The Iroquois County Republican Women's Club is proud to announce we will be awarding a $500 scholarship this year to an Iroquois Country 2023 graduating high school senior.
 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a current resident of Iroquois County
• Must be a registered voter of Iroquois County if you are 18 or older
• Proof of US Citizenship
• Provide two letters of recommendation
• Copy of your most recent high school transcript
• Complete a 500 - word essay on the topic listed in the application

Applications are available from Iroquois County high school counselors. Applications must be postmarked by April 3^rd , 2023. Academic excellence, an essay, involvement in extracurricular/community activities and participation in Republican Party politics will be the primary criteria in determining the winner. Anyone wishing to become a member of the Republican Women can email us at iroquoisgopwomen@gmail.com or call/text 815-383-4610 for more information.

  NEWTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE (03-25-23 0927 am)

On March 24th 2023 at approximately 4:05 PM; Newton County 9-1-1 center received a report of a single vehicle accident involving a fatality, in the area of CR1300S and CR 150W (about 2 miles NE of Kentland).

Initial Investigations indicate Richard Williams, 59 years of Kentland, had pulled his van into his property and gone to secure the gate. Williams' vehicle had a gear malfunction and began rolling backwards. It appears Williams had gone to the rear of the vehicle in an attempt to stop it from rolling into the roadway. However, in an unknown series of events, Williams became pinned underneath his vehicle. Williams was pronounced deceased on scene.

Assisting agencies: Newton County 9-1-1, Newton County EMS, Newton County Coroner, Kentland Fire, Indiana State Police and CR Repair.

-end-

For more information, please contact:
Sheriff Cothran
Newton County Sheriff's Office
PH: 219-474-5661
219-474-6081 ext 3101

On March 12, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Larrell M. Knox, age 25, of Champaign. According to police reports, Knox was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a traffic offense. Knox was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains in lieu of bond.

On March 13, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Jordan J. Raymer, age 18, of Sheldon. According to police reports, Raymer was charged with unlawful possess1on of cannabis, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful use of a weapon. Raymer was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains in lieu of bond.

Accidents:

On March 10th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a two-vehicle accident on County Rd 1000 N approx. ¼ mile west of County Rd 1000 E. According to police reports, a vehicle being driven Mike W. Rudisill, age 59, of Sheldon was westbound on 1000 N. A vehicle being driven by Tyler J. Ecker, age 44, of Buckley was eastbound on 1000 N. For unknown reasons, Rudisill crossed over the center line, striking Ecker’s vehicle head-on in the eastbound lane with both vehicles impacting on the driver’s sides. Rudisill then entered the north ditch embankment, striking a culvert. Ecker entered the south ditch embankment, striking a mailbox and entered an open field. Rudisill was transported to Carle Hospital by Riverside EMS with serious suspected injuries. Ecker was released by EMS on scene with minor suspected injuries. Buckley Fire/EMS also assisted with the scene. The accident remains under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

Arthur C. Jensen, of Sheldon, was found guilty of first-degree murder last week in Iroquois County Court in the killing of 17-year-old Adara J. Bunn on Aug. 5, 2019.

Bunn was a student at Milford High School who lived in Sheldon with her family.

The 53-year-old Jensen was accused of killing Bunn in his home on Aug. 5, 2019.

Deputies were dispatched to Jensen’s home at 4:13 p.m. Aug. 5, 2019, for a report of a disturbance by a 911 caller who said screaming was heard from inside the house.

According to police, Jensen was outside his house at 315 W. Main St., when officers arrived. Officers say that Jensen told them, “There’s a girl inside, and I strangled her,” according to police reports.

An autopsy determined the cause of Bunn’s death was strangulation.

Police said Bunn visited a garage sale at the home twice during the weekend. She returned to the residence on Aug. 5.

According to an Iroquois County’s Times-Republic story Friday, Bunn had purchased some Disney glasses at a garage sale where her and her mother had been at Jensen’s home.

Prosecutors said Jensen had similar glasses that she was also interested in and Bunn went back to Jensen’s home on Aug. 4, 2019, to look at them, with Jensen telling her to come back “tomorrow,” according to the Iroquois County’s Times-Republic.

Attorney Lance Cagle and public defender Samantha Dodds represented Jensen.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Mike Quinlan and Jennifer E. Mansberger prosecuted Jensen, who will be sentenced later this year.

On February 27th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Cory T. Stilwell, age 30, of Gilman. According to police reports, sheriffs deputies were called to domestic disturbance at the Motel 6 in Gilman. Upon arrival, deputies met with Stilwell outside the establishment. After an investigation into the incident, deputies began to place Stilwell into custody, during which time, he actively resisted and physically fought with officers. He was eventually successfully taken into custody and charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated assault and resisting arrest. Stilwell was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains in lieu of bond.

On March 1st, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police returned from the Champaign County Jail with Jordan M. Morgan, age 25, of Watseka. According to police reports, Morgan was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with failure to appear for forgery. Morgan was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains in lieu of bond.

On March 1st, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Paul W. Donnelly, age 39, of Tuscola, According to police reports, deputies were dispatched to a report of a vehicle in the ditch near the intersection of Co. Rd, 500 N. and Co. Rd. 1400 E, After an investigation into the incident, Donnelly was taken into custody and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, He was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

On March 4th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Derek D. Hay, age 26, of Piper City. According to police reports, Hay was charged with DUI, DUI over .08 BAC, and operating a vehicle without expired registration. Hay was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond.

On March 4th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Brittany N. Knight, age 32, of Milford. According to police reports, Knight was charged with domestic battery. Knight was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she remains in lieu of bond.

On March 5th, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Arnie Anderson, age 34, of Beaverville. According to police reports, Anderson was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a possession of hypodermic syringes charge. Anderson was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she posted the required bond and was released.

 Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 5 Interim Commander, Lt. Tim Sweeney, announces the ISP will conduct Distracted Driving Enforcement Program patrols in Kankakee, Iroquois, Ford, Livingston and McLean Counties on March 13th, March 15th, and March 20th . This program allows ISP to focus on distracted driving laws to prevent traffic deaths and serious injury crashes. Distractions can increase a driver’s risk of being in an accident: • Eating or drinking (non-alcoholic beverages) increases the risk by three times. • Sending a text message increases the risk by four times. • Reaching for an object increases the risk by eight times. • Reading a text message can take a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. Officers will be on the lookout for drivers who disobey Illinois’ distracted driving laws, especially the following: • All drivers are prohibited from reading, sending, or receiving text messages or communication, and from browsing the internet. • All drivers are prohibited from using handheld electronic communication devices. • Drivers under the age of 19 are prohibited from using any cellphone, even hands-free. • All drivers are prohibited from using any cellphone, even hands-free, while in school speed zones and work zones. • School bus drivers are not permitted to use any type of cellphone, even hands-free. • It is illegal to use a cellphone or take photos or videos on wireless devices when driving within 500 feet of an emergency scene. This distracted driving enforcement campaign is made possible by traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

As of MARCH 3, 2023, law enforcement agencies have responded to numerous drug overdose calls in the area.  There have been 4 overdose deaths in our immediate area.  There is no easy way to write this as there are many views on addiction.  But we recognize those that have lost their lives were someone’s son/daughter, brother/sister and/or someone’s parent.  Our hearts go out to those families that have suffered a loss.

Each of these cases are active investigations, we cannot speculate that drugs were “laced” with something.  Please hear our passionate cry, there is a “bad batch” that has made its way to our area.  Get help for your addition now.  If you have any information about these overdose deaths, please call   9-1-1.

Perhaps you have been fortunate that drugs have not touched your life or those that you love.  Pray for those that are dealing with this in their families.

Sheriff Cothran?

Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 5 Interim Commander, Lt. Tim Sweeney, announces the results of Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) held in Kankakee, Iroquois, and McLean Countiesin February. 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 13 Child Restraint Citations 0 Total Citations 27 Total Written Warnings 16 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.