Sentencing for Saline Co., IL doctor convicted of plotting to kidnap State’s Attorney postponed

July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/35415690/sentencing-for-saline-co-il-doctor-convicted-of-plotting-to-kidnap-states-attorney-postponed

HARRISBURG, IL – (Brittany Jacob and Alicia Dobrinick, KFVS-TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The sentencing for a Saline County doctor convicted of trying to have the state’s attorney kidnapped has been rescheduled.

from the Saline County Sheriff’s office

Brian Burns was scheduled to be sentenced on July 25, but he has requested new counsel. His new sentencing date is Aug. 29.

It took a Saline County jury less than two hours to convict Burns on felony charges of solicitation of aggravated kidnapping, conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping and attempted aggravated kidnapping. That trial took place in May 2017.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Assistant basketball coach resigns at John A. Logan College

July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/35969317/assistant-basketball-coach-resigns-at-john-a-logan-college

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

The assistant basketball coach at John A. Logan College resigned his position.

According to the college, Zach Carpenter resigned to become assistant at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa.

“We were very fortunate to have Zach on our staff for as long as we did,” said JALC Head Coach Kyle Smithpeters. “He was a very positive influence not only on our players and teams but on everyone at John A. Logan. We are sorry to have him leave, but we understand and are excited about his desire to transition into another program. We wish him well.”

Filed Under: College Sports, Sports

Rauner education secretary: CPS bailout is irresponsible

July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/schools/rauner-education-secretary-cps-bailout-is-irresponsible/article_19ef6a64-7182-11e7-a93e-0721797a9145.html

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

The first of four special session days called for by Gov. Bruce Rauner to address K-12 education funding begins today and the governor’s education secretary says using dollars meant for the classroom to pay for a neglected pension system is irresponsible.

Rauner’s Education Secretary Beth Purvis said the Democrats’ bill is an evidence-based plan, but it also provides hundreds of millions of dollars to Chicago Public Schools pensions above and beyond the funding formula.

Purvis said that in 1995, an agreement was made that, because the state didn’t pay for the cost of Chicago Public Schools pensions, it instead would send a block grant, which is about $250 million a year “that is over and above what they would otherwise get within the school funding formula.”
“And the idea was, ‘Chicago Public Schools, we’re going to give you that money and pay down your pensions’,” Purvis said. “Now CPS didn’t use that $250 million to pay down their pensions. In 11 of 25 years, they only made partial payment or no pension [payments].”

Filed Under: State News

FOWLER WEEK IN REVIEW JULY 17 – 21

July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press release from the office of State Senator Dale Fowler

HARRISBURG, IL – Illinois lawmakers are expecting to be called back to Springfield for another special session on education funding reform, according to State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).

Primary and secondary education funding is still not finalized as part the budget that took effect on July 1, in part due to legislative language that made it subject to passing a new education funding formula. Additionally, with the uncertainty of not having schools totally funded yet, many Southern Illinois educational districts lack the funds to open their doors for a full school year.

The road block to educational funding for the 2017-2018 school year has been a parliamentary hold that was placed on Senate Bill 1, by the Senate’s majority leadership. Even though the legislation passed in late May, the bill has yet to be sent to the Governor’s desk for action, which in effect makes Illinois students political hostages because of a proposed bail out for Chicago schools.

The Governor’s Office has vowed to issue an amendatory veto of the legislation, to remove a controversial proposal which would serve up hundreds of millions in additional revenues to the failing Chicago Public School system. With the Governor’s veto, more monies would be freed up for the remaining 851 school districts across Illinois.

Fowler hosts inaugural agricultural advisory committee

Senator Fowler hosted a July 22 agricultural advisory committee meeting in Harrisburg, with the purpose of hearing from local agricultural producers and leaders. Illinois Director of Agriculture Raymond Poe joined the group to discuss the latest issues facing farmers. Topics varied from environmental regulations to rural road weight limits and farm taxation policy. The meeting’s importance cannot be stressed lightly, as one out of every four Illinois jobs are tied to agriculture.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, State News

West City Approves Random Drug Screening for Village Employees

July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentongazette.com/news/west-city-approves-random-drug-screening-for-village-employees/article_6f3c1878-6cd7-11e7-9e6e-8f732b18a7ae.html

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

The Village of West City has approved amendments to an ordinance to allow for random drug testing of village staff.

West City Attorney Ronald Giacone says the program will cover three separate types of drug testing. Those types include standard pre-employment drug tests, reasonable cause tests, and randomized drug tests.

According to Giacone, reasonable cause testing would be enacted in cases where the safety of a city employee was concerned, or where there would have been prior incidents which led to reasonable suspicion of drug use from supervisors or village officials.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Heat advisory goes into effect at noon – severe thunderstorms tomorrow

July 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Severe weather threat for Thursday/Thursday Night: A cold front will move south toward the area on Thursday and move south of the area by Friday. This front will provide a focus for showers and thunderstorms on Thursday into Thursday night. Some of these storms may bring damaging winds. (NWS, Paducah KY)

The heat advisory that was issued yesterday afternoon has been scaled down to the counties along and west of the I -57 corridor.  (Jefferson, Franklin, Williamson counties are included and points westward.)

Today will be a repeat of the days like we had all last week.  After a stormy day tomorrow, we have a pleasant and an outstanding weekend on tap, with highs in the lower 80’s.

For tomorrow afternoon into tomorrow evening, I will be keeping a close eye on the radar.  My main focus will be Franklin County, but warnings will be passed along from the bordering counties as well.  During a severe weather event, I will post things on the Facebook page only.

Below is the latest statement on the Heat Advisory, then the Hazardous Weather Outlook, and the end is an awesome seven day forecast.

URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Paducah KY

…Hazardous heat indices expected today…

.A southwest wind flow of hot and very humid air will occur across
the area today.

…HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM CDT
THIS EVENING…

* TEMPERATURE…High temperatures will be mostly in the mid 90s.
The peak heat index in the afternoon will generally be around
105 degrees.

* IMPACTS…Persons who work or spend time outdoors will be at a
potential risk for heat-related illness. Heat exhaustion or
heat stroke may occur if precautions are not taken. The very
young, the elderly, and those without air conditioning are
especially susceptible to heat related health problems.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
possible. Drink plenty of fluids…stay in an air-conditioned
room…stay out of the sun…and check up on relatives and
neighbors.

To reduce risk during outdoor work…the occupational safety and
health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks
in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by
heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke
is an emergency…call 9 1 1.

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
310 AM CDT Wed Jul 26 2017

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

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Heat Advisory today west of a line from Mount Vernon, Illinois to
Paducah, Kentucky.

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms today, best chances east
of the Mississippi River. Tonight, the small chance of storms
shifts north toward the Interstate 64 corridor, extending as far
south as perhaps Route 13 in southern Illinois, east to about
Owensboro, Kentucky.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Thursday through Tuesday

For the entire four state area, a few strong to severe
thunderstorms cannot be ruled out Thursday afternoon and night.
Damaging wind gusts will be the main hazard. Locally heavy rain is
possible as well.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation may be requested Thursday afternoon and night.

 

Detailed Forecast

weather.gov |

Today
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 107. Light and variable wind becoming south southwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 6 to 10 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 82. North northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60. North northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Heat Advisory from Noon until 8:00p.m. tomorrow

July 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

..URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Paducah KY


Hazardous heat indices expected on Wednesday…

.A southwest wind flow of hot and very humid air will occur ahead
of a cold front Wednesday.

HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM CDT WEDNESDAY…

 

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Heat
Advisory, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM CDT Wednesday. This
advisory includes southeast Missouri, southwest Illinois, and far
western Kentucky. The area is along and west of a line from Mount
Vernon Illinois to Paducah and Mayfield Kentucky.
* TEMPERATURE…High temperatures will be mostly in the mid 90s.
The peak heat index in the afternoon will generally be around
105 degrees.
* IMPACTS…Persons who work or spend time outdoors will be at a
potential risk for heat-related illness. Heat exhaustion or heat
stroke may occur if precautions are not taken. The very young,
the elderly, and those without air conditioning are especially
susceptible to heat related health problems.

Instructions:

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids…stay in an air-conditioned room…stay out of the sun…and check up on relatives and neighbors. To reduce risk during outdoor work…the occupational safety and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency…call 9 1 1.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News

Dexter Fowler to the DL…. top prospect Harrison Bader called up from Memphis

July 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.kmov.com/story/35967964/prospect-harrison-bader-promoted-as-fowler-heads-to-dl

ST. LOUIS, MO  (J.J. Bailey, KMOV -TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below)

St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Harrison Bader (88) bats in a spring training baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Thursday, March 16, 2017, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The Cardinals’ 25-man roster continues to get injections of young blood, as 23-year-old Harrison Bader was promoted to MLB duty Tuesday.

The club purchased Bader’s contract in response to another injury to Dexter Fowler, announcing the veteran center fielder was moved to the 10-day disabled list with a left wrist strain.

Fowler left the game in a double switch Monday night.

Bader, a fast-rising 2015 draft pick (3rd round), will become the sixth player to make his Major League debut for the Cardinals this season.

Filed Under: Slider, Sports

Cardinals Care dedicates Dexter Fowler Field

July 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from the St. Louis Cardinals

DECATUR, IL –  Today the St. Louis Cardinals, in conjunction with Cardinals Care, the Decatur Park District and Decatur Memorial Hospital, announced the dedication of Dexter Fowler Field at Hess Park in Decatur, Illinois.

Cardinals Team President Bill DeWitt III, was joined at the dedication by Cardinals Vice President of Community Relations & Executive Director of Cardinals Care, Michael Hall; Cardinals Care Director & Youth Baseball Commissioner, Keith Brooks; Decatur Park Board Commissioners Bob Brilley, II (President), Chris Harrison (Vice President), Stacey Young, Jack Kenny and Chris Riley; Decatur Park District Executive Director, Bill Clevenger; Decatur Memorial Hospital President & CEO, Tim Stone and Decatur Mayor Julie Moore. A video message from Dexter Fowler was also shown during the dedication.

The professionally designed field is the result of a six figure investment by Cardinals Care that includes a graded and irrigated playing field, two paved and covered dugouts, bleachers, fencing, and a state-of-the art solar powered scoreboard. The field will play an integral role in teaching Redbird Rookies participants the values of teamwork, integrity, self-esteem, and leadership.

Dexter Fowler Field is the 23rd field dedicated by Cardinals Care since its inception in 1997. Most recently, the Cardinals dedicated Adam Wainwright Field in August, 2016, at Bob Russell Park in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo. Earlier this season, Fowler and his wife, Aliya, supported the Cardinals charitable foundation by making a personal financial donation of $100,000 to Cardinals Care in support of the Redbird Rookies program.

This season marks the 14th year of Cardinals Care’s innovative Redbird Rookies program, a free baseball league for kids who otherwise might not have the opportunity to play. In addition to providing all the uniforms, gloves, bats, balls and other equipment needed for each team, Redbird Rookies also provides extensive off-field support in the areas of health, education, mentoring and the cultural arts for each of the nearly 4,500 kids who participate in the program each year.

Filed Under: Sports

Homestand Highlights 7/25/17

July 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from the St. Louis Cardinals

MLB Network Tuesday Night Showcase National Broadcast

Gates open at 5:45 p.m.
Ozzie Smith Budweiser Bash Theme Night: Fans who purchase this special Bud Bash theme ticket receive a voucher for a limited edition Ozzie Smith mini bobblehead as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1987 National League Championship team. VIP ticket-holders will also have access to a pregame autograph session with The Wizard. Fans must present the voucher in order to receive this promotional item. For more info, or to purchase general tickets, visit cardinals.com/theme (#BudBash)(#CardsTheme).

Christmas in July Theme Night: Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, the Cardinals invite all fans to join them for Christmas in July at Busch Stadium. Fans who purchase the special theme ticket will receive an exclusive Cardinals Nutcracker. Santa Fredbird and characters from the Historic St. Charles Christmas Traditions Festival will be on hand for photos in Riverview Corner before the game. Fans must present the voucher in order to receive this promotional item. For more information, visit cardinals.com/christmas (#CardsTheme).

Wainwright’s Winners: Adam Wainwright will host a group from Basket of Hope for tonight’s game as part of his Wainwright’s Winners player ticket program. Prior to the game, the group will get to watch batting practice from the field and meet with Adam in the dugout to take pictures and ask questions.

Pregame Poms/Cheer/Dance Performances: Prior to the game, groups from Code Red Dance, Granite City High School Cheer and Natural All Stars Impact Cheer will perform in the Ford Plaza beginning around 5:45 p.m.

Cardinals Care Stadium Auction: Fans have the unique opportunity to bid on exclusive autographed Cardinals memorabilia at the game. The auction is a great way for fans and collectors to obtain specialty Cardinals items while helping support the programs that Cardinals Care provides to youth in the community. Auction tables will be located by Gate 1 (Section 137), Gate 3, inside the Cardinals Club, UMB Champions Club and Redbird Club.

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