Franklin County Sheriff’s Office using drones to help with investigations

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http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36684142/franklin-county-sheriffs-office-using-drones-to-help-with-investigations

BENTON, IL- (Brandon Merano, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Sheriff’s deputies in Franklin County have begun to use drones to help with investigations.

Sheriff Don Jones tells News 3 his deputies put a drone to use, during the recent bomb threat to the Franklin County Courthouse.

The September 27th bomb threat at the Franklin County courthouse caused quite the stir.

 

Jones says what’s more important than saving time, is the drone’s ability to save lives.

“We could check the tops of the buildings and we wouldn’t have been able to do that without the fire department and as you pointed out already that puts someone at risk,” added Jones.

IHSA Class 3A Playoffs #10 Greenville (7-2) at #7 Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn (8-1)

by Steve Dunford 

From the Red Devil Booster Club

The Devils came very close to running the table and winning a Black Diamond Conference title, as they were defeated by the Fairfield Mules 18-6 last Friday night at the Train Yard.

In the first of the IHSA playoffs, they have a tough draw in the Greenville Comets.  They improved to 7-2 by defeating state ranked an undefeated Carlinville 35-28 in week 9.

Greenville plays in the South Central Conference, a 3A conference that mainly runs along the I-55 corridor between Springfield and St. Louis.

They lost to Pana, 25-13 who will be playing the DuQuoin Indians in the first round, and Hillsboro 34-14, who will be facing the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats in the first round.

I have been swapping e-mails with Kyle Cunningham, who is the sports editor for the Greenville Advocate had to say this about the Comets,  “They have arguably the best offensive line in the SCC. They feature one of the biggest lines they have ever had. The offense is very run oriented and centered behind SR RB Christian Moss.  Moss is the best running back in the conference. He averages 245 yards per game and is just 61 yards shy of tying the single season rushing record. He currently sits at 2,204 yards this season and is second in all-time career rushing in comet history.”

“The team as a whole is very physical they hit very hard. The offense has scored 311 points this season for a 34 points per game average the defense has also been solid allowing just 22 points per game against a very high scoring conference. Pana, Hillsboro, and Vandalia have all scored over 400 points this season.”

“SVWW coach John Shadowens had this to say about the matchup with the Comets.  “Greenville presents a variety of problems that we haven’t seen this year. From a pool of 537 students, they certainly have depth. Also, they have the best running back we have seen this year in  Moss, as well as the biggest, strongest line. They run an up tempo, no huddle style of play intent on wearing you down. They are a formidable opponent.”

Like West Frankfort, Greenville was bumped to 4A last year.  They were beat in the first round by Metro East powerhouse, Columbia.

I have watched some clips on Hudl, and Moss reminds me a lot of Jace Turner from AJ.  Greenville has a bigger line than Fairfield’s.

In my view this draw is like drawing someone from the River to River.  The SCC is a more offense oriented league, but the level of the play in this conference is similar.

With both teams playing in closed conferences, you really do not have a measuring stick until you get in the playoffs, because yourselves, as well as your opponents have never stepped out of the league.

I never make score predictions during the postseason in any sport.  It is a special time of year.  I can say this though, Go Devils!!!   You represent us all in Franklin County now!!!!!

 

 

Freeze Watch for tomorrow night

Rains today will usher in a much cooler weather pattern that will last through the weekend. Expect a widespread freeze Saturday night. (NWS Paducah)

Freeze Watch

…FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
MORNING…

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Freeze
Watch, which is in effect from late Saturday night through Sunday
morning.

* TEMPERATURE…Most locations will fall into the 25 to 30 degree
range by sunrise Sunday morning.

* IMPACTS…Sensitive vegetation may be damaged or killed.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Freeze Watch means sub-freezing temperatures are possible.
These conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.

Special Weather Statement

 

…Areas of frost possible later tonight into Saturday…

Cold Canadian air will begin to filter into the quad state region
today, behind a cold front that will pass from west to east across
the area this morning. Rain is expected to occur after the front
passes, but skies should clear tonight in many locations, allowing
temperatures to fall into the lower and mid 30s.

Some of the colder, sheltered locations may even experience a light freeze.
Winds staying up in the 5 to 10 MPH range are expected to
preclude a widespread frost at this time.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Areas of frost will be possible later tonight into early Saturday.
Some sheltered, normally colder locations may even experience a
light freeze, especially over portions of southeast Missouri and
southern Illinois.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Saturday through Thursday

Widespread freezing temperatures are expected Saturday night into
early Sunday. Many locations will fall into the mid 20s to near
30 by sunrise Sunday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation will not be needed.

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Showers likely, mainly between 11am and 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 46. West northwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tonight
Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind 5 to 8 mph.
Saturday
Areas of frost before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 49. West northwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Saturday Night
Widespread frost, mainly after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 29. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
Sunday
Widespread frost, mainly before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 53. West wind 3 to 7 mph.
Sunday Night
Patchy frost after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 37. South wind 5 to 7 mph.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Southwest wind around 7 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. West northwest wind around 6 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. West northwest wind around 6 mph.
Tuesday Night
A chance of rain, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Light and variable wind.
Wednesday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. South wind 3 to 8 mph.
Wednesday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South southwest wind around 8 mph.
Thursday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Southwest wind around 8 mph.

 

 

Benton/WF season in review out Sunday or Monday- All BDC and SIRR playoff games will be previewed

by Steve Dunford 

I am just touching base to letting you know where I am at on things.

First each playoff game in Southern Illinois will be previewed by mid morning tomorrow.  I have had a great responses from coaches, especially from out of the area.  I have also had a few media outlets outside the area give me some information.

Second,  I am sorry I have to push the season in review’s back for Benton and West Frankfort.  I will have them out after the dust settles.

I will be monitoring all playoff games tomorrow.  I will have a running scoreboard posted.   If you are somewhere tomorrow, I would appreciate any scores you would pass along.

Steve

BOST TO LEAD CONGRESSIONAL STEEL CAUCUS

Washington, DC – The bipartisan Congressional Steel Caucus today announced that Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Rick Crawford (R-AR) will lead the Congressional Steel Caucus as Co-Chairmen. Representative Pete Visclosky (D-IN) will continue to serve as Vice-Chairman of the caucus, which was founded in the early 1970s to promote the health of the domestic steel industry and its workforce.

“I am honored to serve as co-chair for the bipartisan Congressional Steel Caucus, where we’ve got a new platform to fight for our steelworkers and American-made jobs,” said Bost. “Steel is a backbone of the U.S. economy, generating 10,000 jobs in Illinois and nearly 140,000 nationwide. But these jobs are at risk due to global competitors who refuse to play by the rules. That’s why I’ve led the charge to strengthen our trade remedy laws and better ensure proper application of ‘Buy American’ preference laws, ensuring U.S. companies and workers have the tools to preserve jobs here at home. I’m excited to work with Republicans and Democrats on the caucus to provide real results for an industry that deserves it.”

Thomas J. Gibson, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), today applauded the announcement of and Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) as the new co-chairmen of the Congressional Steel Caucus:

“Congressman Bost has been a leader in the fight to level the playing field for domestic steelmakers. He lead the effort to enact the first improvements to our trade laws in more than 20 years, and has consistently stood up for American workers whose jobs are put at risk by global competitors who skirt trade laws. His long-standing commitment and dedication to steel has been key in promoting more fair competition for the American steel industry.

Three Miner Trainings coming to RLC in November and December

by ReAnne Palmer 

INA, IL – Several training courses for aspiring miners and mining professionals are coming to Rend Lake College’s campus next month. All trainings will be held on the Ina campus.

First up is a 48-hour Inexperienced Miner Training for Surface and Underground miners, scheduled for 4:40 – 10 p.m. on nine evenings: Monday, Nov. 6 – Wednesday, Nov. 8; Monday, Nov. 13 – Thursday, Nov. 16; and Monday, Nov. 20 – Tuesday, Nov. 21. The class costs $165, and attendees must pre-pay and pre-register.

An Annual Refresher Training for Surface and Underground miners is scheduled for 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. The cost of the class is $50.

Finally, four one-day MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) Electrical Qualification Retraining classes are set for 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on the following dates: Friday, Nov. 17; Saturday, Nov. 18; Friday, Dec. 8; and Saturday, Dec. 9. Attendees need only attend one class at the cost of $50. For more information or to register for any of the , contact Sally Heathcoat at 618-437-5321, Ext. 2373.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Report

BENTON, IL-  The following are the recent arrests made by the Franklin County Sherriff’s department provided by Sheriff Don Jones.

The following are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

10-12-17 at 2:58 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Jarrett A. Cash age 35 of West Frankfort for driving whiles license suspended.

10-12-17 at 1:49 am Deputies responded to a reported suspicious vehicle in rural
Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Christopher R. Braden age 34 of Akin for possession of a stolen vehicle, driving while license suspended and burglary.

10-14-17 at 8:48 am a traffic stop on Rt. 37 in Whittington resulted in the arrest of Patricia K. Eairheart age 48 of Steeleville for speeding and driving while license suspended.

10-14-17 at 2:46 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on ll. Rt. 149 at the Number 9 Blacktop. A 2008 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Christi L. Jones age 34 of West Frankfort pulled from the Number 9 Blacktop onto Rt. 149 into the path of a 1997 Ford Pick-Up Truck driven by Larry G. Davis age 64 of West Frankfort. There were no injuries and Christi Jones was ticketed for driving too fast for conditions.

10-15-17 at 1:46 am a traffic stop in rural Benton resulted in the arrest of Andrew P. Simpson age 21 of Mulkeytown for driving under the influence of alcohol.

10-15-17 at 1:30 pm Deputies responded to a reported burglary and theft in rural Benton involving the theft of two ATV’s. The two ATV’s have been recovered in Williamson County and Deputies are seeking a Williamson County resident now wanted on a warrant for the theft.

10-17-17 at 1:00 pm Deputies responded to a reported burglary and theft in rural Thompsonville that involved mowing equipment. The equipment has since been recovered in the state of Tennessee. An arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect.

10-20-17 at 8:34 pm Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in rural Benton. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Damion N. Nicholson age 37 of Benton for domestic battery.

10-20-17 at 10:50 pm Deputies assisted the West Frankfort Police with a traffic stop. Sheriff’s K-9 and Handler along with West Frankfort Police charged Scott W. Wiggins age 35 of Benton with possession of a controlled substance and obstructing a police officer as a result of the stop.

10-21-17 at 1:41 am Deputies responded to a multi vehicle traffic crash at Milepost 68 south bound. A 1999 Chevrolet Silverado was south bound pulling a triple axle trailer that began to “fishtail”. The driver pulled into the median in an attempt to get it off the roadway. However; the trailer was left partially on the roadway. The Silverado was driven by Manny F. Leyva age 25 of Horn Lake, Mississippi. A 2016 Mazda driven by Steven J. Zimmer age 62 of Blue Earth, IL. was also south bound and struck the trailer. A third vehicle, also south bound struck the trailer. That vehicle was a 2016 Volvo driven by Juan N. Nava Reyes age 47 of Chicago. There were no injuries and Manny Leyva was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and for having an expired registration.

10-23-17 at 12:16 am Deputies were alerted by the Cheatham County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office that they had information that an individual wanted for kidnapping/child abduction and driving a stolen vehicle may be in the Rend Lake area. The information was that the abducted child, the 11 year old son of the suspect, may be present with the suspect as well. The suspect vehicle was located at the Seasons Motel on Golf Course Road in Whittington. Deputies arrested Michael D. Denson Jr. age 45 of Ashland City Tennessee and John T. Parrott age 30 of Joelton Tennessee without incident. The 11 year old boy was also safe, taken into custody and returned to his legal guardians in Tennessee. Denson is being held for vehicle theft, child abduction and possession of a stolen vehicle. Parrott is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.

10-23-17 at 4:44 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on ll. Rt. 34 just east of Benton. A 2003 Buick Century driven by Paula N. Flowers age 62 of Benton was east bound and rear ended a 2004 Ford Escape driven by Joshua J. Basenberg age 33 of Benton, that was also east bound and had slowed in traffic to negotiate a turn. There were no injuries and Paula Flowers was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, unlawful display of license plates and operating an uninsured vehicle.

 

WARRANTS

 

10-12-17 David M. Rector age 32 of Broughton. Failure to appear on traffic charges

10-12-17 Taylor N. Williams age 22 of Valier. Failure to appear on traffic charges

10-13-17 Richard E. Herring age 31 of West Frankfort. Cruelty to animals

10-13-17 Edward G. Rabal age 33 of Grovetown, GA. Failure to appear for theft

10-13-17 Chekoda W. Frick age 31 of Zeigler. Violation of an order of protection
10-16-17 Michael L. Cottonaro age 28 of Pittsburg. Failure to appear on a battery charge

10-18-17 Terrie J. Dix age 35 of Mt. Vernon. Failure to appear on traffic charges

10-21-17 Tracey L. Durham age 38 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on a
theft charge

10-23-17 Joseph M. Gant age 37 of Benton. Contempt of court

10-23-17 Jennifer K. Smith age 38 of Vienna. Failure to appear on drug charges.
.

Share your Halloween events so they can be placed on the website

Any Halloween event I am aware of, I will be happy to share on the website.

1.  Please sent a flyer of the event if there is one.  If that is all you have it is ok.

2.  Please send any text that would go with the event in a copy and paste able form.

3.  It would be best to either send me a message Steve Dunford on Facebook, or e-mail me at sdunford1970@hotmail.com

I want to promote any event in which the kids (and the big kids too) so they can have a safe fun time.

 

 

Cardinals hire Mike Maddux as pitching coach

Former Cardinal and Carlyle HS alum Bryan Eversgerd promoted to bullpen coach

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today the hiring of Mike Maddux as the team’s Pitching Coach and promotion of Triple-A Memphis Pitching Coach Bryan Eversgerd to the Cardinals Bullpen Coach for the 2018 season. Today’s announcement rounds out the team’s Major League coaching staff for 2018.

“We are very excited to welcome Mike to the Cardinals organization,” stated Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. “We also look forward to giving Bryan Eversgerd a well-deserved opportunity on our Major League staff.”

Maddux, 56, has served as pitching coach with the Texas Rangers (2009-15) and Washington Nationals (2016-17), and was part of six postseason teams – four with the Rangers (2010-11, 12, 15) and two with the Nationals (2016-17). All-Star Max Scherzer earned his 2016 National League Cy Young Award as a member of the Nationals pitching staff under Maddux.

The 2016 Nationals squad set a franchise record with 1,476 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .234 batting average, also the best in club history. In 2017, the Nationals ranked 6th among Major League Baseball pitching staffs in ERA (3.88) while ranking 7th in strikeouts (1,457). As pitching coach with the Rangers, the team posted four of its top seven win totals, their top four strikeout totals in franchise history from 2010-13 and dropped their ERA from 5.37 to 4.38 in his first season with the club. In 2013, the Rangers bullpen posted their lowest ERA in club history at 2.89.

Maddux, the brother of pitching great Greg Maddux, enjoyed a 15-year Major League career, going 39-37 with a 4.05 ERA in 472 games (48 starts) with Philadelphia (1986-89), Los Angeles (1990, 1999), San Diego (1991-92), New York Mets (1993-94), Pittsburgh (1995), Boston (1995-96), Seattle (1997), Montreal (1998-99) and Houston (2000).

Eversgerd, 48, has served as pitching coach in the Cardinals organization for 15 seasons, including the last five with the Cardinals’ Memphis affiliate (2013-17). The Hoffman, Ill., native, was voted the recipient of the highly-distinguished George Kissell Award in 2012 – an award that honors excellence in player development. His teams won league championships with Memphis (2017) and double-A Springfield (2012). Eversgerd, who pitched parts of four major league seasons, made two stints with St. Louis that included his Major League debut in 1994.

State of Illinois sells $4.5 billion in bonds

CHICAGO, IL  — Today the State sold $4.5 billion in general obligation bonds to pay down a portion of Illinois’ roughly $15 billion backlog of unpaid bills. Proceeds from today’s bond sale, together with the proceeds from the $1.5 billion Series 2017 ABC general obligation bonds that were sold competitively last week, will be used to help cut the State’s backlog approximately in half by June 2018.
The State received orders from more than 100 institutional investors.
“We are pleased by the investor support on such an important financing for the State,” said Kelly Hutchinson, director of capital markets for the State. The State locked in a combined cost of borrowing of 3.5 percent on the State’s $6 billion in general obligation bonds issued to reduce the State’s backlog. This is a significant reduction in the carrying cost of the State’s backlog obligation, a portion of which has been accruing late payment interest of 9 to 12 percent.
The $4.5 billion in general obligation bonds issued today were sold by a syndicate team led by Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Loop Capital Markets, Siebert Cisneros Shank & Co., and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The bonds mature from 2020 to 2028. The bonds are being issued as fully tax-exempt and are rated “BBB” by Fitch Ratings, “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service, and “BBB-” by S&P Global.
Chapman and Cutler LLP and Charity & Associates are acting as co-bond counsel for the State. The State’s financial advisers for the transaction are PFM Financial Advisors LLC and Public Resources Advisory Group (PRAG).
The State will return to the capital markets later this year with a $750 million general obligation bond issue for 2018 capital projects. These bonds will be sold competitively.
Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News