Illinois Mixed Bag: Man accused of hunting in Nature Preserve

Georgetown, Ill. — A Vermilion County man is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after prosecutors allege that he illegally hunted at a state-supported nature preserve.

According to a criminal information filed in Vermilion County Circuit Court, 52-year-old Timothy W. Edison, of Loda, is charged with criminal trespass to state-supported land, hunting on another’s land without the landowner’s permission, and violating a DNR park rule. Prosecutors say the offenses occurred Nov. 22, 2024, at the Carl Flierman Nature Preserve near Georgetown.

Edison is accused of entering state-supported land after receiving notice that entry was prohibited, hunting without the landowner’s permission, and hunting in a restricted area in violation of Illinois Department of Natural Resources regulations.

Law enforcement officials noted that the charges are allegations, and Edison is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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Channel Cat Takes Kankakee Fishing Derby Title

Kankakee, Ill. — A 14-pound, 2-ounce channel catfish caught by Dale Mullins, of Ashkum, took home the Grand Champion designation in the 43rd annual Kankakee River Fishing Derby.

Following the derby’s July 12 conclusion, the Northern Illinois Anglers Association held its annual awards night on July 15 to distribute prizes and announce the derby’s coveted title of Grand Champion Fish.

While there are dozens of tagged fish worth cash or merchandise, the Big Board contest awards 27 place winners (first, second and third) in nine categories: channel catfish, crappie, flathead catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, rough fish, smallmouth bass, and walleye.

Organizers said a first-place largemouth bass came in with less than 30 minutes left in the derby.

Diamond Lake Seeks Public’s Support for Grant

Mundelein, Ill. — Representatives of the Mundelein Park & Recreation District are asking the public to support proposed upgrades to The Landing on Diamond Lake. Opinions are welcome, too. Officials are applying for a $1.2 million grant to fund improvements for the facility across the street from Diamond Lake Road and Pleasure Drive from Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD), a state-financed grant program administered by DNR.

Diamond Lake is about 140 acres, with the park district owning about 80%. The lake is home to such species as bass, catfish, bluegill, and muskie, with a goal to get rid of invasive carp that eat native plants. The park district has set aside a sanctuary lake area for native plant species. The Landing has about 2 acres of frontage along the lakefront, Mundelein Park & Recreation District Executive Director Ron Salski said. Tall fencing has come down on the portion of the lakefront that was once pay-access-only along the former Diamond Lake Recreation Center. What people see now is classic low rail fencing.

An open house last month was designed to inform the public and ask for written support to go with the district’s application for the OSLAD grant to be submitted by Aug. 31.

Some Starved Rock Trails Temporarily Closed

Oglesby, Ill. — Several trails at Starved Rock State Park will be closed through October as construction continues on trail improvement projects, according to the park’s management. Access to Tonti Canyon and LaSalle Canyon is unavailable, and the Bluff Trail over Pontiac Canyon and the River Trail staircase are closed while work is underway.

Visitors can still access St. Louis, Ottawa, Kaskaskia and Illinois canyons by using designated parking lots along Routes 71 and 178. The Starved Rock Lodge, Visitor Center, and campground remain open. Park officials encourage visitors to plan ahead by checking the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for trail updates and suggested hiking routes.

Staff are also available daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist visitors.

Fox River Boat Operator Faces Homicide Charges

Lisle, Ill. — Court documents say a man facing homicide charges was almost three times the legal drinking limit and was “full throttle” when his boat ran over another boat, killing a person, on the Fox River near McHenry.

Richard M. Stevenson, 45, of Lisle, was charged with one count of reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony, and one count of aggravated driving under the influence causing a crash involving death, a Class 2 felony. The McHenry Township Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 2:30 p.m. July 25 to the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry for a report of a boat crash. A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Stevenson was operating a 31-foot black and orange 2026 South Bay boat on the Fox River.

Iowa DNR Handling More Coyote Complaints

Des Moines — The Iowa DNR is reporting an increase in coyote sightings across the state, prompting cities like Johnston to adjust ordinances and educate residents on how to handle encounters.

Gray’s Lake in Des Moines, a wooded area near a river and lake, is the point of focus as the sound of howling coyotes, like those living around Gray’s Lake, is common this time of year. The DNR says such sightings are not unusual.

“We’re starting to see more interactions between people and coyotes in these instances,” said Andy Kellner, a DNR urban wildlife biologist. The DNR has released a video offering advice on how to handle encounters with the wild canines.

“The goal is to be big, loud, and scary. If you see a coyote, don’t ignore it. Wave your arms, stand tall, and wave aggressively. Go away, coyote, go away,” the video advises.