Latest news with #Heuerman
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Champaign Co. Sheriff shares Memorial Day seatbelt enforcement results
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman is releasing statistics from the traffic detail conducted over the holiday weekend. The grant-funded traffic detail focused specifically on seat belt enforcement over Memorial Day weekend. During the enforcement efforts, deputies conducted 12 traffic stops which resulted in 13 traffic citations being issued and one arrest for aggravated DUI and possession of a controlled substance. As Champaign Co. prepares to discuss a solar proposal, residents voice concerns Additionally, Heuerman is reminding drivers that the privilege of operating a vehicle requires full and unimpaired attention to ensure safe operation of that vehicle. 'Get a designated driver if your plans include possible intoxication, don't violate speed limits or otherwise drive recklessly, don't text and drive, and always buckle up!' Heuerman said in a press release. The traffic detail was able to be carried out through federal highway safety funds distributed by the Illinois Department of Transportation and is part of the Illinois-wide 'Click It or Ticket' campaign. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Champaign County approves new Sheriff's deputy, allows for full-time DCFS deputy
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Board approved on Thursday the addition of a new deputy at the Sheriff's Office, which would help fill a special role within the agency. It would give Sheriff Dustin Heuerman the ability to move an experienced deputy into a full-time role assisting DCFS, stationing them at Champaign County's local DCFS office. A new deputy would be hired to fill the position left vacant by the transfer. Illinois DCFS marks Childhood Drowning Prevention Month Heuerman said this partnership with DCFS is something he's kept his eyes on for a long time. 'DCFS has been establishing partnerships with local sheriff's offices for a couple of years now,' Heuerman said. It started after social worker Deidra Silas was killed during a home visit in 2022. DCFS was looking for a way to keep its employees safe and saw a partnership with law enforcement as a way to do it effectively. It's called the DCFS Co-Responder Program. So far, 15 locations across the state have joined, but not Champaign County. 'I was a little hesitant because, with all new programs, I want to make sure all the kinks are worked out before we enter into that collaboration,' Heuerman said. Now, Heuerman said he's seen and heard enough. He talked to sheriff's offices and departments across the state, including Sangamon County. They started as a part of the Co-Responder Program but pulled out this year. 'I actually spoke with [Sheriff Paula Crouch] about that because I wanted to know why they weren't in that arrangement anymore,' Heuerman said. 'And she had good things to say about the arrangement. It's just she didn't have enough people to cover the streets, let alone those specialty assignments.' Former Champaign Co. deputy arraigned on theft charge Which is why Heuerman is asked the County Board for permission to hire another deputy. He sees a more experienced person moving into the role with DCFS. 'Not all home visits are high-risk, but law enforcement does have access to databases and to information that DCFS workers may not,' Heuerman said. He sees this extra information — the option of sending the deputy on home visits — and streamlining the process between agencies as valuable. And it won't cost the county a dime. 'It is 100% reimbursed [by the state], so the county is 100% reimbursed for the equipment and the personnel, and anything that goes into this position,' Heuerman said. 'This collaboration really is a benefit to all individuals involved.' Heuerman said he's excited to get this started and believes this will benefit all parties involved. The referendum will go into effect on July 1, but Heuerman isn't sure if he'll have someone in place by then. WCIA reached out to DCFS for comment and was provided with the following statement: The DCFS Co-Responder Program, which is already active in 15 other locations across the state, contributes to the increased safety of our front line staff who work tirelessly every day to ensure the safety and well-being of our children and youth. We are grateful to the Sheriff's Office for their support of our work and shared mission of safety. Heather Tarczan, DCFS Director of Communications Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
‘Click it or Ticket' ahead of Memorial Day, Champaign Co. Sheriff says
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — With Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer approaching, the Champaign County Sheriff's Office is reminding drivers to 'Click it or Ticket,' especially that weekend and in the week leading up to it. Sheriff Dustin Heuerman said his office will be taking part in a nationwide high-visibility seatbelt enforcement initiative starting May 16 and going through Memorial Day. Deputies will be taking a 'no-excuses' approach to enforcement and will issue citations at both day and night. 'Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for everyone,' Sheriff Heuerman said. 'It's not just safe; it's the law. During this campaign, law enforcement agencies will be working together to ensure the message reaches all drivers and passengers. Buckling up is the simplest way to reduce injury or save a life in a crash.' Boone reappointed as Urbana Police Chief Heuerman added that the State of Illinois achieved a commendable 92.4% daytime seatbelt usage last year, but that means 7.6% of people still need to be reminded. While enforcement will happen at both day and night, a key focus of the 'Click it or Ticket' campaign is on nighttime enforcement, when crash data in Illinois indicated fatal crashes happen more. Illinois enacted its seatbelt law 40 years ago, becoming the third state in the nation to require seatbelt use for all vehicle occupants. The law was upgraded in 2003, allowing police officers to pull over and ticket drivers solely for failing to buckle up, and that led to a significant increase in compliance. Data shows seat belt usage surged from 16% in 1985 to 92.4% in 2024. The 'Click It or Ticket' campaign is funded with federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bids for Effingham projects open soon
City Engineer Luke Thoele informed the Effingham city council on Tuesday that bids will open on April 29 for several city projects, such as street resurfacing, sidewalk replacements, pavement patching and crack sealing. Bids will also open on April 24 for the Santa Maria Extension project, which includes a half mile of street, water and sewer. The streets being resurfaced are Circle Drive, Temple Avenue from Willow to Healy, Minnie Hills Drive, Lustig Lane and Steger Drive. 'That sidewalk replacement program is a huge asset and component in reducing liability costs for the city big time, and when you don't have that done on a regular basis, you'd be amazed at how many more trips you'll have in a potential liability claim for the city,' said Deputy City Administrator Dennis Presley. 'It's all critical, and I think a lot of people don't realize how all that is critical and what it means directly to the residents.' 'This is great because there is a homeowner out there that is in dire need of a new sanitary sewer right now,' said City Administrator Steve Miller. 'This is going to help fix some of that stuff. It's a big deal if you're in that block.' Public Works Director Jeremy Heuerman presented the low bid of $96,195 from Illinois Meter Company Utility Supply to replace the water main on West Jefferson from Maple Street to Oak Street. The work will be performed by the water department, and the materials will be paid for with the water funds. Heuerman also announced the city was awarded about $19,000 from the Illinois Department of Transportation for a truck access route program to extend McGrath Avenue. This grant along with the other $960,000 in grant money will help the project move along. 'We could extend the roadway about 1,100 feet out there almost entirely by grant funding,' said Heuerman. 'So that's almost zero tax dollars that would be used for this.' In other news, Tourism Director Jodi Thoele requested street closures for Fourth of July fireworks at Effingham High School. Thoele asked for the street closures of West Grove Avenue at Rainey Street, West Grove Avenue at Schwerman Street and Schwerman Street at Route 40 from approximately noon to 10:30 p.m. Thoele said they'll be working closely with the Effingham Police Department since they've had issues previously with people attempting to go through their barricades. Thoele also requested street closures for Outdoor Movie Nights on Friday, June 20 and Saturday June 21, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Group. For June 20, she requested Jefferson Avenue from Third Street to Fourth Street be closed from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., and for June 21, she requested Jefferson Avenue from Third Street to Fourth Street, Washington Avenue from Third Street to Fourth Street and Fourth Street from Washington Avenue to Jefferson Avenue from approximately the same time. Effingham Noon Rotary Club member Amanda McKay requested $20,000 from the city's tourism fund to help fund the city's Fourth of July fireworks, while the Club will raise the remaining $7,000. The next Effingham City Council meeting is scheduled for May 6 at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More sidewalks and bike paths in the works for Effingham
Effingham Public Works Director Jeremy Heuerman presented a preliminary study agreement during Tuesday's city council meeting for securing right-of-way easements, a profile and cost estimates to add a bridge over Slate Creek, along with sidewalks and bike paths along Veterans Drive and Jaycee Avenue. The 5-foot wide sidewalk would start at Banker Street and go east on Jaycee Avenue. One of the 10-foot wide bike paths would start at Banker Street and go east on Jaycee Avenue, and the other would run along the west side of Veterans Drive from Jaycee Avenue to Blohm Avenue. The estimated cost is $75,000, which would come from the city's Motor Fuel Tax fund. But Heuerman is planning to apply for a $3 million Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant in 2026 in hopes it will cover the cost. By having this preliminary study complete when applying for the grant, the city will be more likely to receive the full amount. If the city has leftover grant money, they plan to add additional sidewalks on Jaycee Avenue from Banker Street to 4th Street. 'Pedestrian access is always a big deal out there, too. Right now, it's just old country roads, and sight distance isn't very good,' said Heuerman. 'So this would take the pedestrians completely off the road to a safe path that they can go from the north side of town to the south side of town.' 'This is an important first step,' said City Commissioner Larry Micenheimer. In other news, Heuerman also presented a resolution authorizing a $52,000 reconstruction project for North First Street from Temple Avenue to Roadway Avenue. The proposal was from Civil Design, Inc., and Heuerman hopes to start the project in May when school is dismissed for the summer. City Administrator Steve Miller presented an ordinance to renew the downtown and southtown business tax increment financing districts. There are no changes, but the city will budget $200,000 for the Downtown/Southtown Business Area Redevelopment Program policy. Heuerman presented another resolution to authorize an agreement with Ameren Illinois to relocate one of its high-pressure gas mains on Evergreen Avenue for about $307,000. Ameren will do the work to relocate and reinstall it so the city can continue working on Evergreen Avenue. Mayor Mike Schutzbach appointed and reappointed several people to the library and different boards and committees: * Steve Miller and Lisa Koerner as members of the Effingham Public Library Board of Directors * Jake Buhnerkempe as a member of the Enterprise Zone Commission * Dave Storm as a member of the Board of Fire and Police Commission * Clara Koester as a member of the Human Relations Commission * Ken Wohltman and Andrew Grunloh as members of the Plan Commission * John Richards to the Police Pension Board of Trustees * Michael McHugh and Betsy Yager as members of the Tourism Advisory Board * Mark Thies, Brandon Weber and Andrew Grunloh as members of the Zoning Board of Appeals Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies (SAFE) advocate Donna Rouleau asked the council if she could hang up teal bows and signs to represent Sexual Assault Awareness Month. There were no objections, and they are hanging up on a few different blocks and in front of the sheriff's department, city hall and the police department. The next Effingham City Council meeting is scheduled for April 15 at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
