HARRISBURG, IL – After receiving essays from students across the 59^th Senate District, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) has announced the winners of his Veterans Day essay contest, an initiative to increase awareness of the importance and meaning of Veterans Day.

Two winners were selected from this year’s submission by a veteran from the 59^th District: Will Smiley, an 8^th grader from Lick Creek; and Sarah Flick, a 7^th grader from Vienna.

“Veterans Day is the time of year that we remember the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to the service of our country,” said Fowler. “To me, this essay contest is a way to honor the legacy of our military personnel and also give a younger generation a chance to reflect on the purpose of Veterans Day, and the true sacrifices that come with protecting our nation and our freedoms.”

This year’s contest was open to 7^th-grade and 8^th-grade students throughout the 59^th District, prompting students to write an essay explaining the history of Veterans Day and the importance of celebrating the day each year.

“While all the submissions this year were well-received and thoughtful, two winners had to be chosen, and Will and Sarah did a great job explaining the importance and legacy of Veterans Day. Their essays were well-written and stood out,” said Fowler. “I’m extremely proud of the work I saw submitted from the kids of our communities, and hope that this contest inspired some of our young people to reflect on the importance of honoring our veterans.”

The winning essays are featured on the Senate Republicans Veterans Day display in the Illinois State Capitol Rotunda, a tribute to the military service and sacrifice of all veterans in Illinois.

Both students will have the opportunity to serve as a “page-for-the-day” with Senator Fowler, either in his district office in Harrisburg or in Springfield on a day that the Legislature is in session.

The winning essays can be found by visiting Sen. Fowler’s webpage, senatorfowler.com. 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Al Lawson (D-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation to make more United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) apprenticeships available to veterans. The Veterans’ Agricultural Apprenticeship Act instructs the USDA to work with state departments of agriculture to identify farmers and ranchers eligible for a direct loan to train apprentice veterans.  The loan would, in turn, be paid back to the USDA after the harvest season.

“Our bipartisan bill provides a common sense solution for helping our farmers and ranchers fill jobs and expand their operations, while offering our veterans new skills and a potential career path after their service,” said Bost. “Representative Lawson and I sit right next to each other in the House Agriculture Committee, we both have rural economies in our districts, and we both know there’s no more dedicated workforce than our returning military men and women. I’m proud to carry this bill right before Veterans Day to give a hand up to our returning heroes.”

“Our bill helps prioritize veterans by getting them the on-the-job training they need to be successful in farming,” said Rep. Lawson. “This program also ensures that veterans have access to quality jobs when they return home, and helps to feed our country.”

According to the USDA, nearly 45 percent of veterans come from rural America.  Over the next 20 years, it is projected that our nation will need 700,000 new agricultural workers.

REND LAKE COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

November 14, 2017 6:30 PM Rend Lake College 468 N Ken Gray Parkway Ina, IL 62846

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call

III. General Information

A. Announcements

1. Friday, November 15, 2017; Noon Documentary Film Showing, Paper Clips RLC Theatre

2. Thursday, December 7, 2017; 6:00 p.m. RLCF Annual Dinner Meeting Mt Vernon Hotel & Event Center “formerly Holiday Inn”

3. Friday, December 8, 2017 RLC Faculty/Staff Holiday Luncheon “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium

B. Audit Presentation IV. Closed Session – The Board may go into closed session pursuant to Section 2(c)(1)(21) of the Open Meetings Act.

Subsection (1) appointment, employment, and compensation of specific employees; (21) approval of meeting minutes.

V. Resume Open Meeting

VI. Approval of Consent Agenda

VII. Approval of Minutes of the: 1 * October 17, 2017 Board of Trustees Meeting;* * October 17, 2017 Board of Trustees Executive Session*

VIII. New Business

13 * A. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy Manual 2.1700 – Background Checks for Potential and Current Employees (Second Reading) 16 * B. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy Manual 3.1420 – Return to Work Certification (Second Reading)

18 * C. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 4.1010 – Enrollment of International Students (Second Reading)

22 * D. Approval to Create Rend Lake College Policy 2.1507 – Media Relations (Second Reading)

24 * E. Approval to Create Rend Lake College Policy 3.1112 – Student Employment (Second Reading)

26 * F. Course / Curriculum Approvals (TO BE PROVIDED)

31 G. Approval of Student Worker Handbook (TO BE PROVIDED)

32 H. Approval of Transfer Admission Guarantee Program Agreement Between The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and Rend Lake College

39 I. Approval of 2018 – 2019 Academic Calendar

41 J. Approval of Protection, Health, and Safety Projects (PHS Levy) for FY 19

42 K. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy 3.1530 – Holidays (First Reading)

IX. Personnel

45 A. Ratify the Acceptance of Resignation of Academic Advisor

48 B. Create the Position, Approve the Job Description, and advertise for License Exempt Monitor – CCRR

51 C. Appointment of Dean of Applied Science & Technology

53 D. Amend Retirement Resignation of Administrative Assistant of Math and Sciences

A. Employment Status of Tenured Certified Nursing Assistant Instructor (TO BE PROVIDED)

X. Financial Information 56 A. Ratification of the Payment of College Expenses including Travel Expense Reimbursements

B. Financials (INFORMATIONAL; TO BE PROVIDED)

XI. Reports

1. Academic Council

2. ICCTA Representative
3. Rend Lake College Foundation 4. Accreditation Report

XII. Public Comment

XIII. President’s Comments

XIV. Adjournment

BENTON, IL – The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

10-30-17 at 8:40 pm a 2001 Dodge Ram Pick-Up Truck driven by Paul R. Lingle age 75 of Whittington was east bound on ll. Rt. 154 when it failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection with ll. Rt. 37. The Ram continued through the intersection, first striking a traffic sign and then into a ditch, striking a tree head- on. The driver and a passenger, Catherine E. Lingle age 73 of Whittington both received major injuries and were air evacuated to an out of state hospital.

10-31-17 Deputies responded to an incident in rural Benton that resulted in the arrest of Candace V. Perez age 32 of Benton for unlawful violation of an order of protection.

11-2-17 at 3:33 pm a traffic stop in Christopher resulted in the arrest of Phillippe J. Laurant age 35 of Mulkeytown for driving while license suspended.

11-3-17 at 10:55 pm a traffic stop in rural Benton resulted in the arrest of Brett R. Eubanks age 28 of Benton for traffic charges and unlawful possession of cannabis over 10 grams and less than 30 grams. Class A misdemeanor.

11-4-17 at 3:57 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Samuel C. Poteete age 53 of Valier for felony driving while license revoked, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine. Also charged were Erick L. Sprague age 33 of Pittsburg and Caressa M. Pyles age 39 of West Frankfort with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.

11-4-17 at 7:13 pm Deputies responded to a reported suspicious person walking on the roadway on ll. Rt. 14 five miles east of Benton. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Ryan J. Halaska age 30 of West Frankfort for aggravated assault. 11-6-17 at 5:44 pm Deputies initiated an investigation into a reported sexual abuse incident that was alleged to have occurred the previous Sunday,

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11-7-17 at 3:04 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Stacy Kaye Manning age 32 of Benton for driving while license suspended.

WARRANTS

10-25-17 Shane F. Utley age 29 of Marion. Domestic battery

10-27-17 Amanda M. Miller age 29 of Christopher. Possession of methamphetamine

10-27-17 David K. Jennings age 29 of Benton. Failure to appear on a battery charge

10-28-17 Bobby J. Brown age 37 of South Fulton, TN. Burglary and theft

10-29-17 James E. Johnston age 53 of Mt. Vernon. Failure to appear on traffic charges

10-30-17 Brian E. Carle age 26 of Ewing. Unlawful delivery of controlled substances

11-1-17 Brian S. Swift age 40 of Sesser. Failure to appear on traffic charges

11-1-17 Christine E. Pencook age 38 of Creal Springs. Violation of probation

11-2-17 Larissa D. Pearce age 25 of Benton. Failure to appear for arson

11-3-17 Laura L. Orlovich age 43 of Marion. Failure to appear for D.U.I.

11-4-17 Ricki L. Carter age 24 of Herrin. Violation of probation

11-4-17 Jordan L. Hewitt age 20 of Pinkneyville. Failure to appear for theft

11-4-17 Natalie A. Hartley age 39 of Macedonia. Contempt of court

11-4-17 Carrie L. Stahura age 31 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on traffic charges

11-6-17 George R. Burger age 54 of Benton. Failure to appear on possession of methamphetamine

11-7-17 Brieanna E. Johsnon age 23 of DuQuoin. Failure to appear for criminal trespass
The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.