Artists and Merchants needed for RLC’s Warrior Fest Vendor Fair

August 15, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by ReAnne Palmer Rend Lake College Public Information

Vendors and crafters showed off their goods during the 2016 Warrior Fest, near the Car Show on the east side of campus.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

INA, IL – Rend Lake College is searching for local merchants and artists to sell their crafts and unique items at the Fifth Annual Warrior Fest Vendor Fair, set for 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Ina campus.

The vendor and craft fair will be held on campus, located between many family-friendly activities and the annual Car Show, both of which bring hundreds to campus throughout the day. Also new this year is the addition of Preview Day, an open house event for prospective students, which is expected to draw out many more.

Spots for the vendor and craft fair cost $10 each for a 12-by-12 foot space. Vendors can set up beginning at 8 a.m. Registration forms can be downloaded by clicking here. Forms may also be picked up or sent to interested vendors by contacting the RLC Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714 or commcorped@rlc.edu.

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Southbound traffic on I-57 flowing smoothly after overnight Semi wreck

August 15, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

I just confirmed with local officials, that traffic is not tied up on southbound Interstate 57 this morning.

According to the Illinois State Police, a semi driven by Chris Foy, 54 of Little Rock AR, swerved to miss an object in the interstate.  The semi overturned and he was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

This happened around 2:00 a.m., at the 63 mile marker between West Frankfort and Johnston City.

From social media reports, traffic was still moving at a slow pace around 6:00 a.m.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Dense fog advisory for the counties along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers until 9 am

August 15, 2017 By Leave a Comment

When the fog burns off, sunny with highs in the mid 80’s

Eclipse forecast information after the advisory

URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Paducah KY

…DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CDT THIS MORNING…

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Dense Fog
Advisory, which is in effect until 9 AM CDT this morning which is in effect for the following counties in Southern Illinois:  Jackson, Union, Alexander, Pulaski and Massac.

* VISIBILITY…At or below one quarter of a mile.

* IMPACTS…Hazardous driving conditions through the early morning
hours.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Dense Fog Advisory means visibilities will frequently be
reduced to less than one quarter mile. If driving…slow down…
use your headlights…and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.

The forecast for the eclipse is Sunny with a high of 90.  Below is a graphic from the National Weather Service explaining the forecast terms for cloud cover.

When you find the sky cover for your location from the NWS Paducah Kentucky home page, you can determine what the amount of cloud cover, in percentage (%), means to you. As an example, 55 % opaque cloud cover means \”partly sunny\” conditions at your location for that hour. (NWS Paudcah)

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Patchy dense fog will be across portions of southeast Missouri,
southern Illinois, and far west Kentucky early this morning.

There is a chance of thunderstorms today from southeast Missouri
into west Kentucky, with the chance extending into southern
Illinois by tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Wednesday through Monday

There is a chance of thunderstorms Wednesday through Thursday
evening. A few strong storms cannot be ruled out. There is
another chance for thunderstorms Saturday.

Heat index values will peak near 100 degrees during the afternoon
hours both Wednesday and Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind becoming east southeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 6 mph.
Thursday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. West wind 3 to 8 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Light southeast wind.
Saturday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Light east southeast wind.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 89. Light east southeast wind.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Light east southeast wind.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Gov. Rauner signs two consolidation bills, stresses more action is needed

August 15, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Two bills will help reduce the number of local units of government, but more resident empowerment needed

Press Release from Governor Bruce Rauner

OAK BROOK, IL – Yesterday, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 607, two bills that enable local officials to consolidate units of local government.
The bills, which reflect five of the 27 recommendations made by Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti’s Task Force on Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates, were sponsored by Democrats and had bipartisan support. They empower local officials to begin reducing the nearly 7,000 local units of government in Illinois – 1,800 more than any other state. The exorbitantly high number of local governmental agencies puts an enormous burden on taxpayers, who primarily pay for these local governments via property taxes.

“People are fleeing our state in droves. Our property taxes are crushing the people of Illinois, and we’ve got to start making reforms so people can afford to stay here,” Gov. Rauner said. “Part of reforming and turning around Illinois includes empowering local communities. By signing these bills, local governments will be able to control their futures and tax dollars more efficiently. However, a key component to empowering local communities is missing from these bills. Neither one includes real taxpayer empowerment. While today is a step in the right direction, we must continue to fight to give every resident the right to choose how their local government operates.”

Since 2015, Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti has spearheaded a task force charged with identifying opportunities to streamline government in Illinois and, ultimately, reduce costs to taxpayers. In the report detailing the task force’s findings, Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti recommended giving local officials and residents the power to consolidate local government agencies.

“These bills provide a starting point for minimizing the massive amount of unnecessary government in the local communities of our state, but these bills don’t do enough to bring real change to the people of Illinois,” Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti said. “Where I live in Wheaton, I am represented by 16 units of local government. That’s a lot of hands in the pockets of our taxpayers. In Illinois, we are forced to pay the highest property taxes in the nation. We need to put the power to consolidate back at the local level and in the hands of the people.”

Specifically, SB 3 expands DuPage County’s consolidation pilot program to all 102 counties of Illinois, giving each the authority to dissolve or consolidate some government units whose boards are appointed by the county. It also will allow townships in the state to consolidate with coterminous municipalities via referendum.

HB 607 amends the Illinois Highway Code and allows the board of trustees of any township located in a county with less than 3 million inhabitants to submit a proposition during a general or consolidated election to abolish the road district in their county, a power already extended to townships in Cook County.

Bill No.: SB 3, An Act Concerning Local Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2018
Bill No.: HB 607, An Act Concerning Transportation
Action: Signed
Effective: Jan. 1, 2018

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Benton Police Department make three recent arrests

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

On August 11th, 2017 Benton Police arrested Theodore Long, age 58, of Benton on an active warrant for violation of probation. Long was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 12th, 2017 Benton Police were dispatched to 1642 N. Main Street in reference to a retail theft. Through investigation, police arrested Danielle M. McCain, age 30, of Benton for retail theft. McCain was charged and transported to Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 12th, 2017 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 600 block of North Buchanan Street.  Through investigation, police arrested Bryan F. Parks, age 36, of Briadwood Illinois, for driving while license revoked.  Parks was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Filed Under: Benton News, Breaking News, Slider

West Frankfort man killed in single vehicle accident near Akin

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

 

Press Release From Don Jones, Franklin County Sheriff

On August 14th at 9:22 a.m., Franklin County Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on North Thompsonville Road, just south of Knob Prairie Road.  (This would be just south of the railroad trestles).

A 2012 Nissan Rogue driven by Treber Lenich, 19, of West Frankfort, was south bound on North Thompsonville Road, when it traveled off the roadway on the west side and struck an embankment.  The vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment and was extinguished from passers by with a fire extinguisher.

The driver was apparently killed on impact, and was pronounced dead at the scene by Franklin County Coroner, Marty Leffler’s office.

Abbott EMS and Cave-Eastern Fire Protection District also responded.  Lenich was believed to be on his way home from work at a local coal mine.  The crash is still under investigation.

,

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Thompsonville News, West Frankfort News

Two people found dead in rural Murphysboro home

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Marsha Heller – KFVS-TV photo

MURPHYSBORO, IL –  All three television media outlets in this market, are reporting that an investigation is underway, when two people were found dead in a rural Murphysboro home on Mays Road.  Jackson County 9-11 dispatchers received a call just shortly after midnight there could be two people possibly found dead in the home.

Officials from the Jackson County Sheriff and Corner’s office, as well as Crime Scene Investigators from the Illinois State Police are on the scene.

Links will be posted below of further updates from media outlets from the region as this story unfolds.

Information provided for this story from WSIL, KFVS, and WPSD-TV

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

FL driver loses consciousness, crashes on I-57 at the 74 mile marker yesterday

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/36125833/fl-driver-loses-consciousness-crashes-on-i-57-in-franklin-co-il

BENTON, IL – (Jasmine Adams, KFVS-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A single vehicle crash on Interstate 57 at milepost 74 left one person injured on Sunday, August 13.

According to police, the crash happened in Franklin County, Illinois at 11:55 a.m.

A 2007 GMC Sierra truck driven by 66-year-old Larry Conner from Haines City, Florida was heading southbound on the roadway.

Police said an investigation showed that Larry Conner lost consciousness and drove off the roadway to the left and struck the raised center median.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Franklin County Sheriff’s report, 7/11/17

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release From Don Jones, Franklin County Sheriff

July 28th

• A traffic stop at 1:30 p.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Ronald W. Fitzpatrick, 52, of Benton on a charge of driving on a revoked license.
• Deputies arrested Michelle N. Wasson, 40, of Tamaroa on a warrant for failure to appear on charges of criminal trespass and DUI.

July 30th

• Deputies responded at 5:26 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Logan that resulted in the arrest of Ryan M. Stevens, 26, of Benton on a charge of criminal damage to property.

July 31st

• Deputies arrested Kelcie M. Beers, 23, of Marion on a warrant for violation of probation.
• Deputies arrested Lauren K. Amberger, 27, of Murphysboro on a warrant for forgery.
• Deputies arrested Dustin M. Jones, 24, of Murphysboro on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of domestic battery.
• Deputies arrested Carol A. Spegal, 48, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of filing a false report.

August 1st

• Deputies responded at 4 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Benton that resulted in the arrest of Jonathan S. Bishop, 24, of Macedonia on a charge of domestic battery, as well as an outstanding Saline County warrant for domestic battery.
• Deputies arrested Michael E. Matzker, 47, of Benton on a warrant for violation of probation.

August 2nd

• Deputies responded at 6:25 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 14 at Rend City Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Ford pickup driven by Katherine L. Baseden, 25, of Pomona was eastbound on Rt. 14 and attempting to negotiate a left turn onto Rend City Road when Baseden failed to notice a westbound 2004 Kia Optima driven by Mei Yun Merson, 46, of Valier. The driver of the Kia sustained major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott’s EMS. Baseden was not injured and was ticketed for improper lane usage.
• Deputies arrested Ryan C. Godwin, 31, of Christopher on a warrant for violation of probation.

August 3rd

• Deputies arrested Melissa A. Matter, 46, of West Frankfort on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of endangering the health and safety of a child.
• Deputies arrested Daniel R. Valco, 20, of Herrin on a warrant for failure to appear on original traffic charges.
• Deputies arrested Dusty A. Messamore, 25, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of domestic battery.
• Deputies arrested Chelsea R. Barnfield, 22, of Benton on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of domestic battery.

All charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Three men murdered at a Wisconsin dragstrip last night

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2017/08/13/shooting-great-lakes-dragaway-injures-several-people/563695001/

UNION GROVE, WI (Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  Please click on the link for the full story and video above.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Three men were shot to death at Great Lakes Dragaway on Sunday, Kenosha County sheriff’s officials said.

The suspect remains at large, Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said at a news conference Sunday night. Authorities are searching for a black vehicle, he said.

The victims were shot at “point blank” range, he said.

The suspect was described as a black man in his 20s wearing blue jean shorts and a black hoodie.

The sheriff said he didn’t know if the gunman knew the victims.

Filed Under: Breaking News, National News
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