The Illinois Prisoner Review Board has granted parole for Aaron Hyche. Hyche was convicted of murder in the shooting death of Illinois State Trooper Layton Davis. Hyche and Aaron Taylor were convicted of Trooper Davis’ murder after an incident at the Green Creek Rest Area along southbound I-57 in 1976. Davis had stopped a car carrying both men for speeding, and with the lack of technology at the time was unaware they had been involved in a criminal incident in Chicago earlier, resulting in Trooper Davis being shot by the pair. A new law that took effect January 1st gave prisoners the option of seeking a medical release, resulting in Hyche gaining his parole.
Police in Carbondale, IL are investigating a plane crash that occurred Saturday night, resulting in injuries to the female pilot. Reports say the woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries when the plane hit a transformer. She was being treated at a local hospital. Residents and businesses in the area experienced power outages. The Federal Aviation Administration is taking the lead on the investigation. The crash occurred near Cimco Recycling.
The U.S. Forest Service has announced they will be waiving fees at several campgrounds on special days throughout the year as part of the federal land management fee-free program. Some campgrounds in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois are included in the fee waivers. The next fee-free day is President’s Day, February 21st. The fee-free days are intended to give the public and visitors a chance to get outside and enjoy public lands.
Southern Illinois University is looking to attract more students and increase enrollment at its campuses. A six-goal plan has been unveiled through the year 2026, and the SIU System President said the plan has been in the works for the past couple of years. Enrollment is on the increase this school year, the first time it has occurred in the past five years. The university also plans to conduct virtual “town-hall” style meetings to allow students and the community to chime in on making improvements.
Area river stages as of this morning: Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 18.89 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 17.04 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the stage is 18.8 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 7.69 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 10.66 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Rain is in the forecast beginning Wednesday afternoon.