Latest news with #MaconCounty
Associated Press
7 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Chief justice appoints judge to handle case against man accused of killing college student
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Chief Justice Sarah Stewart on Tuesday used a new law to appoint a retired judge to handle the case against a man accused of the 2019 killing of a college student that drew national attention. The new law, calls the Speedy Trial Act, allows the chief justice to appoint visiting judges in order to get criminal cases to trial more quickly. Stewart appointed retired Macon County Circuit Judge Tom Young to handle the case of Ibraheem Yazeed who is accused of killing Aniah Blanchard. Yazeed has pleaded not guilty to capital murder charges. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall last month asked Stewart to make an appointment, writing that, 'our entire state has watched the repeated delays in this case with angst and frustration.' Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey also referred to the case while signing the legislation into law. Stewart in the appointment letter wrote that 'any delays in this case have not been attributable to the judges in the circuit, but rather to circumstances beyond their control.' However, she said she agreed that the interests of the public require the expeditious resolution of this case.' An appointed attorney for Yazeed did not immediately return an email seeking comment. Blanchard, a Southern Union State Community College student and stepdaughter of prominent UFC fighter Walt Harris, was last seen on Oct. 23, 2019, at an Auburn gas station. Her remains were discovered about a month later in a wooded area of Macon County.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Multiple departments respond to Memorial Day fire in South Macon
MACON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The South Macon Fire Department extinguished a building that was completely engulfed in flames on Monday — and prevented fire from spreading to other nearby buildings. Firefighters responded to the building fire around 11:20 a.m. When they arrived, they found a single building that was 'fully involved' and in close proximity to other structures and grain bins. Police investigating after 14-year-old shot in Decatur Mt. Zion, South Wheatland, Blue Mound, Long Creek, Niantic, and Bethany fire departments provided mutual aid, and helped contain the fire to the original building. The South Macon Fire Department, Abbott Ambulance, Macon County Sheriff's Deputies and Montey and Cody Holsapple provided aid as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Two hospitalized after Decatur shooting, police seeking tips
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Two people were hurt after a shooting in Decatur on Saturday. The Decatur Police Department said it happened near the area of Woodford and Walnut Streets around 3:50 p.m. Oberheim Baseball tournament held to honor fallen officer Police are still investigating. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Decatur Police Department at 217-424-2734. To make an anonymous tip, call the Macon County Crime Stoppers at 217-423-8477 (TIPS) or visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Decatur organizations recovering from severe weather
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — It's not just people who've had to deal with the fallout of Thursday's severe weather. Almost 100 cats and dogs were without power after storms hit Macon County. The main problem was making sure everything was clean. Both Thursday night and Friday morning volunteers were forced to change litter boxes and wipe down cages in the dark. But it didn't stop there. Chicken coop lamp sparks garage fire at Decatur home; residents displaced 'The power went out at about 8 o'clock last night,' said Shelter Manager Lisa Lambert. 'Our volunteers were here; they stayed with our animals during the storm.' She said they stayed until 10 p.m. to make sure the animals were ok. But when Lambert got in this morning, she saw the effects of the weather. 'Our power was still out,' Lambert said. 'So, a couple of us had to do some cleaning and everything in the in the dark this morning with flashlights.' They got everything done as normal besides mopping, which was done once power returned. Once that problem was solved, they turned to making sure all the animals could stay cool with the temperatures rising inside. 'We've got doors to some rooms open so that they get the airflow and everything through,' Lambert said. 'If it gets too warm, we'll give our dogs some KONGs for them, it's a frozen treat. We've got some frozen dog food, some frozen peanut butter in them. Our cats, most of them seem to be doing good. If we need to, we'll go get some battery-operated fans to put in with our cat rooms.' Macon County Honor Guard marks 30th anniversary, 4000 funerals Stephen Decatur Middle School had to adjust their plans as well. They cancelled classes because of the lack of power. 'Dropped a large tree on our high voltage lines coming in,' said Buildings and Grounds Director Floyd Bolt. 'The weight of the tree caused the telephone pole to snap in half, so there was quite a bit of clean up and a new pole had to be set.' But not everything was cancelled. The school district said graduation and the Sneaker Ball Dance are good to go thanks to the work of Ameren. 'They just got it back on at about 11:45 a.m.' Bolt said. 'It's great. Actually, I came out here at about 6:00 a.m. and they were already on the job working. So, [I'm] happy they're here.' Lambert said the humane society got power back on just before noon and opened at 1 p.m. on Friday. This meant one lucky cat was able to be adopted and hopefully find its forever home. Decatur Schools brought back food they had to move from the middle school because freezers and fridges shut off. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Alabama governor signs speedy trial bill into law, seeking to speed prosecution of violent crimes
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation Tuesday to allow visiting judges to be brought in to handle violent criminal cases to get them to trial more quickly. The law known as the Speedy Trial Act allows the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court to appoint a sitting or retired judge to preside over a specific case or cases involving a violent offense. Under the act, the attorney general or a district attorney must request the appointments. On the same day the bill was signed, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall asked Chief Justice Sarah Stewart to appoint a visiting judge to handle the case of the man accused of the 2019 kidnapping and killing of college student Aniah Blanchard, 19. Her disappearance from an Auburn gas station drew national attention. Marshall wrote in the letter to Stewart that 'our entire state has watched the repeated delays in this case with angst and frustration.' Blanchard, a Southern Union student and stepdaughter of prominent UFC fighter Walt Harris, was last seen on Oct. 23, 2019. Her remains were discovered about a month later in a wooded area of Macon County. A trial date has not been set for Ibraheem Yazeed, the man accused of killing Blanchard. He has pleaded not guilty to capital murder charges. Recently, Marshall's office had urged lawmakers to pass the legislation. 'There are significant bottlenecks in certain circuits in our state where violent crime cases are not moving quickly and victims are getting frustrated,' Katherine Robertson, who serves as chief counsel for Marshall, said last week after lawmakers approved the bill. Ivey also referred to the Blanchard case while signing the legislation into law.
