Shaw Media / ShawLocal.com • Tuesday, Oct 5, 2021
WHITESIDE NEWS
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Sheriff: ISP trooper ‘inadvertently’ shot county deputy in foot By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com
MORRISON – A state police trooper “inadvertently” shot a Whiteside County deputy in the left foot Monday morning, Sept. 27, during an attempt to locate two suspects, Sheriff John Booker said in a news release Sept. 29. Deputy Derek Hamstra, 31, the department’s K-9 handler, was released from the hospital Sept. 30. According to the release, state police from the Sterling District 1 office responded to help deputies find the fleeing suspects, who subsequently were arrested. During the search, “one bullet was inadvertently fired” from the unidentified trooper’s
weapon and hit Hamstra’s foot, Booker said in the release. The ISP Division of Internal Investigation is investigating. Erik K. Jaramillo Garcia, 38, and Denise Nicole Williams, 31, both of Beloit, Wisconsin, each were charged in Whiteside County Court with two counts of burglary and misdemeanor trespass to a residence. Garcia also was charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing an officer, a felony, and obstructing identification and leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage, both misdemeanors. Deputies responded to a call of two people sleeping or passed out in a car about 7 a.m. in the parking lot of the Forest Inn restaurant, 20657 Lincoln Road/ U.S. Route 30 in Morrison. The
two, who are suspects in a bar burglary late Sunday or early Monday in Clinton, Iowa, fled at a high rate of speed, and deputies lost sight of them, Booker said. At 8 a.m., the deputies received another report that the two had crashed into a Union Pacific Railroad crossing service box at Fulfs and Hillside, Booker said. The suspects reportedly fled on foot and were tracked to a home where a garage had been broken into, Booker said. Police discovered that someone had tried to hot wire a vehicle inside the garage and later found the two suspects hiding in a closet, Booker said. Bond was set at $150,000 for Garcia and $25,000 for Williams. Each has a preliminary hearing Oct. 18.
Troy Taylor for Shaw Media
Derek Hamstra, a K-9 officer with the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department, is greeted by his partner, Amor, upon his release from CGH Medical Center on Thursday. Looking on are Hamstra’s wife, Brianne, and two children, Harper, 6, and Paislee, 4, Sheriff John Booker and an unidentified CGH staff member providing the wheelchair escort.
MCH Foundation Holiday Tour of Homes tickets now available Mark your calendars for the Morrison Community Hospital’s inaugural Holiday Tour of Homes. “The Halls Be Decked” will be Dec. 2-4 as part of Morrison Christmas Walk weekend. Homes that will be featured are the Dale Belt and Lori Neighbor home, the Rich and Lynelle Criss home, the Jean Decker home and the Loren and Connie Tenboer home. Tour four beautiful homes decorated for the holidays. Be treated to coffee time at the “Kaffee Haus,” which is the new conference room of Morrison Community Hospital, where coffee, hot
apple cider and Christmas goodies will be sure to put you in the spirit of the holiday. If you love architecture, decorating or are just looking for a festive activity to enjoy with friends or family, you’ll make wonderful memories at the MCH Foundation Holiday Tour of Homes. While enjoying coffee time, you will have an opportunity to put secret bids in for the centerpieces and Christmas trees that will adorn the room and halls of the new foyer of the hospital. The festivities begin Thursday, Dec. 2, with an “Evening of Tidings and Candles,” an exclusive preview event
IN BRIEF Morrison WaTanYe breakfast set for Oct. 16
The annual Morrison WaTanYe breakfast will be Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Morrison United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincoln Way. Enjoy a morning meal of breakfast casseroles, muffins, breads, cinnamon rolls, fruit and beverages. Serving will begin at 9 a.m. Cost of the breakfast is a donation. All proceeds go toward WaTanYe community projects. Police Chief Brian Melton will present a program on scams, frauds and what to do if you have been a victim. Call Ann at 815-772-7937 by Oct. 12 for reservations. Leave your name, phone number and number of
that will be limited to 100 guests who can stroll through the homes without crowds and enjoy hors d’ouvres and Christmas goodies at the Kaffee Haus at their leisure. The special night will be from 4 to 8 p.m. The Kaffee Haus will be open until 9 p.m. Tickets are available for $100 a person. The homes will be open from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, with the Kaffee Haus being open until 5 p.m. Tickets for Friday and Saturday are $12.50 a person and includes Christmas cookies, coffee and hot apple cider.
Tickets can be ordered by sending a check made out to “MCH Foundation” for the amount of tickets you wish (either the premier night limited to 100 tickets at $100 each or the regular tour days at $12.50 each) to Rich Criss, 603 Diamond Court, Morrison, IL 61270 along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Tickets will be sent via mail within three business days. Brochures with ticket request forms are at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, the Emmanuel Reformed Church office, the Morrison Community Hospital front desk and Happy Joe’s in Morrison.
POLICE REPORT reservations needed.
Elks offers free children’s podiatry clinic in Morrison
Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation, in cooperation with Northwest District Elks Lodges, will sponsor a free children’s podiatry assessment clinic Thursday, Oct. 28, at Morrison Family Care Clinic, 303 N. Jackson St., Morrison. Dr. David Yeager is the clinician in charge. The clinic starts at 8 a.m. and is by appointment only. To make an appointment, call the Illinois Elks Children’s Care office at 1-800-2720074 between the hours of 9 am. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are no charges for any services at this clinic.
Morrison police
Arrests On Tuesday, Sept. 28, Morrison police arrested Timothy D. Messina, 31, of Morrison pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by Lee County charging Messina with aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer (Class 4 felony), fleeing and eluding a police officer (Class A misdemeanor) and reckless driving (Class A misdemeanor). Messina was released after posting the required bond. Citations Sept. 24
Abby S. Bush, 41, Morrison, failure to reduce speed (accident)
Sept. 28
Jaliyah L. Flowers, 23, Hazel Crest, speeding
Sept. 29
Cassandra L. Day, 29, Morrison, no valid registration
Fulton police
Sept. 25
Robert L. Shambaugh was arrested on a Whiteside County warrant. He was taken to Whiteside County Jail. Sept. 26 Erika N. Raser of Prophetstown was arrested on a Carroll County warrant. She was transported to the Carroll County Jail. Sept. 29
Stephanie M. Van Dellen of Fulton was arrested for domestic battery in the 1300 block of Seventh Avenue. She was taken to Whiteside County Jail.
Individuals accused of a charge are presumed innocent until proved guilty.
