(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that he wants to work with lawmakers in the General Assembly, but lawmakers have not yet returned to Springfield since March.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Pritzker says businesses that open early without approval could lose state licenses
May 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Rend Lake Dam Road closed for routine inspection
May 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Rend Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is announcing that the Rend Lake Dam/Spillway Bridge will be closed to all through traffic from 7:30 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13.
In the event of inclement weather the inspection will be moved to May 14. Watch for closure signs at Sugar Creek parking lot and the west entrance to the Rend Lake dam. This closure is necessary for engineers to perform a periodic inspection on the Rend Lake main dam/spillway bridge. Periodic inspections are conducted every two years on all bridges at Rend Lake which are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
For further information feel free to contact the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at 618-724-2493.
Four Salukis named to MVC Scholar-Athlete Teams
May 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment
ST. LOUIS – Four SIU baseball players were named to the Missouri Valley Conference’s Scholar-Athlete teams, the league announced Thursday. Ian Walters was named to the First Team. Brad Harrison, Mason Hiser, and Austin Ulick were named to the Honorable Mention team.
Walters (Paducah, Ky.) was off to an incredible start in 2020, leading the MVC in hits, doubles, stolen bases, assists, and on-base percentage. He also ranked highly in the league in batting average (2nd), total bases (2nd), walks (2nd), runs scored (3rd) and slugging percentage (7th). Walters reached base in all 18 games and recorded a hit in 17 of them, including 15-straight games to close the season. Walters reached base at least twice in 16 of 18 games. Walters holds a 3.881 GPA in sport administration.
Brad Harrison (O’Fallon, Ill.) was named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete team for a third-straight year. He posted a 3.00 ERA over 18 innings. Most notably, he pitched five shutout innings in SIU’s win over USC. He also pitched five shutout innings in a win over Northern Illinois. Harrison’s ERA ranked eighth-best in the league. In addition to being a three-time MVC Scholar-Athlete team selection (HM in 2018, First Team in 2019), Harrison was a three-time MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week in 2018 and earned a spot on the All-MVC Honorable Mention team in 2018. Harrison holds a 3.64 GPA in civil engineering.
Mason Hiser (Augusta, Kan.) was SIU’s opening day starter in 2020 and was outstanding all season. He went 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA over 23 innings. His ERA ranked fourth in the league, and he also ranked fourth in the league in inning pitched. Hiser had two quality starts and did not allow more than three earned runs in any start this season. He started the year off with six shutout innings on opening day. Hiser holds a 3.387 GPA in sport administration.
Austin Ulick (Washington, Ill.) started 14 of 18 games at catcher for the Salukis and hit .362, which ranked fourth in the league. Behind the plate, he threw out six would-be base stealers, which led the MVC, and has now thrown out 22 runners over his three seasons at SIU. Ulick posted a .444 on-base percentage, which ranked eighth in the league, and drove home the winning run in a walk-off win over Northern Illinois. Ulick holds a 3.823 GPA in sport administration.
SIU placed three or more player’s on the league’s Scholar-Athlete teams for the fourth time in the last five years. SIU has placed at least two players on the league’s Scholar-Athlete team in eight of the last nine seasons.
Pastor Rick Warren: Obey God Joyfully
May 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment
When you think about obedience, is “joy” a word that immediately comes to mind? Probably not. But the Bible tells us to obey God joyfully. And as it turns out, there are lots of great reasons for being joyful as we obey God.
Here’s a link to at Daily Hope.
Coronavirus and worry — fight back with faith and the 23rd Psalm
May 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment
On Zoom yesterday a friend asked me how I was doing in the midst of the pandemic. “Without dismissing the death and economic pain,” I answered, “honestly, I find the whole thing epic. I feel invigorated and called to serve.”
Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.
Opinion: The Michael Flynn case was a setup from the start. How many other lives have the FBI destroyed?
May 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment
If you were paying any attention to the news Thursday afternoon — and we suspect you were — you know there is a passionate debate underway right now among political partisans over the Justice Department’s decision to drop the case against General Michael Flynn. They are screaming.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.
Problems persist for Illinois residents signing up for unemployment
May 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Problems continue for Illinois residents signing up for unemployment
Problems filing for unemployment in Illinois persist
May 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment
As the number of people seeking unemployment benefits continues to rise in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic, many say they are still experiencing problems filing claims.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Amelia Morris named 2020 recipient of Rebecka Garavalia Lab Choir Award
May 7, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Amelia Morris is the 2020 recipient of the Rebecka Garavalia Lab Choir Award.
Amelia Morris
This prestigious annual award is given in memory of beloved Benton educator, Rebecka Garavalia who died suddenly just before the beginning of the 2002-03 school year. Lab Choirs under the direction of Mrs. Garavalia were always rated superior and excellent at Music Contests and Festivals. The criteria for the Lab Choir award is based on the standards of excellence Mrs. Garavalia demanded of her choir members including excellence in responsibility, discipline, leadership and musicianship.
Chosen by her fellow choir members, Amelia exemplifies all the criteria for this award, according to music teacher Alisa Leffler.
“She is a leader in the classroom, a responsible student and an excellent musician,” Leffler said.
A four year chorus member Amelia also performs in local theatre. She is active in Pyramid Players, Artstarts and Kre8ive. She has also appeared on the Rend Lake College stage. Amelia was slated to appear as Sharpay Evans in the 2020 Benton Grade School production of High School Musical Jr. The show was cancelled due to the COVID19 Pandemic. Amelia is a three time Superior soloist in Music Contest and often performs The National Anthem at local events. She is a member of the Jazz Band, a student of dance and participates in the music ministry at First Christian Church Benton. The daughter of Matt and Joelle Morris, Amelia is the big sister to twin siblings Rachel and Willis.
“It will be hard to fill the hole Amelia will leave in the Lab Choir. She is an outstanding vocalist and will be greatly missed. It has been an honor working with Amelia and being a part of her vocal training” says Leffler.
Recent recipients of this award include Benton High School students Mady Darr(2016), Trinity Price(2017), Kadinz Wilson(2018) and Delaney Leffler(2019)
Miriam J. Stewart — Benton, Illinois
May 6, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Mrs. Miriam Jane Stewart, age 84, of Benton, passed away Monday, May 4, 2020 at the Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab Center of Benton.
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, and the public gatherings of no more than 10 people and observing social distancing; Private graveside services will be at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. The Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton, is in charge of arrangements.
Miriam was born on August 23, 1935 in Benton, the daughter of Howard Whaley and Madge (Keaton) Whaley. She married Harry Stewart on July 16, 1954, and he preceded her in death on September 18, 2011.
Before her retirement, she worked for the Franklin County Clerk’s office as Chief Deputy County Clerk. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton.
Mrs. Stewart enjoyed gambling, especially playing slot machines and betting on horses. She also enjoyed crafts, entertaining friends and family, traveling, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are three children: Laura Stewart of Bloomington, IL, Dr. Kelly Stewart of Benton, Lex Stewart and wife Shannon of Benton; three grandsons: Alex Stewart, Jon Pulliam and wife Kaitlynn, Landon Stewart, all three of Benton; three great-grandchildren: Daniel Stewart Hobbs, Braxton Stewart, Keaton Pulliam; and longtime caregiver and personal assistant Daphne Hamby; three cousins; and several dear nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father Howard Whaley (died in the Battle of the Bulge); mother Madge (Keaton) Whaley Jones; step-father Wayne Jones; and her husband Harry Stewart.
Memorial contributions, In Memory of Miriam J. Stewart, may be made to either the Harry Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund or to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry; and may be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Miriam, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
