Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Here are the Southern Illinois teams that are ranked in the latest AP poll
CLASS 4A: Belleville West third
CLASS 3A: Centrailia eighth, Carbondale and Benton receiving votes
CLASS 2A: Pinckneyville third, Eldorado 4th, Effingham St. Anthony receiving votes
CLASS 1A: Cairo tenth, with Okawville receiving votes
Here is a link to the full poll
SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, has filed new legislation to allow working families with a child over age 12 to babysit younger children by lowering the minimum age at which a child can be home without supervision from 14 down to 12. Currently under state law, a child under the age of 14 who is left without supervision for “an unreasonable amount of time” is considered neglected; and a parent or other individual responsible for a child’s welfare can be charged with child abandonment for leaving a minor under the age of 13 without supervision by a responsible person over the age of 14 for a period of 24 hours or more.
“This bill to help protect single and working parents from a harsh state law under which they can be charged with neglect and lose custody of their kids for leaving a minor under the age of 14 home without supervision,” Representative Sosnowski said. “Illinois has by far the most restrictive law of its kind in the nation. My bill would reduce the threshold to children under the age of 12, recognizing that working parents who struggle to afford child care should not live under the fear of losing their kids simply for working hard to support their family.”
Representative Sosnowski’s legislation has been filed as House Bill 4296.
Nationwide, current state laws that define a certain age when children may be left home alone range from age 6 in Kansas to age 14 in Illinois. While 45 states have statutes on this subject, only 14 specify a certain age, with the most common age being 10.
The Illinois House of Representatives is scheduled to return to Springfield on January 30 for the start of the 2018 session, the first day that newly-filed bills can be assigned to a committee for review.
Robert E. Hammond, 87, of Benton IL, passed away Tuesday morning, January 23, 2018 at Stonebridge in Benton.
He was born in Benton, IL on November 20, 1930 the son of Reuben & Lula (Jones) Hammond.
He married Elizabeth “Betty” Hammond on March 4, 1952 in Piggott, AR and she preceded him in death on June 1, 2015.
Mr. Hammond was an Army Veteran.
He was a retired Coal Miner.
Mr. Hammond is survived by his daughter, Cyndi Warren and husband Jerry of McLeansboro, son, Rob Hammond and wife Gay of Benton; grandchildren; Chris and Cori Warren of Mt. Vernon, Bryan Warren of McLeansboro, Bryson and Lana Hammond of Metropolis, Alecia Boss and Nate of Benton, and Brad Hammond of Benton, and one great-grad daughter Natalie Warren of Mt. Vernon, and two other great grandchildren to arrive soon.
He is also survived by two sisters-in-law Shirley Jones and Pat Akins, both of Benton.
Graveside fuenral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 3rd at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Dr. Sammy Simmons officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts and the National Guard Honor Squad. There will be no visitation, those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Benton West City Ministerial Alliance/Food Pantry.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Audrey Jo Meracle, age 61, of Benton; passed away at 1:58 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2018 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.
Memorial Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 2, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Audrey was born on September 6, 1956 in Eldorado, IL, the daughter of Dwight Kenneth Erwin and Mildred Elizabeth (Mangrum) Erwin.
She formerly worked as a cleaning lady.
Audrey loved her cats, and she enjoyed playing cards.
She is survived by four sisters: Deloris M. Mayberry and husband Jim of Flora, IL, Joyce Arlene Bennett and husband Daniel of Tennessee, Brend Kay Beasley of Depew, OK, Phyllis Ann Erwin of Benton, IL; four brothers: Kenneth L. Erwin of Benton, IL, Ronald C. Erwin of Benton, IL, Curtis G. Erwin and wife Cathy of Cape Girardeau, MO, Douglas Erwin and wife Tammy of Akin, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister Sharon B. Webb.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Audrey, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
SIU Media Services
CARBONDALE — Legendary college football coach Jerry Kill, who led the Salukis to five consecutive NCAA playoff appearances, will return to Southern Illinois University Carbondale as an ambassador for the university. He will also assist with fundraising for the athletics program.
Chancellor Carlo Montemagno said that Kill’s appointment as special assistant to the chancellor will begin in mid-March.
Kill returns to SIU – Chancellor Carlo Montemagno listens as former Saluki football coach Jerry Kill discusses his return to Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Kill will work as a special assistant to the chancellor’s office on behalf of the university and assist the athletics program in fundraising efforts (Photo by Steve Buhman)
“Jerry comes home to SIU with a commitment to moving us forward,” Montemagno said. “He remains highly regarded among SIU fans, alumni and the community for playing perhaps the most significant role in the transformation of the university’s football program.”
He left SIU to serve as head coach at Northern Illinois University from 2008 to 2010, delivering three bowl eligible teams.
Kill has dealt with epilepsy for much of his coaching career, serving as an advocate for others with epilepsy and earning wide-spread respect and national attention. He chronicles his experiences as a coach in a 2016 book, “Chasing Dreams: Living My Life One Yard at a Time.”
“SIU is a special place, and I’ve always valued the warmth and support of the Southern Illinois community,” said Kill, who has returned to campus many times in recent years. “I’m excited to contribute to the university’s future in any way possible. This is a wonderful opportunity to help tell SIU’s great story.”
SIU athletic director Tommy Bell said he looks forward to Kill’s return.
“Coach Kill has a national profile and tremendous passion for this institution,” Bell said. “He will be a valuable asset as we move forward on our plan to restore the glory of Saluki Athletics.”
West City has issued a Boil Order for customers from the intersection of Washington Street and N. Central to S. Court Street, and everyone on the North side of Rt 14 in West City.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and primary challenger state Rep. Jeanne Ives (42nd) meet with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board at Tribune Tower in Chicago on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
CHICAGO – Challenger Jeanne Ives shook up the dynamics of the Illinois Republican governor’s race on Monday, ripping Gov. Bruce Rauner’s job performance during their only pre-election faceoff and collecting a major $500,000 campaign contribution from one of the governor’s biggest donors.
Rauner, who has spent months looking past his primary opponent in favor of attacking Democratic candidate J.B. Pritzker and House Speaker Michael Madigan, paid the price for that approach during a nearly 90-minute joint appearance before the Chicago Tribune editorial board.
Please click on the link for the full story and video excerpts from the Chicago Tribune.
There is a popular poem by Forest Witcraft that reads, “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove … but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of Franklin County is looking for just that kind of person — actually, about 40 of them.
“Advocates are the heart of the CASA program,” said Mariah Hayes, executive director of Franklin County CASA.
Please click on the link for the full story from the Benton News
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/news/20180124/franklin-county–casa-seeking-advocates
BENTON – At last Monday’s meeting, the Benton City Council approved a resolution restricting the funds from the recent sale of the former Benton City Hall property on West Main.
The council set aside $164,745 of the $176,000 for future capital improvements. Some of the money from the sale was to be used for things like a title insurance policy, an exam fee, recording the deed and payment of the auctioneer for services rendered.
Please click to read the full story from William McPherson of the Benton Gazette.
http://www.bentongazette.com/news/council-restricts-usage-of-funds-from-city-hall-sale/article_f30fc31c-0506-11e8-8159-2fda2b5d57d3.html
Thank you Scott Clem for the photo
WEST FRANKFORT – Fire Chief, Jody Allen, mayor Tom Jordan, and some of the afternoon gang at Dixie Cream discuss the loss of Barnett’s Automotive, formerly Yadro’s
Fire Chief Jody Allen tells WSIL-TV, “Our ambulance was coming through town and noticed smoke in that area, and sort of slowed down and started looking and they noticed that smoke was pouring out of the building.”
Please click on the link for the full story and video from Taylor Vessel of WSIL-TV
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37377251/residents-remember-historic-business
