Illinois Department of Labor responds to Ohio State Fair incident

July 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Labor

SPRINGFIELD—July 27, 2017. In light of yesterday’s tragic incident at the Ohio State Fair, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is suspending the operation of all rides similar to KMG’s Fire Ball until further notice.   

“With many festivals and county fairs occurring across the State, including the upcoming Illinois State Fair, we are committed to ensuring the safety of all carnival rides,” said IDOL Acting Director Joe Beyer.

IDOL’s Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division inspectors are notifying operators to suspend operation of the Fire Ball and other similar rides. That includes three Fire Ball rides, eight Freak Out rides, and one Extreme ride that are in Illinois.

IDOL’s Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division inspects and permits every ride that is open to the public and determines whether they are safe to operate. No ride is permitted to run if it does not pass inspection. 

Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division inspectors conduct nearly 4,000 ride inspections at stationary parks, traveling carnivals, and fairs throughout the State each year.  

For more information about the Illinois Department of Labor, visit the website at http://labor.illinois.gov. IDOL can also be found on Facebook @ILDeptofLabor or on Twitter @ILDeptofLabor.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Showers will be out of here soon….Sunny and cooler for several days

July 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Relief from the humidity coming soon! (NWS Paducah)

Detailed Forecast

weather.gov |

Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. North wind 5 to 8 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 82. North northeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
Saturday Night
Clear, with a low around 60. North northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 3 to 8 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Light east northeast wind.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 68. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Eclipse preparations for local residents

July 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment

If estimates are accurate, prepare for inconveniences form Friday, August 17th, until Tuesday, August 22nd.

From Rick Linton, Executive Director, Rend Lake Area Tourism

  • Have all your vehicles filled up with fuel, to avoid shortages and long lines.
  • Stock up on basic grocery items, such as food and water.
  • Have extra cash on hand, ATM’s could be overloaded or offline.
  • Check your medication supply in advance.
  • Plan to limit driving as much as possible during this timeframe.
  • Avoid interstate 57 and other state highways, as they may become congested.
  • If you must travel, have drinking water in your vehicle.
  • Have viewing appropriate eyewear from a reputable source.
  • Be sure everyone knows how to view the eclipse, even with protective glasses.
  • Have a backup communication plan for family members and work associates in case cell phone service becomes overloaded.
  • Internet service can also be very slow.
  • Check on the elderly to make sure they have all their needs.
  • During the eclipse, supervise children and those who may become frightened.
  • Take care of animals and pets, as they may become frightened during the eclipse.
  • If you plan to view the eclipse, turn off any automatic lights, as they may spoil the view.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

City of West Frankfort donates $5,000 to the Park District

July 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment

From the City of West Frankfort

WEST FRANKFORT, IL – There are a couple of items that the City of West Frankfort has put on their Social Media page.  First, the city council approved donating $5,000 to the West Frankfort Park District to refurbish the basketball courts. There have been ongoing fund raisers in the city for this.  The estimated cost will be around $30.000.

Second, there are no solicitor permits issued at this time.  If someone would approach you at your residence, ask for their credentials and a permit.  If they do not have one, contact the WFPD.

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, West Frankfort News

GOP senator: Gov. Rauner willing to discuss changes to education funding reform after he receives bill

July 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/gop-senator-gov-rauner-willing-to-discuss-changes-to-education/article_383cefe4-72ec-11e7-80ae-335d3f63bb10.html

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

Gov. Bruce Rauner is willing to negotiate with Democrats before he makes changes to an education funding bill that bails out Chicago Public Schools’ pensions, but only after he’s sent the measure by the Senate, a GOP lawmaker said Thursday afternoon.
State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, said Rauner assured him he’d do that once Senate Democrats release Senate Bill 1, which passed out of the General Assembly in May.

“[Rauner is] willing to hold the bill then and then let’s have a negotiation,” Barickman said. “Let’s hear what it is the Democrats are willing to do to help resolve the impasse and resolve school funding.”

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

City Council Approves $17,500 Payment to EPA

July 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wfgazette.com/news/city-council-approves-payment-to-epa/article_47ec32b0-6ef0-11e7-b89d-ef195cc821b0.html

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

The West Frankfort City Council approved a $17,500 payment to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The payment was in regards to the annual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) fee for the city’s Sewer Department. The annual payment is required by law according to the Illinois EPA website (http://www.epa.illinois.gov/topics/forms/fees/npdes/index) and fees are calculated based on a usage basis from the number of gallons of wastewater processed.

 On the invoice, $2,500 is listed as the amount owed for the Sludge Generator with the other $15,000 labeled for Domestic Sewage. The service period for the annual payment will carry the city from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. Water and Sewer Commissioner Ed Blades made the motion to approve the payment and the vote for payment was unanimous
Filed Under: Breaking News, West Frankfort News

Bost Votes for Bipartisan National Security Funding Bill

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

from George O’ Connor – Communications Director for Congressman Mike Bost

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) voted for the Make America Secure Appropriations Act (H.R. 3219), the legislative package that funds national security priorities for the 2018 fiscal year. It includes the appropriations bills for defense, military construction and veterans, energy and water, and the legislative branch.

“The highest priority of Congress is to ensure the safety and security of our nation and the American people,” said Bost. “This bill does just that by giving our service members a much-deserved pay raise—the largest military pay raise in eight years. It also funds military infrastructure so that our service members can be safe and prepared, and takes care of our vets by providing the highest level of funding ever for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.  Additionally, the legislation secures our borders by providing funding for a wall on our southern border.”

 

 

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

Major water line break in the City of Benton

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

There has been a major water line break in the city of Benton, along West Church Street.  Pictures on social media show that part of the street is flooded.  It has been reported that residents in the area of the break are without water, and the Benton Street Department has issued a boil water order until further notice in the area of the break.

At this time the street is closed.  I will pass along further updates as I get them.

Here is a 6:45 p.m. update from KFVS-TV

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/35990243/water-line-break-closes-intersection-in-benton-il-boil-water-order-issued

This is from the City of Benton’s Facebook page

UPDATE: A boil water order is now in effect for all water customers from DuQuoin Street to South Main and from Washington Street to Hudelson. This order will likely be necessary until Tuesday. As a precaution, the order also remains in effect for anyone who has experienced a reduction in their water pressure. Water department crews are currently on scene and drivers should be aware that the intersection of Church and Pope is currently closed. We’ll keep updates coming on the repair progress of the water line and a lift of the order.

 

Filed Under: Benton News, Breaking News, West City News

Eads Bridge closed as tow trucks respond to tanker truck off overpass

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

KMOV photo

http://www.kmov.com/story/35984546/tanker-truck-hanging-off-overpass-in-downtown-st-louis

ST. LOUIS, MO  – (KMOV-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story and others regarding this incident.  Here is an excerpt below,)

The Eads Bridge is closed in both directions after a tanker truck crashed off the overpass of eastbound Interstate 44 at Washington in downtown St. Louis. A heavy emergency response was seen just after 7 a.m. Thursday when the truck was found hanging off the overpass.

Following the crash, a News 4 photographer on the scene noted the driver walked himself to a nearby ambulance.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

One dead, seven injured after ride malfunctions at Ohio State Fair

July 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.10tv.com/article/1-dead-7-injured-after-ride-malfunctions-ohio-state-fair

Telegraph UK photo

COLUMBUS, OH- One person was killed and other seven were injured after a ride malfunctioned at the Ohio State Fair.

A swinging and spinning amusement park ride called the Fire Ball malfunctioned and broke apart on the opening day of the fair.

Five of the injured were taken to either Wexner Medical Center or Grant Medical Center in critical condition. The remaining injured were taken to local hospitals in stable condition.

Authorities have not identified any of the victims at this time.

Filed Under: Breaking News, National News
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