ISP SEEING AN ALARMING TREND IN ROAD RAGE EXPRESSWAY SHOOTINGS

CHICAGO – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is warning the public about what appears to be an increasing trend in road rage.  While the number of shootings on Chicago area expressways continues to decrease compared to the height in 2021, victims are increasingly reporting road rage as the reason behind the expressway shooting.

 In 2022, road rage was reported in approximately 40% of Chicago area expressway shootings handled by ISP.  This is up from 12% in 2021.  Already in 2023, road rage has been reported in at least nine Chicago area expressway shootings.  This is in addition to other types of road rage-associated violence such as crashes and physical fights.

 Watch for the following signs of road rage, aggressive driving:

  • Following too closely or tailgating

  • Improper or erratic lane changing

  • Illegally driving on the shoulder of the road (emergency lane), in a ditch/median, or on sidewalk

  • Passing where prohibited

  • Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner or suddenly changing speeds

  • Failure to yield right of way

  • Failure to obey traffic laws, signs, and devices

  • Failure to yield to emergency personnel and construction zone speed limits

  • Failure to signal

  • Driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limit

  • Racing

  • Making an improper turn

 According to a AAA Foundation study, when drivers explained why they became violent, the reasons were often trivial such as the other driver wouldn’t let them pass or they kept tailgating.

The following are tips on how to avoid being the victim of road rage, an aggressive driver:

  • If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move to your right and allow them to pass.

  • When merging, make sure you have plenty of room and use your turn signal.

  • If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room to merge into your lane.

  • If a speeding driver is tailgating you, safely change lanes when able.

  • Making gestures might anger the other driver; create distance and avoid confrontation.

  • If another driver is acting angry, don’t make eye contact.

  • Call the police if you believe a driver is following you or harassing you.

 If you are the victim of road rage, call 911 and/or go to the nearest police department to report it. 

 

More information about expressway shootings can be found on the ISP website.

IECC Receives Small Business Development Center Award from Illinois SBDC Network at DCEO

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Small Business Development Center designation from the Illinois Small Business Development Center Network.

The SBDC program provides no-cost, one-on-one business consulting and training to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Illinois SBDC at IECC will offer services to the IECC District and surrounding communities.

“The Illinois SBDC at IECC empowers entrepreneurs with a comprehensive suite of services, ranging from business plan development, market research, financial analysis, marketing and advertising, to management training. With a steadfast commitment to fostering the growth of small businesses, the Illinois SBDC at IECC serves as an invaluable resource for aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike.” - Claire Vaughan, SBDC Advisor

The Illinois SBDC at IECC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. These partnerships enable the Illinois SBDC at IECC to offer confidential advising services to the community at no cost “

We are so pleased to bring this vital service to the region. Small businesses have a profound impact on the community. They are the driving force of the local economy. SBDCs help existing, emerging, and new businesses to grow and navigate the process from idea inception to fruition.” -Sharmila Kakac, Dean of Business and Industry

For more information on the services offered by the Illinois SBDC at IECC, please visit www.iecc.edu/sbdc or call either (618) 393-3554 or (618) 847-9199.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ANNOUNCE ARREST IN GALLATIN COUNTY MURDER

SHAWNEETOWN – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announce the arrest of 20-year-old Demetrius T. Walker of Mount Vernon, IL for First-Degree Murder (Class M Felony).

 The arrest comes after a month-long investigation into the murder of 45-year-old Nathan Dobbs. On February 15, 2023, Dobbs was located deceased in the 100 block of McClernand Avenue in Shawneetown, Gallatin County. During the death investigation, DCI investigators developed Demetrius Walker as a person of interest. Walker was taken into custody on March 10, 2023 by Mt. Vernon Police Department on an unrelated arrest warrant. On March 12, 2023, the Gallatin County States Attorney approved a charge of First-Degree Murder against Walker while he was awaiting bond on the unrelated warrant.

 Walker remains in custody at the Jefferson County Jail, awaiting extradition, with bond set at $5,000,000, 10 percent to apply. The investigation is open and ongoing.  No further information will be disseminated.

Princeton Man Arrested By MCPD On DUI Charged

On 3/08/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Isiah L. Hall, age 24, of Princeton, Indiana, for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs following a traffic stop at 3rd & Oak Street. Prior to the stop, the arresting officer observed a black Lincoln traveling well above the posted speed limit on 3rd Street. During the stop, the officer detected suspicion of impairment from drugs and requested the driver submit to a roadside sobriety check, which Hall complied. During the check, the officer observed several clues to indicate impairment resulting in his arrest. Hall was processed for DUI-Drugs and Speeding, and later released after posting bond.

Traffic Stop Results In DUI Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Driver

On 3/12/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Mark C. Homan, age 48, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol following a traffic stop at 9th & Oak Street. Prior to the stop, police were notified of a complaint of a reckless or impaired driver operating a white Chevy truck traveling from Indiana to Illinois. An officer located the vehicle and observed multiple traffic violations resulting in the above traffic stop. The officer made contact with the driver, identified as Mark Homan, and detected suspicion of impairment. Homan refused a roadside sobriety check and was taken into custody based on the officer’s observations. Homan was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged with DUI-Alcohol and Improper Turn. Homan was later released after posting bond.

Traffic stop leads to arrest of Grayville woman on OWI charge.

On March 11, 2023, at 1:06 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Garrett Tuley conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2007 Chrysler PT cruiser for failing to maintain their lane of traffic while traveling Southbound on US 41.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Tuley identified the driver as 31-year-old Elizabeth Pruitt of Grayville, Illinois.  While speaking with Ms. Pruitt Deputy Tuley observed indicators that Ms. Pruitt may be under the influence of alcohol.  At that point Deputy Tuley began a roadside DUI investigation.  Once his roadside investigation was completed Ms. Pruitt was transported to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Refusal) with a Prior Conviction.  Ms. Pruitt has since posted a $1500 bond. 
 
Assisting Deputy Tuley in his investigation was Fort Branch Officer Jeff Beck. 
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MCPD Successful In Seizing Guns From Convicted Felons

Mt. Carmel Police Chief Mike McWilliams told the city council this week that his officers have been successful in taking at least 10 illegal guns off the streets. McWilliams said the 10 guns are a lot for a given month in Mt. Carmel and they were seized from felons who are barred from legally having a gun. He said 5 of the guns, including a stolen one, were taken from one convicted felon alone.

McWilliams also reported that his department is taking over dispatching Mt. Carmel Public Utility crews to after-hours gas leak calls….

Public Utility President David James thanked the city for the dispatching partnership and said the agreement will improve overall system reliability for customers.

Apply Now To Work This Summer At City Pool

Applications to work at the Mt. Carmel City Pool this summer are now available at City Hall. Mayor Joe Judge says lifeguard and concessions positions are available. Judge said the city is making it easier to certify lifeguards as the training will be completed with the assistance of the Evansville YMCA. The city will pick up the cost of the lifeguard certification to help generate applicants. Judge said applications should be turned in by the middle of April to allow for certification.

City To Offer River Camp Applications

Application packets are now available for anyone who would like to lease a river camp from the city of Mt. Carmel. At Monday’s City Council meeting, public works director Mike Gidcumb said he had finished addressing all of the river camps from behind the sea wall to Hydraulic Avenue to Twin Rivers. Gidcumb said for those on city property between Twin Rivers and Golden Aces Way…. 

Gidcumb said the packets will include information on the cost of the river camp, which is $100 per lot. Proof of insurance is also a requirement. The deadline to submit the application back to the city is April 28th. Gidcumb said those who previously had a lease with the city for the camps behind the sea wall will also need to pick up an application packet at the public works building on West 5th and submit it by April 28th. Questions about the river camps can be directed to Dave Easter at 263-1130.