Dry Conditions still persist…

February 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Burn ban #2Area fire departments still have a burn bans in the region.  This morning’s light showers were not enough to curb the dry conditions.

For the rest of the day decreasing clouds with highs in the mid to upper 50’s with lows in the upper 20;s.

Tomorrow It will be sunny but cooler with highs in the mid 40’s with lows in the upper 20’s.

Thursday it will be sunny and warmer with highs in the mid 50’s and lows in the upper 30’s.

Friday through Monday it will be unseasonably warm with highs in the mid to upper 60’s and lows in the mid to upper 40’s.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News

Interrupt anxiety with gratitude

February 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Jim Muir

jimmerIt’s often said that the mark of a good writer is the ability to say more with fewer words. In that case, the unknown author of today’s quote really packed a punch in this little four-word gem that gives us a battle plan to deal with the cares of life that sometimes stand out more than the blessings in our life.

I read this quote and I immediately thought about the numbers involved with ‘counting’ blessings compared to ‘adding’ up troubles. Everybody encounters a few troubles along the way, that’s just part of life. But, what if every time we started adding up the troubles we’re dealing with we immediately ‘interrupted’ the anxiety created by those troubles with gratitude and started counting our blessings? And the beauty of this attack on anxiety is that it really works. Of course, you have to apply this practice to learn that it works.

Let’s look at a few ‘interrupters’ today. You woke up this morning, blessing one, you opened your eyes and could see, blessing two, you placed your feet on the floor and stood up, blessing three … and on and on. The list of real blessings to interrupt anxiety in our lives is infinite and unlimited.

The next time you feel anxiety, stress or any other funk settling in, interrupt it with gratitude and remember that there is always, always something to be thankful about. I recently ran across a quote that ties this thought up nicely. It says: ‘Today be thankful and think how rich you are — your family is priceless, your time is gold and your health is wealth.’

Make you a list of ‘interrupters’ today and keep them handy … anxiety and stress won’t stand a chance!

God’s blessings to you on this day! Have a wonderful Tuesday and a blessed day!

Filed Under: Faith Matters

Dr. Glenn Poshard Named President of Morthland College

February 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Leigh Caldwell-  Morthland College Media Services

T he Morthland College Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to name Dr. Glenn Poshard president of Morthland College, effective Feb. 13, 2017.

“I’m very honored the Board and Dr. Morthland have offered me this position. I will do everything I can to live up to the vision and mission statement of the college,” Poshard said.

Former school teacher and administrator, State Senator, Congressman and SIU President and now Morthland College President Dr. Glenn Poshard

Former school teacher and administrator, State Senator, Congressman and SIU President and now Morthland College President Dr. Glenn Poshard

Dr. Tim Morthland, the founding president of the four-year, faith-based college in West Frankfort, has been named chairman of the Morthland College Board of Trustees. Morthland’s seven-year presidency saw the founding of the institution, the securing of degree-granting authority from the Illinois Board of Higher Education and full accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

Morthland said that growth in the college’s related enterprises — a series of Guilds designed to support the school and rebuild the region’s economy including Morthland College Health Services and Da Vinci Beverages — is necessitating the change in leadership. Morthland will devote more of his time to his role as Chief Executive Officer of these Guilds.

“We weren’t supposed to sit still, ever,” Morthland said. “We were called to keep dreaming, to keep building, to keep casting vision forward.”

Poshard, the esteemed former U.S. Congressman and retired president of Southern Illinois University, joins the college in the middle of its sixth academic year. Poshard will lead the institution as it prepares to add five new degree programs.

“I look forward to trying to build on the foundation that Dr. Morthland has begun of offering classical, faith-based education to students in the region,” Poshard said.

Morthland said as the enterprises surrounding the college began their rapid growth, he started to seek a seasoned educational leader to succeed him as president. Poshard’s history of leadership with integrity and his faith-based stance, as well as a history of sound fiscal management and successful building projects, made him the perfect person for the job.

“No one more suitable could be selected as Morthland College’s next president,” Morthland said.

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

County Board Approves Debt Certificate to Repair Campbell Building

February 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The old Campbell Furniture building the county is going to use for additional office space. (Benton Gazette photo(

The old Campbell Furniture building the county is going to use for additional office space. (Benton Gazette photo)

Benton, IL (William McPherson- Benton Gazette. Click on link to read the full story. Here is an excerpt.) – The Franklin County Board approved a $550,000 debt certificate last Monday to use in renovating the Campbell Building. Work has already begun on the renovation process at the building, which will replace the current County offices at the Annex Building on West Main. “We have two more payments on our current loan. Once this is paid off our new loan will be lower than what our current loan is,” County Treasurer John Gulley added. “We originally talked about refinancing our existing loan to do that, but now we just decided to go ahead and pay this one off and take out a new one.” “On the annual debt service on these new debt certificates it will be $43,000 a year, which is $14,000 less per year than what our current debt certificates are. So in the long run we’re paying about $14,000 less than what we’re paying right now,” Gulley said.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Professor Jeannie Mitchell shines bright at RLC

February 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Reece Rutland – RLC Media Services

INA, IL – Psychology Professor Jeannie Mitchell in the Liberal Arts Division is a 20-year veteran of Rend Lake College. With her

Jeannie Mitchell with an Rend Lake College student (RLC Media Services)

Jeannie Mitchell with an Rend Lake College student (RLC Media Services)

background in counseling coupled with her unrelenting passion for her students, it is no wonder that she has become one of the signature personalities on campus.

Mitchell grew up in Cambria and graduated from Carterville High School. She began her college education at John A. Logan before transferring to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to complete her bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Psychology. From there, she completed her graduate work at SIUC, majoring in Counseling with a concentration in Substance Abuse.

So, what started her down that specific path? She relayed a story that many college-aged individuals can relate to.

“I was in St. Louis over a weekend for New Years because my boyfriend lived there. I opened up SIU Edwardsville’s catalog and Speech Pathology was the only thing that looked interesting to me. So, I went with it,” she explained.

But, while she was studying a topic she found interesting, another aspect of the experience caught and held her attention, leading to an educational shift.

“When I was doing my undergraduate work, I realized that I really enjoyed my minor in Psychology. I also came to the realization that I was more interested in the people, the clients, more than the speech patterns we were studying. The graduate program I chose let me connect with people. It also had high employability. It looked a great option given my interests and what I had learned about myself,” Mitchell said.

Her goal coming out of college was never to be a teacher. She wanted to put her degree to use in a setting she had been trained for, working with individuals in a clinical/counseling setting. She started off interning at a substance abuse service agency in Marion for a year. Then, she took a position with Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC), a private company based in Chicago that offered services state-wide to help reduce recidivism by using a case management approach to direct formerly incarcerated individuals to substance abuse treatment in a community setting.

Unfortunately, that door closed when new legislation was introduced that wiped out funding for the program.

“During that time, I got stuck in Chicago because of the weather. I was up there for four days. On the last day, I went to Meigs Airfield, which isn’t there anymore, and ran into Rex Ducan [former RLC Director of Cooperative Education] who was the only other person flying out of there that day. We started talking the whole way home. I knew that my contract was going to be dissipating and saw that there was an opening for AmeriCorps here at RLC, so I went for it.”

Mitchell spent two years in that position, getting to know the college and its students. She also spent a stint working for RLC’s Advisement Department following the AmeriCorps position. It was during this time that she got her first taste of teaching.

“My first teaching job at Rend Lake was an Intro to Psychology class on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon. I had never thought of teaching as a career move. Honestly, I took that job to earn a little extra money and boost my resume. But, turns out, I absolutely loved it,” Mitchell said.

“That was when the light bulb came on, and I knew exactly what I was supposed to be doing.”

From those beginnings, Mitchell has turned her stop at RLC into a 20-year career, teaching full-time since 2001.

While she might have left the more clinical part of her education behind, Mitchell says that her training and employment history as a counselor offer her a unique toolset when approaching and relating to students.

“This is going to sound cheesy. But, so many times, as a teacher, you know that you are working with someone who is on the cusp of greatness. You know they are right there on the verge of discovering who they are and taking off to do something great. You get to be there right at the impetus of this person getting ready to do something huge with the rest of their lives, and that is such a great feeling,” she expressed.

“Anytime a student is comfortable enough to self-disclose something with me that they’ve never told anyone, those are really impactful moments for me. To know they feel safe and accepted is such a huge compliment as a teacher.”

Mitchell said that community college offers a unique environment for students to go through that process of learning and self-discovery. Transitioning to college is always a daunting process, but RLC’s ability to let students push their limits while maintaining some of their comfort zone and support structure can make all the difference in the world when it comes to taking vital steps in the next phase of a student’s life.

In addition to the lessons in the classroom, Mitchell also gives her students some practical experience as well. Every semester, students enrolled in her Child Psychology class select, as a class, an issue that they would like to raise awareness on. Then, the students hatch and execute a plan of action to spread knowledge and make a difference in the area they chose. Previous projects have tackled child abuse, foster care and making a Christmas tree for the United Methodist Children Home’s Festival of Lights.

Mitchell also shared her words of advice for those interested in pursuing careers in psychology fields.

“I would really urge anyone interested in psychology to shadow professionals currently in the field. Make sure to shadow many different people over many different capacities. You need to be introspective enough to know who you are, but know that it’s not about you.”

Outside of the classroom, Mitchell is a self-described “Pinterest addict.” She also enjoys antiquing and crafting. As an avid cook, she also helps organize on-campus cooking contests to benefit the Student Emergency Fund.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured

IHSA February Board Meeting Recap: Lacrosse State Final Dates Set For 2018

February 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

ihsaThe Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met at its regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Monday, February 13, 2017, where the Board approved the Terms & Conditions for the IHSA’s newest sports, Boys and Girls Lacrosse.

As a part of approving the Terms & Conditions, which will govern the IHSA Boys and Girls Lacrosse postseasons when they debut in the spring of 2018, the Board also set the dates for the inaugural state championships.

Both state finals, which will be held jointly at one site, will fall during Week 48 of the IHSA’s standardized calendar, meaning the first State Finals will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 31-June 2, 2018.

The State Finals will be a three-day event, with two boys’ semifinals being played on Thursday evening and two girls’ semifinals following on Friday evening. Saturday will feature an afternoon session with the boys’ and girls’ third-place games, followed by an evening session with both state title games. Saturday’s session order will rotate each year, with the girls’ games being played first in even years and the boys’ games first in odd years.

“This is another important step in the process of starting a new sport,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We are appreciative of the time and effort that our advisory committees have put into this process, as well as the guidance and feedback that coaches have provided via the IHSLA and IHSWLA. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are excited to bring our state final offerings to over 30 sports come next spring.”

After approving the Terms & Conditions, the Board also made a motion to officially begin accepting proposals to host the State Final tournaments. State Final hosting proposal information will be posted on IHSA.org later this week. Hosting proposals are due to the IHSA by May 1, 2017, while the Board intends to select the host at its meeting on August 21, 2017.

***The official lacrosse state final hosting proposal information will be posted on front page of IHSA.org later this week***

ACTION ITEMS
1. The Board approved a recommendation to sign a five-year state final hosting contract for the sport of Competitive Dance with the Bloomington-Normal Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission to host at the Coliseum in Bloomington.

Executive Director Craig Anderson:
“The first five years of the IHSA Competitive Dance State Series have really been amazing in terms of participation and growth. A big part of that has been the state final experience that we have been able to provide because of the great partnership that we have with the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sports Commission, the Coliseum, and the local community as a whole. The Coliseum is a perfect fit as a venue, and with this contract extension, we look forward to ushering in the first decade of the sport there.”

2. The Board approved a recommendation to set the Board meeting dates for the 2017-18 school year. The meeting dates are as follows:
Monday, August 21, 2017

Monday, September 11, 2017
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Monday, December 11, 2017
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Monday, February 12, 2018
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Monday, June 11, 2018

Minutes from all Advisory Committees can be viewed by clicking here.

1. The Board approved the consent items from the Advisory Committees from the following committees: Golf, Cross Country, Tennis, Volleyball, Football, Sports Medicine, Sportsmanship.

Consent items are recommendations that received approval from the sport/activity advisory committee, the Athletic Administrators Advisory Committee and the IHSA staff. Consent items can be viewed by clicking here.

Non-consent items are recommendations from sport or activity committees that did not receive a majority vote from the Athletic Advisory Committee or IHSA staff. No non-consent items were approved on February 13.

Some consent items of note include:

Boys & Girls Cross Country
1. In Regionals and Sectionals, for purposes of advancement of teams from regional to sectional and sectionals to the State Final, ties for all team places with the exception of the last qualifying spot will be broken per NFHS Rule 8-2-4 (i.e. comparing the 6th runner from the tied teams).

Boys & Girls Golf
1. For the entire State Series, the head coach and one assistant coach will be allowed to coach anywhere on the course until his/her player steps on the putting green.

Girls Volleyball
1. Sectional Semifinals moved to Monday and Sectional Finals to Wednesday. Super-Sectional matches moved to Friday.

Boys Volleyball
1. Friday State Final time schedule adjusted to the following:
Session 1 (Quarterfinals)
Match 1:  10:00 a.m.
Match 2:  11:00 a.m.
Session 2 (Quarterfinals)
Match 3:  4:00 p.m.
Match 4:  5:00 p.m.

APPEALS & HEARINGS
1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Urbana (H.S.). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-laws 2.010, 3.030, 6.010 and 6.021.

2. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Urbana (H.S.). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-laws 2.010, 3.030, 6.010 and 6.021.

3. The Board tabled a request for a review of the eligibility of a student at Columbia High School.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action is taken. The following is a report of those items from the February 13, 2017, agenda:

1. The Board reviewed potential new changes to the IHSA’s Transfer Concurrence Form, as well as drafts of two new potential transfer forms designed to be complete by the parents of transferring student-athlete and coach(es) at the receiving school of transferring student-athlete.

2. The Board discussed IHSA State Final trophies and a potential redesign of the state final trophy due to cost prohibitive issues with the casting and metal figurines that currently accompany the IHSA state final trophies.

3. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director that all member schools on probation have met the requirement of attending an annual IHSA Principals Rules Meeting via a make-up meeting at the IHSA office on January 10, 2017.

4. The Executive Director recognized the IHSA’s nominee for the NHFS Heart of the Arts Award, Buffalo Grove’s Sabrina Kenoun.

5. The Executive Director recognized the IHSA’s nominee for the NFHS Spirit of Sport Award, Bloomington Central Catholic’s Joey Malinowksi.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports

Benton Police Blotter

February 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment
  • On February 11th, 2017 at approximately 2:50 a.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at Burkitt and Frisco Street.Through investigation, police arrested Nelson A. Dial, age 33, of Thompsonville for driving under the influence.  Dial was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
  • On February 11th, 2017 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at Pope and Church Street.  Through investigation, police arrested Austin A. Myers, age 22, of Benton for driving while license suspended.  Myers was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
  • On February 11th, 2017 Benton Police arrested Natasha L. Potts, age 31, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for retail theft. Potts was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
  • On February 11th, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 1000 block of Frisco Street in reference to domestic in progress. Through investigation, police arrested two male suspects identified as James S. Munyon, age 24, of Benton and Hunter W. Kerley, age 23, of Ewing.  Munyon arrested and charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Kerley was also arrested and charged with  unlawful use of a weapon.  Both were transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
  • On February 12th, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 700 block of East Taylor Street in reference to a domestic battery.  Through investigation, police arrested Danielle M. Joyce, age 28, of Benton for domestic battery.  Joyce was transported to the Franklin County Jail.
  • On February 12th, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the 1300 block of North Main Street in reference to a domestic battery. Through investigation, police arrested William R. Zemia, age 39, of Benton for domestic battery. Zemia was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
  • On February 12th, 2017 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 900 block of Giacone Drive.  Through further investigation. Police arrested Amy E. Newton, age 30, of Benton for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine.  Newton was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Benton News, Breaking News, Slider

Robert Sieveking, Jr. – Benton

February 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Robert William Sieveking, Jr., 75, of Benton, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at the Benton Rehabilitation and Care Center.

Bob Siveking, Jr.He was born on November 10, 1941, to Robert  and Elenaor (Marie) Sieveking in Chicago, IL. Robert retired as an Auto Mechanic. On November 7, 1970, he married the former Carol Basham and she survives.

He was a member of Knights of Columbus, V.F.W. and American Legion and a former member of Civil Air Patrol.  Robert and his wife Carol took to heart the care of children and opened their home as foster parents for the past 49 years.

Robert is survived by his loving spouse of 46 years, Carol Sieveking; children, Jennifer Renee (Bruce) Wysong of Benton, IL, Robert Ishmael (Naoe) Sieveking of Izumo, Japan, Carol Letha (Donavan) Wilson of Waltonville, IL, William Phillip Sieveking of Benton, IL, Julie Breanna Sieveking of TN, Brandy Lynn Sieveking of Benton, IL, Kristen Paige Sieveking of Benton, IL and Cordell Gene Sieveking of Benton, IL; four brothers, Thomas Paul (Nancy) Sieveking of Marion, IL, Donald Edward (Lee) Sieveking of St. Louis, MO, Richard Lee Sieveking of West Frankfort, IL, Fred Otto (Connie) Sieveking of West Frankfort, IL; a sister, Elenaor Marie Gillespie of Herrin, IL; ten grandsons, Tyler Lee Wysong of Logan, IL, Jacob Nathaniel Wysong of Benton, IL, Garet Jax (April) Wysong, Sr. of Benton, IL, Dallas Emery Wysong of Benton, IL, Duncan Edward Wysong of Benton, IL, Devon Allen Sieveking of Benton, IL, Robert Kenji Sieveking, Issa Ishmael Sieveking, Aleck Taylor of TN, Kanyon Cole Wilson of Waltonville, IL; two granddaughters, Gabriela Elena Wysong of Benton, IL, Kenleigh Mae Alderson of Benton, IL; two great-grandsons, Landen Lee Wysong of Logan, IL and Garet Jax Wysong, Jr. of Benton, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant daughter, Rachel Jean Sieveking.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2017, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2017, 10:00 a.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Filed Under: Obituaries

Linda Eubanks – Benton

February 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Linda EubanksLinda “Nana” Eubanks, 78, of Benton IL, passed away at 8:55 p.m., on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at Herrin Hospital surrounded by her family.

She was born on July 5, 1938, to Thurl and Wanda (Horrell) Mason in West Frankfort, IL. On July, 10, 1955, she married Don “Frog” Eubanks and preceded her in death.

Linda was a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren, playing crossword puzzles and doing jigsaw puzzles.

Linda is survived by her children, Debbie Clay, Ronald Eubanks, and Sue Eubanks; grandchildren, Carmen Mifflin, Nicole Eubanks; Alan Clay, Ryan Eubanks, and Daniel  Eubanks; and great-grandchildren, Aubrey Rash, Briella Clay, Izabella Mifflin and Colton Mifflin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thurl “Spud” and Wanda Mason; husband, Don “Frog” Eubanks; son, Douglas Eubanks; and grandson, David Clay.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton IL.

 

Filed Under: Obituaries

Sesser-Valier-Waltoville girls open sectional play tonight.

February 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Steve Dunford-franklincounty-news.com

The Sesser-Valier-Waltonville Lady Red Devils open play this evening against the Breese Mater Dei knights, at the Johnston City Class 2A Sectional tournament with a 7:00 P.M. scheduled starting time.

The Devils come into tonight’s contest with a record of 25-1, with their only loss to Class 3A, and Southern Ilinois River to River Ohio Champions, Herrin.   They are currently ranked seven in the state in the latest Associated Press Class 2A Statewide Poll.

I talked to S-V-W coach Rick Metcalf and this is what he had to say about the Knights.  He said, “They are a guard oriented team with their top three scorers averaging in double figures.  They handle pressure defense very well.  They also run a Princeton style offense with a lot of back door cuts.  Breese Mater-Dei plays a tough schedule with a lot of 3A and 4A schools.

The Lady Devils are led by shooting Guard Jaylyn Haley and Hannah Garascia, who plays all over the floor for Coach Metcalf. Haley and Garascia both signed letters of intent to play for Rend Lake College next season.  I had the chance to talk to them about this a few days ago.

I asked both young ladies why they chose to go to Rend Lake. Garascia said, “Jaylin and I have grown to know each others tendencies and we push each other to make each other better! The

S-V-W's Hannah Garascia left any Jaylin Haley right. (WSIL TV file photo)

S-V-W’s Hannah Garascia left any Jaylin Haley right. (WSIL-TV file photo)

opportunity to play with Jaylin for a couple more years played a little part in my decision.”

Haley said. “It’s close to home, and I planned on going to RLC no matter what, so having the opportunity to play basketball there made it a no brainer. And I actually verbally committed before Hannah, but knowing she was probably going to sign there as well, definitely made it a perfect fit for me.”  She also mentioned she is taken that as an honor that her father, Scott played baseball for Rend Lake as well.

If you can not make it to tonight’s game, it will be carried on WXAN 103.9 FM or streaming on mysoutherngospel.net

 

 

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