Rash of burglaries in Washington, other communities

 

A recent string of burglaries in the city of Washington and surrounding cities in Tazewell and Woodford counties has left local police searching for answers.

Since Aug. 1, there have been at least 15 burglaries in Washington alone — six residential and nine automobiles, according to Washington Deputy Police Chief Don Volk.

Rolling with the drifts

 

Considering the circumstances — somewhere between 12 and 18 inches of snow — Washington administrators believe the operation of cleaning up and keeping citizens safe during the snow storm Monday through Wednesday, went rather well.

“Realistically, it went as well as could have been expected,” said Deputy Chief of Police Don Volk.

ISP to conduct safety checks

The Illinois State Police District 08 , announced that Roadside Safety Checks will be conducted in Peoria and Tazewell Counties during the month of  December, according to Captain Dean Kennedy.

Tri-County firefighter scholarship announced

The Butch Gudat Fund is a charitable fund established to assist Tri-County firefighters, their families and their communities. The fund commemorates the dedication and bravery of Peoria Fire Captain Butch Gudat, who died fighting an apartment complex fire on Main Street on Jan. 23, 1983.

WFD begins youth fire training program

Those in the area who are interested in becoming a firefighter now have an outlet to help them reach their future career goals.

The Washington Fire Department Exploring Program was recently established in an effort to reach out to young men and women in the community and increase their knowledge of the careers in the fire service industry. 

Speeding problem areas IDed

The slogan “Let’s slow down — it’s our town” is what Chief of Police Jim Kuchenbecker saw on a recent  trip to a Chicago suburb, and he would love to apply it to Washington.

“We have a lot of people who walk in town, a lot of people who bicycle and a lot of young children,” said Kuchenbecker. “We want our pedestrians and motorists to be safe. That is why we want people to obey the traffic laws and slow down.”

Officer has ‘one last hurrah’

After 27 years at the Washington Police Department, Sgt. Dave Stark experienced a first two weeks ago.

Just one week before he retired, Stark apprehended William P. Hill, 27, of Laomi, only 40 minutes after he allegedly robbed PNC Bank in Morton.

Two pit bulls kill chihuahua Oct. 10 in Sunnyland

Two pitbulls reportedly attacked and killed a pet chihuahua named “Rex” on Oct. 10 in Sunnyland and are now  in the possession of Tazewell County Animal Control.

East Peoria police were called to 111 Loren St. shortly before 7:30 p.m. with a report of a dog attack.

Firefighters respond to early morning attic fire

The Washington Fire Department responded to an early morning fire at 608 N. Main St. in Washington Thursday.

Police station renovations move forward

Plans are in the works for the Washington Police Department to get some much needed upgrades.

The city council authorized the city manager to enter into arrangements with Peoria’s Architectural Design Group at its Sept. 20 meeting. The total project cost is estimated at $1.5 million.

“It’s a win-win for everybody involved,” Police Chief Jim Kuchenbecker said. “The taxpayers benefit because we’re able to do this at half the cost of a new facility.” 

ILEAS $13,668 grant buys two ruggedized computers for WPD

The Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System awarded $13,668 to the Washington Police Department for two ruggedized computers mounted in patrol cars. These computers provide the ability to access state and national crime file and intelligence databases and communicate digitally with other law enforcement agencies statewide.

Washington man faces at least 15 years for child porn

A Washington man pleaded guilty Friday to surfing the Internet for child porn.

Man killed in crash on McClugage Bridge

EAST PEORIA — A man was killed Friday night in a car crash on the McClugage Bridge that sent two others to a Peoria hospital.

System helps stabilize overturned cars

Motorists driving along Wilmor Road may have noticed more activity, and a lot of car wrecks, than usual near the Washington Fire House Saturday.

However, these were staged accidents, and many of the firefighters were from as close as Deer Creek and as far away as Yuma, Ariz.

What if we were Elmwood?

Since June 5, when a tornado destroyed much of downtown Elmwood, Washington Chief of Police Jim Kuchenbecker said he has been asked a question several times: What if we were Elmwood?

That Saturday night was a close call for Washington. About 40 miles east of Elmwood, a different tornado touched down on the west side of town before traveling north to Germantown Hills and Metamora.

Fire department announces first Citizen's Fire Academy

Ever wonder what it takes to be a firefighter or emergency medical technician? How are they trained to handle emergencies? What are some simple things you can do to be better prepared in case of an emergency?

These questions and more will be answered during the inaugural Washington Fire Department’s Citizen’s Fire Academy.

State police and IDOT crack down on illegal cell phone use

With advances in wireless technology, the cell phone is, in many cases, no longer merely a phone. Many come equipped with cameras, MP3 players, maps, texting capabilities — there is an app for nearly everything. While the devices bring increasing options for their multi-tasking owners, using one in a work zone could come with a price — $75 to be exact.  

Many drivers discovered this last week as Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation worked together to educate drivers on laws that are enforced in an attempt to keep attention on the road when workers are present.

Rennie gets 7 years in hit-and-run

A Washington man was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday for causing a hit-and-run drunken-driving accident last summer that seriously hurt a Chillicothe woman and killed her dog.

Michael A. Rennie, 55, had hoped for probation, but that was quickly rejected by Peoria County Circuit Judge James Shadid.


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