Coroner identifies body of Mahomet woman

MAHOMET – Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup has identified the woman who was found dead outside Mahomet Monday morning.

Northrup said Holly Cassano, 22, of Mahomet, was pronounced dead at 2:10 p.m. Monday at her home on Dupage Street in Candlewood Estates, a mobile home park.

Deputies looking into apparent Mahomet area death

Champaign County Sheriff Dan Walsh said sheriff's deputies were sent to the Candlewood Estates mobile home park near Mahomet at 10:38 a.m. Monday. They found the body of a woman, whose identity has not been released, he said.

"We are investigating as a probable homicide at this time," Walsh said. "We are investigating, with the assistance of the state police."

Two arrested for almost 1,500 pounds of marijuana in truck

URBANA — Two men are being held at the Champaign County Jail on $150,000 bond each after state police found 1,455 pounds of marijuana inside a rental truck headed from Houston to Danville.

Man dies when car goes into pond along I-57 near Tuscola

TUSCOLA — An Edgewood man died Monday afternoon when his car left
Interstate 57 near Tuscola and was submerged in a pond beside the highway.

Fire in Mahomet only a training exercise

MAHOMET – Firefighters from the Corn Belt Fire Department are at the scene of a fire in the 200 block of Prairieview Road in Mahomet, but firefighters report it is a training exercise.

 

Car hits tree in northeast Champaign County

RURAL PENFIELD — Champaign County sheriff’s deputies and emergency medical crews are responding to personal-injury accident in which a car hit a tree.

Police and rescue crews were sent to the accident north of Penfield near the intersection of County Roads 2700 E and 3100 N about 8:10 a.m. Monday.

Man charged with killing 4 in Mayberry model town

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (AP) – Police arrested a convicted kidnapper early Monday in the fatal shooting of four men in a parking lot in the town that inspired the idyllic community of Mayberry on the 1960s TV series "The Andy Griffith Show."

Marcos Chavez Gonzalez was charged with four counts of murder in the slayings late Sunday outside a TV store in Mount Airy, about 100 miles north of Charlotte, Mount Airy police said.

Rantoul police seek information on Oct. 21 burglary

RANTOUL – Crimestoppers and the Champaign County sheriff's office need help solving a burglary in rural Rantoul earlier this month.

According to a police report, somebody broke into a home in the 3000 block of County Road 2100E between 7 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Oct. 21 and took flat screen televisions, a video game system, a digital camera and a video camera.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Crime report

In crimes reported to area police departments:

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Convicted killer says defendant had role in attack

URBANA – The man already convicted of murdering Jerry Haigh in his Champaign home three years ago told a jury hearing co-defendant Crystal Myrick's case that she took an active role in killing Sue Haigh.

Kenneth Sean Kelly, 37, a Champaign native, also testified that he took two tablets of the drug Ecstasy on the day Jerry and Sue Haigh were bludgeoned and stabbed to death in their home at 1702 Scottsdale Drive, in what one detective described as a massacre.

Urbana police make arrest in shooting case

URBANA – An Urbana man is in custody after an attempted murder Friday.

At 1:09 a.m., Urbana police officers responded to a report of multiple gunshots being fired at 2004 Vawter St. and that a subject was down on the ground, a press release said.

Fire officials urge residents to change batteries in alarms

When you change your clocks tonight, remember to change batteries as well.

Fire officials urge you to use the fall time change as a reminder to change the batteries in home smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Crimes reported to area police agencies

A roundup of crimes reported to area police.

Defendants give different accounts of 2006 attack

URBANA – A Champaign County jury has been spared no gore in the details of how a Champaign couple were slaughtered in their home three years ago allegedly by a trio looking for money and drugs.

For several hours Wednesday and Thursday, the jury heard the taped statement that Crystal Myrick gave a Champaign police detective about her role in the fatal beatings and stabbings of Jeremiah and Sue Haigh.

Man accused of beating ex-girlfriend due back in court

URBANA – A Champaign man accused of forcing his way into an ex-girlfriend's home and beating her is due back in court Nov. 24.

Michael Nelson, 34, whose last known address was in the 600 block of Louisiana Avenue, was arraigned Wednesday in Champaign County Circuit Court for a June 28 home invasion.

Crimestoppers president makes FBI's 'good' list

CHAMPAIGN – The only president that Champaign County Crimestoppers has ever known has been selected as a recipient of one of the FBI's most prestigious awards for non-agents.

Crimestoppers President John Hecker was surprised at the organization's meeting Thursday afternoon when FBI Assistant Special Agent In-Charge Emmerson Buie Jr. announced that Hecker had been chosen to receive the Director's Community Leadership Award.

'Heart of the team' dies in morning crash

HOOPESTON – Hoopeston Area High School students and staff said a Rankin teen, who was killed in a pickup truck-semi tractor trailer collision early Thursday morning, was the heart of the boys' basketball team and the school.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Rankin teen killed in early-morning crash

Family members of the Hoopeston Area High School student who was killed in
a pickup truck-semi tractor trailer collision west of Hoopeston early
Thursday morning identified him as 17-year-old Michael "Mikey" Symmonds
of Rankin.

Jurors hear from accused in murder of Champaign couple

URBANA — A Champaign County jury has been spared no gore in the details of how a Champaign couple were slaughtered in their home three years ago allegedly by a trio looking for money and drugs.

Crimestoppers president gets award from FBI

CHAMPAIGN – The only president that Champaign County Crimestoppers has ever known has been selected as a recipient of one of the FBI's most prestigious awards for non-agents.

Crimestoppers President John Hecker was surprised at the organization's meeting Thursday afternoon when FBI Assistant Special Agent In-Charge Emmerson Buie Jr. announced that Hecker had been chosen to receive the Director's Community Leadership Award.

Sanitary district gets $20 million loan

CHAMPAIGN – The Urbana and Champaign Sanitary District is getting a $20 million interest-free loan from the state to pay for environmental projects to improve the wastewater system.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott announced Thursday evening that the district would receive the money using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well as some money from the state's revolving fund.

Champaign man accused of swindling neighbor

URBANA – A Champaign man accused of swindling his ailing neighbor out of thousands of dollars is due back in court next month.

Ricky McGowan, 45. who listed an address in the 100 block of West Washington Street, was charged Wednesday with theft over $10,000.

Champaign police review will take place next week

CHAMPAIGN – A team from the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program will be in Champaign next week to determine if the Champaign Police Department should get the organization's top level of accreditation.

Champaign police investigating robberies

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign police are looking for two men who robbed a store at gunpoint in north Champaign on Monday evening.

They are also investigating two other reports of pedestrians being robbed Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

Check-scheme probe leads to drug arrests

URBANA – A Rantoul couple arrested Tuesday for having drugs for sale at their home were criminally charged in Champaign County Wednesday.

Rantoul police Sgt. Marcus Beach said police were investigating Angel Wallace, 23, of the 0-100 block of Mahoning Avenue, for a fraudulent check-cashing scheme. When they went to the home Tuesday to talk to her about the checks, they saw drugs in plain view, Beach said.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Two charged in Rantoul drug case

URBANA — A Rantoul couple arrested Tuesday for having drugs for sale at their home were criminally charged in Champaign County Wednesday.

Man accused of swindling neighbor

URBANA — A Champaign man accused of swindling his ailing neighbor out of thousands of dollars is due back in court next month.

Man arraigned on home invasion charge

URBANA — A Champaign man accused of forcing his way into an ex-girlfriend’s home and beating her is due back in court Nov. 24.

Police investigating robberies in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign police are looking for two men who robbed a store at gunpoint in north Champaign on Monday evening.

They are also investigating two other reports of pedestrians being robbed Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

Suspect in baby's death pleads guilty to manslaughter

DANVILLE – A week before the start of his murder trial, a Danville man pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in connection with the 2006 shaking death of 2½-year-old Reagan Williams, who died while in his care.

 

Ryan Allhands, 24, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of involuntary manslaughter, a Class 2 felony. By doing so, he admitted to unintentionally killing Reagan, "a family or household member, without lawful justification by recklessly performing the acts which caused her death" and that those acts "were likely to cause death or great bodily harm."

Four-legged friend at courthouse dies unexpectedly

Bomb-sniffing dog had many fans in building

URBANA – Champaign County Courthouse employees were in shock and mourning Tuesday for the loss of a co-worker.

Urbana man charged with sexual abuse

URBANA – An Urbana man accused of sexually molesting a child several years ago is due back in court next month.

Champaign attorney Walter Ding entered his appearance in Champaign County Circuit Court Tuesday for Kenji Haley, 31.

Trial starts for woman accused in 2006 killings

URBANA – The only child of a Champaign couple slain in their home three years ago described her parents as comfortable financially due to years of hard work.

A prosecutor said their affluence may have gotten them murdered.

2 men plead innocent to having marijuana for sale

URBANA – Two Urbana men pleaded innocent Tuesday afternoon to charges of felony possession with the intent to deliver marijuana.

According to a University of Illinois police report, officers pulled over a vehicle near the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Green Street, Urbana, for a routine traffic stop at 8:48 p.m. Monday. Police arrested Chigbogu Ezeofor, 22, who listed an address in the 300 block of West Springfield Avenue, Urbana, for possession of more than 500 grams of marijuana with the intent to deliver and for illegal transportation of liquor.

Crime report

Area police report the following

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Prosecutor: Affluence may have led to couple's murder

URBANA — The only child of a Champaign couple slain in their home three years ago described her parents as comfortable financially due to years of hard work.

A prosecutor said their affluence may have gotten them murdered.

Danville man pleads in 2006 shaking death of child

DANVILLE — A week before the start of his murder trial, a Danville man pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in connection with the 2006 shaking death of 2 1/2-year-old Reagan Williams, who died while in his care.

County's bomb-sniffing dog dies

URBANA — Champaign County courthouse employees were in shock and mourning Tuesday for the loss of a co-worker. Duke, the bomb-sniffing dog, died unexpectedly early Tuesday.

Man accused of molestation has next court appearance

URBANA — An Urbana man accused of sexually molesting a child several years ago is due back in court next month.

Police will increase campus patrols

CHAMPAIGN – University of Illinois and Champaign police are increasing patrols in the campus area following an armed robbery early Sunday morning.

According to a University of Illinois police report, a man was walking north on a sidewalk across from the intersection of White and Third streets at 3:15 a.m. when he was approached by another man.

Danville man charged with murder

DANVILLE – A 28-year-old Danville man was formally charged with murder Monday in connection with a weekend shooting, while police continue to search for others who may have been involved.

Davieon Harper, who listed an address in the unit block of North Alexander Street, was charged with one count each of murder, armed robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, stemming from the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Timothy A. Shutes Jr. of Danville on Saturday night.

Danville house fire does at least $30,000 damage

DANVILLE – Danville firefighters were called out at 4:25 p.m. Monday for a house fire at 1320 E. Williams St.

When they arrived, they found heat had blown out the east and south windows of a bedroom at the back of the one-story, wood-frame house and fire was showing, said Capt. David Brady.

Champaign man gets 25 years for stolen car

URBANA – A Champaign man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for possession of a stolen vehicle.

On Monday, Judge Tom Difanis sentenced Sean Ellis, 26, who listed an address in the 2100 block of Melrose Drive, Champaign.

Crime report

Area police report the following:

 

Rantoul man gets 60 years for 2008 murder

URBANA – A Rantoul man who insists he is innocent was sentenced Monday to 60 years in prison for a fatal shooting.

Judge Thomas Difanis Monday sentenced Juvon Mays, 28, for the Dec. 20 murder of Corinthian "Shaun" Spinks.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Police clear accident on Prospect at I-74

CHAMPAIGN — Police have cleared the scene of an accident on Prospect  Avenue at Interstate 74.

Danville man arrested in fatal weekend shooting

DANVILLE – A Danville man could be formally charged with murder Monday following a fatal shooting over the weekend.

Danville police arrested 28-year-old Davieon Harper on a preliminary charge of murder in connection with the shooting of Timothy A. Shutes Jr., 20, of Danville on Saturday night. He was taken into custody without incident, Danville Public Safety Director Larry Thomason said.

Trial for second suspect in 2006 killings to start today

URBANA – The second of three people charged with the brutal murders of a Champaign couple three years ago is set to go to trial today.

Crystal Myrick, 32, whose last known address was in Bloomington, Ind., is the person who implicated herself and two other men for the July 2006 murders of Jeremiah and Sue "Chi" Haigh. Their bodies were discovered on July 4, 2006, in their home at 1702 Scottsdale Drive. Each of them had been repeatedly beaten and stabbed.

Convicted robber gets 15 years for separate burglary

URBANA – An Urbana man already serving a seven-year prison sentence for robbery will now have to serve a few more years for a residential burglary he committed just before the robbery.

Judge Tom Difanis on Friday sentenced Khaled Alghadi, 27, who last lived in the 900 block of Burkwood Court, to 15 years in prison for an April 15, 2008, break-in to an apartment in the 600 block of East Green Street in Champaign.

Soldier killed in Afghanistan back home in Rantoul

The Rantoul community welcomed Sgt. Christopher Rudzinski home Sunday.

Sgt. Rudzinski, 28, who served in the Army, died Oct. 16 from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on patrol near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

It marked his fourth deployment to an area of conflict. He previously had served one tour of duty in Kosovo and two in Iraq. Sgt. Rudzinski was assigned to a military police brigade based at Fort Stewart, Ga.

Family of girl found in landfill once called Paxton home

PAXTON – The mother and grandparents of a 7-year-old girl who was found dead last week in a Georgia landfill used to live in Paxton.

Janeene Bradley of Rantoul said the family of Somer Thompson of Orange Park, Fla., has been in shock since investigators discovered the suburban Jacksonville, Fla., child's body under trash in a landfill near the Florida-Georgia state line Wednesday.

Champaign police seek suspect in string of robberies

CHAMPAIGN – Crimestoppers and Champaign police need help solving three robberies that occurred earlier this month in the same part of town.

Restaurant delivery drivers were beaten and robbed about 10 p.m. Oct. 10 in the 700 block of West Clark Street; about 9:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in the 500 block of West White Street; and about 9 p.m. Oct. 12 in the 600 block of West Springfield Avenue.

Crime report

Area police report the following incidents:

Sunday, October 25, 2009

UI stepping up patrols after armed robbery on campus

CHAMPAIGN – University of Illinois and Champaign police are increasing patrols in the campus area following an armed robbery early Sunday morning.

According to a University of Illinois police report, a man was walking north on a sidewalk across from the intersection of White and Third streets at 3:15 a.m. when he was approached by another man.

Slain soldier returning to Rantoul this morning

People who want to pay their respects to Army Sgt. Christopher Rudzinski of Rantoul, killed in Afghanistan earlier this month, may want to stand along the route that will be taken to get his body to Rantoul this morning.

Lux Memorial Chapel director Leslie Lux said the military aircraft bringing his body from Dover Air Force Base is scheduled to arrive at Willard Airport in Savoy at 10 a.m. today. Sgt. Rudzinski's father and brother flew to Delaware to accompany him back, she said.

Champaign in no rush to set up police review board

CHAMPAIGN – The fatal shooting of a Champaign teen when police answered a burglary call this month has sparked renewed calls for a citizen police review board. But city council members are not inclined to reopen that issue now, saying that there are other priorities.

A police review board was among demands from an overflow crowd Tuesday night at the Champaign council meeting.

Champaign council willing to wait for state police report

CHAMPAIGN – City council members say they want to wait for an Illinois State Police report on the investigation of a fatal shooting before deciding where to go from there.

Most said last Tuesday's emotional public comments affected them, but they need facts about the incident before taking action involving the police.

Judge denies bid to reduce sentence in fatal DUI crash

URBANA – A Champaign County judge Friday denied a Champaign woman's request to reduce her sentence for killing a woman in a drunken-driving collision in December.

Judge Tom Difanis declined to reconsider the 14-year prison term he handed Elizabeth Drewes in May following her guilty plea in April to aggravated driving under the influence.

Fire damages house in Danville; no injuries reported

DANVILLE – Fire heavily damaged a single-family home in the southeast part of Danville on Friday evening.

Danville fire Lt. Todd Spicer said firefighters were called to 17 S. Beard St. at 5:15 p.m.

Crime report

The following crimes have been reported to area police recently:

Saturday, October 24, 2009

A year later, mom still seeking justice for daughter

URBANA – Yvonne Jayne and her family will be lighting a candle Sunday night in memory of her late daughter. They're hoping it will shed light on the plight of victims of domestic violence.

April Ruthann "Rudy" Rahming, 23, died Oct. 25, 2008, under circumstances that are less than clear to authorities.

Champaign council to review 'use of force' policies

CHAMPAIGN – The city of Champaign has scheduled a city council study session for Nov. 10 to review the police department's recently revised "use of force" policies.

Meanwhile, in response to questions at last Tuesday's council meeting about the police department's "use of deadly force" procedures, the department released a statement Friday claiming the local policy "is taken directly" from Illinois law.

Arson dog ready to use his nose for clues

CHAMPAIGN – How would you like to have to sniff out gasoline or propane to get fed?

One of the newest employees of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office relishes the routine and isn't the least bit concerned he'll need substance-abuse counseling for his predilection.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Arson dog ready to use his nose for clues

CHAMPAIGN – How would you like to have to sniff out gasoline or propane to get fed?

One of the newest employees of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office relishes the routine and isn't the least bit concerned he'll need substance abuse counseling for his predilection.

Vehicle burglaries reported at Urbana towing firm

URBANA – Champaign County sheriff's deputies are investigating a series of vehicle burglaries at an Urbana towing business.

Sgt. Dave Coffey said between midnight Sunday and 7:30 a.m. Monday, nine vehicles at Reynold's Towing, 1417 W. Kenyon Road, had been damaged or had items stolen from them.

Teens march, call for change after boy's death

CHAMPAIGN – Terriona Richardson said she cried when she learned her boyfriend, Kiwane Carrington, had been shot and killed.

Springfield's police chief to take over as METCAD director

CHAMPAIGN – Ralph Caldwell Jr. said Champaign County is one of the areas he was interested in as he neared retirement as police chief in Springfield.

Caldwell, 51, will take over as director of the Metropolitan Computer-Aided Dispatch agency effective Dec. 14. Champaign City Manager Steve Carter appointed Caldwell, and members of the METCAD policy board approved the appointment Wednesday.

Exonerated man, Joe Burrows, finally at peace

HOMER – Released from death row, Joe Burrows returned to the family he loved. But the Homer man, who died Oct. 15 at 56, had trouble getting the bitter taste of wrongful conviction out of his mouth.

His life began to spiral down more than 20 years ago, in 1988, when the body of William Dulin, a retired farmer, was discovered at his Iroquois County home.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Shots fired early Thursday in Rantoul apartment building

Rantoul police are investigating the firing of at least four gunshots into an apartment building on the village’s east side early Thursday morning.

No injuries were reported.

Man sentenced to 10 years in burglary

A roundup of recent criminal cases in Champaign County Circuit Court.

Woman injured in wreck on I-74

CHAMPAIGN – A Wisconsin woman was hospitalized after she was involved in a crash on Interstate 74 late Thursday afternoon.

According to a state police report, Sarah T. Roberts, 34, who listed an address in Madison, Wisc., was driving a 2001 Land Rover Discovery west on Interstate 74 east of Interstate 57 in Champaign at 4:13 p.m. when she noticed an ambulance coming up from behind her. Roberts pulled over to the right shoulder of the highway to allow the ambulance to pass.

Jogger dies after collapsing in front of UI police station

URBANA – The Champaign County coroner said he's not sure what killed a University of Illinois student who collapsed in front of the UI police station Monday morning.

Coroner Duane Northrup said Vincent J. Clarkson, 20, of Elburn was pronounced dead at 10:17 a.m. at the Provena Covenant Medical Center emergency room in Urbana. An autopsy showed no signs of trauma nor any suspicion of meningitis. He said a cause of death would have to wait until toxicology tests are completed.

Applicant files $5 million suit against UI

URBANA – A University of Illinois applicant has sued the university for $5 million over its now-discontinued "Category I" admissions system, a move administrators say they expected to happen.

Jonathon Yard of Taylorville, who was denied admission to the UI's Urbana campus, filed the class-action lawsuit Tuesday.

Two brothers get 20 years in prison for selling heroin

URBANA – Citing a desire to send a strong message to drug dealers who prey on addicts, a Champaign County judge Wednesday sentenced two brothers to 20 years in prison.

Mark Motton, 46, whose last known address was in the 100 block of East Church Street in Champaign, and his brother, William Motton, 52, of Chicago, who last lived in Urbana, were convicted by a jury earlier this year of selling heroin in Champaign from Nov. 1, 2004, to Sept. 27, 2005.

Crime reports

Area police report the following:

CHAMPAIGN

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Brothers sentenced to 20 years in heroin case

URBANA — Citing the desire to send a strong message to drug dealers who prey on addicts, a Champaign County judge Wednesday sentenced two brothers to 20 years in prison.

More comments from Tuesday's city council meeting

Here are more comments from Tuesday night's Champaign city council meeting after the death of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington.

 

Police issue 22 tickets in bar sweep

Illinois State Police and Champaign police issued 22 citations Saturday in the latest bar sweep in the University of Illinois campus area.

Champaign man arrested in heroin-sale case

URBANA — A Champaign man accused of having heroin for sale three years ago is due back in court with an attorney next week.

Study session to focus on use-of-force policy

CHAMPAIGN – Council members will have a study session to review the Champaign police department's policy governing use of force.

Council member Michael La Due, District 2, told audience members late Tuesday after hearing comments from citizens about the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington that six council members signed a city form requesting the study session.

Attack victims relieved court cases have come to an end

URBANA – Bob and Diane Rigdon live daily with the memory of being attacked, beaten and robbed in their home more than a year ago.

Basketball-sized rocks dropped from overpass

THOMASBORO – State police at Pesotum are asking the public for help in finding the person or persons dropping rocks from an overpass onto Interstate 57.

Master Sgt. Ryan Starrick of the Pesotum post said no one was injured, but several vehicles were damaged about 9:20 p.m. Monday after running into basketball-sized rocks that had been dropped on to I-57 southbound from the overpass on Champaign County Road 1300 E.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Police ask for help on basketball-size rocks on I-57

THOMASBORO — State police at Pesotum are asking the public for help in finding the person or persons dropping rocks from an overpass onto Interstate 57.

Fire in grain bin causes thousands in damage

Fire in a grain bin caused an estimated $70,000 damage at a rural Rantoul farm Monday.

Students grieve for classmate who died in fire

DANVILLE – Seventeen-year-old Colin Sands had started the Center for Children's Services GED program just a few weeks before Saturday's house fire that took his life and his grandmother's.

READY school classmates trying to cope with loss

CHAMPAIGN – Trenika Washington created her T-shirt last week, with a photo of her friend Kiwane Carrington on the front and a drawing of a cross on the back, the name "Kiwane" in the center and "Loving Memory" on the sides.

Suspicious fire at vacant house under investigation

BONDVILLE – The Bondville Fire Department has asked the state fire marshal's office to investigate the cause of a suspicious fire Monday afternoon at a vacant rural Bondville farmhouse.

Firefighters from the Bondville, Seymour, Corn Belt and Eastern Prairie fire departments were called to a two-story home at 1315 N. Rising Road, about a quarter mile north of Bradley Avenue, at 3:03 p.m.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Autopsy shows smoke inhalation killed two in Danville fire

DANVILLE — A Danville woman and her grandson who died in a house fire on Saturday afternoon both died from probable carbon monoxide intoxication due to smoke and soot inhalation, authorities said Tuesday.

Vacant house burns on Rising Road

BONDVILLE – Firefighters from Bondville, Seymour, Corn Belt and Eastern Prairie fire departments were called to a fire in a vacant home on North Rising Road about a quarter mile north of Bradley Avenue, at 3:03 p.m. Bondville Assistant Fire Chief Adam Shaw said nobody was injured. The fire was under control by 3:45 p.m.

Bankruptcy filing delays church sex abuse case

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – A sex abuse case against Delaware's Catholic Diocese of Wilmington and a former priest will be delayed after the church filed for federal bankruptcy protection on the eve of proceedings.

The bankruptcy filing late Sunday automatically delays the case that had been set to start Monday in Kent County Superior Court, the first of eight consecutive abuse trials scheduled in Delaware.

Police seek info on attack last month in Rantoul

RANTOUL – Crimestoppers and Rantoul police need help getting information about an aggravated battery that took place last month.

Police are asking the public for information about an incident in the 700 block of East Congress Avenue.

Crime report

Area police report the following:

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Fire kills two in Danville

Autopsies are scheduled for Monday morning in the deaths of two Danville residents Saturday night in a house fire.

Impounds -- and fees -- used to stop repeat scofflaws

Cities across central Illinois have adopted ordinances requiring drivers who commit certain offenses to pay hundreds of dollars to get their seized vehicles back, and the fees are raising money for those cities.

But police stressed that the purpose of the fees is not to make money, but to deter crime.

Crime report

Area police report the following:

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Mourners stand shoulder to shoulder for Carrington

CHAMPAIGN – A smiling, helpful boy who liked basketball and computers was remembered at the funeral for 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington on Friday. At the same time that friends and family expressed outrage, they also expressed hope for peace.

Onarga man found guilty of one felony charge

WATSEKA – An Onarga man was acquitted of one felony charge and found guilty of another Friday in connection with last summer's shooting of Onarga's police chief.

Richard J. Hubeny, 53, had been charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm – both Class X felonies because a police officer was the victim – along with a misdemeanor count of domestic battery, after shooting Onarga Police Chief Phil Statler in the arm on June 6 while Statler was responding to a domestic disturbance at Hubeny's home.

Firetruck briefly stolen; 2 other city vehicles damaged

CHAMPAIGN – A firetruck was briefly stolen, and two other public vehicles were damaged Friday afternoon in incidents officials believe were probably unrelated.

Champaign Deputy Fire Chief Tim Wild said a firetruck was taken from where it was parked near the intersection of White and Neil street about 1:15 p.m. Friday.

Attic fire damages Champaign home

CHAMPAIGN – Two Champaign residents escaped a house fire that caused $100,000 damage early Friday.

Firefighters were sent to the fire at 1703 W. William St., C, at 12:51 a.m. Friday, according to a press release by spokeswoman Dena Schumacher.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Residents escape early morning fire in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN - Two Champaign residents escaped a house fire early Friday.

READY school reeling from Champaign teen's shooting death

CHAMPAIGN – The READY program is a small school, so the death of one of its students hits hard.

The school's social workers and counselors have been meeting this week with students grieving the death of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington, who attended the alternative school run by the Regional Office of Education. Mr. Carrington died a week ago, after being shot during a scuffle with Champaign police who were responding to a burglary call.

Attorney change postpones sentencing in fatal shooting case

URBANA – The sentencing of a Champaign man who was convicted in September of murder and attempted murder has been delayed because the man has switched attorneys.

Granville "Bubba" Johnson, 28, was convicted on Sept. 28 of the first-degree murder of Gregory Moore, 28, of Champaign, and the attempted murder of Mr. Moore's cousin, Isaac Moore, 22, of Urbana.

Judge to students: There's no excuse for dishonesty

DANVILLE – As a Vermilion County Circuit Court judge, Craig DeArmond said he has heard almost every excuse.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Mourners pay respects to shooting victim in the rain

CHAMPAIGN – Several hundred people sang, wept and prayed outside a north Champaign home on a drizzly Wednesday night at a candlelight vigil for Kiwane Carrington, the 15-year-old boy who died of a gunshot wound last week.

"Let's not let Kiwane's death be in vain," said the Rev. Charles Nash. "When one hurts, we all hurt. Let Champaign-Urbana know we are coming together, we're going to make a difference and justice will be done."

Chicago senator speaks to Jackson, calls for healing

CHAMPAIGN – A state senator from Chicago said he talked to the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Wednesday about the death of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington.

The Rev. James T. Meeks, founder and senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, spoke to an overflow crowd at New Hope Church of God in Christ following Wednesday evening's candlelight vigil for the teen, who died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Blaze destroys house northeast of Urbana

RURAL URBANA – Volunteer firefighters from four departments were unable to save a vacant house northeast of Urbana from being destroyed by fire Wednesday morning.

Eastern Prairie, Edge-Scott, Savoy and Carroll firefighters were sent to 105 G.H. Baker Drive on a report of a working fire about 5 a.m. Wednesday, according to Eastern Prairie Chief Mike Kobel.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Hundreds mourn Champaign teen's death

Hundreds gathered Wednesday to mourn a 15-year-old who was killed in a scuffle with Champaign police.

Recession's effects catching up with Urbana's budget

URBANA – City officials say it took a little longer for the recession to hit Urbana, but the economy now poses problems for the city government.

Consequently, department heads are looking at possible budget cuts of up to 10 percent, and the city council may look at new or increased fines and fees.

Fire destroys empty house northeast of Urbana

Volunteer firefighters from four departments were unable to save a vacant house northeast of Urbana from being destroyed by fire Wednesday morning.

Teen involved in fight released into mother's custody

URBANA – A 15-year-old Champaign male accused of injuring Police Chief R.T. Finney in a struggle Friday was released Tuesday to the custody of his mother.

Champaign County Judge Heidi Ladd told the youth, "Obviously, I want you to succeed, and I think it's appropriate to be released to your parent's custody."

The teen, who appeared in court Tuesday to be short and thin, faces a juvenile Class 4 felony charge of aggravated resisting a peace officer, which could carry a maximum juvenile prison sentence of three years. Possible penalties also include probation or conditional discharge.

Identity of officer in Champaign teen shooting released

CHAMPAIGN – Police have identified the police officer involved in the incident in which a 15-year-old boy was fatally wounded on Friday.

And this isn't the first time the officer was involved in an incident that resulted in a death.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Champaign releases name of officer in shooting

The Champaign police department has released the name of the officer involved in the shooting that left a 15-year-old dead.

Vermilion agency says fine over smoking first in state

The Vermilion County Health Department says a fine against a Hoopeston bar is the first in Illinois to be upheld for a violation of the state smoking ban.

More questions, few answers in Champaign death

CHAMPAIGN – Members of the black community mourned one boy's death and called for another 15-year-old to be released from juvenile detention Monday.

Kiwane Carrington died Friday afternoon after being shot in a scuffle with police. Another youth, whose name has not been released, is still being detained and will have a juvenile court appearance today. Such appearances are not open to the public.

Separate investigation will look into officers' actions

CHAMPAIGN – It could be at least a month before police release details about exactly what happened Friday afternoon during an incident that left one Champaign teen dead.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief for Professional Standards Holly Nearing will head up a separate investigation of Police Chief R.T. Finney and a second officer at the scene of the shooting.

Home renter: 15-year-old who was shot lived there

CHAMPAIGN – Kiwane Carrington ate breakfast in the house where he was shot hours later after a neighbor reported a possible burglary.

At 8:30 a.m. Friday, Debra Thomas, who lives at 906 W. Vine St., found the young man making breakfast. By 1:30 p.m., he and his friends had been let out of Champaign's alternative READY School and gone to the house to get out of the rain. Within minutes, he was shot in a scuffle with two police officers. Less than an hour later, he was pronounced dead.

Stabbing victim had restraining order against man

DANVILLE – A Danville woman had an order of protection against the man who police say killed her and then himself Saturday night.

And the man twice this year was charged with violating the order, court records show.

'Judge Joe Brown' to feature Champaign litigants

CHAMPAIGN – A Champaign case will air on the television program "Judge Joe Brown" at 3 p.m. today on WRSP Channel 55, the Fox Network affiliate in Springfield, and on WCCU Channel 27, the network affiliate in Champaign.

According to a release, in the case, Passyone Grady, 34, claimed her 22-year-old niece, Alicia Duckworth, borrowed her car in Champaign for one purpose but took it somewhere else. While there, she wrecked it and then ran away from the police, Grady said. Grady is suing her niece for $4,559, according to producers for the TV show. Grady said this is the cost to repair her vehicle.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Occupant of home says slain teen was welcome there

CHAMPAIGN — The 15-year-old boy who was shot outside a Champaign home Friday had lived in the house all summer long and was “like a son,” the occupant of the house said.

Autopsies show stab wounds killed both in Danville incident

DANVILLE – Both of those who died in what police say was likely a murder-suicide Saturday in Danville died of stab wounds.

Autopsy results show both Jessica Nelk, 32, and Johnnie Webb II, 31, died of stab wounds, Vermilion County Coroner Peggy Johnson said Monday.

 

Autopsy shows Champaign teen was shot in chest

CHAMPAIGN – An autopsy indicates that a 15-year-old Champaign boy who was fatally wounded on Friday died from a single gunshot wound, according to Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup.

Meanwhile, a second boy at the scene is being held at the Champaign County Youth Detention Center, a task force of several police jurisdictions has begun an investigation of the incident, city officials plan to meet today with the Champaign Community and Police Partnership, and counselors will be on hand at Champaign schools today.

Champaign, Mattoon share in federal grant funds

Police in Champaign and Mattoon say money from a federal grant will help them identify and prosecute child predators, fight child sexual exploitation over the Internet and enforce sex offender registration laws.

Champaign and Mattoon police are two of eight Illinois police agencies sharing a grant of nearly a half-million dollars from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Champaign police seek tips on fight last month at UI

CHAMPAIGN – Crimestoppers and Champaign police need help finding people involved in a fight on the University of Illinois campus last month.

According to a Champaign police report, officers were called to a fight at the corner of Third Street and Gregory Street at 1:48 a.m. Sept. 27.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Domestic dispute brings two deaths in Danville

Law enforcement officials in Danville say a domestic dispute has resulted in two deaths.

Urbana district hopes suit shows need for sharing info

URBANA – The Urbana school district's lawsuit against the Normal school district is a way for it to recoup some of its financial losses from settlements to students abused by former Urbana teacher and convicted sex offender Jon White, said Joseph Perkoski, the Chicago attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Urbana school district.

The Urbana district has agreed to pay more than $2 million in present-day dollars in settlements to the families of White's victims.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

15-year-old killed in scuffle with Champaign police

CHAMPAIGN – A 15-year-old boy was shot dead and Champaign's police chief injured during an altercation between police officers and youths who may have been trying to break into a house Friday, police said.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Testimony: Teen knew his friends planned to rob couple

INDIANOLA – The 17-year-old who police say drove two other men to an Indianola couple's home to rob them told Vermilion County sheriff's investigators that he knew the men were armed with a gun and planned to tie up the couple and rob them, according to Vermilion County investigator Todd Damilano.

Damilano testified Thursday in Vermilion County Circuit Court at the preliminary hearing of Zachary Spencer, 17, of rural Georgetown, who faces two Class X felony counts of home invasion for his role in the fatal Indianola home invasion on Sept. 21.

Judicial ranks shift at Vermilion County Circuit Court

DANVILLE – Applications are being accepted for the associate judge position that will be vacated in Vermilion County Circuit Court later this month by retiring Judge James Borbely.

CASA to hold fundraiser at county park

DANVILLE – An organization that represents abused and neglected children in Vermilion County must raise its entire budget through grants, donations and fundraising activities.

An event begun last year will be repeated when Court Appointed Special Advocates holds its CASA Hog Roast from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Hickory Hollow Shelter in Kennekuk County Park, off Henning Road.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Ex-Uni coach seeks pardon without serving sentence

CHICAGO — A former University Laboratory High School assistant track coach convicted two years ago of a sex crime involving a student wants the governor to let him come back to Illinois.

Charleston man sentenced to prison in pornography case

URBANA — A Charleston man who pleaded guilty earlier this year to possessing child pornography has been sentenced to prison.

4 plead innocent in Wednesday attack on UI students

URBANA – Four Parkland College students from Rantoul pleaded innocent on Wednesday in connection with an attack on two University of Illinois students on campus Wednesday morning.

According to a UI police report, two male University of Illinois students reported being attacked by four men in the 300 block of East Daniel Street at 1:18 a.m. Wednesday.

Driver who ran over cyclist faces up to a year in jail

URBANA – An Urbana man who admitted he had been drinking before running over a bicyclist who fell into traffic faces up to a year in the county jail.

Herman M. Wilson, 49, of the 1800 block of Summit Drive, pleaded guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor driving under the influence before Champaign County Judge Jeff Ford. Ford set sentencing for Nov. 9.

10-year-old Champaign boy found safe in New Mexico

URBANA – A 10-year-old Champaign boy picked up from school in Champaign after school Tuesday by his mother has been found safe in New Mexico.

Nursing home worker to return after charges dropped

URBANA – An employee of the Champaign County Nursing Home accused last spring of hitting a resident is expected to be back on the job Monday.

Nursing home Administrator Andrew Buffenbarger said Sharoia Hill, 29, of Danville, had been on paid administrative leave since April 8. She was charged with aggravated battery the next day, accused of striking an Alzheimer's resident in the face while she worked as a certified nursing assistant in the Alzheimer's unit.

Mahomet man still in hospital after motorcycle crash

MAHOMET – A Mahomet man remained hospitalized Wednesday with injuries he received in an accident Saturday night in that village.

Mahomet Police Chief Jerry Gamble said Montana Martin, 23, was driving his motorcycle west on Oak Street near Prairieview Road at 10:58 p.m. when a car driven by Stephen Boley, 21, of Mahomet, apparently turned left in front of him. Martin, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from the motorcycle. He had to be airlifted to Carle Foundation Hospital.

Champaign County courts

URBANA – An Urbana man who was on parole for a 1997 murder in Rantoul when he had drugs for sale last year has been sentenced to prison again.

Rodney Blakely, 30, whose last known address was in the 1500 block of Hunter Street, pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, admitting that on Oct. 21, 2008, he had about 5 grams of cocaine on him when police arrested him in connection with a domestic dispute.

Danville property manager faces forgery charges

DANVILLE – A local property manager turned himself in to law enforcement authorities Wednesday morning in connection with 20 counts of forgery filed against him by the Vermilion County State's Attorney's office, according to State's Attorney Randy Brinegar.

Kevin Flynn, 50, of the 200 block of Newell Avenue in Danville, has been charged with 11 counts of forgery of a lease/contract and nine counts of forgery on tax exemption cards. The 20 Class 3 felony counts were filed in Vermilion County Circuit Court on Monday.

Crime report

The following crimes were reported recently to area police: