Less than six months after Valparaiso honored former resident Orville Redenbacher with a statue downtown, one of his descendants has made news in a more infamous way.
Jordan Elizabeth Jones, 22, whose car was hit by a train Sunday and who then fought and wounded police and medical workers, said in court Tuesday morning she pays for college with a trust fund from her grandfather, Redenbacher.
Because of that, Porter County Superior Judge David Chidester declined to give her a public defender and set her bail bond at $7,500.
As of Tuesday evening, she was still being held in Porter County Jail, where's she's been since the accident and subsequent events that led to four felony and seven misdemeanor charges.
Chidester set her trial date for June 24, and she next appears for an omnibus hearing Feb. 5.
She faces up to three years in prison on each of the Class D felony charges: battery, resisting law enforcement and two counts of battery by bodily waste.
Her misdemeanor charges include battery, criminal mischief, four OWI charges and disorderly conduct.
Before she was jailed Sunday for injuring two police officers and a nurse, blood drawn from her showed her blood alcohol level measured 0.226 percent.
It took eight people to restrain her so she could get stitches on her second trip to a hospital emergency room after she knocked herself out by repeatedly bashing her head against the cage separating the back seat of the squad car from officers in the front.
Jones had called Chesterton police at 4:15 a.m. after her yellow 2003 Pontiac Sunfire got stuck on railroad tracks on Broadway after turning off Calumet Road while she was trying to return home from Upper Deck in Chesterton, where she allegedly had been drinking.
She had locked herself out of the vehicle, and a train hit the rear passenger side, although she was not hurt.
A call to a relative of Orville Redenbacher's for confirmation about the trust fund wasn't returned by deadline.
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:55:01 GMT
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:56:25 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:39 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:39:42 GMT
Preliminary reports show industrial chemicals seeped into Lake Michigan on Monday afternoon, causing the closure of Porter Beach. Officials said Chicago beaches are not expected to be affected.
Preliminary reports show industrial chemicals seeped into Lake Michigan on Monday afternoon, causing the closure of Porter Beach. Officials said Chicago beaches are not expected to be affected.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:17:17 GMT
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:50:40 GMT
Canine units were employed Tuesday, in the search for missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, 20. He was last seen after taking his final exams last Wednesday.
Canine units were employed Tuesday, in the search for missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, 20. He was last seen after taking his final exams last Wednesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:46:15 GMT
The last several days in Chicago have been especially violent bringing the issue to a "tipping point." More than 50 people have been shot since Friday. But what can be done to stem the violence?
The last several days in Chicago have been especially violent bringing the issue to a "tipping point." More than 50 people have been shot since Friday. But what can be done to stem the violence?
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:19 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:19:16 GMT
If you are looking for a cookie form of summers refreshing watermelon, then the wait is over.
By: Zoe Sobel, FOX32 News Intern(Chicago) If you are looking for a cookie form of summers refreshing watermelon, then the wait is over. Meet the watermelon Oreo which is the newest member of their limited-edition
