Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
CHICAGO — Administrators at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign have raised the idea of adopting a mascot to ease the continuing turmoil over Chief Illiniwek, the school’s officially banned but still omnipresent symbol.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
ST. LOUIS — Manny Machado homered and drove in three runs to back Clayton Kershaw, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-7 Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series between playoff contenders.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A humbled Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, one of the most endangered state executives in the country, promised Thursday to be less confrontational and more understanding of his political opponents’ views if voters give him a second chance in the November election.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
Lamon Deon Hart, 80, of Valier passed away on Thursday September 13, 2018.
He was born on December 24, 1937 to Nelson Hart and Lillie (Overturf) Gibson. He married Francesca (Shovan) Hart on August 31, 1958 and she survives of Valier. Survivors include his wife; children Lonnie (Mary) Hart of Benton and Lori (Chris) Dillman of Marion; grandchildren Andrew Hart, Sidney (Abbie) Hart, John Ryan (Tina Breen) Beighley, Tyler (Kristi) Dillman, and Cortney (Nick) Panzo; great grandchildren Cooper, Vincent, Madison, Trey, Emerson, and Evann; one brother Damon (Charlotte) Hart of Valier. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He was retired from Zeigler Coal Company as a surface mine Superintendent. He also served on the Valier Village Board for over 30 years, and was a 50 year member and Past Master of the Valier Masonic Lodge. Lamon was a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Funeral services will be on Sunday September 16, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Dale Burzynski officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 12 noon until the time of the service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Valier. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
For a full obituary go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Barbara Jane McCoy, 71, of Benton, IL, passed away at 4:45 a.m., Thursday, September 13, 2018, at Helia Healthcare of Benton, IL.
She was born on October 6, 1946, to John and Lida (Miller) Rusher in Rend City, IL. On May 15, 1971, she married James McCoy, and he survives.
Barbara was a member of the First Baptist Church of West City. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. One of her greatest joys in life was spending time with her family.
Barbara is survived by her husband, James McCoy; two children, Matthew McCoy of Benton, IL and Jennifer (Ryan) Huie of Sesser, IL; one granddaughter, Rylin Huie; four brothers and sisters, Rick (Gail) Rusher of Owensville, IN, Steve (Tara) Rusher of Evansville, IL, Christy (Jim) Davenport of Henderson, KY, and Kathy Rusher of Benton, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Henry and Lida Rusher.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 17, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.
Funeral services will follow visitation Monday, September 17, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Memorials contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
INA, Ill. – Two Rend Lake College Day Tours this fall will feature many popular attractions in St. Louis that are sure to peak many interests. Stops on these two trips include the National Blues Museum, the Metropolitan Square Building, the Gateway Arch, the Anheuser-Busch InBev Brewery, and the Missouri Civil War Museum.
First up is the Re-Discover St. Louis tour, set for Friday, Oct. 12. Participants will stop in at the new National Blues Museum, an attraction dedicated to exploring musical history and the impact of blues music. Attendees will then take part in lunch as one of St. Louis’ finest restaurants – Kemoll’s – on top of Missouri’s largest skyscraper, the Metropolitan Square Building.
After lunch, re-discover the Gateway Arch where construction on the grounds is now completed. Attendees will explore the new, interactive museum below the Gateway Arch and enjoy the tram ride to the top for breathtaking views. The Re-Discover St. Louis tour costs $135. Attendees must pre-register by Monday, Sept. 17.
Later this fall, participants can spend the day on the Brewery & Civil War Museum Tour, set for Thursday, Nov. 1. Kick off the day with a tour of the Anheuser-Busch InBev Brewery to learn about the brewing process, sample brewery products in the tasting room, and see the world-famous Clydesdale horses in their stables.
Enjoy lunch at The Lodge at Grant’s Trail before heading off for a tour of the Missouri Civil War Museum – one of the largest Civil War museums in the nation. The Brewery & Civil War Museum tour costs $130. Attendees must pre-register by Monday, Oct. 8.
Tour fees, lunch, gratuities, and charter bus transportation are included for both tours. Also for both tours, the bus will depart from the Ina campus at 7:30 a.m. and will return by 6:30 p.m. Attendees can also get on the bus at the Mt. Vernon MarketPlace at 8 a.m. The bus will return to Mt. Vernon by 6 p.m.
To learn more about or to register for any of these classes, call RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration is required, and can be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing commcorped@rlc.edu.
INA, Ill.– Whether you’re learning the basics of handgun safety, interested in learning more techniques, or needing to get your Concealed Carry license renewed, Rend Lake College has a handgun training class for you this fall.
Beginners can step into Basic Reloading with Instructor Michael Dollins. This class will focus on learning how to reload ammunition for a handgun and how to utilize various equipment needed for reloading.
No live primers or gun powder will be used in this class, and no live ammunition will be created during this class. Alternatives will be used to ensure safety. Attendees must be 16 or older. The class costs $15, plus a $5 supply fee, and will meet from 6-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5 or Monday, Dec. 3 in the Historic Schoolhouse on the Ina campus.
Local, first-time hunters can take advantage of the free Hunter Safety course with Instructor Sam Settle of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This class will cover topics such as wildlife management, firearms safety, hunter ethics, game identification, first aid, survival techniques, and regulations.
Participation in the class is a requirement in state statute for hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1980, when applying for a hunting license. Pre-registration is required and attendees must attend both sessions and bring a pen or pencil. The class meets from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21 and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 at the RLC MarketPlace, Room 354, in Mt. Vernon.
More advanced handgun users can take advantage of Advanced Handgun Training and Low Light Engagement Handgun Training. The Advanced class will cover the laws of civilian use of force, weak hand shooting, one hand shooting, one hand reloading, shooting on the move, and range rules. The range portion will test marksmanship using techniques learned in the class. The class will meet with Instructor Jeff Bullard of the Mt. Vernon Police Department from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 or Saturday, Oct. 20 in the Applied Science Center, Room 102, on the Ina campus. The class costs $65.
The Low Light Engagement class will teach the basics about shooting in a low light setting, including the importance of illumination tools. The drills in the class include shooting with handheld illumination, shooting from cover with illumination, and moving with and without light. This class will meet with Bullard from 2 – 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 or Saturday, Nov. 3 in the Applied Science Center, Room 102, on the Ina campus. The class costs $65.
Participants interested in either handgun training session will have to have passed the RLC Basic Handgun Training course in the past, and to enroll in Low Light Engagement, will also have to have taken the Advanced Handgun Training course. All attendees must be 18 or older, wear old clothes, and have a valid Illinois FOID card. Attendees should also bring eye and ear protection, handgun, and 150 rounds of ammunition.
Local Concealed Carry license (CCL) holders can also take advantage of the Concealed Carry License Renewal class, which is designed for those with CCLs set to expire in the next six months. RLC Criminal Justice Professor Ron Meek will review the required license information and attendees will take part in the live fire portion of the class on the RLC Shooting Range.
Attendees should bring their Illinois FOID and CCL cards, along with their handgun and two boxes of unopened ammunition. Handguns will be inspected by the instructors and must be approved prior to use. The class costs $50 and will meet four times this fall in the Applied Science Center, Room 102, on the Ina campus: 8 a.m. – noon Saturday, Nov. 3; noon – 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3; 8 a.m. – noon Saturday, Dec. 8; and noon – 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.
To learn more about or to register for any of these classes, call RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be required, and can be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing commcorped@rlc.edu.
CHICAGO — Gov. Bruce Rauner told exhibitors attending the largest manufacturing trade show inAmerica that Illinois remains an ideal home for companies that are looking for a highly skilled workforce and a transportation infrastructure that is unmatched in its ability to support worldwide distribution.
Rauner made his remarks during a visit to the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), which was organized by the Association For Manufacturing Technology and is taking place this week at McCormick Place in Chicago. This is the first time that IMTS has partnered with Germany’s Hannover MESSE, producer of the world’s largest manufacturing tech show, to highlight the global significances of the sector.
“Chicago is the epicenter of American industrial enterprise and it is the perfect place to display the incredible new technologies being deployed by modern manufacturing companies,” Rauner said. “Illinois’ commercial pedigree is built on the vibrancy of its manufacturing companies, and we are determined to support the growth of these companies into the future.
“Modern manufacturing requires highly skilled labor,” Rauner continued. “Illinois is a tremendous source of talent for manufacturers. We’re a leading technology innovation center. We’re a top STEM state. We’re a leader in apprenticeship programs, vocation and technical skills development. Our universities are among the greatest engineering schools in the country.
“We’re also investing in our transportation and distribution infrastructure,” he said, pointing to the $500 million 75th Street Rail Corridor project as an example. “There is no place in the country that can match our ability to get goods and people from one place to another.”
Rauner noted the multiplier effect of manufacturing when it comes to economic output, job growth and wages. He also said that the sector is responsible for two-thirds of the nation’s private research and development, making it one of the most exciting and demanding places for 21st century careers.
“The companies that make things contribute so much to our economy and our quality of life,” Rauner said. “Our state’s total manufacturing output in 2016 was over $100 billion and we exported $55 billion. About 600,000 Illinoisans are employed by manufacturers, and more than 1,900 foreign firms have a presence here. It is a tremendous force for good.”
At the show this morning, Rauner visited several exhibits, a number of which also were on his itinerary when he visited Germany last April and Asia last year.
His stops included HARTING Americas, a Germany-based connector company that is growing in Illinois and is developing strong apprenticeship and business development ties with Harper College in Palatine and the University of Illinois. He stopped at the Rittal exhibit to renew acquaintances with the company he visited at Hanover MESSE in April during his mission to Europe. The company makes some of the most innovative IT enclosures in the world and has its North American offices in Schaumburg.
Rauner also visited the exhibit of Sodick Inc., a Japan-based leader in electronic discharge machining (EDM) that opened a new North American headquarters in Schaumburg earlier this year.
From Illinois Review —
WHEATON – Earlier this week, three Illinois House Republicans distributed announcements of state grants being awarded to projects in their districts. The grants included $153,000 to McHenry County College, $621,000 to Harper Community College and $709,000 to College of DuPage to update the facilities’ infrastructures.
The same day State Representative Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, criticized millions of dollars in legislative initiative “pork” spending reportedly contained in the FY 19 state budget.
“The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget acknowledged in August that the new state budget is unbalanced by a staggering $1.2 Billion. Now it is coming to light that untold millions of dollars in spending was hidden in the new state budget for legislators in both parties to designate for pork projects in their districts,” Ives said.
“I refuse to participate in this initiative and am calling on my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, to do likewise. Illinois taxpayers deserve to know where every dollar in the budget is being spent. Not one penny should be spent on pork.”
Three of Ives’ Republican House associates have no intention of accepting her challenge to reject their portions of the $11.3 million in funds released by the Governor’s office on Management and Budget for community colleges throughout the state.
“The College of DuPage is a world-class institution of higher learning that serves more than 28,000 students each semester,” said State Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard). “Keeping the campus buildings and infrastructure in a state of good repair is costly, and I am pleased to see the State of Illinois making an investment in our local community college.”
State Rep. Steve Reick of Woodstock said the money is being used to replace roof-top units and duct work.
“The RTUs are over 27 years old and are operating beyond their life cycle,” said Reick. “They require more and more maintenance to keep operational, have lost some functionality and are inefficient for today’s energy standards. In addition, the duct work is over 40 years old and has failed in several locations.”
State Rep. Tom Morrison of Palatine said the funds would be used to replace existing steam and condensate piping, valves and supports that are failing. “A failure of this system would result in the campus being closed until repairs are completed,” said Morrison. “With cold weather right around the corner, it is imperative that the repairs take place without delay.”
The FY 19 state budget was approved by the Illinois House of Representatives on May 31 by a vote of 97-18. Representative Ives was among those who voted against the budget.
