Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
| With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. |
| James 3:9-10 (Read all of James 3:9-10) New International Version |
SPRINGFIELD — Some Illinois lawmakers want to give extra money to schools that replace armed security officers with unarmed social workers and behavior therapists, an approach to safety that’s far different than a national push to add police or arm teachers following a mass shooting at a Florida high school.
School resource officers have become a topic of discussion in the wake of recent school shootings.
Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, a Hillside Democrat, said he proposed the plan after hearing from advocates who argue that investing in mental health resources is the best way of treating the epidemic of violence.
His plan, which is backed by 16 other Democrats in the House, would allow schools to apply to an optional grant if they promise to reallocate funding for school-based law enforcement to mental health services, including social workers or other practices “designed to promote school safety and healthy environments.”
But the measure could be a tough sell, especially amid a widespread effort to employ more of what’s known as school resource officers — fully armed law enforcement officers often paid for by schools.
As of early April, 200 bills or resolutions have been introduced in 39 states regarding school safety, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. More than half of these measures were introduced following the events in Parkland, Florida. Thirty-four bills in 19 states address regulations and training for school resource officers.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions proposed a school safety plan in March that included a measure prioritizing grants to states that agree to use the money to put more law enforcement in schools.
Michelle Mbekani-Wiley, from the Sargent Shriver Center on Poverty Law, said this approach is wrongheaded and that police are unequipped to recognize or respond to mental health issues. She adds that many minority students within the Chicago Public School system are arrested by school resource officers for non-serious offenses, which could jeopardize their chances of applying to jobs and colleges in the
“This increased presence of law enforcement in schools does not necessarily enhance school safety,” said Michelle Mbekani-Wiley from the Sargent Shriver Center for Poverty Law. “Instead it dramatically increases the likelihood that students will be unnecessarily swept into the criminal justice system often for mere adolescent or disruptive behavior.”
“If you try and hire a school resource officer, that costs money,” Pope County High School principal Ryan Fritch said. “A lot of the school infrastructure upgrades you’d like to make for security purposes are hard to do because the funding structure isn’t there.”
However, advocates for school resource officers argue their role is essential to keep students safe, especially in the event of a school shooting.
After Parkland, Deputy Kip Heinle, former president of the Illinois School Resource Officers Association, said he was “fielding two to three phone calls a day” from school districts asking how they can add more patrolling officers. While there’s no official count on how many school resource officers are employed in Illinois, he puts the estimate at around 500.
Heinle, who works as a school resource officer in an Illinois suburb of St. Louis, says he believes that the officers are “the best line of defense to keep students safe in school.”
He adds that, beyond preserving law and order in schools, he adds that many officers also act like a mentor and an informal counselor to many of their students, with the goal of “shaping them to be successful adults someday.”
School resource officers are not required to be trained in Illinois, but they can pay to take part in an optional annual training session each summer in Bloomington. Around 85 to 100 officers from around the state typically attend, said Heinle. No Chicago Public School officers have ever attended, he added.
The bill is HB4208.
SIU SET FOR WEEKEND SERIES AT NO. 21 TENNESSEE TECH
The Southern Illinois baseball team travels to No. 21 Tennessee Tech for a three-game series this weekend. All three games will be video streamed through the OVC Digital Network. Friday night’s series opener is set to begin at 6 p.m. CT.
Game 1 – Friday, April 20 // 6 p.m. // Watch | Listen | Stats
SIU RHP Michael Baird (3-2, 3.52 ERA, 61.1 IP)
TTU TBA
Game 2 – Saturday, April 21 // 2 p.m. // Watch | Listen | Stats
SIU LHP Jamison Steege (4-2, 4.45 ERA, 54.2 IP)
TTU TBA
Game 3 – Sunday, April 22 // 1 p.m. // Watch | Listen | Stats
SIU LHP Brad Harrison (4-2, 2.83 ERA, 54.0 IP)
TTU TBA
AROUND THE HORN
MVC LEADERS
RUN WITH US
| If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. |
| James 1:5 (Read all of James 1:5) New International Version |
From the Benton Evening News:
It’s that time again, kids. Fishing season will be underway shortly, and one of the most impressive events in the area for young fishing kids is coming again to Izaak Walton Lake, just northwest of Coello.
For the 25th year, the annual Christopher Area Youth Fishing Derby will host youngsters who are determined to catch some fish in a friendly, fun competition. The date is Saturday, May 12.
Winners in three classes will be recognized with awards for heaviest stringers and a prestigious biggest fish prize. There is also a Del Rea Memorial Sportsmanship Award for a youngster showing unselfish qualities of good citizenship during the derby.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. followed by a few outdoor demonstrations, and then it’s on to fishing.
Anglers 15 and younger can bring their own gear or lures, although bait and equipment are provided for anyone who needs them.
The following list of arrests were made by Franklin County Sheriff Dept. deputies.
April 6
• A traffic stop at 1:53 p.m. in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Bryan D. McClintock, 31, of Christopher on a charge of driving while license suspended.
April 7
• At 3:45 a.m., a Franklin County correctional officer discovered a glass pipe containing methamphetamine in the possession of a female inmate during the booking procedure. The female recently had been transferred from another county jail. Jenna N. Moore, 31, of Wood River was charged with unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, a class 1 felony.
• A traffic stop at 9:54 a.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Bradley A. Roeder, 35, of Benton on a charge of driving while license suspended.
• Deputies responded at 4:21 p.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Akin Blacktop just east of Rt. 34. The investigation concluded that a 2008 Pontiac driven by Aaron J. Jackson, 20, of Whittington was west bound and negotiating a curve when the driver stated he swerved to avoid striking a dog, lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a culvert. The driver received minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital by EMS.
• A traffic stop at 6:36 p.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Byron E. Olson Jr., 24, of Benton on a charge of driving while license suspended.
• Deputies responded at 8:51 p.m. to a disturbance at Pearson’s Skating Rink on Rt. 37 south of Benton. The incident resulted in the arrest of a 14-year-old female on charges of battery and resisting a peace officer. The juvenile was released to the custody of her mother.
April 8
• Charges have been filed and an arrest made as the result of a car crash that occurred at 12:10 a.m. July 2, 2016, on Peach Orchard Lake Road 1/4 mile east of the Sesser Lake Road. The crash seriously injured three young men and was handled by the Franklin County Sherriff’s reconstruction team. The crash investigation was lengthy as the result of the need to await DNA lab results to close the investigation. Charged as a result is Travis L. Reginato, 23, of Buckner. Reginato is being held in the Franklin County Jail on a charge of aggravated reckless driving, a class 4 felony. His bond has been set at $50,000 or 10 percent.
• Deputies responded at 6:04 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 148 just south of Three-Bill Road. The investigation concluded that a 2004 Toyota Tacoma driven by Thomas J. Bryant, 55, of Sesser was southbound and preparing to turn east into a private drive when the Toyota was rear-ended by a 2008 Saturn driven by Cheyenne N. Conner, 24, of Mulkeytown, who failed to stop. Bryant sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. Sesser Fire first responders also responded to the scene. Conner was not injured but has been cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The crash is under further investigation, and further charges are possible.
• Deputies arrested Michael S. Ligon, 44, of Marion for revocation of probation on a charge of domestic battery.
April 9
• Deputies responded at 7:11 p.m. to a disturbance in Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of a 15-year-old male on a charge of aggravated assault. The juvenile was released to the custody of his parents.
• Deputies arrested Brianna L. Deason, 31, of West Frankfort on a warrant for failure to appear for theft.
• Deputies arrested Erika L. Grimes, 29, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear for possession of methamphetamine.
• Deputies responded at 10:23 a.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Old Marion Road just north of the county line. The investigation concluded that a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Richard L. Thompson, 70, of West Frankfort was southbound and apparently suffered some type of medical episode, causing him to lose consciousness. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a Southeastern electrical power pole, trapping the driver until the lines were de-energized. The driver was uninjured due to the crash, but was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire EMS due to the previous medical episode.
• Deputies responded at 8:08 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Charles S. Hargett, 57, of Thompsonville on a charge of domestic battery.
April 11
• Deputies responded at 1:50 a.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Dylan L. Morris, 24, of Thompsonville on a charge of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.
• Deputies arrested Mark A. Vreeland, 26, of Zeigler on a warrant for failure to appear on a probation revocation.
April 12
• Deputies responded at 1:59 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash just east of Buckner. The investigation concluded that a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox driven by David E. Valette, 50, of Mulkeytown was eastbound on Rt. 14 and was attempting to make a left turn into a private drive when it was struck in a rear-end type crash by a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Katherine E. Monari, 28, of Christopher. Valette sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment. Monari was not injured, but was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
• Deputies responded at 3:45 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Whittington. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Justin S. Forsythe, 30, of Whittington on a charge of domestic battery.
April 13
• Deputies arrested Rickey W. Ledbetter, 51, of Mt. Vernon on a warrant for failure to appear for aggravated assault.
The following list of arrests were made by Franklin County Sheriff Dept. deputies.
April 6
• A traffic stop at 1:53 p.m. in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Bryan D. McClintock, 31, of Christopher on a charge of driving while license suspended.
April 7
• At 3:45 a.m., a Franklin County correctional officer discovered a glass pipe containing methamphetamine in the possession of a female inmate during the booking procedure. The female recently had been transferred from another county jail. Jenna N. Moore, 31, of Wood River was charged with unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, a class 1 felony.
• A traffic stop at 9:54 a.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Bradley A. Roeder, 35, of Benton on a charge of driving while license suspended.
• Deputies responded at 4:21 p.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Akin Blacktop just east of Rt. 34. The investigation concluded that a 2008 Pontiac driven by Aaron J. Jackson, 20, of Whittington was west bound and negotiating a curve when the driver stated he swerved to avoid striking a dog, lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a culvert. The driver received minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital by EMS.
• A traffic stop at 6:36 p.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Byron E. Olson Jr., 24, of Benton on a charge of driving while license suspended.
• Deputies responded at 8:51 p.m. to a disturbance at Pearson’s Skating Rink on Rt. 37 south of Benton. The incident resulted in the arrest of a 14-year-old female on charges of battery and resisting a peace officer. The juvenile was released to the custody of her mother.
April 8
• Charges have been filed and an arrest made as the result of a car crash that occurred at 12:10 a.m. July 2, 2016, on Peach Orchard Lake Road 1/4 mile east of the Sesser Lake Road. The crash seriously injured three young men and was handled by the Franklin County Sherriff’s reconstruction team. The crash investigation was lengthy as the result of the need to await DNA lab results to close the investigation. Charged as a result is Travis L. Reginato, 23, of Buckner. Reginato is being held in the Franklin County Jail on a charge of aggravated reckless driving, a class 4 felony. His bond has been set at $50,000 or 10 percent.
• Deputies responded at 6:04 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 148 just south of Three-Bill Road. The investigation concluded that a 2004 Toyota Tacoma driven by Thomas J. Bryant, 55, of Sesser was southbound and preparing to turn east into a private drive when the Toyota was rear-ended by a 2008 Saturn driven by Cheyenne N. Conner, 24, of Mulkeytown, who failed to stop. Bryant sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. Sesser Fire first responders also responded to the scene. Conner was not injured but has been cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The crash is under further investigation, and further charges are possible.
• Deputies arrested Michael S. Ligon, 44, of Marion for revocation of probation on a charge of domestic battery.
April 9
• Deputies responded at 7:11 p.m. to a disturbance in Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of a 15-year-old male on a charge of aggravated assault. The juvenile was released to the custody of his parents.
• Deputies arrested Brianna L. Deason, 31, of West Frankfort on a warrant for failure to appear for theft.
• Deputies arrested Erika L. Grimes, 29, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear for possession of methamphetamine.
• Deputies responded at 10:23 a.m. to a single-vehicle traffic crash on Old Marion Road just north of the county line. The investigation concluded that a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Richard L. Thompson, 70, of West Frankfort was southbound and apparently suffered some type of medical episode, causing him to lose consciousness. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a Southeastern electrical power pole, trapping the driver until the lines were de-energized. The driver was uninjured due to the crash, but was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire EMS due to the previous medical episode.
• Deputies responded at 8:08 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Charles S. Hargett, 57, of Thompsonville on a charge of domestic battery.
April 11
• Deputies responded at 1:50 a.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Dylan L. Morris, 24, of Thompsonville on a charge of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.
• Deputies arrested Mark A. Vreeland, 26, of Zeigler on a warrant for failure to appear on a probation revocation.
April 12
• Deputies responded at 1:59 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash just east of Buckner. The investigation concluded that a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox driven by David E. Valette, 50, of Mulkeytown was eastbound on Rt. 14 and was attempting to make a left turn into a private drive when it was struck in a rear-end type crash by a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Katherine E. Monari, 28, of Christopher. Valette sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment. Monari was not injured, but was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
• Deputies responded at 3:45 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Whittington. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Justin S. Forsythe, 30, of Whittington on a charge of domestic battery.
April 13
• Deputies arrested Rickey W. Ledbetter, 51, of Mt. Vernon on a warrant for failure to appear for aggravated assault.
Illinois state Sen. Sam McCann, R-Plainview, announced Thursday that he plans run as a third-party candidate for governor – a move that likely would siphon votes from incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
One Illinois county is a step closer to giving voters the power to abolish townships.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
