Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon has released the identity of a Waverly woman found in an SUV in a creek near Loami early Sunday morning.

The driver of the 2017 Chevrolet SUV found in Lick Creek in the 9400 block of Waverly Road near Loami around 6:30AM Sunday has been identified as 21 year old Addyson Butcher of Waverly. Butcher was pronounced deceased at the scene at 8:05AM Sunday, according to the State Journal Register.

A passerby made a 911 call about the single-vehicle crash near Waverly Road and Maxwell Hall Road just west of Loami early Sunday morning. Butcher was not wearing a seat belt, according to a news release from Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell.

Campbell added that it appeared that Butcher’s vehicle left the roadway, over-corrected and went off the opposite side of the road through a barbed-wire fence and into the creek bed. The vehicle was not submerged when it was located.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. The crash remains under investigation by the Sangamon County Coroner’s Office and the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department.

The spirit of giving by a late Winchester Elementary School student continues throughout the Winchester community.

Winchester Elementary 6^th Grader James “Kerr” Ballard passed away on July 13^th last year. Many in the Winchester Community wanted to continue the giving work that Kerr started while he was on Earth. A few parents in the Winchester community gathered and had a vision to update the Winchester Grade School basketball court in his honor and call it “Kerr’s Court,” as basketball was one of his favorite pastimes with everyone.

One of the parents in the group, Amanda Vortman, says that after word of mouth about redoing the court spread, the outpouring of donations and willingness to help flooded in: “There was already a project in the works with Kerr and his dad, Wes, to replace the sidewalk at our school. We just decided to piggyback on that project. We started out hoping to maybe just replace one of the basketball hoops on the back playground at the Elementary School. Within an hour and a half, no advertising, we had already exceeded that goal. From there, our phones just started to light up with text messages and phone calls from families that wanted to help, and so Kerr’s Court came to life.”

Concrete for the project began to get poured on May 18th by Ballard Construction.

Vortman says that after the initial push to get the court together, the group found out they could make the scope of the project bigger: “Through donations from our community members and businesses, we’ve collected enough money to replace both of the basketball hoops and install a 72×52 basketball court behind the school. Donations have been overwhelming, but the best thing has been watching our community come together with the love and kindness that Kerr showed everyone. We’ve received a lot of gifts from our community that have come from families personally. We’ve also seen a lot of people come together and donate money to us from cook-outs, lemonade stands, proceeds from businesses, and fundraisers. Our school has been very involved with change orders and different types of things related to the project. One family donated a money from a meat auction. We had another group of parents that they would start a flag football league in memory of Kerr. Then, all of the proceeds from the league went to the court. There’s been people giving from their hearts and their pockets. We haven’t completely reached out to anybody asking for anything. They have simply given to us.”

Vortman says that the project has also received a charitable grant from the Tracy Family Foundation and a $5,000 from the Illinois Electric Co-Op membership fund. She says in all the project has received $35,000 in total.

Vortman says there are some other projects possibly in the works, but Kerr’s Court is pushing ahead to be ready for the Fall: “They have completed the construction of the concrete pad behind the school. They have attached the basketball court with a playground, an outdoor classroom, and then some new sidewalks. We have to install the basketball hoops. The court itself will be painted. We have someone that is from the area but lives out of state coming to do that. We are currently working with his schedule to get all of that in order.”

Memorial signs along the outdoor classroom and possibly at Kerr’s Court are possibly being planned. They are hoping the court will be completed by the end of the summer to host a dedication for the family and the Winchester community.

Vortman says if you feel the need to donate to continue efforts, there’s a place in Winchester to go and donate: “The Farmer’s State Bank has been great to work with in helping us collect the donations. If anybody is interested in donating, we do have an account set up at the Farmer’s State Bank in Winchester in care of Bryan Hubbert. Checks can be sent there. We also have a Venmo account and PayPal account. All of that information can be found on our Facebook Page.”

Vortman says that she hopes the court continues Kerr’s passion of bringing people together in joy and happiness.

13^th District Congressman Rodney Davis was in Wood River on Friday discussing the nation’s high gas prices.

Davis told workers at the Madison County refinery that he would like to see more fuel being generated on American soil. He says that likely won’t happen under the Biden Administration’s current policies.

President Joe Biden renewed his contention that the nation’s major oil companies are making record profits and benefiting from the nation’s soaring gas prices without increasing production.

Davis told WBGZ that he thinks President Biden’s assertion is absurd: “The truth of the matter is – and economists know this and everybody knows it – is the Biden Administration telling [oil companies] not to invest, and then, at the same time, blaming them for the increase in prices because there is less supply. So, it’s absurd. It’s typical, and that’s why we’ve got to have a change in November.”

Davis went on to say that there needs to be more Republicans in Congress.

As of today in Jacksonville, the average price for a gallon of gas is $4.93 a gallon. Down from the $5.02 average over two weeks, setting a record high. Jacksonville’s prices are a nickel better than the nation’s average of $4.98; 57 cents better than the state average of $5.50 a gallon.

Schuyler County is the best place to fill up today with an average of $4.98 a gallon. Morgan County is second best with an average countywide at $5.03 a gallon, and Scott County is six cents behind at $5.09 a gallon.

The Winchester Library addition has hit a snag in completion.

Greg Hillis with Benton & Associates recently told the Winchester City Council at their June meeting that the roof to the addition is 100% complete but the project has hit a snag with the windows.

Hillis says that manufacturer sent the wrong windows: “Back in the beginning of the project, windows, with the Covid-19 issues, was estimated to be delivered about 20 weeks out. The contractor did put a rush on the windows to try so we could beat that date. When the windows were ordered, they were ordered the correct color, but when they arrived recently from the manufacturer, they were a different color. We have to wait now for the correct color windows to be delivered. The manufacturer is saying the middle of July.”

Hillis says he had to haggle with the window manufacturer to get the July date, because they had originally said that delivery would occur in November. Hillis says that unfortunately with the windows not being able to be installed that it has put a hold on the remaining interior work of the addition: “On the inside, we cannot do the drywall until the windows are installed. We have had a put a hold on everything inside until the windows get installed and the drywall is finished. The completion time frame is probably backing up about two months.”

Hillis says for now that the contractor is working on a few finishing exterior portions of the project. Hillis says he hopes to have everything completed by the end of July or early August.

The Winchester Library is expected to use the additional square footage for adding to their youth programming and expand their offerings.

Residents of southern Brown County will have an opportunity for free swimming during the hot weather.

The McDaniel Municipal Swimming Pool in Versailles has free swimming tomorrow, Wednesday, and Friday of this week. There will also be several days coming up in July.

Several Brown County businesses are paying around a $100 flat rate so the community can enjoy the free swimming. Jacquelynn Hannel, pool manager, told WGEM says it will give kids time out of the house and give them ability to meet new people.

The McDaniel Municipal Swimming Pool is open from 1-5PM daily and from 6-8PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Normal daily admission is $3. For more information, you can call the pool during its hours of operation at 217-225-3623 or follow their Facebook Page.

Pike County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a man on multiple charges last Thursday involving aggravated sexual abuse of a minor and drug charges.

According to a press release from Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood, on December 22^nd of last year, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department initiated a sexual assault investigation in Griggsville. The investigation involved 2 victims under the age of 13.

On Thursday, as a result of the investigation, sheriff’s deputies arrested 36 year old Charles Sonny Ray Martin of Center, Missouri on 3 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

According to a Pike County Jail report today, Martin was also cited for delivery of cannabis between 30-500 grams. Martin also was arrested for a petition to revoke probation from a possession of methamphetamine conviction from December 2019. Martin also had an outstanding Calhoun County traffic warrant for driving on a suspended license.

Martin is due for a first appearance in Pike County Circuit Court tomorrow. He is currently being held on $500,000 with 10% to apply at the Pike County Jail.

Springfield Police are looking for a missing woman last seen on Thursday.

27 year old Rose Therese Egan was last seen at one of the McDonald’s in Springfield on Thursday. She is believed to be on foot and has no known money or transportation. No known information about her clothes and belongings are available. Egan is a former resident of Jacksonville.

Egan stands 5’2” tall, weighs approximately 100 pounds, has dark brown shoulder-length straight hair, and brown eyes and wears contacts.

If you have any information about Egan’s whereabouts, you can contact the Springfield Police by calling at 217-788-8311 or the Sangamon-Menard Crime Stoppers at 217-788-8427.

Negotiations remain ongoing about the mowing of the former Jacksonville Developmental Center grounds by the State of Illinois.

Mayor Andy Ezard provided an update to the City Council last Monday night saying that the state has agreed to change some of the scope of their mowing to include mowing of more of the grounds.

Ezard says that the grass is now at the length where hay sickles will likely need to be used. Ezard says the whole situation is unacceptable: “Now, they did change their scope. They are going to mow more than their original scope, but it’s still unacceptable that this is happening. This is unique. I know that there are other facilities throughout the state that they don’t touch like ours. This is in the middle of our town, and I point that out to [CMS] every time, and it borders our Community Park, which is maintained and utilized by many of our residents. So, we are unique. I think our lawmakers, C.D. [Davidsmeyer] and Steve [McClure], are pushing. I’m going to keep pushing. Hopefully we will find that person within [CMS] or the State that says ‘Hey, let’s just mow it’ and it’ll get done.”

Ezard says that he’s open to any ideas from citizens on how to pursue getting the grass mowed through the proper channels. He told the council that some local farmers have reached out to the state about getting a contract to bale the grounds. City Attorney Dan Beard said that farmers can’t just go in and do the job without a contract and permission to do it. It also is a liability issue.

Ezard told the council that proper paperwork of non-compliance have been filed and sent to Central Management Services and the Governor’s Office.

Ezard says he’s not thought about bringing a lawsuit through the courts yet: “I’ve not gone down that path yet. However, I’m open to any interaction. I’m open to any advice from folks that have any ideas on how to fix the situation. Please know that we are still pushing the state on this.”

The grounds have brought about continued safety and security issues and concern since it was closed by Governor Pat Quinn in 2012.

Jacksonville School District 117 will be saying farewell to a familiar face at the end of the month.

Executive Director of the District, Mike McGiles, is retiring. McGiles began as an assistant principal at Jacksonville High School in 2005.

McGiles was then promoted to principal at the high school in 2009, a position he would stay in until 2018 when he was promoted to Executive Director of Jacksonville School District 117.

District 117 Superintendent Steve Ptacek says McGiles will be deeply missed: “I’m a little emotional. We’ve had a couple of emotional moments over the last couple of weeks. Mike has been here a long time. He was the principal at JHS for years, and [spent] the last 4 years here as the Executive Director, officially the assistant superintendent. We’ve gotten a lot done, and I’ve relied on him for a lot. He’s a tremendous worker who cares about this community and cares about the kids. And, I’ve grown to consider him a very good friend so I’m going to miss him.”

McGiles has spent over 30 years in education, having previously worked in the North Greene School District as a teacher and head football coach. McGiles’ final full-time day will be June 30^th.

One horse was killed when a trailer disconnected and rolled over on Interstate 72 outside of New Berlin Saturday afternoon.

Illinois State Police, New Berlin Fire & EMS, and the Sangamon County Rescue Squad responded to a trailer rollover on I-72 westbound at Mile Marker 83 around 3:40PM Saturday.

According to WICS Newschannel 20, the trailer, which contained 4 horses became disconnected and rolled over into the median. Officials say one horse was killed in the incident.

The driver and passenger in the vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Traffic in the westbound lanes were reopened to full traffic at 6:30PM Saturday evening.