Governor encourages new IDOC cadets to focus on safety, believe in second chances

Delivers Keynote Address at IDOC Graduation Ceremony

Note:  Please check the Facebook page for a picture of one of the cadets, Jade Clark of Buckner -sd

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner welcomed new correctional cadets to the state’s ranks today. He was the keynote speaker at a graduation ceremony, which included the first class of cadets for the Murphysboro Life Skills Re-Entry Center.

“We’re excited to have the new cadets joining us as we shift our approach to corrections,” Gov. Rauner said. “We’re focusing on the whole person, not just punishment, as offenders prepare for release back into society. We’re helping them believe they are better than the crimes they’ve committed and that they can be productive citizens when they walk out these doors.”

The Murphysboro Life Skills Re-entry Center is the second of its kind to open under Gov. Rauner’s leadership. The first, which is located in Kewanee, Illinois, opened in February 2017. More than 60 offenders have been released from the Kewanee facility in the past year, none have returned to prison.

The Life Skills Re-Entry Centers focus on teaching skills that will help offenders be successful once they’re released – such as how to manage a bank account, write a resume, communicate effectively with others, and prepare for job interviews. The Murphysboro facility will accept its first group of offenders in April.

A total of 190 cadets graduated from the Illinois Department of Corrections today, wrapping up six-weeks of coursework and on-the-job training.  During their time at the Academy, they learned how to understand and communicate with offenders on the mental health caseload and how to maintain composure in crisis situations.

Rauner has made criminal justice reform a priority.  Under his direction, the IDOC incorporated cutting edge staff training into its curriculum and offers ongoing courses aimed at creating safe working environments at all IDOC facilities.

Just weeks after taking office, Gov. Rauner announced his goal to reduce the prison population by 25% by the year 2025. IDOC Director John Baldwin says they’re already more than halfway to the goal.

“We’ve safely reduced the prison population by about 15% in the past three years,” Baldwin said. “Life is about second chances. We’re creating opportunities that enhance safety in our facilities and set offenders on a path toward success. We’re excited to have all of our new cadets join us on this mission.”

The Illinois Department of Corrections held two graduating ceremonies today, one at its Springfield headquarters and another at the Murphysboro Life Skills Re-entry Center, where Gov. Rauner delivered the keynote address.

More than 2,900 new IDOC cadets have been added to the ranks since Gov. Rauner took office. The new cadets will start at facilities across the state on Monday.

Video of the event can be found here.

City of Zeigler Water Interruption

ZEIGLER, – Franklin County Emergency Management agency reports that  water service in the City of Zeigler will be interrupted for approx. 3-4 hours due to a water line break. A Boil water order has been issued for when service is restored.

I just checked with Zeigler-Royalton School, and they will not be dismissing early.  The interruption does not affect the school.  -sd

 

People’s National Bank providing scholarships to Z-R seniors

ZEIGLER – Peoples National Bank has provided financial services to Southern Illinois since 1909. In keeping with the tradition of community service and commitment to the education of future civic and business leaders, Peoples National Bank has established an educational scholarship to assist high school graduates in continuing their education at a university, college, trade or vocational school. Each recipient of the Peoples National Bank scholarship will receive a $500 scholarship.

All Z-R  seniors with the Peoples National Bank scholarship application attached! Please review it, take note of the eligibility requirements, and APPLY if you are eligible!

Guidance counselor Matt Morgan is  currently in the process of confirming and finalizing the local scholarship list and will have those applications out in the coming weeks.

ILLINOIS LEGENDS: Zeigler, Illinois – A Breath Away From Being the Nation’s Capitol

ZEIGLER – Nestled away in the rolling hills of the Franklin County area of southern Illinois lays the forgotten town that in 1904 was only a breath away from being the nation’s capitol. It was here that in 1901 a Chicago multi-millionaire named Levi Zeigler Leiter, and his son Joseph brought the family fortune and began building a small empire. After buying 8000 acres of land, Joseph began sinking the coal mine that would become the original headquarters for the nationally known Zeigler Coal Company. 

Arial shot of Zeigler (Legends of America photo)

Leiter was so sure that his mine would be the largest and the most modern, he used champagne instead of water to mix the cornerstone concrete with. For good measure he threw in a couple expensive diamond rings and his gold watch into the mix. Engraved in the cornerstone was the date of 2004, because Leiter claimed his mine modernization would be a hundred years ahead of its time.

Please click on the link below from  Raymond D. Null of Legends of America. 

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/il-zeigler.html

Village of Royalton under a boil water order

ROYALTON – The village of Royalton has issued a boil water order.

As of December 25th at 3:45pm, South Main Street from South 4th Street to South 6th Street are all affected areas.

This order stands until further notice.

DuQuoin man arrested on sex charges near Zeigler

ZEIGLER, IL – On November 5th, 2017 at the Diesel Mud Ranch which is located west of Zeigler and south of ll. Rt. 149. The incident is alleged to have occurred during the evening hours and the alleged victims; two adult females, reported the crime.

The investigation has resulted in the arrest of Toby E. Dearmond age 39 of DuQuoin. Dearmond is being held in the Franklin County Jail on two counts of criminal sexual abuse. Both are class 4 felonies. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests and charges are possible.

Several departments called to a large house fire in Royalton last night

Photo from West City Fire Department

 

by Steve Dunford

ROYALTON, IL –  Royalton, Zeigler, Hurst, Williamson County, West Frankfort, and Christopher firefighters, along with the West City Rehab Unit, and MABAS 45 air supply unit were toned to a large structure fire, at 202 S. Mannering Street in Royalton.

Royalton Fire Chief Mike Hooker told WSIL-TV, that crews left around 2:30 a.m. Monday, but were called back a few hours later when the house rekindled. Heavy equipment had to be used to help firefighters put out hot spots.

The house is considered a total loss.

Any information in regards to fundraising etc., please pass along.

 

 

Upward Bound students treated to a little magic

by Reece Rutland

INA, IL  – The Upward Bound program at Rend Lake College celebrated its students with a little magic at the annual Upward Bound Banquet, held RLC’s James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium.

This year’s Harry Potter-themed event recognized dozens of local students for their involvement in the academic year program, as well as the summer program. The academic year program focuses on achievement in the classroom, team building, and goal setting activities. The summer program is more intensive with five weeks of classes on the Ina campus. Some students also take part in trips throughout the year and others enroll in RLC credit courses.

During the awards aspect of the banquet, students received certificates for participation in the Upward Bound program and the summer program during the 2016-17 year, for earning straight As, for perfect attendance, for receiving RLC college credit, and many others.

The RLC Upward Bound program is a federally funded college preparatory program designed to provide academic support, personal and career counseling, and cultural and social enrichment to high school participants who have the academic ability to be successful in college. Services are provided at no cost to the student. To learn more about the Upward Bound program, contact Stallman at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1366 or stallmanl@rlc.edu

Reece Rutland is a Public Information Specialist and Sports Information Director for Rend Lake College

 

 

Zeigler-Royalton High School Participants
Front row, from left: Hannah Absher, Brie Bates, Erin Eldridge, Gabby Dover, Lacey Grammer, Dawson Thomas. Back row, from left, Payce Morgan, Draven Witt, Brandon Bates, Chase Bates, Dakota Emery.
( Photos by Reece Rutland – RLC Public Information)

 

Benton High School Participants
Front row, from left: Kendra-jo Sanders, Diamond Anderson, Brandie Anderson. Back row, from left: Desiree Phillips, Alexis Jones, Honey Harvill, Hailey Bryan, Andrew Blackman, Karli Slomka.

 

Hamilton County High School Participants
Front row, from left: Kennedy Moles, Alex Farthing, Emilie Green, Summer Matthews. Back row, from left: Samantha Alverth, Noah Colclasure, Cheyenne Powers, Alesse Strumpher, Kelcie Green, Elizabeth Isaacs.

 

Mt. Vernon Township High School Participants
Front row, from left: Asia Huggins, Jay King, Jasmine Howard, Caleb Isaacs. Back row, from left, Lance White, Casey White, Madison Waters, Ally Vuichard, Lexy McKinney, Hailey Mays.

 

 

Z-R Junior High Girls Softball raised over $1K for Coaches vs. Cancer

By Steve Dunford

 

Randall Risley photo

ZEIGLER, IL-  Over time I have written a couple stories and shared a few links about the incredible work that Zeigler-Royalton Elementary/Junior High and High School has accomplished raising money for Coaches vs. Cancer.

I am going to mention in this story to people that I have a lot of respect for, Z-R superfan Randall Risley, and Tornado Junior High Girls Softball Coach, Amy Garmane.    I will be writing this from my own perspective.

Over the last several years, Z-R has raised $113,000 for Coaches vs. Cancer.  In the tournament over the weekend the junior high softball girls raised $1,058.10.

Let me give you a little background about Z-R Coaches vs. Cancer.  There have been a lot of   This effort has been spearheaded by Randall Risley, who in my book is the face of Zeigler-Royalton sports.  Even back in the 1980’s when I played basketball  Thompsonville, I would always see him sitting behind the bench keeping stats, etc.    I would see him around when I used to referee, and as a sportswriter and being at my son’s football games for C-Z-R I have got to know him..

Risley as well as Z-R High School Basketball Coach Matt Morgan had a conversation about can we do this here at Zeigler.  Both Risley and Morgan lost their fathers at a young age.  As you can see by the figure that I shared above, the rest is history.

I am nearly all the sports at Zeigler-Royalton have some type of fund raiser during the season for CVC.  Last Saturday, it was the junior high girls turn.

They are coached by Amy Garmane.  I have known her since she was in high school, first playing for Vienna, and later Sesser-Valier.  (They might have been co-oping with Waltonville at the time).  She later went on to play college softball for Rend Lake.   She has been an elementary teacher at Z-R for at least the last decade.

She has a passion for softball.  One thing that amazes me and we have not talked about it, she is pregnant and still coaching.  It was revealed Sunday that she and her husband Cory are going to have a little girl.

The Tornadoes went 1-1 on the day losing the opener to Crab Orchard 15-5 and winning the second game to Desoto 11-1.

Here is what the girls did at the plate on the afternoon:

Crab Orchard Game:  Lainey Morris 1-2, Skylar Hudson 1-2, Olyvia Crain 2-3, Hayley Pasquino 1-2, Bella Bate 1-3.

Desoto Game:  Lainey Morris 3-4 with a HR, Skylar Hudson 1-3, Olyvia Crain 2-3 with a HR, Hadleigh Swetz 1-3, Olivia Kirkpatrick 1-2, and Shelby Grove 1-1 with a sac and a walk.

They might have split on the day but their record is beyond 2-0 for the ones who worked real hard to raise $1.000 to fight cancer.  Yes I love sports and a stat freak, however, what was accomplished on the field is secondary to this amazing feat.

I am passionate about any fund raiser to fight cancer.  My mom has been gone over thirteen years to lung cancer, and she was a non smoker.

Any fundraiser the Zeigler-Royalton school district has for Coaches vs. Cancer I would be happy to share and promote.

Awesome job ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalton residents band together to help hurricane victims

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36306986/royalton-residents-band-together-to-help-hurricane-victims

Royalton residents come to the aid of victims of Hurricane Harvey. (WSIL-TV photo.

ROYALTON, Il – (Evie Allen, WSIL-TV. Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

People in Royalton came together Wednesday to help victims of the deadly hurricane in Texas.

In just two days, they organized a drive that sent a semi full of supplies to the gulf coast.

Babara Patterson says over the weekend she saw a side of her home town she hasn’t seen in years.

Friday, residents reached into their wallets and bought enough goods to send down to Houston Texas.

 

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News