Fitness trial for Glenn Ramey set for September, some local students visit with the local congressman and Illinois Governor Rauner signs a repeat gun offender law…
RAMEY COURT DATE SET
The man accused of sexually assaulting and murdering an 8-year-old Olney girl will face a fitness jury trial in September. 53 year-old Glenn R. Ramey faces charges of first-degree murder and predatory criminal sexual assault. Ramey is accused in slaying of Sabrina Stauffenberg. A judge has ruled that both Ramey’s jury trial and his fitness trial will be moved out of Richland County to Effingham County. The fitness jury trial has been set for September 11th. A status hearing ahead of the fitness trial has been set for July 21st as the prosecution and defense prepare witness lists. A psychiatrist’s report on Ramey’s mental status has been submitted to both the prosecution and defense attorneys. The judge has ruled the report will remain sealed until the fitness trial. Investigators say Stauffenberg was waiting on the front porch of her home for a ride to church when family members reported her missing. Her body was found several hours later near a business in Olney. The murder charge alleges Ramey suffocated the victim. Ramey remains in the Richland County jail under $10 million bond. A trial date for the slaying and sexual assault has not been set.
STUDENTS MEET WITH CONGRESSMAN
Emily Moore of Lawrenceville, Brianna King of Hutsonville and Jarrett Jones of Effingham represented Norris Electric Cooperative in Washington D.C. during the recent “Youth to Washington” tour. The students met with Congressman John Shimkus, Senator Dick Durbin and other dignitaries while also visiting the historical sites of Washington. The three were among 69 rural Illinois youth leaders selected for the trip. High school juniors and sophomores within the service area of Norris Electric Cooperative are eligible to participate in the annual program.
MOBILE TICKET BUYS AVAILABLE FOR THE STATE FAIR
Visitors to this year’s Illinois State Fair will be able to buy tickets and parking passes online and have the tickets scanned at the gate on their mobile phone. State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon announced the changes Friday. He says “technology is allowing the Illinois State Fair to evolve.” Gordon says he hopes it’s an added convenience for fair goers. People who buy tickets online will also have the option to print tickets at home. The fair is scheduled for Aug. 10 to Aug. 20 at the fairgrounds in Springfield.
GOVERNOR SIGNS REPEAT GUN OFFENDER LAW
Judges will be encouraged to prescribe longer sentences for repeat gun offenders under a plan signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner. The idea is to help curb street violence in Chicago. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson attended the bill signing Friday at the Capitol with the Republican governor. The law also introduces a diversion program for non-violent first-time offenders and creates a State Police-led violent crime intelligence task force. Debate on the issue was contentious with some claiming that stricter sentencing would disproportionately incarcerate minorities without addressing issues underlying Chicago’s violence. Proponents say it’ll decrease gun violence by giving Chicago law enforcement a needed tool. Rauner calls it another step in the right direction. Johnson calls the bill a “monumental win” for Chicago residents’ safety.
