Latest news with #ClintonCountySheriff'sDepartment
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police release new details about UTV crash that took life of Clinton County teen
Macy M. Haar, a 16-year-old junior at Breese Central Community High School, was driving a Utility Terrain Vehicle, or UTV, during the crash that led to her death, according to the Clinton County Sheriff's Department. The incident involved multiple vehicles occupied by teenagers, including the 2023 Solaris Ranger UTV that Haar was driving and a second UTV driven by a juvenile, according to the latest news release issued Monday by the sheriff's department. A UTV is a type of all-terrain work or recreation vehicle also known as a side-by-side. Friday was 'Alternative Vehicle Day,' an event sponsored by Central's student council and Future Farmers of America chapter. The website says that on these days, 'students that have CHS driving privileges are invited to parade to school in a mode of transportation that is beyond (their) normal vehicle.' The fatal crash happened after they left the Central High School parking lot. Haar died after the UTV she was driving lost control and hit a ditch. She was ejected from the vehicle, the release says. The sheriff's department released the following details about the crash, which were derived from multiple witness statements: Multiple vehicles, including the two UTVs, left the school's parking lot just before 3 p.m., headed east on Old U.S. Highway 50, then turned south on Drive In Road in rural Breese. The vehicles were driving at or near the speed limit. Haar was carrying a passenger in her Ranger UTV. Four other teenagers occupied the second UTV. The UTV Haar was driving started out in front of the other vehicles. It will be called 'the first UTV' below. Roughly a half mile south of Highline Road, Haar's UTV began swerving for unknown reasons. The other UTV tried to pass, but the Ranger accelerated. The second UTV managed to pull in front and Haar braked hard 'as, or just before the (second UTV) merged toward the southbound side of the roadway.' Haar lost control of the Ranger UTV. A Chevy Silverado, driven by a 16-year-old, was trailing Haar and swerved to avoid a collision. It pulled toward the other side of the roadway, sustaining damage when doing so. As the Silverado skidded out of control, the Ranger UTV hit a ditch and ejected Haar onto the roadway. The Clinton County Sheriff, in an earlier release, said emergency personnel arrived 'within minutes' of receiving a 911 call reporting the crash, and that Haar died before they arrived. Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Team continues to investigate. It's not known if those in the UTVs were wearing helmets or seatbelts, or if the teenager driving the Silverado was wearing their seatbelt. Clinton County Sheriff Dan Travous did not respond to BND's two attempts to reach him on Monday. Dustin Foutch, the superintendent of Central Community High School District 71, said Haar's death is tragic, adding that the junior always seemed to have a smile on her face whenever he saw her. Foutch said that the school tells students they need to have street-legal vehicles on Alternative Vehicle Day, which includes a tractor parade. Foutch said participating students meet at a tractor supply store, at which point police escort the parade of tractors to the school. This is a common tradition put on by FFA chapters in rural areas, Foutch said. At the end of the day, those who brought tractors to school are dismissed at a different-than-usual time to avoid traffic with other vehicles in the lot, Foutch said. The UTVs are not street legal in Illinois and Clinton County ordinance provide none of the allowable contingencies by state statute. A petition was started on urging the school district to stop alternative vehicle days in response to the crash and Haar's death. As of Monday evening, the petition had 112 signatures. The petition's description says it was started by the sister of one of the students involved in the crash. 'Alternative Vehicle Day might seem like an entertaining way for students to display their creativity and vehicles, but the reality is grim,' the petition states. 'Each year, there are reports of accidents, some unfortunately resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities. The excitement and joy quickly turn to chaos and heartbreak, affecting not only the immediate families and friends but the entire community of Clinton County, Illinois. ... 'It is time to reevaluate whether such events are worth the possible consequences. Our goal with this petition is straightforward and crucial — cease the organization of Alternative Vehicle Day at Breese Central High before more tragedies unfold. The petition includes an upate that says the school will no longer have Alternative Vehicle Day. When asked about this, Foutch told the BND that the district will evaluate how to be more specific on what vehicles can and cannot be used on these days. Central Community High School will have an e-learning day on Wednesday, May 14, to allow students and staff the opportunity to attend Haar's funeral. The funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. that day at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown. The school's counseling staff and the Coping 4 Life team are available to help students, along with the school's faculty and staff, says a district Facebook post. 'Macy was an incredible young person whose beautiful smile and giving spirit touched everyone she met,' the post reads. 'Her unforgettable personality and kindness made a lasting impact at Central, and she will be missed by all who knew her. Macy truly made our school, and the world, a better place.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Clinton County man pleads guilty to murdering his former girlfriend
The man accused in the shooting death of his estranged girlfriend pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in a Clinton County courtroom Monday. Emmet E. Metzger, 27, admitted to retrieving a 9mm Taurus G2C pistol from his bedroom on the evening of Nov. 4, 2023, and shooting Alexis Maki multiple times in the living room of their shared apartment on Hanover Street in New Baden. 'I commend the New Baden Police Department, the Clinton County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their thorough investigation of this horrendous crime,' said Clinton County State's Attorney J.D. Brandmeyer in a statement. 'While no sentence can undo the devastating act committed that evening, I hope this conviction and the forthcoming sentencing will help provide some measure of closure to the many friends and family of Alexis.' Metzger could face a sentence of 45 years to life in prison, Brandmeyer said. Sentencing is scheduled for June 9. According to court records, Metzger called 911 on the night of the shooting and told dispatchers that he had shot Maki. Police later found her body with multiple gunshot wounds to her neck, chest, shoulder and hip. During an interview with investigators, Metzger said he and Mati had previously been in a dating relationship. After the shooting, he told them, he dropped the gun on the living room floor, ran down the stairs of the two-story apartment building and called 911. 'I (expletive) up,' Metzger told the dispatcher. 'I did something so bad. I shot my girlfriend. I need to be arrested, please.' According to police, just hours earlier, Metzger assaulted one of Mati's co-workers in the parking lot of Grit and Tonic in Lebanon, where Mati worked. In addition to the gun, police recovered a security camera in the apartment that recorded footage of the shooting. Maki was employed as a mixologist at Grit and Tonic on the weekends and attended classes at Kaskaskia College during the week to study radiology. She was a graduate of Wesclin High School in Trenton. 'Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Alexis knew she loved to spend quality time with her family and friends,' her obituary stated. 'Alexis also had an undeniable passion for bartending, traveling, gaming and caring for animals in need. On top of that, she was a proud pet parent of her beloved dog, 'Echo,' and her cats, 'Scout' and 'Honey.'' Maki's mother, Lisa Brock, said there was 'something different' about her daughter. 'She was just so special that people were drawn to her,' she said in an interview with the BND in November 2023. 'They would comment about her, just the smile on her face and the light that she radiated. She was truly … just the kindest, sweetest person.'
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Crime Stoppers: Local family, police need your help
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — This week on Crime Stoppers, the family of a man police say was murdered is asking for your help, and local law enforcement needs your help identifying people involved in other crimes. The body of Lance Pollo, 38, was of a fire last month, and police say he was murdered before the fire was set. His family is offering a $5,000 reward, and Crime Stoppers is offering an additional $1,000 for any information leading to the successful conviction of those responsible for his murder. If you have information regarding any of these cases, call Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at (517) 483-STOP. You can remain anonymous. Those who contact Crime Stoppers with information on the cases below can receive up to a $1,000 reward. The Clinton County Sheriff's Department is asking for any information that can identify a suspect (or suspects) who broke into two businesses in Waterton Township. Tyshawn Rose Donelson, 30, has a warrant for fleeing a police officer out of Lansing. She is 5'7″ and 200 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. VIncent Williams, 53, has a warrant for assault out of Lansing. He is 5'4″ and 135 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
A Canine Gem operator put on probation, ordered to pay $15K in restitution
PLATTSBURGH — Hilary A. Davis, the operator of former animal rescue A Canine Gem in Beekmantown, which 49 dogs were seized from in February 2024 due to poor conditions, was sentenced Wednesday for five charges relating to the incident. Davis was given probation and must pay fines and restitution, but she avoided prison time. DOG HEALTH ISSUES The charges stem from her mistreatment of dozens of dogs at her animal rescue facility, A Canine Gem, at 30 Ashley Road in Beekmantown. After receiving complaints about the condition of the dogs at that location, the Clinton County Sheriff's Department seized 49 of them Feb. 26, 2024. Following the seizure, the dogs were temporarily housed at the Clinton County Jail in a cell pod that was not being used for inmates while they recovered from a variety of health issues. While the condition of each dog varied, many were reportedly found malnourished and crammed into small cages with bare cement floors, causing several to have injuries and issues to their paws. According to veterinary evaluation documents, other health issues found in the dogs ranged from emaciation, respiratory infections, hair loss, wounds, eye infections, umbilical hernia, ear mites, heartworm symptoms and heart murmurs to overgrown nails, dehydration, dermatitis, dental problems, matted coats, smelling of urine and happy tail. Two of the 49 dogs eventually had to be put down — one due to a heartworm ailment, the other due to a throat tumor — the rest have since been adopted out. After several court appearances in Beekmantown Justice Court last year, Davis's case made its way to Clinton County Court in November of 2024, where she pleaded guilty to one charge of second degree forgery, a felony, and four charges of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, (failure to provide proper sustenance) under Agriculture and Markets Law section 353, all misdemeanors. Since then, a negotiated plea agreement between Davis, her attorney Nicholas Evanovich of LaMarche Safranko Law in Plattsburgh, and the Clinton County District Attorney's Office was reached. DEAL REACHED In county court Wednesday, Judge William Favreau agreed to go along with the terms of that plea and sentenced Davis to a five-year felony term probation, a $5,000 fine, — the maximum allowed by law — a mandatory $300 surcharge, $50 DNA fee and a $25 crime victim fee for the felony charge. Favreau also ordered Davis to pay a $12,000 restitution to Elmore SPCA for the shelter's role in taking care of the 49 dogs when they were seized, with $7,500 to be paid that same day, and a $3,000 restitution fee to the Clinton County Sheriff's Office. 'Those are agreed upon amounts,' Favreau said. 'The actual cost to those agencies, just in terms of the stress upon the sheriff's department and Elmore SPCA, far outweighed those numbers for restitution.' A 10-year prohibition on owning, harboring or having custody or control of any animals, with the exception of her 12 companion animals she already has, was imposed on Davis as well. The prohibition also includes the breeding of animals Davis has been allowed to own, Favreau said. Additionally, Elmore SPCA leadership requested a provision in the prohibition that says Davis must provide proof of proper care for the animals she owns, including proof of spaying/neuter certificates, vaccinations records, tests for diseases and any other medical forms that could be requested by the Probation Department. Favreau granted that request. For the four misdemeanors, Favreau imposed a three-year misdemeanor term probation for each charge; these probation terms will run concurrent to the five-year probation. ELMORE CONCERNS Ahead of sentencing, assistant district attorney Kurt Reh had read a victim impact statement on behalf of Elmore SPCA's Executive Director Becki Moss-Patnode. In the statement, Moss-Patnode said how she wanted to be a voice for the voiceless — the dogs — and detailed how tough the first hours and days were for them after being rescued. 'The eyes of these dogs had no sparkle to them, their bodies struggled for energy,' she wrote. 'However, within days of being with us, those ravenous dogs started to realize that food was coming. Instead of frantic and panicked barking, there was silence and they started calmly lying by their doors for us to come around with their breakfast and dinners. We vaccinated them and began treatment for their illnesses, parasites that plagued them. Their bodies had changed. They gained weight, and their fur started to shine. They became playful, and that glow slowly but surely returned to their eyes.' Davis also spoke on her own behalf before sentencing and called the incident a 'sad situation I'm very sorry for.' 'I'm an honest person with no criminal record, not even a traffic ticket in the last 20 years,' she said. 'This situation is a very sad one for all involved, and I'm truly sorry for this. I have tried very hard to be a pillar in this community.' An emotional Davis said she has been in the animal rescue business since December of 1996 and helped find homes for 'over 15,000' animals including dogs, cats and horses. 'Saving animals has been a passion of mine for most of my adulthood,' she said. JUDGE COMMENTS However, Davis's statement did not seem to move Favreau, who said 'I don't know how to take those comments, Ms. Davis.' 'If you were that good at what you were doing for so many years, since 1996 to this event in 2024, how could it go so sideways? Unless, throughout those years, there were many other animals that suffered,' he continued. 'Anyone who cares for animals, it's impossible to understand how they could let it get so far out of control. This really affected the community and a lot of people, who have their own pets, pet lovers, were shocked at the sheer number of animals who had to be rescued from your own rescue operation.' After Davis's court appearance was over, Moss-Patnode said they were happy to get $12,000 in restitution but added the costs of care far exceeded that amount. Of the punishments handed down, Moss-Patnode said, 'Unfortunately, New York state law really doesn't take animal cruelty seriously, so until those laws change, I don't think much will change.' 'So we're happy with what we could get, and that there is a felony charge involved in any animal cruelty case.' LESSONS Moss-Patnode questioned whether or not Davis had learned a lesson from the situation. 'Honestly, I really question whether or not she was in rescuing for the right reasons, and I am hesitant to say that she feels the remorse that she claims that she does,' she said. 'Typically, with experience comes greater knowledge of what you're doing. So the fact that she's been doing this since the '90s, and this was the outcome of all of it, is definitely concerning.' Moss-Patnode remains concerned, as well, about Davis's 12 dogs she was allowed to keep. 'Especially since comments were made that she has dogs that are too young to be spayed and neutered, that concerns me,' she said. 'Do I think she probably takes care of her own dogs? Yeah, I do believe that she probably loves her own dogs, but I am always concerned that additional sales or adoptions will happen through her.' Davis's request for an interstate transfer to Georgia has raised alarm bells for Moss-Patnode and Elmore SPCA staff, too. 'My understanding is that she has moved from place to place, and that there was a presence in Vermont prior to her coming here,' she said. 'So I am definitely concerned, and I know that the team at Elmore is also concerned about her moving to Georgia and having a similar situation happen.'
