SPACE HEATER SAFETY

As the weather gets colder, people often turn to space heaters to help warm up their homes. Although they’re convenient, space heaters also pose a major risk if they aren’t used appropriately.

Space heaters come in all shapes and sizes – some for small rooms, and some for large – that’s why the owner of Fusek’s True Hardware Store, Steve Fusek, says it’s important that you make sure you’re choosing the right one for the area you’re heating.

Fusek says space heaters today are cheaper and less durable – but many are also a lot safer than the older versions.

“There’s the tip over technology here as well as the auto-safety shut-off,” said Fusek. “If it gets too hot, it’ll shut down and hopefully prevent a problem.”

But even the space heater with the best safety rating can be dangerous if not used properly, that’s why the Indianapolis Fire Department says it’s important to make sure you’re taking every precaution when setting them up in your home.

“Make sure that you’re being vigilant about safety in your home,” said Rita Reith, IFD Battalion Chief. “Don’t put it next to your drapes hanging down or right under your Christmas tree – that sort of thing – You have to be smart where you put it.”

The fire department also says there are three things to remember when buying a space heater:

-Never leave them on when you’re leaving home

-Turn them off when you’re asleep

-Keep them away from combustibles

Not Too Late To Get A Flu Shot

The flu season is here in Illinois. More and more people are getting sick, but the state of Illinois says there's still time to get a flu shot. 

Illinois is among the states that the CDC says is seeing "widespread" flu activity. 

Melaney Arnold with the Illinois Department of Public Health says the state doesn't track all flu cases, just hospitalizations and deaths. But Arnold says every indicator points to the fact that flu season has begun in Illinois. 

"We're starting to see flu cases increase here in Illinois just like every state across the nation," Arnold said. "We are typically seeing a strain, the H3N2 strain, that can be more severe than other strains. 

Arnold says the IDPH is still recommending a flu shot, even though it may not be as effective as in years past. 

"A flu shot can still be effective," Arnold said. "It can still help prevent some of the illness. And even if you do get the flu, a shot can hopefully make it a bit more mild. And it won't last as long."

The state's other tips to stay healthy are common sense: Wash your hands, stay away from sick people and, if you do get sick, don't go around and spread the virus. 

Who Gets Custody Of the Dog?

A new Illinois divorce law will let a judge decide who is the best parent for the family pet.

Previously, companion animals were treated like furniture in a divorce. They were divvied up between the splitting couple as part of the value of the estate. But on Jan. 1, a judge will now be able to consider who walks the dog more or who cleans out the fish tank and award the pet accordingly.

The law, sponsored by state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, is meant to treat pets less like property and more like family.

“It has feelings and emotions,” Holmes said. “They’re looking at what would be in the best interest of the animal.”

Holmes, who served as Brookfield Zoo docent and volunteers with the Naperville Humane Society, said both sides would make their its as to why they would be the best to keep the pet. The judge would, in theory, be able to grant joint custody of the pup. 

The law would not apply to service animals.

Divorce attorney and animal rights advocate Erika Wyatt, partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, said it will now matter who does the dirty work of caring for a pet.

“Who does the day-to-day stuff? Who buys the pet food? Who stays on top of vaccinations?” she said. “Anything that happens in the normal care for the pet is going to become relevant now.”

Animal custody was becoming more common in a courtroom battle up until the last couple years. A study by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers showed that a third of their lawyers said couples divorced in the last three years were more likely to settle pet custody disputes outside of the courtroom. Dogs, they said, remain the top animal causing these disputes with 96 percent of the respondents. Cats and horses come in a distant second with 1 percent each.

Alaska was the first to change its divorce laws to give pets a higher status in divorce proceedings.

3 Arrested At Shamrock

On 12/23/17 at 0725 hours Mt. Carmel Police responded to a motel room in the 1300 block of North Cherry Street for a welfare check. Upon the officer’s arrival, they were allowed inside by the occupant Hannah E. Rutledge, age 18 of Mt. Carmel. As the officers conducted the welfare check they found several subjects in the room including a 16 year old juvenile. Officers located a loaded handgun lying in the bathroom floor as well as Methamphetamine packaged for distribution and Cannabis packaged for distribution. The drugs were located on 24 year old Olney resident Christian M. Baca. Following an investigation on the handgun it was learned that Baca had brought the handgun to the room and had went to the bathroom to drop the firearm when police arrived. Baca was placed under arrest for Manufacture/Delivery ofMethamphetamine, Manufacture/Delivery of Cannabis and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by Felon. Also arrested was Hannah Rutledge and the 16 year old juvenile for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond for Baca was set at $4000 cash and Rutledge is being held on a $150 cash bond. The 16 year old was removed this location and placed with family.

Mt. Carmel Woman Jailed After Traffic Stop

On 12/23/17 at 9:53pm Mt. Carmel Police arrested 57 year old Mt. Carmel resident Lisa J. Healy following a traffic stop in the 100 block of South Mulberry. The officer stopped a silver Honda van for a traffic violation and requested Officer Hopper to respond with his K-9 “Ace”. Officer Hopper arrived and conducted a free air narcotics sniff around the exterior of the Honda van. “Ace” alerted on the vehicle for the presence of drugs. A search was conducted which resulted in Healy being found in possession of cannabis. During their investigation officers learned that Healy had just delivered cannabis to a nearby residence. Healy also attempted to conceal the cannabis in her pants before officers searched the vehicle. Healy was placed under arrest for Manufacture or Delivery of Cannabis, Obstructing Justice for attempting to conceal the cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Healy was charged and later released on a $500 cash bond.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Christmas Eve On 2 Warrants

On 12/24/17 at 12:22pm Mt. Carmel Police arrested 41 year old Mt. Carmel resident James C. Miller on two Wabash County Warrants. Miller was wanted on a warrant for Failure to Update his Sex Offender Registry and a warrant for Failure to Appear. Miller was located at a residence in the 1000 block of Poplar Street and taken into custody without incident. Miller was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was served the two warrants. The Failure to Update Sex Offender Registry has a $4000 cash bond and the Failure to Appear Warrant has a $200 cash bond. Miller is being held pending the posting of bond.

Free Christmas Dinner Today At VFW

Again this year, a group of community volunteers will be serving Christmas dinner at the Mt. Carmel VFW. The dinner will include turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings and be served from 11:30 to 1pm. There’s no cost or obligation for the meal. Transportation and delivery will be available by calling  before noon on Christmas Day 263-3377. Last year, 348 meals were served by Friends of the Community.

Mt. Carmel Resident Injured In Richland County Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT: 1 Car Personal Injury Crash

WHERE: CR 1250N and CR 750E (Richland County)

WHEN:   2:51 AM  12/24/2017  

VEHICLES: Unit #1 – White 2003 Ford Escape

OCCUPANTS: Unit #1 Driver – Tailer Miller, 23, Olney IL
       
PASSENGERS: Unit #1 – Clarissa Gutierrez, 25, Olney
Unit #1 – Ryan Hemrich, 26, Olney
Unit #1 – Shawn Manning, 29, Mt. Carmel, IL

CHARGES: Driver Unit #1 – Failure to Reduce Speed To Avoid an Accident, Improper Lane Usage, No Seatbelt

Hemrich – No Seatbelt
Gutierrez – No Seatbelt
Manning – No Seatbelt

TRANSPORTS: Driver Unit #1 was airlifted to Deaconess Hospital and passengers Hemrich and Gutierrez were transported to Richland Memorial Hospital by EMS

PRELIMINARY:   Preliminary investigation shows that Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Richland Co Rd 1250N (Pleasant ridge) 300 feet east of 750E (Midway Rd).  Unit 1 left the roadway to the left and entered the ditch.  Unit 1 then came back out onto CR 1250N and struck the roadway with the front driver side and came to rest facing north in the ditch.  

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Operation CARE Looks To Keep Travelers Safe Over The Holidays

If you get behind a drunk driver, you should call the cops, but only if you can do it safely. That's one piece of common sense advice that Indiana State Police are giving as they get ready for extra patrols to keep you safe on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

"If you can safely call 911, if you have hands-free calling in your car, and you can do so safely and if you can give is a direction, a vehicle color, a plate number is great," said Capt. Dave Bursten, with the State Police, "do not jeopardize yourself by trying to take action, blocking off that impaired driver or following so closely that they take some evasive action and then you end up crashing into them."

Bursten said you should exercise common sense. Don't follow too closely. Don't assume someone at a four-way stop is going to stop, especially if the roads get slick.

"Drive like you're driving for everybody else. Be a defensive driver," he said.

He said you should even watch out if you're at an intersection and your light is green.

"You may have the green light but, if you run into the person that ran the red light, you're still in a crash."

Bursten said extra troopers will be on the highways, thanks to Operation C.A.R.E.

"Care is the Combined Accident Reduction Effort, and that's where we have our personnel that volunteer to work on their day off, or their Christmas Day off and work on extra patrols. This augments the personnel that we normally have out there," said Bursten.

State Police provided a list of driving tips they say you should read and follow, especially if we get snow, which is expected in some parts of the state.

"People tend to thing, something bad isn't going to happen to me. Well, bad things happen to everybody and there's examples all the time. So, what can we do to mitigate those bad things happening?"

Here's some common sense from State Police:

First: Wear your seatbelt.

When planning to travel, make sure you are well rested, as a fatigued driver is a dangerous driver.

Increase your following distance; remember the two-second rule.

Watch for slowed or stopped traffic when approaching construction zones

Leave a car length between you and the vehicle in front of you in stopped traffic. Watch approaching traffic in your mirror and be prepared to take evasive action.

Decrease your speed according to traffic and road conditions

Beware of bridges, overpasses and intersections where ice tends to form first during cold inclement weather.

Don’t use cruise control on slick roads.

Make sure everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained, including making sure Child Safety Seats are properly anchored and that children stay securely fastened in them.

DON’T BE DISTRACTED-Pull over and stop to use electronic devices.

DON’T DRIVE IMPAIRED-Have a designated driver.

MOVE OVER and SLOW DOWN for emergency and highway service vehicles.

Thieves Use Social Media To Target Crimes

- If you plan on leaving your home for several days to visit family for Christmas, police are warning you to wait until you get back to post photos and talk about your trip on social media sites like Facebook or Instagram.

"If you're on a vacation, wait until you get back before you show off your vacation photos," says Johnson County Sheriff Doug Cox. "What you're telling some of the criminal element that may be monitoring those types of sites is that you're out of town."

Sheriff Cox adds that your vehicles parked outside your home are more likely to be a target for thieves if they see that you are many miles away from home for the holidays.

"In Johnson County, our residential burglaries are down but unfortunately thefts from vehicles are up," according to Sheriff Cox.

"Residential burglaries will get sent to prison for many years. Whereas, if and when you get caught for breaking into a car, the punishment is not so severe," says Sheriff Cox.

Officers also recommend if you plan on an extended leave of absence during the holidays to leave your lights on in your home, keep your valuables hidden out of sight and double check to make sure every door to your home and vehicles are locked before you leave.