DEER HUNTER FALLS TO DEATH
Bond County Sheriff's Deputies and Bond County EMS responded to a call Tuesday night to the scene of a deer hunting accident along Timberline Road south of Sorento. According to Bond County Sheriff Jeff Brown, 60 year-old David Newberry of Granite City had been deer hunting and apparently fell from a tree stand, causing his death. A family member, who had gone looking for him when he did not return from hunting, found Newberry.
STUDENTS ATTEND NATIONAL FFA CONVENTION
At the most recent Unit 2 school board meeting, the 2008 state test scores for the District were presented. Overall, the District was above statewide standards. Financial aid night at Greenville High School was a big success with over 20 families participating and getting financial advice for college. Over 100 veterans attended the Veterans Day Program at the High School with 1999 Graduate Jeremy Hudson as guest speaker. An Open House for the High School is scheduled for Sunday, December 7th, coinciding with the Christmas concert. Approval for new policies concerning use of credit cards, safety procedures, insurance and Tort resolutions were passed. Finally the Bond County Unit 2 High School FFA presented, before the Board and audience, a slide show from their recent trip to Indianapolis. Twelve members plus two chaperones attended the National FFA Convention, touring over 300 exhibits concerning agricultural careers. While in town, they also visited Indianapolis Speedway, Lucas Oil Stadium the home of the Colts, a popcorn factory and also attended a Taylor Swift concert.
GUILTY PLEA FOR BANKRUPTCY FRAUD FROM DIEKEMPER
Margaret Diekemper, age 64, of Carlyle, entered a guilty plea to Conspiracy to Commit Bankruptcy Fraud in federal court in East St. Louis Tuesday. Margaret Diekemper is the wife of Joseph Diekemper who is also being held on charges of Bankruptcy Fraud and awaiting trial. One of the assets, that was allegedly hidden during bankruptcy proceedings, was a tractor, found behind a false wall in a barn on the property rented by George and Linda Weedon near Keyesport. George and Linda were both found killed on that property and the house they had been renting was burned to the ground. The killings happened only two days after George had contacted the FBI about the tractor. There was no indication from the plea agreement that Margaret would provide any information on the killings, and to this date no-one has been charged in the double murder. While the bankruptcy charges are a federal crime, the murder investigation is being handled by the Illinois State Police.
Margaret Diekemper is scheduled to be sentenced on February 9, 2009 and could face up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years supervised release. Joseph Diekemper’s trial on the Bankruptcy Fraud charges was again postponed and is now scheduled for January 2009.
