WGFA NEWS NOTES for Thursday, November 20, 2008 >
Pontiac Prison Supporters Rally in Springfield….. Ex-State Trooper pleads guilty….. More Testimony at public hearing for suspended police officer……Veteran Ford County mayor resigns…..

Cloudy and a chance of Flurries today, high near 36.

– Central Comets, Kankakee Kays in football play-offs Saturday -

• A public hearing for suspended Grant Park Police-Lt. Steve Marcotte wrapped up last evening. Now, a local police committee will have to decide what, if any action, is appropriate. Marcotte’s accused of not following department policy to turn over a weapon that was acquired from a local citizen. Marcotte’s attorney, Tom McGwire, maintains the accusations against his client is an act of retaliation by also suspended Police Chief Scott Fitts-who faces indictment for allegedly operating a prostitution sting out of the Grant Park police department. Marcotte testified in that case against Fitts. Should Marcotte be let go, the matter could wind up in court.
  Former Illinois State Police Special Agent Brad Cluver has surrendered his right to own a weapon and was placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges. The 51-year-old former cop plead guilty to unlawful use of a weapon in Ford County Circuit Court on Tuesday. He also turned over his Firearm Owners Identification Card. The Gibson City resident entered the plea through a plea agreement with State’s Attorney Tony Lee. Under the agreement, more serious felony charges of aggravated assault on a police officer with a firearm were dismissed. The Paxton Record reports Cluver was arrested in February following a two-hour standoff with police at his apartment in Gibson City. Officers from several agencies arrived at the apartment after a Gibson City officer who responded to a domestic disturbance call at the apartment was allegedly threatened by Cluver while Cluver had a gun in his waistband. Gibson City Police Chief Steve Cushman said in February police were able to persuade Cluver, who they said appeared heavily intoxicated, to exit the apartment before taking him into custody. A woman at the apartment was unharmed. Cluver was a special agent for Illinois State Police when he resigned in 2002, according to the state police public information office. Cluver started his career with state police as a trooper in 1983. As part of the plea agreement, Cluver was placed on 24 months probation. (Paxton Record)

  A Ford County Mayor has resigned. The Village of Melvin’s mayor, Marvin Beck, stepped aside from the post he held the last 10 years. The resignation was effectivce November 1st. Beck also served as a village village trustee for about 30 years prior to becoming mayor. Tracey Mott, a trustee, has been appointed to fill Beck’s term as Mayor. Local resident Jeff Grider was appointed to fill Mott’s trustee seat.

  A march on the state Capitol Wednesday focused on the Blagojevich Administration’s plan to close the Pontiac prison. Hundreds of prison workers and their families chanted, “Where’s Rod? Don’t close Pontiac” as they swarmed the first floor of the statehouse. Guards such as Bobby Walker from the Lawrenceville prison say some of Pontiac’s maximum-security inmates have been transferred to his prison, which he says isn’t equipped to handle tougher inmates. Guard Ralph Portwood of Stateville, and supply officers Randy Hellman and Pat Rensing of Pinkneyville, say the situation is getting dangerous.
  Senator Dan Rutherford of Pontiac said the rally did an excellent job of showing Governor Rod Blagojevich, ‘Don’t Close Pontiac. Rutherford said “AFSCME, the City of Pontiac and the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce all deserve credit for providing a clear message in Springfield.” For over five months, the entire central Illinois area has been fighting to keep the prison open because the proposed closure would affect the second largest employer in Livingston County and severely cripple the area economy. On November 18, a Johnson County Circuit Court Judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Illinois Department of Corrections from making any other unusual transfers until after another hearing Deccember 1.

• Residents of Grundy County are calling for change in the wake of the deaths of a mother and her two children in a car accident Nov. 6th. The citizens want a Mothers Against Drunk Driving chapter and safety improvements to Illinois Route 47. The Ottawa Times reports the deaths of Mandy Jahn, 27, of Dwight, and her two small children have prompted a meeting set for 7 p.m tonight at Coal City Middle School. The other driver in the Jahn fatality, Ann M. Getz, of Ransom, had prior arrests for driving under the influence and could be sentenced to up to 28 years in prison. County Coroner John W. Callahan is suggesting safety improvements at the intersection where the fatal accident happened. Getz was driving west on Gardner Road when police said she ran a stop sign. (Callahan said there should be rumble strips on the Gardner Road, flashing yellow lights on the “stop ahead” signs, flashing red lights on the blacktop’s stop signs and more lighting at the intersection).

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