Hamilton County State’s Attorney Justin Hood (center) has been honored by the Illinois Department of Conservation for his aggressive prosecution of conservation violations. In a county with a population of less than 9,000, State’s Attorney Hood’s conservation related case file is relatively low when compared to larger counties throughout the state. However, his successful prosecution has resulted in the forfeiture of several firearms each year and an average of at least $10,000 in fines. Two years ago, State’s attorney Hood was able to fashion an agreement in a felony timber case which resulted in an elderly landowner being repaid over $30,000 owed to them by a licensed timber buyer. Officials with the Ill. Dept. of Conservation added that State’s Attorney Hood’s prosecution rate and forfeiture of seized property has created a deterrent affect that has greatly reduced the amount of illegal hunting in Hamilton and surrounding counties.
Some slick spots are still being reported on many area roadways from Wednesday evening’s snowfall. About an inch fell in Fairfield. Heavier amounts were reported south of here. More snow could fall this evening with minor accumulations expected. Another round of snow could impact the region Sunday through Monday morning.
Retired Hamilton County attorney Theodore VanWinkle has died. He died Tuesday at his home in McLeasnboro. Mr. VanWinkle operated a law practice in McLeansboro from 1959 until his retirement at the end of last year. He had also served one term as Hamilton County State’s Attorney from 1960 – 1964.
The trial of a Fairfield man accused of murder has been continued. A pretrial hearing for 43-year-old William D. Johnson of Fairfield has been scheduled for March 31 in Wayne County Circuit Court. Johnson remains in the Wayne County jail accused of the December 5, 2015 shooting death of Jeffery Scott Montgomery, 50 of Fairfield. A lawyer from the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor’s office has been appointed to assist State’s Attorney David Williams in prosecuting the case.
A study shows that the rebound of Illinoisans’ income since the recession is second-to-last in the country. Compared with almost 8 years ago, Illinois has had the second slowest growth in the nation.
19-year-old Sam Dunson of DuQuoin has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for throwing homemade bombs at police cars. He threw a number of Molotov cocktails at squad cars as they were parked outside the homes of DuQuoin police officers.