When Illinois lawmakers narrowly approved major changes to the public employee retirement system last month, supporters touted the measure as saving $160 billion over 30 years.
Here’s the link to a story in the Chicago Tribune.
Region goes into ‘shut-down’ because of snow, frigid temps
January 6, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Here’s a link to the list or area closures caused by the weather compiled by WSIL.
Woman’s body found in Christopher Reservoir
January 6, 2014 By Leave a Comment
FRANKLIN CO. — The body of a 35-year-old Christopher woman was recovered Sunday morning from the New Christopher Reservoir near Mulkeytown, Coroner Marty Leffler said in a news release.
Here’s a link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.
Illinois State cruises past Saluki Men’s Basketball, 66-48
January 6, 2014 By Leave a Comment
By Tom Weber
SIUSalukis.com
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State held Southern Illinois to just 17 second-half points, pulling away for a 66-48 win in front of about a thousand fans at Redbird Arena who braved blizzard-like conditions to see the long-time MVC rivals battle on Sunday. The 17 points, coming on 5-of-20 shooting, were just two shy of the school-record low of 15 set against Kentucky Wesleyan in 1965.
The Salukis (4-11, 0-2) jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first two minutes of play, but the instant offense proved to be an illusion. Southern made its first two 3-point attempts but missed its next 11 tries.
Desmar Jackson shoots over Reggie Lynch.
After the sluggish start, the Redbirds (8-6, 1-1) used a 17-4 run to seize control and never look back.
“I thought we might come out slow and we did,” said ISU second-year head coach Dan Muller. “Getting back late after a tough overtime loss (at Missouri State), no crowd, an earlier game — those can be tough. We did not come out with much urgency. I’m happy we got it fixed quickly.”
Southern stayed close in the first half until a late flurry by the Redbirds lifted them to a 38-31 halftime advantage. Zach Lofton hit a 3-pointer with 1:16 to go in the half, and Bobby Hunter was fouled with 0.4 seconds to go and made all three of his free throw attempts. Lofton broke out of a shooting slump and finished the game with 18 points, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. In the previous seven games, he was 6-for-34 from outside the arc.
Desmar Jackson scored 19 points to lead Southern, but his teammates combined to make only 10-of-40 shots from the field and no one else scored in double figures.
For a brief moment, it looked like SIU would make the game competitive in the second half. Jackson scored seven points on three breakaways to draw Southern within 41-38 with 14:46 remaining. The offense went into a deep funk, though, with just one bucket in the next eight minutes.
“We just quit,” said SIU head coach Barry Hinson. “When you come over there in that huddle, it’s awful. You have guys pointing fingers at each other. I had to slap their knees one time just to get them to look at me in the face. It’s an awful feeling. We have some issues right now.”
The Salukis seemed to wear down in the face of ISU’s full-court press, turning the ball over eight times in the half. The three starting guards combined for two assists and seven turnovers, as they struggled to navigate the Redbirds’ zone defense.
“I think what Dan has done is really impressive, bringing this many new guys in and changing the style of play he’s used to playing,” said Hinson. “You have to give him credit for what he’s done with these guys.”
The Redbirds lost all five starters from last year’s team and return only two minor role players in Kaza Keane and Nick Ziesloft.
“We have the least-experienced team in the country,” Muller said. “If I hold them accountable enough and get them to do the right thing, they’ll gain confidence, because the right thing works. We’ve been very hard on them throughout the year, and the habits we’ve developed are showing.”
Two players who Southern typically relies upon to score — Anthony Beane and Jalen Pendleton — each made just one field goal and combined to go 2-for-13 from the field. Hinson said there would be changes when the Salukis play at Loyola on Wednesday.
“I promise you we won’t start the same lineup,” he said. “We will shake it up. I’m going to play guys that want to play hard, guys that want to give effort and do what we ask them to do.”
Hinson described it as an adversarial relationship with his players at the moment.
“We’re in a fight for sure,” he said. “I told them I just checked my contract, I know who is going to win.”
Obituary – Wanda Maxine Threlkeld – Benton
January 3, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Wanda Maxine Threlkeld, 93, of Benton, passed away at 9:10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.
She was born in Benton, IL on Oct. 23, 1920, the daughter of William Loren and Gertrude (Dial) Epps.
She married Harry Threlkeld on Dec. 22, 1940 and he preceded her in death on July 10, 1999.
Mrs. Threlkeld was head cook at Grant Grade School and Washington Grade School in Benton, and retired as head cook from Benton Middle School. She was a member of the Good Sams Camping Club and a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, in Benton.
Mrs. Threlkeld is survived by a daughter, Rita Doty and husband Ken, of Benton and a son, Richard Threlkeld and wife Marlene, of Carbondale. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Steven Doty and wife Susie, of Scheller, David Doty and wife Amber, of Mt. Vernon, IN, Chad Threlkeld, and wife Heather, of Benton and Kimberly Threlkeld, of Carbondale; six great-grandchildren, April, Emily, Anthony, Caleb, Branden and Loganl; and three great-great grandchildren, Michael, Alex and Kayana.
Mrs. Threlkeld was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, Buddy Epps and Bill Epps and by a half-sister, Louise Parrish.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with the Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating. Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 9 a.m. on Monday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church or to the Murdale Baptist Church, in Carbondale.
Obituary – Ruth W. Rice – Benton
January 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Ruth W. Rice, 94, of Benton passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013 at 8:40 p.m. at Helia Health Care, in Benton.
She was born on January 1, 1919 in Thompsonville, the daughter of Francis Elmer and Lionne (Conover) Warren.
She married Arthur Gordon Rice on Dec. 4, 1937 and he preceded her in death on Sept. 22, 2004.
Mrs. Rice is survived by her son, Kevin Warren Rice, of Bourbonnais, IL and a daughter Kay Kotval, of Benton, IL. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
Mrs. Rice was preceded in death by her parents, by a son, Gordon Richard Rice, by a grandson, by three sisters, Beatrice Barger, Emma Tessier and Ida Brainard and a brother, Ervin Warren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with the Rev. Steve Shotts officiating. Burial will be at Brady Cemetery in Akin.
Obituary – Shirley Nadine Price – Valier
January 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Shirley Nadine Price, 85, of Valier, died January 2, 2014 at 1:45 a.m. at Herrin Hospital.
Shirley was born March 20, 1928 in Valier, the daughter of Harry Mercer and Bessie (Farmer) Mercer. She married John Price in October 1949 and he preceded her in death on October 31, 2009.
Shirley was born March 20, 1928 in Valier, the daughter of Harry Mercer and Bessie (Farmer) Mercer. She married John Price in October 1949 and he preceded her in death on October 31, 2009.
Shirley was a retired seamstress from Bridal Originals. She was of the Baptist faith.
She is survived by her children, Glenn Price, of Valier, IL, and Janet Biby, of Christopher, IL. She is also survived by one granddaughter, Jamie Fitzgerald, of Springfield, IL.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and one brother, Dean Mercer.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Mulkeytown Cemetery, in Mulkeytown, IL with the Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating.
Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral homeGilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Public health officials say it’s not too late to get flu vaccine
January 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Influenza activity is increasing in Southern Illinois but public health officials say it’s not too late for residents to protect themselves from the virus.
Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.
Rend Lake College launches Community Health Care class
January 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment
INA, Ill. – For anyone interested in a career in health care, the new Community Health Care course at Rend Lake College is just what the doctor ordered. Class begins Jan. 13 and some spots remain available.
The health care industry is rapidly changing from a system of treating diseases to preventing them from happening in the first place. Community Health Care gives interested individuals the foundation for a future career in the health care industry. It also provides great information for family members caring for elderly or sick relatives.
“The health care field is still seeing rapid growth in terms of occupations,” said Kim Robert, Dean of RLC’s Allied Health Division. “Health care coaching is just another aspect of that, as new jobs and disciplines emerge. St. Mary’s Good Samaritan sees a need for health care coaches, and we are glad to work with them to develop the training for it.”
Health care coaches, also known as wellness coaches or health coaches, will help individuals implement the activities and plans the patient creates with his or her nurse, social worker or other clinician. Ultimately, the goal of the health care coach is to motivate and lead his or her clients to positive behavioral change and better health. At St. Mary’s Good Samaritan, health coaches act as liaisons between patients and clinicians and help implement clinical changes to improve the daily lives of patients. Community Health Care is a study of key issues and focuses on developing practical approaches to supporting patients. The class will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Mondays beginning January 13 and will run through May 12 at the Rend Lake College MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon. Spots are still available.
After completing the course participants will work with one or two patients, under the direction and supervision of the clinical staff of St. Mary’s Good Samaritan. This semester internship provides invaluable real-world experience with people in need.
Topics covered will include: challenges of delivering adequate health care in communities; population medicine; specific problems posed by diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease; ethical dimensions of the concept of “underinsurance”; community medicine and the law; methods of improving compliance, and measuring outcomes. The classroom course format is three hours of lecture, while the internship period with St. Mary’s Good Samaritan is in-the-field and may include accompanying individuals to doctor’s appointments, going to individuals’ homes to assist in a healthy home set up, and providing reinforcement of directions given by health care providers.
The class is a good fit for those interested in the growing field of health care coaching. It was developed in partnership with St. Mary’s Good Samaritan. According to Michelle Darnell, Vice President of Systems Improvement at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan, “Health coaches are an extremely valuable addition to our health care team. They extend clinical care beyond the walls of hospitals and physician offices by assisting individuals to optimize their quality of life.”
Darnell adds, “Because we believe the skills of health coaches are critical to our success and in keeping patients and our community healthy, we will be offering individuals who complete the course and internship a guarantee for an interview when they apply for a position in our facilities.”
For more information or to register for Community Health Care, contact the Rend Lake College Allied Health Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1251, or at alliedhealth@rlc.edu.
State Supreme Court justices rake in cash tied to pension-law players
January 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment
SPRINGFIELD — If a lawsuit challenging Illinois’ new pension-reform law reaches the state Supreme Court, the overwhelming majority of justices might first want to extend a “thank you” before hearing arguments about the constitutional merits of the case.
Here’s the link to the story in the Chicago Sun-Times.
