Severe Weather Prepardness
Tuesday Night/Wednesday morning severe weather threat needs to be taken serious.
I am going to make a format change to the page. I will only post weather updates when there is a potential hazard on the horizon.
Today it is going to be mostly cloudy with a high in the upper 50’s. There is a chance of thunderstorm over night with a low around 50.
There is a 30% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon with a high in the lower 70’s.
After dark is where things can get interesting. There is an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms. In the graphic, the enhanced risk of severe weather cuts right through Franklin County.
Here is the hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY.
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight Thunderstorms enter the forecast later tonight, with heavy rain and lightning the primary anticipated storm related hazards. There is a marginal risk of severe storms, mainly for hail, just to our west, and affecting the far western Ozarks in southeast Missouri, late tonight. .
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday Thunderstorm chances spike Tuesday and Tuesday night, as we warm sector ahead of an approaching cold front. The increasingly unstable air-mass will be fortified by near record high temperatures in the 70s during the daytime Tuesday. There continues to be an enhanced risk of severe storms for southeast Missouri and adjacent portions of southwest Illinois and far southwest Kentucky, mainly Tuesday afternoon and evening into Tuesday night, with a slight risk of severe storms across the remainder of the area. Damaging winds will be the primary severe weather hazard, but large hail and isolated tornadoes may also be a possibility. Locally heavy rains and frequent lightning will accompany thunderstorms as well. The cold front makes its passage late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.
Depending upon its timing, the threat of severe storms may linger into Wednesday morning. As a result, a marginal risk of severe storms lingers south of the Ohio river early Wednesday, with a slight risk of severe storms east of the Lakes in western Kentucky, likewise lingering early Wednesday. Damaging winds will be the primary severe weather hazard, but large hail and isolated tornadoes may also be possible until the front makes its passage in entirety. Locally heavy rains and frequent lightning will accompany thunderstorms as well.
Rick Shanklin Head Meteorologist with the NWS in Paducah made the following statement on his Facebook page. “This bares watching – from late tomorrow into Wednesday morning. Per SPC “…supercells with all hazards possible, including the conditional possibility for a strong tornado(s)..” Stay up to date at weather.gov/PAH or your favorite media source.
As of now, it looks like a 3:00 to 7:00 a.m. time frame Wednesday morning when Franklin County will be under the gun.
Shanklin repeatedly refers to this area as nocturnal tornado alley. We have our strongest and deadliest tornadoes in the overnight hours.
I will be up as long as I have to tomorrow night the radar and will start passing along warnings if Franklin County is in the path of a storm 100 miles out. I will be in contact with Franklin County Emergency Management agency if any information needs passed along as well.
Showers will linger around for Wednesday. Thursday and Friday will be seasonal, with highs in the lower 50’s. The early spring will return for the weekend with highs back up in the 60’s.-sd
Gina Forsythe-Walsh – Benton, IL
Gina L. Forsythe-Walsh, 46, of Benton, passed away at 9:58 a.m., Sunday, February 26, 2017, at her residence surrounded by her family to be with Christ who she accepted as her Lord and Savior at Immanuel Baptist Church where she was a member.
She was born on June 1, 1970, to Sandy and Barbara (Woodrow) Forsythe in Benton, IL. Gina worked as an executive assistant in the real estate business. She lived most of her life in the Indianapolis, Indiana area and loved the Indy race cars, especially the #3 driver, Helio. Gina had many friends who will never forget her. She never met a stranger and had a kind smiling face. She will be truly missed.
Gina is survived by her parents, Sandy Forsythe and Barbara Forsythe, both of Benton, IL; aunts and uncles, Barbara Forsythe, Terry and Helen Forsythe, Paul and Darla Forsythe, Aunt Jean and Uncle Norman Carlile as well as Lisa and Scott Page and Daren and Shelly Carlile and several other cousins; her buddy’s from Benton, Libby, Susan, Ginger, Amanda, Joelle and Susan and her two K9 kids, Canyon and River.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Colleen and Gene Woodrow; paternal grandparents, Nellie and Robert Forsythe and one uncle Bobby Forsythe.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 1, 2017, from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with the Reverend Ronald Cremeens, officiating. Burial will follow services in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL.
Memorials may be made to the Second Chance Rescue of Franklin County and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Jefferson County Sheriff has Warrior roots
INA, IL – Jefferson County Sheriff Travis Allen is a proud product of Rend Lake College. From struggling high school student to master’s degree graduate, he shares his story of success, philosophy on law enforcement and advice with anyone interested in the field.
Allen graduated from Waltonville High School in 2002. Having had his share of struggles in high school, he said that following graduation, college wasn’t really an option he considered.
“I wanted to go out and achieve the world,” he explained. “I quickly realized that that wasn’t happening. I was working for minimum wage loading batteries in a warehouse. So, one day, I thought, ‘You know what? I’ve always wanted to be a police officer.’ So, I talked it over with my parents and enrolled here at RLC in the Criminal Justice Program.”
Allen completed his Associate in Applied Science Degree in 2005. But, before he had even graduated, the future sheriff was offered a position with the Army Corps of Engineers through an internship program, giving him the opportunity to gain valuable experience. His work at RLC and his new job helped convince him to continue with his education.
“I had a lot of friends who went to Rend Lake. Being from Waltonville, the smaller classes and locations were great too. I’ve never been in the position where someone else was going to pay for
Jefferson County Sheriff Travis Allen (RLC Media Services)
me to go off to school, so doing things affordably was always important to me. It gave me the opportunity to work all through school. I knew the Criminal Justice Program here was great. Once I enrolled, I absolutely loved it. It saved education for me. It was the first time I loved school.”
Describing himself as a student who didn’t enjoy high school, he said that he struggled for most of his four years. He joked that any of his high school teachers would have likely laughed at the thought of him going on to earn degrees.
Yet, go on to earn degrees is exactly what he did. After graduating from RLC, Allen transferred to Greenville College, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership.
Quickly after that graduation, he earned his first job in law enforcement with the Mt. Vernon Police Department. Around that same time, Greenville launched a master’s degree in Management Practice. He graduated from that program in 2012.
“It was so important to get that spark early on. Rend Lake College let me finally study things that I had an interest in. I got to do hands-on work that held my interest and that I got excited about. I really think RLC saved my academic career. If it hadn’t been for finding that interest, I probably would have ended up graduating from high school and going into the workforce,” he expressed.
Allen said his passion for law enforcement came from a mixture of his desire to work in a field that offered a different challenge and experience every day combined with the aspect of helping others and making a difference in his community.
In fact, he cites one of the biggest mistakes of his life as leaving the Mt. Vernon Police Department to take a full-time office job while working on his master’s degree. He said that at that time in his life, he saw dollar signs and a great benefit package, and thought that was exactly what he wanted.
“I really hated everything about that. I gained some great experience, but coming in every day and working in a cubicle was really the worst thing for me. But, everything has worked out. After a few years, while I was in the office job, I started working part-time for the Ina Police Department,” Allen said.
“I was able to get that department fixed up the way I wanted it and after about three years as part of that department, I decided I wanted to run for sheriff. And, after about a year-and-a-half of campaigning, here we are.”
Allen said his favorite thing about the new position is being involved with the community and shaping the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office into being the most people-focused department in can be. He said with all the recent negativity surrounding law enforcement, he wants to make sure his officers break the mindset of focusing on “just throwing bad guys in jail” and instead putting the priority on “serving and protecting the people.”
“There’s no question, it’s a time of change in the field. We have to change our mindset. We have to change how we do business. I mean, obviously, we keep locking people up, and it doesn’t seem to be working. Einstein said the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results,” Allen explained.
“So, we’ve put a focus on being active with the children in our communities. We want to have a lot of activities with youth to show them that the police are their friends and neighbors. We have to change the mindset of an entire generation if we want to be successful. I just don’t feel like that ‘throw all the bad guys in jail’ mentality and not focusing on serving the community is a recipe for success.”
His biggest piece of advice for those interested in entering the law enforcement profession is to get your associate degree in Criminal Justice, but then focus on another subject for a bachelor’s degree. He has no regrets earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business-related fields.
. “This is my opinion. You might be better suited getting the bachelor’s degree in in a different field. If you are on the fence, a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice might limit your career options. What happens if you get out there in the field and don’t like it? A lot of law enforcement agencies don’t necessarily look for a bachelor’s in criminal justice. I can teach you how to be a police officer. The better-rounded a candidate is can be very important. We learn a lot of what we need with that associate degree and then the academy. What I’m looking for is that if you have a bachelor’s degree, it shows me you are dedicated and trainable. I don’t care so much what it’s in. I tell students who ask me, go into something you are interested in. You are going to be more likely succeed.”
David Flannigan – formerly of Mulkeytown
David Flannigan, 59, of McKinney, TX formerly of Mulkeytown passed away on Wednesday February 22, 2017 at his home.
He was born December 18, 1957 to Raymond and Linda (Swisher) Flannigan. He was married to Paula Jean (Eppes) Flannigan on July 20, 2013 and she survives of McKinney, TX.
Survivors include his wife Paula Flannigan of McKinney, TX, father Raymond Flannigan of DuQuoin, one step-son Kyle Melberg of McKinney, TX, two brothers Mark Flannigan of DuQuoin and Tracy Flannigan of McKinney, TX, special aunts and uncles Charles (Judy) Swisher of Mulkeytown, Evelyn Swisher of Coello, Janice (Norm) Tilley of DuQuoin, Debbie (Jerry) Stanley of Mulkeytown, mother-in-law Doris Muncey of Littlerock, AR, brothers and sisters-in-law Pam (Gary) Cobler of Richardson, TX, Sheila Jones of Littlerock, AR, Jeanna Bradford of Littlerock, AR, niece Shana Flannigan of White Bluff, TN and two great nieces and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother Linda Flannigan, maternal grandparents Dobber and Verble Swisher, paternal grandparents Bill and Margaret Mitchell, father-in-law Bobby Delleppes, and one uncle Bob Swisher. He was a great musician and loved to play music.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday February 28, 2017 at 12:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Don Wright officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday February 28, 2017 from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 12:00 PM. Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information go to our website at gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Geraldine “Gerry” Mercer-Valier, IL
Geraldine “Gerry” Jean Mercer, 84, of Valier, IL passed away on Thursday February 23, 2017 at 9:05 p.m. at her home.
Gerry was born on April 30, 1932 in Franklin County, IL to Frank and Sophia (Dubonouski) Mick.
She married Dean Mercer on June 29, 1951 and he preceded her in death on November 14, 2001.
She was a medical secretary for Dr. J.P. Durham in Benton until her retirement. She was also a member of the Valier First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her children Frank (Melody) Mercer of Valier, Kathy (Donnie) Smith of Benton, Amy (John) Prudent of Valier; grandchildren Joshua (Brandi) Smith, Samuel Waters, Jacob Waters, Lucas Prudent, Jillian Prudent, David Smith, Trisha (Justin) Morgan, and Donnie (Brooke) Smith; great grandchildren Victoria, Jordyn, Jaycob, Clayton, Sage, Liam, and Lyndi; one sister Marsha Coady of Valier; and one brother Ron Mick of Valier.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Funeral services for Gerry will be on Monday February 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with George “Zip” Biby officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday February 26, 2017 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Valier.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St Jude’s Children’s research hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information go to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Not what I was expecting at all last night
Steve Dunford – franklincounty-news.com
CRAB ORCHARD, IL- I have been asked the question so many times over the years, why do you like sports? I can throw the news, and days like yesterday it applies to the weather. Last night was one of the great reasons why, you don’t know what to expect.
In a movie or TV show, you know what to expect. I was expecting a down to the wire battle between the two Franklin County rivals playing in Willamson County.
Class 1A Crab Orchard Regional Champs, the Christopher Bearcats.
Going into last night’s Class 1A Boy’s Regional Championship game against Crab Orchard and Sesser-Valier, I was expecting a close game similar to the overtime war that took place on Valentines Day.
Sesser-Valier has been peaking at the right time during the stretch run of the season. There were a few times that Christopher was stumbling entering the road to Peoria.
What I witnessed was a 71-41 win by the Christopher Bearcats last night, in a game that was not in question, from about the middle of the third quarter.
With very few personnel changes, both these kids have faced each other probably 100 times going back to their early grade school days and during the summer. They know each other well.
I was asked this question several times after last night’s game for people that are outside Franklin County. What was the huge difference between the overtime by S-V on Valentines Day and the big win by Christopher last night?
I answered the bottom line was that Christopher was red hot and Sesser-Valier was ice cold. One glaring difference though between the two games Devils killed the Bearcats on the offensive boards in the game ten days ago at Christopher. Last night, the Bearcats owned the glass.
S-V had good looks. They took good shots. they just had one of those nights. Either on film or live, I have watched both teams play at least a dozen times this season. .
There was nothing either Christopher coach Eric Stallman and Sesser-Valier coach Shane Garner could draw up much on the X’s and O’s last night that would have been any surprise to the either.
With very few personnel changes, both these kids have faced each other probably 100 times going back to their early grade school days and during the summer. They know each other well.
The only thing X and O wise was minor. Eric Stallman came out in a 2-3 zone the first few possessions. Tyler Winchester hits a deep three about the 2:55 mark in the first quarter, and gives the Devils a 9-7 lead. That was their last lead of the night. Christopher goes back to man to man, which they play 90% of the time.
Christopher goes on a 10-3 in the closing seconds and has a 17-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Both teams were uncharacteristically patient to open the second quarter. Off of a Kaeleb Pedigo steal, Young gets a monstrous dunk at the 4:03 mark to put Christopher up 26-16.
Pedigo and Jared Curry both had two fouls and Christopher starts taking the air out of the ball. They got a couple Princeton style back cuts to go up 33-18 at the half.
In the opening seconds of the second half Charlie Farmer bombs a 22 footer form the baseline to cut the Red Devil deficit to 12. The Bearcats then go on an 8-3 run to go up 41-24 on Gabe Schimpf hitting Young in the post to go up 41-24.
That possession is where I began to see the frustration set in with the Devils. They began to play defense with their arms instead of their feet.
From that point on the Bearcats lived at the free throw line, scoring 14 of their 19 points from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter to turn the game into a blowout. The Bearcats improve to 17-12 and the Devils finish their 2016-17 campaign. Coach Shane Garner is always a class act and gave the maroon clad the chance to give Jamie Lance, Charles Farmer, and Addison Baxter a standing ovation.
Kaleb Pedigo led the Bearcats with 22 on the night for four Bearcats who were in double figures. Jared Curry added 17. I mentioned Young’s 14 points already. Bryce Pratt (cool hand Luke) had 11 points.
Lukas Gunter (The Red Baron) was the only Red Devil in double figures with 13 points. Tyler Winchester had eight, Charles Farmer seven, and Jamie Lance added six on the night.
Christopher will play in the Norris City-Omaha-Enfield sectional against the Gallatin County Hawks Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. The Hawks are an opponent that I am very familiar with from following the GEC, and I will have a preview out on Tuesday.
The Hawks were 74-64 winners over Cairo in OT at the Hardin County regional last night. I understand that Pilot Coach Brian Brantner put on quite a show in the overtime period, similar to what he did against Herrin in the WF Midwinter Classic.
Wednesday night will feature the Woodlawn Cardinals (15-14) against the Meridian Bobcats (13-14) in the Wednesday night game at Norris City.
Woodlawn (15-14) beat their Jefferson County and Midland Trial rival Webber Township 49-43 last night at the Wayne City Class 1A regional. The Trojans finish the year 17-12. In the regular season the four W’s of the Midland Trail beat up on each other in barn burners. If you would have thrown Grayville in the mix , it would have been an old school Mid South conference tournament.
The Cardinals face the Meridian Bobcats on Wednesday Night. The Bobcats (13-14) were 75-69 winners over the Goreville Blackcats (20-10) last night. My prayers is going out to Meridian Coach Erik Griffin who is in the hospital because of illness.
Thank you to Crab Orchard Coach John Brown and AD Keith Johns for your hospitality last night. I want to spend an extra special thank you for the ones who complimented me on my feature story about Dee Ozment last night. I was more than humbled.
A special thank you for Benton/West Frankfort Gazette writer William McPherson for giving me the chance to see it last night.
BOX SCORE:
CHRISTOPHER (71) Kaeleb Pedigo 6 1 7-7 21, Jared Curry 4 1 6-6 17, Bradley Young 4 0 6-9 17; Bryce Pratt 5 0 1-2 11; Gabe Schimpf 2 1 0-0 7; Zach Snell 0 0 0-0 0; Gabriel Motsinger 0 0 0-0 0; Andrew Dunford 0 0 0-0 0
SESSER-VALIER (41) Lukas Gunter 6 0 1-2 13; Tyler Winchester 1 2 0-0 8: Charles Farmer 1 1 2-2 7; Jamie Lance 3 0 0-0 6 Joshua Gunter 1 0 0-0 2; Seth Boles 1 0 0-0 2; Addison Baxter 0 0 0-0 0 Reed Basso 0 0 0-0 0; Eli Gunter 0 0 0-0 Addison Page 0 0 0-0 0
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
CHRISTOPHER: 17 16 19 19 – 71
SESSER-VALIER: 12 6 12 11 – 41
Bearcats – Devils IV
Steve Dunford – franklincounty-news.com
The Christopher Bearcats and the Sesser-Valier Red Devils tangle for the fourth time this season. Christopher has the series advantage over S-V 2-1.
In the first meeting Christopher won at Sesser 59-56. The second meeting was a 66-52 win for the Bearcats. The third was an 85-81 thrilling overtime win for the Devils at Christopher.
Tonight they meet in Williamson County for the championship of the Crab Orchard Class 1A Regional. The winner will face either Cairo (14-12) or Gallatin County (18-8) at the Norris City-Omaha Enfield sectional on Tuesday.
All game times are at 7:00 p.m.
Either Christopher Coach Eric Stallman or Shane Garner will have any aces up their sleeve for this one. Both teams will play man to man. Both teams will push the ball. It is going to come down to who has the hot hand and who executes.
There are two Jefferson County teams matching up at the Wayne City Class 1A Regional tonight as Webber Township (17-11) faces Woodwlan (14-14) to have the right to travel to Norris City on Wednesday.
The winner of Woodlawn-Webber will face either Meridian (12-14) or Goreville (21-9) who face each other at the Cobden Class 1A regional.
There is not a clear cut favorite coming into anyone of these games tonight. Class 1A is just that evenly balanced this year. Whoever steps on the floor a week from Tuesday at the SIU arena out of the eight teams above, will be battle tested.
In Class 2A the IHSA decided to dissect the state east and west by 1-57. I will attempt to break down the Pinckneyville and West Frankfort sectionals next week. It is difficult with teams you are unfamiliar with that are deep into the 217 feeding in.
Pinckneyville (28-2) and DuQuoin (14-13) meet in the Championship of the Trico for Perry County bragging rights and to play in the Pinckneyville sectional.
Nashville (18-12) will travel to Carlinville, to face Piasa SW. Forty miles south of Springfield is a long way to travel for a regional championship game.
Eldorado (27-3) will face their Saline County rival Harrisburg (11-16) for the chance to play at the West Frankfort Sectional Tuesday night against the winner of the Newton regional.
Mt. Carmel (23-4) and Edwards Co (20-6) face off and play for the Flora regional championship tonight. The winner will take on who comes out of the Pana regional in which T-Town is playing for the championship.
I will try to keep you informed the best of my ability about who is still on the road to Peoria.
Wanda Wayman – Benton
Wanda P. Wayman, 90, of Benton IL, passed away at 3:39 p.m., on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital, Mt. Vernon, IL.
She was born on September 20, 1926, to Calvin and Vina (Robinson) Mabry in Franklin County, IL. Wanda retired as an instructor at Trend Beauty College. She married R. Paul Wayman and he preceeded her in death on October 17, 1990.
She was a member of the North Benton Baptist Church.
Wanda is survived by her two sons, John Wayman and wife Karen of Mt. Vernon, IL, and Terry Wayman and Janet of Evansville, IN; three granddaughters, Kelly Oreskovic and husband Bob of Washington, MO, Michelle Autry and husband Dan of St. Louis, MO, and Alissa Eastham and husband Ryan of Evansville, IN; six great grandchildren; and one brother, Calvin L. Mabry of Belleville, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Vina Mabry, her husband, R. Paul Wayman, two brothers, James L Mabry and Ray Mabry and three sisters, Freda Shaw, Eva Shapkoff and Lucielle Conner.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton IL.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 27, 2017, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home,301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Funeral services will follow visitation on Monday, February 27, 2017, at 11:30 a.m., with Rev. Gary West officiating.
A private graveside service will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Danny Shelton – Christopher
Danny Shelton, 65, of Christopher, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2017, in his home.
He was born on May 25, 1951, in Christopher to Ralph Shelton and Morna (Park) Shelton Demaret.
He was a Coal Miner at Old Ben 26 and Ziegler 11 and a member of the UMWA. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, horses, motorcycles, cars, hanging out with his friends at the tavern and credited his health to cold Stag beer. He will be remembered for his fearless personality, always leader and never a follower.
He is survived by his loving daughter, Dayna Riggs of New York and son, Cody Shelton of Carterville, grandchildren Paige, Tysan, Damian, and Kendyl, two sisters Janice and Jim Noel and Joyce and Andy Wilson all of Christopher.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
His wishes were to have private services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gilbert Funeral home and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Gilbert Funeral home in Christopher is handling the arrangements.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
