STATE'S ATTORNEY VICTIM/WITNESS PROGRAM QUARTERLY REPORT

Bond County State's Attorney Chris Bauer has released the Prosecutor Based Victim/Witness Program report for October, November and December 2006.  Several children were added to the program including those who were victims of abduction, abuse, and sexual assault.  There was one elder abuse victim and several victims assisted in relation to a reckless homicide. In 2005, a minor was charged with Reckless Homicide in the death of another youth.  A parole hearing was set for the 16th of this month and information is being relayed between the Parole Board and the Coordinator James Stever, and passed along to individuals who desire to appear before the board to object to the individual's release.

In May 2006, three individuals were charged with Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Battery when they allegedly attempted to rob an employee leaving a business, by striking him on the head while they were masked.  One defendant has pled guilty and was sentenced to the Bond County Jail while the other two defendants are awaiting trial dates.  Stever continues to provide services to the victim.  On July 12 of this year, the State's Attorney filed criminal charges against a female for alleged Aggravated Battery to a 79 year-old senior citizen.  The victim and two family members are being provided services by the coordinator. 

On November 9, 2006 two juvenile petitions were filed by the State's Attorney charging the minors with Aggravated Battery allegedly causing bodily harm to another student at Greenville Junior High School.  Services are being provided to the victim and the victim's mother.  The goals of the Victim/Witness Program are to ensure victims have access to the criminal justice system and are provided support.

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KPD BOARD UPDATED ON ON-GOING PROJECTS

The Kingsbury Park district held their January meeting last night. District Director Jerry Sauerwein told the committee that work on Patriots Park Lake was almost complete except for some cleanup and the park should be open soon.  Work included a new boat ramp. Due to the minimum wage going up a dollar an hour for the second straight year summertime labor will cost another $3,000 this year. Last year the district absorbed the increase but this year Sauerwein is recommending increased pool fees to pay for the higher wages. Several members of the committee will be attending a conference in Chicago later this month to find options for financing and building a skateboard park. Sauerwein told the board members that the property dispute lawsuit filed by Butch Kennedy against the KPD was heard in Bond County Court on Monday and the Judge is taking testimony under advisement and may soon announce a verdict. You can see the open portion of the park district meeting tonight at 6PM on Greenville Cable Channel 3.

ILLINOIS SCHOOLS WILL HAVE IMPROVED AGRICULTURE EDUCATION

A new law will now incorporate more instructional courses into existing agricultural education programs in school districts across the state.  House Bill 4986 will allow schools that offer Ag education programs, to also offer instructional courses through the approval of the Illinois State Board of Education.  It requires a state and nationally certified chapter of the Future Farmers of America to be a part of the curriculum.  Another important component of this new law is a requirement for hands on instructional activities that will allow students to engage in actual fieldwork in the various aspects of farming and agricultural development.

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LINCOLN MUSEUM SEES ONE MILLIONTH VISITOR

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum welcomed its 1 millionth visitor this past weekend.  Reaching this milestone in less than two years is believed to be the fastest paced record set by a Presidential Museum.  Craig Schone was welcomed as the 1 millionth visitor and received a key to the City of Springfield, two tickets for the Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony and the Inaugural Ball and a gift basket from the Museum Store.

Upcoming events at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum include "Tales from the Crypt: A History of the Lincoln Tomb" and "Mary Todd Lincoln: Lady of Controversy".  Visitors have come from every state in the nation and a number of countries around the world.  School children make up a significant portion of the visitors.

LAWMAKER'S LOOK AT EDITING ILLINOIS' LAW BOOK

Lawmakers in Springfield want to cut about one third of Illinois' 300,000 page criminal code.  An expert panel is recommending changes that would streamline the decades old law book, which was last edited in 1961.  Since then, lawmakers have added thousands of new laws.  As there's not a lot of opposition to these cuts, there could be next year when a panel looks to edit Illinois' sentencing guidelines.

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GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

The Greenville City Council will meet tonight at 7:30PM.  Matters for council consideration include a sign variance request by Love's Travel Stop, a request from the Buxton Company and the Fiscal Year 2007/2008 budget discussion.  Other items on the agenda include awarding a bid for the Peterson Industrial Drive Improvement Project, information from the American Farm Heritage Museum and administrative reports from all city departments.

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LISTEN FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS TO THE RODEO

The award winning Longhorn Rodeo is coming to the St. Louis area for the first time and your friends at WGEL and Donaldson’s Carpet are giving you the chance to win tickets.  The Longhorn Rodeo features fast paced cowgirl barrel racing; steer wrestling; calf roping; bareback bronc riding; and bull riding.  On Friday morning when you hear Cowboy Carl open the WGEL ticket window, be caller seven and you’ll win a Family Fun Pack of four tickets to see the Longhorn Rodeo Sunday at 2pm at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

You must be 18 or older to win and may only win once.  Only one winner per family.  Employees of WGEL, Donaldson’s Carpet, and their immediate family members are not eligible. 

Be listening for Cowboy Carl between 6am and Noon this Friday and your chance to win tickets for the Longhorn Rodeo courtesy of WGEL and Donaldson’s Carpet.

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THE WGEL CASH CALL

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN SOME CASH!!!! LISTEN FOR THE CASH CALL AMOUNT GIVEN ONCE EACH HOUR IN THE 6, 7 & 8AM HOURS, MONDAY THRU FRIDAY.

KNOW THAT AMOUNT WHEN AUNDI FROM WGEL CALLS IN THE EVENING AND YOU WOULD BE A WINNER.