McCRACKEN CO., Ky. - Once again, a northwestern Kentucky County is in the forefront of cracking down on online solicitation for prostitution.

Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky, apparently has a problem with people wanting to sell their bodies for money as well as with drawing in people who are willing to do so. They've had many incidents in the past wherein online ads stating that very thing have resulted in sometimes massive busts, and it all goes back to an undercover task force dedicated to infiltrating the rings and making the arrests. We've covered at least one of these busts in the past, which you can read about here.

That particular bust had one local southern Illinois guy involved. The one that took place over the course of several days this week - January 14 through 17 - involved a lot more locals.

With a total of 17 arrested in this bunch, there turned out to be five involved from the downstate Illinois area, from the locales of Carbondale in Jackson County, Eddyville in Pope County, and Marion in Williamson County.

The arrests were made the same way previous ones had been accomplished: McCracken County Sheriff's officers started the investigation after complaints started coming in about those online ads that got them caught before (thus far, we've never seen any of these ads, which ostensibly appear on "websites"; we don't know which websites, nor how widespread the ads are nor what they say.) Whatever the case, the undercover detectives began responding to the online ads, and placed their own ads on said websites, in order to forward the investigation and get as many people caught in the net as possible.

Ultimately they were able to arrest and charge the following Illinoisans:

Terrnell P. Albritton, 33, Carbondale; Promoting Prostitution and Operation on a Suspended/Revoked License

Mallory A. Shisler, 28, Carbondale; Prostitution

Dennis Richards, 66, Eddyville; Solicitation of Prostitution

Anissa R. Haymon, 25, Marion; Prostitution

Christopher D. Taylor, 40, Marion; Fugitive from another State (Arkansas)

The rest of those arrested were the following:

Aaron J. Kelly, 26, Paducah; Prostitution and Possession of Marijuana
Joshua W. Culp, 39, Benton (Kentucky); Prostitution, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Penny L. Baird, 53, Paducah; Prostitution and Resisting Arrest
Benny L. Dawson, 38, Paducah; Prostitution
Natasha L. Henson, 35, Hardin (Kentucky); Prostitution. Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Stefoni M. Beasley, 28, Paducah; Prostitution, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Sarah Taber, 25, no address given; Prostitution and Fleeing/Evading Police
Sheva Baht Israel Ohara, 25, Oak Grove (Kentucky); Prostitution and Possession of Marijuana
Michael Treas, 45, Benton (Kentucky); Solicitation of Prostitution
Delandra Stubblefield, 22, Hickman (Kentucky); Prostitution
Jose Gonzalez, 29, Suwanee, Georgia; Solicitation of Prostitution
Joel Virgen Marquez, 31, Mexico; Solicitation of Prostitution (no word on his legal status, but one can guess.)

In the past, many arrested in these stings are allowed to plead the felonies down to various misdemeanors; it'll be interesting to see where this particular bust and set of charges go.

MARION/EFFINGHAM, Ill. - If you're going to be traveling north out of or through Marion in Williamson County, Illinois, on Saturday, January 26, you might want to consider Route 37 as an alternative to ordinarily faster-moving Interstate 57.

That'd be because truckers are going to be staging a protest on 57 tomorrow, in opposition to ever-increasing regulations that are choking the life out of the industry.

Truckers from around the region, calling themselves "Black Smoke Matters," are meeting at the Marion Pilot truck stop at 10 a.m. tomorrow, and at 11 a.m., they'll be rolling out - slowly - to I-57 and will travel all the way up to Effingham as evidence of the protest. You can read about it at their Facebook page; click the hotlink (it's a group, so you'll have to join, but they really have a HUGE membership.)

Authorities are warning the public to avoid northbound Interstate 57 to the best of their abilities during this time tomorrow morning. The group will be traveling only in the right lane, but still...give them a break to make their point. Regulations are getting oppressive, and driverless trucks are insane...and that's what the industry is facing. Give em their time to call attention to the cause...and support them. We as a country can't really do without em.

ALEXANDER CO., Ill. - An arrest has been made in the situation down in Alexander County wherein a Tamms woman was found dead of a gunshot wound.

The community of Tamms, located right on the Mississippi River on the west-central side of Alexander County, was the scene of the incident as it emerged on January 11. At that time, authorities received a 911 call regarding a subject having been shot. When authorities arrived, they found Stacy Carter-Gonzales, 48 of Tamms, deceased of injuries sustained from a shooting.

Authorities are being vague about who placed the 911 call.

They did, however, spend quite a bit of time and effort asking the public for assistance in information leading to the arrest of a suspect.

That panned out when this past Thursday, Jan. 24, Alexander County authorities arrested Johnny L. Warren, 36, of various residences across both Alexander and Pulaski counties, and charged him with five counts of First Degree Murder in Gonzales' death.

Warren, who is a felon but largely over drinking-and-driving incidents across both Alexander and Pulaski counties, is reportedly being held on a million-dollar bond.

As well, Illinois State Police, who took over the investigation from Alexander County authorities early on, is still asking for information; you may contact District 13 at 524-2171 if you have anything that might assist them in the investigation.

HERRIN, Ill. - Following last weekend's suspicious death in Marion, wherein a local guy has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder, now this weekend is seeing another, this on in Herrin.

The Herrin Police Department announced on their Facebook page that they are conducting an investigation into the suspicious death of Jeffery D. Ennis, 50 of Herrin.

Ennis was discovered deceased at his residence in the 700 block of N. 17th Street at 5:18 a.m. today (Sunday, January 27, 2019).

An autopsy has been scheduled. The Williamson County Coroner’s Office and Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services are currently assisting with the investigation.

If anyone has any information, please call the Herrin Police Department at 618-942-4132 or Williamson County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-414-TIPS.

BUCKNER, Ill. - A local felon from Buckner, reported missing last week, is still missing in this bitterly cold weather, and authorities are putting out the call for folks to keep an eye out.

Franklin County authorities advised last week that Allen K. Woolard, 42 of Buckner, was last seen walking away from a home in Buckner on January 23 at 11 p.m. Authorities have not said whose home, nor why Woolard was out walking at 11 at night.

However, they have advised that Woolard was last seen wearing a light blue t-shirt, blue jeans and wearing a white bandanna on his head. He is further described as being a while male, five-foot-nine and 165 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.

Naturally, with the temps dipping into negative territory since Tuesday, January 29, concern has increased over Woolard's whereabouts.

Some folks have opined to Disclosure that his disappearance is not being taken seriously owing to the fact that Woolard is a convicted felon in Franklin, most recently (mid-2016) that being Domestic Battery, a charge for which Woolard has a bit of a history in Franklin.

Whether that's the case or not, there are a lot of missing people in southern Illinois and few answers even after they're found. So if you have any info on Woolard, you are encouraged to call the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at 618-438-4841.

PULASKI CO., Ill. - Jessica A. Browning, 44, of Ullin (Pulaski County), has been sentenced to two years of federal probation for her convictions on two counts of bankruptcy fraud, Steven D. Weinhoeft, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today (January 31, 2019).

Browning was indicted in August 2018 as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s continuing effort to crack down on those who commit fraud in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

At her plea hearing, Browning admitted that during her federal bankruptcy proceedings, she intentionally failed to disclose a $12,765.47 award she had recently received in a workers’ compensation case. Browning also admitted that she testified falsely while under oath at a bankruptcy hearing regarding what she had done with those funds.

“I am grateful to U.S. Attorney Weinhoeft and our law enforcement partners for their strong commitment to combating fraud and abuse in bankruptcy cases as evidenced by yesterday’s proceedings,” stated Nancy J. Gargula, U.S. Trustee for Southern and Central Illinois and Indiana (Region 10). The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Region 10 is headquartered in Indianapolis, with additional offices in South Bend, Indiana, and Peoria, Illinois.

The charges resulted from a referral by the U.S. Trustee for Region 10 to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The investigation was conducted by agents from the Fairview Heights, Illinois, Office of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, in collaboration with the Southern Illinois Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by the U.S. Trustee. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William E. Coonan and Scott A. Verseman.

FRANKLIN CO., Ill. - Authorities in Franklin County have announced that the body of a man missing since January 23 has been located.

Franklin County Sheriff David Bartoni posted on the Sheriff's Department Facebook page today the following:

On February 2, 2019, at 11:17 a.m., Franklin County Sheriff Deputies responded to a rural area of the Village of Buckner, where members of the Southern Illinois Search Team had located the body of 42-year-old Allen K. Woolard. Woolard had been reported missing on January 23, 2019, at approximately 11:30 p.m. (when he was ) walking away from a residence in the Village of Buckner. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, February 4, 2019, to determine the cause of death. The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the members of the Southern Illinois Search Team and volunteers from the community for their efforts.

The investigation continues with the assistance from the Illinois State Police, Buckner Police, Christopher Police and Franklin County Emergency Management Agency.

FRANKLIN CO., Ill. - It probably came as little surprise to many that four individuals were arrested last week when, in the course of searching for missing man Allen K. Woolard, unrelated crimes were uncovered.

It probably also comes as little surprise to many that each of the four were charged with drug-related crimes.

Authorities, in an effort to locate Woolard who was last seen walking away from a location in the village of Buckner on January 23 and who was found dead this past Saturday (February 2) not far from the village, had traveled to a location in the village of Christopher on Thursday, Jan. 31 to speak with "associates" of Woolard's.

While it's unclear whether these associates had any helpful info that aided in the ultimate tracking down of Woolard's body Saturday morning, authorities say that while deputies were there, they discovered alleged drug activity and a search warrant was requested.

The execution of it resulted in the arrests of the following individuals, who are from all over the place:

Brianna R. Parcell, 27, of Christopher, on a single charge of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine

Mark A. Berger, 40 of Lemay, Missouri, on counts of Unlawful Possession of Meth and Unlawful Possession of Weapons by a Felon

Boren R. Johnson, 47, of Mt. Vernon (Illinois) on counts of Unlawful Possession of Meth and Unlawful Delivery of Meth

David L. Baker, 39 of Christopher, on a single count of Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, which was just a misdemeanor and an offense with a low bond, hence why he was able to bond out quickly.

As of at least this morning (Monday, February 4), the first three were still being held at the Franklin County Jail.

Information on Woolard's death, like his "association" with the above crew, remains scant. Be watching for updates.

MARION, Ill. – Here’s your Marion City Police report for the time frame covering early February (the 2nd through the5th) 2019, when apparently the arrestees decided to step it up after slacking off a bit in the late-January chill.

Latrice Binion, 40 of St, Louis, Mo.,has been arrested for Retail Theft in the 3000 block of W DeYoung St on February 2.

Janice Turner, 49 and also of St Louis, Mo., has been arrested for Retail Theft in the 3000 block of W DeYoung St on February 2.

Jessa Crabtree, 27 of Ava had been arrested for Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, Driving While License Suspended, Revoked Registration, Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in the area of DeYoung St and Carbon St on February 2.

David Ahr, 39 of Marion has been arrested for Possession of Methamphetamines and Retail Theft at Roll N Up Liquor on February 2.

Phillip Morgan, 30 of Harrisburg has been arrested for Criminal Trespass to Property and Resisting a Police Officer in the 2700 block of W DeYoung St on February 3.

Izell Jones, 50 of Marion has been arrested for Obstructing Identification in the 100 block of S Carbon St on February 3.

Jamie Dumaw, 37 of Marion has been arrested for Domestic Battery in the 400 block of Vinewood Ln on February 3.

Jeffery Lindsey, 41 of Marion has been arrested for Aggravated Domestic Battery and Possession of Methamphetamines in the 100 block of S Future St on February 3.

Thomas Duffey, 56 of Springfield has been arrested in the 900 block of W Main St for Retail Theft on February 4.

Dewey Lyell, 30 of Marion has been arrested for Retail Theft in the 2500 block of Blue Heron Dr. on February 4.

Anthony Thompson, 40 of Carbondale has been arrested for Armed Robbery and Theft in the 600 block of S Carbon St on February 5.

Rex Summers, 31 of Herrin has been arrested for Theft, Armed Robbery, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Possession of Methamphetamines in the 600 block of S Carbon St on February 5.

Gregory Wicks, 58 of Marion has been arrested for Battery in the 1700 block of W DeYoung St on February 5.

FRANKLIN CO., Ill. - Franklin County authorities have confirmed that they are investigating a shooting that occurred in the overnight hours last night (Tuesday, February 5 into Wednesday, Feb. 6).

Franklin County Sheriff's officials are investigating the shooting, which resulted in the hospitalization of the victim, and the arrest of the alleged shooter.

Authorities advise that the shooting took place at a rural location of West Frankfort, but are not specifying anything further, including identities, ages, or genders of those involved.

Be watching for updates.

FRANKLIN CO., Ill. - A West Frankfort man is in custody in this week's shooting in Franklin County, and another individual was taken into custody apparently relative to the guy's arrest.

Kyle C. Huetsch, 31, is the one Franklin County authorities have identified as being involved with the shooting that occurred early Wednesday morning, February 6, at a rural location that's still not been disclosed.

Huetsch has been charged with Class X felony Aggravated Battery/Discharging a Firearm, and he's currently been ensconced in the Franklin County Jail, unable to make bond and with an upcoming hearing next Wednesday, Feb. 13, set to hear that very subject.

In the course of the investigation into the shooting, another individual was arrested: Brianne L. Deason, 32, of West Frankfort. She caught the attention of the authorities by allegedly holding meth, so she was arrested on a Class 3 felony Possession of Meth less than 5 grams, as well as Class 4 felony Possession of a Controlled Substance and Class A misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Huetsch, a felon since 2007, has had a number of serious felonies charged against him but somehow manages to get out of most of them with dismissals. Sadly, that's generally how people get hurt or killed, as those with such felonious tendencies have a propensity to ratchet up.

Of course authorities aren't naming the alleged shooting victim (who is reportedly recovering); however, Deason has taken out an Order of Protection against Huetsch.

SALINE CO., Ill. - Saline County's new State's Attorney, Molly Wilson Kasiar, hit the ground running when she took office in December, and the January sentencings show that she's ready and willing to clear the court's docket and get on with justice in Saline.

Here are the January 2019 sentencings in Saline County Circuit Court. Unless otherwise noted, Judge Walden Morris was the sentencing judge. Hotlinks on the names take you to the original stories, if available, telling how these crims got in the fixes they were in.

Jeremy May, 39 of Harrisburg, was sentenced on Jan. 3 to 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to be followed by a year of parole on his Attempted Burglary count.

Kain Brown, 20 of Eldorado, was sentenced Jan 4 to 5 years in IDOC, followed by 2 years of parole in his Residential Burglary case.

Zachary Ward, 27 of Harrisburg, was sentenced on Jan. 7 to 3 years in IDOC and a year of parole following release on his Meth Possession charge.

Michael Wright, 21 of Marion, was sentenced on Jan. 7 to 3 years in IDOC followed by 2 years of parole on a Possession of a Stolen Firearm count.

Malaina Foster, 32 of Harrisburg, was sentenced Jan. 8 to 3 years in IDOC to be followed by 2 years parole for Bringing Contraband into a Penal Institution (Violation of Probation).

Matthew Rushing, 34 of Ozark, was sentenced Jan. 9 to 3 years in IDOC followed by a year of parole for the offense of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Violation of Probation).

James Branch, 55 of Harrisburg, was sentenced Jan. 14 to 24 years in IDOC followed by 3 years to natural life parole for the offense of Predatory Sexual Assault of a Child.

Michael Litherland, 66 of Golconda, was sentenced Jan. 18 to 3 years in IDOC followed by a year of parole for the offense of Deceptive Practice.

Nathan Baker, 31 of Eldorado, was sentenced Jan. 22 to 4 years in IDOC followed by a year of parole for Theft Under $500/Enhanced Sentence (Violation of Probation) Baker has a second case and was sentenced to 10 years in IDOC and 3 years of parole for Burglary. A third case got Baker sentenced to 4 yeas in IDOC and a year of parole for Criminal Trespass to an Occupied Residence.

Ashley Collins, 32 of Goreville, was sentenced Jan. 22 to 3 years IDOC and a year of parole for Meth Possession.

Joshua Hurst, 37 of Harrisburg, was sentenced Jan. 22 to 4 years IDOC and a year of parole on a Violation of Probation on a Meth Possession count. A second case resulted in a sentence of 4 years IDOC and a year of parole, also for Meth Possession; and a third case resulted in the same sentence for a Probation Violation on a Burglary charge.

Robert Harrelson, 50 of Eldorado, was sentenced Jan. 25 by Judge Todd Lambert to 2 years in IDOC and a year of parole to follow for the offense of Meth Possession. A second case Harrelson was facing resulted in 4 years IDOC and a year of parole, this also for Meth Possession.

And Anthony Arrington, 20 of Chicago, was sentenced Jan. 30 to 5 years IDOC and 2 years parole for an Aggravated Battery case. A second case, also on an Agg Batt charge, got him the same sentence, which are likely being served concurrently.

GALLATIN CO., Ill. - Gallatin County Coroner Tony Cox has released information regarding a traffic accident that occurred this morning in the Shawneetown area, one which claimed the life of a local woman.Gallatin County Coroner Tony Cox has released information regarding a traffic accident that occurred this morning in the Shawneetown area, one which claimed the life of a local woman.

Cox said that at approximately 5:03 a.m. today (Saturday, February 9), his office was summoned to Smokey Road near Shawneetown for a deceased person from an automobile accident.Upon arriving, the coroner pronounced Molly R. Bryant, 23 (CORRECTED) of Junction, dead at the scene.

Cox said that Bryant was involved in a single-car accident as the driver, with no passengers involved. Bryant apparently lost control of the car and skidded off the road into a tree, where the vehicle caught fire. An individual going to work this morning came upon the accident and reported it. The Shawneetown Fire Department was called to extinguish the fire; the Gallatin County Sheriff's Department was also present this morning investigating the accident.

Cox noted that this was a "straight road transitioning from gravel to blacktop surface where the accident started."

Cox' office and the sheriff's department are investigating and will release further info when all testing and results are in.

FRANKLIN CO., Ill. - A woman was saved thanks to fast-acting first responders after she drove off a Franklin County roadway and into the Big Muddy River.

And as is typical with stuff coming out of Franklin County, we know the what of the situation (albeit vague), but not the why...and that's something we may never find out.

What we do know is that the crash occurred at some point in time this morning, Sunday, February 10, when black ice (as well as the regular kind, since it was falling from the sky in the overnight hours) was all over the roadways of southern Illinois.

The unidentified woman, whose age and home town have also not been made available, was traveling Yellow Banks Road just east of the Big Muddy, when for whatever reason, she just drove into the river.

The woman was rescued, uninjured, after she had climbed out of her car and sat atop it, as it was swamped but apparently not completely submerged. A joint effort by Franklin County Emergency Management Agency with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Franklin County Highway Department, West City Fire Department, Benton Fire Department and Abbott EMS saw her retrieved from her car rooftop and the vehicle pulled from the water before being towed.

As far as can be ascertained, there have been no citations issued.

WABASH CO., Ill. - A young man from Elizabethtown in Hardin County was behind the wheel of a big rig when it was struck by another driver in Wabash County yesterday (Monday, February 11.)

Illinois State Police in District 19 Carmi said the two-vehicle collision occurred on Illinois Route 1 north of Mt. Carmel at 6:16 p.m. last night.

At that time, Blake D. Patton, 29 of E-town, was driving a 2010 Kenworth truck-tractor semi-trail combination, traveling south on Route 1 at Wabash County Road 1550 N (Poor Farm Road).

A Mt. Carmel woman, Donna K. Hedge, 66, was driving a gray 2018 Toyota RAV-4. She proceeded east through a stop sign on Poor Farm Road and struct Patton's truck on the passenger side.

Hedge was transported to Wabash General Hospital for minor injuries; Patton was uninjured. The RAV-4 was towed from the scene; Patton was able to drive his truck tractor semi from the scene.

District 19 acknowledges assistance from the Mt. Carmel Fire Department, Wabash County Ambulance, Wabash County Sheriff's Office, Mt. Carmel Police Department and Rick's Towing.

SO. ILL. - Is it okay to drink the water?

In decades past, this may not have been a question that was typically asked here. There are several free education events in Southern Illinois to learn more about the health of our drinking water.

Occasionally, there would be stories from international travelers who were sickened after drinking water that had not been properly boiled or treated. But now, with the numerous reports of lead contamination in Michigan and reports of other types of water contamination elsewhere, safe drinking water is becoming a commodity that we cannot take for granted anymore.  

While modern life has brought us many conveniences, it has also brought us the risks associated with various forms of water pollution, which can include contamination from nitrates, lead, chlorides, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), benzene, and even radioactive pollutants. Exposure to these and other contaminants can result in acute and chronic health issues that span from skin rashes to birth defects to many types of cancers. Water-borne VOCs, that when released to the air produce ozone, which can cause breathing problems, and benzene happens to be one of the most carcinogenic substances out there.  

If your drinking water is supplied by a private water well and if you, your family members, or neighbors have experienced acute or chronic health issues that you suspect may be related to the water consumed, we may be able to help.  We may be able to provide reduced cost water testing services for the more common types of well water pollutants, if your water source meets the criteria for testing. And if testing results determine that your water contains contaminants that risk your health and well-being, our volunteers will then do their best to provide you with resources to take the next steps that address your health concerns and deal with the root causes of your contaminated water.  

This water testing service is available to the following counties in Southern Illinois: Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Saline, Gallatin, Hardin, Pope, Johnson, Williamson, Perry, Jackson, Randolph and Union. To learn more about health related issues pertaining to water quality, there will be three community education events, all free to the public.

1. Monday, February 25, 6-7:30 pm, Vienna Public Library, 401 Poplar St, in Vienna, Illinois, 62995
   
2. Wednesday, February 27, 6-7:30 pm, Benton Public Library, 502 S. Main Street, Benton, Ill. 62812
3. Monday, March 4, 6-7:30pm, Harrisburg Public Library, 2 W Walnut St, Harrisburg, Ill. 62946

If you would like more information, please contact (872) 201-8525 or email saveILwater@gmail.com

BENTON, Ill. - A stabbing in the city of Benton is the latest example of how people are kind of coming unglued lately in southern Illinois.

Officials report that the incident occurred yesterday morning (Monday, February 11) at around 5:20 a.m. at a residence in the 600 block of Depot Street.

Responding officers (reports don't indicate who contacted authorities) found a 37-year-old man (who, of course, isn't being named, although the public has the right to know that) with multiple stab wounds. He was tended to by Benton Fire Rescue and Abbott EMS, then transported to an area hospital where he was listed in stable condition last night.

The guy's roommate, Dustin H. Keller, 24, was taken into custody at the residence. He's been charged with Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Domestic Battery, as he was, after all, dude's roomie.

There's been no indication of what prompted the two to get into the alleged altercation, but it's the latest in a string of inexplicable acts of violence plaguing downstate in recent weeks.

MARION, Ill. - One of Harrisburg's more notorious thugs, out on bond in a serious Saline County case since December, has now been arrested in Marion.

Ian Hamilton, 25, the eldest of the violent Gibbs-Hamilton bunch who have terrorized Saline County for the past several years, was arrested on Tuesday, February 19, on a misdemeanor count of Domestic Battery, this occurring at an address on the 1200 block of North Van Buren Street in Marion. Apparently, Hamilton has moved to Marion, as records on file show the aforementioned address to be his.

Reports don't indicate who the alleged object of his ire was, but with this bunch, it could be anyone, right down to a neighborhood kitten (although that wouldn't necessarily constitute Domestic Battery if it were just a neighborhood feline) like his little brother and fellow thug Aries Gibbs was filmed brutalizing a couple of years ago. Hamilton's social networking profile indicates that he's "in a relationship with" Katy Heaton, but it also claims he lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and if there's one thing these thugs are fixated on, it's attempting to pull stuff over on people, so there's really no telling (conversely, Heaton's ducklips-filled page has her in a relationship with him, but that's not to say she was the victim. It's a free-for-all with these people.)

Back on December 19 in Saline County, Hamilton, who like his criminal family members (the brothers Gibbs: Aries, who is 17 now and headed for a jury trial next week, and Xzavier, 21, who fortunately for the region is still in prison for at least a few more years) has had more unresolved criminal cases over the last several years than just about any other thug gang out there, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor Possession of Cannabis and Class 4 felony Obstruction of Justice.

He's set for a jury trial in May in Saline...that is, if the recent arrest and charge in Marion doesn't speed things up a bit, since Hamilton is out on bond in Saline and a condition of that bond is to not get in trouble anywhere else.

When we learn more about it, we'll post. Be watching.

DISTRICT 19, CARMI - Illinois State Police (ISP) District 19 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, announces the ISP will conduct various patrols in the area coming up in March. Here's the rundown.

Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement
Edwards, Gallatin, Saline & Wabash

ISP will conduct Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrols in Wabash, Edwards, Saline, and Gallatin Counties during March. ACE patrols allow the ISP to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to violations associated with impaired driving and illegal transportation or consumption of alcohol or drugs.

The ISP has zero tolerance for impaired driving in Illinois. Officers working the detail will be watchful for drivers who are operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, transporting open alcoholic beverages, and most importantly:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI);
• Safety Belt and Child Restraint use;
• Speeding;
• Distracted Driving; and,
• All Illinois Vehicle Code and Criminal Violations.

Alcohol and drug impairment is a factor in more than 30 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. There is one alcohol-related traffic fatality every 53 minutes in the United States. The ACE program allows officers to work even harder at removing dangerous DUI offenders from the road.

Roadside Safety Checks
Wabash County

ISP will conduct a Roadside Safety Check (RSC) in Wabash County during March. The use of RSCs combine a strong sense of public awareness and enforcement in order to save lives of the motoring public. The ISP has zero tolerance for impaired driving in Illinois. Officers working the detail will be
watchful for drivers who are operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, transporting open alcoholic beverages, and most importantly:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI);
• Safety Belt and Child Restraint use;
• Speeding;
• Distracted Driving; and,
• All Illinois Vehicle Code and Criminal Violations.

Alcohol and drug impairment is a factor in more than 30 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois, and throughout the U.S., nearly 10,000 people die each year due to alcohol-impaired driving. RSCs are designed to keep our roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road.

Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols
Gallatin, Hamilton, Saline & White

ISP will conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in White, Hamilton, Saline and Gallatin counties during March. OREPs allow the ISP to focus on safety belt and child safety seat laws. Illinois law requires all vehicle passengers (front and back) to buckle up! Safety belts are still one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, estimated to save nearly
14,000 lives each year. Half of vehicle occupants killed in a traffic crash were not properly buckled up. The objective of this program is to increase occupant restraint compliance through education, child seat inspections, and enforcement.

GOLCONDA, Ill. - Had the opportunity to be on the riverfront of the Ohio in Golconda (Pope County, Ill.) Friday when the fog was on.

The water was actually still rising at that point. According to the experts (see above), the river crested yesterday morning at Golconda (Monday, February 26) and is now falling, meaning it's rising in other locations further south, which has resulted in some serious flooding down in Massac County (in particular, Metropolis, which you can read about in this report by KFVS).

Here are some shots from the other day.

What a mess. If you have flood pics, feel free to send them: jack@disclosurenewsonline.com