Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
The 20th Annual Fantasy of Lights parade will be Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in Downtown West Frankfort.
The parade begins at St. John’s Catholic Church and School and heads west down Main Street to the railroad tracks. It features lighted floats, carolers and the big guy, Santa Claus.
After the parade, pictures with Santa will be available in the 100 block of East Main Street.
Singers Sarah White and Paige Alford
By TAMMY HEAD
To say the atmosphere was casual would be an understatement. Upon entering the building, I was greeted by a very competitive Foosball game and a bunch of excited teens. Next to them, a couple of boys were trying their hand at Cornhole.
A group gathers for refreshments before the event begins.
Off the foyer, a group of people gathered for refreshments and casual conversation. A quick scan of the guest book showed there were people in attendance from all over Southern Illinois: Benton, West Frankfort, Ewing, Macedonia, Waltonville, Thompsonville, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Vienna and Nashville were a few of the towns listed.
A table for collecting donations to the Benton Ministerial Alliance was positioned near the door with growing stacks of food items.
But the atmosphere wasn’t just casual, it was happy. It was as if long-lost friends were getting together for the first time in a long time. Old friends, new friends, and complete strangers were happy and excited to be there. Bob Pankey, Youth Pastor at Whittington Church said that only about half the people there were from their church.
I was soon introduced to Jon Walker, visionary and founder of the event. Jon quickly began to explain his vision for a community event – not a church event. He originally had wanted to hold the event at the Benton Civic Center so that it was a community location, but the renovations at the Civic Center made that impossible for this first event. However, plans are already underway for another event in the spring at a community location, possible even an outdoor event.
It seemed like all too soon, it was time for the event to begin. I took a seat and watched as people began to carry their refreshments into the auditorium. Another sign of the casualness of the event. A quick scan of the crowd showed that people of all ages expected to enjoy being ‘undivided.’ I had to wonder if some of the older members of the audience knew what they were in for. I had been warned by a band member’s wife that it would be loud! I tried to count as I looked around and quickly figured there were about 100 people there.
Jon Walker explains how the event came together.
As the band took the stage, a feeling of anticipation hit the crowd, like when you attend a concert. I wondered what type of performance I was in for. The lights dimmed, the smoke machine started, and Jon stepped to the microphone. As he welcomed everyone he said, “We want this to be an informal event. We are here to worship Jesus. So if we don’t pay attention to you, it is because we are lost in our own worship.” How true that was!
I’ve had the privilege over the years to hear a lot of great church bands and several professional Christian bands. I’ve watched many of those “perform” for the audience. But there was none of that on Saturday night. This band was there for a higher purpose. It was not about performing or what anyone thought about them. That was so evident as the music began.
Jon Walker is not new to leading worship. He attended a Christian college in Tennessee and traveled to different churches on a music team from the school. It was during that time that he saw a lot of division among people and churches over ‘little’ stuff – stuff that isn’t very important in the grand scheme of things. He has a passion to see people, and in turn churches, united. “I want to find those things that we can all agree on like Jesus, His love, and what He has done for us, and focus on those things,” he said as he began speaking. And by collecting for the Ministerial Alliance too, it turned the event into community ministry. “We need to see more churches working together in my opinion,” he stated.
Sherry West, Jon’s mother, watches with obvious pride.
Although I was told the band had just been practicing together for a few weeks, I could not tell it. The music was powerful and appealed to the vast variety of ages in the audience. A little girl, maybe 4 years old kept coming down in front of me so that she could see around the people standing in front of her. It was touching to watch her raise her little hand in the air. Likewise, the older couple right behind me (the ones I worried about at the beginning) stood for a great portion of the service in praise.
Although Jon was the leader of the band on the acoustic guitar and then piano, he would humbly tell you that he could have not done it without the people on the stage with him. Danny Parkhill and Jeremy Jackson on electric guitars, Calen Mcginty on the drums, Bob Pankey on the bass guitar, Andy Johnson on the acoustic guitar, Steve Newcomb on the keyboard, and Sarah White and Paige Alford on vocals. Together they were a powerful force that allowed you to join in with them as they played to a much bigger audience above. Then when I stood to leave at the end, I was surprised that the auditorium had filled to over 200 people after I took my seat!
The goal is for this event to be the first of many in our area. Like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UndividedWorshipIL to stay informed about future events.
By BILL BONAN II, Peoples National Bank
Column sponsor
It is so important in today’s economy to know what banking products you have and use on a daily basis. What I mean specifically is always know what kind of fees that your bank charges on the accounts that you have.
Every bank is different. There are some banks that have free checking, free online bill pay, free internet banking, etc., like PNB does, but other banks charge for those services. They don’t send you a bill; they usually debit the money right out of your account. So you won’t know it until the money is out of your account.
Also, just because it says free checking account, you need to know the rules of that account so that you make sure it stays free.
Sometimes there are “Dormant Fee and Inactivity Fees.” A dormant fee is a charge to your account if you have don’t complete at least one transaction every 6 months out of that account. An inactivity fee is a fee that is charged when you don’t use your debit card within a period of 90 days. These charges vary from bank to bank. As a rule each bank does have these charges, so make sure that you ask the banker who opens your account.
Also, it is crucial to balance your account.
Each account holder is usually given overdraft privileges. Each bank has a product similar to this. It might be called something else, but operates the same. When you have overdraft privileges or overdraft protection, the bank will pay checks up to a certain amount that come into your account. An example of this would be if you had $50 in your account and you write a $100 check, the bank goes ahead and pays the check, and you would be overdrawn by $50. This service is not free.
Remember when you overdraw you are borrowing money from the bank. So, very much like interest, the banks charge a fee for the use of their money. This is a convenience for the customer. The fees can be anywhere from $27 to $40 per item, depending on your bank.
It is just a good practice to know everything about your account. The banker is supposed to disclose these fees, but sometimes these fees do not get disclosed.
Heavyweight Coltyn Pease (Pittsfield, Ill.) pinned Iowa’s Artie Bess.
BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Rend Lake College’s wrestling team took two matches against tough competition, including NCAA DI programs, at the 2012 Joe Parisi Open, Nov. 17, at Lindenwood University in Belleville.
Rend Lake’s heavyweight, Coltyn Pease (Pittsfield), pinned Iowa’s Artie Bess before losing a 6-2 decision to McKendree’s Ross Janney.
At 141 pounds, RLC’s Skyler Procasky (Belleville) won his first match 5-3 against Brandon Brindley and lost by pin in 6:45 to Lindenwood’s Jacob Janes in the second round.
Darrell Pampkin (Florissant, Mo.) got a first-round bye before losing a 7-2 decision to Cole Baumgartner (Missouri) in the 133 pound class.
Skyler Procasky (Belleville, Ill.) won his first match at 141 pounds.
At 141 pounds, Eric Tozzi (Ramseur, N.C.) lost a 13-5 major decision to eventual champion Trevor Jauch (Missouri). Bryce Vaughn (Canton) lost his first match to Reginald Edwards at 141 pounds. Gary Walliser (Coranito City)got a bye in the first round at 157 pounds before losing a 13-5 major decision to Zach Brunson (Illinois) who competed for third in that class. The results of the third-place match featuring Brunson against Vincent Hannon (Lindenwood) were not available.
RLC’s Kyle Vilven (Mahomet) lost 4-2 to Jerry Gardner (Neosho CC) and Andrew Higgins (Grove City, Ohio) lost to Missouri’s Todd Porter.
At 184 pounds, Austin Warren (Newburgh, Ind.) was pinned by Jordan Rogers (Oklahoma State).
RLC wrestlers will head to the Kaufman Brand Open on Dec. 2 in Merryville, Mo.
BY JOHN D. HOMAN, Logan Media Services
CARTERVILLE – Three John A. Logan College sophomores – third baseman Keelin Rasch of Harrisburg, lefthanded pitcher Wes Mason of Mount Vernon and righthanded pitcher Chris Hunt of Paducah – recently signed letters of intent to play baseball on scholarship next fall at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
John A. Logan College sophomores Wes Mason, Chris Hunt and Keelin Rasch signed letters of intent last week to play baseball next fall at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Mason and Hunt are pitchers. Rasch is a third baseman. (Logan Media Services photo)
“To have this many kids sign on the first day of the early signing period is pretty special,” said Vols head coach Jerry Halstead. “We’re very happy for these young men and believe the Division I signings say a lot about our program here. When you look at the school they’re going to attend, they’re going to a quality program.”
The University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks finished 32-30 a year ago and won the Sun Belt Conference championship. Two former Vols – outfielder Brandon Alexander and righthanded pitcher Cale Wine – are seniors there this year.
Halstead said it’s always good to see the hard work and dedication of student-athletes rewarded with a scholarship to a four-year school.
“Not only are these kids good athletes, but they are also good students and that benefits the university,” he said. “I expect Keelin to step in and play right away next year, while Wes and Chris should also make an impact with their pitching staff. I look forward to them having outstanding careers at ULM.”
First things first, however, as Halstead is counting on the trio to provide leadership roles with a solid Vols team next spring.
“They’re part of our club’s core,” he said. “They bring a lot to the table and will be expected to contribute heavily toward our goal of winning another Great Rivers Athletic Conference and Region 24 championship.”
Mason said he was happy to sign with ULM.
“I’m absolutely excited about it,” he said. “I’ve always dreamed of playing Division I baseball. Louisiana Monroe is a good environment. They won the conference last year and the community is really behind them. I liked the feel of things when I visited there. It seems to be a program on the rise and I want to be a part of what I believe to be something special.”
Mason said he realizes there is unfinished business at Logan next spring.
“Without a doubt,” he said. “I would like to see us win another conference and region title and then go on to win the district title, so we can qualify for the World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.”
Mason said he expects to be more successful in his sophomore season.
“I think the experience I got last year helped me a lot this fall,” he said. “I was much more comfortable on the mound and want to be a guy my teammates can look to for leadership.”
Rasch patrols the hot corner for the Vols. He said the decision to pick ULM was an easy one.
“After visiting there, it seemed like the perfect fit for all of us,” he said. “It’s a great program, a great baseball town and you can’t beat the weather,” he said. “I’m looking forward to playing ball there for the next two years. And to have two of my Logan teammates going there with me is that much more exciting.”
Rasch said his maturation as a player should lead to even greater success as a sophomore next spring.
“Playing last year made a big difference. I’m much more comfortable in my game this year and am looking forward to having a good year.”
Nothing short of a trip to the World Series will satisfy the sophomores, Rasch said.
“We had a taste of it last year, winning Region 24 and advancing to the District championship game. We want to go one step further this year.”
Hunt said he is equally excited about signing with ULM.
“I’m definitely looking forward to moving on to the next stage in my career with Louisiana Monroe,” he said. “I liked what I saw there when I visited and hope I will be able to make a difference with them next year.”
Hunt said coming to Logan out of high school was one of the best decisions he has made in his young life.
“I needed some time to mature as a player and as an individual and Logan has provided that for me,” he said. “My pitching mechanics have improved and so has my overall work ethic thanks to Coach Halstead and the other coaches. I would say I am a much more determined player in my approach to the game now than I was before coming here.”
Hunt said that while it’s comforting to know he has a scholarship waiting on him for next year, he is focused now winning games for the Vols.
“Absolutely,” he said. “The World Series is never far from my mind. It would be awesome to go out a winner at Colorado. We have a really good team, which I think is capable of making it there. I’m excited to get the season started.”
Twelve players from Benton and West Frankfort high schools have been named to the 2012 Southern Illinois River to River-Ohio Division All Conference Football Team. Here is the full team line-up:
1st Team Offense
QB Mat Buntin JR Benton
RB *Dylan Sheeks SR Benton
RB *Dylan Hathaway SR Harrisburg
RB *Diamante Bradley SR Murphysboro
RB *Hadin Restivo SR West Frankfort
TE *Jared Daugherty SR Herrin
WR *Austin Butler SR Herrin
WR Daz Nickerson SR Massac County
C *Jordan Quertermous SR Harrisburg
OL *Gavin Suver SR Benton
OL Daulton Ward SR Benton
OL Issac Ingram SR Harrisburg
OL *Dakota Upchurch SR Harrisburg
At Large Selections
QB Ryne Roper SR Harrisburg
RB Capel Henshaw SR Harrisburg
2nd Team Offense
QB Austin Starkweather SR Herrin
RB Chase Merrill SO Herrin
RB Jordan Troutman JR Massac County
RB Dakota Cali SR Benton
RB Aeian Baird JR Murphysboro
TE Kevin Gude SR Murphysboro
WR Austin Myers SR Benton
WR Kane Wilson SR Murphysboro
C Sheldon Klaus JR Murphysboro
OL Ethan Sisk JR West Frankfort
OL Artur Romanishyn SR Herrin
OL Corey Vaughn JR Herrin
OL Mark Sawyer SR Murphysboro
1st Team Defense
DB *Austin Butler SR Herrin
DB Cameron Rock SR Benton
DB Justin Younger SR Harrisburg
LB *Dakota Cali SR Benton
LB *Brandon Pate SR Harrisburg
LB Nathan Vaughn SR Herrin
LB Hadin Restivo SR West Frankfort
DE *Cole Forby SR Benton
DE Kevin Gude SR Murphysboro
DE Gabe Oglesby SR Harrisburg
DL *Shane Bettenhausen SR Benton
DL *Dakota Upchurch SR Harrisburg
DL *Brady Karnes SR West Frankfort
DL Diamante Bradley SR Murphysboro
DL Tyler Bebout SR Harrisburg
K *Josh Haynes SO Herrin
P Kane Wilson SR Murphysboro
At Large Selection
DB Tylon Kerrans SR Murphysboro
* Denotes unanimous selection
By BRUCE A. FASOL
On Monday, a handful of residents attended the first of two informational meetings on electric aggregation at West Frankfort City Hall. The meeting was led by Anna M. Baluyot, managing partner of Select Energy, of Chicago.
The Rend Lake College Lady Warriors basketball team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday at Waugh Gym in Ina.
Rend Lake lost 61-43 to Moberly Area and is now 4-1. Rend Lake Head Coach Ward McDaniel said Moberly Area was big and good, and that his team played hard, but they “just got beat.”
The Lady Warriors will head to Moberly, Mo., on Friday for two tournament games. RLC plays State Fair at 1 p.m. Friday and will rematch Moberly Area at 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Benton Rangerettes pose with their trophy after winning the Marion Lady Wildcat Invitational. (Christopher Kays / Franklin County News)
By Jim Muir
The Benton Rangerettes completed a successful week of basketball Saturday afternoon with a 58-18 victory over Marion and the championship of the Lady Wildcats Invitational.
Benton finished in first place with a 4-0 mark followed by Vienna at 2-2 and Herrin at 2-2. With identical records Vienna took second place because they beat Herrin in head-to-head competition. Marion and Carterville both finished at 1-3 in the five-team round robin tournament.
“It was a good week of basketball for us and I’m proud of the way we competed,” said first-year Benton coach Andy Sloan. “We have a lot of things to work on in order to improve but to come in here and win four games in five days is a great way to begin the season.”
After a thrilling 41-40 victory over Carterville on Friday night the Rangerettes wasted little time disposing of Marion in the finale at Cuss Wilson Gymnasium. Marion actually got on the scoreboard first on a three-pointer and a layup by Daily Williams to take a 5-0 lead. But, those would be the final points by the Lady Wildcats until late in the second quarter as the Rangerettes put together a 25-0 run to take a 25-5 lead before Marion got on the scoreboard again.
Benton held a commanding 29-9 lead at halftime and then extended it to 44-17 at the end of three quarters and then cruised on to the easy victory.
Benton was led in scoring by Morgan Corn with 14 – her fourth time in as many tries in double figures. The Rangerettes had another balanced scoring attack with eight players scoring. Also scoring for the Rangerettes was Evelyn Mendez with nine points, Cali Carney with eight points, Mikala Carney with five, Marcela Mendez and Cassandra Johnson with four each, Also scoring was Rowdee Sanders, Bobbi Wegrazyn and Katlyn Biddle with two each.
Corn was chosen to the All-Tournament team along with Abby Horn, Herrin, Carly Childress and Miranda Chance of Vienna, Allison Gwaltney, of Marion, Savanah Jones, of Carterville and Whitney Woodis of Herrin.
The Rangerettes are back in action on Nov. 27 when they open play in the tough SIRR Ohio Division against the Herrin Lady Tigers.
On Saturday, Benton police arrested four people after investigating a report of a domestic disturbance in the 800 block of North Commercial Street. David Huff, 41, of Benton was charged with obstructing a peace officer. Laura Huff, 28, of Benton was charged with obstructing justice. Tiffany Vocke, 25, of Chicago was charged with obstructing justice. David Pfost, 22, of Chicago was charged with obstructing justice and resisting a peace officer.
Also on Saturday, Joyce E. Gallagher, 32, of Benton was arrested after a traffic stop at the intersection of Buchanan and East Main Street. She was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured vehicle, expired registration, and driving without headlights when required.
All five suspects were transported to the Franklin County Jail for processing.
