Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
CHICAGO, IL- Please click on the link below for the Associated Press story from KTVI in St. Louis regarding Govenor Rauner’s action today. If an official statement from his office is released, it will be added to the story. -sd
http://fox2now.com/2017/11/22/illinois-governor-grants-5-petitions-for-clemency-denies-97/
Marion, IL – State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) would like to remind constituents of Williamson, Franklin, and Hamilton County to shop small and shop local in honor of Small Business Saturday on November 25th. Small Business Saturday has turned into a national tradition and has continued to grow each year.
“Sometimes we forget that small business owners are our neighbors, friends, or other people with ties to our community,” Severin said. “These business owners hire local workers, as well as support our local charities and other organizations. The weekend after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping weekend of the year. That makes it even more important for people to be shopping and supporting local businesses.”
As the owner of a small business in Benton, Rep. Severin knows firsthand how important small businesses are to local communities.
“Illinois is home to 1.2 million small businesses, which makes up about 90% of the state’s overall exports,” Severin said. “Small businesses bring entrepreneurship and innovation, giving a unique and energetic feel to our towns and villages. Most importantly, when they are supported, local businesses turn around and invest back in the community, providing jobs and other valuable resources.”
To learn where you can go to support local business visit the Shop Southern Illinois page on Facabook and follow on Twitter @shopsouthernIL.
SESSER, IL – Living in the community over fifteen years, I know first hand the work, generosity, and showing Christ’s love the Sesser-Valier Ministerial Alliance does for the community. Please the link below to read the story from Holly Kee of the Benton news about the alliance’s newest ministry, Five Loaves Cafe, and their outreach to the community during the ministry’s thanksgiving dinner. -sd
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/business/20171122/5-loaves-cafe-in-sesser-offers-more-than-a-meal
DuQuoin, IL – The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is generally one of the busiest travel holiday periods of the year. As millions of travelers take to Illinois roadways to celebrate Thanksgiving, Illinois State Police (ISP) District 13 / 22 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Michael Alvey, reminds motorists to drive safely.
Drivers can do their part to ensure they, and their passengers, experience safe travels. Simply keeping your eyes on the road, watching your speed, buckling your seatbelt, and refraining from driving after consuming alcoholic beverages can reduce your chances of being involved in a traffic crash.
The ISP will be doing our part to help keep the roadways safe from dangerous drivers. Troopers will be on the watch for drivers exceeding speed limits and those who choose to drive distracted. Along with regular patrols, we will also have additional patrols out to help remove intoxicated drivers from Illinois roadways. Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving.
The ISP is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation and other law enforcement agencies to remind motorists to Click It or Ticket. The Click It or Ticket campaign officially started on November 17. The goal of this high-visibility effort is to reduce motor vehicle crashes and resulting injuries and fatalities. Stepped-up patrols and seat belt enforcement zones will be seen throughout the state through November 27.
Lieutenant Alvey stated, “Our ultimate goal is to create a safe driving environment for travelers, but they have to do their parts as well. By them making good driving choices they are exponentially increasing their chances of having a safe drive.” Alvey added, “Even with Troopers every 20 miles on the interstate, there will still be people making bad choices. Our hope is we stop them before anyone is injured.”
The ISP’s goal is to ensure safe travels for you and your loved ones over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. If you find yourself behind the wheel, please watch the road and your speed, buckle up, and do not drive intoxicated.
By Jim Muir
The host Nashville Hornettes moved to 2-0 with a 48-26 victory over the Benton Rangerettes in second night action from the Nashville Invitational Thanksgiving Tournament.
Nashville hit a 3-pointer to end the opening stanza and then hit a two-pointer to end the second frame and those five points were key on Benton coach Andy Sloan’s mind following the loss.
“I actually thought we played a pretty good first half but we gave up those two buckets and five points,” Sloan said. “We were down nine at the half and if take away those two baskets it’s a four-point game.”
Nashville led 16-6 at the end of one and the Rangerettes outscored the Hornettes 11-10 in quarter two to trail 26-17 at the intermission.
A big third quarter by the Hornettes put the game on ice for the Hornettes. Nashville outscored Benton 12-4 to take a commanding 38-21 lead into the final quarter.
Sloan, who is in a rebuilding year with the loss of four starters to graduation, noted that the past success of the Benton girl’s program has been built on a hardnosed defense. He was not pleased with the overall effort of his team on Tuesday night.
“Our defensive effort was not very good at all tonight and that has to get better and improve,” said Sloan. “As a team, especially a young team, our goal is to get better every night. Tonight we took a step in the wrong direction.”
Madyson Wallace led the Rangerettes with 10 points followed by Eb Casey with six, Addyson Miller and Kelsey Wilcox chipped in three points each and Sesley Tedeschi and Katy Johnson each scored two points.
The loss dropped the Rangerettes to 0-2 on the young season. Benton will face Trenton-Wesclin at 1:30 Saturday afternoon. If Benton wins the Saturday afternoon matchup they will come back and play at 5:30 p.m. that day. A loss in the game would put the Rangerettes playing at 3:30 p.m.
SPRINGFIELD – As bitter cold creeps into Illinois, the state’s frontline weather responders remind motorists that preparation can help take the bite out of winter this season. The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Tollway encourage motorists to prepare for wintry driving conditions and remember: “Winter Weather – Get it Together.”
“Winter weather can be unpredictable in Illinois, but preparation today will make a safer tomorrow,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “Drivers should start easing into those winter driving behaviors now. Our snow-and-ice teams are ready, as always, to make this a safe, successful winter driving season.”
Throughout the winter, especially during adverse conditions, motorists should practice basic winter driving skills and build extra time into their schedules. As part of the “Winter Weather – Get it Together” campaign, all travelers are encouraged to follow these simple rules and tips during the coming months:
• Always wear a seat belt. It’s the law in Illinois.
• Slow down. Slower speeds, slower acceleration, slower steering and slower braking all are required in winter driving conditions.
• Drop it and drive. Put down the handheld devices – it, too, is the law in Illinois.
• Don’t crowd the plow. A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see
them, but they may not see you.
• Avoid using cruise control in snow and ice.
• Watch out for black ice on roads that appear clear but can be treacherous.
• Be especially careful approaching intersections, ramps, bridges and shady areas. All are prone to icing.
• Do not travel during bad weather unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to make a
trip, check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your travel route. Consider taking public transportation if it is an option.
• Prepare an emergency kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable
food and a first-aid kit.
• Carry a cell phone and a car charger in case of emergency.
• Follow Scott’s Law. Slow down and move over for stopped emergency, construction and maintenance vehicles.
• For a list of suggested maintenance for your car, visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s winter driving website.
• For more winter driving tips, check out this short IDOT video.
“Winter weather causes extremely dangerous driving with black ice and white out conditions,” said ISP Director Leo P. Schmitz. “Plan ahead by checking your windshield wipers, vehicle fluid levels, proper tire inflation and tread depth. Remember to avoid unnecessary lane changes and as always, reduce your speed and increase following distances. Don’t crowd the plow. Give them room to work. A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you.”
Before leaving the house, drivers are encouraged to check GettingAroundIllinois.com for continually updated information on winter road conditions, weather radars, road and bridge closures and other traffic-related information. The site was recently redesigned in a mobile-friendly format providing a more convenient way to access important information quickly. The winter road conditions map gives travelers the ability to zoom in to their location, travel route or destination and get real-time road conditions. At any time, motorists can check travel conditions by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368) or 1-800-TOLL-FYI.
“Winter weather can make driving challenging for our customers, so our priorities are to keep the roads clear and provide roadway information to help drivers safely reach their destinations,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Greg Bedalov. “In return, we ask our customers to protect themselves and our workers by slowing down and increasing their distance from other vehicles, particularly during storms and severe weather.”
For the upcoming winter, IDOT will have more than 1,700 trucks available for deployment to plow almost 16,000 miles of roads statewide, the equivalent of driving from Springfield to the tip of South America and back. Last year, IDOT spread almost 305,000 tons of salt statewide. This winter, salt domes throughout the state are at capacity, with more than 550,000 tons on hand. Four hundred brand-new snow plows are ready to be deployed throughout the state. The new trucks are more energy efficient and will reduce air pollution.
The Illinois Tollway is prepared to deploy its fleet of 196 snowplows for winter storms and has stockpiled more than 87,000 tons of salt to keep its 294-mile system of five tollways clear and safe for its 1.6 million daily drivers.
Please follow IDOT on Facebook and Twitter for updates on travel throughout the winter.
Christopher Turkey Tournament
Wayne City 96 NCOE 71
Christopher 57 Waltonville 42
Crab Orchard Thanksgiving Tournament
Joppa 59 Dongola 42
Elverado 66 Egyptian 56
Crab Orchard 52 Pope County 50
Vienna Classic
Cobden 72 Galatia 53
Eldorado 67 Carrier Mills 37
Vienna 67 Century 56 OT
Pyramid Plus
Mt, Vernon 63 Carterville 29
Collinsville 63 Marion 27
Carmi-White County 52 Eldorado 41
Regular Season
Gallatin County 86 Grayville 41
Harrisburg Preview
Carmi-White County 52 Eldorado 41
Harrisburg over West Frankfort (No final
Nashville Invitational Tournament
Mt. Vernon 45 Benton 35
Nashville 42 Trenton-Wesclin 31
Okawville 50 Collinsville 37
CHICAGO, IL – This Thanksgiving, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) urges Illinoisans to be mindful when preparing Thanksgiving dinner.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year. In 2015, fire departments responded to over 1,760 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving.
“Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family and friends. The last thing we want to see is your holiday ruined by a devastating fire,” said Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “These simple fire safety tips will ensure you and your loved ones’ safety throughout the holiday season.”
The NFPA recommends the following:
• Stay at home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
• Turn pot handles inward over the stove – out of reach from hands, pets and accidental bumps of the hip.
• Keep the floor clear and electrical cords out of the way so there is less chance of tripping.
• Put a lid on stove top fires. Keep oven doors closed and turn off the heat, in case of fire.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
If you will be deep frying a turkey, OSFM recommends following these tips:
• Never leave your fryer unattended.
• Keep the fryer outdoors – off decks, out of garages and away from trees.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and dry before frying as frozen or wet turkeys can cause hot oil splatters.
• Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into oil. Turn the burner back on when the turkey is completely submerged.
• Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If a fire occurs, call 911 immediately.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
For additional home fire safety information, please visit the OSFM website.
Please click on the link for the full story from WSIL-TV
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36891086/investigators-searching-for-cause-in-johnston-city-fire
