HARRISBURG—The damage to several retail stores or services in Harrisburg either late Wednesday/early Thursday (May 8/9, 2013) was documented by sources in town who experienced it first-hand.

It appears that vandals took a “high-powered BB gun” (or just larger ball bearings) to several windows of several businesses and residences/vehicles up and down and around North Main and shot at or shot out windows. Businesses affected included Suzie’s Laundery, Sears, The Sandlot, O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, Best Auto Tires and Steward Chiropractic. In fact, reports are still coming in about the massive area the vandalism covered.

Harrisburg residents are wondering where the police were when this was going on, and have stated that surely, with a police presence SOMEWHERE in the vast area affected, SOMEONE would have been scared off from what they were doing…but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Hopefully, this was just a group of punks who went on to brag about their exploits yesterday, and someone overheard and will have enough conscience to report them. But of course, the key word here is “hopefully”…sometimes these things are just never explained.

Here is a small group of photos showing some of the damage.

Suzie’s Laundry

Another Suzie’s Laundry window photo

Another shot at Suzie’s Laundry

Upstairs window at Suzie’s Laundry

Window at Steward Chiropractic

Another window view at Steward Chiro

Damage at The Sandlot (baseball practice place)

Close-up of Sandlot window damage

Sears, already having boarded up a shattered window

For those who may not be familiar with Harrisburg: Sears isn’t exactly in a residential area; it’s in a large shopping center right off the main drag east-west through town (Commercial Drive/Highway 45). Some of the other damage, such as at The Sandlot, is on kind of an isolated side street. But most of this vandalism could have been easily spotted. Here’s hoping someone speaks out.

SALINE CO.—Our sources in Harrisburg have advised that a grand jury has been convened at the Saline County courthouse as of this morning, and they are currently at lunch (12:45), to return shortly.

We have NO indication of what the grand jury is about, but we have a couple of guesses.

One is the report we had confirmed last week that about two weeks ago, Harrisburg attorney/former mayor/former city attorney Robert “ChickenBob” Wilson’s nephew, Madison Medley, 24, of Harrisburg, allegedly got a little stoked on something and went on a spree at his employer Terry Mott’s place, and allegedly helped himself to some items there. He was allegedly in the company of Jariah Moss, but that has in no way been confirmed. Medley’s conscience getting the best of him HAS been confirmed, however: He went to authorities and “turned himself in.” When this occurs—and depending upon which “authority” it was that he turned himself over to—oftentimes this will result in a grand jury, just to make sure things are done on the straight and narrow.

The other distinct possibility is that this may have something to do with missing police pension funds out of the city coffers, this discovered in February after the audit was turned over for review.

In either case, it’s entirely possible that ChickenBob is involved in some way, either directly or peripherally….and he’s reported to be present at the proceedings.

More as we get it; keep checking back.

SALINE CO.—A convicted Eldorado drug felon has been jailed after authorities say he went on a mini-crime spree.

According to reports, on Tuesday, April 22, at 9:56 a.m. Eldorado officer Jack Johnson received a report from Dennis Mahaffey of Eldorado that someone had broken into the residence of John James, at 2100 Forest St., while the owners were out of town.

Johnson responded to the scene, cleared the residence and called for the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services.

The scene was turned over to CSI Dan Glover at approximately 11:45 a.m.

At 2:48 p.m. patrolman Ryan Ward spoke with Daniel Stamps of Eldorado about items he had been told were stolen by Bradley Allen Maurer, 27, of 2116 Forest St., Eldorado.

Ward also spoke with Jaclyn Stamps who said she saw Maurer with a television that she believed was stolen at the back gate of her residence.

Officers were able to track down Brittney Ralston, also of 2116 Forest St., and obtained consent to search the residence they had her sign at the Eldorado PD.

At approximately 3:57 p.m. Johnson, Ward and police chief Shannon Deuel entered the home through the back door, announcing their presence as they made their way through the residence.

They found Maurer in bed.

Maurer admitted to burglarizing the home of Michael Barrell, located at 2113 Fourth St.

Ward escorted Maurer to a residence on Boyd St., where he recovered a Dell laptop, a Sanyo television was recovered from Fourth St. and a Toshiba television was recovered from 180 Grimes St., Eldorado.

Maurer was ultimately charged with two counts of Residential Burglary and one count of Theft under $500 and one count of Theft $500-$10,000.

Maurer is a convicted felon from 2009 when he was found guilty of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine less than five grams.

He was sentenced to 24 months probation and ordered to pay $2,2788 in fines and fees.

A probation violation in 2010 earned him another 30 months probation.

Cash bond in the case has been set at $2,000.

SALINE CO.—A group of underage drinkers were caught because one of their number had to pee and decided to relieve himself in the middle of the road.

While on routine patrol April 17 at approximately 7:58 p.m., deputies Mychal Gooch and Craig Williams spotted a vehicle westbound on Eagle Mountain Road.

A short time later the deputies turned around and headed in the same direction.

As they were nearing the end of Eagle Mt. Road toward Stone Face Road, they spotted the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road with a male standing outside the vehicle appearing to be urinating.

Gooch initiated an investigative stop and identified the driver as Traci Ragusus, 19, of 1609 Smith St., Eldorado.

Gooch also saw four others in the vehicle.

Deputy Williams recognized one of the back seat passengers as Dashawn Turner, 20, of 816 High St., Eldorado, and was aware of an officer alert that Turner may be in possession of a handgun.

Williams had Turner exit the vehicle and that’s when Gooch noticed Turner had vomited on himself as well as on the back seat of the vehicle.

Gooch said Turner smelled of alcohol and admitted he had been drinking.

At that time all the occupants were asked to exit the vehicle.

The front seat passenger was identified as Victoria Bethune, 19; the middle rear passenger was Mrranda McEwing, 18, of 1525 Grisham Corner Rd., Eldorado; and the right rear passenger was Jordan Milligan, 20.

After everybody admitted to drinking, they agreed to a portable breathalyzer test with McEwing blowing a .027, Turner a .095, Milligan a .049, Ragusus a .017 and Bethune a .094.

After obtaining a consent to search the vehicle, alcohol was found inside as well as in the truck of the car.

A purse belonging to Traci Ragusus was found to contain three diazepam tablets.

Deputy Lindsay Agin arrived on scene and found a small red container off the north side of roadway near where the group had been standing.

Located inside was four pills later identified as alprazolam and three and a half tablets of diazepam like those found in Ragusus’ purse.

When questioned about the red container McEwing said she had tossed it when officers weren’t looking.

She said she had been holding the pills for Turner in her bra.

Turner told officers he had given her the pills when he saw the police coming in their direction.

Dashawn Turner and Mrranda McEwing were charged with one count of Unlawful Consumption of Liquor by a Minor and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Turner was released from custody April 22 after a $1,000 cash bond was posted on his behalf by Monica Turner of the same High St., Eldorado address.

McEwing was released from custody the same day after a $1,000 cash bond was posted on her behalf by Angela Harrelson of the same Grisham Corner Rd., Eldorado address.

Traci Ragusus was charged with one count each of Unlawful Consumption of Liquor by a Minor and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Ragusus was also released from custody April 22 after a $1,000 cash bond was posted on her behalf by Debra Marler of the same Smith St., Eldorado address.

Jordan Milligan and Victoria Bethune were both charged with of Unlawful Consumption of Liquor by a Minor. Their custody status was unclear as of press time.

SALINE CO.—A Harrisburg couple face drug charges.

Authorities say a Harrisburg woman and her boyfriend have been sentenced to prison after she got caught stealing starter fluid to help make meth.

According to court documents, on April 13, Megan Rae Mitchell, 26, of 1105 South Roosevelt, Harrisburg, entered into the Knapp Mart Citgo store, located at 614 S. Commercial St., Harrisburg and walked out with a can of starter fluid without bothering to pay for them.

When stopped and confronted by officers she said that she had been offered $60 for the $3.59 can of starter fluid by Gene Hughes to help make meth.

She had been instructed to go to 27 ½ Walnut St., and they would meet there.

Officers said when she arrived she brought in a plastic bag with two cans of starter fluid, one she stole and one purchased by her boyfriend Brandon Ragain, two bags of coffee filters and numerous plastic bags.

She was also found to be in possession of two used syringes and needles and one metal spoon used to heat up the drug to introduce it into the body.

Mitchell told officers she was going to help manufacture the finished product [meth].

After obtaining a consent to search, officers also found a small Zip-Lock bag that contained a smaller bag with meth inside of it, digital scales and two baggies of “cutting material.”

Mitchell was booked on charges of Retail Theft and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Materials.

Ragain was charged with one count each of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Materials, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine less than five grams and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Both Mitchell and Ragain pled guilty to the meth manufacturing material charge were both sentenced to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and ordered to pay $397 each in fines and fees.

 Charged with rolling “shake n bake”

On Monday, April 22, at approximately 6:56 p.m., officer Brent Davis was westbound on Walnut St., near Main St., when he spotted a maroon Ford pickup truck suspected earlier in the week to have been driven by Destry Mitchell, 48, of 803 North Webster St., Harrisburg, whose driver’s license is revoked.

As Davis was trying to catch up with the truck it turned abruptly onto Webster St. and shortly thereafter Davis initiated a traffic stop.

The driver, identified as Jeremy Mitchell, 25, of Harrisburg, couldn’t locate his license or insurance card.

He did check out with dispatch as having a valid license but that was about the time Davis and officer Kenny Shires, who arrived on scene, “detected a strong chemical odor.”

While officer Davis was talking to the passenger, identified as Destry Mitchell, he spotted a Powerade bottle that contained a clear liquid with white and black particles floating in it.

The smell, combined with the Powerade bottle, caused officers to suspect a “shake n bake” meth lab and they ordered both men out of the vehicle.

Once confirmed, both men were taken into custody and booked into the county jail on charges of Unlawful Methamphetamine Manufacturing 100-400 grams, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors less than 15 grams, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacture Materials and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine less than five grams.

Cash bond in the cases has been set at $3,000 each.

SALINE CO.—Not very much is known about the details surrounding the arrest of and charges against Ian Hamilton…and that’s leaving Harrisburg residents very curious about what’s behind the lack of details.

Hamilton, a seasoned Harrisburg crim despite his young age (19), was charged on April 22, 2013, with Aggravated Battery after, it’s alleged, he “knowingly caused great bodily harm to Kyle M. Day,” (21, of Carrier Mills), “in that he cut the left side of Day’s face with a box cutter,” this occurring on Saturday, April 20.

No charges or associated paperwork show where Hamilton and Day were when the incident occurred.

However, police reports indicate that the two were in a moving vehicle with three others “somewhere in Harrisburg.”

Disclosure was told on April 21 that the two were involved in the altercation, not at some random location within the city of Harrisburg, but specifically, suggestions have been made that it may have been on the premises of the town’s premiere fight bar, Poor Boys, as that’s where, it’s said, Day’s girlfriend works.

Day was reported to have been cut from mouth to ear on his left side; the gash was supposedly completely through his face to his teeth, which could be seen through the wound.

Those who know Day also advised that they believed he’d been stabbed in the throat…but charges don’t reflect that type of wound.

Nevertheless, Day had to be airlifted out of Harrisburg and to an Evansville hospital for treatment of his wounds.

No police report or court documents show what the supposed motive for the cutting was, but sources close to both the victim and the accused have alluded to it being over a possible drug situation, and one side welching against the other.

Kyle Day and girlfriend Kirsten Herber, originally of Equality, are the young couple who experienced tragedy earlier this year (2013) when they lost their almost-five-month-old baby boy to crib death.

Hamilton was arrested after a warrant was issued terming him “Armed/Dangerous.”

Bond was set at $2,000 cash, which, as of press time, he’s been unable to post.

Day’s condition was unknown as of press time.

HARDIN CO.— A man who has been rumored to have been sought after by as many feds as local potheads has been busted on meth charges.

According to authorities, Charles Nick Wenzel, 43, whose father Burt made the term “Wenzel Weed” famous in southern Illinois counties, has been charged, not with pot, but in connection with methamphetamine manufacturing.

Wenzel has been charged with one count of Unlawful Participation in Methamphetamine Production after authorities say on or about March 29, 2012 he knowingly manufactured 15-100 grams of meth and Unlawful Possession of Anhydrous Ammonia.

Cash bond in the case has been set at $15,000.

Saline history

Wenzel was arrested in Saline County in 1992 and charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, Bringing Contraband into a Penal Institution, Obstruction of Justice, Unlawful Possession of Firearm Ammunition and Unlawful Possession of Cannabis.

He pled to the obstruction charge in return for the remaining charges being dismissed and was sentenced to 30 months in IDOC.

Again in Saline, he was convicted August 2000 of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Materials and sentenced to another two years IDOC.

He still has an outstanding drug case in Saline from 2010 in which he is charged with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors less than 15 grams, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacture Materials, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine less than five grams, Unlawful Possession of Cannabis and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

 Sexual abuse con gets conditional discharge

A Rosiclare teen, convicted of Criminal Sexual Abuse, was sentenced to mere conditional discharge in the offense.

According to court records, Kyle R. Holloman, 19, of Rte. 601 Box 75, Rosiclare was taken into custody April 12 and charged with committing an act of sexual penetration April 7, with a victim 15 years of age when he placed his penis in the vagina of the victim.

He was released from custody the same day as his arrest after posting a $150 cash bond.

Holloman pled guilty April 30 and was sentenced to 18 months conditional discharge and was ordered to pay $750 in fines and fees.

Arrested parolee back in prison

Bradley Beasley, 30, has been charged with Aggravated Assault after authorities say on or about March 26 he knowingly used a deadly weapon thereby placing James Curtsinger in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery, and one count of Unlawful use of a Weapon when he knowingly possessed a “dangerous knife” with the intent to use it unlawfully against Mr. Curtsinger.

However short-lived his freedom, Mr. Beasley was released on parole February 6 on a three-year sentence for a felony conviction of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm from 2012 and returned to the Department of Corrections March 18 following this latest arrest.

He is expected back in court sometime next month.

From Mexico

Donald J. Cooper, of 617 Cleveland St., Mexico, Mo., has been charged with one count each of Disorderly Conduct after authorities say on or about April 18 he knowingly acted in an unreasonable manner as to alarm and disturb Hardin County Deputy Shawn Turner and provoke a breach of the peace.

Cooper is also charged with Aggravated Battery after he made physical contact of a provoking nature with Turner.

A third charge of Criminal Damage to Property alleges that two days prior, April 16, he did so when he damaged the property of Linda Ford, identified as a 2007 Ford F150 Lariat truck, with damage between $300 and $10,000.

He was released from custody after a $1,000 cash bond was posted on his behalf by Kenneth M. Cooper, of 1640 East Liberty, Mexico, Mo.

Court documents indicate that Don Cooper failed to show up for his scheduled court date on April 30 at which time his preliminary hearing was continued at his request to June 4.

Ignores forbidden housing

Marcus Shore, 303 Poplar St., Stonefort, has been charged with Criminal Trespass to State Supported Land after police say on April 18 he knowingly entered the building at Apartment 11 of the Hardin County Housing Authority, located on Hardin St., Rosiclare after receiving prior notice from housing authority representatives that such entry was forbidden.

Shore is a babydaddy of one of local crazygirl Martina Oliveda Shore-Reeves’ kids, and has been a part of her recent exploits, including being named in various orders of protection to keep him away from certain people trying to protect Martina’s offspring.

Shore was released from custody the same day he was arrested for the alleged trespassing, after a $150 cash bond was posted.

Rosiclare residentials

Laura L. Patterson, 34, of Rosiclare, has been charged with two counts of Residential Burglary the first after authorities say on or about April 17 she knowingly and without authority entered into the dwelling place of Helen Hicks located at Sixth St., Rosiclare with intent to commit theft, and the second on or about April 21 when she allegedly did the same thing at the dwelling place of Sherry Flynn, located at Hopkinton St., Rosiclare.

Cash bond has been set in the case at $2,500.

SALINE CO.—An accused rapist who has had serious surgery due to a skin cancer created concern among his alleged victims and their families in late April after they claimed authorities weren’t accounting for his whereabouts.

Matthew Connors, 42, of Carbondale, had been held at the Saline County Detention Center after a March 15, 2012 incident in which he was charged in that county with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault involving Bodily Harm, Carrying or Possessing a Knife with Intent to Harm, Domestic Battery with Bodily Harm and Knowingly Damaging Property. He was accused of sexually assaulting the woman he was living with, harming her, threatening her children and damaging her property.

However, during that time, a melanoma that Connors was suffering grew exponentially, and long about the end of March, it became apparent that something was going to have to be done with the cancer or Connors was going to die in jail.

Because he had an Illinois medical card (being indigent and all, as he showed on his financial affidavit that he didn’t work), he was approved for surgery to remove the cancer, as it was an imminent threat to his health.

Connors’ court-appointed attorney, Lowell Tison, filed to allow Connors to be released on a recognizance bond (no cash put up) so that he may seek medical treatment, this being done in late March.

Released for St. Louis

On or about April 23, Connors was released to go to pre-op consultation, ostensibly in St. Louis.

However, Connors reportedly “couldn’t get a ride” to the hospital in St. Louis where this pre-op consultation was going to be conducted…and he returned to his mother’s home in Carbondale, where he proceeded to post online about how he was “coming home to die” and he and a handful of others were soliciting donations online in order to cover whatever costs of the surgery the state (the taxpayers) wasn’t going to be paying for.

Authorities had previously advised Disclosure that the surgery was expected to run in the range of $470,000.

When on Saturday, April 27, Connors’ panicked alleged victims in two counties (Saline and Jackson) contacted Disclosure, they advised that they didn’t believe he was going to have the surgery at all, and, released on his own recognizance, they were in fear that he was going to track them down and do them (or in the case of one of them, her child) harm.

No threat anticipated

Saline County authorities stated that this simply wasn’t the case.

Extra police vigilance, if not outright protection, had been requested for at least the Saline County alleged victim, and authorities were aware that the pre-op consultation was merely a requirement before the surgery and meant that Connors would have to remain out of jail and available when the surgery was scheduled.

And, as it turned out, where.

Connors ultimately had the surgery the first full week of May. Saline authorities advise that it was performed in a hospital in Springfield, not in St. Louis. According to these authorities, surgeons “took off nearly half of Connors’ face” in an effort to get to the melanoma.

He will remain on the recognizance bond during post-op procedures, including radiation treatment.

There have been no future court settings in the Saline County case; and no charges have been filed in the Jackson County case, pending the outcome of the surgery and treatment.

SALINE CO.—As of press time, no charges had been filed against a nephew of Harrisburg’s hotshot attorney, Robert Wilson.

However, authorities confirmed during the last week of April that the report Disclosure received at that time was true: Young Madison Medley, 24, of Harrisburg, who is Wilson’s nephew, had “turned himself in” after going on a little rampage involving his boss Terry Mott’s property and some items he allegedly took from Mott for himself.

Reports that Medley had a cohort in the activity, said to have been Jariah Moss, were unconfirmed as of press time.

Apparently Medley is incriminating only himself in the incident, and, at about the end of the month, had gone to Saline County State’s Attorney Mike Henshaw’s office, looking to admit what he’d done and throw himself on the mercy of the authorities.

Reports of Medley’s condition at the time of the alleged incident (one source termed it as “coked up”) were also unconfirmed as of press time.

The only confirmation Disclosure was able to obtain was that Medley had indeed “turned himself in,” and authorities were simply trying to sort everything out surrounding the situation before proceeding.

GALLATIN CO.—A local boy known across two counties (Gallatin and Saline) for being a troublemaker has been hemmed up in Gallatin after wrecking a car in an early-morning outing Sunday, April 21, 2013.

Andrew T. Cox, 19, of Ridgway, was driving a 2008 white Pontiac passenger car at 7:47 that morning when alleged reckless driving caused him to leave the roadway on Shawnee Forest Road 1,000 feet north of Bennett Cemetery Road, this according to citations issued by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department. The location is northeast of Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest.

A passenger in his car, Erin Paige Coonse (who goes by Paige), 18 (17 at the time of the wreck), of Shawneetown, was seriously injured as a result of the ensuing crash.

Coonse was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital where immediate reports at the time were that she had suffered a broken femur and had injuries to her spleen. Other injuries were later reported but only in vague terms, friends of the family reported the significant injuries to Disclosure.

Multiple counts ensue

Cox was taken to the White County Jail in Carmi, where he was held on a preliminary charge of DUI; citations issued by Gallatin County sheriff’s officials working the case also included Improper Lane Usage, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident, Disobeying a Stop Sign, Illegal Transportation of Alcohol and Reckless Driving.

However, when all was said and done, Gallatin County prosecutor Allen Roe, who is generally wont to file such charges against youth in his county, ultimately issued formal charges against Cox: Aggravated DUI (alcohol) in that Cox was “involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another”; and Leaving the Scene of an Accident in that he “failed to remain at the scene of said accident until the requirements of 625 ILCS 11-403 had been fulfilled” (that being a statute that requires aid to be rendered to an accident victim until responders can be involved.)

The charges were filed April 23.

Even more interesting was the citation issued by Gallatin County to Coonse; she received an Illegal Transportation of Alcohol ticket. Apparently Roe intended to keep that as a traffic violation, as there had been no formal charges filed against the girl as of press time.

Saline County case pled to little to nothing

This isn’t the first incident of its sort that Cox has been involved in.

On December 8, 2012, Cox had a run-in with law enforcement in Saline County when he was stopped after speeding and subsequently landed himself multiple misdemeanor charges running the gamut of every possible thing a teen shouldn’t be involved in: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Consumption of Liquor by a Minor, Possession of Cannabis less than 2.5 grams, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Operating Uninsured and of course, Speeding.

After a few months of wrangling with defense attorney Sam Beggs, prosecutors in the case dismissed everything except the Speeding.

Another casualty of that particular incident was his girlfriend at the time, who was underage and allowing him to drive her car. She, too, was ticketed for unlawful consumption, and as a result, was kicked off the cheerleading squad.

A court date for Cox in Gallatin was noted as set for May 30 on the pending charges.

HARRISBURG—The appointment of Harrisburg Mayor Eric Gregg to Illinois’ Prisoner Review Board was not an unexpected thing when it occurred on April 26, 2013.

However, what’s ensued in the weeks following has been somewhat unheralded.

And, combined with rumblings in other sectors of Saline County, it’s beginning to look like things are heating up for the power brokers of the area.

Just what that will mean for those in positions of power remains to be seen, however, as insiders say that the fabric that’s holding together what’s considered one of the most corrupt counties in downstate is rumored to be fraying at the seams; and, if this is the case, no one can blame Gregg for taking the state position and getting the hell out of local politics before things are ripped to shreds.

Bombarded with questions

For months, Harrisburg residents were texting and messaging Disclosure with “news” that Gregg was resigning, and were wondering why the newspaper hadn’t covered it yet.

Of course, Disclosure was in contact with Gregg throughout, advising that yes, there was another round of questioning going on as to whether he was accepting a state job (some knew exactly what the job was, some did not), and being told no, there was no acceptance of said job, and Gregg was still on duty for the citizens of Harrisburg.

Only on the morning of Saturday, April 27, 2013, at least part of that ceased to be the case.

On that day, press reports throughout the state had it that Gregg had been appointed to the Prisoner Review Board by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.

These same reports had it that Gregg was telling the press corps (including Disclosure) that he had to have Illinois Senate confirmation before it could be final.

However, the website “State of Illinois Prisoner Review Board” (www.illinois.gov/prb) had it that Gregg was already on the board and active as of April 26, 2013 (the day Quinn made the appointment).

There was no mention of “pending Senate approval” or any other such thing; the site even gave a biography of Gregg that made it sound as though he was “former” everything now that he was a member of the board of review:

“Mr. Gregg was appointed in April 2013. He has served as the Mayor of Harrisburg, Illinois. He has an extensive career in public service serving as a Saline County Commissioner, 12 years as a member and two years as the Chairman. He also served on the Coleman Tri-County Mental Health Agency Board of Directors for eight years, Saline County Housing Authority for four years, and has been part of the Saline County Tourism Board for the past several years. From 1985-2000, Mr. Gregg worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections in both the adult and juvenile divisions as the volunteer services coordinator and as a correctional counselor. While in the juvenile division, he was certified as an educator in conflict resolution. He was also the AFSCME union president at IYC Harrisburg facility. Mr. Gregg also worked for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in the coal and market development divisions. He has served as the high school boys and girls soccer coach. Mr. Gregg graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and a minor in Political Science. He was recognized by the American Corrections Association for excellence in state and community service and was designated with the Leaders Among Us Award in 2012 by the Southern Illinoisan newspaper.”

The website carries a chart with all “members” on it, as well as their “term expires” date and their “member since” date.

Gregg’s “term expires” date is January 21, 2019.

His “member since” date is, again, April 26, 2013. There is no codicil presented on his (or anyone else’s) membership that indicates it’s “pending” approval of anything or anyone.

According to state law

Reached for comment on deadline for this issue (May 11, 2013), Gregg told Disclosure the same thing he did two weeks prior: That this is an “executive appointment that requires senate confirmation. During that time, I have the opportunity to wind up what I am working on, such as being the mayor. Once I am confirmed, I will be stepping down. It will be sooner if I am directed to do so.”

Gregg was responding to queries about the statutory authority that is the guideline for PRB appointments: 730 ILCS 5/3-3-1

In that state statute (law), it specifically states that “Each member of the board shall serve on a full-time basis and shall not hold any other salaried public office, whether elective or appointive, nor any other office or position of profit, nor engage in any other business, employment, or vocation.”

This same statute sets out the qualifications for the job, the length of time each may serve and when their appointment ends (third Monday of January, six years from the year of appointment), the salary for each member ($85,886 per year); and on the website, the codicil to that shows clearly that “members may not hold any other form of paid employment.”

This has been the part that’s caused such grave concern among Harrisburg residents, as they feel their mayor of the past two years isn’t being as up front with them about his status as their mayor as he could be.

As of deadline, there wasn’t much more that could be filled in about it.

Will he give up all of it?

But it’s not just the mayor’s office that Gregg has to worry about; he holds other offices and/or positions as well.

Gregg holds a position with the Saline County Industrial Commission, receiving approximately $20-25,000 a year to bring economic development to the area.

As well, he was (recently, anyway) employed as a broker for MidAmerican Energy, which is an alternate energy supplier for companies and entities in the area.

Some of the entities confirmed as contracts Gregg has signed over the past couple of years (since he’s been mayor) have been the Saline Valley Conservancy District (water district), the Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) Foundation, and the Harrisburg School System, where his wife is employed.

He also managed to get sued by a fellow MidAmerican representative, LuAnn Walker, this occurring early this past November (2012).

In the civil suit, filed in Saline County circuit court, Walker accuses Gregg of taking compensation due her when he signed her on as a representative for the company.

The matter only recently had depositions taken in it and is moving extremely slowly through court.

Senior-most commissioner next in line?

Gregg hasn’t made any reference to having given up any of these positions or jobs; he has only told Disclosure that he is making sure to “follow the rules and keep legal advice close.” He stated he believes the “confirmation will be soon” and advised that he was “there (with the board of review) most of last week (the first week of May),” so apparently he has indeed begun work with the state in the new position.

Whether Gregg is getting special dispensation or not remains a point not discussed, however it may appear.

Disclosure has also been in touch with the senior-most member of the Harrisburg board of commissioners (city council), John McPeek, who stands to succeed Gregg as the member with the most seniority.

McPeek has advised that he’s aware that there are attorneys consulting with Harrisburg’s mayor, and that everything is going along well…however, McPeek has made no reference to his possible ascension to the office of mayor once Gregg steps down.

There’s also been no indication of who might be appointed to fill McPeek’s commission on the board.

Confusion swirls

The confusion that swirls around Gregg’s appointment and what’s in store for the Harrisburg city council has been underscored by a report coming out of the city in mid-April regarding problems with the police pension fund.

Trouble within this fund was pointed out during the city audit, which reports were released in February.

Sources preferring to remain anonymous advised Disclosure at the time that money “missing” from the pension fund could only have been accessed by two people: Harrisburg police chief Bob Smith, or Saline County Sheriff DK Brown.

However, since that time (April 15), Disclosure has learned that there has been another person named who could have accessed said funds: Harrisburg attorney and former city of Harrisburg mayor/city attorney Robert Wilson.

How or why Wilson would have even been interested in accessing the funds is a matter of pure speculation.

However, when the finger of suspicion was pointed at the two police officers in question, others came to their defense. And during that “defense,” some disturbing information was put forth: That there might be a little bit of “kickback” going on between some of the downstate county cops and their buddy, “ChickenBob” Wilson.

The input went like this: Certain cops would make traffic stops on certain people in Saline, Hardin and Pope counties. The driver would nearly always be charged for something that simply wasn’t the case, such as a bogus paraphernalia count or something to that effect. Then the cop will “suggest” Wilson as the lawyer to go to for such a charge; ChickenBob would get that person out of the bogus charge (because there was never any evidence to begin with), securing a nice retainer for the work…and he would then pass along some of the funds he obtained via the bogus arrest, back to the cop who did the job.

How this equates to ChickenBob handling (or mishandling) pension funds is unknown…but the fact that such information emerged from the initial report to Disclosure back in April is very telling.

Nervous associates; what’s up with Steve?

Wilson’s reported associates up north have allegedly become very nervous that such information is squeaking out of the ever-more-tightening police force, many of whom are devotees of ChickenBob.

His upstate associates will be further alarmed to learn that there are reportedly many banks downstate—22 in all—that are supposed to be under investigation currently for questionable practices.

In each bank, Wilson has had “some kind of involvement,” be it as legal counsel or some other factor in the bank’s success or failure.

And to tighten sphincters even further, there’s been NO word on the case involving another Wilson compadre, Steve Patton.

Patton was the pharmacist who was walked out of his store, MediCap Pharmacy, last August while the parking lot filled up with federal officials, who cleared everyone away from their duties within the pharmacy and began investigating things top to bottom.

Since that time, Patton has endured a divorce from his wife Linda, who is now sole owner and operator of the pharmacy thanks to intervention on the part of Wilson, and two of Patton’s concubines, Carolyn McGhee and Tara Sherrod, have been charged with multiple drug crimes.

The upshot of it is that Patton was keeping the gals supplied.

Sherrod has openly said “I’m not going to prison for Steve Patton” and has reportedly turned over to authorities a diary of sorts that outline what she and Patton have been doing.

Wilson, it’s been reported, features in this diary heavily.

Their seat on the bus

The big question that seems to have been formulated since about last summer is “Who will give up their seat on the bus?”

This references people who “have something” on other people, who will rat someone else out (‘giving up their seat on the bus’ to DOC) and who will be the ultimate person who will be rolled on by everyone else.

The reach of this massive game goes far beyond the boundaries of the city of Harrisburg and Eric Gregg’s upcoming resignation, and encompasses bigger players than even local know-it-alls can imagine, including Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who was reported to have visited Hardin County last fall in somewhat of a panic after an entire slate of Republicans on the ballot mopped the floor of the corrupt Democrats who had been in power in that county for far too long.

Madigan was reported to have swayed at least one of the new Republican officeholders, and that person has been seen hanging with Wilson and other Dem cronies in Pope County in recent weeks, knocking back a few at a local bar.

If the noose is tightening in south counties, it means someone is talking.

Continue to stay apprised of the ever-developing situation by keeping up with Disclosure, both in print and online.

SALINE CO.—There was one indictment that came out of the Saline County Grand Jury two days ago: Tevin Jamal Tate, 21, who was indicted on a single count of armed robbery of the Casey’s store in Carrier Mills, this dating back to last year (August 19, 2012).

His count was a Class 1 felony Aggravated Robbery when armed with a firearm.

Tate has little other discernible criminal history, other than a misdemeanor theft dating back to July 2012 on his record.

Quite a bit of effort for a Class 1 felony, but I’m sure they have their reasons.

UPDATE 1: Sources close to the family have informed us that Mike Talkington had been in the company of two individuals who dropped him off at his brother’s house in the 500 block of Bruddick Street, Edorado. The pair went back to pick him up and could not find him. Out of concerned they entered the home and woke his brother Jimmy and they began a search. He was found by his brother hanging in a nearby tree. His brother believed him to still be alive and climbed the tree but was unable to reach him. EMS arrived on scene a short time later and Talkington was unresponsive.

ELDORADO—Authorities have confirmed that emergency medical services responded to a location in Eldorado this morning, Thursday, May 16, 2013.

Upon arrival, sources indicate Mike Talkington was found hanged in a residence on (conflicting accounts; bear with us) either Dillard Street or Briddick Street in Eldorado; NOT Newton Street as originally reported. We’re looking into the confusion with the locations right now, as authorities are saying something different than unofficial sources are conveying.

Sources said the incident either took place or at least was discovered at approximately 4-4:30 a.m.

Talkington, said to be in his late 40s-50s.

Check back for further details and updates as information comes available.

Photo of Mike Talkington, submitted by a reader

SALINE CO.—The fate of convicted child killer Ricky Turner II, 35, has been delayed as authorities work out what a source close to the investigation called an “issue” with the pre-sentencing report in the case.

Convicted child killer Ricky Turner II

Turner was convicted March 22 for the brutal June 2009 beating death of 4-year-old Jessika James in Eldorado. He was originally set for sentencing today, May 16, 2013, in Saline County Circuit Court.

The details that came out in trial of how Turner treated the little girl made this one of the most brutal murder trials Disclosure staffers have covered in more than a decade with this paper, and more than two decades with other papers.

Turner is also believed to have sexually assaulted the little girl, although there was no direct evidence given during trial to indicate this…only plenty of INDIRECT evidence during testimony.

Saline County State’s Attorney Mike Henshaw, when reached for comment, said he would announce the re-sentencing date as soon as the pre-sentencing issue is resolved.

SALINE CO.—A familiar juvenile face in Saline County has been involved in yet another alleged crime spree.

Aaron Rector, 16, is reported to have been involved in a series of alleged crimes involving vehicles—again—including setting one vehicle on fire, this somewhere in Saline County (we’re still getting the details).

As far as we can ascertain from initial reports, Rector, another juvenile, and two adults were in on the alleged spree. The others involved wrote out statements pinning Rector down to the alleged thefts, although Rector is telling authorities he was just ‘in the back seat’ when this was all going down, and that the others were the ones actually up to no good and committing the crimes. Reportedly, all involved were drinking, which just exacerbated things.

Maria Rector, looking unusually happy to be in DOC at Logan Correctional

Aaron Rector from a couple of years ago

Rector was shipped back to Franklin County juvenile detention, where he’s spent the better part of the past several years and where, probably, he should be kept (juvenile detention…ANY juvenile detention up to and including IYC), since he can’t stop getting in trouble, whether he’s instigating it or whether he just gets drawn in. Regular readers will recall that Rector was involved in car thefts from more than a year ago, and at about that time, it was also learned that his older brother was the victim of an alleged sex predator (scroll down to the bottom of the page at the link)—his own stepmother, Maria Rector, 25, with whom it’s been alleged the older brother fathered one of her children, and maybe two. Rector finally entered a plea in her Saline County case regarding the matter (she was also charged in other counties, including White) and is currently in DOC for the next several years on the sex charge….all of which probably doesn’t make the young Aaron Rector feel any better about himself OR his brother.

Since Aaron is on parole from the 2012 incident, we’re hearing it’s likely he will be shipped to IYC. We should have more in the next print version, as it takes a while for these things to develop…so be sure you’re watching for it, and of course you can always get an online membership to read the e-Edition; sign up today!

When will things ever get sorted out in the ‘burg? That’s the question this article, with link at the bottom, proposes answers to as a front-page story in the current issue. This is a continuation of featuring our top stories in this month’s print version, where we give you the lead to the story, then a link where you can click and get an online membership to the e-Edition and read the full story, or simply visit a vendor near you to pick up a copy of the May-June 2013 issue of Disclosure, on stands now.

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Eric Gregg’s front-page photo with cutline

HARRISBURG—The appointment of Harrisburg Mayor Eric Gregg to Illinois’ Prisoner Review Board was not an unexpected thing when it occurred on April 26, 2013.

However, what’s ensued in the weeks following has been somewhat unheralded.

And, combined with rumblings in other sectors of Saline County, it’s beginning to look like things are heating up for the power brokers of the area.

Just what that will mean for those in positions of power remains to be seen, however, as insiders say that the fabric that’s holding together what’s considered one of the most corrupt counties in downstate is rumored to be fraying at the seams; and, if this is the case, no one can blame Gregg for taking the state position and getting the hell out of local politics before things are ripped to shreds.

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To read the rest of the story (and view all photos associated with it), simply click here to get the e-Edition, or visit one of our Harrisburg vendors: J&J’s Drive-Thru Liquors, Book Emporium, or Graf Ink Printing.

ELDORADO—Remember Smokey the German Shepherd?

Apparently, it’s been settled.

Regular readers will remember that last fall, there was an incident in Eldorado involving a new cop, Ryan Ward, who, while searching for someone in a particular neighborhood, came upon the wrong house, this one belonging to Jason Robershaw. Ward went around the back of the house and encountered Robershaw’s dog, Smokey, and shot Smokey, later claiming that the dog “attacked” him…and the city’s errant police chief, Freeman Shannon Todd Deuel (STD) backing him up in paperwork later on.

Well, today, Robershaw posted this on his Facebook page:

Concerning the Smokey situation: My attorney and I settled with the city. Although they deny any fault in the matter, their insurance paid their deductible. It is not what I wanted but it is at least some acknowledgement. I would suggest installing video and audio surveillance on your property and in your car. That’s what I’m doing to protect myself against future encounters with dishonest police officers.

Freeman STD…he’s like a disease….every bit as contagious.

We’re happy that something came of it, and of course that doesn’t replace Smokey at all, but at least this came of it: Someone is speaking out about the “dishonesty of police officers.” While Robershaw didn’t specify anyone, the article we ran covering the situation in full, including giving the police report where it’s obvious STD lied to cover Ward’s ass (Ward was still on a probationary period), clearly showed what some of the cops in ‘rado are capable of. And none of it is going to change until someone gets Deuel out of there and gets a police chief in who won’t resort to bullshit when something of this nature happens. So think carefully during your next election cycle, ‘rado…STD serves at the mayor’s pleasure, and a new mayor may or may not fix things.

SALINE CO.—We have been working to confirm reports of a throat slashing in Carrier Mills that reportedly occurred Monday, May 20.

Moments ago authorities confirmed to Disclosure that a Carrier Mills man was indeed rushed to a nearby hospital after his throat was slashed earlier yesterday.

LeRoy Wallace

There is no subject in custody however, because sources indicate the man, identified as LeRoy Wallace, 47, was taken from 1115 North Main in Carrier Mills by Med Force Ambulance after 911 was called at approximately 4:30 a.m.

Wallace was transported to Harrisburg Medical Center then air lifted to Evansville for treatment of what is being described as a “self-inflicted” wound.

Wallace appears to be no stranger to the Saline County court system.

Court records indicate that he has a pending case in which he was arrested in August of 2012 and charged with one count each of Aggravated DUI/Fifth Offense and Improper Lane Usage.

He also has a pending case from February of this year in which he is charged with one count each of Aggravated DUI/Sixth Offense, Driving on Suspended License and Improper Lane Usage.

Keep checking back for additional details as they become available.

SALINE CO.—Family members of Aaron Rector are relieved today when, as of yesterday, May 21, 2013, they learned that Aaron, 16, would not be charged with auto theft that occurred over the weekend.

From Aaron Rector’s Facebook page

Rector was with a group of men/boys who targeted auto owners over the weekend in the Raleigh/Eldorado area, much like what happened about a year ago (and in which Rector was involved), and took many vehicles on joyrides after allegedly breaking and entering them with intent, evidently, to steal them.

Aaron Rector, who has an extensive juvenile record, went to court yesterday morning at 10 a.m. and was charged with “being in the auto” when the others allegedly stole it (we’ll get the exact wording in the print version). He is currently on parole for the incident that occurred last year; as a result of this, it was determined that the boy would go on an ankle monitor and be sent home until further advisement of the court. He was NOT charged with stealing any of the vehicles; however, we’ll see who all does, if any, get charged with said crime.

Be checking for updates, and be sure to pick up the print version for the full story, or get an online membership and read it online at the e-Edition right here.