Choose life

April 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By Steve Dunford –

Ever since I was getting information about House Bill 40, I have been considering how precious life is.  I do not apologize by saying this, but life begins at conception.

I appreciate the stand Dave Severin, Terri Bryant, and Brandon Phelps took for life on the house floor in Illinois.  Mike Bost stands for life.  I posted Dave Severin’s comments earlier in the day.  Most of all, I appreciate him standing up unashamedly as a Christian.

This is not going to be about politics, but Southern Illinois is swinging Republican. Even,though a pro choice agenda has been in the Democratic platform for years, I can think of one State Senator, State Representative or Congressman that possibly was pro choice that represented us.  Thank you to these men that are too many to mention that have stood up for life.

I have always been pro-life.  Life beginning at conception came so real to me when my wife was pregnant with my son.  Even though we are apart, she is still my wife.  I just want to make that clear.

When my wife was five weeks pregnant, she nearly miscarried.  At five weeks you could hear Andrew’s heartbeat.  That was not a tissue, that was a baby.

She had a high risk pregnancy.  It was nearly a weekly trip to Carbondale ER.  She spent ten days in the hospital when she was five months pregnant.

Through her pregnancy, there were several ultrasounds taken.  At every stage you could see my sons life develop.  I remember seeing the little fingers and toes for the first time.  I remember a male nurse in the ER one night, did a Doppler to check his heartbeat.  He told us we were going to have a boy before the sonogram showed it.

Every time I would see the pictures and images on the monitor, I would think how could anyone have an abortion.  What would be a joyous occasion, knowing my son was doing OK, would turn to a few seconds of sadness.

I know I am a guy writing this.  If you are pro-chioce, I am just sharing my opinion on the matter.  I never understood the line that a woman has a right to choose what she does with her body.  There is a body and a soul inside of you that can not defend itself. In my opinion, the choice was made at conception.

The legality of partial birth abortion blows my mind.  Delivering a baby and mutilating it, is gruesome to say the least.  If a woman would give birth, and throw the baby in a dumpster, she would be up on murder charges.  I have wondered over the years what is the difference.

I will be honest I used to take the stand that abortion should be legal in the case of rape, incest, and the mother’s life was in danger.  I used to think, when we were together, I would run the hypothetical question through my mind what if my wife was raped? I used to think could I really  Looking back, I would have loved that child and raised him like my own son.  Life is life no matter the situation.

This opinion was affirmed by my preacher Lloyd Whittaker, who shares his testimony on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

This was in the early 50’s two decades before Roe v. Wade became the law of the land.  Lloyd’s mother’s life was in danger.  There was a doctor that was debating performing and abortion.

There was a Catholic doctor that kept praying for her.  Lloyd was delivered at the old Union Hospital in West Frankfort.

It was nearly twenty years before I was born in that same hospital.  I don’t even know the doctor’s name, but I thank God that he had the faith that Lloyd and his mother would make it, if anything else just for me.

I have heard a lot of preachers during my time, and he is one of the best.  What if he did not have the opportunity to bless me, and the souls over the years he shared the Gospel with?

I know this is a controversial hot topic.  I hope that this will make you consider how precious life is.  This is why I believe life begins at conception and am pro-life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

RLC Women’s Golf claims another region title

April 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Reece Rutland – Rend Lake College Public Information 

INA, Ill. (April 24, 2017) – The Rend Lake College Lady Warrior Golf Team notched another NJCAA Region 24 crown on Monday as they defeated Kaskaskia College and John A. Logan College handily at Weibring Golf Club in Normal.

As a team, the Lady Warriors posted a two-day final of 671 (334, 327) to KC’s 764 (384, 380) and JALC’s 785 (397, 388) to take the region by a 93 strokes.

Marion Debove (Belloy-en-France) took top honors with a 158, shaving 10 strokes off her opening round 84 to post a Monday afternoon 74. Alexandra Brue (Chanderville) placed second with a 164. Macey Mooneyham (Herrin) finished third with a 174, and Shelby Johnson (Greenwood, Ind.) took fourth with a 175. Those finished earned RLC four of the five spots on the 2017 All-Region Team.

“We played much better today. We put ourselves in better positon and executed really well,” head coach Cindy Corn stated.

The team now advances to the NJCAA National Championship at Chateau Elan Golf Club in Duluth, Ga. The two-day tournament begins play on Monday, May 15.

Filed Under: College Sports, Sports

Governor Connects with Students Across Illinois on Facebook Live

April 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from Governor Bruce Rauner’s office

GOvenor with Riverton kidsSPRINGFIELD – Governor Bruce Rauner today hosted a Facebook Live to connect with students across Illinois for an interactive, virtual school visit. Students from nearby Riverton also joined the Governor at the Capitol.
“By far, my favorite thing to do as governor is visit with students and teachers across the State of Illinois,” Governor Rauner said. “Thanks to technology and social media, we were able to connect with more classrooms than ever before.”
Governor Rauner took questions from students and teachers from Rockford, Momence, Channahon and Murphysboro, among others. Additionally, third graders from Ms. Glore’s Riverton Elementary School joined Governor Rauner at the State Capitol as part of the Facebook Live.
Today, the Governor spoke about what it’s like to work every day for the people of Illinois and how he’s working to ensure every child in Illinois receives a high-quality education.
Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

Billy Ray Keltner – Christopher

April 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Billy Keltner PictureBilly Ray Keltner, 20 of Christopher IL, passed away on Wednesday April 26, 2017 as a result of an automobile accident.

Billy was born to William Keltner and Leah (Carpenter) Keltner.  He married Kassie (Desantiago) Keltner on December 1, 2015 and she survives.

Survivors include his mother Leah Keltner, son Kajin Ray Keltner at home; brothers and sisters Jessica Spears of Benton, Sierra Keltner of Royalton, Natalie Keltner of Johnston City, Stormy Keltner of Marion and Daimion Keltner of Marion.

He was preceded in death by his father and one sister Brooke Bolen.

He was employed at Continental Tire in Mt Vernon.

Funeral services will be on Monday May 1, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.  Burial will be in the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Eldorado.  Visitation will be on Monday may 1, 2017 from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Carolyn Wikerson – Benton

April 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Carolyn Sue Wilkerson, 79, of Benton passed away at 12:15 A.M. Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

She was born in Benton, IL on February 8, 1938, the daughter of Ray & Lea (Trapper) Shaw. She was married to Philip “Jr.” Wilkerson on September 11, 1959 and he preceded her in death on December 14, 2003.

Mrs. Wilkerson is survived by her five children; Tony Wilkerson of Benton, Rhonda Renee Ray and husband Terry of Benton, Valorie DeAnn Bailey and husband Bill of Valier, Daniel Shawn Wilkerson and wife Katie of Benton, Joshua Adam Wilkerson and wife Melissa of Benton, thirteen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and one sister, Billie Jean Hedger of Benton.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, a Brother-Ray and a Sister-Margaret.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, April 30th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Tony Phelps and Pastor Jerome Hefner officiating. Burial will be in the Franklin Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 12 Noon on Sunday at the funeral home.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

 

Filed Under: Obituaries

Thompsonville destroyed by an EF-3 tornado, April 27, 1971

April 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford 

 

Arial view of the village after the tornado (Photo provided by Kathy Wiegand)

Arial view of the village after the tornado (Photo provided by Kathy Wiegand)

Yesterday morning I started writing this.  This is something that I did not have the intention of writing.

This is recalling some of the stories that I have heard over the years of April 27, 1971, the day before my first birthday.

It was an unusually warm April day.  Highs were in the upper 80’s to low 90’s.  From talking with several people the humidity was like a late June or early July day.

A Civil Defense (Now EMA) worker was storm spotting in Tower Heights cemetery in West Frankfort.  Franklin County was already under a tornado warning because of a cell that spawned several funnel clouds in Randolph and Perry counties.  This was during the day that tornado warnings were rarely issued.

My dad was home from work just a few minutes from Allen Industries at Herrin.  My brother who was four at the time was watching Sesame Street.  Another warning was issued and said that there was a tornado on the ground heading toward Thompsonville.   My mom looked outside and saw the tornado, which its path was two blocks from the house that dad still lives in.  He said Thompsonville will never get hit by a tornado, and the power goes off.

An EF-3 twister swept along Route 34 at 4:50 p.m. that day, killing one, a second death occurred much later from injuries.  Accounts have the injury total from anywhere between 15 to 35   There are some accounts say a second went through five minutes later.  I believe it was either two or a multiple vertex one.

There were several business destroyed in the downtown.  One was Villa Carilie’s store, attached to Jim’s barber shop.  Jimmy was in the shop and was one of the injured.  If anyone knew Jimmy, he would witness to you while giving you a haircut.  He spent a few days in the hospital after that.  When he was found, accounts tell me, that he was found wondering around singing, I am Bound for the Promise Land.

Both the Grade School and High School received significant damage.  The gym roof from the High School smashed into the Grade School.  There is still evidence of this today, of the section of roof that blown off.  If school would have been in session, this would have been devastating.

Consolidation talks, which has taken place since the 60’s were already taking place because of damaged school buildings. The high school enrollment had fallen to around 75.  Thompsonville now has a high school enrollment of 110 and is financially stable.

One building that was not touched, the First Baptist Church, that was the only congregation in the city limits did not see damage.

I remember having a conversation with Melissa Carter, who was a preschooler during the time.  Her family lived in the house that Travis and Michelle Clem live in now that is on the west edge of the city limits along Route 34.  She was saying that the injured were brought into her living room.

My grandparents lived across the road in the house that Doug and Bonnie Cottrell lived for years.  They had to take shelter twice. They recieved tree and roof damage, but a block to the east, the storm lashed its fury.

First on the scene after the storm, and helped with the recovery efforts, was the baseball team from Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, coached by Virgil Motsinger.  They were coming from Rend Lake College after their game was rained out.

My maternal grandfather Weldon “Doc” Flannagan worked for IDOT and just got home from work, north of Akin.   He was ready to sit down and eat supper (conbread and fried potatoes were involved somewhere) and WSIL-TV came on with a bulletin that said that Thompsonville was hit by a tornado and who is not dead, they are packing out in ambulances.

He took off in his state truck and was able to get as far as Carlile Road.  At 60 years old, he ran from there to our house on Main Street, two blocks south of the highway.

This was irresponsible journalism at its least.  I can remember the days in the 70’s, well lets say Channel 3 news was a joke putting it mildly.  There were several that told me lives were saved by the warnings issued by a new FM country station that just came on the air, WDDD in Marion.

My aunt and uncle, Gary and Deb Marvel lost their home in the tornado.  She was seven months pregnant (Leslee) and had a two year old (Michelle) in the basement when the house collapsed.

A reporter from the St. Louis Globe Democrat took a picture of Michelle in the door facing of the house, the only thing that was standing.  United Press International  ran that picture across the nation.  Also, there was reports on the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite.

The next several days was noisy, as the media and several emergency workers ascended on the small village.

I had a conversation with my Kindergarten teacher, Carol Kern, several years ago.  We had half day kindergarten when I was that age.  The kids in the rural areas went to school in the morning.  In the afternoon, those that lived in town went to school. She would tell me those of us in that afternoon class would always have twisters that destroyed houses with Lincoln Logs and Tinkertoys. Most of our pictures on manila paper, were black tornadoes doing damage.

I have always been a weather enthusiast.  Some has interpreted this as fear.  I think someone that was an infant at 364 days old could sense his surroundings.  From the lifelong talk, I know the capabilities of the fury from severe weather.

Fast forward to year 2001.  It was a cold April day, that warmed up to 70 degrees after dark.  Late that night there was a severe weather outbreak.  There was a microburst that cut through Sesser, downing several trees in the park.  This spawned a tornado east of town.

There was an EF-2 tornado that went down Route 34 also that night, in the town that is T’ville’s arch rival, Galatia.  There was one that cut a swath of destruction, killing some in the Southern Seven counties.

I was living south Sesser then.  You could see the tornado in the lightning, and could hear on the scanner a Franklin County deputy chasing it.   There was a three year old boy that was standing with his daddy at the back door, not scared but mesmerized.

That three year old boy is 18 now, is a weather enthusiast, and going to study meteorology in college.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Slider, Thompsonville News

50 Influencers of Rend Lake College: Brent McClain

April 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Reece Rutland – Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, IL – Two Olympians, five NJCAA Coach of the Year Awards, seven NJCAA National Championships and more regional championships that you can shake a baton at, former Cross-Country and Track and Field Coach Brent McLain put RLC on the map.

The success started quickly. In just his second season, McLain’s Men’s Cross-Country team was the No. 1 team in the country in Division II. The “Winged Warriors” became the first team in college history to capture an NJCAA National Championship.

“Unbelievable,” McLain said following the team’s championship. “I was so happy for the team. They wanted it. And they worked hard to achieve it. It is a great day for us . . . an outstanding accomplishment for our school and our program.”

Not content with a single national championship. McLain’s team repeated the next year and again captured Coach of the Year accolades. The same team that became the first Southern Illinois Juco team in any sport to win a national title in fall 2001 likewise became the first to repeat.

He also gave an inside look at what strategy they used to bring home a second national championship: “… this year (2002) provided even more of a sense of accomplishment. I really believe it was a lot more satisfying. Our strategy was to run as a pack the first two miles, so we could be stronger the last three miles, and that is exactly what they did. We were getting beat pretty bad at the two-mile point, but by the three-mile point I was starting to get excited the way they were making up ground. By the fourth mile, I probably had a smile from ear to ear. By the fifth mile I was getting pretty emotional.”

But, the emotion didn’t end there. The “Winged Warriors” cemented their legacy by three-peating  in 2003, again earning McLain National Coach of the Year and a third NJCAA Division II Men’s Cross-Country National Championships.

McLain had yet another national championship in him, after finishing third in 2004 and 05, the “Winged Warriors” team went the distance in 2006 to earn title number four, this time in NJCAA Division I.

The dominating Men’s Cross-Country reign at the turn of the century was headed by Brent McLain and the likes of two-time Division II National front-runner Ian Hornabrook from Australia and Kenyans Elkanah Kibet, Ben Cheruiyot and Stephen Sambu. The triumphant D-II Championships in fall 2001, 2002 and 2003 were magnified when the program also captured combined Division I crowns in 2006 and 2009.

McLain also coached some of the most decorated and successful athletes to compete under the Warrior banner.

Kenyan native Boaz Lalang “put Ina in China” when he became the first Warrior to compete at the highest level in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

LaLang at the 2008 Olympics. (Photo Provided by RLC Media Sercices)

LaLang at the 2008 Olympics. (Photo Provided by RLC Public Information)

Lalang fell just short of making the finals, but the experience left an imprint on not only Lalang, but also his coach. It also showed a coming together of groups in and around RLC to make dreams come true.

Donations from Rend Lake College faculty and staff, as well as other boosters in Southern Illinois, enabled Lalang to return home toEldoret, Kenya, for the attempt to qualify.

A generous, surprise gift from the RLC Foundation made it possible for the McLains to enjoy the thrill of the Olympic experience withLalang.

The McLains said after the competition: “We’re not disappointed, but so happy to know an Olympian and have the joy of knowing we get to spend one more year with him . . . Thanks, Boaz, for giving us all a once-in-a lifetime experience. We are so proud of you and feel so thankful and lucky that we had the chance to represent you and Rend Lake College in Beijing.”

Lalang says of his Juco mentor, “I like Coach McLain. Sometimes he gets mad, but I understand him. He is the right coach for the right runner.”

Much like Lalang, fellow Kenyan Steven Sambu found not only success, but a home at RLC.

Sambu set himself apart by becoming the most decorated Warrior in team history. During his time at Ina, Sambu claimed 10 NJCAA crowns and 13 All-America distinctions before departing in 2010 for University of Arizona, where he was NCAA Cross-Country runner-up in the fall.

“Coach McLain did a lot of things for me. He helped me a lot. I will not forget,” Sambu said.

Four years after Lalang carried Warrior dreams to the Olympics, another Ina athlete not only carried on that tradition but this time, he brought home some hardware.

Ryan Bailey represented the USA when he became the fifth-fastest man in the world at the 2012 London Olympics. Bailey surprised nearly everyone but himself by earning the third spot on the USA 100M squad behind two veterans.

Bailey at the finish line of the 100m at the 2012 Olympics (Photo provided by RLC Public Information

Bailey at the finish line of the 100m at the 2012 Olympics (Photo provided by RLC Public Information

During his year at RLC, Bailey won the Indoor 55M in 6.20 and the Outdoor 100M in 10.07 at the 2009 National Junior College Athletic Association Men’s Division I Track and Field Championships.

At the 2012 London Games, Bailey came in 5th in the finals of the men’s 100 meter behind some of the biggest names to ever compete in the iconic race, missing a medal by 0.09 seconds. He became the first Warrior to win an Olympic medal when he anchored the USA 4 x 100-Meter Relay Team to Silver. He ran the final stretch of the relay against iconic Jamaican Usain Bolt.

In the nine years as head of the Cross Country program (2000-2009) and the eight years as the head track coach (2001-2009), here are the accomplishments of the programs.

2008-2009

Men’s Indoor Track and Field ~Region XXIV Champion (3rd, NJCAA Championships), Anthony Acklin / NJCAA “Assistant Coach of the Year”

Men’s Outdoor Track and Field ~ Region XXIV Champion (3rd, NJCAA Championships)

Men’s Cross-Country ~ Region XXIV Champion (4th, NJCAA Championships)

NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year ~ Men’s Cross-Country (3.29 GPA, 1st-tie / 6)

2007-2008

Men’s Indoor Track and Field ~ NJCAA Division I National Champion (1st, Region XXIV),  Brent McLain / Men’s Indoor Track and Field “Coach of the Meet”

Men’s Outdoor Track and Field ~ Region XXIV Champion (3rd, NJCAA Championships)

Women’s Outdoor Track and Field ~ Region XXIV Champion (3rd, NJCAA Championships)

Men’s Cross-Country ~ Region XXIV Champion (4th, NJCAA Championships)

NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year ~ Men’s Track and Field (3.26 GPA, 4th ~ Coaches Association)

2006-2007

Men’s Cross-Country ~ NJCAA Division I National Champion (1st, Region XXIV)

Men’s Indoor Track and Field ~ NJCAA Championship Runner-Up (1st, Region XXIV)

Men’s Outdoor Track and Field ~ Region XXIV Champion (4th-tie, NJCAA Championships)

2005-2006

Men’s Indoor Track and Field ~

NJCAA Championship Runner-Up (1st, Region XXIV Division), Brent McLain / NJCAA “Coach of the Year”

Men’s Cross-Country ~ Region XXIV Champion (3rd, NJCAA Championships)

NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year ~ Cross-Country (3.11 GPA, 5th / 9)

2004-2005

Men’s Indoor Track and Field ~

NJCAA Championship Runner-Up (1st, Region XXIV Division), Brent McLain / NJCAA “Coach of the Year”

Men’s Cross-Country ~ Region XXIV Champion (3rd, NJCAA Championships)

Men’s Outdoor Track and Field ~ 5th, NJCAA National Championships

2003-2004

Men’s Cross-Country ~

NJCAA Division II National Champion (1st, Region XXIV D-II), Brent McLain / NJCAA D-II “Coach of the Year”

Men’s Indoor Track and Field ~ Region XXIV Champion (3rd, NJCAA Championships)

Men’s Outdoor Track and Field ~ 6th, NJCAA National Championships

2002-2003

Men’s Cross-Country ~ NJCAA Division II National Champion (1st, Region XXIV D-II),  Brent McLain / NJCAA D-II “Coach of the Year”

Men’s Indoor Track and Field ~ NJCAA Championship National Runner-Up (1st, Region XXIV)

Men’s Outdoor Track and Field ~ 7th, NJCAA National Championships

 

 

Filed Under: Benton News, Featured, Slider

Christopher man killed in Coello Traffic crash

April 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from the Franklin County Sheriff’s office scan0008

Filed Under: Breaking News, Christopher News, Coello News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

A lot of things to talk about…………..

April 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford 

First of all I would like to give a shout out to my son Andrew Dunford, who six years ago today as a twelve year old, started a Facebook page called Twister Weather.  He has quite the following.   Friday through Sunday are the days that he lives for.  He does a lot of work for Franklin County Emergency Management Agency during severe weather events.  I encourage you to follow his page.

KFVS FIRST ALERT ACTION DAY FOR FRIDAY I'm getting more concerned with our severe weather threat Friday evening into the overnight hours. Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes are all possible. Many of these storms will move in after sunset. Some of you could be sleeping! Please SHARE to keep your friends safe. It's always a good idea to have a couple ways to get warnings. The KFVS Weather App is great way to get those alerts and I also recommend a weather radio!! (KFVS TV Meteorologist Laura Wibbenmeyer)

KFVS FIRST ALERT ACTION DAY FOR FRIDAY I’m getting more concerned with our severe weather threat Friday evening into the overnight hours. Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes are all possible. Many of these storms will move in after sunset. Some of you could be sleeping! Please SHARE to keep your friends safe. It’s always a good idea to have a couple ways to get warnings. The KFVS Weather App is great way to get those alerts and I also recommend a weather radio!! (KFVS TV Meteorologist Laura Wibbenmeyer)

Lets deal with one thing at a time.   First the severe threat for tomorrow.  The Storm Prediction Center has all of Southern Illinois placed under an enhanced risk of severe weather.  The model the SPC has put out today places us under a 30% risk of severe weather with hatch marks, which means there is that probability of seeing a significant severe event 25 miles from your location.  Please view the caption to the left and read what Laura Wibbenmeyer, KFVS-TV meteorologist had to say about the situation.

Dr. Greg Forbes of the Weather Channel has the TORCON index for Southern Illinois as a three, which is consistent with the SPC.

As far as the severe threat for the rest of the weekend, on Saturday,  the borderline between a slight risk and a marginal risk for severe weather.  The slight-marginal line cuts through the heart of Southern Illinois and Franklin County.

On Sunday the Southern Seven counties are in an area outlined for severe weather.  This will not be given a category until tomorrow.

Starting Friday night through the weekend, there is a Flash Flood Watch issued for All Of Southern Illinois.   Here is the information on the watch from the National Weather Service of Paducah, KY

…MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT…

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT… The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a * Flash Flood Watch for portions of southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri, including the following areas, in southern Illinois, Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry IL, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne IL, White, and Williamson. In western Kentucky, Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Hickman, and McCracken. In southeast Missouri, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Mississippi, New Madrid, Perry MO, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne MO. *

From Friday evening through late Sunday night * The watch is generally in effect for locations along and west of a line extending from near Fulton, Kentucky to Mount Carmel, Illinois, including all of southeast Missouri. Much of this region has already received 1.5 to 3 inches of rainfall in the past 12 to 18 hours. Though things may tend to dry out a bit today and Friday, numerous thunderstorms with very heavy rain are expected to develop Friday night and then again Saturday night, Sunday and Sunday evening. There may be a break in the heavy rain threat during the day Saturday over western Kentucky, southwest Indiana, far southeast Missouri and the southern tip of Illinois. Several inches of rain are expected before all is said and done late Sunday night. The highest amounts are expected to fall from southeast Missouri into southwest Illinois. * In addition to the possibility of flash flooding, the heavy rainfall is expected to cause rises on many of the area rivers, particularly the smaller rivers in southeast Missouri such as the Saint Francis, Black, and Current.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

 

 

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

Isolated damage in the Sesser area

April 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford 

The northwest part of the county took the brunt of this afternoon’s storm, as there were minor incidents of damage in the Sesser area.

This was part of a cell that weakened as 80mph winds and trees were down in Perry County, west of Pinckneyville.

School administrators at Sesser-Valier held students back for a few minutes.

 

Photo by WSIL meterologist/storm chaser Tony Laubach

Photo by WSIL meterologist/storm chaser Tony Laubach

There was a semi that was blown over at on State Route 154 west of town.  The accident was near Center road, which is close to the Perry County line.

I was in contact with Sesser Mayor, Jason Ashmore to ask if there was any damage in the city, at the time there was only one power line reported.  Power was out to six homes for a brief time in the city according to Ameren’s website.

I know of one residence in the city that sustained minor roof damage.

The brunt of the damage in Southern was in Randolph County, as several media outlets have reported there was a mobile home that had a tree land on it near Chester.  There were no injuries Ameren’s website reported 2,200 residents without power at 5:00 p.m.

For the rest of the night, we should experience rain, heavy at times, with rumbles of thunder.

Tomorrow should be quiet with highs in the 60’s.

There is an enhanced risk of severe weather at this time for Friday.  I am really concerned about Friday afternoon.

I am more concerned about the amount of rain that we are supposed to get over the weekend than the severe thunderstorm threat.  As this time, I see Sunday having a greater risk of severe weather than Saturday.

I will provide an update in the morning of the potential severe weather threat for Friday through Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News
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