Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties are requesting Information to assist The Jacksonville Police Department in their investigation of a recent burglary and theft of a vehicle.

According to police reports, sometime between 9:30 pm on December 1^st, and 6:30 am on December 2^nd, unknown persons entered a residence in the 600 block of South West Street and removed several items. Among the items taken was a 2019 Dodge Ram pickup described as grey in color.

The police are asking that anyone who has information concerning this incident or any other crimes within the three-county area submit an anonymous tip online by going to the Morgan, Scott, Cass Crime Stoppers Facebook page and clicking the Contact Us button, or by calling Crime Stoppers at 243-7300.

Tips may also be submitted anonymously by texting to the word CRIMES, (274637). The first word of the text tip must be “payout”. Crime Stoppers says if your tip leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward.

A Jacksonville man accused of setting fire to a Church Street garage this past weekend appeared in Morgan County Court Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 6:30 am this past Sunday, the Jacksonville Fire Department responded to a police report of a garage that was involved with fire at the rear of a lot located at 606 North Church Street.

According to a Jacksonville Police Department press release Sunday, an officer smelled something burning outside of the police station, and officers immediately canvassed the area and discovered the garage fully involved with fire.

39-year-old Dustin J. Jones of the 300 block of West Lafayette Avenue was arrested Sunday afternoon as a purported suspect in the blaze. The fire was deemed suspicious by the Jacksonville Fire Department and Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Jones appeared in Morgan County Circuit Court this afternoon for a detention hearing after he was charged by the Morgan County States Attorney’s Office on Sunday with Class 2 Felony arson.

Morgan County State’s Attorney Gray Noll says on Monday his office filed a petition to detain Jones in the Morgan County Jail in accordance with the recently enacted Pretrial Fairness Act.

Noll says Circuit Judge Chris Reif agreed with the state during Tuesday’s hearing that Jones posed a danger to at least the community at large, if not to a specific person as well, and granted the petition to detain Jones. He says Jones had also been charged with another criminal information related to the case this morning.

“the defendant is currently being held in the custody of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department without bond, at least until his next court date and perhaps further than that as well.

Along with that, he has been charged with a felony theft offense involving the same victim but a different occurrence, and that also had a first appearance today. Ultimately both of these cases are set for a preliminary hearing on December 19^th.”

Jones is also being charged with theft with a prior conviction. According to charging documents, on November 7^th of this year, Jones allegedly took possession of a trail camera valued in excess of $500.00. The charging documents indicate the owner of the camera is also the owner of the garage that burned on Sunday. The documents did not divulge where the camera was reportedly taken from.

In his argument during the hearing this afternoon, Morgan County Public Defender Devin Vaughn suggested Jones be released from the jail on home confinement and electronic monitoring pending his next appearance in court.

Noll says the court also denied the defense’s motion due to specifics in the Safe-T-Act. “The Pretrial Fairness Act now states that in order for an individual to be held pretrial, not only does the state have to prove by clear and convincing evidence that they are a danger to the community, but also that no less restrictive measure exists that would protect the community or an individual person. So often times defense attorneys will request either home confinement or electronic monitoring of some sort.

In this particular case and the facts as set forth in the hearing would indicate that the defendant lives in very close proximity to the building that was damaged, and the judge felt that electronic monitoring nor home confinement would necessarily prevent this type of activity going forward.”

If convicted on the arson charge, Jones faces a possible three to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, up to one year of mandatory supervised release, a possible four years probation, and a fine with a maximum of up to $25,000.

If convicted of the theft with a prior conviction charge, he faces a possible one to three years in prison up to six months mandatory supervised release, and two and a half years probation, along with a maximum fine of $25,000.

Jones is due in court for a preliminary hearing on December 19th.

The City of Jacksonville is working to cut down on the number of traffic crashes involving semi-trucks on the downtown plaza.

Ever since the square was reopened to traffic more than a decade ago, the city has faced an ongoing problem of semis venturing off of the posted truck routes and causing damage to the infrastructure on both the North and South Main Street entrances to the plaza due to the narrow lanes around the center islands.

As recently as August of this year, an out-of-state semi-truck crashed into a concrete post and section of fencing, and also ran up into the center island, while trying to turn off of the square and onto North Main Street. The incident caused an estimated $14,000 worth of damage.

Superintendent of City Hall, Plaza, and Maintenance for the City of Jacksonville, John Green told the City Council at the time, that luckily the semi-truck owner’s insurance would cover the cost. However, there have been other instances when a vehicle got away and the city was left stuck footing the bill.

During that meeting, the council approved placing additional warning signage aimed at keeping the big trucks from going onto the plaza. Green says there are posted truck routes that divert the trucks from going through the square, but conflicting information can cause a big rig to end up there anyway.

“In their defense, their GPS will take them that way. They’re not supposed to be up there, but it takes them that way. So we’re trying to get some new signage out so that when they do get up there and they are committed, and now they’re on the square, we’re trying to get them an easier path to get off the square without turning on North or South Main and having to deal with the center islands.”

New signs have been placed along Main Street from the center islands on the plaza, to out on the approaches to Morton Avenue and Walnut Street to give truck drivers notice of the actual truck routes which call for semis to divert via Clay Avenue or Church Street- the only two streets outside of Main that make the complete trip across the center of town.

Green says if Semi-trucks still end up on the plaza, new signage has been installed to try and help drivers find the safe way off of the square, and not try to make the narrow turn near the center islands resulting in more crashes.

“And therefore they run into the curbs and the fence and the light poles. So we’re trying to make it so they can jog off of there a little easier rather than make a big turn. We went out a little bit further. There are truck routes and we are trying to get them to use those. So we thought with some new signage it may help a little bit.”

The new signs on the square tell drivers that semi-trucks are not allowed to turn onto Main Street and instead direct them to jog off the square via North Mauvaisterre and South Sandy Streets.

During the August meeting when the placement of the new signage was approved, it was suggested that if the signage does not work and semi-trucks continue to cause damage entering and leaving the square, the city may have to consider removing the Main Street center islands altogether.

An area Sheriff is warning the public of scammers using A.I. to defraud families.

Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood said in a press release this morning, that his department has received information about another Illinois department receiving reports of scammers using artificial intelligence to trick unsuspecting families into thinking a loved one is being held against their will.

Sheriff Greenwood says in the scam, the victim receives a call from who they think is their loved one with someone else getting on the phone and demanding money.

The victim believes it is their loved one because they hear their loved one’s voice on the line, which has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Greenwood says if this happens, immediately hang up and call your loved one at the known phone number you already have for them, and do not call the number that the call came in on.

He says if you believe you have been a victim of a scam such as this, please call the Pike County Sheriff’s Department (217-285-5011) or your local law enforcement agency to report it.

A Jacksonville woman was arrested after a light pole was knocked over in downtown Jacksonville yesterday.

According to police reports, at approximately 3:30 Monday afternoon, a vehicle driven by 25-year-old Kathryn Purdue of Jacksonville was traveling on West Central Park Plaza approaching the intersection with West State Street, when according to eye witnesses, Purdue was driving at a slow pace or had come to a stop in the roadway. A second vehicle, driven by 39-year old Tyler C. Plogger of Jacksonville was following behind her and attempted to pass. According to police reports and eye witnesses, as Plogger’s vehicle attempted to pass in front, Purdue’s vehicle accelerated at a high rate and swerved to miss Plogger’s vehicle.

The attempt to dodge Plogger’s vehicle caused Purdue’s SUV to drive off of the roadway and into a light pole, knocking it over and onto the sidewalk in front of the Farmers State Bank and Trust Company. No injuries were reported in the crash.

Purdue was arrested and booked into the Morgan County Jail on two charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, and one charge of operating an uninsured motor vehicle. She has since been released with a notice to appear in court.

Plogger was later cited for improper lane usage and improper passing and/or improper turning.

The holiday season kicks into high gear tonight in downtown Jacksonville. A bevy of events are happening tonight and tomorrow around downtown, starting with extended shopping hours when the Jacksonville Main Street Mistletoe Market kicks off tonight at 4:00 pm.

Jacksonville Main Street Executive Director Judy Tighe says, there is something for everyone all over downtown. “We will be set up at The Plaza with several vendors, and then we also have several vendors in stores throughout downtown. So you can follow our Facebook page and find out a lot of the different vendors that are in different places. But there is also more so we encourage people to come downtown tonight and tomorrow and get that holiday shopping done locally.”

Tighe says even though there is a chance of light rain in the forecast for tonight, all of the vendors are inside various businesses so don’t let the weather stop you from joining in.

Tighe says there’s still a little time left to vote for your favorite window display in the downtown window decorating contest. “Also, take a look at all the lights at night because I tell you what, the window decorating contest downtown has taken off like a rocket and I have never seen downtown looking more festive.

“We’ll be announcing the winner on Saturday, so today is the last day to vote. So be sure and go online to the Journal-Courier link. It’s on our Facebook page and several of the businesses have shared it as well. It’s also on our website so go and vote for your favorite window.”

At 5:00 tonight the Illinois College Drumline will be performing during the official reveal of the first window in the “World’s Largest Advent Calendar” that has returned to the east-facing side of the Farmer’s State Bank and Trust Company building.

On Saturday, the Santa Mile Run kicks off at 9:00 am and horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Check the Main Street website to book a time. Tighe says Santa Stroll hats will be on sale throughout the two-day event as well as fresh copies of the Jacksonville Main Street “Then & Now” book.

She says a plethora of new holiday drink items will be featured at area stops throughout downtown this evening as well. The Main Street Misteltoe Market runs from 4 to 8 tonight and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday.

For more information on all the holiday happenings tonight and tomorrow in downtown Jacksonville, logon to jacksonvillemainstreet.com, or go to the Jacksonville Main Street Facebook page.

Jacksonville Police were called to the Phillips 66 gas station located at 350 East Morton Avenue at approximately 9:30 pm after a caller advised that a truck had struck a clothing collection bin in their parking lot.

The vehicle is described as a white Ford F-150 single cab pick-up truck with no tailgate. Witnesses told officers the truck was last seen driving down North Clay Avenue.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Jacksonville Police Department at 217-479-4630, or leave an anonymous tip with Morgan, Scott, Cass, Crime Stoppers at 217-243-7300.

A popular fundraising event is returning in the new year. The Prairieland United Way’s Price is United returns this February. The event, which is now in its fourth year, was created by 2019 Campaign Co-Chairs David and Nicole Meyer and brings all the flair of the Price is Right game show to a live local audience.

Prairieland United Way Executive Director Karen Walker says the Meyer’s will be returning as hosts for the 2024 event, with Gary Scott returning as announcer.

Walker says work is already underway and the public can start to register very soon. “We’re looking forward to getting that off the ground again and I’ve been out soliciting prizes from area businesses. Behind the scenes, there’s a lot of work that goes on and we’re just really excited about bringing that back to the community again.

It’s a great fundraiser for us and we’re thankful for Reynolds Consumer Products. They are the major sponsor that really allows us to put that on, so we’re thankful to have them back again this year.

So be watching our website, and in the media, and in our social media. We’ll be letting people know that on December 15^th those tables will go on sale. Last year we sold out and we’re looking forward to doing that again this year.”

Walker says as the popularity of the dinner game show event has risen over the years, so has the amount of prizes available during the event. “We started out the first year at a little over three thousand dollars in prize value, and last year we topped seventy-five hundred. That’s due a lot to the success of the event, the popularity of the event, but, also the generosity of the community.

As we have become more established as an event with the community, I think people have seen it and want to be a part of it. Our vendors, our supporters have said- yes I want to do that and I want to give something bigger this year.

So it’s been fun for me, that’s one of the extra tasks that I get to do, and David and Nicole as well. We go out and ask for those prizes and donations. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun too. And it’s great to be able to work with the community members and to say what would you like to do to be a part of this.”

Walker says the Prairieland United Way is roughly halfway through the 2023 campaign and to date, they are at approximately 40% of their goal. She says as more employee campaign contributions come in during December, they will have a better idea of how close they may come to reaching this year’s goal.

She says the Price is United is a big shot in the arm for the campaign, and hopes they can again have a sell-out event. The Price is United will again be held at the Midwest Athletic Center on Hardin Avenue. The event will be held on February 24^th, with tickets going on sale on December 15^th.

For more information or to reserve a table, contact Walker at 217-245-4557, or by stopping by the office on the lower level in the Jacksonville Municipal Building located at 200 West Douglas Avenue.

Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties are requesting information to assist the Jacksonville Police Department in their investigation of a recent hit-and-run accident.

Sometime in the early morning hours of November 23^rd, an unknown vehicle struck a Dodge Ram pick-up truck that was parked unoccupied in the 300 block of West State Street. The vehicle then fled the scene.

The police are asking that anyone who has information concerning this incident or any other crimes within the three-county area submit an anonymous tip online by going to the Morgan, Scott Cass Crime Stoppers Facebook page and clicking the Contact Us button on the home page or calling Crime Stoppers at 217-243-7300.

Tips may also be submitted by texting to the word CRIMES, (274637). The first word of the text tip must be “payout” Crime Stoppers says if your tip leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward.