A quintessential small town in eastern Livingston County is reeling from the brutal deaths of three people on Christmas Day in what authorities called an "isolated incident."

Clifford W. Brewer of Cullom is jailed in Pontiac on murder charges and is expected in court Friday. Authorities have not disclosed a motive or formally identified the dead, other then to describe them as a 51-year-old man, a 48-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man.

Funeral home death notices were sent to The Pantagraph for Shirley Ann Brewer, 48, and Christian Allen Brewer, 27, both of Cullom. The notices said they were pronounced dead at 5:20 a.m. Wednesday at their home.

Cullom, midway between interstates 55 and 57 in Livingston County, has had a steady population in the mid 500s for years. The small town, its main street has a bar, real estate and doctor’s offices, post office, and city history museum. There’s a Casey’s General Store and a community market staffed by volunteers; a village hall building, water and fire departments, but no police. The Lutheran church has regular weekly services; Methodists have services just once a month because they share a pastor with another church. The Catholic church closed last year. Tri-point High School is located in Cullom.

No matter who you talk to, the residents describe Cullom as “quiet.”
On Thursday, Kim Clark of Chatsworth stopped at the doctor’s office, where she used to work, and “thought that was crazy” when she learned about the murders.

arbara Hahn grew up in Cullom and moved back 20 years ago; she's been mayor for six years and operates Hahn Industries, “the finest ornamental concrete in Central Illinois,” founded by her parents in 1959.

“We’re a small community, we’re a quiet community, we don’t have things like this happen,” Hahn said. “That’s the tragedy of it. We all know each other.”

She’d tweeted Christmas Day about the deaths, but clarified Thursday that the incident did not involve suicide.

Joy Harms, who has lived in Cullom on and off for 40 years, was on her way to a Christmas celebration about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday when she came upon emergency lights and responders in the 400 block of East Jackson Street.

The Livingston County Sheriff's Office was notified about 2:09 a.m. Christmas Day of a death investigation crime scene at 416 E. Jackson St., the sheriff's office said.

"Upon deputies' arrival, it was observed that there were three deceased victims at this location — a 51 year-old man, a 48-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man," said the statement.

Vermilion Valley E-911 Dispatch received a call about 2:05 a.m. Wednesday about a triple homicide at a home in Cullom, said Coroner Danny Watson.

December 12: Watseka Police arrested Phillip E. Oneill, 37, Watseka, at 8:38 p.m. for battery. He was transported to the Iroquois County Jail.

Watseka Police responded to a traffic accident in the 800 block of West Lafayette Street at 10:22 a.m. Involved were Andrew Peters of Crescent City and Kenneth Kiger of Oakwood. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

Watseka Police responded to a traffic accident at Casey’s General Store at 4:50 .m. Raven Satkoski of Milford backed into a parked vehicle. No injuries and no citations were issued.

Watseka Police cited Roscoe J. Durflinger, 30, Watseka, at 8:18 a.m. for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, suspended revoked driver’s license, and for disobeying a stop sign. He was released on an I-bond.

Arrests: Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Connor F. Wallace, 27, Watseka, Dec. 13. According to police reports he was charged with possession of a controlled substance. He was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested John E. Sauer, 62, Wellington, Dec. 14. According to police reports he was wanted on an outstanding Mason County warrant charging him with theft. He was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

Accidents: Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a two-vehicle accident Dec. 11 at the intersection of County Road 3100 North and Old Route 45. According to police reports a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old juvenile was attempting to negotiate an eastbound turn onto 3100 North when he lost control on the icy roadway. The juvenile struck a vehicle driven by Francis W. Gullquist, 76, Ashkum, that was stopped at the marked intersection on 3100 North. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a two-vehicle accident Dec. 11 at the intersection of County Road 2600 North and 2900 East. According to police reports a vehicle driven by Adam J. Boget, 50, Rensselear, Indiana, was traveling west on 2600 North when he lost control on the snow-covered roadway. Boget proceeded through the intersection and slid in front of a southbound tractor trailer driven by Dallis M. Funk, 65, Milford. Funk then struck the rear of Boget causing more than $1,500 in damage. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

WHAT: Fatal Crash Car vs. Semi

WHERE: Route 113 @ 3970 W (Kankakee County)

WHEN: Tuesday, December 17, 2019, 5:24 a.m.

VEHICLE: Unit One: 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

Unit Two: 2013 Freightliner Semi with Trailer

DRIVER: Unit One: Terry A. Rosenthal, 64, Gardner (deceased)
Unit Two: Jimmy Allen, 49, Angelton, TX

PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigation has indicated the Chevrolet was traveling eastbound on Route 113 at approximately 3900W. The Semi was traveling westbound at the same location. The Chevrolet went off the roadway and into the ditch, then overcorrected and came back onto the roadway and into the path of the Semi. The Semi struck the Chevrolet. The driver of the Chevrolet was pronounced deceased on scene by the Kankakee County Coroner’s Office.

 The search for a man wanted in connection with two homicides in Iroquois County ended with Matthew W. Borden taking his own life following a police chase and crash in Colorado on Sunday.

Borden, 43, Melvin, faced charges of first-degree murder in the weekend deaths of Pamela Williams, 54, Martinton, and Brian D. Musk, 50, Milford.

Police in Colorado were notified that a white Toyota Camry bearing Iowa plates was traveling west on Colorado Highway 14. Police had been looking for a vehicle of that description in connection with the Iroquois County, Ill., homicides, according to Weld County (Colo.) Sheriff's Department. The vehicle was reported stolen from Dexter, Iowa.

When Colorado State Patrol trooper and an officer with the Ault (Colo.) Police Department located the vehicle, Bordon led them on a high-speed chase that ended a mile north of Pierce on U.S. Route 85 when Borden's vehicle crashed. Pierce is located 70 miles north of Denver.

Borden fired shots at the two officers, who waited for a SWAT team to arrive at the scene. Bordon was found dead next to the vehicle, police said.

On Saturday, police found the body of Musk when they had been called at 6 a.m. to investigate a burglary at Milford Auto Parts, which is located on the south side of Milford on Illinois Route 1.

Sheriff’s investigators and Iroquois County Coroner Bill Cheatum arrived and requested Illinois State Police crime scene investigators. Just one day prior, Williams was found dead in a ditch southwest of Sheldon. Autopsies in both deaths were completed this weekend and results will be not released, Cheatum said.

Iroquois County police, U.S. Marshals Service and the Colorado State Patrol were jointly investigating the weekend homicides of Williams and Musk. The investigations were being conducted together as police had identified Borden as a person of interest in both cases, police said.

Borden, who grew up in Iroquois County, was acquainted with both Musk and Williams, police said.

Borden was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on a probation violation, with a warrant for his arrest issued earlier this month.

According to U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Borden was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for robbing the Dewey (Ill.) State Bank of more than $6,000 on Oct. 7, 2006. Dewey is located 5 miles west of Rantoul in Champaign County.

In February 2017, Borden was released from prison and began serving five years of probation.

The weekend slayings bring the county's 2019 total homicides to four.

On December 4th, 2019 Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Devin A. McNeely, age 32, of Woodland. According to police reports, McNeely was wanted on an outstanding Ford County warrant for failure to appear for possession of drug paraphernalia, He was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he would later be transported to Ford County,

On December 4th, 2019 Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Joshua Jones, age 36, of Thomasboro.

According to police reports, Jones was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear for harassment through electronic communication. He was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released,

On December 4^th, 2019 Iroquois County Sheriffs police investigated a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of N, Chicago St. and W. Mckinley St, in Milford- According to police reports a vehicle driven by Norman L. Doud, age 87, of Milford attempted to turn onto N, Chicago St. and collided with a vehicle being driven by Brian L. Anderson, age 52, of Milford. Both vehicles sustained more than $1,500 in damages- There were no injuries reported and no citations issued,

Watseka Police arrested Cody T Daniels, 28 Terre Haute IN in the 400 block of W Mulberry at 4:57 P.M. on 12-05-19. Daniels was charged with domestic battery and was transported to the Iroquois County jail.

Watseka Police responded to a domestic in the 700 block of W Walnut at 5:52

P.M. on 12-05-19.

Watseka Police responded to a report of suspicious circumstances in the 200 block of w Hickory at 8:07 P.M. on 12-05-19.

Watseka Police responded to a report of a suspicious person in the 400 block of E Walnut at 8:16 P.M. on 12-05-19.

Watseka Police responded to an activated alarm in the 1200 block of E Walnut at 9:04 A.M. on 12-06-19.

Watseka Police arrested Peter J Lease, 40 Watseka in the 200 block of N Fourth at 9:20 A.M. on 12-06-19. Lease was charged with theft and posted bond and was released.

Watseka Police responded to a public complaint in the 500 block of E Grant at 10:25 A.M. on 12-06-19.

Watseka Police responded to an animal complaint in the 400 block of E Oak at 10:55 A.M. on 12-06-19.

Watseka Police responded to a 911 hang up in the 1400 block of E Walnut at 1:46

P.M. on 12-06-19.

Watseka Police conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of Veteran's Parkway at 4:28 P.M. on 12-06-19. The driver was given a warning for expired registration.

Watseka Police responded to a report of an unwanted person in the 300 block of E Ash at 4:58 P.M. on 12-06-19.

Watseka Police conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of W North at 7:38 P.M. on 12-06-19. The driver was given a warning for improper lighting.

2BAM 2172836090

12-09-2019

in the 100 N Eighth at 9:18 P.M. on 12-06-19. The driver was given a warning for speed.

Watseka Police responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of S Yount Ave at 10:20 P.M. on 12-06-19.

Watseka Police responded to a report of theft in the 700 block of W Walnut at 10:20 P.M. on 12-06-19.

Watseka Police responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of N Market at 11:41

P.M. on 12-06-19.

Watseka Police responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of S Yount Ave at 1:41 A.M. on 12-07-19.

Watseka Police responded to a civil disturbance in the 200 block of W Walnut at 2:41 A.M. on 12-07-19.

Watseka Police responded to a civil disturbance in the 200 block of E Ash at 8:01 A.M. on 12-07-19.

Watseka Police responded to a public complaint in the 500 block of E Grant at 9:34 A.M. on 12-07-19.

Watseka Police responded to a civil disturbance in the 200 block of E Walnut at 10:03 A.M. on 12-07-19.

Watseka Police responded to a domestic in the 1000 block of N Jefferson at 11:11 A.M. on 12-07-19.

Watseka Police responded to a report of criminal damage to property in the 300 block of W Mulberry at 2:06 P.M. on 12-07-19.

Watseka Police responded to a report of harassment in the 200 block of S Second at 2:08 P.M. on 12-07-19.

Watseka Police cited Robey L Colt, 19 Donovan in the 100 block of Clarence Ave at 2:39 P.M. on 12-07-19 for speeding. Colt posted bond and was released.

Watseka Police responded to a report of a suspicious person in the 100 block of E Fairman at 3:13 P.M. on 12-07-19.

in the 800 N Jefferson at 7:26 P.M. on 12-07-19. The driver was given a warning for speed.

Watseka Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 400 block of W Walnut at 8:08 P.M. on 12-07-19.

Watseka Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 100 block of Laird Dr at 11:34 P.M. on 12-07-19.

Watseka Police conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of E Walnut at 12:46 A.M. on 12-08-19. The driver was given a warning for improper lighting.

Watseka Police conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of N Fifth at 4:13 A.M. on 12-08-19. The driver was given a warning for equipment.

Watseka Police responded to a report of criminal damage to vehicle in the 600 block of E Mulberry at 8:36 A.M. on 12-08-19.

Watseka Police responded to a report of an unwanted person in the 200 block of E Ash at 3:09 P.M. on 12-08-19.

Watseka Police conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of Yount Ave at 4:00 P.M. on 12-08-19. The driver was given a warning for a stop sign violation.

Watseka Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 100 block of W Fleming at 5:07 P.M. on 12-08-19.

Watseka Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 1700 block of E Walnut at 5:32 P.M. on 12-08-19.

Watseka Police arrested Joshua B Evans, 32 Watseka in the 300 block of W Park Ave at 4:54 P.M. on 12-08-19. Evans was charged with criminal trespass to residence and was transported to the Iroquois County jail.

Watseka Police arrested Elizabeth M Mauricio, 49 Watseka in the 300 block of W Park Ave at 4:54 P.M. on 12-08-19. Maurico was charged with criminal trespass to residence and was transported to the Iroquois County jail.

Watseka Police responded to a report of loud music in the 400 block of E Walnut at 7:23 P.M. on 12-08-19.

in the 400 E Walnut at 8:11 P.M. on 12-08-19. The driver was given a warning for a headlight out.

Watseka Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 200 block of S Fourth at 11:19 P.M. on 12-08-19.

Watseka Police conducted a traffic stop in the 800 block of S Second at 12:16 A.M. on 12-09-19. The driver was given a warning for speed.

Watseka Police conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of E Walnut at 12:29 A.M. on 12-09-19. The driver was given a warning for speed.

Watseka Police conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of W Walnut at 12:56 A.M. on 12-09-19. The driver was given a warning for improper lighting.

On November 27th, 2019, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested William Clingonpeel, age 42, of Sheldon. According to police reports, Clingonpeel was. charged with possession of methamphetamine less than 5 grams, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released,

On November 29th , 2019, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Latasha M. Inman, age 38, of Cullom. According to police reports, Inman was wanted on a probation violation warrant. She was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she remains in lieu of bond.

Accidents: 
On November 27th , 2019, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police investigated a single vehicle accident on township road 125 near 1700 E. According to police reports, a vehicle driven by Hannah L. Askew, age 19, of Donovan, was traveling west on township road 125 when she came upon a fallen tree in the roadway. Askew attempted to maneuver around the tree and proceeded into the north ditch that runs along the river bank. Askew's vehicle rolled several times down the river bank and struck a tree before coming to a rest. Minor injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

ASHKUM, IL- Illinois State Police (ISP) District 21 is reporting the arrest of Wesley A. Knepp, 81, of Watseka and Devonte T. Jackson, 32, 0f Danville both for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.

On November 26, 2019 at approximately 3:29 P.M., an Illinois State Trooper was dispatched to a crash on Route 24 at 2300 E. The driver was transported to the hospital with injuries. The trooper arrived at the hospital and spoke with the driver, Wesley Knepp. Knepp showed signs of alcohol impairment. Knepp was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and issued a citation for improper lane usage.

On November 30, 2019 at approximately 5:03 P.M., an Illinois State Trooper was on patrol in Kankakee County. The trooper observed a vehicle traveling all over the roadway at a high rate of speed on I-57 northbound at milepost 304. The trooper stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Devonte Jackson. Jackson showed signs of alcohol impairment. Jackson was placed under arrest and transported to the Kankakee County Jail for processing. Jackson was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and issued citations for improper lane usage and speeding

Watseka Police arrested Anthony J. Morgan, 27 watseka in the 500 block of N Fourth at 6:35 P.M. on 11-30-19. Morgan was charged with burglary and theft over $500. Morgan was transported to the Iroquois County Jail. 

Watseka Police arrested Leeaundre Key, 23 Bourbonnais in the 700 block of W Walnut at 4:32 P.M. on 11-28-19. Key was charged with No valid driver's license and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle. Key was transported to the Iroquois County Jail.

Watseka Police arrested Jack E. Hurd, 62 Goodland IN in the 200 block of N Brianna Drive at 8:20 A.M. on 11-30-19. Hurd was wanted on an Iroquois County Warrant. Hurd was transported to the Iroquoi County Jail.