Mt. Carroll officer dropped from Kradle lawsuit, Sheriff’s Office redirects blame

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - The Mt. Carroll police officer, who allowed the man allegedly responsible for Jackson Kradle's death to leave the scene, has been dropped from the family's wrongful death lawsuit.Scott Marth has been a police officer in Carroll County since 1996. He was hired full-time with the Mt. Carroll Police Department in 2019 … Continue reading Mt. Carroll officer dropped from Kradle lawsuit, Sheriff’s Office redirects blame

Woman identified in fatal Carroll County crash was reported as missing person

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A woman found dead in a crashed truck in Carroll County earlier this month had been reported missing. On Nov. 10, at around 1:20 p.m., the Carroll County Sheriff's Office says the Dispatch Center received a report of a one-vehicle crash on Highway 52, west of Vanbuskirk Road, between Mt. Carroll … Continue reading Woman identified in fatal Carroll County crash was reported as missing person

Police asking public for help after overnight spree of vehicle burglaries in Carroll County

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - Police are asking the public for help after a spree of vehicle burglaries Saturday night. Several Mt. Carroll residents say they woke up to find their vehicle's door left open with cash missing. The suspects were seen on home surveillance footage. https://videopress.com/v/zSCHe92a?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&loop=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Surveillance video capture suspects in the act on Getz … Continue reading Police asking public for help after overnight spree of vehicle burglaries in Carroll County

Savanna Ambulance argues agency not liable for conduct of paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SAVANNA, Ill. - The Savanna Community Ambulance Association (SCAA) argues their agency is not responsible for an off-duty paramedic's alleged misconduct at scene where Jackson Kradle died. The SCAA is a private nonprofit organization who has been contracted with the City of Savanna to provide ambulance services since 2003, according to the city. The paramedic … Continue reading Savanna Ambulance argues agency not liable for conduct of paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead

Savanna Chief withdraws from primary race against Carroll County Sheriff

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SAVANNA, Ill. - Savanna Police Chief Donald Stephens has formally withdrawn from the Republican primary race against Carroll County Sheriff Ryan Kloepping. Stephens has worked for the Savanna Police Department since Dec. 2021 and became Chief in Nov. 2023. He intended to challenge incumbent Kloepping in the Republican primary for Sheriff in March. On Nov. … Continue reading Savanna Chief withdraws from primary race against Carroll County Sheriff

Several agencies involved in search for Melissa Trumpy this week with more operations planned

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - The Illinois Attorney General's Office, and some out-of-state agencies, worked alongside local law enforcement this week to conduct ground and water searches for Melissa Trumpy with 'additional operations' expected. Carroll County Sheriff Ryan Kloepping confirmed to me authorities led a search near Shannon, Illinois for Trumpy on Thursday but no body … Continue reading Several agencies involved in search for Melissa Trumpy this week with more operations planned

Lawsuit alleges Shannon officials directed police chief to offer deal to woman claiming sexual harassment

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SHANNON, Ill. - A lawsuit filed in federal court last month alleges Village officials directed Police Chief Mike Lewis to offer a deal to a woman who claimed she was sexually harassed by a board trustee. In early September, Village President Ryan Shaner says Lewis was suspended for five days due to job performance. Last … Continue reading Lawsuit alleges Shannon officials directed police chief to offer deal to woman claiming sexual harassment

Village of Shannon releases closed session minutes regarding former police chief

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SHANNON, Ill. - After formally accepting the resignation of their police chief Tuesday night, the Village of Shannon has released minutes from closed session meetings discussing his job performance. Click link below to read the latest developments. https://kylejbales.com/2025/10/15/lawsuit-alleges-shannon-officials-directed-police-chief-to-offer-deal-with-woman-claiming-sexual-harassment/ Michael Lewis was employed as Chief of Police from Nov. 7, 2023 thru Sep. 16, 2025, according … Continue reading Village of Shannon releases closed session minutes regarding former police chief

Criminal case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle continued for 90 days

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - The criminal case against a former deputy charged in the death of Jackson Kradle is continued for 90 days. Matthew Herpstreith, 44, appeared in court Friday for a pretrial status hearing alongside defense attorney Joe Nack. Special Prosecutor Charles Colburn represented the State. Herpstreith faces multiple felony charges including Reckless Homicide … Continue reading Criminal case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle continued for 90 days

State agency affirms paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead violated local EMS policies

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A letter sent from the Illinois Department of Public Health says a local EMS organization identified violations in connection to an off-duty paramedic on the day Jackson Kradle was killed. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) declined to comment further about the case but did confirm the … Continue reading State agency affirms paramedic who declared Jackson Kradle dead violated local EMS policies