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INSIDE NEWS Civil War letters to be featured at Elsah talk. See page A3
FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS
Welcome, baby Aubree. See page A8
SPORTS
MARCH 11, 2020
JOURNAL VOL. 18, NO. 11 - 75¢
Trial of Roger Carroll underway Opening statements made; Nathan Carroll testifies By JARAD JARMON Jersey County Journal The trial of Roger Carroll, a Jerseyville resident who is accused of the murder of Bonnie Woodward, is now underway almost a decade after the alleged incident took place. Following a selection of the jury Monday, prosecutors started laying out their case against Carroll, bringing to the stand police investigators, Carroll’s son, Woodward’s son, Woodward’s boyfriend, and a co-worker said to have been the last one to see Woodward before she died. Ahead of the testimony, the prosecution and the defense made their cases for and against the charges facing Car-
roll. In their opening statement, Madison County Assistant State's Attorney Crystal Uhe on behalf of the prosecution laid out to the jury what Carroll was charged with and ensured that the evidence would corroborate what has already been said about the case. As previously reported, Carroll was accused of and was charged in relation to luring Woodward to his car outside of Eunice Smith Nursing Home in Alton on June 25, 2010. He then allegedly took Woodward to his property in rural Jersey County where the prosecution alleges he shot Woodward several times with a Stoeger Cougar 9mm pistol. Carroll allegedly then burned Wood-
ROGER CARROLL ward’s body over a series of several days. In her opening statement, Uhe touched on many of the points they set to address over the course of the trial. That would include Woodward’s attendance and subsequent disappearance after the day Car-
roll allegedly murdered her, alleged sightings of Carroll stalking her and her place of business. Uhe noted in regard to “remains” found on his property that “human sources could not be excluded.” The prosecution also plans to include testimony from Nathan Carroll, Roger’s son, who was said to have been involved in the alleged cover-up of her death. During his opening statement, Attorney David Fahrenkamp on behalf of the defense stressed there were “holes” in the case made against Carroll and that the evidence would reflect that. Fahrenkamp said the defense will bring up that Bonnie’s co-workers did not identify Carroll at her work.
He also said the evidence will show that the bone fragments reportedly found are not that of Bonnie’s and that they could have come from a number of sources. His opening statement also addressed what the defense considers a flaw in the fingerprinting, noting that fingerprints can’t be dated. One of the longer portions of testimony Tuesday came from Nathan who testified to his involvement in the murder, or more specifically the events before and after the alleged incident. Special Prosecuter Jennifer Mudge called Nathan to the stand. Nathan was 16 at the time of the alleged murder. He was questioned on his time (See, CARROLL, A2)
Local invents device for hunters’ lifelong battle with ducks JCHS wrestlers awarded at banquet. See pages B5
WEEKEND WEATHER FRIDAY, MARCH 13
52 35 High
Low
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
39 29 High
Low
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
48 32 High
Low
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TOP STORIES ONLINE March 4-11
1. JCHS stage to rock n’ roll with ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ 2. Fusion Arcade provides safe place for students 3. Jersey schools’ sports facilities to see upgrades 4. Historical society wraps up ‘Tying the Knot’
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . .A4 News . . . . . . A2-3, A6, B3 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . A5 Our Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . B3 School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6-7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B7 Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B5 Public Notice. . A3, A5, B6
Duck decoys, and even animated By JARAD JARMON duck decoys, have been around for a Jersey County Journal long time. Decoys have been a popSince long before Elmer Fudd, Daffy ular method of attracting ducks to Duck and Bugs Bunny brought the age an area that’s more advantageous for old struggle between the hunter and the hunter. More recently, the method his quarry to our TV screens, residents has evolved, with duck hunter brands of Jersey and Calhoun counties have releasing spinning-wing duck decoys been trying to get a leg up on their onto the market years ago. pesky prey. But, in 2012, Mager was frustrated Consistently, it is a fight to adapt with what the market had to offer. He to the changing landcomes from a long line scape between the two of hunters, and started parties. to see a need to adapt “Nobody had While the wascal— especially on publy wabbits of Jersey something on lic lands, where the County are off the the market that I competition is fierce. hook this time, one “Everybody had Jersey hunter decided needed, so I just spinning wing decoys, to go into his work- had to make it and I could start to see shop and do somethese ducks not react thing to tip the scales myself.” to the spinning wing back in the hunter’s decoys,” Mager said. favor. “…Over the years, Jarad Jarmon/Jersey County Journal Carl Mager Through trial and everything evolves. Carl Mager puts his invention, Duxtrac, in the water to demonstrate how it Duxtrac founder, inventor error, Carl Mager, livWell, the ducks have works March 2. ing south of Otterville, gotten wise to these has developed Duxtrac, an animated things.” one that simulated more realistic duck worked for him. He was not content duck decoy that’s designed to stump As any consumer would, he initially movements and one that was relathe duck once and for all. sought out a device to fit his needs — tively portable. Mager saw nothing that (See, DUXTRAC, A2)
Jerseyville moving forward on State Street resurfacing By JARAD JARMON Jersey County Journal It has been several weeks since the curb-to-curb resurfacing of State Street was last addressed, and Tuesday, action was taken to move forward on the project with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The resurfacing project, anticipated to start in August, includes the mulling and resurfacing of an approximately 5-mile stretch of road, notably going through State Street, a major business corridor in Jerseyville. The IDOT project is planned to stretch from Crystal Lake Road north to Fulkerson Drive. The project was last addressed at a Jerseyville City Council meeting in January when the commissioners authorized Jerseyville Public Works Director Bob Manns to submit a written response to IDOT to proceed with the US 67 resurfacing project and to maintain the current striping plan for
the segment of the project from Carpenter Street north to Spruce Street. The striping was a point of contention among business owners in the area when the consideration was proposed to do the resurfacing and choose a plan that would remove angled parking on the street. In their Tuesday meeting, Jerseyville City Council members voted to OK IDOT paperwork related to the project including the agreement between the city and IDOT, a resolution approving the plans and a appropriation of motor fuel tax funding. They also OK’d city leaders to sign associated paperwork. Manns said this was the next step to move forward on the project. As part of the agreement, Manns confirmed the plans have specifications to retain the current striping along that downtown strip on State Street. (See, RESURFACING, A3)
OBITUARIES: ALLEN, OLIVER, SHALLEY, SHEA, WITTMAN.
JERSEY COUNTY
JOURNAL
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Jarad Jarmon/Jersey County Journal
BUILDING
OFF OF IMAGINATION
Marsh Knoll and Ezra Klopfer, 5, both of Jerseyville, work on a Lego creation at the Jerseyville Public Library Saturday as part of Lego Club. More photos from the event can be found on A6.
Jersey County Board hears concern over Connect America Fund By CONNOR ASHLOCK Jersey County Journal The county board met Tuesday evening amid a larger-than-normal crowd to hear reports and proposals from government entities in the county. Chris Reynolds, a concerned citizen, addressed the board inquiring about the Connect America Fund. His inquiry concerned whether or not the board had any contact with Rodney Davis’ office about the fund. Reynolds, along with others in the southeastern sector of the county, has been experiencing issues with unreliable wireless service. Chairman Little said he will look into the matter on behalf of Reynolds. Amanda Cole with the University of Illinois Extension was the first slated individual to speak before the board. Cole brought two items before the board’s attention: renewing the lease for office space from the county at 201 W Exchange St. and seeking the board’s agreement for its annual contribution to the U of I Extension service for their local activities in the area. Both action items were approved. Cole also reported to the board that her office received their fiscal year 2019 matching funds from the state and 50 percent of FY20 matching funds. The Illinois fiscal year ends in June. Following Amanda Cole’s comments, Jersey Board member Jarrod Hayes presented a proposal to the board calling for a permit program for UTV vehicles in the county. After brief discussion into the matter, it was decided to table the idea until a later date after more information can be obtained. Lacy Miller with Tri-County Rural Transit was next on the agenda to speak to the board.
She requested permission to submit four separate documents to the Illinois Department of Transportation to continue the program in the tri-county area. Miller reported that the program has greatly increased and benefitted the people in this region. Last year, the program provided 22,170 rides to 485 individuals. She is waiting approval to purchase three more vehicles and the program has increased their hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Miller also reported that her staff has increased from 13 persons to 19 persons. The Road and Bridge Committee petitioned for aid to replace a pipe culvert in English Township. Motion was made and carried. Building and Grounds Committee reported that it met with Trane, an HVAC vendor, concerning the jail and courthouse. The committee agreed to send out requests for proposals from three different vendors. At a Feb. 18 meeting of the Building and Grounds Committee, they recommended to approve to award Grafton Material Services Inc. a contract to demolish a building on county property. The same committee also recommended approval to accept sealed bids to demolish a mobile home on county property in Spankey. The committee also recommended to approve a fee of $100 to be implemented for variance applications through the county code office, which was approved. Before the board adjourned, Little gave his report. Little attended a meeting with the West Central Development Council on Feb. 20. When he asked the council if they were going to prepare future com(See, CONCERNS, A2)