Two plead guilty to theft of property

By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - Two men charged with home invasion, residential burglary and robbery pleaded guilty Thursday to an amended charge of theft of property having a value of more than $300 and were sentenced to two years in prison.

Nov 20, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Decatur pediatrician faces federal vaccine fraud charges

By RON INGRAM and ANNIE GETSINGER - H&R Staff Writers

DECATUR - Dr. Jamie S. Warnick, 53, a Decatur pediatrician, has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with health care fraud.

Nov 20, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Final action taken to suspend law license of Mark Bradley

By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has taken final action to suspend the law license of Decatur attorney Mark Bradley, who became snarled in criminal problems last year as a result of his bipolar disorder.

Nov 20, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Attorney says former governor doing as good as can be expected in prison

By MIKE RIOPELL - H&R Springfield Bureau Writer

SPRINGFIELD - Former Gov. George Ryan continues to get by in federal prison, awaiting a release that would come when he's about 80 years old, his attorney and fellow former Gov. Jim Thompson said Wednesday.

Nov 19, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

George Ryan pension case goes before state Supreme Court

By MIKE RIOPELL - H&R Springfield Bureau Writer

SPRINGFIELD - The state Wednesday told the Illinois Supreme Court that imprisoned former Republican Gov. George Ryan shouldn't be allowed to collect any of his state pension after being convicted of corruption.

Nov 19, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Stephen D. Wacaser indicted by federal grand jury in two bank robberies

By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - Stephen D. Wacaser, 57, formerly of Decatur, was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Peoria on two counts of bank robbery.

Nov 19, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Shaun O. Dennis pleads guilty to aggravated battery in stabbing case

By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - A 37-year-old Decatur man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Macon County Circuit Court to aggravated battery for attacking, beating and stabbing another man Sept. 13.

Nov 19, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Decatur man already in custody arrested again when DNA reportedly found on gun used in attempted robbery

By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - Dantwan L. Tyus of Decatur faces possible charges of armed robbery, armed violence and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon after his DNA was found on a gun used in an attempted armed robbery July 28.

Nov 19, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Charleston landowner won't have to pay fines on second set of horses seized in Coles County

By H&R Springfield Bureau

SPRINGFIELD - A Charles ton landowner convicted last year of mistreating more than 70 horses doesn't have to pay Coles County any more money for their care, an appeals court ruled Wednesday.

Nov 19, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Clinton man, Sullivan woman indicted by federal grand jury in child porn case

By H&R staff

PEORIA - A federal grand jury in Peoria on Wednesday indicted Dustin E. Mandrell, 25, of Clinton on one count each of producing and possessing images of child pornography.

Nov 19, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Search warrant in Beason deaths remains sealed

By EDITH BRADY-LUNNY - Lee News Service Writer

LINCOLN - A Logan County judge opened several documents in the Gee family murder case Tuesday but sided with prosecutors in keeping a search warrant under wraps for 180 days.

Nov 19, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Decatur man jailed after woman seriously injured in beating

By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - A 52-year-old Decatur man is jailed under $75,000 bond after he allegedly beat his former girlfriend so badly he broke her back as well as put a gun under her chin and threatened to kill her.

Nov 18, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Jason L. Harris' trial in Beason deaths postponed to at least February

By EDITH BRADY-LUNNY - Lee News Service Writer

LINCOLN - The December trial for an Armington man accused of killing a Beason family has been postponed until at least February.

Nov 18, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Police cameras poised to scare criminals away from targeted intersections

By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - Big Brother really is watching you, if you happen to pass through any of four intersections on Decatur's near north side, where remotely operated video cameras have been installed by the Decatur Police Department.

Nov 18, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

• Related: Police Surveillance

Man wounded in struggle at The Wharf faces array of charges

By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - Kevin L. Kremer, 45, of Decatur was charged Monday in Macon County Circuit Court with disarming a peace officer, aggravated battery and aggravated resisting a peace officer in connection with an Oct. 28 struggle during which he was shot.

Nov 17, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Robinson acquitted of armed robbery charges

H&R staff report

DECATUR - Walter R. Robinson Jr., 18, of Decatur was acquitted Friday by a Macon County Circuit Court jury that deliberated less than two hours before finding him not guilty of two counts each of attempted armed robbery and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Nov 17, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

17-year-old faces number of weapons charges

H&R staff report

DECATUR - A 17-year-old man was arrested about 8:30 a.m. Sunday by Decatur police at a house in the 1400 block of West Macon Street for weapons charges in connection with a Sept. 17 shooting during which a man was wounded.

Nov 17, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Decatur police officer nabs DUIs back to back

By HUEY FREEMAN - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - While arresting one driver for driving under the influence, a Decatur police officer drove to a nearby crash scene, where he bagged another intoxicated driver.

Nov 14, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Judge orders motions sealed in Beason murders case

By EDITH BRADY-LUNNY - Lee News Service Writer

LINCOLN - A judge has ordered four motions sealed in the murder cases filed against two brothers accused of killing a Beason family. The motions include requests for experts and an investigator to assist defense teams.

Nov 13, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…