WBGZ Radio 5/17/2021 |
By Mark Ellebracht - WBGZ Radio
A Mount Olive man has been charged with multiple counts of possessing child pornography following an investigation by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. 69-year-old Michael F. Curran was charged last Friday in Macoupin County Court with 10 counts of possession of child pornography, part of an ongoing program to combat the trade of child pornography online.
According to a news release from the Illinois AG’s office, Curran’s home was searched on May 13 by Mount Olive Police and the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation by state authorities. Police say they discovered evidence of the material at the home and Curran was taken into custody. Each count is a Class 2 felony punishable by up to 3-7 years in prison. Bond for Curran was set at $100,000.
WBGZ Radio 4/28/2021 |
By Mark Ellebracht - WBGZ Radio
Charges have been filed in Macoupin County Court in connection with a fatal collision on Saturday involving a pedestrian and an alleged drunk driver on an ATV. Police in Gillespie say 31-year-old Tyler Semplowski was operating the ATV in the city last Saturday and struck 69-year-old John M. Cooper who later died of his injuries.
The Macoupin County State’s Attorney filed charges of aggravated driving under the influence and reckless homicide in the case. Police say Cooper, of Gillespie, was walking when he was struck by the ATV driven by Semplowski, also of Gillespie. Following a 9-1-1 call, a Gillespie Police officer was first on the scene and provided medical assistance until EMT’s from Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance took over. Cooper was taken to a local hospital for treatment but later died. Semplowski was held in the Macoupin County Jail on $75,000 bail and his first court appearance is set for June 18. If
By Benjamin Cox on December 17, 2020 at 10:54am
A historic Central Illinois Courthouse is undergoing major renovations, thanks to a $1 million investment through the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan. The Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville was built in 1867 for one million dollars. Upkeep on the building by the county had become disproportionate over the years.
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th District State Senator Andy Manar served on the Macoupin County Board from 2003 to 2012. Manar received firsthand knowledge about the mammoth costs it took to maintain the historic structure while he was Macoupin County Board member from 2003-2012.
Manar says he made it a campaign promise when he ran for Senate to find a way to get the renovations and upkeep on the building completed without causing more of a property tax burden to Macoupin County residents. He says if the county had to maintain the building on its own, it would have to more than double property taxes, which would