Rend Lake College Fall 2017 Honors Lists

January 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment

From ReAnne Palmer, RLC Public Information 

INA – Rend Lake College is pleased to announce 370 students have made the President’s and Vice Presidents’ lists of academic honors for the Fall 2017 semester.

The lists include 142 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 228 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.

“On behalf of all the faculty and staff at Rend Lake College, I’d like to congratulate these high-achieving students for their continued success and commitment to academics,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson. “They should be very proud of their achievements, and we wish them the best this spring semester and in their future.”

Below is a link to the full list.  Following there will be a published list to all Franklin County students who achieved academic excellence.

https://www.rlc.edu/pressroom/13676-rend-lake-college-fall-2017-honors-lists

President’s List From Franklin County

BENTON – Theresa Bates, Kevin Gibbs, Hillary Ionson, Elijah Lampley, Brette Mahan, Avery Miller, Morgan Montgomery, Parker Robbins, Kurtis Sanders, Noah Thomason, Shelby Wilhelm, Drew Williams

CHRISTOPHER – Phillip Smith, Joshua Underwood

EWING – Cole Hutchens, Allison Stubblefield

MULKEYTOWN – Afton Kirk, Ariel Mays, Madilyn Severs, Sarah Thompson

SESSER – Emily Bulla, Hannah Garascia, Ashton Lappin, Savanah Queen, Robert Reider

THOMPSONVILLE – Jacob Dixon, Maddie Miller, Aiden Payne, Ivan Wysong

VALIER – Alexandra Boner

WEST FRANKFORT – Mary Linsley, Christian Reed

Vice President’s List from Franklin County

BENTON – Ashley Atkins, Emberly Code, Rachel Dahl, Brittany Ferris, Jessica Fowler, Alex Galioto, Spencer Galloway, John Giacone, Nicholas Goffinet, Jeffrey Hayes, Haley Ing, Amy Kovarik, Ashtyn Kubow, Andrew Lingle, Tedgie Morgan, Micah Neal, Taigan Neibch, Bradley Phillips, Gavin Richardson, Matthew Robertson, Brandon Smith, Holden Storey, Sierra Tiberend, Sydnie Watkins, Caleb Wilkerson

CHRISTOPHER – Tori Schafer

MULKEYTOWN – Huel Reynolds, Zachary Webb

SESSER – Kennedy Cloe, Mariah Eader, Scott Nelson, Mallory Newbury, Amanda Queen, Chase Ragland, Justin Roberts, Madyson Senior, Gerrod Tolley

THOMPSONVILLE – Coleman Evrard, Allysa Fox, Blake Miller, George Styles, Cory Wilce

VALIER – Dakota Bowen, Afton Frank

WHITTINGTON – Noah Jones

ZEIGLER – Megan McInnes

 

 

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

Franklin County Farm Bureau News

January 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment

From Gay Bowlin, Franklin County Farm Bureau Manager 

Trucking regulations got you scratching your head? Are you hearing conflicting explanations? To sort fact from fiction Kevin Rund, Illinois Farm Bureau Senior Director of Local Government who has specialized in farm transportation issues for more than 30 years will be at the Franklin County Farm Bureau office on Friday February 2 at 7:30 a.m. We will serve breakfast and Kevin will explain the new laws and answer any questions that you might have. Please call the office as soon possible 435-3616 to make your reservation.

Gay Bowlin -Franklin County Farm Bureau Manager

On Saturday February 3 from 8 am to 12 pm, Extreme Exigency will be at the Franklin County Farm Bureau Building offering a Utah Conceal and Carry Class. The Utah CFP permit training class takes 4 hours. Firing of a firearm is not required to obtain the Non-Resident Utah concealed firearm permit. The permit is valid for 5 years and re-training is not required for renewal. This permit is perfect for people who travel and want to legally protect themselves and their family

All the training materials are provided and for your added convenience we provide photos and fingerprint cards. The Utah permit is recognized in 34 states, 32 states for non-residents (Colorado, Florida, Michigan, and New Hampshire has residency restrictions). Non-residents from states that have CCW permits must obtain their state’s permit before applying for the Utah permit (this change in effect May 10, 2011). Illinois residents are exempt from this requirement.

We have invited Dale Durchholz, Senior Market Analyst for AgriVisor to speak to our farmer members concerning the current market and conditions of the futures market. Dale will be at the Franklin County Farm Bureau on Tuesday, February 6 at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served.  The information he will provide will be beneficial in planning what to do with crops still in the bins and on what you will decide to plant in the Spring. We have been inviting Dale to speak for many years. His priority is to keep farmers informed. Please call if you would like to attend this meeting so we have the numbers for breakfast.  Call the office at (618) 435-3616 at make your reservations today.

The Franklin County Farm Bureau has had several calls in reference to their farmland assessments and we are going to take another opportunity to explain how this works.  Brenda Matherly, Assistant Director for Local Government from the Illinois Farm Bureau will be on hand to answer any questions that you might have.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday February 7 @ 5:30 p.m. at the Benton Civic Center  and is open to the public

Reservations are not necessary but we encourage you to attend this meeting if you are having questions or issues with your farmland assessment part of your tax bill.

If you have questions please call us at 435-3616.

USDA officials and other groups will work with Congress to fix a recent tax law change that offers advantages to farmers who sell their products to co-ops. The provision allows them to deduct up to 20 percent of their total sales to cooperatives.

Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Is a fair immigration compromise possible out of failed Schumer shutdown?

January 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin with New Yourk Senator Chuck Schumer (Politico image)

Is there a fair, reasonable way to deal with immigration without shutting down the government as the Democrats did just recently?

Yes.

A way to save the “Dreamers” and build President Donald Trump’s wall to protect the borders, and lower the anxiety of millions of Dreamer parents, those immigrants who crossed over illegally for a better life in America.

A way for Americans to accept immigration policy as fair, not just something jammed down their throats by politicians.

Please click to read the rest of the editorial from John Kass of the Chicago Tribune.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-met-shutdown-immigration-kass-0124-story.html

 

Filed Under: Columns, Editorials, Opinion

Brewers deal prospects for Miami outfielder Christian Yelich, sign outfielder Lorenzo Cain

January 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

After playing left field earlier in his career, Christian Yelich played in center in 2017 for the Marlins. (Photo: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

MILWAUKEE, WI – It became quite clear Thursday just how much the Milwaukee Brewers wanted Miami outfielder Christian Yelich. And they didn’t stop there in reshaping their outfield for years to come.

That news was still fresh when reports surfaced that the Brewers also signed free-agent oufielder Lorenzo Cain to a five-year, $80 million contract. The team would not confirm that report because Cain has to pass a physical examination first but it was obvious their outfield plans had changed dramatically.

Please click on the link below from the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel for the full story.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

All South Football team released

January 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The All South Football team was released this afternoon.  There are seven from Franklin County that are listed.   They are the following:

BENTON 

Hamilton Page – QB

Blaine Pankey RB/LB

Cade Thomas – WR/DB

WEST FRANKFORT 

Madison Allen – RB/LB

Greg Cooper – OL/LB

S-V-W-W

Lukas Gunter – WR

Bryce Jones

HERE IS THE FULL LIST BELOW 

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Featured, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

Become an official — stay connected to high school sports

January 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Bob Gardner, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations and Craig Anderson, Executive Director of the Illinois High School Association.

These individuals are so important that, in fact, there would be no organized competitive sports at the high school level without the men and women who officiate these contests every day across the country. Subtract the dedicated men and women who officiate high school sports and competitive sports would no longer be organized; they would be chaotic.

In some areas, high school officials are retiring faster than new licenses are being issued. And junior varsity, freshmen and middle school games are being postponed – or even cancelled – because there are not enough men and women to officiate them.

Anyone looking for a unique way to contribute to the local community should consider becoming a licensed high school official. For individuals who played sports in high school, officiating is a great way to stay close to the sport after their playing days have ended. Officiating helps people stay in shape, expands their social and professional network and offers part-time work that is flexible, yet pays. In fact, officiating is a form of community service, but with compensation.

Another benefit of officiating is that individuals become role models so that teenagers in the community can learn the life lessons that high school sports teach. Students learn to respect their opponents and the rules of the game and the importance of practicing good sportsmanship thanks, in part, to those men and women who officiate. And the objectivity and integrity that high school officials display is an example that every young person needs to observe firsthand. In short, communities around the country will be stronger because of the life lessons that high school officials help teach the next generation.

Officiating is a great way to stay connected to sports and to give back to the local high school and community. We need dedicated men and women to become involved so that high school sports can continue to prosper for years to come.

Individuals interested in learning more about becoming a high school official, and even begin the application process, can do so at www.HighSchoolOfficials.com.

Filed Under: Columns, Featured, Opinion

The Night’s Shield hosting Open House this evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

January 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

WEST FRANKFORT – The Night’s Shield Children’s Crisis center staff would like to show you what an amazing service we are offering to families! Come see the bright, cheerful, safe haven we provide to children from our communities. Please bring family, friends, and anyone else who may need the service, wants to see how they can help, or to just see what a positive impact we are having! We will have pizza and cookies if you and the kids are hungry!

Diana Geisler, Hospital Services Administrator from DaVita Dialysis, presented center with a check from DaVita employees. Diana is a native of Thompsonville, and a TCHS graduate.

The Night’s Shield Children’s Crisis Shelter program serves families from the entire State of Illinois and especially the Southern Regions of Illinois. The program is a temporary emergency child care shelter that provides short-term care for children age’s birth to a child’s eighteenth birthday, for families who are experiencing a severe disruptive crisis, such as domestic violence, parental stress, home crisis/homelessness, legal issues, family medical problem, mental health issues, substance use/abuse, public support/services, job/school issues, or family instability. The Night’s Shield Crisis Shelter provides intervention, community based resource referrals, and support to families for their re-stabilization and empowerment.

Children receive 24-hour quality crisis care for two to 72 hours, depending on the needs and goals of the family. Longer care plans may be developed at the discretion of the Executive Director in such cases involving substance abuse and mental health crisis.

The center is located at 301 East Garland in West Frankfort.  If you would turn at south at the stoplights on Emma or Jefferson Streets from Main, and go south, you would run right into the center.  It is a former nursing home facility.

For more information, please give them a call at 618-932-6400.  You can visit their website at http://thenightsshield.org .

You can also visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thenightsshield/

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Proposed law would ban tackle football for kids under 12 in Illinois

January 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

CHICAGO – Tackle football would be banned for children younger than 12 under a proposed state law that will be unveiled Thursday in Chicago.

Citing growing worries about the long-term impact on the brain of repeated blows to the head on the field, a group that includes former NFL players and physicians is expected to formally announce the Dave Duerson Act at a news conference

Please click on the following link below from the Chicago Tribune.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-football-tackle-ban-proposal-illinois-20180124-story.html

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Growth in Participation Spurs First IHSA Chess Sectionals

January 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Chess State Series will forge new ground on Saturday, January 27, when the Association conducts its first-ever Sectionals in the activity.

The eight Sectionals will be hosted at Belleville (East), Chicago (De La Salle), Hinsdale (Central), Mahomet (M.-Seymour), Orland Park (Sandburg), Palatine (H.S.), Plainfield (South) and Rockford (Guilford). 159 teams will play in the sectional round.

“Almost a quarter of IHSA member schools now have chess programs, and the number continues to grow,” said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Scott Johnson. “All the credit goes to the coaches who give up their evenings and Saturdays to shape their players into a team. Eight of those coaches have taken on the added responsibility of hosting a sectional meet this weekend, and deserve a big round of applause.”

The Sectionals will serve as a qualifying round for the IHSA Chess State Finals, which will be held in the Peoria Civic Center ballroom on Friday and Saturday, February 9-10. The Civic Center has hosted the state finals since 2001.

Chess debuted as an IHSA activity during the 1974-75 school year, thanks in large part to the efforts of Mike Zacate, and has grown into what is believed to be the largest team chess tournament in the country, if not the world. A chess team consists of eight players and up to four alternates. In a team competition, the Board 1 players square off in one game, the Board 2 players in another, and so on. A varying number of points are awarded for each individual match to determine the team result.

Previously, any school that entered into the tournament competed at the state finals, which was the lone round of competition. Steady growth spurred the decision to expand to Sectional qualifying rounds, as a state-record 149 teams participated in last year’s tournament. 96 teams participated in the 2001 finals in Peoria. The 128 mark, which is considered optimum for the tournament, was surpassed in 2010.

“As much as we like to see students get the opportunity to play at state, we felt we could not keep expanding the state finals,” Johnson said. “We were running out of room. Our advisory committee came up with a plan, which gave coaches two years to prepare for the change. I think folks are going to like the competitive atmosphere at the sectionals, with a trip to state on the line in every match.”

Approximately 1,550 competitors and 300 coaches attended last year’s state tournament. The number will be scaled back slightly with the qualifying rounds. Teams that win two (or more) matches in the four rounds of sectional competition will advance to state, and about a dozen at-large teams will also be chosen to round of the field of 128.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Murray Energy acquires an interest in Armstrong Energy

January 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH –Murray Energy Corporation (“Murray Energy”) announced today that its unrestricted subsidiary, Murray Kentucky Energy, Inc., (“Murray Kentucky“), has entered into a legally binding Transaction Agreement (“Agreement”) with Armstrong Energy, Inc. (“Armstrong Energy”) and certain of its senior secured noteholders to acquire a fifty-one percent (51%) ownership interest in a new company that will own certain assets formerly held by Armstrong Energy.  The secured noteholders of Armstrong Energy will hold a forty-nine percent (49%) ownership interest in the new company.

Murray Energy Corporation logo (PRNewsFoto/Murray Energy Corporation)

“We are pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with Armstrong Energy and its secured noteholders in order to ensure that these mines continue to operate after the bankruptcy process,” said Mr. Robert E. Murray, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Murray Energy. “After this transaction is completed, Murray Kentucky and the lenders of Armstrong Energy will jointly own five (5) mines that are strategically important in the Illinois Basin. These operations will complement our existing mines in the Illinois Basin,” Mr. Murray continued.

The transaction remains subject to approval by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, which is administering Armstrong Energy’s chapter 11 bankruptcy case.  The transaction would be implemented as part of Armstrong Energy’s proposed plan of reorganization, which has the support of the Company’s secured noteholders and its Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors.

The new company will be a producer of low-chlorine, high-sulfur thermal coal, with five (5) mines in the Illinois Basin, including three (3) surface mines and two (2) operating underground mines. As of June 30, 2017, Armstrong Energy controlled over 445 million tons of proven and probable coal reserves in Western Kentucky.  The new company will also own and operate the three (3) existing coal processing plants and river dock coal handling and rail loadout facilities.  Murray Kentucky will manage these mines, along with the coal preparation and shipment facilities, after this transaction has closed.

“This transaction will provide needed stability to the coal industry in Western Kentucky,” Mr. Murray stated.  “It will also provide operational consistency to our domestic customers and greater opportunity for coal sales into the international export markets.  This is a very important transaction for our employees, the employees of Armstrong who will join us, and our lenders and customers,” concluded Mr. Murray.

Murray Energy and Murray Kentucky are being advised by legal counsel Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, in connection with this acquisition.

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