Kaleb Pedigo pulls up over the Yellow Jacket defender (Southern Illinois photo)
IDOT testing drones to help with inspections
December 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Illinois Department of Transportation thinks that two new, 7 1/2-pound, 2 1/2-foot-wide devices will help the agency rise to new heights of safety and cost efficiency. “We’re excited to have drones 
available to help us with the work we do at the Illinois Department of Transportation,” said IDOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “Because drones can access places that are difficult and dangerous for people to get to, we expect this technology to enhance employee safety as well as reduce costs. “We also believe drone technology will be able to support other agencies, whether it’s during natural disasters or helping first-responders determine the appropriate response to emergency situations.” The drones and their supporting technology, purchased for $8,800 from IDOT’s operating budget, are now being tested to see how they may work for a variety of tasks, including bridge inspections, mapping, surveying, work zone progress, emergency response and other applications, according to IDOT spokeswoman Kelsea Gurski. Please click to read the rest of the story from David Blanchette of the Springfield journal-Register
Tornadoes tip it up against JC at High Noon at Sesser
December 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Zeigler-Royalton Tornadoes will be facing the Johnston City Indians at 12 P.M. in the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament consonlation quarterfinal game.
Z-R was defeated yesterday in the opening round against top seeded Woodlawn Cardinals 55-52. Brendan Whiting led the Tornadoes with 25, Steven Anderson had 14, and Cam Newton added 11 yesterday.
The Indians live and die by the three. Z-R plays a half court game. Max Edwards might cause the Tornadoes some problems offensively, but JC does not get him involved in their offense too much.
I am just smelling an upset. Z-R always plays well against JC. I am going with the Tornadoes in this one. When a team that lives and dies with the three like the Indians do, you just don’t know what you can get.
Redbirds outlast Foxes-Play Union Co KY at 4:45 this afternoon
December 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment
ELDORADO- The West Frankfort Redbirds won in the breakfast special at the Eldorado Holiday Tournament defeating the Hamilton County Foxes 50-46 this morning. Noah Allen led WF with 22. Austin Glodich chipped in 13.
They will Play the Union County KY Braves at 4:45 p.m., this afternoon. The Braves are out of Morganfield, which is just a few miles across the river from Shawneetown.
The Braves are led by sharp shooting guard Elex Dunford (no relation) and post player Marqualio King. Noah Allen will shut Dunford down. If King does not get the Redbirds in foul trouble, they should advance to the consolation championship tomorrow. I am going with the Redbirds by five.
-sd
The junk era: Christopher mechanic waits through the slow season
December 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Tomei in his Crown Rebuilders garage in Christopher. (Southern Illinois Photo)
CHRISTOPHER — Dennis Tomei paces through his Christopher garage. Cold air from the holes in his roof stings his face as he looks out the bay-door windows, waiting for work to pull in. This is how his winters are spent. Tomei has been involved in the automotive industry nearly all of his life. His father built the garage where he now operates his business, Crown Rebuilders. It is a family business started by Tomei’s father, Herman Tomei, who built the garage in 1946 when he returned from WWII. He opened it in 1949 as a Chrysler dealership, later shifting to a full automotive shop. Tomei, now 61, was hired to work with him. Please click to read the full article from Issac Smith of the Southern
Rangers/Redbirds getting ready to tip it up soon
December 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
The WF Redbirds have the breakfast special at the Eldorado Holiday tournament this morning as they will be tipping it up at 8:30 against the Hamilton County Foxes soon. If the internet connection is restored at Duff-Kingston gym, the game will be video streamed on foxesfans.net.
Duster Thomas gymnasium (Picture from the website Hidden Gyms)
The Benton Rangers open action today at the Duster Thomas Hoops classic as they face Trenton-Wesclin this morning at 10:30 in Thomas gym, and play the Olney Tigers this evening.
Benton Coach Ron Winemiller has this to say about both match-ups; “I think Wesclin is one of the best teams we have played all year. They are long athletic and can all really shoot the ball. I am worried about their ability to take us to the post and cause us problems with their length.”
“Olney is very well coached. They aren’t as good as they have been in the past but they will cause us some problems with Miller and Lambeard.”
I will do my best to keep you updated about all Holiday Tournament action on franklincounty-news.com
Yellow ball in the sky this morning
December 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Good Morning!!!!! Finally the clouds have moved out!!!!! Highs this week will be in the upper 40’s with lows in the upper 20’s. There is a slight chance of precepitiation on Wednesday night. Chances of rain in the forecast over the weekend.
Imprisoned Rod Blagojevich awaits Obama decision on commutation
December 26, 2016 By Leave a Comment
CHICAGO – One of the last chances for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to win early release from federal prison rests on a pending decision by the man whose Senate seat Blagojevich was 
convicted of trying to sell – President Barack Obama. Blagojevich, 60, is in the fourth year of a 14-year prison term. He recently submitted a request to have his sentence on wide-ranging corruption convictions commuted, the U.S. Department of Justice has confirmed. Obama has rarely mentioned his fellow Chicago Democrat since Blagojevich’s December 2008 arrest, a month after Obama won the presidency, so it’s hard to gauge if he’d give Blagojevich’s request for a reduced sentence serious thought. A look at the commutation process and factors that could influence a decision:….Please click to read the rest of the story from the Associated Press
Ross Saul – Christopher IL
December 26, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Ross Thomas Saul, 87, of Christopher IL, passed away December 24, 2016 in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
He was a retired coal miner. He is survived by his wife Sondra (Izzo) Saul of Christopher, one daughter Cheri Saul (Doug Behm) of Christopher, one son Tom (Krystal) Saul of Christopher, Granddaughter Sophia Saul, step-daughters Jolee Baker of Benton, Tatia (Kevin) Trover of Herrin, step-grandchildren Brooke (Nate) Butcher of Benton, Kelsey Baker of St Petersburg, FL, Landon Trover of Herrin, one step great grandson Zayden Butcher of Benton.
His wishes were to be cremated with no services.
Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is entrusted with the arrangements.
Ruth Cantrell – Sesser
December 26, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Ruth Cantrell, 105, of Sesser IL, passed away on Sunday December 25, 2016 at 6:55 P.M. at Mt Vernon Countryside Manor.
She was born September 14, 1911 to Alva and Della (Cockrum) Stevison. She married Roy Cantrell on February 28, 1937 and he preceded her in death on July 13, 1958.
She was a member of the Sesser First Baptist Church, Eastern Star, and the Sesser Woman’s Club.
Ruth retired as a secretary from Crocker Insurance in Sesser and also did tax preparation for many individuals over the years.
She is survived by one daughter Shelby and Marvin Elliston of Sesser, one granddaughter Marvla Hutchens of Lexington, SC, two great granddaughters Alecia and Brian Davis of Lexington, SC, Ashley Hutchens of Greenwood, SC, great grandson Matt Hutchens of Sesser, and three great great grandchildren Skylar Davis, Riley Davis, and Alaina Creswell.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday December 28, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Visitation will be on Wednesday December 28, 2016 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
