WGFA NEWS for Thursday, November 12, 2009 >
WX > Sunny, high near 59. SE wind at 5 mph.
> Military veterans and family and friends gathered Wednesday to remember and thank those who served their country. Many gathered early, placing flowers on graves. Others met at American Legion and VFW homes to share memories and pray. There were 21-gun salutes and taps to remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Retired Army Specialist John Fulton of Herscher shared some special thoughts with area veterans at the American Legion Home in Watseka. –
U-S Army veteran James Ryan spoke in Bradley and Kankakee Mayor Nina Epstein and State Rep. Lisa Dugan shared the podium at a memorial service at Gov. Small Memorial Park in Kankakee. Railroad Park in Onarga is where Legionnaires from Onarga and Gilman comprised the color guard for a Veterans Day service. Several schools also had students sharing patriotic presentations and songs.
> The shooting death of an Indiana woman at a Beaverville property site in 2006 has drawn interest to an Iroquois County courtroom this week. The trial of James Brown resumes today in Watseka. The 68-year-old Beaverville man is standing trial for the death of 31-year-old Heather Todd of Demotte, IN. She was shot dead while sitting in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck which was parked near Brown’s shed on May 22, 2006. Brown is charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
Tuesday, jurors listened to a police interrogation tape, hearing Brown say he had no reason to believe the subjects he saw burglarizing his shed were armed. Brown told police ‘the person he observed taking items from his shed did not threaten him with any harm.’ The jury heard brown say he became startled and fired two shots from a .12-guage shotgun when the driver’s door on the truck opened and the vehicle’s rear brake lights came on. The person Brown saw taking his tools fled on foot. Authorities later found Heather Todd dead at the wheel of the pickup.
> A shooting in Danville has resulted in the arrest of a New Orleans, LA man in Kankakee County. The Major Crimes Task Force and KAMEG arrested Robert Taylor Tuesday. The 37-year-old was found hding at a home in Sun River Terrace. He was taken into custody without incident.
> That bogus police report made in Kankakee County last weekend has led to a $100,000 bond for the woman who place that call to police. Shontay Lumpkin is facing a misdemeanor charge, but the State’s Attorney’s office pushed for a high-bond because the 31-year-odl woman has a past police record. Two sheriff’s deputies were injured, one seriously, while enroute to the prank call. Deputy Dave Stukenborg suffered neck and head injuries when a tire blew out on the squad car he was driving. The car flipped several times.
