http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35976941/panera-bread-commercial-shot-in-johnston-city-debuts
JOHNSTON CITY, IL – Above is a link to the WSIL story of of the Panera Bread commercial filmed at the Johnston City Fireworks display.
Severin to Hold Satellite Office Hours in Sesser on August 1st
July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Press Release for the office of State Representative Dave Severin
MARION, IL – State Representative Dave Severin (R- Benton) will be holding satellite office hours at Sesser City Hall, 302 W Franklin St, in Sesser from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesday August 1st.
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.
Benton City Council hears about insurance benefit program
July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment
BENTON, IL – (Rick Hayes, Benton Evening News. Please click on the link above to hear the full story. Here is an excerpt below.)
David Goncher, a sales representative for Colonial Life, presented the Benton City Council with insurance options for its employees Monday evening.
“This is an opportunity making this as a substitute or addition to Liberty Mutual. In the past we’ve had a lack of response from the issues that we have had with Liberty Mutual, and this could be an alternative that we could have,” Finance Commissioner Dennis Miller said
In other business, the council approved using funds from the Republic Services community program to pay travel and lodging expenses for mural artist John Cerney, who has completed a mural of George Harrison. Council member Donnie Wyant rescinded his motion from an earlier meeting when the expenses were denied.
Approval of an emergency personnel ambulance ordinance was approved but the council tabled the mutual aid agreement, noting updates were needed with Abbott Ambulance Service and West Frankfort Fire Department.
Soggy Thursday…..Fabulous Friday
July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
Over the next few hours, we will receive moderate to heavy rainfall, with a few rumbles of thunder, across Southern Illinois. The large area of showers extends into Northeast Missouri.
It is on my bucket list to download a radar program, with velocity on storms. My estimate is the storms are moving at a good clip at 30-40 mph.
We are still under a marginal risk for severe weather. This will mainly be determined if the sun will come out after this round of percipitation, to provide instability in the atmosphere. It is possible this large area of precipitation that is coming through will take a lot of the convective energy with it.
I do not have any scientific evidence to prove this, but it is out of observation. Storms have been moving northwest to southeast now for about a month. There is a possibility that we might have an early fall.
With winds shifting to the NNE after the cold front passes in the next 24 hours, they will blow the humidity out of here for the weekend. With highs in the low 80’s, the air will have a fall feel to it.
Temperatures will moderate into the mid to upper 80’s by mid week. There is not a 90 degree day in sight. Enjoy it, and give your air conditioner a break, as window opening weather is on the way.
Below, is the Hazardous Weather Outlook and the Seven Day Forecast.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
335 AM CDT Thu Jul 27 2017
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight
Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will move across the northern
parts of the region today and across all of the area by this
afternoon or evening. A few severe thunderstorms with damaging
wind gusts are possible. Locally heavy rain is expected.
Across southeast Missouri and southern parts of western Kentucky,
heat indices may reach 100 to 105 degrees before the storms
arrive.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Friday through Wednesday
A chance of thunderstorms will continue Friday morning across all
of the area and across mainly western Kentucky Friday afternoon.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…
Spotter activation may be requested this afternoon and tonight for
reports of severe weather including heavy rain and flooding.
Detailed Forecast
Thursday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind 5 to 11 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 81. North northeast wind 6 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night
Clear, with a low around 58. North northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind.
J & C Produce and Pies – Hit at local Farmer’s Markets as well as their stand at home
July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
SESSER, IL – There have been several circles in my life, that brought me in contact with Jim and Carleen Roberts of Sesser.
Jim and Carleen Roberts
When I was working my way through college at McDonald’s in West City, I worked with Carleen, as well has her two kids Julie and Craig. She was one of three “McDonald’s moms from the Sesser area. Mary Lou Galloway was another one at West City. When I transferred to West Frankfort to be a shift manager, I worked with Kay Wangler in Sesser. They served as a mother figure to all of us teenagers that worked there.
Carleen would bring goodies for us kids to eat, especially around Christmas time. She has made pies for people as long as I can remember.
With my dad being a long time Free Will Baptist preacher, I would run into their family at denominational events as well. The family has attended Bear Point FWB Church, just west of Sesser-Valier school. Their children grew up in the church until they moved from the area.
The couple spends the winter in Frostproof, Florida, which several people from Southern Illinois spend there. Jim always posts pictures of nice crappie, and occasionally some bluegill that he catches down there. Here in Franklin County, it is not frost proof there. When we had the freezing rain event last winter, Jim posted a nice mess of fish. I was a little jealous and my mouth was watering.
After Jim retired from Consolidated Coal north of Sesser, (formerly Inland Steel), along with the couple snowbirding south for the winter, Jim comes back home and plants a huge garden, He as well, rents some empty lots in Sesser. Carleen specializes in fried pies.
Jim was a presenter for the University of Illinois cooperative services in seminars for vegetable farming. Jim and Carleen attend the West Frankfort Farmers Market since the beginning on Tuesdays, and the Benton Farmers Market at the Civic Center on Thursdays.
Over the years, I have consumed a lot of fried pies. On most Tuesday’s since I moved to WF, I make the six block trek to the park to consume some fried pies. From looking at me you can tell I like to eat, and it is a well two bucks spent.
The couple has ran a vegetable stand at their home on the north side of Sesser for years. I didn’t buy much veggies off of them over the year because I had my own garden. It is something that I miss since I live in an apartment now. There is nothing like planting your own food like watching it grow. Next year, I might do some “Oliver Wendell Douglas farming”
The West Frankfort Farmers Market is every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the park, in the shelter behind the Aquatics Center. Carleen’s pies go quick. Next Monday, I will run a story on all the venders and what they have for sale. The market is well supported. If you have not been there, check it out.
Danny Thomas, our Song Leader and deacon at Calvary Baptist Church has a saying when someone is a good person, they are one of the good guys or gals. This fits Jim and Carleen.
Linda Stayton, Marion – formerly of Benton
July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Linda Jane Stayton, 69, of Marion IL, and a former Benton resident, passed away Wednesday morning, July 26, 2017 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.
She was born in Ewing, IL, on July 31, 1947, the daughter of Russell & Betty (Neal) Page.
She married Charles Gene Stayton on July 20, 1990 and he preceded her in death on March 26, 2012.
Linda is survived by her three children, Mark Melcher and wife Jennifer of Marion, Michael Melcher and wife Jamie of Zeigler, and Amy Hobbs and husband David of Benton. Her six grandchildren; Alexis Melcher,
Britton Cochran and husband Clay, Brandon Melcher, Bailey Robinson, Briley Melcher and Will Hobbs. She also has two great-grandchildren, Charli Cochran and Kane Melcher
She is survived by one brother, Jerry Page and wife Jody of Marion, and one sister, Karen Drake and husband Terry of Marion.
Mrs. Stayton was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband and one brother-Larry Page.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 29th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with Pastor Clark Lance officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home and after 1:30 P.M. on Saturday.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.
Illinois Controlled Pheasant Hunting Reservation Information Now Available Online
July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Online application period for IDNR-managed sites begins Aug. 7
Wayne Fitzgerell, World Shooting Complex among Southern Illinois Sites
Press Release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Controlled pheasant hunting opportunities will be available at 20 Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) sites during the 2017-18 hunting season. Dates and permit reservation information are now available online.
Sixteen of the sites are operated by the IDNR, while four other sites continue to be operated in a public/private partnership arrangement between the IDNR and concessionaire T. Miller, Inc.
“Controlled pheasant hunting provides an upland game hunting experience for thousands of hunters in Illinois each year, as well as a great chance for young hunters to have successful days afield,” said IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal. “Many hunters tell us they appreciate the program, and now is the time for hunters to start planning for the upcoming season.”
The online permit reservation system for IDNR-operated sites opens on Monday, Aug. 7, and permit information, season dates, and other information are now available. Detailed information and permit reservations are available now for the four sites managed by T. Miller, Inc. Hunters should always review the application instructions and season information accessible online prior to submitting an application.
On IDNR-operated sites, the daily fee for permits acquired online for controlled pheasant hunting is $30 for resident hunters and $35 for nonresident hunters. The daily permit fee applies to each hunter. Hunters are required to pay for permits acquired online in advance over a secure Internet system using an American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa credit card. The credit card account is billed when hunters submit an application. A transaction fee of $1.00 or 2.35% of the permit fee (whichever is higher) will be assessed for each application, except for applications submitted for the Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt.
The public/private partnership controlled pheasant hunting areas are Chain O’Lakes State Park in Lake County, Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area in Kendall County, Ramsey Lake State Park in Fayette County, and Horseshoe Lake State Park in Madison County. Information about controlled pheasant hunting at these sites is available on the concessionaire’s website at www.tmillerinc.com or via a link on the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov.
Of the 16 sites operated by the IDNR, six provide only the Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt opportunity for young hunters between the ages of 10-17. Those six sites are the Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area in Tazewell County, Clinton Lake State Recreation Area in DeWitt County, Edward Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area in Logan County, Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County, Sangchris Lake State Park in Christian and Sangamon Counties, and the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Randolph County.
Nine sites provide lengthy hunting seasons for hunters, as well as additional special hunting days for young hunters under the age of 18. Those nine sites are Johnson Sauk Trail State Recreation Area in Henry County, the Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area in Will County, Kankakee River State Park in Kankakee County, the Iroquois County State Wildlife Area, Moraine View State Recreation Area in McLean County, Sand Ridge State Forest in Mason County, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass County, Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area in Clinton County, and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area in Jefferson and Franklin Counties.
The Green River State Wildlife Area in Lee County provides 15 days of controlled pheasant hunting during a season that extends from early November until just before Christmas.
At Des Plaines, Moraine View and Eldon Hazlet, hunting opportunities are available for hunters with disabilities where special vehicles are provided to assist with the hunt.
Online permit reservations for the first lottery period on IDNR-operated sites will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 7 until 1:00 p.m. on Aug. 14. Two additional one-week drawing periods are scheduled thereafter. Hunters should always review the application instructions and season information on the controlled pheasant hunting website prior to submitting an application. To navigate to the controlled pheasant hunting website once the IDNR website www.dnr.illinois.gov has been accessed, hunters should follow these directions:
- Click on the “Hunt/Trap” button on the toolbar
-
Then click on “Upland Game”
-
Then click on “Controlled Pheasant Hunting Permits, Hunting Areas, Regs, etc.”
IDNR-operated controlled pheasant hunting sites will continue to have a portion of their hunter quota allocated to standby hunters. Standby hunters acquire permits and pay permit fees at the site hunter check station on the day of the hunt. Standby permits are also available for the Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt if the site hunter quota is not filled by young hunters with reserved permits prior to the hunt date.
Hunters without computers are encouraged to gain access to the controlled pheasant hunting online reservation system by checking with family or friends with a computer or by using a computer at their local public library. Completing a permit reservation online takes less than five minutes.
For complete details, check the controlled pheasant hunting website at www.dnr.illinois.gov or the T. Miller, Inc. website at www.tmillerinc.com.
Four Concealed Carry classes set at RLC this fall
July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment
ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information
INA, IL- Four Illinois Concealed Carry classes are returning to the Rend Lake College campus this fall to accommodate every schedule. With each class meeting on different times and dates, and one set aside for women only, locals have numerous opportunities to apply for their state permit.
RLC’s two-day program has set the following dates for classes this fall: Friday, Aug. 4 – Saturday, Aug. 5; Saturday, Sept. 16 – Sunday, Sept. 17; Saturday, Nov. 11 – Sunday, Nov. 12; and Saturday, Dec. 9 – Sunday, Dec. 10.
In August, participants will meet from 4 – 10 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday. In September, the class will meet at 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 – 10 p.m. Sunday. The women-only course will meet from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday in November. The December classes are open to everyone, also from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
All classes will meet instructors Ron Meek and Jeff Bullard in the Coal Mine Training Center, Room 107A, on the Ina campus.
During the first day, participants will prepare to get on the range with a firearms safety and marksmanship lecture, focusing on safety, the principles of marksmanship, loading and unloading, cleaning, and state and federal laws relating to firearms and force. Firearms and ammunition are not to be brought to this class.
Day two will include the live fire practice and qualification on the RLC Shooting Range, plus additional classroom discussions regarding interaction with law enforcement, recognition of risk factors and situational awareness, identification of threats, and education about range rules and procedures. Participants should bring their firearm with 100 rounds of ammunition to be inspected by course instructors.
To qualify for the Illinois permit, participants must complete 30 rounds at 5, 7, and 10 yards with at least 70 percent accuracy. A qualifying shot consists of a shot placed inside the 7 ring of a B-27 target.
Participants who complete RLC’s Concealed Carry training course are eligible to apply for Illinois and Florida Concealed Weapons licenses. A valid FOID card and a driver’s license must be brought to class. Students must attend the entire 16 hours of training, no exemptions will be given. Participants must be at least 21 years old. The cost of the training is $150 for in-state residents and $200 for out-of-state residents.
To learn more or to register, call RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing commcorped@rlc.edu.
Betty Lynn Storey – Benton
July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Betty Lynn Storey, 92, of Benton IL, passed away at 12:35 AM on July 25, 2017 at home, surrounded by her close family. Betty was born in Ewing, IL on November 10, 1924 to Harry and Marie (Slaton) Choisser.
Betty was a very loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her favorite things were cooking for her family, spoiling her grandchildren, and going to the weekly Farmers’ Market.
Betty was preceded in death by both parents, brothers, “Sparky, TJ, and Bob Choisser; son-in-law, Stanley Hatchett; and granddaughter, Kristen Storey. She is survived by her sister and best friend, Mary Lou Jones; two daughters: Renee Buckner and Janice Overmeyer, a son, Don Storey and wife Kathy, and six grandchildren: Shelly Germann (Andy), Susan Graskewicz (Jon), Shonda Hustedde (Jason), Mark Overmeyer (Julie), Fallon Overmeyer (Cheri), Carrie Kalina (Rod); 12 great-grandchildren, including Logan, Seth, Liberty, & Jace; sister-in-law, Doris Choisser, and several neices and nephews including one very special neice, Debbie Hampleman (Ron).
Betty was the glue of her family and will be so very greatly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Benton Farmers’ Market.
A special thank you to Addus Homemakers and Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Visitation will be from 11-12 AM on Saturday, July 29th, at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, IL with a grave side service to follow immediately at Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
