News

State's attorney warns of tax fraud, identity theft

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012, 11:37am

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS)- The Union County state's attorney is alerting the public about identity theft and tax refund
fraud associated with April's tax filing deadline.

According to State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds, tax refund fraud more commonly happens when stolen
identity information is used to file a tax return in the victim's name, and the
thief obtains the victim's refund.

Tax refund fraud was reported last year in
Union County and the State's Attorney's Office is asking the public to protect
identifying documents and information as the tax deadline approaches.

Members of the public with questions or
reporting suspicious activity may call the Union County State's Attorney's
Office at 618-833-7216 or the IRS Southern Illinois ID Theft & Refund Fraud
Response Team at 618-410-6918.

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Union Co. state's attorney, sheriff to monitor polling places

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Monday, March 12th, 2012, 2:12pm

Union Co. state's attorney, sheriff to monitor polling places

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Union County State's Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds and Union County Sheriff David Livesay announced Monday their offices will be teaming up to monitor the polling places on Election Day, Tuesday, March 20.

Prosecutors and sheriff's investigators will visit polling places throughout the county to ensure that voting rights are protected and no improper activity occurs in or around the polling places. They say personnel will be monitoring for anyone presenting false identification, campaigning in or around polling places or otherwise interfering with the election process.

Both offices say they will be working closely with Union County Clerk Bobby Toler, Jr. to respond to any suspected violations of the Illinois Election Code. The public is reminded that violators could be arrested and face significant fines and jail or prison time.

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Lawmakers say FEMA denial of federal aid for southern Ill. unacceptable

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Monday, March 12th, 2012, 4:06am

WASHINGTON (KFVS)- United States Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) said on Sunday the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s denial of federal funding for the five southern Illinois counties affected by severe storms and tornadoes was unacceptable.

In a letter to Gov. Pat Quinn on Saturday, the funding was denied by FEMA. Heartland News gained a copy of the letter Sunday evening through Sen. Durbin's office. In the letter, FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate describes to Gov. Quinn why the state is denied funding:

"Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the damage was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the State, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies. Accordingly, we have determined that supplemental Federal assistance is not necessary. Therefore, I must inform you that your request for a major disaster declaration is denied."

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Crews fight 2 vehicle fires in Anna, 5 minutes apart

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Saturday, March 10th, 2012, 5:29pm

ANNA, IL (KFVS)- Fire crews fought two vehicle fires within five minutes on Saturday.

The first fire occurred around 2:40 p.m. in the Anna Fire/Police Department parking lot.

According to Anna Fire Chief Mike Stoner, the driver of a railroad maintenance truck pulled into the parking lot and alerted fire crews of the fire. It took three firefighters to extinguish the flames.

The chief says it was bizarre to have a truck on fire show up on their parking lot.

Meanwhile, the second fire happened around 2:45 p.m.

According to the fire department, a van was fully engulfed on Murphy School Road.

Fire crews say the vehicle was a complete loss.

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4 injured in Union County wreck

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Friday, March 9th, 2012, 7:05pm

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS)- A wreck shut down Route 3 near McClure for a while Friday afternoon.

It's three miles north of the Route 3 and 146 intersection just north of McClure.

Illinois State Police say a pickup truck with a trailer was northbound on Route 3 when the truck tried to turn left and pulled into the southbound lane in front of a Ford Mustang going southbound.

Four people were in the car. Three women and one man were taken to Cape Girardeau hospitals.

No word on the extent of their injuries.

Route 3 was closed in both directions. Traffic was backed up in both directions.

Union County, McClure, East Cape, and the Illinois State Police are all working the wreck.

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Free colon cancer screenings scheduled throughout Southern Ill.

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012, 6:59pm

Free colon cancer screenings scheduled throughout Southern Ill.

(KFVS) - Hospitals across Southern Illinois are offering free colon cancer screenings Friday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You can stop by the following locations for a free screening:

CHESI in Cairo
Chester Memorial Hospital
Fairfield Memorial Hospital
Ferrell Hospital
Franklin Hospital
Hamilton Memorial Hospital
Hardin County Hospital
Harrisburg Medical Center
Heartland Regional Medical Center
Marshall Browning Hospital
Massac Memorial Hospital
Pinckneyville Community Hospital
Red Bud Regional Hospital
Salem Township Hospital

According to the American Cancer Society, while the cancer incidence rates have been steadily declining over the past decade, colon cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the U.S.

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