GOP senator: Gov. Rauner willing to discuss changes to education funding reform after he receives bill

July 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/gop-senator-gov-rauner-willing-to-discuss-changes-to-education/article_383cefe4-72ec-11e7-80ae-335d3f63bb10.html

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

Gov. Bruce Rauner is willing to negotiate with Democrats before he makes changes to an education funding bill that bails out Chicago Public Schools’ pensions, but only after he’s sent the measure by the Senate, a GOP lawmaker said Thursday afternoon.
State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, said Rauner assured him he’d do that once Senate Democrats release Senate Bill 1, which passed out of the General Assembly in May.

“[Rauner is] willing to hold the bill then and then let’s have a negotiation,” Barickman said. “Let’s hear what it is the Democrats are willing to do to help resolve the impasse and resolve school funding.”

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

City Council Approves $17,500 Payment to EPA

July 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/city-council-approves-payment-to-epa/article_47ec32b0-6ef0-11e7-b89d-ef195cc821b0.html

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

The West Frankfort City Council approved a $17,500 payment to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The payment was in regards to the annual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) fee for the city’s Sewer Department. The annual payment is required by law according to the Illinois EPA website (http://www.epa.illinois.gov/topics/forms/fees/npdes/index) and fees are calculated based on a usage basis from the number of gallons of wastewater processed.

 On the invoice, $2,500 is listed as the amount owed for the Sludge Generator with the other $15,000 labeled for Domestic Sewage. The service period for the annual payment will carry the city from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. Water and Sewer Commissioner Ed Blades made the motion to approve the payment and the vote for payment was unanimous
Filed Under: Breaking News, West Frankfort News

Bost Votes for Bipartisan National Security Funding Bill

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

from George O’ Connor – Communications Director for Congressman Mike Bost

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) voted for the Make America Secure Appropriations Act (H.R. 3219), the legislative package that funds national security priorities for the 2018 fiscal year. It includes the appropriations bills for defense, military construction and veterans, energy and water, and the legislative branch.

“The highest priority of Congress is to ensure the safety and security of our nation and the American people,” said Bost. “This bill does just that by giving our service members a much-deserved pay raise—the largest military pay raise in eight years. It also funds military infrastructure so that our service members can be safe and prepared, and takes care of our vets by providing the highest level of funding ever for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.  Additionally, the legislation secures our borders by providing funding for a wall on our southern border.”

 

 

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

Dorothy Jackson – Highland, IN

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Dorothy Mae Jackson, 100, of Highland, IN, passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in Indiana.

She was born in Newaygo County, Michigan on October 25, 1916, the daughter of Sam & Maggie (Klock) Cousineau.

She married Rev. Lyle Jackson on March 21, 1936, and he preceded her in death on March 3, 1978.

Mrs. Jackson was a member of the New Life Church of God in Benton. She was a member for over 80 years of the Church of God headquartered in Cleveland, TN. Her husband and Mrs. Jackson pastored churches in different states for almost 40 years. She was a Sunday School teacher for at least 30 of these years. 

Mrs. Jackson is survived by her two daughters,  Myrna Keener of Chattanooga, TN, and Wilma Snedecor and husband Karl of Highland, IN, three Granddaughters;  Cindy Jones and  husband Jeff of Highland, IN, Starla Benjamin and husband James of Chattanooga, TN, and  Beverly Achata and husband Andy of Harrison, TN, five great-grandchildren; Andrew Jones Brooke Foertsch & husband Kevin, Alicia Benjamin Tyler Benjamin and Chloe Achata.


She is also survived by one sister, Marie VanPortfliet and husband John of Fremont, Michigan. 

Mrs. Jackson was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, by a Son-Calvin Jackson, by a Great-Grandson-Stephen Jones, by 1 Brother and 3 Sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 29th at the New Life Church of God in Benton with Pastor Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 1:00 P.M. Saturday at the Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Morton & Johnston funeral home of Benton.  For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.

 

 

Filed Under: Obituaries

Rodger Puckett – Thompsonville

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Rodger Dale Puckett, 71, of Thompsonville, IL, passed away at 2:12 p.m, on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at the Herrin Hospital ER.

He was born on December 3, 1945, to Eugene and Monette (Hayes) Puckett at Edwards County, IL. Rodger loved music, dancing, church, and had a general love for everything in life. One of his favorite things to do was spending time with his family.

Rodger is survived by three sisters, Alice Prusaczyk of West Frankfort, IL, Naomi Dial of Cave In Rock, IL, and Marilyn (Bruce) Harris of Thompsonville, IL; one brother, two sister-in-laws, Marilyn Puckett of Thompsonville, IL, Barbara Puckett of Christopher, IL, and Arlene Puckett of Thompsonville, IL; 16 nephew and nieces; and numerous great-nephews and great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Monette Puckett, one sister, Verla Paris, and three brothers, Norman Puckett, Vernal Puckett, and Charles Puckett.

Funeral Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL, 62812

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 30, 2017, from 1:00 p.m to 2:30 p.m.., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 30, 2017, at 2:30 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home with Pastor Alan Newman officiating.

Burial will follow services at Brady Cemetery, Akin, IL.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Filed Under: Obituaries

Major water line break in the City of Benton

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

There has been a major water line break in the city of Benton, along West Church Street.  Pictures on social media show that part of the street is flooded.  It has been reported that residents in the area of the break are without water, and the Benton Street Department has issued a boil water order until further notice in the area of the break.

At this time the street is closed.  I will pass along further updates as I get them.

Here is a 6:45 p.m. update from KFVS-TV

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/35990243/water-line-break-closes-intersection-in-benton-il-boil-water-order-issued

This is from the City of Benton’s Facebook page

UPDATE: A boil water order is now in effect for all water customers from DuQuoin Street to South Main and from Washington Street to Hudelson. This order will likely be necessary until Tuesday. As a precaution, the order also remains in effect for anyone who has experienced a reduction in their water pressure. Water department crews are currently on scene and drivers should be aware that the intersection of Church and Pope is currently closed. We’ll keep updates coming on the repair progress of the water line and a lift of the order.

 

Filed Under: Benton News, Breaking News, West City News

Weaver recalled…..Kelly gets the start behind the plate

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

ST. LOUIS, MO –  In a move that was no surprise, the St. Louis Cardinals recalled Luke Weaver, and send Mike Mayers back down to Memphis.  Mayers was only on the active roster for last nights game, in which he did not pitch.

Weaver did steady work for the Cardinals posting a 1-4 record, with a 5.70 ERA.  The earned run average was inflated by one bad outing last year.

Weaver was up with the big club for a few days earlier in the month.  He worked three scoreless innings in two appearances out of the bullpen.  Weaver had a 9-1 record with a 1.91 ERA at Memphis this season.

The makeup of the Cardinal roster has been called the Memphis Mafia 2.0.  Six of the nine starters tonight, spent time this year with the Redbirds, including the two through five hitters tonight.   Weaver will be throwing to a familiar battery mate this year, as Carson Kelly gets his second start of the season.

Here is tonight’s lineup:

ARIZONA

LF  Peralta

CF  Pollock

3B  Lamb

1B  Goldschmidt

RF  Martinez

2B  Owings

SS  Marte

C   Ianetta

P   Godley

ST. LOUIS

1B  Carpenter

LF  Pham

SS  DeJong

RF  Grichuk

CF  Bader

2B  Wong

C   Kelly

3B  Garcia

P   Weaver

Filed Under: Sports

RLC takes Active Shooter Training to MVTHS

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Informatino

Ron Meek, RIGHT, RLC Criminal Justice Associate Professor addresses the educators between scenario-based trainings Wednesday afternoon in a classroom at Mt. Vernon Township High School. After each scenario, the group discussed positive and negative outcomes with Meek and Jeff Bullard, LEFT, Detective Captain of the Mt. Vernon Police Department.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

Thirty regional educators and administrators participated in Rend Lake College’s Active Shooter Training Wednesday at Mt. Vernon Township High School. During the training, the participants prepared for an active shooter event and took part in scenario-based training alongside RLC’s ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) certified instructors.

During the 8-hour class, the educators looked into the history and lessons learned from past school shootings and discussed options for preparation and defense during an attack. They then put those preparations into action.

Each educator is served by the Regional Office of Education (ROE) #13, which assists teachers, administrators, and students in Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington counties. This coverage includes 45 public schools and 13 private schools.

For more information on RLC’s Active Shooter Training, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1367.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News

John Cena added the card for WWE Summerslam at SIU

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Sports

Why the Rust Belt just gave Donald Trump a hero’s welcome

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://nypost.com/2017/07/25/why-the-rust-belt-just-gave-donald-trump-a-heros-welcome/

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – (Salena Zito, New York Post.  Please click on the link to read the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

This town was on fire.

 

President Donald Trump and Melania at the Youngstown Ohio rally (New York Post photo.

By 1 in the afternoon on Tuesday, every main thoroughfare downtown was filled with happy people heading toward the Covelli Centre. Folks dressed in red, white and blue crisscrossed the main grids as vendors sold “Make America Great Again” ball caps, American flags and bottles of water.

Thousands had filled the gravel parking lot to wait until the doors opened at 4, license plates revealing they had traveled from as far as Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to see the president speak directly to them in this Rust Belt city.

Music played on almost every corner as Donald Skowron, a retired Youngstown police officer, drove his green pickup truck up and down Champion Street — in the back, a 6-by-8-foot homemade wooden Trump-Pence sign straddling the bed of the truck, with two large Trump flags flowing from the top.

Filed Under: Columns, Editorials, Opinion, Slider
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