Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn criticized Republican opponent Bruce Rauner and Rauner’s allies today as “billionaires trying to buy their way into Illinois politics” after the GOP candidate received a $2.5 million campaign contribution from hedge-fund boss Kenneth Griffin.
Eickelman charged with theft, official misconduct
June 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
A 46-year-old Benton woman is free on bond, accused of stealing thousands of dollars while she was an employee of the Franklin County Circuit Clerk’s office.
Charges were filed Monday against Kindra Eickelman, of Benton, alleging that she took more than $10,000 but not more than $100,000 while she was employed at the Franklin County Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Eickelman is facing charges of theft and official misconduct in an information filed by Franklin County State’s Attorney Evan Owens’ office Monday.
Eickelman was arrested Friday after an investigation that began the day before when she quit her job and reportedly told another employee that she had taken money from the clerk’s office.
Bond was set at $100,000. Eickelman posted $10,000 bail (10 percent) and was released from jail during the weekend. Eickelman was employed in the circuit clerk’s office for approximately three years.
Three Benton residents arrested in two separate altercations
June 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
A pair of non-related altercations led to multiple charges Monday in Benton.
In the first incident, Benton Police were dispatched to a fight in progress near the intersection of East Taylor and Buchanan streets.
Police discovered the incident occurred between mother, Terri Lampley, 42, of Benton and daughter, Denease Kidwell, 20, of Benton.
Lampley was charged with battery, and Kidwell was charged with aggravated battery.
Also Monday, Benton police were dispatched to the 500 block of East Burkitt Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
Police arrested William M. Barger, 33, of Benton. He was charged with domestic battery and resisting a peace officer.
Lampley, Kidwell and Barger were taken to Franklin County Jail for processing.
Tuition-free CNA classes enrolling for Fall 2014 semester
June 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
INA, Ill. – Though summer just started, it’s already time to start thinking about the fall and where to go with your education. For those interested in the health care field, the tuition-free Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program is a great place to start.
The CNA program is designed to provide a number of health care needs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or other nursing professional in a variety of settings. Upon completion of the seven credit hour course, students will be eligible to apply for the state CNA registry examination.
In-district students pay only lab and supply fees for the classes. To enroll in the CNA program, students are required to take a reading placement test and submit to a background check beforehand as mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The CNA program also acts as a prerequisite for RLC’s Nursing degree program.
Each CNA program lasts between eight and 16 weeks, depending on the format of the class, including some with night class options. There is one section of the CNA class on the Ina campus this fall, starting Aug. 19 and lasting through Dec. 23. This section meets from 4 – 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Learning Resource Center, Room 205.
There are also four sections of the class located at the RLC MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon. The start dates are July 29, Aug. 18, Oct. 3, and Oct. 20. Students starting July 29 will go through Oct. 2 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at the MarketPlace, Room 210. The following section beginning on Oct. 3 will meet from the same times Tuesdays through Fridays in Room 210 through Dec. 5.
For students starting Aug. 18, classes will run through Oct. 14 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 241. The following section lasts from Oct. 20 through Dec. 22 at the same times and days in Room 241.
Finally, one course will be offered at the Pinckneyville Murphy-Wall campus starting Aug. 4 and going through Dec. 20. The class meets from 5 – 9:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays on campus, Room 102.
Kim Robert, RLC Dean of the Allied Health Division, said the program is an excellent way to get a start in an industry with endless possibilities.
“The Certified Nurse Assistant program teaches the basics that students will be required to know when they continue into an Associate Degree or certificate program,” said Robert. “With an aging population, the need for CNAs and nurses will only continue to grow in the next few decades, and at Rend Lake College, we’re preparing our students to fit the needs that our communities are going to see.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CNA and nursing aides field is expected to grow by 20 percent between 2010 and 2020, adding more than 300,000 new jobs.
To sign up for CNA classes or for more information about Allied Health programming at RLC, call the college’s Allied Health Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1251, or send an e-mail to AlliedHealth@rlc.edu.
Obituary – Donald “Fonz” Acosta – Sesser
June 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Donald “Fonz” Baird Acosta, 55, of Sesser, passed away on Monday, June 16 at 11:23 p.m. at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.
He was born August, 29, 1958, in Chicago Heights, IL, the son of Al Acosta and Linda (McBride) Acosta. Both parents are surviving and live in Sesser.
Donald worked for the township for many years.
He is survived by his children, Dalton Acosta, Sesser, IL, and Sarah Acosta, of Valier, IL; one grandchild, Gavin Johnson.
He is also survived by three brothers, Alfonso Acosta, Kevin Acosta, Dale and Lorissa Acosta, all of Sesser, IL and one sister, Susan and Harlan Payne, of Ina, IL.
Also surviving are nephews Dillon Payne, Justin Payne, Anthony Acosta, Jared Acosta, and Cash Acosta and several aunts, uncles and cousin. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Mathew Acosta.
Donald had lots of friends, and the Acosta family would like to give a special thank you to Brother Larry Cook
Funeral services will be held Sunday June 22, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL, with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 11 a.m until the time of service at 2 p.m.
Donald’s wishes were to be cremated after the funeral service and his ashes will be buried at the Mitchell cemetery in Sesser at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bear Point Freewill Baptist Church, Sesser VFW, or donations can be made to the family.
Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home Sesser IL is in charge of arrangements.
For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
‘The Great Sesser Homecoming Ticket Heist’
June 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
This week will mark the 59th anniversary of the Sesser Homecoming Rend Lake Days. Coinciding with that event will be the 50th anniversary of “The Great Sesser Homecoming Ticket Heist.”
Let me explain.
As a kid growing up in Sesser the annual homecoming that was held in the city park in the third week of June, was always the highlight of the summer. My main goal through the months of April and May was to save as much money as I could mowing yards so I’d have a pocket full of cash when the James Jackson Shows and Rides rolled into town.
Actually, back then a ‘pocket full of cash’ might have amounted to $15 or $20 bucks but in those days it was a windfall. And knowing my enthusiasm my mom would always hand me three or four Eagle Stamp books a few days before the Homecoming – books that she now doubt had been saving for weeks. I would happily go redeem them – I think they were worth $1.50 apiece – and add the proceeds to my stash.
Also, every year when the ‘carnies’ rolled into town I would head to the Sesser City Park on my trusty bicycle where I was joined by an assortment of other knuckleheads. There, we would spend the entire day watching the workers assemble the assortment of rides while counting the minutes until the homecoming became alive with excitement.
One year, when I was 11 years old, we were at the park and we were all straddling our bicycles very near one of the small booths where ride tickets are sold. Noticing that no one was around one of my friends reached into the booth and grabbed an entire roll of carnival ride tickets. Looking back, there must have been 5,000 tickets on that roll.
As he headed out of the park with the stash shoved up under his shirt, for a reason to this day that I don’t understand, I tagged right along behind him. Much like the cowboys in the movies who rob a bank and then head to a safe house to divide the loot, we decided to ride our bikes to Sesser Lake, located a couple of miles southeast of town, to divvy up the cache of yellow ride tickets. To say that I had visions of endless Ferris wheel and tilt-a-whirl rides on my mind would have been an understatement. As a carnival junkie I had just hit the mother lode.
We realized quickly that we had far more tickets than we could use so we played like Robin Hood – steal from the rich and give to the poor — and began dispersing yellow ride tickets all over town. Soon the word spread in the kid community throughout Sesser and we had guys looking for us hoping to ‘score’ some of the hot (in more ways than one) tickets.
Everything was going along without a hitch until the day that the homecoming was scheduled to start. I headed to town that morning and was soon met by my accomplice who was frantic and talking a mile a minute. During times in the conversation when he was coherent he related that he overheard his parents talking about some ‘stolen ride tickets.’ He said the police had been notified and that the color of ride tickets had been changed to blue. According to his story, anybody with a yellow ticket would be arrested.
As I listened to him talk, and my 11-year-old mind surmised the situation, I realized that was my last day of freedom on Earth. I was certain that I would be sent to prison and celled up with a guy with tattoos, body odor and no teeth. Life as I knew it and enjoyed it would be over.
Actually, the thought of being arrested, sent to prison and branded as a thief paled in comparison to what I knew would happen if my dad found out. The thought of the police and sharing a cell with Bubba was one thing, but the thought of Bill Muir planting a boot in the seat of my pants was something else. For those of you who consider that child abuse, my dad would quickly tell you it was the most successful way he found to deal with a heathen child.
After a few minutes of remorse followed quickly by panic we decided that we still had time to try and round up the stolen tickets. We must have ridden our bikes 50 miles that day trying to recover those blasted yellow tickets and were successful finding everybody but one person. Only minutes before the rides were scheduled to start we found out that the one person we were looking for was already at the homecoming, so we made a frantic run for the park. We found him happily standing in line at the Ferris wheel with a yellow ticket clinched in his hand. We managed to get to him before he got to the ticket-taker, and in the process spared ourselves a lengthy prison sentence.
I plan to attend the Sesser Homecoming this weekend and enjoy one of those delicious barbeques and some roasted corn. And in the unlikely event that I decide to venture on one of the many carnival rides you can be certain that I will gladly pay for the ticket because I still vividly recall that harrowing June day 50 years ago when “The Great Sesser Homecoming Ticket Heist” scared me straight and quickly ended my life of crime.
Obituary – Frances “Frannie” Marberry – Sesser
June 16, 2014 By Leave a Comment
SESSER — Frances “Frannie” Jean Marberry, 35, died at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2014, at home.
Frances was born Oct. 10, 1978, in Effingham. Her father was Michael Loren Marberry and he preceded her in death. Surviving are her mother and stepfather, Dianna and Curt Williams of Sesser.
Survivors also include sisters, Jennifer and Arthur Lemons of Sesser, Laura Marberry of Sesser; nieces, Gillian and Cordelia; stepsisters, LaDonna Field of Galatia, Cindy Williams and Jessica Williams, both of Harrisburg; grandparents, Burt and Jean Crocker of Sesser; aunts and uncles, Janet and Larry Jones of Harrisburg, Brenda and Keith Kramer of Sesser, Randall and Cindy Crocker of Sesser, special caregiver, Patty Kopec and several cousins.
Frances was preceded in death by her father, grandparents, Loren and Juanita Marberry and aunt, Mary Drake.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2014, in Valier First Baptist Church in Valier, with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Huntington’s Disease Society.
Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.
For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
Obituary – Kenneth Leadabrand – Mulkeytown
June 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment
MULKEYTOWN — Kenneth Leadabrand, 61, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2014, at his residence.
He formerly worked at Prestige Trailer Manufacturing in Du Quoin.
Kenneth was of Presbyterian faith.
Kenneth was born Jan. 15, 1953, in Red Cloud Nebraska, to Raymond and Betty (Rutledge) Leadabrand. His mother survives of Campbell, Nebraska.
Kenneth was married June 16, 1973, to Lorraine (Ahlers) Leadabrand and she survives of Mulkeytown.
Survivors include children, Michael and Kathy Leadabrand of Royalton, granddaughter, Ashley Leadabrand; sisters, Virginia Heinrich of Hastings Nebraska, and Carol and Allen Kumke-Campbell.
He was preceded in death by his father; brothers, Philip and Roger Leadabrand; and a nephew, Justin Kumke.
As per Kenneth’s wishes, he will be cremated with his ashes buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery in rural Lebanon, Kansas.
Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.
For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
Emma Pauline Baburnich – Benton
June 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment
BENTON — Emma Pauline Baburnich, 85, of Benton, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2014, in Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mount Vernon.
She was born April 19, 1929, in Benton, the daughter of James Everett and Emma (Mertens) Bays. She married William “Butch” Baburnich in 1948, and he preceded her in death Dec. 27, 2003.
Mrs. Baburnich was a 1947 graduate of Benton High School.
She was a loving mother and grandmother, an accomplished bridge player and a familiar retail clerk in Benton.
She is survived by her children, Elaine Mannen and husband, Ted, of Alexandria, Virginia, John “Chip” Baburnich of Evansville, Indiana, and David Baburnich and wife, Mary, of Benton; three grandchildren, Claire Mannen and Will Mannen of Alexandria and Emily Baburnich of Benton; and sister, Louise Sisk of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three sisters, Dorothy Bays, Leona Bays and Evelyn Stewart; and brother, Harvey Bays.
Private graveside services will be conducted.
Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.
For those who wish, memorials in Mrs. Baburnich’s memory may be made to Benton/West City Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.
Ted Grenco – Benton
June 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Ted Grenco, 78, of Benton, passed away Monday morning, June 9, 2014 in Benton.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at First Baptist Church in Benton, with the Rev. Bill Carter officiating.
Entombment will be at a later date at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton and after 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Benton or to the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.
