On April 18, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Anthony P. Schneider, age 52, of Donovan. According to police reports, Schneider was charged with driving while license revoked. Schneider was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

On April 20, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Aaron R. Schadel, age 32, of Wellington. According to police reports, Schadel was charged with aggravated battery and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Schadel was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remained in lieu of bond.

On April 20, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Teonne Randolph, age 40, of Kankakee. According to police reports, Randolph was charged with domestic battery and aggravated assault. Randolph was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains in lieu of bond.

On April 13, 2023 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of 3rd St. and Main St. in Ashkum. According to police reports, a vehicle being driven by Thomas E. Papineau, age 29, of Ashkum was traveling north on 3rd St. A vehicle being driven by Dennis W. Paskin, age 80, of Ashkum was traveling west on Main St. Papineau failed to yield right of way to Peskin and entered the intersection. The front of Poskin’s vehicle struck the passenger side of Papineau’s vehicle causing it to overturn onto its roof. Papineau was transported by Riverside EMS to Riverside Hospital for minor suspected injuries. There was over $1500 in damage to both vehicles. Papineau was issued a citation for failure to yield right of way at a stop intersection.

On April 22, 2023, Clifton/Ashkum Police Department arrested Amy Taylor, age 30, of Ashkum. According to police reports, Taylor was charged with domestic battery. Taylor was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she posted the required bond and was released.

On April 24, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Luis A. Martinez, age 25, of Onarga. According to police reports, Martinez was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, possession of a controlled substance less than 2.5 grams, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol with a breath alcohol concentration over .08, speeding in excess of 35 MPH over the posted limit and improper lane usage. Martinez was taken into custody and transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

 Runnings, a Minnesota-based retailer, recently reached an agreement to purchase R.P. Home & Harvest, a family-owned company with 22 locations and one distribution facility across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin, including a store in Gibson City.

The transaction between Runnings and R.P. Home & Harvest is scheduled to close in June. The stores will continue operating as R.P. Home & Harvest for a limited period of time as Runnings transitions the stores to its brand.

Upon completion of the acquisition, Runnings’ footprint will expand to 80 locations, serving customers in 12 states from New York to Montana.

“From the customers and the communities to the employees and vendors, we truly feel this is an excellent opportunity for everyone involved,” said Brian Odegaard, president of Runnings, in a news release Monday. “These stores and communities are very similar to the markets we presently serve, and, after many discussions with R.P. Home & Harvest’s leadership, both companies knew this would be a great fit from a culture, values and operations standpoint.”

“It’s pretty amazing how quickly this all came together,” added Jason Plummer, president of R.P. Home & Harvest. “Just a couple of months ago this wasn’t even on the radar, but when a win-win opportunity appears, it is an exciting thing. Runnings has been doing this for over 75 years, and they are one of the top farm, home and outdoor-store companies in America, extremely well-regarded by customers and competitors. We are both family-owned companies, and that means a lot to us. This deal would not have come together if we did not have the utmost confidence that Runnings will do a phenomenal job for all stakeholders.”

Runnings is a privately held retailer that sells pet supplies, sporting goods including hunting and fishing equipment, clothing and footwear, lawn and garden supplies, housewares, tools, farm supplies, toys and outdoor equipment. Founded in 1947 and owned by the Dennis and Adele Reed Family, the company currently has 58 stores and employs more than 2,700 workers across eight states.

R.P. Home & Harvest, founded in 2021, operates 22 farm and ranch stores and one distribution center across four states. The company is an affiliate of R.P. Lumber Co. Inc., a family-owned home center and building materials retailer based in Edwardsville that operates over 80 locations in Illinois, Missouri, Wyoming, Iowa and Wisconsin.

On April 23rd at 12:06pm, Newton County deputies responded to the intersection of SR 10 and
CR 300 W for reports of a personal injury crash involving two vehicles.

The preliminary investigation by Deputy Sanders indicates a Dodge pickup (driven by a 62 year old Shelby, IN man) was traveling westbound on SR 10.  A Kia passenger car (driven by a 51 year old Saint John, IN woman) was traveling southbound on CR 300 W just north of SR 10.  The Kia disregarded the stop sign at the intersection causing the Dodge to strike the driver’s side of the Kia. The Dodge came to a stop in the middle of the intersection, the Kia was pushed off the roadway where it came to a stop in the northwest corner of the intersection.

The male driver (sole occupant) of the Dodge was transported to an area hospital for complaints of pain.

The female driver and female passenger of the Kia were transported to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Assisting agencies;  Newton County 9-1-1 Communications, Newton County EMS and Lake Village Fire Department.

On April 17, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Jill N. Williams, age 38, of Iroquois. According to police reports, Williams was charged with criminal trespass to residence after she was discovered inside a residence not belonging to her. Williams was taken into custody and transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she remains in lieu of bond.

On April 16, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Dustin Loveless, age 40, of Rankin. According to police reports, Loveless was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with domestic battery. Loveless was transported back to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains in lieu of bond.

On April 15, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Jill N. Williams, age 38, of Iroquois. According to police reports, Williams was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property under $500. Williams was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she posted the required bond and was released.

As for 3 p.m. Wednesday 4/12/23, the Illinois State Police (ISP) is reporting local law enforcement in 19 counties, totaling 21 calls, received threats directed towards schools today.  Responders have not located any actual threats as a result of these calls.  The ISP Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center currently has no information concerning credible threats related to school safety.  Law enforcement, public safety, and private sector security officials are encouraged to remain vigilant and report all suspicious behavior to local police agencies.  

Communities in Illinois, and across the country, are experiencing what is referred to as swatting – dangerous and illegal fake calls about an active shooter situation, typically at a school.  While state and national intelligence agencies have seen a pattern of these fake calls, each call is taken seriously. 

Counties in Illinois that have reported calls today include:

On April 10, 2023 at 2:16pm, Newton County deputies responded to the intersection of US 41 and SR 16 for reports of a vehicle crash involving an ambulance and a pickup truck.

The preliminary investigation indicates the pickup was traveling southbound on US 41, the ambulance was traveling westbound through the intersection.  The ambulance was from Riverside Medical Center and was providing mutual aid to Newton County EMS, there was no patient in the ambulance at the time of the crash.  The ambulance had its emergency lights and siren activated.  The pickup struck the ambulance on passenger’s side, causing the ambulance to turn over onto the driver’s side.  It then slid through the intersection into the ditch which caused it to upright.

The three adult males in the pickup were all transported to area hospitals for complaints of pain.  The medical personnel in the ambulance were unharmed and released after evaluation.

Reporting officer, Deputy Scheckel stated “Thankfully all parties involved were wearing their seatbelts which undoubtedly prevented more serious injuries.”

Sheriff Cothran reminded motorist the area of US 41 from CR 1000S to CR 700S will have lane restrictions for some time yet due to bridge replacements and encouraged drivers to reduce speed and be prepared to stop in this area.

Assisting agencies: Newton County 9-1-1 Center, Newton County EMS, Benton County EMS, Southern Jasper EMS, Riverside Medical EMS, Brook Fire Department, Morocco Police Dept., Kentland Police Dept. and the Newton County Prosecutor’s Office.

On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at approximately 4:59 a.m., KAMEG Agents, assisted by the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Lawrence Taylor III, age 37, of Pembroke Township, IL, following a search warrant at his residence, 2195 S. 12600 E. Road, Pembroke Township. The search warrant execution resulted in the seizure of approximately 63.1 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 85.4 grams of suspected crack cocaine, approximately 8.3 grams of suspected fentanyl, a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun, a loaded SCCY 9mm handgun, a Davis Industries .32 caliber handgun, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.

Taylor III has been initially charged with the following: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (3 counts), Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Armed Violence and No FOID card. 

Taylor, who is currently on bond for a 2020 Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance investigation, was transported to and detained at the Jerome Combs Detention Center (Kankakee County).

KAMEG reminds the public to call KAMEG at (815) 933-1710 to report non-emergency information about drug dealing, illegal firearms and gang problems.  We recognize our partnership with the public is important for quality of life issues for our citizens and children.   

KAMEG is comprised of personnel from the Illinois State Police, Bradley Police Department, Bourbonnais Police ‎Department, ‎ Kankakee Police Department, Kankakee ‎County Sheriff’s ‎Office, and the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s ‎Office

__________________________________________________________________

The listed charges are merely an accusation, and the defendants are

presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the location for the business after hours on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023, from 5:00pm-7:00pm, hosted by Iroquois Memorial Hospital. Iroquois Memorial Hospital is located at 200 E. Fairman in Watseka.

All Chamber members, their employees, and guests or any business or organization who would like to learn more about the Chamber or becoming a member are invited to come socialize and enjoy refreshments along with a 50/50 drawing.

The April Business of the Month will be selected, bring as many of your co-workers to greater your chances you must be present to be eligible.