Illinois

Illinois woman Sonya Massey fatally shot by Sheriff’s deputy had called 911 for help multiple times before her death – Times of India

Published

1 year ago

July 31, 2024

Sonya Massey, a Black woman who was fatally shot in the face by an Illinois sheriff’s deputy after she called 911 for assistance, had reached out to emergency services at least twice in the days leading up to her death on July 6, according to newly released records.
One of the calls came from her mother, Donna Massey, who expressed concern to the dispatcher, saying, “I don’t want you guys to hurt her,” and explained that her daughter feared the police.She specifically requested that no officer who might be “prejudiced” be sent, reported AP.
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating whether the deputies who responded to the call about a suspected prowler at Massey’s home were aware of her mental health history. Body-worn camera footage released last week suggests that this information was not communicated to the officers. In the video, former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who shot Massey, is heard asking dispatch two minutes after the shooting if there was any record of previous calls indicating she had mental health issues.
Jeff Wilhite, spokesperson for Sheriff Jack Campbell, mentioned that while such information is passed along if known, there is no automatic mechanism to ensure it is relayed. “The dispatcher would have to know ‘yes, it’s the same person’ and ‘yes, it’s the same address,'” Wilhite explained.
Another 911 call from July 4, released in response to public records requests, involved an unnamed caller reporting that someone was trying to harm them, only to disconnect after stating, “This must not be the right number.” Officials are unsure if Massey made this call.
Grayson, 30, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct for the shooting death of 36-year-old Massey. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond.
The body-cam footage reveals that after Grayson and another deputy arrived at Massey’s home just before 1 a.m. on July 6, she appeared confused, repeatedly asking, “Please God” and “Don’t hurt me.” Inside her home, she struggled to find her ID and asked for her Bible. When she suddenly said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” while holding a pot of water, Grayson drew his gun and fired three shots, one of which struck her below the left eye.
Massey’s family has stated that she had a history of mental health struggles and had recently sought treatment. Her 17-year-old son, Malachi Hill Massey, shared that his mother had checked into a 30-day inpatient treatment program in the St. Louis area at the start of July, only to return two days later.
On July 4, at 9:27 p.m., a 911 caller from Massey’s address reported that “somebody’s trying to hurt me.” When pressed for more information, the caller said, “Never mind,” and disconnected. Later that morning, Donna Massey called 911, describing her daughter’s paranoid behavior and emphasizing that she was not dangerous but had become increasingly fearful and distressed.
Springfield police responded to the call and found that Massey did not want to speak to medical professionals but was checked by emergency medical technicians. Massey herself later called to report a neighbor hitting her with a brick, leading a sheriff’s deputy to meet her at a hospital. The deputy noted that she appeared to be experiencing mental health issues and was seeking treatment for minor injuries. Massey mentioned she had recently been released from a mental health facility and claimed police had tried to run her off the road earlier that day.
Twelve hours after this incident, Grayson and another deputy responded to the July 6 call, where body-cam footage shows them noticing the broken windows on Massey’s SUV. Grayson questioned her about the vehicle, and when she denied owning it, he asked if she was “doing all right mentally,” to which she replied, “Yes, I took my medicine.”
Minutes later, after the shooting, Grayson radioed in to ask if there was any call history indicating Massey had mental health issues. The response is not heard, but Grayson is later heard saying, “That would explain a lot.”

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Illinois

Candy Cane Lane celebrating 45 years in southern Illinois

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Candy Cane Lane celebrating 45 years in southern Illinois

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) – A beloved Christmas tradition in southern Illinois is celebrating 45 years this holiday season.

Organizers say Candy Cane Lane is a unique and completely free Christmas display that brings holiday magic to life!

Committee members say 2025 is the biggest year ever for Candy Cane Lane, which now features over 100,000 sparkling lights, more than 500 characters, and 90 incredible scenes inspired by Disney, Universal, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, and many more.

Candy Cane Lane began in 1980 and was created by Mr. Tim Murphy. Murphy was an inspiring art teacher in West Frankfort whose creativity and holiday spirit touched countless lives, according to committee members.

Over the years, Tim’s many art students helped his vision grow brighter and bigger.

In 2019, Candy Cane Lane was featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, gaining national recognition for its charm and artistry.

Tim Murphy passed away in 2020 from complications with COVID-19; his dear friends, Iris and Bobby Kohzadi, vowed to keep his legacy.

A dedicated Candy Cane Lane committee was formed, and the holiday attraction is now a licensed nonprofit organization.

Leaders say they continue to expand and enhance Candy Cane Lane each year, ensuring that Tim Murphy’s spirit of joy, community, and creativity lives on for generations to come.

The non-profit is run strictly off of donations, which also help fund a scholarship program at Frankfort Community High School.

Candy Cane Lane is located at the West Frankfort Community Park at 1100 E. Cleveland Street, and is open nightly through December 27, 2025, at 9:00 p.m.

For more information or to donate to Candy Cane Lane, visit their Facebook page.

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Illinois

Late Heroics Lift Meseraull In Southern Illinois Center – SPEED SPORT

Published

21 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Late Heroics Lift Meseraull In Southern Illinois Center – SPEED SPORT

DU QUOIN, Ill. — Thomas Meseraull used late-race heroics to earn his 10th career feature win while battling inside the Southern Illinois Center with the POWRi National Midget League on Saturday night.

Meseraull led the final 10 laps of the feature honoring industry icon Junior Knepper at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

High-point qualifier Zach Daum and fast-timer Brylee Kilmer battled as the green flag waved, with Daum gaining the initial advantage on the opening lap as Trey Marcham, Meseraull, Daniel Robinson and Kilmer all kept pace inside the early top five.

Leading steadily, Daum would appear in fine form inside the Southern Illinois Center as the laps ticked away, with Meseraull, Marham, Frank Flud, Robinson, Christopher Bell, Chris Andrews, Corbin Rueschenberg,and Kole Kirkman contending.

Using precision driving through lapped traffic, Meseraull would strike for the top spot with only 10 laps remaining as Daum stayed within striking distance while keeping Marcham, Flud and Daniel Robinson at bay.

Holding steady over a late-race restart, Meseraull would not be denied in earning his second POWRi National Midget feature win inside the Southern Illinois Center over the past three years.

“This Ford was hooked up and ripping’ tonight,” said Meseraull. “Feels great to finally get it done in 2025 after having a rough year. This place can turn into bumper cars, and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to get it done here.”

Remaining up front early-leader of 30 laps, Daum would place runner-up with Marcham finalizing the podium placements. Hard-charging from starting 19th, Kyle Jones finished fourth, with Robinson fifth.

The finish:

Feature (40 Laps): 1. 7S-Thomas Meseraull[3]; 2. 5D-Zach Daum[1]; 3. 32-Trey Marcham[5]; 4. 7TX-Kyle Jones[19]; 5. 57-Daniel Robinson[7]; 6. 81F-Frank Flud[6]; 7. 95-Chris Andrews[10]; 8. 6-Brylee Kilmer[4]; 9. 17R-Rylan Gray[15]; 10. 14J-Wout Hoffmans[22]; 11. 23-Devon Dobie[17]; 12. 77J-John Klabunde[21]; 13. 67-Kole Kirkman[8]; 14. 15V-Cole Vanderheiden[12]; 15. 15-RJ Corson[16]; 16. 23T-Ashton Thompson[13]; 17. 26-Corbin Rueschenberg[14]; 18. 21-Christopher Bell[9]; 19. 7G-Parker Perry[11]; 20. 2F-Casey Friedrichsen[20]; 21. 4-Kale Drake[2]; 22. 71C-Gunnar Pike[18]

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Illinois

Illinois State defeats Villanova in the 2025 FCS playoff semifinals, advances to national title

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Illinois State defeats Villanova in the 2025 FCS playoff semifinals, advances to national title

Illinois State dominated Villanova on the road from start to finish en route to a 30-14 FCS semifinal win.

Illinois State set the tone early with a 53-yard bomb to star wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz who finished with seven catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns. His second touchdown put the Redbirds up 21-6 entering halftime, putting the game out of reach.

In the second half, Illinois State leaned on a third-straight career-high day on the ground from running back Victor Dawson, who rushed for 155 yards after going for 148 and 137 in his last two games. Dawson and the ground attack dominated the time of possession for 36:48. Click or tap here for final stats from the game.

HOW ABOUT THOSE REDBIRDS!!!!!!!!!#ValleyFootball x #FCS x @RedbirdFB x @ISURedbirds x @NCAA_FCS x @ESPNCFB x @espn pic.twitter.com/otoo7t1YoM
— Valley Football (@ValleyFootball) December 21, 2025
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Illinois State becomes the first team in the 24-team FCS playoff era to make the national championship game after playing all road games and only the second unseeded team in the 24-team era to make the national championship game.

Overall, it’ll be Illinois State’s first FCS Championship game appearance since 2014. The Redbirds have never won a national championship.

You can catch the 2025-26 FCS Championship Game on Monday, January 5, 2026 at theFirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

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