DRUG TASK FORCE AGENTS ARREST ALMA MAN ON METH RELATED CHARGES

Effingham, IL – On Sept. 30, 2020, Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force (SEIDTF) agents arrested John “Matt” Doyle, a 44-year-old male of Alma, IL, at his residence located in the 4500 block of Kinoka Road, Alma, IL for federal warrants charging three counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Containing Methamphetamine.

The arrest was the result of a methamphetamine distribution investigation led by SEIDTF agents initiated in July 2020.  On September 30, 2020, SEIDTF Agents, assisted by the U.S Marshalls Service Fugitive Task Force and the Marion County Sherriff’s Department, took Doyle into custody and executed a search warrant of Doyle’s residence locating additional controlled substances, ammunition, and a firearm. 

Doyle is currently being held in the Marion County Jail.  This case is open and ongoing with no additional information being released. 

Impaired Driver Arrested after Driving 90 MPH on I-69

Pike County – Yesterday evening at approximately 6:40 p.m., Trooper Angermeier was patrolling I-69 near the 42.5 mile-marker when he observed the driver of a 1995 Oldsmobile Ciera traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. Trooper Angermeier utilized his radar and clocked the vehicle at 90 mph. Trooper Angermeier stopped the vehicle near the 48 mile-marker and detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The driver was identified as Jacob Hille, 18, of Evansville. Field sobriety tests indicated Hille was impaired. Further investigation revealed he was under the influence of marijuana and benzodiazepines. Hill was also in possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was arrested and taken to the Pike County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Jacob A. Hille, 18, Evansville, IN

1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor

2. Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Brayden Angermeier, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Hunter Manning, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Pike County Sheriff’s Department

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest

Spencer County- Yesterday, September 30, at approximately 1:25 PM, Indiana State Police All Crimes Policing Team members M/Trooper Trey Lytton, Trooper Connor Giesler, and K9 Trooper Kaitlyn Greene conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche on Eureka Rd and CR 200 W, near Rockport.

During the traffic stop, Trooper Greene’s K9, Drogos, alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.  During a search of the vehicle, approximately 17.5 grams of methamphetamine was located. The driver, Benjamin D. Shepherd, 35, of Owensboro, KY, was also found to be in possession of a substantial amount of cash.  Shepherd was arrested and transported to the Spencer County Jail on the charges of:

• Dealing in Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony

• Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony

• Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATION INTO OLNEY MURDER LEADS TO ARREST IN FLORIDA

Olney, IL – On September 30, 2020, the U.S Marshals Florida / Caribbean Fugitive Task Force and Walton County, FL Sheriff’s Department officials arrested Rick A. Meador, an 18-year-old male of Olney, IL on a Richland County, IL warrant for First-Degree Murder. The arrest took place at the Bass Haven Campground in DeFuniak, FL. Also taken into custody was a 16-year-old female of Olney, IL who was listed as missing and endangered in connection with the Olney murder investigation. 

On September 6, 2020, Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 officials were requested by the Olney Police Department to assist with a homicide investigation at the intersection of North Walnut and East Laurel Street in Olney, Illinois. An adult male, later identified as Kyle M. Johnson, a 19-year-old from Olney, IL, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Through information gathered during the investigation led by ISP DCI Zone 8, a suspect was developed, and an arrest warrant for First-Degree Murder issued through the office of Richland County State’s Attorney Charles Bradley Vaughn for Meador. Bond for the warrant was set at $500,000, 10% to apply. Meador is currently being held in the Walton County, FL jail awaiting extradition. The 16-year-old juvenile female was taken into protective custody by the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.

ISP DCI Zone 8 was assisted by the Olney Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, ISP District 12 Patrol, ISP District 13 Patrol, and the United States Marshals in this investigation. No additional information will be released by the ISP. Any further inquiries should be addressed to the Richland County State’s Attorney’s Office.

IDPH Issues COVID-19 Halloween Festivities Guidance

SPRINGFIELD – As we head into the holiday season, starting with Halloween, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is issuing guidance to help people celebrate safely as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.  Guidelines include following the 3 W’s – Wash your hands. Watch your distance. Wear your mask.

“One of the hallmarks of holidays and celebrations is gathering with friends, family and loved ones,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “We are still in a pandemic, and unfortunately, this year, that means the safest way to celebrate is to stay home and plan virtual gatherings. That said, IDPH recognizes that some who will choose to gather together anyway, and instead of denying that reality, we are issuing guidance and recommendations for safer ways to celebrate together in person. Remember, we know what our best tools are: wearing our masks, keeping our distance, limiting event sizes, washing your hands, and looking out for public health and each other.” 

If you think you could have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, do not participate in any in-person Halloween activities.

Trick-or-treating

• Anyone participating in trick-or-treating, including those passing out candy, should maintain 6-feet of social distance and wear proper face coverings.

• Consider leaving individually wrapped candy (spaced apart) on a table in driveways or in front of walkways, sidewalks, or any outdoor space where 6-feet of distance can be maintained.

• A Halloween costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. Ensure that breathing is not impaired if a cloth mask is worn under a costume mask.  If so, discard the costume mask.

• Trick-or-treat in groups with household members only.

• Candy collected during trick-or-treating should not be eaten until after handwashing.

An alternative to traditional trick-or-treating is to set up in a large parking lot or other outdoor setting with tables with individually wrapped candy (spaced apart) where participants with a parent/guardian can parade past while still keeping 6-feet of distance and wearing a face covering.  It’s suggested to offer reserved time slots to limit everyone showing up at once.

Haunted Houses

• Halloween haunted houses currently are not allowed in Restore Illinois Phase 4 Guidelines.

• Consider open-air, one-way haunted forests or haunted walks where 6-feet of distance can be maintained and face coverings are used.

Adult costume parties, social gatherings, Halloween parties at bars

• Gatherings of more than 50 people or 50% or more of a building’s maximum occupancy are prohibited. (Lower limits may apply for regions in additional mitigation.)

• The more time you spend at a gathering, the closer the contact, the more people, the higher your risk of exposure to COVID-19.

• Follow small social gathering safety tips from IDPH.

Pumpkin patches and orchards

• Cloth face coverings and social distancing should be enforced.

• Use hand sanitizer before handling pumpkins, apples, and other produce.

Hayrides

• Hayrides should not exceed 50% capacity with parties spaced at least six feet apart.

• Wear face coverings at all times when around people not from your household.

After participating in any of the above activities, if you think that you may have been exposed during your celebration, take extra precautions for 14 days after the event to help protect others.  You should:

• Stay home as much as possible.

• Avoid being around people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

• Consider getting tested for COVID-19.

IDPH Halloween guidance can be found on the IDPH website.

Newton Power Plant Among Plants To Close By End of 2027 Or Sooner

Vistra (NYSE: VST) today announced a comprehensive plan to accelerate its transition to clean power generation sources and advance efforts to significantly reduce its carbon footprint. The company launched Vistra Zero, a portfolio of zero-carbon power generation facilities, including seven new developments announced today in its primary market of ERCOT that total nearly 1,000 megawatts. In addition, the company committed to more ambitious long-term emissions reduction targets, released its first climate report, and announced its intention to retire all of its generation subsidiaries' coal plants in Illinois and Ohio.

"The aggregate impact of these milestone initiatives is clear: Vistra's commitment to our transformation to a low-to-no-carbon future is unequivocal and offers unique opportunities for growth and innovation," said Curt Morgan, president and CEO of Vistra. "As evidenced by the actions we take and investments we make, Vistra is paving its way for a sustainable future – economically and environmentally – and we've been focused on transitioning our generation portfolio for the benefit of the environment, our customers, our communities, our people, and our shareholders."

Morgan continued, "Importantly, Vistra's leadership on these issues will not impact our core mission to provide consumers with reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy while lowering emissions. Electricity is an essential resource, and the demand for it will continue to grow as climate initiatives are implemented and the economy is further electrified. So, while the way we produce electricity is changing, our essential role in the process and core mission will not. Vistra is well-positioned to not only prove our resiliency during this important transformation to cleaner generation sources, but to lead the way. Our value proposition has never been stronger, and our sustainability has never been clearer. We are confident over time that the severe under-valuation of our stock price will be recognized, and our fair value achieved."

New Zero-Carbon Development Projects: Vistra Zero

Vistra, which is already developing the world's largest battery energy storage project, the 400-MW/1,600-MWh Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in California, today announced that it is breaking ground on six new solar projects and one battery energy storage project. These new zero-carbon developments, which are part of a newly launched Vistra Zero portfolio, represent a capital investment of approximately $850 million and are all located in the attractive Texas ERCOT market where Vistra has a leadership position:

Expected online in 2021

• Andrews Solar Facility, Andrews County – 100 MW

• Brightside Solar Facility, Live Oak County – 50 MW

• Emerald Grove Solar Facility, Crane County – 108 MW

• Upton 2 Solar and Energy Storage Facility – Phase III, Upton County – 10 MW solar

  • Additional solar capacity to be added to the already operational facility, bringing its total solar capacity to 190 MW

Expected online in 2022

• DeCordova Energy Storage Facility, Hood County – 260 MW/260 MWh

  • Co-located on site of Luminant's natural gas-fueled DeCordova Power Plant

• Forest Grove Solar Facility, Henderson County – 200 MW

• Oak Hill Solar Facility, Rusk County – 200 MW

The Vistra Zero portfolio also includes the company's existing nuclear, renewable, and energy storage facilities:

• Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant (2,300 MW)

• Upton 2 Solar (180 MW) and Energy Storage Facility (10 MW/42 MWh)

• Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility (400 MW/1,600 MWh) – 300 MW Phase I expected online December 2020; 100 MW Phase II expected online by August 2021

• Oakland Energy Storage Facility (36.25 MW/ 145 MWh) – expected online January 2022

Inclusive of its new carbon-free projects, the Vistra Zero portfolio now consists of approximately 4,000 MW of zero-carbon assets. In addition, the company continues to evaluate additional solar and battery projects, including more than 1,000 MW in Texas, more than 1,000 MW in California, and approximately 450 MW in Illinois under the Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Act. Vistra is also exploring potential future development opportunities at many of the company's existing power plant sites.

Updated 2030/2050 Emissions Reduction Targets

Consistent with its strategic priorities, the company also accelerated its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Vistra is now setting out to achieve a 60% reduction, up from 50%, in CO2 equivalent emissions by 2030 as compared to a 2010 baseline, and a long-term objective to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, up from an 80% reduction target, by 20501.

1 Assuming necessary advancements in technology and supportive market constructs and public policy.

CO2 Reductions Through Coal Retirements

Vistra also announced its next phase of coal plant closures in Illinois and Ohio. The company expects to retire seven Luminant power plants, of which the company owns a combined capacity of more than 6,800 MW, between 2022 and 2027.

By year-end 2022

• Edwards Power Plant, Bartonville, IL (MISO) – 585 MW previously announced

By year-end 2025 or sooner should economic or other conditions dictate

• Baldwin Power Plant, Baldwin, IL (MISO) – 1,185 MW

• Joppa Power Plant, Joppa, IL (MISO) – 1,002 MW (plus 239 MW of gas-fueled combustion turbines)1

By year-end 2027 or sooner should economic or other conditions dictate

• Kincaid Power Plant, Kincaid, IL (PJM) – 1,108 MW

• Miami Fort Power Plant, North Bend, OH (PJM) – 1,020 MW

• Newton Power Plant, Newton, IL (MISO) – 615 MW

• Zimmer Power Plant, Moscow, OH (PJM) – 1,300 MW

These plants, especially those operating in the irreparably dysfunctional MISO market, remain economically challenged. Today's retirement announcements are also prompted by upcoming Environmental Protection Agency filing deadlines, which require either significant capital expenditures for compliance or retirement declarations.

"Our team members have gone above and beyond to make these plants viable, and they have been safely powering these communities with affordable and reliable electricity for decades," said Jim Burke, chief operating officer of Vistra. "The advance notice of these retirements provides us with ample time to work with our impacted employees and communities to ease the impact of the closures, including seeking the passage of the Illinois Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Act. We've proven ourselves in previous similar situations to live up to our core principles, taking care of our employees and communities. That will not change."

Since the company's leadership change in 2016, Vistra and its subsidiaries have closed or announced the closure of 19 coal plants totaling more than 16,000 MW across Texas (2018: Big Brown, Monticello, Sandow), Pennsylvania (2018: Northeastern Power Co.), Ohio (2018: J.M. Stuart, Killen; no later than 2027: Miami Fort, Zimmer), Illinois (2016: Wood River; 2019: Coffeen, Duck Creek, Havana, Hennepin; 2022: Edwards; no later than 2025: Baldwin, Joppa; no later than 2027: Kincaid, Newton), and Massachusetts (2017: Brayton Point). In total, Vistra and its subsidiaries have now retired or announced the retirement of more than 19,000 MW at 23 coal and natural gas plants since 2010.

1 Vistra has an 80% ownership interest in Joppa Power Plant that, when combined with its 80-100% ownership interest in the Joppa combustion turbines, totals 1,023 MW of the site's total capacity.

Mt. Vernon Woman Killed In Marion County Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12 

WHAT: Single Vehicle Fatality Traffic Crash 

WHERE: Illinois Route 161 eastbound near County Road 600 East, Marion County

WHEN: September 29, 2020 at 7:49 a.m.    

VEHICLE: Unit 1– Gray 2013 Toyota Prius

Unit 2 – Gray 2011 Chevrolet Impala

DRIVER:   Unit 1– John E. Hermeling, 56-year-old male of Centralia, IL – Transported to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

Unit 2 – Logan H. Marlow, 79-year-old male of Mt. Vernon, IL – Transported to a local area hospital with life-threatening injuries

PASSENGER:   Unit 2 – Carolyn S. Marlow, 74-year-old female of Mt. Vernon, IL – Deceased

PRELIMINARY:   A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on Illinois Route 161 near County Road 600 East in Marion County. Unit 1 driver lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line, and struck Unit 2 head on.

CHARGES: The driver of Unit 1 was issued a citation for improper lane usage.

MCHS Senior Places 3rd In Federal Court Art Competition

Mt. Carmel High School senior student, Maggee Bleyer, takes 3rd Place in her submission in the writing portion for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois Judicial Art Competition titled “Justice Means”.

High School students from each of the 38 counties comprising the federal judicial district known as the Southern District of Illinois were invited to submit artwork and writings centered around the theme “Justice Means”.

Over 30 entries were received. Unfortunately, the pandemic coincided with the submission deadline, and the judging of the entries was delayed.

Winners were announced at a virtual ceremony on September 25, 2020.  Maggee Bleyer’s poem, "Justice In My Mirror", was announced as one of the chosen winning pieces.  Her work will be displayed at both federal courthouses located in East St. Louis and Benton, Illinois representing Mount Carmel High School.

Governor's Office Staffer Tests Positive for COVID-19, Governor and All Close Contacts to Self-Isolate for 14 Days

CHICAGO – After a member of Governor JB Pritzker's staff tested positive for COVID-19, the governor and all other close contacts will self-isolate for a 14-day period, pursuant to state and federal public health guidelines.

The staff member was tested on Wednesday during weekly testing for the governor’s office and was negative. After experiencing symptoms, the staff member was tested again Monday and confirmed as positive. The staffer attended events with the governor on Wednesday in Chicago, Thursday in Marion and Sunday in Marseilles. Both the governor and the staffer were wearing masks during the entirety of their interactions.

The staffer has been interviewed and a contact tracing effort is underway to ensure all close contacts are notified. Event organizers at each impacted event have also been contacted and made aware of the staff member’s positive results as well as appropriate next steps.

In accordance with state and federal guidelines, the governor and all close contacts will self-isolate for 14 days. In addition, all staff who currently report to the office are being tested and must test negative before reporting back to the office. Yesterday, all samples that were ran to test for COVID-19 came back negative. 

Staff members reporting to the office have followed all public health safety protocols including weekly testing, daily temperature checks, wearing face coverings, social distancing and strict hygiene procedures. The office undergoes a weekly deep cleaning and an additional deep cleaning was conducted Monday night.

Illinois 15 bridge work at Mount Carmel set

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that routine maintenance of the bridge that carries Illinois 15 over the Wabash River at Mount Carmel begins the week of Oct. 5.

The work involves washing the bridge and sealing the deck and will increase its service life. Daily lane closures will be necessary, with traffic controlled by flaggers. This maintenance is expected to last about a month.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,300 miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Year One included approximately $2.7 billion of improvements statewide on 1,706 miles of highway, 128 bridges and 228 additional safety improvements.

For more information on IDOT projects, click here. For IDOT District 7 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict7 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.