Courts, Police & Fire

Friday, November 20, 2009

Man sentenced to 85 years for shootings

URBANA — A Champaign man who took the life of another and tried to kill a second will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Two indicted on child porn charges

PEORIA – A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted a Clinton man for producing and possessing images of child pornography and a Sullivan woman for possessing child pornography.

A release from the U.S. Attorney's Office said the grand jury indicted Dustin E. Mandrell, 25, who listed an address in Clinton, for producing and possessing images of child pornography and committing a felony involving a minor while designated as a sex offender. The indictment alleges that on or about Aug. 5, Mandrell coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit activity to be photographed.

One-time hoops expert indicted in bank robberies

PEORIA – A once-popular basketball talent analyst with a history of robbery and theft has been indicted by a federal grand jury for bank robbery again.

Stephen D. Wacaser, 57, no address available, was indicted Wednesday for the Oct. 19 robbery of the Regions Bank in Decatur and the Oct. 20 robbery of the Illini Bank in Sherman.

Gunman opens fire on Pacific island; 5 dead

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (AP) – A gunman went on a rampage on the Pacific resort island of Saipan Friday, first at a shooting range and then at a World War II historical site, killing four people and wounding six others before fatally shooting himself, officials said.

The violence claimed the lives of two men, a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl, all residents of the U.S. commonwealth, Public Safety spokesman Jason Tarkong said. Five South Korean tourists and a 4-year-old local girl were wounded.

Man charged with N.C. rape, murder expected in court

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) – A man charged with raping and killing a 5-year-old North Carolina girl was expected in court Friday, a day after authorities revealed what they believed happened to her in her final days.

Authorities said Thursday that Shaniya Davis was sexually assaulted and asphyxiated before her body was dumped off a rural road. Mario McNeill is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape of a child, Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine told reporters at a news conference.

Hitting in-law with hammer brings court supervision

URBANA – A Champaign woman who admitted hitting her daughter-in-law with a hammer during a child custody dispute more than a year ago has been sentenced to court supervision.

Deloris Henry, 63, who listed an address in the 3300 block of Countrybend Place, pleaded guilty Tuesday before Judge Tom Difanis to a single count of misdemeanor battery.

Crime report

Area police report the following:

 

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Former school official sentenced to court supervision

URBANA — A former Champaign schools official who admitted hitting her daughter-in-law with a hammer during a child custody dispute more than a year ago has been sentenced to court supervision.

Former basketball analyst charged with bank robberies

PEORIA — A once-popular basketball talent analyst with a history of robbery and theft has been indicted by a federal grand jury for bank robbery again.

'Soft lockdown' an option for Champaign schools

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign schools are preparing for any reaction to a report on the Oct. 9 shooting death of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington.

Assistant Superintendent Michael McFarland asked school principals to review the district's "soft lockdown" procedures.

Crime report

Area police report the following:

CHAMPAIGN

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Champaign schools ponder lockdown for report's release

CHAMPAIGN — Champaign schools are preparing for any reaction to a report on the Oct. 9 shooting death of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington.

Assistant Superintendent Michael McFarland asked school principals to review the district’s “soft lockdown” procedures.

Woman injured in wreck north of Champaign

RURAL CHAMPAIGN — A 28-year-old Thomasboro woman was injured when her car hit a guard rail north of Champaign on Prospect Avenue.

Holiday Hills entrance sign built in 2006 destroyed

DANVILLE – Three years ago when Russ Souza was president of the Holiday Hills Association, he and other group members built decorative signs for three entrances to the neighborhood.

Over the weekend, someone demolished the south entrance sign at Voorhees Street and Eastview Avenue.

Obama predicts conviction for professed 9/11 mastermind

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama predicted that professed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will be convicted, as Attorney General Eric Holder defended putting him through the U.S. civilian legal system.

In one of a series of TV interviews during his trip to Asia, Obama said those offended by the legal privileges given to Mohammed by virtue of getting a civilian trial rather than a military tribunal won't find it "offensive at all when he's convicted and when the death penalty is applied to him."

Texas A&M remembers fatal '99 bonfire collapse

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) – A somber candlelight vigil marked by both silence and song commemorated the 10th anniversary early Wednesday of a bonfire collapse that killed 12 people at Texas A&M University.

More than 3,000 people cupping candles that flickered in the cold morning air gathered at the collapse site on campus at 2:42 a.m. – the exact time of the Nov. 18, 1999 accident that also injured 27 people.

Cops hand out 31 citations in latest bar sweep

PESOTUM – Eight of nine Champaign bars checked by Illinois state and Champaign police last Friday had underage drinkers present.

As a result of the Operation Campus Tap detail, designed to deter underage drinking and impaired driving, 31 citations were issued for possession or purchase of alcohol by minors and one for fighting.

3 Danville teens charged after woman hurt in incident

DANVILLE – Three teens arrested by Danville police in connection with a Saturday- night home invasion that injured a 28-year-old woman were arraigned in Vermilion County Circuit Court on Tuesday on charges of home invasion.

Director of Public Safety Larry Thomason said two of the teens, Deontae Bryant, 17, and Ochiel D. Keys, 18, were arrested Monday at Danville High School. Both were arrested on preliminary charges of home invasion and armed robbery but were formally charged Tuesday in circuit court with two counts of home invasion.

Decatur man faces battery, drug charges

URBANA – A Decatur man found in possession of drugs in north Champaign on Saturday is expected back in court Friday.

Timothy Browning, 31, was charged Monday in Champaign County Circuit Court with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, alleging he had 5.4 grams of cocaine and 7.1 grams of heroin intended for sale, and a third count of aggravated battery alleging he struck the forearm of a Champaign police officer.

Rantoul man faces charges in home invasion

URBANA – A Rantoul man accused of forcing his way into an ex-girlfriend's home and beating her is due back in court Dec. 29.

Robert Mason, 21, who listed an address in the 1500 block of Gates Drive, was charged Tuesday in Champaign County Circuit Court with home invasion, unlawful restraint and domestic battery.

Crime report

In crimes reported to area police recently:

BONDVILLE

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Two men injured at Danville park

DANVILLE – Danville police are investigating an aggravated battery that occurred Monday evening at Douglas Park.

Police were called about 6:15 p.m. to Provena United Samaritans Medical Center, where two 18-year-old men – one from Tilton, the other from Hillery – were being treated wounds they received at the park, according to Danville Public Safety Director Larry Thomason. He said one teen received stab wounds, and the other reported that he was struck by a handgun.

3 teens arrested in Danville home invasion

DANVILLE — Danville police have arrested three teenagers in connection with a Saturday night home invasion in which a 28-year-old woman was shot.

Decatur man faces battery, drug charges

URBANA – A Decatur man found in possession of drugs in north Champaign on Saturday is expected back in court Friday.

Timothy Browning, 31, was charged Monday in Champaign County Circuit Court with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, alleging he had 5.4 grams of cocaine and 7.1 grams of heroin intended for sale, and a third count of aggravated battery alleging he struck the forearm of a Champaign police officer.

Rantoul man charged with home invasion

URBANA – A Rantoul man accused of forcing his way into an ex-girlfriend's home and beating her is due back in court Dec. 29.

Robert Mason, 21, who listed an address in the 1500 block of Gates Drive, was charged Tuesday in Champaign County Circuit Court with home invasion, unlawful restraint and domestic battery.

Officials prefer status quo on video gambling

CHAMPAIGN – The leaders of the three biggest municipal governments in Champaign County say they aren't happy with the choices they have regarding a new statewide law to allow video gambling.

But as the law is written, Champaign, Urbana and Champaign County will have to decide sometime in 2010 whether to allow video gambling or ban it within their jurisdictions. Already, 39 cities and counties in Illinois have voted not to permit legal video gambling.

Woman shot in home invasion in critical condition

DANVILLE – A 28-year-old Danville woman remained hospitalized at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana on Monday after she was shot during a home invasion at her house on Saturday night.

The woman, whose name was not being released by police, was listed in critical condition, according to Danville Public Safety Director Larry Thomason.

Autopsy finds Chicago schools president' shot himself

CHICAGO (AP) – An investigation into the death of Chicago's school board president will continue even though an autopsy concluded that the longtime civic leader shot himself in the head on a Chicago River embankment, police said.

Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott's body and a .380-caliber handgun were found near a riverside loading dock not far from his car about 3:15 a.m. Monday, police said. The Cook County medical examiner's office ruled the death a suicide, but police said an investigation was ongoing.

Military planning policy review after shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Army is preparing to do an internal investigation to examine whether it missed warning signs about the alleged shooter in the Fort Hood rampage, but top Pentagon officials may want a broader review of lessons from the tragedy.

Though it's still undecided who would do such a review and exactly what it would include, officials are working to make an announcement on it soon, a senior defense official said Tuesday on condition of anonymity because plans are still fluid.

Vigils held after body of missing N.C. girl found

SANFORD, N.C. (AP) – When 5-year-old Shaniya Davis was reported missing, suspicion turned to a man described as her mother's boyfriend. As he was let go, police targeted another man spotted on hotel surveillance footage holding the child. Then, authorities arrested the girl's mother and accused her of offering her daughter for prostitution.

The arrests offered a glimmer of hope Shaniya would be found alive. But on Monday, searchers discovered the girl's body off a rural road, nearly a week after her mother reported her missing from a mobile home park in Fayetteville.

Woman expected to enter guilty plea in Smart case

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Seven years after it began, the wrenching saga of Elizabeth Smart's kidnapping is expected to move toward resolution Tuesday with an expected guilty plea from one of the two defendants charged in the case.

Wanda Eileen Barzee is scheduled to appear in Utah's U.S. District Court on Tuesday to enter the plea on charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor, her attorney Scott Williams said Monday.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Woman shot in home invasion in critical condition

DANVILLE – A 28-year-old Danville woman remained hospitalized at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana on Monday after she was shot during a home invasion at her house on Saturday night.

The woman, whose name was not being released by police, was listed in critical condition, according to Danville Public Safety Director Larry Thomason.

Danville gas station robbed at gunpoint

A masked man with a gun held up a gas station in Danville on Monday afternoon.

Officials to inspect Illinois prison for Gitmo inmates

THOMSON (AP) – Federal officials are due to arrive in rural northwest Illinois to inspect a prison that could be bought by the federal government and used to house Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Officials from the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Defense are expected Monday at the Thomson Correctional Center. It's about 150 miles west of Chicago.

Champaign police seek suspect in knifepoint robbery

CHAMPAIGN – Crimestoppers and Champaign police need help solving a robbery that occurred in that city last month.

On Oct. 29, shortly before 11:30 p.m., a man was walking near Second and Park streets when he was attacked by a man who had been hiding in bushes.

Decatur man dies after vehicle hits deer on U.S. 36

TUSCOLA – A Decatur man died early Sunday morning in rural Douglas County after his vehicle struck a deer.

Douglas County Coroner Joseph Victor said David L. Manning, 61, of the 200 block of North Church Street, Decatur, was driving east on U.S. 36 one-eighth mile west of County Road 700E when his vehicle struck a deer.

High court won't hear appeal over Redskins name

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from a group of Native Americans who think the name of the NFL's Washington Redskins football team is offensive.

The high court on Monday turned away an appeal from Suzan Shown Harjo. That ends the latest round in the 17-year court battle between the Redskins and a group of American Indians who want them to change their name.

Police searching for body of missing N.C. girl

SANFORD, N.C. (AP) – Authorities searched along a highway Monday for the body of a missing 5-year-old girl they had previously said they hoped to find alive.

Shaniya Davis has been missing since last Tuesday. Her mother, who reported her gone, is accused of offering her for prostitution, according to court documents and police.

Crime report

In crimes reported to area police recently:

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Woman shot in break-in to Danville home

A woman was shot during a home invasion in Danville late Saturday night.

Police were called to the 1700 block of Glenwood just before midnight Saturday and found a 28-year-old woman who had been shot in the abdomen, according to a release from the Danville police department.

Driver in hospital after truck hits house; no one else hurt

URBANA – An Urbana woman was cited for driving under the influence after her truck rammed into a house in northeast Urbana Saturday night, knocking it off its foundation.

Champaign County sheriff's Sgt. Will Davis said Julie Glevicky, 37, of the 1400 block of East Anthony Drive was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital after the 7:25 p.m. crash.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Truck crashes into house in northeast Urbana

URBANA — An Urbana woman was cited for driving under the influence of alcohol after she rammed her truck into a house in northeast Urbana Saturday night, knocking it off its foundation.

 

Police seek help solving Mahomet murder

URBANA – Frustrated Champaign County sheriff's investigators are once again begging the public for help in finding the killer of a Mahomet woman found slain in her home early this month.

"Somebody has to have seen something suspicious, be it a person, a car, an injury. For whatever reason they've just not called us. We're only needing one more piece of the puzzle in solving this case," said sheriff's Lt. Ed Ogle.

Arrest made minutes after Danville robbery

DANVILLE – Danville police arrested a Danville man on Friday just minutes after they say he robbed an East Main Street tavern at gunpoint.

Michael J. Smith, 32, of Danville, was arrested on preliminary charges of armed robbery and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, according to Doug Miller, deputy director of Danville police. Smith will be arraigned next week on formal charges in Vermilion County Circuit Court.

Rantoul man gets 14 years for selling drugs

URBANA – A Rantoul man was sentenced to the maximum prison sentence he could receive for selling drugs in Rantoul.

Champaign County Judge Heidi Ladd on Thursday sentenced Alaxstair Reed, 28, whose last known address was in the 400 block of South Lincoln Street, Rantoul, to 14 years in prison for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. A jury convicted Reed of the Class 2 felony in June, finding that on Nov. 17, 2008, he sold about three-tenths of a gram of crack to a source working with Rantoul police.

Champaign man found to be sexually violent

URBANA – A Champaign County jury has decided that a 43-year-old Champaign man with one sex-related conviction in his past is sexually violent.

The finding returned Friday means that Donald Stewart will remain locked up indefinitely until he no longer suffers from a mental disorder that makes it likely he would commit other sex crimes.

Champaign County Circuit Court

URBANA – A Rantoul man with a history of drunken driving convictions was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison for his latest.

Judge Richard Klaus sentenced Aaron Young, 25, whose prior criminal convictions include two driving under the influence convictions, escape and possession of methamphetamine precursors.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Murder-armed robbery case going to Vermilion grand jury

DANVILLE – Vermilion County prosecutors plan to take their evidence against a man charged in a fatal shooting in October to a grand jury in the near future.

As a result, a preliminary hearing for 28-year-old Davieon Harper of Danville set for Thursday was canceled, Assistant State's Attorney Kavita Uppal said that afternoon.

No Danville inmates going free early

DANVILLE – No inmates from the Danville Correctional Center will go free under an early prisoner release program that aims to save the financially strapped state money.

The Illinois Department of Corrections will release about 1,000 prisoners in the coming weeks – a move that Gov. Pat Quinn says could save the state about $5 million. The first group of 62 were released on Tuesday.

Youth charged in fatal arrest opts for new attorney

URBANA – A 15-year-old Champaign boy accused of resisting arrest in an incident that resulted in his friend being fatally shot by a Champaign police officer will be back in court in January.

Man held for hitting wife, firing gun

URBANA – Bond has been set at $150,000 for a Champaign man accused of firing a gun during an argument with his wife. Jack Fairfield, 58, who listed an address in the 2500 block of Lawndale Drive, was charged Thursday with aggravated unlawful restraint, reckless discharge of a firearm and domestic battery.

A Champaign police report said Fairfield was hitting his 55-year-old wife in their home on Nov. 7 and in the process fired a gun.

Crime report

In crimes reported to area police:

CHAMPAIGN

– Kappa Alpha Theta, 611 E. Daniel St.: Composite photo stolen from sorority Tuesday.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Second youth in fatal shooting changes lawyers

URBANA — A 15-year-old Champaign boy accused of resisting arrest last month in an incident that resulted in his friend being fatally shot by a Champaign police officer will be back in court in January.

But before getting out of the case, the first lawyer said he wanted to put on the record that he and State’s Attorney Julia Rietz had “an agreement in principle” that would have resulted in the dismissal of the charges against the youth if he enrolled in Lincoln’s Challenge in Rantoul.

Prosecutor receives report on 15-year-old's death

URBANA -- Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz has received the report from the investigation of the incident that led to the death of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington.

Hearing canceled in favor of grand jury in Danville murder

DANVILLE — A preliminary hearing for a man charged in a fatal shooting in October was canceled Thursday after prosecutors decided they’ll take their evidence against Davieon Harper to a grand jury.

Bond at $150,000 for man accused of shooting in argument

URBANA — Bond has been set at $150,000 for a Champaign man accused of firing a gun during an argument with his wife.

Nobody injured in crash at shoe store

CHAMPAIGN – Work crews are replacing the glass in front of Mosser's Shoes, 6 Convenience Center Rd., Champaign.

Mosser's general manager Kevin McDermott said a woman drove her Hyundai through the glass at the shoe store at about 11:45 a.m. Thursday. Nobody was injured, he said.

Investigators seek cause of fire in rural Muncie

MUNCIE – Investigators from the I&I Fire Investigation Team were looking for the cause of a Thursday afternoon fire that destroyed a barn in rural Muncie.

Fithian-Muncie-Collison Fire Chief Phil Hoshauer said firefighters from his department and the Oakwood Fire Department were called to a fire at a barn on County Road 1800N north of Muncie at 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

Ex-public health director expected in court next week

URBANA – A former director of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, accused of abusing his authority while in office, is expected back in court next week.

A Champaign County grand jury last week indicted Vito Palazzolo, 53, on seven felony counts alleging that during his tenure in 2006 and 2007 he unlawfully used the district's credit card for personal purchases, mostly food and drink; that he exceeded his authority by agreeing to repay an employee's student college loans; and that he stole kitchen cabinets that belonged to the health district.

Crime report

In crimes reported recently to area police:

CHAMPAIGN

– 2100 block of Laurel Park Place: .22-caliber rifle missing from home; believed taken Oct. 9.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Judge rules in favor of Villa Grove boy's service dog

TUSCOLA – A Douglas County judge ruled on Tuesday that the Villa Grove school district must continue to allow a 6-year-old boy to bring his service dog with him to attend fall classes.

Nichelle and Bradley Drew of Villa Grove filed suit in circuit court to require the school to allow the dog, a yellow Labrador retriever named Chewey, to accompany their son, Kaleb, to school.

Champaign police chief calls for policy on Taser use

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign Police Department may not own any Tasers, but it still needs a policy on their use by police officers from other departments who help respond to incidents within the city, according to Police Chief R.T. Finney.

Finney and other police officials answered questions about the city's new use-of-force policy at a city council study session on Tuesday night.

Vermilion drug-court program gets $200,000 grant

DANVILLE – A program that's helping some criminal offenders break free from drugs – and stay out of the criminal justice system – has gotten a big financial boost.

The Department of Justice awarded a two-year $200,000 grant – $100,000 a year – to Vermilion County for its drug-court program, Prairie Center Health Systems officials announced Tuesday.

Child playing with lighter sparked Urbana garage fire

URBANA – Police say a 9-year-old boy playing with a lighter set a fire that caused some $150,000 damage to garages at an apartment building in Urbana on Saturday.

The fire started at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday on East Hollywood between Fairlawn and Michigan avenues.

Mayor pitches three-year plan to fix Danville finances

DANVILLE – Mayor Scott Eisenhauer promoted a three-year revenue proposal to aldermen Tuesday night that includes a new utility tax on natural gas and water, an increase in the rental-registration fee, an increase in the property-tax levy, an increase in some city employees' health insurance contribution and a 1 percent increase in the sales tax with a subsequent 1 percent decrease in the food and beverage tax.

That would give the city the additional revenue to avoid a projected $1.7 million deficit next year. And, Eisenhauer said, it would build back the city's almost depleted financial reserve to more than $1 million in three years and would not require any other revenue increases in that same time while maintaining the city's current level of services.

Warning issued about threats on UI bathroom stall

URBANA – University of Illinois Police Chief Barbara O'Connor has sent an e-mail to faculty, staff and students warning them about threatening messages written in a bathroom stall on campus.

O'Connor said in the e-mail that two or more persons wrote in a restroom stall in a men's bathroom at Everitt Lab at 1406 W. Green St., U.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

UI police issue warning about threatening messages

URBANA – University of Illinois Police Chief Barbara O'Connor has sent an e-mail to faculty, staff and students warning them about threatening messages written in a bathroom stall on campus.

O'Connor said in the e-mail that two or more persons wrote a series of messages to each other in a restroom stall in a men's bathroom at Everitt Lab at 1406 W. Green St., U., earlier this month.

Macon County pair charged in medicine purchase

URBANA — Two Macon County residents were charged in Champaign County Tuesday with buying drugs intended for use in the production of methamphetamine.

Police: 9-year-old set $150,000 fire in Urbana

URBANA — Police say a 9-year-old boy playing with a lighter and newspaper set a fire that caused some $150,000 to garages at an apartment building in Urbana on Saturday.

Elevator malfunction forces office rearrangement

DANVILLE – Some employees and visitors at the Vermilion County Courthouse Annex are getting exercise this week walking up and down stairs, because the four-story building's elevator is out of order and will be for several weeks.

Maintenance employees discovered last week that the nearly 50-year-old elevator was leaking hydraulic fluid, so it's been shut down while county officials seek bids for its repair or replacement, according to Vermilion County Board Chairman Jim McMahon.

Collision with bike nets jail for driver

URBANA – An Urbana man who admitted he had been drinking before he ran over a bicyclist who fell into traffic has been sentenced to 180 days in the county jail.

Champaign County Judge Jeff Ford on Monday also sentenced Herman M. Wilson, 49, who listed an address in the 1800 block of Summit Drive, Urbana, to 24 months of conditional discharge, 100 hours of public service and 180 days in jail.

Holdup nets prison term

URBANA – Judge Heidi Ladd sentenced a Champaign man on Monday to 16 years in prison for the aggravated robbery of a convenience store.

Phillip James, 38, whose last known address was in the 200 block of North Randolph Street, C., had pleaded guilty in September to holding up a clerk at the Circle K, 1501 N. Lincoln Ave., U., at 6:40 a.m. on Feb. 8.

Students back in class after 'minor explosion'

ST. JOSEPH – Students are back in classes at St. Joseph-Ogden High School after a "very minor" explosion on Monday morning.

A contractor working in a mechanical room at the school was injured following what St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Chief Russell Chism called "a very minor explosion."

Crime report

The following crimes were reported recently to area police:

CHAMPAIGN

CHAMPAIGN

– 1700 block of Valley Road: Two tires damaged Nov. 2.

– 1600 block of Valley Road: Driver's door dented between Oct. 31 and Wednesday.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Students back in St. Joe school after blowtorch accident

ST. JOSEPH — Students are back in classes at St. Joseph-0gden High School after a “very minor” explosion on Monday morning.

Man sentenced in fatal bike-truck collision

URBANA — An Urbana man who admitted he had been drinking before he ran over a bicyclist who fell into traffic has been sentenced to 180 days in the county jail.

Vehicle crash in Douglas County kills 18-year-old

ARTHUR – Douglas County Sheriff Charlie McGrew said investigators from his office and the Douglas County coroner's office are investigating a single-vehicle accident Sunday morning in rural Bourbon Township that claimed the life of an Arthur teen.

Douglas County Coroner Joseph Victor said Max L. Hendrix, 18, of Arthur was driving a 2000 Ford on County Road 100N about 300 feet northeast of County Road 50E when the vehicle crashed at 6:32 a.m. Sunday.

Investigators seek help in fatal stabbing of woman

MAHOMET – Champaign County sheriff's investigators and Crimestoppers are looking for information about a woman who was stabbed to death last week.

Holly Cassano, 22, of 298 DuPage in the Candlewood Estates mobile home part northeast of Mahomet, was found dead in her home about 10:30 a.m. Nov. 2.

Garage fire in St. Joseph also damages two homes

ST. JOSEPH – A fire that started in a garage spread to an adjacent home and a second home in St. Joseph on Sunday, causing more than $150,000 in damage.

St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Chief Russell Chism said firefighters were called to a garage fire in the 100 block of East Douglas Street at 3:18 p.m.

Fire investigators planning interviews with residents

URBANA – Fire department investigators planned today to interview people who rented property at an Urbana apartment complex where a fire caused several hundred thousand dollars' worth of damage on Saturday afternoon.

Urbana Fire Department Division Chief Tony Foster said Sunday afternoon that the cause of the fire at the Fairlawn Village apartment complex remained under investigation.

Help available at courthouse for orders of protection

URBANA – Victims of domestic violence who would like to get help pursuing an emergency order of protection can receive personal assistance and information at the Champaign County Courthouse beginning Monday.

Law students from the Domestic Violence Clinic, a collaboration between Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance (a nonprofit legal service organization) and the University of Illinois College of Law, will be manning a help desk at the Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana four days a week.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Arthur teen dies in rural accident

ARTHUR – Douglas County Sheriff Charlie McGrew said investigators from his office and the Douglas County coroner's office are investigating a single-vehicle accident Sunday morning in rural Bourbon Township that claimed the life of an Arthur teen.

Douglas County Coroner Joseph Victor said Max L. Hendrix, 18, of Arthur was driving a 2000 Ford on County Road 100N about 300 feet northeast of County Road 50E when the vehicle crashed at 6:32 a.m. Sunday.

Help desk for domestic violence victims launches Monday

URBANA – Victims of domestic violence who would like to get help pursuing an emergency order of protection can receive personal assistance and information at the Champaign County Courthouse beginning Monday.

Law students from the Domestic Violence Clinic, a collaboration between Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance (a nonprofit legal service organization) and the University of Illinois College of Law, will be manning a help desk at the Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana four days a week.

Fire spreads from garage to 2 other homes in St. Joseph

ST. JOSEPH – A fire that started in a garage spread to an adjacent home and a second home in St. Joseph on Sunday, causing more than $150,000 in damage.

St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Chief Russell Chism said firefighters were called to a garage fire in the 100 block of East Douglas Street at 3:18 p.m.

One year after fire, Metropolitan site is still a mess

CHAMPAIGN – For 130 years, the magnificent Metropolitan Building stood at the corner of Church and Neil streets. For the last year, it's been a pond-filled hole in the ground, and there's no suggestion of a plan right now to replace it.

"We're stuck at this point," co-owner George Grubb said Thursday. "If we do finally build something, I promise it will be something this city is proud of."

Displaced by fire, law firm remains without quarters

CHAMPAIGN – Guy Hall said he feels a bit like the cobbler in the proverb whose children had holes in their shoes while his customers had wonderful footwear.

For the last year, he and his partners have been trying to focus first on the needs of the clients of their firm and secondly on finding a new space.

Stopped Neil Street drivers getting eyeful of eyesore

CHAMPAIGN – If there's anything that makes the sight of a gaping, fenced-off hole on a prime downtown corner even more unfortunate, it's having one lane of traffic closed just north of the same corner, a city official says.

"Those are unfortunate combinations of things because people have longer to sit there, and they ponder the hole in the ground while they sit there," said Craig Rost, deputy city manager for development.

Champaign police group members defend its usefulness

CHAMPAIGN – Members of a group who have been working with Champaign police to improve community relations say that now, with emotions stirred by a fatal shooting, is not the time for their resignations or dissolution as a group, contrary to some calls for that.

Some city council meetings have been packed after the Oct. 9 fatal shooting of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington. Many of the speakers have criticized the city's handling of the incident.

Fire destroys nine garages at Urbana apartments

URBANA – A fire that destroyed a bank of garages at an Urbana apartment complex Saturday afternoon left several hundred thousand dollars' worth of damage in its wake.

Firefighters were called to the Fairlawn Village apartment complex in the 400 block of East Hollywood between Fairlawn and Michigan avenues east of Vine Street about 3:45 p.m.

Police, firefighters take to gridiron in fundraiser game

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign police Detective Joe Johnston was smarting Saturday night from the drubbing that his team of police officers took from firefighters on the football field earlier in the day.

"Chief Finney did say I'm done. I've lost my defensive coordinator job and I'm going to midnights," joked Johnston, who sported a houndstooth hat in the style of Bear Bryant and chomped a cigar for his role as coach of the police officers.

Man gets 9 years in jail for burglarizing pawn shop

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

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Fire heavily damages apartment garages in Urbana

URBANA — A fire that destroyed a bank of garages at an Urbana apartment complex Saturday afternoon left several hundred thousand dollars’ worth of damage in its wake.

Firefighters were called to the Fairlawn Village apartment complex in the 400 block of East Hollywood between Fairlawn and Michigan avenues east of Vine Street about 3:45 p.m.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.