News Headlines on WGFA for Friday, July 31, 2009 >
Watseka’s Hagen makes bid for Sheriff…. ‘Back to the Future:’ Iroquois County Board tackles budget…. Gov Quinn to announce budget cuts…. Death penalty still possible in Sheldon murders….. Bears arrive in Bourbonnais…..
WX > A sunny day closes out July. After some patchy fog early this morning, sunshine and high near 82. 60% chance of rain Saturday, the Sunny Sunday, high near 83.
–Chicago Bears mini-camp updates online at WGFARADIO.COM–
Today’s NEWS on WGFA >
* To no one’s surprise, Watseka resident Derek Hagen has announced his intent to seek the Republican nomination for Iroquois County Sheriff in 2010. The 39-year-old veteran lawman is Chief Deputy under Sheriff Eldon Sprau. Sprau announced months ago he would not seek re-election next year.
Hagen has served as chief deputy with the sheriff’s office since Dec. 1, 2002. He re-joined the Iroquois County department when Sprau was first elected sheriff in 2002. Hagen started his career as deputy in Iroquois County following graduation from Knox College in Galesburg. He also worked in Champaign County. Hagen’s 16-years in law enforcement includes work duties in corrections, patrol, telecommunications and investigations.
Hagen is married to the former Jennifer (Frerichs) of Milford. They’re the parents of two children, McKensie, 11, and Drew, 9. The family lives in Watseka.
* It’s ‘back to the future’ for the Iroquois County Board. The Finance committee, after meeting in special session Thursday, has agreed to 10% prioritized cuts in putting together the 2010 FY budget. The committee is recommending the new budget be crafted from numbers in the 2006 budget, a $5.1 million dollar package that Finance Chairman Jim Meyer said appears to be a workable compromise. Two earlier special meetings involved talks of 20-25% cuts, which would have certainly involved personnel cuts. Work begins on the 2010 budget in August.
* Details on the new State of Illinois budget are expected today. Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to offer more specifics as to how he’ll deal with cuts to help balance the state budget. Quinn has hinted that some education budget cuts won’t be as severe as first feared. The governor has lobbied for an income tax increase.
* Iroquois County State’s Attorney Jim Devine is still looking into the death penalty for the defendant charged with a double-murder in Sheldon. 27-year-old Brian Garrett remains jailed in Watseka on $1-million bond. He faces a 4-count indictment of first-degree murder for the stabbing deaths in early June of 62-year-old Ralph Elsey and 48-year-old Robert Wood.
Iroquois Circuit Court Judge Gordon Lustfeldt plans to review a DCFS file on Garrett’s family history. During a hearing (Thurs) in court, Garrett’s defense attorney, Ronald Boyer of Watseka, asked Judge Lustfeldt to shorten the time frame that prosecutors have to say whether the State will seek the death penalty. Lustfeldt did not rule on Boyer’s request. Garrett’s mental capacity has been under study since he was jailed June 6th.
* A woman who pleaded guilty to a November drunken driving accident that killed a Dwight mother and her two children has been sentenced to 24 years in prison. 43-yr-old Marie Getz broadsided a car driven by 27-yr-old Amanda Jahn, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Jahn’s two children (3-yr-old Ryan and 11-month-old Kailyn) died later at Morris Community Hospital. The accident happened on Route 47 in Grundy County. The Judge said Getz had two prior DUI convictions.
* The Chicago Bears first mini-camp practice is this afternoon at Olivet Nazarene University. The 3 pm session is expected to draw a crowd. New QB Jay Cutler is the fresh attraction.
“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA
