Linda Lou Fred-Sesser, IL

June 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Linda Lou Fred, 81, of Sesser passed away on June 27, 2018 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

She was born on December 12, 1936 in Waltonville, IL to Orlie and Reva (Maneese) Kelley.  She was married to Richard “Tobe” Darrell Fred and he preceded her in death on September 13, 2002.

She is survived by her children Kathy Stewart of DuQuoin, Richard Fred of Sesser, Carroll (Terri) Fred of Sesser and Paulette (Jim) Newbury of Sesser; 7 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; brothers and sisters Gene (Rose) Kelley of Sesser, Donna (Ted) Harmon of Whittington, and Connie (Tim) Odum of Christopher.

She retired from Lyn-Gia garment factory in Sesser.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one brother Bob Barnhill.

Graveside services will be on Friday June 29, 2018 at 11:00 Am at the Old Baptist Cemetery with Brother Larry Cook officiating.  Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is assisting the family with arrangements.

For more information go to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Curtis Smith, a fallen Warrior, remembered

June 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill. – The Rend Lake College Warriors and the community at large have lost a hardwood icon with the passing of Curtis E. Smith of Benton.

Smith lost his battle with colon cancer Sunday, June 24, 2018, at his home surrounded by family. He was 56.

A Class of 2003 inductee to the Rend Lake College Sports Hall of Fame, Smith left a legacy of basketball excellence at RLC. Playing for the Warriors from 1980-82, Smith is one of just the handful of players to make it to the 1,000-Point Club and still holds numerous accolades from his tenure in Waugh Gymnasium.

During his freshman season at RLC, he produced a Land of Lincoln Classic-record 38 points (17-25 FG) vs. Oakton, with nine rebounds, and 27 points (12-18 FG) and 12 rebounds vs. Southeastern Illinois.

Smith’s sophomore season was ranked No. 2 in RLC history at time with 631 points. That season he also was named All-Southern Illinois College Conference and team “MVP” after 21-11 campaign in which he averaged 19.7 ppg for league co-champs. He tallied a career-best 41 points in 90-84 win over Lewis and Clark and helped the squad capture RLC Pepsi Classic and finish runner-up in LLCC.

Career stats – 64 G; 455-980 FG, 46%; 170-225 FT, 76%; 16.9 ppg; 266 rebounds (4.2); 168 assists (2.6).

He turned that passion and skill as a player into a successful coaching career, earning the SIJHSAA Coach of the Year honors in 2015 with Ewing.

“I had the privilege of being a team mate of Curtis at Benton High School. He is without a doubt one of the hardest working and most dedicated athletes I have ever been around. He truly made himself into a great player through his dedication in the gym. I know that he has received many accolades for his basketball playing career and all of those are well deserved, however, his legacy will be in the impact that he had on the lives of so many young men and women that he had the opportunity to coach,” expressed RLC Athletic Director Tim Wills.

“He was a successful coach in terms of wins and losses, but his greatest accomplishment was his positive influence on his players. He was a great role model as a man, a husband and a father. I do not think any parent could ask for anything greater than to have a person like Curtis Smith coach their child. He was a great friend and he will be missed by many.”

Professionally, Smith was a Correctional Officer at Big Muddy Correctional Center.

In lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to the Curtis Smith Memorial Basketball Scholarship Fund at the Rend Lake College Foundation or you may donate online at www.rlc.edu/foundation/give-now.

“From all I’ve learned about Curtis Smith, it’s evident he was an exceptional man who made an incredible impact on others and generously shared his gifts and talents. The Curtis Smith Memorial Basketball Scholarship is such a special way to honor and celebrate Curtis’ legacy as a standout RLC Warrior, coach, mentor and friend to all of those he touched. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Smith family during this most difficult time,” said Rend Lake College Foundation Director Kay Zibby-Damron.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 29th at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton with Dr. Sammy Simmons officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whitttington.

Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the Immanuel Baptist Church.

Filed Under: Featured

Rend Lake College Spring 2018 Honors Lists

June 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College is pleased to announce 396 students have made the President’s and Vice Presidents’ lists of academic honors for the Spring 2018 semester.

The lists include 153 individuals named to the President’s List. Those students earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) during the semester as a full-time student earning 12 credit hours or more. Another 243 students were named to the Vice Presidents’ List. Students on the Vice Presidents’ List earned a 3.50 – 3.99 GPA during the semester as a full-time student.

“We’re excited to see such a big number of hardworking students named to the President’s and Vice Presidents’ lists, and those students should be proud of the work they put in to reach this honor,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson. “I speak for our faculty and staff when I commend them for their success and encourage them to continue working hard to reach their educational goals.”

RLC students receiving academic honors for Spring 2018, listed by communities, are:

President’s List

(All hometowns Ill. unless noted otherwise)

AVA – April Froehl

BELLE RIVE – Cassandra Richardson

BENTON – Brittany Ferris, Kevin Gibbs, Makaela Hampton, Ashtyn Kubow, Brette Mahan, Morgan Montgomery, Tedgie Morgan, Taigan Neibch, Robert Reider, Kurtis Sanders, Shelby Wilhelm, Drew Williams, Ivan Wysong

BLUFORD – Madalyn Balakhani, Matthew Breeze, Brenna Collins, Seirra Forristall, Garrett Girvan, Corey Hammer, Tylar Hanson, Kayla Parks, Jaedyn Reich, Alexis Scrivner, Kendra Soule

BONNIE – Shawn Jenkins, Brenton Rains, Jera Sloat

CARLYLE – Adam Mentel, Alexis Robert

CARTERVILLE – Catherine Graves, Chasity Lively

CHRISTOPHER – Autumn Gunter, Khortnee Kerkemeyer, Joshua Underwood

CISNE – Danielle Sitzes

COULTERVILLE – Chelsea Hill, David Sprehe

CREAL SPRINGS – Darci Morrison

DAHLGREN – Augustus Rawls, Michaela Scott, Sara Waggoner

DIX – Crystal Moore

DU BOIS – Kyle Kreger

DUQUOIN – Justin Cavins, Nicholas Hirsch

ELDORADO – Caitlyn Stafford

HARRISBURG – Chloe Bruno

HERRIN – Rachel Ward

HORSLEY, Australia – Natalie Chang

JOHNSTON CITY – Madison Pribble, Joseph Swallers, Jennifer Webster

LOGAN – Zachart Ozbourn

MARION – Derrick Davis, Shawna McIntire

MCLEANSBORO – Emily Blades, Tim Hart, Rebecca Heil, Jordyn Joiner, Sarah Mead, Kelly Mosby, Jordan Pike, Taylor Prince, Clayton Ragan, Michaela Rexing, Rebecca Skelton, Alyssa VanZant, Landon Vaughan, Maude Wheeler

MT. VERNON – Brandon Accomando, Robert Blaydes, Briea Dobbs, Jacey Donoho, Melissa Dutton, Noah Farmer, Jeimin Garibnavajwala, Grady Graham, Hannah Hamerski, Tyler Joseph, Noah Karch, Keith Kinney, Lauren Long, Blake McPherson, Raquel Minor, Michelle Nguyen, Kaylie Overbey, Daniel Plumb, Chase Regenhardt, Kayley Reininger, Gretchen Rich, Phillip Sexton, Kalen Soger, Heather Simpson, Elijah Smith, Peggy Stewart, Ella Warner, Aryn Wiggins, Garrie Wilson, Rachel Wright, Danielle Young

MULKEYTOWN – Afton Kirk, Zachary Webb

NORRIS CITY – Tyler Gray

OPDYKE – Brooke Cash

PINCKNEYVILLE – Kelsey Ginn, Willie Holyfield, Kara Lacy, Jayla Louis, Hannah Porter

SALEM – Paul Frederick

SCHELLER – Dalton Banach, Lauren Frisch, Kamber Pyszka, Mackenzie Trader

SESSER – Christina Alvis, Kennedy Cloe, Mariah Eader, Savannah Queen, Luke Webb

SIKESTON, Mo. – Daniel Blake Wolferding

SPARTA – Brooke Craig, Shayne Kempfer

TAMAROA – Jacob Compton, Alan Fox, Shania Opp, Tyler Restoff

TEXICO – Caleb Myers

THOMPSONVILLE – Christina Biermann, Brandi Kerley

VALIER – Alexandra Boner

WALNUT HILL – Nathan Edwards, Kelsey Milt

WALTONVILLE – Jaylin Haley, Jordan Hoppa, Jasie Kitowski, Olivia Massie, Grace Pytlinski, Braelyn Walker

WAYNE CITY – Stacy Andrews, Everett Dulany

WEST FRANKFORT – Mary Linsley

WOODLAWN – Rachel Jackson, Lindsay Johnson, Bryson Sanders, Vanessa Seaman, Mason Smith, James Waite, Sarah Wilson, Molly Zuhlke

Vice President’s List

ASHLEY – Madison Bock, Alexandria Kubiak

BARTELSO – Coty Boruff

BELLE RIVE – Zebadiah Adams, Ben Jolly, Todd Tapp, Lazadrea Thomas

BELLEVILLE – Kyle Bammer, Alford Gore, Dale Hoff, William Huhman, Joshua Kern

BENTON – Victor Achilam, Jared Allison, Ashley Atkins, Theresa Bates, Emberly Code, Jacie Coleman, Madeline Farmer, Jacqueline Fowler, John Giacone, Haley Ing, Hillary Ionson, Dennis Johnson, Jade Jones, Logan Maxey, Olen Mosley, Chase Owens, Bradley Phillips, Tyler Price, Matthew Pulliam, Amber Rash, Parker Robbins, Brandon Smith, Vishnu Tailor, Sierra Tiberend, Christina Toler, Sydney Vanhoorebeke, Joshua Vaughan, Martin Ward

BLOOMINGTON – Michaela O’Neal

BLUFORD – Danny Brown, Joshua Greene, Tayler Hayes

BONNIE – Kaylie Bicanich, Taylor Coggins

BROUGHTON – Logan Hunt, Alyssa Russell

BUCKNER – Reed McIntosh

CALVERT CITY, Ky. – Cody Clark

CARBONDALE – Andrew Phillips

CARLYLE – Kyle Kampwerth

CARTERVILLE – Alicia Dawson

CENTRALIA – Dillon Spencer

CHANDERVILLE – Alexandra Brue

CHRISTOPHER – Brooke Akers, Haley Hammonds, Tori Schafer, Phillip Smith

COLUMBIA – Hayden Anderson, David Shaffer

COULTERVILLE – Kelby Burns, Bryson Howie

DAHLGREN – Katie Coy, Scott May, Aaron Uhls, Sara Waggoner, Madison Webb, Michael Wells

DE SOTO – Raelyn Blumenstock

DIX – Adra Burnes, Blake Fewkes, Blake Wollerman

DUQUOIN – Braden Heape

ELDORADO – Alison German

ELKVILLE – Robert Crews

ENGLAND, United Kingdom – Jack Pring

EQUALITY – Shawn Livengood

EUREKA, Mo. – Luke Thorburg

EWING – Cole Hutchens, Leslie Peacock, Allison Subblefield, Kaycey Webb

FAIRFIELD – Kyle Leegaard, Beth Moats

FULTS – Cole Zilafro

GOREVILLE – Brant Glidewell

HARRISBURG – Micalea Goebel

HERRIN – Zachary Arnold, Lily Ballard, Maegan Klingler, Sandy Metzger, Michael Warren

HOYLETON – Tyler Staats

IUKA – Dakota Barthelemy

KELL – Blake Hayes

MACEDONIA – Adrianna Maxwell, David Motsinger, Celia Summers

MARION – Taylor Sloop, Ashton Stotlar, Ashley Walker, Carrie White

MCLEANSBORO – Schuyler Bailey, Ciara Beaumont, Colton Bond, Celeste Ellis, Kyle Garrett, Rayla Griffith, Elizabeth Isaacs, Lauren Lowery, Sawyer Lueke, Tyler Morrison, Sheila Overturf, Lane Parker, Adam Pryer, Kristen Watkins, Adrienne Winemiller

MT. VERNON – Mason Balsover, Christopher Clark, Joshua Cortez, Joseph Davis, Kyle Friant, Thierry Goulet Papazian, Derrick Gradford, Tangala Griffin, Rebekah Holt, Christopher Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Andrew Kyles, Kaitlyn Lawrence, Jonathan Lehman, Brian Leneave, Brandi McCain, Bret McCarty, Ryan McKinley, David Milano, Fisher Overstreet, Janki Patel, Sadie Powell, Riddhi Rangoonwala, Kenny Rankin, Arianna Reiss, Railor Renaud, Tyler Roy, Briannah Sandy, Kayley Scott, Dylan Uhls, Kimberly West, Truda White, Collin Whitener, Zach Williams

MULKEYTOWN – Ariel Mays, Madilyn Severs, Sarah Thompson, Luke Winget

MURPHYSBORO – Shaye Page

NASHVILLE – Riley Edwards

NEW ATHENS – Cole Dickerson

ODIN – Thomas Wolf

O’FALLON – Nakia Thomas

OLNEY – Phillip Mitchell

OPDYKE – Rebekah Cramer, Lydia King, Mackenzie McIlrath

PADUCAH, Ky. – Ian Walters

PEORIA – Tanner Bradley

PERCY – Rick Smith Jr.

PINCKNEYVILLE – Shannon Barnett, Russell Black, Jamie Chapman, Hunter Clark, Darianne George, Keith Goldman, Hannah Hubbard, Sydney Kelly, Mary Kopshever, Jonathan Lee, Halle Matecki, Megan Moody, Michael O’Neal, Esther Roy

PRAIRIE DU ROCHER – Cory Mosbacher

RED BUD – Erin Porter

ROYALTON – Alyssa Jarvis

SCHELLER – Emma Banach, Rebekka Delaney

SESSER – Emily Bulla, Bayley Eubanks, Hannah Garascia, Cayce Halbin, Matthew Loucks, Mallory Newbury, Amanda Queen, Chase Ragland, Madyson Senior, Madyson Swain, Olivia Sweetin, Mackayla Tindall

SHEPARDSVILLE, Ky. – Jacob Kelly

SPRINGERTON – Hannah Wimer

TAMAROA – Savannah Cheek, Travis Craig, Jacob Lacy, Carli Phillips, Angela Watkins

TEXICO – Jeremy Johnson, Hallie Jones, Audrey Southerd

THOMPSONVILLE – Jacob Dixon, Heather Earl, Allysa Fox, Kimberly McFarland, Maddie Miller, Cory Wilce

VALIER – Taylor Alvis, Afton Frank, Kyle Stanley

WALTONVILLE – Courtnee Bradham, Jada Hale, Jared Heppe, Samuel Kash, Jesse McCowen, Isaac McPhail, Brayden Reynolds, Shayla Sanders, Sean Scott, Brittany Ward

WAYNE CITY – Braeden Payne, Cody Sexton, Logan Stewart, Brandon Webb

WEST FRANKFORT – Bailey Clem, Keegan Easley, Brianna Linsley, Joshua Rodely, Erik Williams

WHITTINGTON – Scott Britton, Tabitha Hopkins

WOODLAWN – Kaden Devore, Karisa Fuller, Sabryn Griffin, Amber Patterson

Filed Under: Breaking News

OSFM awards grant to Franklin County community

June 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment
(ZEIGLER-ILLINOIS) — The City of Zeigler Fire Department has received notification from the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) that the department will receive $26,000 in grant funds from the OSFM’s Small Equipment Grant Program. The grant will provide the fire department with some much needed personal protective equipment used to protect firefighters engaged in their official duties.
“This is great news especially at this time for the City of Zeigler. Our fire personnel are well trained and this grant will ensure that they are well equipped with gear,” said Mayor Dennis Mitchell. “My thanks to Zeigler Fire Department staff for the preparation of this grant.  We have a top notch Fire Department which is a credit to the city and its citizens.”
The grant funding is a much needed investment in personnel safety according to Chief Ryan M. Buckingham. The funding will enable the department to stay on target with the current national standards for the proper replacement of personal protective equipment (PPE). The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) calls for the replacement of PPE every 10 years or when damage is noted. “I want to thank Fire Marshal Matt Perez and the selection committee for affording us this funding opportunity”, added Chief Buckingham.
Filed Under: Breaking News

Benton police report

June 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

On June 21, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 500 block of Madison Street in reference to a battery complaint.

Upon investigating, police arrested Ashley L. Tison, age 31, of Benton for battery.

Tison was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 22, 2018 Benton Police arrested Dustin H. Keller, age 33, of Benton for unlawful failure to register as a sex offender.

Keller was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 23, 2018 Benton Police arrested Jarrett J. Mintz, age 32, of Benton for an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.

Mintz was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 23, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 500 block of North Main Street in reference to hit and run.

Upon investigating, police located the driver of the vehicle identified as John S. Williams, age 27, of Newark, DE who was arrested for driving on a suspended license.  The passenger was also located and identified as Khiara M. Braden, age 40, of Ashland City, TN who was arrested for obstructing justice.

Both Williams and Braden were charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 24, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 300 block of South Main Street in reference to a report of a stolen vehicle.

Upon investigating, police later arrested James M. Lenzie, age 29, of West Frankfort, for theft of a motor vehicle.   Lenzie was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Martinez finds rhythm in win over Indians

June 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

After watching Carlos Martinez surrender two runs in the first inning, Yadier Molina gave his pitcher an order: Throw the ball down the middle. Molina knew Martinez’s pitches had good movement. If they were over the plate, they’d get Indians batters out.

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

Filed Under: Sports

SIU pitcher Allen Montgomery, a Johnston City native, signs with Pirates

June 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Southern Illinois pitcher Allen Montgomery signed a free agent deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon. Montgomery, a Johnston City, Ill., native, is the third SIU player to sign with an MLB club this year, joining Michael Baird (23rd round to the St. Louis Cardinals) and Connor Kopach (25th round to the Seattle Mariners). 

“I always thought about this moment, but I’m not sure I ever really believed it would happen. It’s a dream come true,” Montgomery said. “As a walk-on, I felt like I had to play with a chip on my shoulder. I put in a lot of time, work, and effort; and that led to this opportunity.”

Montgomery, who joined the program as a preferred walk-on in 2016-17, made 27 appearances out of the SIU bullpen in 2018, the fourth-most appearances in the Missouri Valley Conference. He served as SIU’s go-to reliever with runners on base–his 45 inherited runners led all SIU relievers by 31. Montgomery stranded 33 of the 45 inherited base runners and finished the season with 11 scoreless appearances, including four of at least two innings. 

“I only had one opportunity out of high school, and (Southeastern Illinois College head coach) Jeremy Irlbeck gave me a chance. I only had one opportunity out of junior college, and (SIU head coach) Ken Henderson and (SIU associate head coach) P.J. Finigan gave me a chance. I can’t thank them enough,” Montgomery said. “And my biggest influence was (Marion, Ill.) native Eric Barrett. When I was 16, he told me I have what it takes to make it as a pitcher. Without him, I wouldn’t be playing baseball.”
Filed Under: Sports

Carpenter’s night is one for the books as Cards roll

June 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Matt Carpenter still was in a 10-2 game in the eighth inning Tuesday night at Busch Stadium because he and Cardinals manager Mike Matheny were hopeful Carpenter would hit a triple to complete the first cycle of his career. But, as few doubles as the Cardinals have hit this year, they don’t hit any triples _ they have three for the season _ so this basically would qualify as false hope.

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

Filed Under: Sports

Javier Baez hit 2 home runs, Cubs snap five game losing streak with 9-4 win over Dodgers

June 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Javier Baez took over for the loss of Kris Bryant in a prolific manner Tuesday night.

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

Filed Under: Sports

FCN Daily Bible Verse

June 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 105:4 (Read all of Psalm 105:4)
New International
Filed Under: Columns
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