17-year-old held at gunpoint, woman arrested in Metropolis, IL

August 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/36082855/17-year-old-held-at-gunpoint-woman-arrested-in-metropolis-il

METROPOLIS, IL – (Jasmine Adams, KFVS-TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Two women are in custody after officers in Metropolis, Illinois were called to a residence in the 300 block of Girard Street.

Officers were informed that a 17-year-old female was being held by gunpoint against her will at the residence in the basement.

Officers made contact with Lucy Jean V. Hall, 23, of Metropolis, Il.  According to officers, she refused to let them into the residence and would not show her hands.  After attempting to negotiate with her to open the door, officers forced their way in.

Hall then ran through the house in an attempt to escape. After a struggle, Hall was taken into custody.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

GOP asks AG if Dem tactics render school funding bill unconstitutional

August 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/gop-asks-ag-if-dem-tactics-render-school-funding-bill/article_ee3f8626-7ba2-11e7-aa3e-735e16b1aa9d.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Cole Lauterbach, Illinois News Network.  Please Click on the link above for the full story. Here is an excerpt below.)

Illinois Republicans say the Democrats’ education reform measure may have broken their own statehouse rules as well as the state Constitution.

The education reform bill, Senate Bill 1, was passed on May 31st. Senate Democrats put a procedural hold on it, saying they wanted cooler heads to prevail. But they kept it until July 31st, when the bill would have needed more votes to have passed than had originally voted for it.

But Senate Democrats put a procedural hold on it before sending it to Gov. Bruce Rauner, fearing a veto and saying they wanted cooler heads to prevail. They kept it until July 31, but a bill needs a supermajority – or 71 votes – in the state House after June 1.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

IDNR Announces 2017-18 Waterfowl Hunting Season Dates

August 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced waterfowl season dates and bag limits for the 2017-18 seasons. The seasons include 60-day duck seasons in each of the state’s four waterfowl hunting zones, along with 107 days of Canada goose hunting opportunity in the North and Central zones (15 days in September, two days of youth hunting and 90 days of “regular” goose season), 99 days of Canada goose hunting opportunity in the South Central Zone, and 87 days of Canada goose hunting opportunity in the South Zone. Goose season lengths are shorter in the South Central and South zones to coincide with duck season dates and to match hunter preferences.

The 2017-18 Illinois season dates are the second year of a five-year plan that was developed in 2015. This year, Illinois will open the regular duck, Canada goose, and snow goose seasons on Oct. 21 in the North Zone, Oct. 28 in the Central Zone, Nov. 11 in the South Central Zone, and Nov. 23 in the South Zone. White-fronted goose (specklebelly) seasons will open Oct. 23 in the North Zone, Nov. 5 in the Central Zone, and with duck season in the South Central (Nov. 11) and South zones (Nov. 23).

The daily duck bag limit is six (6) and may include no more than four (4) mallards (two hens), three (3) wood ducks, three (3) scaup, two (2) redheads, two (2) black ducks, two (2) canvasback, one (1) pintail, and one (1) mottled duck. The daily bag limit of mergansers is five (5), only two of which may be hooded mergansers. The possession limit for ducks and mergansers is three times the daily bag limit by species and sex.

Canada and white-fronted goose daily bag limits will be two (2) with a possession limit of six (6). The snow goose daily bag limit is 20 birds, with no possession limit, during the fall and winter season. The spring Conservation Order Light Goose season will open Jan. 19 in the North Zone and Feb. 1 in the Central, South Central, and South zones, ending March 31 in all zones. There is no daily bag or possession limit on snow, blue, and Ross’ geese during this season.

The September 2017 early Canada goose season is Sept. 1-15 with a daily limit of five (5) and a possession limit of 15 geese in the North and Central zones, and a daily limit of two (2) and a possession limit of six (6) geese in the South Central and South zones.

Illinois’ 16-day 2017 statewide teal hunting season is Sept. 9-24 with a daily limit of six (6) and a possession limit of eighteen (18). Shooting hours for the September teal season are different from the regular season, starting at sunrise (½ hour later than regular season) until sunset.

The IDNR 2017-18 season dates are outlined below.

Illinois Waterfowl Season Dates for 2017-18

September Canada Goose: Statewide Sept. 1 – 15

September Teal: Statewide Sept. 9 – 24

Seasons by Zone

North Zone
Youth Hunt: Oct. 14 – 15
Duck: Oct. 21 – Dec. 19
Canada Goose: Oct. 21 – Jan. 18

Central Zone
Youth Hunt: Oct. 21 – 22
Duck: Oct. 28 – Dec. 26
Canada Goose: Oct. 28 – Nov. 5 and Nov. 12 – Jan. 31

South Central Zone
Youth Hunt: Nov. 4 – 5
Duck: Nov. 11 – Jan. 9
Canada Goose: Nov. 11 – Jan. 31

South Zone
Youth Hunt: Nov. 11 – 12
Duck: Nov. 23 – Jan. 21
Canada Goose: Nov. 23 – Jan. 31

Illinois 2017-18 Snow Goose and White-Fronted Goose Season Dates

North Zone
Snow Geese
Regular Season: Oct. 21 – Jan. 18
White-fronted Geese: Oct. 23 – Jan. 18

Central Zone
Snow Geese
Regular Season: Oct. 28 – Jan. 31
White-fronted Geese: Nov. 5 – Jan. 31

South Central Zone
Snow Geese
Regular Season: Nov. 11 – Jan. 31
White-fronted Geese: Nov. 11 – Jan. 31

South Zone
Snow Geese
Regular Season: Nov. 23 – Jan. 31
White-fronted Geese: Nov. 23 – Jan. 31

The Illinois waterfowl hunting zone maps and anticipated seasons dates for the 2016-2020 seasons are available on the IDNR website at: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/waterfowl/Documents/WaterfowlZonesDatesFinal20162020.pdf

The application period for Public Duck and Goose Hunting Area Permits will be open Aug. 16-31 for the first lottery, Sept. 1-14 for the second lottery, and Sept. 15-28 for the third lottery. Permits remaining after the third lottery will be available on a first-come, first-served basis online starting Oct. 1. More information, including online applications, instructions and a list of participating sites is available on the IDNR website at: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/waterfowl/Pages/OnlinePermitApplication.aspx

Additional details on the duck, goose, and other migratory bird hunting seasons will be available on the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov and in the 2017-2018 Illinois Digest of Waterfowl Hunting Regulations (available later this year) and the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2017-2018, available on the IDNR website at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/HuntTrapDigest.pdf

Filed Under: Sports

Cairo residents prepare for Carson’s visit

August 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36083377/cairo-residents-prepare-for-carsons-visit

CAIRO, IL – (Tia Rineheart, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link and video above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

WSIL image

Families in Cairo hope to get answers to questions they’ve had the last four months when they learned their housing complexes would shut down and they would be forced out of their homes. Tuesday, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson will visit the town.
“You came down here to see the truth and to see what’s going on in Cairo so I’m asking, why now?” resident Shayla Brooker said.

After HUD announced plans in April to empty and demolish two housing complexes in Cairo because of unrepairable conditions.

Brooker said she hopes she can stay in the town she’s grown to love.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

County Board Discusses Upgrading Courthouse Locking System

August 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentongazette.com/news/county-board-discusses-upgrading-courthouse-locking-system/article_abec56f6-7af2-11e7-bc12-738499c261f8.html

BENTON, IL – (William McPherson, Benton Gazette.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Citing security concerns, the Franklin County Board discussed upgrading the current locking system at the courthouse—which currently is the old fashioned lock and key system.
At the July county board committee meeting Franklin County Chairman Randall Crocker said he has been thinking about a new locking system for the Franklin County Courthouse for quite a while. Crocker said he would like to see a card swipe style system in place at the courthouse, which he said would have a number of advantages. One such advantage would be that the county could program which employee’s cards have access to certain rooms, and in the event of dismissal, termination or an employee switching positions, no keys would have to be turned in and the system could be updated from the county’s side, which could all be processed digitally.

“There are a lot of advantages, you know—you could know who could unlock the door and who couldn’t, and then you can segregate different security levels,” Crocker added at the committee meeting, also noting that such a system would leave a trail that would make it easy to find out whose card accessed which particular room in the courthouse and during what date and time it occured. “I think we’d have to give a lot of thought to what we’d want to do, as far as who would have access,” added Board Member David Rea. “Some of those offices have some sensitive things in them,”

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

NICE AUGUST WEATHER CONTINUES

August 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment

More sunshine and less humidity are expected through mid week as high pressure takes hold of the region’s weather. Humidity will begin to creep higher by Thursday and Friday ahead of an approaching cold front. That will lead to our next chance of showers and thunderstorms, which may linger through the weekend in some locations. (NWS Paducah)

Detailed Forecast

weather.gov

Today
Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind around 7 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 3 to 6 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Light and variable wind.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Light southeast wind.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Light north wind.
Saturday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Light northeast wind.
Sunday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. North wind 3 to 6 mph.

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

Ed Hungate – Benton

August 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Robert Edward Hungate, age 53, of Benton, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 11, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Burton Wills and Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Ed was born on January 3, 1964 in Benton, the son of Kenneth Wayne Hungate and Elva Mae (Lindsey) Hungate.

Ed was baptized at age 10 at the East Benton Baptist Church.

Ed was a Benton High School graduate of the Class of 1982.  He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1987 with a B.F.A. specializing in Art History, and Special Populations Art. He would later further his education and receive his M.A. in 1990 from the University of Illinois Art Education, specializing in Photography, Painting and Drawing.

While at the University of Illinois, Ed played football for The Fighting Illini. In his Freshmen season in 1982 he was a part of the Illini team that played in the Liberty Bowl game. In his Sophomore season in 1983, the Illini would win the Big Ten Championship. His Junior season would be successful too, as the Fighting Illini would make it to the Rose Bowl game versus U.C.L.A. And his final season in his Senior year in 1985, Ed was Football Team Captain and would go on to play in the Peach Bowl.

Football played a huge part of Ed’s career in education. He would coach as both a head coach and assistant at many schools including, West Frankfort High School, Orange County Schools in Orlando, FL, Urbana High School, Sarasota High School, Anna-Jonesboro High School, South Lake High School, and Waterloo High School.

He loved teaching and shared his love of Art at the following schools, Orange County, FL, University of Illinois, Sarasota, FL, Anna-Jonesboro High School, South Lake School in Clermont, FL, Benton School District #47, Waterloo CUSD 5, and Rend Lake College.

Ed enjoyed painting, playing guitar, photography, poetry, song writing, literature, art history, physical fitness, travel, historic sites, and Elvis Presley.

He is survived by his daughter Madison Rae Duke and husband Dillon James Duke of Clermont, FL, a son Robert Austin Hungate of Benton; two grandsons Derek Wayne Duke and Darren .

James Duke; his parents Ken and Elva Hungate of Benton; a brother David Wayne Hungate of Hixson, TN.

He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Ed, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com. 

Filed Under: Obituaries

DEXTER FOWLER ACTIVATED, STEPHEN PISCOTTY OPTIONED TO MEMPHIS

August 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from the St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s series open in Kansas City that they have activated outfielder Dexter Fowler (left forearm strain) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Stephen Piscotty to Memphis (AAA).

Fowler, who was disabled on July 25, is batting .241 (70-for-290) with 14 home runs (T2nd on team) and 37 RBI in 81 games during his initial season with the Cardinals. The 31-year-old Fowler was disabled earlier in the year (June 25-July 7) due to a right heel spur. His 14 round-trippers are currently ranked 2nd among all National League switch-hitters.

Piscotty, 26, was recently activated from the disabled list on August 1 after missing 16 games (July 15-31) with a right groin strain. For the season, he’s batting .232 (57-for-246) with 6 HR’s and 31 RBI in 75 games. Piscotty was also sidelined earlier this year (May 5-19) with a right hamstring strain.

Filed Under: Sports

RLC earns $35k in grants for upcoming year

August 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by ReAnne Palmer Rend Lake College Public Information

Three Perkins Leadership grants have kicked off the new fiscal year at Rend Lake College with a bang. Totaling $35,000, the grants will help RLC better serve current and future students, and the community through extended class offerings, resources, and information.

Lori Ragland, Vice President of Career Technical Instruction, said the grants will provide important and much-needed relief to improve campus for everyone involved.

“At Rend Lake College, we continuously look for avenues to help our students overcome the barriers that impede their success,” said Ragland. “A dynamic group of individuals have already hit the ground running and are eagerly starting work on these projects. We hope each grant will give us more ways to expand services and opportunities for students, faculty, and staff at all levels.”

With the Pathways to Results (PTR) Implementation Communities Year 2 Grant, RLC is planning to help improve services to students, based on analysis and ideas generated in previous participation of the PTR Year 1 Grant.

As one of four colleges to receive the $15,000 grant, RLC plans to assist part-time students and nontraditional students with quality resources outside of normal campus hours. Part-time students were 48 percent of the RLC student population in Fall 2015. Nontraditional students, or those over the age of 24, comprised 30 percent of the population that same semester.

Some of these extended resources could include advisement, tutoring, and RL Cares. Additionally, the college will look into the First Year Experience orientation program requirement for part-time students, extending hours for online assistance, developing part-time curriculum guides, and providing professional development for faculty and staff to increase awareness of barriers facing part-time and nontraditional by age students.

In one local community, the $10,000 Dual Credit Enhancement Grant will help RLC develop and deliver more course offerings to Zeigler-Royalton High School. Funding will be used to purchase distance learning equipment to be installed at the high school, which will allow students to take advantage of more college classes beginning this year.

The final grant, the Special Populations Support Grant of $10,000, will help students preparing for a nontraditional career with resources and on-campus activities. Nontraditional careers are defined as those in which the individuals from one gender comprise less than 25 percent of the total individuals in that occupation or field of work. Examples of this include women in agriculture or men in nursing, among others.

Funding will go to support several campus activities already in the works, such as Career Day, Kickstart Your Journey, Career Fair, and Job Fair. During these events, students will be educated on the benefits of working in a nontraditional career and given options for future career paths. Funds will also provide for professional development for faculty and advisors.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

STATE REP. DAVE SEVERIN TO HOLD SATELLITE OFFICE HOURS IN CARTERVILLE TOMORROW

August 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from State Represenative Dave Severin (R-Benton) 

MARION, IL –     State Representative Dave Severin (R- Benton) will be holding satellite office hours at Anne West Lindsey Library, 600 N Division St. & Bryan Ave, in Carterville from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesday August 8th.

Rep. Severin’s staff will be available to meet with constituents to address concerns and receive feedback on the issues most important to them.

If you have any questions, please contact Rep. Severin’s District Office at (618) 440-5090 or through the contact form on his website at www.repseverin.com.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News
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