City Council Donates $5,000 to Park District Basketball Court Project

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/city-council-donates-to-park-district-basketball-court-project/article_6b6d1d72-7a25-11e7-9734-934a4dd83854.html

Jim McPhail, park board president, accepts a check from the West Frankfort City Council for $5,000 for refurbishing the basketball courts at the park. (William McPherson, Gazette photo.)

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

The City of West Frankfort approved a donation to the West Frankfort Park District for the refurbishing of the dilapidated basketball courts.

“I went out there after you were here, and those basketball goals are the ones I played on in 1966 or before. And the council, we kind of collectively talked about this and suggested that the city donate $5,000 from our youth fund—for those of you that don’t know we take half of the money we get for gaming and put it into an account for the youth of West Frankfort. I can’t think of a more worthy cause than to give $5,000 to the park district,” added West Frankfort Mayor Tom Jordan.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, West Frankfort News

Heat and humidity returning…..long range forecast shows sunny on elcipse day

August 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

NWS Paducah image

Eclipse forecast for Monday August 21, 2017, Sunny with a highs in the upper 80’s.

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

An isolated thunderstorm is possible near the Kentucky and
Tennessee border late this afternoon, mainly east of the Land
Between The Lakes. Otherwise, no hazardous weather is anticipated
today or tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Tuesday through Sunday

Scattered thunderstorm activity will expand west-to-east across
most of the region by Tuesday evening, and will be common across
the region through the day Thursday. A few strong storms cannot be
ruled out. Another system may provide isolated thunderstorms
during the first half of the weekend.

Heat indices greater than 100 are possible at some locations
Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

 

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Isolated showers between 7am and 11am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Patchy fog between 10pm and 2am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Light south wind.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Light south wind.
Wednesday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Light south wind becoming south southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 8 mph.
Thursday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. West northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Friday Night
A slight chance of showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Light southwest wind.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tiles © ESRI

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

Senate Overrides Gov. Rauner’s amendatory veto of SB 1

August 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

By Steve Dunford

Senate President John Cullerton called the Senate to special session this afternoon.  Senate Bill 0001.  Governor Rauner had an amendatory veto to remove from the bill, a bailout of the Chicago pension fund.

There was a dispute whether an override needed a majority or super majority (60%).  The bill passed 36-18 this afternoon.  Local Senators Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) and Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) voted against the override.

Here is a statement issued by Dale Fowler, about the action of the Senate this afternoon.

“It’s unfortunate Senate Democrats voted to override the Governor’s school funding reform plan, a plan that would have provided the 38 school districts in my district $7.5  million more than under Senate Bill 1,” said Fowler.  “I remain hopeful that we can continue to work toward a compromise that treats all Illinois school districts fairly, especially those in downstate Illinois.  The time for partisan gamesmanship is over, the students of Illinois deserve nothing less than our best effort.” 

There will be further updates as information becomes available.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

ISBE: Nearly all Illinois school districts would receive more state funding under Rauner reform plan

August 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/isbe-nearly-all-illinois-school-districts-would-receive-more-state/article_340a4446-7f74-11e7-b944-afdb58d640ad.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL  – (Dan McCaleb – Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

More than 97.5 percent of Illinois schools receive more state dollars under Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amended funding reform plan than they would under Democrats’ plan in Senate Bill 1, according to an analysis by the independent State Board of Education.

Forty-four school districts receive more than $1 million more under Rauner’s plan, and the 3 percent of school districts that receive less money under Rauner’s plan still receive more than they did last year, ISBE’s review found.

Released Saturday to the governor’s office and majority Democrats in the General Assembly, the ISBE analysis was conducted after Rauner vetoed SB1 to remove more than $120 million in additional annual funding for Chicago Public Schools to bail out its failing pension system and to more accurately reflect how the funding reform formula calculates district wealth.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Moderate warm up….August like conditions will return

August 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Pleasant conditions will continue today, with cooler than average afternoon highs, easterly winds, and relatively low humidity. There is a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm near the Arkansas state line in southeastern Missouri. Higher humidity returns on Monday, so enjoy it while it lasts. (NWS Paducah)

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwestern Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeastern
Missouri.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

There is a slight chance of thunderstorm development near the
Arkansas and Tennessee state lines tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Monday through Saturday

Scattered thunderstorms may develop mainly over parts of southeastern
Missouri and western Kentucky Monday through Tuesday. Coverage of
thunderstorms will expand across the entire region Tuesday night.
Lightning and locally heavy rain will be the primary hazards.

There is a daily chance of thunderstorms for all or parts of the
region Wednesday through Saturday. Localized torrential downpours
may produce rainfall amounts in excess of an inch an hour. An
isolated damaging wind gust or two is possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

 

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Light east northeast wind.
Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Light south southeast wind.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 3 to 5 mph.
Wednesday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South southwest wind around 7 mph.
Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. West southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Light northwest wind.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 3 to 5 mph.

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

Fowler meets with Ben Carson in Cairo and makes his rounds across the 59th district

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press release from Senator Dale Fowler

I am unsure of the gentleman on the left, then HUD director, Dr. Ben Carson, Senator Fowler and Congressman Mike Bost. (photo from Sen. Dale Fowler)

HARRISBURG, IL – Cairo’s ongoing housing situation drew national media attention to Southern Illinois this week, as U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson visited the confluence community. Small businesses were also on the mind of State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) as he made the “rounds” within the 59th Senate District.

Dr. Carson’s visit to the region marks the first time in many years that a federal-level cabinet secretary has visited. While the plight of the residents of Elmwood and McBride housing complexes was the focus of Carson’s stop in Alexander County, the Secretary also met with Senator Fowler.

Senator Fowler had the opportunity to chat about the proposed Alexander County – Cairo Port Terminal and the positive economic impact that is could have on the entire region. Senator Fowler viewed the Secretary’s visit as a positive, showing a much higher level of interest in the situation than the former federal administrators from early 2009 to early 2017.
Small business and local visits dominated the Senator’s attention after Secretary Carson’s visit on August 8. A number of small businesses have been started in Golconda, Marion, and other points across the 59th. Golconda will again have access to hardware and other home fixtures after entrepreneurs reopened the once-shuttered location in the downtown Ohio River Community. Additionally, in the always bustling Marion, a local woman has opened a new t-shirt and children’s clothing store.

Senator Fowler made a trip to the rural Alexander Community of Olive Branch to view firsthand the economic impact of nearly 20,000 acres of farm land being taken out of production. The situation in Alexander County is because of the Len Small Levee breech from a number of years ago. As a result, the County is losing precious local property tax dollars, because several thousand acres have been silted over with sands from the Mississippi River making planting commodities nearly impossible. Additionally, 90 homes in the river bottoms have been made nearly unlivable and local residents are hoping the federal government will be able to repair the levee.

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

Family Friendly Eclipse Event Coming to West Frankfort

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/family-friendly-eclipse-event-coming-to-west-frankfort/article_731282f8-7a23-11e7-8edf-6b9187a3eca1.html

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – (William McPherson, West Frankfort Gazette.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Please read an excerpt below.)

The mission group at Trinity United Methodist Church and the West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to host a family friendly eclipse event for Franklin County.

Connie Howard of Trinity UMC, and Kathy Sikora, of the West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, are both helping to organize and promote the event. The event will feature, “crafts, vendors, food, fun, and education,” added Howard. The purpose of the event is to provide a family friendly alternative to some of the other eclipse events in Southern Illinois, and to offer a fun close-to-home community event for Franklin County residents.

The eclipse, which will last approximately two minutes, will only be about thirty seconds shorter in West Frankfort than at the big viewing areas around Carbondale and Makanda, Howard added. Considering the amount of traffic, and that this will be a family friendly eclipse event, that’s a good trade off, Sikora said

No alcoholic beverages will be permitted on the premises. For those interested in taking part in the eclipse event as a vendor, please send Howard an email at clhretired@gmail.com.

 

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

West City Fire Department gets first responders

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36120340/west-city-fire-department-gets-first-responders

WSIL Photo

WEST CITY, IL (WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link above to the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below)

The West City Fire Department now has the ability to respond better to emergencies.
The department now runs first responders in its fire district.

Firefighters now have special certification and training for a variety of emergency situations.

Deputy Chief Tim McGuire says it will give citizens the best service possible.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, West City News

Three handgun training classes set at RLC

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, IL – Build on your handgun skills with three training courses at Rend Lake College this fall. Participants are invited to learn new techniques in Basic, Advanced, and Low-Light Engagement handgun training classes with Jeff Bullard, Detective Captain of the Mt. Vernon Police Department.

Understand the types of handguns, ammunition, and laws pertaining to civilian use of force during Basic Handgun Training. Bullard will cover proper stance, gripping, loading, unloading, clearing malfunctions, and firing a handgun before participants practice those techniques at the RLC Range. The class costs $65 and meets from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, August 19.

After completing the Basic class, enroll in Advanced Handgun Training to improve upon and learn new skills. The classroom portion of this class includes in-depth looks at the laws of civilian use of force, weak-hand shooting, one-hand shooting, one-hand reloading, shooting on the move, and range rules. On the RLC Range, participants will be tested on their marksmanship using techniques in the class. The class costs $65 and meets from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, September 23.

After mastering the Advanced class, register for Low Light Engagement Handgun Training to learn how to shoot in a low-light setting. The class will meet from 2 – 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 7 or November 4.

Participants can also register for the range-only portion of a class, if they have successfully passed the class previously. Range portions are as follows: noon – 4 p.m. for Basic Handgun ($35), 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. for Advanced Handgun ($40), and 6 – 10 p.m. for Low Light Engagement ($35).

All classes will be held in the Coal Mine Training Center, Room 107A, on the Ina campus. Participants should wear old clothes, and bring eye and ear protection, their own handgun, ammunition (150 rounds), and a valid FOID card.
To learn more about this class, or any others this spring, call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing commcorped@rlc.edu

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

University of Chicago Graduate Workers Head to Union Election

August 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

National Labor Relations Board Rules Against Administration, Sets
October Election Date

Press Release from the American Federation of Teachers

CHICAGO, IL —Graduate employees at the University of Chicago will vote in a historic union election in October to win union representation, after the National Labor Relations Board rejected university attempts to deny them a say at the ballot box.

The union election will be held on campus October 17 and 18 and will include all graduate students, including master’s degree students, who received compensation for work performed in a unit position across six divisions or schools in autumn 2016, winter 2017, spring 2017, summer 2017 or autumn 2017.

The NLRB ruling represents a win for graduate employees in their push for union recognition. Instead of acknowledging the workers’ right to hold a union election under federal labor law, the University of Chicago administration decided to expend resources re-litigating the issue of whether graduate students are also employees, stretching hearings on the matter over 10 full business days.

The NLRB regional director refuted the university’s position, finding instead that graduate students serving in teaching positions and research assistant positions “perform services for the benefit of the Employer, under its direction and control, for which they are compensated,” and therefore are employees under Section 2(3) of the National Labor Relations Act.

Graduate Students United member Daniela Palmer, a sixth-year grad student working and studying in the Committee on Evolutionary Biology, said: “We are thrilled that the NLRB has recognized the essential work that we do as graduate student employees at the University of Chicago. We will continue to rally together and build momentum toward our election this fall, when we will exercise our right to a vote for a voice in our working conditions.” GSU is affiliated with the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers.

AFT President Randi Weingarten said: “I am immensely proud of the University of Chicago graduate employees, who have fought for the freedom to have a union. That right was affirmed by the NLRB, and the graduate workers who are the backbone of the academic work of the university will now vote for a real say over the work they do. The board confirmed what we already know—that graduate students are also workers who teach the classes and undertake the research central to the university’s mission. The Chicago administration decided to cynically re-litigate established precedent to delay democracy, but in the fall, the graduate employees will have their say loud and clear.”

###

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News
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