‘American Pickers’ is headed to Illinois. They need you to tell them where to go.

May 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article150799882.html

(History Channel image)

BELLEVILLE, IL (Dana Rieck, Belleville News-Democrat.  Please click on the link above to read the full story.  Here is an excerpt below)

History Channel’s documentary series American Pickers will film several episodes in Illinois beginning in June — and they’re asking locals to send in information on large, private collections or accumulations of antiques in the state.

A release from the show stated that the series documents Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz exploring “the fascinating world of antique ‘picking.’”

The two men want to learn the history behind the collections and the people that own them.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

WSV rolls into regional championship with 10-0 victory over Fairfield

May 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://thejeffersoncountysports.com/2017/05/17/wsv-rolls-into-regional-championship-with-10-0-victory-over-fairfield/

CARMI, IL (Paul Wilcoxen – Jefferson County Sports.  Please click on the link above to read the above story.  Check out the website as well.  The coverage is outstanding.  Here is an exceprt of the story below)

Waltonville/Sesser-Valier short-gamed Fairfield Tuesday afternoon, 10-0, to advance to the championship of the class 2A softball regional.

The Spartans are the No. 1 seed in the subsectional and improve to 28-3 on the season. They’ll face the winner of Carmi/White County against Mount Carmel – which is scheduled for Wednesday at 4:30 PM.

Hannah Garascia was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Taylor Witges finished 1-for-3 and Gretchen Witter was 4-for-4 with three RBI and two runs score

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports

Tigers fall in defeat to Crab Orchard to end the season

May 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford 

The Thompsonville Tigers season came to an end yesterday, as they are knocked off by the Crab Orchard Trojans 12-2 at the Carrier Mills Class 1A regional.

Jaden Schell picked up the win, and Hunter Woodring took the loss.

Leading the way for the Trojan offense was Josh Turnage, who went 1-3 with 3 RBI’s.  Dallas Renyolds and Eathan Ashby went 3-4 driving in two.

Reed Raubach picked up a hit and drove in a run for T’ville.

The Tigers end the season at 5-8, with several games being rained out this spring.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports, Thompsonville High School Sports

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Join into Partnership with the Jefferson and Franklin County Sheriff’s Offices

May 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment

BENTON, IL- The Commander of the St Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Colonel Anthony P. Mitchell, will be making a Command visit to the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center on May 18, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding agreement. Colonel Mitchell, the Jefferson County Sheriff and the Franklin County Sheriff will each sign the MOU which will establish a general framework of cooperation between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at Rend Lake, and the Jefferson and Franklin County Sheriff’s Offices, for the purpose of establishing a framework of cooperation amongst the agencies. Both partners perform essential law enforcement and public safety operations and education on and off of Rend Lake lands and waters. This partnership enables each partner to carry out essential public safety operations, programs, and projects that benefit each partner as well as visitors to Rend Lake. All partners have pledged to work together to expand visitor services, increase public safety awareness, and coordinate efforts during emergency situations. Partnerships like these assist Rend Lake in being one of the highest performing recreation programs in the USACE system.

The Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake invites members of the public and the media to join in this important event. For more information contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by phone at 618-724-2493 or by email at RendInfo@usace.army.mil.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Akin Valedictorian, Salutatorian take a stand at tonight’s graduation

May 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford 

First of all let me say no one from Akin Community Consolidated School District #91, or the valedictorian or salutatorian, nor their parents have contacted me.  I have confirmed the details from attendees of the graduation.

Second, let me remind you this is my unsolicited opinion.

There was a citizen in the Akin School district that received word there would be prayer, and God would be mentioned in the valedictorian and salutatorian speeches at graduation.   The citizen raised a ruckus.

The speeches as well as prayer were given and completed off of school property, with the vast majority in attendance following the students.  In the photographs, I can not tell if it was the house across the road, or in front of the Akin Baptist Church.

I applaud the action of the young individuals.  I never understood anyone having a problem with thanking the almighty for the great things that he has done in their lives.

This logic saying that the speeches violate the first amendment and free speech is protected by the first amendment is an absurd contradictory statement to say the least.

The ones who decry separation of church and state, need to look what the clause was put into the constitution for.  The pilgrims came to this country to escape persecution from the Church of England, who departed from the teachings of God’s Word.

The first amendment was put in place to proclaim the government can not interfere with what is being proclaimed in the pulpit.   Most of our founding fathers in several documents were God fearing men.

Over the last half century, it has been a slow subtle secularization of our country.  Public displays of the Ten Commandments and Nativity Scenes,  and even a few years ago saying Merry Christmas was under attack from a very small minority who claim we must “be tolerant in case some one might be offended.

Here in Southern Illinois a few years back, there was controversy over city councils that opened their meetings with prayer.  The complaints came from outside sources, not from the constituency they serve.  What is wrong with mortal men and women asking the Lord to give them wisdom, as they conduct their business affairs?

I never understood the logic of atheists and agnostics, who throw a hissy fit over things they claim are religious, and violate their rights.  If they do not believe in God, why do they care?  Why do they fight so hard against something they believe that does not exist?

For those young people tonight, some of us older ones need to take heed of the courageous stand they took.  The following verse came to mind:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16, KJV)

I have been saying this for over the last several months.  This generation that is coming up, have a hunger and thirst for spiritual things, that mine did not have.  Tonight, is another example of it.

 

 

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion, Slider

Rend Lake college graduates from Franklin County

May 16, 2017 By Leave a Comment

ReAnne Palmer- RLC Public information 

 

Rend Lake College officials want to congratulate the Class of 2017 for another successful year. The 50th Annual RLC Commencement was held Saturday, May 13 in James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium. A total of 633 graduates were conferred 681 Associate Degrees and 454 Occupational Certificates for a total of 1,135 degrees and certificates. Bob Carlock, retired vice president of finance and administration at RLC, was the keynote speaker.

BENTON – Gary Allan, Michael Allan, Alison Anthis, Ashley K. Atkins, Alissa Bain, Leigha Bain, Deryck Bates, Jonathon Carson Batts, Kelly L. Bishop, Brandtlee Abram Brown, Brandi Nicole Cairns, Cali M. Carney, Aubrionna Casey, Joseph James Clinton, Kaleigh Cole, Mariann R. Cook, Lindsey Marie Cox, Zoie Paige Crain, Bria Leigh Curry, Pari Morgan Davis, Mackenzi Dollins, Heather Crystal Drew, Chason Lee Dunford, Rachel Raquel Easton, Curtis Alan Eubanks, Emeri-Jean Allyce Farnam, Connor Foltz, Samantha Franklin, David Bradley Garrett Jr., Sadie Hall, Abbigail E. Hart, Kelsey Morgan Head, Nicholas Sebastian Hoffman, Katelyn J. Houghland, Sarah E. Hubbard, Laura Katherine Jamerson, Emmy-Leigh Jay, Robin Nicole Johnson, Caleb James Kearney, Christine Keppler-Clayton, Amy Kovarik, Molly LaRae McGuire, Matthew Krug, Dakotah Micheal Lampley, Leanne Ledbetter, Shelby Lewis, Alaina Lynch, Dionna Grace Martin, Jayme Martinez, Janie Marie McMurray, Mallorie Melvin, Darian O’Brien Menees, Brandon Meyer, Kenneth A. Miner, Lindell Ray Minor, Virginia Morgan, Devon Jean Morris, Lorie Jane Nalley, Ashley Odom, Samantha R. Orrill, Ben Pankey, Gabriel Price, Joshua Price, Tarron Pulliam, Presley Robbins, Naylin Ronchetto, Charles Schram, Jenna McKay Shadowens, Andrea Linda-Marie Shaw, Kerrie Smith, Dylan Snyder, Kassie N. Spencer, Whitney Summers, John David Sweet, Nathan Watkins, Allee Nicole Wellen, John R. Wilder IV, Jacob Young

BUCKNER – Alyx Michaela Starkweather

CHRISTOPHER – Andrew David Benard, Jacob Ross Burkitt, Michael Taylor Calloni, Julie Y. Faling, Austin Frey, Zoie Danielle Frey, Amanda Gant, Nicole D. Howell, Jacob Allen Jablonski, Trevor Johnson, Kailey Kerkemeyer, Brittany N. Lowery, Camryn Joan Maloney, Erica Lynn Maple, Micah Motsinger, Kayla Parrish, Adam Jay Porter, Annabelle Lea Shukites, Jacob W. Underwood

COELLO – Joseph N. Shaw

EWING – Jaylyn Cozart, Delta Dawn Hermann, Ike Hutchcraft, Wade M. Hutchens, Kacee Leann Roberts

LOGAN – Dakota Casey, Nicole Marie Mullins

MACEDONIA – Bailey Jo Hiestand, Terrence Anthony Richard Marshall, Anthony L. Page, Danielle Rena Richardson, Martin John Ward

MULKEYTOWN – Brianna Bowlin, Ryan Andrew Curry, Allanna C Garrison, Michael T. Hoffman, Cameron Jones, Tara Chantell Law, Loghan Danielle Matyi, John Rapp, Christopher Richard, Breanna Faye Whitley, Cindra F. Wroblewski

ORIENT – Brittany Segatto

ROYALTON – Meghan Marie Clark, Kassandra Jones, Brandon Stubblefield, Stephan Threewitt, Austin D. Walker

SESSER – Ashly Lynn Brown, Reginald Joseph Eubanks, Johnathon Leonard Galloway, Cody Hamm, Blaine Leslie, Nicholas David Marlo  Caleb I. Mays, David Nelson, Brianna Joyce Risley, Kyle Andrew Robinson, Monica Lynn Scott, Skylyn DeVonne L. Simpson, Luke William Thompson, Matthew D. Wallinger, Kieran S. White

THOMPSONVILLE – Maleissa Anne Baney, Charlene Boyd, Chelsey Lynn Bundy, Kayla Follmer, Brady German, Cecily Ann Heusner, Austin Kerley, Austin Michael Kessler, David K. Payne, Kenzie Nichole Rizor, Kyle J. Shimkus, Kenise Rashelle Smith, Damien Sky Wilburn

VALIER – Sophi Rai Johnson, Bailee Lynn Jones, Jamie Jones, Courtney D. Smith

WEST CITY – Amanda Frankart

WEST FRANKFORT – Alexa L. Beavers, John Fenton Bowers, Shannon Browning, Jared Lee Eastwood, Garrett Karoski, Makenzie Kondoudis, Brittany Nicole Long, Alexis Rae Newell, Charles Saunders, Amber Marie Sloan, Kailee Spears, Adam Wiggins, Bryce Timothy Wiley, Kathryn Nichole Wise

WHITTINGTON – Dakota J. Head, Tabitha Hopkins, Noah Jones, Nathan Scott MacDonald, Jennifer Young

ZEIGLER – Breanna Renee Davis, Bailey Schimpf

 

Filed Under: Benton News, Breaking News, Christopher News, Coello News, Franklin Co. News, Royalton News, Sesser News, Thompsonville News, Valier News, West City News, West Frankfort News, Zeigler News

Postseason baseball/softball action today

May 16, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Like in basketball, I am only look at the games that are in front of us, taking one round at at time.

Thompsonville will be taking on Crab Orchard today in the Carrier Mills-Stonefort Class 1A Baseball regional at 4:30 p.m.  This is the only 1A regional game in the state today, as the game was moved up to accommodate Thompsonville’s graduation on Wednesday night.  I put this at the top because of the schedule change.

Rewinding to yesterday, the West Frankfort Lady Redbirds defeated the Eldorado Eagles 15-0.  Z-R-C fell to Sparta 8-6.

This afternoon in softball action, West Frankfort will play Nashville at 5:00 p.m. and Benton will play Harrisburg at 7:00 p.m at the West Frankfort Class 2A regional.

The WF- Nashville game will be broadcast on WNSV 104.7 in Nasvhville.  The Benton-Harrisburg game will be broadcast on WEBQ 1240 AM from Harrisburg.  Both stations will have the game streamed on their website.

I will be covering both games this afternoon.  I will be interviewing Kelly Mason, who does play-by-play for WEBQ.

Waltonville-Sesser-Valier will be facing the Farifield Lady Mules this afternoon at the Carmi Class 2A Softball regional.  Game time is 4:30 p.m.

The Galatia-Thompsonville Lady Cats will be facing the Gallatin County Lady Hawks this afternoon at 3:30 at the Carrier Mills Class 1A girls softball regional.

It is a beautiful day to see some action on the area diamonds.

 

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, Thompsonville High School Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports

Lane reduction on 149 at I-57 overpass

May 16, 2017 By Leave a Comment

The Illinois Department of Transportation is alerting drivers of a lane reduction on Route 149 near Interstate 57 in West Frankfort

Construction begins Wednesday, May 17.

Route 149 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Ken Gray Boulevard and S. Joiner Street in West Frankfort for pavement patching.

The work is expected to last one week, weather permitting.

Motorists are asked to pay attention and reduce speed in the work zone.

To avoid delays motorists should seek alternative routes.

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

Glenn Byars – Christopher

May 16, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Glenn R. Byars, 89, passed away on May 9, 2017, in the Community Living Center at the Veterans Administration in Marion, IL.  He was the son of Luby and Mary (Silkwood) Byars and was born June 10, 1927, in Christopher, IL

He was united in marriage to Josephine (Venegoni) Byars on June 24, 1950, at the First Baptist Church, Christopher, IL, and together, they shared more than 66 years of marriage.

Glenn was a 1945 graduate of Christopher High School.  After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He was an Alumnus of Southern Illinois University, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1950.  In 1958, he received a Master’s Degree from SIU in Guidance and Administration.

He began his teaching career at Elkville High School, where he implemented an Industrial Arts program and coached football and basketball.  After two years, he was asked to implement the same program at Christopher High School.  There, he also taught science and physical education and coached track, basketball, baseball, and softball. In 1959, Mr. Byars was named Principal of Christopher Jr. High School and in 1966 was appointed the Superintendent, where he served for 10 years.

After a long career in the education field, he retired in 1984 with 35 years of service. Mr. Byars initiated the first summer recreation program in Christopher, for children 7 to 18 years old. Various summer activities included soccer, volleyball, ping pong, basketball, baseball, and swimming.  Later, he and his assistant and dear friend, Gene Helfrich, originated the Khoury League baseball program in Christopher.

Glenn Byars will be remembered as an avid sportsman.  His favorite remark was “I’m a participator, not a spectator!”  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap and skeet shooting, and golfing.  In his younger days, he played on independent basketball and volleyball teams.  He thoroughly enjoyed his times spent with his sons, family, and friends at these sporting events.

Mr. Byars served on the Christopher Elementary School Board for ten years, was the Chairman of the Rea Clinic Board of Directors, and served on the Isaac Walton Board.  He was a member of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, a fifty year member of the American Legion in Christopher and Marion, IL, Western Franklin County Historical Society and the Christopher Lions Club.

Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine (Venegoni) Byars, his parents, Luby and Mary (Silkwood) Byars, and two sisters, Theola Bouffiou, and Doyce Hutson.

Survivors include his sons, James Randall, and wife, Anita (Herzog) Byars, of Freeburg, IL, and Richard Scott, and wife Kimberly (Simpson) Byars, of Marion, IL.

Also surviving are his grandchildren:  Jessica Lynn (Byars) Stanford and husband Matt, of Belleville, IL., Bradley Scott Byars, of Dallas, TX, Scott Christopher Byars, of Freeburg, IL, and Robert Simpson Byars and wife Erica (Polacheck) Byars, of Minneapolis, MN, and great-granddaughter Colette Amelia Byars, of Minneapolis, MN.  Other members of the family who survive are, Bill and Catherine Browning, Gracie Venegoni, Bruce and Kari Tomei, Lisa and Rob Lowery, Laura and John Schneider, William and Georgina Browning, Randy and Marcia Venegoni, Paul and Julie McGuire, along with other great nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 11:00 at the St. Andrews Cemetery with Military Rites.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

 

Filed Under: Obituaries

Tornadoes upset by Vienna in the first round of the regionals

May 16, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford 

ZEIGLER, IL – The Zeigler-Royalton-Christopher Tornadoes fell yesterday in the first round of the Carterville Class 2A regional.  The Tornadoes, a number five seed was the host over the Vienna Eagles the 10 seed.

Steven Anderson fired a two hitter and worked into the 8th, as Gabe Schimpf came on in relief.  Christian Pearl worked the distance for Vienna.

The Eagles have had strong pitching all year, they just struggle to score runs.  I witnessed Pearl pitch a gem against West Frankfort, in which the Redbirds one 1-0,  Two runs were enough yesterday as he shut down a team that can be explosive.

Anderson, and Dalton Humphrey led the Tornado offense going 2-3 at the plate.  Nate Kerley and Layton Edmonds picked up the only hits for Vienna.

Schimpf (P-CF) is going on to play Division One Baseball next year for the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks.  He led the Tornadoes in hitting with a .488 average and a 0.40 ERA.

Anderson (C-P) will be playing at the next level for MacMurray college.  He hit .473 on the year and possessed a 1.27 ERA on the mound.

Shane McCowen (C-1B) finished the year with a .375 average and 2B Kaeleb Pedigo finished the year hitting 3.51.  Dalton Humphrey (P-OF) finished the year hitting .300 and had an 0.60 EFA

On the mound three other Tornadoes had outstanding years, Luke Garver (0.55 ERA) freshman Gabriel Motsinger (1.54 ERA) and Nick Hale (2.15)

The Eagles improve to 7-16 on the year and face the DuQuoin Indians tomorrow afternoon at 4:30, at the Carterville Class 2A Regional.

The Tornadoes complete the 2017 season with an 18-8 record.

 

 

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports
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