The following list of arrests were made by Franklin County Sheriff Dept. deputies.

April 6

• A traffic stop at 1:53 p.m. in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Bryan D. McClintock, 31, of Christopher on a charge of driving while license suspended.

April 7

• At 3:45 a.m., a Franklin County correctional officer discovered a glass pipe containing methamphetamine in the possession of a female inmate during the booking procedure. The female recently had been transferred from another county jail. Jenna N. Moore, 31, of Wood River was charged with unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, a class 1 felony.

• A traffic stop at 9:54 a.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Bradley A. Roeder, 35, of Benton on a charge of driving while license suspended.

• Deputies responded at 4:21 p.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Akin Blacktop just east of Rt. 34. The investigation concluded that a 2008 Pontiac driven by Aaron J. Jackson, 20, of Whittington was west bound and negotiating a curve when the driver stated he swerved to avoid striking a dog, lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a culvert. The driver received minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital by EMS.

• A traffic stop at 6:36 p.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Byron E. Olson Jr., 24, of Benton on a charge of driving while license suspended.

• Deputies responded at 8:51 p.m. to a disturbance at Pearson’s Skating Rink on Rt. 37 south of Benton. The incident resulted in the arrest of a 14-year-old female on charges of battery and resisting a peace officer. The juvenile was released to the custody of her mother.

April 8

• Charges have been filed and an arrest made as the result of a car crash that occurred at 12:10 a.m. July 2, 2016, on Peach Orchard Lake Road 1/4 mile east of the Sesser Lake Road. The crash seriously injured three young men and was handled by the Franklin County Sherriff’s reconstruction team. The crash investigation was lengthy as the result of the need to await DNA lab results to close the investigation. Charged as a result is Travis L. Reginato, 23, of Buckner. Reginato is being held in the Franklin County Jail on a charge of aggravated reckless driving, a class 4 felony. His bond has been set at $50,000 or 10 percent.

• Deputies responded at 6:04 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 148 just south of Three-Bill Road. The investigation concluded that a 2004 Toyota Tacoma driven by Thomas J. Bryant, 55, of Sesser was southbound and preparing to turn east into a private drive when the Toyota was rear-ended by a 2008 Saturn driven by Cheyenne N. Conner, 24, of Mulkeytown, who failed to stop. Bryant sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. Sesser Fire first responders also responded to the scene. Conner was not injured but has been cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The crash is under further investigation, and further charges are possible.

• Deputies arrested Michael S. Ligon, 44, of Marion for revocation of probation on a charge of domestic battery.

April 9

• Deputies responded at 7:11 p.m. to a disturbance in Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of a 15-year-old male on a charge of aggravated assault. The juvenile was released to the custody of his parents.

• Deputies arrested Brianna L. Deason, 31, of West Frankfort on a warrant for failure to appear for theft.

• Deputies arrested Erika L. Grimes, 29, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear for possession of methamphetamine.

• Deputies responded at 10:23 a.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Old Marion Road just north of the county line. The investigation concluded that a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Richard L. Thompson, 70, of West Frankfort was southbound and apparently suffered some type of medical episode, causing him to lose consciousness. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a Southeastern electrical power pole, trapping the driver until the lines were de-energized. The driver was uninjured due to the crash, but was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire EMS due to the previous medical episode.

• Deputies responded at 8:08 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Charles S. Hargett, 57, of Thompsonville on a charge of domestic battery.

April 11

• Deputies responded at 1:50 a.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Dylan L. Morris, 24, of Thompsonville on a charge of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.

• Deputies arrested Mark A. Vreeland, 26, of Zeigler on a warrant for failure to appear on a probation revocation.

April 12

• Deputies responded at 1:59 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash just east of Buckner. The investigation concluded that a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox driven by David E. Valette, 50, of Mulkeytown was eastbound on Rt. 14 and was attempting to make a left turn into a private drive when it was struck in a rear-end type crash by a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Katherine E. Monari, 28, of Christopher. Valette sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment. Monari was not injured, but was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

• Deputies responded at 3:45 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Whittington. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Justin S. Forsythe, 30, of Whittington on a charge of domestic battery.

April 13

• Deputies arrested Rickey W. Ledbetter, 51, of Mt. Vernon on a warrant for failure to appear for aggravated assault.

Illinois state Sen. Sam McCann, R-Plainview, announced Thursday that he plans run as a third-party candidate for governor – a move that likely would siphon votes from incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner. 

 

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

One Illinois county is a step closer to giving voters the power to abolish townships.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

BAD HOMBURG, GERMANY – Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday met with members of the Fresenius Kabi leadership team, including two members from the Illinois headquarters, at the company’s home facility just outside of Frankfurt, Germany. The European healthcare concern, which manufactures injectable medications and products for dialysis, offered the Governor and his delegation an update on their current expansion project in Melrose Park and a tour of their facility. 

“Fresenius Kabi is a great partner to the State of Illinois. The company not only has their North American headquarters in Lake Zurich, but it continues to make significant investments in our state, creating business opportunities and good paying jobs,” said Rauner. “I am excited to see the expansion in Melrose Park take shape and look forward to supporting Fresenius’ continued success in Illinois.”

In September 2017, Fresenius Kabi broke ground on a $250 million state-of-the-art expansion of their pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Melrose Park. The expansion will create jobs on top of the 500 Illinois workers already employed at the plant. Currently, Fresenius Kabi employs more than 1,700 Illinoisans across over 100 locations.

“We’re pleased to welcome Governor Rauner and the entire trade delegation,” said John Ducker, president and CEO of Fresenius Kabi USA.  “We’re proud of our operations in Illinois and throughout the world where we develop and produce life-saving medicines and technologies for patients.  In Illinois, continued investment is a priority so that more patients can benefit from access to affordable medicines throughout the United States.”

“Fresenius Kabi is a leading global manufacturer of life-saving products and we’re proud of their continued investment and commitment in Illinois,” said Greg Baise, president & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “Their amazing innovation not only creates jobs in Illinois, it saves lives around the world.”

Illinois has a rich life sciences and biotech industry. In a study conducted by the iBIO, Illinois demonstrated the strongest revenue growth in the Midwest, with an average annual growth of 13.3%. The success of the industry is largely due to the rise in research and development expenditures and the ability to secure early-stage funding within the state.

“We have experienced an increase in interest by businesses within the life science and biotech industry cluster due to the success and growth of companies like Fresenius Kabi,” said Illinois Department of Commerce Director Sean McCarthy. “The State, along with our partners at Intersect Illinois, will continue to market this industry and build upon our identified competitive advantage to attract further investment, spur innovation and create jobs.” 

A proposal aimed at delaying the effects of helmet-banging head trauma by banning Illinois children younger than 12 from playing tackle football lacks the votes this spring, its sponsor said Wednesday.

Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.

Congressional Republicans are proposing stricter work requirements for people who get food stamps.

Here’s the link at Illinois News Network.

A Franklin County man pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, a class 3 felony, and was sentenced Monday to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to a news release from Williamson County State’s Attorney Brandon Zanotti.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Republican Senators at the Illinois statehouse want to block any move to change the state’s constitution for a progressive income tax.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Illinois farmers are off to a late start. April is the month in Illinois for planting corn. But so far this month, it has been wet and cold.

 

Here’s a link at Illinois News Network.

Before her mother went to prison, Olivia Weeks was a competent student but certainly not an outstanding one — certainly not one on track for an Ivy League education.

 

Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.