News for January 8
By Ben Cox
JMH race proceeds benefit Prairieland United Way
Prairieland United Way recently received a check for $3,770, the proceeds from the 31st annual Jacksonville Memorial Hospital 5K/10K Race, held this past October on December 17.
“We are thankful to the Jacksonville Memorial Hospital team for choosing to donate the proceeds from their 5K/10K Race to Prairieland United Way’s 2025 Campaign,” said Karen Walker, executive director of Prairieland United Way. “Seeing so many individuals go the ‘extra mile’ to strengthen our community is truly uplifting.
The excitement surrounding this event shows just how dedicated JMH’s leadership and staff are to working together for a healthier, more prosperous community.”
The JMH 5K/10K is the longest-running annual road race in the city. “We’re proud to continue the JMH Race legacy of giving back to our community,” said Kevin Eckhoff, race director. “This donation will provide many opportunities for the agencies served by Prairieland United Way.”
The annual campaign is currently sitting just under 80% of its $475,000 goal for the year. The campaign will wrap up near the end of February.
LLCC offering extended hours for spring semester registration
Lincoln Land Community College Student Services and Bookstore will offer extended hours for spring registration on the Springfield campus. Student services include registration, records, financial aid, testing and student success advising.
Monday-Thursday, Jan. 5-8, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 9, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Spring semester weekday classes begin Jan. 12. Eight-week classes begin Jan. 12 and March 16. Current students may register for classes via LoggerCentral (www.llcc.edu/logger-central) or by phone (217-786-2292). New students should first apply to LLCC (www.llcc.edu/apply) or visit www.llcc.edu/new for more information.
Jacksonville PD investigating shots fired incident on South Mauvaisterre
The Jacksonville Police Department is seeking the public’s help to identify individuals involved in a shots fired incident from December 20, 2025, on South Mauvaisterre Street.
According to a police department press release, at approximately 8:03 p.m., December 20, 2025, the police department received a report of shots being fired near a residence in the 400 block of South Mauvaisterre Street. Upon arrival and after a brief investigation, officers collected evidence from the area confirming shots had been fired in the area.
No injuries were reported in relation to the incident and no arrests have been made. Jacksonville police had been called to the address at 11:08 p.m. on December 19, 2025, after a caller advised hearing shots south of their residence toward Morton Avenue. At that particular time, officers could not locate any evidence of a firearm being discharged. Anyone with further information regarding these cases is asked to contact the Jacksonville Police Department by calling 217-479-4630. Or, leave an anonymous tip with the Morgan, Scott, Cass Crime Stoppers at 217-243-7300.
Morgan County tax levy staying at same level from previous year
The Morgan County Commissioners approved keeping the county’s tax levy at 4.75% or just over $7.8 million, the same as the previous year. The Marnico Village tax levy also stayed the same at $3,000. Commissioner chairman Mike Wankel told WLDS News that he was proud the county’s budget was able to hold the line, crediting county department heads for keeping within their budgets. Wankel went on to say that the county is counting on money from new growth, particularly from solar farms going online in 2026. He said the solar projects have added approximately $22 million to the county’s property tax rolls.
Bedford to perform for first Music Under the Dome of 2026
The Jacksonville Public Library will kick off its 2026 Music Under the Dome series with a performance by acclaimed singer-songwriter Ben Bedford on Sunday, January 11 at 4 p.m. The concert will take place at the Jacksonville Public Library, located at 201 West College Ave., and admission is free.
Bedford is a highly regarded folk and Americana artist whose work has earned national recognition. In July 2010, he was named one of the “50 most significant folk singer-songwriters of the past 50 years” by Rich Warren of WFMT-Chicago, a list that also included legendary artists such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Townes Van Zandt. In 2018, Bedford was selected as one of six Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk winners at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. Over the past 15 years, Bedford has toured extensively throughout North America and western Europe. His most recent release, Valley of Stars (2023), is his sixth studio album and features collaborations with renowned musicians, including bassist Ethan Jodziewicz and producer David Sinko. In addition to his music, Bedford is also a visual artist working in pen and ink and watercolor, and he is a member of Perspectives Art Gallery in Petersburg. For more information, visit jaxpl.org.
Homeless Jacksonville woman arrested multiple times
Jacksonville police arrested and cited a homeless woman multiple times late on December 26, 2025, and into the early morning hours on December 27, 2025. She went on to be arrested again by police on December 31 after attempting to pass alleged counterfeit money.
Michelle N. Barnes, 37, was first arrested at 6:59 p.m. on December 26 after officers responded to a verbal disturbance at an apartment building in the 700 block of East Douglas Avenue. Police said Barnes had previously been served a letter barring her from the property and was arrested for criminal trespass to real property. She was later released with a notice to appear in court.
Police were called back to the same location at 7:53 p.m., where Barnes was again arrested for criminal trespass under similar circumstances and released with another notice to appear.
At 8:48 p.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance at the Jacksonville AmVets Post 100, 210 East Court Street. Barnes was cited for disorderly conduct, served with a letter of no trespass to the business, and released. At 12:46 a.m. on December 27, police were called to the West Morgan Depot, where employees reported an unwanted person inside the tavern. Officers located Barnes, cited her for disorderly conduct, served her with a no-trespass notice, and released her.
At approximately 2:50 a.m., police again responded to the apartment complex in the 700 block of East Douglas Avenue at the request of a resident. Barnes was cited for criminal trespass to property and released with a notice to appear in court.
Barnes was arrested by Jacksonville Police again on New Year’s Eve at 3:32 p.m. when an employee reported that she was trying to buy items with alleged counterfeit money and wanted the store to give the counterfeit cash back. Barnes is said to have gotten combative with officers upon their arrival striking one in the groin during arrest. She was cited for deceptive practice and aggravated battery to a peace officer.
Cass County man arrested for chasing, striking vehicle in city and village
A Beardstown man was arrested on December 26, 2025, after police say he intentionally rammed another vehicle multiple times during a chase through Jacksonville and South Jacksonville.
According to Jacksonville Police reports, officers responded around 9:40 p.m. December 26 to the 800 block of West Morton Avenue after a caller reported being followed and struck repeatedly by a Dodge Avenger.
Police arrested Alexandro M. Soria, 24, of Beardstown, for aggravated battery and criminal damage to property over $500. Investigators say Soria chased the occupied vehicle and caused multiple collisions at several locations, including Pioneer Drive in South Jacksonville, Lincoln Avenue at West Morton Avenue, and Illinois Route 104 at West Lafayette Avenue. No injuries were reported.
Soria was also cited for reckless driving, following too closely, driving under the influence, illegal transportation of alcohol, and possession of adult-use cannabis by a driver in a motor vehicle. His vehicle was towed and placed on a 12-hour hold by police.
Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy applications open
The Jacksonville Police Department is now accepting applications for its Citizens Police Academy Class #30, a 10-week program designed to give Morgan County residents an inside look at local law enforcement while strengthening relationships between police and the community. The free academy is open to anyone 21 years of age or older who lives or works in Morgan County.
Classes will be held Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9:15, beginning March 3, 2026, and concluding with graduation on May 5, 2026. Most sessions will take place at the Jacksonville Municipal Building, 200 W. Douglas Ave., with occasional alternate locations announced in advance. Participants will receive instruction from Jacksonville-area law enforcement personnel, along with occasional guest speakers.
Topics covered include patrol and investigative operations, DUI enforcement, firearms, domestic battery and use-of-force policies. The program also features hands-on training and simulated scenarios to provide a practical understanding of police work. To successfully complete the academy, participants must attend at least seven of the 10 classes. Graduates will be honored with a dinner and receive certificates at the end of the program.
The application deadline is February 17, 2026. Applications are available at the Jacksonville Police Department. For more information, contact Lt. Mark Lonergan, Officer Phillip Warren or PCSA Loren Hamilton at 217-479-4630.
Illinois Libraries Present: Jonathan Eig Brings History to Life in Virtual Event
Illinois Libraries Present (ILP) will host a virtual author event featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jonathan Eig on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. The program will be presented live via Zoom and is intended for adult audiences.
Eig is the bestselling author of six books, including “King: A Life,” his acclaimed biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which recently won the Pulitzer Prize. The book is the first major biography of King in decades and the first to incorporate newly declassified FBI files. Praised for its vivid prose and deep research, “King: A Life” offers an intimate and revealing portrait of the civil rights leader, tracing his journey from the pulpit and classroom to the streets of Birmingham, Selma and Memphis, while exploring the personal struggles behind his public resolve.
Eig began his journalism career at age 16 at his hometown newspaper in New York and later studied journalism at Northwestern University. He has written for The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Magazine and several major newspapers. He now lives in Chicago.
Jonathan Eig will be joined in conversation by Mark Bazer, host of The Interview Show and a frequent moderator for Chicago Humanities. Registration is required. Interested viewers may call the Jacksonville Public Library at 217-243-5435 to register. There will be no in-person viewing; the program will be available only from home via Zoom.
Jacksonville chiropractor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges
A Jacksonville chiropractor has entered a federal guilty plea in federal court in Springfield for orchestrating a multi-year scheme to defraud health insurance programs by submitting fraudulent claims for chiropractic services that were never provided.
Federal prosecutors say Sean Rondeau, the former owner and sole licensed practitioner at Rondeau Chiropractic Center (RCC), which operated offices in Jacksonville and nearby White Hall, knowingly submitted false claims to health insurance companies—including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS) and other public and private health care benefit programs—to obtain payments for services that were not rendered.
According to the indictment handed down by a federal grand jury in June 2024, Rondeau’s fraudulent conduct began as early as October 2017 and continued through at least May 2020. Investigators allege that Rondeau used electronic billing software to transmit insurance claims for chiropractic and therapy services that either never occurred or were exaggerated beyond what was actually provided.
When BCBS requested documentation supporting certain claims in mid-2019, prosecutors say Rondeau gave several patients blank medical treatment and therapy forms and instructed them to sign the blanks and return them to RCC. Rondeau then allegedly completed the forms with fabricated services and submitted them to BCBS as evidence of treatment.
The indictment charged Rondeau with one count of healthcare fraud, three counts of mail fraud and five counts of wire fraud. The Jacksonville chiropractor’s main clinic—located at 1111 W. Morton Avenue in Cedar Commons—has since closed. At a federal court hearing in Springfield on December 9, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless, Rondeau formally entered a guilty plea to all counts in the superseding indictment. Rondeau’s attorney, federal public defender Robert Scherschligt, confirmed his client also consented to the forfeiture allegation included in the indictment.
The forfeiture includes property and a monetary judgment of over $268,000 which the government said represented the proceeds that Rondeau allegedly gained in the scheme. A presentence investigation and report were ordered, and sentencing was scheduled for April 14, 2026, in Springfield federal court. Mail and wire fraud are each punishable by 20 years in federal prison, a fine or both. The penalty for healthcare fraud is a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a fine.
Memorial Health limiting visitors due to rising respiratory virus numbers
Memorial Health is limiting the number of visitors to rooms at its hospitals across Central Illinois as respiratory illness has spiked across the region. According to a press release from Memorial Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommended temporary visitor restrictions due to a statewide increase in respiratory illness including COVID-19, influenza A & B, Mycoplasma pneumonia (commonly called “walking pneumonia) and RSV.
The restrictions apply to inpatient units at all five Memorial Health hospitals: Decatur Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Springfield Memorial Hospital and Taylorville Memorial Hospital. The restrictions will not apply to outpatient Memorial Care locations, including urgent or primary care and laboratory or imaging appointments.
During the restrictions, Memorial Health requires that hospital visits be limited to two visitors per patient at one time, and that all visitors be 18 years of age or older and show no signs of illness. Masks are encouraged but not required at this time. Disposable masks will be available for visitors upon entry. To help prevent the spread of illness, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, wash hands frequently, receive all recommended vaccinations and wear a mask around others.
Most people who suffer from respiratory illness recover completely in one to two weeks, but some develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications, according to the IDPH. Memorial Health says residents can monitor state-specific numbers for these illnesses as well as find information on symptoms, trends and prevention at dph.illinois.gov.
Cass County deputies arrest armed robbery fugitive
A Tennessee man wanted in connection with an armed robbery was arrested in Cass County on December 30, 2025, and now faces multiple felony charges in Illinois, along with extradition proceedings back to Tennessee.
Caleb M. Patterson, 21, of Lewisburg, Tennessee, was arrested by Cass County Sheriff’s deputies near Beardstown on December 30, 2025. According to court records, Patterson was taken into custody on Cass County charges that include possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver (5-15 grams), unlawful use of a weapon, obstruction of justice and obstructing identification.
Authorities say Patterson was also wanted on a federal fugitive-from-justice warrant out of Marshall County, Tennessee. According to a statement released by the Lewisburg Police Department via its official Facebook page, officers responded to an armed robbery at approximately 10:15 p.m. on December 29, 2025, at a fireworks stand located in the Walmart parking lot in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Following the incident, investigators identified Patterson as a suspect. Through what police described as coordinated investigative efforts involving the Lewisburg Police Department, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, license plate reader (LPR) technology, and assistance from additional law enforcement agencies, Patterson was later located in Illinois and taken into custody without incident. “This arrest was made possible due to the diligent work of the Lewisburg Police Department, with assistance from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, LPR technology, and support from additional law enforcement agencies,” the Lewisburg Police Department stated. The department added that the investigation remains ongoing and that no further information is being released at this time.
On December 31, 2025, the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office formally filed charges against Patterson, including a Class 1 felony for methamphetamine delivery (5-15 grams), a Class 2 felony for possession of methamphetamine (5-15 grams), and a Class 3 felony for possession of a weapon by a felon. Prosecutors also filed an extradition order in connection with the Tennessee warrant. Patterson is being held without bond at the Schuyler County Jail in Rushville, pending further court proceedings.
‘Chasing Light’ photography exhibition opens at art gallery on January 10
The Art Association of Jacksonville will present “Chasing Light,” a photography exhibition by Austin Weidhuner, at The David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave., from January 10-25.
An opening reception will be held Saturday, January 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., with a gallery talk by the artist at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Weidhuner is a Jacksonville-based photographer and an Illinois College graduate who currently serves as the college’s video production manager and staff photographer. In that role, visual storytelling is central to his work. He also operates a real estate photography and videography business specializing in recreational land and country homes.
“Chasing Light” features a collection of landscape photographs created over several years, captured both across the United States and closer to home. Despite the varied locations, the images share a common focus on open spaces, quiet moments, and the understated beauty of natural environments. Much of the work is rooted in time spent outdoors, responding organically to light, weather, and place rather than staged or constructed scenes.
Through these photographs, Weidhuner hopes to slow viewers down and invite a more thoughtful connection to the landscape. All works were processed by the artist and printed on museum-quality fine art paper. This exhibition marks the first time these photographs have been printed and presented in physical form. Gallery hours January 11-25 are Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m.
JPD investigating shots fired into home on West Chambers Street
Jacksonville police detectives are searching for clues after evidence was found on New Year’s Day of a home being struck by gunfire.
Officers were called to a home in the 100 block of West Chambers at approximately 6:30 a.m. on January 1 after a resident informed police their home was struck by gunfire. The resident said they found an empty shell casing.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. If you have any information concerning this incident, contact Jacksonville Police Department investigations at 217-479-4630 or leave an anonymous tip with the Morgan, Scott & Cass Crime Stoppers at 217-243-7300.
