NOTE: This is a blog piece from Central Junior High Principal 
Charley Cass from his blog. It is a touching piece about FCHS basketball player Morgan Griffith, who is the all time leading Scorer at West Frankfort. Please click on the link to read his piece.
Chase Her Example
December 3, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Three-week speech class returning to RLC for Summer 2017
December 3, 2016 By Leave a Comment
INA, Ill. (Dec. 1, 2016) – Rend Lake College students and other students home for the summer break can knock out a required speech class next summer in only three weeks. RLC is again offering the intersession class between the Spring and Summer 2017 semesters.
The class – Principles of Effective Speaking (COMM 1101) – will meet from 8 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday beginning May 15, excluding Memorial Day, in the Academic Building, Room 209, on the Ina campus. The last day of class will be June 1, just in time to start regular summer classes the following week.
RLC Professor Elizabeth Bailey-Smith said this is the second time she’s taught the class during the summer, and students last year found the layout helped to keep them on their toes.
“One student stated, ‘I am usually somewhat of a procrastinator, but I didn’t have time to procrastinate with this class.’ It offers the opportunity for students to complete a three-credit hour class in less than three weeks. It’s intense, but only 11 times,” said Bailey-Smith.
In addition to the shorter-than-normal schedule, students enrolled in the intersession class have added benefits. Bailey-Smith explained, “Students can focus on one course and receive more one-on-one attention because of the small class size and longer sessions.”
Principles of Effective Speaking is a requirement for many programs and degrees at RLC and other institutions to which the class can transfer. To register for the course, contact RLC’s Academic Advisement Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266 or advising@rlc.edu.
UPDATE: 9 killed, 25 missing in overnight Oakland fire
December 3, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Franklin County Basketball Preview – Saturday 12/3/16 part one
December 3, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Steve Dunford- Franklin County Hoops and Gridiron
Sesser-Valier and Benton will both be playing two games today. The Red-Devils play Carmi-White County at 12:30 this afternoon and DuQuoin at 7:30 tonight in the DuQuoin Tip-Off classic. The Rangers will be playing Johnston City at 2:00 p.m. followed up by Goreville at 8:30 p.m. in the Goreville Invitational Tournament. I will preview this afternoon’s games and will have another preview on the games tonight after the completion of the afternoon session of both tournaments.
When I make an “If I drove” statement, I do not want anyone to feel sorry for me. For those that don’t know, I have not driven in three years because of Seizures. I would be in Perry and Johnson Counties today. I would be checking out the hospitality rooms at DuQuoin and Goreville. There is not one that I have not liked yet. Today I will be getting a look at Hardin County and Goreville on video. I will watch the Rangers and the Blackcats tonight. I will be listening to a lot of radio broadcasts. I will sneak the Salukis in there on this cold cloudy December day.
Sesser Valier (1-1) vs Carmi-White County (2-0) 12:30 P.M. at DuQuoin
It seems like Matt Rice has been in the backcourt and Jake Simon has been down low for the Bulldogs forever. Jack Bullock (ABV Jack) of abaselineview.com has Carmi winning the East division on the BDC.
The Red Devils are coming off a tough 55-53 loss to a very quick and physical Cairo Pilot club last night. Shane Garner can throw 10 different guys on the floor and not miss a beat. Legs will be a factor for the Devils today. The bulldogs had the night off. I am going with Carmi-White County by 10 today.
I might be not a very popular guy in Pitchfork Nation but I will have them going 0-2 today. Playing in the Tip-Off classic and the BIT might not pad the regular season record, but what really matters in late February when the record flips to 0-0. Those are the games that really count.
What jumped out at me in the box score last night, it looks like the Pilot defense shut Charlie Farmer down. Joshua Gunter and Addison Baxter led S-V with 18. There are two more weapons that Coach Shane Garner will have at his disposal of his very deep ball club.
Benton (3-0) vs Johnston City (3-0) at Goreville
If someone would have come up to me last week that Johnston City would be 3-0 a week ago I would have wondered what local watering hole you walked out of.
The Indians has surprised a lot of High School basketball fans across Southern Illinois. I knew going in that EJ Thompson was a player. I have watched Luka Galdoni on the football field the last couple seasons, and knew he was a tremendous athlete.
Chase Selby, Wyatt Rix, and Houston Hall can flat out shoot the ball. You throw big Max Edwards in there in the inside. Johnston City might be one of the better 2A teams in Southern Illinois this year.
Benton Coach Ron Winemiller is concerned about their strength and athleticism. This will be the Rangers toughest test of the year. There were several raving about the Ranger’s defense last night. I am going with Benton by 15 this afternoon in a very hard fought ball game. This might be a close one at halftime.
There will be an evening edition of previews at the completion of both games.
West Frankfort Lady Redbirds lose at home to Carterville
December 2, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Cardinals deal Jamie Garcia to the Braves for three prospects…
December 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Macedonia Mayor Wayne Schaffner passes
December 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Wayne Fredrick Schaffner, age 70 of Macedonia IL, passed away Monday, November 28, 2016 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN.
Wayne’s wishes were to be cremated.
A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 4, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Military Honors given by the Benton American Legion Post 280, Benton V.F.W. Post 2671, and the Army National Guard out of Marion, officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Wayne Fredrick Schaffner was born on November 4, 1946 in East St. Louis, IL, the son of Anitta (Fleshing) Schaffner. He married the former Marilyn Gail Fisher on Dec. 31, 1985 and she survives.
Mr. Schaffner was the Mayor of the Village of Macedonia. His prior working career consisted that of being an Iron Worker where he was also a member of the Iron Workers Local 392 located in East St. Louis.
He served his Country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, and received the Purple Heart.
Wayne enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn Schaffner of Macedonia; his four children: Christina Phillips and husband Steve of Macedonia, Todd Schaffner and wife Barbara of Marissa, IL, Timothy Schaffner and wife Charity of Macedonia, and Krystle Nordhaus and husband Michael of Effingham; twelve grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers: Dennis Schaffner of Greenville, IL, and Michael Schaffner and wife Sue of St. Charles, MO; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Schaffner was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister-in-law Carol Schaffner.
A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 4, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Military Honors given by the Benton American Legion Post 280, Benton V.F.W. Post 2671, and the Army National Guard out of Marion, officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Memorial contributions may be made to aide homeless veterans through the Marion VA Medical Center Voluntary Services, 2401 West Main Street, Marion, IL 62959.
To leave the family online condolences, or to share memories of Wayne, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
Fire-damaged churches: God is still with us
December 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment
SVW downs Woodlawn
December 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment
