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 - Savanna Police Chief Donald Stephens has formally withdrawn from the Republican primary race against Carroll County Sheriff Ryan Kloepping.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

‘Not on my watch’: Meet the Coroner who broke Jackson Kradle homicide case wide open

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A family and community were rocked one year ago after an 18-year-old Mt. Carroll man was found dead in the road. Parade in Shannon, Ill. (Janessa Anderson) The man who died was 2024 West Carroll High School graduate Jackson Kradle, who had recently turned 18 when he was struck and killed … Continue reading ‘Not on my watch’: Meet the Coroner who broke Jackson Kradle homicide case wide open

Court docs reveal details surrounding federal lawsuit filed against Mt. Carroll, Carroll County

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MT. CARROLL - Court documents from 2024 reveal more details surrounding the recently filed federal lawsuit alleging Fourth Amendment violations against Mt. Carroll Police and the Carroll County Sheriff's Office. In late April, the attorney representing Mt. Carroll man Paul Little filed a lawsuit in federal court accusing officers with the Carroll Co. Sheriff’s Office … Continue reading Court docs reveal details surrounding federal lawsuit filed against Mt. Carroll, Carroll County

Federal lawsuit alleges Mt. Carroll, Carroll County officers violated man’s Fourth Amendment rights

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - A lawsuit filed in federal court in late April accuses officers of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and Mt. Carroll Police Department of violating a Mt. Carroll man's Fourth Amendment rights when they allegedly entered his home without a warrant and arrested him. According to the complaint filed on April 30 … Continue reading Federal lawsuit alleges Mt. Carroll, Carroll County officers violated man’s Fourth Amendment rights

Defense files motion to substitute judge in Jackson Kradle homicide case

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales
Jackson Kradle memorial at scene where he was killed in July 2024.

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - The attorney representing a former Carroll County Sheriff's Deputy charged in the death of Jackson Kradle filed a motion Monday requesting a substitution for the judge assigned to the homicide case. Now-former deputy Matthew Herpstreith, 44, faces multiple felony charges including Reckless Homicide and Obstructing Justice. He is accused of striking … Continue reading Defense files motion to substitute judge in Jackson Kradle homicide case