Feb 5, 2021
SALEM The number of cases may be down, but drugs remain a problem that did not slow up during COVID-19 in Salem.
That’s what Police Chief J.T. Panezott indicated during a recent interview regarding 2020 police department statistics.
“We saw an increase of people going through drug abuse crises. The big concern to me is the amount of methamphetamine we’re seeing,” he said.
According to Panezott, it’s not unique to Salem, but something everybody else is seeing, with a surge of methamphetamine statewide and not the homemade kind, but the pure meth from super labs in Mexico. They’re also seeing fentanyl, but the amount of methamphetamine is dwarfing all other drugs.
Staff Writer
BELOIT Goshen police have identified and charged a West Branch student who made threats that resulted in classes being canceled one day last week.
A 12-year-old boy from Homeworth has been charged with inducing panic, a second-degree felony, after making a threat determined to be a potential risk to the safety of students and staff Jan. 26. Classes were canceled out of caution and an investigation found the threat to be not credible.
Staff and students were able to return that night for athletic activities.
According to Goshen police, school administrators advised school resource officer Anthony Pilolli of the threat at the middle school. All buildings were cleared so police could conduct an investigation.
FRANKLIN SQUARE Three residents spoke out in support of Constable Dan Valentine at the Salem Township trustee meeting Tuesday, saying he’s needed in the
BELOIT West Branch schools were closed Tuesday due to a threat that turned out to be not credible. Students and staff were able to return to the buildings
mgreier@salemnews.net
Three residents spoke out in support of Constable Dan Valentine at the Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, saying he’s needed in the township.
Tami Dennison indicated she wanted to show her support after seeing the negative comments made last month by a resident criticizing trustees for reinstating Valentine following a criminal case against him.
“We need him here. He’s done so much good for the community. If they knew him, they’d know that,” she said, referring to Ed and Dean Farmer, who also attended the meeting. “We really need him.”
Ed Farmer had questioned trustees at the last meeting and again questioned them at this meeting regarding Valentine, along with Dean Farmer, who made known his displeasure with the reinstatement.