Ruling in murder case may come next month in Benton
Mary Zumwalt Jophlin, 29, charged with murder, concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice in the death of her 8 year old daughter Alexus Nicole Smothers in West Frankfort, seeks new counsel as Eric Dirnbeck asks to withdraw after representing the child's father who may testify. Franklin County judge gave 21 days for written arguments. Coroner says death was accidental choking of J Paul Willitts, 46, at Heartland Regional Medical Center Marion after choking on meat at a restaurant.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Eric Dirnbeck
Mary Zumwalt Jophlin
Alexus Nicole Smothers
West Frankfort
Dirnbeck
J. Paul Willitts
Johnston City
Heartland Regional Medical Center
Marion
West DeYoung Street
Illinois 13
Mike Junior Burke
Willitts
Heartland
Burke
Williamson County Man Guilty of Sexual Abuse
A Williamson County jury found Marcelino Walle guilty of criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving a 13 year old. The four day trial concluded with about six hours of deliberation. Sentencing is scheduled for April 13.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Williamson County
Marcelino Walle
Marion
West Frankfort Fire Burns House for Second Time
The state fire marshal investigates a second West Frankfort house fire in a year at 512 Mulberry St. The fully engulfed structure threatened a nearby garage and house as West Frankfort firefighters arrived around 1 30 p.m. Wednesday, per Fire Department Capt. Craig Lemmon. Nearby, Murphysboro votes to approve new lift station pumps and speed limit signs on Country Club Road near Walmart.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Frankfort
Mulberry St
Craig Lemmon
Murphysboro
Bitter
Ron Williams
Silkworm
Walmart
Country Club Road
Jeff Bock
Williams Street
Illinois
Former lawmaker tapped as Illinois agriculture chief sparks debate
Springfield former state Rep. Bob Flider will lead the Illinois Department of Agriculture at a $133,273 salary, becoming the third Democrat appointed to a high paying state post after backing the 2011 tax hike. Critics cite payback concerns while supporters cite farming experience and big agribusiness ties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Springfield
Bob Flider
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Pat Quinn
Flider
Quinn
Careen Gordon
Morris
International Festival at SIU Carbondale marks 50th anniversary
The 50th International Festival at SIU Carbondale’s Student Center featured a parade of flags and a range of foods from around the world. Proclamations read by Corene McDaniel and Rita Cheng honored officials and the campus, noting 109 represented countries. The event ends Friday with an international buffet and a culture show in the Student Center.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paul Newton
Tiantian Yuan
Carbondale
SIU Carbondale
Carla Coppi
Glenn Poshard
Corene McDaniel
Joel Fritzler
Rita Cheng
Cheng
SIU
Coppi
Former sheriff sues state police over investigation
Former Wayne County Sheriff Jimmy L. Hinkle filed a federal lawsuit in Benton alleging his rights were violated by a state police investigation. He seeks over 100,000 dollars from the state of Illinois and ISP plus two employees Rick White and Thomas Oliverio, who supervised and conducted the inquiry into a juvenile misconduct claim. The suit asserts exculpatory information was withheld and investigative materials were improperly shared, damaging Hinkle’s reputation and job prospects in law enforcement. DCFS declined comment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Benton
Wayne County
Jimmy L. Hinkle
State of Illinois
Rick White
Thomas Oliverio
White
Oliverio
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
DCFS
Kendall Marlowe
Hinkle
Johnston City to vote on electric aggregation program
Johnston City residents will decide in November whether to allow the city to act as an aggregate for electric suppliers. Aldermen approved ordinances to hire Southern Illinois Municipal Electric Co. as consultant broker and place the question on the general election ballot. Mayor Jim Mitchell endorses the plan, citing potential annual savings of 100 to 200 dollars per household. Buckner likely to fill Ward 4 seat after resignations. council appointment slated for Feb 28.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnston City
Johnson City
Southern Illinois Municipal Electric Co
Jim Mitchell
Stephen Thayer
Mitchell
Barbara Buckner
Jimmy Dean
Buckner
Barb
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mike Smith
Canton
Gordon
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Smith
Education Labor Relations Board
Adam Brown
Decatur
House
Broadband Impact
Partnership For A Connected
Tom Jennings
Brooke Anderson
Archer Daniels Midland
Tate & Lyle
Bycodell Rodriguez
XiaoRui Wang
Beckymalk
Gmail
Beckymalkovich
Johnston City Electric
Jim Mitchett
Johnston
Scott Fitzgerald
Thesouthern
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