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The Review November 3, 2015 LEE COUNTY
Deputies cite phone users, send message Department’s campaign nails 5 drivers in 2 hours BY ANGEL SIERRA
DIXON – In just 2 hours Thursday morning, Lee County sheriff’s deputies nailed five drivers on state Route 2 between Dixon and Sterling for distracted driving. The infraction? Cellphone use. Citations are issued for driving while texting or not using a hands-free device, and it has been illegal for nearly 2 years; violations start at $75. Thursday’s campaign was the first to target a perceived rise in illegal cellphone use, Lee County Sheriff John Simonton said. The campaign was activated after an increase in complaints that drivers across the
Sheriff to pursue grants for campaigns
county still were ignoring the law. “Five is above average in 2 hours,� Simonton said of the tickets, but that is just a guess – because it’s the first, there is nothing to compare it to. More than putting up big numbers, he said, is the impact that this type of enforcement “This is kind of our first test,� the sheriff said; has on heavy traffic areas, especially in patrol campaigns would monitor specific areas, durzones where drivers are making their way to ing specific times. work or school. The department also plans to partner with the John Distracted driving has risen, slowly Simonton city of Dixon to help coordinate coverage. becoming a top factor in property damage Lee County sheriff The department eventually would like to see and fatal accidents, a news release said. says Thursday a heavier presence near Interstate 39, Paw Paw The department “will continue to conmorning’s and Amboy, Simonton said. duct these types of enforcement details campaign is Two other citations were issued in the 2-hour throughout the county.� department’s target period: one for a suspended license and To help finance the push against distract- first, won’t be its another for no proof of insurance. last. ed driving, the sheriff is going after grants, Simonton noted that the traffic campaign’s which would study the county and traffic success also was important because of its proxflow, and deputy’s salaries, to pinpoint the amount of imity to the holidays. money the department could stand to receive, he said.
STERLING
Man leads chase; 3 schools locked down Threat made to school staff, their families, police say BY JERMAINE PIGEE
STERLING – A 35-year-old Sterling man is in custody after fleeing police and causing the lockdown of three local schools, police say. Donald E. Hoefke was arrested and charged with attempted fleeing to elude, reckless driving and burglary. At 11:22 a.m. Wednesday, the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department notified the Sterling Police Department
that it had a signed complaint for Hoefke on a burSterling. He eventually surrendered as officers glary charge. The police department was also told closed in on him, and was taken into custody that Prophetstown Elementary School had been without incident. put on soft lockdown because of threats Hoefke No one, including Hoefke, was hurt. made to staff members and their families. Hoefke was also charged with unlawful possesWashington Elementary and Challand Middle sion of marijuana, two counts of disobeying a schools in Sterling also were placed on soft locktraffic device, disobeying a stop sign, two counts down from 11:20 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, Donald E. of improper lane usage, and no valid driver’s Hoefke Sterling Superintendent Tad Everett said. license. A soft lockdown means all doors were locked He was taken to Whiteside County Jail and and no one was allowed to enter or leave the build- given a notice to appear in court. His bond is not yet ings, but normal activities continued inside, the determined. release stated. The sheriff’s office and Rock Falls and State police About 11:49 a.m., officers located Hoefke in a blue assisted in the arrest. Pontiac Sunfire on Fifth Avenue in Rock Falls and attempted to stop him while he was northbound on Avenue G. Hoefke pulled over for officers but fled in the vehicle before they could approach him. He fled north on Avenue G to West 15th Street and through Kilgour Park in
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