By Ben Cox
Crime of the Week: Copper wire theft from Waverly work site
Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties is requesting information to assist the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office in their investigation of a recent burglary. At 4 a.m. on December 25, 2025, deputies responded to a worksite located in the 3400 block of Nortonville Road in rural Waverly.
Unknown individuals used bolt cutters to cut through a fence. Once inside, a spool of 8-gauge copper wire was then removed.
The police are asking anyone with information concerning this incident or any other crimes within the three-county area to submit a tip online by visiting the Morgan, Scott, Cass Crime Stoppers Facebook page and clicking the ‘Contact Us’ button on the top of the page, or by visiting Crime Stoppers’ website, morganscottcrimestoppers.com, and clicking on the ‘Leave A
Tip’ button at the top of the home page.
Or call in a tip anonymously to their hotline at 217-243-7300. Remember, Crime Stoppers just wants your information and not your name. If your tip leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you may be eligible for a cash reward.
ISD student receives first Rotary Vocational Student of the Month Award
The Rotary Club of Jacksonville has awarded its first-ever Vocational Student of the Month Award to Corbin Kuhn, a senior at the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD).
The new initiative was introduced by Reg Ankrom, chair of the Rotary Vocational Committee, during the club’s December 19, 2025, meeting. In announcing the award, Ankrom said the program reflects Rotary’s commitment to recognizing the importance of vocational education and skilled work. He noted that honoring students pursuing vocational paths affirms that “vocation matters, that skill matters, that work done well matters,” and that every individual has an essential role in contributing to the community.
Ankrom emphasized that the initiative is designed to encourage students at a pivotal time in their lives, countering the misconception that vocational careers are less valuable than other paths.
Jill Bruington, CTE principal at ISD, also addressed the club, highlighting the evolution of vocational education at the school and explaining why Kuhn was selected as an outstanding student. Kuhn is interested in a career in construction or aviation mechanics and plans to attend Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield next year. Kuhn is the son of Curt Kuhn and Laci Kennedy, and Claire Rawlings.
The Rotary Club of Jacksonville plans to present the Vocational Student of the Month Award to students at other area high schools through the spring.
Jacksonville man sentenced to prison on 2024 meth possession charges
A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to prison following a guilty plea to felony methamphetamine possession.
Joshua M. King, 44, of the 1200 block of Center Street, pleaded guilty on Oct. 29, 2025, to Class 3 felony possession of methamphetamine (less than five grams). The plea was entered at a bench trial setting before Morgan County Circuit Judge Chris Reif, after evidence in the case had already been heard. Court records show King had filed motions seeking to hire new legal counsel, but those requests were denied. He was represented by Morgan County Public Defender Devin Vaughn.
On Dec. 30, 2025, Judge Reif sentenced King to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by up to six months of mandatory supervised release. King received credit for three days already served. A request to stay the sentence was denied, and King was ordered to begin serving his prison term immediately.
The charge stems from a July 9, 2024, arrest by Jacksonville Police. According to a police report, officers stopped King at approximately 2:51 a.m. while he was riding a bicycle at the intersection of North Clay Avenue and East Independence Avenue. During the stop, King was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine and was arrested for possession of methamphetamine. He was also cited for improper equipment after operating a bicycle on a public roadway at night without a headlight.
King was booked and later released from the Morgan County Jail. King was subsequently arrested twice more in September 2024. On Sept. 24, he was arrested for driving on a suspended license, and on Sept. 27, he was arrested again for driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Those traffic charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement reached in October.
Court records further indicate King has a prior criminal history involving methamphetamine. He previously served prison time following a 2023 meth-related arrest and conviction in Morgan County and also has a methamphetamine manufacturing arrest dating back to 2015 in Morgan County.
Engebrecht named December Colleague of the Month for JMH
Ruth Engebrecht, a food production assistant at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, is the nonprofit hospital’s Colleague of the Month for December 2025.
Engebrecht’s attention to detail delights colleagues and visitors to the cafeteria and helps make people feel valued and appreciated. Her willingness to help out with a long serving line or to open another register to expedite checkout reflects her work ethic and desire to create a welcoming and efficient work environment.
“Ruth’s quick response to busy situations helps prevent any stress or confusion, which is essential for maintaining a safe and organized environment for both colleagues and customers,” wrote her nominator. “She embodies the spirit of teamwork and deserves to be recognized for her hard work, kindness and commitment to making the cafeteria a better place for everyone.” Engebrecht has worked for Jacksonville Memorial Hospital since 1985.
Cass County man jailed in Jacksonville after drugs, weapons arrest
A Beardstown man is currently incarcerated at the Morgan County Jail after being arrested after a brief car chase into northern Morgan County.
Bruce R. Hacker, 41, was arrested by Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputies on December 27, 2025. Deputies were attempting to stop a car that Hacker was driving for alleged traffic violations around 10:23 p.m. near Woods Lane and East Morton Avenue. Deputies say that a driver, later identified to be Hacker, threw a handgun and a bag of suspected methamphetamine out of the passenger side window during a brief pursuit from the Prairie Knolls subdivision to a northern, rural portion of Morgan County.
Speeds are said to have reached approximately 90 miles per hour on rural roads during the pursuit, according to sheriff’s office reports. During a search of the vehicle, deputies say they also recovered another handgun, a large baggy of suspected methamphetamine and various paraphernalia.
Hacker was cited for Class X felonies of armed violence, methamphetamine delivery 100-400 grams, and possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender. Hacker was additionally cited for possession of methamphetamine less than five grams.
Hacker made his first appearance in Morgan County Circuit Court on December 30 and was denied pretrial release by the court. Hacker was arrested and served prison time for a similar incident that occurred in the county in June 2020. Hacker’s next court appearance is January 27.
Dr. Charles Sheaff honored by high school alma mater
Dr. Charles Sheaff has been selected as a 2026 inductee into the Ottawa Township High School (OTHS) Hall of Fame,
sponsored by the OTHS Educational Foundation, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to excellence, service and community leadership.
A 1966 graduate of OTHS, Sheaff distinguished himself early as a four-year member of the school’s award-winning band and as a member of the National Honor Society. He went on to attend the University of Illinois before earning his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago.
Sheaff devoted more than 45 years to medicine as a general surgeon, practicing in Jacksonville until his retirement from private practice. His career extended well beyond local service, reflecting a deep commitment to global humanitarian work.
Following the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Sheaff volunteered his surgical expertise and returned again in 2012. He later traveled to Ghana on two occasions to perform general surgery and teach surgical techniques, and made three medical mission trips to Guatemala, providing hernia repairs and gall bladder surgeries for the local Mayan population. In 2016, Sheaff and his wife, Lynne, a nurse practitioner, traveled to India at their own expense to assist with childhood polio immunizations.
In addition to his medical career, Sheaff is the founder and CEO of Jacksonville Promise, a charitable organization dedicated to helping area high school students pursue college education. Since its inception, the organization has supported 350 students and currently assists approximately 100 students each semester.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class will be introduced between OTHS basketball games on January 23, 2026, in Kingman Gym. The formal induction banquet will be held January 24. Tickets are $45.
Winchester school gets new sign thanks to local foundation grant
Winchester Elementary School has been approved for a generous grant from the Jacksonville Children’s Foundation to enhance the school’s campus.
With support from the Winchester Parents and Teachers (WGS PAT), the grant will fund a new stone monument outside the elementary school’s office doors. The monument will be created by Signature Sign & Lighting of Jacksonville. Community members were invited to vote on two design options via the WGS PAT Facebook page.
Jacksonville Public Library, Extension Office present workout program
If you are aged 50 or above, please join the University of Illinois Extension at theJacksonville Public Library for WITS Workout on January 20 from 2-3:30 p.m. The WITS Workout program is a fun, educational and interactive way to support brain health.
Registration is not required. January’s WITS Workout theme is Songbirds. Please contact the library at 217-243-5435 or Adult Service Librarian Ali Jones by email at ajones@jaxpl.org with any further questions. More information can also be found online at jaxpl.org.
LLCC-Jacksonville to host events for new, current students
Lincoln Land Community College’s Jacksonville campus will host an evening open house for prospective students and their families on January 28, offering resources and hands-on support to help attendees plan their next steps in higher education and career training.
The event will feature several opportunities throughout the afternoon and evening. From 2-5:30 p.m., LLCC staff will provide Financial Aid Completion assistance, helping students and parents complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Appointments are strongly encouraged, though walk-ins will be accepted as staff availability allows.
Community Scholarship Night will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m., with an exhibit area featuring local organizations offering information on scholarship opportunities.
Participating groups include the LLCC Foundation, Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau Foundation, Jacksonville Promise, NAACP, Rotary Foundation, Morgan County Sheriff’s Scholarship and The Job Center/West Development Council, which administers WIOA funding.
Representatives from the LLCC Foundation will also be available from 3-5:30 p.m. to answer questions and assist with LLCC scholarship applications.
From 5-7 p.m., the Workforce Programs Showcase will highlight career-focused programs designed to lead to high-demand jobs.
Directors and the dean from LLCC’s Workforce Institute will be on site to discuss programs such as commercial driver’s license training, aviation maintenance, diesel and automotive technologies, industrial maintenance, commercial electrical maintenance, construction occupations, hospitality and culinary, HVACR and welding.
The showcase is open to the public. Attendees may register for one or more events online at llcc.edu/jacksonville. LLCC-Jacksonville is located at 32 North Central Park Plaza and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jacksonville Main Street Façade Improvement Grant returning in 2026
Jacksonville Main Street has announced the return of its Façade Improvement Grant Program for 2026, offering financial assistance to downtown commercial property owners planning exterior improvements.
The organization’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved $25,000 in the new budget to continue the reimbursable grant program, which supports projects that enhance building façades visible from the street. Applications are now being accepted for qualifying improvements to be completed by the end of 2026. Eligible projects may receive 30% reimbursement, up to $5,000, for façade improvements on commercial properties located within the Jacksonville Main Street District.
The district encompasses a 44-square-block area bounded by Beecher and Lafayette streets and Clay and Church streets. All proposed work must be preapproved through the application process.
According to JMS Design Committee Chair Jeremy Coumbes, the program generated strong reinvestment during its first year. “Last year, Main Street’s revamped Façade Improvement Grant provided nearly $12,000 for qualified projects totaling more than $58,000 invested in downtown district properties,” Coumbes said. “With material and labor costs continuing to rise, we are very encouraged by the reinvestment we saw in the first year and hope more property owners in the district will take advantage of this program in 2026.”
JMS Executive Director Judy Tighe said the program reflects Jacksonville Main Street’s ongoing commitment to the downtown district and the broader community. Applications and program brochures are available at jacksonvillemainstreet.org/facadegrant. Applications will be accepted through March 31. Approved applicants will be notified in writing by April 15.
Champaign man involved in high-speed chases found unfit for trial
A Champaign man involved in two separate high-speed chases involving stolen vehicles in Scott and Greene counties in September has been found unfit to stand trial.
Erick O. Johnson, Jr., 25, of Champaign, was found unfit for trial in Scott County Circuit Court on December 29, 2025, and ordered to treatment after a court-ordered mental health evaluation was approved by the court on November 20, 2025.
Johnson is alleged to have stolen a vehicle in Pike County and then was involved in a high-speed chase resulting in a crash along Illinois Route 106 near the Hillview Blacktop turn off on the morning of September 27, 2025. Johnson is said to have run from police on foot but was apprehended in a cornfield a short time later.
Johnson was later released and was arrested again in Greene County and detained. Johnson is facing the following charges in Scott County: possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing of police, obstructing a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, aggravated assault with a vehicle on a police officer, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license and speeding.
Johnson has additional charges in Greene County that include seven counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer over multiple days in October and threatening a public official.
Johnson is set to appear in Greene County Circuit Court today and again in Scott County Circuit court on January 26. Johnson remains held at the Greene County Jail pending transfer to an Illinois Department of Human Services facility.
Taylor pleads self-defense in 2024 Jacksonville murder case
Attorneys for a Jacksonville man charged with first-degree murder are asking a judge to allow evidence they say supports a claim of self-defense in a fatal shooting last year. Larry Taylor, 19, is charged with first-degree murder in the June 6, 2024, shooting death of 18-year-old Trenton Jackson, of Springfield. The shooting occurred in the 300 block of West College Avenue.
According to the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Taylor’s attorneys filed a pretrial motion Tuesday seeking permission to introduce evidence of Jackson’s prior criminal and violent behavior. The defense argues the evidence is relevant to establishing Taylor’s state of mind at the time of the shooting.
The motion cites an investigating officer’s report stating Taylor approached Jackson and the two exchanged words before Jackson turned to face him. Jackson is alleged to have pulled a handgun from his waistband, after which Taylor displayed a handgun of his own.
Defense attorneys are asking the court to consider at least four prior incidents involving Jackson from October 2023 and February 2024 that they describe as violent or aggressive. The filing states Taylor was aware of Jackson’s past behavior and believed his life was in danger.
Taylor was arrested later in June 2024 in Springfield by the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force with assistance from the Springfield Police Department Street Crimes Unit, according to previous reporting. He is currently being held at the Sangamon County Jail.
Jackson was found with gunshot wounds by Jacksonville police and was transported to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, where he later died. Jackson’s family later expressed frustration with local law enforcement in the case to the media. The families on both sides of the trial have been volatile, resulting in numerous altercations on the grounds of the Morgan County Courthouse.
Prosecutors have 21 days to respond to the self-defense motion. A hearing on the matter is expected January 30.
Two mobile home parks sold as part of Chapter 7 federal bankruptcy case
Two Jacksonville mobile home communities have been sold as part of a bankruptcy liquidation. Rolling Acres Mobile Home Estates and Prairie Knolls Mobile Home Park were purchased by Lincoln Trail MHC Portfolio LLC for $5,672,626, according to Morgan County deed records. The properties were part of Time Out Properties LLC, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024. The case was converted to Chapter 7 in February 2025, moving from attempted reorganization to a liquidation overseen by a bankruptcy trustee.
Lincoln Trail MHC Portfolio LLC, registered in Illinois in October 2025, lists Jason Postill as its registered agent. Public filings indicate the LLC was likely formed specifically to acquire these mobile home communities.
While Postill and Tyler Lekas of MHCI Group have been involved in other Illinois mobile home park acquisitions alongside Hukam Capital Group, the Rolling Acres and Prairie Knolls purchase is a separate transaction, according to multiple real estate sources.
Residents of the two parks, some of whom had previously paid lot rents to M. Shapiro Real Estate Group, may see continuity in management under the new ownership, though details on operational changes have not been released. Residents of the parks recently received new rent payment in the postal mail. The sale is among the first asset liquidations from the Time Out Properties bankruptcy estate in Illinois.
Arrest made in West Beecher Avenue shots fired incident
The Jacksonville Police Department announced the arrest of a Jacksonville man in connection to shots fired into a residence incident on West Beecher Avenue on January 5.
According to a JPD press release, at 8:23 p.m. on January 5, the Jacksonville Police Department received numerous calls of shots fired in the 300 block of West Beecher Avenue. Upon arrival, officers ascertained that a residence near the report of gunfire had been struck multiple times.
Officers were able to determine that the occupants of the residence were safe and that no one had been injured. Jacksonville Police Detectives arrived on scene and processed it for any available evidence. Officers are said to have continued to collect evidence and investigate the incident throughout the evening.
At 4:04 a.m. on January 6, a Jacksonville Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 800 block of North Clay Avenue. Quantorius J. Courtney, 28, of the 300 block of West Beecher Avenue, was subsequently stopped for a traffic violation and during the stop, attempted to flee from the officer on foot. Courtney was quickly apprehended and placed under arrest, according to the release.
During the traffic stop, a loaded handgun was located in the vehicle Courtney was operating, and it was later found to be reported stolen. Courtney was taken to the Morgan County Jail where he was cited for Armed Habitual Criminal, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Obstruction, Resisting a Peace Officer, Illegal Transportation of Alcohol. He was also given traffic citations for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and improper turn signal.
Officers later learned that Courtney was on pretrial release stemming from a prior weapons arrest. Courtney was previously charged for Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon and Armed Habitual Criminal as a result of an arrest in Morgan County in August 2024. Courtney has prior felony history in Morgan County dating back to 2018. Courtney remains held at the Morgan County Jail. Jacksonville Police are still requesting further information to assist with the investigation. Residents are urged to contact to contact the JPD Investigative Division at 217-479-4636 or Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott and Cass Counties at 217-243-7300. Information left with Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous.
Tickets on sale for Midwest Youth Services Doll-I-Day fundraiser
Midwest Youth Services will host its annual Doll-i-Day fundraiser on Sunday, February 15, from 1-4 p.m. at Hamilton’s Catering in Jacksonville. This year’s theme is “Wicked.”
Cost is $25 per person. All proceeds from Doll-I-Day benefit Midwest Youth Services, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to serving at-risk, runaway and homeless youth throughout the region.
The afternoon will be packed with themed activities like games, crafts, salons, face painting, photo booths and a “doll hospital,” all designed to be fun for kids and their treasured companions. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can message Midwest Youth Services on Facebook or call 217-245-6000 for more information.
Davidsmeyer and Moore blast Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act
Local Republican lawmakers criticized Gov. JB Pritzker’s signing on January 8 of Senate Bill 25—the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA)—saying it will raise energy costs and worsen grid reliability for residents of West Central Illinois.
The omnibus energy bill, approved by the Democratic-led Legislature in October and signed into law this past week, is designed to expand battery storage, create “virtual power plants” and give regulators new tools to manage Illinois’ power grid as state agencies warn of potential electricity shortfalls in coming years. Supporters say the law will strengthen the grid and reduce costs over time.
The 100th District State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer, GOP spokesperson on the House Public Utilities Committee, has been a leading critic from the bill’s floor debates through its enactment. Davidsmeyer warned constituents that the measure will “guarantee rate increases” without boosting actual power production, repeating concerns first voiced during the fall veto session.
“If you vote for this bill, you are voting to raise energy rates on your constituents,” he said after the House vote, arguing battery storage incentives will be added to consumer bills long before any benefits materialize. 99th District Representative Kyle Moore, who also voted against the bill, echoed those concerns for downstate residents, saying current energy policies are already driving up monthly utility costs.
“This will be a cost increase for every consumer on their energy bills in Illinois,” Moore said, noting that ratepayers have seen regular increases and that the bill does little to expand generation capacity. Republicans argue that prior green energy laws such as the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) have led to higher bills and grid strain without adequate plans for dispatchable power like coal or natural gas, particularly outside major urban centers. They say Illinois should reconsider its approach to focus on reliability and affordability.
Supporters of the law, including environmental and industry groups, counter that investment in battery storage and expanded regulatory authority will ultimately improve reliability and generate cost savings. Advocates also point to projected energy shortfalls identified in recent state studies as evidence that bold action is needed. Key provisions are set to start rolling out in the middle of the year with the law officially effective June 1.
Pathway Services Unlimited named Best of 2025 Non-Profit in Jacksonville
Pathway Services Unlimited, Inc., a nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has been named Best of 2025 Jacksonville, Illinois, in the Non-Profit category by BusinessRate.
The honor is part of the BusinessRate BEST of 2025 Awards, which recognize local organizations for excellence in customer satisfaction, service quality and community reputation.
Winners are selected using verified Google Reviews data analyzed and certified by BusinessRate. “We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition,” said Ryan Dowd, executive director of Pathway Services Unlimited.
“Knowing this award comes from members of the community who see and appreciate the dedication of our staff is truly humbling. Our employees work tirelessly—often behind the scenes—to support the people we serve, and this award belongs to them.”
Founded in 1964, Pathway Services Unlimited has spent more than six decades creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as other physical and mental challenges in the Jacksonville area.
