Compiled By Ben Cox
Crime Stoppers numbers take a dip in 1Q
Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties saw a significant dip in tips and arrests during the first quarter of 2025. The number of submitted tips lowered to 60 over the first three months with no cases being solved. There were 8 arrests for the first three months, but those could all be attributed to people failing to appear in court, according to Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties Coordinator Loren Hamilton, “The year got off to a slow start but, I have complete confidence it will pick up.” The group is expected to debut a QR code to be placed on posters in the area soon to help generate more tips and arrests in the coming months.
Two men injured after vehicle strikes home on Jacksonville’s west end
Jacksonville police responded to a pair of single-vehicle crashes on the city’s west end early Monday morning. West Central Joint Dispatch received a call at 12:04 a.m. Monday, April 7 from the 1600 block of Mound Avenue of a wreck in the area, but the caller could not provide any further information due to power lines being down, which was a concern for the caller’s safety. Upon arrival, officers learned that two single-vehicle crashes had occurred simultaneously in the area.
According to one report, a vehicle driven by Jaylon E. Jackson, 21, of the 400 block of Anna Street, was traveling eastbound on Mound Round, when for an unknown reason, he lost control of the vehicle and left the roadway to the left and wrecked into the side of a residence in the 100 block of Fairview Terrace. The crash caused a significant portion of the brick wall exterior of the home to cave in, exposing a room inside. According to reports, no one was inside the room and no one inside the residence was injured.
The second vehicle, driven by Thomas E.J. Clawson, 21, of the first block of Fernwood Boulevard, was also traveling eastbound on Mound Avenue, when for an unknown reason, he lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway to the left and struck a tree and a privacy fence in the backyard of a home in the 1000 block of Mound Avenue. One of the crashes, which was not identified in reports, also snapped a utility pole causing much of the neighborhood to lose power for a few hours while Ameren-Illinois utility crews replaced the pole.
Jackson was taken from the scene by ambulance to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Clawson was taken from the scene by ambulance to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield for incapacitating injuries, and his current condition is not known. Both men were cited by the Illinois State Police troopers for driving under the influence, failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Authorities have indicated that an investigation into the crashes remains open and further citations may be pending.
Winchester superintendent issues letter after failed building referendum
Winchester School District Superintendent Dr. Kevin Blankenship issued a letter to the Winchester community on Monday, April 7 after the high school building referendum failed during the April consolidated election.
The Winchester School Board was seeking permission to issue a $12 million general obligation bond for renovations at the 122-year-old building. The school board has been discussing renovation plans for the building since August 2023. The referendum failed with a final tally of 582 (No votes) to 513 (Yes votes). Blankenship admitted disappointment in the failure of the referendum, saying that he believed the proposed $12 million project scope addressed the current building’s health, life and safety issues. The school district is now limited to just $7 million in health, life, safety bonds for prioritized renovations. Blankenship said in the letter the district will take a three-step approach of listening and learning from community feedback to better understand priorities, explore renovation project alternatives and have open communication and transparency through the upcoming projects. Blankenship says the Winchester community should continue to pay attention to future communications regarding the upcoming project and to watch for opportunities for further discussions.
Jacksonville Police Department announces new camera trailer
Jacksonville Police Department Chief Doug Thompson announced Tuesday, April 8 that the police department has taken possession of a new camera trailer from Utilitra that will be used in neighborhoods of concern. The camera will not be covert and will be out in the public in plain sight. There will be JPD patches on the trailer along with red and blue flashing lights
indicating its presence. The first few deployments of the camera will be in the municipal parking lot in the 200 block of South Sandy Street. Moving forward the camera may be at events in the plaza, community park and fairgrounds, and at sporting events. Thompson thanked Morgan County Emergency Management and the Morgan County Fair Board for their assistance in purchasing the trailer.
Jacksonville man reaches plea in February 2024 strong-arm robbery case
A homeless Jacksonville man pleaded guilty to Class 2 felony robbery in Morgan County Circuit Court on April 1. Dakota J. Powell, 24, reached the open plea in front of Circuit Judge Chris Reif after spending over a year in the Morgan County Detention Facility. Powell was arrested by Jacksonville police on February 12, 2024 in an abandoned apartment complex in the 200 block of West College Avenue. Powell was reported to have kicked and beaten another subject near the 200 block of Dunlap Court and taken their cell phone. The victim reported minor injuries during the incident and was treated by LifeStar EMS on scene. Powell is said to have known the victim. Through the course of investigation, Powell was located in the apartment complex nearby and became combative with police when he was being detained. Officers later located a bag with the victim’s cell phone, purported methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. At the time of the arrest, Powell was on pretrial supervision for a previous narcotics arrest in Jacksonville and was on probation for a methamphetamine and obstructing justice conviction in Pike County. Powell is reported to have extensive criminal history dating back to 2010. On April 1, Judge Reif sentenced Powell to 5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, 1 year of mandatory supervised release and ordered payment of a $500 fine. The court also recommended that Powell be placed in a correctional facility with substance abuse and mental health treatment. Powell was given credit for 414 days served in the Morgan County Detention Facility.
Davidsmeyer notification bill on gun threats at school passes IL House
State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer’s legislation that would attempt to curb gun violence in schools passed the Illinois House of Representatives this week.The representative had an incident in his district where a student threatened to commit an act of gun violence against another student after they were released from school on an “early out” day. The victim told
school administrators who did not notify the principal immediately since it was just a threat. The victim’s parents got involved after hearing that nothing was done immediately to the student who made the threat. HB1316 requires all school officials to immediately notify the office of the principal in the event that they: observe any person in possession of a firearm on school grounds; become aware of any person in possession of a firearm on school grounds; or become aware of any threat of gun violence on school grounds.
“Gun violence, especially as a law-abiding gun owner, is something that I take extremely serious[ly],” Davidsmeyer said during debate on the bill, “We all want to put an end to gun violence especially in schools. This puts in a framework of what needs to happen when somebody is notified of a threat of gun violence.” The bill also requires the principal to notify the parents of the children involved in the incident to ensure that the children do not have any direct access to a firearm. The bill was approved on Thursday, April 10 on a vote of 115-0 and now heads to the Senate for their consideration.
Moore’s combined Veterans Assistance Commission bill passes IL House
Small Illinois communities will be empowered to band together to form new Veterans Assistance Commissions under legislation passed in the Illinois House on Thursday, April 10. House Bill 1352 will allow multiple counties who are within a judicial circuit to form a Jurisdictional Veterans Assistance Commission. State Representative Kyle Moore says his bill will allow smaller counties to combine resources to better suit local veterans’ needs: “Under current guidelines most large counties have Veterans Assistance Commissions in place, but many smaller counties lack the resources or funding to form one on their own. This change will allow smaller counties to form joint commissions to better serve veterans in their communities.”
Rep. Moore noted in floor debate that currently, 96% of Illinois counties with populations more than 60,000 have established Veterans Assistance Commissions while only 34% of counties with populations less than 60,000 have been able to form commissions. Cass, Morgan and Scott counties are among the counties in the state who currently do not have an established Veterans Assistance Commission. “Veterans Assistance Commissions provide essential services and support to veterans in local communities throughout Illinois. None of our heroes should be left out,” said Moore. The bill was approved on a vote of 114-0 and now moves to the Senate for their consideration.
Jacksonville man sentenced for grooming case in Scott County
A Jacksonville man arrested by Scott County Sheriff’s deputies last year in connection to a grooming and enticement of a child case has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to probation. Kurt A. Stutz, 21, of Jacksonville, pleaded guilty to Class 4 felony grooming on April 7 in Scott County Circuit Court in front of Judge David R. Cherry. Stutz was arrested on the charges on May 29, 2024. No further information about the circumstances surrounding the incident are available. The Class A misdemeanor enticement charge was dismissed per the plea agreement. Stutz was sentenced to 30 months of adult probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Stutz will be required to register as a sex offender.
City of Jacksonville issues peddler’s permit to alternative electric supplier
The Jacksonville City Clerk’s office is notifying residents that it has issued peddler permits to a company soliciting electric supply. City Clerk Angela Salyer says in a press release the permits have been issued to Vivint representatives. Vivint was acquired by NRG Energy in March 2023 and now operates as a subsidiary of NRG, which is a major electric and natural gas supplier. Along with their home security options, they now offer solar panels as a part of their line up. Vivint representatives may be calling on city residents through Saturday, May 10th between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. in a door-to-door campaign. Salyer says the city has entered into an agreement with Homefield Energy/Dynegy to supply electricity to all Jacksonville households under the aggregation agreement valid through December 2027, unless a citizen has chosen to opt out of the aggregation agreement. The aggregation agreement is completed through a bidding process done by city leaders every three years in order to offer a stable electricity supply rate to the city’s customers. The aggregation agreement is then chosen based upon the lowest rate provided by several companies. Salyer says Vivint is not associated with the city’s aggregation agreement, and residents are not obligated to provide them with any information or show them power bills. Any questions should be directed to the City Clerk’s office at 217-479-4613.
Crisis Center Foundation raises awareness with blue for Child Abuse Awareness month
April is Child Abuse Awareness month across the nation. The Crisis Center Foundation has been raising awareness in the area at schools and public places with blue pinwheels and ribbons. On April 11 at the Jacksonville Municipal Building, a kickoff for the month’s awareness campaign was held as Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard issued a city proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness month for the City of Jacksonville. Members of the Crisis Center have made appearances at several local and area schools. Area businesses are encouraged to participate with a “Wear Blue” day at their workplace on Fridays. April is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month and on Tuesdays, businesses and supporters are encouraged to wear teal to raise awareness about the issue. The Crisis Center Foundation is also hosting a poster contest on their Facebook Page. The community is encouraged to look at the student-produced art and vote for their favorite.
If you or someone you know is struggling with either of these issues, you may call the Crisis Center at 217-243-4357 or the Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault at 217-243-7330. If you believe a child is being abused and requires immediate action, you must call the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-252-2873 to make your report.
