News – Page 3 – WMCL AM 1060/107.9 FM

For the latest local information regarding COVID-19, follow us on Facebook and see ourlocal news page

Search On in Williamson County for Missing Man with Alzheimer’s

MARION – The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Missing Endangered Senior with Alzheimer’s. On Thursday, January 14th, 2021, Roger Cheatham, 72, walked away from his home on South 6th Street in Bush. Cheatham was last seen walking west on Cypress Street at Route 149 in Bush at

Severn Files House Resolution Honoring Candy Cane Lane Creator

15JanuaryBarry

SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Dave Severin of Benton has filed a House Resolution honoring the man who started a much-loved holiday tradition in southern Illinois. House Resolution 960 will honor Tim Murphy of West Frankfort, well known for creating Candy Cane Lane where five blocks of homes are transformed into a holiday wonderland. Murphy died

SIU Research Discovers New, Dominant Variant of U.S. COVID-19 Virus

15Januaryadmin

CARBONDALE, Ill. – A team led by a researcher at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has discovered a new variant of the COVID-19 virus that is specific to and dominant in the United States, adding to the growing list of mutations such as those discovered in the United Kingdom and South Africa. It might be more

Public Health Officials Announce 6,652 New COVID-19 Cases in Illinois

15JanuaryBarry

SPRINGFIELD – State public health officials Thursday announced 6,652 new COVID-19 cases, including 88 additional deaths in Illinois. This brings the total number of cases currently in Illinois to 1,052,682, including 17,928 deaths. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from Jan. 7 through the 13 is 6.8 percent.

Jefferson County Sheriff Reacts to Criminal Justice Reform Bill

14Januaryadmin

MT. VERNON – A controversial criminal justice reform bill has passed both chambers of the Illinois legislature. House Bill 3653, formerly the over 600 page House Bill 163, was delivered to lawmakers around 3 a.m. Wednesday and comprised of over 764 pages. The new bill, among many other things, would eliminate cash bail, require body

Illinois Lawmakers Pass Expansive Criminal Justice and Police Reform Bill, Local Lawmakers React

14JanuaryBarry

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers have approved an expansive criminal justice and police reform bill. The legislation is hundreds of pages long, setting statewide standards for the use of force, making sure suspects in custody get three phone calls, ending cash bail and phasing in a body camera mandate for police departments. Representative Patrick Windhorst of

Public Health Officials Wednesday Announce 5,862 New COVID-19 Cases in Illinois

14JanuaryBarry

SPRINGFIELD – State public health officials Wednesday reported 5,862 new COVID-19 cases, including 97 additional deaths in Illinois. This brings the total number of cases currently in Illinois to 1,046,030, including 17,840 deaths. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from Jan. 6 through the 12 is 7.3 percent.

Bail Set for Woodlawn Man Facing Meth Charge

13Januaryadmin

MT. VERNON – Bail has been set at $40,000 for a 35-year-old Woodlawn man arrested Monday by Mt. Vernon Police for the delivery of methamphetamine. Matthew Carlile was arrested on a Jefferson County warrant issued last Wednesday charging him with Class 2 felony distribution of less than 5 grams of meth. He was located Monday

Missing Waterloo Woman Found Dead in Mt. Vernon Walmart Parking Lot

13Januaryadmin

MT. VERNON – A 38-year-old Waterloo woman that was reported missing since last Friday was found dead in her minivan in the Mt. Vernon Walmart parking lot Tuesday afternoon. Reports say Lauren Miller was found just before 5 p.m., some 70+ miles from the Dollar Tree in Troy where she was last seen. The Mt.

Public Health Officials Announce 6,642 New COVID-19 Cases in Illinois

13JanuaryBarry

SPRINGFIELD – State public health officials Tuesday reported 6,642 new COVID-19 cases including 117 additional deaths in Illinois. This brings the total number of cases currently in Illinois to 1,040,168 cases, including 17,743 deaths. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from Jan. 5 through the 11 is 7.5