SOUTHERN ILLINOIS – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Thursday reported 2,056 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, including 25 additional confirmed deaths. Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 268,207 cases, including 8,392 deaths, in 102 counties. Local case breakdown: Williamson County: 22, three deaths (two reported from a long-term care facility)…… Read more…
CHICAGO (AP) – A major U.S. coal mining company has emerged from federal bankruptcy protection under a new name and ownership group. Murray Energy Holdings said Thursday its Chapter 11 plan approved in federal bankruptcy court in Ohio became effective Wednesday. The company noted it has completed the sale of its assets to an entity formed…… Read more…
CARBONDALE – Carbondale Police are investigating a motor vehicle theft that occurred Thursday morning. According to a release from the Carbondale Police Department, officers responded to the 300 block of South Emerald St around 2:25 a.m. this morning, finding the vehicle during an investigation and attempting a traffic stop. The driver of the stolen vehicle and a…… Read more…
WILLIAMSON COUNTY – A semi fire delayed traffic on northbound I-57 in Williamson County for several hours Thursday morning. According to a release from Illinois State Police (ISP), the incident occurred about ten miles south of Marion around 11 a.m. Traffic was backed up in the northbound lanes spanning 3-4 miles. ISP and several local…… Read more…
CHICAGO (AP) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced Thursday the unemployment rate fell 0.5 percentage points to 11.0 percent, while nonfarm payrolls added 66,000 jobs in August, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The July monthly change in payrolls was revised…… Read more…
JONESBORO – A Jonesboro man has been charged in Union County for attempted solicitation of a minor. According to Union County State’s Attorney Daniel Klingemann and Union County Sheriff Scott Harvel, Harold Thomas Goerz, a.k.a. Harry T. Goetz, was charged with one county of indecent solicitation of a child – a Class 2 felony, one…… Read more…
JONESBORO – A Houston, Texas man has been charged in August 2018 crash that injured three people in Union County. According to Union County State’s Attorney Daniel Klingemann, 51-year-old Derek M. Adams was charged with one count of aggravated reckless driving – a Class 4 felony – and one count of reckless conduct – also…… Read more…
MT. VERNON – The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department has been selected to receive a grant for safety enhancements in area classrooms. Over $830,000 in federal money was announced by Congressman Mike Bost Monday to strengthen security at schools at over 160 jurisdictions nationwide. Those selected will receive the grants through a Department of Justice School Violence Prevention Program initiative that…… Read more…
MARION – With several area events cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,the annual “Veterans on Parade” event in Marion is still set, but later than normal. Ed Davis, a Vietnam veteran and president of the Veterans on Parade organization, said he didn’t know if this year’s Veterans on Parade honoring veterans and first…… Read more…
JONESBORO – The sheriff’s office in Union County said a man has been taken into custody following a manhunt Wednesday. Union County Sheriff Scott Harvel said in a release 34-year-old Lucas Pitts was last seen in the area of Gurley Loop and Shadow Valley Lane in the Lick Creek area and was considered armed and…… Read more…