ISBE: Nearly all Illinois school districts would receive more state funding under Rauner reform plan

August 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/isbe-nearly-all-illinois-school-districts-would-receive-more-state/article_340a4446-7f74-11e7-b944-afdb58d640ad.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL  – (Dan McCaleb – Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

More than 97.5 percent of Illinois schools receive more state dollars under Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amended funding reform plan than they would under Democrats’ plan in Senate Bill 1, according to an analysis by the independent State Board of Education.

Forty-four school districts receive more than $1 million more under Rauner’s plan, and the 3 percent of school districts that receive less money under Rauner’s plan still receive more than they did last year, ISBE’s review found.

Released Saturday to the governor’s office and majority Democrats in the General Assembly, the ISBE analysis was conducted after Rauner vetoed SB1 to remove more than $120 million in additional annual funding for Chicago Public Schools to bail out its failing pension system and to more accurately reflect how the funding reform formula calculates district wealth.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Washington, Bats Power Miners Past Otters

August 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Miner lefty Chris Washington, who pitched seven strong innings, allowing only two runs in last night’s victory against Evansville. (SI Miners photo)

EVANSVILLE, IN – The Southern Illinois Miners got seven stellar innings on the mound from left-hander Chris Washington and used a five-run third inning to surge ahead of the Evansville Otters en route to a 9-2 victory at Bosse Field in Evansville on Saturday night, evening the weekend series at one game apiece.

Neither team scored in the first two innings, but the Miners would send eight men to the plate in the third frame against Evansville starter Trevor Walch (0-2) to break the game open. London Lindley led off with a double and after Romeo Cortina walked, a passed ball moved the runners to second and third base. Two batters later, an RBI groundout by Craig Massey brought home the game’s first run for a 1-0 Miners lead. Nolan Earley followed with a walk before an RBI single by Ryan Lashley doubled the lead to 2-0, and James Alfonso followed with a three-run home run, his first with the Miners, to push the advantage out to 5-0.

Southern Illinois added on in the next frame on an RBI single by Massey for a 6-0 lead to back Washington (3-3), who pitched seven innings in the game and allowed just five singles and two earned runs, which Evansville scored in the fourth inning, on an RBI single by Alejandro Segovia, and in the sixth inning, on a sacrifice fly by Dane Phillips, to cut the Miners’ lead to 6-2.

But Southern Illinois responded in the seventh inning when with a man on base, Craig Massoni hit a two-run home run over the left field fence to make it 8-2. They would also add on in the ninth inning on a two-out RBI single by Lindley for the final margin. Brett Wiley led the way with three hits in the 11-hit attack for the Miners, while Massey, Massoni and Alfonso added multiple RBIs to the winning effort.

The Miners will now go for a series win in the rubber match on Sunday at 5:05 p.m., starting Matt Parish on the hill against former Miner Hunter Ackerman.

The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2016 Frontier League West Division Champions, the 2014 and 2015 Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at (618) 998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.

Filed Under: Slider, Sports

Moderate warm up….August like conditions will return

August 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Pleasant conditions will continue today, with cooler than average afternoon highs, easterly winds, and relatively low humidity. There is a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm near the Arkansas state line in southeastern Missouri. Higher humidity returns on Monday, so enjoy it while it lasts. (NWS Paducah)

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY

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

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

There is a slight chance of thunderstorm development near the
Arkansas and Tennessee state lines tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Monday through Saturday

Scattered thunderstorms may develop mainly over parts of southeastern
Missouri and western Kentucky Monday through Tuesday. Coverage of
thunderstorms will expand across the entire region Tuesday night.
Lightning and locally heavy rain will be the primary hazards.

There is a daily chance of thunderstorms for all or parts of the
region Wednesday through Saturday. Localized torrential downpours
may produce rainfall amounts in excess of an inch an hour. An
isolated damaging wind gust or two is possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

 

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Light east northeast wind.
Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Light south southeast wind.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 3 to 5 mph.
Wednesday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South southwest wind around 7 mph.
Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. West southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Light northwest wind.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 3 to 5 mph.

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

Brown Dawg’s Kids Club To Debut At Fan Fest On August 24th At Saluki Stadium

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Tom Weber – Associate Athletic Director/Communications

CARBONDALE, IL— The brand-new Brown Dawg’s Kids Club makes its official debut on Thursday, Aug. 24, at the seventh-annual Saluki Fan Fest. A free event open to the public, Fan Fest takes place on the field at Saluki Stadium from 6:30-8 p.m. Prairie Farms will be serving free ice cream while supplies last.

Photos by SIU Media Services

The first 200 children (age 12 and under) to register for Brown Dawg’s Kids Club will receive a free membership t-shirt and laminate pass, which entitles the member to a host of benefits.

Saluki football players and coaches, cheerleaders, shakers and mascots will be on hand greeting fans and serving as host of activities for the whole family. Saluki Athletics hopes to see all Saluki fans at the seventh-annual Fan Fest. Below are highlights of the event:

FREE Brown Dawg Kids Club membership and t-shirt
FREE ice cream, chocolate milk, juice and giveaways provided by Prairie Farms, while supplies last
FREE Schedule Posters and Cards
Inflatables and bounce house
Players and coaches available for autographs
Saluki Shakers, Cheerleaders and mascots Grey Dawg and Brown Dawg on-hand
Saluki football players will lead drills in throwing, catching and kicking as well as a football obstacle course
Dress Like a Saluki photo opportunities
LEGO-building station

Get Your Tickets!

Season-ticket holder ticket pick-up and refreshments in north end zone Saluki Football Tag Day – Fans have the opportunity to purchase 2017 Season Tickets.

Tickets for all Saluki home games on sale.

About Brown Dawg’s Kids Club

*Free Membership!
*Exclusive Kids Club laminate membership to wear
*Free Kids Club t-shirt to first 200 members who sign up. (Shirt must be picked up at Kids Club table at Fanfest on Aug. 24 or at a home Football game).
*Face-painting station at the Kids Club table so you can really show your Saluki pride!
*Entered into a drawing to be Kid Captain of the Game at Saluki Football or Men’s Basketball game.
*Free admission to Saluki Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Softball and Baseball games, by wearing your Kids Club laminate.
*Free reserved ticket to Football game on Nov. 4 versus Missouri State, in which members are invited to help form the pre-game tunnel on the field.
*Free general admission ticket to Men’s Basketball game on Dec. 19 versus North Carolina A&T, in which members are invited to help form the pre-game tunnel on the court.
*Brown Dawg’s Kids Club is proudly sponsored by 710, Southern Illinois Healthcare and the Bank of Carbondale.

 

 

 

Filed Under: College Sports, Slider, Sports

SIU WORKS ON SITUATIONAL FOOTBALL DURING TEAM’S FIRST FALL SCRIMMAGE

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by John Lock, Associate Sports Information Director, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale Media Services

CARBONDALE,  IL – The Southern Illinois football team held its first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday morning in Saluki Stadium.

Freshman Max Edwards of Johnston City (Maroon Middle) crossing the offensive line. (Tom Weber, SIU media services)

The scrimmage was the seventh practice of the season and just the third in full pads. The Salukis spent the first half of practice on individual and team drills before moving on to a 65-play situational scrimmage.

“For our team to take that next step, we need to recognize the situations,” head coach Nick Hill said. “We have good players, but it’s making them realize the down and distance. Where are we at on the field? What’s the game plan for these different situations? If we can take a step forward in that, we’ll be a better team.”

The first situation of the day was with the ball on the 25-yard line. After that, they were all special situations, including the two-minute drill, red zone, and both goal lines.

“We weren’t at the point yet to crank it up and do a game-like scrimmage,” Hill said. “This was good for us. It was a practice-like setting, and we’ll get better and have good film from it.”

Southern’s first-team defense was particularly impressive. Facing SIU’s first-string offense, which led the MVFC in total offense each of the last two years, Southern’s defense allowed just 58 yards in 23 plays (2.5 yards per play).

SIU’s first team defense didn’t allow a touchdown, including three-straight stuffed runs while the offense worked on its goal-line package. Cody Crider made two big plays, a TFL and a sack on third downs. Jefferson Vea picked off a pass for the defense’s only forced turnover.

Offensively, the biggest plays came from the second unit. Tanner Hearn hit Raphael Leonard on a double move for a 97-yard touchdown. Cameron Walter ripped off a 43-yard rush, as well, which set up a touchdown. On the third team, Brandon George hit E’mare Hogan for a pair of long gains, including one sensational leaping catch.

The Salukis head into their second week of practice and will have a more complete scrimmage next Saturday night. The team’s season opener is Sept. 9 in Saluki Stadium vs. Mississippi Valley State.

Filed Under: College Sports, Slider, Sports

Fowler meets with Ben Carson in Cairo and makes his rounds across the 59th district

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press release from Senator Dale Fowler

I am unsure of the gentleman on the left, then HUD director, Dr. Ben Carson, Senator Fowler and Congressman Mike Bost. (photo from Sen. Dale Fowler)

HARRISBURG, IL – Cairo’s ongoing housing situation drew national media attention to Southern Illinois this week, as U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson visited the confluence community. Small businesses were also on the mind of State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) as he made the “rounds” within the 59th Senate District.

Dr. Carson’s visit to the region marks the first time in many years that a federal-level cabinet secretary has visited. While the plight of the residents of Elmwood and McBride housing complexes was the focus of Carson’s stop in Alexander County, the Secretary also met with Senator Fowler.

Senator Fowler had the opportunity to chat about the proposed Alexander County – Cairo Port Terminal and the positive economic impact that is could have on the entire region. Senator Fowler viewed the Secretary’s visit as a positive, showing a much higher level of interest in the situation than the former federal administrators from early 2009 to early 2017.
Small business and local visits dominated the Senator’s attention after Secretary Carson’s visit on August 8. A number of small businesses have been started in Golconda, Marion, and other points across the 59th. Golconda will again have access to hardware and other home fixtures after entrepreneurs reopened the once-shuttered location in the downtown Ohio River Community. Additionally, in the always bustling Marion, a local woman has opened a new t-shirt and children’s clothing store.

Senator Fowler made a trip to the rural Alexander Community of Olive Branch to view firsthand the economic impact of nearly 20,000 acres of farm land being taken out of production. The situation in Alexander County is because of the Len Small Levee breech from a number of years ago. As a result, the County is losing precious local property tax dollars, because several thousand acres have been silted over with sands from the Mississippi River making planting commodities nearly impossible. Additionally, 90 homes in the river bottoms have been made nearly unlivable and local residents are hoping the federal government will be able to repair the levee.

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

Family Friendly Eclipse Event Coming to West Frankfort

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/family-friendly-eclipse-event-coming-to-west-frankfort/article_731282f8-7a23-11e7-8edf-6b9187a3eca1.html

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (William McPherson, West Frankfort Gazette.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Please read an excerpt below.)

The mission group at Trinity United Methodist Church and the West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to host a family friendly eclipse event for Franklin County.

Connie Howard of Trinity UMC, and Kathy Sikora, of the West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, are both helping to organize and promote the event. The event will feature, “crafts, vendors, food, fun, and education,” added Howard. The purpose of the event is to provide a family friendly alternative to some of the other eclipse events in Southern Illinois, and to offer a fun close-to-home community event for Franklin County residents.

The eclipse, which will last approximately two minutes, will only be about thirty seconds shorter in West Frankfort than at the big viewing areas around Carbondale and Makanda, Howard added. Considering the amount of traffic, and that this will be a family friendly eclipse event, that’s a good trade off, Sikora said

No alcoholic beverages will be permitted on the premises. For those interested in taking part in the eclipse event as a vendor, please send Howard an email at clhretired@gmail.com.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, West Frankfort News

West City Fire Department gets first responders

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36120340/west-city-fire-department-gets-first-responders

WSIL Photo

WEST CITY, IL (WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link above to the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below)

The West City Fire Department now has the ability to respond better to emergencies.
The department now runs first responders in its fire district.

Firefighters now have special certification and training for a variety of emergency situations.

Deputy Chief Tim McGuire says it will give citizens the best service possible.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, West City News

Three handgun training classes set at RLC

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, IL – Build on your handgun skills with three training courses at Rend Lake College this fall. Participants are invited to learn new techniques in Basic, Advanced, and Low-Light Engagement handgun training classes with Jeff Bullard, Detective Captain of the Mt. Vernon Police Department.

Understand the types of handguns, ammunition, and laws pertaining to civilian use of force during Basic Handgun Training. Bullard will cover proper stance, gripping, loading, unloading, clearing malfunctions, and firing a handgun before participants practice those techniques at the RLC Range. The class costs $65 and meets from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, August 19.

After completing the Basic class, enroll in Advanced Handgun Training to improve upon and learn new skills. The classroom portion of this class includes in-depth looks at the laws of civilian use of force, weak-hand shooting, one-hand shooting, one-hand reloading, shooting on the move, and range rules. On the RLC Range, participants will be tested on their marksmanship using techniques in the class. The class costs $65 and meets from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, September 23.

After mastering the Advanced class, register for Low Light Engagement Handgun Training to learn how to shoot in a low-light setting. The class will meet from 2 – 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 7 or November 4.

Participants can also register for the range-only portion of a class, if they have successfully passed the class previously. Range portions are as follows: noon – 4 p.m. for Basic Handgun ($35), 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. for Advanced Handgun ($40), and 6 – 10 p.m. for Low Light Engagement ($35).

All classes will be held in the Coal Mine Training Center, Room 107A, on the Ina campus. Participants should wear old clothes, and bring eye and ear protection, their own handgun, ammunition (150 rounds), and a valid FOID card.
To learn more about this class, or any others this spring, call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing commcorped@rlc.edu

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

University of Chicago Graduate Workers Head to Union Election

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

National Labor Relations Board Rules Against Administration, Sets
October Election Date

Press Release from the American Federation of Teachers

CHICAGO, IL —Graduate employees at the University of Chicago will vote in a historic union election in October to win union representation, after the National Labor Relations Board rejected university attempts to deny them a say at the ballot box.

The union election will be held on campus October 17 and 18 and will include all graduate students, including master’s degree students, who received compensation for work performed in a unit position across six divisions or schools in autumn 2016, winter 2017, spring 2017, summer 2017 or autumn 2017.

The NLRB ruling represents a win for graduate employees in their push for union recognition. Instead of acknowledging the workers’ right to hold a union election under federal labor law, the University of Chicago administration decided to expend resources re-litigating the issue of whether graduate students are also employees, stretching hearings on the matter over 10 full business days.

The NLRB regional director refuted the university’s position, finding instead that graduate students serving in teaching positions and research assistant positions “perform services for the benefit of the Employer, under its direction and control, for which they are compensated,” and therefore are employees under Section 2(3) of the National Labor Relations Act.

Graduate Students United member Daniela Palmer, a sixth-year grad student working and studying in the Committee on Evolutionary Biology, said: “We are thrilled that the NLRB has recognized the essential work that we do as graduate student employees at the University of Chicago. We will continue to rally together and build momentum toward our election this fall, when we will exercise our right to a vote for a voice in our working conditions.” GSU is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers.

AFT President Randi Weingarten said: “I am immensely proud of the University of Chicago graduate employees, who have fought for the freedom to have a union. That right was affirmed by the NLRB, and the graduate workers who are the backbone of the academic work of the university will now vote for a real say over the work they do. The board confirmed what we already know—that graduate students are also workers who teach the classes and undertake the research central to the university’s mission. The Chicago administration decided to cynically re-litigate established precedent to delay democracy, but in the fall, the graduate employees will have their say loud and clear.”

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Filed Under: Breaking News, State News
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