PARIS, IL. (ECWd) - In an article in today's Paris Beacon News meant to remind people of some of the more significant things that happened locally, there was one piece in particular that we have an issue with, and that is with the write-up on the...
David A. Love Executive Director, Witness to Innocence Gordon "Randy" Steidl is a survivor and a hero. He survived 17 years in the Illinois prison system, 12 on death row, for a crime he did not commit. That is something few of us can fathom. Now he is...
Edgar Co. - ECWd's From the Investigating Innocence Organization comes an interesting twist that should not surprise anyone in Edgar County. Conflict of interest! Yes, that common phrase that permeates our public offices in this county has raised its ugly head again and this time it could have...
EDGAR CO. (ECWd) - Chandra Smith, the former bookkeeper for the Edgar County Health Department, plead guilty to Class 1 Felony Theft in May of 2013 and finally had her sentencing day in court. On August 26, 2013, Chandra Smith was sentenced to: Restitution - $21,754.85 Probation, 36 Months,...
EDGAR CO. (ECWd) - Chris Patrick asks: "Do you mean to tell me that it costs the county $4,560.00 to decide between a paperclip and a staple?" Watchdogs ask: What gave the Edgar County Electoral Board the authority to hire an attorney? What gave the Edgar County Electoral Board...
EDGAR CO. (ECWd) - Nine citizens in Edgar County have filed a lawsuit against the County Board for their attempt at shielding Chris Patrick from his Conflict of Interest. That lawsuit may well be a trigger that makes IDOT think twice about allowing past actions to...
EDGAR CO. (ECWd) - The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform was permitted to enter an amicus curiae brief in support of the Illinois Attorney General and her decision to not allow public funds for former Edgar County State's Attorney Michael McFatridge' defense in civil suits. Those that have...
EDGAR CO. (ECWd) - On May 22, 2013, Chandra Smith, former bookkeeper at the Edgar County Health Department, plead guilty of amended Class 1 Felony Theft Charges. We previously reported in these articles about the situation when she was officially charged in mid-Oct of 2011. From Judici: Deft enters a plea of guilty...
EDGAR CO. (ECWd) - Sentencing day finally arrived for Anita Rhodes, who plead guilty on October 4 , 2012 to Aggravated Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol - a Class 2 Felony, which resulted in the deaths of 2 individuals in an incident that happened on the...
EDGAR CO. (ECWd) - The Illinois Supreme Court, on May 23, 2013, filed the opinion on former Edgar County State's Attorney Michael McFatridge v Lisa Madigan. This case involved McFatridge, and whether the taxpayers were responsible for his litigation expenses after being sued in the course...
