Morgan-Cass-Scott County Crimestoppers is offering a helping hand to a burglary investigation for the Jacksonville police department.

            The burglary occurred at a home in the 700 block of Allen.

            It allegedly occurred between 3 PM and midnight Wednesday.

            Police says someone damaged a door to gain entry, and took several clothing items and an Oculus Quest 2 Gaming Console.

            Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crimestoppers at 217-243-7300, or report the information to the website or Facebook page.

            All tips are anonymous, and could lead to a reward if an arrest is made and property recovered.

Pike County sheriff’s deputies arrested a Pike County man after investigating a report of shots fired on a vehicle.

Deputies have arrested 51-year-old Michael Guthrie of Nebo was arrested fpr aggravated discharge of a gun, and reckless discharge of a gun.

Deputies got a complaint Tuesday that vehicles had been hit by some type of ammo.

The sheriff’s department sought an arrest warrant, and picked him up a short time later.

A search warrant either has, or will be done at Guthrie’s home in Nebo.

Sheriff David Greenwood says the investigation is ongoing and more charges may be added. No injuries were reported.

Greenwood says the department got assistance from state police, the State police SWAT team, Spring Creek Fire Department and the Pike County state’s attorney.

Jacksonville’s newest grocery store opened its doors on West Walnut yesterday for the first time.

The Farms of Illinois and Bland Family Farm yesterday opened a new retail location at 1203 West Walnut.

One of the owners, Clint Bland says the location will sell fresh, local food.

Bland says the time was right for a storefront.

Bland says this is not just a showcase of products, but will feature food ready to sell and eat. This includes milk, cheese, eggs, meat and seasonal produce.

Much of it will come from Mueller Family Farms, and coffee from Elm City Roastery.

Bland says the store will open Monday through Thursday. Monday and Tuesday hours are 9 AM to 4 PM, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM.

The store phone number is 217-320-2900.

Up to this point, Farms of Illinois included Bland Family Farm and other central Illinois farms and people were able to order food on line. Bland says the store does NOT take the place of the online service.

Jury selection begins today in Morgan County court in the murder trial of a local man accused of shooting to death a teen on East College in Jacksonville in early June of 2024.

19-year-old Larry Taylor is charged with three counts of first degree murder, and is the man the state believes is responsible for the shooting death of 18-year-old Trenton Jackson.

Taylor yesterday in a status call, pleaded guilty to aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a handgun. But, he stood by his not guilty plea to murder.

His defense appears to hinge on a claim that Jackson was violent with a history of weapons use, and the shooting was in self defense.

Judge Chris Reif has held off a ruling that limits the introduction of Jackson’s juvenile record until he hears evidence in the trial.

Judge Reif has also tightened security in the case, saying no bags, cell phones or electronic devices will be allowed in the courtroom.

Jury selection is expected to begin about 10 this morning.

The Jacksonville city council last night approved the purchase of a second patroller trailer for the city police department.

Police chief Doug Thompson is happy. He says the department’s first trailer, often seen around town at requested locations, with lights and cameras, has been very effective in the battle against crime in high traffic areas.

The cost is $76,800, and comes out of capital improvements.

Chief Thompson says his department will need to hire someone for the flood of freedom of information, or FOIA requests with which the city has been bombarded. Thompson says the requests have grown from a handful a few years ago to over 1-thousand now.

The council chose to buy a new tree spade from Big John Manufacturing for the community development and parks and lakes department. The equipment was included in this year’s budget.

And, the council passed first reading of an ordinance that regulates the location, construction, operation and decommissioning of battery storage systems. Community Development director Brian Nyberg says these storage facilities largely are being sought by solar fields and wind farms.

The Jacksonville city council last night authorized the administration to go to court to begin the formal demolition of a fire damaged abandoned apartment building on West State.

The item on the agenda read the council would waive bids, and accept a demolition proposal from Jaren Industries, whose equipment is at the site at 342 West State. That’s where a fire gutted the abandoned Cherry Apartments January 15^th.

But, Mayor Andy Ezard says this is a legal request.

It will allow the city to begin demolition as soon as the courts rule.

Ezard says the cost will be exorbitant…roughly a half a million dollars.

He thinks the city has no choice but to move forward no matter who pays. Morgan County probation chief Todd Dillard has had to move his operations across the street into the former location for probation. Dillard told the council last night his department serves 450 clients and fifty more juveniles, and the operations now are clumsy.

Ezard says there is a criminal, arson investigation ongoing that limits the wiggle room for the city.

Alderwoman Lori Large Oldenettal questioned the move, only from the financial standpoint of spending down the city’s cash reserves for this. But, she says she understands this is what the city must do for the neighbors and not detract from all the work the city has done downtown.