Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
A Florida teenager, who allegedly strangled his mother to death last week over an argument about a bad grade, reportedly “showed no sign of remorse” and bragged about his attempt to cover up the crime, police said.
Here’s a link to the story at Fox News.
Late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, former managers Lou Piniella, Davey Johnson and Charlie Manuel, and six players headed by Lee Smith are on the 10-man ballot for the baseball Hall of Fame’s Today’s Game Era committee to consider next month.
Here’s a link to the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
With no single, glaring hole on their roster and yet at least one significant, defining need — a return to the playoffs — the Cardinals arrived at a sun-swept Southern California retreat about to embark on a holistic approach to this offseason.
Here’s a link to the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears are about to find out just where they stand.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
By Rick Warren
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).
Parents understand the power of gratitude. Most parents wouldn’t appreciate their children always making requests without saying “thank you” for what they’ve already received. God sees it the same way. He wants us to ask him for what we need and want. More than 20 times in the New Testament, we’re told to “ask” him. But he wants us to ask with gratefulness.
The Bible urges us to be specific in our requests—and our praises. Instead of a simple “thank you for everything,” he wants us to tell him what we’re grateful for. When I say to my wife, “I’m so grateful for you,” she tells me to be specific. She likes to hear what I appreciate about her and what I’m grateful for about her.
God wants to hear the same things. So when you pray, tell God what you’re thankful for. Prayer is one of the most important ways we tell God “thank you.”
Thanking God in advance is a big step of faith. The Bible says that when we have the faith to thank God ahead of time for an answer to our prayers, miracles happen. The more thankful we are, the more God works in our lives. The Bible says that God inhabits the praise of his people. He empowers and uses our thanksgiving as an instrument of power in our lives.
Democratic Party kingpin Nancy Pelosi – the once and future Speaker of the House if Democrats retake the chamber on Tuesday –foreshadowed just how radical her party’s agenda will be.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.
Illinoisans encouraged to remember vets, service members this holiday season
SPRINGFIELD — Taking a few moments to write a holiday card or send a pair of socks might seem like a small gesture, but for service members and veterans on the receiving end, such gifts can mean the world.
That was the message conveyed today by First Lady Diana Rauner as she announced the 2018 Holiday Hero Drive for Illinois service members and veterans. The drive sends holiday cards and socks to Illinois service men and women, including those currently overseas, reminding them that they are cherished and remembered at holiday time.
The drive is done in partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO) of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA), and the Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association.
“Our active duty military and veterans have made countless sacrifices to preserve our way of life, and it is vital that we always remember and support our Illinois heroes,” Mrs. Rauner said. “Holiday cards and socks are simple gifts that can lift their spirits and show our men and women in uniform that we appreciate their service.”
“Gov. Rauner and I encourage all Illinoisans to participate in the Holiday Hero Drive by sending cards or socks to the USO or a local veterans services office,” she continued. “We are proud to work with these partners to express our gratitude to the military and veteran communities this holiday season.”
In addition to cards, the Holiday Hero Drive includes sock donations this year. Participants can send in new tan or black boot socks to USO of Illinois officials, who will distribute the collected socks to deployed troops as well as veterans in Illinois Veterans’ Homes.
“Deployed service members are on their feet a lot, and tan or black boot socks — which can be worn with any uniform — are one of the most requested items, to keep their feet dry, clean and comfortable,” said David Darroch, USO program director.
“This great program will show every service member — soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, and Coast Guard member — that we truly appreciate their sacrifice and service and that they are not forgotten as they continue to serve wherever they are assigned to complete their duty,” IDVA Director Stephen Curda said.
Cards and socks should be mailed now through Nov. 20 to the following address:
USO of Illinois – Holiday Hero Drive
333 N. Michigan Ave.
Suite 2226
Chicago, IL 60601
Cards and socks also can be dropped off at the Governor’s Mansion, 410 E. Jackson St., Springfield, or with a local Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs veteran service officer. Office locations can be found here: https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/Pages/ServiceOffices.aspx.
Mrs. Rauner reminds the public that with service members stationed throughout the world, including many remote locations, it is important to send holiday cards and socks to USO of Illinois as early as possible to ensure they arrive before the holidays.
Any questions about the Holiday Hero Drive can be addressed to mansionassociation@gmail.com.
Proceeds to benefit St. Joseph’s Home and the Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association
SPRINGFIELD – The 2018 Official City of Springfield Ornament has been unveiled. The 2018 ornament features the recent renovation of the Governor’s Mansion, the Illinois Bicentennial, and is the 26th ornament in the City of Springfield series celebrating hometown landmarks and events. This year’s ornament is the result of a partnership between St. Joseph’s Home and the Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association. Proceeds from the sale of the ornament will benefit both non-profit organizations.
Justin Blandford, Curator of the Governor’s Mansion, Springfield Mayor James Langfelder, and Maxine Bergman, Executive Director of St. Joseph’s Home are all expected to participate in the unveiling event.
The Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association is a non-profit group responsible for the two-year renovation project of the Governor’s Mansion, which was funded entirely with private dollars. The update focused on needed structural repairs and a significant upgrade to the visitor experience. “The People’s House” now showcases Illinois history and art, and is open daily for docent guided tours.
St. Joseph Home is a non-profit nursing home serving the aged and infirmed in the Springfield area for the past 115 years. The ornament project has been a fundraising and outreach program for St. Joseph’s Home for the past 26 years. Through the support of generous benefactors, the Home is able to serve residents with compassion and individualized care.
Ornaments are available for purchase ($29) after the unveiling at the Governor’s Mansion, St. Joseph’s Home, and selected Springfield area businesses.
INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College students enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Technology program will have six new pieces of machinery to get their hands on this year, thanks to a donation by John Deere. Through their Engines for Education program, the manufacturing company made their first-ever donation to the college with a transmission and five engines for students to use in their Overhaul and Engine Fuel Systems classes.
RLC President Terry Wilkerson said, “Support like this from our industry partners is invaluable to the education of our students. These pieces of equipment help provide the latest technology for our students to experience real world and hands-on training.”
Learn more about RLC’s Agriculture programs at www.rlc.edu/programs-and-degrees/332-agriculture or by calling 618-437-5321, Ext. 1261.
Pictured is, FROM LEFT, Cody Hutchison (Woodlawn), Thomas Wolf (Odin), Collin Strumpf (Millstadt), Nathan Gates (Du Quoin), Trent Vosholler (Highland), Jordan Eidman (Mascoutah), Hayden Anderson (Columbia), Buddy Gore (Belleville), RLC Maintenance Technician Rodney Summers, Coty Boruff (Bartelso), Kyle Bammer (Belleville), Dale Hoff (Belleville), and RLC Heavy Equipment Technology Associate Professor Zack Vahlkamp.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
A Prayer for Those Who Feel Wounded
By Debbie McDaniel
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
Over and over in scripture, God reminds us that He heals. That He alone has the power to restore us, redeem the painful times we walk through, and make all things new again. Yet often, when we find ourselves right in the midst of the battle, or in the heat of hard times; when we’ve felt wounded and hurt, rejected or broken; we may begin to wonder if God Himself really cares.
Don’t doubt for a minute that He sees and knows the pain you feel. He understands what it is to be betrayed. He knows what it is to feel loneliness, rejection, and huge grief. He cares about every moment that you have felt deep loss and hurt. He too was wounded, yet far beyond what we could ever comprehend.
Whatever hardship you’ve faced, your story has a greater purpose. It doesn’t have to end with the wound. Don’t allow the enemy to label you with the struggle you’ve faced, or allow you to get stuck in your pain. For God has far better in store. Keep pressing through the battle. He promises to carry you through, and bring you forth as gold.
7 Promises to Remind You that He Will Heal and Restore:
“…By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
“…for I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.” Psa 103:2-4
“Behold, I am making all things new…” Revelation 21:5
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psa 147:3
Dear God,
We feel wounded, betrayed, and brokenhearted. We wonder sometimes if we can ever fully recover from the deep hurt we feel inside. Thank you that you know what we’ve been through and the struggles we still carry. Help us to forgive. Help us to let go. We know that we can move forward with you in peace and freedom. We pray for those who have hurt us right now, and ask for your power to work mightily within their lives. We leave them in your hands and find our comfort and strength in your spirit.
Thank you that you understand all that we’ve faced, that you see and you care. We ask that when the enemy taunts us with lies and tries to bring up the hurt of the past, you would silence his voice and allow us to walk free. We bring you all the stuff that he would use to try to trap us or stop us – the pain, the past, the mistakes, the struggles. And we lay it at your feet, again. Thank you for your healing, for your grace, for your hope. Thank you that you have set us free and will not waste the pain that we’ve carried. We look forward to the greater good and purpose you will bring through this struggle.
We love you Lord, we need you, we trust you.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
