SIU’s Blaylock named to NFCA board of directors

Louisville, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association named Saluki coach Kerri Blaylock to its board of directors today as its Division I Representative.

Blaylock joins a board of directors made up of her fellow coaches from programs including Tennessee, Notre Dame, Auburn, Nebraska and Purdue. Blaylock will act as a representative for matters regarding her coaching peers at the Division I level and work on the Head Coaches Committee which provides representation to all Division I Conferences in the discussion of legislation and playing rules.
 
The NFCA was founded in 1983 to advance the sport by creating awards programs, hosting a national coaching convention and providing a forum for coaches discuss issues effecting their game.
 
Blaylock, who is entering her 19th season, has won 628 games as the head coach of the Saluki Softball program. She has the best winning percentage of all 500-win coaches in Missouri Valley Conference history, and she is the only coach in conference history to lead a program to five-consecutive NCAA Tournaments.
 
Including her nine seasons as an assistant under her mentor, Saluki Hall-of-Famer Kay Brechtelsbauer, and her 18 years as the team’s skipper, Blaylock has helped Saluki softball maintain its position as one of the elite programs in the MVC while elevating the program to national prominence. 
 
As a head coach, Blaylock has led SIU to five MVC titles with seven NCAA Tournament appearances while producing 87 All-Conference selections. She holds a .677 winning percentage in MVC games (292-139) and has been a member of five MVC Coaching Staffs of the Year. She is the fastest coach in MVC history to reach 500 wins overall and 250 MVC wins. On February 18, 2017, Blaylock won her 600th game as a head coach in a 4-2 win over Michigan State.

Calvert City, KY McDonald’s went up in flames

KFVS TV Photo

CALVERT CITY, KY –  The McDonalds in Calvert City, Kentucky at the intersection of Interstate 24 and US 62 in the small Western KY town went up in flames this afternoon.

There is a video feed on Franklin County News Online’s Facebook page from WPSD-TV.

Here is a link to the story from KFVS-TV to click for further updates.

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/37175807/crews-respond-to-fire-at-calvert-city-ky-mcdonalds

 

New state troopers take to the highways

 

Trooper Richard Stanley

DU QUOIN – The Illinois State Police District 13 wishes to welcome Trooper Richard Stanley. Trooper Stanley is a 5 year veteran of Mount Vernon Police Department. He recently graduated the Illinois State Police Academy from Cadet Class 126 where he served as class president. After completing the 25 weeks of training at the Academy, he has now begun a 14 week Field Training Program in District 13.

We also wish to congratulate Troopers Ronald Brooks and Zachary Brooks for their placement in Illinois State Police District 21 Ashkum upon graduation from Cadet Class 126. Trooper Ronald Brooks received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Southern Illinois University, and served three years as a police officer/detective for the Murphysboro Police Department. (Pictured second.) Trooper Zachary Brooks received a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice from Southern Illinois University, served three years as a police officer for the Murphysboro Police Department, and also served two years as a conservation officer for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. (Pictured third.)

Cadet Class 126 graduated December 22, 2017. Please join us in welcoming these Troopers to their new assignments and in wishing them a safe career in public service!!

Isham Morgan Harrison – Christopher

Isham Morgan Harrison, 86, of Christopher IL, passed away on Tuesday January 2, 2018 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

He was born on July 1, 1931 in Christopher to Dayton Logan and Ester Ann (Clayton) Harrison. 

He married Mary Lou (Russell) Harrison on November 12, 1961 and she survives of Christopher.

He is also survived by two children Mary Ann (Mike) Patchett of Christopher and Thomas (Kendra) Harrison of Christopher; five grandchildren Samantha (Levi) Webb, Tiffanie (Dustin) Young, Morgan (Max) Garrison, Christopher Harrison, and Kaci Harrison; four great grandchildren Kase Michael Young, Korbin Ray Young, Lynnex Marie Webb, and Jackson Logan Webb.

He was a United States Army Veteran serving during the Korean conflict.

Funeral services will be on Thursday January 4, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home. For more information go to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

State Fire Marshal Launches “Be Alarmed!” Program

The OSFM will work jointly with the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance to provide smoke alarms and fire prevention education across Illinois

 

SPRINGFIELD – The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) today launched ‘Be Alarmed!’ – a joint smoke alarm installation program that provides smoke alarms to Illinoisans through their local fire departments. The OFSM will distribute smoke alarms with 10-year sealed batteries and fire safety educational materials to participating fire departments, at no-cost to residents. The OSFM requires participating fire departments to personally install each smoke alarm, educate the community on fire prevention and safety, and provide installation survey data to the IFSA.

‘Working smoke alarms provide crucial advance warning and can potentially save lives,’ said State Fire Marshal Matt Perez.  ‘The ‘Be Alarmed!’ program will help ensure that Illinoisans have the tools and know-how to prevent and escape a fire should one occur. We encourage everyone to be alarmed in the new year and make sure your home is equipped with working smoke alarms.’

‘Six out of ten residential fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms,’ said Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Executive Director, Philip Zaleski. ‘The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is excited to have developed this program in cooperation with the State Fire Marshal’s Office to provide smoke alarms to Illinois residents and help reduce the number of fire related injuries and deaths across the state.’

‘Be Alarmed!’ is a fire safety educational program developed to educate Illinoisans and to ensure that properly installed and working smoke alarms are in homes across Illinois.

The program seeks to:

  1. Educate Illinois residents, young and old, on home fire safety and prevention methods,
  2. Reduce the number of fire-related injuries in Illinois,
  3. Reduce the number of fire-related deaths in Illinois, and
  4. Identify the reason for non-working smoke alarms in Illinois homes.

All fire alarms and educational materials will be provided at no-cost to eligible fire departments from OSFM and IFSA with additional assistance from corporate partners including Kidde and Menards.

Interested fire departments should go to www.IFSA.org/programs/alarms for eligibility requirements and the request form.

Terry K. Little – Benton, IL

Terry K. Little, 57, of Benton, born October 30, 1960 in Carlinville, IL., passed away at 7:52 a.m., on Monday, January 1, 2018, at his residence.

Mr. Little was a self employed handy man.  Terry was a loving husband, father and grandfather.  He enjoyed music, watching comedies and going fishing.

Terry is preceded in death by his parents, G. Dewey and Shirley V. (Morgan) Little; brothers and sisters, Beverley (Ralph) Roach, Jamie Little, Lyndal Little, Loretta Little, Tonia Stromatt, Mac Little, Blaine Little and Judy Dewar.

Surviving are his wife, Juanita Little; children, Tyler (Joshua) Little-Rogers, Erin (John Kaufman) Seddon, Wesley (Vicki) Sargent, Michelle Eubanks, Amos (Jamie Carney) Beasley, Melissa Beasley; grandchildren, Emilia Seddon, Kaylee Beasley, Imn Beasley, Aiden Beasley, Brayden Beasley, Grace Beasley, Brett Eubanks, Mariah Eubanks, Sebastian Barnfield, Austin Barnfield, Matthew Woods, Rybka Sargent, Amber Sargent; sisters and brothers, Carol Jasper, Tammy (Jeff) Sander, Janet (Glenn) Lohmann, Lance (Debbie) Little, and Kim “Joe” Little; also surviving many other family members.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Per his wishes cremation was held.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pate Funeral Home in care of funeral expenses.

Online condolences may be made at www.patefh.com

Fire at Calvert City, KY McDonalds

 

WPSD photo

CALVERT CITY, KY –  Since this is a destination stop for a lot of people heading south out of Franklin County, I decided to go ahead and share this.  Here is a link to follow this story from WPSD-TV.

Fire crews battling large blaze at Calvert City McDonald’s

Carl Thomas – Elkville

Carl Gene Thomas, age 47, of Elkville; passed away at 10:10 a.m. Monday, January 1, 2018 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Charles Okimosh officiating.  Burial will be in the Denning Cemetery of Orient.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Carl Gene Thomas was born on December 24, 1970 in West Frankfort, the son of Steve Edward Wilcox and Neva Bryant. He married the former Billie Jo Humphrey on July 2, 2016, and she survives.

He enjoyed camping, bon-fires, cookouts, and spending time with family, especially with his grandchildren.

Surviving is his loving wife Billie Thomas of Elkville; his mother and step-father Neva and Charles Okimosh, of Truman, AR; his two sons: Johnathan Thomas of West Frankfort, Justin Thomas of Benton; a step-son Donnie Blair of West Frankfort; a step-daughter Marriah Barnett of Christopher; three grandchildren: Eli, Kaiden and Zander; and his step-granddaughter Ember; one brother Stephen Thomas of West Frankfort, two sisters: Donna Thompson of Elkville, Connie Aud of West Frankfort; a half-sister Stephanie Wilcox of Michigan City, IN; an uncle Eberett Bryant of Thompsonville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father; father-in-law and mother-in-law; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the Leffler Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Carl, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

A Baseline View releases new rankings

 

 

The Sesser-Valier Red Devils are ranked fifth and the Christopher Bearcats sixth in the latest poll Class 1A released by Jack Bullock (ABV Jack) of the website abaselineview.com.

The Thompsonville Tigers crack the honorable mention slot in Class 1A, and  the West Frankfort Redbirds crack the 2A honorable mention slot.

Please click on the link below for the latest poll.

http://abaselineview.com/abvrankings.html

Venita Kern – Whittington

Venita F. Kern, 93, of Whittington passed away Sunday night, December 31, 2017 surrounded by her family.

She was born in Whittington, IL on September 18, 1924, the daughter of William C. & Iva (McCann) Baxter.

She married Edgar Griffen on April 3, 1948, and he died on August 28, 1963. She then married Etherd Kern on May 29, 1970, and he died on April 9, 1980.

Mrs. Kern had worked as a cook at Whittington Grade School for several years.  She worked at Burton’s Cafe for many years and managed the cafe for a couple of those years. Then she retired from the Dietary Department at Franklin Hospital.

Mrs. Kern was a faithful member of the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church since 1938, and served as church Treasurer for several of those years.  She also worked the at the Tuesday School at Rescue since it began.

She is survived by her niece Loma Baxter of Whittington, great niece Traci Kelley and husband Marty of Whittington, three great-great nephews, Daylon, Jace and Lane Kelley; step-sister Barbara Lemons of Mt. Vernon; step-daugter Melba Unitis and husband Edward of Huntersville, NC; and step-niece Cindy Wisniewski.

Mrs. Kern was preceded in death by her Parents, Husbands, by a Brother-Charles W. Baxter, by a Sister and Brother-in-law-Wanda Lee and Victor Crowder;  and by a nephew, Charles M. Baxter.

Funeral servicves will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, January 7, 2018 at the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church in Whittington with Rev. Bryant Harris officiating. Burial will be in the Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Saturday at the Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, and after 1:00 P.M. on Sunday at the Church.

In lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be made to the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News