NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. • There is a place where all negotiations
Cardinal GM John Mozelak says “There is not an award for being prudent” after baseball’s Winter Meetings
Cards would have to leave comfort zone to land Fowler or Blackmon
December 8, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Carrier Mills curse continues for the Tigers
December 7, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Steve Dunford-Franklin County News and Gridiron
CARRIER MILLS- Since the early 80’s when I was in Junior High, Thompsonville has not played well at Carrier Mills. Since joining the Greater Egyptian Conference coming from the defunct Mid South conference, the Tigers has played some clunkers down there. Last night was no exception, as they lost 58-34 last night in Saline County.
T’ville Coach Pete Gordon gave me one quote, We didn’t shoot well, didn’t rebound well, didn’t defend well, gave a poor effort. That will get your tail kicked every time.
The Tigers shot 20% from the field, and were out-rebounded 44-33. It was one shot and out for Thompsonville. CM killed them on the offensive boards.
I knew Wildcat coach Keil Peebles would come out in a zone. They played in a box in one most of the night guarding Sophmore PG Tyson Kessler. It was the first time that he was under double figures for the year with eight points on the night. Tiger 6′ 7″ center Anthoney Darge was held scoreless.
Tiger guard Cory Wilce on the wing with PG Tyson Kessler at the top of the key.
Carrier Mills put three men in double figures. Freshman phenom led the Wildcats with 15 points. Justice Hill had 14 points and Brody Walker had 13. The only Tiger in double figures was Reed Raubach with ten points.
The Tigers were in deep foul trouble all night. Coach Gordon had to go deep to his bench in the second quarter and Carrier Mills outscored them 15-2.
After the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament, the only time Thompsonville was blown out last year was down at Carrier Mills. Maybe one day the curse will be broken.
The Tigers fell to the .500 mark (3-3) and (1-2) in GEC play. They do not have a conference game until January 6, when the host the Hardin County Cougars at home.
They have a tough opponent Friday night as the travel to Bluford to take on the Webber Township Trojans. Webber is 4-1 on the year losing to the Christopher Bearcats 61-52 which was closer than the final score. The Tigers lost to Webber on opening night 62-56. It is going to be a tough task for T’ville at home.
Carrier Mills improves to (3-4) and (1-2) in the conference. They will make the long road trip to Hardin County Friday night in a GEC match up.
BOX SCORE:
CARRIER MILLS (58): Gibbs 1 34-9 15; Hill 6 0 2-5 14; Walker 4 0 5-6 13; Lollis 4 0 1-3 9; Barnes 1 0 2-2 4; Lewis 1 0 0-0 2; Shaw 0 0 1-3 1; Austin 0-0 0-0 0; Fuller 0 0 0-0 0; Schwartz 0 0 0-0 0; Moss 0 0 0-0 0
THOMPSONVILLE (34): Raubach 2 2 0-0 10; Kessler 1 0 6-8 8; Payne 1 1 2-2 7; Fitch 3 0 0-0 6; Darge 0 0 0-0 0; Kirkman 0 0 0-2 0; Dixon 0 0 0-0 0; Jones 0 0 0-0 0; Summers 0 0 0-0 0; Woodring 0 0 0-0 0 Cardwell 0 0 0-0 0.
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
CARRIER MILLS (3-4)(1-2) 10 15 9 24-58
THOMPSONVILLE (3-3)(1-2) 9 2 9 14-34
December 7, 1941…….A day in infamy …..
December 7, 2016 By Leave a Comment
U.S.S. Arizona from the distance of the commemoration ceremony. Thank you for your service . (Photo Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
Pearl Harbor, the nation remembers the date that lives in infamy 75 years later. Thousands of people, including hundreds of attack survivors and World War II veterans — most in their 90s and older, have gathered at Kilo Pier overlooking the Arizona Memorial and at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to pay tribute to the fallen. Read today’s coverage with several links in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Statement from the UMWA regarding legislation in the Senate
December 7, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The proposed Continuing Resolution (CR) provides for healthcare coverage for the next four (4) months. However, there is no guarantee the proposed CR will be approved by Congress, and the 
proposed CR will not be voted on and decided until the end of this week. Therefore, the only way for Medicare recipients to have guaranteed healthcare coverage on January 1, 2017, is to purchase a supplemental plan today (December 7, 2016). In addition, non-Medicare beneficiaries have until December 15, 2016, to purchase a healthcare plan. To be clear, the proposed CR provides for healthcare coverage for the next four (4) months. Statement from the UMWA website. Please click on this link to read more on the UMWA’s website.
West Frankfort drops one on the road at Eldorado
December 7, 2016 By Leave a Comment
West Frankfort in their home opener against Cairo. Photo from westfrankfortsports.com
HS Basketball scoreboard 12/6/16
December 7, 2016 By Leave a Comment
HS SCOREBOARD 12/6/16
A trio of Sophmores for the Tigers- PG Tyson Kessler (23) at the free throw line, and Reed Raubach (11) and Anthoney Darge (21) in the post
GEC
Carrier Mills 58 THOMPSONVILLE 34
Gallatin County 53 Crab Orchard 48
Galatia 60 Pope County 31
NON CONFERENCE
Okawville 72 SESSER-VALIER 45
Eldorado 60 WEST FRANKFORT 48
Carmi-White County 76 NCOE 63
BDC EAST
Fairfield 55 Johnston City 28
SOUTH EGYPTIAN
Joppa 93 Shawnee 49
Century 87 Egyptian 59
Meridian 81 Agape Christian 35
MIDLAND TRIAL
Wayne City 47 Cisne 40
Webber Township 83 Sandoval 40
GIRLS
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS RIVER TO RIVER
Ohio
Muphysboro 57 Herrin 39
Mississippi
Du Quoin 52
Pinckneyville 44
Non Conference
CHRISTOPHER 49 Gallatin County 24
Graves Co. KY 48 Massac County 15
New Athens 57 Trico 10
FCHS Lady Redbirds Win At Du Quoin
December 6, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Team photo from westfrankfortsports.com
Donald Trump to Boeing: ‘Cancel order’ for new $4B Air Force One
December 6, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday that he wants to cancel the Pentagon’s order with Boeing for a new $4 billion Air Force One, as 
the president-elect keeps playing hardball with American businesses. Shares of Boeing stock dropped in premarket trading after the tweet by more than 1 percent, but the price began climbing back after the opening bell. “Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!” Mr. Trump tweeted. Later, Mr. Trump said the spending on the new airplane was “totally out of control.”
Sheldon Mike Gilbert, 72, Christopher
December 6, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Sheldon Mike Gilbert, 72 of Christopher IL, passed away Monday December 5, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room. Mike was born February 17, 1944 in Carbondale, IL, to Sheldon Record and Mildred (Arburn) Gilbert.
After the death of his parents, at the age of nine years old, he was taken in and raised by his brother Joe and Helen (Cook) Gilbert as one of their children. He married Carolyn (Cook) Gilbert on August 10, 1968 in Detroit, MI and she survives of Christopher. He was a veteran serving in the United States Marine Corp. from 1962 until 
1966.
1966.He was a member of the First Christian Church in Christopher, American Legion of Christopher, Masonic Lodge, and a former member of the Christopher Lion’s Club. He was the former owner of Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher and Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser until his retirement in 2006.
Survivors include his wife Carolyn, his loving children Cheryl and Rob Seidel of Benton, Bob Gilbert of Christopher, and Stephen and Sarah Gilbert of Christopher. He is also survived by his grandchildren that he loved dearly Lindsey Seidel, Jacob Seidel, Bobbi Jo Gilbert, Kaili Gilbert, Bailey Gilbert, and Reagan Gilbert. He is also survived by two brothers and one sister, Terry and Sandy Gilbert of Marion, KY, Randy and Becky Gilbert of Mulkeytown and Jeanenne and Corky Mazur of Christopher; Brother-in-law Ronald and Toni Cook of Clinton Twp., MI; nieces and nephews Keith and Angie Gilbert, Brad and Valerie Gilbert, Kevin and Kim Gilbert, Britt and Sandy Gilbert, Rodney and Niki Gilbert, Chris Preuss, Courtney and Cheryl Mazur, Trevor and Niki Mazur, Donnie Cook, Gary Cook, Kevin Cook, Ronnie Cook, Carl and Eileen Wedel, Phil and Barb Wedel and George and Mary Wedel.
He was preceded in death by parents, S.R. and Mildred Gilbert, Joe and Helen Gilbert, grandson Connor Michael Gilbert, one sister Ann Wedel Jones, and one niece Jennifer Jo Preuss.
Funeral Service will be on Friday December 9, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Daniel Ison officiating. Following the funeral service, Mike’s wishes were to be cremated with burial at a later date. Visitation will be on Thursday December 8, 2016 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mulkeytown Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.
The Gilbert Family would like to thank everyone for their kindness during this difficult time. Special thanks go to the Christopher Police Department, Coello Rescue, and Abbott’s EMS.
Franklin County Basketball Preview 12/6/16
December 6, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Steve Dunford-Franklin County Hoops and Gridiron
Three of the counties teams are in action tonight. West Frankfort and Thompsonville make trips to Saline County tonight as they go to Eldorado and Carrier Mills respectively. Sesser-Valier makes the trip down west down I 64 to Okawville.
Thompsonville (3-2)(1-1) at Carrier Mills (2-4)(1-1)
Last season the Carrier Mills Wildcats bit Thompsonville Twice. The first was an eight point loss at home. The return trip on the road last year was a 22 point loss that T’ville did not play well at all.
Both teams have everyone back, except two freshmen who are playing big roles, Will Gibbs for CM and Corbin Fitch for Thompsonville.
Thompsonville has the size advantage and Carrier Mills is quicker. This has been a match up that has intrigued me since the start of the season. The Wildcats 2-4 record is deceiving. Even though they went 2-3 at Vienna, talking Eldorado to the wire they lost to Galatia last Friday night. Thompsonville has upset on their conference record falling to Pope County last Tuesday night with both teams sitting with a 1-1 conference record.
For the Tigers to come away with the win tonight, they are going to have to shoot the lights out to bring Coach Keil Peebles out of that 2-1-2 zone they play a lot. Walker, Hill and company are just going to be too much. I am going with Carrier Mills by three tonight. If the Tigers come out of this week with a split, as an alumnus, I will take it.
Sesser-Valier (1-3) at Okawville (4-0)
I have repeatedly said that Sesser-Valier plays a very brutal schedule for a 1A school at the start of the year. Tonight they make the trip to Washington County to play in that palace that I would like to make a trip up there one day.
Noah Fredreking will be the nemesis in the side maroon teams around here for the next few years. After he graduates, will be a thorn in the Saluki’s side. He has signed a letter of intent to play for Marty Simmons and the Evansville Purple aces.
They have another nice player in Gant. It is a little harder to keep track of the Rockets since the no longer are in the BIT and play in their own tournament.
I am just going to be honest, after this week S-V can be 1-5. They would still deserve a decent seed in the Holiday Tournament after playing a very brutal schedule. I have to take Okawville by 20 tonight. This is a team that you can see at Peoria. I just hope the IHSA sends them north again.
West Frankfort (1-0) at Eldorado (6-0)
The Eagles record is a little gaudy. The Vienna tournament is basically a 1A tournament now. The only regular season game they have played is an OT win over Gallatin County.
Traxler and Attebury both are a load inside, but Kevin Toney has a lot more size this year than Austin Glodich. What I am trying to remember from last season, the Redbirds have the advantage in the backcourt. It will be a great matchup tonight down at Duff-Kingston gym.
This is a game that can have some big time implications on the seedings of the Eldorado Holiday Torunament that should be coming out soon. I am not knocking the GEC, but when you barely get by Carrier Mills and Gallatin, it makes me wonder how they will match up with the Redbirds. I am going with WF by five.
