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Weather Alert

Weather Alert

...Gusty Thunderstorms with Small Hail and Cold Air Funnel Clouds
through Early Tonight...

Gusty thunderstorms capable of producing cold air funnel clouds
and small hail are forecast through early tonight. These cold air
funnels are developing underneath thunderstorms that are moving
across the area. Underneath these showers...spinning columns of
air that look like tornadoes may continue to develop. These
funnels usually are very brief and rarely touch the ground. If
these funnels do touch down...they most likely will not cause
damage to life or property.

Cold air funnels are due to very cool air aloft...warm moist air
near the ground...and are usually in association with a strong
area of low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere. Due to
little or no wind shear...they are usually weak and very brief.

Jackson County State's Attorney seeing an uptick on felony charges last year

  • Senior Reporter

    Paul joined the WSIL News 3 team in May 2021.

  • Updated
  • 0
Jackson County State's Attorney seeing an uptick on felony charges last year 1

MURPHYSBORO, IL (WSIL) � New numbers show more felony charges were filed in Jackson County last year. The increase is planned based on a commitment made over the past few years.

“I’d like to stay on this same trajectory of holding violent criminals accountable,� said Jackson County state’s attorney Joseph Cervantez.

Cervantez and his team have put an effort in place to file more felony cases than in years past.

“We wanted to make sure we were taking care of violent crime,� he said.

Cervantez took over as Jackson County’s top prosecuting officer in 2021.

“As far as the numbers are concerned, for many years and up to 2020, we seem to be around 400 to 500 felonies filed per year,� Cervantez said.

But since taking over those numbers have increased steadily in the past few years, including more than 600 in 2022 and more than 700 in 2023.

“In 2023 we filed more felonies than we’ve ever had in Jackson County with 761 felonies,� Cervantez said.

So what does this all mean? For Cervantez, he wants to address not only the cases being committed but try to prevent future ones as well.

“I wanted to work at diversion programs which is treating the underlying reason for crimes therefore trying to prevent crime.�

In 2021 and 2022 the Jackson County state’s attorney’s office saw a high number of aggravated discharges with a firearm or other gun offenses.

“We saw a strict rise in domestic battery and possession of a weapon by a felon or unlawful possession of a firearm in 2022 and 23,� said Cervantez.

A concerted effort by those at Jackson County’s state’s attorney’s office to be more community-oriented has also gleaned positive results with both the community and those who commit certain felonies.

"I think it makes everybody's job easier and it makes the community safer when our office is in the community,� Cervantez said.

With the help of community members and the men and women in law enforcement, Cervantez is committed to doing what he can to keep Jackson County as safe as possible.

“To have a safe community, we all have to come together,� said Cervantez. “Most importantly, drop this national narrative of divisiveness and make sure that if we want a safe street, a safe neighborhood, a safe community, it starts with that person standing up and reaching out.�

Have a news tip or story idea? Email Paul at [email protected]

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