Jackson mom reacts to one family's nightmare

Monday, August 8th, 2011, 12:39pm

A Jackson mom reacts to one family's nightmare, one she knows all too well.

On Friday, Perry County teen Carl Dane who confessed to the July 20, 2010 murder of Sidnee Stephens, was found dead in his jail cell.

Dane, 19, was scheduled to be transferred that day to Menard Correctional Center in Chester to begin a 60 year prison sentence.

An all too familiar story to Tracy McClard.

Three days before her son Jonathon's 17th birthday, he took his own life just before beginning a 30 year prison sentence for shooting another teen in Jackson back in 2007.

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Monday is FEMA deadline for Ill. residents

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Sunday, August 7th, 2011, 4:07pm

For those who still need assistance with flooding or storm damage, there's still time to get help but the deadline is fast approaching.

For Illinois residents, the deadline for individual assistance is Monday, Aug. 8.

That's for homeowners or renters.

You can visit FEMA's website, or call (800) 621-3362 to register.

Carl Henderson with FEMA says $15.5 million has already been awarded to residents in southern Illinois for disaster assistance.

In Mo. the deadline for applications is August 26.

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Confessed killer found dead at Perry Co. Jail

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Friday, August 5th, 2011, 8:11pm

Illinois State Police are investigating the death of a 19-year-old prisoner who pleaded guilty to murdering a Pinckneyville teen.

Carl Dane, 19, of Pinckneyville was pronounced dead at 5 a.m. in his cell at the Perry County Jail in Pinckneyville Friday.

Carl Dane's Attorney Brian Trentman says, he was told they believe Dane killed himself.

An autopsy was conducted Friday afternoon. The Perry County Coroner says he is awaiting those results.

A corrections officer found Dane's body in his cell at the Perry County Jail early Friday Morning. Investigators say they don't suspect foul play.

Today Dane was set to be taken to Menard Correctional Center to begin serving a 60-year-sentence for the murder of 15-year Sidnee Stephens.

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Boil water order issued

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Friday, August 5th, 2011, 1:18pm

DUQUOIN, IL (KFVS) The city of DuQuoin has issued a boil water order on Friday, August 5.

The boil water order is for Roosevelt from Grafway to Pope Street.

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August blood drives

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Monday, August 1st, 2011, 5:18pm

ILLINOIS (KFVS) - The American Red Cross is still looking for blood donors.

The following blood drives will be in August in several areas around Southern Illinois.

Upcoming blood drives include:

Aug. 2 - American Legion Hall, 305 South Chester in Steeleville, Ill. from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Aug. 2 - Aldersgate Methodist Church, 1201 Fair Street in Marion, Ill. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Aug. 4 - Holiday Inn Express, 1301 North Market in Sparta, Ill. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Aug. 8 - First United Methodist Church, 214 West Main Street in Carbondale, Ill. from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Aug. 9 - Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, 405 West Jackson in Carbondale, Ill. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Aug. 9 - VFW Post 2698, 1911 North Market Street in Sparta, Ill. from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Aug. 9 - Shawnee Amish Church, 277 Shady Hallow Lane in Campbell Hill, Ill. from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Aug.

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Attorney: My client is innocent in Sidnee Stephens murder

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Thursday, July 28th, 2011, 6:02pm

A year ago this week, two fishermen found the body of a 15-year-old girl in a Perry County creek. On Thursday, the attorney for one of the teens charged with her murder says his client is innocent.

Robbie Mueller covered his face with a file folder and wore a bullet proof vest as he walked out of the Perry County Courthouse for another time. But for the first time his attorney, Charlie Stegmeyer told Heartland News, Mueller is wrongfully charged.

"I don't believe my client had any role in her death," Stegmeyer said. "I believe my client was forced to be present at the scene. He made a complete statement to the police, indicating that he was forced by gun point to be there and threatened his family if he didn't participate."

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