Jason Van Dyke takes the stand and gives emotional testimony as murder trial nears end

Illinois residents pay more taxes than any other state

PEORIA — Harry Canterbury is a native Peorian who’s not happy with what he’s seen happen to the city.

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

SCOTUS declines to hear appeal of Drew Peterson’s murder conviction in death of 3rd wife

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal from former Bolingbrook police officer Drew Peterson that sought to undo his murder conviction in the death of his third wife, a decision that possibly leaves Peterson with no more legal options in the case.

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

ATF: Guns stolen from Tennessee found outside Chicago

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Hundreds of guns that were stolen from a United Parcel Service facility in Tennessee were recovered Tuesday in the Chicago area, federal authorities said.

Here’s a link to the story.

Geneva Zalenski Hines Smith

Geneva Zalenski Hines Smith, age 93, of West City, IL, passed away at 8:12 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2018 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Geneva was born on December 9, 1924 in Franklin County, IL, the daughter of Frank Zalenski and Dora (Wascoski) Zalenski. She married Robert Eugene Hines, Sr. on December 24, 1946, and he preceded her in death on December 21, 1951 in the Orient #2 Mine explosion. She would later marry Herbert Warren Smith in 1953, and he preceded her in death in 2001.

She formerly worked cleaning motels and worked for twenty plus years in cleaning and housekeeping at Union Hospital and for Dr. Fox.

Geneva enjoyed watching television and loved animals, and especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

Survivors include, her son, Robert Eugene Hines, Jr. and wife Karen of Benton; four daughters: Jo Ann Stewart and husband Rod of Benton, Gloria Overturf and husband George of Benton, Marsha Kay Eubanks of Benton, and Marie Smith of West City; twelve grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; an infant daughter; a grandson; two great-grandsons; and three brothers.

To leave the family online condolences or to share memories of Geneva, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Donnie Keith Brooks

Donnie Keith Brooks, age 75, of Ewing, passed away at 7:33 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2018 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will be in the Opdyke Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mr. Brooks was born on September 22, 1943 in Macedonia, IL, the son of Warner Brooks and Florence (Winemiller) Brooks. He married the former Vonda Allen on March 19, 1964, and she survives.

Donnie was a former oil field laborer, also he worked as a farm hand.

He was a member of the Macedonia United Methodist Church.

Donnie enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandson.

Survivors include his wife Vonda Brooks of Ewing; his son Brian Keith Brooks of Ewing; a grandson Joshua Keith Brooks; and a great-grandson Joshua Keith Brooks, Jr.; four nieces: Cheryl K. Lampley, Billie S. Higgerson, Gail Ellett, Becky Markham and husband Ben; two nephews: William E. Lampley, Jr. and wife Michele, Steven C. Lampley and wife Daredan; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Mr. Brooks was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters: Kathryn Parrish and Hazel Lampley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Leffler Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

To leave the family online condolences or to share memories of Donnie, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Bobby Lee Kent – Whittington, IL

Bobby Lee Kent, age 74, of Whittington, IL passed away at 8:26 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2018 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mr. Kent was born on October 28, 1943 in Benton, IL, the son of Vernie L. Kent and Florine R. (Vaughn) Kent. He married the former Helen L. Christian on June 5, 1965, and she survives.
He honorably served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps

Bobby was a former Transportation service and maintenance worker with ABEX.  He was the former president of the U.S. Steel Workers Local #7234.

He was a member of the West City Church of God.

Bobby enjoyed gardening, especially growing vegetables and flowers. He also enjoyed attending and worshipping with his church family.

Survivors include, his loving wife of 53 years, Helen L. Kent of Whittington; a daughter Beverly S. Batres and husband Julio of Crown Point, IN; two granddaughters: Samantha and Nicole Batres, both of Crown Point, IN; three sisters: Merita Weiser of Syracuse, IN, Mary Little of Lake Station, IN, Sarah Dhall of Canton, MI; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kent was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers: Jessie Kent, Allen Kent, and Keith Kent.

Memorial contributions may be made to West City Church of God and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave the family online condolences or to share memories of Bobby Lee Kent, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Column: Democrats, Kavanaugh and the illness deep within the bones of the republic

It is tempting to watch the political spectacle of Democrats destroying Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as if it were only some shameful partisan circus.

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

Column: The only certainty for the Cubs is change, a necessity after they exit meekly from the playoffs

At 12:05 a.m. Wednesday, the longest playoff game in Wrigley Field history ended — and what promises to be one of the coldest offseasons ever for the Cubs began.

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

RLC Trustee Dr. David Asbery honored with Physician of Excellence Award

INA, Ill. – Local physician and Rend Lake College Board of Trustee member Dr. David Asbery of Mt. Vernon has been honored with the 2018 Physician of Excellence Award from the Illinois Rural Health Association (IRHA).

Dr. David AsberyRLC Dean of Allied Health Kim Wilkerson nominated Dr. Asbery for the award earlier this year. She said Dr. Asbery was her first thought when it came to local outstanding physicians.

“When I first became involved with the IRHA, I began to see physicians from the state being recognized for their work, but our area physicians were not included. Dr. Asbery came to my mind,” said Wilkerson.

She continued, “I hear students on campus talk about the care they were given when they had children. I hear them talk about how great their interactions were with Dr. Asbery during clinical rotations. And it’s not only at the college where I hear his name; it’s the whole community. He is a very community-focused physician.”

Former Board of Trustee member Eric Black, pharmacist and owner of The Medicine Shoppe in Mt. Vernon, penned a letter to the selection committee in support of Dr. Asbery’s nomination. In the letter, he highlighted Dr. Asbery’s commitment to both his patients and the community.

“David and his wife Kathy have a generous heart and have been so giving with their time and financial resources. In fact, I have had the pleasure of service with David on the Rend Lake College Board where he has been a knowledgeable asset for some years now,” wrote Black. “When your committee considers the nominees for this award, no doubt you will have several wonderful individuals to choose from. I submit that you will find none more committed, none more deserving, and none more hard working than Dr. David Asbery.”

Black’s letter continues to address the reasoning for Dr. Asbery to be the award recipient as someone who has gone above and beyond in local communities. Black illustrates Dr. Asbery’s devotion to top notch medical techniques and his dedication to his patients.

“…He has opened [obstetrician] clinics in several small towns and villages around Mt. Vernon and has increased convenience and care for hundreds of patients. David has continued growing his abilities and patient care by being one of the first in our area to be certified on the DaVinci robotic surgery system. I have heard many wonderful compliments from his patients both on his surgical abilities and kindhearted bedside manner. He has developed a very loyal patient base for good reason,” the letter states.

Margaret Vaughn, Executive Director of the IRHA, will honor Dr. Asbery at a reception this fall where the Illinois General Assembly will also recognize his efforts.

In her announcement, Vaughn wrote to Dr. Asbery, “On behalf of the Illinois Rural Health Association, I would like to congratulate you on being selected to receive our 2018 Physician of Excellence Award. You were selected because IRHA feels you have gone above and beyond the call of duty, to make a significant impact in improving the quality delivery of health care in the rural community you serve.”

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News