Sheriff’s Office Requesting Public Assistance in Fraud Investigation

BENTON – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is requesting your assistance with the investigation of a fraud case. The case involves a Franklin County resident that was traveling and stopped at a gas station in Princeton, Kentucky.

A “skimmer” was used to access the victim’s banking information allowing the information to be compromised. The victim’s bank account was then accessed in Tropicana, Evansville on November 12th and 13th, 2017.

The two male suspects pictured in this release took nearly $1,000.00 from the victim’s bank account via ATM. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help in identifying these suspects.

If you have any information that could assist in this investigation or know the whereabouts of these suspects, please contact Deputy Sheriff Rex Roberts at (618) 438-4841. The public is reminded that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Suspect Photo #1

 

Suspect Photo #2

 

 

Route 148 to be closed in Chirstopher next week

CARBONDALE – The Illinois Department of Transportation would like to alert motorists traveling on Illinois 148 in Christopher, Illinois in Franklin County of an upcoming ROAD CLOSURE.

Beginning Monday, December 11, 2017 at 8:00 A.M., IL 148 between 6th Street and 9th Street in Christopher will be closed. This closure is necessary to facilitate the repair of a drainage structure. The road is expected to be open by 5:00 P. M. on Wednesday, December 20, 2017.

Motorists should use the marked detour or seek an alternate route.

Message boards and signs will be in place to alert traffic of the closure.

For IDOT District 9 updates on twitter, follow us at https://twitter.com/IDOTDistrict9.

Rep. Jeanne Ives formally announces GOP primary challenge to Gov. Bruce Rauner

State Rep. Jeanne Ives made it official. The Wheaton Republican is challenging Gov. Bruce Rauner in the GOP gubernatorial primary in March.

 

State Rep. Jeanne Ives speaks on the Illinois House floor on June 28, 2017. (Illinois News Network photo)

“In Illinois state government right now, you choose to be popular with the Illinois political ruling class and become an enemy of the Illinois taxpayers, or you choose to represent taxpaying Illinois families and make enemies of the political ruling class,” Ives said in a video released Monday morning. “I choose taxpaying Illinois families. Gov. Rauner chose the political ruling class.” said Ives.

Please click on the link below for the full story from Illinois News Radio Network.

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/rep-jeanne-ives-formally-announces-gop-primary-challenge-to-gov/article_75f6ae06-d926-11e7-a4d9-9bb650afaa1e.html

Marlow receives plaque for service to RLC, Board of Trustees

INA – Retired Rend Lake College Architecture Professor and former Trustee Rick Marlow received a plaque in late November for his more than 25 years of service to the college.

The Mt. Vernon resident was never a stranger to RLC, having attended Mt. Vernon Community College after high school in 1966 and later graduating in one of the first classes at RLC in 1968 with a focus on pre-engineering. He went on to become a licensed architect with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Southern Illinois University.

Marlow became a full-time instructor at RLC in 1992, a role he filled and enjoyed for 14 years, though he had previously been involved with the program, serving on the Architecture Advisory Board for several years. As an employee, he was a member and chair of Academic Council, working directly with curriculum matters.

Rick Marlow, RIGHT, receives a special thanks from RLC President Terry Wilkerson for his years of service to the college and its students.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

“There are lots of good memories, but mainly, the comradery with my students, as well as other RLC faculty and staff,” said Marlow of his time in the classroom. “The most rewarding part comes later: hearing of students finding good employment, having families, earning professional architect licensure, and staying in touch with them.”

After his official retirement from RLC in 2006, he stayed active by teaching part-time at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and working full-time as the program manager for YouthBuild of Jefferson and Marion Counties, a new program at the United Methodist Children’s Home, now Spero Family Services, in Mt. Vernon. Only three years later and after being pressed by colleagues, he filled an unexpired, two-year term on the Board of Trustees. He was then reelected in 2011 for a six-year term.

“There were a lot of people who I worked with at RLC who urged me to run. It wasn’t really my idea at first,” said Marlow. “On the Board, you see a different perspective on the college; what happens and how things are done. You see the difficult issues with state funding and other matters.”

But Marlow wasn’t just another seat on the board, he also filled the role of Illinois Community College Trustee Association (ICCTA) representative. As the ICCTA representative, he was more involved in the statewide aspects of community colleges, attending meetings on behalf of RLC, and delivering reports on various events and activities happening across Illinois.

“I wanted to be the ICCTA rep. I wanted to be more involved in what happens in Springfield,” said Marlow.

Just two months shy of completing his six-year term in 2017, Marlow made the decision to go back into teaching at RLC – a role he’d left before joining the Board in 2009.

“I had already decided not to run again, and the opportunity came up to fill in for some classes here,” explained Marlow. “I stepped down a few months early so there wouldn’t be a conflict with me on the board and teaching. My term went through April, and I left in January.”

Back in the classroom, Marlow is one of several filling in after the retirement of Kevin Weston in May. He plans to continue to teach, but also spend time with his five grandchildren and volunteering. He still serves on the YouthBuild Advisory Board and volunteers one day a week at Lifeboat Alliance Homeless Shelter in Mt. Vernon.

“I have known Rick as a colleague and a board member here at RLC. We appreciate all his years of service to the college and its students,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson.

 

Rangerettes fall to Hamilton County in non-conference matchup

By Jim Muir

A fourth quarter run by Hamilton County spelled defeat for the Benton Rangerettes in non-conference action on Monday night. The loss dropped the Rangerettes to 2-4 on the season.

Benton trailed only 35-33 heading into the final frame but was outscored by the Lady Foxes 18-7. Benton Coach Andy Sloan said a four-minute surge by Hamilton County in the decisive fourth quarter was the difference-maker.

“We executed our game plan for 28 minutes but unfortunately a high school basketball game is 32 minutes long,” said Sloan. “We trailed by two points with four minutes to play and lost by 13.”

Sloan said turnovers by his young team were costly.

“We just had too many mental errors and mistakes down the stretch that really cost us,” said Sloan. “But, we got beat by a good basketball team tonight.”

The Rangerettes were led in scoring by sophomore Madyson Wallace who scored 23 of the 40 points her team tallied. Ember Milby added seven points, Kelsey Wilcox added four and Eb Casey, Addisyn Miller and Zoe Carlton all scored two points each.

“Hopefully this will help us move forward,” Sloan said. “We want to be like Hamilton County, they are a good team. But, we’re not there yet.”

The Rangerettes are back in action on Saturday afternoon to take on the always-tough Nashville Hornettes. The Junior Varsity game will begin at 1 p.m. with the varsity matchup to follow.

 

 

 

 

Sesser-Valier-Waltonville girls move to 9-0 with lopsided win over Johnston City

By Jim Muir

The Sesser-Valier-Waltonville Lady Devils ran their record to 9-0 Monday night with a 77-33 Black Diamond Conference West victory over Johnston City.

The Lady Devils raced out to an 18-6 first quarter lead and then put the game away in the second frame by outscoring Johnston City 31-8 to take a commanding 49-14 halftime lead.

S-V-W Coach Rick Metcalf went to his bench early and often in the lopsided contest with all 13 players seeing action in the first half.

“We shot the ball extremely well tonight,” said Metcalf. “I thought we shot particularly well from behind the arc.”

The Lady Devils hit 10 3-pointers in the road win, led by sophomore Jaice McCowen, who had four 3-pointers. McCowen led her team in scoring with 15 on the night.

Also scoring in double figures for the Lady Devils was Jada Hale with 14, including a pair of 3-pointers.

“I thought Jada and Jaice both played extremely well tonight,” Metcalf said. “We’re getting balanced scoring and that’s a big part of the success we’re having right now.”

Through nine games the Lady Devils have had seven different players lead the team in scoring. Rounding out the scoring from Monday’s win, Paige Tucker also had double figures with 12 points, Sami McCowen added nine points, Carlie Page added seven points, Peyton Wilderman scored six points, Ella Zahm had four points and Brooke Wilderman, Anna Kistner, Rylee Breeze, Jaycee Garner and Adrianna Fedderke all had two points.

The Lady Devils are back in action on Thursday night in a key conference matchup when they face Route 148 rival Christopher in a road game.

 

Kavion Pippen named MVC Newcomer of the Week for second time

By Tom Weber  siusalukis.com

For the second time this season, Southern Illinois center Kavion Pippen has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week, the league announced on Monday.

A 6-foot-10, 240-pound junior college transfer, Pippen led the Salukis to double-digit wins over SIUE and San Jose State last week. He had 13 points and 13 rebounds against the Redhawks, and followed that performance with a career-high 22 points versus the Spartans. For the week, he was 15-of-28 (.535) from the field, including 9-of-10 in the game against San Jose State. He also blocked five shots and had four steals on the week. Pippen was also named the league’s Newcomer of the Week for his performance in the season-opening win over Winthrop on Nov. 10.

The nephew of NBA legend Scottie Pippen, Kavion leads the team in scoring (13.8), field goal attempts (64), field goal percentage (.563) and blocked shots (14). He has scored in double figures in all six games. The last Saluki player to win Valley Newcomer of the Week twice in the same season was Desmar Jackson in 2012-13.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Report

BENTON – The public is reminded that all parties are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

11-19-17 at 12:24 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on ll. Rt. 14 at
North Thompsonville Road. A 2007 Dodge Ram driven by Brian S. Adams age 45 of Dahlgren was west bound on Rte 14 and impacted a 2011 Ford Taurus driven
by Jeffrey S. Jackson age 47 of Manteno, ll. There were no injuries and Brian
Adams was cited for operating an uninsured vehicle and for failure to reduce
speed to avoid an accident.

11-22-17 at 5:12 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash in Royalton. A
2002 Pontiac driven by Samantha D. Samples age 16 of Royalton was south
bound on North Main St., when a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Zachary L. Staggs age 16 of Royalton was east bound on 2 nd St. and attempted to cross Main St. in front of the Pontiac, causing the crash. Samantha Samples was transported to a local hospital by Abbott’s EMS with major injuries. Zachary Staggs was uninsured and was ticketed for failing to yield right of way.

11-25-17 at 1:35 am Deputies responded to a disturbance reported in the Gun
Creek Campground at Rend Lake. The investigation resulted in the arrest of James D. Long age 36 of Galatia for driving while license suspended and driving under the influence.

11-25-17 Deputies responded to a reported disturbance at a residence in rural Benton at 10:58 pm. The investigation resulted in the arrests of Brandtlee A. Brown age 19 of Benton, Ashton R. Crawford age 18 of Benton, Elissa C. Brown age 18 of Benton and Nicholas H. Goffinet age 19 of Benton for illegal consumption of alcohol. Also charged with underage drinking were four juvenile males and two juvenile females. The juveniles were released to their parents or guardian. This incident is still under investigation and more arrests and charges are possible.

11-25-17 at 8:20 am Deputies responded to a reported domestic dispute at the Rend Lake Marina. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Koltyn W. Irvin age 28 of Benton for violation of bail bond (domestic battery).

11-27-17 at 1:11 am a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrests of David M. Cloe age 47 of West Frankfort for felony driving while license revoked and Suzanna M. Kraus age 58 of Marion, who was wanted for possession of a controlled substance.

11-27-17 at 9:15 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on ll. Rt. 149 1/4 mile west of Parrish Circle. A 2010 Buick Lacrosse driven by John A. Raski age 75 of Zeigler was stationary in a construction zone, traveling east bound, waiting for the flagger to signal proceed. A 2005 Buick Rendezvous SUV was also east bound, driven by Carl R. Trusty age 82 of Zeigler failed to stop and rearended the Lacrosse. There were no injuries and Carl Trusty was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

11-27-17 at 11:52 am a traffic stop on Rt. 37 south of Benton resulted in three arrests: Travis K. Hicks age 31 of Belleville was wanted on a warrant charging possession of methamphetamine. He was also charged with driving while license revoked. Also arrested was Stephanie M. Carr age 28 of West Frankfort who was wanted for two failure to appear warrants on traffic charges. Also arrested was Amy E. Newton age 30 of West Frankfort. She was wanted on a failure to appear warrant for possession of methamphetamine and new charges for possession for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and for attempting to smuggle drugs and drug contraband into the county jail. (class 1 felony).

11-27-17 at 1:29 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on ll. Hwy. 154 two miles west of ll. Rt. 37. A 1997 Plymouth Breeze driven by Jonathan R. Lowery age 21 of Benton was east bound on Rt. 154 when it left the north side of the roadway, then over corrected, traveling back across both lanes of traffic and striking a guardrail. The driver was ejected from the vehicle. The driver received major injuries and was air lifted to an out of state hospital. The driver will be ticketed for operating an uninsured vehicle and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

11-30-17 at 5:11 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Licata Road and Mine 24 Road. A 2014 Mazda driven by William J. Franklin age 21 of Benton was traveling west of Licata Rd., lost control leaving the roadway on the north side, striking a sign, mailbox and then down into a ditch. The driver was initially transported by Abbott’s EMS to a local hospital with major injuries. He was later transferred to an out of state trauma center. He has been ticketed for no valid driver’s license and failure to reduce speed to avoid and accident. The crash is still under investigation as alcohol if believed to have been a factor.

11-30-17 at 7:07 am Deputies responded to a reported suspicious person at Payne’s Service Center in Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of David M. Rector age 32 of Eldorado on a Hamilton County theft warrant.

11-30-17 at 6:53 pm Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in rural West
Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jared E. Shoraga age 39 of West Frankfort for domestic battery, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence and endangering the life and health of a child.

WARRANTS

11-27-17 Shane M. Tate age 26 Benton. Failure to appear for aggravated battery.

11-27-17 Trent R. Potts age 29 of Mulkeytown. Domestic Battery and unlawful restraint

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11-27-17 Darian L. Miller age 23 of Belle Rive. Failure to appear for transmitting H.I.V. and possession of drug paraphernalia.

11-29-17 Ryan H. Murphy age 37 of West Frankfort. Domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery.

11-30-17 Ali R. Boczek age 19 of Dubois. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

11-30-17 Cody L. Summers age 18 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on traffic charges

Bomb threat at Capitol

SPRINGFIELD –  There was a bomb threat this afternoon at the Illinois State Capitol.  The all clear was given around 5:30 p.m.

Please click on the link below for the story and video from Leslie Fannon of WCIA in Champaign.

http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/local-news/bomb-threat-at-capitol/874941541

RLC Child Psychology decorates for Festival of Tree event

INA, IL – Students enrolled in Dr. Jeannie Mitchell’s Child Psychology class decorated a Christmas tree in the spirit of Jack Skellington and the film “The Nightmare Before Christmas” for the Festival of Trees event in Mt. Vernon, proceeds of which benefit Spero Family Services. Pictured is, in alphabetical order, Courtnee Bradham (Waltonville), Robyn Burzynski (Opdyke), Bayley Eubanks (Sesser), Kamber Pyszka (Scheller), Alicia Rutherford (Mt. Vernon), Randi Smith (Marion), Danielle Sitzes (Cisne), Karrina Stanley (Mulkeytown), Kayla Tindall (Sesser), and Katlyn Weis (Coulterville).
(RLC Public Information)

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News