OHIO MAN INJURED IN INTERSTATE ACCIDENT
An unknown motorist is being blamed for a head-on accident Wednesday morning on Interstate 70 near the 37 mile marker. Illinois State Police report that Cynthia D. Hager of Charleston, Illinois was westbound when another westbound driver swerved into her lane. Hager lost control of her SUV and went across the median and collided head-on with an eastbound car driven by Matthew Thrognorton of Delaware, Ohio. Hager nor her passengers were injured. The Pocahontas-Old Ripley fire department extricated Thrognorton from his car. He was taken to Greenville Regional Hospital and later transferred to a St. Louis hospital. State police have been unable to gather information on the third vehicle
SMOOTHER BEAUMONT MEANS SPEEDING MOTORISTS
Drivers in Greenville seem to really appreciate the smoother ride on Beaumont Avenue. Resurfacing work recently wrapped up and Greenville Police Chief Lou Lorton says this has led to an increased number of speeders on Beaumont. Lorton told WGEL that in the near future his department will step up speed enforcement on Beaumont Avenue. The chief reminds everyone that the speed limit is 30 miles per hour.
In a related note, Greenville police will conduct a seat belt enforcement campaign this month. Checkpoints will be clearly marked at various locations in the city limits. Lorton indicated that the tentative dates for the motorist checkpoints are November 22nd through December 2nd.
OPEN ENROLLMENT AVAILABLE FOR MEDICARE PART D
People who were eligible for Medicare Part D last year and missed the deadline now have another chance to sign up. The open enrollment period is now through December 31. Anna Oestreich, Director of the Bond County Senior Center said people might want check if they are circuit breaker eligible, that they not only filed that, but also applied to social security for extra help. She stated that this is a real sticking point this year. Even though people may not be eligible for this benefit, the state is requiring this step.
Oestreich said there will be a program Monday, November 20 from
1-3PM at the senior center on the basics of Medicare Part D and everyone is welcome to attend. Topics discussed will include the program itself, the changes to deductibles and co-pays, and the basic elements of assistance programs available to enhance Medicare Part D. For those who need to look at different plans, Oestreich suggests they call and make an appointment for her staff to look at a person's medications and needs in order to help them make the choice as to change or stay with the plan the currently have.
HIGHLAND WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDERING HER HUSBAND
A Highland woman has pled guilty to the January 2005 murder of her husband. Metro News Source reports that 34-year-old Tammy Englerth entered the guilty plea in Madison County court Thursday to setting her husband on fire as he slept. 30-year-old Christopher Englerth died several days later from his burns. Highland police had initially reported that Tammy Englerth poured gasoline over her husband while he was sleeping and then set the bed on fire. She sustained burns during the fire. Tammy Englerth is currently serving a prison sentence for stealing $16,000 from a Highland business.
HOBBY AND COLLECTORS SHOW AT CHURCH
The Greenville First Presbyterian Church is hosting its 7th annual Hobby and Collectors Show tonight from 6:30 until 9pm. Area hobbyists are bringing their collections to share with the general public. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided. Among the things you’ll see at the show are postcards, hats, miniature saddles, photography, wood carving, Cisco Kid memorabilia, and St. Louis Cardinals autographs. There are 33 exhibitors participating this year.
GRAND JURY TO BE SELECTED
The Bond County Board met last Wednesday and ended their regular meeting with a closed session. During which time, the names of 16 individuals were selected for possible Grand Jury duty including the names of 12 supplemental jurors. Bond County State's Attorney Chris Bauer told WGEL that he had filed a petition for selection of a Grand Jury, in which Judge Knight ordered a motion for jurors to be selected by the Circuit Clerk and Bond County Board. Random names of Bond County residents who are registered voters and have driver's licenses are issued to the clerk's office by an administration in Springfield. The names of those who are deceased or ineligible for jury duty are then weeded out. The remaining names were drawn at random during the Bond County Board meeting.
Bauer said a date would be set to have the first group of selected individuals summoned and eventually set a panel of 16 jurors. They will be sworn in and will make up the Grand Jury for the next 18 months. Bauer will present cases to the Grand Jury and seek indictments based on "probable cause". After which time, warrants will be issued for the individuals with regular court proceedings to follow. Bauer usually files criminal charges by presenting "information" to the judge, but in some felony cases more is needed than just the state's attorney’s charges or police report.
Currently there are a large number of felony cases that would normally take months of court dates to get indictments. However, Bauer hopes that with the Grand Jury, they can get through all the cases in just a few days.
