On Thursday, 26 October 2023, Former IDNR Region Five Law Enforcement Captain James E. Mayes pleaded guilty to one count of “Official Misconduct,” a Class 3 felony. Two additional counts of “Official Misconduct” were dismissed in the negotiated plea agreement. [Read more...]
Opinion: SAFE-T Act Leaves Victim Assistance and Resources in Limbo
By State Senator Terry Bryant
For over two and a half years, Illinoisans have heard the arguments from both sides over the SAFE-T Act, which is the new Illinois law that makes a wide variety of sweeping changes to our criminal justice system and the law enforcement profession. Most notably, it completely eliminates cash bail beginning this September. [Read more...]
White County Assessments Supervisor Baxley Addresses Property Tax Equalizer
From White County Supervisor of Assessments Gary Baxley...
"The 2022 payable 2023 tax bills will be mailed out to the taxpayers of White County very soon. You will notice that your assessed value has been increased by a 5.14 % equalizer. This does not necessarily mean your tax bill will increase by that much because there is considerably more assessed value in the county this year. All the levies are in and tax rates are in the process of being calculated at this time. [Read more...]
Letter to the Editor: Three women attacked by dogs in Carmi
Dog bite of one woman in Carmi. Photo provided and victim granted permission to publish.
Submitted by Rich Gurka
Three women attacked by dogs in Carmi
On July 25 at approximately 7:30 a.m., a Carmi woman was taking a morning walk, on the public sidewalk along Oak Street (IL Rt 14) in Carmi when a loose dog attacked her, causing injuries to her lower leg. The woman received medical attention at the emergency room of Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado. (Photo attached, victim has granted permission to publish.) [Read more...]
Guest Column: NOT DIGGING IT: Young Americans’ Shunning of Extractive Industries is China’s Dream Come True
By Seth Whitehead, Executive Director
Illinois Petroleum Resources Board
Americans love energy just about as much as we adore all our “stuff.” But amidst all our first-world creature comforts, it’s easy to forget energy and modern products don’t magically appear out of the ether.
Modern products and energy – both of the traditional and alternative variety – are derived from raw materials that have to be either mined, grown or caught and then processed. Hydrocarbons such as petroleum, natural gas and coal are among the most essential raw materials, as they are the building blocks for more than 6,000 everyday products and provide the fuel that generates about 80 percent of our current energy mix. Wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles also require hydrocarbons to be manufactured and massive quantities of minerals to collect and store energy.
It is with these facts in mind that younger Americans’ collective disinterest in pursuing careers that ensure we can domestically source hydrocarbons and minerals is a dream come true for China and other potentially hostile foreign suppliers and a looming nightmare for the United States. [Read more...]
Letter to the Editor: Why Americans Aren’t Likely to Embrace Electric Vehicle Mandates
You’d never guess it based on the nonstop barrage of slick TV ads and media hype, but Americans aren’t big fans of electric vehicles. In fact, a new Gallup poll shows that just four percent currently own an EV and four in 10 have no interest in buying one.
There are many legitimate reasons why this is the case. But U.S. consumers may have far less choice in the matter in the not-so-distant future.
Proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules would effectively mandate by 2032 that two out of every three new passenger vehicles sold in the United States are electric. And a handful of states will ban sales of new conventional vehicles starting in 2035. [Read more...]
Rich Gurka: Non-Citizens to Become Illinois Police Officers?
Illinois House Bill 3751 is garnering lots of support in the Illinois legislature. [Read more...]
President Biden is Right: We Need Oil – Here’s Why
By Seth Whitehead, Executive Director
Illinois Petroleum Resources Board
President Biden strayed from his administration’s narrative during his recent State of the Union address, saying, “We’re going to need oil for at least another decade. … And beyond that.” Many of his “Keep It In the Ground” supporters scoffed at the unscripted remarks. But it was actually a massive understatement. [Read more...]
