Law Office of Cheryl A. Powell

09/08/2025

President Trump has ended collective bargaining rights for more than 1 million federal workers. Unions have sued to block the move, but agencies are terminating contracts as litigation continues.

05/21/2025

💔 Our hearts are with Marion, Illinois.

Last week, an EF4 tornado tore through part of the city, destroying homes and leaving families to pick up the pieces. While most of the community was spared, the damage in some neighborhoods is heartbreaking.

When the call for help came from Byram Fager of the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, our community responded without hesitation.

🙏 A huge thank you to:

NAPA Distribution Center in Mt. Vernon for donating a full pallet of cleanup buckets.

Walgreens Distribution Center in Mt. Vernon for quickly providing water and cleaning supplies for those in need.

This is what real community looks like—people showing up for one another when it matters most.

🧤 We are still in need of plastic totes and working gloves.
💵 United Way of South Central Illinois is also accepting cash donations—100% of all funds will go to support disaster victims. Donate now at: https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/marion-strong-tornado-relief-fund

If you'd like to help, please call us at 618-242-8000.

08/10/2024

An elderly man robbed a bank and patiently waited (with his walker) for police to show up. He allegedly said he wanted to be in jail so he could receive medical care. He did not threaten anyone and he also had no weapons.

The following is from the Cape Girardeau Police Department:
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗗

On August 06, 2024, at about 12:06 p.m. officers with the Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to Southern Bank located at 380 N. Kingshighway for a duress alarm.

Officers arrived on scene and located Richard Bann (72) of Springfield, MO sitting on a walker by the front door. Bann stated to the officer that he was expecting him and he had just robbed the bank. Bann provided the officer with an envelope containing a $20.00 bill. Bann told the officer he wanted to go to prison so he could get medical attention.

The officer spoke with witnesses on scene that advised Bann entered the business and announced that he was robbing the bank. Bann told the witness to place money into an envelope, but did not specify how much money. The witness placed a $20.00 bill in an envelope and handed it to Bann. Bann then exited the business and waited near the front door for officers to arrive. There was no weapons displayed by Bann and no weapons were located.

Bann was formally charged through the Cape Girardeau County Prosecutors Office with class B felony of stealing. Bann is currently being held on a $50,000 cash only bond.

An offense charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

04/05/2024

Missing!!! A preacher's wife and her friend mysteriously go missing in Oklahoma after car is found abandoned in remote area.

39-year-old Jillian Kelley and 27-year-old Veronica Butler were traveling to pick up their children Saturday when they seemingly vanished.

Jillian Kelly (whom is the wife of Hugoton First Christian Church pastor Heath Kelley) and Veronica Butler were reported missing after the vehicle in which they were traveling was found abandoned. The vehicle was discovered on the side of the road South of Elkhart, Kansas, which is near the Oklahoma state line. The two had departed Hugoton, Kansas but never arrived at their intended destination.

‼️Jillian has brown hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing white-washed blue jeans and a long sleeve shirt.
Veronica is described as 5'4" tall with red hair and green eyes. She was wearing a blue short sleeve shirt with denim shorts.‼️

Anyone who has any information regarding the disappearance of these two women are asked to call Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations at 1-800-522-8017

03/09/2024

This woman needs your help locating a stalker that broke into her home. If you know anything about the whereabouts of Michael Thomas Braden please call McLeansboro Police Department immediately. The state's attorney is involved.
I've included the post she sent me. Please read.

03/05/2024