Breaking News
Authorities Arrest 18 in Macoupin and Montgomery County Drug Sweep
Law enforcement officials arrested 18 individuals on various drug charges early Tuesday morning, May 3, in Macoupin and Montgomery, according to the South Central Illinois Drug Task Force (SCIDTF).
SCIDTF agents were assisted in serving the arrest warrants by personnel from the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department, Gillespie Police Department, Staunton Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department and Litchfield Police Department. The arrest warrants were issued after an ongoing investigation of approximately one year by SCIDTF. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, and Litchfield Police Department have full-time representatives assigned to SCIDTF.
Arrest warrants have been issued for an additional 10 suspects in connection with the investigation. Those arrested and the charges against them are as follows:
John Vargo, Gillespie, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
Alexander Brown, Gillespie, delivery of a controlled substance.
Todd LaRoche, Benld, delivery of a controlled substance.
Sharon Rife, Wilsonville, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
Jacob Potter, Staunton, two counts of delivery of cannabis.
John Morey, Bunker Hill, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
Robert Hicks, Bunker Hill, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
Bradley Wolff, Gillespie, delivery of a controlled substance.
Matt Butler, Litchfield, delivery of cannabis.
Kevin Jett, Litchfield, delivery of a controlled substance.
William Anglin, Litchfield, delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 of a school.
Travis Birkenkamp, Litchfield, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church.
George Foster, Litchfield, two counts of delivery of cannabis.
Jennifer Bradburn, Litchfield, delivery of cannabis and delivery of a controlled substance.
Andrea Shreeve, Hillsboro, delivery of a controlled substance.
Dagen Trailor, Hillsboro, two counts of delivery of cannabis.
Bill Shroedel, Nokomis, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.
Misty Grimes, Fillmore, possession of a controlled substance.
The 10 suspects who have not been arrested have a combined total of nine counts of delivery of cannabis and six counts of delivery of controlled substance.
South Central Illinois Drug Task Force, along with county and local law enforcement officials, are focused on combatting illegal drugs in local communities. Any information the public might have to help the law enforcement in the “war on drugs” are encouraged to call the Macoupin/Montgomery Chapter of CrimeStoppers or the South Central Illinois Drug Task Force at 1 (800) 500-6742. Names of informants will be held in confidence.
102 Illinois Route 16
Litchfield, Illinois 62056-1574
(217) 324-6734 or 324-6742
Toll Free: 1-800-500-6742
Written and Contributed by David Ambrose and The South County News
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Another major winter storm is forecasted to blanket the BenGil area in heavy rains, flooding and snowfall starting Wednesday night through Thursday.
The mixture of precipitation and rapidly changing weather likely will produce the potential for sudden icing on roads, with high winds leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility.
“The Illinois Department of Transportation’s snow-and-ice teams will be prepared and out in force, but the public needs to be ready for conditions to change quickly and worsen if they are out on the roads,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “As always during periods of extreme weather, the safest option is to postpone any unnecessary trips and stay home. If you must travel, prepare for very slow and potentially hazardous conditions. And please slow down around our plows and other emergency vehicles, giving them plenty of room to do their jobs.”
The National Weather Service is predicting a wintry mix of precipitation to start with thunderstorms and heavy rain in much of the state this evening, converting to freezing rain overnight before turning to snow Thursday morning. In addition to localized flooding, ice and sleet accumulations are likely, creating extremely slippery surfaces and slick conditions.
Due to the rainy conditions ahead of temperatures falling overnight, the effectiveness of pretreating and salting surfaces in advance of significant snowfall will be limited. The public should anticipate icy conditions even when roads appear clear and greatly reduce speeds.
“As the Illinois State Police plans to take on the unpredictable Illinois weather, we would like to remind motorists to do their part in keeping the roads a safe place,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP, alongside IDOT and other agencies, will be working in hazardous weather conditions. Please remember to slow down, stay vigilant and move over for ANY vehicle on the side of the road.”
Statewide, IDOT has available more than 1,800 trucks and equipment to plow, treat roads and respond to weather emergencies. If you encounter a plow or any maintenance vehicle during your travels, please slow down, increase your following distance and remain patient. Do not attempt to pass – conditions in front of the plow will be worse than behind it.
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Police are investigating the death of a Bunker Hill woman who was found dead at the end of her driveway near the roadway on Monday morning, January 31.
Nancy Blycker, 91, had multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call to the 2900 block of Wood Hill Lane around 7:40 a.m. on Monday.
The initial suspicion was homicide, according to a release by the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis who said approximately 20 investigators were working the investigation, but the autopsy contradicted that suspicion.
The Major Case Squad said on Tuesday it is “highly unlikely” Blycker’s death was the “result of homicidal means.”
The Major Case Squad turned the case back over to the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department. The official cause of death is pending further lab analysis.
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The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the BenGil area, southwestern Illinois, and the St. Louis area.
The warning was issued early Tuesday taking effect at midnight tonight until noon on Thursday, February 3 calling for a “wet, heavy” snow. The forecast also calls for ice prompting a warning about possible power outages.
“All indications continue to point to a disruptive, impactful, and dangerous winter storm impacting the region starting late tonight and lasting through Thursday night,” the National Weather Service said in its Area Forecast Discussion.
The BenGil area is expected to receive heavy mixed precipitation including snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches, sleet accumulations around three-quarters of an inch, and ice accumulations around two-tenths of an inch. Wind gusts will be as high as 35 mph on Thursday.
The storm is expected to start with rain most of the day today before transitioning into a mixture of freezing rain and/or sleet Tuesday night, then all snow Wednesday morning or as late as Wednesday afternoon continuing until about noon on Thursday.
