Wet snow switching to rain today…..a sunny Sunday…then very wet

February 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment

As rain spreads northeast across the region, some wet snow could be mixed in this morning. There is even a chance of some minor snow accumulations in the hilly terrain of southeast Missouri, mainly north and west of Cape Girardeau. Up to an inch of slushy accumulation is possible on grassy areas. Any snow will melt this afternoon as temperatures climb into the 40’s.

Hydrologic Outlook

 

…Excessive rainfall is likely across the region during the upcoming week…

Multiple weather systems will produce a combined several inches of rainfall from Sunday night through the middle of next week.

Another round of rainfall is possible next Friday into next weekend. The areas that should receive the heaviest rainfall include southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and possibly southwest Indiana. Slightly lower totals are forecast across west Kentucky.

The excessive rainfall may impact our major rivers and their tributaries. If you live in river bottom lands, keep up to date on the latest forecasts. Low lying, poor drainage areas may experience flooding as well.

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

Rain and some wet snow will occur this morning. Some wet snowflakes could be mixed with the rain anywhere across the region early this morning. The best chance of any minor snow accumulations will be across portions of southern Illinois and southeast Missouri, mainly north and west of a Cape Girardeau to Carbondale line. Any accumulations will be mainly on grassy areas, possibly up to an inch. Temperatures will rise into the lower 40s this afternoon, melting any snow that does accumulate.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN.

..Sunday through Friday A prolonged period of wet weather over the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys next week could result in the potential for some flooding. The potential will become more clear as we gain a better idea of where and exactly how much rainfall may occur. Flooding is forecast to continue along the Green and Ohio rivers. Refer to those warnings and statements for details. .

SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT… Spotter activation will not be needed.

Seven Day Forecast

Saturday
Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 42. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday Night
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Light southeast wind becoming south 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.
Sunday Night
Showers, mainly after midnight. Low around 49. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Washington’s Birthday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 68. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Tuesday Night
Showers. Cloudy, with a low around 41. West southwest wind 13 to 16 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday
Showers likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. North northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night
A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. East northeast wind around 8 mph.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. East northeast wind around 7 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Friday
Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Southeast wind 7 to 9 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.
Filed Under: Uncategorized

Rangers Draw the Marion Wildcats in first round of the Carbondale Class 3A regional

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BLOOMINGTON – The Benton Rangers will face the Marion Wildcats on Tuesday February 27, at 7:30 P.M in the first round of the Carbondale Class 3A Regional.  Below are the pairings for the Centralia Sectional.

Centralia (H.S.) Sectional (map)

Manager: Lee Bennett

Phone: 618-532-7636, Fax: 618-532-9286

E-mail: lbennett@centraliahs.org

Tue., Mar. 6

Game 1 at 7:00 pm: Winner Waterloo (H.S.) Regional vs. Winner Carbondale (H.S.) Regional

Wed., Mar. 7

Game 2 at 7:00 pm: Winner Mt. Vernon (H.S.) Regional vs. Winner Highland Regional

Fri., Mar. 9

Game 3 at 7:00 pm: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2

Carbondale (H.S.) Regional (map)

Manager: Mark Albertini

Phone: 618-457-3371 x239, Fax: 618-351-9603

E-mail: mark.albertini@cchs165.com

Mon., Feb. 26

Game 1 at 7:00 pm: (8) Metropolis (Massac County) vs. (10) Carterville

Tue., Feb. 27

Game 2 at 6:00 pm: (2) Carbondale (H.S.) vs. Winner Game 1

Game 3 at 7:30 pm: (3) Benton vs. (5) Marion (H.S.)

Fri., Mar. 2

Game 4 at 7:00 pm: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3

Mt. Vernon (H.S.) Regional (map)

Manager: Doug Creel

Phone: 618-231-3226, Fax: 618-246-1765

E-mail: dcreel@mvths.org

Mon., Feb. 26

Game 1 at 7:00 pm: (7) Mt. Vernon (H.S.) vs. (9) Herrin (H.S.)

Tue., Feb. 27

Game 2 at 7:00 pm: (1) Centralia (H.S.) vs. Winner Game 1

Wed., Feb. 28

Game 3 at 7:00 pm: (4) Murphysboro vs. (6) Salem

Fri., Mar. 2

Game 4 at 7:00 pm: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3

Waterloo (H.S.) Regional (map)

Manager: Mitchell North

Phone: 618-939-3455, Fax: 618-939-1373

E-mail: mnorth@wcusd5.net

Mon., Feb. 26

Game 1 at 6:00 pm: (7) Mascoutah vs. (10) Freeburg

Game 2 at 7:30 pm: (5) Columbia vs. (12) Waterloo (H.S.)

Tue., Feb. 27

Game 3 at 7:00 pm: (1) Alton (Marquette) vs. Winner Game 1

Wed., Feb. 28

Game 4 at 7:00 pm: (4) Bethalto (Civic Memorial) vs. Winner Game 2

Fri., Mar. 2

Game 5 at 7:00 pm: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4

Highland Regional (map)

Manager: Caleb Houchins

Phone: 618-654-7131, Fax: 618-654-6548

E-mail: chouchins@highlandcusd5.org

Mon., Feb. 26

Game 1 at 6:00 pm: (8) Breese (Mater Dei) vs. (9) Breese (Central)

Game 2 at 7:30 pm: (6) Cahokia (H.S.) vs. (11) Troy (Triad)

Tue., Feb. 27

Game 3 at 7:00 pm: (2) East St. Louis (Sr.) vs. Winner Game 1

Wed., Feb. 28

Game 4 at 7:00 pm: (3) Highland vs. Winner Game 2

Fri., Mar. 2

Game 5 at 7:00 pm: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Featured, High School Sports, Sports

Three Benton residents arrested on drug charges

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BENTON – On February 13th, 2018 Benton Police arrested Patrick S. McClerren, age 42, of Benton on active warrants for both Franklin and Williamson counties for failure to appear.  McClerren was also charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Through further investigation, police also arrested two other individuals identified as Angela Patterson, age 40, and Samantha Thebeau, age 26, both of Benton for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. McClerren, Patterson, and Thebeau were all charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On February 16th, 2018 Benton Police arrested Roy D. Stinson, age 42, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.  Stinson was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

The public is reminded the alleged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Filed Under: Benton News, Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Frankfort Unit School District #168 Update on School Safety Measures

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from Matt Donkin – Superintendent 

WEST FRANKFORT – As part of the district’s on-going planning and work on security measures in our schools, Frankfort CUSD #168 continues to use various strategies and actions each day to keep everyone alert and aware of potential incidents that could happen. One of those random strategies and actions may involve searching with metal detectors.

Today, Frankfort Community High School is conducting searches with metal detectors as students are entering school. School staff was joined by members of the West Frankfort Police Department in our ongoing partnership to keep our schools safe and assist us in conducting the searches. There has been no active threat to the schools of the district today. Please be aware that we continue to ask our students and their families to report any concerns or information they may have. We will investigate information that we receive to its conclusion to insure the safety of our students and our staff.

This school district continues its emergency assessment and planning as we all ask ourselves across this community and across this nation what needs to be done to prevent future school incidents

Filed Under: Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News

MO & IL Post Offices to Close in observance of Presidents’ Day

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Self Service Kiosk available at select Post Offices, mail will be collected

 

St. Louis, MO —MO & IL Post Offices will observe President’s Day on Monday, February 19, 2018, a federal holiday. All Offices will be closed and there will be no mail delivery.

Customers needing postal services may use self-service kiosks at select locations or visit Postal Service Approved Shippers. Go to www.usps.com to find a location near you.

Mail will be collected from blue street collection boxes beginning at [TIME].  Postal officials advise anyone with stamped or metered mail ready for delivery, especially businesses, to drop this mail into a blue collection box instead of waiting to do so the following day.

The Post Offices will reopen and regular mail delivery will resume on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

USACE Announces Temporary Closure of Sections of the Rend Lake Bike Trail

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BENTON –  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is announcing the temporary closure of a section of the Rend Lake Bike Trail. The closure is an extension of the current closure and will be in effect until  further notice. The closure will allow maintenance personnel to safely remove hazard trees adjacent to the trail. The section of trail between the entrance gate of the North Sandusky Recreation Area west and south to the bridge crossing Sandusky Creek will be barricaded to discourage all entry.

Updated information will be posted on the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center Facebook page.  For further information, contact the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at 618-724-2493.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

‘Security Dawgs’ look to earn collegiate cybersecurity berth

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Benton’s Steve Osborn part of the team as an alternate

By Pete Rosenbery – SIU News Service 

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s “Security Dawgs” will host a section of the annual Illinois Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition on Saturday, Feb. 17.

EDX Unage

SIU is one of two sites to host the statewide, 11-team competition, which mirrors what students will see in the corporate technology world. The “Security Dawgs” will seek a third state title in six years. Also competing at SIU will be teams from John A. Logan College, Lake Land College Southeastern Illinois College.

Teams work to keep their site secure from hackers and unwanted cyberattacks, and are responsible for system maintenance, upgrades, and completing other requests, such as installing or upgrading a website in the simulated competition. Teams earn points based upon how successful they are at accomplishing the business tasks, in addition to identifying and stopping hacker attacks, and writing incident reports.

Team built on camaraderie, chemistry

The Security Dawgs return four members from last year’s team and have been practicing since the start of the fall 2017 semester. Several of the squad members were on the team that finished fifth out of 179 teams in the National Cyber League last fall.

“A big part of our plan for success is our camaraderie as a team,” Belle Woodward, an associate professor in the School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies and faculty adviser for the registered student organization, said. “We’ve gotten really close as a team over the last year. I think that really helps when it comes down to that last rush of constant, daily practice. I couldn’t be more proud of how much work these guys have put in to learning for this competition, and not being afraid to embrace more things to do beyond it.”

Competition enhances students’ academic experience 

Woodward said the event gives SIU students a chance to receive a practical look into many of the skills they learn in class, defend against attackers in the competition, and reminds them that the end goal is making sure a businesses’ network is not interrupted.

“This is also a valuable experience in teamwork and commitment,” she said. “Many students who participate learn enough to be more than ready for even the hardest classes they’ll face at SIU, and have a leg up in real-world experience.” 

Cybersecurity event expects strong field

The Security Dawgs have a strong reputation in collegiate cybersecurity competitions. The team has won three state competitions, most recently in 2014, and finished second in 2015, 2016, and 2017. The team has advanced to the Midwest regional competition in seven of the last 10 years, including a wildcard berth in 2017.

The other state competition site is Moraine Valley Community College, which is hosting six more teams.

The top team in the state will advance to the Midwest regional competition, March 23-24, at Moraine Valley Community College. There they will face the top teams from Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Second-place in the respective state competitions will compete for a wildcard slot on March 10. The Midwest regional winner advances to the 11th annual National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition April 13-15 in San Antonio, Texas.

The Team

Security Dawg team members are:

ILLINOIS

  • Benton: Steve Osborn, information systems technologies, junior (alternate)
  • Centralia: Ronald DeBernardi, information systems technologies, senior
  • Hoffman Estates: Christian Scott, information systems technologies, senior
  • Marion: Trenton Taylor, information systems technologies, senior
  • Mattoon: Mark Blume, information systems technologies, senior
  • Northbrook: Ben Fairbanks, information systems technologies, junior
  • Oak Lawn: Jacob Kupres, information systems technologies, senior (alternate)
  • Pittsburg: Curtis McRoy, information systems technologies, senior (alternate)

FLORIDA

  • Naples: Thomas Birch, information systems technologies, senior

MINNESOTA

  • Sauk Centre: Brianna Yagow, information systems technologies, junior

MISSOURI

  • Imperial: Jesse Frawley, information systems technologies, junior (alternate)

TEXAS

  • Houston: Vincent Davis, computer science, senior

 

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

Bost Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Soil Quality

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and Representative Darren Soto (D-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Nutrient Management Technical Service Provider Certification Act, to expand options for agriculture producers to access nutrient management technical assistance. This bill would allow qualified individuals, including Certified Crop Advisors or Certified Agronomists, to act as Technical Service Providers for nutrient management.

The Nutrient Management Technical Service Provider Certification Act is supported by The Fertilizer Institute, Agricultural Retailers Association, Land O’ Lakes, American Society of Agronomy, and the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association.

“Our bipartisan bill cuts red tape and gives our farmers more resources to improve soil quality,” said Bost. “The Department of Agriculture has said that it lacks the manpower to provide technical assistance to farmers trying to implement nutrient management practices.  I appreciated working with Rep. Soto on a solution that expands options for farmers seeking technical assistance related to these practices.”

“Agribusiness retailers’ commitment to professionalism is evidenced in their decision to employ agronomists who have achieved the CCA or CPAg certification,” said TFI President, Chris Jahn. “USDA recognition of these agronomists as Technical Service Providers is a win-win for farm profitability and the environment.”

“Agricultural retailers serve as trusted advisors to farmers. Streamlining the certification process for agricultural retailers to achieve technical service provider status will allow farmers, retailers, and NRCS to better communicate and collaborate, as well as improve conservation planning, soil health and nutrient stewardship initiatives and efforts,” said Agricultural Retailers Association President and CEO Daren Coppock.

“CCAs and CPAgs have met the standards for agronomy knowledge, experience and ethics set by the American Society of Agronomy.  They are a trusted farm adviser in agronomic practices and inputs.  We are very excited to see them recognized for their professional expertise in this bill,” said American Society of Agronomy spokesman Karl Anderson.

Background:

The demand for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) conservation technical assistance and the financial incentives provided by farm bill conservation programs is at an all-time high. The natural resource concerns and regulatory challenges our farmers face are also growing and use of conservation practices, like the 4Rs (Right Place, Right Rate, Right Source, and Right Time) are being widely implemented across farm country. Increasing the engagement of the private sector in conservation delivery can help with this demand on capacity and resources.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) utilizes Technical Service Providers (TSPs), which are either individuals or businesses with technical expertise in conservation planning that help producers achieve conservation goals. The current certification process can be time consuming, expensive, and duplicative to many trained conservation professionals and proves to be an impediment to the private sector’s desire to become a TSP.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, National News

No, there haven’t been 18 school shootings in 2018. That number is flat wrong.

February 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The stunning number swept across the Internet within minutes of the news Wednesday that, yet again, another young man with another semiautomatic rifle had rampaged through a school, this time at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in South Florida.

The figure originated with Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit group, co-founded by Michael Bloomberg, that works to prevent gun violence and is most famous for its running tally of school shootings.

“This,” the organization tweeted at 4:22 p.m. Wednesday, “is the 18th school shooting in the U.S. in 2018.”

Please click on the link below John Woodrow Cox and Steven Rich of the Washington Post.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/no-there-havent-been-18-school-shooting-in-2018-that-number-is-flat-wrong/2018/02/15/65b6cf72-1264-11e8-8ea1-c1d91fcec3fe_story.html?utm_term=.30549cf04912

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Columns, Opinion

Betty Green – Benton

February 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Betty Green, 89, of Benton passed away on Wednesday February 14, 2018 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

She was born on October 9, 1928 in Christopher to Ben and Nellie (Henson) Parks.  She married Don Green and he preceded her in death on December 29, 2005.

Survivors include one daughter Donna (Jewell) Sims of Benton; four grandchildren, one great grandchild and two special friends Randy Journey and Larry Journey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Kenneth Green, three sisters and two brothers.

She was a member of the Steel City Baptist Church.

Her wishes were to be cremated with no services.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries
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