Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today voted in favor of H.R. 2142, the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT) Act, a bipartisan bill to combat the opioid epidemic.  The legislation provides the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enhanced chemical screening devices and scientific support to detect and intercept fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The bill passed the House 412 to 3 and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

“Opioids kill more people in Illinois than homicides and car crashes and drugs like fentanyl are responsible,” said Bost. “Fighting the opioid epidemic is not simply about fighting addiction. It’s also about saving lives by keeping poison like fentanyl from getting into the United States and reaching our community. We have a lot of work still to do, but the bipartisan bill passed today is a step in the right direction.”

Specifically, the INTERDICT Act:

• Ensures that CBP will have additional portable chemical screening devices available at ports of entry and mail and express consignment facilities, and additional fixed chemical screening devices available in CBP laboratories.
• Provides CBP with sufficient resources, personnel, and facilities — including scientists available during all operational hours — to interpret screening test results from the field.
• Authorizes — based on CBP guidance — the appropriation of $15 million for hundreds of new screening devices, laboratory equipment, facilities, and personnel for support during all operational hours.

Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Although pharmaceutical fentanyl can be misused, most fentanyl deaths are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl and illicit versions of chemically similar compounds known as fentanyl analogs. According to the Illinois Department of Health, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, which include fentanyl, increased by 80% from 2013 to 2014.

The primary source of fentanyl is outside of the United States, in Mexico or China. The drug is smuggled across the U.S. border or delivered via mail or express consignment couriers. Fentanyl can also be ordered online. Due to its potency, fentanyl typically comes in small amounts, making it more difficult for authorities to detect.

by Steve Dunford

MARION, IL – Several media sources are reporting there has been a wreck involving three semis, near the 47 mile marker in Williamson County.

This is between the I-24 split and Marion.

Please avoid this area.  Further updates will be shared.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36675636/fbi-investigates-zeigler-commissioner-for-witness-intimidation

ZEIGLER, IL (Andrew Feather, WSIL-TV.  Please click the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Zeigler’s city council meeting Thursday night came to a close, things got hectic.

Many the crowd converged on the council table and police were called in to restore order and usher people out of the room.

The council also reviewed an auditors report showing the full extent of former city Treasurer Ryan Thorpe’s alleged theft of more than $315,000 from the city.

But when things turned to Flood’s reported threatening and intimidating behavior towards other city employees, things started to get tense.

City attorney Rebecca Whittington said the FBI was back in Zeigler, investigating Flood, for potential witness intimidation due to his behavior towards some city employees.

BENTON, IL – On 10/23/17 at approximately 8:00 a.m. the Benton Police Department responded to a 911 report of a male outside Legence Bank on West Main Street striking the windows with his hands while making threats toward the bank personnel inside.  Officers apprehended the suspect upon arrival.  The man, 63 year old Danny H. McCormick of Benton was charged with Aggravated Assault and Disorderly Conduct.  McCormick is currently incarcerated in the Franklin County Jail.

Fall means changing weather and that is what is headed our way. Sunshine Thursday will be replaced by showers on Friday with clearing conditions Saturday. Highs in the 60s and 70s on Thursday will cool by about 10 degrees for Friday, then hang around 50 on Saturday. (NWS-Paducah, KY)

Hazardous Weather Outlook

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

There will some scattered frost tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Thursday through Tuesday

Scattered frost will also be possible late Friday night into
Saturday morning.

In addition, we could encounter our first light freeze of the
season late Saturday night into early Sunday morning.

Seven Day Forecast