WGFA NEWS for Wednesday, Sept 1, 2010 >

WX > A new month brings a rainy forecast. Showers and T-storms likely today, this morning and again this afternoon, high near 86. Rainfall amounts could range from a quarter to a half-inch. 50% chance of showers tonight and Thursday too.

> A 22-year-old Sheldon woman faces a burglary charge after being arrested by Watseka Police. Amber Wood was reportedly spotted by employees of a local business entering vehicles in the parking lot. She was arrested Tuesday morning and also charged with Criminal trespass to a Vehicle.

> A reported drive-off at a local service station early Monday morning led to the arrest of 49-year-old Edward Hall of Watseka. After being stopped just before 2 am, Hall was also arrested for Possession of Cannabis and Drug Paraphernalia and Operating an Uninsured Vehicle.

> USDA Rural Affairs Director Colleen Callahan joined Governor Pat Quinn in Vermilion County Tuesday. The Governor’s stop was to applaud Danville-based Cellular One for its help in expanding the state’s ‘information super-highway’. Callahan said a grant and loan program totaling $12-million dollars will help Cellular Properties expand high-speed internet across eleven Illinois counties… # 11

Callahan and Governor Quinn both spoke to a crowd at Cellular One’s headquarters at the Village Mall Shopping Center. The Governor says the new system will not only help with job creation by opening new areas to high-speed internet, but will also help link Illinois hospitals…. # 12

Callahan added she is not fully celebrating until the project is complete. But she notes it is already running ahead of schedule.

> An already-trimmed down budget at the PBL school district may be cut even more. And again, the primary reason is that revenue from state government is far from certain. PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure said the school board is already planning to adopt a deficit budget. And more cuts could be on the way. Staff cuts have saved the district about $380,000 in salaries. There’s also been cuts to supplies and insurance. The state still owes the PBL district $300,700. The district faces a $593,000 deficit.

> Funding from a federal education jobs bill are expected to give a boost to several school districts across Vermilion County. The Illinois State Board of Education says preliminary estimates show Danville School District 118 can expect $2.5 million dollars. Hoopeston Area District #11 and Rossville-Alvin District # 4 also receive a chunk of money.

> Danville District 118 teachers staged informational picketing Tuesday to show their frustration over not having a new contract agreement. Teachers picketed outside the school administration building as another round of talks with a federal mediator got underway inside.

The membership of the Danville Education Association overwhelmingly approved an intent-to-strike notice last week. If talks fail to progress, teachers and support personnel could strike as early as next week. The last time there was a teacher’s strike in Danville was in 1977.

“Your Illiana News Source” — since 1961 … 94.1 FM, WGFA

WGFA NEWS for Tuesday, August 31, 2010 >

WX > Mostly sunny, high near 91. Heat Index value may reach 95. SW wind 10-15. Chance of rain tonight and Wednesday.

> Some area church services Sunday reflected on a life that was cut short in a tragic accident the previous day at Jamaica High School. Thirty-six year old Tammy Walsh was pronounced dead at the school Saturday afternoon after a power pole snapped and fell. Three other people were hurt, including Walsh’s son, Dalton, who was reported in fair condition Sunday at an Urbana hospital after being air-lifted from the scene by an Air Life Helicopter. Tammy Walsh’s father-in-law, Robin Gray, was released from the hospital following treatment.

Vermilion County Sheriff’s Police reported the pole fell after an SUV clipped a guy wire following a freshman football game.

> The Vermilion County Board is placing its proposed budget on public display. A vote comes later, before the fiscal year ends in November. Vermilion County’s proposed new budget may require dipping into surplus funds to cover an expected $462-thousand dollar shortfall in the General Fund. But County Board Chairman Jim McMahon is proud of the fact that there will be no tax increase……

But Chairman McMahon notes there was also expected to be a shortage last year…..

The audited fund balance for the County’s General Fund was $8.6 million dollars last year. It increased by $500,000 from the previous year.

McMahon adds some departments are seeing a slight increase in their budgets this year…

> Governor Pat Quinn has a planned stop in Danville today. The Governor will be making an appearance at the Village Mall Shopping Center to discuss the $12.2 million dollars in federal assistance coming to Cellular One. It was announced last week that the company will be getting the federal funds to assist with expanding broadband services in rural areas across eleven counties.

Quinn and Republican Senator Bill Brady of Bloomington are facing off in this fall’s election for Governor.

> Funding on a very positive note set the tone for a celebration in Watseka Monday. It was a celebration of the Illinois Disaster Assistance Program (IDAP) — a federal emergency reimbursement that’s channeled over $4-million in compensation to Iroquois County for the floods of 2008.

The effort was the result of emergency management at its best, led by a tireless group of personnel from the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department. Administrator Doug Corbett and staff carried the ball with several others playing their role in bringing relief to so, so many flood victims…. (help)

Ellen McCullough of the F-IPHD told a gathering at the health department over 340 families received help thru the Illinois Department of Human Services grant.

Local contractors Ty Schaumburg, Daniel McCullough and Steve Mohler shared some thoughts on the help they extended to flood victims thru the grant…. (great thing)

Doug Corbett praised management at Wal-Mart for the assistance provided to several flood victims, with little or no money, vouchers having been distributed so victims could purchase the supplies and items needed to get their lives back in order.

Amy Dickenson-Ferguson, Emergency Coordinator, was present representing the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Former Pontiac Mayor Scott McCoy was the lone elected official on hand for Monday’s celebration. No longer in elected-office, McCoy wanted to express his thanks for the flood response…. (wonderful)

The Trinity Church, the First United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church all played roles in sheltering, providing supplies and recovery efforts. McDonald’s owner Wayne Jarash went overboard in keeping emergency responders well fed over several weeks of response efforts.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

WGFA NEWS for Monday, August 30, 2010 >

WX > Cloudy, high near 90. 20% chance showers and T-storms.

> A Champaign County woman was killed and two other members of her family injured in a freak accident at the Jamaica High School Saturday afternoon. Vermilion County Coroner Peggy Johnson said 36-yr-old Tammy Walsh of St. Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident that also seriously injured her son and also hurt her father-in-law. Mrs. Walsh was the cheerleading coach at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

Watseka High School was included among five freshmen school teams participating in a football jamboree when the tragic accident happened.

Vermilion County sheriff’s deputy Doug Showers said about 3:20 p.m., a woman leaving the jamboree struck a guy wire attached to a utility pole. The tension between a cable connecting that pole to another about 50 yards away caused the second pole to snap, falling behind bleachers on the east side of the field. Showers said the pole, which had a transformer on it, fell, striking Mrs. Walsh. It also hit her teen-aged son, Dalton Walsh, and her father-in-law, Robin Gray.

Johnson said an autopsy is planned today. Dalton Walsh is a student at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. {The jamboree involved freshman teams from Salt Fork, St. Joseph-Ogden, Watseka, East Central and Westville}

The driver of the sport utility vehicle that hit the guy wire was identified as 36-yr-old Christine Bowser of Ogden. She had her daughter with her. They were not hurt. Reports indicated although she knew she hit the guy wire, she was unaware of the chain reaction she started.

No tickets were issued to Bowser but she was taken to a Danville hospital to have her blood tested, a standard procedure in accidents involving death.

> An Indiana pilot of an ultra-light helicopter walked away from a crash east of Westville on Saturday afternoon. Vermilion County Sheriff Pat Hartshorn said the single-passenger ultra-light helicopter was piloted by 52-yr-old Ricky Dunham of Covington, Ind. He had flown from his home in Covington to a friend’s house east of Westville. Sheriff Hartshorn said about 2:15 p.m., about a half-mile from where he took off, his aircraft lost lift and came down from a height of about 70 feet above the ground into a bean field. Dunham received minor cuts and scrapes and refused medical treatment. Hartshorn said the aircraft was heavily damaged.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

94.1 FM, WGFA — since 1961

A freak mishap after a high school football game Saturday has left a St. Joseph woman dead and four other people in the hospital. Vermilion County Sheriff’s Police said a freshman game had just ended at Jamaica High School when a woman driving an SUV clipped a guy line leading to a power pole….

That’s Sheriff Captain Dennis Wood. He said some of the people in the crowd immediately ran to aid the victims….Captain Wood says a mother of one of the players from Champaign County was pronounced dead at the scene….

Vermilion County Coroner Peggy Johnson says the victim is 36-year-old Tammy Walsh of St. Joseph.

The woman who was driving the SUV that struck the guy wire was also transported to the hospital….

Although the investigation is still in its preliminary stages, Captain Wood adds it appears to have been a freak accident….

Captain Wood and other officers on the scene said when they arrived there were 200 or so people wondering around – many of them obviously dazed. Many in the crowd were eyewitnesses to the tragedy, including teenagers who are either players or were there to watch the game between Salt Fork and St. Joseph. The incident occurred shortly after the game, which was the last game in a daylong ‘Freshmen Jamboree’ at Jamaica High School. {Vermilion County First}

Tom Conn recaps area high school action from Friday Aug. 27 8-27 football recap

Dale Weaver recaps the Central Comets’ 54-7 win over Paris Paris-Central 8-27-10

Darryl Focken recaps the Lexington Minutemen’s 43-0 win at Watseka Lexington-Watseka 8-27-10

AREA SCORES IN ILLINOIS:  Bradley-Bourbonnais 42, Kankakee 12…..Bishop McNamara 35, St. Ignatius 18…….Wilmington 23, Manteno 21 (OT)…….Seneca 30, Coal City 27………Herscher 39, Dwight 6……..Peotone 21, Reed-Custer 0…….St. Thomas More 35, Fisher 7………GCMS 26, PBL 22…….Momence 26, Ridgeview 0……..Iroquois West 24, Eureka 16……….Heritage Broadlands 25, Milford-Cissna Park 20……..Georgetown Ridge Farm/Chrisman 46, Arthur-Lovington 14

INDIANA H.S. MIDWEST CONFERENCE SCORES:  Frontier 20, S. Newton 12………North White 14, Tri-County 9……..West Central 13, Caston 7……….Pioneer 49, Winamac 21

The First Trust and Savings Bank and FTH Insurance in Watseka & Clifton Player of the week is SENIOR SETH STEVENSON, quarterback for the Momence Redskins.

Seth had a superb start to his senior year, leading the Momence Redskins to a 26-0 home shutout over Ridgeview to start the 2010 season.  Seth finished 10 of 17 passing for 329 yards, including 3 TD passes of 73, 79, and 91 yards.

WGFA NEWS for Friday, August 27, 2010 >

WX > A sunny, pleasant day in store to close out the work week. High near 82. South wind at 5 mph. Sunny Saturday and Sunday, high temps near 87 and 90.

> A two-vehicle crash in Lafayette, IN last December that seriously injured two former local residents has led to prison time for a teenager responsible for the accident. Then 15-year-old Levi J. Saltsman of Lafayette was sentenced Wednesday in Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 to four years in prison for the Dec. 10th crash. The boy will be sent to the Indiana Department of Correction for stealing a vehicle and causing the collision in downtown Lafayette.

A 65-second pursuit ended when the stolen vehicle crashed into a smaller car driven by former Watseka resident Damon Matthewson. The 31-yr-old Matthewson and his wife, Kinzie, were both seriously injured. Mrs. Matthewson has undergone several surgeries. Kinzie Mathewson spent five weeks at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, followed by eight weeks at a rehabilitation facility. She’s home now but requires round-the-clock care, according to the Tippecanoue County prosecutor’s office. Damon Mathewson was hospitalized afterward for five days.

Judge Thomas Busch cited the teenager’s lengthy criminal history in juvenile court and prior, unsuccessful attempts at rehabilitation before handing down the sentence. Saltsman had pleaded guilty in June to two counts of resisting law enforcement, a Class C felony, and one count of auto theft, a Class D felony. He admitted steaing the vehicle.

> The goal is to be ready and not wait for an emergency to happen. That’s why Kankakee Fire Chief Ron Young says area fire departments are participating in a fire-rescue exercise drill. Kankakee, Bradley, Bourbonnais, Limestone, Manteno, Aroma Park and Grant Park will be sending four-person engine, tanker, rescue and ambulance squads to the staging area at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park. The exercise is being done in conjunction with the 2010 Fire-Rescue International conference sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

“To make sure the system works, you have to exercise it,” said Jay Reardon, chief executive officer for Mutual Aid Box Alarm System-Illinois. The exercise puts emergency responders in action to test and evaluate their skills to meet mandated training hours.

> A leak in a propane tank was the probable cause that led to a houe explosion in rural Momence. Fire investigators determined that a leak in the line from a backyard propane tank was the cause of an explosion at 2376 N. 15270E Road in Momence Wednesday night. Momence Fire Chief Monty Buchanon reported that there were signs of renovation efforts at the rear of the house. Investigators concluded that the leaking gas eventually reached the home’s water heater pilot light and ignited. There were no injuries reported.

> The Kankakee Project Safe Neighborhood Task Force reports a Kankakee man was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of a firearm by a felon. 28-year-old Drayper Wilson is alleged to have had a .45 caliber semi-automatic in his possession when arrested by task force agents in the 1800 block of E. Court Street August 4th.

Wilson was on parole at the time of his arrest. He also has previous convictions for Residential Burglary, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Battery, and Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault. If convicted, Wilson could face up to 15 years to a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

> The Livingston County Zoning Board of Appeals is recommending the Streator Deer Run Wind Farm for a special use permit. The issue now goes to the Livingston County Board to consider, likely at a special meeting in September.

Spanish wind farm developer Iberdrola is requesting a special-use permit to build a $694 million, 165-turbine wind farm scattered across 17,000 acres in the northern Livingston County townships of Sunbury, Newtown and Esmen. The ZBA started the process on Iberdrola’s application in June. After a series of hearings held this summer, the ZBA voted to recommend the permit at its meeting Wednesday. The county board’s agriculture and zoning committee is expected to review the zoning board’s recommendation at its meeting Monday at the Livingston County Courthouse in Pontiac.

County zoning officer Chuck Schopp said depending on how the committee votes, it is possible the county board will consider the application at a special meeting. Opponents to the wind farm application previously said they are concerned about property values and protecting the atmosphere of living in the country.

> Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is looking at a new trial in January, but the courtroom will be less crowded, as prosecutors on Thursday dismissed charges against his brother and the judge cut his legal team to two.

> ISP Acting Director Waiting For Confirmation – After 19 months on the job, Jonathon Monken is still the “acting” director of the Illinois State Police. But turning his job into an official head of a state agency is a question of both politics and bureaucracy.

94.1 FM, WGFA

WGFA NEWS for August 26, 2010 >

WX > Sunny, high near 80. Light easterly win 5 mph.

> A former member of the Paxton City Council faces a DUI charge after a stop by Illinois State Police. 67-year-old Patrick Cultra of Paxton was stopped near Onarga Saturday. A police report indicated the stop was made on Route 45 at Iroquois County Road 1600 N. Police report Cultra failed field-sobriety tests at the scene, after the trooper noticed Cultra had glassy, blood shot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Additional charges included speeding, disregarding a stop sign, and illegal transportation of alcohol. Meanwhile, Cultra’s driver’s license was automatically suspended for a minimum of one year because he refused to submit to a breath test, according to the trooper’s report.

Cultra served one term on the Paxton City Council – from May 1, 2001, through April 30, 2005. He was was defeated in his bid for re-election by Chris Johnson. Patrick Cultra is a brother of state Rep. Shane Cultra.

> Rankin may be looking for a new Police Chief. The Rankin Village Board voted 5-1 to fire the village’s part-time police chief, Chris White. The firing came despite the threat of lawsuits from White’s private attorney.

White’s termination came a day before he was scheduled to return to his job. For undisclosed reasons, the board had voted to suspend White without pay for two weeks on Aug. 5. White has said the suspension was due to concerns over the police department’s budget. White has served as police chief the last five years.

Officer Tim Condon, will continue to serve as interim police chief until a permanent replacement is appointed. It is possible the board will not hire a new officer, which would mean the police department would be left with three part-time officers, instead of the four it had with White as police chief.

> Watseka Police arrested a 43-year-old woman for Forgery. Suzett Fassoth-Young was picked up on an Iroquois County warrant Wednesday. Young was also charged with possession of stolen property, possession of cannabis and a controlled substance. An initial traffic stop was for driving while license suspended.

> 18-year-old Calvin Morton of Watseka faces several charges after a domestic incident. Charges included aggravated domestic battery, criminal damage to property, possession of drugs, resisting a police officer, aggravated battery to a police officer and possession of cannabis. The arrest stemmed from an incident at a local store, where Morton allegedly battered his ex-girlfriend, then damaged his vehicle.

> 34-yr-old Bryan Urban of Watseka faces charges obsenity and indecent exposure. Urban was allegedly seen outside his home naked.

> Horizon’s proposal for its second wind farm in McLean County has won preliminary approval, but with conditions. The county Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously recommended approval of a special-use permit — as long as Horizon makes several changes, including dropping three proposed turbines that were planned near a private air strip near Lexington. Horizon also must use berms to reduce light, protect habitat around Henline Creek and fix any broken drainage tiles.

The ZBA will meet with Horizon in October to see if conditions are being met before giving its recommendation to the county board.

> Governor Pat Quinn says a 69-million-dollar upgrade to an Interstate-55 interchange near Joliet will create about 900 construction jobs and make the road safer for motorists. Quinn and state transportation officials announced plans to move the ‘Arsonal Road’ exit and build a new frontage road. The project is part of the “Illinois Jobs Now!” capital construction program. Officials expect the work to be completed by the fall of 2012.

WGFA NEWS for Tuesday, August 24, 2010 >

WX > Sunny, little warmer, high near 89. Light NE wind at 5 mph.

> Early estimates Monday listed damage from a rural Woodland fire at $250,000. But Jeff and Pam Harms were able to escape the burning house when their two-story home went up in flames around 1:15 am.

Woodland Fire Chief Bill Tucker said over 40 firefighters were at the scene after he summoned mutual aide……. # 13

(tired) :30

The Harms’ and their two dogs escaped without injury. Tucker said the fire erupted in an upstairs room that was being remodeled. The State Marshall confirms no foul play, the cause is un-determined. But Chief Tucker said ‘thank God for the dogs’…….. # 14

(real tragedy) :25

The Harms residence is located at 1527 N and 2200 E Road, some 10 miles south of Watseka. Firemen from Milford, Watseka, Stockland, Sheldon and Crescent City answered the call.

> Preliminary damage estimates are being placed at $50,000 in a blaze that struck a Danville apartment Sunday afternoon. The blaze was in an apartment at 401 Park Street.

Danville firefighters contained most of the fire damage to the kitchen, but there was heat and smoke damage throughout the apartment. Fire officials say the blaze was triggered by food being left unattended on the kitchen stove. There were no injuries. Some off-duty Danville firefighters were called in to man stations during the period that others were on the scene of the fire.

> Authorities say two central Illinois men have died in all-terrain vehicle accidents. Shelby County Coroner Brian Green said Monday that 35-year-old Fieldon Figgins of Strasburg died Sunday night when his ATV struck a dog along a rural road. Also on Monday, Christian County Sheriff David Mahan said 37-year-old Bradley Allison of Roby died Saturday in an ATV accident at his home. Mahan says Allison’s wife found her husband under the overturned ATV.

> An emergency hardship payment from the state may be in line for the Kankakee County Center Against Sexual Assault. State Representatives Careen Gordon and Lisa Dugan are trying to come to the aid of the KC-CASA office after 10 of 15 employees were let go last week. The state’s funding crisis forced a staff lay-off. The Daily-Journal reports the state is $1.9 million behind in funding the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which provides funding for 32 sexual assault agencies.

> And this next story is about a guy named Ron Roberts. Nothing real extraordinary. Just that, he’s from Minneapolis, MN. He and his wife, Sally are just passing thru Watseka. But it’s a special trip thru Watseka.

You see, Ron Roberts was born here, at Iroquois Memorial Hospital, 68-years ago. He says he has no other ties here, just was born at IMH, (obviously doesn’t remember that) and wanted to see what Watseka is all about…. #19 (I’m sure)

Ron and Sally shared some of their past with us, both military veterans who’ve done their share of travelling. A stop at IMH was in order, even though no one knew him, or remembered, or….. # 20 (nice)

Is there anything about Ron Roberts that draws any ties to what he’s all about today ? …. # 21 (thanks a lot)

And our visit with Ron and Sally at McDonald’s in Watseka gave them a chance top see owner Wayne Jarash’s excellent black & White photos of Watseka’s past on display—and yes, a photo of IMH, the same photo on Ron Roberts birth certificate.

Ron & Sally, be safe and well on your way to D.C. and we hope you enjoyed your first day at IMH — back then — and your brief stay in Watseka, IL in Iroquois County today.

> Motorists will want to be aware of road construction in Kankakee County. A road re-surfacing project on I-57 between Larry Power Road and Peotone got started Monday. The I-DOT reports its a $12 million project that’ll continue until late November.

The Kankakee County Highway Department reports the LeHigh Road railroad crossing will be upgraded, beginning Wednesday. The crossing will be closed one-half mile north of Route 17. That route expected to be closed thru September 2.

> In Iroquois County — a bridge replacement project has been completed. County Highway # 8 (200 E Road), is back open to traffic. That’s north of Route 24 and south of LaHogue.

94.1 FM, WGFA

WGFA NEWS for Monday, August 23, 2010 >

WX > A sunny, pleasant week ahead. High today near 86. NE wind 5-10. Sunny all week, temps in the low to mid 80s.

> Illinois State Police say it was a combination of drivers not paying attention and slowdowns in construction zones blamed for two separate fatal semitrailer crashes on I-57. Both crashes, just hours apart, left two drivers dead. Last Thursdays accidents also bottled up traffic all the way from Bourbonnais to the Will County Line.

Both drivers have now been identified. 30-year-old Daniel Plowman of Sheridan (IL) died in Thursday morning’s crash near Peotone. The driver killed in the second crash near Manteno was 52-year-old Frederick Conlon of Ohio. State Police report both accidents happened outside immediate construction zones, but in traffic slowdowns because of the construction projects.

> A head-on collision over the weekend in Parke County, Indiana has left two people dead and four others injured. Indiana State Police say those killed are the driver of one of the cars, 65-year-old Patricia Pritchard of Brazil, Indiana and her friend and front seat passenger – 45-year-old Candy Thompson of Hillsboro, Indiana. Both were pronounced dead at the scene early Saturday on State Road 59, near Bridgeton.

Two children riding in the back seat of the Pritchard car were air-lifted to Indianapolis hospitals. They are 3-year-old Tyreese Brewer of Brazil, Indiana and 2-year-old Larry Brewer of Brazil, Indiana. The driver of the other car, 37-year-old Allen Long of Rockville, was trapped in his vehicle for nearly an hour before being extricated. He was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital. His 5-year-old son, Christopher Long of Rockville, was taken to a Brazil hospital for treatment.

State Police say at this time there are no indications that alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash. Troopers say their preliminary investigation revealed the Pritchard car crossed the center line for some unknown reason, then hit the Long car head-on.

> A search resumed today in Indiana for two teen boys who disappeared in choppy waters off Washington Park beach at Michigan City, IN Sunday afternoon. The boys, both of South Bend, are presumed to have drowned, acording to Shawn Brown, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

17-yr-old Lorenzo Greer and 14-yr-old Scott Hoover were swimming with Scott’s father and brother about 200 feet from the beach when the two drifted away from the beach. One officer was injured during the attempted rescue, which included efforts from on-duty and off-duty Michigan City police, the Michigan City Fire Department, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, DNR conservation officers, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel.

> In federal court in Urbana Friday, a Kankakee man was sentenced to 20-years in prison for distributing crack cocaine. 35-year-old Michael Campbell was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2009 as a result of a KAMEG investigation. Chief U-S District Judge Michael McCuskey imposed the sentence.

94.1 FM, WGFA

Tom Conn recaps:  NORTH NEWTON 41, SOUTH NEWTON 12
8-20 south newton recap

Other Midwest Conference scores:
Tri County 28, Carroll Flora 14
Culver 20, W. Central 12
Triton 15, Caston 14
Winamac 22, Knox 10
Clinton Prairie 38, Frontier 19
North White 47, Lake Station 7
Lewis Cass 19, Pioneer 12

The First Trust and Savings Bank and FTH Insurance in Watseka & Clifton Player of the Week ending 8/21/10 is sophomore AUSTIN DRINSKI of the South Newton Rebels.

While the Rebels lost their season opener to rival N. Newton 41-12, Austin Drinski showed great hope and potential for Coach Chris Bell’s South Newton Rebels, catching a 42-yard TD pass to put the Rebels up early 6-0, and finished the night with an impressive 5 catches for 115 yards.

WGFA NEWS for Friday, August 20, 2010 >

WX > Much warmer today, high near 95 under a sunny sky. Southerly wind at 5-15, some gusts near 25 mph. 50% chance of showers & T-Storms tonight and Saturday.

- Prep Football tonight on 94.1 FM: S. Newton vs N. Newton -

> Separate traffic crashes, both involving semi’s, resulted in fatalities on I-57 Thursday. The accidents tied up traffic on the interstate while emergency crews answered the calls. Names of the victims and details about the accidents haven’t been released pending notification of relatives. State Police report both accidents occurred near the Kankakee-Will County line in a construction zone.

State Police at Joliet report one semi hit a second unit shortly before 5 p.m. in the northbound lanes near mile-marker 322. Several minutes later, a third semi became involved in that crash. Northbound traffic was re-routed off I-57 at the Manteno exit (322-mile marker). A spokesperson in the Coroner’s office reported northbound traffic was backed up to Bourbonnais.

An earlier accident, in the same area, tied up I-57 traffic. Two semis in the southbound lanes collided around 9:20 am, according to state police at Joliet. One of the semi drivers was killed. The southbound lanes were closed until 2:45 p.m. as police investigated and the wreckage was cleared.

> A new charge has been added for a 38-year-old Cullom man accused of trying to have his exwife killed. A second count of solicitation for murder was added to Shan Fieldman’s charges this week. Police say Fieldman agreed on a price of $5,000 to have his exwife killed and another $2,500 to have his exwife’s boyfriend killed if the man would happen to be home at the time.

The new charge names the boyfriend as a victim in the case. A Livingston County judge found probable cause to hold Fieldman on the charges. 30-year-old Talia Fonce of Cullom is also facing charges for her alleged role in the case. If convicted, both Fieldman and Fonce face anywhere from 20 to 40 years in prison.

> There are mixed feelings regarding a proposed wind farm that developers hope to bring to northeastern McLean County. The Zoning Board of Appeals heard from supporters and challengers of the project Thursday night. A volunteer fire fighter says the property tax benefits from Bright Stalk Wind Farm, would help his fire district replace old equipment and infrastructure. The President of Local Labor Union 362 also says he supports the idea.

Project advocates wrapped up their comments quickly, while the project objectors took a few hours to address the ZBA. Some of the issues brought up concerned farming and aviation. The ZBA will continue the hearing on Tuesday, with more comments from project opponents. The ZBA could vote on the special permit for the wind farm by Tuesday or Wednesday.

> Republican candidates for statewide offices in Illinois are making an appearance in Kankakee today. Senator Dan Rutherford and Judy Baar Topinka are making a joint-announcement at the county courthouse. Rutherford is a candidate for State Treasurer. Topinka is making a bid for a return to Illinois politics. She’s a candidate for Comptroller. Topinka is a former State Treasurer who made an un-successful bid for governor against Rod Blagojevich.

WGFA NEWS for Thursday, August 19, 2010 >

WX > Warmer temps again, Mostly sunny today, high near 91. SW wind at 5 mph.

-Prep Football Friday: North Newton vs South Newton on 94.1 FM -

> The state of Illinois’ budget crisis has hit yet another service office — this time affecting Iroquois and Kankakee County. KC-CASA, the Kankakee County Center Against Sexual Assault has been operating without its state money since last December. Wednesday, 10 of 15 full-time staff members were laid off. Executive Director Susan Wynn Bence said the five remaining employees, including herself, will work at half-time, trying to maintain services.

The Iroquois County office, at the courthouse, has been closed. Emergency 24-hour hotlines will remain in place. Wynn-Bence said it was an emotional, draining day. Hopefully, she said, this crisis will be turned around.

Wynn-Bence said ‘we’ve been running month-to-month, using our cash reserves.’ She tells WGFA News “we simply had to cut our losses to maintain some crisis intervention.” Wynn-Bence explained the state hasn’t made any payments since December and the way grants work…you spend money then get reimbursed, so the agency no longer has available money to counsel and advocate for victims of sexual offenses in Kankakee and Iroquois counties.

> The U.S. Attorney’s office says a former paramedic and youth soccer coach has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for manufacturing and receiving child pornography. A judge sentenced 46-year-old Timothy Scholtes (Wednesday) to the maximum 30 years for manufacturing and 10 years each on two receiving counts. Federal agents arrested Scholtes last year in Coal City after finding images on his computer.

Scholtes pleaded guilty to pornography charges. He later tried to take back his plea, but the judge denied him. Officials say Scholtes’ computer had about 200 images and 18 videos of child pornography.

> A guilty plea in federal court in Urbana has landed a Kankakee man in prison for 50 years. 38-year-old Thomas Fairclough had two prior convictions for aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Kankakee County. Fairclough entered his guilty plea to charges of producing, trading and possessing child porn. Nearly a 1,000 videos and upwards of 48,000 images on Fairclough’s computers. Formal sentencing is scheduled for November in U-S District Court.

> A 25-year prison sentence was delivered to a Pembroke Township man Tuesday for robbing a Bourbonnais credit union. 40-year-old Lionel Watson was sentenced for robbing the Bell Financial Credit Union in February of 2009. Prosecutors said Watson made off with $15,000 in the robbery. No injury was reported and no gun was displayed. The prison term was handed down in Kankakee Circuit Court by Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott.

Watson asked the court to re-consider the sentence. He was facing between 6-30 years after a jury convicted him of aggravated robbery. Court records also revealed Watson has prior convictions for robbery in Illinois and armed robbery in Wisconsin.

> A dead bird tested positive for West Nile virus in Kankakee County. The Kankakee County Health Department confirmed Wednesday that a dead bird collected earlier this month in Essex Township has been found with West Nile virus. It is the first confirmed case of West Nile since 2006.

Health officials report In 2006, the county reported five crows that tested positive for West Nile. The birds were found in Bradley, Manteno and Herscher. West Nile Virus illness was also detected in one horse and one human.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

WGFA NEWS for Wednesday, August 18, 2010 >

WX > Mostly cloudy, high near 83. SE wind around 5 mph.

> Traffic is flowing again on Iroquois County Highway # 37. Bridge work has been completed on 3400 N and 025 E, west of the LaHogue-Herscher Road. That’s in the northwest corner of Iroquois County near the Iroquois-Kankakee County line.

> Illinoisans are offering mixed reactions after former Governor Rod Blagojevich was convicted on just one of the 24 corruption charges he faced. Shortly after the verdict came down Tuesday, one Chicago woman says she thought he got a raw deal. Others said they were disappointed that Blagojevich was not convicted on more counts. The judge declared a mistrial on the 23 counts that jurors could not agree on. Some folks questioned whether it was worth the time and money for prosecutors to re-try the ex-governor while others welcomed the idea of allowing a new jury to consider the charges.

> The sentencing of an Iroquois County man for a 2008 murder has been continued until next month. 22-year-old Leonard Badenhorst faces between 20-60 years in prison for the beating death of his step-grandfather. Hershel Flemming of Stockland suffered a fatal beating in September of 2008. Badenhorst was living with the victim at the time. Tuesday’s scheduled sentencing in Iroquois Circuit Court was continued by Judge Gordon Lustfeldt because Badenhorst’s mother, who was to testify, was unavailable due to recent surgery.

> Bond is set at $250,000 each and two St. Anne residents are jailed in Kankakee after a Task Force uncovered 17 weapons. 22-year-old Angel Schoeberl and 23-year-old Crystal Rock are charged with unlawful sale of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, and felony theft. The Kankakee County Major Crimes Task Force arrested the two along with a 16-year-old St. Anne boy. The arrests happened last Friday during an undercover weapons bust. Chief Sheriff deputy Ken McCabe said the arrests capped a four-month investigation. The weapons seized were reported stolen from a St. Anne residence.

> Vandalism in Watseka city parks is pushing city leaders to make changes. The city police will open and close restrooms each day to help curb any acts of vandalism that’ve been on the rise in recent weeks. The hope is that police presence will solve the problem.

The Times-Republic reports a 7-0 vote at the Public Safety Committee meeting OK’s police officers monitoring the restroom open and close hours at Kay, West Side and Peters Parks. The City Council may also address changing the park hours from dawn to dusk, rather than having the parks close at 11 pm.

> Deere & Co. said Wednesday its third-quarter profit grew 47 percent because American and Canadian farmers bought enough of the company’s large equipment to offset a sharp downturn in Europe, but Deere kept its forecast for the year conservative. The company reported $617 million net income, or $1.44 per share, in the quarter that ended July 31. That’s up from $420 million, or 99 cents per share, a year ago.

WGFA News for Tuesday, August 17, 2010 >

WX > Partly sunny, high near 83. Light SW wind at 5 mph.

> U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson fellow Republicans Monday that the best way to fight federal programs they oppose is to vote for candidates who will chip away at them. Johnson addressed about 60 people at the McLean County Republican Party’s monthly luncheon. He discussed a variety of issues, including what he said was the mishandling of the FutureGen project, a clean-energy plan to capture carbon emissions from a coal-burning power plant and contain them underground.

Johnson, who has put forward a bill to repeal and replace the federal health reform law sign in March by President Barack Obama, said he believes voters in his district overwhelmingly opposed the bill by a 20-1 margin.

He said FutureGen was one of the few federal job-creation efforts that really could have worked. He said he learned Aug. 5 that the plan to build an experimental power plant at Mattoon was being reconfigured to shift most of the project to a plant at Meredosia, and Mattoon would have one week to decide if it could go along with a lesser role after years of planning. City officials decided against it.

Johnson was applauded loudly when he called for making the U.S. borders more secure.

> Train traffic through Chatsworth is just about back to normal again following last week’s derailment. One crossing remains blocked. Sixteen cars from a 102-car westbound freight train derailed last Tuesday (Aug. 10) in the middle of town, but the accident caused no injuries.

Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway will install a new crossing signal near where the derailment occurred. The Locust Street crossing remains closed. A Federal Railroad Administration spokesman said the cause remains undetermined.

> A Braidwood resident was injured Sunday when an Amtrak passenger train hit a car. The northbound car was hit at the Division Street crossing at Route 53. Fire & rescue personnel said there are no gates at the crossing but the warning lights were operating.

> LaSalle County Sheriff’s Police and the Coroner’s Office are investigating a traffic crash that left killed three people. A pick-up truck veered out of control Sunday night in Farm Ridge Township. The truck hit a pole, rolled several times and then hit a house. The victims have been identified as the driver, 49-yr-old James Black of Grand Ridge and two of his five passengers, 16-yr-old Brittany Burash of Grand Ridge and 18-yr-old Robert Eccleston of Streator.

> The Vermilion County Health Department may be returning to a 5-day work week. County Board Chairman James McMahon says if the health department pays back half of the more than $300,000 it owes the county, then county officials will support the department returning to a five-day work week.

Health department Administrator Shirley Hicks said the department is getting backlogged since it moved to a four-day work week in May to save money. She said it’s been difficult meeting statuatory obligations that the department is responsible to perform. Last year, the health department ran into a serious cash-flow problem as the state failed to pay or paid slowly the money for numerous state programs. As a result, the county had to loan $300,000 to the department, which eventually cut more than half of its programs and personnel, reducing its operations to core services.

WGFA NEWS for Mondeay, August 16, 2010 >

WX > Sunny, high near 84. NW wind 5-10, some gusts near 15 mph.

> A U-S District Judge in Montana handed a former Watseka car dealer a seven-year prison term for bank fraud. 56-yr-old Nick Gutierrez Jr. was part owner and served as general manager of the Watseka Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealership. Friday, Gutierrez was sentenced by District Judge Richard Cebull. Gutierrez plead guilty March 1 to a single-count of bank fraud.

The federal charges had nothing to do with his work at the local dealership. Court records show charges of fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud and aggravated identity theft surfaced from accusations that Gutierrez failed to repay a Montana bank loan and drfrauded an auto dealership and several customers. Several of the charges, including identity theft and wire and mail fraud were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.

> Kankakee has contracted with a Springfield search firm to find a new police chief. Mayor Nina Epstein expects a lot of resumes for the job recently left vacant by the retirement of Chief Mike Kinkade. A veteran member of the department, Larry Regnier, will be an applicant. He’s currently serving as interim-chief. And former Kankakee Police Chief Bill Doster is part of the search team that’ll help hire a new law enforcement leader for Kankakee.

> The Kankakee County orce reports the arrest of three people on weapons charges. Two men and a woman were taken into custody Friday. Kankakee County Chief Deputy Ken McCabe said the arrests came after a four-month undercover investigation.

> Police in Danville arrested a suburban Dolton (IL) man Friday for a murder in Cook County. 19-yr-old Jermaine Brazill was tracked down in Danville by U-S Marshalls. He was taken without incident. Brazill is charged with a March 17 shooting in which a 15-yr-old bystander was killed.

> Weekend jail sentences are in order in Iroquois County. A Gilman and two Watseka residents will serve local time. 39-yr-old Michel Collins of Gilman turned himself in for a conviction of Driving While License Revoked. He’ll serve a THREE-WEEKEND SENTENCE. 38-yr-old Bruce Robinson of Watseka will serve five weekends for his conviction of Driving While Revoked. 34-yr-old Patrick Laird of Watseka surrendered himslef. He’ll serve a 3-day sentence for Resisting Arrest.

94.1 FM, WGFA

WGFA NEWS for Friday, August 13, 2010 >

WX> The extreme Heat Advisory is now extended thru Saturday. The NWS reports the heat index today could reach 110.

> Ford County Board Chairman Rick Bowen reports a settlement is being discussed between Ford County’s insurance carrier and the attorney representing a former inmate at the Ford County Jail who claims in a lawsuit she was sexually abused by a correctional officer.

Bowen said the victim has requested a $150,000 settlement, which is the maximum payable by the insurance company. Bowen said it’s too early in the process to talk about a counteroffer.

The suit alleges that correctional officer Phillip Santefort forced sexual acts on a female inmate – Krystal L. Brown – in her cell on three occasions between June and September 2009 and that he threatened to harm her if she told anyone. The complaint also alleges that several of Santefort’s co-workers were aware of the alleged abuse and “made jokes and inappropriate comments” in Brown’s presence.

Ford County Sheriff Mark Doran said last week that the U.S. Department of Justice had completed its investigation into the allegations and that a report was being reviewed by the U.S. attorney’s office in Urbana for possible prosecution. (Paxton Record)

> > Accused murderer Jeffery Hite is claiming self-defense and plans to stand trial in Iroquois County for the 2009 shooting death of Roger McVay. The 31-year-old Hite, jailed since his arrest in April of last year, faces indictment for 2-counts of first-degree murder. Police said McVay was gunned down outside McSki’s Place on Walnut Street in Watseka April 14th. Iroquois County Coroner Bill Cheatum said in 2009, autopsy records showed McVay suffered two gunshot wounds to his back and one to his arm. Judge Gordon Lustfeldt set a pre-trial hearing for October 28. A jury trial is scheduled for January 10, (2011).

Co-defendant Chad Walwer is already serving a nine-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a weapons possession charge. His plea was in exchange for his testimony against Hite. Walwer’s on record as having delivered a gun to Hite prior to the shooting.

> A 20-year-old Kankakee man faces what could be natural life in prison if prosecutors can prove he fired the gun that killed 24-year-old Maria O’Connor earlier this year in Kankakee. Devon Barker is jailed on a $1-million bond. He’s charged on 2-counts of first-degree murder and 2-counts of attempted murder for the March 2 shooting death of O’Connor. Police said O’Connor was shot while walking home from. The gunfire, police said then, was meant for gang members in the neighborhood. Barker was also in possession of a stolen gun.

> Since ‘Back-to-School’ sales are underway there is a lot of money changing hands. And some of it has turned out to be counterfeit. Area law enforcement officials report they’ve recovered counterfeit $50 bills. And a counterfeit $20 bill was discovered at a Wal-Mart.

The fake bills are just a portion of the fake bills which have been found lately in the east-central Illinois area. Sheriff’s Investigators say you should check bills carefully. The management at most local and area stores have given directions to employees on how to check bills to make sure they are real.

> The Old Boys & Girls Reunion is underway in Gilman. WGFA radio will broadcast Saturday from 1-3 pm. Activities continue thru Sunday. The parade is at 1 pm Saturday.

> The Gladiolus Festival runs this weekend at Momence. Saturday’s 3 pm parade features 10 marching bands. A review of antique vehicles is featured in the Main Street Parade at 5:30 pm today (Fri).

> The Cullom Celebration is this weekend, in conjunction with the Cullom Junior Fair.

> And Kankakee’s Merchant Street Music Fest features 32 different acts, including an assortment of bands, performing on two stages. The event today (Fri) and Saturday is at the Historic Train Depot downtown on East Avenue. Free admission. The Events Partnership is a group effort in cooperation with the City of Kankakee, Kankakee Public Library, the Development Corporation and the Kankakee Chamber of Commerce.

94.1 FM, WGFA — since 1961

WGFA NEWS for Thursday, August 12, 2010 >

WX > More hot, humid weather, high in the 90s and the heat index near 105.

– Old Boys & Girls Reunion in Gilman today-thru the weekend –

– Merchant Street Musicfest in Kankakee, Friday & Saturday —

> Iroquois County will re-hire one laid off sheriff deputy. But that hiring doesn’t sit well with all members. In fact, Tuesday’s county board discussions indicated members wanted the hire to wait until the new budget kicks in December 1 — to get a better handle on where finances are headed.

But Chief-deputy Derek Hagen, who takes over as Sheriff with the new fiscal year, says retirements are crippling the department. Two lieutenants retire real soon. And now, a veteran investigator is also leaving for a new position in Champaign County.

Hagen himself, has helped, by working patrols in addition to his administrative position. But the dwindling force is leading to other issues….. (some money) # 2

Hagen explains, personal-wise, the county sheriff’s department was at its height in 2009 with 19. That number today is 13, but two more retirements is too few….. (get) # 3

Hagen said 18 deputies is the minimum–according to FBI stats–that the county needs for adequate protection. Nationwide stats claim there should be 1 and a-half officers per 1000 population served.

Hagen said he’s shown a willingness to cooperate, but “if I have to fight, I’ll fight.” He’s said the current budget is “unreasonable” considering the demand on 24/7 law enforcement. And veteran retirements plus another experienced officer leaving makes one wonder if there’s a lack of confidence ?….. (function) # 4

> Accused murderer Jeffery Hite is claiming self-defense and plans to stand trial in Iroquois County for the 2009 shooting death of Roger McVay. The 31-year-old Hite, jailed since his arrest in April of last year, faces indictment for 2-couts of first-degree murder. Police said McVay was gunned down outside McSki’s Place on Walnut Street in Watseka April 14th. Iroquois County Coroner Bill Cheatum said in 2009, autopsy records showed McVay suffered two gunshot wounds to his back and one to his arm. Judge Gordon Lustfeldt set a pre-trial hearing for October 28. A jury trial is scheduled for January 10, (2011).

Co-defendant Chad Walwer is already serving a nine-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a weapons possession charge. His plea was in exchange for his testimony against Hite. Walwer’s on record as having delivered a gun to Hite prior to the shooting.

> A 20-year-old Kankakee man faces what could be natural life in prison if prosecutors can prove he fired the gun that killed 24-year-old Maria O’Connor earlier this year in Kankakee. Devon Barker is jailed on a $1-million bond. He’s charged on 2-counts of first-degree murder and 2-counts of attempted murder for the March 2 shooting death of O’Connor. Police said O’Connor was shot while walking home from. The gunfire, police said then, was meant for gang members in the neighborhood. Barker was also in possession of a stolen gun.

> A Ford County man is under a court-order to stay away from his ex-wife and her boyfriend. 39-year-old Shan Fieldman of Cullom has an Order of Protection against him. A Livingston County judge imposed the court order. Fieldman is charged with Solicitation for Murder. He allegedly paid an under-cover officer to have his ex-wife and her boyfriend killed. Fieldman and co-defendant Talia Fonce are jailed on a $200,000 bond.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

Heat Advisory
Statement as of 4:37 PM EDT on August 11, 2010

…Heat advisory now in effect until 7 PM CDT Friday…

* Temps/heat index…afternoon high temperatures in the mid 90s
with heat index values around 105 Thursday and Friday.

* Impacts…increased risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke for
individuals working outdoors or engaged in strenuous
activities.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids…stay in an air-conditioned room…stay out of the sun…and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during hot weather when the car interior can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes!

-courtesy: NWS, www.iqesda.com

WGFA NEWS for Wednesday, August 11, 2010 >

WX > Mostly cloudy, 40% chance of showers & T-Storms. High near 93 with heat index value near 103.

— HEAT ADVISORY in effect ’til 7 pm today –

> The Martinton-Clifton slab in Iroquois County is back open to traffic. Bridge repairs on County Highway 4 were completed Tuesday. The road was opened to traffic yesterday afternoon.

> Excessive heat and sun is being blamed for causing Tuesday’s freight train derailment in Chatsworth. Railroad officials say preliminary evidence shows that the rails were warped. Sixteen cars came off the railroad tracks, right in the middle of town. Chatsworth Mayor Francis Haberkorn says crews have been working hard to clear the wreckage. No one was injured when the 16 rail cars came off the tracks. The train was carrying gravel, coal and some chemicals. All of the rail crossings in Chatsworth have re-opened, except the Locust Street crossing on the west end of town.

> Iroquois County Finance Chairman Jim Meyer says “we’re trying to save all the jobs…and we’ll need the concessions of all the unions to get it done.” Meyer’s comments came after what he called a ‘productive’ meeting of the County Board Finance committee, which met in special session Tuesday afternoon.

Two unions –the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)-have indicated a willingness to work with the county. In light of the county’s financial picture, employee furloughs and lay-offs have been discussed. Some employees are already using furlough days.

The bottom line–Meyer says-is we need a projected $4.6 million dollar budget for Fiscal Year 2011. That’s a $500,000 cut from the current budget.

The brunt of the savings will come from slashing $340,000 in employee health insurance. The County Board’s offering $37-hundred dollars per employee. The employee would have to pick up the rest OR the next step is cutting jobs.

The Finance committee has scheduled another meeting for August 20th at 7:30 am. The meeting–at the Administrative Center–is open to the public.

> At Tuesday’s regular County Board meeting, an activity worksheet provided by Treasurer Mindy Kuntz-Hagan shows the county has borrowed $562,000. But she says there is some improvement in available funds…….

(11 lay-offs) :44 News # 5

The State of Illinois still owes Iroquois County $435,887 dollars. That’s a combination of income tax, that’s about five-months behind and also salary reimbursements.

> Former Illinois Rep. Dan Rostenkowski, a powerful Democrat who shaped tax policy in the 1980s but later went to prison, has died. Family friend Ellen Tully says Rostenkowski died Wednesday at his home in Wisconsin. He was 82. In all, Rostenkowski served 18 terms in the House. As chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, he helped push through a sweeping 1986 overhaul of the nation’s tax system.

94.1 FM, WGFA