CALHOUN NEWS-HERALD
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HARDIN, ILLINOIS 62047
DECEmbER 25, 2013
Missing woman’s body found near Joe Page Bridge
INSIDE SOCIAL
by bOb CROSSEN Campbell Publications The body of a woman with strong ties to Jersey County who has been missing since late November was found Dec. 19 in Greene County near the Joe Page Bridge in Hardin. Two men were charged with two counts of first degree murder, a Class M felony, in the death of Courtney Coats, a 30-year-old woman who had been missing from Alton for 27 days. Brandon L. Chittum, 30 of Collinsville, and Patrick A. Chase, 28 of Alton, also face a Class X felony count for dismemberment of a human body and a Class 3 felony count for concealment of a homicidal death. Calhoun County Sheriff Bill Heffington said his office assisted the Alton Police Department in the
Sons of Legion host Father Christmas. See page b1
NEWS
search for and recovery of Coats’ body. “I’m just glad it came to a head and got solved,” Heffington said. “Not knowing has got to be tough for the family.” According to a press release issued by the Alton Police Department Dec. 20, APD filed numerous search warrants and subpoenas, and conducted many interviews in its investigation of Coats’ disappearance. Electronic communications associated with Coats were also used during the investigation of her disappearance. The search for her body began Thursday night, but authorities suspended the search until the morning when daylight could aid officers. According to a release issued by Rob McMillen, Greene County sheriff, in the morning of Dec. 20, offi-
ANOTHER APPLE CRATE GAME
cers found a trash bag containing human body parts which led to the discovery of other bags along the Greene County side of the Illinois River. Emily Hejna, Alton Police Department public information officer, said she cannot reveal detailed evidence which led to finding Coats’ body because it could compromise the case as it heads into trial. Coats was reported missing Nov. 25 after allegedly leaving her home around noon Nov. 23 in a Harley Davidson jacket and blue jeans, carrying a green duffle bag. She was a member of Jersey Community High School’s class of 2001. Chittum and Chase are being held in Madison County Jail in Edwardsville where their bonds are set at $1,000,000. The maximum penalty for each
by bOb CROSSEN Calhoun News-Herald The Brussels Community Unit School District 42 board approved its annual levy which did not require a truth in taxation hearing during a regular board meeting Dec. 17. The approved levy totaled $1,115,788 which is a 104.9 percent of last year’s extension – money issued to the district based on the levy request. Last year’s requested levy amount was $1.06 million which was an increase of two percent from the prior year. Superintendent Dr. Mark Martin said he drafted two levy proposals based on a few differences in state and federal funding expectations. “I did my best to look at what we could reasonably expect from state and federal sources, which is a pitiful small amount,” Martin said. “Whatever is left is what you have to get from local sources.” Martin said one of the proposals was a bare minimum standard while the other offered a five percent cushion in case of emergencies
FAMILY FEATURES
S
trawberries are a quick and easy snack for adults and children. It’s no wonder why they’re a top fruit juice in kitchens and lunchboxes everywhere. Plus, these tasty fruits are packed with almost 140 percent of immune system boosting vitamin C. “Strawberries always put a smile on my face,” says Chef Justin Timineri, executive chef and culinary ambassador, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “My favorite recipe Chef Justin Timineri for them is to simply ‘Rinse, eat and repeat.’” You can find more snack ideas and recipes at http://bit.ly/floridaberries.
How to buy
Choose strawberries that are plump, fragrant and firm, with no signs of bruising or leaking.
How to store
It’s best to eat strawberries on the day of purchase. You can freeze strawberries by hulling, lightly washing and drying them. Arrange in a single layer before placing in the freezer.
Hulling tips
Never hull strawberries until after they have been washed or they will absorb too much water and become mushy.
Strawberries make sweet treats. See page D4
pound butter, two sticks cup sugar egg teaspoon baking powder teaspoon salt teaspoons vanilla extract cups all-purpose flour g: 8-ounce package cream cheese tablespoon honey tablespoons sugar pints Florida strawberries
tablespoon honey teaspoon water e crust, cream together butter and with mixer until fluffy. Add egg, bakwder, salt and vanilla extract until is smooth. Add flour and mix until dough is formed. Place finished n between two sheets of wax paper igerate for 20 minutes. Remove from ator and roll dough out to 1/4-inch ss and in round shape. Place dough ed 12-inch pizza pan and bake in ed 350°F oven for 25 minutes or until light brown. Cool completely. ake topping, combine cream cheese, and sugar until smooth. Spread over cooled cookie crust, leaving h border uncovered. Place sliced erries around outside border; fill in of pizza. make glaze, combine honey and brush over top of finished pizza. an: Glaze top of finished pizza. liced strawberries on top of pizza. Up Alert: Adults should help en.
Fluffy Stuffed Strawberries
Yield: 16 servings 1 pound Florida strawberries 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened 3 ounces low-fat yogurt 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract Cut stems off strawberries and carefully scoop out 2/3 of inside with knife or spoon, creating a cup. Be careful not to make any holes. Cut piece off bottom tip of strawberries to allow them to stand up. Beat cream cheese and yogurt until fluffy. Fold in vanilla extract. Working in batches, place cheese mixture into pastry or sealable bag with small corner cut off. Fill strawberries with cheese mixture. Garnish with mint and serve. Kids Can: Place cheese mixture into pastry bag and fill strawberries. Grown Up Alert: Adults should stem the strawberries.
bRANDON L . CHIttUm
years in prison and the Class 3 Felony for concealment of a homicidal death carries a maximum penalty of 2-5 years.
Brussels tax levy increases from last year
COOKING
2 to 3 servings
PAtRICk A . CHASE count of first degree murder is 20-60 years in prison. The Class X Felony for dismemberment of a human body can see a maximum penalty of 6-30
SCHOOL BOARD
TIPS OFF
Photos with the Clauses. See page C1
wberry Dessert Pizza
VOLUmE 140 - ISSUE 52
Strawberry Muffins
Yield: 12 servings 1 1/2 cups Florida strawberries, chopped 3/4 cup sugar 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 eggs, beaten 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Combine strawberries and 1/2 cup sugar in small bowl. Set aside for 1 hour. Drain and reserve liquid and strawberries separately. Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine flour, baking soda, nutmeg and salt. Set aside. Mix eggs, butter, vanilla extract, remaining sugar and liquid from strawberries in medium bowl. Add flour mixture. Stir until combined. Fold in reserved strawberries. Spoon into 12 greased muffin cups. Bake for approximately 20 minutes. Serve warm. Kids Can: Spoon mixture into muffin cups. Grown Up Alert: Adults should help with oven.
Sign-up to receive a FREE copy of the“Kids in the Kitchen” cookbook at: http://bit.ly/flfffkids.
SPORTS
wberry-Mango Milkshake
3 servings tablespoons sugar teaspoons vanilla extract cup low-fat milk ice cubes cup plain yogurt Florida strawberries, hulled mango, peeled and sliced h: dollop whipped cream Florida strawberry slice of mango rything but fruit into blender; blend gradually increasing speed. Once , add fruit and finish blending until tely smooth. Pour into tall glass oy.
or other unforeseen circumstances. He said the projections also included an expectation of even greater proration on general state aid funds (GSA) to the district. In the past few years, the state has prorated GSA funding to all Illinois schools, causing a reduction in revenue that has put many districts into dire financial situations. The proration this year was 89 percent, meaning the district did not receive 11 percent of the funding to which it was entitled. Martin said some state officials believe the proration could increase to 82 percent this coming school year, which would put an additional strain on school districts. The superintendent said the levy was based on projections of equalized assessed value (EAV) which is the taxable value of property. According to preliminary numbers, the EAV in southern Calhoun could increase by around two percent. Despite the increase over last year’s levy, Martin said the approved levy will not account for all the district’s expenditures. (See, brussels, A2)
New Ill. laws impact local legal system by bOb CROSSEN Calhoun News-Herald Residents of and visitors to Illinois will be subject to a number of new laws at the beginning of the year, and some will have a unique impact on Calhoun County. State’s Attorney Rick Ringhausen said the one law that could have a significant impact on the county is the ability for judges to sentence people to home detention instead of time in jail or prison. Because the sheriff’s office cannot house prisoners over night, the department often pays to have them housed at the jail in Jersey County.
Baalman wins 100th game. See page C8
NEWS
What's happening between the rivers. See page A3
WALKING
Deputies also have to drive to and from the jail – a round-trip of around 40 miles – which eats up money in the sheriff’s budget. The county has worked toward reducing those costs by installing a computer in Jersey County and in the courtroom in Calhoun to conduct some hearings using Skype, an internet video calling system, without the need to bring the prisoner to Calhoun. Ringhausen said there is interest in how the new law could impact the finances surrounding prisoner housing and transport. “I think that is something – obviously with our jail situation – that we’re going to look into,” (See, new laws, A2)
IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
Sam Elliott/Calhoun News-Herald
ONLINE
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CALHOUN NEWSHERALD • Index • Obituaries . . . . . A5 Our Town . . . . . . A8 News . . . . . . . . . A7 Public Notice . .C2-7 Real Estate . . .b2-3 Correspondence A3 Social . . . . . . . . . b1 Sports . . . . . . . . C8 Obituaries in this issue: Eversmeyer, Franke
© 2013 Calhoun News-Herald
Calhoun junior Gus Baalman and Raiders senior Tyler Fridel leap for the opening jump ball to begin the annual Apple Crate Game Friday at Brussels High School. The Warriors and Raiders were locked in a close game through three quarters before Calhoun pulled away with a 20-11 advantage in the fourth en route to winning a 63-49 decision. For more, see Sports on C8.
FFA land lab offers students a look at farming life by bOb CROSSEN Calhoun News-Herald The Calhoun Community Unit School District 40 board approved an FFA land lab agreement, from which it receives a small amount of revenue, during is meeting Dec. 16 from which it receives a small amount of revenue. The agreement allows for the Calhoun FFA to cultivate a nine-acre plot of land west of Calhoun Elementary School with the help of FFA and agriculture students from the high school. Heidi Doyle, Calhoun High School agriculture teacher in her first year at the school, said some surrounding schools have similar programs which give students a hands-on look at the work farmers do on a regular basis. “We get donations of seed and chemicals and everything to put the crop into the ground,” Doyle said, noting they can use it to calculate yields. As part of her curriculum, Doyle said students learn how to seed the land and how chemicals impact the soil to bring about certain results. She said some students perform soil sampling to find out how much fertilizer and lime the soil needs. Doyle said many of the students last year were excited when they rode in a
combine. Some students had never had the opportunity to be inside the combine while it was running, and it gave those students a different perspective on the work, she added. Last year, Doyle said the students cultivated the nine-acre plot to grow corn that had been donated. When it is harvested, the corn is sold through a grain elevator and the profits are returned to the FFA program with 20 percent of the revenue returning to the school district. Superintendent Kate Sievers said the land lab is a unique experience for some of the FFA students, and the revenue it brings to the district goes into the general fund. “It’s a great thing,” Sievers said. “It’s a really good experience, especially for those kids who don’t live on farms that don’t get that experience.” She said the money is not appropriated for a specific purpose and last year, around $900 was issued to the district through the agreement. “[The rest] goes back into their FFA fund. That helps to pay when they go to conventions and the different things they go to like the meat judging contests and things like that,” Sievers said. Doyle said the FFA will plant a crop again next year, but she is unsure what it will be at this time.
Bob Crossen/Calhoun News-Herald
John Gillespie takes his dog, Max, for a walk Monday, Dec. 16 in Inmanville in Hardin. Gillespie said he enjoys giving Max some exercise, even in colder temperatures.
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