Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
BLOOMINGTON — State Farm will pay $250 million to settle a federal lawsuit that accused the insurance giant of breaking federal racketeering laws by funneling money into the election campaign of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
A throng of protesters gathered outside Cook County’s criminal courthouse Wednesday to mark the start of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke’s murder trial, waving signs and chanting the now-familiar slogan: “16 shots and a cover-up!”
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who sued the city for a court agreement to govern reforms of the Police Department, said in a statement Wednesday that she won’t run for Chicago mayor.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
INA, Ill. – Four culinary-themed classes offered through Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education Division will prepare attendees for a healthy diet this fall. Interested participants can enroll today for these classes, scheduled in September and October.
First up this month is Ready, Set, Sushi – a class designed to introduce sushi lovers to the basics of making their own healthy dinner in the comfort of their home. RLC Chef Jeff Fairbanks will cover terminology, equipment needed, basic techniques, sanitation, and safety concerns. Participants are recommended to wear comfortable clothing and no special equipment is needed. The class costs $20, plus a $15 supply fee to the instructor, and meets from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 in the Student Center, Room 120, on the Ina campus
Next in September is Healthy Eating for All Ages, which will help participants discern what is in a healthy diet. Instructor Marty Wells will review some ways to eat a balanced diet while maintaining or losing weight. The class costs $10 and will meet from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 in the Historic Schoolhouse on the Ina campus.
In October, participants can join a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener and Fairbanks to learn How to Grow and Prepare Fall Vegetables. Topics of discussion will include how to harvest, identify, and prepare fall vegetables; how to grow vegetables in gardens or raised beds; and how to prepare herbs on fall vegetables. The class will end with an interactive demonstration on how to prepare dishes using fresh vegetables. The class costs $15 and will meet from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1 in the Student Center, Room 103, on the Ina campus.
Later in the month, Instructor Marty Wells is back to help participants Make Sense of Nutritional Labels. This informational class will help attendees find out how the nutrition label can help them make healthier food choices. The class costs $10 and will meet from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11 in the Historic Schoolhouse on the Ina campus.
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
INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College is teaming up with the American Heart Association (AHA) this fall to offer a number of emergency services courses at the AHA Training Center at the MarketPlace, Room 221, in Mt. Vernon.
Among these courses are CPR/AED and First Aid, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC). To learn more or to reserve a seat today, contact the AHA Training Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 2032.
CPR/AED and First Aid
There are several one-day courses scheduled for First Aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) / AED (automated external defibrillator) training at the RLC AHA Training Center this semester. By definition, First Aid is the assistance given to any person suffering a sudden illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, to prevent the condition from worsening, and to promote recovery.
The First Aid and CPR/AED courses will meet from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the following dates: Monday, Sept. 10; Tuesday, Oct. 2; Thursday, Nov. 15; and Wednesday, Dec. 5.
ACLS, PALS Prep and Renewal
The AHA also offers both ACLS provider and ACLS renewal courses this semester to ready students for the urgent treatment of cardiac arrest, stroke, and other life-threatening medical emergencies. The provider class meets from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the following dates: Monday, Sept. 19 and Tuesday, Sept. 20 and Tuesday, Nov. 6 and Wednesday, Nov. 7.
The renewal courses require one day of study, also from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 20; Friday, Oct. 12; Wednesday, Nov. 7; and Tuesday, Dec. 4.
Another two-day provider class, PALS aims to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for students to efficiently and effectively manage critically ill infants and children. The class meets from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13 and Wednesday, Nov. 14. For those needing renewal, the one-day course will meet from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12 and Friday, Oct. 19.
WASHINGTON — Brett M. Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing is scheduled to last all week. Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley lost control after just 13 words.
Here’s a link to the editorial at the Chicago Tribune.
After sitting through almost seven hours of opening statements from senators and repeated outbursts from protesters at his confirmation hearing Tuesday, Judge Brett Kavanaugh showed why he would be an outstanding Supreme Court Justice when he delivered a brief opening statement.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.
Connor became the head pastor of a large metropolitan church. He wanted to revamp the children’s ministry, boost missions giving, and start a building fund for a new sanctuary. But he knew he would create tension with the congregation if he moved too quickly. He studied Paul’s leadership style and worked with his congregation in ministry.
If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me (1 Corinthians 9:17).
Paul felt passionate about preaching the gospel and considered that privilege his reward. He is an example of how to minister to others: find common ground in order to relate to people; avoid a superior attitude; make others feel accepted; be sensitive to their needs and concerns; and look for opportunities to serve and witness. We will be blessed as we serve God and have others’ best interests at heart.
Thought for Today: How do I relate to those I meet each day?
By Rick Warren
“Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT).
Hebrews 11:24 says, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” (NIV).
Moses had an identity crisis. He was born a Hebrew slave but raised as Egyptian royalty, the grandson of Pharaoh. When he grew up, he faced two options: He could pretend to be Pharaoh’s grandson for the rest of his life and live a life of luxury and fame and power. Or he could admit who he really was: a Jew.
If he admitted who he really was, his family would kick him out to live with slaves the rest of his life. He would be disgraced and humiliated and live a life of pain and drudgery.
Which would you choose?
Most people today are living lies. They’re trying to be people they’re not. But Moses refused to live a lie because he was a man of integrity. He insisted on being who God made him to be despite all kinds of peer pressure.
Here’s my question for you: Who are you letting determine your identity?
Is it your friends and family? Maybe you have parents who died years ago, but you’re still trying to live up to their vision for your life. Perhaps you are hanging on to what your ex-husband or ex-wife said to you, and you’re trying to prove that person wrong. Or maybe you are trying to keep up with what social media and culture and the competition all say you should be.
But the Bible says this: “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT).
The first resolution you need to make is this: “I resolve that I will no longer let other people press me into their mold. I’m going to be what God wants me to be. I’m going to do what God wants me to do, and I’m going to fulfill the plan that God has for my life, not somebody else’s plan for my life.”
Friend, that is real success. Real success in life is being exactly who you were created to be and nothing more.
Football 09/04/2018 | 1:27:00 By Tom Weber, SIUSalukis.com
| Southern Illinois (1-0, 0-0 MVFC) at Ole Miss (1-0, 0-0 SEC) | |
| Date & Time | Sept. 8, 2018 | 3 p.m. CT |
| Location | Oxford, Miss. | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038) |
| TV/Video Stream | SEC Network ALT: Mike Morgan, John Congemi, Alyssa Lang |
| Live Stats | Provided by Ole Miss |
| Radio | Saluki Radio Network with Mike Reis (play-by-play), Gene Green (analysis) and Connor James (analysis) |
| Radio Stream | TuneIn (free) |
| SIU | Game Notes (PDF) | Stats | Media Guide (PDF) |
| MISS | Game Notes (PDF) | Stats | Media Guide |
| MVFC | Weekly Notes | Stats |
| All-Time Series |
SIU trails series, 0-2 (H: 0-0, A: 0-2) |
| Social Media | @SIU_Football  | @SIUSalukis  | Saluki Football  |
Series versus Ole Miss
The Salukis and Ole Miss have met twice before, with Southern losing, 59-3, in 1994 and 42-24 in 2011. In the 2011 matchup, the Rebels scored three touchdowns in the first six minutes of the contest to take a 21-0 lead. From that point forward, Southern outscored Ole Miss, 24-21. For the game, the Salukis out-gained the Rebels in total yardage, 420-315.
Salukis tie school record with three defensive touchdowns
In the season opener at Murray State, the Salukis tied a school record with three defensive touchdowns. Qua Brown (23-yard fumble return), Airan Reed (0-yard interception return) and Michael Elbert (77-yard fumble return) each recorded their first-career touchdowns.SIU forced six turnovers in the game — the most since forcing six at Eastern Illinois on Nov. 28, 2009.
S Jeremy Chinn has created 10 turnovers in last 13 games
In the last 13 games, S Jeremy Chinn (6-2, 211, Jr.) has four interceptions and six forced fumbles. A preseason All-MVC pick, he is tied for second all-time at Southern in forced fumbles (6), trailing only Tyler Williamson (8, 2012-14). Chinn has started 18-straight games at safety for SIU — the longest active starting streak on the team.
QB Sam Straub on CFPA Watch List for Player of Year
QB Sam Straub (6-4, 247, Sr.) is one of 36 FCS players on the College Football Performance Awards preseason watch list for its National Performer of the Year Trophy. Straub has a 7-5 career record as a starter. He started the final three games in 2016 and the first eight games in 2017, before a season-ending wrist injury. For his career, Straub has completed 56.5 percent of his passes with 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also has two rushing TDs. Straub is the only quarterback in school history to complete 30+ passes in a game three times and is tied with Sherard Poteete for the most 300-yard passing games with five. His career best in passing was a school-record 450 yards against Western Illinois on Nov. 19, 2016.
RB D.J. Davis with first-career 100-yard game
In the 23rd game of his SIU career, RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 168, Jr.) topped 100 yards rushing for the first time, gaining 127 last week at Murray State. All of his rushing yards came in the first half. His 19 rushing attempts surpassed his previous career high of 12. Davis led all MVFC running backs with 35 receptions in 2017. As a rusher, receiver and kick returner, he led the team with 1,373 all-purpose yards, averaging 124.8 yards per game, which ranked 18th in the FCS.
Darrell James tied for fifth in career receiving yards
With 1,629 career receiving yards, WR Darrell James (6-0, 197, Sr.) is tied with Billy Swain (1,629) for fifth all-time in receiving yards at SIU. James recently became the 14th player in school history with 100 career receptions.
Pass-catching streaks
Three players enter the Ole Miss game with double-digit streaks of consecutive games with at least one reception — Darrell James, 6-0, 209, Sr. (18 games), Raphael Leonard, 6-2, 193, Sr. (12 games),
D.J. Davis, 5-8, 168, Jr. (10 games).
No seniors in starting lineup on defense
SIU’s starting defense features six juniors, four sophomores, one redshirt freshman and no seniors. Of the 22 players on the two-deep, only two are seniors (LB Withney Simon and CB C.J. Jennings).
Saluki debuts
Against Murray State, three players made their first-career starts (WR Landon Lenoir, LB Bryce Notree and S Qua Brown). Twenty-three players made their Saluki debut, including five true freshmen — QB Javon Williams, WR Je’Quan Burton, CB Chance Bush, LB Oliver McDowell and FB Jacob Garrett.
Did you know? SIU …
Week One flashback
Dawg Bites
