On August 29th 2022 07:13pm, the Newton County 9-1-1 center received reports of a two vehicle crash on US 41 at SR 10 with bodily injury and entrapment.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a 55year old Massachusetts man, driving a tractor/trailer, was traveling East bound at the intersection US 41 and SR 10 and proceeded East when it crashed into another tractor/trailer traveling south bound. The driver of the first vehicle was extricated by fire and medical personnel. His condition is unknown at this time.  The tractor and trailer were towed to Village Motors due to poor condition.

The second vehicle was driven by a 62year old Virginia man. His condition is unknown at this time.

Names are being withheld at this time as the crash is still under investigation.  Anyone that witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact Deputy Duncan 219-474-6081 EXT 3112.

Assisting agencies:  Newton County 9-1-1, Newton County EMA, Indiana State Police, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Newton County EMS, Lake Township Fire Department and Indiana Department of Transportation.

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                     Interstate 57 southbound at milepost 262, Ford County

WHEN:                      August 27, 2022 at approximately 7:28 a.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – 2017 Gray Ford Escape

                                    Unit 2 – 2017 Red Truck-Tractor Semi-Trailer

DRIVERS:                  Unit 1 – Ryan R. Rippe, 38-year-old male from Cresent City, IL - Deceased

                                    Unit 2 – Brandon D. Cole, 33-year-old male from Macon, GA– Uninjured

PRELIMINARY:        A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was traveling southbound on Interstate 57, immediately behind Unit 2.  Unit 1 failed to reduce speed and struck the rear of Unit 2 with the front end of Unit 1.  Unit 1 exited the roadway, passed through the center median, and came to a final rest facing southbound in the northbound left lane.  Unit 2 came to a final rest facing southbound on the right shoulder of the roadway.  The driver if Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Ford County Coroner. 

It has been confirmed that a mosquito pool collected from the Watseka area has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).

This is the first specimen to test positive for WNV this year in Iroquois County. The Illinois Department of Public Health has reported 27 counties with positive WNV specimens and no human cases during the 2022 season. The Iroquois County Public Health Department continues to monitor for the presence of WNV in mosquitos collected from the Watseka area.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of the Culex pipiens mosquito, commonly called the

northern house mosquito, which has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks. However, four out of five people infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. In rare cases, severe illness including meningitis, or even death, can occur. People older than 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile virus.

PRECAUTIONS TO FIGHT THE BITE INCLUDE PRACTICING THE THREE “R’S” –

REDUCE, REPEL, AND REPORT.

• REDUCE - make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut. Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in birdbaths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other artificial containers.

• REPEL - when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt, and

apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to

label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

• REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside

ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.

Monitoring for West Nile virus in Illinois includes laboratory tests for mosquito batches, dead crows,

blue jays, robins, and other perching birds as well as testing humans with West Nile virus-like symptoms.

People who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin, or other perching bird should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing. Additional information about WNV can be found on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website at: http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/west-nile-virus.

 On August 20, 2022, at approximately 2:34 a.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash involving an ISP District 21 Trooper on US Route 45 at 5152 S. Road in Kankakee County.

On the above date and time, an ISP District 21 Trooper was stationary at the above location outside of the squad car with emergency lights activated, investigating a prior traffic crash. The driver of the previously crashed vehicle and the Trooper were standing in front of the squad car. A green Chevrolet Trail Blazer, traveling southbound on US Route 45, failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and struck the rear of the ISP squad car.

The ISP Trooper and the driver of the previously crashed vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured, 24-year-old Austin M. Gray of Chebanse was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and a violation of Scott’s Law – Improper Passing of an Emergency Vehicle Causing Injury to Another. A person who violates Scott’s Law, faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense.  If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years. 

So far this year, there have been 16 ISP squad cars struck in relation to the Move Over Law and seven Troopers have sustained injuries from Move Over Law-related crashes. ISP is reminding the public of the requirements of the Move Over Law, otherwise known as the “Scott’s Law.” When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down AND move over.  A person who violates Scott’s Law, commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years. 

Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police on Monday arrested Benjamin Hartman, 37, of Rankin. He was charged with attempted theft and criminal damage to state supported property. He was taken to the Iroquois County Jail, where he was released on the required bond.

Samantha L. Hartman, 40, of Rankin, was arrested Monday by Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police. She was charged with attempted theft and criminal damage to state supported property. He was taken to the Iroquois County Jail, where she was released on the required bond.

Milford Police arrested James R. Layden, 39, of Allerton, early Tuesday. He was charged with aggravated battery and was being held at the Iroquois County Jail in lieu of bond.

A semi was destroyed by an early morning fire in Watseka Aug. 8.

Watseka Fire Chief Ken Baier said firefighter were called to 216 E. Mulberry at 6:23 a.m. for a report of a semi on fire in a driveway.

“The one neighbor reported that there was a semi on fire in a drive way,” Baier said in an emailed report. “It took two hand lines to extinguish and cool the exospores at the same time. No one was hurt and all residents were able to enter back into their house after the fire.”

He said the fire appeared to stat within the engine compartment and that the fire is still under investigation.

“ There was some heat damage to the owners house but no spread of fire to within the structure. The other house has some smoke within the house but no spread of fire, either,” he said.

The Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested a a man who was witnessed pushing a 4 and 6 year-old out of a moving vehicle. 

According to police, on August 3, sheriffs deputies were dispatched to the 100 block of E. Park St. in Gilman for a report that Jesse K. McGhee, 40 of Gilman was seen pushing children out of a moving vehicle. 

Police report one of the victims sustained injuries from the incident. 

Officers say McGhee fled the scene before they arrived, but after further investigation he was located and taken into custody.

McGhee was charged with two counts of domestic battery, two counts of reckless conduct, two counts of endangering the life of a child and violation of an order of protection after being served. 

McGhee was taken to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and released. 

On July 27 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Samuel Tutwiler, 21, of Harvey. According to police reports, Tutwiler was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Tutwiler was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

On July 27 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Joshua Schroeder, 37, of Catlin. According to police reports, Schroeder was wanted on an outstanding Vermilion County warrant charging him with fraud. In addition. Schroeder was wanted on an outstanding fugitive from justice warrant from Louisiana. Schroeder was transported to the Iroquois County Jail to await extradition back to vermilion County and later to Louisiana.

On July 29 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Terrance Cunningham, 2, of Rantoul. According to police reports, Cunningham was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charity him with two counts of violations of an order of protection. Cunningham was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

On July 30 Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Jason M. Stephens, 39, of Ambia, Indiana. According to police reports, Stephens was charged with speeding more than 28 mph over the limit, driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated battery of a police officer and resisting arrest. Stephens was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond.

On July 31 Nicholas J. Manning, 33, of Danville turned himself in at the Iroquois County Jail. Manning was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for aggravated DUI. Manning also has two outstanding out of county warrants and remains in custody in lieu fo bond.

On Aug. 1 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Lauri J. Gregorash, 49, of Peotone. According to police reports, Gregorash was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a forgery charge. Gregorash was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she posted the required bond.

On July 30 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a single-vehicle accident that occurred on County Road 1700 North approximately two tenths of a mile east of County Road 850 East. According to police reports, a vehicle being driven by Kamari A. Sanders, 23, of Chicago, was eastbound on 1700 North. Sanders stated that he swerved to avoid a westbound vehicle and struck the guardrail of the bridge and then crossed over the road and entered the north ditch, striking a road sign. There was more than $1,500 in damage to the vehicle. No citations were issued and no injuries were reported.

On July 30 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a single-vehicle accident on County Road 200 North just west of County Road 200 East. According to police reports, a vehicle driven by Keanan A. Crabb, 22, of Loda, was eastbound on 200 North and failed to reduce speed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle then crossed the westbound lane and entered the north ditch striking a drain and caused more than $1,500 in damage to the vehicle. Airbags were deployed. Third party witnesses observed Crabb leave the scene eastbound on foot with his dog. A short time later, Crabb called to report that his vehicle was stolen. Crabb was issued citations for leaving the scene of an accident, improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving while license suspended. No injuries were reported or observed.

On Aug. 1 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a single-vehicle accident on County Road 1800 East at the intersection with County Road 3150 North. According to police reports, a vehicle driven by Eric S. Edwards, 52, Watseka, was traveling south on 1800 East. Edwards stated that he fell asleep at the wheel and the vehicle then proceeded through the stop intersection of 3150 North and enter dot south ditch. The vehicle sustained more than $1,500 in damage. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

 Iroquois Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Jaelyn French, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC to the IMH Medical Group Clinics in Watseka and Kentland. Jaelyn is an ANCC Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with substantial experience in various healthcare settings. She graduated from Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She further pursued her commitment by earning an advanced degree in Nursing at Chamberlain University in Tinley Park, Illinois, graduating with a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner degree. Jaelyn has experience working in Intensive Care, Cardiology, Hospice, and Palliative Care. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, ANA - Illinois, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and is also BLS, ACLS, PALS certified by the American Heart Association. As a nurse practitioner, Jaelyn is dedicated to providing truly compassionate, patient-centered care for each one of her patients. Through working together and involving each patient in their healthcare, she helps them work towards a healthy, proactive lifestyle, keeping quality of life at the forefront of care. She is now seeing patients at the IMH Medical Group Clinic in Watseka on Mondays and Thursdays and the IMH Medical Group Clinic in Kentland on Tuesdays and Fridays. Most insurances are accepted. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Watseka at 815.432.5411 or Kentland at 219.474.5464.