ABOVE: Danville Police Chief Christopher Yates (file photo)

The Danville City Council has approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Danville, the Danville Police Department, and Crosspoint Human Services.  This will create a new position stationed at the Police Department, but funded by Crosspoint.  The position will be called “Law Enforcement Crisis Worker.”

As Danville Police Chief Christopher Yates explained both during Tuesday (July 7th) evening’s Council meeting and to CIMG afterwards; this is a position that’s been thought about for years, and in the works for the past several months.  The idea is that when police officers run into a situation that is not a criminal case, but something where someone needs help and assistance; this new position will offer that  kind of “skill and treatment process.”

AUDIO: What this is going to do is give us some added reinforcement and backup, to some of the things that we are not necessarily professionals at; but we have to try to use our professional abilities….

And therefore, the professional abilities of the new Law Enforcement Crisis Worker will ADD TO what the Police Department already does.

AUDIO: Let there be no mistake, this is not replacing law enforcement response.  This is just going to be having someone on standby after things are secure.  And if it’s not a law enforcement absolute situation, we’ll have someone available on the counseling and professional side of that.

Chief Yates says advertising for the position will be taken care of immediately, and he hopes to have it filled “sooner rather that later.”  Chief Yates says he sees the new position as being “challenging, rewarding, and certainly not boring.”

Aldermen such as Rick Strebing, and also mayoral candidate Doug Ahrens, both stated that treasurer issues from the past are something aldermen simply understand better than the public.  Therefore, as Ahrens told CIMG, this is where the Council needs to stand up and be leaders.

AUDIO: I think the ordinance is the way to go because nobody’s more familiar with that than the actual representatives of the citizens, which are the aldermen.  And they have dealt with that very closely over the last 20 years.

(1st and 2nd Pictures) Alderman and mayoral candidate Doug Ahrens, along with Alderman Rick Strebing, state their cases for an ordinance to make the treasurer an appointed position.  (3rd Picture) Alderwoman and mayoral candidate Tricia Teague states her case for higher pay for aldermen, as well as having that pay tied to attendance at City Council meetings.

Meanwhile, the issue of adjusting pay for aldermen was discussed.  Many Council members are leaning towards tying the pay in some way to attendance at City Council meetings; with varying opinions offered on how to handle the issue; such as with a third party to decide excused absences or a straight cap on how many meetings can be missed.  Alderwoman and mayoral candidate Tricia Teague believes higher pay should be considered along with this; in essence solving two issues at once.

AUDIO: You have a number of elections where the incumbent is unopposed.  And I think that if we increased pay, and we tied it to attendance, we might get some younger people involved.  Because there’s people who are interested in being involved, but just don’t think that it’s worth their time; especially if they have like a second job or something like that.

Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr is intending for both of these items to be back in front of the full City Council very soon.

AUDIO: I would hope by the beginning of August, maybe we’ll have an answer at that first meeting.  (So what we’re going to do is bring it by both committees and go through the process?)  That’s correct, yes sir.

Mayor Williams says he’ll be working with Corporation Counsel Leon Parker on drawing up two proposed ordinances.

 THE FOLLOWING IS A UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS RELEASE

 THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE DANS RELEASE

As the Danville Dans moves into July, there are special nights for fans to enjoy.

Sunday, July 12 will be our annual Military and Veterans Appreciation Day. All veterans and active military (with ID) will receive free admission for the 4:30 PM contest against Kokomo.

Wednesday, July 15 is Baseball Unplugged Night. Step back in time for a truly unique game night experience. No videoboard. No walk-up music. No public address announcements. Instead, hear the crack of the bat, the cheers from the stands, and the game in its purest form. It’s also a night designed to be sensory-friendly for fans who find modern game-day environments a bit overwhelming. The Dans take on the Springfield at 6:30 PM.

The Dans game against Terre Haute on Sunday, July 19 is now a doubleheader. Two 7-inning games will be played, with the first starting at 4:30 PM.

July 25 will be a big night for the Dans – it’s Christmas in July! Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and receive half-price admission at the gate. As an early Christmas gift, the first 500 fans through the gate will receive a free team poster. Stick around post-game and get your poster signed by your favorite Dans players for a one-of-a-kind keepsake. The Saturday night game with Kokomo starts at 6:30 PM.

The Dans Band will be back to entertain fans during the game on Tuesday, July 28. Decatur is in town for a 6:30 PM contest, and admission is just $3 on Cheap Seats Tuesday.

And our final game of the regular season is Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday, August 1. All fans with a paid admission will receive a coupon for a free ticket to a game in 2026. Game time is 6:30 PM, also against Decatur

For more information about the Danville Dans 2026 season, visit www.danvilledans.com.

 THE FOLLOWING IS A MARY CATHERINE ROBERSON RELEASE

DANVILLE, Ill. — Democratic candidate for Illinois State House Representative District 104, Mary Catherine Roberson, will host “The Blueprint for Safer Communities,” a community roundtable focused on reducing gun violence, strengthening prevention efforts, and building safer neighborhoods across Central Illinois.

The event will take place Wednesday, July 8, at 12:00 p.m. at Laura Lee Fellowship House in Danville and will bring together youth, survivors, service providers, and local leaders for a solutions-focused conversation about public safety.

Drawing on her experience helping develop the City of Champaign’s Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint and her years of community organizing around violence prevention and youth development, Roberson will lead a discussion centered on collaboration, prevention, and connecting communities with resources.

“We need to listen to those most impacted, invest in prevention, support families, and work together to create communities where every child and every family can feel safe,” said Roberson.

The roundtable will explore:

• Data driven community-based strategies to reduce gun violence
• Resources available to individuals and families
• Opportunities for collaboration between residents, nonprofits, and public officials
• Policy ideas that support long-term public safety

“As your next state representative, I want to ensure the voices of our communities help shape the policies we pursue in Springfield,” Roberson added. “Real solutions begin with honest conversations and partnerships.”

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP using the QR code on the event flyer.

Event Details:

The Blueprint for Safer CommunitiesWednesday, July 812:00 p.m.Danville, Illinois

For additional information or media inquiries, please contact:
Email: MaryCatherineRobersonFor104@gmail.com
Website: RobersonForIllinois.com

Since the Safe-T Act went into effect in Illinois, ending cash bail, it is the burden of the prosecution to prove that a suspect should not be released before trial.

Judge Wall allowed Richey to be released with some specific conditions, but also stated that she was “not finding him a community danger at this time.”

Richey is facing numerous sexual abuse charges after being told not to report to work towards the end of the school year, when the school district became aware of allegations during a weekend.  During the Tuesday morning (July 7^th) hearing at the Vermilion County Courthouse, the prosecution revealed that it was on May 17^th when Danville District 118 informed the Danville Police and DCFS that allegations were brought forth about possible inappropriate relations between a DHS teacher and a student under 18.  The prosecution stated that although the student turned 18 in 2024, allegations from the student indicate that much inappropriate behavior occurred prior to her 18^th birthday.

During the Tuesday morning (July 7th) hearing, the prosecution listed some very disturbing accusations before Judge Wall; including physical contact, and extremely inappropriate communications. The defense offered numerous counterpoints.  Those included the alleged victim returning home and making contact with Richey once again.  The defense also stated that many other former Richey students spoken to by police said they had never seen anything inappropriate between Richey and the alleged victim; and that Richey, who was involved in the theatre department and taught biology, was the kind of young teacher that students could relate to and felt comfortable around.  The defense also stated that one person spoken to by police had claimed that a specific teacher was spreading rumors about Richey.

The prosecution objected three times while the defense spoke;  with Judge Wall allowing the defense to continue, telling prosecution they would later have their chance at rebuttal.

During rebuttal, one point made by the prosecution was that according to communications submitted as evidence; when the alleged victim told Richey what he had done was “just awful,” he did not deny the allegations, but often apologized.

Richey’ conditions of release include having no contact with the victim (with defense saying he “wants it that way”), not discussing the alleged victim or the case with any former students, and no contact with minors.

Richey’s next court date is set for Tuesday, July 20^th, 2:30 PM, in Courtroom 3B.

 THE FOLLOWING IS AN ILLINOIS STATE POLICE RELEASE

PESOTUM – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 7 Captain, Heather Apperson, announces the results of Distracted Driving Enforcement Patrols held in Macon and Vermilion counties during June.  This program provided extra patrol coverage for ISP officers to focus on saving lives and reducing serious crashes by enforcing distracted driving laws.

Violations Enforcement Activity

Hand-held phone/device citations 6
Texting while driving citations 3
Other types of distracted driving citations –
Total distracted driving citations 9
Total distracted driving written warnings 0
Total of all citations 32
Total of all written warnings 4

This project was funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

 THE FOLLOWING IS A UNITED ASSOCIATION LOCAL 149 RELEASE

ABOVE:  Service Graduates

Top L-R: Ryan Welsh, Taylor Hardwick, Dustin Busboom, Levi Jury, Wesley Schell, Zach DeVore.
Bottom L-R: Nicholas Carswell, Tyler Smith, Devin Gray, Eric Zimmer, Nicholas Minard, Andrew Warnes.

BELOW: Construction Graduates

Top L-R: Warren Tjarks, Damian Light, Laura Abbott, Keegan Robinson, Orion Ciota, Max Donner, Wesley Propst, Case Starkey, Joseph Chickini.
Bottom L-R: Beau Thomas, Daniel Sola, Jacob Wolf, Charles Tudor, Austin Ferguson, Benjamin Fitzgerald.

A Danville man is among 27 recent graduates of the United Association Local 149’s apprentice training program.

Eric Zimmer graduated from having worked, trained and learned as apprentices and are now journey workers in their fields.

Local 149 represents hundreds of plumbers, pipefitters and HVAC technicians across East Central Illinois, who work at universities, hospitals and for local contractors.

Focusing on specialties of their trade, Zimmer chose to work in the service industry.

All union members start their careers as apprentices, spending five years learning the trade under experienced trainers. During that time, they are paid as they learn – working at least 1,700 hours on the job and 240 hours in the classroom. As journey workers, they will earn up to nearly $70 an hour and take on greater responsibilities on the job.

The announcement confirmed that the July 11, 2026 performance will stream live without a paywall, giving international fans a way to watch one of the biggest shows of Capaldi’s career. The London concert is part of his run at BST Hyde Park and marks a major moment in his return to large-scale live performances.

Capaldi has been gradually stepping back into the spotlight after taking time away from touring to focus on his health. His comeback has included new music, festival appearances, and a renewed connection with fans who have followed his career through both commercial success and personal challenges.

The Hyde Park livestream adds a wider reach to what is already expected to be a major night for the Scottish singer-songwriter. Fans who cannot attend in person will still be able to watch the show live from wherever they are.

During a recent interview, the singer said his latest album, Cinematic, left room for more. The project features songs connected to movies, but Groban explained that there were several other tracks he would have liked to include. Recording with a full symphony orchestra created a tight schedule, which meant the album had to be finished within a firm window.

Groban also shared that one additional song from the Cinematic sessions has already been recorded. That track is expected to arrive sometime next year.

The singer is coming off a tour with Jennifer Hudson and is now preparing for his own Stage, Screen and Symphony tour, set to begin in August. The shows will include music from Cinematic along with selections from Stages, his album focused on musical theater.

While Groban said a second Cinematic album or another Stages project could happen, his next focus is new music.