Wandtv.com, NewsCenter17, StormCenter17, Central Illinois News-The Real Scoop in Central Illinois by Vanessa Murphy
Member Center:
Welcome. Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope this will be a good way to interact with viewers, help address your questions, and provide even more information and resources about my investigative reports. I look forward to hearing your comments, suggestions, and feedback. Please feel free to send in story ideas. Investigations air every Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. Thanks for watching!
Do you "tweet?"
http://twitter.com/Vanessa_Murphy
7/28/10
More News Tips, Please!
Many times, we hear about news from you, our viewers. Sure, press releases keep us informed. We also have scanners constantly running in the newsroom. Regular sources provide information, too. Here's an example, though, of just how much I appreciate when people call in with a tip:
Last Wednesday, we had a very busy news day. We have a list of news items for each day, but besides those expected stories, there was a murder in Tolono, a tornado warning in Vermilion County, and a huge house fire on the edge of Decatur; these are all significant and news worthy events.
So as I was getting ready to leave the newsroom Wednesday evening, I received a call from a viewer which went something like this:
Caller: "Did you guys know that there was a big meth bust in Decatur?"
Me: "No. Are you kidding? Where?"
Caller: "They were near Faries Parkway."
Me: "Okay, I'll definitely look into this..."
I thanked him for calling, probably more than once.
A photographer went to check out the area near Faries Parkway which didn't turn up anything.
So, I called Decatur Police and was told they could give me no information. Not even a location. Very disappointing.
I then called a source who confirmed some information. Thank goodness.
The following day, I interviewed Sheriff Schneider and ran a full report on the meth bust.
Thanks to that one viewer who called, I started digging for information BEFORE the press release came in.
7/16/10
7/8/10
Unsolved Murder: Calvin Barbee
What are the chances that a murder takes place while a video is being shot? Well, it happened in Decatur in 2006. Calvin Barbee was shot and killed in a crowded parking lot outside a night club. Police just happened to be there shooting video (after crowd control issues there before), and suddenly shots were fired. Police showed me the video, and I included it in my report about this unsolved murder. You do not see the actual murder take place, but you see the chaos which follows and you hear the gunshots. Police say the killer is most likely caught on tape, and today, they need more witnesses to speak up.
Maybe the video will prompt someone to come forward with what they know...
You can watch the report here:
If you have any information, call Decatur Police at 217-424-2711 or Crimestoppers at 423-TIPS.
7/7/10
Unsolved Murder: Channing Todd Fisher
Imagine that when a holiday came around each year it had a different meaning for you AND it reminded you of a tragedy? That's how Channing Todd Fisher's family feels around the Fourth of July. Fisher was a local rock star in Decatur murdered in 1993. He was killed execution style while walking home during the early morning hours of July 4th. Sure, family and friends appreciate the meaning of Independence Day, but they also remember how their loved one was murdered, and how the killer was never caught. Our report about this unsolved murder aired last week, but you can still watch it here:
If you have any information about the murder of Channing Todd Fisher, call Decatur Police at 217-424-2711 or Crimestoppers at 423-TIPS.
7/2/10
Another Scam to Add to the List...
We received a phone call from a viewer today who was concerned that someone else might fall for this scam. She said someone called to tell her she would receive a medical card, asked for her checkbook numbers, and wouldn't take no for an answer. She told us she reported this to the police and her bank.
6/30/10
Fugitive Found Dead
At the beginning of the work day Monday, I planned on putting together a report about the Supreme Court's handgun decision. Plans soon changed though...
Our newsroom received a call from Tiheyon Freeman's mother. Police and the U.S. Marshal's Service were searching for him, because they believed he stabbed a man and woman earlier that morning in Decatur. I talked with Tiheyon's mother, Irma Johnson on the phone, and she told me she wanted to do an interview with us. She was hoping he would see her on television asking him to turn himself in. Soon we were headed to Irma's home...
During our interview, Irma talked about the last time she saw Tiheyon, how much she loved him, how she wanted him to surrender to police, and how she believed he was responsible for the stabbing. We interviewed Deputy Chief Todd Walker shortly after at the police station. He said that Freeman was better off turning himself in, and how his mother's interview with us couldn't hurt. We went to the house where the double stabbing took place, talked with a neighbor, shot video, and returned to the newsroom. I then discovered that Tiheyon Freeman has a criminal history, which includes violent offenses, and that he was on the sex offender registry listed as a sexual predator. Tiheyon's mother told me he had been in trouble before, and she said didn't understand why because he wasn't raised that way.
Monday night after our report aired, I wondered whether Tiheyon Freeman would see my report, and whether his mother's interview would prompt him to turn himself in. Then Tuesday morning, I received a call from another reporter here at WAND-TV. Tiheyon Freeman's body was found in the pool at Fairview Park. WAND-TV again reached out to his mother. We at least wanted to give her the opportunity to talk with us again if she wanted to. She declined.
Later Tuesday, we learned from police that no foul play was involved. Now, questions still remain. Was this suicide or was this an accident? One thing I know for sure, his mother tried reaching out to him, and now she must be heartbroken.
6/25/10
Another Scam
We received an email this week about a bank fraud warning. Edgar County Bank & Trust customers are being targeted.
Dear Customer:
This e-mail was sent by edgarcountybank.com to notify you that we have temporarily prevented access to your account. We have reasons to believe that your account may have been accessed by someone else.
Please click on the link below or copy and paste the URL into your browser:
Remember the magazine scammers we told you about last week? Turns out they knocked on the door of a police officer. It seems there are more than just a couple of these scammers in our area right now though, so it's still important to be careful.
Also, the Eisenhower High School football team in Decatur IS fundraising. It seems some people are confusing the athletes for the scammers. The best way to figure out you aren't being scammed: ask a lot of questions and for identification.
6/16/10
Don't Fall for It!
We've been reporting on a lot of scams in Central Illinois lately. I searched our archives for 2010, and here is a list of some scams hitting our area this year:
January: Tree Trimming. People were knocking on doors posing as city workers trimming trees in Danville. Their goal: to get inside residents' homes and rob them. Their target: the elderly. Danville Police said no city employees were trimming trees.
February: Bad Check. I interviewed a Decatur woman who said she saw an ad in the newspaper for a loan, faxed her information, and received a check for $1500. She told me she knew it was probably a scam, but cashed it anyway at a liquor store. She then was arrested for stealing, because the liquor store never got paid.
March: Jury Duty. An email which stated that it was jury duty notification. If you replied that you didn't have jury duty, the scammer would ask for your social security number and date of birth to cancel an arrest warrant out for you. The Macon County Sheriff told us you would never be contacted by phone in a situation like this.
April: Insurance Cons. Scammers selling "ObamaCare" insurance plans. In some cases, because of a lack of understanding about health care reform, scammers found an opportunity to steal.
May: Text Message. A text message from a number with a 217 area code went around claiming it was from Staley Credit Union and that personal information should be provided. Staley Credit Union did not send any text messages like that one.
June: Magazine Scam. Young men knocking on doors in Decatur claiming they are selling magazine subscriptions to raise money for a soccer trip to Germany, baseball teams, etc.. They are scammers.
Also in June: Prayer Cloth. A Decatur man says he was approached by a man in a parking lot who told him in exchange for $400, the Decatur man would find $50,000 in a prayer cloth. When the Decatur man later opened the folded prayer cloth, he says he found newspaper clippings.
5/18/10
Decatur Feuds
Tonight, I am reporting on two feuds in Decatur. Police say there have been three dangerous incidents over the past 48 hours which left two people shot and one house with fire damage because of a fire bomb.
Now, there are concerns about retaliation. There were shots fired calls today which may be related. Police said they even warned people who may have connections to one of the shootings that they are being hunted.
One of the main problems, police say, is lack of cooperation even from the victims' themselves.
So far, no one has been killed, but now the big concern is that someone will be killed...even someone innocent.
Today, near one of the houses where a shooting took place, a 13 year old boy wanted to be interviewed about the gunshots he heard. His mother wasn't home, and I didn't feel comfortable putting him on camera. He was so polite and seemed genuinely concerned. He looked so disappointed when we didn't interview him though! I honestly hope we run into him again (for a more positive story), so he gets his chance to be on TV. I also hope the violence near his home stops.
5/17/10
Unsolved Cases
You may have seen my reports about five unsolved cases in central Illinois last week.
In case you know anything about any of the cases I reported on, here are phone numbers:
To provide information about the murder of Sherry Lewis in 1994, call the Macon County Sheriff's Office at 217-424-1321 or you can remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers at 217-423-TIPS. Sherry Lewis' family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
To provide information about the murder of Kimberly Starr Reed in 1996, call Decatur Police at 217-424-2711 or remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers.
To provide information about the murder of Earl Bates, Jr. in 1997, call Decatur Police or Crimestoppers.
To provide information about the murder of Becky Robinson in 2000, call the Macon County Sheriff's Office or Crimestoppers.
To provide information about the murders of Ryan Riddell and Mark Prasse in Chrisman, you can call an anonymous tip line at 217-278-5004. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
4/29/10
Debate: Medical Marijuana
You can view the bill which would legalize medical marijuana here:
4/23/10
Medical Marijuana
I am putting together a report about medical marijuana. We ran a couple of reports on 4-20, the unofficial marijuana holiday. Next week, we will dig deeper...
If you have ideas or comments you want to share about medical marijuana, please email me.
3/26/10
Excited Delirium
At an inquest Wednesday, a jury ruled the death of a Sangamon County man in January "undetermined."
Patrick Burns died five days after a bizarre run-in with Sangamon County deputies. An Illinois State Police investigator said four deputies used their tasers 21 times, but it's unclear how many times Burns was hit. The investigator also said Burns was extremely combative, even while officers used their tasers.
Dr. Jessica Bowman and Sangamon County Coroner Susan Boone said Burns died from "excited delirium" caused by cocaine use.
This is the first time I have heard of "excited delirium." I've been researching the term, and it seems that some believe "excited delirium" is a very real threat, while others suggest it is an excuse for taser related deaths like Burns'. What do you think?
3/23/10
CodeRED
There's a new way for Macon County residents to be notified about emergencies. It's called CodeRED. I signed up last week, and received the test phone call today. I also received an email. You can check it out below.
"3/23/2010 9:59:48 AM - This is the Decatur and Macon County Emergency Communications Center with an important message for all residents and businesses in Decatur and Macon County, Illinois. We need your help. If you received this call, that means you are currently in our new CodeRED emergency notification calling system. However we do not currently have telephone numbers for all residents and businesses in our files.
If you know anyone who did not receive this call who lives in Decatur or anywhere in Macon County please encourage them to visit the City of Decatur or Macon County Sheriff's websites at www.decaturil.gov or www.sheriff-macon-il.us and click on the CodeRED Emergency Notification link on the page to add their emergency contact information.
All contact information must be added through the Decatur or Macon County websites. If you do not have internet access please contact a friend or family member to help add your contact information to the emergency database.
Thank you."
3/16/10
Lesson (not) Learned?
I spent time with the Illinois State Police Zone 5 Meth Response Team today. They showed me the gear they use when they bust meth labs, and I interviewed Lieutenant Greg Lindemulder and Special Agent Clayton Woodard (also the mayor of Catlin) about how meth use is on the rise in central Illinois. Lt. Lindemulder gave me two reasons why meth is on the rise: parolees are cooking meth again now that they are out of prison and there's a newer and easier way to cook meth called "shake & bake," which entails using a soda bottle.
Meth seemed to fade away around 2005, but the Meth Response Team says it is back.
We also talked about the bust of a recent alleged meth lab in Decatur. They say it is one of the largest busts. Special Agent Woodard called it a time bomb, because of the potential for the chemicals to cause an explosion. And guess what? As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Department of Corrections says Randy Still, the guy arrested in connection with the alleged meth lab, left prison for a meth crime in 2006.
3/15/10
Camp Lejeune Veteran
Geralyn Shreiner, the wife of a Marine who lived at Camp Lejeune emailed me today. I interviewed Geralyn and her husband John for my series called "The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten." The Mount Zion couple believes John has hairy cell leukemia, because of the toxic water he may have been exposed to at Camp Lejeune.
Geralyn says John is at the VA Hospital in Indianapolis right now, he isn't doing well, and he's been in the ICU twice. She also says she is talking to a law firm about personal injury, and she wants to take action.
Here is part of her email:
"I am going to put flyers out in the community regarding the Camp LeJeune Water Contamination and the tftptf. I made up my mind that this is to serious to be taken lightly. We are at deaths door and that door needs to be remained closed. Thank you for all your help and your news story has gotten at least the communities attention for now. While it is still fresh in everyones minds it's a good time to push forward to bring this awareness and let everyone know there is help out there for these veterans and their families."
(FYI - "tftptf" refers to "The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten." Again, that's the name of my series and the name of a website for Marines who believe they may have been exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune.)
Sounds like you may see some fliers around Central Illinois soon...
3/11/10
Busy Week
Here's a quick rundown of this week...
I've been covering the child abduction in Decatur. Two little boys were abducted in the parking lot of Webster-Cantrell Hall Tuesday afternoon. They were found safe in St. Louis Wednesday morning, and now five adults face kidnapping charges, including their mother, the father to one of the boys, their grandmother, their uncle, and his girlfriend. We have video from when the children were found in St. Louis. I don't think I'll ever forget the image of the four-year-old boy holding a police officer's hand. You can check out our reports under the video section of the website.
The staff at Webster-Cantrell Hall gave us a tour of the child welfare center Wednesday. I asked whether the abduction could have been prevented, whether more security needs to be put in place, and more. The CEO told me they will consider adding more security.
Also, there's an update on the meth lab bust. Randy Still faces at least ten charges now.
You may have seen my report on the lawsuit in Coles County which aired Tuesday. Billy Speagle spent more than eight years in prison after pleading guilty to sex crime. He later withdrew his guilty plea, and a jury found him NOT guilty last year. Now, he's suing the guys who helped put him behind bars. Billy told me there may be more lawsuits to come...
3/5/10
Meth Lab Bust
Police say they busted a meth lab on North 33rd Street in Decatur Thursday night and that this may be the LARGEST METH BUST IN MACON COUNTY EVER. Here's the scoop:
-The Mount Zion Police Chief tells me his officers were investigating a burglary case from September 2009. He says there were two victims and there was about 10 thousand dollars worth of electronics, tools, and more stolen. When they went to the N. 33rd St. home Thursday night looking for a suspect, the Chief says they were allowed inside, and then realized there was a meth lab there. They went outside and called Illinois State Police.
-The ISP Meth Response Team and Decatur Police went to the scene. Police say they found ingredients to cook meth (cold pills, anhydrous ammonia, and more)...basically, a lot of chemicals to cook a lot of meth. They say meth may have been cooked there for months and it looked like there was going to be a lot of meth cooked again very soon there. Police say they removed all of the chemicals and now the house is condemned because it is unsafe inside (chemicals seeped into carpet, walls, etc.).
-You may already know that meth labs are known to have a very strong smell. Police say the chemicals were being ventilated outside. A Lieutenant says neighbors may not have noticed the smell because the meth lab was located near Tate & Lyle and ADM factories.
-Two people were arrested and face charges for making meth: Randy Still and Sarah Spallinger. Still was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2003 for a meth crime, but the Illinois Department of Corrections says he was released early in 2006 for good behavior. A spokeswoman tells me he is not even on parole or probation right now.
-In case you are wondering about that Mt. Zion investigation...The Mount Zion Police Chief says they did recover some of the stolen items at that home.
-Also, in case you are wondering about those laws to prevent meth from being made...There are limits as to how much cold medicine can be purchased, and an ISP Lieutenant tells me there were about 300 cold pills at this house. This is why police believe there are multiple people involved.
3/4/10
Murder Laws
The family of Jodi McGrew, a pregnant woman who was murdered by her brother-in-law in 2008, is pushing for tougher criminals laws. Because of Jodi's parents, Mike and Sandy Zogg, Rep. Dan Brady is introducing legislation. The Zoggs say the 50-year-sentence their daughter's killer, Jason Marksteiner, received isn't enough. McGrew was pregnant and her unborn baby died. Marksteiner was also accused of sexually assaulting McGrew.
One of the laws they are pushing for would mean a mandatory life sentence for a killer if a judge or jury decides that the murder is especially brutal.
Are you for or against this change?
Cast your vote above.
3/3/10
$5000 Reward
The reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction related to the death of BJ Guyse has increased AGAIN to $5000. Guyse's mother, Concetta, sent me an email saying she is grateful to family and friends for helping her fund the reward which started at $2000.
BJ Guyse died from a head injury after an incident at The Wharf in Decatur in December . Guyse's parents say they believe his death is suspicious, but police say they have not found evidence that a crime was committed.
If you have any information, call Decatur Police.
3/2/10
Nursing Home Neglect
Whether it's for you or a loved one, choosing a nursing home can be challenging. Here are some websites which might help.
You can compare nursing homes and find out how they are rated here:
You can find out about violations and investigations into nursing homes, a list of Illinois nursing homes, and more here:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/webapp/LTCApp/ltc.jsp
You can report abuse, contact your ombudsman, and more here:
You can find information about the Nursing Home Task Force in Illinois here:
http://www2.illinois.gov/nursinghomesafety/Pages/default.aspx
You can find the report recently released by the Nursing Home Task Force here:
http://www2.illinois.gov/nursinghomesafety/Documents/NHSTF%20Final%20Report.pdf
2/24/10
Central Illinois' Connection to Camp Lejeune
I just received a call from a viewer, Linda White, who says her daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer at 30 years old, there's no family history of breast cancer, and her daughter attended school at Camp Lejeune.
Mike Partain is an advocate for many who call themselves "The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten." He plays a major part in the website (www.tftptf.com). He said once our reports air, more families in central Illinois will realize they may have a connection to Camp Lejeune and that toxic water. He was exactly right. Viewers, like Linda, have called to tell me their stories. By the way, Linda says her daughter is doing well today.
2/23/10
Benzene
Tonight, we are airing an update on "The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten" about how the levels of benzene found in the water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina were first misreported and then not reported at all in the 1990s.
At the end of my report, I included part of a statement from the Marine Corps.. Here is the statement from Captain Brian Block in its entirety:
"Camp Lejeune's drinking water meets or exceeds all standards for health and safety today. Information on the historic presence of benzene contamination in the water at Camp Lejeune has been publically available in the Camp Lejeune CERCLA Administrative Record since 1992. The Marine Corps has been working with the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of North Carolina to remediate contaminated sites aboard Camp Lejeune, to include the Hadnot Point Fuel Farm, and we are committed to continuing those efforts.
Information about benzene contamination has also been available to ATSDR since the early 1990s, and was included in their 1997 Public Health Assessment. The Marine Corps has in the past, and will continue, to make information available in support of ongoing scientific efforts to understand the impact of historic water contamination.
We look forward to the conclusion of the ongoing studies in the hope that the results will lessen the uncertainty that many former Marines, residents and civilian employees have experienced regarding past water contamination at Camp Lejeune."
For anyone visiting this blog for more information, I have included helpful websites below. (If you or a loved one lived at Camp Lejeune and may have been exposed to the toxic water there, one of the most important things you can do is REGISTER with the Marines and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.)
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/SITES/LEJEUNE/
https://clnr.hqi.usmc.mil/clwater/
2/21/10
Update on BJ Guyse Reward
The reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction related to the death of BJ Guyse has increased to $3000. When I interviewed Guyse's parents on Friday, 2/12, they said they were offering $2000.
Guyse died in December after an incident at The Wharf in Decatur. Police say they have not found evidence that a crime was committed, but Guyse's parents told me they believe his death is suspicious.
If you have any information, call Decatur Police.
2/19/10
Update on Jeremy Welker
Decatur Police Detective Jeremy Welker is not being charged after being arrested for domestic battery. Special Prosecutor Thomas Griffith says Welker will participate in a diversion program, because Welker does not have a criminal history. Police Chief Jim Anderson says a decision has not been made about whether Welker can keep his job.
2/18/10
Top 10 Scams of 2009 in Illinois
Here is a list from Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
|
CATEGORY |
# OF COMPLAINTS |
|
1. Consumer Debt (mortgage lending, collections, credit cards) |
7,843 |
|
2. Identity Theft (fraudulent credit cards and utility accounts, bank fraud) |
4,376 |
|
3. Construction Home Improvement (remodeling, roofs/gutters) |
2,601 |
|
4. Telecommunications (wireless service, local phone service, cable/satellite) |
2,240 |
|
5 Promotions and Schemes (sweepstakes, pyramid, work-at-home schemes) |
1,689 |
|
6. Motor Vehicles/Used Auto Sales (as-is sales, financing, warranties) |
1,372 |
|
7. Mail Order (Internet purchases, catalog ordering, television/radio) |
1,364 |
|
8. Fraud Against Business (consulting, directories/publications) |
1,135 |
|
9. Utilities (natural gas, electric, water/sewer) |
843 |
|
10. Motor Vehicle/Non-Warranty Repair (collision/body, engines, tune ups) |
728 |
If you know about a scam or have been the victim of one, contact the Attorney General's office.
Springfield Consumer Fraud Hotline: 1-800-243-0618
Spanish Language Hotline: 1-866-310-8398
Identity Theft Hotline: 1-866-999-5630
Homeowner Helpline: 1-866-544-7151
www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers
2/17/10
Update on "The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten"
The Associated Press is reporting today that an environmental contractor underreported the level of a cancer-causing chemical found in tap water at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina and then omitted it altogether before a federal health review of the Marine Base.
Earlier this month, we aired a three part report about local Marines who believe they are sick because of the toxic water they may have drank and bathed in at Camp LeJeune in the 1970s and 1980s. After my report, a couple of other central Illinois residents contacted me saying they also believe they're sick because of their connections to Camp LeJeune. We're not talking about a cold here...we're talking about leukemia, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and more.
According to the AP, records show that water sampled in 1984 showed levels of benzene at 380 parts per billion, but the contractor, Baker Corp., reported 38 parts per billion. The AP is also reporting that in a 1994 report released by Baker Corp., there was no mention of benzene.
2/16/10
More on Domestic Violence
As domestic violence numbers are on the rise, one program in Macon County for abusers is no longer available.
Through AIM, abusers received treatment so they could work on anger issues and more. According to Macon County Court Services, AIM was cut in June of 2009 because of state budget issues.
Here are the number of domestic violence related cases in Macon County from the Circuit Clerk's office:
2007: 803
2008: 912
2009: 919
Less programs to combat a growing problem...
2/15/10
Domestic Violence
Tonight, I am reporting on domestic violence and how one woman's personal story is now helping abusers. She's spoken at a Victim Impact Panel for Macon County Court Services.
As a reporter, I go through police reports and sworn statements regularly. Many times, the majority of arrests are related to domestic violence.
Here is some information from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
-An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.
-85% of domestic violence victims are women.
-Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the police and The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Here is a link to the NCADV: http://www.ncadv.org/
2/12/10
BJ Guyse
The parents of BJ Guyse, a 26-year-old Decatur man who died in December, are offering a $2000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Right now, there is no suspect though...
Guyse was taken to St. Mary's Hospital on December 23rd from The Wharf in Decatur. Guyse's parents say they were told he died from a head injury and that he may have fallen off of a barstool. They believe the death is suspicious and someone may have caused his death.
Decatur Police say the death is being investigated. Guyse's parents say they believe the investigation isn't being done properly, because The Wharf is owned by the wife of a Decatur Police officer. The owner told me she did not want to comment.
Lt. David Dickerson tells me police have not established that a crime was committed, and information may be available within the next few weeks.
You can call Decatur Police at 424-2711 with any information.
2/11/10
Bill Backlog
Illinois' budget problems mean that many schools, organizations, and businesses are waiting for their payments. A spokeswoman for the Comptroller's Office told me, by the end of the business day on February 9th, the state's bill backlog was $3.6 billion.
2/10/09
No Snow Day
On February 9th, Decatur Public Schools were open despite six inches of snow and poor road conditions. Our phones were ringing and our inbox was full, because many Decatur parents were unhappy. They said it was too dangerous for the children to be traveling to and from school on the roads, waiting at bus stops during freezing temperatures, and walking in the streets because of snow covered sidewalks.
I interviewed a few school board members about the decision to keep schools open. School Board President Dan Winter said Decatur Public Schools get state aid for attendance. I asked School Board member Terry Robinson about the last major snow event in Decatur. Schools were open during the inclement weather, but then closed the following day. He explained how making the decision to keep school open or closed can be tricky.
Now, on February 10th, schools are closed after being open yesterday, and we are still hearing from viewers. We've received more than 70 "Sound Off" submissions. Most of these messages express frustration with District 61's decision making this week
Here are some of the submissions:
From Sheila in Decatur: They need a new policy on making that decision. To say that if the bus drivers can tough it out the kids should be able to is horrible decision making. It's cold and snow is blowing on a bus stop and some kids may have to walk to school. Let's care enough about our kids true safety AND their health as well.
From Joy in Decatur: As a MacArthur student, I believe that the fact we had to go to school was beyond ridiculous. The district fails to realize that some students actually are forced to drive through the hazards, myself included. I just don't believe that a district fails to take into account about the lives of it's own students.
I actually talked to one of my friends that told me about it being so bad that the bus his sister rode in nearly went off the road. Not only that but upon arriving to school the vast majority of classes had no subs, thus many of us had to sit within the library, rendering the day moot. In fact, the school was practically empty as many people stayed home. Refusing to accept the fact that we had to go to school.
I don't want to start ranting but this issue needs to be brought to light. If this does somehow appear anywhere. I beg of you to please think of us.
Some of us genuinely want an education, but we don't want to die trying to obtain it.
From Bo in Decatur: It makes no difference to me. What gets me is...they say there is school but the buses will be delayed, so not only do they want my children standing at the bus stop in weather like this, they want them to stand out there longer than they would with the weather nice. The way I decide if my children will go to school or not is...if something were to happen to my 9 year old diabetic daughter at school, could I get to her quickly...today... that answer was NO.
From Jennifer in Decatur: No I don't agree with the District #61 decision to keep open schools in bad weather conditions. However, the parents are ultimately responsible for the safety of their children. If the district does not make the decision, then it is up to parent(s). As the school district makes the decision of whether or not to keep schools open in weather related situations, parents must also evaluate the situation and make the decision that is best for their child and not to depend on the school system to make decisions related to your child's safety in weather related situations.
Dave in Decatur: It's a tough decision for any school administrator to make. Parents will complain no matter what. If left open, we at least know where they are, and are safe. If closed, some parents can't find sitters at the last minute. Also remember a lot of kids eat at school (hot lunch program), this might be the only hot meal they get for the day.
2/8/10
The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten
Tonight, my series called "The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten" airs. It's about central Illinois veterans who believe they are sick because of toxic water they drank at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Some believe the Department of Defense has not handled the issue properly.
In the state of Illinois as of December, nearly four thousand have registered for a Camp Lejeune study. This means they provided their information to the Marines, because they lived at Camp Lejeune and may have been exposed to the toxic water.
The Marines say they are reaching out to families that may have been exposed to the water, but some question their commitment to this. There are websites dedicated to spreading the word about the toxic water. If you believe you may have been exposed to the water, you are advised to register with the Marines and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Here are websites you may want to check out:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/SITES/LEJEUNE/
https://clnr.hqi.usmc.mil/clwater/
2/5/10
Beason Playground in Memory of Gee/Constant Children
You may have seen my report on how Beason residents are trying to raise money to revamp the town playground in memory of three children murdered in Beason in September. Their goal is to raise $20,000. As of February 4th, organizer Jodie Duncan said they had $175.
In case you want to help:
Duncan says on the evening of Tuesday, March 2nd, part of the proceeds at Culver's (2530 Woodlawn Rd.) in Lincoln will be donated to the park fund. Also, on Friday, March 5th, Duncan says from 11am to 11pm, part of the proceeds at Pizza Hut (1120 Woodlawn Rd.) in Lincoln will go to the park fund.
They are also looking for volunteers to help put the park together in April.
1/29/10
Scams & Rip-Offs
The Better Business Bureau lists the "Top Scams & Rip-Offs of 2009." The BBB says they are in no particular order.
Have you had an experience with any scams & rip-offs on the list? Please shoot me an email to tell me about it.
1. Acai Supplements and Other "Free" Trial Offers – Ads offering trial offers for teeth whiteners, acai anti-aging pills and other miracle supplements blanket the Internet, including trusted Web sites of national news organizations. The marketing campaigns often falsely claimed an endorsement by Oprah, Rachel Ray and Doctor Oz. Thousands of consumers complained to BBB that the free trial actually cost them as much as hundreds of dollars, month after month.
2. Stimulus/Government Grant Scams – Even before President Obama announced the stimulus plan in February, scammers had already set up schemes for misleading consumers and small business owners into thinking they could get a piece of the pie. Offers for worthless assistance and advice on how to get government grants bombarded consumers online, over the phone and via mail and e-mail.
3. Robocalls – Owning a cell phone or having their phone number on the do-not-call list did not help thousands of people across the US put a stop to harassing automated telemarketing calls in 2009. The robocalls often claimed that their auto warranty was about to expire—which wasn't true—or offered help in reducing their interest rate on their credit card. The prevalence of robocalls violating federal telemarketing laws prompted the FTC to increase restrictions on the practice in 2009.
4. Lottery/Sweepstakes Scam – The victim receives a letter in the mail pretending to be from Reader's Digest, Publisher's Clearing House or a phony foreign lottery claiming that he or she has won millions. The letter comes with a check that represents only a portion of the total winnings. In order to get the rest, the victim has to deposit the check and then wire hundreds of dollars back to the scammers supposedly to cover taxes or some other bogus fee. The victim wires the money, but the prize never arrives.
5. Job Hunter Scams –Scams targeting job hunters vary and include attempts to gain access to personal information such as bank account or social security numbers and requirements to pay a fee in order to even be considered for the job. Another common scam was reported to BBB by job hunters who were told by a prospective employer that they had to check their credit report before being considered for a job. The job offer is actually a marketing ploy for online credit monitoring that costs the victim every month until they cancel.
6. Google Work from Home Scam – Countless Web sites cropped up in 2009 that claimed you could learn how to make money from home using Google or Twitter and offered a free trial of learning materials. The Web sites often included the Google or Twitter moniker and logo. As a result, many people who complained to BBB thought they were getting a job with Google or Twitter when in, fact, they were being lured into another misleading free-trial offer and were billed every month for the materials and other mystery charges that added up to hundreds of dollars.
7. Mortgage Foreclosure Rescue/Debt Assistance – Many families are struggling in the current economy and hucksters are offering to help them save their house from foreclosure or help them get out of credit card debt. Unfortunately, victims are paying hundreds of dollars up front for the assistance they desperately need but ultimately never receive.
8. Mystery Shopping – Consumers across the country thought that they could make some extra money by becoming a secret shopper and evaluating the customer service of various stores. The victim is asked to evaluate their shopping experience at a few stores as well as a money wiring service such as Western Union or MoneyGram by wiring money back to the scammers. A seemingly real looking check is supposed to cover the costs, but ends up being a fake. The victim is out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
9. Over-Payment Scams – Over-payment scams typically target small business owners, landlords or individuals with rooms to rent and sellers on classifieds or sites like Craigslist. Typically the scammer pretends to be a customer, possible renter or interested buyer, respectively. The victim receives a check for more than the amount requested. The scammers then ask the victim to deposit the check and wire the extra amount elsewhere, such as to a shipping company. Ultimately though, the check is fake and the victim is really wiring money back to the scammers.
10. Phishing e-mails/H1N1 spam – A perennial problem, phishing e-mails pop up in inboxes and can take various forms such as appearing to be from a business, a government agency or official or even a friend. Whatever the setup, the goal of any phishing e-mail is the same: to trick victims into divulging sensitive financial information or to infect the victim's computer with viruses and malware. In addition to phishing e-mails, spam e-mail selling wares to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus were particularly rampant in 2009.
1/27/10
Update on the Arrest of Jeremy Welker
The case has been turned over to a "Special Prosecutor." Because of a potential conflict, the Macon County State's Attorney's Office has given the case to Decatur attorney, Thomas Griffith.
Griffith says he is reviewing DVDs, police reports, and witness statements. He will decide whether charges will be filed.
1/20/10
Decatur Police Detective Arrested
Decatur Police Detective Jeremy Welker was arrested Monday for domestic battery. According to the police department, Welker is on paid administrative leave and the incident is being investigated.
Jeremy Welker was also in trouble last September. He was on paid administrative leave then, too. No charges were filed though.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence, call police. You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE.
1/21/10
Plane Crash Report
You may have seen our reports about the plane crash which killed Dr. John White and his passenger, Lisa Marie Mattix, Monday. I interviewed White's brother and son. They talked about his love of flying, finding out about the tragic crash, and the investigation. An FAA report states that White's plane "lost power inflight." White's brother, Joe, said he would like to know how and why something like this could happen.
Here is a link to the FAA report from Thursday, January 21st:
http://www.faa.gov/data_research/accident_incident/preliminary_data/media/E_0119_N.txt
1/19/10
Bond Amounts
Hope you saw my report Tuesday night about bond amounts and one local man whose bond was $15,000.00. He was arrested for sexual assault. He's out of jail after paying 10 percent of his bond, which is standard.
The alleged victim's aunt is upset. She says his bond was too low. Do you agree or disagree?
Email Vanessa your comments.
Thank you!
