Chance of severe weather for the next 36 hours
May 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
The storm prediction center has all of Southern Illinois under a slight risk for severe weather for tomorrow. There is a marginal risk for severe weather for today.
There are two lines of storms expected in the models that I have been looking at. The first will come through in the overnight hours. The second will come through tomorrow afternoon or evening.
For this afternoon there can be some scattered pop up thunderstorms like yesterday.
The tornado threat today is minimal. The TORCON rate, from Dr. Greg Forbes of the weather channel is three.
Below is the Hazzardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service. I will provide another update in the morning. Please follow the website, and especially the Facebook page for watches and warnings during this time frame.
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri.
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Scattered thunderstorms are expected today and tonight. A few of the storms may reach severe levels, with large hail and damaging wind gusts the main hazards. Deadly lightning and very heavy downpours will also be possible.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Saturday through Thursday Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected again on Saturday and Saturday night. A few of the storms may reach severe levels, with large hail and damaging wind gusts the main hazards. Deadly lightning and very heavy downpours will also be possible.
Long time Akin Educator Dave Dorton retires
May 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
Long time educator Dave Dorton on his last day of teaching with Akin Teacher of teaching with former teacher and co-worker Nancy Williams. (She retired last year)
I came across this picture on Facebook this evening. There are some people that you can not talk to for a long time and when you cross paths, you might have a long conversation. One of those individuals is Dave Dorton.
The Whittingon resident is one of those individuals that I have crossed paths with several times in life. I worked with his kids at McDonalds in West City. as a teenager and in college. We worked as an officiating basketball together. As extra income, I spent a lot of time subbing at Akinm on days off in jobs that I had, and during layoffs, when I worked at Bombardier boats.
Dave was facing a change in career that several men and women experienced in Southern Illinois during the early 90’s when the mines went down. He worked for Inland Steel which later became Consol. He kept his miners hat and a miners bucket in the classroom.
I remember when he was hired at Akin, I had a conversation with his wife, Marna Jean, who was a long time assistant manager at Walmart in West City. She said he waited to be called coach his entire life.
Dave served as head basketball coach at Akin Grade School for several years. He later became the head coach at Galatia High School, and served on the coaching staff at Johnston City as well. He has been the long time athletic director at Akin as well.
He also found time to work in the Sporting Goods department at Walmart in West City as well during the summers and on evenings and weekends when he was coaching.
Enjoy your retirement Dave.
Rend Lake Visitor’s center hosts Bike Rodeo Saturday
May 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Press Release from US Army Corps of Engineers- Rend Lake Project Office
BENTON, IL – Join us at the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center on Saturday, May 20th for a riproarin’ good time at the Bike Rodeo. The Bike Rodeo will be hosted by the Rend Lake Bike Club, the River Ratz Bike Club, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Load up your bike and join us for a fun morning of bike safety and activities to test your biking skills. The Bike Surgeon of Carbondale will be available to do a quick safety check on your bike and then the River Ratz will guide you through an obstacle course to test out your riding skills. Whether you are an experienced rider or a novice, you are sure to learn some new skills during fun-filled morning of biking activities and challenges. The Bike Rodeo will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on May 20, 2017,in the parking lot of the Rend Lake Visitor Center. Be sure to bring your bike and your helmet.
RLC dual credit means dual graduation for three Franklin County seniors
May 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment
ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information
INA, IL – Four high school seniors are going to have a hard time holding all of their graduation documents this spring as they walk across the stage, not once but twice, and come away with multiple diplomas.
Camryn Maloney of Christopher High School; Austin Kessler and Kenzie Rizor of Thompsonville High School have done what only a handful of others have accomplished in recent years: walking across both their high school graduation stage and Rend Lake College’s commencement stage at the same time, all thanks to their hard work and dedication in RLC’s dual credit and dual enrollment programs.
These programs offer tuition-free courses with a reduced rate for textbook rental for all high school juniors and seniors in RLC’s district. In fact, during the 2015-16 academic year, approximately 3,014 students (duplicated) earned a total of 9,160 credit hours, saving over $870k in tuition alone. In addition to tuition savings, those students also saved a combined $377k in textbook rental fees.
High school students interested in learning more about RLC’s dual credit and dual enrollment programs should contact their guidance counselor.
Camryn Maloney, Christopher High School
Camryn Maloney utilized RLC’s dual enrollment program to earn college credit while she was still in high school. She did such a good job of it, that when she graduated from RLC, she walked away with both an Associate in Arts and an Associate in Science degree with honors for her high GPA (grade point average).
“A couple years ago a girl from my high school, Christopher High School, graduated with her high school diploma as well as her Associate’s in Science and Art. I talked with her about it, and just knew it was something I was really interested in since I knew I wanted to go to medical school and knew that would be a long ten years if I didn’t have any transfer credits. It seemed like a good fit,” Maloney expressed.
Camryn Maloney, RIGHT, received her RLC diploma Saturday from RLC Board of Trustees Vice Chair Larry Manning.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
She continued, “Honestly, I would recommend dual enrollment to anyone as long as they are really dedicated. It was a great program, and I really enjoyed it. I like to be kept busy, and this definitely did keep me on my toes. Also, it helped me gain a lot of study skills that I know will come in handy as I head to university next year. It was a lot of hard work, but it was completely worth it in the end.”
Maloney’s not done though. Ever since she was a little girl, she has dreamt of being a doctor. To that end, she is going to attend the University of Missouri Kansas City and enter into their six-year bachelor / doctor of medicine program, an accelerated medical school program in which qualifying students are guaranteed acceptance, start clinical experience their first semester, and finish school in only six years compared to the usual 10. After she graduates, she plans to return to a rural area like Southern Illinois and work in obstetrics and gynecology.
“I’m excited to graduate high school and get my associate degree at the same time. It’s been a lot of work, and it’s really nice to see all of that pay off,” she said.
Austin Kessler, Thompsonville High School
Austin Kessler has big goals for the future, and after earning an Associate of Science degree, with honors, from RLC while attending Thompsonville High School, he’s well on his way to achieving them. Kessler is transferring his degree to Southern Illinois University Carbondale this fall, where he’ll be majoring in pre-medicine with the goal of attending medical school for a career as a plastic surgeon.
He attributes his college-level courses for putting him ahead of the pack and encourages others to take a similar path.
“Graduating early will benefit me in the future by saving money and knocking a couple years off my college,” said Kessler. “Dual credit is a great way to be a step ahead of the game and really get a good feel of what a college student is really like. I would definitely recommend dual credit to other students because I believe that it prepares you for your future courses.”
In fact, Kessler said he already feels like a college student. His favorite part of taking the courses through his high school can be summed up in one word: flexibility.
“My favorite part about dual credit classes was being able to complete the classes on your own time and not having to worry about being at a certain place at a certain time,” he said.
Kenzie Rizor, Thompsonville High School
Though she didn’t physically walk across the RLC Commencement stage, Kenzie Rizor isn’t taking the accolade as a dual graduate lightly. The Thompsonville High School senior is still looking to her future and her plans to transfer two associate degrees with honors from RLC.
Kenzie Rizor
(Submitted Photo / Jamiey Rizor Photography)
“Graduating early will help me in the future, because I’m saving time and money in the continuing path of my career degree,” said Rizor. “It also puts me a step ahead of everyone else.”
This fall, Rizor will major in animal science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign while working on a veterinary medicine degree. She said the dual credit and dual enrollment courses at RLC were a great introduction to higher education.
“My favorite part about dual credit classes is the accessibility. It really helped that I could take these classes at my high school and also get college credit for it,” said Rizor. “It was also helpful to have the familiarity of my classrooms, teachers and fellow students.”
For other students who are interested in following in her footsteps, Rizor had a few words of advice. She said, “I would recommend dual credit to other students, but only if they are ready for the commitment and responsibility. It really takes time and commitment, but the outcome is worth it.”
Patience at the plate ends pitchers duel for Benton
May 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170518/patience-at-the-plate-ends-pitchers-duel-for-benton
BENTON, IL – (Michael Dann – Harrisburg Daily Register – Please click link for the full story above. Here is an excerpt below)
The pitchers duel between Eldorado’s Max Kasiar and Benton’s Zach Avery was everything fans were hoping for during Wednesday’s IHSA Class 2A Regional semifinal at Harrisburg’s Jay Thompson Field.
Holding a 2-1 lead through four innings, Benton, the No. 1 seed, couldn’t seem to put Eldorado away.
And then the fifth inning happened.
The Rangers (27-6) put up seven runs, blowing the game open and walking out with an 11-3 win over Eldorado (7-18), putting themselves in Saturday’s championship game.
Franklin County to issue tax anticipation warrants
May 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/news/20170518/franklin-county-to-issue-tax-anticipation-warrants
BENTON, IL – (Rick Hayes – Benton Evening News. Please click link above for the full story. Here is an excerpt below.
Franklin County’s most recent financial crisis has led the county board to take action for temporary relief.
The board on Tuesday approved a resolution to issue tax anticipation warrants purchased at a local financial institution at 3 percent interest, according to Treasurer Keith Jones.
What that resolution does is borrowing in advance of our first corporate tax installment that we will get in early September,” Jones said during committee meetings Monday. “The resolution is asking for $500,000 from the bank. You can borrow up to 85 percent of the levied amount, which is about $1.3 million. We could get $1.1 million.”
Benton bounced by Bulldogs Tuesday
May 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170516/benton-bounced-by-bulldogs
WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (Amanda Jarzynski – Benton Evening News. Please click on the link to read the full story above. Below is an excerpt)
The Harrisburg Lady Bulldogs pulled together as a team Tuesday to take a 7-5 victory over the Benton Rangerettes in the first round of the IHSA Class 2A West Frankfort Regionals.
After taking an early lead, the Lady Bulldogs maintained their defense to bring the Rangerettes’ late rally up short by just two runs.
“We didn’t get out of the gate very well and made a few mistakes,” said Ryan Miller, Rangerettes’ coach. “We never really put much offensive pressure on them. We got down from the start and then it was a constant battle. We finally got it going towards the end, but it was just a little too late.”
Morthland drops intercollegiate athletics
May 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Morthland PG Cody Schultz drives in for a layup over a Crowley’s Ridge Defender in one of the school’s mens basketball games last fall
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35457298/morthland-college-ends-athletic-program
WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (Caleb Martin – WSIL-TV Please click the link above for the full story with video included. Below is an excerpt of the story)
Morthland College trustees voted Wednesday to end the school’s athletic program. Former coaches and others say this could signal some very tough times for the college.
Former Morthland College athletic director Reid Cure once had great hope for the school.
“I thought we were growing and heading in a great direction. We were providing a lot of great kids, really good experiences and opportunities to play collegiate sports,” he said.
But he said recent developments at the private college brought him, and at least two others to resign.
“I saw a college going into a different direction that I preferred to see it go,” said Cure.
Hornettes end Lady Redbird’s season
May 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
WEST FRANKFORT, IL – The Nashville Hornettes advance to face the Harrisburg Lady Bulldogs tomorrow afternoon in the Championship game of the West Frankfort Class 2A regional by downing the hosts 9-4.
The Hornettes hung a three spot on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. The big blow was a one out 2RBI double for Sophie Heck The bleeding could have been much worse, as Redbird SS Allie Herron gunned down two Nashville runners at third.
The Redbirds put up two runs in the top of the third as Herron drives in 3B Maddy Britton, and P Stephanie Tucker with a two out two RBI triple. Herron’s glove then robs heck of a base hit up the middle and ends up turning a 6-3 double play after three innings it was 3-2 Nashville.
The Redbirds tie it up in the top of the fifth. Cather Kylie Prather leads off with a lead off double. She then swipes two bags, and Maddy Britton drives her in with a sac fly to center. After 4 1/2 it was a tie ball game.
The wheels fall off for WF in the bottom of the inning as Karly Stanowski hits a deep HR at least 30 feet over the fence in the left center field power alley. Left fielder Jordan Stegiman picks up a base hit. Right fielder Brooke Burchman then reaches on a three base error scoring Stegman, then 1B Allie Lisk picks up an RBI single, follwed by Jenna Harris with an RBI double. After five innings the score was Nashville 7 West Frankfort 3
Nashville added on two more runs in the sixth as Stanowski singles and Stedman hits a 2 run shot over the left field fence.
West Frankfort added a run on in the top of the seventh as 2B Mccayla Bowers had a leadoff single and Stephanie Tucker drove her in with a one out single. Pitcher Kieley Gunzy worked out of the jam and picked up the complete game.
Talking with West Frankfort coach Jim Piersol about the season, he said it was an up and down one. The team is still young, and he looks forward to the future.
