NCHS Board Approves Retirement Agreement With Superintendent Ernie Fowler

Fowler To Receive Compensation As Consideration For Retirement

http://nash-news.com/breaking-news/nchs-board-approves-retirement-agreement-superintendent-ernie-fowler/

NASHVILLE, IL-  (Alex Haugland, The Nashville News.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The Board of Nashville Community High School approved a retirement agreement with District Superintendent Ernie Fowler following their regular meeting for the month of September, which was held on Monday, September 25, when no action was taken, then reconvened on Tuesday, September 26, when the board approved the retirement agreement before adjourning.

Fowler has been a controversial figure at the school and in the community following the “Volleyball” column written by him and published by this newspaper. At the end of the 2016-2017 school year, the Nashville Education Association, the teachers’ union, made a statement of “no confidence” in Fowler as well.

The board refused to comment on the conditions of the retirement agreement that they had approved at the meeting. The district did release the agreement the following day, Wednesday, September 27.

 

Statement from Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones about the bomb threat

On Wednesday, September 27th at 8:47 a.m. a male caller reported via 911 that there was a bomb in the Courthouse. The Franklin County Courthouse was evacuated as well as the County Office Building (Campbell Building), on the Southeast side of the Benton Public Square. With the assistance of the Benton Police, Benton Fire Department and Franklin County E.M.A., the Public Square was closed to traffic and a K-9 Bomb I.E.D. team requested.

A U. S. Air Force K-9 team responded from Scott Air Force Base. The two buildings were searched and nothing was found. The Courthouse and County Offices reopened at 1:00 p.m.

This is under investigation and leads are being pursued. The case is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the F.B.I. and the United States Marshall’s Service.

ALL CLEAR: Franklin and Williamson County Courthouses now open

by Steve Dunford

BENTON and MARION, IL – Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones has opened the Franklin County Courthouse and Public Square. Sheriff Jones would like to thank the public and the various agencies that responded to assist during this incident.

Williamson County Emergency Management Agency issued a statement around noon stating the Williamson County Courthouse would open and 1:15 p.m.

Around 8:45 a.m. this morning the West Frankfort Police dispatched received a 911 call that  an ” improvised explosive device on the second floor of the courthouse.  The threat did not state whether it was the Franklin or Williamson County Courthouse.

Over the last hour, a bomb detection unit from Scott Air Force Base cleared the courthouse.  A drone from Franklin County Emergency Management agency scanned the rooftop of the courthouse and surrounding buildings, and nothing was detected.

Any further developments will be shared as the become available.

 

Morthland College fined more than $2 million by Department of Education

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36459147/morthland-college-fined-more-than-2-million-by-department-of-education

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (Brandon Merano, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A federal and state investigation reveals troubling findings at West Frankfort’s Morthland College, with “numerous ethical and financial issues” resulting in a more than $2 million fine from the Department of Education.

The DOE and Illinois Board of Higher Education interviewed select college staff one on one Tuesday, reviewing student records, the college’s contracts and financial statements.

The investigation adds to a troubling financial history for the young Christian college.

Financial problems first surfaced at the college after court documents News 3 obtained in May showed Morthland College owed more than $700,000 to the IRS, at that same time Dr. Morthland said there were no financial issues within the college.

 

Bomb Threats at the Franklin and Williamson County courthouses this morning

by Steve Dunford

At 8:52 am Benton Firefighters were toned to the Franklin County Courthouse for a bomb threat.

Several emergency service agencies are on the scene at this time.

The public square is blocked off and NO ONE is allowed access to the square.  Please avoid the area.  We will provide further updates as they become available.

UPDATE 10:05 A.M.  I just spoke with the Williamson County Sheriffs Department.  The bomb threat that was called in applied to both the Franklin and Williamson county courthouses.  This was one call. Streets are being blocked off around the area of the courthouse in Marion.

I will continue to update further information and will provide links from other media sources with any additional information.  -Steve

UPDATE 11:20 A.M.  WSIL TV just released this story in the last few minutes.  It contains some new information.  The call was a 911 call that routed to the West Frankfort Police Department.  Since it could not be determined what county it was coming from, WFPD contacted both counties.  There is also a press release attached.  Please click on the link below for the story.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36465500/bomb-threat-closes-2-local-courthouses?platform=hootsuite

UPDATE 12:10 P.M.  WPSD-TV is reporting the all clear has been given for the Williamson County Courthouse, and they plan to reopen at 1:15 p.m.  In the last half hour, the bomb detection crew has arrived in Benton.  I will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m. from Franklin County EMA Director, Ryan Buckingham

A bomb detection K-9 unit from the Department of Defense at Scott Air Force Base has arrived on scene at the Franklin County Courthouse and is currently clearing the building. Franklin County EMA personnel have cleared the roof top of the Courthouse and surrounding buildings using the agency’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones is on site coordinating with Federal and local agencies. Updates on the incident will be posted as new information becomes available. Citizens and motorist are encouraged to remain clear of the public square until operations have concluded.
Ryan M. Buckingham
Director of Emergency Management

UPDATE 1:15 PM from Franklin County Emergency Management

Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones has opened the Franklin County Courthouse and Public Square. Sheriff Jones would like to thank the public and the various agencies that responded to assist during this incident.

 

OCTOBER IS COLLEGE CHANGES EVERYTHING® MONTH IN ILLINOIS

Illinois Student Assistance Commission and Partners Offer Statewide Free Assistance with College Applications and FAFSA® Completion

CHICAGO – For a second year, Governor Rauner has proclaimed October College Changes Everything® Month (CCE Month), when the state’s college access and financial aid agency, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and partners will be helping students get on track for college by assisting them with college applications and putting them in the best position possible to receive the funding they need to attend. It’s a particularly important effort as the state, now with a budget in place, must address the impact of a two-year budget delay that left some students with little choice but to drop out of college or leave Illinois—frustrating personal goals and hampering the state’s efforts to increase its skilled workforce.

“This is a time to not only rebuild confidence in Illinois colleges and grant programs, but also to remind our students of the value of a college degree or postsecondary certificate,” said Eric Zarnikow, executive director of ISAC. “Particularly for high school seniors and those considering going back to school, we want them to know that postsecondary education can boost their career and long-term earning potential, and can also positively impact their health and their community. And we want them to know that there is a lot of free assistance to help them make smart choices about school, apply, and get the money they need to pursue a degree or certificate.”

ISAC developed CCE Month as a statewide effort to assist students who, as a result of changes made by the U.S. Department of Education last year, now file both college and financial aid applications in the fall. While ISAC provides free assistance to students and families year round, during CCE Month in October ISAC and partners support well over a thousand workshops that assist students with finding the college that is right for them, completing college applications, and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), the application for all federal financial aid and some state aid, including the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. Because there is more demand than funding for grants like MAP, students will want to complete the 2018-19 FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1st in order to have the best chance of getting funding.

Many CCE Month workshops are supported by the ISACorps, a group of recent college graduates working statewide who are extensively trained in assisting students with planning, applying, and paying
for college. To find your local ISACorps member, visit studentportal/isac.org/isacorps. To search by zip code for a free public event near you, visit studentportal/isac.org/events. Students and parents should also check directly with their high schools for events within their own school.

ISAC will also be providing answers to financial aid questions during Facebook Live (@ILStudentAssistance) events from 7-7:30 pm CST on October 3, 11, 16, 23, and 30th, and personalized assistance is also available through ISAC College Q&A (isac.org/qa) a text messaging service where students can get answers to their college and financial aid questions sent directly to their phones. The award-winning ISAC Student Portal (isac.org/studentportal) offers free online tools and resources for students. ISAC also offers assistance through the agency’s call center, 1-800-899-4722 (ISAC).

High schools and counselors who would like to participate in College Changes Everything Month can find information and a downloadable toolkit at collegechangeseverything.org/ccemonth.

Temporary Closure of River Road and the Spillway at Rend Lake

Press Release from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Rend Lake Project office

Benton, IL –  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is announcing the closure of the downstream portion of the Rend Lake Spillway and River Road, located west of the main dam, during the period of September 26 thru October 13, 2017. This 2-week closure, will allow for routine inspections to be completed in the stilling basin and repairs to be completed on the downstream, rock portion of the spillway.

Beginning at approximately 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 26, 2017, Rend Lake maintenance staff will begin placing sandbags in the notch of the spillway, stopping the flow of water over the spillway. Corps of Engineers staff will then clean the stilling basin, opening it up for engineers to perform routine scheduled inspections. During the period of de-watering, contractors will be replacing some of the protective rock, located south of the concrete walkway, which has been displaced through the past several years as water flows across this area.

The public is asked to honor all caution signage posted in the area. Notice will be given when the area is re-opened. If you have questions about this project feel free to contact the Rend Lake Project Office at 618-724-2493.

Candidates run for re-election in Springfield amidst dozens not returning

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36449647/candidates-run-for-re-election-in-springfield-amidst-dozens-not-returning

State senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) left and State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) right discuss running for re-election. Fowler formally announced yesterday he is seeking re-election for the 59th District State Senate seat. (WSIL-TV Photo)

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

With another election year right around the corner, many incumbents have already announced their bids for re-election. It comes, as many other long-time office-holders in Springfield, have decided to call it “quits.”

Every Illinois House Representative serves two-year terms. With the Senate it gets a little tricky: senators fall into three groups, with each group serving a 2-year term at a different time between censuses. For the rest of the decade, they serve 4-year terms.

Republicans Dale Fowler, Dave Severin and Terry Bryant go will back to the campaign trail again.

Senator Fowler of the 59th District and Representative Severin said they remain more excited than ever to continue in Springfield

State Senator says 5 cent gas tax increase needed to cover construction projects

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/state-senator-says-cent-gas-tax-increase-needed-to-cover/article_4c2662ac-9fd2-11e7-beca-b31c74a20690.html

(Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A leading state Senate Republican says expanded gambling in Illinois could pay off existing capital construction projects, but there would still need to be a gas tax increase for future ones.

Associated General Contractors of Illinois Executive Director Bill Frey said the need for updates to infrastructure is obvious.

“We know where the road miles are,” Frey said. “We know where the bridges are. We know how to fix them and it’s up to the legislature to pick a revenue stream, or a whole bunch of revenue streams” to pay for it.

State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said there’s already a billion dollars outstanding from the 2009 capital plan that could be covered by expanding gambling.

Last day of August type heat and humidity

This chart shows high temperatures for the rest of the week and weekend. As far as low temperatures, we will see lows in the upper 60s tonight but much cooler readings in the upper 50s to lower 60s will occur on Wednesday night. Even cooler readings in the lower 50s (upper 40s for some locales) are forecast for the end of the week and weekend, before rebounding early next week. (NWS Paducah)

 

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Light and variable wind.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 9 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind around 6 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 78. North wind 6 to 8 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 52. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming north 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 74. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 49. East wind 3 to 5 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 76. East wind 3 to 6 mph.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 9 mph.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News