SIU announced Thursday that its Missouri Valley Conference home game with Belmont on New Year’s Day has been selected for a national broadcast on ESPN2 or ESPNU with a 4 p.m. tip-off at the Banterra Center.
Republicans call for impeachment of DHS head, cite surge at border
(The Center Square) – A group of U.S. House Republicans on Tuesday called for the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Small businesses report hardship due to inflation this Christmas season
(The Center Square) – Small businesses around the country still see inflation as a top concern this Christmas season.
Financial impact from Illinois’ no cash bail discussed
(The Center Square) – As the SAFE-T Act remains in legal limbo, some are concerned about the added costs the law will place onto the Illinois justice system at the local level.
Opinion: Sam Bankman-Fried’s case is a new version of an old story — and perhaps the beginning of change
CNN — On Tuesday, prosecutors from the Southern District of New York unsealed an indictment that revealed eight criminal charges against former FTX head Sam Bankman-Fried, including wire fraud and several counts of conspiracy. And the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged him with defrauding customers and investors.
Kyrsten Sinema’s slam dunk. Arizona independent says what Democrats are afraid to say
Leaving aside any possible undeclared motives for leaving the Democratic Party and becoming an independent, Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has said some things that have needed to be said for a long time.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes: Impact Play
“Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” — 1 Timothy 4:12
Imagine you need to get up early in the morning to go to campus because you were leaving for a team tournament by 6:30 a.m. Just before bed, you get a call from a teammate asking that you call in the morning to make sure she is up and doesn’t miss the bus. That’s an extra step in a morning that you are already wishing you could add sleep to. But you say you will and set another reminder on your phone to make the call.
Your teammate is counting on you to ensure she arrives at school, and you take it as your responsibility. Your teammate is holding you accountable for doing the task of wake-up duty, and you owe it to yourself to see that you have maybe one extra alarm set to ensure you get that call to your teammate.
Accountability is an incredibly powerful and important piece of a well-formed team. It’s a willingness to take responsibility for our actions, even when it’s hard. It’s what fuses us together, that our teammates know we are there for them no matter what.
We also hold ourselves accountable to our spiritual teammates. If you and some friends choose a Bible study to do together, make sure you do the reading each week. If you say you’re going to pray for someone who is going through a hard time, make sure you say a prayer before you even are done with the conversation. As Jesus lived a life of accountability to God the Father while on Earth, we too should commit to Him through our actions, mental determination and heart.
As believers, we are invited into one another’s lives. We are to build each other up, stand firm in the faith and challenge our people to grow in faith. We should never be satisfied with the status quo, and in a world where it’s easy to shirk responsibility and avoid doing the hard work of commitment, we look to the approval of Jesus as we submit to His authority for our lives. Let’s make the decision to be responsible to our teammates, coaches and community and hold ourselves to the standard of Christ.
Charles Daniel “Charlie” Brandon – Hurst, IL
Charles Daniel “Charlie” Brandon, 55, of Hurst passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Mr. Brandon was born in DuQuoin, IL on March 1, 1967 the son of Charles Richard & Rosalind (Meadows) Brandon.
Charlie had a love for fast pitch softball, music, and was a self taught guitar player.
He was a route driver for Prairie Farms, then he worked as a Coal Miner, then presently was employed at the Williamson County Airport.
Mr. Brandon is survived by his:
Daughters:
Charly Wilford & husband Dalton
Jesse Summers & husband Max
6 Grandchildren: Amilya, Isabella, Paisley, Walker, Elsie & Max
Parents: Charles & Rosalind Brandon
Brother: Calvin Brandon
2 Sisters:
Hydie Brower & husband John
Kelly Brandon-Lopez & husband Luis
Special Niece: Racheal Lukens
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, December 19th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Ron Knox officiating. Entombment will be in the Miners Cemetery in Royalton. Visitation will be on Sunday, December 18th at the First Baptist Church of Royalton, 709 W 3rd St. S, Royalton, IL 62983.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
William “Willie” Edward Browder-Sesser, IL
William “Willie” Edward Browder, 43, of Sesser, passed away on Thursday December 15, 2022.
He was born on December 31, 1978 in Aurora, IL. He married Toshya (Willis) Browder on May 13, 2015.
He is survived by his wife Toshya Browder of Sesser; children William (Ashley) Browder of Valier, Mitzi Browder of Benton, David Browder of Valier, Nicolas Browder of Valier, Makaelynn Gayton of Sesser, Zuri Browder of Sesser and Natalie Browder of Sesser; grandchildren Luke, Jack, Jaylynn and Myles; three sisters Lisa Browder of Mt Vernon, Mitzie Browder of Mt Vernon and Glenda Browder of Sesser and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother Sandra Lee (Lester) Karnes and his father Danny Edward Browder.
Willie loved to go camping, fishing and being with his family.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday December 21, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Josh Qualls officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the funeral at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com



