The Benton Rangers present baseball coach Brett Blondi the game ball after picking up his 200th win yesterday.
Chairman Bost Convenes Hearing on Veteran Benefits Legislation
April 5, 2017 By Leave a Comment
George O’ Connor – Communications Director for Congressman Bost
U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, convened a hearing on Wednesday morning to receive feedback from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Veteran Services Organizations (VSO) on seven legislative measures affecting veterans benefits.
“At times, Republicans and Democrats may come down differently on the particulars of legislation, but today’s hearing was evidence that we all are dedicated to completing our shared mission to provide for our veterans,” said Bost.
Among the legislation receiving feedback were Chairman Bost’s two bills to provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to veterans.
“I am proud to advocate for these bills to provide important cost-of-living adjustments to our nation’s veterans and their dependents,” said Bost. “These measures have received bipartisan support in the past, and I will continue to lead my colleagues to ensure the men and women who have served receive the benefits they have earned.”
The Veterans’ Compensation COLA Act of 2017 would provide a cost-of-living increase for wartime disability compensation; compensation for dependents; clothing allowance; dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses; and, dependency and indemnity compensation to children paid to our wounded warriors and their families for injuries they suffered while serving our nation in uniform. This increase would begin December 1. You can read the Veterans’ Compensation COLA Act of 2017 here.
Social Security beneficiaries’ COLAs are automatic and do not require Congressional authorization each year. The American Heroes COLA Act of 2017 would authorize the VA Secretary to provide automatic annual COLAs to wartime disability compensation; additional compensation for dependents; clothing allowance; dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses; and, dependency and indemnity compensation to children paid to our wounded warriors and their families for injuries they suffered while serving our nation without having to seek Congressional approval. You can read the American Heroes COLA Act of 2017 here.
Benton Police make recent arrests
April 5, 2017 By Leave a Comment
On April 4th, 2017 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Joplin and Frisco Street.
Through investigation, police arrested Alonzo C. Williams, age 29, of Benton for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Williams was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On April 5th, 2017 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of West Washington Street.
Through investigation, police arrested Stephanie K. Twitty, age 31, of Mulkeytown for driving under the influence.
Twitty also had an active Hamilton County warrant for failure to appear. Twitty was transported to the Franklin County Jail.
Marginal risk for severe weather for most of Southern Illinois
April 5, 2017 By Leave a Comment
NWS Paducah KY Graphic
Most of Southern Illinois is under a marginal risk for severe weather today. After this round of showers and thunderstorms that we are currently experiencing passes, there should be another round this afternoon. The threat of more severe weather is off to our immediate south and east. The counties along the Wabash-Ohio river corridor in Southeast Illinois is under a slight risk.
Here is the latest Hazzardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY.
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight There is a risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon in areas east of the Mississippi River. Higher chances will exist from the Pennyrile region of western Kentucky northward into adjacent portions of southwest Indiana and the Wash River Valley of southeast Illinois. Damaging wind gusts, hail and even an isolated tornado or two are all possible. .
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Thursday through Tuesday There will be a chance for some scattered frost Friday night over many locations east of the Mississippi River if surface winds manage to go calm. Thunderstorm chances return Monday and especially next Tuesday. Some severe storms cannot be ruled, but lightning and heavy rainfall seem more likely at this time.
Please keep abreast of the current weather situation with your favorite media source today.
Virginia “Jenny” Hartman – Benton
April 5, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Virginia “Jenny” Dee Hartman, 92, of Benton, passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Helia Health Care of Benton.
She was born on December 14, 1924, to John and Margaret (Newsone) Adams in Benton, IL. During WWII, Jenny was an inspector in Detroit, MI., where she would inspect landing gear on military aircrafts. She married John Hartman, Jr., and he preceded her in death. Throughout her life Jenny was a homemaker, housekeeper and a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Jenny was a member of West City Baptist Church. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and enjoyed crocheting, going out for a picnic and dancing. Jenny always had a smile on her face and was a joy to be around.
She is survived by her two sons, Dr. Dave Hartman and wife Terri of Macedonia, IL, Mark Hartman and wife Polly of Nashville, IL; four grandchildren, Matt Hartman and Melinda Doty, Lindsay Unver and husband Oguz, Michael Hartman and wife Mallory and Alex Hartman; a great-grandson, Seth Unver; and a daughter-in-law, Rohnda Hartman.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Hartman, Jr.; a son, Ronnie Donovan; a daughter, Lynn Hartman; and a brother, Tillman Adams.
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
Graveside service will be held on Friday, April 7, 2017, 11:00 a.m., at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL., with Rev. Alan Newman, officiating.
Memorials may be made to Faith Missionary Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Special elections tomorrow
April 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Tomorrow voters will go to the polls here in Franklin County to vote for a penny sales tax referendum whether to build a new courthouse. Groceries, over the counter medications and titled vehicles are exempt from the tax. Here is how the ballot will be worded:
To pay for public facility purposes, the construction of a new Franklin County Courthouse, shall the County of Franklin be authorized to impose an increase on its share of local sales taxes by one percent (1%) for a period not to exceed 20 years?
This would mean that a consumer would pay an additional one dollar ($1.00) in sales tax for every one hundred dollars ($100) of tangible personal property bought at retail. If imposed, the additional tax would cease being collected at the end of the 20 years, if not terminated earlier by a vote of the county board.
When the courthouse gets paid off, the tax will sunset if it is well before the twenty years.
In other special elections tomorrow, Kathy Storey, Stephanie Hart, Kelli Whittington and Debra Clark are running for three six-year terms on the Benton Library Board.
Sharon Pinkerton, Sunshine McClintock, and Melissa Peebles are running for two six year terms on the Royalton Library board.
For the Akin Water district James Sullivan, C.L. Carlile, Gaylen Jackson, Jason Bennett, Derek Johnson, Dennis Summers, and Dennis Clark will be running for four seats on the board.
Please exercise your right tomorrow.
sd
Contested school board elections tomorrow
April 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The most hotly contested school board race in which I expect the biggest turnout in is the Frankfort Community Unit District 168 race. There are two candidates vying for one two year spot. They are Amy Dufree and Keith Griffith.
There is a nine candidate slate that are running for four positions. In the incorporated areas of the district (West Frankfort and Orient) Warren Campbell Brown, George Karoski, Mary Moreland, Schannone Steinberger, and Barbara Glodich are on the ballot. In the unincorporated areas Gayle Crawford, Amanda Tinsley, Sue Forgatch and John Alexander are running.
Dufree and Griffith are both in the incorporated areas so one of them will be elected. There can not be no more than three other candidates incorporated areas, so two from the unincorporated areas will be elected to the school board.
At the last school board meeting there was some controversy over the possible hiring of a new superintendent. There was a huge public turnout. The previous board tabled the vote until the new board is seated. One of the major issues is whether the new superintendent resides or will reside in the school district.
In Christopher Unit District # 99, Steve Marlow, Angela Basolo-Bond, Susan Raben, Amie Montegyia, and Charles Mazur are on the ballot for three open seats.
In the Ewing -Northern Grade School School District #115, Susan Shelton, Tommy Harmon, Craig Zinzilieta, Jacob Page and Darren Fletcher are running for four vacancies.
In Benton Grade School District #47, Norman Carlile, Brad Wilson, Gary Messersmith, Derek Stowers, W. Scott Rice, Ron Winemiller, and Lex Stewart, will be chosen to fill four positions.
In Benton High School District #103, Robin LaBuwi and Mark Minor are running from Ewing Township. Ronald Slayton and Mark Franklin from Benton Township.
If I am understanding the legal jargon right, only one person between Slayton and Franklin can be seated on the board.
For the Thompsonville Unit District #174 board, Natalie Dixon, Michael Miller, Krista McFarland Shelby and John Bush are running for three open seats.
In the Zeigler-Royalton Unit District #188 Jeffery Olkoski, Kathie Keown, Gary Vaughn, Jamie Kirkpatrick, and Joseph Dover are running for three open spots on the school board.
For John A. Logan College Board, Bob Ellis, William Orill, Mandy Little and Becky Borgsmiller are running for two open six-year term seats.
In the race for the Rend Lake College board, Randall Rubenacker, Brain Dorris, John Kabat, and Kent Sickmeyer are running for three open seats.
There is no opposition in the Sesser-Valier and Akin school board races.
Please exercise your right tomorrow.
Contested Township races: Consolidated Election tomorrow
April 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
In Goode Township, for Highway Commissioner Democrat Brent Loucks is running against Republican Mark Kash. For Township Trustee there are six running for four spots: Democrats Garry Eubanks, Roger Loyd, Ronald Roberson, and Terry Witcher and Republicans Wesley Kash and Joshua Qualls.
In Ewing Township, Republican Brenda Garvin is running against Democrat Dana Rone for clerk. There is a full slate of eight running for Township Trustee, in which four will be elected. The GOP is running Mark Smith, Jeff Jones, Darrell Smith, and Scott Britton. The Democratic slate consists of Ginger Johnson, Terald Kniffen, Helen Townley and Donna Simpkins.
In Denning Township there is a hotly contested Road Commissioner race between Democrat Dave Wilmore and Independent Randy Pearce, with some write in candidates. For the Township Board there are five candidates for four spots; Democrats Robert Shelby, Lawrence Jamrozek, Terry Joiner, and Mike McCarthy along with Independent Andy Woods.
In Eastern Township, Republicans Jason Bennett, Marshall Clark, Jim M. Heifner, and Democrats Debbie Jones, William Roesch, Justin Summers, and Dennis K. Summers are running for four spots to be Township Trustees.
In Six-Mile Township, two Democrats Scott Fiss and Charles Miller and four from the GOP, Dale Rhodes, Jerry Carpenter, Ron Knox, and Dale Martin for four Township Trustee posts.
In Northern Township Republican Roger Webb is facing a write in challenge for Highway Commissioner. There are a full slate of candidates for Township Trustee with four. The Democrats are running William Richardson, David Goss, Gerald Glen Lowery and Andrea Lowery. The Republican Caucus appointed Ron Sink, Don Bain, Bill Nipper and David Clark.
In Frankfort Township, Tim Grisby the lone Democrat and four Republicans John Odle, Jim Walton, Tim Weaver, and Dan Wells are running for for Township Trustee spots.
Please exercise your right to vote tomorrow.
Contested Municipal Races for Consolidated election tomorrow
April 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The anticipated most hotly contested battle will be in the City of Sesser where incumbent Jason Ashmore of the Citizens Welfare Party is being challenged by independent Glen Gulley. There is also a full slate of candidates in the alderman races as well. In Ward 1, Dana Laur (CW) is running against by Barry Ramey (Ind.) In Ward 2, Richard Miller (CW) is running against Jeff Harmon (Ind.) In Ward 3, Alan Wayne Shannon (CW) is running against Edie Hawk (Ind.)
In the City of Benton Donald Storey and Melvin Dixon are vying for a two year term for City Commissioner.
In the City of Christopher Michael Deaton and Katrina Claxton are running for City Treasurer. There is a contested race in Ward 3 between Marshall Johnson and Brian Hargis.
In the Village of Buckner Ray Rozhon, Robert Klingel, Herbert Krumery and Rick Hefner are running for three slots on for Villiage Trustee.
In Ewing, Eric Haney and Angela “Kay” McDowell are running for Village President. (mayor)
In the Village of North City (Coello) Louis Thery, Mark Parke, Mark Moschino, and James “Jimmy” Allen are in contention for three spots for trustee.
In the Village of Valier, Joe Canup is challenging long time mayor Martin Buchanan. Along with Marion Mayor Bob Butler, Buchanan is the longest mayor in office in the state of Illinois. For Village Trustee Bruce McMurray, Clarence Gulley, Harl Ray Lewis, Michael Moyers and Gale Burzynski are running for three spots.
In the Village of West City Mike Reed and Ron House are facing off to be the next Village President. Bruce Watkins and Steve Mumbower are contesting for a two-year spot on the village board.
In the Village of Royalton, Jack Leach, Charles Brandon, Matthew Battaglia and Randy Domenick for three four-year spots on the village board. Bennie Kalert and John Thomas Bullock are running for one two year slot on the board.
Please get out and vote tomorrow.
