Paxton police arrested a Milford man early Wednesday after he allegedly solicited sex from a 15-year-old girl and traveled to Paxton to meet her.

About 8 1/2 hours after they began their investigation into the matter, Paxton police arrested Andy E. Leppard, 42, of Milford, around 12:05 a.m. Wednesday as he was inside his parked car in the 500 block of West Franklin Street, Police Chief Coy Cornett said.

Leppard was taken to the Ford County Jail, where he remained late Wednesday morning awaiting the setting of his bond.

Police arrested him on charges of traveling to meet a minor and indecent solicitation of a child, both Class 3 felonies, and solicitation to meet a child, a Class 4 felony.

Ford County State’s Attorney Andrew Killian had not yet filed formal charges as of late Wednesday morning.

“I am awaiting the full police report,” Killian said in an email, “but I anticipate a charging decision later this week.”

Cornett said that around 3:24 p.m. Tuesday, Paxton police initiated their investigation into Leppard’s alleged indecent soliciting of the teenager. On Tuesday night, Leppard allegedly drove to Paxton in a 2007 Ford Escort to meet the girl, Cornett said.

The car was seized by police under Article 36 of the Illinois Criminal Code, Cornett said.

Police also ticketed Leppard for unlawful possession of adult-use cannabis in a motor vehicle. Cornett said a small amount of cannabis was found inside a pill bottle in Leppard’s possession.

Leppard is due to appear in Ford County Circuit Court on the cannabis charge at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, court records show.

According to court records, Leppard is on probation in Iroquois County. Leppard was sentenced to four years of probation in August 2020 after pleading guilty to burglary, a Class 2 felony.

His criminal history also includes a misdemeanor retail theft conviction from April 2019 in Iroquois County, for which he received court supervision and a fine.

Food is an important part of many summer backyard activities. Don’t let food-related illness ruin

your fun.

Food safety boils down to five basic rules:

1. Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.

2. Keep everything in the cooking area clean.

3. Wash hands frequently.

4. Keep grills and utensils clean.

5. Properly handle leftovers.

Refrigerate cooked foods that are not served immediately. If food is left unrefrigerated longer

than two hours, the chance of bacterial growth increases. Check your refrigerator to make sure it

is at 41° F or less.

PREVENT BACTERIA FROM GETTING INTO FOOD

Hands should always be thoroughly washed with soap and warm water before handling food and

after touching raw food. Towels and wash cloths should be kept clean. Grill preparation areas

and utensils should be washed with hot, soapy water between each step in food preparation.

Avoid cross contamination by washing or using separate plates when transferring uncooked food

onto the grill and from the grill to be served.

PROPER THAWING AND COOKING

Many warm-blooded animals, turkeys and other poultry, often harbor Salmonella and other

organisms that can cause food-related illness. Purchased and packaged meats, too, can be

contaminated with these organisms. Proper thawing and cooking are important to avoid these

illnesses.

To avoid contamination, store all raw meat products on the bottom shelf or separate from other

food products in your refrigerator, especially during the thawing process. This will help keep raw

meat juices from contaminating other foods. Thaw food in a refrigerator where the temperature is

no higher than 41° F. Cook fish, meat, and poultry, completely without interrupting the cooking

process; an interruption could allow bacteria to grow. Be sure that fish, hot dogs, and steaks are

cooked to 145° F, pork, brats, and hamburger reaches the temperature of at least 155° F, and

poultry reaches the temperature of 165° F or above. To check the temperature, use a meat

thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding fat and bone. For

poultry, insert it into the thick part of the thigh next to the body. Wash and rinse the thermometer

between uses to prevent possible contamination.

LEFTOVERS

The safe storage of leftovers is just as important as proper cooking. After the meal, immediately

refrigerate leftovers in small shallow containers. Do not allow foods to sit several hours as this

will provide time for the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Do not cool leftovers on the kitchen

counter. Divide them into smaller portions so they will cool quicker, putting them in the

refrigerator as soon as possible. Serve leftovers either very cold (directly from the refrigerator) or

very hot (heated to 165° F or higher).

Young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those who are ill or whose immune systems

are compromised, should not eat raw or undercooked animal products unless they have consulted

their physician.

For more information regarding food safety, contact the Iroquois County Public Health Department at 815.432.2483 or visit the ICPHD website at https://iroquoiscountyil.gov/offices/health-department.

Iroquois County Clerk Breein B. Suver announced a polling place change . In  Douglas 1 Precinct voters for Tuesdays election. 

All voters who voted at the Gilman City Hall will instead vote at the Gilman United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall. This is only for Tuesdays election.

Any questions concerning polling places or on voting, call the County Clerk’s office at 815-432-6960.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is issuing $2 million in grants to local law enforcement agencies interested in a collaborative effort to reduce and prevent illegal possession and use of firearms, firearm related homicides, and other violent crimes.

Funding for these grants is possible through legislation Governor JB Pritzker signed into law providing for specific firearms enforcement funding.

“In the past two years, we’ve intercepted countless firearms off of our streets,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Even so, we are facing a gun violence epidemic. That means we must utilize every resource at our disposable to prevent the illegal possession and use of firearms before tragedy strikes our communities. With this funding, law enforcement will be equipped with the resources to reduce gun violence and keep Illinoisans safe.”

From 2020 through the end of April 2022, ISP stopped more than 88,000 unlawful attempts to obtain a firearm through firearm eligibility and compliance checks.

“ISP is now engaged in a firearms enforcement blitz across the state to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of those posing a clear and present danger to themselves or others,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.  “With grant funding available to local agencies for firearms enforcement, we can have a greater impact on reducing gun violence and protecting our communities.”

Any law enforcement agency that conducts firearm enforcement operations can become a member of the Violent Crime Intelligence Task Force and is eligible to receive grants from the State Police Revocation Enforcement Fund. This State funding will help agencies conduct enforcement operations against individuals whose Firearm Owner Identification Card have been revoked or suspended as a result of being prohibited by law.

Grant applications will be available from July 1-31, 2022.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is warning of a growing trend involving large groups of motorist, which has become a problem in Kankakee and Iroquois county.  Participants of these groups are damaging roadways, driving recklessly and intimidating the public.  Law enforcement has received numerous complaints about these large groups loitering at various large parking lots and ISP, along with local law enforcement, is making arrests for these driving behaviors.

On June 20, 2022, at approximately 10:29 p.m., an ISP District 21 trooper responded to a report of a group of motorists driving recklessly through Iroquois County and ending at a local area high school parking lot. Upon arrival to the parking lot, a trooper observed a vehicle squealing tires and driving recklessly.  The trooper approached the vehicle, activated the emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop.  The vehicle stopped and ISP subsequently arrested the driver, 23-year-old Tyler Lynch of Monee, IL, for Reckless Driving, Squealing or Screeching of Tires, Criminal Trespass to State Supported Land, Criminal Damage to Property greater than $500, and Unlawful Possession of Cannabis by Driver. Lynch was transported to the Iroquois County jail for processing.

ISP District 21 and other local law enforcement will continue to arrest any future violators and ensure public safety. Illinois statute defines reckless driving as the willful or wanton disregard for the safety of a person’s life or property. The public is encouraged to call 911 if they observe any reckless driving.

On June 10 Jeffrey Short, 49, of Sheldon, turned himself in at the Iroquois County Jail to serve a sentence for resisting a peace officer.

On June 11 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Christian M. Smith, 36, of Wellington. According to police reports, Smith was charged with criminal trespass to a residence. Smith was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond.

On June 11 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Gerald Garcia, 51 of Martinton. According to police reports, Garcia was charged with domestic battery. Garcia was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond.

On June 13 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Elizabeth A. Bernier, 36, of Machesney Park.

On June 13 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Stanley L. Walker, 38, of Chicago. According to police reports, Walker was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful posses of a weapon by a felon. Walker was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond.

On June 14 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Torean T. Jones, 28, of Chicago. According to police reports, Walker was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Walker was transported to the Iroquois County Jail in lieu of bond.

On June 16 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Sandy Zarate, 36, of Cissna Park. According to police reports, Zarate was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for theft. Zarate was transported to the Iroquois County Jail in lieu of bond.

Police observed a person in a yard in the 200 block of West Hickory Street at 3:07 p.m. and knew him to have an active Iroquois County warrant. Arrested was Aaron Vice, 32, Watseka, on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with failure to appear on a theft charge. He was taken to the Iroquois County Jail.

WHAT:                      Three Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Illinois Route 102 at North 3000W Road, Kankakee County

WHEN:                      June 17, 2022 at approximately 9:45 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – 2015 Gray Chevrolet Suburban

                                    Unit 2 – 2012 Gray Chevrolet Camaro

                                    Unit 3 – 2007 Black Ford Focus

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – Heather C. Basham, 52-year-old female from Herscher, IL – Deceased

                                    Unit 2 – Cody M. Gall, 26-year-old male from Momence, IL - Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

                                    Unit 3 – Given J. Siegel, 18-year-old male from Seneca, IL – Refused medical attention.

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Illinois Route 102 at North 3000W Road.  Unit 2 was traveling eastbound, followed by Unit 3, at the same location.  Unit 1 crossed into the eastbound lane and struck the front of Unit 2.  The driver of Unit 1 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.  The driver of Unit 2 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Unit 3 was struck with debris and damaged.  The driver of Unit 3 was not injured.  Illinois Route 102 was closed for approximately three hours. This is an open and on-going investigation.  No other information is available at this time. 

A 53-year-old man from Cissna Park was killed on Tuesday after his homemade go-kart collided with an SUV.

The crash happened at the intersection of County Roads 1300E and 400N near Cissna Park. Sheriff’s deputies said James E. Trent was ejected from his go-kart in the crash and sustained serious injuries. He was taken to the hospital by Cissna Park EMS, but later died. The driver of the SUV, 36-year-old Joel M. Kaeb, also of Cissna Park, was not hurt.

The Illinois State Police is assisting the Iroquois County Sheriff’s deputies in investigating the crash.

On June 7 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Ryan C. Peters, 25, of Watseka. According to police reports, Peters was wanted on a Kankakee County warrant for criminal sexual abuse. Peters was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he later was extradited to Kankakee County.

On June 8 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested John S. Phillips, 36, of Watseka. According to police reports, Phillips had an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a domestic battery charge. Philips was transported to the Iroquois County Jail in lieu of bond.

On June 9 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Marlene Raymond, 46, of Crescent City. According to police reports, Raymond was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a retail theft charge. Raymond was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she posted the required bond.

Police responded to a call about a suspicious person in the 100 block of West Fleming at 8:09 a.m. Arrested was Darrell Jones, 52, of Aurora, for being a child sex offender in a public park. He was taken to the Iroquois County Jail.

Police were called to the 100 block of West Fleming for a suspicious person at 9:51 .m. Arrested was Darrel Jones, 52, of Aurora. He was charged with being a child sex offender in a public park and violation of bail bond. Jones was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On May 31 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Bradley David, 35, of Rossville. According to police reports, David was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for possession of methamphetamine. David was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond.

On June 3 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Harrison F. Hand, 44, of Woodworth. According to police reports, Hand was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a traffic offense. Hand was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond.

On June 1 Iroquois County SHeriff’s Police investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred on County Road 300 North at the intersection of County Rod 1000 East. According to police reports, a box truck driven by Samir SeriFovic, 46,  Chesterfield, Michigan, was northbound on 1000 East Road. A pickup truck and trailer being driven by Joseph C. Stuckel, 29, of rural Buckley was westbound on 300 North Road SeriFovic failed to yield right of way to Stuckel, striking the driver’s side of Stuckel’s vehicle with the front of SeriFovic’s vehicle. Both vehicles then enter the northeast ditch and field. SeriFovic was transported to Carle Hospital by Cissna Park EMS and Stuckel refused EMS transport on scene. Both parties had minor suspected injuries. There was more than $1,500 in damage to other vehicles and both were towed from the scne.e Cissna Park Fire/EMS also responded and assisted with the scene. No citations were issued.

On June 2 Sheldon Police arrested Robert D. Milburn, 22, of Sheldon. According to police reports, Milburn was wanted on a Clark County warrant for driving while license suspended. Milburn was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond.

 Illinois State Police (ISP) District 21 Commander, Captain Don Aaron Harsy, announces the results of Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) held in Kankakee, Iroquois, and Ford Counties during May. These OREPs provided extra patrol coverage for the ISP so officers could focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled up. Violations Enforcement Activity Safety Belt Citations 60 Child Restraint Citations 0 Total Citations 67 Total Written Warnings 38 Most motorists know safety belts save lives, but some ignore their safety and that of their families by neglecting to use safety belts and child restraint devices. These patrols reinforce the occupant protection message by focusing on those who ignore the law. Lives can be saved if people simply “buckle up!” This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Summer break just started, but now is the time to schedule your child’s back-to-school vaccines. The Iroquois County Public Health Department (ICPHD) recommends scheduling your appointments early to beat the rush. Waiting until the last minute can make it difficult to get an immunization appointment right before school begins. If you are not sure whether or not your child needs vaccinations for school, you should contact your Physician’s office or contact ICPHD to review your child’s vaccination records. ICPHD can bill most major health insurance companies and also has vaccines at a discounted rate for children without insurance. The Iroquois County Public Health Department is located in the Iroquois County Administrative Building at 1001 E. Grant Street in Watseka. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 815-432-2483.

Illinois State Police (ISP) District 21 Commander, Captain Don Aaron Harsy, announces the results of Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (sTEP) in Kankakee, Iroquois, and Ford Counties during May. These sTEPs allowed the ISP to provide increased enforcement for impaired driving, occupant restraint, speeding, and distracted driving violations during the National “Click It or Ticket” Campaign. Violations Enforcement Activity Occupant Restraint Violations 9 Driving Under the Influence and Drug/Alcohol-Related Citations 4 Speeding Citations and Warnings 120 Distracted Driving Citations and Warnings 0 Total Citations 195 Total Written Warnings 79 Driving the posted speed limit, sober, not distracted, and buckled up will save your life and the lives of many others. This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation

 Iroquois County Coroner William Cheatum recently released the results of a toxicology report after an inmate was found dead in the Iroquois County Jail last month.

On May 12, an autopsy was completed in Champaign County on 32-year-old Apolinar Solis Jr. of Hoopeston who was found unresponsive at the Iroquois County Jail earlier that morning.

Solis was in the process of being booked into the jail on an outstanding Newton County , Indiana, arrest warrant at the time of his death.

Preliminary autopsy findings showed there were no unidentified natural diseases present and no evidence of significant or internal trauma that caused Solis’ death.

Upon receipt of Solis’ toxicology report, the Forensic Pathologist has ruled his cause of death to be “Acute Toxicity of Cocaine and Methamphetamine due to Cocaine and Methamphetamine Abuse.”

County Treasurer, Kurt Albers, announced that the deadline to pay the first installment of real estate taxes without penalty is Thursday, June 9, 2022. After that date, 1 ½ percent interest on all property must be added to the first installment each month it remains unpaid according to the Illinois State Statutes.

If you have not received your bill, please call the Treasurer’s Office at 815-432-6985. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To avoid waiting in line, you may also pay by mail or at any bank in the county. There is also a drop box on the south side of the Administrative Center near the 911 Center. Payments will not be late if the envelope is postmarked with a date of June 9, 2022, or before. If a payment stub is not included, a $1.00 fee will be assessed per bill for printing.

On May 23 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Melissa Meyer, 44, of Danforth. According to police reports, Meyer was charged with battery. Meyer was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she posted the required bond.

On May 23 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Brandon H. Crawford, 36, of Gilman. According to police reports, Crawford was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a driving while license suspended charge. Crawford was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond.

On May 25 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Christopher Gamino, 22, of Georgetown. According to police reports, Gamino was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a possession of methamphetamines charge. Gamino was transported to the Iroquois County Jail in lieu of bond.

On May 25 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a single-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 52 near Hamilton Street in Iroquois. According to police reports, a vehicle being driven by Thomas M. Paine, 52, of Sheldon, was traveling north on U.S. 42 on the curve just east of Hamilton Street. Paine stated that another vehicle traveled into his lane causing him to swerve to avoid a head-on collision. Paine’s vehicle struck a reflector post on the north side of the highway and then overcorrected and crossed over the south side and struck a utility pole. There was more than $1,500 in damage to the vehicle. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

On May 27 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a car versus deer accident that occurred on County Road 200 North approximately one-quarter mile west of County Road 600 EASt. According to police reports, a vehicle being driven by Marvin D. More, 33, of Cissna Park, was traveling east on 200 North when a deer entered the roadway. Moser was unable to avoid the deer, striking it and causing more than $1,500 in damage. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                    Illinois Route 50 at 10000 N, Kankakee County

WHEN:                      May 29, 2022 at approximately 8:42 p.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2000 Yellow Jeep Wrangler

                                    Unit 2- 1997 Black Harley Davidson Motorcycle

DRIVER:                    Unit 1- Robert D. Urban, 44-year-old male from Manteno, IL

                                    Unit 2- Adult Male – Deceased

PASSENGER:            Unit 1- Kevin W. Harrison, 53-year-old male from Monee, IL

PRELIMINARY:     A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was traveling northbound on Illinois Route 50 and started a left turn onto 10000 N. Unit 2 was traveling southbound on Illinois Route 50. Unit 1 struck Unit 2.  The driver of Unit 2 was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.  The occupants of Unit 1 reported no injuries.  The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.

CHARGES:               Pending Investigation.

The public is reminded that all subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.