Central Dispatch Board meets

By BRUCE A FASOL

A regular meeting of the West Franklin Central Dispatch Board Wednesday night focused on three major areas being updated.

The Board heard from their attorney, Rebecca Whittington on the status of the entity’s application for 501c3 status with the state as a not-for -profit. That application is still pending with final information being added before submitting to the Secretary of State’s office. That process is continuing.

No lawsuit has yet been filed on behalf of the Board against the city of Sesser. However, a draft of a possible suit to be filed was discussed, Wednesday. The lawsuit seeks money believed owed to the Board by the city of Sesser, who is considered in arrears in payments to fund the group. The amount currently owed is believed to be around $24,000 for general funding of the dispatch center itself.The other members of West Franklin Central Dispatch have voted to sue the city of Sesser for non-payment of expenses including monies paid to the IRS as part of the recent financial scandal experienced by the group.

And, the Director of E911 for Franklin County, Rick Basso, spoke on the status of the emergency call center for Central Dispatch. A number of scenarios are being discussed among the members of the group. Dispatching from County, the city of West Frankfort and keeping the status quo have all been discussed with no decision yet reached.

The three and a half hour meeting was the final regular meeting of the calendar year.

BMS Junior Rangers move to 8-3 with win at Pinckneyville

By Jim Muir

The Benton Middle School Junior Rangers improved to 8-3 on the season with a 66-33 road victory at Pinckneyville Wednesday night.

Derek Oxford and Austin Wills combined for 44 points in the non-conference win. Oxford narrowly missed a double-double grabbing nine rebounds to go with his game-high 24 points. Oxford also had a two steals and a pair of assists. Wills added 20 points, five rebounds, one steal and two assists to help key the win.

Benton jumped out to a 21-8 first quarter lead and then outscored the Panthers 16-5 in the second frame to cruise to a 37-13 halftime lead. The Junior Rangers continued the onslaught in the third quarter outscoring Pinckneyville 18-4 opening up a 55-17 margin at the end of three quarters.

Also in double figures for BMS was Tyson Houghland who added 10 points and five rebounds. Rounding out the scoring for the Junior Rangers was Parker Williams with five points, Brett Bonenberger with three, Blane Pankey with two and Jordan Richey with one. Oliver Davis and Gehrig Wynn, Hamilton Page, Lance Cockrum, Troy Tillman and Scott Mosely also saw action in the eighth grade contest.

The Junior Rangers also won the seventh grade game handily defeating Pinckneyville by a score of 40-18. The game was relatively close throughout the first two quarter with Benton holding leads of 6-4 at the end of the first quarter and 12-6 at halftime. Benton outscored Pinckneyville 15-8 in the third stanza and opened up a 27-14 lead after three quarter and then put the game on ice in the fourth by outscoring the Panthers 13-4 to come away with the convincing win. The win improves the BMS seventh grade team to 8-1 overall.

Brett Bonenberger, Gehrig Wynn and Drew Owens each tallied eight points for Benton. Bonenberger also added seven rebounds and one assist and one steal in the win. Rounding out the scoring for the seventh grade squad was Hamilton Page who had five points to go along with six rebounds, two steals and three assists. Blane Pankey add four points, Eldon Owens, two points and Avery Potter two points. Also seeing action for Benton was Mason Wills, Parker McGuire, Robbie Moore, Ethan Kreiger, Branden Luster, Peyton Mosely, Braxton Lutz, Logan Darr, Jordan Bowlin and Triston Summers.

Both teams are back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 11 when they travel to Du Quoin. The seventh grade game begins at 5:30 p.m.

Christopher wins first conference game

By Tom Wheeler

The Christopher Bearcats defeated the Elverado Falcons 63 -34 in Elkville Tuesday night in their first Black Diamond Conference game.

The Falcons jumped out to a 13-9 first quarter lead and the Cats didn’t take the lead until 5: 03 in the second quarter when Tyler Atchison stole the ball and went in for a lay-up to tie the score at 17-17. After a Falcon turnover the Cats Eric Young rebound a miss shot and scored to put his team up 19-17. Atchison, the senior All -South football player, scored seven of his game high 19 points in that quarter and the Cats went in at half time winning 27-19.

The third quarter was a display of team basketball for CCHS as four players — Atchison, Young and seniors Kevin Mercks and RJ Kuh — each scored four points.  But Elverado outscored the Cats by three in the quarter keeping the Cats lead at half down to 43-38.

With their defense turned up in the final quarter the Bearcats outscored the host 20-6 with Atchison leading the way with four field goals. This led the way for Coach Eric Stallman to clear his bench and everyone saw action. Besides Atchison’s 19, Young was also in double figures with 15 (also hit the Cats only three) as was senior center Kevin Mercks with 12. Others scoring included Kuh, 6, JT Towers 4, Josh Calloni 4, and Maurice Brown hit a free throw.

The Falcons were led in scoring by Kyle Whittington and Andrew Jeschke with 9, Kody Ellett and freshman Alec Valerius  with 4, Josh Sarenson, Tyler Funk and Eli Fennell a bucket a piece and one  free toss by Lucas Jones and  freshman Brock Barnes.

Christopher’s JV team coached by Jeremy Varner won their first game of the year 40-21 over the Falcon JV squad. An oddity was that Elverado’s JV coach is Rob Kirk, the same Rob Kirk who was CZR’s freshman defensive coach this fall in football.

OBITUARY – DAVID P. GARASCIA – SESSER

David P. Garascia, 81, of McLeansboro and formerly of Sesser, died Dec. 5 at Hamilton Memorial Nursing Home, in McLeansboro.

David was born April 20, 1931 in Sesser to Charles “Pappy” Garascia and Anna Jean (Fornear) Garascia.

David was a retired coal miner, last working at Old Ben Mine 21 in Sesser.

He was married to Patricia (Clark) Garascia and she preceded him in death. David later married Marjorie (Skibinski) Stanart Garascia and she survives of McLeansboro.

Also surviving is a daughter, Debra Garascia, of Sesser and grandchildren David Smith, Donnie Smith and Tricia Morgan.  David is also survived by grandchildren Victoria Smith, Jordyn Hensley, Jack Hensley and Clayton Smith.  He is also survived by a brother Carl (Ruth Ann) Garascia, of Benton.

David was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Sesser.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and one son, David C. Garascia.

It was Mr. Garascia’s wish to be cremated.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, with Brother Robert Sefried officiating.  Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America and will be accepted at the funeral home.  For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McLeansboro man arrested on drug charges

STAFF REPORT

Benton Police have charged a McLeansboro man with marijuana possession after a fight.

On Tuesday, police were dispatched to East Main and McLeansboro Street in Benton because of a fight in progress.

Jared C. Akin, 29, of McLeansboro was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. There were also two active Franklin County warrants for his arrest.

Zeigler Fire Department fundraiser Saturday

By BRUCE A. FASOL

One of this area’s most efficient volunteer fire departments wants to grow. So, Saturday night they are having a fundraiser to help fund an addition to their current home.

Chief David Greer’s department is hosting a Raise the Roof event Saturday night at Zeigler Eagles Lodge. The event is planned to raise money so that an addition can be built to the current fire station at Zeigler City Hall.

The department needs more room for their emergency vehicles and seeks to raise the money themselves, with community help.

“We literally have equipment stacked up and in the loft,” said Lt. Kathie Flowers. One emergency vehicle sits out in the elements.

Saturday night’s event begins with a BBQ dinner served from 6 to 8 p.m. Music by Shakey Jake begins at 8 p.m. There will also be a silent auction as well that night.
Tickets are $15 per person and will be available at the door.
This is the first of a series of fundraising events for the new construction desired. A Raise the Roof Concert Series is also planned.

Deadline approaching to sign up for Benton talent show

Benton Public Library is planning its first Christmas teen talent show next week, and if you want to participate, now is the time to sign up.

Teens are asked to sign up at the library by Friday, Dec. 7.

“We’re hoping for a variety of performers, from musicians to poets and anything in between, as long as it has a holiday theme,” said library director Erin Steinsultz.

The Christmas talent show will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the library.

West City plans Christmas community movie night Dec. 8

A free family movie night will be held Saturday, Dec. 8 at the West City Community Center. The festivities start at 4 p.m. with a candy cane hunt for children.

At 6 p.m., the movies begin. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be shown.

The evening’s free festivities will also include popcorn, hot chocolate and cookies, a coloring contest, and a visit from Santa.

Benton Police make trespassing arrest

STAFF REPORT

Benton Police have arrested a Johnston City man after reports of a disturbance.

On Monday, police were called to the 800 block of North Frisco Street.

There, they arrested Robert Roeder, 37, of Johnston City, charging him with criminal trespass on railroad property.

Benton Police arrest woman in retail theft

STAFF REPORT

Benton Police have arrested a Johnston City woman in a theft at a downtown clothing store.

On Monday, police were dispatched to Peek-A-Boo clothing store, 504 Public Square, to investigate retail theft at the store.

Kendra Whitecotton, 26, of Johnston City was arrested and taken to Franklin County Jail for further processing.

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