Emergency siren test today

By BRUCE A. FASOL

All emergency sirens throughout Franklin County will be tested this morning at 10 a.m.

The sirens used to warn residents of dangerous weather and other emergency situations are tested on the first Tuesday of each month.

House fire in Franklin County

By BRUCE A. FASOL

Firefighters from five departments battled a weekend house fire in rural Franklin County. The call was to a home on Rend City Road, near Gulley Lane. Reports are that the home was heavily damaged.

According to authorities, it is reported that the occupants of the home were away at the time of the fire.

Cause of the fire is being determined. Water had to be brought to the scene and contained in a holding structure to be used by firefighters.

Benton Police arrest two in separate incidents

STAFF REPORT

On Dec. 28, Benton Police were called to a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of McFall Street. Charles Payton, 19, of Benton was charged with domestic battery.

On Dec. 29, Benton Police arrested Nicolle A. Poteete, 27, of Benton. She is charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence, driving while license suspended, illegal transportation of alcohol, and driving an uninsured vehicle.

Additional snow and ice could make roads slick for revelers

STAFF REPORT

As a third snow-making event enters our area in less than a week, the National Weather Service has Franklin County and much of Southern Illinois under a Winter Weather Advisory.

The advisory is in effect from noon Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

NWS meteorologists expect one to two inches of light snow this afternoon and overnight, but the periods of freezing rain that will likely accompany it are the bigger concern.

The precipitation has already started with light rain in some of Franklin County this morning. After midnight tonight, just as New Year’s Eve revelers have said hello to 2013 and are heading home, snow and sleet are expected to dominate.

You are advised to keep a close eye on weather conditions today; you may need to change holiday plans tonight based on road conditions and what is expected as the front moves through the area.

 

RLC teams up to sponsor New Year’s weight loss contest

STAFF REPORT

The biggest losers are the biggest winners with Lose to Win, a team weight loss competition kicking off with the new year through a local partnership.

Lose to Win is being organized by the Jefferson County YMCA, Crossroads Hospital and Rend Lake College. It kicks off with a start-up meeting Saturday, Jan. 5, and runs through March 2. Teams of four will compete to lose the most combined and individual body weight percentage, with a big helping hand from the organizers: contestants will have access to the YMCA facility, the Crossroads swimming pool facility, and the RLC Fitness Centers and Aquatics Center.

Up to $1,000 will be awarded to the first, second and third place teams with the highest percentage weight loss. An Individual Weight Loss Champion also will be crowned and given $500. The Best Team Name wins $250.

Team members will receive a two-month membership pass for access to the YMCA, Crossroads swimming sessions, the RLC Fitness Centers on campus and at the MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon, and the RLC Aquatics Center at the Ina campus.

The cost is $100 per team. Team members must be 18 years of age or older. Schedules and additional details will be provided at the weigh-in meeting on Jan. 5. Participants must pre-register to receive details for the Jan. 5 start-up meeting. Informational sessions will be held Wednesday evenings throughout the program.

Anyone interested in registering can contact the YMCA at 618-242-7500.

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Sesser man dies following bar fight

December 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

A 56-year-old Sesser man died Thursday night following an altercation at a local bar.

Michael S. Romani

John Franklin died of trauma injuries to the head following an atercation with 45-year-old Michael Romani, also of Sesser. The fight took place at the Bank Lounge, located on Sesser’s business district.

Franklin was pronounced dead at Franklin Hospital after the fight and Romani turned himself into Franklin County authorities a short time later.

Romani remains in the Franklin County Jail on a single charge of aggravated battery however additional charges could be filed by Franklin County State’s Attorney Evan Owens following an investigation by the Illinois State Police.

The state police took over the investigation because a fatality was involved.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, Uncategorized

West Frankfort finishes fiscal year with surplus

December 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By BRUCE A. FASOL
In the same manner that most of us want our household to end up at the end of every pay period, the City of West Frankfort finished the fiscal year with more money coming in the door than went out.
An audit report accepted by the West Frankfort City Council at its Thursday night meeting showed a surplus of $139,000, according to Fiance Commissioner Mike Simpson.
Mayor Tom Jordan called the audit “pretty good,” but said he wished it could have been better. He noted a decision to change worker’s compensation providers in 2012 had resulted in savings to the city, and that the city would continue to look for ways to cut expenditures.
One area of concern mentioned was a loss of $7,800 in the water/sewer department. Jordan said the council may need to look at a rate increase in 2013.
In other action, the West Frankfort City Council:
In commissioner reports, both Street Commissioner Tara Fasol-Chambers and Finance Commissioner Simpson praised work done by Street Department crews to clear city streets following this week’s blizzard. Fasol-Chambers said that they were hampered by having two members of their five member crew off work.
Finally, an end-of-the-year problem will necessitate a special council meeting on Monday, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. Local tavern owners have requested a 2 a.m. closing on Monday night for New Year’s Eve. However, the request was not made in time to get the item on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting. The Council will take up both New Year’s Eve bar hours and Super Bowl Sunday bar hours at the meeting on Monday.
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More snow on the way: Weather advisory issued

December 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT

Just when Franklin County residents have finished digging out of the snow from Wednesday night’s blizzard, the National Weather Service reports that more is on the way.

The NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory that includes Franklin County and runs from 3 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday.

The front moving in should drop 1 to 3 inches of snow on the area, and some sleet is also possible.

In other words, stay in Friday night if you can, and dust off that shovel come Saturday morning.

Filed Under: Benton News, Christopher News, Coello News, Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, Royalton News, Sesser News, Thompsonville News, Valier News, West Frankfort News, Zeigler News Tagged With: , , ,

Sesser man charged with making bombs, solicitation of a minor

December 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

A 59-year-old Sesser man is in Franklin County Jail facing a variety of charges including making bombs and other explosive devices and solicitation of a child.

Norman Dwayne Risley was taken into custody on December 21 and is facing four felony charges that first originated following an investigation by Sesser police.

According to information filed in Franklin County Circuit Court on Thursday, Risley is charged with one count of unlawful possession of explosives, one count of unlawful use of weapons, one count of indecent solicitation of a child and an additional single count of sexual exploitation of a child.

Sesser police say they were working on a tip and were investigating the allegations involving the minor child when they gained entry through a search warrant to Risley’s residence and uncovered the cache of explosives that included 11 separate explosive devices (pipe bombs) and explosive compounds and 16 blasting caps. The charges allege that Risley “intended to use the explosive devices to commit a felony.”

The charge of indecent solicitation of a child alleges that Risley approached a child under the age of 17 and “discussed and solicited the child to perform an an act of sexual penetration.”

Risley is being held on $750,000 bond.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, More Featured Articles, Sesser News

West Frankfort residents escape Thursday afternoon fire

December 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

West Frankfort firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at 707 S. Sunnyslope in West Frankfort.

By BRUCE A. FASOL
A pair of West Frankfort residents were able to safely escape an early afternoon fire at their home, 707 S. Sunnyslope in West Frankfort. Witnesses tell FranklinCounty-News.com that when the fire broke out, the older couple were trying to save valuables in the home, when a passerby helped lead them to safety.
Fire crews are still on the scene of the blaze, with firefighters from Benton and Johnston City there on the scene and in mutual aid.
This is the second structure fire for West Frankfort firefighters today, after a fire at daybreak destroyed a storage building owned by Tim Murphy, at the heart of the Candy Cane Lane Christmas display. That building is a total loss, and the cause of the fire has not bee determined..
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