CLAY CO.— A Flora woman already serving a drug sentence and a Flora man have both been charged with Unlawful Possession of Cannabis.

According to information filed in the case, Megan R. Harvel, 21, of 800 Lamson St., Apt. B4, Flora, and Cody Robert Charles Houston, 20, of 440 East North Ave., Flora, were taken into custody on or about Oct. 8, at 9:18 p.m. while at 1301 North State St., Flora, after authorities say they were found to have 30-500 grams of cannabis on their persons.

Houston’s charge alleges that he intended to deliver the weed.

He was also additionally charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, identified as a glass pipe used to inhale methamphetamine.

At the time of her arrest, Harvel was already serving a sentence of court supervision for one year after she was convicted of Unlawful Possession of Cannabis November 10, 2014.

In addition to the court supervision, Harvel was also ordered to seek drug treatment and pay $1,240 in fines and fees, of which she still owes $865.

A petition to revoke her court supervision in the 2014 case was filed Oct. 9.

Other than sporting four names instead of the more common three the rest of society has, Houston doesn’t appear to have much of a criminal history, at least in Clay County.

Cash bond in Harvel’s case was set at $1,500.

Houston was released from police custody after a $2,000 cash bond was posted on his behalf by Robert Lauderback, 66, of 12451 Old Hwy. 50, Flora.

Drugs taken into jail cell

In unrelated stories, a Xenia pair were taking into custody on Willow Street, in Flora, after authorities say they were found to be in possession of an illicit drug.

But the story doesn’t end there.

According to charging documents, on Sept. 29, Kimberly Faye Windle, 25, of 103 Rio Grande St., Flora, out on $1,000 cash bond from a previous drug charge and Justin Lee Harmon, 36, both of 420 West Second St., Xenia, were on Third Street and Willow Street, in Flora, at 11:58 p.m. when they were found to have less than five grams of methamphetamine on their persons.

Both were taken into custody and housed at the local police department on a charge of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine.

It appears that Miss Windle didn’t disclose all her holdings when she was taken into custody and thought for some reason that she could get away with bringing a glass meth pipe into the cell with her.

That stroke of genius earned Miss Windle an additional felony charge of Bringing Contraband into a Penal Institution and a misdemeanor count of Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

No stranger to eating her meals behind bars, Windle was convicted of Battery January 11, 2012 and sentenced to probation for one year and ordered to seek alcohol treatment.

She was sentenced to 16 days in the county jail and probation for two years September 25, 2013 after she was convicted of Battery and two counts of Criminal Damage to Property.

She was also ordered to pay $687 in fines and fees, of which she still owes $105.

Windle currently has a pending case – the case she was out on bond in – from June 3, 2015 in which she is charged with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors.

On August 24 Windle was not present for a scheduled court appearance and documentation was provided showing she was in drug treatment.

She was also said to be in drug treatment during a court hearing October 7.

Whether or not the drug treatment program is having any affect on Miss Windle remains to be seen.

Cash bond in her case was set at $3,000.

Her next court date has been scheduled for December 9, at 9 a.m.

Harmon isn’t exactly a criminal wallflower.

In fact he earned himself a sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) for five years after a Richland County conviction December 22, 2011 for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors.

In addition to time in a cage, Harmon was ordered to pay $1,705 in fines and fees, of which he has paid nothing.

Harmon was sent back to IDOC in October 2014 after a Richland Co. conviction for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine.

Cash bond in his case was set at $3,000.

Given Harmon’s history with meth, state’s attorney Sherri Tungate has announced she will be seeking an enhanced sentence in his case.

Charlie Berger. No, not that one.

Charles E. Berger, 30, of 620 Broadway St., Louisville, has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to a felony drug charge.

According to information filed in the case, Berger was taken into custody at his home on or about Oct. 7, after authorities say he was found in possession of 30-500 grams of cannabis.

Berger pleaded guilty Oct. 15 to Unlawful Possession with Intent to Deliver Cannabis and was sentenced to probation for 24 months, ordered to undergo drug treatment and ordered to pay $3,632 in fines and fees, of which he has paid nothing.

EFFINGHAM, Ill. - Illinois State Police District 12 Commander Captain Kelly Hodge today announced activity and enforcement figures for the month of October.

Troopers in District 12, which includes Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Marion, and Richland counties, answered 218 calls for service and initiated 1,643 incidents in the field.

In addition, enforcement figures totaled 921 citations and 954 written warnings, including 503 speeding citations, 22 DUIs, 94 seatbelt citations, 9 child restraint citations, 299 written warnings for speeding, and 42 criminal arrests.

Troopers also assisted 191 motorists, conducted 337 Motor Carrier Inspections, and investigated 78 traffic crashes.

District 12 investigated 2 fatal traffic crashes in October.

During the month, 569 citations and 301 written warnings were issued for "Fatal Four" violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include Speeding, DUI, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving.

CLAY CO., Ill. - Illinois State Police in District 12 worked a two-car traffic crash earlier today wherein one of the vehicles struck a tree.

The crash occurred at 12:11 p.m. today, November 23, on U.S. 50 at U.S. 45 east of Flora.

ISP in District 12 said that preliminary investigative details indicate a tan 1996 Buick Century, being driven by Francis L. King, 83, of Xenia, was traveling north on U.S. 45.  A red 2006 Peterbilt truck being driven by David E. Guthrie, 60, of Mt. Vernon, Ill., was traveling west on U.S. 50.

King stopped and crossed the eastbound lanes of U.S. 50, then proceeded to turn left into the west bound lanes and failed to yield to Guthrie. Guthrie's truck struck King's car, causing the Buick Century to leave the roadway and hit
a tree.

King and a passenger in her car, Nancy G. King, 86, also of Xenia,were transported to the Clay County Hospital.

King was cited for Disobeying a Traffic Control Device.

CLAY CO.— A Flora man with a history of violence has been sentenced following a plea agreement to a Felony Cruelty to Animals charge.

According to information filed in the case, on October 17, while at his home, located at 418 South Mill St., Flora, Steven Michael Wathan, 37, intentionally committed an act that caused a companion animal to suffer serious injury and death when he forcefully threw a beagle puppy onto a concrete sidewalk.

Following a lengthy string of misdemeanor violence charges beginning in 2003, Wathan earned his first felony when he was convicted September 7, 2006 of Domestic Battery for which he was sentenced to 120 days in the county jail, probation for two years, and ordered to undergo medical/mental treatment.

An apparent difficulty in controlling his violent outbursts lead to Wathan being charged two months later with felony Criminal Damage to Government Property.

That charge and subsequent conviction for same on November 21, 2007, in addition to probation revocation in the September 2006 case, landed Wathan in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) for 18 months.

In return for his plea of guilty, Wathan was sentenced to IDOC for a term of two years and ordered to pay $1,004.50 in fines, fees and restitution.

Breaks elderly man’s leg

In an unrelated story, a Louisville man with a misdemeanor history of drunk driving and resisting now faces felony violence charges after authorities say he attacked an elderly man.

According to information filed in the case, on October 10, while at the American Legion, located at, 590 South Main St., Louisville, Kyle L. Easley, 31, of 301 Magnolia St., Louisville, made contact of an insulting or provoking nature with Danny Schnepper, when he punched Schnepper in the face with his fist causing Schnepper to fall to the ground, resulting in a fracture to his leg.

Easley has been charged with Aggravated Battery of a Victim Over 60 years of age and Aggravated Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm.

He has a misdemeanor criminal history including a May 15, 2006 conviction for Resisting a Peace Officer, for which he was sentenced to probation for one year and ordered to pay $2,159 in fines and fees.

A Driving Under the Influence conviction June 2, 2008 earned Easley a sentence of court supervision for one year and an order from the court to undergo alcohol treatment.

Fines and fees in the amount of $2,591 left Easley shy in the liquid cash department.

Easley squeaked out of a second DUI charge in February of 2012.

He was released from police custody in his most recent case Oct. 15, after a $500 cash bond was posted on his behalf by Gary Glover, of 3021 Ivory Lane, Louisville.

CLAY CO.— It appears a Cook County man, with two names and dates of birth, traveled all the way down to southern Illinois to commit murder; at least that’s what authorities are saying.

Court documents allege that on November 8, at 225 Smith Ave., Flora, Lucas Brown, born February 10, 1991, also known as Prince K. Uche, with a date of birth of June 10, 1991, of 16453 Wausau Ct., South Holland, Illinois, has been charged with Attempted First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery and two counts of Armed Violence.

Information filed in the case claims that Prince Uche intended to commit homicide when he strangled Alyssa N. Riederer and stabbed her in the left lower ribcage with a knife, sporting a greater-than-three inch blade, knowing that the act created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to Ms. Riederer.

The alleged stabbing was said to have taken place in the 200 block of Smith Avenue in Flora.

Prince is also charged with taking Riederer’s credit card by force.

What kind of connection Uche had with Riederer, if any or if the alleged attack was just random, has not been publicly stated.

Riederer’s condition remained unknown by this publication as of press time; however, at the time of the stabbing (from which she suffered a single, serious wound), she was taken to local Clay County Hospital by ambulance, then transferred to Deaconess in Evansville. There, she underwent surgery, and was considered in stable condition about two days after the incident.

Cash bond in Uche’s case was set at $20,000.

FLORA – Things haven’t seemed to improve in the situation that developed in October regarding allegations surrounding a Flora police officer, but at least his divorce situation is now a matter of public record.

Nevertheless, the situation has prompted input from at least one reader who is tossing allegations of wrongdoing around like confetti at a party…and thus far, official sources Disclosure has contacted have all said that there’s nothing to said allegations, and that it all sounds like sour grapes.

Officer divorcing

Aaron Holman, it’s been confirmed, was the recipient of divorce paperwork filed in Clay County Circuit Court on October 23 at 5 p.m., according to documents on file.

The paperwork was filed on Wednesday, Oct. 21 by his wife Elizabeth A. Holman, supporters of whom had contacted Disclosure the previous Monday with what they were stating was photos of the officer and his “girlfriend,” dispatcher Emily Burkett, in an apparent effort to cast aspersions on the officer.

No photos showed Holman’s, nor Burkett’s, faces, however.

Whether the article that ensued based on the material was intended – by whomever provided the information – to assist the Missus Holman in her dissolution petition is unknown.

However, the petition itself is an unremarkable one if indeed that was what was meant to have transpired.

By her attorney John J. Hickox, Mrs. Holman, 29, filed the rather mundane dissolution paperwork, pointing out that the two had been married since May 2006, had two kids (the first apparently being conceived out of wedlock if the dates are correct) and the second being born five and a half years later.

The petition states that the two have run into “irreconcilable differences (that have) caused an irretrievable breakdown in the marriage and that past efforts at reconciliation have failed, and future efforts at reconciliation would be impracticable and not in the best interest of the family,” also known as “no-fault” divorce in Illinois.

What’s missing?

Mrs. Holman accuses Mr. Holman, who is 35, of, “without cause or provocation,” being “guilty of extreme and repeated mental cruelty” toward her.

It might be pointed out that if there is any infidelity alleged, this would be the juncture at which it would be applicable as well as mentionable. Notably, there is none, despite what the picture-taker, featured in the November 2015 edition, alleged.

Mrs. Holman has asked for the kids, child support, maintenance (alimony, which is generally not awarded to a spouse unless at a couple of decades of marriage), a division of marital property, and other equitable relief.

Also nowhere in the paperwork is it stated that the parties have lived separate and apart for any period of time, generally something that’s stated on every divorce petition, and which is curious in not only its absence but also in the timing of the submission of photos to Disclosure…as if someone’s trying to justify the abruptness of the split.

Someone takes offense

In the wake of the article, someone, apparently, took offense to the fact that Disclosure was pointing out that there appeared to be some agenda-driven information being disseminated.

The same came about right at the time Burkett was terminated from her job as dispatcher.

While no one in any official capacity would say anything regarding Burkett’s termination (which apparently occurred some time following the article in the November 2015 print edition of Disclosure, which was released to the public on Tuesday, October 27, and some time before the receipt of the letter to Disclosure submitted via email on November 10) other than “she no longer works for the city of Flora,” it was indeed confirmed by Disclosure and through official sources that Burkett was out.

Disparaging

The letter-writer was very disparaging toward Flora Police Department, dredging up past officers and their relationships, both won and lost, through their employ with the city.

Stating that these “multiple affairs within the department” have been “swept under the rug” for years, the letter-writer claimed to be “a relative” of Burkett. In vague terms, the letter-writer indicated that Burkett was being “punished” for being “a friend” of a “married police officer” (ostensibly, Holman).

“Ms. Burkett was severely punished for going and meeting a friend on her own time, with her own money, and in her own car,” the letter-writer asserted. “I did not know that it was against policy to go and do whatever it is that you want on your personal time. It basically comes down to the Police Dept. being butt hurt that she didn’t feel the need to tell them everything about her personal life and for that she lost her job.”

The letter-writer was not specific about what or where the “meeting” was, but if it was the training event that Holman was involved in at an out-of-area location on Oct. 19, a photo of which was supposedly representing that “meeting” having appeared on the cover of Disclosure in November’s issue, that might lend a little bit of credence to the notion that the letter-writer did indeed have an agenda…which would have been to stick up for Burkett’s involvement. (The person who submitted the photo was most obviously someone on Mrs. Holman’s side, and promoting HER agenda.)

How many agendas are there…?

It’s unclear at this point exactly how many agendas there really are in this matter, which has grown sticky with all the mud-slinging involved.

The letter-writer (who signed the missive as only “Unknownuser72@outlook.com”) alleged not only “multiple affairs” running rampant through the department, but also leveled allegations toward dispatch supervisor Jennifer Brown, who, the writer claimed, is “raking in the money for her married boy toy” to fund items for the department.

“New radio’s (sic), new radio towers, repairs, anything you need she will gladly give out her mans (sic) name in hopes of creating more revenue for him and on top of it if he does not get paid in the time they think he should she is not above calling you every 2 days to ask why his check has not been sent,” read the allegation.

Disclosure checked with authorities and confirmed something already publicly available: Neither Brown, nor any other person in the department, is solely responsible for “raking in money” to obtain radios/towers/repairs. That matter falls to the county’s Emergency Telephone Service Board (ETSB), which is the agency through which grants are issued by both state and federal sources (although research into available materials might fall to Brown on occasion, since many items come from government surplus).

Other allegations in the form of someone or another going to a strip club and getting “blasted drunk” when going for training make little to no sense and are completely out of context, lending to the incredulity of it all…and, again, more sour grapes.

Disclosure has contacted Unknownuser72 in order to clarify the allegations…most of which, thus far and according to authorities they’re already been run past, are baseless.

Any further info will be made available in upcoming issues.

December is upon us, and welcoming you to the first day of it is This Month's Print Headlines!

We'll be having TWO issues in December, so you'll have to be sure and get out and buy both of them so you can keep up with what is undoubtedly one of the hottest series we've ever produced, which leads the front page this issue as well as the last one (November 2015). Print headlines lays it all out for you: What's in this issue, where, and what it's about. Print headlines are presented by dateline (where the material featured in the article took place), headline, and a brief synopsis of what the article is about, in our own snarky Disclosure style. They are presented by Front Page, Back Page (second front page), pages 2 and 3, Features if any, Egypt, Heartland and Central, then Op-Ed. Each headline links back to the e-Edition version of the article for those of you who have an online membership, for ease of reading. If you don't have one, get one! Otherwise, here's our vendor list!

So thank you for waiting patiently for us to produce THIS MONTH'S PRINT HEADLINES...without further ado, here they are!

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FRONT PAGE

What is this, you ask...? Where did it come from...? There are a lot of people hoping you're not going to ask...because WE'RE going to give an answer.

SALINE CO. - Information pours in on "gentlemen's club": This is the series, and it's just getting started. What is this place? Where is it? Who goes there? What goes on there? We have some of the answers for you...and yet, there's so much more.

RICHLAND CO. - Missing girl may have been with felon twice her age: The bizarre situation with accused Olney meth crim Tammy Phipps' kids just gets increasingly strange...then she wonders why authorities aren't necessarily interested in helping her. Four years ago it was her 13-year-old getting knocked up. Now, it's her 15-year-old running off with a man twice her age. Monkey see, monkey do, as many are opining...

Ronald Yarber

SALINE CO. - Over 250 sex cime counts charged: A horrific tale of alleged sex abuse that began back in 2005 and didn't end until recently...and it happened within a foster family. You've got to read the allegations to believe it. Oh and also...Rick White got in trouble for leaking this to "his" media outlet, the Fairfield radio outlet. Just pointing that out.

WILLIAMSON CO. - Illinois Centre Mall sells once again for back taxes: Not like this beleaguered place hasn't asked for - and received - its own share of troubles...now, Barrett Rochman has inserted his grimy hands into it. And you'd think he might be a little more discreet.

An empty Illinois Centre Mall

BACK PAGE

At the Cave-in-Rock Fire Department fundraiser

HARDIN CO. - Cave-in-Rock FD holds annual holiday feed: Coverage of a wonderful fundraise held by the fire department in beautiful Cave.

SALINE CO. - State's attorney to seek third term: Mike Henshaw is running again, and there are some butts puckering because of it. Read the article to find out who, but...we're betting you already know.

FLORA - Allegations of police wrongdoing surface in Flora: Hot on the heels of the last massive story coming out of the city of Flora about its police department, here's another sure to stoke SOMEBODY'S fires....

PAGE 2

Kim Meyers. She doesn't look happy.

MARION - Auditor is auditing her own work...and getting taxpayer money to do it: Just when you think there can't be any more scurrilous doings coming out of Williamson County....? Along comes this story. And you know what...? This crap is leaching over into one of our home communities of Harrisburg, too.

PAGE 3

SALINE CO. - Forensic shrink says meth-induced psychosis lead to stabbing in 2011: You regular readers will recall the strange tale of Charles Ryan, who stabbed his stepfather to death on December 23, 2011. And you know...upon the outcome of his bench trial, we learned that it's even stranger than you could have imagined. And with meth involved, why WOULDN'T it be...?

FEATURE

MARION, Ill. - Disclosure gets an exclusive inside look at Harbory Medical Cannabis Dispensary: How is that, you ask? Because someone on staff has a medical cannabis card, that's how. You should try getting one. The more demand, the more they state will support it. The more the state supports it, the more doctors they'll bring in. The more doctors they bring in, the more people will apply. The more applicants, the more money the state makes. And if anything in the world is a truism, it's this: The only thing that talks in Illinois is money, because our pathetic state is BROKE.

EGYPT

SALINE CO. - Incident, arrest at McDonald's raises questions about young Harrisburg man: Lots of people wondering how Mikey (aka "Billy") Cummins is able to drive that big Hummer, since he has no visible means of support. Maybe what was found in it during the big bust last month will shed some light on things.

HARDIN CO. - Brawling Williams-Shaffer family comes to blows during incident in Rosiclare: Tina Williams isn't the only offensive heifer in her family...nor the only criminally-inclined, as we've seen with her punk kid Alyse. Now, Jamie Nicole joins in on the hideous lack of self-control...and gets yet another charge that Tara Wallace will dismiss.

GALLATIN CO. - Local bat-manufacturing company sued of alleged unpaid amount on order: Weird little civil suit coming out of Gallatin County about one of their only viable businesses.

SALINE CO. - Gunfight suspect charged with violence: Remember Byron Godsey...? All hemmed up in that early September gunfight on Towle Street in Harrisburg, but no charges at all? Well. He screwed up again.

GALLATIN CO. - Numerous misdemeanors in Gallatin: The petty crims have been up to no good in GallCo, and here are some charges to show what we mean.

SALINE CO. - Eldorado domestic lands husband behind bars after wife says he smacked her in the face: What's a paper without a domestic battery...?

SALINE CO. - Teens charged with using minors to steal: Yes, it's as bad as the headline makes it sound.

SALINE/GALLATIN COs. - Bad Shawneetown boy getting around; arrested in Saline Co.: Is anyone else getting just flat sick of Tyler Patton...?

SALINE CO. - One charged in inmate fight...which seems to be becoming the norm at SCDC: There have been accusations, in our letters section this month in particular, of fights and abuse going on at Saline County Detention Center. This article, with bona fide charges, seems to support that claim.

SALINE CO. - Man charged with stealing disabled elderly woman's power chair: You've got to read this story to believe it. And even then...you probably won't believe it. People are just dumb these days; criminals even dumber. And we never did find out the all-important question: WHY....

SALINE CO. - Simpsons in financial trouble again: One of the most-commented-on articles of this issue, according to our texts, emails and messaging. Everybody hates the Simpsons. Read this, and you'll understand why.

SALINE CO. - Man claims Satan was going to burn down his Harrisburg home on Hazel Street: It was a twisted take on "the devil made me do it" defense. It didn't work.

SALINE CO. - Sticky-fingered chick could send drug convict back to prison: The theft report out of Saline County.

SALINE CO. - Harrisburg woman sued by credit card company; felony case working through court: The sad, sad tale of L'Erin Ragon...from whom we distanced ourselves when she started requesting Ambient and Xanax on her Facebook page.

HEARTLAND

JASPER CO. - Jasper meth conspiracy reaches even dozen: On deadline for the last issue, we learned that there were six more people busted on meth conspiracy over the first six, seen here. We didn't get those second six in due to space and time restraints. Here they are.

JASPER CO. - Police say man faked being unconscious: This guy learned a valuable lesson: Never, ever fake being ill, no matter what the stupid cause, busted up relationship, drama queenness, hypochondriac, appeasing parents, etc. These days, EVERYTHING is a crime.

CRAWFORD CO. - Third financial suit filed against former deputy: Poor former deputy Troy Love. And we do mean poor.

JASPER CO. - Newton's Smithery suspected of being meth cook: Another meth arrest, this time not related to the big conspiracy, apparently.

CRAWFORD CO. - Palestine chief attacked by crim: Poor Jeff Besing can't get a break.

JASPER CO. - Wheeler man fights with police officer: Always a bad idea. Apparently this is one crim who simply doesn't pay attention to the news.

JASPER CO. - Ste. Marie man faces charge of sexually assaulting 15-year-old girl: Way too much of this kind of stuff going on these days...

CRAWFORD CO. - 'Hitter pipe' lands one behind bars: The alleged dope report out of Crawford County

CRAWFORD CO. - Sticky finger syndrome ends in jail: The alleged theft report out of Crawford County.

CENTRAL

RICHLAND CO. - Eight charged with DUI out of Richland: Last month, it was massive meth busts. This month...oh my word the DUIs. When people can't smoke their poison, they drink it, I guess.

WHITE CO. - Crossville chronic crim charged in fitness crime: Steal a bike? Probably not a good idea to do such a thing in White County.

Russ McKamey and one of his canine friends

HAMILTON CO. - 'Haunt' artist sued in Hamilton County small claims case: No McKamey Manor. In fact, no McKamey. Until he's called to court, to answer to the Irvins, who filed suit against him. See what they're asking for in this article.

Jessica Aten

WABASH/EDWARDS COs. - High-speed chase ends Lawrence flee-ers across Wabash County and into Edwards: That infamous duo, Jessica Aten and Austin Wiggins.

CLAY CO. - Prince comes down from Cook, accused in stabbing: We just know there's more to this story than what's in police and court reports...we're just waiting for someone to fill us in.

LAWRENCE CO. - Alleged dope-dealing county employee has fan club: Who would have thought that the girl who at least WAS double-dipping the the taxpayers (by having a job at the tax office, as well as living in housing) would have such a vociferous - yet ridiculous - fan club? But...she does.

HAMILTON CO.. - McLeansboro sex offender charged with not reporting: Because...they do that, you know. You'd think they'd just report and get it over with.

RICHLAND CO. - Female officer kicked in the crotch during arrest: Just one thing to say about this: ouch.

WHITE CO. - Parole compliance check leads cops to meth: And what an awesome day THAT probably was!

CLAY CO. - Flora man charged with cruelty to animals after slamming puppy on concrete: If anyone's going to abuse animals, they might as well just go to Clay County. We've never seen the like of the abused animals there...seriously.

WHITE CO. - Carmi suspect accused of beating handicapped man: Of all the low-down, despicable things to be accused of doing to a person...

WHITE CO. - Traffic stop for speeding leads to DUI alcohol: Of course it does.

RICHLAND CO. - Drug busts not slowing down in Richland: We know you're thrilled to hear this, even though we don't have any of them on the front page. Rest assured, they'll be back.

OP-ED

SURLY & UNCOOPERATIVE (Jack): Climbing rocks can be a pain in the neck: Yes. But...I get the added benefit of a massage with cocoa butter and tea tree oil from my lovely wife...so I'll take that pain!

Problem is...the wrong people are committing suicide over it.

ICY (Ang): The complicated life of a beer-and-music snob: Yes. She is. And she's not apologetic. So...yall are just gonna have to get a grip. At least we drink good beer and listen to good music at the same time...
MINKUS INK (Bubba): 'Re-training' cops may mean 'de-training' cops: Bubba has been watching the news, now...
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (letters): Complaints about city of Carmi meetings; complaints about a yard barn in the city of Carmi; no transparency in Benton; wth is it with all these fights in Saline County Detention Center?

BACK OVER YOUR TALES: From the December 2010 edition of Disclosure, including Todd Fort, ChickenBob, Poor Boys fights, Raymond Martin, you name it, we got it!

LAWRENCE CO., Ill. - A young Bridgeport man was sent to the hospital in Evansville after a head-on collision with a truck-tractor semi being driven by a Louisville man.

The crash occurred on U.S. 50 a quarter-mile west of Illinois Route 1 outside Lawrenceville at 2 p.m. this afternoon (Monday, December 7).

At that time, Illinois State Police District 12 investigators state, Zachary D. Marshall, 22, of Bridgeport, was driving a 2009 gray Pontiac 2-door coupe west on US 50 approximately a quarter-mile west of Lawrenceville. The vehicle Marshall was driving crossed the centerline and struck a white 2015 Kenworth truck-tractor with semi trailer being operated by Alan W. Porter, 52, of Louisville, Illinois, head-on, in the eastbound lane.

There were no passengers in either vehicle.

Marshall was flown to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind., for treatment.

The crash is still under investigation; any charges are pending, said ISP.

EFFINGHAM, Ill. – District 12 Commander Captain Kelly Hodge announced today that the Illinois State Police (ISP) will be conducting various patrols across their coverage area in the month of December.

Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement

The first is an Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrol, which will be held in Clay and Effingham counties during the month of December.

The ACE patrols allow the ISP to target an area with saturation patrols that focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to violations associated with impaired driving and illegal transportation or consumption of alcohol and other drugs.

Roadside Safety Check To Be Conducted

District 12 will conduct Roadside Safety Checks (RSC) in Fayette and Clay counties during December, according to District 12 Commander, Captain Kelly Hodge.

The ISP has zero tolerance for impaired driving in Illinois. Officers working this detail will be watchful for drivers who are operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, transporting open alcoholic beverages, or Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

Alcohol and drug impairment is a significant factor in nearly 40 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. RSCs are designed to keep our roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road. This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols

And District 12 Troopers will conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in Effingham, Fayette, Jasper and Crawford counties during the month of November.

OREP allows the ISP to target an area with saturation patrols that focus on traffic violations and related compliance with safety belt and child safety seat laws. Safety belt enforcement zones will also be set up to ensure the driver and passengers are buckled up. Illinois law requires all vehicle passengers (front and back) to be buckled up!

Safety belts are one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles today, estimated to save over 12,000 lives each year. Over half of vehicle occupants killed in a traffic crash were not properly buckled up.  The objective of this program is to increase compliance of occupant restraint laws through education, child seat inspections, and enforcement. Greater awareness, acceptance, and use of occupant protection equipment will save many lives. This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

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CLAY CITY – A fight in the village of Clay City got three young people hemmed up on ordinance violations…and nothing much more.

And one of them is a Wayne County punk with a drinking problem, who only recently just squeaked out of a Driving Revoked felony (probably due to “overworked” Wayne County state’s attorney David Williams’ “overworked” status.)

Dayne A. Harrison, 22, of Cisne; Alan J. Patridge, 40, of Clay City; and Dylan J. Wolfe, 21, also of Clay City, were all busted at the 200 block of South Main in Clay City on November 25 at about 12:30 in the morning, “fighting,” according to ordinance citation tickets.

Harrison has had problems following him for years, including a Clay County Illegal Consumption of Alcohol misdemeanor, which he only just got off of one year of court supervision, in early September.

A Wayne County DUI stop in late July of this year got him charged with the aforementioned felony, but all of that was dismissed for whatever reason October 29.

Patridge, who at his age should be old enough to know better than to allegedly fight with a couple of punk kids, is also a DUI driver (in Clay) from way back in 1998 when Harrison was but a babe.

According to court records this is Wolfe first little foray into the world of bad behavior.

All three of the possibly-pugilists (given that it was an ordinance violation as opposed to a misdemeanor filing, there remains the likelihood that all they did was yell at each other soundly) are facing a next court hearing on December 23.

CLAY CO. – A mixed bag of minor misdemeanors made for a light court docket this past month, perhaps proving that even petty crime dwindles in frequency when the weather gets cold and disagreeable.

Naturally, someone was trying to warm up with a little bit of imbibing – allegedly, of course.

The list starts with Ryan Jacob Sloat, of Murray, Kentucky, who, at age 18, doesn’t quite hit that legal age for alcohol consumption but is well within the guidelines of being charged with a crime and having his name listed. He is charged in Clay with Unlawful Consumption of Alcoholic Liquor, this dating back to October 7 but only being filed on November 16. Why the delay is not explained; however, the alleged infraction took place on the Edgewood Road north of Hawk Drive in Larkinsburg Township.

Sloat was issued a citation which ordered him to appear in court in Clay on January 4 bright and early in the year 2016.

Pot/paraphernalia and endangering

Things were a little more serious for Rachel L. Simpson of Greenville, who, at age 30, should have been old enough to know better but got hemmed up in Clay anyway.

She was accused, on Nov. 18, of a Nov. 17 count of Endangering the Life or Health of a Child, in this case two kids ages 1 and 2, “to be placed in circumstance that endangered the children when she transported them in a 2004 white Ford automobile at a time when she was under the influence of alcohol.”

This was followed up by a count of Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, in that on the same date and location (on Iola Lane at Mockingbird Road) she had with her a metal pipe, the type used to inhale cannabis.

Ms. Simpson was released from police custody Nov. 20, after a $100 cash bond was posted on her behalf.

Another out-of-area gal, Christina Schlanser, 29 of Cowden, was charged Nov. 24 with similar counts, only she is alleged to have had a little product with her.

Schlanser was accused of, on Nov. 1, committing Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Unlawful Possession of Cannabis, this at Highway 45 at Ibis Road in Blair Township.

Schlanser was the subject of a DUI arrest on November 24, and electronic records show the misdemeanor dope charges occurred on that same day…so there must’ve been a typo on the hard copy as an explanation for the delay in filing.

Schlanser was set for a pretrial in the case on Jan. 25 and she’s represented by the capable Lou Viverito, who will likely ensure that she gets a plea to the lowest charge possible.

And Jordyn B. Kinney, 22, of 119 Douglas St., Centralia, was busted November 15 at 2:45 a.m., driving a 2009 silver Scion on Blue Ash Lane at Blue Mound Road, when officers responded to a single vehicle accident.

Not only did Kinney fail a field sobriety test but he (or she; it’s hard to tell with these androgynous spellings/name usages these days) had in his (or her) vehicle two open bottles of alcohol.

Kinney was additionally charged with Unlawful Transportation of Alcohol, being an Unlicensed Driver and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.

Currency from Walmart

Finally, probably among the more serious and questionable misdemeanors filed in this last month has been the Theft charge against Michael A. Lester, 23, of Louisville, who was accused of taking a certain amount of cash not exceeding $500 from Flora’s Walmart, this on Nov. 3.

Lester was given notice to appear on Dec. 7, which he did, and his case was then set for an appearance with counsel on Jan. 11.

CLAY CO.— A Flora convicted felon, who served an Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) sentence of 18 months following a January 29, 2007 conviction for Aggravated Fleeing Police and Escape and currently has a pending drug case, has been charged along with a Flora woman, living at the same 11768 Old Highway 50, Flora address, with three meth manufacturing counts.

According to information filed in the case, on September 3, Jason S. Griffith, 39, and Kellie J. Deimel Gauger Griffith, 34, committed at their residence Aggravated Participation in Methamphetamine Manufacturing when they knowingly participated in the manufacture of 400-900 grams of meth at a time when they knew two children, under the age of 18, were in the structure.

A second count of Aggravated Participation in Methamphetamine Manufacturing alleges that the couple committed the offense in a structure where Linda Deimel, a person 60 years of age or older, lived and was in danger of being harmed by the manufacture of methamphetamine due to a pulmonary condition.

They also face a single count of Participation in Methamphetamine Manufacturing for allegedly producing the 400-900 grams of dope.

Along with the 2007 prison sentence, Jason Griffith was sentenced to 180 days in the county jail and ordered to pay $315 in fines and fees, of which he still owes $290.

At the time of his most recent arrest he was out on $250 cash bond in a January 22, 2015 case in which he is charged with one count of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine.

On July 20, 2015 Jason Griffith was allegedly in rehab.

Apparently rehab didn’t have much of an effect given his charges from September.

At the time of her most recent arrest, Kellie Griffith was out on $250 cash bond in a December 22, 2014 case in which she is charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors.

Cash bond in both cases was set at $20,000 each.

End of the year...and we're personally glad to see this one be done with!

We've had a HUGE number of papers this year, some of it to our detriment, but we've been bringing you the news that no one else will print, and it's all useful, so we hope you've enjoyed them! There's no end in sight, as there's plenty to tell you about in our 24 downstate southern Illinois counties, so we hope you keep up with us as we continue a series of articles we've begun a couple of issues ago..and here's the latest, December 2015-January 2016!

Print Headlines are the way we keep you up with what's going on, and are presented also as a way for you to be able to visit any article directly from this post to read at your convenience, or see if you find it of enough interest to get out and pick up this issue. Print Headlines are presented by dateline (the place where in material in the article took place), headline (with link off of it to the e-Edition piece), and then a brief synopsis in our own snarky Disclosure style. They are presented by Front Page, Back Page (second front page), Pages 2 and 3, Features if any (generally presented on page 12 or 13), then sections: Egypt, Heartland and Central, finished with Op-Ed. And now, without further ado, here's THIS MONTH'S PRINT HEADLINES!!

FRONT PAGE

LAWRENCE CO. - Public outraged over plea in battery case: A nightmare scenario played out for a Lawrenceville family in early 2013, and they have been in a fight for justice ever since. However, they, and many in Lawrence, feel like justice was denied Adalyn Borgic just a few weeks ago with a plea for the person who battered her. What will be the result of this situation...? We may know in March. Check the article to see what we mean.

SALINE CO. - SA candidate linked to suspected "gentlemen's club": More names have been connected to the mysterious "gentlemen's club" in Harrisburg...but is that really what it is? Are the ones involved - at least on paper, and by their relationships to the bigwigs - really involved...? Or is this yet another shell game the "players" are so good at?

RICHLAND CO. - Good Samaritan effort nearly gets local woman abducted: The above Marcher is the guy in question following the incident last Friday that occurred between Noble and Olney on Highway 250. This is a big front-pager; don't miss it, as there's likely more to come.

LAWRENCE/RICHLAND COs. -Alleged child abductor arrested after chase: Josh Spivey is in custody. Find out what he's facing - as well as how he was brought in - by reading this article.

BACK PAGE

SALINE CO. - Theft at Clearwave charged: When you pore over court files, you find the most interesting things. There's not much to this one...but hey...dots are being connected, you know?

Mike Valentine turning in his petition for the Edwards County judicial race, in Springfield a couple of weeks back

EDWARDS CO. - Judicial race pits incumbent against the man he replaced: A former Edwards County politician is seeking the seat the Party he represents said they'd never back him for again; meanwhile, the successful prosecutor who unseated him in 2008 is also seeking that seat. This promises to be a big, heated race. We hope you'll be watching our coverage of it as it unfolds.

WAYNE CO. - Sex offender shot dead in Fairfield altercation: All the details of the death of Jeffery Scott Montgomery, for our print readers...which our online readers should read, too, as we have a little more detail.

PAGE 2

HARDIN CO. - Excavation of water main in E-town results in lawsuit against village: We'd say some people are lawsuit-happy...but not in this instance, as it appears these folks have a valid complaint.

SALINE CO. - Eldorado Legion sues Carmi woman in small claims court: Not sure of the basis of this one, but watch the court files and see if this woman's name doesn't pop up again.

SALINE CO. - Harrisburg city detective sued over mowed-down soybeans: Curt Hustedde has some splainin to do to a Harrisburg farmer over some soybeans.

PAGE 3

Brandon Atwood, former Elbow Lane resident #1

Shasta K. Atwood, former Elbow Lane resident #2

RICHLAND CO. - Elbow Lane issue resurfaces; lineage hinted at in recent dope connections: The big page 3 story that's sure to get some apparently mental people fired up...and also goes a long way toward connecting the dots in one of the most dope-ravaged counties in downstate Illinois.

SALINE CO. - IDNR could stand to gain big after Cummins bust on McD's parking lot; forfeiture order filed: Remember Billy (Mikey) Cummins and his arrest last month...? Guess who might be getting some forfeiture items...? Hint: It's not Cummins.

PAGE 12

WILLIAMSON CO. - Long-time county commissioner objects to contender's petition for his office: This is kind of a big deal in Williamson, as it's fairly infrequent that someone objects to a candidate's petition for office...but Brent Gentry's doing it.

EGYPT

SALINE CO. - Eldorado authorities respond to report of violence - "He's beating the hell out of everyone so be ready!": Violent crim report number 1 in the Saline County lineup...and every single one of them is a good one; start with this one and read em all!

Briannah Davis

HARDIN CO. - Nothing but female crims busted in Hardin County this go-round: And guess who leads it...? A familiar face down in Hardin. Despite all the protestations of her errant babydaddy.

SALINE CO. - Charged with beating married woman pregnant with his child: The second of many bizarre and violent crim reports out of Saline this issue. This one with the additional sleaze factor.

SALINE CO. - Twisted tale: Barrall saga continues with violence, sex and a crashed SUV: The third of the SalCo violence reports, with the presence once again this issue o (ta-dahhhh) Robby Barrel and his ne'er-do-well wife Tanya.

SALINE CO. - Man who hallucinated his daughter to be dead trashes his mom's house: The third  of the SalCo violence reports...and we never did find out where his kid was, after all.

GALLATIN CO. - Troubled Equality teen sentenced on drug charge in Gallatin County: The GallCo crim report, fwiw.

SALINE CO. - Two arrested during traffic stop after neither claim drugs, paraphernalia: Which is really a dumb thing to do, considering.....

SALINE CO. - Stolen box of diapers cost suspect $1K: And believe it or not, there are people who think that this kind of activity is worth it.

SALINE CO. - Chrome-dome burglary suspect nabbed again: This guy had one identifying characteristic. Granted, he grew his hair back after the first story, but no worries...we just went ahead and used the old mugshot.

SALINE CO. - Dollar General shoplifter hides painkiller under her pits: Because pits are a pain at times, dontchano.

SALINE CO. - Boosted cash from Kroger: Why anyone would do such a thing (allegedly, of course) to one of Harrisburg's finest businesses is beyond me....but here it is.

SALINE CO. - Mills man earns fourth Saline County arrest this year: And then there are the crims that just can't stop repeating...

SALINE CO. - Harrisburg teen takes crowbar to borrowed car after her weed is stolen: Only in Saline County would someone A - withhold someone's weed because he's mad and then gets his vehicle beaten up because B - the person the weed belongs to is apparently psycho.

SALINE CO. - Busted for boosting underwear and lingerie: Hey...she might've had a hot date that night, ya know?

SALINE CO. - Pair of women charged with fibbing to cops after crash: Didn't anyone learn from the debacle with lil Bill Bonan's truck...?

HEARTLAND

COLES CO. - Sun Elite closes its doors, no bankruptcy; coach's videotaping case goes forward: The ongoing saga of Zac Lawson, he who felt like he needed to strenuously object when we first reported his story back in March.

JASPER CO. - Violence breaks out at River Park Motel: The violence report from Jasper County.

CRAWFORD CO. - Synthetic dope and stolen vehicles charged: You'd think that by now, these Marchers would figure out to STOP MESSING WITH SYNTHS. But noon....

CRAWFORD CO. - Officer attacked: Jeff Besing incurs the wrath of a suspect, gets the suspect charged with a much more serious crime than what he was being taken in for.

EDGAR CO. - County insurance contracts should be bid...but county board won't do it: And speaking of ongoing sagas...why the Edgar County Board continues to operate the way it does - with the ongoing possibility that every last dang one of them could be indicted for abuse of state funds or some like thing - is absolutely beyond many. But they do...and we keep writing...and one of these days, they're all going to be front page. Word of advice to you, county board: Stop everything you're doing and hire the Edgar County Watchdogs as consultants. We reckon you'll be out of trouble in no time flat.

CRAWFORD CO. - Unemployed Lawrence doper charged in Crawford County: One of many crossover crims this mont.

JASPER CO. - Slim situation in Jasper County with misdemeanor charges: The misdemeanor report coming out of Jasper County, with "slim" being that there wasn't a lot to report on, which can oftentimes be a good thing.

JASPER CO. - Witness intimidation alleged in violence case: When you have a witness in your case, don't make direct threats. That's about as clear as it can be. Why people don't get it is...wellll...probably why they were charged int he first place. Because they're stupid.

CRAWFORD CO. - Drunk drivers confess they had been drinking: This is a rarity. But then, it's hard to say whether or not they knew that's what they were saying at the time...

CRAWFORD CO. - Crawford misdemeanors: Keeping those fines and fees flowing: The misdemeanor report out of Crawford, done up in our own snarky Disclosure style...because who wants to read dry, boring crim reports, right?

JASPER CO. - Sex offender charged with not registering: This gal is only the latest to learn that, whether you like it or not, if you're a convicted sex offender, you have to follow the rules of registration. Don't do the crime if you can't follow the rules.

JASPER CO. - Three busted for various driving infractions: Jasper County bad driver's report, apparently.

CRAWFORD CO. - Kentucky native arrested for attacking family members: Just in time for the holidays!!

CENTRAL

WHITE CO. - Multiple drug convict looking at return to prison: The White County crim report with a big lead.

WHITE CO. - White rehab loser gets another shot at sobriety: Hey. We calls em as we sees em. Don't forget...we've got failed rehabbers in OUR family, so don't pull your crap about "What if somebody called YOUR loved one 'loser'??" Our "loved one" IS a loser. So get ovah yaself.

WHITE CO. - Lawrence doper accused of biting in Grayville case: Jessica Aten, of Lawrence County, not looking so good in the White County lockup...what's she got going on two whole counties away from her safety zone, anyway? Being a cannibal, apparently...or a zombie...

CLAY CO. - Flora couple accused of being meth cooks: Authorities in Clay County are always on the lookout for the meth makers, and now, they claim to have found some. With all the narking going on in Clay and Richland, this is not surprising.

RICHLAND CO. - Claremont man who posted thousands in case for someone else owes $1,587 in his own case: I have an idea. Let's just turn Claremont into Richland County's penal colony. Most of em living there are already convicted, anyway.

HAMILTON CO. - White drug suspect collared in Hamilton: Another crossover. Justin Hood won't cut any more slack than Denton Aud would; why anyone would think so is a mystery.

WHITE CO. - Pair of convicted dopers get sentenced, one headed to prison: White County dope crim report.

HAMILTON CO. - Wife held against her will at Dolan Lake: Yes, you can commit such a crime  against your spouse. Yes, holding someone against their will is a crime. Doesn't matter if it happens at your nice lake cabin.

RICHLAND CO. - Benefactor has now shelled out $20,000+ in cash bond - Three more suspected drug dealers busted in Olney: More of that big doper news in Olney, which, between there and Claremont, is a hotbed of activity...and people having enough spare cash lying around to post bond in these amounts. Don't these people know this focuses the authorities on you even more so??

CLAY CO. - Clay County misdemeanors since early November; a sparse lot: They might be sparse, but they are amusing. You gotta read it.

RICHLAND CO. - Richland County drunk driving arrests include one local woman and one foreigner: The RC DUI report.

WHITE CO. - Enfield doper appears to get her stupid on: Again: Yes, we would write about our "loved ones" that way. Get a grip. And stop doing dope while you're at it.

LAWRENCE CO. - Bridgeport druggie fronts $10,000 cash bond: Again with the huge bond. We're gong to start publishing the phone numbers of these wonderful benefactors. That way, if people are in a cash crunch (especially after the holidays), they'll know who to call.

WHITE CO. - Hamilton doper/arson suspect faces drug charges in White: A dope AND arson suspect. Wow.

CLAY CO. - Possible pugilists...? Or did trio just yell at each other in Clay City?: One of the guys in this article is a regular crim out of Wayne County. Why he's still allowed to function in polite society, however, is unknown...so he apparently had to get around UNpolite society.

HAMILTON CO. - 'rado woman lies about who she is to police: And yet ANOTHER crossover crim, not too far out of her stomping grounds.

OP-ED

COLUMNS
SURLY & UNCOOPERATIVE (Jack): My famous last words: "I has an idea"
ICY (Ang): What was I doing when I was their age...?
MINKUS INK (Bubba): Politics, penitents and trading one cardiac-causing event for yet another
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: Letters

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Jeremy W. Beck

CLAY CO.— A Farina couple have been sentenced after pleading guilty to possessing the ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine.

Jeremy W. and Tina M. Beck, ages 40 and 35, respectively, both of 134 Cougar Rd., Farina, were charged with one count each of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacture Materials and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors after authorities say on September 4, at 1010 West North Ave., Flora, the Becks were found to be in possession of lithium batteries, Coleman fuel, an instant ice compress as well as pseudoephedrine.

Jeremy is a convicted thief from Wayne County, having been found guilty of felony Theft July 29, 1999 for which he was sentenced to six days in the county jail, probation for two years and ordered to pay $1,832 in fines, fees and restitution.

He was sentenced to court supervision for two years December 11, 2007 after he was convicted of Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

He was also ordered to pay $2,300.20, of which he still owes $1,435.20.

Tina, on the other hand, doesn’t appear to have much of a criminal history in either Clay or Wayne counties.

Both entered plea agreements in their cases recently.

Jeremy pleaded guilty to Unlawful Possession of Meth Manufacture Materials and was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections and ordered to pay $1,734 in fines and fees, of which he has paid nothing.

Tina pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors for which she was sentenced to probation for 36 months, ordered to obtain drug treatment and to pay $5,104 in fines and fees, of which she has paid nothing.

Tina M. Beck

EFFINGHAM, Ill. - Captain Kelly Hodge, District 12 Commander, announced the results of an Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrol which was conducted in Effingham and Clay Counties on Friday, December 18, 2015.

Results are as follows (scroll down):

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SEE UPDATE BELOW ORIGINAL POST:

EFFINGHAM, Ill. - Illinois State Police District 12 advise motorists to beware of water-covered roadways.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is closing a section of Illinois Route 45 in Effingham County due to water over the roadway in the area of Effingham County Road 500 north (southern Effingham County).

IDOT will erect signage closing Route 45 at the junction of Route 45 and Route 37. The closure will extend south from that junction to an area just south of Route 45 at Effingham County Road 500 north.

Additional precipitation is expected and motorists should use caution to avoid hydroplaning. Never cross into standing or moving water. If a flooded roadway is encountered, turn around and find an alternative route. Be especially alert for possible flooded areas during low light hours. Illinois State Police District 12, includes Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Marion, and Richland counties.

UPDATE 6:45 P.M:

Due to flood waters over the roadway at Illinois Route 45 at Effingham County Road 500 North, road closure to through traffic is in effect for northbound traffic at the junction of Route 45 and U.S. 50. (Flora).

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY ILLINOIS STATE POLICE DIST. 12: Illinois Route 45, north of Effingham County Road 500 N.

Taken at 3:38 p.m., headed due east. Rain was falling in Olney according to our correspondent there, resulting in the rainbow. But, for the storm....It's over.

For awhile, anyway.

Now, we wait for the backwater and see what happens.

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CLAY CO. – It’s a misdemeanor report out of Clay full of weird: Weird names, weird alleged actions, and even a weird Illinois Compiled Statute few have heard of before, being charged.

Bad 80s Sci-Fi name

The weird starts with the name of a Mason youth charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Tharin L. Harris, also known as Tharen L. Harris, 18, of Mallard Lane in Mason, was charged December 1 with a an October 1 incident of being in possession of a glass pipe with intent to inhale meth at 902 E. North Avenue, Flora.

Whether the kid doesn’t know how to spell his name, is playing the name game (wherein he confuses everyone on purpose in order to avoid such things as a court record) or his parents simply couldn’t make up their minds on how to spell such a name (which sounds like it came from a bad 80s Sci-Fi movie), he gets TWO entries into Clay County’s criminal system, just to cover all bases.

A note on file shows that Harris had originally been charged with Resisting or Obstructing a Peace Officer, for which he’d posted $150 bond.

“After reviewing reports,” wrote Clay County Assistant State’s Attorney Melanie Pearce, “our office has decided not to charge Resisting. However a charge of unlawful possession of Drug Paraphernalia has been charged against Tharin L. Harris as a result of the same incident.”

Pearce asked the circuit clerk’s office to transfer the bond money from the Resisting case to the paraphernalia case.

Harris (both Tharin and Therin) was scheduled for arraignment on delivery of this issue, January 6.

Who steals a bag of candy….?

Perhaps Cory R. Krutsinger was hearkening back to the 80s himself when he was traipsing along in the Dollar General in Louisville, humming the old Bow Wow Wow tune “I Want Candy”…it might’ve given him an idea…which idea blossomed to fruition but he didn’t have the funds.

Whatever the case, authorities say the 21-year-old Krutsinger walked out of the store with a bag of candy having a total value not exceeding $300 (one would HOPE it wouldn’t) without paying for it, this on November 23. He wasn’t charged until Dec. 2, however.

Shannon Galloway of Louisville posted Krutsinger’s bond for him, and he was set for a January 11 next court date.

Krutsinger’s still under a July 31 Domestic Battery charge which hasn’t been resolved; this latest thing will likely not play well in front of the judge.

He thought about being disorderly…?

In the weird offenses category, this issue there’s Ritchey W. Griffith, who is alleged to have, on Oct. 23, at 901 West Fifth Street in Flora, committed the offense of Attempt (Disorderly Conduct), which apparently means he attempted to be disorderly but didn’t quite make it (something like a thought crime, perhaps).

In what probably should have been filed as felony Filing a False Police Report (but probably won’t be as cost-intensive to prosecute), Melanie Pearce found the misdemeanor on the books to fit what is alleged to have happened: That Griffith, with the intent to commit the offense of Disorderly Conduct, performed a substantial step toward the commission of that offense, in that he knowingly transmitted to Flora Officer Matthew Irman a report to the effect that an offense had been committed – the theft of a firearm – knowing at the time of the transmission that there was no reasonable grounds for believing that the offense had been committed.

While this conjures up images of Griffith sitting at home with the weapon in question on his lap, making a phone call reporting it stolen, that’s probably not even close to what happened; however, nothing explaining this convoluted mess is on file.

Maybe more can be learned after the Jan. 6 hearing is over.

Why drive off NOW?

Even more inexplicable than the previous two listed misdemeanors is the one Pearce said occurred Nov. 8 at the Huck’s store in Flora, when it’s alleged that Craig A. Rinehart, 36, of Salem, drove off without paying for his gas….particularly since gas is now inching into the affordable territory once more and isn’t hovering at $4 a gallon like in previous years, when drive-offs were aplenty.

Court documents outlining the Retail Theft charge don’t say how much gas was allegedly stolen; just that it had a total value not exceeding $300 (thus keeping it in the misdemeanor realm).

Why it took so long to bring it to formal charges is a mystery.

Rinehart was issued a notice to appear upon filing of the charge, that appearance scheduled for Jan. 11.

Attempted cannibalism or…Walking Dead audition

And, since the holiday season was upon the area during the last round of courthouse files scrutiny, at least a couple of folks in Clay felt compelled to embark upon alleged beatings.

The first such allegation was made against Chuck Aaron Vinson, 27, of Farina, who, on Nov. 30, is alleged to have committed Domestic Battery after pinching and squeezing the arm of Betty ‘MacKensay’ Gould, as well as biting her finger, this at his Farina home on Raven Lane.

His alleged attempt at cannibalism (or audition for The Walking Dead) was short-lived, as the charge was filed and a notice to appear was issued for Jan. 11.

And then, Brittany L. Keller, 22, of West Fifth Street in Flora, was charged Dec. 28 with a Dec. 24 incident wherein she is alleged to have slapped Daren Davis in the face with her hand.

Since no one knows what transpired right before the slap (after all, it might have been justified depending upon what came out of the mouth attached to the face right before the slap), though Keller was charged with Domestic Battery, that charge was dismissed on Dec. 30…because Keller was revoked on another case, this of misdemeanor Theft and dating back to March of 2015.

A petition to revoke probation, which would have resulted in an extensive jail term (up to one year) and other punishments, was filed, which means instant plea deal on one or the other.

Keller chose the probation revocation and entered a guilty plea to that. In exchange she was sentenced to 20 months Probation; ordered to serve 14 days in jail (and given credit for time served: 7 days), she must perform 16 hours of public service, and pay fines and fees in the amount of $867…none of which have been paid.

So much for the cost-saving measure of filing misdemeanors instead of felonies.

CLAY CO.— A Fairfield woman, a Flora woman and a Caseyville man have all been charged in connection with a conspiracy to trade finished methamphetamine for pseudoephedrine pills to manufacture more dope.

According to the information filed in the Clay County case, Elizabeth M. Shelton, 31, of 605 Laurel St., Fairfield, committed the offense of Unlawful Methamphetamine Conspiracy when on December 10, 2015, at 12:09 p.m., at the Flora Mach 1, located at 1433 North State St., she agreed with Chelsea N. Wood, 32, of 120 East Eighth St., Flora, to deliver one-half gram of methamphetamine to Wood in exchange for a box of pseudoephedrine.

Wood is charged with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Precursor alleging that after talking to Shelton and just prior to the meeting at Mach 1, she traveled to the local CVS Pharmacy, located at 1301 North State St., Flora and made the purchase.

Daniel M. Pace, 40, of 20 West Morris St., Caseyville, was with the two women at the Mach 1 when the meet took place and the trade went down and for his efforts was charged with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, identified as a glass pipe with intent to smoke meth.

At the time of her arrest Ms. Shelton was already serving a probation sentence out of Wayne County.

On April 1, 2014 Shelton was arrested and charged with Aggravated Meth Manufacture/Child Endangerment, Aggravated Meth Manufacture/Endangering a Pregnant Person, Aggravated Methamphetamine Production/Using Surveillance Equipment, Unlawful Possession of Anhydrous Ammonia and Unlawful Possession of Meth.

On May 22, 2014 she cut a deal in which she pleaded guilty to the meth possession charge for the remainder of the charges being dismissed.

She was ultimately sentenced to probation for two years and ordered to pay $1,787 in fines and fees, of which she has paid nothing.

In fact, Shelton has a pending criminal case in Wayne County from September 2, 2015, in which she’s charged with Unlawful Possession of Meth.

Cash bonds in the cases have been set as follows: Pace and Shelton $5,000 each and Wood, $2,000.

CLAY CO. – The former Louisville water department clerk who earned herself a Class 3 felony in 2009 after a 2008 situation of theft at said department is in hot water once again.

Only this time, Nicci Worthey is on the civil docket instead of the criminal.

Worthey, who was able to parlay her Class 1 Theft of between $100,000-$500,000 in April of 2008 to a Class 3 Official Misconduct felony (and a sentence of only 2 years probation, fine, restitution [$22,541, all of which has been paid] and public service) thanks to the non-efforts of Appellate Prosecutor David “Rollover” Rands, is back on the books because a credit card company is alleging she defaulted.

According to the complaint placed on file December 14, Worthey ran up a Webbank/Fingerhut Credit line (on which she could charge goods and services to the account and/or receive cash advances) in the amount of $1,130.54, this as of August 6, 2015. The account was opened on December 10, 2003; the last payment made on it was in June of 2014. The account was charged off on October 24, 2014.

The collection agency that picked up the debt, Midland Funding LLC, is seeking a full judgment on the amount, plus costs of the suit.

Worthey was noticed up for hearing, to be held on January 8.