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Police and Fire

More charges expected in Vandergraph case

By Cristian Stelle

Thu Jul 29, 2010, 12:06 PM CDT

Additional charges of sexual assault involving a child under 13 may be filed against the embattled Rev. Bill Vandergraph, according to law enforcement.
Also, the Illinois Department of Children Family Services has launched its own investigation of Vandergraph since the home owned by the 72-year-old Alto Pass pastor was a licensed foster parent home from 1994 until 2002, according to state records.
DCFS spokesman Kendall Marlowe said DCFS is conducting its "own parallel investigation" and working closely with law enforcement agencies involved in the Vandergraph case.

Area pastor charged with sexual molestation of a child

By Cristian Stelle

Mon Jul 19, 2010, 01:29 PM CDT

A blow was dealt to the Southern Illinois Church and the Bald Knob Cross when the driving force behind the cross's restoration was arrested on charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.
The Rev. Bill Vandergraph, 72, pastor of Full Gospel Pentecostal Church in Alto Pass and president of the Friends of the Cross fundraising organization was arrested last Wednesday evening at the Anna DCFS office, after a week-long investigation by the Illinois State Police and Union County Sheriff's Office, according to the Union County States Attorney, Tyler Edmond.

Firefighter extinguish van fire

Mon Jun 28, 2010, 11:30 AM CDT

Search warrant served in connection with recent homicide

By Steve Webb

Tue Apr 20, 2010, 02:48 PM CDT

Police continued to investigate a homicide that took place in Murphysboro early last week, and served a search warrant at a residence in the Valley Ridge housing complex on Thursday night.
"We served a search warrant as part of the investigation,'' said Murphysboro Police Chief Jeff Bock.
The search warrant was served in connection with the death of Roger Cole, 44, of Murphysboro.

Fire Destroys Project Hangar at Pinckneyville-Du Quoin Airport

By John H. Croessman

Mon Mar 15, 2010, 02:19 PM CDT

Du Quoin - A 9 a.m. fire Friday destroyed a privately-owned project hangar at the Pinckneyville-Du Quoin airport, located along Rt. 13-127 in central Perry County.

Murphysboro Fire Department named Fire Department of the Year

Thu Jan 07, 2010, 01:42 PM CST

The Murphysboro Fire Department was presented on Aug. 24 with the Fire Department of the Year Award by the Illinois Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (IAMIC).

Three charged with Solicitation of Murder for Hire

Thu Jan 07, 2010, 01:35 PM CST

On Jan. 2, Detectives with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office arrested Raymond Martin, Kristina R. Martin and Cody R. Martin.

Fire damages home on Shomaker Dr.

Mon Sep 28, 2009, 11:17 AM CDT

At 2:34 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, the Murphysboro Fire Department responded to a report of a house on fire at 1311 Shomaker Drive.

Federal grant awarded to Sheriff’s Dept.

By Justin Kabbes

Tue Sep 08, 2009, 11:12 AM CDT

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office can continue the fight against methamphetamine now that it received a roughly $123,000 federal grant to re-hire Crime Analyst Amy Etherton and purchase a subscription to a vast crime database called Lexis Nexis.

Lindsey becomes first female Patrol Sergeant at Sheriff's Dept.

By Jason Brown

Mon Jul 20, 2009, 02:39 PM CDT

On May 29, Jackson County Deputy Jennifer Lindsey was promoted to Patrol Sergeant, which made her the first female Patrol Sergeant in the history of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Lindsey, a fifteen-year veteran deputy, is proud to be the first women patrol sergeant, but she likes to focus on her goals of doing a good job.

Fire destroys Old Rome Bar & Restaurant

By Jason Brown

Fri Jul 10, 2009, 01:47 PM CDT

The Old Rome bar and restaurant in Murphysboro was totaled in a fire last Friday afternoon.
The fire appeared to start in the back of the building, an area that housed freezers, coolers and an outside air conditioning unit.

Dist. 13 to conduct Roadside Safety Check

Mon Jul 06, 2009, 10:09 AM CDT

The Illinois State Police, District 13, will conduct a Roadside Safety Check in Williamson County during the month of July, according to Captain Michael Irwin.

M'Boro police chief found self in middle of 'hurricane'

By Steve Webb

Wed May 13, 2009, 03:32 PM CDT

Murphysboro Police Chief Jeff Bock was right in the middle of the hurriance-force winds that ripped through the community last Friday.

Bramlett, Peeler held on $500,000 bond

Sat May 02, 2009, 12:28 PM CDT

Bond was set at $500,000 for two Murphysboro men that were taken into custody last week in connection with an incident that took place at...

Over-stretched police forces may catch a break

By Justin Kabbes

Tue Apr 28, 2009, 07:26 PM CDT

They protect the streets. They keep Jackson County and Murphysboro safe and secure. They are working 24 hours a day and seven days a week. These men and women called officers of the law are in short supply in Jackson County yet...

Gojkovich's bail reduced to $25,000

By Steve Webb

Tue Mar 31, 2009, 09:04 AM CDT

ohn "Big John" Gojkovich made an appearance in court last Thursday during a bail reduction hearing.
Gojkovich was arrested in December and charged with three counts of child pornography. He has been in the Jackson County Jail since his arrest on $250,000 bond.

BOTH VEHICLES TOTALED IN WALNUT/WILLIAMS ST. ACCIDENT

Tue Mar 31, 2009, 09:02 AM CDT

At 10:05 a.m. last Friday, the Murphysboro Police Department received multiple 911 calls in regards to a traffic crash on Walnut Street (IL Rt 13) at the intersection of Williams Street.

Gojkovich's bail reduced to $25,000

By Dave Taylor

Tue Mar 31, 2009, 08:54 AM CDT

John "Big John" Gojkovich made an appearance in court last Thursday during a bail reduction hearing.
Gojkovich was arrested in December and charged with three counts of child pornography. He has been in the Jackson County Jail since his arrest on $250,000 bond.

BOTH VEHICLES TOTALED IN WALNUT/WILLIAMS ST. ACCIDENT

By Dave Taylor

Tue Mar 31, 2009, 08:51 AM CDT

At 10:05 a.m. last Friday, the Murphysboro Police Department received multiple 911 calls in regards to a traffic crash on Walnut Street (IL Rt 13) at the intersection of Williams Street.

Gaddis, Fike case held over until May 6

By Dave Taylor

Mon Mar 16, 2009, 12:49 PM CDT

The case of accused bank robbers James D. Gaddis, 27, and Anthony Mitchell Fike, 35, has been held over until another case management hearing May 6, 2009, at 1:00 p.m.