Harrisburg fire station collects bug spray for Harvey victims

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36287888/harrisburg-fire-station-collects-bug-spray-for-harvey-victims

WSIL-TV

HARRISBURG, IL – (Hannah Gebresilassie, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The Harrisburg Fire Department is leading a drive in southern Illinois to collect bug spray to send to flood-recovery areas in Texas caused by Hurricane Harvey.

“We’re just trying to do our part,” said Beth Monfort, the Harrisburg Fire and Police Commissioner of Public Safety.

Harrisburg firefighters said they remember the deadly tornado that tore through the city in 2012, and the destruction it left.

“Until you run into some devastation like we did with the tornado back on that leap day, people don’t realize just how much that does affect you,” said Harrisburg Fire Chief John Gunning. “And what help that you did receive, how much you appreciate that.”

 

WF Mayor Seeks to Limit Number of Executive Sessions

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/mayor-seeks-to-limit-number-of-executive-sessions/article_7657f4dc-9000-11e7-9dab-d7851837ad9a.html

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (West Frankfort Gazette.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan says he wants to limit the number of executive sessions going forward at city council meetings.

“We’ve been trying to conduct our business without going into executive session,” Jordan said at the close of last week’s council meeting. “I’m not going to say there aren’t times when we won’t ever go into executive session,” Jordan said at an August City Council meeting during his Mayor’s report.

IEMA Joins Nationwide Campaign to Encourage Disaster Preparedness

‘Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” is Theme for National Preparedness Month in September

Press Release from Illinois Emergency Management Agency

SPRINGFIELD – September is National Preparedness Month and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is joining with emergency management agencies throughout the state and across the U.S. to encourage people to spend a few moments during the month on disaster preparedness.

The campaign’s theme Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can. urges people to set aside time to discuss emergency plans with family members and develop a plan to stay safe when disaster strikes. The goal of this annual preparedness push is to increase personal and community disaster preparedness throughout the U.S.

“We never know when the next disaster will strike, but there are actions we can take to be better prepared for the unexpected,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “As we are seeing with Hurricane Harvey, even an expected weather event can have unexpected devastating consequences.”

Throughout September, IEMA will offer tips and information on how to develop a family emergency communication plan, assemble an emergency supply kit, as well as ways to receive critical emergency warnings.

IEMA offers disaster preparedness information on the Ready Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov), a one-stop resource for detailed information about what to do before, during and after disasters.

In addition, throughout September IEMA will post daily preparedness tips on the Ready Illinois Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ReadyIllinois) and Twitter (@ReadyIllinois).

During disasters, IEMA uses the Ready Illinois website, Facebook and Twitter pages to provide critical information about the incident, including shelter locations, road closures, safety information, photos and more

Fall like weather for the work week

Seven Day Forecast

This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind around 11 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind 5 to 11 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming west northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 53. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Light and variable wind.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 6 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. East wind 3 to 5 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 78. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Report 9/1/17

Press Release from Don Jones, Franklin County Sheriff

8-23-17 at 10:00 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Benton. The investigation led to the arrest of Donald A. Prusaczyk age 24 of Benton for domestic battery.

8-25-17 at 1:30 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Laura Kay Oliver Age 29 of West Frankfort for driving while license suspended.

8-25-17 at 1:36 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on II. Rt. 37 just north of Benton. A 2010 Chevrolet Impala driven by Dustin L. Johnson age 21 of Benton was north bound and read-ended a trash truck; a 2014 Autocar, driven by James M. McGee age 53 of Marion. The truck was also north bound, servicing trash cans. There were no injuries and Johnson was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

8-26-17 at 4:28 am Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Denise M. Johnson age 33 of West Frankfort for battery

.
8-26-17 at 9:28 am a traffic stop in rural West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Tylena Kay Poe age 40 of West Frankfort for driving while license suspended.

8-26-17 at 7:39 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Mulkeytown. The incident resulted in the arrest of Nicole K. Sanders age 34 of Mulkeytown on an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear on possession of a controlled substance.

8-28-17 at 5:25 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on II. Rt. 148 just south of Renfro Lake Road. A 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Daniel A. Jolly age 43 of Christopher was north bound on Rt. 148 in traffic when it sideswiped a 1990 Dodge Dynasty stalled partially in the north bound lane. There were no injuries and the driver of the Dodge, Kevin A. Stangle age 27 of Christopher was ticketed for improper parking on roadway and improper use of registration.

8-29-17 at 1:52 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on II. State Hwy. Rt. 149 at intersection with II. Sate Hwy. 184. A 2011 GMC Terrain driven by Justin K. Howard Age 32 of West Frankfort was west bound on Rt. 149 and failed to negotiate the turn into a bean field. The driver received minor injuries but refused medical treatment. He was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

8-29-17 at 1:32 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on the south edge of Benton, Rt. 37 at Oddfellow Lane. A 2000 Chevrolet Taho driven by Chad A. Kramer age 45 of West Frankfort was north bound and suffered some type of medical episode. The driver lost control and struck several monuments after running off the road. The vehicle overturned and came to rest after striking a building at that location. The driver received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S.

8-30-17 at 9:57 pm a traffic stop in Benton resulted in the arrest of Amanda D. Worley age 38 of Benton for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

8-31-17 Deputies arrested two 15 year old male juveniles for felony theft. This is part of an ongoing investigation of a residential burglary, firearm theft, credit card theft and unlawful use of credit cards. The crimes occurred in West Frankfort and Orient. Further arrests are anticipated.

WARRANTS

8-26-17 Devin A. Odaniell age 24 of Royalton. Failure to appear for possession of drug paraphernalia.

8-26-17 Kendra R. Marvel Age 27 of Logan. Failure to appear for retail theft. 8-26-17 Joy Griffith age 58 of Benton. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

8-31-17    Nathan T. Ellison age 34 of Pittsburg. Failure to appear for residential burglary.

9-1-17    Jordan A. Pennington age 31 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for unlawful use of weapons.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff Don Jones

Local fire departments were busy Sunday evening

by Steve Dunford

 

Several area fire departments responded to a house fire last night at the corner of Horrell Ave. and St Louis St. in West Frankfort. (Zeigler Fire Department photo)

In a six hour stretch between 6:00 pm and around midnight, area fire departments were busy handling several calls.

Just right at 6:00 p.m. West Frankfort Firefighters were paged to the intersection of St. Louis Street and Horrell Avenue (Deering Road)  to a structure fire.  Departments from West City, Benton, Zeigler, Johnston City and Abbott EMS provided mutual aid.

Between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Royalton firefighters were toned to a pole barn fire on Washington Street.  Zeigler firefighters were leaving West Frankfort when the were called for mutual aid.  The structure was a total loss.  Christopher provided station coverage for Zeigler.

At 10:55 p.m., Benton firefighters were called to a single vehicle accident  and fire on East Main Street in front of the new Dollar General with injuries.

At 11;45 p.m.. West City firefighters were called to a three vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of Route 14 and Central Street (in front of Walmart.)

I might be mistaken, but I am nearly positive that  Benton and West City provided mutual aid for each other during the wrecks.  Buckner Fire and Rescue also provided station coverage for West City.

 

 

Benton City Council Urged to Consider Allowing Sunday Liquor Sales

http://www.bentongazette.com/news/council-urged-to-consider-allowing-sunday-liquor-sales/article_ddf2a08c-900b-11e7-b87c-ff87e4c2fc89.html

BENTON, IL – (William McPherson, Benton Gazette.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Local restaurateurs spoke up at the Monday Benton city council meeting urging the City Council to legalize the sale of liquor on Sundays.

Carlos Pacheco, owner of the local La Fiesta Mexican restaurants, and Christopher Betts of Joe’s Pizza spoke during audience comments in favor of allowing restaurants to sell liquor on Sundays.

“We’re losing taxable dollars from liquor on Sundays. And I don’t mean the $2.25 beer that you guys are thinking, which isn’t a big deal, but the fact that if there’s two families getting together and the two dads want to go grab a beer with their dinner, that’s a total of $4.50 worth of alcohol, but those two families together are going to bring $80 of taxable money to Benton, but instead they’re going to go to Applebees [in West City] to grab a steak and a beer, because they can do so on Sundays,” Betts said.

IDOT Hiring Help for Winter Operations

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Transportation

SPRINGFIELD IL, – In preparation for winter, the Illinois Department of Transportation is filling temporary jobs to help with snow-and-ice removal throughout Illinois this winter. These seasonal employees will be hired for both full-time and on-call work schedules. The deadline to apply is Sept. 13.

The department’s annual “snowbird” program requires employees to promptly respond to weather situations, assisting in snow-and-ice control and working in emergency conditions at any time, including weekends, holidays and nights. Applicants must have a commercial driver’s license and submit to a criminal background check. A pre-employment physical, vision testing, and drug and alcohol screening also are required.

Applicants will be selected based on availability, job-related experience and qualifications. Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. For additional information, including details on pay and the potential for benefits, please visit www.idot.illinois.gov.

 

SCT Offers Free Rides for Texas Flood Donations

West Frankfort Gazette photo

Tuesday, Sept. 5 through Friday Sept. 8 South Central Transit will be collecting goods on their transit buses to use for Texas flood relief.

“Your donated items will cover Public Demand (inside City Limits), City or County Shuttle fare,” a news release from SCT reads. SCT says the transit fee for anyone riding an SCT bus will be waved as long as they provide an approved item for donation.

For more information, call 800-660-7433 or visit southcentraltransit.org.

Why SI

http://whysi.org/ 

 

NOTE:  This is a link to a new website promoting Southern Illinois.  Please click on the link above to go to the site.  Below is the introduction.

Why Southern Illinois?

Southern Illinois provides a unique blend of attributes that make it an excellent place to live, work and play. We’re centrally located to the vast majority of the midwest population. Just a few short hours from Nashville, Memphis, St Louis, Indianapolis, and Louisville. Our location along with easy and available access to technology, transportation, natural resources and the great outdoors make for an excellent blend of work and life. Find your niche, explore your passions and embrace the diversity of our landscapes. You’re unique… shouldn’t your backyard be too? In Southern Illinois, we’re growing a thriving entrepreneurial spirit. Come grow with us!

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News