Archives for 2013

Leffler: Christopher couple died of smoke inhalation

February 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

sylvester street fire

By JIM MUIR

Two people who perished in a house fire on Wednesday night died from smoke inhalation according to Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler.

Christopher V. Pyles, 38, and Mary Sue Plumlee, 33, died in the fire that was reported in a 911 call shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday night.  Leffler announced Friday morning that autopsy reports indicate that both Pyles and Plumlee died from smoke inhalation but said the investigation into the origin of the fire continues.  The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office and the Christopher Police Department.

The single-story structure, located at 210 West Sylvester Street, received extensive damage.

Pyles was found in the living room of the house and was pronounced dead at the scene while Plumlee was taken to Herrin Hospital where she was also pronounced dead.

Funeral arrangements are pending for both Pyles and Plumlee.

 

Filed Under: Christopher News, Featured, Franklin Co. News

Here’s a tip for you …

January 31, 2013 By Leave a Comment

(Editor’s Note: I have read with much interest the story about the Applebee’s waitress who posted the restaurant check of the minister who left the message that she gives God 10 percent and asks why a waitress should get more.  There was more than eight people in the pastor’s party and the auto-tip of 18 percent kicked in.  The waitress posted the check on Reddit and was fired.  I dug this column out that I wrote more than a decade ago that points out that when it comes to tipping — some people get and some don’t.   JM)

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Jennifer is in her early 20s and works as a waitress in a restaurant in Mt. Vernon.

Like many young people her age that are pursuing a degree, Jennifer chose the flexibility of a job in food service as she works her way through college.

muir mug ihsaI would imagine there are millions of young people just like Jennifer who are working nights and weekends as waitresses and waiters, delivering pizzas, bartending and bussing tables as they try to further their education. Anybody that has ever walked in those shoes knows it is far from an easy job or pace.

Because of my penchant for Mexican food — Monterey jack fajitas at Chili’s is my favorite – my wife Lisa and I eat at the restaurant where Jennifer works every couple of weeks.  She has served as our waitress several times and always does an excellent job.

However, on a recent trip to the restaurant Jennifer seemed a little out of sorts. She stopped by our table and explained that her mood had soured after a couple she had waited on left a business card on her table. Obviously flustered by the action, she produced the small, black and white card for us to see.

The card read: C.A.T. – Customers Against Tipping – Dear Server, (Please give this card to your employer). I left this card with your server tonight instead of a normal cash tip. I did this because I do not agree that customers should pay twice for a meal. Your server should be paid better wages instead of relying on tips to make a decent earning.

Showing my politically incorrect side, today’s column deals with ‘restaurant profiling’ and divides the general public into two categories – those that get it and those that don’t.  Or, maybe better stated those that understand what it’s like to work for tips and those that don’t.

My theory, and its only a theory, is that in most instances tipping is not based on wealth or poverty.  Instead, it’s based on the jobs a person has had in their life.  In short, those who have ever had to work and sometimes survive on tip money understand the art of tipping much better than those that haven’t.

I learned about the tipping process at a relatively older age. After working nearly 20 years in the coal industry I was one of thousands that lost my job because of the Clean Air Act. I started attending college for the first time ever at age 38 and was working three part time jobs to try and keep the wolf away from the door.  One of those jobs was as a pizza deliveryman for Domino’s in Benton.  And let me quickly say before I move on that, yes, I was one heckuva good pizza slinger and on numerous occasions was awarded the coveted “Driver of the Month” award.

I soon learned that there was no rhyme or reason to tipping. For instance, one Saturday night at nearly midnight we received two orders.  The two houses were only a few blocks away so I took both deliveries.  A steady cold rain was falling when I arrived at the first house; a beautiful home located in one of the better sections of town.  I was completely drenched as I made the long walk up the driveway and rang the doorbell. By the looks of the house, I thought, I should get a good tip here. The pizza cost $13.85 and the woman handed me $14.  As I turned and started to walk away the woman cleared her throat and said, “uhhh … I think you forgot to give me my 15 cents change.”

Then to make matters worse I dropped the dime and nickel and was bent over in the rain trying to pick it up.  Needless to say, I muttered a few expletives under by breath as I trudged back to my car in the pelting rain.

The second delivery was a modest home that paled in comparison to the previous stop.  I recognized the woman that answered the door as the waitress that worked at a local restaurant.  She handed me a check that included the price of the pizza and a $4 tip. There is only one lesson that could be learned from the two contrasting stops: when it comes to tipping there are those that get it and those that don’t.

My oldest daughter, Lyndsay, is in the nursing program at John A. Logan College and works three weekend shifts as a waitress at Bob Evans in Marion. A recent conversation we had about the way people tip adds yet more proof to my theory.

“I didn’t understand about tips until I started working here,” she said. “When I go out to eat now it changes the way I tip the server because I know now how important tips are.”

The next time you go out to eat, particularly if you’ve never worked for tips, I challenge you to take a moment and put yourself in the shoes of the person catering to your every need.  Regardless if it’s a student, a single mom or even a middle-age person trying to make an honest living, keep in mind that giving an extra dollar or five on top of 15 percent might make a difference in that person’s life that week.  And also keep in mind that the person waiting on your table is at the mercy of cooks and bartenders in providing your service.

And to those who might have gained a little insight and understanding from today’s columns about those who hustle our food and drinks to us, there’s no extra charge.

Just consider it a tip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion, Uncategorized

Diamond Taylor grateful for second chances Posted on January 31, 2013

January 31, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

By Tom Weber

Saluki Media Services

Diamond Taylor believes he is a changed man, and he’s determined to prove himself to the coaching staff, his teammates and Saluki fans.

The fourth-year junior guard doesn’t expect anyone to take his statement at face value. He’s just grateful that head coach Barry Hinson has given him another opportunity to turn his life around.

If you are a Saluki fan, you know Taylor’s back story. He came to Southern Illinois in 2009 after a troubled beginning to his college career at Wisconsin.

He was suspended at the beginning of the 2011 season and again this season, for off-the-court behavior. He feels he hit bottom after his most recent suspension.

“I was very down for a while after it happened,” Taylor said. “I prayed and talked to my family. Trials and tribulations happen in your life, and it’s how you pick yourself back up — that’s what makes you a man. I wanted to make sure I’ve bounced back right.”

Diamond Taylor

Diamond Taylor

Taylor followed all of Hinson’s guidelines for behavior on and off the court, and he was reinstated for the second semester. He’s only played in two games so far and scored his first basket on Sunday versus Creighton.

He realizes he has not lived up to the hype of being an Illinois All-State high school player and Big Ten Conference signee.

“There’s definitely regret that I haven’t lived to the potential I should have,” Taylor said. “I don’t try to look back on things. I look forward to the future and control the things that I can make better.”

Clearly, there is untapped potential in the athletic 6-foot-4 wing. Taylor has played in 48 games at SIU, including 16 starts, and scored 180 points. After missing the first half of the season, Taylor said the most important contribution he can make to the team at this point is his attitude.

“I want to bring effort — dive on the court for loose balls, get rebounds, make free throws, get stops on the defensive end,” he explained. “If the team needs me to score, I’ll do that, too.”

Taylor credits Hinson for his personal turnaround.

“He’s a man of second chances and has really thick skin,” Taylor said. “He truly cares about you, he communicates with our parents, he communicates with you. If I’m not having a good day, I feel like I can call him and have a conversation about it, and he can help and give good advice.”

In spite of the 1-9 record in the Missouri Valley Conference, Taylor believes the team is not close to quitting on the season.

“We’re leaving it all out on the court,” he said. “We love playing for Coach Hinson and I think you see that out on the floor with the hustle plays. We’re also a close team off the court.”

A recreation major, Taylor expects to finish up all of his classes this spring, and then earn his bachelor’s degree in the summer after completing an internship. He hopes to return to Southern for his fifth and final year of eligibility next year, although he understands that decision will ultimately be up to Hinson and the coaching staff.

“Mistakes happen, but every mistake is a stepping stone,” Taylor said. “Second chances aren’t always given, but I’ve been fortunate to get them.”

Faith also plays an important role in his life moving forward.

“God definitely plays a big part in my life,” Taylor said. “I try to stay more humble than hungry. I don’t try to look at what people say or think, but at what I can bring and what I can change.”

Filed Under: College Sports, Uncategorized

Two die in Christopher house fire

January 31, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

sylvester street fire

By JIM MUIR

A fatal house fire in Christopher has claimed the lives of two people, according to Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler.

Christopher V. Pyles, 38, and Mary Sue Plumlee, 33, died in the fire that was reported in a 911 call shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday night.

The single-story structure, located at 210 West Sylvester Street, received extensive damage.

Pyles was found in the living room of the house and was pronounced dead at the scene while Plumlee was taken to Herrin Hospital where she was also pronounced dead.

Autopsies in coordination with the Williamson County and Franklin County Coroner’s offices are pending.

The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office and the Christopher Police Department.

 

Filed Under: Christopher News, Featured, Franklin Co. News

RLC signs 13 baseball players

January 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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INA, Ill. (Jan. 23, 2013) – Rend Lake College Head Baseball Coach Tony Etnier signed 13 new players Saturday on the college’s main campus in Ina. The recruits were joined by their friends and family as they signed their national letters of intent to play ball at Rend Lake in the fall. Below is information about each new Warrior. For all things athletic at The Lake, visit RLC online at www.rlc.edu/warriors.

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Ty Henderson : 6’7, 165 lb RHP Webber Township HS (IL)

Ty Henderson, a 6-7, 165-pound right-handed pitcher from Webber Township High School, is joined by his grandfather and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Henderson is ranked No. 93 overall in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 45 overall in Illinois for pitchers. An honor roll student, he was a three-time all-conference selection at WTHS where he was named Midland Trail Conference Player of the Year. He said he likes RLC’s nursing program and plans to get bigger and stronger in his training. “I want to be pushed to the limit,” he stated. “I want to get everything possible from it.” About Henderson, Etnier said, “Ty is a tall righty with a lot of upside. His fastball already works in the upper 80’s and we think that his velocity will continue to climb as he matures physically. He commands three pitches for strikes and, over the next couple of years, should turn into a big-time prospect.”

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Landon Thomas: 6’0, 165 lb OF/LHP Mt Vernon HS (IL)

Landon Thomas, a 6-0, 165-pound outfielder and left-handed pitcher from Mt. Vernon Township High School, is joined by his parents, Rams Coach Tim Holloway, and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Thomas is an honor roll student at MVTHS where he was an all-conference selection for his performance in the outfield as a junior. He was also valedictorian of the grade school he attended. “I chose Rend Lake because it is close to home and I really like the way coach Etnier handled the team when I was on my visit,” stated Thomas. “I find it to be a place where I have the chance to grow up as a person and find improvement in my game. Not only has coach Etnier led the team to mulltiple winning seasons in the past few years, but also, in talking to some guys in the program and some of his former players, they all talked about how much they had improved over their two years at Rend Lake. I really like that.” About Thomas, Etnier said, “Landon is a guy that we have seen a lot of over the years. He has gotten better every year in high school, and showed us the ability to hit and pitch from the left side. He is another guy that we think will only get better as he matures physically.”

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Tyler Ellis: 6’0, 170 lb RHP Mt Vernon HS (IL)

Tyler Ellis, a 6-0, 170-pound right-handed pitcher from Mt. Vernon Township High School, is joined by his parents, Rams Coach Tim Holloway and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Ellis, a first-team all-conference selection as a junior, said one reason he decided to play for Rend Lake is that he likes Etnier and his reputation for player development. “It feels like a good college for me to start off and it’s close to home,” stated Ellis. About Ellis, Etnier said, “Tyler was 8-0 last year for Mt. Vernon, largely because of his late-sinking fastball and sharp slider. His ability to get ground balls is what really attracted us to him. He is a true sinker/slider guy right now and will fit nicely into our staff next year.”

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Sammy Stearns: 6’1, 170 lb RHP Carterville HS (IL)

Sammy Stearns, a 6-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher from Carterville High School, is joined by his parents and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Stearns was Academic All-State in football, and All-Conference and All-South in baseball and football at Carterville High. He said he likes the size of the college and its reputation for being a good fit for pitchers. About Stearns, Etnier said, “Sammy is a guy that we have been following for a couple of years now. We got pretty serious about his recruitment after seeing him this summer. He has a mid- to upper-80s fastball with good run and complements it well with command of his off-speed pitches.”

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Jake Stewart: 5’10, 170 lb C Murphysboro HS (IL)

Jake Stewart, a 5-10, 170-pound catcher from Murphysboro High School, is joined by his parents, Red Devils Coach Butch Brasel, and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Stewart batted around .350 with 50 RBI in high school and was a first-team all-conference selection with an all-star game appearance as a junior. He mentioned the coaches, facilities and history of the program as big selling points for his commitment to Rend Lake. About Stewart, Etnier said, “Jake is another guy that we have been following for a while. He has always hit well and has put on a little muscle over the years. He is an athletic catcher who we think will not only be able to play the position defensively, but also contribute on the offensive side as well.”

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Alex Andros: 6’4, 175 lb UT Goreville HS (IL)

Alex Andros, a 6-4, 175-pound utlity player from Goreville High School, is joined by his parents, brother, and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Andros, the younger brother of current Warrior Nick Andros, is involved in Beta Club at Goreville High where he is an honor roll student. He said he is excited about developing as a player at RLC. “I chose Rend Lake College because it was pretty close to where I live and it looks like a pretty good place to start my college baseball career,” he stated. About Andros, Etnier said, “Alex is a kid with a big frame who can play first base, outfield, and pitcher. He has a nice swing, stays inside the ball well and should make big jumps with his bat speed as he gets stronger. He has the potential to be a very nice offensive player.”

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Alex Wittenauer: 5’10, 160 lb SS Waterloo HS (IL)

Alex Wittenauer, a 5-10, 160-pound short stop from Waterloo High School, is joined by his parents and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Ranked No. 115 overall in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and No. 16 overall in Illinois for shortstops, Wittenauer started three of the four years he played varsity at Waterloo High. He was honorable mention all-area and all-conference his sophomore season when he helped the team to a third place finish in the state finals. As a junior, Wittenauer batted .304 with 31 runs scored, nine RBI and a home run. He thinks RLC is a great fit and he likes coach Etnier. “They seem to have a good history of moving players on to the next level,” stated Wittenauer. About him, Etnier said, “Alex is a slick fielding shortstop with a nice swing. He is a 6.9 runner with soft hands, quick feet, and a strong, accurate arm that he can use from every slot. His defensive prowess should allow him to compete immediately for playing time.”

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Zack Jansen: 6’2, 200 lb 3B/RHP Maderia HS (OH)

Zack Jansen, a 6-2, 200-pound third baseman and right-handed pitcher from Maderia High School (Ohio), is joined by his parents and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Jansen was selected all-state, all-city and all-league for baseball at Maderia High. He is ranked No. 108 overall in Ohio by Prep Baseball Report, and No. 53 overall in Ohio for pitchers. Jansen batted .477 with 56 RBI, 16 doubles, nine triples and four home runs in his most recent season. He was also selected all-southwestern Ohio, all-city and all-league for high school football. Jansen said he likes Rend Lake’s reputation, the competitive conference, and that he and his new coach will share something in common. “He played the same positions as me in college,” Jansen stated. About Jansen, Etnier said, “Zack is a big, physical infielder with soft hands, a strong arm and good speed running a 6.9. His is a good fit at third base and has the reputation for driving in a lot of runs as he is 62 RBIs away from breaking the Ohio state record for career RBIs. On the mound, his mid- to upper-80s fastball and sharp, late slider make him a nice fit out of the bullpen in the set up/closer role.

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Eli Miller: 6’1, 165 lb OF/LHP Shelbyville HS (IL)

Eli Miller, a 6-1, 165-pound outfielder and left-handed pitcher from Shelbyville High School, is joined by his parents and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Miller was a two-time all-conference selection in high school who batted .304 and struck out 76 batters in 44 innings pitched. He said he feels like the Warriors baseball program will help him improve as a player. “I like the fact that it will be difficult,” stated Miller. “That makes me believe I can improve and won’t feel like I could of done more to get to the next level.” About Miller, Etnier said, “Eli is a really nice athlete. His 6.6 speed from the left side of the plate will be a nice asset to a team that is built around speed. He will also help us on the mound. He has good arm side run on his low 80’s fastball and has a sharp, late-breaking slider that will be extremely tough on lefties.”

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JT Arnemann: 6’1, 165 lb SS Franklin-Simpson HS (KY)

JT Arnemann, a 6-1, 165-pound short stop from Franklin-Simpson High School (Ky.), is joined by his parents and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Arnemann said RLC is going to be a great fit because he likes the coaches, staff and the program. “The program’s gotten better every year and I think it will get even better this year,” stated Arnemann. About him, Etnier said, “JT is another athletic infielder with good speed – 6.8 – soft hands, and a strong arm. He drives the ball well at the plate and has a great build for getting stronger. We are excited about JT’s overall athleticism and physicality and think he will really develop over the course of the next two years.”

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Dylan Dunn: 6’1, 165 lb LHP Mt Zion HS (IL)

Dylan Dunn, a 6-1, 165-pound left-handed pitcher from Mt. Zion High School, is joined by his parents and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Dunn is an all-county selection and high honor roll student at Mt. Zion where he batted around .370 in his most recent season. According to him, word of mouth from other players and a visit to the campus were enough to get him to commit to Rend Lake. About Dunn, Etnier said, “Dylan is a low 80’s arm with a sharp curveball from the left side. He is a good athlete and will give us another left handed arm to complement a pitching staff full of righties. His pitching repertoire will have him competing for time on the hill right away.”

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Chance Hamilton: 5’10, 175 lb SS Hancock County HS (KY)

Chance Hamilton, a 5-10, 175-pound short stop from Hancock County High School (Ky.), is joined by his parents and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Hamilton is a three-time selection to the Kentucky All-Star Team, was on the MI All-Region team as a junior and senior, was conference player of the year, and is the recipient of the Ray Kroc Leadership Scholarship. His batting average is .420 with 42 hits and six home runs in his most recent season. Hamilton feels RLC is a great place to advance his baseball career, as well as his education. “I like that it’s a smaller college and makes me feel like I’m at home,” he stated. “It will prepare me to move on to a bigger college.” About Hamilton, Etnier said, “Chance is a middle infielder with soft hands and a quick release. His defensive skills will allow him to compete in the field for time, but his bat is makes him a stand-out player. He has a short direct swing with some pop that will allow him to hit top-level pitching right away.”

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Derek Flaugher: 6’3 175 lb RHP Mt Zion HS (IL)

Derek Flaugher, a 6-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher from Mt. Zion High School, is joined by his parents and Rend Lake College Coach Tony Etnier as he signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at RLC in the fall. Flaugher was second-team all-county at Mt. Zion with a record of 5-1-2 and ERA of 2.09. He sees Rend Lake as a place of great educational and athletic opportunities where he can develop his skills. About Flaugher, Etnier said, “Derek is another projectable right-handed pitcher that lives in the mid to upper 80’s with good arm side run on his fastball and a nice slider and change-up to complement it. He will be competing right away for innings and should be able to add velocity as he develops physically.”

Filed Under: College Sports, Franklin Co. News, Uncategorized

Our Universities: What am I, or Who am I?

January 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By Walter Wendler

Universities help students answer the question, What am I?   Accountant, architect, engineer, teacher, butcher, baker or candlestick maker.  But the equally important question, Who am I? is abandoned for the perceived efficiency and cultural clarity of the “what.”  A value-free, valueless educational process is embraced.
He gave me hope when hope was gone,
He gave me strength to carry on,
Who am I, I’m Jean Valjean,
Who am I, 24601.

Jean Valjean
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Most indicators of student propensity for success in college are deeply embedded. Before a student arrives on campus family life and experience begin shaping the “who.”

Walter Wendler mug 2According to a May 2000 study in the Journal of Marriage and Family, “Family Structure and Children’s Success: A Comparison of Widowed and Divorced Single Mother Families,” college students raised in single mother families whether fatherlessness was caused by death or divorce, attain lower educational levels, have weaker job prospects, and are not as happy as adults as students in a two-parent family.

As an advisor to countless undergraduate students for more than three decades, I found that students who consistently performed well and then hit a brick wall are often dogged by family turmoil. Too frequently divorce.  Students confessed that their parents felt the divorce would have little impact because the students had left the house and were enrolled in college. Parent and family status affects how students perceive who they are. Forever.

Sira Park and Susan Holloway agree in a piece in the Journal of Educational Research this month.  Parental influence is important and can be increased through effective parent-school relationships. While this study addressed high school success, the principles carry into college life as well. Students determine who they are based on family experience.

Additionally, students on every step of the learning ladder are in some measure defined by whom they run with. A forthcoming February 2013 entry in the Educational Research Journal, “Along for the Ride: Best Friends’ Resources and Adolescents’ College Completion” unsurprisingly suggests friends and peers affect student likelihood for success.  In fact, a student who has a best friend whose mother is a college completer significantly increases his or her likelihood of college completion.  The environmental effects are pervasive in addressing the “who.”

A BYU and Rice University investigation published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion concluded that, “churchgoing teens are 40% more likely to graduate from high school and 70% more likely to enroll in college.”  Students from Catholic, mainline Protestant, and black Protestant congregations were twice as likely to finish high school and 80% more likely to enroll in college. Maybe they had a sound answer to the query, “Who am I?”  Among forceful, faith-coupled influences were mentors in the lives of young men and women.

A January 2013 Journal of Counseling and Development piece called “Parental Characteristics, Ecological Factors, and the Academic Achievement of African American Males” suggests that a father’s educational level and expectation are powerful predictors of African American male achievement.  There are countless mitigating factors, but fathers who likely spend time engaged in discussions with their sons address the question, who am I?
A university might have many reactions to this loose collection of observations.

Possibly, faculty and staff believe students’ self perceptions are fully established when they arrive to pick up their class schedule and football tickets. If that’s the case, I am forty years overdue.  Or, maybe such excursions are above the pay grade: struggles of identity are personal and off-limits.  The worst case scenario is the ill-formed concept that the “who” and the “what” are unrelated and/or disconnected.

The unfortunate reality of contemporary college life is that, for reasons of convenience or disengagement, educators hesitatingly, if ever, tread on the ground where the answer to the question “Who am I” lies.  If the expedition is shrouded in the gauze of political correctness, the essence of the question is lost.  The outing becomes a fool’s errand as commitment and passion are hidden in assumed institutional acceptability. Groupthink.
What a tragedy.

The question, “What am I?”… Engineer, historian, lawyer, is nearly meaningless devoid of the answer to the more probing, piercing, powerful question, “Who am I?”   Absent the “who,” the “what,” carries little value: A smidgen of worth that can be attained by enrolling at the University of Phoenix. A $10,000 online bachelor’s degree is child’s play for the “what”: In fact, it’s bling-bling.

The marketplace says buyer beware.

The educational experience cannot be segregated from the personality development process that helps create engaged citizens — the Holy Grail of learning in a free society.

Jean Valjean understood it.

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Franklin County Farm Bureau News

January 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 By J. Larry Miller

One of the benefits of being a Farm Bureau member is that we are working to provide protection for rural residents. The following is an example of how being alert can benefit you and others.

Larry MillerWhat started as a quick action by a concerned citizen in Gallatin County ended in a large reward! By reporting information about property theft to the Gallatin County Sheriff, followed by a felony conviction for the crime, this alert resident received $1,000 from Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB).  The crime involved theft of copper wire from a Gallatin County farmer’s irrigation system.

According to Peggy Romba, who heads up the safety program at IFB, this anti-crime program was launched in 2005. “Illinois Farm Bureau wanted to do its part to help reduce crime in rural areas, so they put the $1000 Reward Program into place, she said.

Forty-five county Farm Bureaus in Illinois are enrolled in the program, including the Gallatin County Farm Bureau.  The program also provides crime prevention tips to members with farmland and promotes good communication with the county sheriff and state’s attorney. A key component of the program is that anyone in the county, not just farmers, is encouraged to report any information or sighting of crime on area farms.

Illinois Farm Bureau offers the following tips to farmers to use in deterring theft, vandalism, and arson on their farm:

  • Install motion sensors and outside lights that automatically turn on at dusk.
  • Keep farm equipment, tools, and small recreational vehicles like ATVs locked up in sheds or garages.
  • Avoid leaving tractors, trucks, or combines in the field overnight (Disable machinery not in use by removing the rotor, distributor, or battery).
  • Keep fences and gates in good repair.
  • Prune back shrubbery that hides doors, windows, lights, and would-be burglars.
  • Warn thieves with “No Trespassing” signs or the $1000 Reward signs and stickers available at the county Farm Bureau office.

Franklin County is a participant in this program. If you’d like more information on this program, contact your county Farm Bureau. And remember to always be alert and report any suspicious activity to your local authorities.

Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.

 

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion, Uncategorized

Franklin County has highest unemployment rate in the state

January 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

It was another dose of bad news this week for Southern Illinois with the announcement that Franklin County is tied with Boone County, located in northern Illinois, for the highest unemployment rate in the state’s 102 counties.

Franklin County had an unemployment rate of 11.9 percent, which is an increase from 11.3 percent that was registered in December 2012.

Along with Franklin, three other Southern Illinois counties were also in the top 10 for December.  Hardin County had an unemployment rate of 11.3 percent, Union County was at 11.1 percent and Perry County was at 10.9 percent.

In the counties in the Southern Illinois region Washington County had the lowest unemployment with 6.8 percent.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Uncategorized

Obituary – Edna Fay Perkins – Benton

January 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Edna Fay Perkins, 86, of Benton passed away Tuesday morning January 29, 2013 at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, in Mt. Vernon.

She was born in Benton, IL on January 10, 1927, the daughter of Ed and Sarah (Mabry) Beattie.

She married Jack L. Perkins on December 6, 1947, and he survives.

Mrs. Perkins was a lifelong Benton resident, a mother and homemaker who was faithful to send cards and notes to people.

Mrs. Perkins was a 50-year member of the First Baptist Church of Benton, where she sang in the choir for 28 years and helped as Sunday School secretary for eight years.

Mrs. Perkins is survived her husband, Jack L. Perkins; two sons David Perkins, of Benton, and Eric Perkins and wife Melissa of Carterville.  She is also survived by one grandson, Vincent, of Carterville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by a brother, Bill Beattie and by two sisters, Ida Harrelson and Norma Wymer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 1 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton with Brother Bill Carter officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic &  Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be after 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

For those who wish, memorials in Mrs. Perkins memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Benton.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

Filed Under: Obituaries, Uncategorized

BMS boys close out regular season play with come-from-behind win over Mt. Vernon

January 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

Derek Oxford tallied a season high 30 points and the Benton Middle School Junior Rangers overcame a 13-point first quarter deficit to notch a 51-37 home court victory Monday night over Mt. Vernon.

The rousing come-from-behind victory improved BMS to 17-4 overall and was a proper send off to post season play that will begin Thursday night when Benton meets cross-county rival West Frankfort in a first round match up at the Hamilton County regional.

The Benton-West Frankfort game is at 5:30 followed by Hamilton County and Johnston City at 7 p.m. The winners will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday for the right to advance to the Class L state tournament at Rend Lake College.

The Junior Rangers fell behind 15-2 in the early going but rallied on a 5-0 run to close out the opening stanza, cutting the score to 15-7 at the end of one period.

“Mt. Vernon is big and very athletic, but early on they were simply out-hustling us. Their penetration was killing us and they were beating us to every rebound,” said Benton coach John Cook. “Defensively, they were able to stretch their zone across our small floor and it was difficult for us to move the ball or penetrate the gaps. We were forcing shots and shooting the ball very early in our possessions.”

Both teams scored 10 points in the second quarter and Mt. Vernon still controlled an eight point lead at the intermission, leading 25-17. Some halftime adjustments by Benton translated to a big third quarter for the Junior Rangers as they outscored Mt. Vernon 18-9 to turn grab a 35-34 lead at the end of three quarters.

Benton then put the game on ice by outscoring Mt. Vernon 16-3 in the final frame to gain the 51-37 victory.

“Hamilton Page and Scott Mosley gave us huge minutes off the bench and really played well on the defensive end. As a team we figured out what Mt. Vernon was capable of personnel-wise and we made the right adjustments,” said Cook. “Offensively, we put our better shooters on the top of the zone and gave them a little more freedom that earlier in the game. In the second half we were much more patient and looked to attack in transition.”

Along with Page and Mosley the BMS coach also gave high marks to Oxford who had six rebounds to go with his game high 30 points, Austin Wills who tallied 16 and also dished out five assists and Tyson Houghland, who scored three points but hauled down a career high 16 rebounds.

“I can’t say enough about the effort of Tyson (Houghland),” said Cook. “He has been sick for a couple of days now but he toughed it out and really defended and rebounded the ball well. Austin (Wills) found his stroke tonight and Derek was just himself tonight.”

The 8th grade team finished regular season with a 17-4 record, with two of those losses to unbeaten Marion. Benton also lost to Du Quoin and Herrin early in the season but avenged both those losses in the second half of the season. The BMS 8th grade players, cheerleaders and their parents were honored prior to the game, the last regular season game of the season.

The BMS 7th grade team was also victorious in the preliminary contest picking up a hard fought 41-35 win over visiting Mt. Vernon.

Blane Pankey led the way for Benton with 11 points and was followed closely by Brett Bonenberger who tallied nine points.

Benton led at every stop grabbing a 13-6 first quarter lead and maintained the seven point advantage leading 20-13 at halftime. The 7th grade squad upped its lead to 31-21 at the end of three.

Also contributing to the victory was Hamilton Page with seven points, Drew Owens with six points, Parker Williams with five points and Eldon Owens with three points. Mason Wills also saw action for Benton. The 7th grade squad was without the services of starting guard Gehrig Wynn who missed the game because of illness.

The seventh grade team, coached by Andy Davis, closed out the regular season with an overall record of 16-5 that includes a second place finish in the recent Big 7 Conference Tournament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Benton Junior High Sports, Junior High Sports, Uncategorized
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