A University of Illinois Extension expert always loves to preview the mushroom hunting season. It’s a great tradition in the spring says forestry specialist Chris Evans.
Morel mushrooms are the most popular in the spring, but Evans says there are quite a number of other edible mushrooms that can be found growing in Illinois, including pheasant backs, oysters, chicken-of-the woods, chanterelles, lion’s mane, black trumpets, and hen-of-the-woods.
ISP INVESTIGATES FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Two Unit Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: US Route 40, in the area of 900th Street, Effingham, Effingham County
WHEN: April 11, 2021 at 12:16 a.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1 – Bronze 2012 GMC Terrain
Unit 2 – Black 2016 Ford Fiesta
DRIVERS: Unit 1 –Andrew E. Welter, a 33-year-old male from Altamont, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Unit 2 – Mara D. Ferguson, a 28-year-old female from Charleston, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
PASSENGERS: Unit 1 – Alyssa M. Rhodes, a 29-year-old female from Charleston, IL – Pronounced deceased.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 2 was traveling eastbound on US Route 40, near 900th Street, in Effingham County. Unit 1 was traveling westbound on US Route 40 in the same area. Unit 1 crossed over and was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. Unit 2 swerved to the left, but was still struck by Unit 1 in a head-on collision. Both drivers were transported by ambulance to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The front seat passenger of Unit 1 succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. The Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit (TCRU) is continuing the investigation. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
CHARGES: The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage, and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Gibson County – Last night at approximately 11:35, Trooper Hurley was patrolling northbound US 41 near the 38 mile-marker when he observed the driver of a Toyota Highlander traveling south in the northbound passing lane. Trooper Hurley immediately activated his emergency lights hoping the driver would stop, but the driver of the Toyota continued to drive south in the northbound lanes. Trooper Hurley turned around and while traveling south to catch up to the Toyota he observed the driver of the Toyota pass five vehicles that were traveling north on US 41. Trooper Hurley eventually was able to pass the Toyota by utilizing the southbound lanes and then used the cross-over at Old US 41 to block and shut down both northbound lanes. Moments later, the wrong way driver stopped in the northbound lanes approximately 15 yards from Trooper Hurley’s patrol car. The driver was identified as Macray Robinson, 19, of Fort Branch. Robinson displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed Robinson had a blood alcohol content of .16%. Robinson was arrested and taken to the Gibson County Jail where he is being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Macray Robinson, 19, Fort Branch, IN
Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Class C Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Tanner Hurley, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency: Gibson County Sheriff’s Office
Allendale School is proud to announce the March Students of the Month:
Kindergarten - William Jackman
1st Grade - Wesley Weir
2nd Grade - Chandler Bray
3rd Grade - Zoey Headrick
4th Grade - Kelsey Morgan
Junior High - Cadence Buchanan
Junior High - Mark Vaupel
Kindergarten - William Jackman
1st Grade - Wesley Weir
2nd Grade - Chandler Bray
3rd Grade - Zoey Headrick
4th Grade - Kelsey Morgan
Junior High - Cadence Buchanan
Junior High - Mark Vaupel
On April 9, 2021, at 1:22 p.m. Sergeant Bruce Vanoven with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office observed a White 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix fail to come to a complete stop while traveling Southbound on County Road 550 East at the stop sign located at State Road 64. At that point Sgt. Vanoven conducted a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle Sgt. Vanoven identified the driver as 38-year-old Jara Lynn Barfield of Francisco, Indiana. Upon running Ms. Barfield through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Sgt. Vanoven discovered that Ms. Barfield was operating the White Grand Prix while her Operator’s license was suspended on a prior Driving While Suspended conviction. At that point Sgt. Vanoven asked for consent to search the vehicle and discovered drug paraphernalia and Methamphetamines inside the vehicle. At the conclusion of his roadside investigation Sgt. Vanoven transported Ms. Barfield to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Driving While Suspended/Prior, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with a Prior Conviction, and Possession of Methamphetamines with a Prior Conviction. She remains in custody on a $750 bond.
Assisting Sgt. Vanoven in his investigation was Sheriff Timothy Bottoms and Deputy Bryce Jutzi.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURY
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Single Unit Traffic Crash with Injury
WHERE: 600 Block of E. Chestnut Street, Louisville, Clay County
WHEN: April 9, 2021 at 9:13 p.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1 – White 2011 Nissan Armada
DRIVERS: Unit 1 –Brock Metcalf, a 25-year-old male from Salem, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling westbound in the area of the 600 block of E. Chestnut Street in Louisville. Unit 1 left the roadway on the north side and continued traveling west through several yards. Unit 1 struck a concrete post and then the embankment of a driveway. Unit 1 continued west, hitting a power line guy wire and then struck a tree. The driver of Unit 1 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
CHARGES: The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol, Driving While License Revoked, Transportation of Open Alcohol by Driver, and Improper Lane Usage.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
On April 9, 2021 at 10:09 p.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith observed a vehicle traveling Northbound on US 41 at an unusual low rate of speed. Upon pulling behind the vehicle, a Silver 2006 Chevy Deputy Smith observed the vehicle fail to maintain its lane of travel as it continued to travel on Old US HWY 41. At that point Deputy Smith initiated a traffic stop and upon approaching the vehicle he detected a strong smell of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. Deputy Smith then began a roadside DUI investigation. During his investigation Deputy Smith observed clues that also indicated drug usage had recently occurred. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Smith placed the driver 61-year-old Henrietta Gibson of Princeton into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Ms. Gibson was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. She remains in custody on a $650 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On April 9, 2021, at 2:06 a.m. Deputy Quinten Might conducted a traffic stop on a White 2017 Toyota Corolla for speeding on US 41 near Richland Creek Drive in Princeton. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Might identified the driver as 22-year-old Jatanya Milan of Nashville, Tennessee. During a roadside investigation Ms. Milan gave Deputy Might and Deputy Loren Barchett consent to search her vehicle. During that search Marijuana was found. Both Ms. Milan and a passenger 23-year-old Bianca Johnson also of Nashville, Tennessee were taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail and were charged with Possession of Marijuana. They have each posted an $1100 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The name of the newest member of the Mt. Carmel Police Department was unveiled on today’s WSJD Morning Show. The new K-9 unit will be named “Eleven” as chosen by K-9 officer Daniel Hopper who explains the origin of the name….
An on-line contest was held soliciting suggestions to name the new dog. Hopper said a couple of the runner-up suggestions were Bama, since the new dog will be coming from Alabama and Leo, the acronym for law enforcement officer. Hopper will travel to Alabama near the end of July for a week of training before taking Eleven to Springfield for 10 weeks of training.
Mt. Carmel fire commissioner Chandler Madden has issued a reminder regarding outdoor burning within city limits..
Madden’s comments came at this past Monday’s City Council meeting.