26-year-old Jeremy L. Duffield of Johnsonville was jailed late Monday night on an aggravated DUI charge. County police were called to a location near Wayne City on a report of a truck stuck in a ditch. As the officer approached the vehicle, he found Duffield asleep at the wheel and his four-year-old son sitting in the passenger area with no child restraints. The officer also noted an odor of alcohol on Jeremy Duffield’s breath. A computer check revealed his license had been revoked, and police said he was unable to provide proof of insurance and that the vehicle’s registration had expired in 2010. According to the police report, as an officer was speaking with the four-year-old, Duffield allegedly became verbally abusive towards the officer, resulting in an aggravated DUI charge. He also was cited for driving revoked and several traffic offenses.
The Little Wabash River at Clay City is continuing a slow fall, while the river at Carmi is rising, along with the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel, IL and New Harmony, IN. The Little Wabash at Clay City should fall below flood stage by Friday morning, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast. At Carmi a crest of 33.1 feet is expected Thursday, more than seven feet above flood stage. The Wabash at Mt. Carmel, IL should rise to 27.2 by Saturday morning, more than eight feet above flood stage, and at New Harmony, IN a crest of 20.2 feet is expected Sunday, more than five feet above flood stage.
Officials with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department have issued an advisory regarding high water on county roads. Sheriff’s officials are urging motorists not to drive through standing water, and if you get stuck and find your way to safety on your own, to let the Sherrif’s Department know you are safe so they won’t launch an unnecessary search and rescue mission. The advisory comes after emergency workers were called out Sunday morning to investigate a car stranded in backwaters in the Pond Creek area. It turned out no one was in the vehicle.
55-year-old Kathy A. Lovett of the Fairfield Estaes mobile home park faces charges of being in possession of cannibis and drug paraphernalia. County police received a tip that a package of marijuana had been delivered to Lovett from an undisclosed location. Police staked out the Fairfield Post Office and arrested Lovett after she signed for the package. Police said the delivery amounted to 41 grams of suspected marijuana. Lovett was released from the Wayne County Jail after posting bond pending a court appearance.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has announced $100 million in grants for local transportation improvements across the state. The grants include $5.7 million for southern Illinois counties and local governments to address critical needs following this past winter. The projects will be selected and managed locally, with the Illinois Department of Transportation providing oversight. Wayne County’s share of the grants amounts to $53,758 while Edwards County’s share amounts to $21,729.
The Illinois State Police District 13 in DuQuoin have announced they will conduct commercial motor vehicle enforcement patrols in Jefferson and Williamson counties. The patrols started Monday and will continue through today. The ISP is working with the Illinois Department of Transportation to reduce vehicle crashes and fatalities on Illinois highways, and will strictly enforce Scott’s Law, which requires motorists to move over and slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle. Police also announced that the fine for failing to move over for an emergency vehicle has increased to $120.
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