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Green Haven Co. to Join Wildly Rooted Boutique in Springfield

A Jacksonville business is expanding into a downtown Springfield location.

The Springfield Business Journal reports that Callie Estes, owner of Jo Jo’s Jewelry, is partnering with Jessica Lynn, owner of Green Haven Co. and One Knotty Maker in Jacksonville, and Courtney Wright, owner of Cloth + Oak of Springfield to form the Wildly Rooted Boutique.

The trio has signed a lease for 1,700 square feet of space at 306 E. Adams Street right next to the planned Ad Astra Wine Bar & Market. Estes told the Springfield Business Journal that she looks forward to being adjacent to another female-owned small business and feels it will be a good draw for additional foot traffic.

In addition to selling their own products, the women plan to carry products from other small local businesses. According to Estes, she hopes to have Wildly Rooted Boutique open by early summer and time it to coincide with the grand opening for Ad Astra.

Road Commissioner Responds To Marnico Village Issues

A Morgan County Road Commissioner wants to clear the air about awareness of problems surrounding drainage and the sewer system at Marnico Village.

Road District #6 Commissioner Roger Ore says that new president of the Marnico Betterment Association, Luke Marquardt, Jr. has not spoken to him recently about any concerns in Marnico Village that Marquardt brought to the Morgan County Commissioners’ attention on Monday: “I have not been talked to at all about this. There will be meetings coming up between me and [stakeholders], and hopefully we can get something solved.”

Ore recollects that the last time he and Marquardt spoke about any issues in Marnico Village was approximately 7-8 years ago, and he wished that Marquardt would have spoken to him or County Engineer Matt Coultas first before bringing his grievances to the County Commissioners.

Ore says that currently there isn’t any water flowing through the sewer systems in the village because of ice and cold temperatures, which is causing standing water. He says an upcoming meeting with the Morgan County Commissioners and Morgan County Engineer Matt Coultas will help clear up funding questions to make repairs and responsibility questions to set in motion getting the problems fixed.

Ore says the problems have been ongoing for a long time and that funding has always been a problem. He says he covers over 100 square miles in his road district. He says in and around Marnico Village alone, the cost to replace culverts alone would likely be several hundred thousand dollars according to his own estimates. Ore says he hopes the meetings with all the stakeholders will find a clear path forward on finding a resolution.

Pritzker Contends Mask Mandate Stands Despite JCAR Ruling

Governor JB Pritzker contends a mask mandate for Illinois schools is still in effect, despite a decision by a legislative committee’s suspension of that rule on Tuesday.

Pritzker called the vote by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) a “procedural move” and that schools not named in a Sangamon County lawsuit still have to mask up: “I think the most important point I want to make [in addressing this ruling] is that we have to do everything that we can to keep students and teachers safe while keeping our schools open. That has been my focus since the very beginning of this pandemic. Doctors says that masks are the best way to preserve in-person learning and keep children and staff safe. And, as I’ve said, the ruling by the Sangamon County judge created an enormous amount of confusion, which is why we have asked the Appellate Court to move quickly to respond. The executive order requiring masks is still in place. School districts that aren’t part of the lawsuit should follow the executive order. Everyone should feel comfortable wearing their masks to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe.

“As for the JCAR action, we re-filed the rule as a procedural step to simply keep the status quo in place while the Appellate Court considers our appeal [to the TRO]. The JCAR members preferred a different procedural route to suspend the rule while waiting for an Appellate Court ruling. I think we share the common view that we need to get a ruling, and either way, the next step is to hear from the Appellate Court and go forward.”

Pritzker says what’s needed now is for the Appellate Court to make a decision on the validity of that lower court ruling and the legality of the mask requirement.

Pritzker says he is looking forward to the indoor mask mandate for other places coming off on February 28th.

In filings to the Appellate Court yesterday afternoon, the Illinois Attorney General’s office said in their filing that the JCAR ruling related only to the IDPH renewed Emergency Rule, it does not affect the validity of Pritzker’s Executive Orders, and have asked the court to determine the enforceability of those executive orders: “Thus, regardless of the validity or invalidity of the IDPH Emergency Rule and regardless of JCAR’s action on February 15, this court should decide the consolidated appeals from the TRO and determine the enforceability of the EOs. And for the reasons stated in State defendants’ memoranda — the circuit court’s departure from the status quo, plaintiffs’ unlikelihood of success on the merits, their failure to establish irreparable harm, and the circuit court’s abuse of discretion in balancing the harms — this court should reverse and vacate the TRO.”

Attorney Thomas DeVore on behalf of the plaintiffs in the Sangamon County suit said in his filing that the JCAR ruling negates the crux of the Attorney General’s argument in the Sangamon County case: “As the parties all concur, this Court should review the trial court’s granting of the temporary restraining order at issue here for an abuse of discretion. An abuse of discretion will be found only where the court’s ruling is arbitrary, fanciful, unreasonable, or where or where no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the trial court. Abuse of discretion means clearly against logic; the question is not whether the appellate court agrees with the trial court, but whether the trial court acted arbitrarily, without employing conscientious judgment or whether, considering all the circumstances, the court acted unreasonably and ignored recognized principles of law, which resulted in substantial prejudice.

“The JCAR ruling has vitiated a significant part of the State Defendants argument. Should this Court listen to the JCAR audio, it was clear this legislative body was giving due respect and deference to Judge Grischow’s ruling, and in fact committee members scolded the IDPH representative for continuing to pursue re-issuance of a rule which Judge Grischow had found to be invalid. This legislative committee showed the proper respect to our judiciary that the executive agency was not. As for this Court, the question for today is what is left for it to decide given the actions by JCAR. It is the position of the Plaintiffs that the only matter left to review is whether Judge Grischow abused her discretion when she found Plaintiffs have raised a likelihood of success in showing a fair question exists that the IDPHA applies in regard to matters of quarantine, vaccination or testing, and exclusion from school, and that neither the Governor under some inherent Constitutional authority, or under some delegated authority under the IEMAA can authorize quarantine, vaccination or testing, and exclusion from school and disregard the due process protections of Plaintiffs. Also, this Court is left to decide those same questions as it relates to any inherent authority of the school districts. As to both of these questions, the Plaintiffs argue Judge Grischow has not abused her discretion, her restraining order should be affirmed, and the matter sent back to proceed to a final ruling on the merits off all of the pending matters.”

Jacksonville School District 117 discussed the matters at length during their monthly board meeting last night. In an email yesterday afternoon, Superintendent Steve Ptacek said that he is now preparing the board and the district for the reality that masks, and asymptomatic exclusions, and required testing might never return.

The Appellate Court has yet to provide a ruling on the temporary restraining order or the governor’s executive orders.

Logsdon To Be Evaluated For Mental Fitness Ahead of Child Porn Trial

A Virginia, Illinois man arrested for dissemination and possession of child pornography last month by State Police investigators will now be evaluated for mental fitness.

40 year old Jared A. Logsdon appeared in Cass County Court on Monday on a nine count information filed by the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office on January 18th. The information accuses Logsdon of trading child sexual abuse images through a social media app. ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 4 investigators began their investigation into Logsdon in April 2020.

Cass County State’s Attorney Craig Miller says that Logsdon’s counsel, Cass County Public Defender Denise Barr, believes that Logsdon may not be fit to stand trial: “The preliminary hearing was continued generally because of his counsel, who is the public defender here in Cass County. In talking with family, or individuals that know him, and the defendant himself, she has sort of bonafide doubt as to his fitness to stand trial, whether it be for mental health reasons or cognitive functioning. Because she believes there is a bonafide doubt, she is the one who raised that motion with the court and the court agreed and ordered Dr. Terry Killian to do some sort of psychological evaluation for fitness.”

Logsdon is next due in court on the defense counsel’s motion pertaining to fitness and general status on February 28th.

Prairieland United Way Hosting A Final Push With Live Remote with WLDS/WEAI At County Market

The Prairieland United Way’s annual fundraising campaign is short of its goal by a significant amount.

Executive Director Karen Walker says the campaign is at 82% of its $460,000 goal. Walker says that Prairieland United Way will be partnering with WLDS/WEAI and County Market in hopes of filling the gap: “We are going to put together a weekend, last minute push to reach the goal. We will be out at County Market on Thursday, February 24th and then again on Friday and Saturday. We are fortunate that we are going to have a live remote out there with WLDS/WEAI to help us promote it and help us talk about why and what the need is. We are going to be joined by some of our past campaign chairs who are going to share some insight and share from their thoughts on how important it is to support the community.”

Walker is hopeful that small donations coupled with people who have not donated this year to the annual campaign will come out to the event. She stresses that all the money remains in the local area going to social service agencies and non-profit organizations who perform vital community services for the poor, elderly, and simply for those who need them. Walker says that Covid has once again hampered Prairieland’s ability to reach out to people this year: “I hope this will give us a chance to reach out and make sure everyone knows what we have going on and how important it is, and what is at stake if we don’t this goal…how many social services will be not funded and possible programs not being able to be offered to the community. It really is a big deal and something that we want to work hard to reach toward as much as we can to that goal.”

The live remote broadcast will be at County Market on Thursday, Feb. 24th from 1-4PM, with Prairieland United Way staying through Friday and Saturday in hopes of reaching this year’s goal.

Pittsfield Police Announce 10 Drug Arrests Over Last 3 Months

The Pittsfield Police Department have made 10 major drug arrests dating back to the middle of December.

Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Starman released details of the arrests yesterday in a press release. All of the arrests resulted in citations for possession of methamphetamine.

35 year old Jacob Frasier was arrested on December 18th as a result of a traffic stop based upon an outstanding warrant for other charges. Officers found methamphetamine on his person during the stop. Frasier was re-arrested last Wednesday after Pittsfield Police were dispatched to a report of a dispute in the 900 block of West Adams Street in Pittsfield. During the investigation, it was learned that someone had fired at least two gunshots during or after the dispute. Frasier was later cited for one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and one count of Reckless Discharge of a Firearm. There were no injuries during this incident. The weapon was recovered and seized. Frasier remains lodged at the Pike County Jail.

43 year old Lisa Guthrie, 29 year old Sam Wells, 28 year old Zachary Banfield, and 26 year old Autumn Lenz were all arrested in the overnight hours of January 6th and 7th after the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the 600 block of North Dutton Street in Pittsfield. Officers located and seized methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia during the arrests. Wells ran from officers on foot and was apprehended after a short chase. All four later posted bond and were released. Lenz currently has an active warrant for Violation of a Court Order.

29 year old Devon T. Johnson was arrested on January 9th as a result of a search warrant that was executed at his residence in the 600 block of Kandy Street in Pittsfield. Officers located and seized methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia. Johnson’s bond was set at $12,000. He is currently lodged at the Pike County Jail.

26 year old Jacob Holtz and 27 year old Sierra Sydney were arrested on January 26th as a result of a search warrant that was executed at Hotlz’s residence in the 500 block of Kespohl Street in Pittsfield. Officers located and seized over 150 grams of methamphetamine liquid, methamphetamine product, and methamphetamine paraphernalia. Holtz’s bond was set at $100,000. He is currently lodged at the Pike County Jail. Sydney’s bond was set at $70,000. She is currently lodged at the Pike County Jail.

36 year old April Carnes and 40 year old Maegan Young were arrested on February 2nd as a result of a retail theft investigation. At the time of the arrest for retail theft, officers located and seized methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia on both women. Young was also cited for Possession of Hydrocodone, Obstructing Justice, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Carnes and Young have since posted bond.

Chief Starman says that his department is continually seeking out those who are using and selling methamphetamine in Pittsfield. He urges anyone who is struggling with addiction to seek treatment and help.

Bettis Steps Down From West Central Girls’ Head Coaching Job

Hall-of-Fame coach Brian Bettis has stepped down after coaching the West Central and Bluffs girls’ basketball teams for the past 28 years.

Bettis started with Bluffs High School in the 1996 season. He later would become the West Central coach, after the two schools began co-oping sports during the 2004 season.

The Journal Courier reported the announcement Tuesday evening after West Central 36-20 loss to Calhoun in the semifinals of the Bluffs Regional. Bettis indicated it was his final game for the time being. He told the Journal Courier he needed time away from coaching for awhile.

Bettis’ career includes a state championship in 2011 with West Central and a state runner-up finish in 2009, and more than 500 victories. Bettis was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 2015.

Missing Illinois Teen Found in Minnesota

A missing 14-year-old girl from Nauvoo who last seen about two months ago has been found.

According to the FBI, on December 13th, 14 year old Addison Windbigler traveled to Keokuk and was last spotted in that city on December 14th.

On Monday, the FBI Omaha-Quad Cities office joined other law enforcement agencies in Illinois and Iowa in the investigation and asked for the public’s help in finding Windbigler.

Today, the FBI reports that Windbigler was found uninjured in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI is not releasing any further information at this time due to an ongoing investigation.

IHSA, Donate Life Illinois Promote Say Yes Campaign For Organ, Tissue Donation

The IHSA and Donate Life Illinois have teamed up to encourage high school athletes and their family members to sign up to be organ and tissue donors.

The “Say Yes” campaign launched on Monday to raise awareness, encourage donor registration, and celebrate Illinois student-athletes, their families and communities for saying “yes” to organ, tissue, and eye donation. Programs at all 44 IHSA finals events this year will promote “Say Yes” with information on how to register as an organ, tissue, and eye donor. Illinois donation officials, donor families and transplant recipients are taking part in a month long media blitz.

Finch’s life saving donations after her tragic death touched the lives of more than 100 people from Central Illinois to the island country of Singapore.

On-site donor education staff attended Competitive Cheer finals in Bloomington this month, and will be on-site to help fans register as donors at more IHSA finals events during the year.

New Berlin High School cheerleader Maddie Finch and Morton wrestler Cord Pearce are featured in programs at IHSA Competitive Cheer and Boys Individual Wrestling finals this month.

More student-athletes, coaches and IHSA staff throughout Illinois who became life-giving donors will be recognized at finals events and on social media throughout the year.

To learn more and register as an organ, tissue and eye donor, visit donatelifeofillinois.org.

Girard County Market Sells Winning $2 Million Powerball Ticket

A Northern Macoupin County store is awaiting a lucky resident to come forward and claim a major prize.

The Illinois Lottery announced today that a $2 million winning Powerball ticket was sold at County Market in Girard. The ticket matched all five numbers on the Saturday, February 12th drawing, 8-10-21-41-62, to win the prize.

Girard County Market Store Director Jason James told Illinois Lotto that they are awaiting to see who out of the town’s some 2,500 people will come forward to claim the prize.

Retailers who sell winning tickets also have good reasons to celebrate as these wins bring their business a cash selling bonus of one percent of the prize amount. For County Market, that means a bonus of $20,000 for selling the winning ticket.

Winners have one year from the date of the winning draw in which to claim their prize.

The Illinois Lottery encourages all lucky winners to write their name on the back of their ticket and keep it in a safe place until they’re ready to claim their prize.

Winners should visit IllinoisLottery.com/winning to learn how to claim their prize. Powerball is played every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday with the next prize draw taking place tonight at 9:59PM.