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Reports, Community
Policing Activities,
Court
News, Marriage Licenses, Dissolutions, Most
Wanted, Crime Stoppers Law
News Elsewhere
(fresh daily from the Web)
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Legislation would aid
police
officers, lessen court time
[FEB.
27, 2003]
SPRINGFIELD -- Police
officers could quickly determine a driver's car insurance status
under legislation sponsored by Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield.
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Senate Bill 499 would make insurance
information readily available to police officers, making it easier
to issue the correct tickets in accident situations and eliminating
the need for insured drivers to later prove their insurance status
in the courts.
"Illinois law requires that drivers
have insurance, but many times drivers simply forget to put the new
card in their vehicle," said Bomke. "What seems like a simple
mistake can tie up police officers at accident sites issuing tickets
for lack of insurance and further ties up the courts and state's
attorneys when the driver appears in court to provide proof of
insurance. Frankly, our courts and our law enforcement officers have
more important matters to deal with than misplaced insurance cards."
Illinois law requires vehicle owners to
have valid insurance. Senate Bill 499 would establish a database of
all insured motor vehicles in Illinois. Maintained by the secretary
of state's office, the database would make insurance information
available to police officers via computer.
Senate Bill
499 is currently in the Senate Rules Committee. If the legislation
becomes law, it would take effect Jan. 1, 2004.
[News release] |
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'We card hard'
[FEB.
24, 2003]
Project 21 came to
Lincoln last week. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission, along with the
secretary of state's office and the Illinois State Police, conducted
a training session at the Lincoln Park District Recreation Center to
help local liquor distributors and proprietors of local
establishments who sell alcohol learn ways to stop underage
drinking. Many of the proprietors and distributors who do business
in Logan County were in attendance.
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Capt. George Murray, deputy
director of investigations for the Illinois Liquor Commission, told
the local proprietors, "We are not here as your enemies; we are your
friends, and we want you to be successful and prosperous." The
Project 21 seminar was being done to help them learn ways to avoid
selling to minors. "Proprietors have a responsibility in what
happens in communities," Murray said.
The seminar was in coordination
with Lincoln Police Department, Logan County Sheriff 's Department
and the mayor's office.
Project 21 is a program that
travels to every county in Illinois. Many times the project requests
and goes to a county on its own. Capt. Murray said that Logan County
is different. Mayor Beth Davis, Police Chief Richard Montcalm and
Sheriff Nichols invited Project 21 to Lincoln.
Sheriff Nichols stated
that prior to taking office in November, he knew that Logan County
had a problem, but that upon taking office he learned that he was
aware of only about 10 percent of the problems within Logan County.
Capt. Murray stated that the
formula for success is easy. "Ask for an ID and look at it closely,"
he said. The seminar provided local establishments with
training and tools that they could use to give a tough message to
minors.
Eighty-two percent of young
people buy their liquor where they live. "Bartenders and owners are
the first line of defense," Murray said. "Ask for an ID and look at
it. You do not have to make the sale if you suspect the person to be
a minor."
Marie O'Brien of the Illinois
Liquor Commission stated, "Logan County is far from the worst county
in Illinois." The commission does ACE checks throughout the state,
checking establishments that sell alcohol. They have done stings in
75 communities so far this year, and Lincoln has done well.
However, "Logan County is at a
20 percent failure level, and that is why we are here," stated
Murray. "This is still not good enough."
The ACE checks have been done
in 65 counties. The counties and communities that have college
campuses tend to do the poorest on the checks.
"Young people's confidence is
built up while at college," O'Brien said. "They are able to purchase
alcohol while underage at college, and then when they return home
they continue what they have learned."
Capt. Murray stated that every
day somewhere in Illinois a tragedy is occurring due to underage
drinking. The most obvious tragedies are of course deaths and
criminal acts that happen while youth are under the influence. There
are, however, other tragedies that occur, such as the loss of our
youth's potential. Many college students who have potential to go on
into professions, such as being doctors or teachers, drop out
because of underage drinking. Many unwanted pregnancies occur
because of underage drinking.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
In a recent survey of underage
drinkers, the youth themselves stated that the buzz word with kids
is which places card hard and which places are selling to minors.
That is where the slogan "We card hard" comes from. Kids also know
the laws, such as the amount the fines are for underage drinking.
They are current on the subject.
Capt. Murray said, "A key thing
is for proprietors to keep a line of communication open with the
local police." He stated that if a proprietor suspects that a minor
is trying to purchase alcohol, he or she should call the police with
a description of the minor, document the incident, and take a
license number. Legally a proprietor cannot detain the minor.
Project 21 offers a large
amount of information. The seminar included role-playing that taught
servers how to deal with underage drinkers and customers who had too
much to drink for the night. Servers were also taught how to
recognize fake IDs. Proprietors and servers were educated on city
and state laws regarding alcohol sales.
Local proprietors and servers
in general felt that the seminar was very worthwhile. Their
responses varied. Haji, the local owner of Quick Way, said "I wanted
to learn more about fake IDs." Chris Pence, manager of Character's
said, "I found the seminar to be very informative and helpful."
Dave Dinger of Dinger's Tap in Mount Pulaski said, "I generally know
most of my customers and feel comfortable serving them, but this
information will be helpful." Bert Jachino of Qik-n-EZ stated, "We
really do card hard because many of our customers are young. We are
located near two college campuses." All of the proprietors agreed
that they realize there are problems and that it is difficult at
times to recognize minors.
The Rev. Glenn Shelton, alderman
from the 4th Ward in Lincoln, pointed out that the ordinance
allowing 18-year-olds to serve alcohol but not be able to purchase
alcohol "is very confusing and gives a mixed message to young
people." He would like to see that ordinance change and will work
toward that purpose.
Mayor William Glaze of Mount
Pulaski said that he found a lot of the Project 21 information
useful.
Capt. Murray reiterated that Project 21 was a friend to liquor
establishments and wanted them to succeed. He did warn that
officials would be back in two to three weeks to see how much Logan
County had learned. The next time they come back they will be there
to make sure their training is being followed and Logan County does
"card hard."
[Don
Todd] |
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Jury rules death a suicide
[FEB.
20, 2003]
A panel of six Logan County
residents heard the account of an accident that occurred on
Interstate 55 just west of Lincoln on the evening of Friday, Jan.
10. Logan County Coroner Chuck Fricke described the order of events
and provided medical evidences for the jury to decide cause and
manner in the death of Michael T. Keeney of Springfield.
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Keeney, a 42-year-old parole agent for
the state of Illinois, District 3, had transported prisoners to
Pontiac earlier in the day and was returning to Springfield in a
state-owned vehicle at the time of the incident. He was the only
occupant.
His vehicle was southbound at mile
marker 125½ when it was witnessed leaving the road. The van crossed
three lanes of oncoming northbound traffic, traveled down a ravine
and up a hillside before being stopped by a grove of small trees and
coming to rest on its driver side.
Sgt. Eric Hall, a state police
investigator, said there were at least four independent witnesses
who saw the vehicle leave the road, stopped and tried to assist.
Other people also tried to help, but since it was a transport
vehicle it was difficult to get into.
Lincoln Rural Fire Department took the
vehicle apart piece by piece, starting at the passenger side. Fricke
said that when access was gained, Keeney's seat belt had to be cut,
and then he was taken out of the vehicle.
Keeney's work supervisor was contacted,
and it was reported that Keeney had been experiencing mild
arrhythmia over the holidays and was seeing a doctor.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
His T-shirt was cut open. He was
wearing a bulletproof vest. It was removed. There were no external
wounds and no apparent injuries.
Keeney was confirmed dead at 8:15 p.m.
Autopsy results showed that there was a
laceration and gray powder toward the back of his tongue. Dr.
Michael Markey of Springfield reported that there were multiple
contusions and bruising to the brain stem and a fractured cervical
spine. The damages were caused by the blunt force trauma of a
bullet. The bullet was lodged inside.
A .40-caliber pistol and cartridge were
found in the vehicle.
A vitreous ethyl alcohol test measured
Keeney as having a .09 alcohol level, .08 being the legal limit.
After
hearing the account of the scene and medical evidences, the jury had
no questions and deliberated for a short time. They returned with a
statement agreeing that Keeney died from a gunshot wound to the
head, and they believed it to be suicide.
[Jan
Youngquist] |
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Police
Reports
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Link
to Illinois sex offender information provided by the Illinois State
Police:
http://www.isp.state.il.us/sor/frames.htm
Searches available by city,
county, ZIP code and name.
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Community
Policing Activities
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New
Citizens Police Academy accepting applications
[JAN.
30, 2003]
The Lincoln Police
Department is currently accepting applications for the Citizens
Police Academy. The classes are one day a week, and there are 10
classes, beginning March 11. Applicants must be at least 17 years
old.
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Applications may be picked up at the
Lincoln Police Department and must be returned no later than March
1.
The Citizens Police Academy shows
citizens of the community how the department operates and covers
areas from administration to traffic control. Participants of the
class will also be allowed to ride along with a Lincoln police
officer for up to eight hours.
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If you are interested in law
enforcement or would just like to see what your police are doing,
please join the class. There is no cost to the participants.
Contact:
Community Policing Officer Tim
Butterfield
Lincoln Police Department
(217)
732-2151
[Lincoln Police Department
news release] |
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Court
News
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Name,
age, address; date, charge; sentence
(Week ending 2-20-03)
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Eric L. Applegate, 44,
500 N. 150th East Road, Atlanta; 7-21-02, unlawful delivery
of alcohol to a minor; pleaded guilty, 12 months conditional
discharge, $300 fine plus court costs
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Jonathan Armstrong, 27,
1516 N. 41st St., East St. Louis; 11-10-01, unlawful
possession of cannabis; pleaded guilty, $300 fine plus court
costs, $200 mandatory assessment, $50 lab fee
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Nicholas Baker, 20, 119
S. Marion, Mount Pulaski; 1-17-03, retail theft; pleaded
guilty, six months conditional discharge, $300 fine plus
court costs
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Brent Cordell, 20, 419
N. First St., San Jose; 1-7-03, unlawful consumption of
alcohol by a minor; pleaded guilty, 12 months conditional
discharge, $250 fine plus court costs
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David Dvorak, 24, 600
Short 10th; 1-16-03, unlawful delivery of alcohol to a
minor; pleaded guilty, 12 months conditional discharge, 20
days Logan County Jail, $500 fine plus court costs
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Michael C. Gasparini,
18, R.R. 2, P.O. Box 125, Greenview; 12-13-02, unlawful
consumption of alcohol by a minor; pleaded guilty, 12 months
conditional discharge, $500 fine plus court costs
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Kym A. Long, 33, 720 E.
Johnson, Clinton; 8-27-02, deceptive practices; six months
court supervision, $150 fine plus court costs, $102
restitution
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Ray Malone, 39, 703 N.
Madison; 5-23-02, domestic battery; three years Department
of Corrections
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Ray Malone, 39, 703 N.
Madison; 11-2-02, domestic battery; three years Department
of Corrections, $280 restitution
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Tanya M. Nicholas, 22,
729 Decatur; 10-31-02, unlawful possession of drug
paraphernalia, pleaded guilty, 10 days Logan County Jail,
$750 fine plus court costs
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John M. Pollack Jr.,
23, P.O. Box 102, Emden; 8-22-02, deceptive practices;
pleaded guilty, six months court supervision, $150 fine plus
court costs
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Joshua Sinnett, 19,
1702 1200th St., Beason; 1-12-03, unlawful use of fireworks;
pleaded guilty, $150 fine plus court costs
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Simonne M. Smith, 48,
319 N. Adams; 8-29-02, 9-23-02, deceptive practices; pleaded
guilty, $150 fine plus court costs, $204.03 restitution
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Marriage
Licenses
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(No postings for the week ending 2-20-03)
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Dissolutions |
(Week ending 2-20-03)
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James R. Ellenberg, Logan County
Barbara M. Ellenberg, Logan County
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Darren D. Haberland, Emden
Judith L. Haberland, Mount Pulaski
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Most
Wanted
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Most Wanted is brought to you by the Logan County Sheriff's
Department. If you know the whereabouts of any of these suspects or
have any information about them, please call the Logan County
Sheriff's Department at (217) 732-4159. Do not attempt to approach or
speak to any suspect. The suspects presented here are just that,
suspects. They are not guilty until convicted in a court of law.
Call
(217) 732-4159 with any information.
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Call
(217) 732-4159 with any information.
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ANYONE
WITH ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE INCIDENTS OR ANY OTHER CRIME IN THE
LINCOLN/LOGAN COUNTY AREA IS URGED TO CALL "CRIME STOPPERS" AT
732-3000 OR E-MAIL AT crime@ccaonline.com.
YOUR INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND YOU MAY REMAIN
ANONYMOUS. IF YOUR INFORMATION LEADS TO THE ARREST OF THE PERSON(S)
INVOLVED, "CRIME STOPPERS" WILL PAY YOU A CASH REWARD UP TO
$1,000.
"CRIME
STOPPERS" HAS AN ANSWERING MACHINE TO ANSWER YOUR CALLS. THIS
IS TO PROTECT YOU IF YOU WISH TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS (YOUR CALLS CANNOT BE
TRACED WITH THE MACHINE). YOU NEED TO LET US KNOW HOW YOU CAN BE
CONTACTED ABOUT THE INCIDENT, OR YOU MUST WATCH TO SEE IF THE SUBJECT
HAS BEEN ARRESTED. THIS IS SO WE CAN MAKE A PAYOUT.
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Cases
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Crime Stoppers
requests information
in Brian Bobb death
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[OCT. 2, 2002]
Crime Stoppers is issuing a request
for information in the death of Brian Bobb. People who think they
may have information may contact either the Logan County sheriff's
office at (217) 732- 4151 or Logan County Crime Stoppers at (217)
732-3000.
Tips can be made anonymously.
People providing tips
that lead to an arrest can receive up to $1,500 cash.
[LDN] |
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Sometime
before 9:22 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2001, a Chevrolet Cavalier was taken
without the owner's permission from the 200 block of Latham Street
in Lincoln. The vehicle was later found stuck in the mud at the
Sportsman's Club. Crime Stoppers is asking for information as to
who had taken the vehicle.
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Sometime before 9:11 a.m. on July 21, a
burglary occurred at Lincoln Junior High School, 208 Broadway St. in
Lincoln. Unknown person(s) broke a window on the third floor and
gained access to the building. Unknown person(s) went through the
school and caused damage and vandalism to the school property.
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Late
Sunday night and early Monday morning, March 18 and 19, someone
stole items from five different Lincoln vehicles.
The
first vehicle was parked at a residence on the 1800 block of Pekin.
A $175 radar detector was taken from the car.
In
one of the Lincoln Christian College parking lots, change was stolen
from an automobile.
On
the 200 block of Mayfield, several items totaling $75 were stolen
from a car parked at the owner's residence: a book binder, school
books, homework, a calculator, a learner's permit and some change.
The
next vehicle was parked inside a garage on the 900 block of N.
McLean. The owner remembers locking the garage door. A portable CD
player, which is worth about $100, was taken from the vehicle.
The
last theft was from a car parked at the owner's residence. A $50
AM/FM CD player was stolen.
There
are no suspects at this time, but due to the timing of the crimes it
is believed that they may be connected. If you have any information
about these thefts, please contact the Lincoln Police Department at
732-2151, or Crime Stoppers at 732-3000.
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A
series of thefts in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 15,
is under investigation. There are no suspects yet, but police
believe that one person or group is responsible for all of the
crimes.
The
first vehicle, a pickup truck, parked at the owner's residence in
the 500 block of Tremont, was entered through the rear sliding door.
It is estimated that $400 worth of property was stolen: a radio,
duffle bag, four clothing items, prescription sunglasses, two
flashlights and a disposable camera.
The
second vehicle had an AM/FM CD player stolen. To gain entry, the
suspects forced entry to the side door of the '93 Jeep, which was
parked in front of the owner's residence in the 300 block of
Tremont. The radio is worth about $100.
Two
cars were broken into in a residential parking lot on the 100 block
of S. Logan St. One vehicle, a truck, had a CD player removed; the
suspects removed the dash cover to take the $200 unit.
The
other vehicle, a van, had a radar detector removed. The detector is
worth about $100.
If
you have any information about these crimes, please contact the
Lincoln Police Department at 732-2151 or Crime Stoppers at 732-3000.
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On Feb. 19, 2001, between 6 and 8:15
p.m. unknown person(s) placed an unknown substance on a 1999
Cadillac parked at the Mount Pulaski grade school. The grade school
is located at 200 N. Garden Street in Mount Pulaski. The substance
caused extensive damage to the paint on the vehicle. The Mount
Pulaski Police Department, (217) 792-5018, and the Lincoln/Logan
County Crime Stoppers are requesting anyone with any information to
contact them.
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On Jan. 16, 2001,
a possible arson occurred at 127
N. Kickapoo St. (the old
Scully Building) in Lincoln. The possible arson was
reported at approx. 7:12 p.m. on that date. Anyone with any information
about this incident who may have seen anything or anyone in the area of
the building is asked to contact the Lincoln Police Department,
Lincoln Fire Department or Crime Stoppers.
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On Jan. 12, 2001, sometime between
6 and 9 p.m., a burglary occurred on Mayfair Drive in Lincoln. Unknown
person(s) forced open a garage door and
entered the residence. Unknown person(s) looked through dresser drawers
and a closet. Taken from the residence were several shotguns, a
cellular phone and a camera.
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Sometime
between Nov. 23 and Nov. 27, 2000, unknown person(s) entered a residence
on the west side of Lincoln. Unknown person(s) forced entry to the
residence and went through it. Several items of jewelry where taken,
along with a laptop computer and an unknown amount of U.S. currency.
- Sometime between Nov. 13 and
Nov. 14, 2000, unknown person(s) forced entry to the Plaza Wash and Lube
at 2821 Woodlawn Road in Lincoln. Unknown person(s) broke a window on a
door on the east side of the building. Unknown person(s) entered the
office area and took an assortment of U.S. currency and some product
coupons. Estimated damage to the door was around $70.
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Information
on payouts
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These are totals from the
inception of the program Aug. 1, 1983.
Total
calls received:
241
Solved
cases:
45
Arrests
made:
60
Dollar
amount of drugs and merchandise recovered:
$36,200.00
Dollar amount paid
out for rewards:
$9,775.00
(2000 figures)
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