Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Southern Illinois Fire Incidents photo.
PINCKNEYVILLE – The Pinckneyville Press and the website Southern Illinois Fire incidents is reporting that several fire departments on the scene at the Grecian Steak and Seafood House, just south of the square in Pinckneyville.
Further updates will be provided when available.
Here is further information from WSIL=TV
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37133066/pinckneyville-restaurant-destroyed-by-fire
After a wet start to the day, look for precipitation to diminish and some folks may even see some sunshine during the afternoon. Cooler air will be settling in, however, with high temperatures some 10 to 15 degrees cooler than they were just 24 hours ago. (NWS Paducah)
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight
A flash flood watch remains in effect until 9 AM for our
Tennessee border counties in western Kentucky, from Murray,
eastward toward Hopkinsville. Refer to the Watch for details.
Rain may change to snow before ending today, mainly for our
northwest counties in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.
Little accumulation is expected, and if any occurs, it will be
mainly on grassy and sheltered surfaces as air and ground
temperatures remain above freezing.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Sunday through Friday
Rain may mix with or change to snow Sunday, mainly for our
northern counties, especially along and north of Interstate 64 in
southern Illinois and southwest Indiana. A light dusting is
possible there.
Light snow, mixed at times with light rain over southern portions of
the region, is possible Thursday into Friday. Potential snow
accumulation is quite uncertain at this point, but still looks to be
fairly low.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…
Spotter reports of rainfall and any flooding are appreciated.
WHITTINGTON – Franklin County Emergency Management Agency reports that Interstate 57 Northbound is blocked off at Exit 77 (Sesser) due to a traffic crash in Jefferson County.
More information will be shared when it becomes available.
7:45 statement released from the Illinois State Police
The northbound lanes of I57 are currently closed at mile post 90.5 due to a 2 vehicle, single fatality crash. All north bound traffic is being diverted off of I57 onto IL Route 154 at mile post 77 while first responders are investigating and cleaning up the scene.
11:30 update – The northbound lanes is not open at the 77 mile marker (Sesser exit). It is my understanding the northbound lanes are still closed at the 83 mile marker (Ina Exit) and will remain closed for several hours. =sd
The accident happened at the 90 mile marker which is just south of the 57/64 split.
Here is the latest from WSIL-TV at 4:30 p.m.
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37131702/crash-on-i-57
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 13
WHAT: Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: I-57 north bound milepost 90.5
WHEN: Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 4:16 A.M.
VEHICLES: 2016 International truck tractor semi in 5 axle combination and a 2005 Ford Expedition (unoccupied)
DRIVERS: International –Robert Miller, a 71 year old male of Effingham, IL – Uninjured.
PEDESTRIANS: Amanda Beem, a 22 year old female of Port St Lucie, FL-Fatally Injured.
Juvenile female of Port St Lucie, FL-Major Injuries-Transported via ambulance to a regional hospital.
Emory J Beem, a 20 year old male of Port St Lucie, FL-Uninjured.
Dennis Beem, a 45 year old male of Port St Lucie, FL-Uninjured.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the Ford Expedition was disabled in the roadway after being involved in a property damage only traffic crash on I-57 northbound milepost 90.5. The occupants of the Ford Expedition exited the vehicle and were standing in the roadway. The northbound International struck Amanda Beem, who was standing in the roadway prior to striking the Ford Expedition.
Northbound traffic on I-57 was diverted at Illinois Route 154. I-57 was closed for approximately 5.5 hours for crash investigation and scene cleanup.
CHARGES: None
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
CARTERVILLE – On Friday, President Donald Trump signed the Republican tax plan into law, making it the biggest overhaul of the U.S. tax code in three decades.
It’s also the president’s biggest legislative victory, by far.
“I consider this a bill for the middle class and a bill for jobs,” said President Trump.
While polls show most American don’t approve of the tax plan, Republican Illinois Congressman Mike Bost expects that to change soon.
Please click on the link below as WSIL-TV’s Brandon Richard discusses the tax plan with Congressman Bost.
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37130399/congressman-bost-predicts-tax-law-will-become-more-popular
Mt. Vernon register news photo
MT. VERNON – Three youths were arrested Monday in connection with the Kendrick Paper Stock Co. warehouse fire.
According to Mt. Vernon Police Det. Jeremy Reichert, arrest warrants were issued for the three suspects by the state’s attorney. The warrants charge them with arson, but Reichert said it was not their intention for the building to burn down.
“These kids had no clue how serious things could get,” Reichert said.
Please click on the link below for the full story from Brett Templeton of the Mt. Vernon Register-News
Benton, IL – It is after Christmas and you need to take the tree out of the house. What can you do with it now? How about helping out some fish with a new home for the holidays. .The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake are asking for your old Christmas trees to improve fish habitat. Donated trees will be bundled together to create underwater fish structures. These structures serve a variety of purposes such as providing feeding areas for fish of all sizes, refuge for small fish, and excellent fishing spots for anglers.
Christmas trees can be dropped off at any of the following three Rend Lake boat ramps or parking lot locations: Sugar Creek parking lot, located at the intersection of Licata and Mine 21 roads; Dam West boat ramp, located on the west end of the main dam; or Jackie Branch boat ramp, located north of Rt. 154 across from the Barren Township building. Christmas trees will be accepted at these locations until January 16, 2018. If you are closer to Mt. Vernon, Christmas trees may be recycled at the areas designated by signs at the Veterans Park women’s softball field; Forest Avenue; Optimist Park, 903 Pace Avenue; or Airport Park, 1101 Airport Road until January 5, 2018.
Two additional collection locations have been added through a partnership with the Marion Park District. The first location will be in Ray Fosse Park, which is located just north of Route 13 on the east end of Marion. The collection point will be located in the “Goofy Golf” parking lot, just behind the swimming pool, at 519 Parish Ave. The second collection point will be located at the northernmost picnic
Afternoon Graphicast Update: Rain will continue moving northeast from southeast Missouri and western Kentucky into portions of southern Illinois this afternoon. (NWS Paducah)
.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight
Widespread showers are expected to produce heavy rainfall over
much of west Kentucky from this afternoon through tonight. A Flash
Flood Watch has been issued for this afternoon and tonight across
the area from Mayfield eastward through Murray, Cadiz,
Hopkinsville and Elkton Kentucky. Please refer to the Watch for
details.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Saturday through Thursday
A brief change over to snow will be possible early Saturday before
the precipitation comes to an end over portions of southeast
Missouri and southern Illinois. No accumulation is expected.
A light wintry mix of light rain and light snow is forecast Thursday
and Thursday night. Little or no accumulation is expected at this
time.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…
Spotters should report any heavy rainfall and flash flooding
issues they encounter this afternoon through Saturday morning.
This week Apple acknowledged it slows iPhone 6, 6s, SE and 7 models to prevent problems with batteries that are old, in cold conditions or low on power, such as devices that would unexpectedly shut down, according to the lawsuit. (AP Photo)
CHICAGO –Two Chicago-area residents are part of a lawsuit against Apple that claims the company’s failure to explain its practice of slowing older iPhones to prevent problems with aging batteries fraudulently pushed consumers to upgrade to newer models.
The lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago and seeks class-action status, is one of at least three Apple is facing involving the intentionally slowed iPhones. Two other lawsuits were filed in California, also Thursday.
This week Apple acknowledged it slows iPhone 6, 6s, SE and 7 models to prevent problems with batteries that are old, in cold conditions or low on power, such as devices that would unexpectedly shut down, according to the lawsuit.
Please click on the link below from Lauren Zumbach of the Chicago Tribune.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-apple-iphone-slowdown-lawsuit-1223-story.html
SPRINGFIELD – More than 200 new laws will go into effect in Illinois in the new year, but do any of them deal with the major fiscal problems the state’s been struggling with for years?
For most of 2017, state Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, didn’t vote for legislation that wasn’t going to solve some of the major issues facing the state.
“We passed bills that talk about things like how we label fish on a menu,” Batinick said. “I think we named two expressways after former President [Barack] Obama. We debated whether or not you need to paint a school bus after you sell it on the used market. But we didn’t address pensions. We didn’t do anything good for work comp. We didn’t do anything good for property taxes.”
Please click on the link below to read the full story from Greg Bishop of Illinois News Network.
State Troopers to Strictly Enforce DUI, Speeding, Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Leo P. Schmitz is reminding motorists to take the necessary safety precautions to prevent senseless tragedies during the upcoming Christmas and New Year season. ISP will be working to reduce fatal crashes and arrest impaired drivers.
The ISP will be doing their part in keeping the roadways safe for those traveling through the state. The ISP will be strictly enforcing the four most common causes of fatal traffic crashes. “The Fatal Four” includes: DUI, Speeding, Seat Belt, and Distracted Driving.
You can do your part to make travel safe this holiday season. If you are going to be at an event with alcohol, please make sure you designate a driver. Keep your eyes on the road away from cell phones, “Give Them Distance” when approaching flashing lights on the shoulder, watch your speed and buckle up every trip.
“DUI is one of the most preventable factors in holiday fatal traffic crashes,” stated Illinois State Police Director Leo P. Schmitz. “Throughout the holidays, the ISP will conduct extra patrols and roadside safety checks with an emphasis on removing impaired drivers. Our goal is to make sure all Illinois motorists travel safely, with no tragedies this season. Remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
We are confident that voluntary compliance of Illinois traffic laws can lead to a safe and enjoyable holiday season for everyone.
