Sources: Cardinals, DeJong finalize 6-year extension worth $26 million

March 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

JUPITER, Fla. • In what’s become something of a spring tradition — though this time with an early-bloom twist, the Cardinals have reached an agreement on a contract extension with one of their young players, giving him security and the team cost-certainty for years to come.

Paul DeJong and the club have agreed to a contract extension that was finalized Monday morning when DeJong passed a physical, two sources have confirmed. An announcement is expected at 10:45 a.m. St. Louis time.

The contract, which was first reported Monday morning by The Post-Dispatch, guarantees him $26 million for the next six years, a source confirmed.

Please click on the link below from Derek Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.    This will be updated when the Cardinals issue an official statement.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/sources-cardinals-dejong-finalize–year-extension-worth-million/article_eeb31456-cc17-58be-b959-79aca1340f0f.html

 

Filed Under: Sports

Governor encourages new IDOC cadets to focus on safety, believe in second chances

March 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Delivers Keynote Address at IDOC Graduation Ceremony

Note:  Please check the Facebook page for a picture of one of the cadets, Jade Clark of Buckner -sd

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner welcomed new correctional cadets to the state’s ranks today. He was the keynote speaker at a graduation ceremony, which included the first class of cadets for the Murphysboro Life Skills Re-Entry Center.

“We’re excited to have the new cadets joining us as we shift our approach to corrections,” Gov. Rauner said. “We’re focusing on the whole person, not just punishment, as offenders prepare for release back into society. We’re helping them believe they are better than the crimes they’ve committed and that they can be productive citizens when they walk out these doors.”

The Murphysboro Life Skills Re-entry Center is the second of its kind to open under Gov. Rauner’s leadership. The first, which is located in Kewanee, Illinois, opened in February 2017. More than 60 offenders have been released from the Kewanee facility in the past year, none have returned to prison.

The Life Skills Re-Entry Centers focus on teaching skills that will help offenders be successful once they’re released – such as how to manage a bank account, write a resume, communicate effectively with others, and prepare for job interviews. The Murphysboro facility will accept its first group of offenders in April.

A total of 190 cadets graduated from the Illinois Department of Corrections today, wrapping up six-weeks of coursework and on-the-job training.  During their time at the Academy, they learned how to understand and communicate with offenders on the mental health caseload and how to maintain composure in crisis situations.

Rauner has made criminal justice reform a priority.  Under his direction, the IDOC incorporated cutting edge staff training into its curriculum and offers ongoing courses aimed at creating safe working environments at all IDOC facilities.

Just weeks after taking office, Gov. Rauner announced his goal to reduce the prison population by 25% by the year 2025. IDOC Director John Baldwin says they’re already more than halfway to the goal.

“We’ve safely reduced the prison population by about 15% in the past three years,” Baldwin said. “Life is about second chances. We’re creating opportunities that enhance safety in our facilities and set offenders on a path toward success. We’re excited to have all of our new cadets join us on this mission.”

The Illinois Department of Corrections held two graduating ceremonies today, one at its Springfield headquarters and another at the Murphysboro Life Skills Re-entry Center, where Gov. Rauner delivered the keynote address.

More than 2,900 new IDOC cadets have been added to the ranks since Gov. Rauner took office. The new cadets will start at facilities across the state on Monday.

Video of the event can be found here.

Filed Under: Christopher News, Featured, Franklin Co. News, Royalton News, Zeigler News

What Do I Owe Parents?

March 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

I daily take in and reflect on student expectations of our university. I speak with parents and guardians less frequently, though I owe them a great deal. While the step-out-of-the-nest for the student is a “big deal,” it is also a challenging transition for parents. Here is a catalog of parental ponderings.

https://www.mylifetree.com/soulfeed/an-open-letter-to-the-parent-crying-at-graduation/

A 2015 study by Noodle reveals a few parental preoccupations. There is considerable and justifiable heartburn over costs. Concern about whether or not a child will complete a degree, questions regarding the selection of a major, starting salaries and academic performance are all priority concerns. Parents agonize over whether or not the college is a good fit for their child. College leaders fuss and fret over the U.S. News & World Report rankings, yet only one in five parents care about rankings. Parents like the idea that their student might finish college in four years, but 40% recognize that is unlikely. Fear over a student incurring debt for the family grows. Costs to the student are one thing, but parents taking on second mortgages to send their child to college brings a completely different set of concerns. Intergenerational educational debt is particularly vexing, especially when bankruptcy courts rarely discharge student loans. A degree, or a portion thereof, cannot be repossessed.

Coupled with this lengthy list of concerns, parents want a safe environment. Eighty percent of families are worried about sexual assaults on campuses. Four decades of drastically altered views of human sexuality and what constitutes appropriate behavior between men and women have taken a toll on the public understanding and morality in relationships. Alcohol abuse is frequently present in cases of sexual assault, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Embedded in all of these concerns is a growing lack of trust regarding universities and institutional ability to provide an environment conducive to learning. I am not talking about “safe spaces” where protection from various ideas exist; that perspective is antithetical to our purpose. We strive to create spaces safe for ideas, not from ideas. Both the U.S. Constitution and effective universities share this mission.

Some of what I owe parents:

Transparency – Cardinal John Henry Newman captured the role of a university in this unpretentious statement: “Accordingly, in its simple and rudimental form, it is a school of knowledge of every kind, consisting of teachers and learners from every quarter.” I need to serve all who come calling when they demonstrate sincerity and a commitment to purpose and are prepared to work toward academic excellence.  

Honest Cost-Benefit Analysis – The New York Times, and countless publications of every sort, provide generic assessments of the costs and benefits of university attendance. However, these overgeneralized prognostications fail individuals. Parents care about single students, not randomized data points. The value of a given degree from a particular institution to a particular student is absent. I owe every student and parent a specific assessment of individualized value to the best of our institutional ability.

Likelihood of Success – Students enter universities with a history. While history is an imperfect predictor of the future, it is available and I should use it. If a student comes from high school with a “C” average and minimally acceptable college preparation, I need to help that student and family appreciate the “odds” on the likelihood of successful degree completion—be an educational handicapper of sorts. This is essential, even if not always a “pretty picture.” It may not be encouraging. “Curve breakers” show up as the exceptions that prove the rule, but these represent a miniscule portion of the population, e.g., Gates, Zuckerberg, Turner, Pitt, Winfrey, Jobs, Disney, Lincoln…

Safety – Campus safekeeping creates anxiety for parents. There are data available from the U.S. Department of Education and those warrant study, but more importantly families must sense that an institution is committed to a safe and secure learning environment. Canyon, Texas, is rated as a very safe campus community—number 12 nationally. Ask the hard questions of a specific campus. Do not trust the data alone. Trust also your heart. Coupled with the data, trust what you see in the place.

Growth in Personal Responsibility – An institution cannot guarantee moral decision-making, nor can a church, temple or synagogue. Rather, it is a personal understanding and exercise of free will and its limits. St. Paul said it clearly in his letter to the church at Rome: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Our university should encourage thoughtful and reflective understanding of each individual’s place in the world and the role of self-determination in establishing that foundation.

I owe parents an honest expression of what our university can do. I also owe them an honest expression of what it cannot do.

Walter V. Wendler is President of West Texas A&M University. His reflections are available at www.walterwendler.com.

Filed Under: Columns, Editorials, Featured, Opinion

ROE Career Fair draws 600 students at Rend Lake College

March 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

INA – Rend Lake College Culinary Arts Professor Robert Wilson speaks to students about becoming a chef and the culinary industry Friday morning during the Regional Office of Education (ROE) Career Fair. The fair annual offers local youth an opportunity to interact with local professionals in a variety of career fields.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

 

INA, Ill.  – Over 600 local middle school students gathered in the RLC Rec Friday to take part in the ROE’s annual Career Fair. It is the second consecutive year RLC has hosted the event.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

 

INA, Ill.  – RLC Industrial Trainer Matt Jackson speaks to students about careers in architecture and design during Friday’s ROE Career Fair. RLC hosted many different tables for a variety of industries, including agriculture, child care, cosmetology, mining, and welding; however, many other local businesses were also on-hand to speak to students about law enforcement, politics, veterinarian services, and much more.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Franklin County Supports Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois

March 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Franklin County Government is proud to support Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 4th – 10th, 2018.

BENTON – Franklin County officials are teaming up with the State of Illinois and the National Weather Service to support Severe Weather Preparedness Week; a statewide effort designed to increase awareness of the severe weather that affects everyone and to encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to know their risk, take action, and be an example.

Being prepared to act quickly could be a matter of survival. This is especially evident during the threat of severe weather. On February 28th, 2017, a massive EF-4 Tornado scared the landscape of western Franklin County leaving behind a path of destruction that destroyed three homes. Director of Emergency Management Ryan M. Buckingham is encouraging residents to take three simple steps to be better prepared for severe weather:

Step 1: Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming storm ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA All-Hazards Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Step 2: Take Action: Before storms strike, develop a family communication plan, create or purchase an emergency supplies kit and NOAA All-Hazards Radio. You can also sign up for free text alerts from Franklin County Emergency Management Agency by texting your zip code to the number 888777.

Step 3: Be an Example: Share your preparedness story with your friends and family on social media. Letting others know that you’re prepared will prompt them to prepare as well. Studies show that many people use social media in the event of a disaster to let relatives and friends know they are safe. Being weather ready is a collective effort. It takes the whole community to effectively prepare for, protect against, respond to, and recover from the damages caused by tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and other severe weather.

Contact:

Office of the Director of Emergency Management Ryan M. Buckingham 618-439-4362 information@franklincountyema.com
Office of the Director of Emergency Management Office: (618) 439-4EMA  24 Hour Emergency: (618) 438-4841 www.franklincountyema.com – information@franklincountyema.com

“We are proud to support the goals of Severe Weather Preparedness Week” said Director of Emergency Management Ryan M. Buckingham. “We hope citizens and visitors will take advantage of the activities we have planned for the week and better prepare for severe weather”, added the Director.

Local events scheduled for this week include:

 Free NOAA All-Hazards Radio Programming – Have you purchased a NOAA Weather Radio but need help programming it? Let us help! Officials will be at the following locations to program radios throughout the week:

Monday, March 5th – Wal-Mart (West City) – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tuesday, March 6th – Cowboy Up Auto (Christopher) – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday, March 7th – Kroger (West Frankfort) – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Thursday, March 8th – Cowboy Up Auto (Christopher) – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday, March 9th – Rural King (West City) – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

 Monday, March 5th – SKYWARN Storm Spotter Training – Sponsored by Franklin County EMA, West City Fire Department and National Weather Service starting at 6:00 PM at the West City Community Center located at 201 S. Browning Street in West City. This event is free and open to the public. Come out and learn how to detect and report severe weather!

 Tuesday, March 6th – A Statewide Tornado Drill will commence at 10:00 AM. Local warning systems will be activated to allow residents and business owners the opportunity to practice their severe weather preparedness plans.

Share this information with your friends on social media using the hash tag #SWPW18! Join us on Twitter @FCEMA and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FCEMA. Learn more about Franklin County Emergency Management Agency at our website at www.franklincountyil.gov/FCEMA.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Wreck on I-57 in Mt. Vernon

March 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment

MT. VERNON  –   Several media sources are reporting  there has been an accident,, involving a pedestrian and a semi on Route 57, just south of the North 57-64 split.

The website Getting Around Illinois is showing heavy congestion right at exit 95 both ways, and on Broadway in Mt. Vernon.

Please avoid this area as emergency crews are on the scene.  – Steve

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Saluki Men’s Basketball falls in OT to Illinois State in MVC semifinals, 76-68

March 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Tom Weber  – 

Sean Lloyd (13) goes up for a layup as Kavion Pippen crashes the boards. (Madison Case –  siusalukis.com)

ST LOUIS, MO — Illinois State made all three of its field goals and 14-of-15 free throws in overtime to overcome Southern Illinois, 76-68, in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Saturday.

Forward Phil Fayne did the bulk of the damage for the Redbirds (18-14) with half of his game-high 26 points coming in OT. ISU eliminated the Salukis (20-13) in the semis for the second straight year.

“We had to gut it out, as usual,” said Illinois State head coach Dan Muller. “You feel like you didn’t play your best, but we found a way to win. Phil was obviously huge down the stretch. A lot of guys made big plays.”

So many of Southern’s games this season came down to the wire and today was no different. The Salukis trailed in this contest for all but four minutes and were down seven at halftime, but clawed their way back with gritty defense and some timely shots by Marcus Bartley. He scored all 10 of his points in the second half and his 3-pointer at 11:59 gave SIU its first lead of the half, 45-44. Aaron Cook made a pull-up jumper at 10:17 to make it 47-44, but that was the high-water mark for Southern.

William Tinsley tied the game, 47-47, with a 3-pointer with 9:47 remaining. The Redbirds extended their lead to 54-49 with 6:36 to go, but neither team scored during the next three minutes until SIU’s Armon Fletcher‘s buried a trey from the right corner to make it 54-52 with 3:40 left.

With the score tied, 56-56, during the final frantic minute of regulation, Cook missed a desperation 3-pointer for SIU as the shot clock expired at the 44-second mark, and ISU’s Milik Yarbrough missed two potential go-ahead shots in the final 11 seconds, sending the game to an extra five minutes.

Unfortunately for Southern, center Kavion Pippen fouled out in the final minute of regulation, finishing the game with seven points. The Salukis went with a small lineup in overtime, and Illinois State made them pay, pounding the ball into Fayne, who was unstoppable.

“The game was over when K.P. went out,” said SIU head coach Barry Hinson. “I have no magic wands. I was wanting Harry Potter to show up where I could go, foom! You’re bigger.”

Southern took a brief lead in OT, 59-58, on a 3-pointer by Armon Fletcher, but ISU countered with a 12-2 run.

“You lose a game like that, a close game, it hurts a lot,” said Fletcher, who tied Sean Lloyd for the team lead in scoring with 15 points. “So you just keep thinking about during the game, what plays led to that situation for them to have the opportunity to win a game. It just replays in your head the whole time.”

Illinois State will make its third championship game appearance in four years when it plays regular-season champion Loyola tomorrow. Muller was asked how much gas was left in the tank after a grinding OT game with Southern.

“Look, these kids are fine, they’re 21 years old, they’ll be all right physically,” he said. “Can they handle the mental part of it? There’s pressure on both teams, same for us, same for Loyola.”

Meanwhile, Southern’s season came to an end in St. Louis for the 10th-straight season. The Salukis won 20 games for the second time in three years, finished second in the standings, and Hinson was already looking ahead to next season.

“Illinois State will probably be picked first, but we’re going to be in the top three,” he said. “We finished second
outright (this year). I mean, we’ve taken a step. We’ve got good players. And the majority of them are back next year.”

Box Score

http://siusalukis.com/boxscore.aspx?id=8213&path=mbball

Filed Under: College Sports, Sports

Sunny and beautiful today….rain moving in after midnight

March 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Departing High pressure will yield one more nice weather day today, before letting clouds increase tonight, as rain sets in to start the new work week. (NWS Paducah)

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Sunny, with a high near 57. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Showers likely after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. East southeast wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday
Showers. High near 52. East southeast wind 9 to 14 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 36. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west in the evening.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. West southwest wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tuesday Night
A slight chance of rain showers, mixing with snow after 11pm, then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night
Widespread frost after 11pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday
Widespread frost before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 42. West northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
Thursday Night
Widespread frost after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 27. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable.
Friday
Widespread frost. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 49. South wind 5 to 9 mph.
Friday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. South wind 8 to 10 mph.
Saturday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. South wind around 9 mph.

Flood Warning Continues for the Big Muddy

…The flood warning continues for the following rivers in Illinois… Big Muddy River near Plumfield and Murphysboro .

The Big Muddy River at Plumfield and Murphysboro will continue to fall into next week. Minor flooding is ongoing at Plumfield and is forecast to fall below flood stage by midday tomorrow. Moderate flooding is ongoing at Murphysboro and is forecast to fall below flood stage by Thursday night.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… SAFETY MESSAGE… Never drive cars…trucks or sport utility vehicles through flooded areas. The water may be too deep to allow safe passage. Never allow children to play in or near flood waters. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for further statements and possible updated forecasts.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .
DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Flood warnings continue. Reference the warnings and statements for details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Monday through Saturday Continuing flooding and details thereof may be referenced via the latest warnings and statements.

Frost is expected Wednesday night and Thursday night, when Lows are forecast in the 20s.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT… Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

An Insight into the Illinois State Police Meth Response Team

March 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment

From The Illinois State Police – District 13

DU QUOIN – As we continue our special series examining the positions a Trooper can hold in the Illinois State Police, we are taking a look at these jobs for a twofold purpose:

  • To make the ISP more transparent as an agency. It gives the public a view into what we do to make their communities safer.
  • As a recruiting tool. If you’re thinking about a career in law enforcement the ISP has a ton of opportunity for you in positions you may not have even considered. So if you are pondering the job of a police officer, or know someone who is, check out the last 5 Saturday’s posts and stay tuned each Saturday

As with all specialty positions in the ISP, this group of individuals have received specialized training making them subject experts. Their training includes DEA certifications on safely dismantling labs, rolling or stationary, with yearly recertification to remain active.

The MRT provides the ISP, County Sheriff’s Departments and City Police Departments with the resources to handle these dangerous criminal activities. MRT also serves as it own Crime Scene Investigator due to the hazardous nature of the substances they work with.

They document for prosecution, photograph, weigh and dispose of the precursors typically found in meth labs. They provide expert testimony in court regarding meth related activity and serve the community through their contributions of locking drug abusers and manufacturers behind bars. They are also subject to 24/7/365 call out to handle these duties. They also provide resources to educators in the community concerning drug abuse trends and detection.

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News, State News

LADY WARRIORS CLOSE SEASON WITH 101 POINTS ON SOPHOMORE NIGHT

March 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment

INA = ALL SMILES — Rend Lake College Lady Warrior sophomores pose for a picture with Head Coach Rebecca Harris after their 101-75 win over the Shawnee Lady Saints Friday night at Waugh Gymnasium. It was the final regular season game and sophomore night. RLC will enter the District P tournament next week for a shot at getting to the national championship tournament. FROM LEFT are; Mikki O’Neal (Bloomington), Paetyn Hayes (Mt. Vernon), Paige Rich (Johnston City), Kennedy Prince (Rock Island), Brianna Smith (Fort Campbell, Ky.) and Coach Harris. (Nathan Wheeler – RLC Public Information)

Filed Under: College Sports, Sports
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