12th Congressional candidates trade blows in first and only televised debate

CARBONDALE — In the first televised debate of the election, and the first debate with all three candidates, hopefuls for Illinois’ 12th Congressional District told the voters what they needed to know about their platforms while also recycling some old lines from the campaign trail.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Waterfowl Hunting Opportunity Available at Rend Lake

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is offering the opportunity for hunters with disabilities to enjoy the sport of waterfowl hunting.  A specially designed in-ground waterfowl pit, located just east of the Mine 21 parking area, features a gradually sloping sidewalk which provides easy access to persons with mobility impairments.

A sliding roll-top allows for easy shooting while providing maximum camouflage.  The pit accommodates parties of up to 5 hunters. All hunters are required to hunt from within the pit and must abide by all Federal, State, and Rend Lake site-specific hunting regulations.  Rend Lake is in the South Central Zone for Illinois, Canada Goose season runs November 10, 2018 through January 31, 2019. Duck season runs November 10, 2018 through January 8, 2019.

The Rend Lake waterfowl pit is available by reservation, to persons with disabilities, during the main goose season. A reservation allows a disabled person and up to 4 able-bodied assistants to hunt the waterfowl pit on the date their reservation is valid. Persons with a reservation are allowed to pull their vehicles close to the blind for parking and unloading.  A reservation to hunt the waterfowl pit can be made by either of these methods:

  1. Submit an application in person by bringing it to the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
  2. Call the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at (618) 724-2493 during regular business hours and reserve the site over the phone.

Applicants will be contacted to confirm the date of their hunt and a permit will be issued. Disabled hunters must be accompanied by at least one able-bodied person who can assist with all aspects of the hunt.  On days that the waterfowl pit has not been reserved by a disabled hunter, it will be available to any group of hunters (disabled or able-bodied) wishing to utilize it on a first-come, first-served basis.  Walk-in hunters do not require an application or a reservation and may access the area by walking from the Mine 21 parking lot to the blind.

For additional information, contact Molly Rawlinson or Cassie Magsig, at the Rend Lake Project Office, 618-724-2493.

Report: Illinois’ lawsuit-friendly environment costs state 80,000 jobs a year

A report on Illinois’ legal landscape says the state’s lawsuit-friendly policies cost billions of dollars and more than 80,000 jobs every year.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Franklin County Sheriff’s report

10-12-18 at 8:14 am Deputies responded to a report of a fight in progress at a residence in Royalton.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of Richard E. King age 52 of Royalton and Jonathan C. Love age 43 of Christopher.  Both men were charged with battery.

10-13-18 at 8:24 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. Rt. 14 in Buckner.  A 2015 Chevrolet driven by Robin L. Vinyard age 45 of Buckner, was east bound and stopped in traffic to negotiate a right turn onto Market Street in Buckner.  A 1999 Silverado Pick-Up, driven by Dalton K. Risley age 16 of Sesser, was also east bound behind the Vinyard vehicle and struck the Vinyard vehicle in a rear-end type crash.  Neither driver was injured; however, a 48 year old male passenger, Chad M. Vinyard of Buckner, suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S.   Risley was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

10-13-18 at 11:38 pm Deputies responded to a reported single vehicle traffic crash that had occurred at the intersection of Crocker Road and Il. Rt. 148 north of Sesser.  It was reported that the red Chevrolet driven by a male subject had been east bound on Crocker Road, struck the stop sign at the intersection with Rt. 148, traveled into a ditch striking a Frontier cable box and then a fence.  The vehicle then fled the scene south on Rt. 148.  A Deputy was able to locate the vehicle on the north edge of Sesser.  The vehicle was a 2009 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Brian L. Sledge age 40 of Sesser.  Sledge was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a property damage crash, driving under the influence of alcohol and illegal transportation of alcohol.

10-14-18 at 2:33 pm Deputies responded to a disturbance at a residence in rural Benton.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jennifer R. Shelton age 29 of West Frankfort for criminal trespass to a residence and resisting arrest.

10-14-18 at 10:17 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash in rural Thompsonville.  A 1997 Ford Ranger Pick-Up had crashed on Timothy Lane at Ross Briley Road.  The driver had left the scene and was located the following day.  The driver, Steven M. Bruce age 29 of West Frankfort, was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and leaving the scene of a property damage crash.

10-15-18 at 9:43 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. Rt. 37 one mile south of the Franklin-Jefferson county line.  A 2016 Hyundai driven by Elva R. Scantlan age 83 of Harrisburg, was north bound on Rt. 37 and came to a complete stop as directed by an I.D.O.T. flagman in a single lane construction zone.  A 2004 Chevrolet driven by Rebecca L. Reese age 18 of Christopher, was also north bound, failed to stop and struck the Hyundai in a rear-end type crash.  There were no injuries and Reese was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

10-15-18 at 4:52 pm Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in Buckner.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of a 15 year old female for domestic battery.

10-17-18 at 10:38 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. Rt. 184 at Hyde Park Road.  A 1995 Ford driven by Marcus S. Jennings age 34 of Royalton was south bound and in the process of negotiating a right turn onto Hyde Park Road.  A 2008 Kawasaki Motorcycle driven by Matthew W. Loucks age 23 of Sesser was north bound on Rt. 184 and crossed into the south bound lane and struck the Ford on the driver’s side.  The motorcycle rider was ejected and received major injuries.  Abbott E.M.S. and Royalton first responders also responded to the scene.  The injured driver was flown out to an out of state hospital by Air Evac.  The driver of the car was not injured.  The crash is still under investigation.

10-18-18 at 7:30 am Deputies arrested Robert E. Withrow age 47 of Mulkeytown as a result of an investigation of his sex offender registration status.  Withrow was charged with a violation of the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Statue.

10-19-18 at 10:17 pm Deputies were investigating a series of thefts that have been occurring in Valier and were also attempting to locate an individual wanted on a warrant.  A search of a residence was conducted utilizing K-9 Diego.  The wanted subject, Shawn P. Zook age 41 of Macedonia, was located by K-9 Diego hiding in a false wall behind a water heater in the bathroom of the residence.

The subject was wanted on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving personal injury.  He is also now charged with obstructing justice.  Also arrested for obstructing justice was Ryan A. Karabec age 34 of DuQuoin.  More arrest and charges are anticipated.

WARRANT ARRESTS

 10-11-18 Chase M. Johnson age 25 of West Frankfort.  Failure to appear on aggravated battery of a child.

10-11-18 Britny L. Sutton age 22 of Christopher.  Failure to appear for felony theft and retail theft.

10-11-18 Loren J. Owens age 38 of Benton.  Failure to appear on traffic charges.

10-13-18 Catlin D. Boswell age 21 of Tamaroa.  Failure to appear for aggravated battery.

10-14-18 Shane F. Utley age 30 of Marion.  Failure to appear for domestic battery.

10-14-18 Cody L. Collins age 21 of Woodlawn.  Failure to appear for possession of cannabis.

10-14-18 Brieanne E. Johnson age 24 of Carbondale.  Failure to appear for criminal trespass to property.

10-15-18 Michael A. Meinert age 42 of Benton.  Failure to appear for criminal damage to property.

10-16-18 Dustin M. Jones age 25 of DuQuoin.  Failure to appear for domestic battery.

10-17-18 Todd M. Taylor age 36 of Desoto.  Failure to appear for theft, obstructing justice and traffic charges.

10-18-18 Jennifer L. McNabb age 50 of Eldorado.  Failure to appear for a Saline County warrant for possession of illegal gambling devices.

10-18-18 Candace V. Perez age 33 of West Frankfort.  Failure to appear for unlawful violation of an order of protection and domestic battery.

10-18-18 Virginia A. Campbell-Melton age 47 of Sesser.  Petition to revoke probation.  Unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

10-18-18 Michael L. Smith age 45 of Opdyke.  Failure to appear for retail theft.

10-19-18 Crystal M. Rold age 40 of Marion.  Failure to appear for fraud.

10-19-18 Michael D. Needham age 22 of Cambria.  Failure to appear on traffic charges.

10-19-18 James L. Weir age 21 of Herrin.  Failure to appear for obstructing identification.

 

 

Should Illinois kill its ‘death tax?’

After the federal government and the majority of states have scrapped it, should Illinois do away with its “death tax?”

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Illinois’ Department of Natural Resources is telling deer hunters about a few changes for the 2018 deer hunting season.

Illinois’ Department of Natural Resources is telling deer hunters about a few changes for the 2018 deer hunting season. 

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Hot topics this week on St. Louis Cardinals

Rounding out the hot topics that are St. Louis Cardinals’ fans minds this week.

Here’s a link to the column at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Column: Cubs have followed Red Sox blueprint for success, but they still have work to do

When the new Cubs regime began interviewing managerial candidates in the fall of 2011, speculation was rampant that President Theo Epstein might hire Terry Francona, his former manager in Boston.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Coach Nick Hill’s weekly press conference

CARBONDALE, Ill.  — Here are excerpts from Saluki football head coach Nick Hill‘s weekly press conference held Monday afternoon at Saluki Stadium. Southern Illinois plays at Missouri State on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT in a game that will be televised on ESPN+.

On this week’s opponent Missouri State.
Coach (Dave) Steckel has done a good job building their program in year four and won a couple games early in the season against ranked opponents. They had a tough game at home last week against Western Illinois. When you look at the middle of our league, everybody has played each other really close and they’ve won some close games. It’s just another week in the Missouri Valley where we have to go on the road and play a good opponent. We’ve not been able to close (a win) out as some of these other teams have, but the process isn’t going to change. We have to keep fighting, developing, and some guys that are being called upon have to continue to grow and get better. 

We have to stop the run. That has been our Achilles’ heel throughout the season and it won’t change this week. (Missouri State) is a team that, to be successful, wants to run the football, whether it’s with the quarterback or their backs. We have to be gap-sound, we have to be in our gaps and we have to tackle. 

On the offense’s performance against Indiana State.
We had 11 explosive plays in the game last week and probably left a couple out there. We feel any time you have more than 10 you’re going to have a pretty good day. We count an explosive play as any run over 12 yards and any pass over 16. For us, it’s about executing in the red zone, scoring points when we get down there. You don’t want to kick field goals, but on two of the trips (against Indiana State) we didn’t get an opportunity to do that, which hurt. 

We gave the player of the week to the entire offensive line. I thought they did a great job. Zeyveon (Furcron) probably had his best game. We ran for 294 yards and controlled the line of scrimmage.

On the quarterback position.
Matt (DeSomer) will start again and Sam (Straub) has to be ready to go. I felt like Matt did what we thought he would do, which is go out there and compete and lead our team. Obviously, there’s a couple plays we wish we had back — the two turnovers — but he competed and played his butt off.

On the importance of keeping DeSomer out of 3rd-and-long.
With any quarterback, your success rate on 3rd-and-long is not good, no matter if you’re a pocket passer or running quarterback. For the most part we did a good job of that, we were 4-of-9 on 3rd downs, (he) picked up some with his feet and threw for one. We stayed out of a lot of third downs, we had 28 first downs and were able to run the football with success on the early downs. We have to continue to do that. 

On whether the team’s freshmen will play more in the final four games.
We’re preparing and competing to win every single game, all the way down to the end. The best players that give us the best chance to win will be the ones that are playing. As the season gets going and the younger guys continue to step up, some of them will get some opportunities. Some of them got some opportunities on kickoff and special teams things, but we have to line up with the guys that give us the best chance to win. 

On the defensive line struggling to stop the run.
I don’t think it’s for lack of personnel or talent. There’s a lot of those guys that would be playing for every team in our league. Jordan BernerAnthony Knighton can play for a lot of teams in the country. Up front it will be good to get Malik (Haynes) and Tyree (Jackson) back. They were out with concussions. Kyonta (Stallworth) has played well, probably played his best against Youngstown but then got a concussion, was out, then came back last week and probably played as good as anybody up front. Up front, we have a lot of depth, but we’ve gotta get them in spots and they have to execute so we can stop the run. 

On the depth of talent on the two-deep.
There’s obviously things you’re going to keep recruiting and trying to fill holes. We’ve had some injuries that when you get into your second and third guy, we have to continue to coach our depth and develop and recruit for our depth. When we started this (season), we felt like our two-deep talent-wise was as good as anybody. When you look at our games, besides the one (at Illinois State), we easily could have 3-4 wins and we’re sitting there with the rest of the league at 4-3 or 3-4. These games come down to the very end, all the games you watch and break down, and we’re right there in that same pack, but we haven’t found a way to win any of these games there at the end.

On the absence of linebacker Cody Crider.
He’s one of our best players. Not having his physicality, his athleticism, running things down — we’ve been hurt with the stretch play and pin-and-pull. He’s as fast a linebacker as there is in our conference. The depth at those positions, Bryce (Notree) and Luke (Giegling) are basically playing the entire game. 

Luke Giegling was recruited by everyone in our league and is playing at a super-high level. He got defensive player-of-the-week again, another week with double-digit tackles as a freshman. 

On Iowa transfer wide receiver Matt Quarells.
He’s a good player, hasn’t had the season that he’d like, but shows up every single day and models the way for some of these freshmen. Sometimes, that’s what you want if they’re not going to have the season statistically. He’s a guy that’s about to get his master’s degree. The effect he can have in the locker room with your freshmen and your guys that are trying to figure it out, he’s at a different stage of his life. I’m happy as could be to have Matt Quarells as a part of this program. 

On the wide receiver corps.
We still have good receivers. Ralph (Leonard) has had a good season, Landon (Lenoir) has come on. We haven’t had the big plays in the passing game that you’d like to see. We’ve called a lot of things to get the ball down the field and continue to. We have to play good at the quarterback spot to get them the football, but we do have good receivers and we have to keep finding ways to get them the ball.

On the upcoming recruiting class.
The finalization of your class will happen at the end of November or (early) December. We’ve had 11 commitments now and just got a couple this week, today actually. We had a good group that committed to us before the season started and are still committed.

Dodgers and Red Sox to contend with cold for first 2 World Series games

Hooting and hollering, Chris Taylor and a couple of Dodgers took aim at the Green Monster. With their arms, not bats.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News