National Weather Service Hazard Simplification

September 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.weather.gov/crh/hazsimplification

Please click on this link above for a short video, and plans in the text how the National Weather Service plans on simplifying Winter Weather watches and warnings, and will explain how other advisories are in the works.  Below is an overview of the webpage.

The NWS is striving to support a “Weather-Ready Nation” by ensuring you are aware of and prepared for the variety of weather- and water-based hazards we experience across the country every day.  One factor in supporting this awareness and preparedness is to make sure our messaging is as clear and focused as possible.

Based on initial feedback from core partners and the public, and with support from social and behavioral scientists, the NWS is implementing changes to more effectively communicate our hazard messages. To begin this process, modifications will be made to winter weather products.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Rainy and windy tomrorrow from remnants of Irma….

September 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment

…..summer returns for the weekend.

Initial rains from Irma will spread northwest into the area overnight, especially after midnight into west Kentucky. Lows tonight will be in the upper 50s to around 60. Winds will be northeast 10 to 20 mph. (NWS Paducah)

 

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind 6 to 13 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. North northeast wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tuesday
A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 9am. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tuesday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 60. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Light and variable wind becoming east southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Light and variable wind.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Light and variable wind.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 86. South southeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 64. South wind 3 to 5 mph.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

9-11-01 Poem by Jack Buck

September 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Riverfront times photo

NOTE:  For those that were younger, I am going to give you a history behind this.  Major League Baseball was suspended for eight days, as air travel was for several after 9-11.

When baseball resumed this poem was read by the late Cardinal Broadcaster Jack Buck.  It ended up being played throughout the night by every major league ball park.

It is moving, as there are several in the Cardinal organization comments what this speech means to them.  The YouTube video is from Fox Sports Midwest.

God Bless America – Steve

Filed Under: Featured, Slider

Never Ever Forget

September 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

backgroundphotos.net image

It is hard for me to believe that September 11th was 16 years ago today.  There kids that are freshmen and sophomores in High School now were not even born yet.

My son is in college and he was three at the time.  He was sitting in the floor playing with blocks when I turned this new upstart cable station called Fox News when the second plane hit the second tower.

It was something that I have not witnessed in at the time the 31 years that I have spent on this earth, America was attacked on its own soil.

Over the years, I have told the story of that day.  It seems like most of us have similar stories.  We will never forget where we first heard or saw the planes hit the towers.

It was a day of brokenness, fear, and panic.  None of us knew what was going to take place next.  I was glued to the TV until it was time to go to work that afternoon, in which I left two hours early, and ended up getting to Marion and hour and a half late.

In the days afterwards people forgot their differences.  We were all Americans.  There was an era of great kindness among people.  Temporarily, it became “politically correct to say” God Bless America.

Since then, I have not been the same.  I appreciated the freedom that I always had as an American, but from that day forward there has been a deeper love for this country instilled in me.  Most of the times when I hear the National Anthem played, I wipe a tear.

Al Queda joyfully took responsibility for destroying the World Trade Center, taking the lives of 3,000 office workers and firefighters, police, and emergency personnel that responded.  The threat of Al Queda had rolled over into ISIS being our biggest terror threat.

From different roles, I run across a lot of young people in life.  It breaks my heart the conspiracy theory that 9-11 was an inside job of the Bush administration.  It also breaks my heart anytime an NFL player kneels on the sideline, rides an exercise bike, or any other act to disrespect the flag, while the National Anthem is played.  No, I am not one to boycott the NFL for the actions of a few, but the ones in protest need to realize they are in a country that gives them the opportunity to make millions to play a game.

There were so many heroes on that day, the NYPD and the NYFD, the air traffic controllers, every day people helping each other, and most of all, the ones that gave their lives on United Flight 93.  If the terrorists would have taken off the dome of the Capitol building, we would have been a weakened government in chaos for a while.

Since that day, there have been some positives come out of it.  Overall, I believe we are more of a patriotic nation.  There has always been a respect for the military, but it has been strengthened.  Even though there are elements in society that trash law enforcement, Fire, Police and EMS workers are getting the praise and recognition they deserve.

Right now we have emergency workers in Florida that will be assessing the damage today.  There are several lineman either already there or on their way to Florida to help restore power.  There are volunteers from this region as we speak in Houston, ministering to the needs of hurting people today.

Never ever forget, the freedoms we enjoy.  There is a cost of freedom though.  Remember the ones that gave their lives on a battlefield, so we can go about our everyday lives today.

Most of all remember someone who shed their blood on a cross so that we can have freedom though him today.

God Bless America.

 

 

Filed Under: Columns, Editorials, Opinion, Slider

50 Influencers Of Rend Lake College: Mildred Fitzgerrell, the Godmother

September 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Reece Rutland, Rend Lake College Public Information

The Godmother of the “Sesser Mafia” might sound like an intimidating title, but while Mildred Fitzgerrell was making offers people couldn’t refuse, her power was seated in everyone’s admiration for her dedication, persistence and commitment to her community those around her.

The moniker “Sesser Mafia” was born out of Fitzgerrell, and a dedicated group, fighting to save the Sesser Opera House.

 

Mildred Fitzgerell

But Fitzgerrell was so much more than a charismatic leader of volunteers working toward saving a historic landmark. She was no less than a local icon, working nearly four decades in the Sesser Post Office, retiring in 1973.

Her husband, State Rep. Wayne Fitzgerrell, was killed in an auto accident in 1965 on his way to the legislature in Springfield and she never remarried. However, she never quit caring about her hometown.

As the widow of a near-legendary State Representative and with a very recognizable last name, Fitzgerrell could have separated herself from the community, then Sesser Mayor Ned Mitchell said, but noted she did just the opposite. Mitchell said she had an “elegance” about the way she handled herself.

“But she was still one of us and probably one of the most unpretentious people I’ve ever known,” the Mayor said. “There were no airs about Mildred. She was just a genuine person, a good and kind person.”

While Fitzgerrell’s devotion to her hometown is well-documented, the long-term effect of her work with the Rend Lake College Foundation has made an equally lasting mark on history.
Former RLCF CEO Pat Kern reflected on the remarkable impact Fitzgerrell made on the lives of RLC students.

“It’s an overused phrase these days, but she is truly a person who made a big difference in a lot of people’s lives,” Kern said. “There are over 20 RLC students who received their degrees because of the gift Mildred gave. It would be amazing to know how many lives those 20 have affected. She has been an integral part of the RLC Foundation.”

In 1984, Fitzgerrell was one of the first individuals to set up an endowed fund that provided an annual scholarship.

Fitzgerrell and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Junkins contributed $5,000 during the RLC Foundation’s Sesser Fund Drive in ‘84 in order to set up the scholarship, which is awarded annually to a Rend Lake College student who has completed the freshman year and will be continuing at the Ina-based community college the following fall.

“Wayne was always very interested in education and helping students obtain scholarships,” said Fitzgerrell at the time the scholarship was announced. “I have had people tell me since his death that Wayne had helped them get scholarships.

“That is one of the main reasons why we wanted to do this. We know that if Wayne were still alive, he would have wanted to be a part of Rend Lake College.”

She went on to become a Foundation Board member in December 1989 and was an active participant thereafter. In 1995, she launched the “Generations of Excellence” capital campaign in Sesser with her lead gift of $10,000, encouraging others to do the same.

“I am all for Rend Lake College,” Fitzgerrell expressed. “It’s good students have a place like that to go their first two years (of college).”

When the RLC Foundation established its Presidential Award in 1995 to recognize deserving Foundation supporters, she was one of four recipients to be so honored the first year (along with Howard L. Payne, Hunt Bonan and fellow townsman Richard Garner).

In November 1992, Fitzgerrell was named “Person of the Year” by the Sesser Chamber of Commerce. In December 1993, she was recipient of the first “Southern Illinois Rural Genius Award” presented by the Southern Illinois Arts Council for her work in helping preservation efforts involving the Sesser Opera House.

In 2002, she was one of the two individuals who received Third Annual “Distinguished Alumni” Awards from Sesser-Valier High School. She was a graduate of forerunner Goode-Barren Township High School (Class of 1931).

At the time of her Alumni Award, her credentials … “Mildred (then 88) worked at the Sesser Post Office for 37 years and is a member of the Sesser United Methodist Church, Woman’s Club, Senior Citizens, the Opera House Board, Chamber of Commerce, DAR, Beta Sigma Phi, and a 50-year member of the Eastern Star. She has been the recipient of the Sesser Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year Award and Beta Sigma Phi’s First Lady of the Year,” RLC veteran Herb Winemiller Jr. said at a ceremony to honor Fitzgerrell.

“While her late husband left a lasting mark on the district that he served for more than a decade, Mildred has quietly established a legacy of her own that will long be remembered, especially by the many students who have attended Rend Lake College because of her generosity.”

The State Park that serves as a next door neighbor to RLC, the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park, was dedicated in October of 1976.

Filed Under: Featured, Sesser News, Slider

Red Devils upset Eldorado, 22-14

September 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170908/red-devils-upset-eldorado-22-14

SESSER, IL –  (Richard Blakely, Benton News.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Although both Eldorado and Sesser-Valier/Waltonville/Woodlawn were unbeaten going into Friday’s game, the 2-0 Eagles were clearly the favorite.
The Red Devils didn’t read that memo.

They pulled off one of the shockers of the young season, defeating Black Diamond Conference powerhouse, Eldorado, 22-14. Coach John Shadowens’ crew improves to 3-0 while the Eagles fall to 2-1.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports

Bearcats blanked at Fairfield

September 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170909/bearcats-blanked-at-fairfield

FAIRFIELD, IL – (Randall Risley, Benton News.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The Fairfield Mules are indeed as good as advertised. They are big, strong, experienced and talented and had no problem putting the hurt to a young Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton Bearcats team Friday by a score of 60-0 in Black Diamond Conference play.

C-Z-R’s primary offensive focus was its passing game and it yielded some good results. Sophomore signal caller Bryce Pratt was 16-of-34 passing for 159 yards and freshman Landen Bate was 1-of-2. The passes were spread out to six different receivers with sophomore, Greg Fletcher, leading the receiving corps with 90 yards on nine receptions.

The Bearcats’ passing attack shows great promise, Hargrove said. The results would have even been better, but there were some dropped passes that negated some significant gains and one scoring opportunity.

 

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports

Salukis dominate season opener over Mississippi Valley State, 55-3

September 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by John Locke, SIU Carbondale Associate Sports Information Director

CARBONDALE, IL – The Southern Illinois football program rolled to a 55-3 season-opening win over Mississippi Valley State on Saturday night in Saluki Stadium.

SIU Running Back DJ Davis off to the races in last night’s win over Mississippi Valley State, (siusalukis.com photo)

“You never take winning for granted,” SIU football head coach Nick Hill said. “This is why we do it. It doesn’t matter what the score is. You’re only guaranteed 11 games in college football. Anytime you can get a win, it feels great.”

After waiting an extra week to play–Southern’s bye week was Week 1 of the season–the Salukis dominated from the start. SIU won the toss and took the opening drive of the season 75 yards in six plays. Hans Carmien scored the first touchdown, barreling over a Delta Devil defender to get to the goal line. Southern Illinois kept rolling from there. At halftime, SIU held a 41-3 lead, and most starters did not play in the second half.

“We were able to establish the football game in the first half. We ran the football,” Hill said. “Then, we were able to play a ton of players. I think (Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Mike Reis) said 25 players had a tackle. We were able to play everybody who dressed, and that was big. We built some depth.”

Strikingly, the Southern Illinois defense held MVSU (0-2) to negative-eight rushing yards on the game, while Southern’s offense piled up 285 yards on the ground. Southern’s defense held a Division I opponent to negative-eight or fewer rushing yards for the first time since 2000.

Everyone got in on the fun. Nearly 70 players saw action in the game for SIU. Southern’s eight touchdowns were scored by seven different players. Southern had an astounding 16 tackles for loss–and 16 different players contributed to at least one.

Several SIU defenders dive to recover a fumble in last night’s win over Mississippi Valley State (siusalukis.com)

“We’ll look back, and some of those players that were in during the second half will hopefully help us win football games late in the season,” Hill said. “We play in the Missouri Valley, and it’s a tough league. It’s a physical league. Anytime you play college football, there will be injuries. I tell the team all the time, ‘The team that’s coming in doesn’t care about that.’ It’s next man up, or we won’t be that good.”

Southern’s road gets tough quickly. The Salukis head to Southeast Missouri for a regional rivalry next Saturday. Kickoff against the Redhawks is set for 6 p.m. SIU hasn’t won a road game since 2014 and is looking to snap a 12-game road losing streak.

“How are we going to turn around and get better from this?” Hill said. “Our schedule is set up so if we don’t do that, the team we’re playing will beat us. Even though we’re young, the guys understand it takes a great week of preparation and then 60 great minutes, sometimes more, of full concentration on every single rep.”

NOTES

SIU improved to 34-4 in regular season non-conference games since 2002 (excluding FBS opponents) … SIU is 15-1 in its last 16 home openers … Southern is 31-8 (.795) under the lights in Carbondale since 2002 … True freshmen Chucky Sullivan, Sam Thompson, E’Mare Hogan, Dan Heilbron and Jaylin Wilson all played … Six starters were first-time starters (39 players on SIU’s 102-man roster have started at least one career game at SIU) … Dating back to last season, SIU has won three of its last four games, something the program last accomplished in September 2014 … SIU held a Division I opponent without a touchdown for the first time since 2012 (W, 35-0 vs. WIU).

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports

Volleyball suffers 3-0 setback to Western Michigan

September 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by William Becque – siusalukis.com

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Saluki volleyball team suffered a 3-0 (15-25, 17-25, 22-25) setback to the Western Michigan Broncos on the final day of competition at the WMU Invitational Saturday night. Southern’s Maggie Nedoma was one of six selected to the All-Tournament team.

The Broncos (5-3) used a 7-0 run to break a 6-6 tie in the opening set. Southern (0-7) was unable to close the gap, as Western Michigan went on to build a 10-point spread three times, the last coming at 22-12. Back-to-back Bronco attack errors got SIU to within eight (22-14), but that was as close as Southern could get.

Western Michigan started out the second set in similar fashion, getting out to a quick 6-1 lead. SIU responded with a 4-0 spurt, as Hannah Becker and Nedoma each tallied a kill and Ashley Edelen added a service ace to cut Southern’s deficit down to one, 6-5. The Broncos again utilized a big run to break away from the Salukis, as a 9-1 swing gave WMU a 15-6 lead in the second set. Southern got to within seven, 24-17, on a Broncos service error, but a solo block by WMU’s Quiana Ware ended the second set at 25-17.

The Salukis outhit the Broncos, .367-to-.364, in the third frame, but Western Michigan got the last laugh in a set that featured 12 ties and three lead changes. Barrow staked SIU to an early 5-2 lead, but three-straight points by the Broncos evened the score at 5-5. SIU built a pair of three-point spreads, with an attack error by Western Michigan giving Southern a 13-10 advantage.

The Broncos again responded with a three-point spurt to tie the score. Neither team was able to take more than a two point lead until the Broncos broke a 21-21 tie with another three-point spurt (24-21) to get to set point. A kill by Andrea Estrada got SIU to within two, but the Broncos sided out to win the set and the match.

Four Saluki hitters recorded at least five kills, led by Barrow, who finished with a team-best seven kills. Estrada added six kills and eight digs, while Kolby Meeks hit a team-best .417 with five kills on 12 attempts and no errors. Nedoma finished with five kills against Western Michigan en route to earning All-Tournament Team honors. The Berea Park, Ohio native hit .347 and tallied 23 kills (3.28 kills/set) during the two-match tournament.

Rachel Maguire dished out 15 assists and had eight digs, while Alayna Martin totaled 14 assists and six digs. Edelen led all Salukis with nine digs.

Western Michigan outhit Southern Illinois, .330 to .140 for the match, and led in blocks, 6-2.

The Salukis return home to the SIU Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 12, when they host the SEMO Redhawks. First serve is set for 7 p.m.

Filed Under: College Sports, Sports

Franklin County Sheriff’s Report 9/8/17

September 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release From Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones

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

9-1-17 at 11:39 am a traffic stop in Benton resulted in the arrest of Andrew D. Ramsay age 43 of Ewing for driving whiles license suspended.

9-1-17 at 3:50 pm Deputies arrested Blake M. Vosbein age 21 of West Frankfort for possession of stolen firearms and obstructing justice. This was part of the ongoing theft investigation in which two 15 year old male juveniles had previously been arrested. The stolen guns were recovered.

9-1-17 at 2:48 pm a traffic stop in rural West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Collin D. Batts age 23 of West Frankfort for driving while license suspended and speeding.

9-2-17 at 2:20 am a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Jeremy W. Hughes age 27 of West Frankfort for speeding (78 MPH in a 30 MPH zone) reckless driving, no motorcycle endorsement and fleeing and attempting to elude.

9-2-17 at 2:45 pm a traffic stop in rural Benton resulted in the arrest of Marcella L. Akin age 39 of Benton for driving while license suspended.

9-2-17 at 4:00 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort led to the arrest of Angel M. Avery age 27 of Creal Spring for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, two outstanding arrest warrants in Williamson County and driving while license suspended. Also arrested was a passenger, Robert L. Shreve Jr. age 28 of Creal Springs for failing to appear on a criminal felony in Johnson County. Both were transported to the Franklin County Jail.

9-3-17 at 5:31 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on ll. Rt. 148 at Peach Orchard Road. A 2007 Honda Civic driven by Alexis N. Hacker age 19 of Flora was south bound on Rt. 148 when a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Gregory A. Sample age 52 of Sesser, was west bound on Peach Orchard Road, failed to yield and struck the Honda. Alexis Hacker was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. Gregory Sample was not injured and was ticketed for failing to yield right of way.

9-4-17 at 2:24 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on Main St. in Coello. A 2016 Ford Pick-Up driven by Chris I . Drysdale age 48 of Mcleansboro struck a guardrail and culvert near Speed St. The driver fled the scene south bound. The damaged vehicle was located abandoned on the parking lot of the Italian Club parking lot. Drysdale was located on September 7th and ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, leaving the scene of a property damage incident, failure to give information and illegal transportation of alcohol.

9-4-17 at 3:34 am the investigation of a reported suspicious vehicle at Coy & Wilma’s Campground resulted in the arrests of William A. Rogers age 31 of Murphysboro and Chelsa J. Beasley age 24 of Murphysboro for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

9-4-17 at 5:40 pm Deputies investigated an incident at North Marcum Beach, Rend Lake. The investigation is continuing and has resulted in a 16 year old West Frankfort female being charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol and James S. Munyon age 25 of Woodlawn being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The investigation is continuing and more arrests and charges are anticipated.

9-5-17 at 2:30 pm a traffic stop in Benton resulted in the arrest of Ashley D. McNeal age 28 of Akin for driving while license suspended.

9-5-17 at 8:20 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Benton. The investigation led to the arrest of Dustin M. Odaniel age 24 of Benton for domestic battery.

9-6-17 at 7:28 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on Sesser Lake Road. A 2004 Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle was south bound and struck a deer. The driver, Russell G. Montgomery age 46 of Sesser received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS.

9-7-17 at 12:26 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash in Christopher at IL. Rt. 14 and Coello Road. A 1992 Ford Ranger Pick-Up driven by Ricky K. Rogers age 35 of Desoto was eat bound on Rt. 14 when a FedEx Truck driven by Dennis M. Kinkade age 42 of Benton pulled onto Rt. 14 from Coello Hill Road colliding with the Ford Ranger. Ricky Rogers and a passenger, Jerry D. Gass age 47 of West Frankfort both received major injuries and were transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. Dennis Kinkade was not injured and was ticketed for failure to yield right of way.

9-7-17 at 5:22 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on ll. Rt. 14 at Rend City Road. A 1995 Jeep Wrangler driven by Marcus D. Allen age 43 of Buckner was east bound on Rt. 14. The Jeep slowed down in traffic and was struck from behind by a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero driven by Luke S. Garver age 18 of Buckner. Allen received minor injuries but refused medical treatment. Garver was not injured and was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

9-8-17 at 1:36 am Deputies investigated a reported suspicions vehicle in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of McKenzie E. Jarvis age 22 of West Frankfort for possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

WARRANTS

9-2-17 Corey D. Vansbuskirk age 23 of Thompsonville. Failure to appear on theft charges.
9-3-17 James D. Smith age 40 of Benton. Failure to appear on a charge of selling alcohol to a minor.
9-5-17 Shane M. Daugherty age 35 of Coello. Failure to appear on driving under the influence.
9-6-17 William J. Franklin age 22 of Benton. Failure to appear in a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
9-6-17 Joshua W. Bryant age 26 of Christopher. Failure to appear on a criminal damage to property charge.
9-6-17 Paul L. Barnfield age 41 of Benton. Failure to appear for possession of cannabis.
9-7-17 Byron E. Olson age 24 of Benton. Failure to appear on traffic charges.
9-7-17 Cheryl L. Cali age 48 of Benton. Failure to appear on traffic charges.
9-7-17 Shawn M. Himich age 20 of Marion. Retail theft
9-7-17 Cameron L. Dean age 25 of Perryville Arkansas. Failure to appear on traffic charges.
9-8-17 Justin B. Osborne age 27 of Benton. Failure to appear for possession of a controlled substance.
9-8-17 Richard A. Shively age 40 of Zeigler. Aggravated assault.
9-8-17 Jeremy O. Downard age 31 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on drug charges.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News
« Previous Page
Next Page »
Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News