Valier student beneficiary of Rend Lake College Foundation Endowment Scholarships increased.

December 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By ReAnne Palmer

INA, IL– It was a night of celebration and merriment at the 2017 Rend Lake College Foundation Annual Dinner with numerous surprise awards and announcements, starting with the 2017 Alumnus of the Year. The Annual Dinner was held Thursday, Dec. 7 at the Mt. Vernon Hotel & Events Center.

“I am very pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has decided to make a one-time distribution of an additional one percent on all endowed scholarships in the upcoming academic year,” said Kay Zibby-Damron, Rend Lake College Foundation Director.  “All of our endowed scholarships will award six percent of the principle to very deserving RLC students. As the cost of education rises, coupled with the uncertainty of financial assistance from the state, I am grateful that the Foundation is able to help so many students.”

Ramsey shared his journey to Rend Lake College with members of the RLC community at the RLC Foundation Annual Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 7.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

One of those students, Heath Ramsey of Valier, shared his appreciation for the Foundation and the donors in the room. Ramsey is a nontraditional student who returned to the classroom for a new career with a family and small children in tow. The nursing student said he’s looking forward to helping people in new ways, thanks in part to the help he’s received.

“I’d like to welcome you and thank you for being with us this evening. I’m 38 years old and was in corporate sales for many years before I decided to go back to college,” said Ramsey. “I figured I’d been helping people for the past few years, and now, I’ve decided to help people in a different way. I decided I needed to get back into college, even as a nontraditional student. When I received a letter in the mail from the RLC Foundation saying I’d been awarded the Howard L. Payne Nursing Scholarship, I knew I’d made the right decision.”

The RLC Foundation Annual Dinner was sponsored by Hamilton County Telephone Co-Cop and subsidiaries, and People’s National Bank – both of which have been sponsors of the event for over a decade. The invocation was provided by Eric Black, RLC Board of Trustees Secretary, and live music was provided by Hannah Fullerton on piano.

To learn more about the RLC Foundation, contact Zibby-Damron at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1214 or foundation@rlc.edu.

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

Grecian Steak and Seafood House on fire

December 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Southern Illinois Fire Incidents photo.

PINCKNEYVILLE –  The Pinckneyville Press and the website Southern Illinois Fire incidents is reporting that several fire departments on the scene at the Grecian Steak and Seafood House, just south of the square in Pinckneyville.

Further updates will be provided when available.

Here is further information from WSIL=TV

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37133066/pinckneyville-restaurant-destroyed-by-fire

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

A review of the 10 biggest weather events in 2017

December 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

The EF-4 tornado that through Jackson and a small portion of Franklin County on February 28th. (Storm chaser Reed Timmer photo provided to the Paducah NWS)

PADUCAH, KY – The year 2017 was noteworthy for the catastrophic tornadoes and flooding that occurred in the spring. The strongest tornado in the United States in 2017 (through at least Dec. 21) was the EF-4 that passed through Perryville, Missouri on Feb. 28 with peak winds near 185 mph. Historic flooding occurred in southeast Missouri later in the spring, when the Current River rose 8 feet above its previous record. The cities of Van Buren and Doniphan sustained widespread severe flood damage. The winter of 2016-17 was notable for the lack of snow and cold. The biggest event of the summer for some of us was the total eclipse of the sun on August 21. The remnants of four tropical systems affected our region in the summer and early fall. Each system brought heavy rain to parts of our region.

Click on the link below for the ten biggest weather events of the year in the Paducah Forecast Office region.  The events are listed in chronological order.

http://www.weather.gov/pah/top10of2017

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News

Snow ending by early afternoon, chances again on Christmas Eve, Thurs.-Fri.

December 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

After a wet start to the day, look for precipitation to diminish and some folks may even see some sunshine during the afternoon. Cooler air will be settling in, however, with high temperatures some 10 to 15 degrees cooler than they were just 24 hours ago. (NWS Paducah)

Hazardous Weather Outlook

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

A flash flood watch remains in effect until 9 AM for our
Tennessee border counties in western Kentucky, from Murray,
eastward toward Hopkinsville. Refer to the Watch for details.

Rain may change to snow before ending today, mainly for our
northwest counties in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.
Little accumulation is expected, and if any occurs, it will be
mainly on grassy and sheltered surfaces as air and ground
temperatures remain above freezing.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Sunday through Friday

Rain may mix with or change to snow Sunday, mainly for our
northern counties, especially along and north of Interstate 64 in
southern Illinois and southwest Indiana. A light dusting is
possible there.

Light snow, mixed at times with light rain over southern portions of
the region, is possible Thursday into Friday. Potential snow
accumulation is quite uncertain at this point, but still looks to be
fairly low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter reports of rainfall and any flooding are appreciated.

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Rain and snow before 10am, then a chance of rain between 10am and noon. High near 40. North northwest wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Light north northeast wind.
Sunday
A chance of snow before 2pm, then a chance of rain and snow between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of snow after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 21. West wind 5 to 11 mph.
Christmas Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. West southwest wind 3 to 8 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Light and variable wind.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 31. North northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. North northeast wind around 7 mph.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 27. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Thursday
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. East wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday Night
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. North wind 5 to 7 mph.
Friday
A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. North wind 7 to 9 mph.
Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Nevada cruises to 86-64 win over Saluki Men’s Basketball

December 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By Tom Weber 

LAS VEGAS, NV — Caleb Martin buried his first five shots from 3-point distance and finished with 19 points, as Nevada cruised to an 86-64 win over Southern Illinois on Friday night at Orleans Arena.

The Wolfpack (11-2) used a devastating 25-2 run during the first half to blow open what was a close game in the opening minutes. Martin didn’t start the game but the contest shifted dramatically after he entered, as the 6-foot-7 guard made four treys during the game-changing run.

“Martin was the key for them,” said SIU head coach Barry Hinson, who saw his team’s three-game winning streak come to an end. “He was a pro. There’s a reason all these pro scouts were here.”

The Salukis (7-5) made five of their first six shots from the field and led, 14-10, with 14:07 to go in the first half. Kavion Pippen was a factor early, scoring five points for Southern, Sean Lloyd hit a three, and Tyler Smithpeters was fouled on a 3-point shot and made all three from the charity stripe.

Those were the highlights before the bottom fell out for Southern. During an eight-minute stretch in which they were out-scored by 23 points, the Salukis missed 10-of-11 shots and committed five turnovers.

Nevada’s advantage in length and athleticism was apparent on both ends of the floor. The Wolfpack shot 57 percent from the field, made 11-of-19 from long distance, out-rebounded SIU, 41-23, and had a 14-point advantage in bench scoring, thanks primarily to Martin.

“I think a lot of (our success) has to do with Caleb Martin has been willing to come off the bench,” said Nevada head coach Eric Musselman. “I thought we shared the ball, did a really good job of playing team basketball. Cody (Martin) was great at distributing the ball. We were phenomenal tonight on the glass.”

Backup Center Rudy Stradnieks has a career high 11 points in last night’s loss to Nevada.

Southern had four players score in double figures — Lloyd (12), Pippen (11), Rudy Stradnieks (11) and Aaron Cook (10), but the offense shot just 38 percent from the field, including 4-of-17 from deep.

Nevada’s only apparent weakness was the lack of a true center, and Southern had success throwing it into the post, where both Pippen and Stradnieks were effective. Pippen, however, struggled on defense and fouled out after logging just 14 minutes. He picked up his third foul of the first half when Southern was forced to put him back in to try to stop the bleeding.

“When we put him back in with two (fouls), we said they’re going to run an iso at you, you have to stay down on the ground,” Hinson said. “Sure enough, he rises up and gets the third foul. The fourth foul was the same thing, the fifth the same thing.”

Stradnieks had a career-high and the first double-figure scoring night of his career. He even buried a 3-ball.

“We told him in the timeouts, we told him coming into the game — you’re going to be a priority,” Hinson said. “We’re going to get the ball down to you low and our guys did a good job getting it to him.”

SIU’s four starting guards combined to shoot 8-of-33 from the field, and point guard Marcus Bartley played only 13 minutes before leaving the game with a lower back strain.

Although Southern struggled defensively, it managed to hold former Saluki Jordan Caroline to 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting.

“We probably know how to guard Jordan better than anybody because we had the luxury having him with us,” Hinson said.

Nevada led by as many as 28, but the Salukis kept the game from getting out of hand in the second half, unlike the team’s 42-point loss to Louisville earlier this season.

“We didn’t do what we did at Louisville,” Hinson said. “Louisville  — we just stopped competing. Tonight, we kept competing and we told them we wanted to get this thing under 20 if we could. The guys kept fighting and kept doing what we asked them to do.”

SIU returns to action tomorrow for the final game of the Las Vegas Invitational when it plays Duquesne at 5:30 p.m. Central. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.

Filed Under: College Sports, Sports

One fatality, another seriously injured in a semi/pedestrian crash

December 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

WHITTINGTON –  Franklin County Emergency Management Agency reports that Interstate 57 Northbound is blocked off at Exit 77 (Sesser) due to a traffic crash in Jefferson County.

More information will be shared when it becomes available.

7:45 statement released from the Illinois State Police

The northbound lanes of I57 are currently closed at mile post 90.5 due to a 2 vehicle, single fatality crash. All north bound traffic is being diverted off of I57 onto IL Route 154 at mile post 77 while first responders are investigating and cleaning up the scene.

11:30 update –  The northbound lanes is not open at the 77 mile marker (Sesser exit).  It is my understanding the northbound lanes are still closed at the 83 mile marker (Ina Exit) and will remain closed for several hours.  =sd

The accident happened at the 90 mile marker which is just south of the 57/64 split.

Here is the latest from WSIL-TV at 4:30 p.m.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37131702/crash-on-i-57  

Crash report from the Illinois State Police

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 13

WHAT: Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE: I-57 north bound milepost 90.5

WHEN: Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 4:16 A.M.

VEHICLES: 2016 International truck tractor semi in 5 axle combination and a 2005 Ford Expedition (unoccupied)

DRIVERS: International –Robert Miller, a 71 year old male of Effingham, IL – Uninjured.

PEDESTRIANS: Amanda Beem, a 22 year old female of Port St Lucie, FL-Fatally Injured.
Juvenile female of Port St Lucie, FL-Major Injuries-Transported via ambulance to a regional hospital.
Emory J Beem, a 20 year old male of Port St Lucie, FL-Uninjured.
Dennis Beem, a 45 year old male of Port St Lucie, FL-Uninjured.

PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the Ford Expedition was disabled in the roadway after being involved in a property damage only traffic crash on I-57 northbound milepost 90.5. The occupants of the Ford Expedition exited the vehicle and were standing in the roadway. The northbound International struck Amanda Beem, who was standing in the roadway prior to striking the Ford Expedition.

Northbound traffic on I-57 was diverted at Illinois Route 154. I-57 was closed for approximately 5.5 hours for crash investigation and scene cleanup.

CHARGES: None

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Congressman Bost predicts tax law will become more popular

December 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

CARTERVILLE –   On Friday, President Donald Trump signed the Republican tax plan into law, making it the biggest overhaul of the U.S. tax code in three decades.

It’s also the president’s biggest legislative victory, by far.

“I consider this a bill for the middle class and a bill for jobs,” said President Trump.

While polls show most American don’t approve of the tax plan, Republican Illinois Congressman Mike Bost expects that to change soon.

Please click on the link below as WSIL-TV’s Brandon Richard discusses the tax plan with Congressman Bost.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37130399/congressman-bost-predicts-tax-law-will-become-more-popular

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Three arrested in warehouse fire

December 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

 

Mt. Vernon register news photo

MT. VERNON –  Three youths were arrested Monday in connection with the Kendrick Paper Stock Co. warehouse fire.

According to Mt. Vernon Police Det. Jeremy Reichert, arrest warrants were issued for the three suspects by the state’s attorney. The warrants charge them with arson, but Reichert said it was not their intention for the building to burn down.

“These kids had no clue how serious things could get,” Reichert said.

Please click on the link below for the full story from Brett Templeton of the Mt. Vernon Register-News

http://www.register-news.com/news/three-arrested-in-warehouse-fire/article_2e1f1e8c-e6a1-11e7-ab21-435bc5aee82f.html

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Governor takes clemency action

December 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

CHICAGO  — Gov. Bruce Rauner yesterday granted 10 and denied 78 clemency petitions.

This is the twenty-second set of petitions the governor has reviewed since taking office. Each person granted clemency has recently undergone a criminal background check through the Illinois State Police’s Law Enforcement Agencies Data System.

A granted clemency request for a pardon with expungement allows the petitioner to seek expungement of their conviction through the court system.

For additional information on the granted clemency cases, please contact the Prisoner Review Board at (217) 782-1610.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Repurpose Your Christmas Tree for Another Life of Service.

December 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Benton, IL – It is after Christmas and you need to take the tree out of the house. What can you do with it now?  How about helping out some fish with a new home for the holidays. .The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake are asking for your old Christmas trees to improve fish habitat.     Donated trees will be bundled together to create underwater fish structures. These structures serve a variety of purposes such as providing feeding areas for fish of all sizes, refuge for small fish, and excellent fishing spots for anglers.

Christmas trees can be dropped off at any of the following three Rend Lake boat ramps or parking lot locations: Sugar Creek parking lot, located at the intersection of Licata and Mine 21 roads; Dam West boat ramp, located on the west end of the main dam; or Jackie Branch boat ramp, located north of Rt. 154 across from the Barren Township building. Christmas trees will be accepted at these locations until January 16, 2018.  If you are closer to Mt. Vernon, Christmas trees may be recycled at the areas designated by signs at the Veterans Park women’s softball field; Forest Avenue; Optimist Park, 903 Pace Avenue; or Airport Park, 1101 Airport Road until January 5, 2018.

Two additional collection locations have been added through a partnership with the Marion Park District.  The first location will be in Ray Fosse Park, which is located just north of Route 13 on the east end of Marion.  The collection point will be located in the “Goofy Golf” parking lot, just behind the swimming pool, at 519 Parish Ave.  The second collection point will be located at the northernmost picnic

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News
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