NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Police reports
• YATES CITY – A garage at the east edge of Yates City was destroyed Sunday in a fire. Firefighters were called about 12:30 p.m. to 415 Knox Road 2300 E., where the one-car garage was ablaze. The garage was detached but close to a house, said John McKinty, chief of the Elba-Salem Fire Protection District.
The homeowner was charging batteries inside the wood-frame garage, McKinty said. That led the chief to believe the fire source was electrical.
“It got hot fast,” he said. “The wind helped us, because it was blowing away from the house somewhat.”
No vehicles were inside the garage. Heat from the flames caused plastic to melt on the front of a nearby vehicle, McKinty said. The house sustained minor damage from a fire that took about 30 minutes to douse. Damage was estimated at $25,000.
• EDWARDS – An Edwards man threatened his wife and first responders, then grabbed a deputy’s neck during a drunken confrontation, according to authorities. Robert W. Markham, 45, was arrested following the incidents, which took place about midnight Nov. 15 at his residence in the 10200 block of W. Knox St.
When Peoria County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived, they found Markham on the front porch, bleeding from his face. A pair of medics attempted to treat Markham, but he yelled at the two to get out of his house, according to a report.
After cursing the deputies and threatening to stab them, a struggle ensued. Markham grabbed a deputy and elbowed one of the medics in the chest, the report stated.
Eventually, deputies subdued and handcuffed Markham, who was taken to Peoria County Jail. Among other crimes, Markham was accused of two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer, two counts of aggravated battery to a medical worker and two counts of aggravated assault.
• WILLIAMSFIELD – A residential garage that caught fire last week in Williamsfield was deemed a total loss, according to authorities. The blaze began about 9 a.m. Nov. 15 at 129 N. Poplar St. By the time help arrived, the roof of the unattached 40-by-60-foot wood-frame garage had collapsed, according to Ty Landon, a Williamsfield Fire Protection District trustee.
“It had fire coming from every part of the building,” Landon said.
Landon was uncertain what was in the three-car garage.
Firefighters from Brimfield, Elmwood and Yates City helped douse the flames in about two hours.
“We’re short staffed all the time, let alone during the day during the week,” Landon said. “But we were able to get it out with the help of area departments who have the same problem we do.”
No injuries were reported. Cause of the fire was undetermined. Landon said nothing appeared suspicious.
• HANNA CITY – A dispute between temporary housemates led to one of them using a crowbar to smash the windshield of the other’s vehicle, according to authorities.
William A. Tillman, 40, of Creve Coeur was arrested in connection with the incident, which took place about 4 p.m. Nov. 19 in the 400 block of N. Carole St. in Hanna City. Tillman had been staying with someone who resides there.
According to a Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report, the victim said Tillman asked him for money for cigarettes. When the victim refused, Tillman took a crowbar to a 2003 Ford utility vehicle. Damage was estimated at $500. Tillman was accused of criminal damage to property.
• KICKAPOO – One sister performing a welfare check on another resulted in both being arrested after they fought at a Kickapoo address.
Tracy L. Boehm, 49, and Jennifer K. Sarnes, 46, were accused of domestic battery following the incident, which took place about 9:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Boehm’s residence in the 7600 block of W. Chestnut Lane. Sarnes resides near Brimfield.
Sarnes visited after her niece told her Boehm sent a disturbing text message, a Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report stated. An argument ensued. Accounts differ, but video footage revealed Sarnes pushed Boehm to the ground outside the house. Both women sustained facial injuries.
• PRINCEVILLE – A two-vehicle collision in downtown Princeville resulted in no injuries. Shortly after 8 p.m. Nov. 10, Hope E. Allen of Princeville was driving a 2017 Ram 1500 pickup truck east on High Street when she stopped at the intersection with Walnut Avenue. As Allen proceeded into the intersection, her vehicle struck a northbound 2021 Chrysler 300 driven by Teresa L. Bouton of Princeville.
There was no stop sign on northbound Walnut Avenue, so Bouton had the right of way, according to a Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report. Her vehicle sustained front-end damage. Allen’s vehicle sustained passenger-side front-end damage.
• OAK HILL – Shortly before 6 a.m. Nov. 15, Larry E. Lingenfelter of Bartonville was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Traverse west on Illinois Route 8 near Eden Road southeast of Oak Hill when the vehicle veered off the slick pavement and rolled down an embankment. The vehicle entered brush and sustained front-end damage, according to a Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report.
• HANNA CITY – At 11:30 p.m. Nov. 17, Jodi L. Phillips, 53, of Trivoli was driving a 2016 Ford Edge west in the 11500 block of W. Farmington Rd. when her vehicle hit a deer. The vehicle’s front bumper was missing and both headlights were broken. The deer was dispatched.
Marriage license
• Megan Eileen Rogers of Williamsfield and Kyle Ray Sampier of Hanna City.
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