Here are a couple things that I am going to start doing.  Starting next Friday, I will put at the top of the post what the weather is supposed to look like at kickoff time during the high school football season.

As of today, I will start putting in the forecast the day of the eclipse.  Until it falls into the National Weather Service seven day forecast, I will rely on the Weather Channel.  Today’s forecast for August 21st, states there will be a 40% chance of morning thunderstorms, with highs in the mid 80’s. I don’t place much confidence in forecasts this far off.

Steve

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

There is just a slight chance of thunderstorms across portions of
southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois this afternoon and again
late tonight. Severe weather is not expected.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Friday through Wednesday

A good chance of thunderstorms arrives Friday as a weak cold
front moves through. While lightning and locally heavy downpours
will be the primary concern, a couple of strong storms may produce
small hail and gusty wind.

The chance of thunderstorms returns Sunday into Monday. With a
frontal zone in the vicinity, there is a small risk for severe
thunderstorms. Winds and hail would be the primary hazards during
this time, along with heavy rain and lightning as secondary
hazards.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation will not be needed.

Detailed Forecast

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Friday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Light north wind.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Light north northeast wind.
Sunday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. East northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. East northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 3 to 6 mph.

from Matt Rice, District Director for Congressman Mike Bost

CAIRO, IL – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Muprhysboro) today joined U.S. Housing Secretary Ben Carson in Cairo for a review of public housing units, a roundtable with local officials, and a public forum with residents of the Elmwood and McBride housing complexes.  Bost invited Carson to visit Cairo in writing and during a meeting in Bost’s Washington, D.C. office in July.

“I appreciate Secretary Carson accepting our invitation to visit Cairo,” said Bost.  “These were tough conversations, but it was important that federal housing officials be able to put a face to these stories of struggle.  That’s why I knew there was no substitute for having the secretary on the ground with us in Cairo.  I am hopeful that this continued dialogue will spur new solutions to save Cairo and help these families transition to safer and more stable living conditions.”

 

Board approves tentative Fiscal Year 2018 budget

The board approved the tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2018. As required by law, the budget will be available for public inspection for 30 days, and a public hearing on the budget will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, prior to the regular board meeting.

The board approved the appointment of four new employees Tuesday.
·         Chris Edwards, Computer Networking Instructor, effective Aug. 8, 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems Technology from Southern Illinois University and an Associate in Applied Science Degree as an IT Systems Specialist from RLC. He has been an adjunct instructor for computer networking and unmanned aircraft systems since August 2013.
·         Colin Jones, Diesel Technology Instructor, effective Aug. 8, 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technical Resource Management from Southern Illinois University and an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Heavy Equipment Technology from Rend Lake College. He has been an adjunct instructor for diesel technology, ag mechanics and heavy equipment technology at RLC since January 2014.
·         Allison Rapp, Business Office Specialist, effective Aug. 7, 2017. She holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree from Rend Lake College and most recently served as a deputy clerk for the Illinois Appellate Court.
·         Reece Rutland, Marketing Specialist, effective Aug. 8, 2017. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from University of Illinois at Springfield. He has worked part-time in the Marketing and Public Information Department since September 2016, and previously served as coordinator of the Southern Illinois University Service Center on campus.
Expansion of duties for two administrators
Two administrators will take on additional duties after board action Tuesday.
·         Lori Ragland became the Vice President of Instruction after the board approved expanding the job duties, revising the job description and filling this position effective Aug. 8. Ragland previously had been Vice President of Career Technical Instruction and now will oversee all instruction.
·         Chad Copple became Dean of Communications and Marketing upon board action expanding the job duties, revising the job description and creating the position effective Aug. 8. Copple previously had been Director of Marketing and Public Information; in addition to those responsibilities, he now additionally will oversee Information Technology and will be responsible for several Higher Learning Commission functions.
Resignations from two
The board accepted with regret two resignations Tuesday.
·         Kathy Evans, Title III Curriculum Specialist, effective Aug. 30, 2017. She had been with the college full-time since January 2014. “I want to start by thanking Rend Lake College for the opportunities I have been given in service to the community,” Evans wrote in her resignation letter. “The district is fortunate to have an institution that remains student focused.”
·         Sylvia Moore, Nursing Instructor, effective Aug. 2, 2017. She had been hired in June 2017 with an effective date of Aug. 13, 2017, but has since accepted a position at Southeastern Illinois College. RLC and SIC are partnering on their nursing programs, and Moore still will be working with both institutions.

The board heard a report on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation activities. The college is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is due for an evaluation by the HLC in September 2018. Several working and writing sessions were held July 19-20, and the What’s Up Committee has begun its work of publicizing the HLC process and the revised mission statement and documents. The Quality Initiative report, which focuses on RLC’s First-Year Experience program, has been submitted to HLC for their review. The QI is a major component of HLC’s Open Pathway for reaffirmation of accreditation.

In curriculum matters …
The board approved two new courses, Medications in Nursing and Registered Nurse Review. Also approved were changes to 10 existing courses and the Associate Degree Nursing curriculum. The Medical Laboratory Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Veterinary Technology programs were inactivated and the Surgical Technology curriculum was withdrawn. Additionally, 11 courses were withdrawn.
In other business, the board …
·         Ratified payment of college expenses, including travel reimbursements, as presented.
·         Approved revisions to salaries for the 2018 fiscal year.
·         Approved revisions to college procedure concerning fees and the organizational chart.
·         Heard a report from Dr. Elizabeth Bailey-Smith of the Academic Council covering the curriculum matters taken up by the board Tuesday and reporting on additional meetings and activities.
Mark your calendars …
·         Faculty Orientation, 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, RLC Theatre.
·         Student Learning Day, Friday, Aug. 11, RLC campus.
·         Super Saturday, noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, on campus.
·         Class of RLC Reunion – 50th Anniversary Celebration, 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, on campus.
·         First Day of Fall Classes, Monday, Aug. 14.
·         Jerome Wiseheart: Painting Lecture and Demonstration, 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14, RLC Theatre.
·         Veterinary Assistant Program Grand Opening, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, David L. Stanley White County Center, Carmi.
·         Glo Bingo, Saturday, Sept. 9, The Rec on campus; dinner 5:30-6:30 p.m., games begin at 7 p.m. Dinner is $10, bingo is $25 for six cards, $5 per additional six cards; meal and bingo pack combo for a discounted rate of $30. More than $1,000 in cash prizes, 50/50 raffle, silent auction and more. Must be 18 to play. Funds raised will go toward improvements of the college library.