LAWRENCE CO., Ill. - A man from Indiana died yesterday in a single-vehicle crash just outside of Lawrenceville, in the county’s second fatality in the week.

The accident occurred on U.S. 50 just west of U.S. Business 50, west of Lawrenceville yesterday morning (Thursday, June 9) at 8:40 a.m., said Illinois State Police who worked the scene.

ISP said that a black 2002 Dodge Ram truck being driven by Brad A. Edwards, 38, of Greencastle, Ind., was westbound on 50.

He exited the roadway to the right and lost control of the vehicle, then went left across both lanes of the roadway.

The truck then went off the roadway into a ditch on the south side of the roadway, striking a tree.

Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene by Lawrence County Coroner Shannon Steffey.

There were no passengers and no other vehicle involved.

CLAY CO., Ill. - A wreck on U.S. 50 at the Clay City Blacktop in Clay City sent five people to an area hospital with unspecified injuries, and left one driver cited.

The accident occurred at 12:52 p.m. today (Saturday, June 11), according to Illinois State Police who worked the scene.

ISP said preliminary investigative details indicate that a black 2002 Ford Explorer being driven by Phillip H. Hartke, 68 of Teutopolis, was traveling north on the Clay City Blacktop across U.S. 50.

A dark blue 2005 Dodge Caravan being driven by Steven W. Pride, 43 of Flora, was traveling west on U.S. 50. With Pride as passengers were Stephanie W. Pride, 37; Cheyenne E. Pride, 12; and Wyatt J. Pride, 8, all of Flora.

Hartke’s vehicle stopped then proceeded north across U.S. 50 in front of Pride’s. Pride’s Caravan struck Hartke’s Explorer, causing both vehicles to leave the roadway, coming to a stop in the ditches located on the north side of the intersection.

All occupants in both vehicles were transported to the Clay County Hospital; their conditions were unavailable at this time.

Hartke was cited for Disobeying a Traffic Control Device.

DIST. 12 - The Illinois State Police (ISP) announced the results of Nighttime Enforcement Patrols (NITE) held during the late evening hours of Friday, May 27 and early morning hours of Saturday, May 28. The patrols were conducted in Jasper and Lawrence Counties by ISP District 12 officers.

Alcohol is involved in nearly 40 percent of fatal crashes in Illinois. NITE patrols are designed to keep our roads safe by removing alcohol-impaired drivers. However, when other violations are observed such as driving with a suspended or revoked license; operating a vehicle without a valid registration; safety belt violations; or no valid insurance, enforcement action may be taken.  The following citations were issued during the patrols:

And Illinois State Police District 12 announced enforcement figures for the recent special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (sTEP) wave conducted during the evening hours on Saturday, May 28, 2016 and morning hours of Sunday, May 29, 2016 in Cumberland and Effingham Counties.

Shaun Carl, White County mug

GRAYVILLE, Ill. - A stand-off of sorts between a young man recently sentenced in absentia in Edwards County and law enforcement occurred last night at an apartment in Grayville.

Details are sketchy, but it appears that at about 10:30 p.m. last night (Saturday, June 11), Shaun Carl, most recently of Shelbyville and the subject of a major warrant out of Edwards, refused to cooperate with law enforcement and holed up in an apartment at Lamplight Apartments (housing) in that river town, which straddles both Edwards and White counties.

The man emerged without incident shortly after 12:30 a.m. this morning.

When we get more details, we'll bring them. Be watching.

Pittsburg Tank & Tower Co. logo (2015)

WAYNE CO., Ill. - The admirable practice of working on a Saturday (let alone actually having a job at all) proved injurious for two men employed by a Kentucky firm, working a municipal job in central Wayne County.

The two were working yesterday afternoon about 12:30 inside the Geff water tower for Pittsburg Tank and Tower, a Henderson, Kentucky, outfit that does most of the water tower stuff in the downstate Illinois area and has for years, doing sealant work, this after the tower was taken offline last week following the discovery of a leak.

Both men were reported to have fallen 25 to 30 feet after a scaffolding collapsed.

They fell to a concrete floor, suffering broken bones; it’s not being noted how they called for help from inside the tank, but rescuers were able to gain access to them and pull them out from a side manhole.

The two were airlifted out to Deaconess in Evansville for treatment. They’ve not been identified, and there’s been no word on their current condition.

Joseph Miraglia

CENTRALIA, Ill. - Last week we brought you the tale of an alleged shooting in a park in Centralia; this week, the violence in that town escalates with an alleged strangling and a definite stabbing, the latter being in self-defense.

That's what authorities have determined thus far, anyway, along with the interesting twist that the matte came about love a discussion about politics.

It's unclear which side of the aisle each party favored (although a Trump-v-Hillary matchup is a good guess, since no one seems to be interested in local politics...which has resulted in the lesser of two evils we're now faced with, but I digress), but what's clear is that Joseph Miraglia, 25, of Salem, and Stephen Abbott, 35, of Centralia, had been hanging out all day Friday (June 10). Then on Friday night, they got into an argument that escalated to a physical altercation and lead to Miraglia allegedly holding Abbott down on his own bed, attempting to strangle him.

Abbott (probably a republican, as he was armed, albeit minimally), pulled out a knife from somewhere and stabbed his buddy, inflicting a wound in Miraglia's upper leg and finger. Somehow in there, he also was able to call his brother in an effort to try and get Miraglia off him.

But, off him Miraglia got, and he took off from the garage (apparently the garage is where Abbott sleeps...) and was trotting along East Noleman Street, screeching about being stabbed and screaming for help. He was toted off to SSM Health/St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia for treatment...but then was moved over to the Marion County Jail.

The ensuing investigation showed that Abbott acted in self-defense (where the knife came from, still unsaid), and no charges were filed against him.

Miraglia, however, was another story.

He's now charged with Aggravated Battery (for the stabbing) and Criminal Damage to Property (who knows; it might've been a Trump sign) for his efforts and stitches.

Court appearance information is pending.

JEFFERSON CO., Ill. - An elderly North Carolina man died in a collision and ensuing fire at a rest area in Jefferson County Sunday.

Illinois State Police District 13 said that the incident occurred yesterday morning (June 12) at about 9:30 at the rest area off Interstate 64.

ISP said that the man from Knotts Island, North Carolina, age 75, and his female passenger, 74, neither of them being identified by ISP, were seen entering the rest area in a motor home at a high rate of speed, and were swerving on and off the roadway, striking several trees in the process.

On the parking lot, their vehicle continued on until it struck a parked pickup truck that was towing a trailer. Upon impact both vehicles burst into flames, becoming completely engulfed.

The pickup was occupied by Chandler, Indiana residents Patrick and Jacqueline Outler, both age 47. They were transported by ambulance to Crossroads Hospital in Mt. Vernon to be treated for minor injuries.

The elderly couple, however, did not fare so well: The gentleman was pronounced dead at the scene; his passenger was taken by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, but had to be airlifted to a St. Louis-area hospital with unspecified, but major, injuries. Her condition hadn’t been updated to media as of this morning. It's not been stated whether the gentleman died in the collision, the fire, or whether a medical condition had incapacitated him before either of those things happened and he was already deceased.

Both vehicles and the trailer the Outlers were towing were completely destroyed, and the cleanup and investigation closed the rest area for 10 hours; it reopened last night at about 8 p.m.

When we learn the identities of those North Carolina folks, we’ll update this post.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE, DIST. 19 - Illinois State Police District 19 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Cory Ristvedt, announced today activity and enforcement figures for the month of May.

Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin counties, recorded 1,592 incidents during the month.

Enforcement activity consisted of 743 citations and 930 written warnings, including 389 speeding citations, 5 DUIs, 164 occupant restraint citations, 16 criminal citations, and 338 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 69 motorists, conducted 182 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 21 traffic crashes. There was one fatal traffic crash, resulting in one fatality, investigated by District 19 during May.

In addition, 578 citations and 411 written warnings were issued for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include Speeding, DUI, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving.

Mikey Melendez, White County mug

WHITE CO., Ill. - A White County character whose criminal exploits have had him the object of ire of both those in the criminal element as well as those in law enforcement for years is off to DOC.

Michael E. Melendez, 54, of Carmi, was sentenced today in White County to three years in prison on a Class 2 felony count of Forgery, which we outlined in this article at the e-Edition.

In addition to the three years DOC, Melendez, known locally by those in the drug world as “Mikey,” was also ordered to pay all mandatory fines, fees, costs, and assessments, as well as restitution.

Upon completion of his sentence, Melendez must also serve 1 year Mandatory Supervised Release (parole).

White County prosecute Denton Aud advised that the White County Sheriff's Department was the investigating agency in Melendez’ case, and noted that they did exceptional work.

CARMI, Ill. - Carmi Police made three arrests over the weekend of June 10-12, which is about an average rate lately.

Should’ve just paid the ticket

On Friday, June 10, Curtis Sexton, 49 of Carmi was arrested at his residence just before 8:30 a.m. on a Franklin County warrant for failure to appear on a traffic offense. Authorities report that Sexton was transported to the White County Jail and was released after posting a $300 bond.

Sean Steele, White County mugshot. Leaning to the left a lil.

Dumb with a gun (allegedly, of course)

Saturday, June 11, Sean Steele, 30 of Norris City, was arrested by Carmi Police after they received a call about a man drinking in a car at Bradshaw Park. Official reports indicate that police arrived just after midnight on Saturday, finding Steele with an open bottle of alcohol and a loaded handgun. Steele admitted to drinking but refused a breath test, so he was subsequently charged with Aggravated DUI, Driving on a revoked License, and Unlawful use of Weapons. He is being held at the White County Jail pending a court hearing.

Jade Boren, White County mugshot. Why do these guys always look so pitiful in their mugs after a DV arrest?

And looking pitiful in his pic

Then Saturday night, Carmi officers arrested Jade Boren, 35 of Carmi, at his residence on a charge of Domestic Battery. Mr. Boren was taken into custody at 9:18 p.m .and transported to the White County Jail, where he was being held pending a bond hearing.

RICHLAND CO., Ill. - Multiple fire departments and rescue groups responding to a rural residential fire late Friday night did their level best to get the elderly resident to safety, but unfortunately, she later succumbed to severe injuries in the form of burns.

The residential structure fire was called in at 10:38 p.m. It was reported that 4952 E. Countryside Lane, Olney (which is actually closer to the village of Calhoun than it is Olney) was on fire; departments been arriving at 10:46 and included Olney Fire Department, West Salem Fire Department, and Claremont-Bonpas Fire Department, as well as Richland Memorial Ambulance Service and the Richland County Sheriff's Department.

OFD reported that the fire was in the living area of the residence and was extinguished quickly. Karen Funk, 74, was removed from the residence and transported to Richland Memorial Hospital.

She was subsequently taken to a burn unit in Springfield with burns over 90 percent of her body. She died of her injuries, however.

The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

EFFINGHAM, Ill. -  Illinois State Police District 12 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Cory Ristvedt, today announced activity and enforcement figures for the month of May.

Troopers in District 12, which includes Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Marion, and Richland counties, answered 260 calls for service and initiated 2,403 incidents in the field.

In addition, enforcement figures totaled 1,324 citations and 961 written warnings, including 671 speeding citations, 25 DUIs, 241 seat belt citations, 11 child restraint citations, 321 written warnings for speeding, and 55 criminal arrests. Troopers also assisted 213 motorists, conducted 598 Motor Carrier Inspections, and investigated 82 traffic crashes.

There were 3 fatal traffic crashes investigated by District 12 in May.

During the month, 797 citations and 397 written warnings were issued for "Fatal Four" violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include Speeding, DUI, Failure to Wear a Seat Belt, and Distracted Driving.

William Forth, Clay County mug

CLAY CO., Ill - Sheriff Andy Myers has issued information on an arrest that may have resolved multiple burglaries in the county.

Myers said this morning that yesterday (Tuesday, June 14) at approximately 3:15 a.m., a Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy took three male subjects into custody in reference to multiple burglaries after encountering the subjects while investigating a suspicious vehicle southwest of Clay City.

The deputy, while on routine patrol located a vehicle in a remote area with three subjects acting  suspiciously. While investigating the suspicious activity the deputy located items that led him to believe the subjects had been involved in a theft.

The three subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Upon further investigation the sheriff’s office located burglaries at the First Baptist Church of Clay City, Clay City United Methodist Church, The Price is Right Resale Shop, and Pit Stop Café.

As a result of this investigation, William Forth, 19, of Flora, was arrested and charged for the offense of Burglary. Forth is currently being housed in Clay County Jail without bond at this time. Two male juveniles, ages 14 and 15, have been detained in connection to these burglaries.

The quick apprehension of these subjects was due to the deputy’s extra proactive approach to this situation. The sheriff’s office continues the investigation into these matters as well as others. The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Illinois State Police, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services and the Flora Police Department.

FLORA, Il.. - Here's your Flora police report for the second week of June, and it includes animal ordinance violations, the requisite squealing of tires citations, and other sundry subjects; and young Mr. Forth, about whom we heard earlier, also makes an appearance:

Monday, June 6 at 10:33am, Jodi Landreth, 38, of Flora was issued a Local Ordinance Citation for Dangerous and Vicious Animals, following an incident in the 400 block of Fair Ave.

Tuesday, June 7 at 2:12am, Kevin Warren, 58, of Flora was arrested for Criminal Trespass to Vehicle, following an incident in the 200 block of West North Avenue. Warren was transported to Flora Police Department for booking procedures prior to being transferred to Clay County Sheriff’s Department.

Thursday, June 9 at 9:31 pm, Levi Henson, 18, of Flora was issued a Citation for Illegal Screeching/Squealing Tires, following a traffic stop in the 1000 block of East North Avenue.

Friday, June 10 at 12:47 am Dalton Allen, 20, of Flora was arrested for Driving While License Suspended and Illegal Squealing/Screeching Tires, following a traffic stop in the 200 block of East Railroad Street. Allen was taken to Flora Police Department for booking procedures and then released with a Notice to Appear.

Friday, June 10 at 3:40 pm, Charles Linder, 51, of Flora was issued a Citation for Operating vehicle with expired registration sticker, following a traffic stop in the 200 block of West Second Street.

Young Mr. Forth

And then on Sunday, June 12 at 10:42 pm, William Forth, 19, of Flora was issued a Citation for Operating an Uninsured Vehicle, following a traffic stop on Mill Street. Whether this lead to his arrest yesterday, however, is unknown at this time.

CLAY CO., Ill. - Clay County Sheriff Andy Myers' deputies made a handful of arrests between June 8 and 11, but one of them was an ongoing repeat offender.

Melody M. Flood, 24, of Cisne, was arrested June 8 for Defrauding Drug and Alcohol Screening. Her bond was set at $50,000.00 (10 percent). Flood posted bond on a later date.

Also on June 8, Clay County Sheriff's Deputy arrested Kevin R. Warren, 58, of Fairfield, for Disorderly Conduct. Bond was set at $1,200.00 (10 percent). He posted bond and was released.

On June 11, the Clay County Sheriff's Office received a report of a motor vehicle accident at 3:00 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 and Dewberry Road. Apparently Lydia Taylor, 73, Clay City, operating a 2006 Jeep was eastbound on U.S. Route 50, slowing to turn onto Dewberry Road, when a 2011 Chevrolet, also eastbound, operated by Jacob Michael, 28, Olney, attempted to pass the Taylor vehicle, striking it. Minor injuries were reported. Michaels was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident. He was given a Notice to Appear and released.

WHITE CO., Ill. - White County State's Attorney Denton Aud has announced that two in his county have been sentenced to terms in Illinois Department of Corrections.

Stephanie R. Davis-Campbell

The first was Stephanie R. Davis-Campbell, 51, of Carmi, who entered a plea to Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon, Class 3 felony dating back to a mid-April arrest. For her cooperation, she received a minimal sentence of 2 years DOC, to be followed by 1 year mandatory supervised release (MSR, or, parole). She was also convicted of a Class A misdemeanor offense of Driving Under the Influence. This case was handled by the Carmi Police Department.

Lawrence Chad Smith. And his cowlick.

The next was Lawrence Chad Smith, 45, of Grayville. Smith entered a plea to Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Precursor, Class 2 felony. In exchange for this plea, he received a more substantial sentence than Davis-Campbell: 5 years and 6 months DOC, toe be followed by 2 years MSR.

Aud said Smith had previously been placed on four years probation in this case. His probation was revoked this morning with the sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections being imposed. This case was handled by the White County Sheriff's Department.

JEFFERSON CO., Ill. - On Wednesday, June 15, 2016, Scott L. Thompson, of Sesser, pled guilty to bankruptcy fraud charges pending against him in federal court in Benton, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today. Thompson was indicted on February 2, 2016, as part of an effort to crackdown on those who commit fraud during the course of bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

“I am grateful to Acting U. S. Attorney Porter and our law enforcement partners for their strong commitment to combating fraud and abuse in bankruptcy cases," stated Nancy J. Gargula, U. S. Trustee for Central Illinois, Southern Illinois and Indiana.

Thompson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 13, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Benton, Illinois. Each count of bankruptcy fraud is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison, and/or a $250,000 fine, not more than three years of supervised release following the prison term, and restitution.

Aaron Flota, aka inmate #K03550

CLAY CO., Ill. - Two Clay County, Illinois men were recently sentenced to federal prison on destructive device charges, James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.

Both men had previously pleaded guilty to one count in a federal indictment which charged that on August 10, 2015, in Clay County, Illinois, Flota and Caldwell knowingly possessed a destructive device, as defined by federal law, which had not been registered to either of them in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Kevin Caldwell

HAMILTON CO., Ill. - Hamilton County State's Attorney Justin Hood has released information on the latest crims to be sent to Illinois Department of Corrections in his county.

Lenwood Arnold

Lenwood Arnold, 28, of McLeansboro, plead to Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Class 3 felony, 6 years DOC with 1 year of MSR (mandatory supervised release) to follow, with credit for time served in jail: 16 days. The arrest was handled by McLeansboro Police Dept on June 1. He was a passenger in a vehicle and was searched due to a parole search. Arnold's sentence will run concurrent with MSR on prior Hamilton and Saline county cases.

Opal Zuber

Opal Zuber, 40, of McLeansboro plead to Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Class 3 felony, and received 5 years DOC with 1 year of MSR, and credit for 24 days time served in jail. Her arrest was handled by Hamilton County Probation on May 24. She had less than 5 grams of methamphetamine in her possession at her residence during a probation search. Her sentence will be concurrent with a probation violation on a Wayne County case.

Jesse Hampton

Jesse Hampton, 32, of Benton, plead to Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class 4 felony. He will serve 2 years in DOC with one year of MSR to follow. He was stopped by police on March 17 while walking on Illinois Route 14 and had 92 Tramadol pills in a duffle bag without a prescription. The case was handled by McLeansboro Police Department.

DISTRICT 19 - Various patrols, including alcohol countermeasure, seatbelts and roadside safety checks, were conducted by Illinois State Police from District 19 in three counties in the coverage area recently.

Here are the results from these patrols, starting with Saline County, which hosted an Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) Patrol Saturday, June 11:

In Gallatin County, a Roadside Safety Check (RSC) was held in the late evening hours of Friday, June 10, into early morning hours of Saturday, June 11, at Illinois Route 13 and Illinois Route 1. These checks focus on impaired driving from alcohol or drug use, but also get citation income for the counties from driving suspended/revoked, operating without valid registration or proof of insurance, or seatbelt violations:

And then an Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrol (OREP, aka seatbelt patrol) was conducted in White County Monday, June 13:

Were YOU caught up in any of these patrols? Tell us!