On July 29^th, 2023 at 6:33 PM, Newton County Deputies responded to the intersection of US 41 and SR 14 (Enos) for reports of a personal injury crash involving two vehicles.

The preliminary investigation by Deputy Sanders indicates a 2023 Genesis G70 (driven by a 26 year old Corpus Christi, TX man) was traveling southbound on US 41 when it attempted to make an eastbound turn onto SR 14.  The driver failed to yield the right of way to a 2011 GMC Terrain (driven by a 47 year old Morocco, IN man) traveling northbound on US 41 causing a collision at the intersection.

The male driver and female passenger of the GMC were transported to an area hospital for non-life threating injuries.

The male driver (sole occupant) of the Genesis was treated on scene for a complaint of pain.

Assisting agencies; Newton County 9-1-1 Communications, Newton County EMS, Morocco Fire Department.

On July 21st, 2023 at 5:29 PM, Newton County Deputies responded to the US 41 Motorplex for reports of a fatal injury crash involving one vehicle.

The preliminary investigation by Deputy Sanders indicates a 1996 Mustang (driven by a 45 year old Mackinaw, IL man) was performing a solo timed run on the track. The vehicle, for an unknown reason, lost control after crossing the finish line. The vehicle then collided with the guardrail causing it to become airborne before coming to rest in a nearby wooded area. The crash resulted in the vehicle catching fire and the death of the sole occupant.

Assisting agencies; Newton County 9-1-1 Communications, Newton County EMS, Morocco Fire Department, Indiana State Police and Newton County Coroner.

Maizie Activities Bingo Scavenger Hunt – 10 am – 6 pm Wednesday-Sunday Kids Zone hours 10 am-6 pm Wednesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm Sunday Iroquois County Fair Photo Finds (Scavenger Hunt) Tuesday 5:00 to Saturday 10:00 pm JJC’S Rock Hunt Petting Zoo Fun Carvings by Brad Larson Wednesday – Saturday 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Sunday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday, July 17 9:00 am 4-H Visual Arts Judging by Club 1:30 pm 4-H Clothing Judging Tuesday, July 18 7:00 am Beef Premiere at Decker’s 7:00 am Livestock Arrival – Earlier time with Superintendent present 8:00 am Swine weigh-in 8:30 am Food Sale Drop off for Sale 9:00 am Horse arrival 9:00 am 4-H Food Judging by Club 9:00 am 4-H Horticulture/Gardening and Crops 10:00 am Beef weigh-in 11:00 am Sheep weigh-in 12:00 – 3:00 pm Goat weigh-in 12:00 pm Dairy Cattle weigh-in 12:00 pm All Livestock in place 1:00 pm FFA Show – Horses, Dairy, Rabbits 2:00 pm FFA Show – Small Animals/Pets, Dogs 2:00 pm 4-H Food Sale – at 4-H Center 3:00 pm FFA weigh-ins concluded 3:00 pm FFA Ag Products Show 3:00 - 5:00 pm Ag Products Arrival in Open Building 4:00 pm FFA Shows - Goat, Swine 5:00 pm Talent Show at the Grandstand 5:00 - 7:30 pm Junior & Open Ag Products, Culinary, Fine Arts, Floriculture & Children’s Division drop off 5:00 pm FFA Shows - Beef, Sheep 6:00 pm till close Swyear Amusements – $2.00 rides 7:00 pm Opening Ceremonies Presentation of Clubs Recognition of Graduating 4-H members Little Miss & Queen Pageant Wednesday, July 19 7:00 - 9:00 am Junior & Open Ag Products, Culinary, Fine Arts, Floriculture & Children’s Division drop off 8:00 am 4-H Beef Show 8:00 am 4-H Sheep Show 8:00 am 4-H Swine Show 8:00 am 4-H Goat Show 8:00 am 4-H Horse Show 8:00 am 4-H, Junior, Open & FFA Poultry Show 9:00 am Junior & Open Ag Products 9:30 am Junior & Open Culinary, Fine Arts, Floriculture, & Children’s Division 10:00 am Make Your Own Ice Cream (while supplies Last) in Kids Zone 12:00 pm Commercial Buildings Open 1:00 pm Genealogy Presentation in Tent 2:00 pm Maizie Meet n’ Greet in Kid Zone 2:00 pm 4-H Cat Show 2:00 pm 4-H Dairy Cattle Show 4:00 pm Milking Cow in Dairy Barn 6:00 pm Charcuterie Boards by Jade Crawford in 4-H Center 6:00 – 10:00 pm Swyear Amusements – Armbands 6:00 pm ITPA Tractor Pull 7:00 pm Notification of Species for Livestock Sale 8:00 pm Commercial Buildings Close 8:00 pm Sheep Premiere Show 9:00 pm Junior & Open Building Closes Thursday, July 20, 8:00 am Junior Beef Show 8:00 am Junior Sheep Show 8:00 am Junior Swine Show 8:00 am Junior Horse Show 8:00 am Junior Goat Show 8:00 am 4-H & Junior Rabbit Show 9:00 am General 4-H Projects & Cloverbud Judging by Club 10:00 am Blindfold Teamwork Course in Kids Zone 12:00 pm Commercial Buildings Open 1:00 pm Master Gardener’s Mary Dickinson in Tent 1:30 pm General 4-H Projects Judging by Club 2:00 pm Maizie Meet n’ Greet in Kids Zone 2:00 pm 4-H Dog Obedience Show 4:00 pm Milking Cow in Dairy Barn 5:00 pm Barn Quilts by Renee Byarley in 4-H Center 6:00 pm till close Swyear Amusements – 2 riders for price of one 7:30 pm Demo Derby 8:00 pm Commercial Buildings Close 9:00 pm Junior & Open Building Closes Friday, July 21 8:00 am Draft Horse Show 9:00 am Master Showman Contest 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Quilt Show in 4-H Center 10:00 am Antique Aprons by Gwen Thomas in 4-H Center 10:00 am Draft Horse Hitch Show 11:00 am Rock Painting in Kids Zone 12:00 pm Junior & Open Building Opens 12:00 pm Commercial Buildings Open 1:00 pm Yoga with Crystal in Tent 1:00 pm Horse Pull Contest 1:00 pm 4-H & FFA Livestock Sale 2:00 pm Maizie Meet n’ Greet in Kids Zone 4:00 pm Milking Cow in Dairy Barn 4:00 pm 4-H Style Show 5:00 pm Open Style Show (Following 4-H Show) 5:45 pm Vintage Hat Show in 4-H Center 6:00 pm till close Swyear Amusements – Regular Price 8:00 pm T & A Bucking Bulls Rodeo 8:00 pm Commercial Buildings Close 9:00 pm Junior & Open Building Closes Saturday, July 22 7:30 am Gaming Expo Horse Show 8:00 am Open Beef Show 8:00 am Open Sheep Show 8:00 am Open Swine Show 8:00 am Open Goat Show 8:00 am Open Adult Rabbit Show – North end of Dairy Barn 8:00 am Open Youth Rabbit Show – Rabbit Barn 8:00 am Annual Tractor Drive 8:30 am Open Gaming Horse Show 10:00 am Maizie Meet n’ Greet in Kids Zone 11:30 am Tractor Drive Returns 12:00 pm Junior & Open Building Opens 12:00 pm Commercial Buildings Open 1:00 pm Bags Tournament Registration 1:00 pm Historical Society Presentation in 4-H Center 1:00 pm Registration for Kids Tractor Pull at Slow Boys Tent 1:00 – 5:00 pm Swyear Amusements – One less ticket per ride 1:30 pm 3 on 3 Basketball 2:00 pm Bags Tournament – Sponsored by Kiwanis 2:00 pm Kids Tractor Pull at Slow Boys Tent 2:00 pm Barn Tours – Start at Swine Barn 3:00 pm Costume Goat Show 4:00 pm Barn Tours – Start at Swine Barn 4:00 pm Milking Cow in Dairy Barn 4:00 pm Repurposing Furniture by Janell Miller in 4-H Center 5:00 pm till close Swyear Amusements – Regular Price 7:00 pm Christian Music Concert – 8:00 pm Commercial Buildings Close 9:00 pm Junior & Open Building Closes Sunday, July 23 8:00 am Open Pleasure Horse Show 9:00 am Car Show Registration 9:30 am All Faith Church Service 11:00 am Maizie Meet n’ Greet in Kids Zone 12:00 pm Tractor Pull 12:00 pm Junior & Open Building Opens 12:00 pm Commercial Buildings Open 12:00 pm Car Show sponsored by Reed Family Car Shows Jason Reed 1:00 – 5:00 pm Swyear Amusements - Armbands 1:00 pm Costume Sheep Lead Contest 1:30 pm 3 on 3 Basketball 2:00 pm Livestock and General Projects release 2:00 pm Candy Bar Bingo – bring a candy bar to play in Kids Zone 3:00 pm Car Show Awards 5:00 pm till close Swyear Amusements – Regular price All events and times are subject to change. Check Facebook and website for updates. Fair Office Telephone Number Fair Police Telephone Number 815-683-2359 815-683-2550 (For Emergencies

On 06/30/2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police report Austin Freehill, 30, of Watseka, turned himself in on an Iroquois County warrant charging him with Aggravated Domestic Battery. Freehlll later posted the required bond and was released.

On 07/04/2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested a juvenile in Woodland. According to the police reports, Deputies responded to the 100 block of E. Main St. in Woodland. Deputies met with a victim who state~ a juvenile threatened him with a knife. The juvenile was located and taken to the Iroquois County jail for Aggravated Assault where he was later released to the custody of the juvenile’s parents.

On 07/04/2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Dennis Koger, 27, of Woodland. According to police reports, Deputies responded to the 300 block of Miner St. in Woodland for a domestic disturbance. Deputies conducted their investigation on scene and Koger was arrested.Koger was charged with Domestic Battery and Resisting Arrest. Koger was transported to the Iroquois County jail where he later posted the required bond and was released.

On 07/05/2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Stephanie Harmon, 33, of Gilman. Harmon had an outstanding Iroquois County warrant for Violation of Probation and Duty to Register. According to police reports, Deputies located Harmon in the 300 block of S. Central St. in Gilman. Harmon was taken into custody and was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she remained in lieu of bond.

On 07/05/2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Tal Harweger, 59, of Buckley. Harweger had an outstanding Ford County warrant for Probation Violation. According to police reports, Deputies located Harweger in the 200 block of E. Central St. in Buckley. Harweger was taken into custody and transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains extradition to Ford County.

On 07/06/2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Alfred Layton, 51, of Rankin. According to police reports, Iroquois County Sheriffs deputies attempted to stop a vehicle on St. Rt. 49 near Cissna Park Deputies report Layton failed to yield to emergency vehicles. Layton was located a short time later and taken into custody. Layton was charged with Driving While License Revoked, Fleeing and Eluding Police, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Layton was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remained in lieu of bond.

On 07/06/2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Edward Reed, 34, of Milford. According to police reports, Deputies were called to a business in the 100 block of E. Jones St. in Milford for the report of a subject trespassing at the business. Deputies arrived on scene and learned that Reed had been previously trespassed from the business. Deputies located Reed nearby and took him into custody. Reed was charged with Criminal Trespass to Property. Reed was transported to the Iroquois County jail where he later posted the required bond and was released.

On 07/06/2023, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police report Annabelle Gordon, 21, of Watseka, turned herself into the Iroquois County jail. According to police reports, Gordon had an outstanding Iroquois County warrant for Retail Theft. Gordon later posted the required bond and was released.

On 07/06/2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Marcal Smith, 18, of Rantoul. According to police reports, Smith was in custody at the Champaign County jail on an Iroquois County warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Driving While License Revoked. Deputies transported Smith from the Champaign County jail to the Iroquois jail where he remained in lieu of bond

Opening day of Iroquois Memorial Hospital’s newest primary care clinic in St. Anne, IL on July 18 is less than two weeks away! As a family physician and the main provider at the IMH Medical Group in St. Anne, Dr. Shushunov, General Practice/Pediatrics, is eager to begin caring for patients. He provides comprehensive medical care for people of all ages, specializing in pediatric care. We are now scheduling appointments for new patients, which can be scheduled by calling 815.427.1324 on any weekday. Clinic hours of operation will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The IMH Medical Group clinic in St. Anne will be located at 135 West Station Street, St. Anne, IL 60964. Please visit imhrh.org or follow Iroquois Memorial Hospital on Facebook at Facebook.com/imhrh to stay up to date as more details come available.

The Iroquois Fair Talent Show will be held in front of the grandstand opening night July 18, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. prior to the Queen Contest

Our 51st Talent Show will have contestant in two levels. Among the Junior Division contestants will be the dance group Elite Energy with dancers Reece Castongia, Dahlia Johnson, Addison McTaggart, Alari Moreland, Natalie Tatro, and Melody Vice dancing to Crown Up; Ainsley Niewold will bring a rousing trumpet solo with Lyra; dance group The First Impressions with dancers Haddie Devries, Eleanora Hildebrand, Emmaline Hildebrand, Carroll Prince and Melody Vice dancing to You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile; Paige Miller will bring to life the Broadway hit Tightrope from Hamilton; The Drama Llamas will bring to our stage their rendition of The Young and the Soapless; Abby Tindle will bring to you This is Me from the musical Hamilton; Reed Goldenstein will put his magic fingers on the piano with a rousing Piano Medley; Claire Schumacher will sing Almost There from The Princess and the Frog; Kate Sabol and Ellie Simpson will partner up on the piano with Bluegrass Bounce; Natalie Ader will round out the Junior Division singing the hit Tishomingo.

Senior Division will present their talent with Julia Hilgerman belting out Therapy from Tik Tik Boom; Rachael Dexter will sparkle with In my Dreams from Anastasia; Marisa Clark will shine with When He Sees Me from Waitress; Julia Hilgerman and Lillian Unger will finish out the Senior Division with You Give Love a Bad Name.

The division winners will be performing in January 2024 during the annual IAAF convention at the annual IAAF State Talent Contest.

Trophies are sponsored by Country Theatre Workshop, Cissna Park. Monetary awards and entry fees to the state contest are sponsored by the Iroquois County Fair.

Talent Show Committee consists of Pat Ward, 815-383-1269, Pam Hibbert, 815-383-2965, Gary Cahoe, 815-471-4870, and Jordyn Ward 815-383-127

On June 23, 2023, Milford Police Department arrested Edward Reed, 34, of Milford. According to police reports, the Milford Police Department responded to a customer refusing to leave the business located in the 100 block of W. Jones St in Milford. Milford Police arrived on scene and took Reed into custody. Reed was charged with Obstructing a Peace Officer and Criminal Trespass. Reed was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he later posted the required bond and was released.

On June 23, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested a juvenile. According to police reports, the juvenile had an outstanding Iroquois County warrant. The juvenile was taken into custody and transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he remains in lieu of bond.

On June 26, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police returned from Tippecanoe County Indiana with Katie Chavez, 39, of Fowler, IN. According to police reports, Chavez had an outstanding Iroquois County warrant for a Probation Violation. Chavez was transported to the Iroquois County jail where she remains in lieu of bond.

On June 26, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Orlando Salinas, 35, of Onarga. According to police reports, Deputies were called to the 100 block of W. Grant in Onarga for a domestic incident. Deputies arrived on scene and discovered Salinas had two active Iroquois County warrants for domestic battery. Salinas was transported to the Iroquois County jail where he remains in lieu of bond.

On June 29, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Broe Klecan, 22, of Milford. According to police reports, deputies were called to the scene in the 100 block of S. Bluff St. in Milford. Deputies conducted their investigation, and Klecan was placed into custody for Domestic Battery. Klecan was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he later posted the required bond and was released.

On June 28, 2023, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of 500 N. and 500 E., Loda Township. According to police reports, Donnie Knuth was driving a 2015 Ford F150 southbound or 500 E approaching the 500 N. intersection. Knuth failed to yield the right away and struck a 2012 Chevy Impala being driven by Sarah Hoover of Memphis Tennessee. A juvenile in Hoover’s vehicle was transported to nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Knuth was issued a citation for Failure to Yield at an Intersection. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

A total of 7 children entered the 2023 Lil’ Mr. & Miss Firecracker contest. This year’s contest consisted of a coloring contest for area children ages 3 through 7. Lil Miss Firecracker is Eiley Smith of Watseka, Illinois. Eiley is 4 years old and is the daughter of Ashley Burns and Mitch Smith. Lil Mr. Firecracker is Cullen McTaggart of Watseka, Illinois. Cullen is 5 years old and is the son of Sara & Nathan McTaggart. The winners will ride in the 2023 City of Watseka “Red, White, & Blue” Independence Day Parade on July 4th beginning at 10:00 a.m. All of the coloring sheets will be on display at the Chamber office until the 4th of July located at 110 South 3rd Street in Watseka.