Rain chances diminish to 30% Saturday, chance of rain again on Monday

by Steve Dunford

Expected weather through the end of the work week. (NWS-Paducah)

Dry conditions still continue. Here in West Frankfort yesterday, we just got enough rain to settle the dust.  The southeast side of the county received a half-inch of rain in places, around Sesser to the northwest, there was about a quarter of an inch.  This information is from the National Weather Service in Paducah.

Earlier in the week, it looked like that showers and thunderstorms would possibly hamper the Friday Night Lights.  That is not the case now.  Going into week seven, there has not been any weather interruptions this season.

There is a tropical depression that is forming in the Gulf of Mexico at this time.  If it intensifies, we will share information as there are a lot of people that vacation there in this area.

Seven Day Forecast

This Afternoon
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Calm wind.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Light south wind.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 6 to 8 mph.
Saturday
A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Columbus Day
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the morning.
Monday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

 

Alabama woman arrested on Benton Square for traffic charges

BENTON, IL – On October 2nd, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to the area of 400 Public Square in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

Upon investigating, police arrested Shana Bertucci, age 46, of AL for driving while license suspended.

From

Plans to build medical clinic in Zeigler are on hold

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36514866/plans-to-build-medical-clinic-in-zeigler-are-on-hold

WSIL photo

ZEIGLER, IL – (Evie Allen, WSIL-TV.  Please click from the link above for the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below.)

With the City of Zeigler’s finances under scrutiny, some wonder if it has played a part in slowing down plans for a new medical clinic.

Mayor Dennis Mitchell told News 3, money for the clinic is still there, but other problems have halted plans, for now.

The dream for and old bank building in Zeigler to become a medical center, is now on hold.

Making the total cost around $525,000. Mitchell also said the “Morthland Foundation” had a part in the lease agreement.

Representatives with the Morthland Foundation told News 3, they still hope to move forward with the clinic as well.

 

In Response to the Signing of Illinois H.B. 40, Illinois Republican Congressional Delegation Releases Statement on H.R. 36

Washington, D.C. — In the wake of legislation signed by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner that would allow for the use of taxpayer money to cover an unlimited number of abortions anytime for any reason, members of the Illinois Republican Congressional Delegation voted to advance bipartisan legislation H.R. 36 – the Unborn Pain-Capable Child Protection Act – to restrict abortions 20 weeks or more after conception, the point at which unborn fetuses can feel pain.

Representatives Peter Roskam (IL-06), John Shimkus (IL-15), Randy Hultgren (IL-14), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement:

“Henry Hyde championed the rights of the unborn through the Hyde Amendment, which expressly prohibits federal funding for abortions. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2005 to 2014, the infant mortality rate in the United States dropped 15 percent. Much of this progress can be attributed to technological advancements in medicine that gives children born prematurely and with various medical issues a fighting chance. H.R. 36 protects children like Micah Pickering who was born at 22 weeks and is a thriving toddler today.

“In a reversal of long-standing Illinois policy, Governor Rauner has let down Illinois taxpayers and the unborn by signing H.B. 40. Today, the Illinois delegation stands together in our support of H.R. 36 to protect human life.”

Background:

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Act (H.R.36) restricts abortions 20 weeks or more after conception. Specifically, H.R.36 establishes criminal penalties for any person who performs or attempts an abortion on a fetus after the 20-week mark. In addition, this bill provides exceptions to save the life of the mother and in the case of rape or incest.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that H.R 36 would save roughly 10,000 lives each year. The U.S. is one of only seven countries in the world that allows elective abortion past 20 weeks (5 months), at which point scientific evidence suggests that the baby is capable of feeling excruciating pain during an abortion procedure. A poll released in January 2017 found that 74 percent of Americans want abortion restricted to, at most, the first trimester. At the state level, over a dozen states across the country have enacted 20-week bills.

From George O’ Connor Communications Director – Congressman Mike Bost

Celebrate Christmas in the Capitol with RLC Community and Corporate Ed

by Reece Rutland – Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, Ill. Oct. 2, 2017) – Ring in the holidays with a double dose of festive cheer and United States history by joining Rend Lake College on a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and Washington, D.C. during the height of the Christmas season.

Colonial Williamsburg and Washington, D.C. Christmas trip will take place from Dec. 9–15, 2017. Pre-registration is required by Oct. 15, and the cost of the trip is $1,975 per person, double occupancy.

Vacationers will head to the preserved colonial city of Williamsburg to learn about Christmas traditions of the past, plus tour the homes of Presidents Jefferson and Washington. Other highlights of the trip include a stop to explore the Smithsonian Museums in Washington D.C. Travelers will also enjoy the modern day tradition of Christmas lights in both the nation’s capital city as well as Newport News.

To register, contact Community and Corporate Education at 618-437-5321 x1714. Cancelled registrations after the Oct. 15 deadline may not be eligible to receive a full refund

Avoid the area of the intersection of State Routes 37-154

There have been two accidents around the intersection of 37 and 154.  One is right at the intersection.  One is 1/4 mile North.  Please avoid that area at the present time.

Benton and Sesser Firefighters , as well as the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is responding. -sd

TIME: 4:10 p.m.

Chance of showers this afternoon

Isolated showers and possibly a thunderstorm will continue to be possible across mainly southern Illinois and southeast Missouri through late afternoon. (NWS Paducah)

Seven Day Forecast

This Afternoon
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind.
Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Light south southwest wind.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 8 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 7 to 9 mph.
Saturday
A chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. South southwest wind 8 to 11 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday
A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 3 to 7 mph.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 6 mph.
Columbus Day
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

Trump surveys hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, meets San Juan mayor after feud

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/03/trump-lands-in-hurricane-ravaged-puerto-rico-as-defends-administration-s-storm-response.html

 

President Trump is seen greeting San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who has repeatedly criticized the president’s actions since the storm wreaked havoc on the territory last month.  (White House pool photo)

SAN JUAN, PR –  (Alex Pappas, Fox News. Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.) 

President Trump visited storm-ravaged Puerto Rico on Tuesday to survey damage and talk to residents, while also meeting and briefly praising the San Juan mayor following their feud over the administration’s response to Hurricane Maria.

The president, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, participated in a packed briefing on storm recovery shortly after landing at Luis Muñiz Air National Guard Base in San Juan.

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who has repeatedly criticized the president’s actions since the storm wreaked havoc on the U.S. territory last month, was seen shaking Trump’s hand and joining him for the briefing in a hangar.

Opioid Overdose Reversal Drug More Readily Available

IDPH Issues Illinois Naloxone Standing Order

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. today announced the release of the Illinois Naloxone Standing Order (Standing Order).  This Standing Order makes a drug that is able to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose more readily available to first responders and the community.

“We are seeing an alarming increase in the number of people in Illinois dying due to opioid overdoses,” said Director Shah.  “By making it easier to obtain, distribute, and administer the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone, commonly called Narcan, we can help save the lives of some of the 1,900 estimated annual opioid overdose deaths.”

In September 2015, Illinois enacted Public Act 99-0480 (Act), expanding access to naloxone, which can be used to reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by heroin, fentanyl, and certain prescription pain medications.  The law authorizes trained pharmacists and first responders to dispense naloxone.  However, a prescription is needed to dispense naloxone.  The Standing Order acts as that prescription and authorizes pharmacies, pharmacists, and opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs to obtain and/or distribute naloxone.  Non-pharmacy OEND programs may include law enforcement agencies, drug treatment programs, local health departments, hospitals or urgent care facilities, or other community-based organizations.

The Naloxone Standardized Procedure outlines how entities may become authorized to obtain, dispense, and administer naloxone.  It also includes the educational requirements for obtaining a Standing Order, and for administering naloxone.

The Standing Order fulfills one of the duties assigned to IDPH under Governor Bruce Rauner’s Executive Order 2017-05.  For more information about the Standing Order and the recently released State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan, log onto http://dph.illinois.gov/naloxone. 

From the Illinois Department of Public Health

Mt Vernon man arrested on weapon charges

MT. VERNON, IL – On 10/02/17 at 1650 hours officers from the Mt Vernon Police Department responded to the area of South 24th and Logan Street for a report of gunshots fired. The initial investigation indicated subjects in two different vehicles had been involved and multiple shots were fired. One vehicle was struck but there were no injuries. A Mt Vernon Police Crime Scene Technician and Mt Vernon Police Detectives were called in to assist with the investigation.

As a result of this shooting, 25 year-old Mt Vernon resident Karim McGee was taken into custody on preliminary charges of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. McGee was incarcerated in the Jefferson County Justice Center with bond to be set.

At 2201 hours officers responded to another incident of gunshots fired in the area of 23rd and Conger in Mt Vernon. Two people were injured by the gunfire. A Mt Vernon Police Crime Scene Technician and Mt Vernon Police Detectives were called in to assist with the investigation. During the investigation several subjects were interviewed, evidence was recovered, a firearm, narcotics, and currency were seized. The two victims were both treated and released from area hospitals.

At 2242 hours a report of gunshots fired in the area of the 600 block of Lamar was received. When an officer became available, the area was checked but there was no contact with a victim and no evidence was located. On 10/03/17 officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of Conger which had been struck by gunfire. Mt Vernon Police Detectives and an Illinois State Police Crime Scene Technician responded to investigate.

These incidents are all believed to be related. The investigation is on-going and additional arrests are likely.

McGee is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.

Source – Mt. Vernon Police Department

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News